Blog Post #8

Richard Miller: This is How We Dream:
Richard Miller had a dream when he was younger. His dream was to work in a place of books.......and he did. He also wrote a book which, strangely enough is now on Amazon. He dreamed all his life to be working with books, and now times have changed. He is now working on a computer with "books" that are now online instead of with physical books. He goes on to talk about how the documents and other things are now on the computer and he shows how to use some of them and what they are used for.

He showed a lot of things that are now on the computer and not only on paper anymore. This and the above mentioned are noted by Richard Miller as "instrumental changes" not "Fundamental changes." He spoke of The Washington Post Newspaper and how it can be seen online now with moving pictures and news. He also talks about ways that learning and education can be composed online. He shows that this information can be distributed freely and globally.

He goes on to say that the publishing of these online learning needs to happen. They should not simply be put together and posted. They must be attractive enough to draw attention of people to open the online book and read it; Visual representations should be used. He says that there needs to be inspiring spaces. He also says that these ideas  must be shown. He ends with the phrase, "We can do this. We should do this."

I find it very interesting that his dream was to work in a place filled with books, and now he is wanting to take things to a level of technology driven books instead of physical books. I agree that these books and other learning resources on the computer should appeal visually. Chances are, more people will focus on things that attract their attention, therefore, they should be appealing. Work should also be put into the resources that are online. He put a lot of emphasis on these things being easily distributed freely and globally via internet. I think that can be very convenient for those who either choose not to go to a library and those that find the computer more easily accessed and organized.

The Chipper Series and EDM 310 for Dummies (comments and ideas):
The basic message of both of these videos was to work hard and get things done on time. Learning takes work, but it also involves using the appropriate materials and time schedule. An idea I have about creating a video is based on representing the different things that we use in EDM 310. It could start off by showing the class full of students working on their computers. Then as it zooms in on a person the screen could show that they are working on Comments For Kids, then the student could very briefly explain what it is. Next, the video will zoom over to another person and show what they are working on, such as Timetoast, and that person can briefly explain that. This can serve as a primary aid to students in 310 where everything and explanations of things are all in one place and students are the ones explaining how to do a project. The order in which the subjects are represented in the video should be in the order they are used throughout the semester.

Critiques of Smartboards:
                     Michael Staton: Why Smartboards Are A Dumb Initiative
                     This blog was basically saying that Smartboards are just another way to spend money and
                     that they are pointless from a learning aspect. The author was saying that they are not worth    
                     the money and that the things that are used on there does not make anything any more
                     convenient or easy for the teacher


                      Bill Ferriter: Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards 
                      Bill Ferriter also wrote of how the smartboards are a waste of money and not as useful as
                      people think they are. In fact, he gave his away. He said that he only came up with a couple of
                      good lesson plans out of it. He tried to make a point that although the students liked it, it did
                      not help him much. I would have to argue that if he wanted to make a valid point he could
                      have left that part out because if the Smartboard is going to get the kids more interactive and
                      interested in what is going on then it has done a lot of its job and he needs to realize that it is
                      not about making his job easier, it is about making the kids' interaction and excitement in
                      learning better.
                                   opposing idea: This is a link to a blog that is devoted to showing innovative ways     
                                   that a Smartboard can be used. Different tools are given that can be used and
                                   websites to go to that can be integrated in the classroom by using the Smartboard.

                                                           http://abunday-smartboard.blogspot.com/
           
                                     This view shows that there are many ways that Smartboards are useful. There is
                                      nothing negative said about the Smartboard; only ways to bring more interaction to
                                      the students through various games and other things that are focused on helping
                                      students find joy and fun in learning.