ACCESS post

The best way to describe the purpose of the ACCESS program was best stated by the State Superintendent of Education, Joe Morton.  He stated that the ACCESS distance learning will "remove barriers of walls and geography that has limited students' exposure in the past."  Not all schools are created equally.  There are some schools that are not as fortunate as others when it comes to technology, resources, or classes that are offered.  ACCESS addresses each one of these issues and offers a "cutting edge of instructive technology" states Fox News correspondent, Shepard Smith.  Thanks to the support of the Governor, Alabama legislature, ARC, Bellsouth Foundation, and The State Board of Education many schools in the state that can not afford certain classes or lack the resources to offer remediation are able to enhance the educational experience for these students.  Advanced diploma, advanced placement classes, dual enrollment, remediation classes, distance learning, and a teacher's ability to enhance instruction by using multimedia and technology tools are many of the ways ACCESS will enhance and equalize Alabama education.

The methods in which ACCESS is available to many schools are these: Web-based, Videoconferencing, and blended (both web-based and videoconferencing).  The web-based method would offer the courses needed to complete the requirements of an advanced diploma remediation, advanced placement, and dual enrollment.   Videoconferencing  or IVC labs will help the school districts connect with each other and interact with other teachers and students. A blended method would incorporate the web-based method and Videoconferencing.  In order for ACCESS to work effectively for the students and teachers of Alabama there is a support center that monitors E-teachers, offers help desk to teachers and students, and offers professional development to the teachers.  The schools that are part of the support center are Troy University, University of Alabama, and Madison City Schools.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the intentional or unintentional usage of someone's words or ideas without recognition.  Some examples of plagiarism given on the Purdue website were "buying, stealing, or borrowing someone else's paper, hiring someone else to write a paper, copying large amounts of text without using quotation marks".  Plagiarism is so much easier when using the internet as a resource.  All a person has to do is copy and paste.  A safe way to avoid plagiarism is to give credit where credit is due.  A person can do this buy taking accurate notes from sources by placing quotes with copied text, paraphrase statements and always give credit somewhere in the paragraph, or use direct quotes from a source.   

When I taught in Birmingham I was the victim of plagiarism.  I had created and posted a webquest on my school's website for my 7th grade science students to complete.  I had a teacher from Mobile county e-mail me and ask if she could use my webquest in her science class.  Of course, I was flattered and gave her permission to use it.  Months later I was talking with a friend of mine the Mobile school system and she was bragging on a certain teachers presentation of a webquest that she had "created"at a system wide meeting.  My friend began to describe the webquest and it sounded very familiar.  I asked her for the address and she gave it to me.  I looked up the webquest and it was mine.  She had changed a few things, but some things were copied and pasted and others were linked straight to my webquest.  The teacher had taken my "made from scratch" webquest, changed a few things about it, and called it her own.  She recieved many rewards (LCD projector, new laptop, etc) for her classroom because she had done such a wonderful job.  I went to my administrator and reported it, but nothing was done.  I wasn't sure at the time how copyright works and if a web based creation would be covered by the law, but after looking at the copyright website I now understand that any work is automatically secure under the copyright law.  Registration is not required.  After my hard work (it took me 3, 8hour days at a workshop to complete the webquest) was stolen and passed off as someone else I began to deny teacher's from other systems to use any of my web based project.  There is no way of monitoring what those teachers chose to do, but I did keep documentation of those contacts.  It is because of dishonesty that good people suffer.  Plagiarism is stealing and is wrong.  Student's should not be the only one's held accountable for what they write.  Teacher's should be held to highest standard when it comes to their work, especially if they claim it is an original work.

ALEX

ALEX stands for Alabama Learning Exchange and that is exactly what it is. It is a resource with many uses and applications. There are 7 links that provide different options for teachers. The options are as follows: courses of study, web links, lesson plans, search, personal workspace, professional learning, and distance learning. The state course of study link is sorted by subject area. All a teacher needs to do is click on the subject he/she teaches and a complete list of standards pop up. There is also a link that provides lesson plans. All a teacher has to do is click on the subject and grade level and lessons that are relevant pop up. Teachers can also share lessons using this link. ALEX also provides opportunities for students as well. For students ALEX offers the opportunity of taking AP classes that they are not able to take.
This website seems to be a first year teachers best friend. The hardest part of teaching for the first time is knowing where to begin. ALEX is a great starting point and will give a new teacher a specific direction. The site is very well organized and is easily navigated. In addition to being useful, this site will help teachers manage their time. Since course of study, lesson plans, we blinks, and workspace are all located in one place a teacher will be able to work more efficiently. Time will definitely be saved and the teacher will be able to focus on the quality of her students' education.

Post #2 for week 1

     The amount and specificity of the technology available for those with disabilities is remarkable.  It seems that the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 opened virtual doors before they had been created.  There are many programs available to provide accessibility for most people with disabilities.  People with audiological, vision, and limited hand usage have the capability to surf the Web and use the computer effectively.  

    One of the most amazing advances in the adaptability of the computer is the programs used for the vision impaired.  A person that is totally blind has several programs from which to choose, and these programs read what is on the screen and provides information through speech.  JAWS and Windows Eyes are two examples of the software available.  In 1973 a computer took up an entire room and had very basic functions.  I am sure blind and deaf people in the 70's and even 80's thought they would never use a computer.  Now, 36 years later there is not only one way for them to use a computer, but dozens of programs that give them the right to use technology just like the rest of the world.

Who's That Girl?

     My name is  Joyce La Force Fisk.  I am married to Sean Fisk and we live in Bon Secour.  I am a stay at home mom and have two boys (Christian-5 and Ethan-2).  I am taking this class in order to keep my certification current.  I am a certified secondary science teacher.  I received my BS in Secondary Education/General Science from USA and my Masters of Science in Geosciences from MSU.   My teaching experience is limited to a single school system.  I taught seventh grade science for 6 years in one of the best school systems in Alabama and I have been home with my boys for the past 4 years.  I am planning to go back to teaching in the next 5 years.

     In my spare time I like to scrapbook.  It is a good creative outlet for me, and I am being productive.  I also enjoy TaeKwonDo.  I have been a student of this martial art since January 2008.  I am a senior blue belt (half way to black belt) and plan to be a black belt by the end of this year.