Moodle

Here is my quick presentation about a course management system called moodle. For more information check out moodle.org or set up your own moodle run website at ninehub.com

How to Make Chicken Crescent Rolls

A Yummy easy dinner! And don't forget to checkout my other links of educational blogs. Some are very useful for newbie teachers.

Educational value of Speaking of History podcast

At first I was really excited to see that there was a podcast specific to history. However, after listening (and that basically is all it is) my excitement diminished. Only a handful actually talk about history but only because the teacher had been on a trip to a place of historical significance like the Alamo or Ellis Island. But I couldn't see any pictures or videos of these places from the podcast, only his speaking, which can tend to become rather dull without a visual stimulus. Now my expectations of podcast might be incorrect for I thought they were to be video but this cast is more like a radio station. Other topics in this podcast concerning technology in the classroom, like using his Zune and google stuff. Overall, I don't think this podcast has very much value in a history classroom. I won't be rushing to use it.

Last Biden Update

This is the last update for Biden's wikipedia page and again, nothing that exciting is happening. Someone added some information on Biden's past aneurysm problems. But overall, the only changes involved editing "ten" to "10" and other similar minor editing things.

Wikipedia

Those of us in college have heard of the horrors of using Wikipedia for class. If citing Wiki as a source, the paper is usually returned with an urgent message to never use Wikipedia because anyone in the world can become an editor and go to town on an article, writing inaccurate and just flat out wrong things. Though I do still agree that Wikipedia should not be used as an essential research cite. However, it still can have a use in the classroom. For instance Wikipedia can be used by students as a JUMPSTART to research. It can be a place to get ideas for papers and such. Some of the other features of Wikipedia, like Wikihow can be of use. For example, if teaching a science class, lab instructions can be place here. Or if having a big end of the year project, instructions can be placed on Wikihow. So, don't completely write off Wikipedia.

A short blog from gabcast

Gabcast! Blog #0

More Changes on Biden's wikepedia

A little bit more excitement than my last post. The most of the changes were concerning the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination and about his personal feelings on the matter. Besides that there was an addition that Biden will be the first Roman Catholic VP and the first VP from Delaware.

Social Bookmarking's Use in the Classroom

Social Bookmarking has a great use for teachers, for with this web based innovation, teachers can share good internet sites amongst each other with ease. All the teachers of a school can be set up in a network. In this network teachers can share websites or anything on the internet they think can be of use in the classroom. This eliminates sending an email with a url listed every time a new site is found. Social bookmarking also eliminates loosing these sites if email is deleted by some means.

Changes on Biden's wikipedia

Not that much changed on Biden's wikipedia article. In fact, no changes were made on the eighth at all. I guess the debate buzz died down. The only change to report is that an unnecessary space between Kerry and a comma was deleted. And on the seventh someone removed "empty columns." That's it. Very exciting.

Pros and Cons of Educational Blogging

Does blogging have a place in the classroom? Like many things, blogging has pros and cons. Some cons include time consumption and inappropriate usage by students. In order to properly use a blog site for the classroom, the teacher will have to devote quite a bit of time so that the site stays up to date with the class and to moderate comments posted on the site. This leads into the inappropriate use of the blog site, for students, if not moderated, could use the site to just chat or other forms of communicating. However, these cons can be addressed. No matter what the upkeep of the site will take time from the teacher but this time can be distributed to the class. An example was shown in my Educational Technology class. For a calculus class, students were responsible for posting the notes of that day on the site. Of course, this requires responsible students, it serves as a way to cut down on the teacher's time. And probably any advent blogger knows that inappropriate language can be easily taken under control, setting up the blog to send comments to the author to view before posting. Furthermore, the teacher can direct the students into the proper usage of the blog site, stating that non-class communication is not allowed.
The pros for blogging is vast and many. As stated, a blog can be used to post notes of that day's class. In doing this, students who missed that day(s) can simply go to the blog and catch up on the notes. Also, if any student missed a whole section of notes, he/she can again just check the site. Blogging can also be used if students have questions. The can post their questions on the blog for either the teacher or the other classmates to answer. The teacher can use a blog to post links to help in a research paper or a class webquest.
Overall, if a teacher is willing to take some time to make a blog, the upkeep and usage of it is rather easy and can be of great use in the classroom.

Why I am choosing to become a teacher

Unlike most people it seems, I did not always want to be a teacher. I started out in pre-pharmacy, but after working in a pharmacy, I realized that just wasn't for me. I then just kind of fell into teaching because I didn't know what else I wanted to do. Teaching was familiar to me; I've spent the majority of my life in a school environment, most of the adults I know and respect are teachers, and my brother and future wife were in the process of becoming teachers. I have had some experience teaching, mainly in church for Sunday School. I did enjoy those experiences, but part of me was still unsure of whether I should be a teacher and if I would be any good at it. Time was getting to be an issue, having been in school six years (changing a major three times will do that and going from chemistry to history doesn't help either) by the time I made my way up to East Tennessee State University; therefore, I felt I had to just finish with something, regardless of how I felt. However, my first semester at ETSU offered the opportunity to actually teach a history lesson. It was in front of college students but still it was the first time I taught a history lesson. I was SO NERVOUS the whole day. But the second I got up in front of the class and started teaching, the nerves went and it just fit. The instructor at the end of class said that I was teaching like an old pro. That was the reassurance I needed. I firmly believe that I have a natural gift for teaching. I love it. I cannot wait for student teaching. Don't get me wrong; I am extremely nervous, but I am also equally excited.