Master's Weekend

Well, the last weekend for Dr. Hock's Internet course was completed this past weekend and now we are to finish with a few small projects and one BIGGIE! We opened up a Skype account and have a conference call scheduled for this coming Saturday. We also learned how to build "Mashups" and will be creating a map with mashups for another project. The final project requires us to build a 5 page website using all of the tools that we learned. Mine will represent my Entertainment Technology class at Marion County TEC in Marion SC and will be linked or added to our existing school website. This project will be incorporated as a lesson for my students so that they will see and participate in the creation of this website.

First Week

We have completed our first full week of school with students. I have a great group of students this year and an excellent team teacher to work with. We are combining Sports/Entertainment Marketing with Entertainment Technology and the potential for learning has doubled at least. The students are well receptive and excited about this opportunity. Let's Rock and Roll!!!

The Journey

Hey guys! Morris Ward here keeping you up to date on my educational journey. ECOMP5100 has been completed and I learned a lot! Much of which I will certainly be using in my own curriculum. From newly discovered tricks in Word and Excel to PowerPoint and Photo Story. The mid-term paper I wrote "The Future of Podcasting for Educational Enhancement" will serve to help me implement podcasting as part of my curriculum.

I'm very excited about ECOMP6008 and learning more about incorporating the Internet into my curriculum. This "blogging" thing is really cool and I'm definitely going to use this a lot! Webquests are a great way to get students researching and discovering new avenues of learning. Being able to create websites will benefit me personally and allow me to take part in my school's web design as well. Update you later!!!

Last Day of Sanity

Well, it's Friday and just about time to leave school for the weekend. The last day of not having students - WAAAANGH!!! Just kidding, how could I not be looking forward to 20 or so 16 to 18 year olds that have the world completely figured out?! It's my job to convince them they don't have a clue - and maybe give them one or two!

Seriously, though, teaching any age, anywhere, these days is challenging to say the least. With all of the social and family issues many of our students face today, it's a wonder that we can reach them at all. It has been said of teachers that we spend more time with a student each day than most parents do - which gives us an awesome opportunity to make a difference in a child's future. Most importantly, it is more about equipping students with the confidence to succeed than it is about filling their heads with the knowledge we offer!

Back at School

Summer is over and the school year is started. We began our in-service days Tuesday, August 11 at Marion High School listening to a wonderful keynote speaker that did his job to motivate us! Every employee in the three Marion County school districts plus us "stand-alones" were required to attend. It is a great way to kick-off the school year and get to see folks from other schools that we may not see the rest of the year.

The remainder of Tuesday, Wednesday and today we have met with our own staff, welcomed new employees and worked in our classrooms. We also met for breakfast this morning, compliments of Marion County TEC, at a local restaurant and will be treated for lunch tomorrow at another eatery. One of the perks for working here at MCTEC. We love to eat!!!

As I prepare to teach this year, I am excited about the new technology tips I have already learned in the first two classes of my Masters Degree in Technology in Education from Lesley University. Much of what I have learned will be used and taught in my curriculum. Lets go get 'em teachers!