????Throwing out a question????

OK, dear blog readers, I need to know your opinion on something. If teachers started giving homework assignments that required your child to watch a video and then answer questions on the computer, would you be in favor or not?

The reason I ask is, in my EDU4461 class, we are learning how to work with APTPlus and Learn360. These programs allow teachers to pull up videos, podcasts, and slideshows; create quizzes based on these videos, podcasts, and slideshows; and then assign these quizzes to their students. Teachers can show the video, slideshow, or listen to podcast, and then have the students log in to the website and take the quiz. In theory, this sounds great BUT if you don't have a computer for every student, in your room, then it would have to be given as homework, at some point. So my question is:

Would you like it if your child had this kind of homework? 

Please let me know what you think!!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The weekend is over and we return to school tomorrow to start another week! And I have to say I start this week with a heavy heart. Life Action Ministries is visiting our church for a follow-up summit to the revival they over-saw February of last year, and some of the things that were said today made me stop and think. They have given me a lot to ponder over and have made me realize that even though I was doing good for a time, I have since taken back things that I had given to God and I'm trying to do my life on my own. Oh, I still thank God for getting me through the day but I fear that I am "doing life" with God in the background, instead of letting Him go before me and clear the way. Just a lot to think about and pray about!!!

I may not post again this week, because of time constraints; so in case I don't, I hope and pray all those following this blog, have a  GREAT week!!

We made it to school today!!

Well, we made it to school today. YEAH!!! After 4 days at home with my son, I was kind of glad to see my classroom today, however, now I'm not feeling so good!

The flu is taking it's run over the school. In my son's class alone, there were 8 students out yesterday and there are only 14 in his class. And the students keep dropping like flies! I had 2 out today (1 diagnosed with the flu) and as the day progressed, my voice proceeded to leave me, my body was achy, and I just didn't feel well!! I don't think I had a fever and since I been home, I am feeling a little better but this afternoon was tough for me but I have a sweet bunch of kids and they did their best to make the day from smoothly.

So here are the precautions the school is taking on this FLU things:

1. If your child is not feeling well monitor them for signs or symptoms of the flu. These commonly include fever, cough, sore throat, chills, body aches, and vomiting. 
2. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms do not send them to school to ensure others do not become sick as well.
3. If your child has been sick they should not return to school until they have been free from fever for 24 hours without medication. 

On campus we continue to emphasize hand washing, using had sanitizer, and frequently wiping down the desk to help control the spread of illness. Please help us work to keep our students healthy. 

Now, if everyone will follow these precautions, maybe we can get this FLU bug knocked out and we can all get back to normal. I know I am ready! 

Now on to what this week is all about....


In EDU4461 (the APT course), we are learning how to create groups/classes within Learn360 and how to make assignments within those groups/classes. This is a great tool to use, if you have access to computers for all your students at one time. This resource is free to teachers but in order to keep it free, we need to use it!! I have found some wonderful videos on there about the things we are studying right now in class. It is great! Oh and I love the fact that I am taking the course with some teacher friends of mine. It keeps things fun and exciting!


In EDU4465 (the wiki/blog/podcast/skype course), we are learning about Wikis, which you can view mine by going to my previous post with the link. I am really loving the Wiki page! I think I could get really good at making those and coming up with exciting ways to incorporate them into my class. Take a look at my wiki and PLEASE let me know what you think of it!!! I welcome all comments and suggestions!


Well, it has been a LONG day and between helping my son with his make-up work (he is not wanting to do and I'm ready to beat him) and looking over Research paper outlines and Note cards for my students, I think it is time to call it a night! 


Get some good sleep! Tomorrow is another wonderful day the Lord is making just for you! 
Nite, Nite!!

Quick Update!

Got up at 4:30 because my husband's cellphone was buzzing (unlisted number and they hung up when he answered), so went to check on my son. He was blazing hot. Took his temp and it was 104. Exactly how high can a temp get before we should worry? Anyway, gave him some ibuprofen and 10 minutes later, he threw up. UGH!!! Looks like we are going to experience a full-blown case of the flu this year!!

If you come across this blog and think about him, please say a prayer for him. He has never been this pitiful before and believe me, he can be pitiful :-).

Off to get my room ready for a sub and make sure I have enough sub plans for the next couple of days!!!
FUN STUFF, FUN STUFF!!!

Link to Wiki Page

Here is a link to my Wiki Pages! Check it out and let me know what you think.

Holliman's Wikispace


Please leave your comments here in the blog, because I am looking for a way to add a comment page to the wiki. :-), and I haven't quite figured it out yet!!

I appreciate all comments, good and bad, and I take all suggestions!!

It's Been a Weekend!

Well, it's Sunday and I have been home most of the weekend in bed! I got up yesterday with a sore throat but went on to Upward's Basketball. The longer I hung out at the church, the worst I felt; so I went home and went to bed, stayed there the rest of the day!!! Then this morning, I was feeling a little better but my son woke up with a 103 fever. So even though I wasn't feeling the greatest myself, I got up got dressed and took him to the doctor. HE HAS THE FLU! So now what? I guess it is a good thing we are out of school tomorrow for President's Day! :-)

So on to my blogging for class....I am learning a lot in the two courses I am taking through elearning. This week we are sharing our blogs in my EDU4465 class and in my EDU4461 class we are learning about Learn360 through APTplus. I do believe that it is going to prove very beneficial to me. I have to admit though, I'm not sure about this blogging thing yet. I don't really know that I am cut out to keep up a blog but we will see!

Valentine's Day

WHEW!! Valentine's Day was a treat today, to say the least! Candy grams, parties, sweets, and sugar highs while still trying to maintain a typical day at school. It was crazy!!! But we made it through and it was fun!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

(from a post I made in EDU4465ED)
I have thought a lot about what I posted yesterday and I hope I did not offend anyone with my comments, I just mainly wanted to point out that even though technology provides our students today with many wonderful things; and because they have been raised with technology as the norm, they are different, they can't help but be. But, we as parents have to take on some of the responsibility as to why our students are different, as well. I'm speaking to myself. I did not have to get my daughter an Android tablet for Christmas, just because she wanted one; and my children do not have to have an ipod touch and Nintendo DS, but they do and I bought it for them. I have had a hand in how my children respond to adults and the world around them. Good or bad, computers are not raising my children, I am! Students may know more about computers/technology these days then we, their teachers, do but students still have to be taught how to respect adults, enjoy books, and do math mentally. Computers can not do that!

So, yes, I agree 100% with the statement "To some degree we are indeed hindering out children while trying to make things better for them" We are hindering our children, while at the same time trying to make things better for them. Who doesn't want the best for their children? I want them to have what they want but I also want them to have a sturdy up bringing in what is right and what is wrong. I want them to be "what can I do for others" adults, instead of "what's in it for me" adults (if that makes any since at all), and technology is going to be a BIG part of that. So I think the key is to train them well and teach them the rights and wrongs of the technology that is at their fingertips.

First Post 2-13-12

Well. here we go! I am not usually a blogger because I don't really know what to say. I worry that no one really cares what I have to say. Anyway, I have started this blog as a project for one of the online courses I am taking right now for professional development hours. I am learning A LOT!!! For instance, I learned this week that students today think differently then we do because of the fact that they have been raised around technology all their lives and it causes them to physically think differently. And here, all this time, I was blaming student attitudes on parent up bringing!!! Where did I go wrong? LOL!!!!!

No, please don't get me wrong, I think students today do think differently than we did at their age, but can we blame all the differences on that? Sure, you can say children do not play outside anymore because of technology and you would be correct. They can get just as much, if not more, exercise from jumping around with their gaming systems than they can walking/hiking through the woods. And sure, students today are at a fair better advantage in the classroom because technology can take them to places and to do things that they might not ever get today in the real world. BUT and this is a big BUT, can you say technology is the cause of so many children coming up with the "what's in it for me" attitude and upon graduation (if they make it that far) becoming part of our ever failing welfare system? I don't think so!! That comes from parents!!!! I think we, as parents, have to take some responsibility for how our a children treat adults (their teachers) and what they become in life. Sure we all want our children to be doctors and lawyers and make lots of money but what ever happen to raising your daughter to believe that it is alright to get married, have a family, and be a stay at home mom. My mom did it. I did it for the first 8 1/2 years of my children's lives. There are sacrifices to be made in order to live out that lifestyle but money does not buy happiness and neither does living off the government!

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking with it!!! :-P

Now, what does bring happiness and fulfillment? A life turned over completely to Jesus Christ! Jesus came to earth and lived as a man, so that he would know first hand what we went through. Then he died a CRUEL death on a cross  for the sins of the world, that is ALL the wrong doing you and I both do everyday. We are not perfect and we will never be this side of heaven but our goal in life should be to try and live a life of perfection like Jesus did when he walked in our shoes. Can you imagine what it was like for Mary and Joseph to watch their son grow and become a perfect man? That is such an awesome thought to me.

Well, I better turn in for the night. We will see how this blogging thing works in the classroom a little more in the next few days. I will post again when I understand it a little bit better myself!!!

See you in the AM!!