1. What have I learned in this course?
I think the better question is, what haven't I learned? The amount of resources I have been exposed to in just 8 short days, is phenomenal! I always knew there was a lot on the internet but I think in the busyness of day to day teaching, I often don't take time to see what's out there. That being said, I know I do many awesome things in my room too so I don't want to throw myself under the bus. Who would? But I do think I have taken this class at the perfect time, the beginning of summer. While I work on different areas of my curriculum this summer, I'm excited to see how I can utilize the things I've learned.
In addition to learning different 2.0 tools, I think I've learned more effective ways to search for things. I think I'll search more now before "inventing the wheel" in some areas.
2. How has my project experience helped you?
I have learned that you cannot do everything in Microsoft Word and just cut and paste it. :) I have also learned that it's not a good idea to embed an actual picture link into your site unless you want it to serve as a hyperlink. It's much better to save it as an image first.
On a more serious note, I've learned that I can create a mini unit of sorts for my students to use at a self-guided pace via a webquest. I'm excited to see how I can use this not only for math (my current webquest) but also language arts when we get to book clubs. I also think I can use it more for social studies as well as science. I don't think I would necessarily fill out all components of a webquest if I were the only using it but I do think it's wise to fill out all teacher pages for the purpose of this course.
3. How do I see technology being used in my own classroom?
I think I've been somewhat apprehensive to use technology to its fullest potential because sometimes I'm comfortable with what I'm doing and technology can bring out a whole bunch of unknowns. This course has helped build my confidence and made me excited to add elements into my lessons to make them more appealing. I also realize that I have to add on one thing at a time. There are times when I think back to all you've shown us and my mind whirls at where to begin. I have to remind myself that in terms of technology I'm nowhere close to my 15 years of teaching, and yet I'm farther along than some.
4. What are your future plans for technology in your teaching?
I would like to explore how I can supplement some units that are lacking or ones I've always done a certain way.
One program I am interested in utilizing is Voice Thread. I learned about it while visiting a technology in education blog. It's am amazing way to involve your students more in their learning.
I am going to purchase my husband's "old" Lenovo Thinkpad and plan on bringing that to school this coming year instead of the lower end laptop provided by the school. I'm going to get connected to the internet so I can make it easier to use the technology. I think just by having it easier to access (as opposed to taking everyone down to the computer lab)I'll be more prone to use it.
I'm also excited to use some of the photo sites on my newly improved web site for my classroom. I'd like to set up something on the site too where my kids can blog about different projects we're doing in class. I know that's a big undertaking but I want to see what I can do. I do have to keep in mind that I have 3rd graders with some overly concerned parents coming in this year so I don't want to jeopardize their child's privacy in any way shape or form.
5. What outstanding issues need to be addressed as I continue to use technology?
I think my biggest issue is remembering all we've learned. Truth be told, I don't think anyone can remember all we were shown. :) I do feel though that you are a very easy to approach person. I feel that I could email you later down the road if I had a question and you would do your best to direct me to the right source.
I also think I need to set up some sort of database for myself to list different sources and ways I can utilize them. I wish I had done a better job of organizing things from the get go but I'm not sure the pace or set up of the class (not your fault) would allow for me to keep up any better than I have. I do agree that this course isn't overly conducive to being taught in only 8 days. Thanks for making it enjoyable though and well worth the money!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Blog #2: Webquest Project
1. What do you need to complete the project?
TIME! :) Honestly, I think I need to be realistic in my expectations of myself for my first webquest. I’m a creative person, but anything new is a grounds for exploration and growth. When I look at my first scrapbook and my final one (gave that up due to time and other interests) there is no comparision. What I first created, I was proud of, but as I learned more of the tools connected to scrapbooking, the final product was much more advanced. I have a hard time not being too hard on myself when I know what I want something to be in terms of content and appearance. At the end of this all, I will need to rest in the knowledge that I did my best for my first attempt. I can always improve it too as I use it with my students next year.
2. What do I hope to learn by doing the project?
I hope to learn the tools necessary to set up a webquest. I know how to put links into a document but only by listing the not so attractive URL. I’m excited to clean this up. I’m also hoping to sharpen my search skills. It is both amazing and sad how long I can spend looking for just the right thing on the internet. I also hope to set something up that’s exciting for the kids to do, age appropriate in terms of the reading required and ability appropriate (Is this user friendly?) It seems like many of the webquests I have looked at either leave out higher level thinking skills (You could easily do it as a worksheet.) or have such grandiose expectations that given the time you have to teach each concept, you probably couldn’t really do what is being laid out. I want to create something I can use!
3. How can you connect what you learn and do on this class project to your teaching practices?
I love bringing my kids into the computer lab and taking them to different sites to extend what I’m teaching. I like this format of a webquest because it’s very indepth and set up in an easy to use format for the students. The only disadvantage at this point is the time and effort required to do something of this nature as the components are new to me. I think by including the standards it makes me more aware of making sure I’m not just teaching something that is of interest to me. Although I do think there is merit in teaching things not necessarily connected to a GLCE (perhaps an issue to debate…)
I am excited to use this webquest towards the end of year in math as a way to review concepts previously taught and to utilize the things they’ve learned to do during computer time throughout the year. This class has inspired me to get more involved in what they are doing in computer as a way to use different skills within the context of different lessons. Since I won’t have a split this year I can actually go to computers and help guide some of the things he’s having them do. He’s very open to that and I’m excited to have more of a vision about what is out there for them to learn.
I also think this webquest helps show the kids that there are specific ways you can learn on the internet. 3rd grade is a turning point in many ways. School seems to begin in 3rd grade with the focus now being on reading to learn and having textbooks, grades, tests, etc. Up until now they have relied on the internet more for games, but this webquest will help show them they can visit different sites to gain information to problem solve specifically in the area of math. I also think they’ll be geeked to ride some of the rollercoasters via the internet. I know that was one of my favorite parts as I was doing the webquest to see if it actually worked. :)
TIME! :) Honestly, I think I need to be realistic in my expectations of myself for my first webquest. I’m a creative person, but anything new is a grounds for exploration and growth. When I look at my first scrapbook and my final one (gave that up due to time and other interests) there is no comparision. What I first created, I was proud of, but as I learned more of the tools connected to scrapbooking, the final product was much more advanced. I have a hard time not being too hard on myself when I know what I want something to be in terms of content and appearance. At the end of this all, I will need to rest in the knowledge that I did my best for my first attempt. I can always improve it too as I use it with my students next year.
2. What do I hope to learn by doing the project?
I hope to learn the tools necessary to set up a webquest. I know how to put links into a document but only by listing the not so attractive URL. I’m excited to clean this up. I’m also hoping to sharpen my search skills. It is both amazing and sad how long I can spend looking for just the right thing on the internet. I also hope to set something up that’s exciting for the kids to do, age appropriate in terms of the reading required and ability appropriate (Is this user friendly?) It seems like many of the webquests I have looked at either leave out higher level thinking skills (You could easily do it as a worksheet.) or have such grandiose expectations that given the time you have to teach each concept, you probably couldn’t really do what is being laid out. I want to create something I can use!
3. How can you connect what you learn and do on this class project to your teaching practices?
I love bringing my kids into the computer lab and taking them to different sites to extend what I’m teaching. I like this format of a webquest because it’s very indepth and set up in an easy to use format for the students. The only disadvantage at this point is the time and effort required to do something of this nature as the components are new to me. I think by including the standards it makes me more aware of making sure I’m not just teaching something that is of interest to me. Although I do think there is merit in teaching things not necessarily connected to a GLCE (perhaps an issue to debate…)
I am excited to use this webquest towards the end of year in math as a way to review concepts previously taught and to utilize the things they’ve learned to do during computer time throughout the year. This class has inspired me to get more involved in what they are doing in computer as a way to use different skills within the context of different lessons. Since I won’t have a split this year I can actually go to computers and help guide some of the things he’s having them do. He’s very open to that and I’m excited to have more of a vision about what is out there for them to learn.
I also think this webquest helps show the kids that there are specific ways you can learn on the internet. 3rd grade is a turning point in many ways. School seems to begin in 3rd grade with the focus now being on reading to learn and having textbooks, grades, tests, etc. Up until now they have relied on the internet more for games, but this webquest will help show them they can visit different sites to gain information to problem solve specifically in the area of math. I also think they’ll be geeked to ride some of the rollercoasters via the internet. I know that was one of my favorite parts as I was doing the webquest to see if it actually worked. :)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Blog Responses 1-3
Here are my thoughts on cyber-bullying.
http://rainbowfactor.blogspot.com/2009/05/whose-responsibility-is-it-to-teach.html?showComment=1245194244874#c6908296330365667920
This was another great site that featured Voice Thread. I'd never heard of it before, but boy am I excited to try it out!
http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2009/06/07/the-seeds-of-a-good-project/#comment-2815
Here is my final blog response on the topic of the roll a teacher plays in a student's use of the internet. This was a great weblog, not technically a blog I guess but it was listed with other educational technology blog sites so I hope it will work.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2009/01/what_role_should_teachers_play.html
http://rainbowfactor.blogspot.com/2009/05/whose-responsibility-is-it-to-teach.html?showComment=1245194244874#c6908296330365667920
This was another great site that featured Voice Thread. I'd never heard of it before, but boy am I excited to try it out!
http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2009/06/07/the-seeds-of-a-good-project/#comment-2815
Here is my final blog response on the topic of the roll a teacher plays in a student's use of the internet. This was a great weblog, not technically a blog I guess but it was listed with other educational technology blog sites so I hope it will work.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2009/01/what_role_should_teachers_play.html
Monday, June 15, 2009
Blog#1
1. What do you hope to gain and learn by taking this class?
I hope to become familiar with more types of technology and how I can implement them in my classroom. I would like to further engage the attention of my students in a variety of ways. There are topics that could be stronger with the addition of different types of technology. I've also been teaching for 15 years, and I realize there are many new advances in the field since I have begun.
2. What experiences do you bring to the class from your own use of technology?
I have a classroom website that I update weekly with newsletters, photos, and links for various things to practice. I also use technology within various classroom projects. One project is called Travelmates. My students send a small stuffed animal to various locations throughout a 6 month period. As they receive postcards, they use a map in class to track the mileage. When their animal travels outside the United States, there is an internet site I use to help calculate this. I am also married to a systems administrator who helps me with any technological issues I may be having. :)
3. What kind of technology integration project would you like to work on in this class?
At this point, I have not completely decided what technology integration project I will be working on. I am either going to do curricular materials or a webquest. I am unfamiliar with webquest, however, I wish to expand my horizons so am leaning towards that at this point. I plan on looking at the samples more closely and going from there.
4. How will what you learn and do in this class connect to what you are doing in your own classroom?
Last summer, I had a projector installed in my classroom. I did not fully utilize it this past year. I hope to discover more technology tools that I can use in my classroom. I plan on working on my Bible, writing, and social studies curriculum as the summer progresses. I think this class will give me more avenues for ways that I can enhance and add depth to these areas.
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