This class has probably been the most collaborative and interactive process. That is what I have enjoyed most the class. I am happy to report that the feedback I received from you always opened my eyes to different strategies or view points. As we have discussed, our class appreciates feedback and I think you did a great job communicating with each of us, unique to each of our personalities. I couldn't be more happier with the diversity of this class. It's always pleasant to have a smaller class, giving us a chance to bond more. We did share some good laughs (Babycakes anyone?)
As you could tell, where I am today is definitely a different place than where I was at the beginning of class. I am more enthusiastic about technology and its uses in my classroom and am eager to share with my other classmates (maybe haha). No, but joking aside, I always shared our assignments with my parents, and they were even more impressed than I could ever be. My Mom especially is thrilled that I want to be a teacher. She knows that I was technologically inclined, so she could see that all these programs could be useful.
I'm glad we took the time to explore different subjects. Each program was unique and specific to a different topic. I will forever use my Pageflakes and LOVE the organization of Gradeconnect, as well as the accessibility of the Web 2.0 sites. I'm glad we spent a lot of time going over those, because I will use most of those. I think all of us are pretty much hooked on Picnik since we're an obsessed-with-ourselves-and-our-pictures Generation. I was happy that you introduced us to the Educational Field Trips from Ball State University. That is something I could see myself using when it applies to my various English books. I love applying other knowledge to my area of expertise.
I also am proud to say that my searching abilities on search engines have improved. I now no longer just immediately go to Google, but I take the time to check other sites and journals. I really liked EduHound and EduWorld and its magazine feel. I also liked to be able to view the Time For Kids articles that I enjoyed so much as a kid. The time of online newspapers and journals is so exciting that I have all this news right on my computer. And what a way to wrap everything up by having SnagIt be able to capture a picture or text right from these sites. I know I will definitely find a use for SnagIt as my classes continue.
As for blogging, I would definitely use this for my classroom. I'm a big fan of journals and as long as its appropriate, having classmates pair up and edit each other's papers. Even though I think next year would be beneficial to have students work on their PowerPoints separately, I was glad to be able to collaborate creatively on a project. The best way to learn is through helping others, and I think each of us was able to give one another tips (Too bad Erica couldn't figure out my weird PDF file!). One thing I really enjoyed was the field site. I'm glad I visited a more diverse school in order to get a better feel for the surrounding area. I felt like I was an interviewer, gathering information solely on the status of their technology. I have already E-mailed Mrs. Chadwick and am awaiting her reply. I was so excited to be able to teach her some programs, while she helped me to understand what I can expect when I become a teacher.
Thank you for being very honest with us in what we will encounter in the future. This course was definitely unique and well worth it to take. As a future teacher, I feel like I will be able to keep up with my students, as they are surely already more technologically advanced and plugged into their computers even more than I am. Aside from that, I'm glad the class was able to discuss freely and openly. I think the conferences were an exciting addition to our lessons, and we each learned a little bit about expressing our feelings. After all, we are a vital consumer to their market. Hopefully we will be able to get as many free things as you have for our classrooms. I am all about the free things as well and won't hesitate to ask for anything that will benefit my class. I will have to be scrappy and really hunt for good finds for English material. But all the standards and lesson plan sites will really help me get my feet wet!
Best of luck for your next semester! Stay in touch and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next crop of students handle the influx of technology in their lives. Thanks again for an enjoyable semester!
Best,
Kelly :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
The end is near
My apologies for this late blog! I really was under the impression that the only blog that was due was that on Wednesday. I should have checked the schedule. I think this late in the game, I'm so scatter brained with all that's going on for the endosemester.
I'm glad we finally wrapped up the Power Points. It's hard when presentations are dragged on like that. I didn't want to take away from Jeff's effort so I made sure to ask him a question. It's funny, a lot of students say that they would rather their peers not pay attention to their presentations, but I feel the opposite. If students are drifting off I feel like they aren't engaged and are not interested in what I have to say. I liked being able to fill out a comment sheet. I think in the future it would be a good idea to pass these comments back to the presenters. It would give a better understanding to have judgments from classmates. I like feedback and I think others would be appreciative of suggestions for future projects.
I admit I have been so disorganized. I've been researching for my website and I know I havn't completed my portfolio, but it will be all set for the due date. I showed a friend of mine my site thus far. I think the Weebly bug caught him too. He thought it was a great idea, and I'm going to show him how to set up an account. This is exactly what I've been looking forward to, and why I want to be a teacher. I love "spreading the good word" and helping others to learn something. I feel like I learn little things every day, so if I can help someone with a job interview, more power to me.
I think we will continue to use SnagIt. It's so easy to use because it is a constant reminder being an icon every time I open up a Word Document. I took what you said into consideration and took a little more time to experiment with Camtasia. I see that its video capabilities outmatch those of SnagIt's.
I'm happy with the wrap up of the school visits. I enjoyed hearing everyone's elses experiences. I wonder what Brien McMahon would think if I told them their school's technology and Media Center was rated a 6-7. It really was shocking for me to see so much money poured into a school, and see that its full potential is far from being reached. I will definitely be in contact with Mrs. Chadwich and will let you know if she has any questions for you.
I'm glad we finally wrapped up the Power Points. It's hard when presentations are dragged on like that. I didn't want to take away from Jeff's effort so I made sure to ask him a question. It's funny, a lot of students say that they would rather their peers not pay attention to their presentations, but I feel the opposite. If students are drifting off I feel like they aren't engaged and are not interested in what I have to say. I liked being able to fill out a comment sheet. I think in the future it would be a good idea to pass these comments back to the presenters. It would give a better understanding to have judgments from classmates. I like feedback and I think others would be appreciative of suggestions for future projects.
I admit I have been so disorganized. I've been researching for my website and I know I havn't completed my portfolio, but it will be all set for the due date. I showed a friend of mine my site thus far. I think the Weebly bug caught him too. He thought it was a great idea, and I'm going to show him how to set up an account. This is exactly what I've been looking forward to, and why I want to be a teacher. I love "spreading the good word" and helping others to learn something. I feel like I learn little things every day, so if I can help someone with a job interview, more power to me.
I think we will continue to use SnagIt. It's so easy to use because it is a constant reminder being an icon every time I open up a Word Document. I took what you said into consideration and took a little more time to experiment with Camtasia. I see that its video capabilities outmatch those of SnagIt's.
I'm happy with the wrap up of the school visits. I enjoyed hearing everyone's elses experiences. I wonder what Brien McMahon would think if I told them their school's technology and Media Center was rated a 6-7. It really was shocking for me to see so much money poured into a school, and see that its full potential is far from being reached. I will definitely be in contact with Mrs. Chadwich and will let you know if she has any questions for you.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Down to the Wire
I can't believe how fast this semester has gone by! I'm glad we straightened out the end of the year schedule and final blog, etc. I think what we came up with will work. Hopefully you liked my site visit. I have Mrs. Chadwick's E-mail if you would like to contact her. She seemed very interested in all the programs we were exploring, and I think it would be very beneficial to Brien McMahon. I'm also glad that you are getting rid of the book next semester; that will definitely ease next semester's anxiety dealing with that book.
I really enjoyed Ball State University's Electronic Field Trips. I was a little confused of how users obtain this secret username and password. I'm glad I searched the site, because I wasn't before able to figure out what field trips were next scheduled. However, the site does in fact provide past lessons and showcase what is next to come. Teachers are then able to plan ahead for what field trips would be vital to their lessons. I liked how the hosts of each field trip were done by students too. I think students will appreciate the information from each field trip more if it is provided by a fellow peer who shares some of the same opinions and communicative skills. This web site is very interactive as each menu provides different questions, facts, video and message boards. The message boards are very specific, giving the users guided questions to use for discussion. This will prompt the students more, encouraging them to build ideas off of the questions. I liked this site because it had a History Channel feel to it, and believe it or not, kids my age LOVE that channel. I think this will go over well with students.
Now, I was a little confused by SnagIt. I have experienced problems with copying and pasting images from certain areas that don't allow that feature. And I did like the usability of the menu, but I think for me it was a lot of time to invest in learning how each feature was used. It was a little tough at first to navigate the program. I think because SnagIt has so many options I was a little overwhelmed. I think I would use the Web Capture tool the most. I could use this for my indvidual use for saving space for my files. But it's also a good place to store everything I need for one particular lesson; what a great time saver! I like the editing abilities too. It really is like Picnik or Photoshop...on crack. Although I was frustrated at some parts, I was able to visit techsmith.com/videos to get a better insight into it. Students will benefit from this, a kind of do-it-yourself program. Hopefully we can go over SnagIt more in class. I feel like we didn't get that much time. See you Wednesday!
I really enjoyed Ball State University's Electronic Field Trips. I was a little confused of how users obtain this secret username and password. I'm glad I searched the site, because I wasn't before able to figure out what field trips were next scheduled. However, the site does in fact provide past lessons and showcase what is next to come. Teachers are then able to plan ahead for what field trips would be vital to their lessons. I liked how the hosts of each field trip were done by students too. I think students will appreciate the information from each field trip more if it is provided by a fellow peer who shares some of the same opinions and communicative skills. This web site is very interactive as each menu provides different questions, facts, video and message boards. The message boards are very specific, giving the users guided questions to use for discussion. This will prompt the students more, encouraging them to build ideas off of the questions. I liked this site because it had a History Channel feel to it, and believe it or not, kids my age LOVE that channel. I think this will go over well with students.
Now, I was a little confused by SnagIt. I have experienced problems with copying and pasting images from certain areas that don't allow that feature. And I did like the usability of the menu, but I think for me it was a lot of time to invest in learning how each feature was used. It was a little tough at first to navigate the program. I think because SnagIt has so many options I was a little overwhelmed. I think I would use the Web Capture tool the most. I could use this for my indvidual use for saving space for my files. But it's also a good place to store everything I need for one particular lesson; what a great time saver! I like the editing abilities too. It really is like Picnik or Photoshop...on crack. Although I was frustrated at some parts, I was able to visit techsmith.com/videos to get a better insight into it. Students will benefit from this, a kind of do-it-yourself program. Hopefully we can go over SnagIt more in class. I feel like we didn't get that much time. See you Wednesday!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving is almost here!
My weekend at the English Teacher Conference in NYC was fun, tiring, and educational. I went to several lectures, workshops, and meet and greets that I know will prove useful to me as a new teacher in the future. Topics ranged from teaching sexuality in the classroom, teaching AP courses, tensions of 1st year teachers...and of course integrating technology in the classroom. It was interesting to see all of these presentations. Some of the presenters used instructional videos, powerpoint, and had their own websites. I found myself critiquing some of their actual presentations thinking, "I could do that too," or "I could have done that better." It was funny to see how advanced the technology was at the Convention. One of the lessons detailed lessons of using music in the classroom, or possible text messaging between students. Some of the presenters went into detail concerning Second Life while others went on about where iPods are headed in the future. It was great to be able to attend this event and see how much I have to look forward to.
I'm looking forward to finishing my portfolio and website. I've never done that before, and I'm sure the class is nervous and pumped to get to do something like this. I'm sure potential schools would be impressed that I would have this prepared for my interview. I'm glad I chose to do the website and not the resume. It's kind of the same thing, but I already have a resume, and doing a website seems more involved, but beneficiary. All the layouts and designs were unique and I found one that is appropriate and suits my personality. I just need to perfect which writing samples to use to showcase my abilities as an English teacher.
Chapter 7 doesn't introduce new information. We all know we're living in a fast paced world incapable of survival without technology. However, there are other things besides the Internet that can help facilitate teachers in the classroom. We've already experienced video conferencing and its exciting advantages. I've taken online courses in the past, which were enjoyable but I did feel disconnect because you are not in close contact with the teacher and students. Podcasts are also used and I was able to download certain videos and lectures off from iTunes. Colleges from all over have their own programs through iTunes, so this market is continually growing and in demand. Students want new and exciting means to gain information, and there are many new possibilities. I've heavily relied on resources online, whether it be on databases or other seach engine sites to research for projects.
Virtual learning environments seem exciting, but they do have their disadvantages. I am concerned with the socialization aspect of a childs' adolescence. Having spoken to Vyew, I do think it can be an engaging learning tool that can be used for visual and auditory learners. I feel like some students have the strengths to succeed with distance learning tools, while others have trouble with organizational skills, attention problems, or other learning disabilities. I have been using bookmarks a lot more to organize my favorite files, and enjoyed that section in the chapter. It also focused on avatars and other alternatives for students and teachers to consider.
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. See you next week!
I'm looking forward to finishing my portfolio and website. I've never done that before, and I'm sure the class is nervous and pumped to get to do something like this. I'm sure potential schools would be impressed that I would have this prepared for my interview. I'm glad I chose to do the website and not the resume. It's kind of the same thing, but I already have a resume, and doing a website seems more involved, but beneficiary. All the layouts and designs were unique and I found one that is appropriate and suits my personality. I just need to perfect which writing samples to use to showcase my abilities as an English teacher.
Chapter 7 doesn't introduce new information. We all know we're living in a fast paced world incapable of survival without technology. However, there are other things besides the Internet that can help facilitate teachers in the classroom. We've already experienced video conferencing and its exciting advantages. I've taken online courses in the past, which were enjoyable but I did feel disconnect because you are not in close contact with the teacher and students. Podcasts are also used and I was able to download certain videos and lectures off from iTunes. Colleges from all over have their own programs through iTunes, so this market is continually growing and in demand. Students want new and exciting means to gain information, and there are many new possibilities. I've heavily relied on resources online, whether it be on databases or other seach engine sites to research for projects.
Virtual learning environments seem exciting, but they do have their disadvantages. I am concerned with the socialization aspect of a childs' adolescence. Having spoken to Vyew, I do think it can be an engaging learning tool that can be used for visual and auditory learners. I feel like some students have the strengths to succeed with distance learning tools, while others have trouble with organizational skills, attention problems, or other learning disabilities. I have been using bookmarks a lot more to organize my favorite files, and enjoyed that section in the chapter. It also focused on avatars and other alternatives for students and teachers to consider.
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. See you next week!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Where is Technology Headed?
That was quite the class on Wednesday right? Who ever thought that people would get so heated over technology in the classroom. You're right when you said that our class is a group of perfectionists. I think the research project assignment was useful, and it did give me the opportunity to do different things with Microsoft Word. I think people were put off by the "research" aspect of the directions. But, I do recall you saying you wanted a magazine feel to it. Otherwise, I never would have included sub-headings because that's something I'm not used to. I believe though that in the future, all of us will incorporate different tools in our papers to grab the attention of professors.
I really enjoyed reading the article, "21st Century Learning: We're Not Even Close." We've discussed in the past the ever changing expectations from the role of technology in education. This article highlighted the need for accountability from the school system, government, and state and local agencies. I liked the idea of private businesses using their financial muscles to raise funding for technology in the 21st cenury classroom. It is obviously important for the educators themselves to be familiar with these products. If they're not confident in the product, or comfortable using them, then the students will pick up on that and not achieve the intended goal of the product. SETDA, ISTE, and The Partnership for 21st century provided easy enough examples for teachers to do in order to get used to a more technologically centered classroom. There are so many sites out there such as Atomic Learning that instruct users on the ins and outs of tech programs and tools. Instant Messaging shouldn't be too intimidating for an older crowd and vieoconferencing is (as we've experienced some variations of it) an exciting experience to share and learn from others.
I was a little disappointed with the way Erin and my presentation went. Group presentations are always hard to do. I think I liked my essay better. I'm more of an independent worker, but this project was so detailed, that I saw the need to work with a partner. It was challenging to come to certain agreements, and I did feel a little rushed by the time limit. Everyone had a lot of information, so it was hard to get everything in. I think my favorite presentation was Adrian's. I wish we got to see his videos. I also think giving each presentation feedback is useful. I've done this in a lot of classes, and I find it helpful to receive feedback from my classmates, instead of just from a professor. Sometimes they give a more truthful opinion coming from a peer. And you know me, I'm a big fan of anonymity!
What do you think of me visiting Trumbull High School for the site visit? I graduated in '05, and I know I mentioned that they were a little lackluster in the technology field. Do you want a wide range of schools, or to research a more technologically savvy school? I think it would be cool to see the advancements my school has made (if any). Not that it was a bad education, but I didn't rely on technology so much. It was more at home that I used the computer or other technology for homework or projects. I know I mentioned that one project I did. Let me know.
I agree with the article when it said that the misconceived notion is that technology is already being integrated into classrooms at a successful achievement rate. This is not true, knowing the surrounding area to be ill equipped with technology packages. And even if schools do have top notch equipment, it doesn't mean it's being used to its full potential. Take for example the SmartBoards Fairfield U has in their classrooms. I've only used them for projecting PowerPoints. We've heard so many good things about them, but I have yet to use it in an interactive setting. Like you said, they could be on the way out if different and more efficient models are developed. This is all fine and dandy, but what about the price these schools have to pay for this technology? I like that the article said that both national, state, and local groups need to be a part of this process, especially to discuss funding of technology. SETDA is already pioneering what programs/technology is needed and appropriate for different school systems.
I really enjoyed reading the article, "21st Century Learning: We're Not Even Close." We've discussed in the past the ever changing expectations from the role of technology in education. This article highlighted the need for accountability from the school system, government, and state and local agencies. I liked the idea of private businesses using their financial muscles to raise funding for technology in the 21st cenury classroom. It is obviously important for the educators themselves to be familiar with these products. If they're not confident in the product, or comfortable using them, then the students will pick up on that and not achieve the intended goal of the product. SETDA, ISTE, and The Partnership for 21st century provided easy enough examples for teachers to do in order to get used to a more technologically centered classroom. There are so many sites out there such as Atomic Learning that instruct users on the ins and outs of tech programs and tools. Instant Messaging shouldn't be too intimidating for an older crowd and vieoconferencing is (as we've experienced some variations of it) an exciting experience to share and learn from others.
I was a little disappointed with the way Erin and my presentation went. Group presentations are always hard to do. I think I liked my essay better. I'm more of an independent worker, but this project was so detailed, that I saw the need to work with a partner. It was challenging to come to certain agreements, and I did feel a little rushed by the time limit. Everyone had a lot of information, so it was hard to get everything in. I think my favorite presentation was Adrian's. I wish we got to see his videos. I also think giving each presentation feedback is useful. I've done this in a lot of classes, and I find it helpful to receive feedback from my classmates, instead of just from a professor. Sometimes they give a more truthful opinion coming from a peer. And you know me, I'm a big fan of anonymity!
What do you think of me visiting Trumbull High School for the site visit? I graduated in '05, and I know I mentioned that they were a little lackluster in the technology field. Do you want a wide range of schools, or to research a more technologically savvy school? I think it would be cool to see the advancements my school has made (if any). Not that it was a bad education, but I didn't rely on technology so much. It was more at home that I used the computer or other technology for homework or projects. I know I mentioned that one project I did. Let me know.
I agree with the article when it said that the misconceived notion is that technology is already being integrated into classrooms at a successful achievement rate. This is not true, knowing the surrounding area to be ill equipped with technology packages. And even if schools do have top notch equipment, it doesn't mean it's being used to its full potential. Take for example the SmartBoards Fairfield U has in their classrooms. I've only used them for projecting PowerPoints. We've heard so many good things about them, but I have yet to use it in an interactive setting. Like you said, they could be on the way out if different and more efficient models are developed. This is all fine and dandy, but what about the price these schools have to pay for this technology? I like that the article said that both national, state, and local groups need to be a part of this process, especially to discuss funding of technology. SETDA is already pioneering what programs/technology is needed and appropriate for different school systems.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Conference Call/ Ch6
Oh my gosh! I completely forgot, and just checked my E-Mail a few minutes ago for the first time today. I don't know what got into me, my apologies.
Last Wednesday's class was very exciting, and I'm not just talking about our free 1/2 pound Hershey's bar we received. I'm glad we received a template for our constructed lesson plans. It will definitely aide me while constructing an approriate lesson. I also appreciated ISTE's website and help and resources it could provide in the future. I liked how ISTE is working closely with NETS to make technology standards in education uniform. It seems as though ISTE is dedicated to making conditions in classrooms better by observing classes, developing programs, working with teachers and administrators and providing effective ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. By collecting data and performing case studies, ISTE is able to see what variables will have a positive effect on children.
I also appreciated reading the section on National Standards. I too get confused as to what is being done on the state, national and local level, so it is nice to get some clarification. It's good to see that technology is viewed as important. I was particularly interested in the NCTE. I am a member of the NCTE and will be attending a conference in NYC in 2 weeks (Mike and Kristin Rossi are as well). It's very exciting and I'm anticipating to learn a lot from the various workshops and lectures. I'm a big advocate for summer reading and learning and anything that will challenge the mind when not in school. I was surprised by the NY Times having a section for developing lesson plans. I guess it makes sense because of the varying subject matter and credible sources. I was glad to see that lesson plans were provided for every grade and subject. I've checked out Internet4classrooms before and it continues to impress me. This website seems to exclusively deal with incorporating technology into the lesson plan, while others just skirt around the subject. I don't really like the layout of the site though. I feel it's a little jumbled and hard to find out just what link you want to search. The organization is a little off and the home page is a little boring. But overall, I liked the tips and information provided.
I really enjoyed the Vyew Conference. This experience was much more hands on than the last one, and being able to use the computer as well as the phone made it more interactive. I liked Mr. Kim's presentation with the Language Arts portion as well as the clinical lab results. This showcased the wide range of lessons this program features. His E-Learning explanation was clever, citing that this program was engaging, enabling, efficient, etc. It certainly was, and I liked how it was easy to switch back from the asynchronous to the synchronous very easily. I was a little wary after the class began to draw all over the pages, but Colin definitely saved the day by saying that we were just very engaged and interested in the program. I could definitely see that as a problem for younger students, because these menus are so interactive and student focused/operated. However, I do think this program will be beneficial in classrooms because it is a collaborative process between the teacher and student. Students will learn more from the problem based learning approach, using the drawing tools and interactive quizzes to help them along. I'm glad he gave us instructions on how to easily set up the program, as well as his E-Mail.
When reading Ch 6 it was important to identify and differentiate between multimedia and hypermedia. I guess I never really knew there was a difference! Hypermedia is more interactive whereas as multimedia can be different combinations of media such as still pics, video or text. One item will link you to a related item, giving the user more information. There is an obvious growing trend in education for usage of hypermedia in education. Once again though, teachers must spend significant time and patience to learn these systems in order to teach them effectively in the classroom. Research showed that lower ability students experienced more difficulty with hypermedia. It seems that older and higher ability students experienced the most control and success with these programs. Instructional Software available in packages also emphasized what CH 3 did. They can be classified as tutorials, simulations, drill and practice, etc. All effective and different learning, methods for students. We've already discussed reference materials that we've used in the past either at home or school. CDs like Encyclopedia Britannica were always used at my house, and we were able to use Online Almanacs and Atlases at school. Power Points have been used as far back as I can remember and serve as the first hypermedia authoring systems I've used. I appreciated the 10 helpful tips for power point presentations. Often times people try to put too much text and will copy straight from the book. This is not effective and can be distracting. I'm excited to continue using the new PowerPoint models you've shown us in class. I remember fun, interactive programs my friends had that were capable with RAMs. Is this out of date in 2007?
I think editing systems would be fun to utilize. I'm not into any news programs or newspaper, but I could see the advantages of using them. Science teachers would definitely benefit from using these video production systems. That's a great idea to film the experiment first in order to have students view a model. However, teachers might want students to go through the process on their own. Even VR systems are very high tech and would get students excited about using them in class. Students are typically interested in the virtual reality tools. Students would be clamoring to be able to use some of these programs in the classroom.
Last Wednesday's class was very exciting, and I'm not just talking about our free 1/2 pound Hershey's bar we received. I'm glad we received a template for our constructed lesson plans. It will definitely aide me while constructing an approriate lesson. I also appreciated ISTE's website and help and resources it could provide in the future. I liked how ISTE is working closely with NETS to make technology standards in education uniform. It seems as though ISTE is dedicated to making conditions in classrooms better by observing classes, developing programs, working with teachers and administrators and providing effective ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. By collecting data and performing case studies, ISTE is able to see what variables will have a positive effect on children.
I also appreciated reading the section on National Standards. I too get confused as to what is being done on the state, national and local level, so it is nice to get some clarification. It's good to see that technology is viewed as important. I was particularly interested in the NCTE. I am a member of the NCTE and will be attending a conference in NYC in 2 weeks (Mike and Kristin Rossi are as well). It's very exciting and I'm anticipating to learn a lot from the various workshops and lectures. I'm a big advocate for summer reading and learning and anything that will challenge the mind when not in school. I was surprised by the NY Times having a section for developing lesson plans. I guess it makes sense because of the varying subject matter and credible sources. I was glad to see that lesson plans were provided for every grade and subject. I've checked out Internet4classrooms before and it continues to impress me. This website seems to exclusively deal with incorporating technology into the lesson plan, while others just skirt around the subject. I don't really like the layout of the site though. I feel it's a little jumbled and hard to find out just what link you want to search. The organization is a little off and the home page is a little boring. But overall, I liked the tips and information provided.
I really enjoyed the Vyew Conference. This experience was much more hands on than the last one, and being able to use the computer as well as the phone made it more interactive. I liked Mr. Kim's presentation with the Language Arts portion as well as the clinical lab results. This showcased the wide range of lessons this program features. His E-Learning explanation was clever, citing that this program was engaging, enabling, efficient, etc. It certainly was, and I liked how it was easy to switch back from the asynchronous to the synchronous very easily. I was a little wary after the class began to draw all over the pages, but Colin definitely saved the day by saying that we were just very engaged and interested in the program. I could definitely see that as a problem for younger students, because these menus are so interactive and student focused/operated. However, I do think this program will be beneficial in classrooms because it is a collaborative process between the teacher and student. Students will learn more from the problem based learning approach, using the drawing tools and interactive quizzes to help them along. I'm glad he gave us instructions on how to easily set up the program, as well as his E-Mail.
When reading Ch 6 it was important to identify and differentiate between multimedia and hypermedia. I guess I never really knew there was a difference! Hypermedia is more interactive whereas as multimedia can be different combinations of media such as still pics, video or text. One item will link you to a related item, giving the user more information. There is an obvious growing trend in education for usage of hypermedia in education. Once again though, teachers must spend significant time and patience to learn these systems in order to teach them effectively in the classroom. Research showed that lower ability students experienced more difficulty with hypermedia. It seems that older and higher ability students experienced the most control and success with these programs. Instructional Software available in packages also emphasized what CH 3 did. They can be classified as tutorials, simulations, drill and practice, etc. All effective and different learning, methods for students. We've already discussed reference materials that we've used in the past either at home or school. CDs like Encyclopedia Britannica were always used at my house, and we were able to use Online Almanacs and Atlases at school. Power Points have been used as far back as I can remember and serve as the first hypermedia authoring systems I've used. I appreciated the 10 helpful tips for power point presentations. Often times people try to put too much text and will copy straight from the book. This is not effective and can be distracting. I'm excited to continue using the new PowerPoint models you've shown us in class. I remember fun, interactive programs my friends had that were capable with RAMs. Is this out of date in 2007?
I think editing systems would be fun to utilize. I'm not into any news programs or newspaper, but I could see the advantages of using them. Science teachers would definitely benefit from using these video production systems. That's a great idea to film the experiment first in order to have students view a model. However, teachers might want students to go through the process on their own. Even VR systems are very high tech and would get students excited about using them in class. Students are typically interested in the virtual reality tools. Students would be clamoring to be able to use some of these programs in the classroom.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Teacher Web Tools
Thanks again for understanding about missing class last week. Hopefully this latest eye surgery for my Mom will work!
I'm not sure if you watch "The Office" on NBC, but last week's episode featured Second Life. It was a funny segment about how far removed users are from reality and featured some graphics from the site. Very funny, check it out!
World Book Encyclopedia allows you to search for available videos, atlas and dictionary. There is a wide range of tools that will apply to elementary and high school levels. Also, it is very user friendly for teachers providing helpful links to lesson plans (great ideas to use). I also like the tab about Connecticut. (Everything from entertainers to political leaders are featured) This could be used in several subjects, and will make it fun for students to learn about fun state facts
Brainpop appears to be modern and definitely appeals to a younger crowd. It incorporates fun graphics to grab the users’ attention. Under English, the tabs range from basic grammar lessons to more specific topics like poetry, outlines, public speaking and even features summaries of popular literature for young adults. I was immediately drawn to the movies about Harry Potter and author Agatha Christie, because these were the novels I was most interested in as a kid. By using Tim and Moby as guides to the site, students are drawn to the lessons.
TeAchnology is a bit more streamlined which appeals to parents and teachers. It incorporates tabs that most of the other sites feature, including lesson plans and worksheets. What I liked the best was the helpful tips on how to construct a rubric. Rubric Studio provided helpful ideas on how to get started and provided a basic template for any rubric.
I was a little confused by PrimoPDF because I don’t really have a need to convert files to PDF. I’m sure as I get older and start to teach, that need will shift, but as of now, no. Maybe when we start to build our websites for our final exam I will use this site more. The template was nice and it seems easy to do and the fact that it’s free doesn’t hurt.
I really liked Charts and Graphs because I’m so bored with Excel. This site is fun and attention grabbing and they are clearly targeting a younger crowd with its bubbly home page. This will help math teachers, but also any other teacher who wants to present information in a different manner. English teachers could use this if they want the class to create their own newspaper publication. Charts and graphs are very flashy and eye catching. It also helps you decide which type of graph would be appropriate for your lesson. I liked the grabbag tab that had several fun options like quizzes, videos to watch, word searches and other brain teachers. This is very interactive and students will appreciate this section.
I liked the competing websites for concept maps. This is a new term for me, but it sounds like it is a place to share opinions, facts, and critiques within the community. Cmap tools explained their purpose and goals better than Inspiration Software, Inc. leading me to explore their site more. I also felt their format was more appropriate, using a cleaner approach. Students might be more drawn to Inspiration Software, Inc. However, Inspiration Software, Inc reached out to businesses, students, and teachers in their own separate tab making it specific to the group.
As discussed in class, I enjoy using GradeConnect. I never had experience with WebCt as some of the class has, but it sounds like GradeConnect is more reliable. I like having all of my grades posted and my current average calculated for me. Parents can get more involved with their child’s education by signing up for a membership. From GradeConnect, you can access the course outline by going to the link section, making everything very accessible. Assignments are posted with due dates so there is no confusion. This site makes me feel more aware of what I need to do, and keeps me organized.
Internet4classrooms was a kind of culminating website of helpful teacher tools. Its tagline says it all-Internet tools which makes a teacher's life easier. Review sheets, test makers, and rubrics are all available to the subscriber. These modules are easy to construct and to be used in the classroom. I like the award certificate makers tool; this gives students tanglible praise that make them feel that they've been successful and achieved their goal. It's also fun for the teacher to distribute these awards.
Ok, done for now, but I would be happy to go over the rest of the tools with the class to see what they said about them when they were discussed last week. Also, the conference scheduled this week seems more innovative and exciting than the last!
I'm not sure if you watch "The Office" on NBC, but last week's episode featured Second Life. It was a funny segment about how far removed users are from reality and featured some graphics from the site. Very funny, check it out!
World Book Encyclopedia allows you to search for available videos, atlas and dictionary. There is a wide range of tools that will apply to elementary and high school levels. Also, it is very user friendly for teachers providing helpful links to lesson plans (great ideas to use). I also like the tab about Connecticut. (Everything from entertainers to political leaders are featured) This could be used in several subjects, and will make it fun for students to learn about fun state facts
Brainpop appears to be modern and definitely appeals to a younger crowd. It incorporates fun graphics to grab the users’ attention. Under English, the tabs range from basic grammar lessons to more specific topics like poetry, outlines, public speaking and even features summaries of popular literature for young adults. I was immediately drawn to the movies about Harry Potter and author Agatha Christie, because these were the novels I was most interested in as a kid. By using Tim and Moby as guides to the site, students are drawn to the lessons.
TeAchnology is a bit more streamlined which appeals to parents and teachers. It incorporates tabs that most of the other sites feature, including lesson plans and worksheets. What I liked the best was the helpful tips on how to construct a rubric. Rubric Studio provided helpful ideas on how to get started and provided a basic template for any rubric.
I was a little confused by PrimoPDF because I don’t really have a need to convert files to PDF. I’m sure as I get older and start to teach, that need will shift, but as of now, no. Maybe when we start to build our websites for our final exam I will use this site more. The template was nice and it seems easy to do and the fact that it’s free doesn’t hurt.
I really liked Charts and Graphs because I’m so bored with Excel. This site is fun and attention grabbing and they are clearly targeting a younger crowd with its bubbly home page. This will help math teachers, but also any other teacher who wants to present information in a different manner. English teachers could use this if they want the class to create their own newspaper publication. Charts and graphs are very flashy and eye catching. It also helps you decide which type of graph would be appropriate for your lesson. I liked the grabbag tab that had several fun options like quizzes, videos to watch, word searches and other brain teachers. This is very interactive and students will appreciate this section.
I liked the competing websites for concept maps. This is a new term for me, but it sounds like it is a place to share opinions, facts, and critiques within the community. Cmap tools explained their purpose and goals better than Inspiration Software, Inc. leading me to explore their site more. I also felt their format was more appropriate, using a cleaner approach. Students might be more drawn to Inspiration Software, Inc. However, Inspiration Software, Inc reached out to businesses, students, and teachers in their own separate tab making it specific to the group.
As discussed in class, I enjoy using GradeConnect. I never had experience with WebCt as some of the class has, but it sounds like GradeConnect is more reliable. I like having all of my grades posted and my current average calculated for me. Parents can get more involved with their child’s education by signing up for a membership. From GradeConnect, you can access the course outline by going to the link section, making everything very accessible. Assignments are posted with due dates so there is no confusion. This site makes me feel more aware of what I need to do, and keeps me organized.
Internet4classrooms was a kind of culminating website of helpful teacher tools. Its tagline says it all-Internet tools which makes a teacher's life easier. Review sheets, test makers, and rubrics are all available to the subscriber. These modules are easy to construct and to be used in the classroom. I like the award certificate makers tool; this gives students tanglible praise that make them feel that they've been successful and achieved their goal. It's also fun for the teacher to distribute these awards.
Ok, done for now, but I would be happy to go over the rest of the tools with the class to see what they said about them when they were discussed last week. Also, the conference scheduled this week seems more innovative and exciting than the last!
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