I really enjoyed the presentations today. I found many of the Filementality projects to be really impressive. In retrospect, I like the Hotlist because although simple, it is very clear and easy to use when looking at the websites. Additionally, I found many of the units and lessons to be interesting because I enjoy what younger and older studnets do in school. Being in 3rd/4th grade, it is important to see where my students come from and where they are going. I especially enjoy what the older (middle school and high school) teachers do with their students. It's clear they're really pushing them to think and work hard.
Moreover, I enjoyed the border presentations. It is always fascinating for me to see where my classmates come from and how their experiences and backgrounds shape who they are. As a young teacher from the suburbs of Long Island, it is always SO interesting to see the obstacles and experiences my classmates have faced.
I wish everyone could have presented their border project. Not only are they interesting, but they are more engaing and interactive. I feel the purpose of this assignement was to reflect upon our experience and gain perspective. Looking at myself and my classmates projects, I feel the goal of this assignement was clearly met.
Thanks for a great summer semester!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 20th
What a productive class! I brought in my lap top and worked on my Movie Maker project.
Not only was it fun to sort through the memories and photos of my experience in Espana, but it was really fun to use movie maker. I found this program really easy to use and fun. I am curious to see if it will replace power point in coming years. (As a student, i would have much rather enjoyed using Movie Maker for presentations that Power Point, I found it easier to use and had WAY cooler features).
This project was also interesting because it really made me examine my time abroad as a boarder experience. Living in Spain was one of the true highlights of my life and reflecting upon it in this format really showed me what a "border breaking" experience it was.
I really enjoyed making this project, I am anxious to present it to the rest of our class :)
Not only was it fun to sort through the memories and photos of my experience in Espana, but it was really fun to use movie maker. I found this program really easy to use and fun. I am curious to see if it will replace power point in coming years. (As a student, i would have much rather enjoyed using Movie Maker for presentations that Power Point, I found it easier to use and had WAY cooler features).
This project was also interesting because it really made me examine my time abroad as a boarder experience. Living in Spain was one of the true highlights of my life and reflecting upon it in this format really showed me what a "border breaking" experience it was.
I really enjoyed making this project, I am anxious to present it to the rest of our class :)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 15th
I got a lot accomplished today. I completed my unit and my web folio and submitted them for review. I am hoping for feedback so I can make these items better before they are graded.
As I have discussed, I really enjoy the task stream templates. I find them very user friendly and a really great end product comes out :)
Today was also a cool day because I was able to teach my classmates how to use the Smart Board. It was fun to share my knowledge and experience with them. I hope they learned something and feel more comfortable using such a great thing.
My only concern at this point is the borders project. Because we were never instructed on how to use movie maker. I would like to get a head start on working on this project, but since I do not know how to use it, this will not be possible. Luckily, I have my borders topic and all of the materials. I will bring these items in on Monday so I can work on the project.
As I have discussed, I really enjoy the task stream templates. I find them very user friendly and a really great end product comes out :)
Today was also a cool day because I was able to teach my classmates how to use the Smart Board. It was fun to share my knowledge and experience with them. I hope they learned something and feel more comfortable using such a great thing.
My only concern at this point is the borders project. Because we were never instructed on how to use movie maker. I would like to get a head start on working on this project, but since I do not know how to use it, this will not be possible. Luckily, I have my borders topic and all of the materials. I will bring these items in on Monday so I can work on the project.
Monday, July 13, 2009
July 13th
Like last week I have feelings of frustration for my classmates. Because it seems that we are all at different places in terms of technology, I feel that many students are anxious, nervous and unsure.
I am very blessed to have had access to technology throughout my life and in my classroom. Taking this class has showed me new ways to use technology with my students.
I found the Web Page builder to be a REALLY cool feature. Because I did not have a class website prior to this activity, it was a really fun feature. I see myself using it and sharing it with my parents and students. I wish that my whole school had access to taskstream so everyone could have this resource.
Is there another free and easy way to make class websites?
I am very blessed to have had access to technology throughout my life and in my classroom. Taking this class has showed me new ways to use technology with my students.
I found the Web Page builder to be a REALLY cool feature. Because I did not have a class website prior to this activity, it was a really fun feature. I see myself using it and sharing it with my parents and students. I wish that my whole school had access to taskstream so everyone could have this resource.
Is there another free and easy way to make class websites?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 8th
Today's discussion related a lot to what we have learned about in 1500. Keeping preducies, motives and inentions in mind is very important when doing work on the internet. Often, the goal is to make a profit, not necessarily benfit young learners.
In terms of our projects, I feel like I am on the right track. Being a fairly technologically savvy person, the assignments have come easy for me so far. I feel bad for some people in class because it appears that they have a difficult time. This could be perhaps due to my age and the fact I have been exposed to comuters for my whole life. Hopefully as the class progresses, my classmates will attain more skills and confidence when using technology and different programs.
At this point, the only thing I need to coninue to work on is my Unit. So far I feel liek I have a good idea but I need to fine tune my lessons. Luckily, I plan on teaching this unit next year, so my website will be quite helpful in regards to my teaching.
In terms of our projects, I feel like I am on the right track. Being a fairly technologically savvy person, the assignments have come easy for me so far. I feel bad for some people in class because it appears that they have a difficult time. This could be perhaps due to my age and the fact I have been exposed to comuters for my whole life. Hopefully as the class progresses, my classmates will attain more skills and confidence when using technology and different programs.
At this point, the only thing I need to coninue to work on is my Unit. So far I feel liek I have a good idea but I need to fine tune my lessons. Luckily, I plan on teaching this unit next year, so my website will be quite helpful in regards to my teaching.
Monday, July 6, 2009
July 6th
I found our Web Based project really interesting. I would imagine it is frustrating for the younger grade teachers, but as a 4th grade teacher, these activities are REALLY great.
I chose to do a Hunt which I think is great. I like this because students are searching the websites given for a purpose. Often, children search the internet aimlessly, but having guiding questions are really interesting.
I am surprised and excited to see this a free service. I can't believe I've never heard of it before! I feel that especially for older students, where surfing the internet is not a problem, these are really fun and engaging activities.
I was wondering though, is there a way to use the hunts or webquests as means for assessment? As the originator of the site, can I see my students responses?
I chose to do a Hunt which I think is great. I like this because students are searching the websites given for a purpose. Often, children search the internet aimlessly, but having guiding questions are really interesting.
I am surprised and excited to see this a free service. I can't believe I've never heard of it before! I feel that especially for older students, where surfing the internet is not a problem, these are really fun and engaging activities.
I was wondering though, is there a way to use the hunts or webquests as means for assessment? As the originator of the site, can I see my students responses?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 1st class
I really enjoyed hearing about my classmates experiences in the classroom and with technology. I have found, for my year in the Literacy Program, that I have learned so much from my peers experiences.
Being someone who is relatively computer savvy, in the classroom and in my personal life, it makes me feel lucky that I am able to use and enjoy using technology in my classroom. I have recognized that I am very lucky to have a plethora of technological resources at my fingertips, but that really hits home when I hear that my peers do not have ANY access to technology at all. I realize that using my Smart Board each day, youtube clips during lesson and easy access for teacher reasources is a blessing. and It is so easy to take my smart board, computers, projectors, dvd players and lab for granted.
This is only my 2nd time using task stream. I thought it was really helpful to have our lesson today because it shows me step by step how to do things. It would have been SO helpful to have taken this class last summer, because I feel I would have been better prepared for the coursework of the Fall and Spring Semesters. (It was very difficult to do work on task stream when i had NO idea how!) haha.
have a good weekend! see you monday!
-erica.
Being someone who is relatively computer savvy, in the classroom and in my personal life, it makes me feel lucky that I am able to use and enjoy using technology in my classroom. I have recognized that I am very lucky to have a plethora of technological resources at my fingertips, but that really hits home when I hear that my peers do not have ANY access to technology at all. I realize that using my Smart Board each day, youtube clips during lesson and easy access for teacher reasources is a blessing. and It is so easy to take my smart board, computers, projectors, dvd players and lab for granted.
This is only my 2nd time using task stream. I thought it was really helpful to have our lesson today because it shows me step by step how to do things. It would have been SO helpful to have taken this class last summer, because I feel I would have been better prepared for the coursework of the Fall and Spring Semesters. (It was very difficult to do work on task stream when i had NO idea how!) haha.
have a good weekend! see you monday!
-erica.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)