Delicious.com: Social Tagging

My first reaction to social book marking is that it could be very helpful to individuals who need some form of shared information system. Examples are teachers (as a shared resource), Sales (Sites for training and learning), etc. This is my first experience with social book marking and can see that it could have a great advantage to people who would like to share and grow through learning from others resources. I can see where this would be a great resource to me and others in the future who I can learn from and how others can learn from my experiences.  If you would like to check out my book marks and see how I take advantage of social book marking just go to http://www.delicious.com/cjsnead.

Podcasting in Classes

The podcast I created is to help students understand the importance of organization for students in both their school work and everyday life. My girlfriend has two children. I am constantly trying to help them with their education but the one problem I have is getting them to understand the importance of organizing their work and the benefits to life for doing so. Education comes in many forms, but the best way to learn and to absorb that information is to have it organized in a manner that works to your benefit. Take for example: her oldest daughter is a very bright and intelligent young woman. Her biggest issue with school right now is the way she organizes her work. She is constantly looking for homework to be done or home work she that is done and needs to be turned in but can’t find it to present to her teacher for credit. It becomes a very frustrating situation to deal with when you only want the best for them. My podcast list the advantages of organizing your work and the disadvantages to not having it organized.

Organization	Disorganization
Time saved from having to find homework to be completed	Waste time because instead of work getting done you get frustrated before you even begin just trying to find it
Keeps your teacher happy because they your work is ready	Frustrates teachers and your friends because they are waiting on you to catch up
Helps you order your thoughts and helps you learn by putting information together in a waythat is understandable	Spend a lot of time looking for just one answer because information is scattered every where
Allows for more time to do the fun things in life	Having to constantly play catch-up to just get to where everyone is already at

Copyright Concerns

Why should everyone be concerned about copy rights? First we have to understand what a copy right is. A copyright is an exclusive right granted to an author or creator to of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute, and adapt the work. Why is this important? Let’s think of this in terms of personal rights. How would you feel if someone committed a crime and said that their name was yours? What if they applied for credit cards using your ID, and social security number? Suddenly your security as an individual comes in jeopardy. Basically what this person has done is infringe on the copy right applied to your name. Is this important to you? It is also important to people who produce things such as music or movies. When someone breaks a copyright law they are infringing on the creators right to that material. When some does this are they in different from the thief who stole your identity?

Spreed Sheets in the Classroom

Spreadsheets in the classroom can serve two good functions, first for the teacher and second for the student. For the teacher it is a greet way to keep track of grades and a student progress in their class as the year progresses. They can track what subjects they are excelling and track students that are having problems and often determine the reason for the trouble they are having in this subject. For the student spreadsheets can serve a much different use. Students can use them to help themselves learn math. This includes different levels any where from basic math all the way to calculus. Excel allows students to preform higher math functions then what they are currently able to do by showing them both the process and form of equations.

Word Processing in the Classroom

Word processing in the classroom is no longer a thing that is talked about, it is now becoming a reality. So what are the best functions for word processing in the classroom? First I believe that word processing is a function that would allow teachers to plan better. With current technology a teacher can now organize her entire class room for each week, month and year. This allows for a better learning experience for the student and gives the teacher a great way to stay ahead of the game. With word processing technology teachers are also better able to keep up with the progress of each student. Word processing today is way beyond the typewriter. They can now organize and retrieve information through word processors that allow them to keep an eye on what each individual is excelling and failing behind in. Through more advances in this technology we should see a great improvement in our education system in the near future.

NC Computer Test

In 2009 the NC school system dropped the computer test from its required testing schedule. Why? The reason for this seems to be funding. They view is that in a failing economy, where less taxes are collected, there is less money to spend on more expensive items. So where are they making their mistake? First if all classes were to go a paperless, classroom cost over long term would drop because printing cost and new books are a large part of the rising cost in public schools, and electronic books would solve a lot of these problems. . Second in a technology rich society we must teach our children the skills to survive. Computer skills are no longer a thing of the future. The majority of all jobs these days require some form of computer knowledge. It would seem that the NC school system would see and recognize this, and in a society who's entire future seems to depend on this type of skill, would make it a strong part of the overall curriculum.

The sad thing is that up until 2009 this skill was tested in high schools and it was a required item to have to graduate. So what happens to all those students that didn't pass because of this skills test didn't receive their diploma and now look back and say "Well if I had graduated after 2009 I would have my degree". There should be some way for this group of individuals to request the schools for a diploma at this point. I urge each person who falls under these circumstance to write and call there local congressman to address this matter.

Blogs in the Classroom

Whats the benefit of blogs in the classrooms? First as many people to day have computer access as they have cars. So whats the big deal? Imagine being able to stay in touch with your child's teacher 7 days a week. You can be fully aware of what is happening in there classroom and even what they are doing day to day.  As a parent one of the biggest fears that you may have for your children is if they are getting everything they can out of the classroom. By using blogs you can know what their homework assignments are. You can see up coming events such as field trips or special projects in class. You can begin to personalize you relationship with your child's teacher. How does this benefit you and your child? As with must children their attention spans are often small at a younger age. So what if they forget a project or try to put it off to a later date and then drop it in your lap the day before its due? This ever happen to you? Believe me it happens to a lot of people. A blog would allow you to know these due dates and allow you to help your child plan in advance to get the project done. You also be teaching your child a valuable lesson as well. That a well planned project is better than something thrown together.