When first signing up for classes last spring, I was mainly interested in Age of Exploration because of its reputation as a fun, project based class. Two months into the school year, I can say that this class has certainly lived up to, and exceeded its reputation. However, in addition to being fun and project based, there was another aspect of this c;lass that I never heard about from last year’s sophomores and upperclassmen. The new Age of Ex teacher, Mike Gwaltney, has introduced a high level of technology to this history class. In the past two months, our class has used several pieces of technology, most of which were new to me, to make this class more interesting, more engaging, and more fun then the already good reputation of this class. Through the year so far, we have used PowerPoint, started a class blog, and been introduced to Voice Thread, a way to view videos and post text, audio, and video comments.
Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.
-John F. Kennedy
This technology has helped me as a student engage more directly with the material and understand it better, as well as have more fun learning. The use of new technology in Age of Ex will surely help with my learning in the future, as well as my classmates; learning, especially in college and work experiences later in life. Some of the helpful aspects of the Age of Ex class can be found HERE. Overall, technology has been a great part of Age of Ex and I hope to see it continue on as a part of the curriculum.
The Age of Exploration Blog 
Mrs. Liverotti
October 24, 2011
Great post! It sounds like you have a very engaging class and that your teacher keeps things interesting for students. I will be excited to hear about what new types of technology you are learning about throughout the year. If you like both technology and history you should check it HistoryPin!
Keep up the great work.
jack5432
October 26, 2011
Hi Miss Liverotti
I appreciated your comment and web suggestion. Thanks so much for the feedback
-Jack
Molly Smith
October 25, 2011
Interesting thoughts. As teachers, I think we sometimes forget that students do not always know the technological piece. We know you are more plugged in than we were, but that does not mean there is nothing to lear. Sounds like a great class, I am sure that you are contributing to its success with your enthusiasm,
jack5432
October 26, 2011
Thanks Molly
Your teacher insights on the topic also help me. Thanks for commenting
-Jack.
Cybrary Man - Jerry Blumengarten
October 26, 2011
Great post. Technology can surely make learning come alive. An important starting point for using the information you find online is the site: All About Explorers http://www.allaboutexplorers.com/
jack5432
October 31, 2011
Thanks Cybrary Man
I appreciate your feedback and the link.
-Jack
Courtney Holifield
November 6, 2011
Hi everyone,
My name is Courtney Holifield, I’m a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I think this is a fantastic post. It’s so true that technology makes learning so much more fun. I think it’s great that your class has exceeded it’s expectations. When I was in high school, we didn’t have much learning at all that was technology based. I’m very jealous! I hope that all of your classes will start using technology more!
jack5432
November 6, 2011
Cortney,
Thank you so much. I am glad you appreciate my post and thanks for commenting!
-Jack
Robin Hendricks
November 6, 2011
Hello!
My name is Robin Hendricks and I am an EDM310 student at the University of South Alabama. We are learning about technology in the classroom and I am amazed at what I have seen. Your post is especially interesting to me because it deals with technology used in a History setting, which is what I plan to teach.
It seem like you are enjoying your class and are getting a lot out of it. Do you think you would have the same experience if the same class were taught in a more traditional, “lecture” style?
Keep up the good work!
-Robin Hendricks
jack5432
November 7, 2011
Hi Robin,
First of all, thank you so much for the comment. To answer your question, I completely support the teaching style using technology to help with learning history. Compared to previous lecture style classes I have had, learning with technology is by far the best way to learn history, as well as any subject. Thanks again for commenting!
-Sincerely, Jack
Lindsey Harville
November 6, 2011
Great post! I love that you are so excited about this class! Technology in any classroom, makes it more exciting to me. Classes that are interesting to you, truly benefit you in the long run. I remember in high school, the boring classes aren’t the ones I remember today. It is the classes that pushed me and made me want to get an A. Hopefully technology in the classrooms will become more and more popular!
Loved your blog post! keep up the good work!
jack5432
November 7, 2011
Lindsey,
I completely agree with your statement that technology makes learning more fun. I also believe that in addition to this, technology makes learning easier. Thanks for commenting!
-Jack
Ana
November 10, 2011
Hi Jack, I am a student from Noel Elementary. I am an 8th grader here at Noel. I agree with you that technology is very helpful to us students specially because we live in a world that is based on technology. I love history but sometimes classes are boring and technology really helps to contribute to making it fun. I like your quote you used thought.
Marissa
November 10, 2011
Hello Jack.
I agree that technology is very helpful and resourceful for student since our world is very technical now. I find classes more interesting and easier when your able to use technology to help you.
jack5432
November 11, 2011
Marissa and Ana,
Thanks for looking at my post. I apreciate that you understand the value of technology to help with learning, aswell as making school more fun. Thanks again!
-Jack
lauren628
November 10, 2011
Hey Jack 🙂 I totally agree with your view on the class. I feel like the class is way better than I had expected. The fact that we use technology constantly makes class so much more enjoyable.
jack5432
November 11, 2011
Thanks Lauren,
I am glad you feel the same way about Age of Ex and technology’s usefulness in learning!
-Jack
isabel4444
November 11, 2011
Jack,
I completely agree with you about the usefulness of technology for communicating purposes in Age of Ex. I feel like Mike is definitely able to help students with various questions, especially after his injury. Another thing that I felt was really useful was being able to comment on the video of our presentations after our first age of Ex project. Overall the class is just so much more fun when we are able to experience new and different technologies.
jack5432
November 11, 2011
Isabel,
First of all, thaks for reading and commenting on my blog post. Secondly, I think that you are absolutely right. Even with his broken arm, technology is helping with Mike’s ability to communicate with us. He can simply post a video with instructions for us while he is out. I think technology really helps this class!
-Jack
Anna
November 11, 2011
Hi Jack, I think that technology is very helpful for students since we have so much technology now days. For me, I think classes are more interesting when using technology.
Alex Hernandez
November 11, 2011
Great post! It sounds like you enjoy this class of yours.I agree that technology is very helpful for students especially since our world is based on technology.I would love to hear what new types of technology you are learning this year.