LearnBoost

The past few classes, we have been introduced to, and are working on, our own glogster. The assignment is to create a glogster using a Web2.0 tool that we are unfirmiliar with as related to the classroom. I decided to try LearnBoost. The more I researched the LearnBoost site, the more interested and excited I became. This website gives teachers the tools to organize their classrooms, grades, students, schedule, and more. Although there are other sites out there, this one is newer and therefore has potential to become even more in depth. I could definately see myself using parts of the site, as some are geered towards older grades.

I really enjoyed this project and I know many teachers could get a lot out of this website, especially if their school was willing to use it. I also like the idea of using the web as a way to keep up with children's progess, and with this site, a teacher is able to share the data with only specific people- teachers and parents. I think it would be a great tool for the classroom.

Using Ipads in the Classroom

I recently stumbled upon this idea during a church service where the musicians were using nothing but ipads (and one ipod) for ALL of their music. They had one ipad for the guitar, one for the keyboard, and even an ipod for a synthesizer. It was incredible. Imagine how much you could do in a classroom, if given the funds. The kids would be SO much more interested in learning if they got to play on a ipad- something they might otherwise not have for years to come.


After further research on apples website, encouraging the use of ipads as educational tools, I realized that the possibilities are literally endless. Ipads have so many apps, books, and music available, there's no way you can have one a not learn! You can download whole textbooks and google anything you'd like to know. This would be an incredible educational tool if the opportunity was made available to a school. I hope that one day in the future students are able to take advantage of the incredible technology available.

Week of 3/29 and 3/31

This week we worked on our first group project of the semester and presented our video. I worked with three other classmates, and it wasn't the easiest project. I realized during this assignment that, although I can work very well in groups, it is just easier for me to work alone because I am not worried that something will not get done. All through school we mostly did individual projects, and I learned to rely on myself only, so it is difficult to work with others sometimes. However, it is, of course, necessary in the real world, and is a very important skill to learn. So we must pass that skill on to our students and help them get comfortable with it, to prepare them for life after school. It is also much easier to work in groups when the personalities are more alike, because we naturally tend to have a leader, a worker or two, and one who does nothing and keeps quiet. It is important to learn that everyone should have input. I am glad that we did this project and I feel good about ours because we worked hard and used our creative skills. I can't wait to pass on the idea of working collaboratively, rather than individually in a group. 

Pay Attention

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw


We recently watched this video in class called Pay Attention. It is amazing to see how much time we spend on the computer, watching television, and texting each other! It is truly shocking, but the times are changing. We must wake up and realize that to be effective teachers, we must teach to the students' needs. And their needs are changing. They can no longer sit still and read from a text book, they need to be engaged. But it is up to newer teachers to make that change!

I would be interested to learn in what ways we can effectively use as much technology as we possible can, while teaching the students how to use it as well. There is so much out there, and you just have to know how to find it. I already feel much more capable on a computer and while using different programs than I ever have. It takes time, but once a person feels comfortable on the internet, they will be ready and excited to learn more!

Creating a Website...

...is a LOT of work! There is so much that goes into a useful website. But, if done properly, it can be helpful to teachers, students, and parents. It is a very time-consuming process, especially for someone like me who has never created a website before. I have a younger brother (15 years old), and he is a pro at this kind of stuff. I would have asked him for help, but I wanted to learn on my own. I can't wait to use these skills in a classroom. As painstaking and frustrating as the process to creating a website is, I am excited to take these skills with me to the classroom!

Because many children are already making their own websites on their own, we could encourage older students to create one based on a subject they are learning, or something beneficial to others educationally. As teachers we could also create a website for the classroom, that would be extremely beneficial to other teachers, students, and even parents. We can all learn more when we share our knowledge, and children can learn more about a subject when they create an entire stie around it. It will keep them interested and engaged in what they are learning.

This method of teaching-hands on technology based- will be much more effective than the traditional text book method. Students can no longer learn effectively through books and worksheets. They need to be hands on and creative, which can include site building.

Creaitng a Porta-Portal

Creating a portaportal is not tough, but it takes a while to complete. I worked extra hard searching for as many cool sites as I could because I know I can go back and use these later. I am excited to have found so many useful sites for children AND teachers. There is so much out there on the internet, you just have to find it. I think sites like portaportal and other educational sites and going to help teachers more than anything! I am excited and can't wait to start using all the tools we are learning about.

Portaportals could be useful in the classroom because they are easily accessed. A teacher could easily store an important worksheet or game on his or her portaportal, and be able to share it with other teachers at the same time. A teacher will never lose her bookmarked sites because they will be online, however he or she chooses to store them! It beats paper work by a long shot, and prevents delays when teaching.

Week of 1/18, 1/20

This week was the second full week of classes. Things are moving very quickly, and I am worried about keeping up! I don't know the first thing about technology, but I am willing to learn. Last week we submitted a KWL (What I KNOW, What I WANT to Know, and What I LEARNED). This is a great strategy to self-assess what I am doing in this class without being tested. I hate to admit that I would almost rather be tested, but I realize that that is the way I was taught, and that as a teacher I must lean more towards teaching cooporation and understading rather than test taking skills.


Creating a porta-portal was not difficult, but it took time. I am excited to use it to help myself or other teachers. I don't want to lose the knowledge I gain when this class ends!