I value the knowledge that I have attained in this class greatly. I feel like I am confident enough to go through with using any type of technology that comes my way. Before taking this class, I was intimidated by technology. Now I understand that to be an effective instructor I must have a thorough knowledge of emergent technology.
My favorite software and the one that I feel I will benefit from the most, is Inspiration. I loved this program. It allowed me to present information to students in a visual way and not only allows you to design graphs and maps, but it will automatically generate an outline for you as well. These will make wonderful handouts to give to students. I feel like I am strongest in this area of study. I have used this software for visual representations in other classes and I am confident in my ability to use it.
I really learned a lot from the turnitin website as well. I had no idea that there was a program available to determine the amount of plagiarism on a students’ paper. I feel like this is a useful program for older grade levels.
I feel like my weakest point this semester came from learning how to use the website generator on google sites. I feel like I could do a better job on my website if I had a more thorough knowledge on the building of my site. I feel like this is the weakest because it could be the most instrumental of the web tools that I was taught to use this semester. The website can be used to keep parents updated on what is going on in their child’s classroom and it gives them greater access to me, the instructor. A way that I could improve my knowledge of this tool is by checking out some of the tutorials on youtube. I would love to add a gadget that would allow members of my class and their parents to comment openly about what they have been or are learning in class. I am not familiar with how to do that, but I would like to know if that feature could be available on my google site.
As I have previously states, technology is integral to classroom life today. There are many ways that I plan to work it into my class time. The first thing to happen will be the implementation of a class website. I want my students and their parents to have as much accessibility to me as possible. The use of a digital camera will also be implemented into my classroom. I read about a math activity once where the students took pictures of groups of things and kept them in their notebook to help them understand and visualize the concepts of numbers. I love being able to make students understand things more thoroughly and that is one of the main uses of technology.
I enjoyed this class as a whole. However, I feel that I would have benefited from learning to use different types of equipment as well. Smartboards did not exist when I was in school and I would like to learn how to use one before I am employed as a teacher. I would also like to learn how to use other pieces of equipment similar to that. I learned a lot of information that I have already begun applying in other classes. I hope to learn more in the quest for my licensure.
About Me
- Jackie farmer
- Hi everyone! My name is Jackolyn Farmer, but everyone who knows me calls me Jackie, and thats fine by me. I am a senior at USM this year and I am in the dual enrollment elementary education/special education program. I enjoy it very much so far. My hometown is a little place about 2 hours northwest of here called Crystal Springs. Before I moved to Hattiesburg, my family and I lived there for 16 years. We moved here from Jacksonville, Fl. I like Mississippi, but I want to move close to the beach so I will probably move back to Florida sometime after graduation.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
NETS Standard 5
NETS Standard Five
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
Artifacts:
Website
Webtools
Blogfolio
Assisstive Technology
Performance Indicators:
Teachers will serve as advocates for implementation and purchase of the newest technology available.
Teachers will strive to find new ways to promote creativity and original thinking using new technology.
Teachers will explore what the world of technology has to make themselves more organized, accessible and in the long run, successful leaders.
Reflection:
This standard is one that should constantly be on the mind of every teacher. It is important to be organized and accessible, but with the changes going on in the world of technology, teachers need to be at the forefront, because students are the future and they learn so much from teachers.
Assistive technology is one aspect that teachers need to stay on top of. With inclusion being the way to go with students who have special needs, it is important for teachers to know ways to make learning and knowledge more accessible to them.
The blogfolio is something that teachers can constantly update and add to keep up their own lifelong learning.
The design of a classroom website demonstrates that the teacher strives for organization and growth in her. Technology is all about information accessibility and the having a website on the internet is a great way to keep parents and students alike informed daily.
It is crucial to stay on top of the web tools aspect as well. Having thorough knowledge of what resources are available on the web will not only promote creative thinking in the student, but it will make the teacher’s job that much easier.
Future goals:
The future goal that I have for this standard is that I maintain the ability to be at the forefront of new technology and always be able to show my students that accessibility to information is important and the easiest way to access that information today is through technology.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
Artifacts:
Website
Webtools
Blogfolio
Assisstive Technology
Performance Indicators:
Teachers will serve as advocates for implementation and purchase of the newest technology available.
Teachers will strive to find new ways to promote creativity and original thinking using new technology.
Teachers will explore what the world of technology has to make themselves more organized, accessible and in the long run, successful leaders.
Reflection:
This standard is one that should constantly be on the mind of every teacher. It is important to be organized and accessible, but with the changes going on in the world of technology, teachers need to be at the forefront, because students are the future and they learn so much from teachers.
Assistive technology is one aspect that teachers need to stay on top of. With inclusion being the way to go with students who have special needs, it is important for teachers to know ways to make learning and knowledge more accessible to them.
The blogfolio is something that teachers can constantly update and add to keep up their own lifelong learning.
The design of a classroom website demonstrates that the teacher strives for organization and growth in her. Technology is all about information accessibility and the having a website on the internet is a great way to keep parents and students alike informed daily.
It is crucial to stay on top of the web tools aspect as well. Having thorough knowledge of what resources are available on the web will not only promote creative thinking in the student, but it will make the teacher’s job that much easier.
Future goals:
The future goal that I have for this standard is that I maintain the ability to be at the forefront of new technology and always be able to show my students that accessibility to information is important and the easiest way to access that information today is through technology.
NETS Standard 4
NETS Standard Four
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
Artifact:
Turnitin
Performance Indicators:
Teachers should effectively discuss with students the consequences and downfalls of plagiarism and piracy.
Teachers should be able to pinpoint when a student is plagiarizing or pirating.
Be able to demonstrate to students proper citation techniques.
Reflection;
In an academic world where a lot of the information that students get comes from an online source, it is important to be able to distinguish one student’s original thoughts and understanding from that of another source. Plagiarism is a major problem in the academic world. When introducing students to technology, it must be explained to them the difference between borrowing information and downright stealing it. This is where the citation part becomes necessary. My motto for citation is “If you have to use someone else’s information, give credit where it’s due. Literally.” Not only are students using ideas that do not belong to them, but they are stealing another person’s hard work. Turnitin.com is a very useful tool in discerning original thought from plagiarized work. This website allows instructors to filter the information that a student has submitted within a project. All you have to do is upload the information to the website and you are able to see exactly where the student got their information from.
Future Goals:
As a future teacher, I feel like I should be an advocate for original work. I feel like a student has learned nothing if they plagiarize someone else’s work. It’s not fair to the original author and it is not fair to me. In the classroom, I will take plagiarism very seriously and it will not be tolerated. My classroom will be indicative of one that promotes creative thinking, not the stealing of someone else’s work
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
Artifact:
Turnitin
Performance Indicators:
Teachers should effectively discuss with students the consequences and downfalls of plagiarism and piracy.
Teachers should be able to pinpoint when a student is plagiarizing or pirating.
Be able to demonstrate to students proper citation techniques.
Reflection;
In an academic world where a lot of the information that students get comes from an online source, it is important to be able to distinguish one student’s original thoughts and understanding from that of another source. Plagiarism is a major problem in the academic world. When introducing students to technology, it must be explained to them the difference between borrowing information and downright stealing it. This is where the citation part becomes necessary. My motto for citation is “If you have to use someone else’s information, give credit where it’s due. Literally.” Not only are students using ideas that do not belong to them, but they are stealing another person’s hard work. Turnitin.com is a very useful tool in discerning original thought from plagiarized work. This website allows instructors to filter the information that a student has submitted within a project. All you have to do is upload the information to the website and you are able to see exactly where the student got their information from.
Future Goals:
As a future teacher, I feel like I should be an advocate for original work. I feel like a student has learned nothing if they plagiarize someone else’s work. It’s not fair to the original author and it is not fair to me. In the classroom, I will take plagiarism very seriously and it will not be tolerated. My classroom will be indicative of one that promotes creative thinking, not the stealing of someone else’s work
NETS Standard 3
NETS Standard Three
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
Artifacts:
Blogfolio
Website
Performance Indicators:
Teachers will be able to organize and manage all of their classroom materials through an online source, such as a blogfolio.
Teachers will express knowledge of the construction and development of a classroom website.
Reflection:
The final part of our Artifacts was our blogfolio. I can see where this assignment can be crucial to a teacher’s organization and management of their own materials. The blogfolio can be used as an online storage unit. Not unlike what we did in class, teachers can save all of their assignments, worksheets, lesson plans etc. to an online database such as google documents. This can allow teachers to reuse everything year after year, saving money and time.
The other article that I have that exemplifies this standard is the classroom website I created on google sites. This allows teachers to bridge the communication gap between themselves, parents and students. A classroom website allows students and parents to always be up to date on the up and comings of class as well as ways to contact their instructor.
Both of these artifacts can be implemented easily into a classroom and have benefits beyond those that I have listed.
Future Goals:
As a future teacher, one of my goals is to develop a classroom website with all of my contact information, and a rotating calendar with all planned events listed. I feel like this will make my students’ parents more accessible to me as well as making me more accessible to them. On my website, I would like to have a discussion board where parents can freely discuss and ask questions about what their children are learning.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
Artifacts:
Blogfolio
Website
Performance Indicators:
Teachers will be able to organize and manage all of their classroom materials through an online source, such as a blogfolio.
Teachers will express knowledge of the construction and development of a classroom website.
Reflection:
The final part of our Artifacts was our blogfolio. I can see where this assignment can be crucial to a teacher’s organization and management of their own materials. The blogfolio can be used as an online storage unit. Not unlike what we did in class, teachers can save all of their assignments, worksheets, lesson plans etc. to an online database such as google documents. This can allow teachers to reuse everything year after year, saving money and time.
The other article that I have that exemplifies this standard is the classroom website I created on google sites. This allows teachers to bridge the communication gap between themselves, parents and students. A classroom website allows students and parents to always be up to date on the up and comings of class as well as ways to contact their instructor.
Both of these artifacts can be implemented easily into a classroom and have benefits beyond those that I have listed.
Future Goals:
As a future teacher, one of my goals is to develop a classroom website with all of my contact information, and a rotating calendar with all planned events listed. I feel like this will make my students’ parents more accessible to me as well as making me more accessible to them. On my website, I would like to have a discussion board where parents can freely discuss and ask questions about what their children are learning.
NETS 2 Reflection
NETS Standard Two
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers.
Artifacts:
Web Tools
Performance Indicators
Teachers will use web tools to create modern activities for students to use.
These activities should include much interaction with the newest technology.
Teachers will also use technology to assess student’s development in the classroom.
Reflection
The one artifact that I used that really relates to this standard was the web tools assignment. I received knowledge from this activity that I will carry through into my actual classroom. I thought the Rubistar rubric generator was the most beneficial , in that rubrics are time consuming to create from scratch and rubrics help students to understand what it is exactly they need to do to master or complete an assignment.
I also had no idea that there were so many websites devoted solely to the creation and sharing of different worksheets and puzzles. It is a relief to know that I will not have to outright create every single assignment on my own.
With this knowledge of new web tools, I am happy to tell you that I am much more prepared and confident in my abilities to harness technology for a more cohesive classroom environment.
Future Goals:
In the future, I hope to be able to use the websites we used in the web tools section to make my classroom environment less boring and more learning oriented. I would like to explore more websites that offer similar web tools so that I can broaden my knowledge of what is available to me on the web. I would also like to have this information to give to other teachers who may not be as tech-savvy as me. (Thanks to this class of course!)
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers.
Artifacts:
Web Tools
Performance Indicators
Teachers will use web tools to create modern activities for students to use.
These activities should include much interaction with the newest technology.
Teachers will also use technology to assess student’s development in the classroom.
Reflection
The one artifact that I used that really relates to this standard was the web tools assignment. I received knowledge from this activity that I will carry through into my actual classroom. I thought the Rubistar rubric generator was the most beneficial , in that rubrics are time consuming to create from scratch and rubrics help students to understand what it is exactly they need to do to master or complete an assignment.
I also had no idea that there were so many websites devoted solely to the creation and sharing of different worksheets and puzzles. It is a relief to know that I will not have to outright create every single assignment on my own.
With this knowledge of new web tools, I am happy to tell you that I am much more prepared and confident in my abilities to harness technology for a more cohesive classroom environment.
Future Goals:
In the future, I hope to be able to use the websites we used in the web tools section to make my classroom environment less boring and more learning oriented. I would like to explore more websites that offer similar web tools so that I can broaden my knowledge of what is available to me on the web. I would also like to have this information to give to other teachers who may not be as tech-savvy as me. (Thanks to this class of course!)
NETS 1 Reflection
NETS Standard One
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face to-face and virtual environments.
Artifacts:
Website
Concept Map
Photo Story
Performance Indicators:
Introduce, implement and inform the student’s of the vast knowledge and creativity to be attained from using technological devices.
Express that creative thinking is crucial to the development of technological literacy and use.
Expose students to forms of technology that may not be available to them outside the academic environment.
Reflection:
The articles that I have provided for you in my blogfolio clearly indicate that I have mastered the first NETS standard. Before this class, I had no knowledge of the software used to create the concept map or photo story. I also did not know that I was even able to capable of creating my own website!
The Inspiration software was a fun tool that can be used to organize information visually for students. We used it to design our concept maps. When students are presented with a visual representation of a concept, it is easier for the student to recall the information as well as refer to it in their mind when questioned about it. The Inspiration software also organizes your maps into an outline automatically. Students can use this to study. I will definitely be implementing this software in my classroom one day.
I had no idea that I was capable of creating my own website, as aforementioned, but I did make one. I also did not understand how a classroom website could be beneficial, but it can be. A classroom website allows teachers to stay better connected to their students as well as parents and other faculty.
The photo story was my favorite project and the one project with the most limitless creativity level. You can make any movie out of any pictures that you have stored on your computer. The story can literally be about anything. I feel that this assignment would open the minds of students and allow them to have fun while learning at the same time.
Future Goals:
While I did learn a lot from creating these artifacts, I feel like I have only scratched the surface of their potential use. In the future, I would like to be able to use the programs aforementioned more fluently and be able to go more in-depth with my students, beyond just basic introduction.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face to-face and virtual environments.
Artifacts:
Website
Concept Map
Photo Story
Performance Indicators:
Introduce, implement and inform the student’s of the vast knowledge and creativity to be attained from using technological devices.
Express that creative thinking is crucial to the development of technological literacy and use.
Expose students to forms of technology that may not be available to them outside the academic environment.
Reflection:
The articles that I have provided for you in my blogfolio clearly indicate that I have mastered the first NETS standard. Before this class, I had no knowledge of the software used to create the concept map or photo story. I also did not know that I was even able to capable of creating my own website!
The Inspiration software was a fun tool that can be used to organize information visually for students. We used it to design our concept maps. When students are presented with a visual representation of a concept, it is easier for the student to recall the information as well as refer to it in their mind when questioned about it. The Inspiration software also organizes your maps into an outline automatically. Students can use this to study. I will definitely be implementing this software in my classroom one day.
I had no idea that I was capable of creating my own website, as aforementioned, but I did make one. I also did not understand how a classroom website could be beneficial, but it can be. A classroom website allows teachers to stay better connected to their students as well as parents and other faculty.
The photo story was my favorite project and the one project with the most limitless creativity level. You can make any movie out of any pictures that you have stored on your computer. The story can literally be about anything. I feel that this assignment would open the minds of students and allow them to have fun while learning at the same time.
Future Goals:
While I did learn a lot from creating these artifacts, I feel like I have only scratched the surface of their potential use. In the future, I would like to be able to use the programs aforementioned more fluently and be able to go more in-depth with my students, beyond just basic introduction.
Chapter 12 Reflection
Reflect on ways to use the classroom website with students.
There are many uses to a class website that can benefit not only the students in the class, but the parents of the students as well.
A website generated specifically for a classroom is helpful in today’s culture. We live in an information culture and one of the easiest ways for people to get in touch with one another is through the internet. A classroom website can give parents the opportunity to get to know their child’s teacher a little more. The website often has features like “contact info” which provides readers of the website the teachers phone number, email, or address. Parents can also keep up with what is going on in their student’s class by watching what the teacher posts on the website. For instance, if a field trip is coming up, the teacher has the ability to make on online calendar, and parents can be reminded of the forthcoming trip
The website benefits the students in many of the same ways. Tests can be posted on the calendar to allow time for studying, and serve as a small reminder. Students will also find it easier to ask their instructor a question if the instructor is more accessible, therefore, they learn more.
A class website also allows for students to keep in touch with one another. Students can post messages on some websites and confer with each other on what they learned in class that day or ask another peer a question. This promotes overall classroom unity, which is integral to a safe and effective learning environment.
There are many uses to a class website that can benefit not only the students in the class, but the parents of the students as well.
A website generated specifically for a classroom is helpful in today’s culture. We live in an information culture and one of the easiest ways for people to get in touch with one another is through the internet. A classroom website can give parents the opportunity to get to know their child’s teacher a little more. The website often has features like “contact info” which provides readers of the website the teachers phone number, email, or address. Parents can also keep up with what is going on in their student’s class by watching what the teacher posts on the website. For instance, if a field trip is coming up, the teacher has the ability to make on online calendar, and parents can be reminded of the forthcoming trip
The website benefits the students in many of the same ways. Tests can be posted on the calendar to allow time for studying, and serve as a small reminder. Students will also find it easier to ask their instructor a question if the instructor is more accessible, therefore, they learn more.
A class website also allows for students to keep in touch with one another. Students can post messages on some websites and confer with each other on what they learned in class that day or ask another peer a question. This promotes overall classroom unity, which is integral to a safe and effective learning environment.
Chapter 11 Reflection
Discuss digital stories and describe their purpose and use in learning.
Digital stories are narratives that have been manipulated into a multimedia production. Digital stories can be very interesting because most story software allows the user to add music, edit and manage the material in the multimedia production.
In using digital a digital story, regular stories are given new found life. They have graphics and music that give the user a visual representation of the story being told. I think digital stories make a regular story more memorable to the reader.
Using the software that enables one to make a digital story can be a very enjoyable experience. For instance, our IT class used the Microsoft photo story software to make a video. It was so much fun! I felt like my instructor was pushing me to my creative limit, without being overbearing. The photo story section of this class was probably my favorite.
From a future educator’s point of view, I could see where this program would be very beneficial to my future students. As I previously stated, this project is very fun and limited only by the students’ creativity.
Digital story-making is beneficial to students because it promotes creativity and exposes students to software that they may otherwise never become familiar with. Digital story making also gives the students a visual representation in their mind that they can refer to when later thinking about the story being presented in class, making comprehension much easier.
Digital stories are narratives that have been manipulated into a multimedia production. Digital stories can be very interesting because most story software allows the user to add music, edit and manage the material in the multimedia production.
In using digital a digital story, regular stories are given new found life. They have graphics and music that give the user a visual representation of the story being told. I think digital stories make a regular story more memorable to the reader.
Using the software that enables one to make a digital story can be a very enjoyable experience. For instance, our IT class used the Microsoft photo story software to make a video. It was so much fun! I felt like my instructor was pushing me to my creative limit, without being overbearing. The photo story section of this class was probably my favorite.
From a future educator’s point of view, I could see where this program would be very beneficial to my future students. As I previously stated, this project is very fun and limited only by the students’ creativity.
Digital story-making is beneficial to students because it promotes creativity and exposes students to software that they may otherwise never become familiar with. Digital story making also gives the students a visual representation in their mind that they can refer to when later thinking about the story being presented in class, making comprehension much easier.
Chapter 7 Reflection
Discuss the Research related to the effective use of digital portfolios in learning.
A portfolio is a culmination of one’s work over a period of time. A portfolio usually consists of artifacts. Artifacts are pieces of information that conveys what the user has learned. For instance, our portfolios will contain all of the work that the students have completed throughout the semester.
According to my textbook, portfolios are an instrumental way for one to keep track of what they have learned. Not only does it give the user the ability to visually see all that they have accomplished, but, through reflections they can gauge their own success. I feel like this is kind of a “self assessment.”
While the idea of a portfolio is a great way to handle authentic assessment, it is important to give students ample time to gather all of the material needed for the portfolio. It would be beneficial to the student for the teacher to provide a template for the students to use, when completing it online. An online portfolio is a novel idea as well. It gives students the opportunity to evaluate their peers work and to self gauge their own development. Most ePortfolios have a commenting section where peers can comment on their classmates’ work.
A portfolio is a culmination of one’s work over a period of time. A portfolio usually consists of artifacts. Artifacts are pieces of information that conveys what the user has learned. For instance, our portfolios will contain all of the work that the students have completed throughout the semester.
According to my textbook, portfolios are an instrumental way for one to keep track of what they have learned. Not only does it give the user the ability to visually see all that they have accomplished, but, through reflections they can gauge their own success. I feel like this is kind of a “self assessment.”
While the idea of a portfolio is a great way to handle authentic assessment, it is important to give students ample time to gather all of the material needed for the portfolio. It would be beneficial to the student for the teacher to provide a template for the students to use, when completing it online. An online portfolio is a novel idea as well. It gives students the opportunity to evaluate their peers work and to self gauge their own development. Most ePortfolios have a commenting section where peers can comment on their classmates’ work.
Chapter 4 Reflection
Discuss the Research related to the effective use of digital portfolios in learning.
A portfolio is a culmination of one’s work over a period of time. A portfolio usually consists of artifacts. Artifacts are pieces of information that conveys what the user has learned. For instance, our portfolios will contain all of the work that the students have completed throughout the semester.
According to my textbook, portfolios are an instrumental way for one to keep track of what they have learned. Not only does it give the user the ability to visually see all that they have accomplished, but, through reflections they can gauge their own success. I feel like this is kind of a “self assessment.”
While the idea of a portfolio is a great way to handle authentic assessment, it is important to give students ample time to gather all of the material needed for the portfolio. It would be beneficial to the student for the teacher to provide a template for the students to use, when completing it online. An online portfolio is a novel idea as well. It gives students the opportunity to evaluate their peers work and to self gauge their own development. Most ePortfolios have a commenting section where peers can comment on their classmates’ work.
A portfolio is a culmination of one’s work over a period of time. A portfolio usually consists of artifacts. Artifacts are pieces of information that conveys what the user has learned. For instance, our portfolios will contain all of the work that the students have completed throughout the semester.
According to my textbook, portfolios are an instrumental way for one to keep track of what they have learned. Not only does it give the user the ability to visually see all that they have accomplished, but, through reflections they can gauge their own success. I feel like this is kind of a “self assessment.”
While the idea of a portfolio is a great way to handle authentic assessment, it is important to give students ample time to gather all of the material needed for the portfolio. It would be beneficial to the student for the teacher to provide a template for the students to use, when completing it online. An online portfolio is a novel idea as well. It gives students the opportunity to evaluate their peers work and to self gauge their own development. Most ePortfolios have a commenting section where peers can comment on their classmates’ work.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Chapter 5 Reflection
Chapter five is all about the internet. The topic that I chose to address is reflecting on Blog usage in the classroom. When we first began going over blogs I had no idea why. I thought it was a complete waste of my time. However, I have learned through what my textbook has taught me and through what I have learned in class that blogs can be very valuable in communicating with your classroom while you are away from school. A blog can also be useful in keeping in contact with students’ parents. Parents are not always available for face to face conferences, but with a blog, parents can keep track of what their children are learning through the teacher’s posts. Although I would not recommend early learners try to use blogs, blogs would be very useful in keeping in touch with their parents. I like that in blogs you can post links that students can click on and go exactly where you would like them to go. For instance, we were required a few days ago to make a test on the internet. On the blog, you could post the link, and instead of students having to memorize the website name, they can just click the hyperlink and be directly there. It would eliminate a great deal of confusion. All in all, I think blogs can be useful if they are used correctly and efficiently. If you are going to use a blog in your classroom, make sure to keep it updated daily.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Chapter 8 review Diagrams, Maps and Webs
The question that I am choosing to answer for chapter 8 will be “Reflect on ways to integrate digital diagrams into your classroom.” This is an area of technology that I am very excited to discuss. In my classroom, there will be many times that I use visual representation to reiterate a point that I am trying to get across to my students. Seeing that many students are visual learners, digital diagrams are a practical and convenient way for me to show my students what I would like for them to understand, in a visual way.
The Inspiration software trial that we were given in class a few weeks ago will be very instrumental for me in my classroom. I will purchase the full software program when I have my class because the program is so versatile. Not only can you make graphic organizers like concept maps, but from that map the program will create an outline for you that correlates with the information on the graph. You can print these maps and organizers out and pass them out to your class or you could project them on to the wall and you could use them as a supplement to your lecture. As a teacher, you could also design a graph to chart your student’s progression through the school year. You could keep this for your own personal reference or send them out to your students parents. This will give them opportunity to see how their child is growing in comparison to what the standards are.
The Inspiration software trial that we were given in class a few weeks ago will be very instrumental for me in my classroom. I will purchase the full software program when I have my class because the program is so versatile. Not only can you make graphic organizers like concept maps, but from that map the program will create an outline for you that correlates with the information on the graph. You can print these maps and organizers out and pass them out to your class or you could project them on to the wall and you could use them as a supplement to your lecture. As a teacher, you could also design a graph to chart your student’s progression through the school year. You could keep this for your own personal reference or send them out to your students parents. This will give them opportunity to see how their child is growing in comparison to what the standards are.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Chapter 3 Review Software Basics
The question I chose to answer for this chapter was number 3, examine a web-based title and list the advantages and disadvantages of using the web-based program. The web-based program that I am choosing to discuss today is the one we went over in class on last Thursday, the Rubistar program. This program will be very beneficial to me in the future, as a teacher. On the Rubistar website, there are thousands of rubrics listed from teachers all over the country that you can use, absolutely for free! This is amazing. Being a student, working on my degree, I have already had professors ask me for example rubrics that I will use one day in my classroom. I will try my best not to use the rubrics that are already on the website, but I will try to draw inspiration from the ones that are already there.
There are so many advantages to a program this wonderful. You have the ability to see what can come out of another teacher’s mind and what kind of projects that other children around the country are working on. The one downfall that I could think of is that teachers could get complacent using this software system. They may quit designing their own rubrics and just start taking other peoples. This would allow the teacher to be less creative and original. Its ok to use someone else’s rubrics sometimes, but when you use them, make sure you contribute back to the website by publishing your own rubrics from projects that your students do.
There are so many advantages to a program this wonderful. You have the ability to see what can come out of another teacher’s mind and what kind of projects that other children around the country are working on. The one downfall that I could think of is that teachers could get complacent using this software system. They may quit designing their own rubrics and just start taking other peoples. This would allow the teacher to be less creative and original. Its ok to use someone else’s rubrics sometimes, but when you use them, make sure you contribute back to the website by publishing your own rubrics from projects that your students do.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Chapter two- Hardware Basics
Chapter two gives the reader a vast overview of the many forms of technology that teachers will use in their classroom. Most of them I am already pretty familiar with and already know how to use them. For instance, I own my own digital camera and can use it extensively, with ease. I am not familiar with its classroom applications, but the chapter gives us ideas on how to use them. A digital camera would be extremely valuable in demonstrating the children’s work level. You could take photos of your students work, and then upload them to your blog, and your children’s parents can see exactly what their children have been working on in class.
There are however, some pieces of hardware that I am not familiar with and have not been exposed too. This is the first semester that I have seen a smart board. They were not available to the school I attended back home. The school that I am doing some volunteer work in now does have a smart board and it seems to give the teacher an extra hand and makes teaching and organization just a bit easier.
Since I am in the dual enrollment special education program at USM, I found the adapting for special learners on page 52 very interesting. I did not know that there were so many devices out there to help students with learning disabilities. There are screen magnifiers, keyboard wrist supports and even a Braille translator. I thought all of these would be helpful in the classroom, especially since inclusion is becoming more and more popular with special needs children.
There are however, some pieces of hardware that I am not familiar with and have not been exposed too. This is the first semester that I have seen a smart board. They were not available to the school I attended back home. The school that I am doing some volunteer work in now does have a smart board and it seems to give the teacher an extra hand and makes teaching and organization just a bit easier.
Since I am in the dual enrollment special education program at USM, I found the adapting for special learners on page 52 very interesting. I did not know that there were so many devices out there to help students with learning disabilities. There are screen magnifiers, keyboard wrist supports and even a Braille translator. I thought all of these would be helpful in the classroom, especially since inclusion is becoming more and more popular with special needs children.
Chapter One Reflection- Preparing to Use Technology
Chapter one gives the reader a synapsis of the origins of technology use in the classroom. From chalkboards and slates, to television and then computers, the use of technology has always been prevalent and instrumental in the classroom. The chapter uses testing scores of young children to demonstrate the benefits of technology use in the classroom. The book explained to us that children’s test scores increase when they are exposed to mathmatical principles using the computer. I agree with this idea and these results very much. I had a great deal of difficulty with math as a young child and using the programs that my teachers introduced to me in school helped me a great deal.
This chapter also gives a description of the National Education Technology Standards. This set of standards is designed to help teachers prepare programs and design fundamental concepts using technology in the classroom. I am relieved to know that there is a set of standards in which teachers can go by when it comes to technology. I am not as technologically literate as I would like to be and this set of standards will let me know everything I need to know to be prepared in the classroom. I would also like to reflect on the characteristics of special learners. Special learners will need to use adaptive technology in the classroom at some point. Adaptive technology for special learners can be as menial as a magnifier on a computer screen or as complex as a computer that narrates everything you do on it. All instructors will meet special needs students at some point in their career and it is important that the educators know what to do when the time comes for them to adapt to their needs.
This chapter also gives a description of the National Education Technology Standards. This set of standards is designed to help teachers prepare programs and design fundamental concepts using technology in the classroom. I am relieved to know that there is a set of standards in which teachers can go by when it comes to technology. I am not as technologically literate as I would like to be and this set of standards will let me know everything I need to know to be prepared in the classroom. I would also like to reflect on the characteristics of special learners. Special learners will need to use adaptive technology in the classroom at some point. Adaptive technology for special learners can be as menial as a magnifier on a computer screen or as complex as a computer that narrates everything you do on it. All instructors will meet special needs students at some point in their career and it is important that the educators know what to do when the time comes for them to adapt to their needs.
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