Michael Wesch: Toward a New Future of Whatever

This video was eye-opening. In my personal life, I am constantly using the word, "whatever!" I use it in all contexts however. I never thought of it as meaning I was self-centered; interesting description. In the classroom I would never use the word in a negative connotation with my students because they may develop the same narcissistic meaning of the word much of the world has. The future meaning of the word should embody a universal meaning of, according to Wesch, "I care. Let's do whatever it takes...by whatever means necessary." I believe that as a society we should be more positive so we ensure that our future leaders are positive. In my personal life, "whatever" is used neutrally if that is possible. I say "whatever" quite often but I do not necessarily use it in a negative connotation.

As a student, I use the word quite often and, normally, it is under negative circumstances. If a teacher assigns something that I think is irrelevant of bogus, it gets a "whatever." If the teacher makes a comment about something or gives extra work or cancels a class at the last minute, it gets a "whatever." Basically if it is not to my liking...whatever! After watching the video, I realize how negative the word is and how it affects me as a person. As an instructor, it is my duty to get my children to see how limiting the word is negatively. Instead they should use the word more positively. The word can also be a sign of frustration and it is our duty as instructors to get our students out of this type of thinking and when they do not understand something they should be thinking, "What can I do differently to get the answer; no matter hw long it takes to get the answer, I can do it."

Why Publish Student Work to the Web?

I think it is important for students to post their work to blogs because they get a chance to express themselves. When they learn something new, they can share their enthusiasm and share it with the world. Their excitement and get someone else interested in the topic. Through our blogs, we have been able to learn about new resources and webistes such as ALEX and ACCESS. Also videos we have been assigned make comments on, fr some, got us feedback from the makers of the video or instructors. We learn from those videos and other blogs we have read and are able to apply what we have heard or read in our classrooms.

I think it is important to publish student work to the web because it is a way for students to network with other students all over the world. They can share each other's thoughts and male comments which can include suggestions. In class, we have Personal Learning Networks we have created with other professionals. We are able to communicate through blogs and posts on Twitter, Blogger, Facebook, etc. Our PLNs are a great learning resource and students sharing their work online can also turn into a learning resource for others. Also, with our Comment4Kids assignment, we read students' blogs and make comments. Students see these comments and are motivated and through our inspirational words, students feel good and have an increase in self-esteem.

With our iGoogle assignements, I learned something new and I am able to familiarize myself with all of the uses for it. My students can have access to it and get help with homework and find cool sites! As a student, he or she can create a page that is full of creativity and is about him or he. Students learn more and more about the Internet through blogs and taking advantage of what the Internet has to offer.

ACCESS: Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide

Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS) was launched on November 1, 2004 and funded $10.3 million on October 1, 2005 under Governor Bob Riley. The purpose of ACCESS was to, "provide equal access to high quality instruction to improve student achievement through distance learning opportunities." It is available to all public high schools in the state. It includes web based and Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) courses taught by "highly qualified" educators. ACCESS supports distance learning within the state. It provides access to advanced diploma and AP courses and supplemental resources. It also provides instructors with technology and tools needed to make classroom instruction better. Since its launch, ACCESS has increased course offerings and enrollments at participating schools. These schools are provided cameras, routers, projectors, training and anything else that pertains to this project. ACCESS is also in the process of getting parents involved which I think is crucial for this to be more of a success. Parents who are not technology savvy can learn from their children and have a motivating spirit. Students gain confidence that they are able to make it in the competitive world because they possess skills they, otherwise, would not have without this project. With this project, students have a reason to be excited about school and progressing in life.

I think this project can be a huge success if not abused and misused. I appreciate the fact that it is being offered to public schools who may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore the benefits of the Internet. I can see the benefits of having this in my classroom and also see the negative. As I said before, some students will not have access to a computer, let alone the Internet so this project is helping to bridge a gap between low and hig income students. The downside, however, is the lack of interaction between the student and online instructor. I am sure this can be compensated throught the in-class instructor but if students need outside help, they cannot get it unless they have the Internet available to them all of the time.

ALEX: Alabama Learning Exchange

Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) provides courses of study (ACOS) for all content areas ranging from, my specialty, mathematics to physical education. It even has standards for driver's education! It lists the grade levels in which this course should be taught which is 10 - 12. I know it is a class but "standards" for it was not something I thought much about. I felt this way because there is no major for someone who desires to become a driver's education instructor. There are lesson plans available only for instruction about purchasing a vehicle, getting it registered and purchasing insurance for the vehicle. Moving right along...

There are standards for information literacy which measures a student's ability to gather and organize reliable information from sources. Character education includes, but is not limited to, courage, patriotism and kindness. There are web links and lesson plans available for these areas. Along with course of study, ALEX also has educational web links for instructors, administrators and students that are related to the courses of study. Lesson plans are also available for teachers to access and share with one another. You simply check the subject area and grade level and enter keywords to begin your search. The ALEX Thinkfinity search engine helps instructors and students access lesson plans and web links by searching its database. The personal workspace allows registered users to create a personal workspace so they are able to upload created lesson plans and search other instructors' web pages.

There is a personal learning section which provides instructors with websites to locate professional development workshops, tools for educating and news. What I find exciting is the podcast treasury. Here, you can find useful podcasts to incorporate into your classroom that pertains to Alabama unlike iTunes University which is on a universal scale.

ALEX is a wonderful resource for all instructors! I can use it in to find and use lesson plans and activities for my students. I find the podcasts to be exciting! As I stated before, it is more useful to me to have podcasts that are related closer to your home state. When I first clicked on it, the first thing I saw was the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute link. It made me think about home and, for students who are in Birmingham or from Birmingham, those students will find that particular podcast to relate more to who they are and where they come from. ALEX provides me with useful and reliable educational resources for me to share with my students and fellow educators. Since I am always looking to become a better teacher, I find it useful in the fact that it provides me with avenues for locating professional development workshops. It is a great site for new and tenured teachers alike!

Comment4Kids: Kiana

I read a blog post by Kiana. She is multicultural; her mother is both European and Native American and her father is African, Native and European American. She is very proud of her Native American heritage. She attends pow wows in the summer. She received her Native American name when she was 1 years-old. She says that her Native American name means sneaky little girl. Kiana is creative and funny. She loves to draw and listen to music. Her favorite artists is Lil Wayne. I told her to never lose her creativity. It will take her places. I, too, share her love for Lil Wayne as an artist. I am excited that she is so positive about her mix heritage and loves it!