Podcasting

I took a look at Podcast Pickle. Just by searching "math" I see a ton of different people whose podcasts relate to math. Then in each one you find many more. I don't like that you cannot link directly to a specific users channel or podcasts. Two that I found where interesting were Mathgrad.com that talks about everyday math, and Math factor which looks at math puzzles and brain teasers. I really enjoyed the one that talks about zero, I would use this in my class, and I think just by listen to a podcast about students are more likely to remember zero is not positive or negative 'I remember that from the podcast'. I love to use brain teasers with my students whenever we have a few extra minutes.
podcastpickle
Search "mathgrad" and Zero is #15

My Podcast can be found here

Video

I used two new video searches, TeacherTube and Videopedia. I can't say that I prefer one over the other, I wasn't looking for anything specific. I like the fractions video. This would be a good video for middle school students. I can definitely see the students I taught last year start rapping parts of it. I also chose the tutorial on podcasting because we will need to do one for the next mod.

Rss Feed

I didn't know what an RSS feed was until I did this. I like the idea because I won't look at the blogs and sites I have chosen unless I know there is something new or interesting on it, and eventually I will get tired of going to each one to see if there is something new or relevant to me. I enjoyed the new post by Graham Wergner, it was actually a piece that related to something posted by another blogger Dan Meyer on Groceries that is also on my Blog Roll and RSS feed. I enjoy seeing others comment on how to "save" math education, and hope that people continue to do this to share the great ideas that are out there. Like I have heard many times "why reinvent the wheel", share with others and get and give ideas.

Delicious Tag Cloud

My Delicious Tag Cloud
This is a great idea. I love how I can tag the same site multiple ways and find sites that others have found that are great too.

Social Networks

I chose to Join Education Technology. I think it is a good social network to join because I can see how members are posting things that can help other members get technology into their classroom. I like the step by step instructions on pod and video casting, as well as the forum on using wikis.








I have a dual screen, that is why you see two images

Todays Learner

Learners today are like computers. Not only are most computers different makes and models, they differ by the things they know (the programs on them). Depending on interests, a person can add programs and software to increase the productivity of the device. Just like as a person learns more and more they are more likely to be able to complete tasks and solve problems. With a computer you can try a program and if you don't like it you can delete it, if you find it useful, you find ways to make it even more useful to you. Just like a learners does when they find something relevant to them, or not.
"Including technology and connection making as learning activities begins to move learning theories into a digital age" (Siemens, 2005). Not only is a learner like the computer, or technology primary used today, they are also the means in which meaning is made. As students talk with one another at school and on social networks, they are just like that of a computer, using the technology at hand to find and talk with other people. "Words give life to thought, our ability to express our self and our knowing increases as we express our selves and externalize our knowledge." Often all we need to do is express our questions in order to gain answers, and synthesize knowledge.


Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Retrieved September 12, 2009.

The Impact of Social Learning

Uses for Blogging

1. Blogging can be used for reflection. Constructivism places emphasis on reflection after a learning experience. Blogging could be one way to get students excited about doing it.

2. Questions. This would be a great way to allow students to ask questions. They could receive answers from classmates or find that classmates have similar questions and get answers from the teacher or other online sources.

3. Getting to know each other. This could be a good way for students to express themselves and get to know each other. It might be a good beginning activity in a computer or technology class.