This has been a very interesting class. I use my computer all the time and never knew I could do some of the things that we learned in this class. One of the things I never knew about was the mail merge tool paired with the database assignment. I knew that people created databases but I had no clue how easy it was and how helpful it would be. I will definitely create a database for my future class and use the mail merge feature to personalize items that I send out. I also didn't know that I could create a website so easily. I think that will be a very useful tool for me to be comfortable with. Students love technology and I should try to use it when it is possible. I think their is a healthy balance with technology but I do think it is important. Creating a webquest is a neat way to teach a lesson and it will get kids excited about learning. Another thing that I found very helpful was learning how to change a light bulb in a projector. I had no clue how projectors opened up and I definitely didn't know how to change the bulb. Now I feel completely comfortable changing the bulb of a projector which is something I am sure I will have to do.
Some of the technology I had used before but it was nice having more practice.
I think this class was very helpful. We live in such a tech-savvy world and I need to be able to use technology in my class. Technology gives us so many opportunities and I am glad that I got the chance to learn about so many great options this semester.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Using Blogs to Communicate
I think blogs could be a great way to communicate with parents and students throughout the year. If I kept a blog for my class, I could blog regularly about the things we were doing in class. I could have a student friendly blog which would recap some of the things we were going over in class throughout the week. Students could access this during their free time in class as well as at home. They would be able to review some of the material that they may not have gotten during class. It would be a great way to refresh their memories. I could also link the students to other blogs or web pages where they could find additional information about topics we have been covering. The blogs would also be a great way to communicate with parents. I could update the blog about the things we are doing in class and inform parents of upcoming events. If parents had questions, they could simply comment on a blog post and I could respond. It also allows the parents to be in touch with other parents. I think it would be a great way to keep parents informed and to ask for help when I would need it!
I think blogs could also be used for students with special needs. The blog would offer a way to differentiate. Like I said earlier, a blog could be used as a review for students who are behind for any reason. I could also use a lot of visuals for my ESL students. For gifted students, a blog could be used as an extension activity to keep them engaged. If I had a student with more of a physical special need, blogs could be useful. If a student was deaf, they would be able to see certain material typed out. Also if students were blind, they could use a computer program to read the materials to them. Not only could our class blog be used to help students with special needs, we could also access many different blogs about different subjects.
Since my last blog, we have talked about PowerPoints in class. I have a lot of experience with PowerPoints but I enjoyed learning about the ways to make an effective PowerPoint. I think I knew most of those things but it is always nice to have a reminder. I hate when people read everything from the slide and so that is something I always keep in mind when making a PowerPoint. I think PowerPoints can be very effective in the classroom. I don't know how often I would use it in the lower elementary classroom but I think they would be very useful as students got older and more advanced. I think PowerPoints should be used sparingly in the lower elementary classroom.
I think blogs could also be used for students with special needs. The blog would offer a way to differentiate. Like I said earlier, a blog could be used as a review for students who are behind for any reason. I could also use a lot of visuals for my ESL students. For gifted students, a blog could be used as an extension activity to keep them engaged. If I had a student with more of a physical special need, blogs could be useful. If a student was deaf, they would be able to see certain material typed out. Also if students were blind, they could use a computer program to read the materials to them. Not only could our class blog be used to help students with special needs, we could also access many different blogs about different subjects.
Since my last blog, we have talked about PowerPoints in class. I have a lot of experience with PowerPoints but I enjoyed learning about the ways to make an effective PowerPoint. I think I knew most of those things but it is always nice to have a reminder. I hate when people read everything from the slide and so that is something I always keep in mind when making a PowerPoint. I think PowerPoints can be very effective in the classroom. I don't know how often I would use it in the lower elementary classroom but I think they would be very useful as students got older and more advanced. I think PowerPoints should be used sparingly in the lower elementary classroom.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
So many ways to use technology!
As I looked through some blogs this past week, it really hit me as to how many blogs exist. Tons of people blog about almost any topic imaginable! I really think that blogging can be incorporated into a classroom in many ways. First of all, the class could create blog and update it regularly. I think that would be a great way for the student's to have to communicate what they have learned so that they can share it with other people. Through blogging, students learn to use technology, write, and recall information.
I also think students can look at other people's blogs to learn new information and to build on the things they have learned. I found blogs where people followed the life cycle of a certain insect. They recorded every detail and took pictures at each stage. Having students follow a blog like that during a science unit would be very interesting. Really, any topic that we study in class could be found on a blog. I think it is important to use technology in this way. The students will get to enhance their technology skills but also further their learning on a topic. While I think blogs are a great way to extend the learning process, I think students should be carefully monitored and blogs should not be overused.
Blogs also present a great opportunity for ESL students. People blog from all over the world. Some blogs incorporate two languages. I think ESL students should be able to follow blogs in their native language and then also try to follow some of the bilingual blogs. Not only could blogging help their English and reading comprehension, but it could also be used for emotional reasons. I imagine it is often very frustrating to be in a new place learning a new language. ESL students could read blogs from people in similar situations. Knowing that other people are going through the same things, might be helpful.
Most recently in class, we have been working with databases and spreadsheets. I had some experience with spreadsheets but I am by no means an expert. Although I knew how to do most of the things included in the assignment, it was good practice. I had to re-teach myself how to do some of the functions used in my grade book. I thought it was a good assignment because I know that I will be using spreadsheets in the near future! I had not thought about using Excel with my students before this assignment. In my lesson, I had my students recorded information and then create a chart. I think I would use Excel often in my class so that students can record different types of information.
The database assignment was completely new to me. I have heard of databases but I had no idea that I could make my own and what they could be used for. I had a little trouble with mail merge when I tried to do my labels, but I eventually figured it out. I am glad that I learned about this technology because it will make my life a lot easier when I start teaching. I love that I am able to personalize letters without having to do each one individually. I will definitely use a database for my future classes. I am not sure how I would use databases for teaching but I will use it for communicating and organizing myself.
I also think students can look at other people's blogs to learn new information and to build on the things they have learned. I found blogs where people followed the life cycle of a certain insect. They recorded every detail and took pictures at each stage. Having students follow a blog like that during a science unit would be very interesting. Really, any topic that we study in class could be found on a blog. I think it is important to use technology in this way. The students will get to enhance their technology skills but also further their learning on a topic. While I think blogs are a great way to extend the learning process, I think students should be carefully monitored and blogs should not be overused.
Blogs also present a great opportunity for ESL students. People blog from all over the world. Some blogs incorporate two languages. I think ESL students should be able to follow blogs in their native language and then also try to follow some of the bilingual blogs. Not only could blogging help their English and reading comprehension, but it could also be used for emotional reasons. I imagine it is often very frustrating to be in a new place learning a new language. ESL students could read blogs from people in similar situations. Knowing that other people are going through the same things, might be helpful.
Most recently in class, we have been working with databases and spreadsheets. I had some experience with spreadsheets but I am by no means an expert. Although I knew how to do most of the things included in the assignment, it was good practice. I had to re-teach myself how to do some of the functions used in my grade book. I thought it was a good assignment because I know that I will be using spreadsheets in the near future! I had not thought about using Excel with my students before this assignment. In my lesson, I had my students recorded information and then create a chart. I think I would use Excel often in my class so that students can record different types of information.
The database assignment was completely new to me. I have heard of databases but I had no idea that I could make my own and what they could be used for. I had a little trouble with mail merge when I tried to do my labels, but I eventually figured it out. I am glad that I learned about this technology because it will make my life a lot easier when I start teaching. I love that I am able to personalize letters without having to do each one individually. I will definitely use a database for my future classes. I am not sure how I would use databases for teaching but I will use it for communicating and organizing myself.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Blog Review and New Technology
I was looking on the Education Week website at different blogs and I found a blog called "Why 'Washington-Driven Standardization' Is NOT Best". I found this blog interesting because of North Carolina's involvement in the Race to the Top program. This blog was written by Diane Ravitch. She is Research Professor of Education at New York University. She blogs regularly and has authored several books about the American education system.
I learned several interesting things from her blog. The main point of this blog was that she wasn't very sure about reforming our education system yet again. I have never really thought about how many times we have reformed our schools throughout the time of our nation. She quotes the Mayor of Oakland, California Jerry Brown in this blog. She is impressed with his opinion and the thought he put into the Race to the Top program. He talks about the "one size fits all" way of education. We have standardized tests and all children are supposed to pass the same test. Diversity and socioeconomic status are not taken into consideration in these tests. I read several of the comments made about the blog and I thought that they were very interesting as well. This blog provoked a very thoughtful discussion of the role that standardized testing should play in schools.
(http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2009/10/why_top_down_washington_driven.html?qs=jerry+brown)
New Technology
So far in EDU 305, we have completed several assignments using different kinds of technology. We have used Microsoft Word and Publisher, Inspiration, PhotoStory, and Microsoft Expressions. I was very familiar with Word and with Publisher so those assignments were not as difficult for me to complete. Inspiration, PhotoStory, and Expressions were all completely new to me. I was able to figure out Inspiration fairly quickly but PhotoStory and Expressions took a little while longer. I could figure out how to insert pictures, colors, and fonts on Expressions but I was unsure of how to hyperlink and then correctly save the information to my computer so that other people would be able to view my web page. I had to ask for some help from some friends that were familiar with the software when I got confused. PhotoStory was a little confusing at first but then I picked up on how to use it. Even though some of the technology was new to me, I thought it was very user friendly and I didn't have as much trouble figuring things out as I thought I would.
I am glad I have learned how to use these technological resources because they will be very useful in my future classroom. In today's world, technology is very important. Children should be comfortable using it and typically, they really enjoy using technology. I think creating websites would be a fun activity for a class to do. They could collect information and together, we could form a web page. I also think Inspiration will be a great resource. As a visual learner, I found the maps and outlines very helpful. I think it would be a good way to organize information for students. PhotoStory is also a very fun resource. Students could make their own stories in Language Arts or in any other subject. It is a neat way to have students write a story without them realizing they are doing work. I think these technological resources allow for students to succeed because they allow for all types of learners.
I learned several interesting things from her blog. The main point of this blog was that she wasn't very sure about reforming our education system yet again. I have never really thought about how many times we have reformed our schools throughout the time of our nation. She quotes the Mayor of Oakland, California Jerry Brown in this blog. She is impressed with his opinion and the thought he put into the Race to the Top program. He talks about the "one size fits all" way of education. We have standardized tests and all children are supposed to pass the same test. Diversity and socioeconomic status are not taken into consideration in these tests. I read several of the comments made about the blog and I thought that they were very interesting as well. This blog provoked a very thoughtful discussion of the role that standardized testing should play in schools.
(http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/Bridging-Differences/2009/10/why_top_down_washington_driven.html?qs=jerry+brown)
New Technology
So far in EDU 305, we have completed several assignments using different kinds of technology. We have used Microsoft Word and Publisher, Inspiration, PhotoStory, and Microsoft Expressions. I was very familiar with Word and with Publisher so those assignments were not as difficult for me to complete. Inspiration, PhotoStory, and Expressions were all completely new to me. I was able to figure out Inspiration fairly quickly but PhotoStory and Expressions took a little while longer. I could figure out how to insert pictures, colors, and fonts on Expressions but I was unsure of how to hyperlink and then correctly save the information to my computer so that other people would be able to view my web page. I had to ask for some help from some friends that were familiar with the software when I got confused. PhotoStory was a little confusing at first but then I picked up on how to use it. Even though some of the technology was new to me, I thought it was very user friendly and I didn't have as much trouble figuring things out as I thought I would.
I am glad I have learned how to use these technological resources because they will be very useful in my future classroom. In today's world, technology is very important. Children should be comfortable using it and typically, they really enjoy using technology. I think creating websites would be a fun activity for a class to do. They could collect information and together, we could form a web page. I also think Inspiration will be a great resource. As a visual learner, I found the maps and outlines very helpful. I think it would be a good way to organize information for students. PhotoStory is also a very fun resource. Students could make their own stories in Language Arts or in any other subject. It is a neat way to have students write a story without them realizing they are doing work. I think these technological resources allow for students to succeed because they allow for all types of learners.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
