one more thing..

Also. I just wanted to let everyone know I got good news last week. After endlessly searching for a job/internship this summer and having no luck whatsoever, I finally got one.

I applied to the Maine State Government Internship Program. They called me last Wednesday and offered me a position at the Department of Education in Augusta. I guess I was the best match for the position offered. It is a 12 week program and I am looking forward to it. It will be great experience!! I don't know too much about the job yet, but I do know I will be focusing on Special Education. Like going over IEP's, school contracts, etc.


I can't wait! :-)

Final Post..Maybe.

I have learned blogging is a very important technological tool. Blogging is actually very interesting. Prior coming to this class I was a little skeptical about blogs. I did not know too much about them and I did not understand the benefits they can produce. Now after creating my own blog, I have been able to learn how it works relatively quickly. Testing the different functions that the Google blogger has to offer has also been very helpful. This simple program is truly unique. It has so many different options you can choose from, depending on your own desires. I like that because I am very fond of choice.

Blogs are unique! They can be used to communicate thoughts or ideas while at the same time being able to correspond with others. Blogging can be used to discuss any topic whatsoever. For me, education blogs tend to be capture my attention. Within these blogs, some between educators themselves, the topics have a wide variety of range. Being able to find and join these blogs is great way to learn. As a future teacher I will not know everything and will have many questions. So having a easy way to communicate with other teachers will be very useful.

I have also learned how blogging can be incorporated in the classroom. Our guest speaker (Leah Welch) showed us how she uses blogs and I picked up a lot of ideas for myself. I realize blogging can be used for different purposes. For example, an online filling cabinet, a space to communicate with parents or other teachers and even a class portal. It is really neat!

As for continuing this blog, maybe? But I know that in the future, especially as a teacher, I will be maintaining and running a couple blogs myself.

My advice to new bloggers, is too relax. It is easy to learn and use! And blogging does have a lot of potential benefits on a personal or professional level. Really blogging is actually FUN! :-)

Teachers Academy

So I was watching the masters (golf tournament) on Sunday and I saw a commercial that was for "The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy." From what I understand, the academy is a place where elementary school teachers can go to learn more ways to integrate technology, science and math more into their curriculum.

"Today, in fields like medicine, computing and energy, the U.S. needs more brilliant young minds than ever before. Yet, as the need for brainpower grows, the number of our nation’s young people pursuing careers in these areas is decreasing. Fortunately, we believe this trend can be reversed, which is why we partnered with professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy to launch the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in 2005. " -from the website

"As someone who uses math and science every day in my career, I recognize the importance of encouraging children’s interests in math and science and equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom," said Phil Mickelson. "The Academy is an opportunity for teachers to share best practices with colleagues and pick up tools to positively impact the science and math education students receive." -from the website


This program seems very interesting. I thought it would be good to share! The website is:
http://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/community_ed_math_academy.aspx

So close, but so far.

So..I can't believe this semester is almost over. It has gone by so fast...I seriously can't believe we only have a number of days left. Honestly though, summer can't come soon enough! This year has been very busy!


Lets see, wiki's. I don't really know if I like them or not. I find them a little confusing and slightly pointless. I just feel there is so many other ways to communicate on the social web, that wikis for me is not the number one option. But that is just my opinion! Between podcasts and wikis, I definitely like podcasts better. Learning how to use and create a podcast in class was so much fun. I think they really are interesting and have so much to offer. I can see myself looking and using podcasts more often now.
Anyway, I know they are used for two different reasons, but I guess when getting information across to somebody else, podcasts just seem more appealing to me. Till this class, I had no clue what either one of them where. So I guess it is cool learning all these new tools that are available out there on the web.

Lastly, I think Wikipedia is amazing. Lets just through that out there! If wikipedia is so reliable then teachers and educators should not always ban it. I could understand that a teacher wouldn't want you doing a research paper and using just wikipedia. But I don't think it should be denied and considered a unreliable choice.


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