ACCESS

Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS) is a program designed to offer classes, to high school students, that may not be offered at their school. ACCESS does this by using technology. There are 3 different class types to choose from. The web-based course is a course that uses the internet for instruction while the videoconferencing course utilizes audio/video equipment to present lectures in streaming video. There is also a blended course type that uses both the internet and videoconferencing.

Many rural and low income schools are limited in the types of courses they can offer due to inefficient funding and teacher shortages. ACCESS makes it possible for students to take courses such as advanced placement classes or classes needed to obtain an advanced diploma. Basic english, math, science, and history courses are also available as well as foreign language classes and electives.

Adding a Photograph to My Blog

Click on the photo icon. Browse to find your photograph. Open. Click OK. Select a location for your text. Select a site for your photograph. I recommend small pictures unless you want to cover your blog. Photograph taken by Jan Giddens December 2007.

Using ALEX in the Classroom

I believe that I will use ALEX very often when I become a teacher. The lesson plans option would be a good resource for getting ideas for projects and such. The professional learning option would be a good resource for finding opportunities to grow in my teaching abilities and strategies. ALEX offers many educational tools all in one place which is very convenient. I will use ALEX to find educational information that I may need.

ALEX is also useful for students and administrators. I believe I would use ALEX to refer my students to specific websites. I also believe I would use ALEX for distance learning if it is available wherever I teach.

Alabama Learning Exchange

Alabama Learning Exchange(ALEX) is an online resource for teachers, administrators, and students that offers educational tools, news, web links, lesson plans, and professional development information. It also offers a personal workspace option and information regarding distance learning. ALEX is full of valuable information that is very useful for educators and students.

The lesson plans and personal workspace options go hand in hand. You can use sample lesson plans that aree available or create your own and store them in your personal workspace. The website links and professional learning options provide links to educational information and professional development opportunities. There are also links to educational news sites and ALEX also offers links for administrators and students.

Fischbowl Video

As I watched this video I was reminded of how much technology has advanced since I was in high school. In 1993, when I graduated high school, computers in the home were not commonplace. I had minimal access to computers at school but the use of those computers was not common either. Needless to say, when I returned to college last semester, as an adult with little computer experience, I was forced to quickly learn about computers and their benefits to my educational process. I often find myself asking my eleven year old son and eight year old daughter how to do things on the computer. When I was eight years old my main educational concern was spelling words and arithmetic, not Internet browsers and PowerPoint projects. Since 1993, just 14 years ago, technology has increased three times over with new innovations being discovered everyday. As a educator it is important for me to stay on top of technological advancements so that I can use technology as a beneficial educational resource.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my very first blog. I hope everyone enjoys my madness.