Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Final Blog
Well I did it! I made it through the computer class!! I was so nervous going into this class because I was so weak in my abilities when it comes to this keyboard and machine in front of me! I have learned so much this semester that it still boggles my mind. If you were to tell me that in a 4 months I would have my own website, be able to coordinate my calendars, create programs, edit pictures, figure out what a pod cast was, have my own youtube video! and learn how to blog I would have told you that you were loony! But, low and behold look at me now! It have been just a fun journey and I will continue to use the technology that I have learned so that I don't lose it. I look at it like a language. They say that when you learn a language if you stop using it you will lose it. Thats how I feel about technology. I will have to keep using it so I don't lose it! I am excited to have this website already in place, so that when I get into my classroom I have a beautiful template to work with. I think my fellow teachers will be impressed that I am already so organized :). Thank you Doc Waters, for bringing me into the current century as far as technology goes! I feel so much more confident with my computer. YAY!
Monday, December 6, 2010
My beliefs
My beliefs are:
1. I think that technology is needed in the classroom.
2. Students can benefit from having technology as part of their everyday learning in a classroom setting.
3. As teachers we will be able to create smarter and more capable students than every before by using the different technologies that are available to us.
To elaborate on these beliefs, I think that technology will be a automatic resource in our classrooms. It already is, and in order to be a successful teacher, I will jump on that band wagon and ride it til I die. It will make my life so much easier, because the digital world is all recorded, and being able to add interactives and colors and sounds to my lessons is amazing! The students will also benefit more because instead of only reaching the learners separately by teaching using different strategies I can reach them all by using technology. For example: The four types of learners are Visual, Aural, Reading/writing, and Kinethstetic. By creating a lesson using pictures and videos, having my notes on the screen or in electronic devices in the children's hands and having interactive feedback between my computer and theirs touches all of the types. Now compare that to the old school way of students copying lecture notes. Catch my drift?
We will create a smarter generation by being able to tap into all types of learning. More students will be able to succeed in school and be able to go into the real world with actual information that will help them succeed. Having the technology that creates more interaction between students, teachers, and parents can be so beneficial to the students success. We will open up the lines of communication and we will bring forth the smartest generation of students so far.
1. I think that technology is needed in the classroom.
2. Students can benefit from having technology as part of their everyday learning in a classroom setting.
3. As teachers we will be able to create smarter and more capable students than every before by using the different technologies that are available to us.
To elaborate on these beliefs, I think that technology will be a automatic resource in our classrooms. It already is, and in order to be a successful teacher, I will jump on that band wagon and ride it til I die. It will make my life so much easier, because the digital world is all recorded, and being able to add interactives and colors and sounds to my lessons is amazing! The students will also benefit more because instead of only reaching the learners separately by teaching using different strategies I can reach them all by using technology. For example: The four types of learners are Visual, Aural, Reading/writing, and Kinethstetic. By creating a lesson using pictures and videos, having my notes on the screen or in electronic devices in the children's hands and having interactive feedback between my computer and theirs touches all of the types. Now compare that to the old school way of students copying lecture notes. Catch my drift?
We will create a smarter generation by being able to tap into all types of learning. More students will be able to succeed in school and be able to go into the real world with actual information that will help them succeed. Having the technology that creates more interaction between students, teachers, and parents can be so beneficial to the students success. We will open up the lines of communication and we will bring forth the smartest generation of students so far.
Lessons Learned
What have I learned? I have learned that we need to embrace technology and not ban it from the schools. Instead of banning all technology in the schools why don't we harness the power and use these expensive devices to keep the kids interested and learning! It makes sense after reading these articles. If we as teachers can develop programs and software along the lines of our curriculum and then integrate it into our lessons and have the students interacting, it will keep them engaged and it will make learning fun again!
I also learned that as teachers we have to keep up with the technology as much as the kids are. We can't force them into backwards land. We have to make the jump to tomorrow land. We can not teach school the same way that it was taught to us. Our students will not succeed. Their lives are dependent on technology because it has been there since they were born. It is up to us as teachers to figure out how to use it to our benefit and how we can best accommodate our learners.
I think my biggest concern however, is being able to appropriately integrate the technology into my classroom. Making sure to keep my students safe, and actively engaged in the learning process. I need to make sure that the use of technology in my classroom will be developmentally appropriate and will challenge all of my students. I need to make sure that I don't leave some students behind. So just being able to tweak different things so that I can help all of my students succeed.
I also learned that as teachers we have to keep up with the technology as much as the kids are. We can't force them into backwards land. We have to make the jump to tomorrow land. We can not teach school the same way that it was taught to us. Our students will not succeed. Their lives are dependent on technology because it has been there since they were born. It is up to us as teachers to figure out how to use it to our benefit and how we can best accommodate our learners.
I think my biggest concern however, is being able to appropriately integrate the technology into my classroom. Making sure to keep my students safe, and actively engaged in the learning process. I need to make sure that the use of technology in my classroom will be developmentally appropriate and will challenge all of my students. I need to make sure that I don't leave some students behind. So just being able to tweak different things so that I can help all of my students succeed.
blog for Dec 8th-Dec12th
Wow the semester is really starting to wind down fast. Trying to get everything completed and turned in! Its amazing how quickly time flies.
What- Well its been over a week since we had class. We have received alot of "on our own" time, which is good. There is nothing like baptism by fire as they say. Figuring out things on my own is very good practice for what lies ahead as a teacher.
So what- to continue on with my last thought. Having a lot of time to figure out things on my own can help me when I get into the real world. By learning how to use the internet to learn things and create new tools and ways for the students to learn will be very beneficial to me as a teacher.
Now what- I was thinking about my future classroom, and the more that I can learn now, not so much the "what" but the how I find the "what" will help me to be able to figure out my own ways to teach in my classroom using technology. I think that is what you have been trying to teach us all along. Not so much know every one of these programs inside and out, but more how to use the internet to search for new ideas and expand outside of our little creative boxes and try to find new ways of doing things. I'm glad it took me a whole semester to finally figure that out. Or I could be wrong. Oh well. I get it. HA.
What- Well its been over a week since we had class. We have received alot of "on our own" time, which is good. There is nothing like baptism by fire as they say. Figuring out things on my own is very good practice for what lies ahead as a teacher.
So what- to continue on with my last thought. Having a lot of time to figure out things on my own can help me when I get into the real world. By learning how to use the internet to learn things and create new tools and ways for the students to learn will be very beneficial to me as a teacher.
Now what- I was thinking about my future classroom, and the more that I can learn now, not so much the "what" but the how I find the "what" will help me to be able to figure out my own ways to teach in my classroom using technology. I think that is what you have been trying to teach us all along. Not so much know every one of these programs inside and out, but more how to use the internet to search for new ideas and expand outside of our little creative boxes and try to find new ways of doing things. I'm glad it took me a whole semester to finally figure that out. Or I could be wrong. Oh well. I get it. HA.
PDP blog #1 Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths- My strengths according to the NET standards are Technology Operations and Concepts, Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum, and Assessment and Evaluation. According to the survey my strengths include: basic knowledge of installing software, accessing programs, adapting technology for students with special needs, using search engines, different tools to use for research, using audio/visual resources like you tube, using email, creating a classroom website, basic editing techniques, using word processing, and spread sheets. Going back to the standards, the first one was technology operations and concepts, I feel that I am strong in this area because I have a basic knowledge of technology. I understand how to turn on and use a computer, a dvd, a powerpoint presentation, overhead projector, etc. I can use all of these in my classroom, some will be more effective than others. As far as teaching, learning, and the curriculum, I feel that I am strong in this area because under point number one that says, can facilitate technology- enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards; I can effectively use programs like powerpoint and various online tools that can teach and keep my students engaged in the learning process. Being able to use word, and excel by teaching the students how to apply this is something that I can do. My last strength would be assessment and evaluation. I am strong in this area because I feel that I can create different ways of using technology to assess my students. For example, creating an online quiz through a google tool and computing the results, I can have them watch a video and submit an online essay, give them a powerpoint activity, etc. There are several ways to assess the students with the use of technology.
Weaknesses- My weaknesses include: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences, Productivity and Professional Practice, and Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues. According to the survey I score weakly in the areas of: computer terminology, trouble shooting, video conferencing, and graphic organizers. Starting with the standards I feel that I am weak in planning and designing learning environments and experiences, because under the points it lists that being able to design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology- enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse need of learners. I just don't have the experience to score highly in this field. I have only been exposed to a small amount in this area. Through practice and exposure I think that I will improve. The second area I feel weak in would be productivity and professional practice. I need to learn ways that I can engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. And being able to apply technology to increase productivity. This one I feel as well as the last is due to a lack of experience and I feel that I can improve by experience and exposure. The last area that I feel weak would be social, ethical, legal, and human issues. I don't really understand the standard. I think it is talking about the use of technology as a whole and so I believe that all of the Internet safety, and cyber bullying, and social networking stuff would fall under this category. I am weak because I don't understand this one. I need to research this standard more and become aware and develop an understanding, because I feel it is important.
I feel that my goals need to be material based. I need to work on the technical aspects of technology and not so much the creative side. I can increase my knowledge of hands on technology by watching how to's on you tube and reading manuals on different programs and by attending seminars offered through the schools and privately. There are several ways that I can continue my education in technology and find ways to incorporate it into my classroom.
Weaknesses- My weaknesses include: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences, Productivity and Professional Practice, and Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues. According to the survey I score weakly in the areas of: computer terminology, trouble shooting, video conferencing, and graphic organizers. Starting with the standards I feel that I am weak in planning and designing learning environments and experiences, because under the points it lists that being able to design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology- enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse need of learners. I just don't have the experience to score highly in this field. I have only been exposed to a small amount in this area. Through practice and exposure I think that I will improve. The second area I feel weak in would be productivity and professional practice. I need to learn ways that I can engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. And being able to apply technology to increase productivity. This one I feel as well as the last is due to a lack of experience and I feel that I can improve by experience and exposure. The last area that I feel weak would be social, ethical, legal, and human issues. I don't really understand the standard. I think it is talking about the use of technology as a whole and so I believe that all of the Internet safety, and cyber bullying, and social networking stuff would fall under this category. I am weak because I don't understand this one. I need to research this standard more and become aware and develop an understanding, because I feel it is important.
I feel that my goals need to be material based. I need to work on the technical aspects of technology and not so much the creative side. I can increase my knowledge of hands on technology by watching how to's on you tube and reading manuals on different programs and by attending seminars offered through the schools and privately. There are several ways that I can continue my education in technology and find ways to incorporate it into my classroom.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The end is near
What- We are wrapping up the semester. Not too much longer to go. Basically discussed the remainder of the semester and assignments that we need to finish up.
So-what- Getting excited, I know how my students will feel towards the end of the semester. I know that I will need to keep them focused in order to get quality work out of them.
Now-what- So my goal now is to figure out ways that I will be able to keep them focused. Since I am a PE teacher, I am already thinking up different games and activities that can incorporate the holidays or weather that will be educational and fun and engaging. I've got this!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Picassa
What- This week was interesting. I have previous knowledge of online photo editing software, so I felt confident when I learned that we would be using picassa. It's a very simple tool to use.
So What- Being able to have this software in my classroom can allow me to have students create presentations or learn about different sports by photographing them and then fixing them and putting them in powerpoints.
Now what- I will start brainstorming ideas about how I can use this in my PE classroom.
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