Throughout my participation in IT 365, I have learned a lot of beneficial things. I have found numerous websites I can use for my future classroom. I have learned how to create things as well. Starting off the first day with blog post, I had no idea what I had in store to learn. But, as I began this Technology journey, I have found out that I can do so much when I incorporate technology. I will definitely bring technology into my classroom lessons in the future.
I have always been pretty good with technology. So, when it came to using the computer, I was pretty much on track with the instructor. I love the idea of creating a webpage for my classroom. This is a wonderful way to share with other teachers, parents, and students my lessons and ideas. On a teacher website, you can include information about yourself, explain how you became a teacher, and what your intentions are for your classroom. A website can also include a parents page with information all parents are likely to want to know; such as, links to important sites, lesson plans, lunch menus for the week, school calendar, and important reminders. A student’s page is also helpful. A student’s page can include websites in that help students with new concepts they are learning in class. It can include daily homework assignments and reminders of upcoming test and assignments. It also is a great way for students and parents to contact you out of the classroom setting; by setting up a way teachers can e-mail you or post a private comment. This was my favorite thing we did in class. I even set up an e-mail for my Pre-K Children’s Choir for church! They love it!
As a TeachUp! Intern for the Digital Opportunity Trust Program, I am designed to go into two schools and help to incorporate technology into their classrooms. Being able to attend IT 365 every week made me very excited, because I looked forward to learning new things to tell other teachers! Throughout my job I work with teachers on the Promethean Boards and create flipcharts for their interactive lessons. I also have shown many teachers surveymonkey.com – which is an online program individuals can use to create surveys for other teachers, parents, students, etc. I have observed through the computer labs that children love to learn through online games. At one of my schools a huge priority is allowing students to use an online site called StudyIsland. I think this is wonderful, because not only are children learning new concepts and quizzing themselves while having fun, they are using technology in the process!
Technology has become a huge part of our every day lives. Children seem to learn so much better when technology is incorporated into their lessons. I think using technology in the classroom gains children’s attention. Interactive lessons help students to want to participate in lessons because all children want to draw or write on the Promethean board. Technology advanced every day and I hope to use much of what I have learned in IT 365 to benefit my future classroom!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Reflection on Web Tools
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. process data and report results.
Web tools can help you organize many things as a teacher. Having students actively participate in educational online games and research on websites is great! Students love to use technology. It gives them a since of independence and even competition against themselves. I work at a school and students are always on CompassLearningOydessey.com. This website is used in many different schools and each student challenges one another. It shows up where your score is versus other schools and students love to compete to make their school the very highest score! It’s great! Not only are the kids learning and challenging their mind, they are using technology to do it! Web tools are great exercises for students of all subject levels because there are tons of great sites for child to practice on to help them at their level. If a child struggles with Math, they can get on and practice math problems. But figuring out problems while animation is on the screen makes it so much more fun!
The hardest part about working with Web tools is finding out what is appropriate for our future students. We have to be so careful that what we allow our children to see is safe. We would never want to harm our students in any way and it is very important that we look at the site thoroughly. Besides finding the safest sites, web tools are fantastic. I would recommend doing this in any classroom. Any time you have students working with technology, great learning can be made. The best part about it is – Kids LOVE it! They love working with technology! So, why not use it to our advantage! We can have our cake and eat it too!
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. process data and report results.
Web tools can help you organize many things as a teacher. Having students actively participate in educational online games and research on websites is great! Students love to use technology. It gives them a since of independence and even competition against themselves. I work at a school and students are always on CompassLearningOydessey.com. This website is used in many different schools and each student challenges one another. It shows up where your score is versus other schools and students love to compete to make their school the very highest score! It’s great! Not only are the kids learning and challenging their mind, they are using technology to do it! Web tools are great exercises for students of all subject levels because there are tons of great sites for child to practice on to help them at their level. If a child struggles with Math, they can get on and practice math problems. But figuring out problems while animation is on the screen makes it so much more fun!
The hardest part about working with Web tools is finding out what is appropriate for our future students. We have to be so careful that what we allow our children to see is safe. We would never want to harm our students in any way and it is very important that we look at the site thoroughly. Besides finding the safest sites, web tools are fantastic. I would recommend doing this in any classroom. Any time you have students working with technology, great learning can be made. The best part about it is – Kids LOVE it! They love working with technology! So, why not use it to our advantage! We can have our cake and eat it too!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Concept Map Reflection
Concept Map Reflection
The standard I believe that can be supported by concept mapping as a tool for students is the fact that students can visually interpret what they are learning. If students view a concept map, they can differentiate between important topics, subtopics, and the details within them. If students are required to create their own concept map, it is a wonderful way for them to learn how to use a concept map even with daily activities. It promotes review of subjects discussed, it encourages creativity and innovative thinking.
Concept Mapping is also a great way to incorporate technology within your classroom. By doing this, you are teaching students valuable skills that are vital for future needs. Research and learning through technology is a great way to open the minds of our students and to broaden their minds with new ways to do things, such as modeling. The best part about technology is the fact that nine times out of ten, it will greatly get our students attention. We will be able to get them excited about the activity, such as concept mapping!
The best thing I learned from this assignment was the fact that I know now that I can use concept maps for anything. Whether I am creating a to-do list, writing a paper, or just trying to break down something into steps, I am learning quickly that it’s a great way to keep organized. I have also learned that I can use concept mapping in pretty much any subject. I can use it after reading a book to discuss key points. I can use it before I write a paper to get my ideas in order.
I can even use it to display strategies to my students. Concept maps are a great source for teachers and students to get involved and most importantly stay organized!
The standard I believe that can be supported by concept mapping as a tool for students is the fact that students can visually interpret what they are learning. If students view a concept map, they can differentiate between important topics, subtopics, and the details within them. If students are required to create their own concept map, it is a wonderful way for them to learn how to use a concept map even with daily activities. It promotes review of subjects discussed, it encourages creativity and innovative thinking.
Concept Mapping is also a great way to incorporate technology within your classroom. By doing this, you are teaching students valuable skills that are vital for future needs. Research and learning through technology is a great way to open the minds of our students and to broaden their minds with new ways to do things, such as modeling. The best part about technology is the fact that nine times out of ten, it will greatly get our students attention. We will be able to get them excited about the activity, such as concept mapping!
The best thing I learned from this assignment was the fact that I know now that I can use concept maps for anything. Whether I am creating a to-do list, writing a paper, or just trying to break down something into steps, I am learning quickly that it’s a great way to keep organized. I have also learned that I can use concept mapping in pretty much any subject. I can use it after reading a book to discuss key points. I can use it before I write a paper to get my ideas in order.
I can even use it to display strategies to my students. Concept maps are a great source for teachers and students to get involved and most importantly stay organized!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Movie Project Reflection
Movie Maker is a wonderful program for teachers and students to use. For teachers teaching kindergarten through about third grade can use Movie Maker in different ways to gain the interest of their student with a certain subject. With children fourth grade and up, they can learn how to use Movie Maker on their own. If I was teaching a science lesson, I would love for my students to create their own movie about the rainforest. After explaining to the students how to use Movie Maker, I would have them find google pictures in which they would include pictures of the rainforest into their movie. They would learn how to insert text into their movie and add their own informational sentences about the weather, climate, environment, and animals of the rainforest. After the students incorporated all of their information, I would have a“Rainforest Day.” On this day we would have a fun filled day in which all subject areas are based around the theme of a rainforest. We would also play the slideshows of each students work in our classroom.
This would be a great activity to use incorporating Movie Maker into the classroom and it would support the NET standards because students would be using their own ideas and own research to build a movie. So, it would be following the creativity and innovation standard in which all students would be applying their knowledge to generate their new ideas, products, and/or processes. They would also be “creating their own original work as a means of personal expression.” The communication and collaboration of each students work would support individual learning, but also contribute to the learning of others after each student displays their movie to the class. Having student communicate their information and ideas effectively through Movie Maker give each student the chance to use technology and help to gain students interest because they have a goal and are excited about the opportunity to show their masterpiece to their classmates. Seriously…what student doesn’t like showing off their work?
This would be a great activity to use incorporating Movie Maker into the classroom and it would support the NET standards because students would be using their own ideas and own research to build a movie. So, it would be following the creativity and innovation standard in which all students would be applying their knowledge to generate their new ideas, products, and/or processes. They would also be “creating their own original work as a means of personal expression.” The communication and collaboration of each students work would support individual learning, but also contribute to the learning of others after each student displays their movie to the class. Having student communicate their information and ideas effectively through Movie Maker give each student the chance to use technology and help to gain students interest because they have a goal and are excited about the opportunity to show their masterpiece to their classmates. Seriously…what student doesn’t like showing off their work?
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