Audacity

On Spanish Teachers Net I read a post about Audacity. Looks cool!

Issues due 7/30

Each person is responsible for a maximum of a ten minute segment (combined any way you want to in your group.) The time will include the sharing of factual information and the facilitation of a whole group discussion on June 30. You will also be responsible for documenting and enriching your discussion with a wikispace, including an annotated bibliography, to be posted by June 30. You must situate your discussion by drawing on course content, readings, and your own library and internet research.

You will include the history, underlying philosophy, and the various ethical points of view regarding your issue. source

I chose distance and on-line learning for my issue. I will discuss the history of such education, the technologies and methodologies used in instruction, current trends, and research that compares and contrasts this type of teaching with more traditional class structures. I am a proponent of distance education, because I come from a rural background and was homeschooled until the fifth grade, I experienced at an early age the benefits of distance education when other options simply were not feasible. In this presentation I will also share negative perspectives in an effort to present an obective study of the issue.

edu 581 Philosophy Paper due 7/23

Philosophy paper


In a minimum of ten pages, the professional philosophy will address the following:

a.Critical pedagogy: The criteria,
process and consequences of creating change in educational environments and the use of technology in accomplishing same;

p. 32 Huerta Innovative possibilities for all learners by affirming student identity, building communities, supporting diversity, and encouraging service to others.

b.Appreciation of diversity of values, ethics, class, race, gender, sexuality, culture and ability: Consider the components and interactions of the cultures in educational settings, practices that encourage the universal recognition of all learners;
c.A lengthy statement about technology: The application of technologies and basic skills, ethical issues related to access to technology;
d.staff and students, including the political systems affecting current local
educational practice.
e.References to historical and current philosophies, citations from theorists, and examples of practice in modern schools.

Re: philosophy and real world application. When I first began teaching I was definitely focused on behaviorism as a means to effectively manage a diverse group of learners. I still rely on behaviorism to an extent, but this conditioning process at the beginning of the term gives way to a much more organic, creative process later. I find my students appreciate the very structured first two-three weeks of school. After a very full behaviorist approach (I really work them hard to condition them!) my classroom becomes much more about progressivism. I assign open-ended projects that have two parts: process and product. All work has an audience. Students create their content on websites and interact with each other using various platforms. I have deadlines but not due dates and students work at their own pace.

I feel that my personal teaching style also has elements of social reconstructivism and existentialism. My first teaching assignment was at a parochial school in suburban Virginia. There was a conviction in that environment to "do good works"--social outreach for the needy and less fortunate of society.

Eduational Foundations

What historical events or contributors do you feel have had the most impact on education today?

Which trends and controversies continue to be debated by contemporary educational leaders and why?

new beginnings

My first textbook came in the mail for EDU 581.

I am excited to begin my master's program!