Thursday, April 28, 2016
Signing Out 4/28/16
Once more, this is Holley Gray: future educator of kindergartners and current attendee at the University of North Alabama. I can only hope that this information was beneficial and you used your time well by reading all about ALEX. Now it is your turn to make a contribution to the Alabama Learning Exchange and make an impact on the future of Alabama's education! Oh, and roar lions.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
ALEX - Alabama Learning Exchange. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016.
<http://alex.state.al.us/index.php>
I used many of the pages on the ALEX website in order to research the exchange and discover why it was created.
<http://alex.state.al.us/index.php>
I used many of the pages on the ALEX website in order to research the exchange and discover why it was created.
Crain, T. P. (2013, April 23). Common Core State Standards in the State of Alabama – Why Is This Such a Big Deal? Retrieved April 27, 2016.
<http://alabamaschoolconnection.org/2013/04/23/common-core-state-standards-in-the-state-of-
alabama-why-is-this-such-a-big-deal/>
I used Alabama School Connection to understand the importance on common core and review differing opinions on the topic.
<http://alabamaschoolconnection.org/2013/04/23/common-core-state-standards-in-the-state-of-
alabama-why-is-this-such-a-big-deal/>
I used Alabama School Connection to understand the importance on common core and review differing opinions on the topic.
Davis, T., Yoo, S., & Pan, W. (2005). Dissecting a Network-Based Education System. T.H.E.
Journal, 33(2), 21-24.
I used this article to find out if ALEX truly is network based. It also gave me a greater understanding on how the learning exchange can grow in the future.
Journal, 33(2), 21-24.
I used this article to find out if ALEX truly is network based. It also gave me a greater understanding on how the learning exchange can grow in the future.
UAB - School of Education - Partnerships. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2016, from
<https://www.uab.edu/education/home/research-and-engagement/partnerships>
I used this page as a description of ALEX from one of their sponsors.
Standards
The most effective portion of ALEX proves to be the organization of content standards within the state of Alabama. Firstly, the option is given to search by subject, grade level, or keywords. Then, 12 links for various subjects are shown including:
English language arts, mathematics, arts, career/technical, driver and traffic safety, health education, science, social studies, foreign languages, physical education, technology, and other courses.
On ALEX, educators can browse through standards that pertain to the Alabama Curriculum including guidance for IEPs and assistance to carry out lessons for students with disabilities. While writing lesson plans- which most school systems require- a content standard is required. These standards can be found within texts, workbooks, and other curriculum based resources in schools. The idea behind using a set of standards is that every student throughout the state will have a similar knowledge base and receive proper preparation for their future career. This is a controversial idea due to the fact that students accross the board may not be at the same level, students are too young to have a push towards college based standards, and various ideas; however, ALEX remains unbiased and is strictly informative when referring to state standards.
English language arts, mathematics, arts, career/technical, driver and traffic safety, health education, science, social studies, foreign languages, physical education, technology, and other courses.
On ALEX, educators can browse through standards that pertain to the Alabama Curriculum including guidance for IEPs and assistance to carry out lessons for students with disabilities. While writing lesson plans- which most school systems require- a content standard is required. These standards can be found within texts, workbooks, and other curriculum based resources in schools. The idea behind using a set of standards is that every student throughout the state will have a similar knowledge base and receive proper preparation for their future career. This is a controversial idea due to the fact that students accross the board may not be at the same level, students are too young to have a push towards college based standards, and various ideas; however, ALEX remains unbiased and is strictly informative when referring to state standards.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Network Based Education
It is of no secret that educators must excel in networking, or they will be thoroughly out of the loop during their career. In order to accomplish what is best for a student, the teacher must exert his or her self into the world of professionals in education. How else would a teacher know what is best for her students without feedback from others?
According to Tiffany Davis, a computer engineer who is working to better technology for education in the state of Alabama, the Learning Exchange is a plausible idea if educators will contribute to it rather than just pull ideas from it. This ties into our conceptual framework as COLLABORATION; we must share experiences and resources for not only our benefit, but our co-workers as well. In an article published by T.H.E. (Technological Horizons in Education), Davis claimed:
According to Tiffany Davis, a computer engineer who is working to better technology for education in the state of Alabama, the Learning Exchange is a plausible idea if educators will contribute to it rather than just pull ideas from it. This ties into our conceptual framework as COLLABORATION; we must share experiences and resources for not only our benefit, but our co-workers as well. In an article published by T.H.E. (Technological Horizons in Education), Davis claimed:
"Expansion has been built into the ALEX system, so as long as teachers continue to find the education system helpful, they will continue to contribute teacher-created lesson plans, variations to teacher-created lesson plans, and Web resources. The more resources available on the system, the more valuable the system will become to the Alabama K-12 education community."
The article often mentions the potential value of Alabama's Learning Exchange. Therefore, it is mainly a "work in progress."
Monday, April 25, 2016
Enhancing Professional Development
As one of our professional dispositions, it is vital to continually grow and pursue professional development as educators. Listed under RESOURCES to do just this, is:
1. College and Career Ready Standards & Support
2. Distance Learning
3. Alabama Reading Initiative
4. English Language Learners
5. Stop Bullying in Alabama
6. Library Media
7. Special Education
Within these links are criteria used to provide assistance for educators. The University of Alabama At Birmingham, who partners with Alabama Learning Exchange, states: "The web portal contains over 65,000 links to games, interactives, videos, lesson plans, learning strategies, and includes CCRS teaching/learning resources." The idea is to have all of these assets located in one place so time is not wasted and teachers can assert that energy towards something else, like the students themselves. Whether this is truly helpful or not is all up to the user's discretion, just like any other tool he or she may use.
1. College and Career Ready Standards & Support
2. Distance Learning
3. Alabama Reading Initiative
4. English Language Learners
5. Stop Bullying in Alabama
6. Library Media
7. Special Education
Within these links are criteria used to provide assistance for educators. The University of Alabama At Birmingham, who partners with Alabama Learning Exchange, states: "The web portal contains over 65,000 links to games, interactives, videos, lesson plans, learning strategies, and includes CCRS teaching/learning resources." The idea is to have all of these assets located in one place so time is not wasted and teachers can assert that energy towards something else, like the students themselves. Whether this is truly helpful or not is all up to the user's discretion, just like any other tool he or she may use.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
How Useful Is It?
As far as my experience with ALEX goes, I like it fairly well. It has been extremely helpful in helping me recognize the standards and use them effectively. I decided it would be a good idea to ask more experienced educators and those who are further along in the program their opinions on this particular resource.
"I like it! It's pretty user friendly but could be better as far as examples of lessons. It usually has [about] two or three examples and they typically aren't practical!" -Lauren Hulsey, senior at University of North Alabama
"ALEX is helpful with courses of studies and resources, but it takes time to use. I don't use it a lot- mostly other resources!" -Mrs. Gray, 3rd Grade Teacher at Helena Intermediate School
"I have never used ALEX. I prefer other websites and resources." -Mr. Maxwell, 5th Grade Teacher at Helena Intermediate School
As you can see, teachers have mixed feelings about ALEX. While it could potentially be helpful, there are much more interactive resources out there. ALEX may not be living up to its full potential but it is a work in progress, after all. Hopefully the Board of Education will one day take these comments from teachers into consideration so the website can grow and improve. If so, it will truly be a learning exchange which could be so proactive towards education in Alabama.
"I like it! It's pretty user friendly but could be better as far as examples of lessons. It usually has [about] two or three examples and they typically aren't practical!" -Lauren Hulsey, senior at University of North Alabama
"ALEX is helpful with courses of studies and resources, but it takes time to use. I don't use it a lot- mostly other resources!" -Mrs. Gray, 3rd Grade Teacher at Helena Intermediate School
"I have never used ALEX. I prefer other websites and resources." -Mr. Maxwell, 5th Grade Teacher at Helena Intermediate School
As you can see, teachers have mixed feelings about ALEX. While it could potentially be helpful, there are much more interactive resources out there. ALEX may not be living up to its full potential but it is a work in progress, after all. Hopefully the Board of Education will one day take these comments from teachers into consideration so the website can grow and improve. If so, it will truly be a learning exchange which could be so proactive towards education in Alabama.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Welcome to Abiding by ALEX!
The Alabama Department of Education has created an opportune website for parents, students, and especially educators' resources. Not only are such wonderful resources organized in one place, but they are also organized within categories; for example: once divided into subjects, then by age groups. In ALEX's own words, the brand of the site says, "Quality for Every Facet for Learning..." My name is Holley Gray, an Elementary Education student at the lovely University of North Alabama; welcome to my blog. I'm here to dig a little deeper into the meaning of this claim firsthand and see if ALEX is the real deal.
Reporting live 4/20/2016
Reporting live 4/20/2016
University of NORTH ALABAMA Elementary Education
ECE309
ECE309
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