Blog Assignment 13

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ALEX

The Alabama Learning Exchange, or ALEX, is a great depository of learning information and materials for educators. It offers many technological as well as traditional teaching tips and tools. On the home page, you'll find links to Courses of Study, Web Links, Lesson Plans, Search, Personal Workspace, Professional Learning, Podcast Treasury, and ALEXville. As you can see, there are so many opportunities to learn how to educate, receiving along with that information, tools to help you along the way. One thing I really liked was the Courses of study. In it, you can search your subject concentration area, grade you teach or want to teach, the requirements for that grade level, and lesson plans that go along with each requirement. I don't think I've come across a better source of information yet! The Podcast link is also very useful. In it, you can access and download Podcasts of interviews, lessons, etc. that can help you in the teaching field. I know that  thus far, I have focused primarily on the usefulness to educators, but ALEX isn't targeted only to educators! ALEX was set up as a resource base for students and parents as well. They, too, can access the information they need for the education of students.

ACCESS

ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide) is a state initiative to connect students from different areas and backgrounds to others across the state. If a particular class isn't offered at one high school, the student can take a desired course through ACCESS at another school. I really wish that a program like ACCESS was offered in Florida when I was in high school. I completed Spanish I and II, desiring to go on to III and IV. However, a state law required that at least 18 students sign up for a course in order for the school to be able to offer the class. With only 15 students signing up for the third and fourth years of Spanish, I was unable to take them. Had I been able to learn more of the Spanish language, many more opportunities could have presented themselves for my future career. Educators should encourage students to participate in this great program!