These past sixteen weeks have gone by so quickly! It seems like it was last week when I walked in to the first day of class and left feeling overwhelmed! I know my comfort level in technology has grown tremendously this semester and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to the wonderful resources I can use in my future classroom!
I defiantly will use my knowledge of excel spreadsheets to simplify the grading process, use clip art to enhance my newsletters that I send out to parents and incorporate online learning tools such as Filamentality to maximize my students learning.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Digital Divide
Digital Divide
I was particularly interested in the section which talked about the location and set up of the computers in the classroom, and how one set up can encourage students to explore while another set up discourages students to explore.
The section that talked about the locking of computer labs reminded me of a recent school observation. While I was doing classroom observations in Poway, the principal mentioned that many of the students are dropped off an hour before school starts and many stay for after school programs. A few years ago that school began to staff the computer lab before and after school so those student who arrive early and stay late have access to the computers, the principal also commented that many of the students who do arrive early are from low income homes which probably do not have computers at home.
Another section that I particularly enjoyed was the end. I found it helpful that the article provided a list of fundraising ideas and links to companies who are known for donating computers to schools! I feel that all classrooms should be equipped with computers, but that not being the case, I am excited to know there is a list of recourses I can tap into!
I was particularly interested in the section which talked about the location and set up of the computers in the classroom, and how one set up can encourage students to explore while another set up discourages students to explore.
The section that talked about the locking of computer labs reminded me of a recent school observation. While I was doing classroom observations in Poway, the principal mentioned that many of the students are dropped off an hour before school starts and many stay for after school programs. A few years ago that school began to staff the computer lab before and after school so those student who arrive early and stay late have access to the computers, the principal also commented that many of the students who do arrive early are from low income homes which probably do not have computers at home.
Another section that I particularly enjoyed was the end. I found it helpful that the article provided a list of fundraising ideas and links to companies who are known for donating computers to schools! I feel that all classrooms should be equipped with computers, but that not being the case, I am excited to know there is a list of recourses I can tap into!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Filamentality
Hello Class-
I want to begin by saying the lesson on filamentality was both fascinating and exciting. I love the thought of developing a lesson plan that will encourage my students to use technology to complete the assignment. With filamentality, I the teacher, get to decide which websites my students would be visiting, thus knowing that the websites that they got their information were acceptable. The readings from last week emphasized the necessity of researching the web site you want to get your information from. I defiantly can see myself incorporating filamentality in my future lesson plans, at least on projects that will be done in school, (all my students may not have access to a computer). I also think by using a web-based research tool, the students may be more excited to the research project.
The ‘web quest’ readings were also very helpful. It broke down what needed to be done step-by-step in order to have a fun, clear, detailed site. I found the web quests to be similar to filamentailty, except that more space is provided on web quest. Web quest requires a link for an intro, a task, a process, evaluation and conclusion. While filamentality does not offer separate links for the other sections and pictures cannot be added to the page. .
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listdesertwle.html
I want to begin by saying the lesson on filamentality was both fascinating and exciting. I love the thought of developing a lesson plan that will encourage my students to use technology to complete the assignment. With filamentality, I the teacher, get to decide which websites my students would be visiting, thus knowing that the websites that they got their information were acceptable. The readings from last week emphasized the necessity of researching the web site you want to get your information from. I defiantly can see myself incorporating filamentality in my future lesson plans, at least on projects that will be done in school, (all my students may not have access to a computer). I also think by using a web-based research tool, the students may be more excited to the research project.
The ‘web quest’ readings were also very helpful. It broke down what needed to be done step-by-step in order to have a fun, clear, detailed site. I found the web quests to be similar to filamentailty, except that more space is provided on web quest. Web quest requires a link for an intro, a task, a process, evaluation and conclusion. While filamentality does not offer separate links for the other sections and pictures cannot be added to the page. .
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listdesertwle.html
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Teaching Students to Use the Internet ...
Blog 7
This article was particularly interesting to me because it not only explained how the different search engines work, where the search engines “look” and also gave examples of some engines that are focused in one area, for example, Argos for sites that cover the study of ancient or medieval world and MathSearch, for math related searches.
I also found the section on “web sites for teachers” to be helpful. I am in the middle of filling out an application to work in an English immersion camp in Spain and the director asked to see two conversational English lesson plans. I’ve been using google’s advanced search to find examples of English lesson plans but haven’t been happy with the results. (A lot of the lesson plans that I saw were difficult to follow) After reading about teachers.net, I signed up for the ten day free trial and found an abundance of lesson plans that are geared toward English learners and are easy to follow!
The excel spreadsheet is another assignment that will be useful if I get the job in Spain. The job requires the staff to know and use Excel on a weekly basis to record grades. This assignment couldn’t have come at a better time! I reviewed the basic concepts and only missed two, but I am confidant that I will be able to brush up on the things I missed before June.
This article was particularly interesting to me because it not only explained how the different search engines work, where the search engines “look” and also gave examples of some engines that are focused in one area, for example, Argos for sites that cover the study of ancient or medieval world and MathSearch, for math related searches.
I also found the section on “web sites for teachers” to be helpful. I am in the middle of filling out an application to work in an English immersion camp in Spain and the director asked to see two conversational English lesson plans. I’ve been using google’s advanced search to find examples of English lesson plans but haven’t been happy with the results. (A lot of the lesson plans that I saw were difficult to follow) After reading about teachers.net, I signed up for the ten day free trial and found an abundance of lesson plans that are geared toward English learners and are easy to follow!
The excel spreadsheet is another assignment that will be useful if I get the job in Spain. The job requires the staff to know and use Excel on a weekly basis to record grades. This assignment couldn’t have come at a better time! I reviewed the basic concepts and only missed two, but I am confidant that I will be able to brush up on the things I missed before June.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Evau Tech
Hi-
I have to start out by saying wow. There was so much info on that web site, i browsed around for about an hour and still didn't check out everything! What i liked the most were educational resources, such as lesson plan guides, technology for students with disabilities and the list of evaluated educational software that other educators rated. To top it off, its all free! Well, you have to register to gain access to the link with the rated software, that's a small price to pay for software you know works!
I also thought the online professional development was useful. The ides of having quality workshops and a network of educator who want to see you succeed is a priceless resource! I was excited to see workshops available at a lower cost then going to a conference. The price of the conference in palm springs was the reason i couldn't go. So i am very happy to see there are less expensive options!
I have to start out by saying wow. There was so much info on that web site, i browsed around for about an hour and still didn't check out everything! What i liked the most were educational resources, such as lesson plan guides, technology for students with disabilities and the list of evaluated educational software that other educators rated. To top it off, its all free! Well, you have to register to gain access to the link with the rated software, that's a small price to pay for software you know works!
I also thought the online professional development was useful. The ides of having quality workshops and a network of educator who want to see you succeed is a priceless resource! I was excited to see workshops available at a lower cost then going to a conference. The price of the conference in palm springs was the reason i couldn't go. So i am very happy to see there are less expensive options!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Reflection on PP
Reflection on power point-
The overview on Power Point was a little overwhelming, I had very little exposure to PP prior to this class, I was trying to familiarize myself with the basics, such as how to type text and how to reopen a screen I just completed, when Erika was going over pictures, sounds etc. But I can definitely see how this tool will be beneficial to my class, no matter what age group I’m with. I love the idea of doing some of my lessons on PP, it will make the text neater, and having it on PP will make the words larger so all students can read it. (My handwriting is iffy on the white board!) I was also excited to see that games, such as Jeopardy can be played (for free!) on PP. That is a game that I can use for all age groups!
I really enjoyed the multiple intelligence quiz and the discussion we had in class. It wasn’t a surprise to me that I scored higher on the “nature smart” and “body smart”. I always enjoyed classroom activities that was done outdoors or that required me to move around. Because I enjoyed these types of lessons the most, I really want to incorporate them into my classroom. I have to remember to consider the students who have other smarts too. I can do this by having my students take a multiple intelligence quiz in the beginning of the school year, I’m sure there are quizzes like that for people of all ages.
The assigned reading will definitely come in handy when I begin the PP assignment. I noticed that it broke down how to measure the comprehension of students with different intellects. Some examples I liked were to “conduct an investigation to produce info to support a view” and “put on a play about the study area”. These links will be very useful in my assignment as well as my classroom!
The overview on Power Point was a little overwhelming, I had very little exposure to PP prior to this class, I was trying to familiarize myself with the basics, such as how to type text and how to reopen a screen I just completed, when Erika was going over pictures, sounds etc. But I can definitely see how this tool will be beneficial to my class, no matter what age group I’m with. I love the idea of doing some of my lessons on PP, it will make the text neater, and having it on PP will make the words larger so all students can read it. (My handwriting is iffy on the white board!) I was also excited to see that games, such as Jeopardy can be played (for free!) on PP. That is a game that I can use for all age groups!
I really enjoyed the multiple intelligence quiz and the discussion we had in class. It wasn’t a surprise to me that I scored higher on the “nature smart” and “body smart”. I always enjoyed classroom activities that was done outdoors or that required me to move around. Because I enjoyed these types of lessons the most, I really want to incorporate them into my classroom. I have to remember to consider the students who have other smarts too. I can do this by having my students take a multiple intelligence quiz in the beginning of the school year, I’m sure there are quizzes like that for people of all ages.
The assigned reading will definitely come in handy when I begin the PP assignment. I noticed that it broke down how to measure the comprehension of students with different intellects. Some examples I liked were to “conduct an investigation to produce info to support a view” and “put on a play about the study area”. These links will be very useful in my assignment as well as my classroom!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Post 2 Tools and Learning
As a requirement for another Education class, i have to do 45 hour of classroom observation. I've visited several classes (in the same district) and have been given some pretty good advice. I've also noticed that ALL the teachers have a web page. I don't know it its mandatory or not, but every single teacher has made it a point to show me their page. I am curious to know if the teachers had to make a page from scratch, or if there was a "web page template".
Several other teachers mentioned that they do most of their lessons on power point, they noticed that the students take better notes and that its more legible.
I am very excited about all the resources that are being introduced in this class, i especially think the briefcase will be a great "teachers aid"!
Several other teachers mentioned that they do most of their lessons on power point, they noticed that the students take better notes and that its more legible.
I am very excited about all the resources that are being introduced in this class, i especially think the briefcase will be a great "teachers aid"!
Post #4
I think analyzing a creek nearby the school was a great way to get the kids interested and involved with the environmental effects of pollution in their community. It really "hits home" when your the one doing the leg work in your community and when you have something concrete (such as pollution level) to analyze.
This activity not only exposed the students to the cause and effects of pollution, it got the students involved with the community as to how and solve the issue, and exposed the students to technology that helped them collect and organized the data.
I' sure this unit benefited all of the students, from those who find science tough to follow, this was an interesting analysis, and to those who excel in science, I'm sure there were plenty of challenging jobs.
This activity not only exposed the students to the cause and effects of pollution, it got the students involved with the community as to how and solve the issue, and exposed the students to technology that helped them collect and organized the data.
I' sure this unit benefited all of the students, from those who find science tough to follow, this was an interesting analysis, and to those who excel in science, I'm sure there were plenty of challenging jobs.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Oh the changes…article was really interesting! After reading the students comments, I could sense their confidence level rising! Though the comment on page 4 under editor and designers, the students comment was that the computer made his “handwriting look neat”. I don’t think using a computer can strengthen that skill, but everything else from vocabulary words to math problems seems to be strengthening.
I also want to comment on a past experience with computers in the classroom, while I was in the third maybe fourth grade we got 3 computers in the class and we could “buddy up” and do vocabulary exercises. I remember that it was not as tough (to do the problems because I was the shy kid) to do vs going up to the white board in front of the whole class. So I really think that all kinds of students can benefit from the intimate learning atmosphere provided by working with computers, shy students, struggling students and the class clowns who need to be isolated.
I also want to comment on a past experience with computers in the classroom, while I was in the third maybe fourth grade we got 3 computers in the class and we could “buddy up” and do vocabulary exercises. I remember that it was not as tough (to do the problems because I was the shy kid) to do vs going up to the white board in front of the whole class. So I really think that all kinds of students can benefit from the intimate learning atmosphere provided by working with computers, shy students, struggling students and the class clowns who need to be isolated.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
First Post
Hi class!! I must start out by saying how excited (and scared) i am about this semester. I do not consider myself tech savvy, but know how important it is in todays classroom.
Just the other day i read an article about the literacy rate vs proficiency rate in the United States school age children. The US has a 95% literacy rate, but only 34% pf thoes students are considered proficient. I couldn’t believe it. Only 34 percent of our students are prepared to succeed in our global economy.
Some of the solutions news week suggested included smaller class sizes, so teachers could do more one on one (not realistic with all the budget cuts,in my opinion), more teachers aids(again, expensive), so students could receive more one on one, and lastly, a computer software program that could aid the student in guided oral reading.
From what I understand, the student sits at a computer and reads a loud the words on the computer screen into a microphone that is attached to a headset, if the student says a word incorrectly or skips a word, the computer corrects the student. This too was expensive, $1500 dollars annually per student but much less compared to additional staff, an annual salary of an aid, which is about $20,000
This is a perfect example of how technology has helped the students in today’s society and this is exactly why I feel this class will be extremely beneficial to my future career as a teacher.
Just the other day i read an article about the literacy rate vs proficiency rate in the United States school age children. The US has a 95% literacy rate, but only 34% pf thoes students are considered proficient. I couldn’t believe it. Only 34 percent of our students are prepared to succeed in our global economy.
Some of the solutions news week suggested included smaller class sizes, so teachers could do more one on one (not realistic with all the budget cuts,in my opinion), more teachers aids(again, expensive), so students could receive more one on one, and lastly, a computer software program that could aid the student in guided oral reading.
From what I understand, the student sits at a computer and reads a loud the words on the computer screen into a microphone that is attached to a headset, if the student says a word incorrectly or skips a word, the computer corrects the student. This too was expensive, $1500 dollars annually per student but much less compared to additional staff, an annual salary of an aid, which is about $20,000
This is a perfect example of how technology has helped the students in today’s society and this is exactly why I feel this class will be extremely beneficial to my future career as a teacher.
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