I don't really have too much to change in my auto-biography. I took Sara Kadjer's class over the summer and really took to heart what she was saying and therefore, have attempted to incorporate more technology into my class this year. Additionally, through the TIP program, I finally have the resources necessary to follow through on many of the ideas I have.
I definitely have learned a few more tools and programs that will undoubtedly be extremely useful in the future.
From comic strips, to online grammar exercises, to web research, I have incorporated MUCH more technology into my classes this year. I have found that these lessons have been some of the most successful, some of the most disastrous, some of the most time-consuming,and some of the most frustrating lessons I have ever taught. Hopefully, as I become a more experienced teacher and a more experienced user of these particular technologies, these lessons will become easier to plan for and implement and more a part of my standard repertoire of teaching tools.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Creating Products, not just taking tests
In the final chapter of the text, Richardson discusses how new technologies allow students to demonstrate mastery of material by creating authentic products, rather than merely performing satisfactorily on a written test. I whole-heartedly agree with this! Hearing ideas from other people and seeing what teachers around the country are doing has pushed me to expand my thinking and my conception of what it means to demonstrate mastery. I am excited now to find new ways for my students to create meaningful, authentic products that can be shared with a wider audience. In making assignments more practical, I truly think that I can have another shot at reaching struggling students and those who are apathetic about school. As a high school teacher of struggling students, I think that this may be one of the only way to reach students who do not see the purpose of their education and who have been unsuccessful in conventional school settings so long that they have lost faith in themselves as students.
Podcasts
After reading the section in the text on podcasting and then having created one in class, I really doubt that I would be able to utilize this tool in my classroom. Audacity was not a very user-friendly program in my experience and as I got frustrated and confused, I saw in my mind's eye the kind of mayhem and uproar that would likely result from setting my students loose with this technology. I love the idea of students creating a verbal essay or engaging in a dialogue, but, as I said, I worry that this particular program will not allow them to successfully pursue this. I wonder if there is a simpler, more user-friendly free program that can be used for podcasts....
Any ideas? Helpful suggestions? Good websites to recommend that have simple, easy-to-understand instructions for podcasting?
After my initial unpleasant experience, I am not sure what to do!!
Any ideas? Helpful suggestions? Good websites to recommend that have simple, easy-to-understand instructions for podcasting?
After my initial unpleasant experience, I am not sure what to do!!
Flickr Assignment
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21516206@N06/2098440742/#preview
This is the flickr assignment I made, a little late I know....but late is better than never.
It is an online quiz for Spanish 1 on the names of the body parts.
This is the flickr assignment I made, a little late I know....but late is better than never.
It is an online quiz for Spanish 1 on the names of the body parts.
Monday, November 5, 2007
digital story idea
*I want to make my digital story about my love of travel and the amazing experiences I have had on my trips. I want to tell this story because as a Spanish teacher, I feel that students need to understand why I love Spanish and think that learning a foreign language is extremely important. My audience is my Spanish students. I am going to use my personal photographs that I took on my various trips and travels.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
What the heck is flickr?
Alright...I was sick with a cold last week and didn't make it to either of my U of L classes AND I have my first KTIP observation. Oh goodness.
That being said, I was not in class when we started the project wtih Flikr. I read the text chapter and yet still I don't really understand what Flickr is and how it works. As Richardson said in Chapter 1, kids are "natives" to the technological world of today. I can handle some aspects and pieces of technology, but I am be no means a "native." Technology makes me nervous!! I need to have a bit of time to experiment with a new program/application in order to feel comfortable with using it. I suppose I need to jump in and see what Flickr is all about. Well see how it goes...
That being said, I was not in class when we started the project wtih Flikr. I read the text chapter and yet still I don't really understand what Flickr is and how it works. As Richardson said in Chapter 1, kids are "natives" to the technological world of today. I can handle some aspects and pieces of technology, but I am be no means a "native." Technology makes me nervous!! I need to have a bit of time to experiment with a new program/application in order to feel comfortable with using it. I suppose I need to jump in and see what Flickr is all about. Well see how it goes...
Kids do the Darndest Things!!
In starting to read Richardson's book "Blogs, wikis, and podcasts," I was blown away by all of the amazing things young children (under 10) are doing using the Internet and other technology. I don't have any idea how they were able to complete those projects! To hear about young kids enthusiastically involved in educational activities is just great! After eharing about these kids, I am even more excited about trying to incorporate more technology in my classes.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Class 10/15
-What strategies do you you use in research?
It varies depending on the topic, however, I generally consult Google and/or GoogleScholar. Additionally, I use Lexus-Nexus to find magazine/journal articles to get some background knowledge.
-Where do you go for answers?
Again, it depends on the nature of the question. If it is something simple and basic, I use Google. If it is more specific, I use magazines, newspapers, or journals.
It varies depending on the topic, however, I generally consult Google and/or GoogleScholar. Additionally, I use Lexus-Nexus to find magazine/journal articles to get some background knowledge.
-Where do you go for answers?
Again, it depends on the nature of the question. If it is something simple and basic, I use Google. If it is more specific, I use magazines, newspapers, or journals.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Technology Autobiography
Technology and Me…
I must admit…I am a bit frightened of technology. I can handle using Microsoft Office and the Internet, etc, but, overall, I get this feeling of panic when faced with new technology.
Oftentimes, when I attempt to use technology in the classroom, the kids need to help me deal with all of the mishaps that inevitably arise. Last time I tried to show a movie to my classes, I ended up kicking the TV as part of the infuriating process of getting the DVD player hooked up and functional.
Through the TIP program, this year I have a Tablet PC and a digital projector in my classroom. I have found these 2 pieces of equipment extremely user-friendly and use them every single day. I have PowerPoints for bellwork and notes, which help me stay organized and get work to absent students more easily, and also are often clearer and easier for students to see from all places in the classroom.
In the classroom, in trying to get struggling students engaged and excited in learning about science, this year I am working at incorporating more technology into my instruction and assessments. Currently, my students are using ToonDoo.com to create comic strips explaining motion and distance-time graphs. This activity has gotten students, some of whom have not shown interest in anything all year, enthusiastically involved. However, it did not go nearly as smoothly as I would have liked. Our first day in the computer lab, I quickly realized that the computers did not have Adobe FlashPlayer (or whatever it’s called!) installed on them; so much for my brilliant project idea. I have since spoken with the STC and hopefully, it will be installed on the computers by the time we have our next visit to the computer lab.
The kids were frustrated and disappointed, as was I; I think this experience typifies my relationship with technology, both in the classroom and in my personal life.
I must admit…I am a bit frightened of technology. I can handle using Microsoft Office and the Internet, etc, but, overall, I get this feeling of panic when faced with new technology.
Oftentimes, when I attempt to use technology in the classroom, the kids need to help me deal with all of the mishaps that inevitably arise. Last time I tried to show a movie to my classes, I ended up kicking the TV as part of the infuriating process of getting the DVD player hooked up and functional.
Through the TIP program, this year I have a Tablet PC and a digital projector in my classroom. I have found these 2 pieces of equipment extremely user-friendly and use them every single day. I have PowerPoints for bellwork and notes, which help me stay organized and get work to absent students more easily, and also are often clearer and easier for students to see from all places in the classroom.
In the classroom, in trying to get struggling students engaged and excited in learning about science, this year I am working at incorporating more technology into my instruction and assessments. Currently, my students are using ToonDoo.com to create comic strips explaining motion and distance-time graphs. This activity has gotten students, some of whom have not shown interest in anything all year, enthusiastically involved. However, it did not go nearly as smoothly as I would have liked. Our first day in the computer lab, I quickly realized that the computers did not have Adobe FlashPlayer (or whatever it’s called!) installed on them; so much for my brilliant project idea. I have since spoken with the STC and hopefully, it will be installed on the computers by the time we have our next visit to the computer lab.
The kids were frustrated and disappointed, as was I; I think this experience typifies my relationship with technology, both in the classroom and in my personal life.
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