Reflective Post

    Reflective Post

    As this class comes to a close there are many great things, aspects, and resources I will take and use in my classroom as a future teacher. Through various assignments and projects, I was able to receive many different insights on teaching and ideas than I normally would think about or consider. This made me fulfill the learning outcome of Global-social cultural responsibility, because of learning and listening to other insights. My favorite collaborative project I did in this course was the collaborative lesson plan. My partner Daniela was able to meet with me at the library in order to work on the project together rather than through email, which I think made the project a lot easier. But also we were able to work together and come up with a fun and creative lesson plan to teach number placement. I thought it was a great project to work with someone on because you were able to compare strategies that would and would not work.

     I found the other projects that were done individually to be a great way for myself to learn the various programs we had to use, by exploring them in my own way and on my own time. I really enjoyed the projects where we had to explore new software and programs, such as: Blogger, Rubistar, WebQuest, Wiki, Prezi/Powerpoint, Pecha Kucha format, Weeble, and Delicious. Mostly all of these programs I had never previously used before, except for Prezi. I thoroughly enjoyed working and exploring these programs as well as creating lessons, or a better understanding of coursework through these programs. I know I will use many of these programs in order to bring fun and excitement in my classroom. I think this helps me fulfill one of the learning outcomes from the syllabus: Technology/Information Management(TIM):To demonstrate the skills and use the technology necessary to collect,　verify, document, and organize information from　a variety of sources. Another aspect of the class that I will carry on into my classroom are the lessons within the textbook. Although the ideas and lessons within the textbook are just the basic introduction, many of them get you to think and research deeper, also through our individual projects we were able to research deeper. My favorite chapter when it came to the textbook was Chapter 10, because it really made me realize how many different multimedia technologies there are that can be used within the classroom, in order to have a fun and relevant classroom. Also, it made me recognize how many great resources their are for teachers. Through all of these different forms of assessment I was able to fulfill yet another learning outcome: Critical Thinking, by viewing, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating.
 

   I really enjoyed this online course, better than others I have taken. It was very easy to maneuver around, and Professor Coleman was always quick to respond if I had any questions or concerns. The one thing I may suggest or may see room for improvement is the amount of different projects. With some projects I felt as though I was doing the same thing just in a different program. It seemed sometimes repetitive. But I did thoroughly enjoy this class and as I continue my journey into elementary education I know that this has a prepared me for the basic use of technology within my classroom.

     Resources:
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.
Monza, J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/51752/5-Reasons-Technology-in-the-Classroom-Engages-Students
 

Chapter 11: Engaging Teachers and Students in Learning and Self-Reflection

Chapter 11: Engaging Teachers and Students in Learning and Self-Reflection

Focus Question:
How can students become actively involved in assessment and evaluation using technology?

One way to keep students actively involved is by allowing them to work with the teacher in a way that allows them to have a say in how they learn and are evaluated. You can provide the students with online surveys in order to pre-assess their knowledge, in order to see where each student stands on the topic. Also by allowing students to work with one another in groups in order to come to conclusions and make decisions. Having a student self reflect on their work or the lesson, as well as allowing the student to assess themselves along with their classmates, peer assessment.

Tech Tool: 11.2: Online Survey Building Resources

Zoomerang and Surveymonkey may not be websites we hear of or access on a day to day basis. Yet, when trying to come up with a poll or survey you may want to use in your classroom in order to provide a pre-assessment for your students these websites provide you with that opportunity. On these websites you can search for a specific poll or even create your own. These are very good resources to allow your students to incorporate technology into their assessments. Below is a sample of a survey provided through the program of Survey Monkey.






Summary & Connection:

I believe the best classroom is built off of teamwork. I think the teacher and students should work together in deciding what will work best in the class, and allow the students to achieve their full potential, while it is known that the teacher still holds control. I hope to have a classroom that my students feel I allow them and provide them a great and fun environment to succeed and I think through allowing the student to have a say in how they learn is an important aspect to teaching and learning.

Resources:
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.
saltysolutions / Survey Monkey. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://saltysolutions.pbworks.com/w/page/13088502/Survey%20Monkey

Chapter 9: Creating and Sharing Information with Multimedia Technologies

Chapter 9: Creating and Sharing Information with Multimedia Technologies

Focus Question: How can teachers use video resources in their teaching?

Videos in the classroom today are such a vital and important part of learning. Videos can be made to grab the attention of students and even be interactive, rather than just listing fact after fact. Many teachers now can use videos for an array of things, to introduce a new topic, to reinforce the importance of a topic, keep students interested, and even as rewards in the classroom. Videos are incorporated not only through students watching them on a television screen, but know you can watch videos of YouTube educational websites, on the SmartBoard, in so many different ways that students have no way of being bored of videos if teachers use them the right way! Videos can be used for students to write down what they think is important from the videos, as well as be involved in the video through interactive videos.

 

Tech Tool: 9.2- Film, Video, and Streaming Video Resources for Teachers

This tech tool provides examples of many resources of different forms and types of videos that teachers can use in order to peak and keep the interest of the students in the material the teacher is covering. There are also a couple of sites where teachers can share and connect with other teachers, videos they have used and enjoyed in their classroom. PBS provides a great website for tons of information including many videos for teachers to use in the classroom.

 

Summary & Connection:

I think with the expanding world of technology, the way videos have changed and advanced has really expanded the way teachers can use them with in the classroom. I just remember when I was in school most videos we watched in the classroom were very dry and to the point, not very interactive or fun, but now videos have become an exciting way for students to learn and retain information. Videos also allow the students to see the material in a different way than the teacher may be presenting it, therefore meeting the needs of multiple learning styles.

 

Resources:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

PBS Teachers | Resources For The Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/teachers