F-JAM Project 14

Blog Post 8

How do we dream Part 1 By Richard E. Miller speaks about our ability to communicate instantly and the effects that it has on our lives. With such instant access it effects how we write and research. Were we work and publish. Richard Miller also reflects on the fact that it is now possible to collaborate using networking technology to compose using text and images, film and what ever you are able to find archived on the web. We are able to collect the threads of experience and weave them into coherent documents. Mr. Miller goes on the explain that this is an incremental change not a fundamental change.


Carly Pugh speaks in her blog post #12 about a wonderfully creative idea. Carly shows a nice example of  using network technology to compose, just like Richard Miller speaks about in his videos. Carly's post was upbeat and creative. Really grabs the attention of the reader. Excellent idea Carly!

The Chipper Series was a funny way to show what not to do/think in EDM 310. Chipper was a firm believer in procrastination (Which is defiantly not a great thing in this course.) Chipper also wanted to be taught so she doesn't have to learn. Dr. Strange has spoke on these subjects since day one of this course. This video made me smile. You should defiantly check it out!
EDM 310 for Dummies was a really neat video! I can completely agree with the women at the beginning of the video. At the beginning of this course I was really worried and scared of the work, wondering if I would be able to "teach" myself. But, so far so good! I have to work hard to make sure  I keep on track with my work.
In thinking about creating my own video for EDM 310 I would like to show people my computer skills before this class and then follow up with my skills after this course. I, in no way would consider myself to be a very technological person. This course has given me the confidence to realize that even though the computer may not be my strongest point, with diligence I can do anything that I put my mind to. My video would show me after all of my hard work has paid off! I will have great knowledge that I will take with me and use in my own classroom one day!

 While visiting Discovery Educations Web 20.11 site I was to do a "Scavenger Hunt" so to say and locate the following items:

List of Things to Find
1.) Locate a tool that is similar to Twitter/Facebook and provides a social platform for teachers,
parents, and students. Create an account as a Teacher and write a paragraph or two about how
you could use this site in your classroom. I chose Ning. Ning is similar to the social networks such a Facebook. It is not as popular as Facebook so I think it would be great to use in a classroom setting. You make your own "group" of people whom you will communicate. Since a lot of students may not have Ning, I think it will make it much easier to allow the children on Ning during class time that way they are not mixing there personal stuff with class work.It would allow the student to communicate with classmates and share ideas.

2.) Find a video tool that you have never used. Summarize some it's special features.After some research, I chose Smart Board Revolution. It is a site for teachers to share ideas, tips and lesson plans. I also really enjoyed the fact that it stated that nothing is to simple to share, since there are users of all levels on the site.It is awesome that you can "Swap" smart board" ideas and lesson plans. I think I will be using this a lot!

3.) Find a tool to create a poll anywhere and at anytime. Create your first poll and post it here. I chose Polls Everywhere. It is a really neat tool that can be used in the classroom and for personal use. I made a poll on which holiday is your favorite? Christmas or Easter? Check it out ...

Get a free sms student response system at Poll Everywhere

Project #12

Project #11

Project #9B

Copy of 3 States of Matter on Prezi

Project #10 1st progress report PLN

I will be working over the next few weeks to develop and organize my own personal learning network. I really like symbaloo. I already use Facebook as a great way to contact people. I already have some great resources and of course are looking in to others.

Blog Post 7

Networked Student By: Wendy Drexler was a interesting video. It spoke of Connectivism. Connectivism is the idea that learning occurs within a social network with ties between students. The students have a PLN (Personal learning network.) They gather information and use internet blogs and search engines to gather information and build a network of people that can help them to understand and learn. The student will in return create their own personal blog and speak on their formed opinions. 

You may ask like the video, why the networked student even needs a teacher. Well, although networked students may be doing a lot of self learning, teachers are needed to guide the students through the learning process and for communication. Not all students are ready or able to learn on there own. Teachers not only work with learning in the classroom they guide students in many other ways. I think there will always be a need for teachers in the classroom. 

I think that technology is wonderful! I feel that we as future educators should be capable to guiding our students and working to address all types of learning. After all every child learns in different ways!

C4K February

Hi Eric,

Happy belated birthday Eric! Eleven is a great age. I hope you enjoyed your birthday dinner at Famous Dave’s!


Melissa Harrison
Student – University of South Alabama
EDM 310




On Febuary 26, 2012 @ 8:36 pm I left a comment BB


Dear BB,

I really enjoyed reading your blog post about your new hobby! Skateboarding seems like it would be a lot of fun. I loved to skate as a child. I live in Mobile Alabama and one of our local skating rinks has an adult league.

Your blogging pal in Alabama,

Melissa Harrison
Student – University of South Alabama
EDM 310

Blog Post 6

Randy Pausch Last Lecture Was Excellent! What a wonderful man and an inspiration to us all. For him to be so positive and inspiring when knowing that he only has months to live is amazing. Randy was energetic and really embraced his life and was blessed beyond measure. He spoke on several topics both personal and professional. Some of the key points that Randy pointed out are things that will help us in life in general in both a personal and professional level.
Randy spoke of his childhood dreams. All of us have had dreams as children that were things that we wanted to accomplish in life. Although, sometimes things have happened to stop or detour these visions. It is never too late. He states that brick walls are there for a reason. They let us prove how badly we want something. That is something that we should all remember. We should always strive for everything that we have ever wanted. Also, a question that we should always ask our self is how we can enable the childhood dreams of others. As educators, we should always keep this in the back of our mind. No matter how big, small, silly or farfetched our student’s childhood dreams maybe we should always help them to strive for those dreams.
Randy also said that everyone "Has the chance to make other people excited and happy." Oh how true this is. I was excited and happy just watching how excited and happy he was while giving his lectures. We as teachers have the opportunity to make people happy. It all lies within our attitude. If we decide that we are going to be the "Tigger" instead of the "Eeyore" we will have the ability to be enjoyable and to make people happy and excited in our presence. I will defiantly take this with me in my attitude as a teacher and within my own day to day life. The lessons learned during this video were all things that we can all learn a lesson or two from.



• Help others. If everyone helped out others the word would be a better place.
• Respect authority while questioning it. How true is this...?
• Learn from your students. Do not ever get to the point where you feel that you know everything and have nothing to learn from others.
• Tell your students about having fun. Learning can be fun. Just because you are learning does not mean that you cannot make it fun and enjoyable.
• NEVER lose your childlike wonder. I think this is one of the greatest points that we can all learn from. As we grow older everything becomes so serious. Everything is new, fun and interesting to children. They look at the world in amazement and sometimes as adults we lose that childhood wonder.

Randy Pausch said, "Its not about how you achieve your dreams, it's how you live your life." "If you live your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself." I am completely smitten with his words! This man has a wonderful way about him. He makes people want to be more like him! For these words of wonder and encouragement I am forever grateful! In my future teaching career and throughout my life I will remember the wise words of Randy Pausch!