Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Class Reflection
This class has been absolutely wonderful. Before coming into this class, I knew very little about technology besides email and facebook. I was very optimistic coming into the class that I would learn many useful things that I can use in my classroom. I must say that I have done so. Throughout my journey I have learned how to do everything from create a graphic organizer, to create my own movie, to making my own classroom website. Above all the things I did in this class, my favorite project was designing my own classroom website. Ever since I entered the education program, I looked forward to having my own classroom website. Now I do! I learned a lot in this class and I am excited about incorporating these projects into my own classroom. For now, my journey is over!!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
iMovie
I really enjoyed using iMovie to create a movie that will introduce myself to the students. I think using movies in teh classroom are a great way of capturing the students' attention. I definitely plan on using iMovie again. An idea that I have is create a movie about our school year as a class and then show it to my students and parents on the last day of school. I feel that this would be a great way of capturing memories.
I was really nervous when I first found out that we had to make a movie because I felt completely clueless.Now, I can say that i am comfortable with iMovie and MOST of its tools and I plan on using many times in the future.
I hope you enjoy my movie!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
OME (One Minute Essay)
I have enjoyed this class so much. We are halfway through the class and I am no longer scared of technology. I am not an expert yet, but I feel that I have moved on from being a novice. I now feel more comfortable with using different programs to create things for my classroom. My favorite thing so far has been the Inspiration program. I have always been one who learns better when I have something in front of me so I am glad I learned how to create handouts for me as well as for my students to use. I am looking forward to learning even more about technology, in particular how to design my own classroom website!!
Inspiration
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Lesson Planning
Writing a lesson plan to integrate technology was a lot harder than I thought. In the beginning, I thought that it wouldn't be that hard to come up with a lesson that has students using technology. Boy was I wrong! My group chose to write a 3rd grade lesson on the solar system. It took us a little while to get started because we weren't sure how to integrate technology into the lesson of making a model of the solar system. After a while, we finally decided that we could use technology by having the students fill out a research guide on their planet. It wasn't too bad once we got past this point.
After writing this lesson, I now realize how challenging it can be to incorporate technology into an elementary lesson plan. Even though it may require a little extra work, I plan to incorporate technology into my lessons as much as possible.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Webquests
I must say that I have never used webquests until we began exploring them in this class. After exploring, I developed both positive and negative feelings toward them. I think that webquests are a great tool that teachers can use to help incorporate technology into student learning. Webquests also help promote independent learning along with collaborative learning. To me, both of these are very important for students to learn so that they can succeed. However, I also have some negative feelings toward webquests. I want to be an elementary teacher so I do not feel that my children could benefit or even use webquests. At such a young age, I don't think that these students could navigate through a webquest and learn what it is I had intended for them. I also think that webquests can be very time consuming. Before hand, the teacher must spend a lot of time planning and designing the webquest and we all know that teachers don't have a lot of free time. Webquests can also take a lot of time to complete. With such a rigorous daily schedule, I would find it hard for students to be able to complete a webquest. I enjoyed learning about webquests, but I don't know if I will use them much in my elementary classroom.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Reflection of Evaluating Websites
This activity greatly helped me in learning how to evaluate websites that I may use in my classroom. When looking at Cool Math, I was able to navigate through the site and determine if it was a website that I could use in my classroom. I am glad that I was able to do an activity like this because I used to never care if a website was reliable or not. I never evaluated a website before today.
Now I can see why a teacher would need to evaluate a website before sharing it with the class. There are millions of websites out there but not all are good for educational purposes. By evaluating a website first, you can determine if the information presented is accurate and true before you share it with the class. I know I would hate to share a website with my class and while reading it have to say, "well, that's not exactly true." After today, I will evaluate every website before I share it :-)
Now I can see why a teacher would need to evaluate a website before sharing it with the class. There are millions of websites out there but not all are good for educational purposes. By evaluating a website first, you can determine if the information presented is accurate and true before you share it with the class. I know I would hate to share a website with my class and while reading it have to say, "well, that's not exactly true." After today, I will evaluate every website before I share it :-)
Evaluating Websites for Elementary Students
As we all know, there are thousands upon thousands of different websites out there on the World Wide Web. Students today are turning more to these websites rather than books for research. As a matter of fact, most students are required to use the World Wide Web for research. if we are requiring our students to use the web, we must first make sure they know how to determine a good website. The O.P.E.N. Clearinghouse website can be useful for helping elementary students determine whether or not they are on a good website. This website is useful because it puts it in words that elementary students can understand. It doesn't necessarily use the words authority and credibility but it still helps younger students determine whether or not their website is good to use.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Portfolios
I really enjoyed discussing portfolios as a way to integrate technology into the classroom. I think portfolios are good for both the students and teachers. The students can use these portfolios in two ways. First, they can use them to showcase what they have learned over the course of the year. Students can also use portfolios to assess what they are learning. I believe that both ways are good. For the teachers, portfolios can be used to showcase their teaching and enable them to grow as professionals. These portfolios can include different artifacts that show how a teacher teaches. They can also be used to acquire a job.
Most people find it difficult to integrate portfolios into an elementary classroom but I believe there are ways that it can be done. For me, I want to teach the upper elementary grades, so I can see myself using portfolios to an extent. As a teacher, I want each and everyone of my students to have a showcase portfolio in which they can include different work throughout the year. By doing this, all of my students will have something to show about their school year. It can also be used to show their growth from one year to the next.
Most people find it difficult to integrate portfolios into an elementary classroom but I believe there are ways that it can be done. For me, I want to teach the upper elementary grades, so I can see myself using portfolios to an extent. As a teacher, I want each and everyone of my students to have a showcase portfolio in which they can include different work throughout the year. By doing this, all of my students will have something to show about their school year. It can also be used to show their growth from one year to the next.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
My learning goals for this course
First, I must say that I believe this course is an integral part in every preservice teacher's education. Today's society is becoming more and more advanced in the technology field, and as future educators we too must become more advanced so that we can "meet our students where they are."
Because I consider myself to be a novice when it comes to technology, I have high expectations for what I will learn in this course. First and foremost, I want to learn about all of the different ways that students are using technology to aid in their education. As a teacher, I want to be able to incorporate as many different types of technology into my classroom as possible. I want to learn how to allow my students to use technology for learning and to showcase learning. I also want to learn how to use technology so that it can allow me to grow more professionally throughout the years. More specifically, I want to learn how to create a professional portfolio that not only showcases what i have done as a teacher, but one that allows me to reflect and grow.
I know I have high expectations for this course, but I believe that in order for me to become a "good" teacher in the 21st century, these expectations must be met. I have great confidence that when I leave this class, I will have met these expectations and even more. I am looking forward to learning all there is to know about how to use technology in today's classroom.
Because I consider myself to be a novice when it comes to technology, I have high expectations for what I will learn in this course. First and foremost, I want to learn about all of the different ways that students are using technology to aid in their education. As a teacher, I want to be able to incorporate as many different types of technology into my classroom as possible. I want to learn how to allow my students to use technology for learning and to showcase learning. I also want to learn how to use technology so that it can allow me to grow more professionally throughout the years. More specifically, I want to learn how to create a professional portfolio that not only showcases what i have done as a teacher, but one that allows me to reflect and grow.
I know I have high expectations for this course, but I believe that in order for me to become a "good" teacher in the 21st century, these expectations must be met. I have great confidence that when I leave this class, I will have met these expectations and even more. I am looking forward to learning all there is to know about how to use technology in today's classroom.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Informal Introduction to Class
I am from Sevierville, TN, which is located right at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. I went to Pigeon Forge High School in Pigeon Forge, TN, or better known as the hometown of DollyWood. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to become a teacher. As a young girl, I would always play school and make my 2 younger sisters be the students. One day, I hope to teach 3rd or 4th grade students. I feel that these years are the most crucial in learning the necessary skills to continue throughout school. These years were also my favorite years in elementary school. In my spare time, I enjoy working with the students of my church. When I am not working with the children, you can find me enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family. Unfortunately, I do not have a great background in technology. I consider myself a novice when it comes to technology.
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