Technology Integration the Sky is the Limit!

     Creating lesson plans that integrate technology is not a difficult task!  We love technology and look forward to utilizing it in our lessons.  Technology is captivating and useful.  It attracts the attention of students in a way that is unique to anything else.  Attention is the number one cognitive tool for proper learning and knowledge retention.  If you use technology in your lesson then you know that you have laid a sure foundation for proper cognitive learning and memory storage.

     Using technology in the classroom can be as simple as using a DVD player, or as complex, as using a Tablet PC demonstrating flash animation visuals, via power point, while jotting  down notes for the students in the margins projected up on the big screen.  It can be using an inquiry lesson to teach science and letting each student document their findings on digital cameras. Technology does not have to mean difficult.  In fact, in many ways it can mean simplify!  Using technology in the classroom also means synergy.  It creates an opportunity for teamwork like no other tool Google Docs and presentation accommodate team work nicely.  It even lets the synergy happen half way across the world using skype.

     In my classroom I will use a smart board, cell phones, ipods, digital cameras, and more.  I will engage students in the ways they enjoy learning.  I will use e-mail, and websites to communicate to students and parents.  You can look for my class on youtube because we will be there.  So if you'll excuse me...it looks like I better get busy contacting sponsors!!   

Tapping Into the Power of Emotion with Digital Stories

     Digital Stories are emotional to watch and can even be emotional to make.  As we have collected the visuals for our digital story, I have been amazed at my reaction to some of the pictures.  I have looked into the eyes of some of the pictures and pondered about what this persons life must have been like.  This has led me to ask questions about what happened in that particular event or time period and reflect on the story behind the picture.  I have incorporated some of the stories into my personal philosophy of life as reference to the way we should live and why.  I did not expect to have this reaction or take this emotional journey but I am glad that I have incorporated this experience as the digital story assignment unfolded.  

      Having this reaction has taught me how valuable this could be in the classroom.  To have students create their own digital story will be an effective learning tool for students.  I am amazed at how much we learned doing this assignment.  Students could learn a lot by creating a message that they feel strongly about.  Doing it together as a class would be fun and then in groups.  This way they have the initial experience.  After that I would open it up and assign it as an individual project.  I think it is a valuable lesson and I would love to see what the students come up with.  

     I will learn as much as possible to feel confident in taking this on as a teacher.  I would need to make several digital stories myself.  These are great hooks for lessons so the time would serve two purposes.  I would love to feel confident and execute my plan even if I teach the younger grades.  It's never too soon to teach a valuable lesson.

VIDEO:  I looked up two new videos and liked the message of one called "Technology in the Classroom" on youtube.  It says that technology opens minds with a new set of keys.   The second video I watched was called "Classroom Technology Demonstration."  The demonstration was given by a teacher who said that the projector alone has transformed his classroom because now there is no front or back of the classroom.  The teacher can be anywhere in the class and teach effectively with the projector.  He compared it to going from the black and white television to colored.  He demonstrated how by using a Tablet PC it is possible to use Flash Animation to show an animated visual in powerpoint and write notes along side it for the students you are teaching. He emphasizes individualizing the learning.  He said this is possible with this type of teaching.  Students are able to download the lesson on to their video ipods and review and study at their convenience.  He gave an example of a field trip the students went on and took digital pictures of different biomes which he felt enhances student education with hands on learning.  Not to mention how much the students loved the experience.    

We will miss Aspen Elementary!!

Video:  Vision for technology in K-12 Education by Microsoft

     The video I chose this week was made by Microsoft and it gave a glimpse of the possibilities when technology is incorporated in education.  A student checks her messages on her ipod touch.  She gets on her computer and gets the e-mail and vid-cast sent by her teacher.  He sent text info about the fieldtrip and pictures of the venue.  When they got back to the classroom they downloaded the pictures they took on the fieldtrip on to a surface computer.  The students were able to poll their opinions on electronic devices and create awesome reports on their laptops with writing pads.  They have chat correspondence with teachers to get after hour answers to their questions. Parent teacher conferences are held with the teachers showing the parents the students work on surface computers.  This was a great video showing a range of the possibilities... now if we only get the funding!

 

     This was our last week with the students at Aspen Elementary.  We learned so much from our experience and it is hard to say goodbye.  It was amazing to see a fourth grade classroom in action on a daily basis.  We watched the students and how they reacted to technology in the classroom and in their technology class.  They love technology and are excited to see it used and learn to use it themselves.  When we used powerpoint in our lessons the studentsreacted positively.  They also liked when their teacher showed them their grades on the computer.  They responded positively to music on the computer or sound system and they loved their computer specialty class. 

     This is encouraging for my anticipation to teach my own class.  Students need transition physically and they also need transition intellectually.  Technology provides this.  When they go to print their papers in Miss West's technology class, the students were just beaming with pride in their success to publish their work on the computer.  When the music played on the sound system the students often wanted the music to play longer and would sing and dance to it if the teacher consented to let it run a little longer.  Technology is an outlet for students and they love when it is utilized.  

     I have felt encouraged to utilize technology in my classroom because of our experience in Miss Fletcher's fourth grade class.  I will use powerpoint just like the speaker at the assembly in the media-center.  I will encourage students to publish works of their own on the computer, I will use every avenue that is offered so that the students will be encouraged to feel comfortable with technology in a safe environment of learning and exploring technological options.

Fabulous Field Experiences at Ms. Fletcher's Fourth Grade Class

     This week was lesson week for Katrina Andrus and I. With our power points polished we were prepared and sooo excited!   Our lessons were focused on the life of the Navajo past and present.  Katrina started off with a powerpoint to allow the students the benefit of the visual aid to show the students how Navajo lived, what they wore, and ate.  The technology used in the first lesson got us off to a great start.  We were able to expand on how the Navajo lived in the past and then move on to teaching about their traditions from there.

     On through the week we taught about how the Navajo held on to their traditions from the past to the present.  We were able to show a new DVD on the projector screen, made by KUED, called "We Shall Remain."  We used a computer, projector screen, and speakers to show this amazing portrayal of the Navajo people.  We played authentic Navajo music on the computer with speakers.  I had downloaded a CD onto the desktop for easy access during the lesson.  Our students were able to find the beat and rhythm to the Navajo music that was very different to music that they normally hear.

     To teach the lesson on the influences the Navajo life has impacted Utah, we used a powerpoint to show the students that they have things in common with the way the Navajo people live today.  We had them make a check mark every time they were shown a picture of the Navajo modern lifestyle, when it resembled something similar in their life, on their individual white boards.  From this power-point the students were able to see the modern day life of the Navajo and understand things we have in common.  From the lessons we prepared, we learned how important technology is for students to be able to benefit from the visual and auditory experiences of the subject we are teaching.  This was an amazing experience! 

VIDEO:  "Cool Schools: Western Hills Design Technology High School" and "Napa New Technology High School 1997" are two youtube videos that feature two high schools who have integrated technology as a main focus in the education of their students.  The students learn to be efficient in sharing documents, email, internet, spreadsheets, and more.  Technology is the schools form of internal communication, saving time, and the schools continue to add data bases.  The schools are able to create their yearbooks digitally and post them online for student access.   They e-mail their teachers their assignments and learn the base curriculum of high school from a digital format.  They work in teams and the teachers say that the best thing they learn is confidence and from there the learning and skills will follow.  

Video: Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills Kansas: Technology Rich Classroom Project

     The video on Youtube called Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills: Kansas Technology Rich Classroom Project showed how teaching technology in their school has made a positive impact on students in their school.  It discussed the attitude of the Technology teacher who felt that technology was important and that when she is working with 20 students in the classroom, there should be 21 minds working not just 1.  She invites the input of the students and welcomes them to come up with solutions to their problems.  Parents saw a difference in one student who is excited to go to school more now because of technology and other parents said that they are seeing leadership qualities in their child that have been brought out because of his love for technology.  I liked the comment from a student who said " I like everything about technology."  We must teach students to love to learn and technology can be an aid in this effort. 

The Powerpoint was a Hit!

     In field this week, our cooperating teacher put a powerpoint on the projection screen and we got to see the response of a fourth grade class following a lesson on powerpoint.  The students were excited from the beginning.  The jeopardy game she had them play was about finding the main idea of a story.  She had either 3 or 4 sentences come up when the team chose a category.  the students were to choose which of the sentences were the main idea of the paragraph.  This was an interesting way to display this lesson.  It was creative and fun and the students responded and stayed interested the entire lesson.  

     I am seeing how excited the students get when technology is used in the classroom and it makes me realize how important it is to integrate it in my lessons as a teacher.  I watch how excited the students get everyday to go to their technology class.  They are energized and ready to learn about computers.  They try to be patient with waiting for help and they are enthusiastically helping each other when they have the answer to their classmates question.  They love the cd's and respond to the music played on cd in the class.  They are quick to come to the rug to see what the teacher will put on the overhead.  I think they responded very positively to technology as a whole.

     I will seek to utilize technology in my classroom on a daily basis.  I feel that the students want to learn and technology makes it enjoyable to learn.  I will use powerpoint, webquests, digital stories, camcorders, uen, podcasts, and a class website often.  I am sure I will learn many more options in the years to come and hope to utilize whatever I learn effectively.  I hope that my students will value technology even more when they graduate from my class because they will see what an effective tool it can be.

So This Is Field!

     We have long awaited this week.  The anticipation has been intense and exciting.  Field has arrived and it has been amazing!  We met our teacher and asked how we could help her.  She was great at telling us her expectations. I feel that we can learn so much and gain new insights.  I am amazed at how much teacher's get done in one day.  So far we have seen our teacher use the overhead and cd player and her laptop as far as technology techniques. They have a technology expert at the school and the students go to the technology lab so the core teacher does not have to teach the computer skills to the class.  I am looking for other ways she will use technology in her lessons and look forward to learning new ideas.

     We have been preparing our lessons for the fourth graders and we are excited to integrate technology in our lessons about the Navajo.  We are considering many avenues and hope that we can take their rich culture of the Navajo and bring  the lessons to life for our fourth graders.  This can be enriched with technology in the form of dvd's, music, powerpoints, and digital visual aids.  We will explore other options as we put the final touches on our lesson plans.  We have the advantage of knowing the students will like anything that brings technology into play.

     I will watch closely this next week for variations of technology.  This will give me the advantage in the classroom later to have great ideas for my students.  I will keep the essential question for our lessons in mind and I will utilize technology as much as possible.  I hope to use primary sources in technological format so that the students can see an authentic visual image that will far surpass a rough copy of an artifact on a ditto sheet any day.

Video: Technology Fear Factor in Education

     For the video clip this week I looked up technology on teacher tube and found the video called "Technology Fear Factor in Education."  This was a creative way to get a message across.  They were trying to express the importance of teaching technology in schools.  They had messages on fingers pointing at the keys on the computer using a play on words and the messages were creative and clear.   They said we should not fear technology...we should fear sending ignorant students out into the world.  It had a good message and was creative and innovative.  

My Beliefs

     Technology in the classroom is needed more today than ever before in our nation's history.  We are continually reminded of the need to be competitive in the world market and stand strong as a world power.  To do this, our country must advance as we always have in the past.  In order to not fall behind we must put our focus in education on technology because it is our future without a doubt.  Children have the advantage when it comes to technology.  If they are taught technological skills, they will be prepared to continue to advance.  

     Technology is what keeps the youth interested and intrigued.  We must take advantage of our understanding of this and teach them in the way they want to learn.  This requires for us to sharpen our skills.  We must be willing to continually learn about technology as well.  This is a time of synergy with our students.  We can use technology in any subject and whenever we use technology we will have interested students.  In order for students to learn anything we teach they must pay attention first.  We will alway have their attention if we incorporate technology in our lessons.

Lessons Learned

     The articles and videos required for this assignment were enlightening.  I was amazed at how far technology has come in the last decade.  I saw parallels in the videos with the advancement of technology and the public response in usage and demand.  This is on the rise exponentially as they said.  I enjoyed the encouragement of using technology in the classroom.  I feel that we are at a crossroads in our nations history for advancement and it all is technology based as they stated.  I appreciated the comparisons of the Shift Happens video.  It is amazing that need for technology education is so evident and we can make such a difference if we encourage it in the classroom.  Two years ago the Shift Happens video was dramatically different although still compelling.  They have updated it and in such a short time I can't believe how much it changed.  I also loved the New York Times article referencing on-line shorthand.  We are going to need the updated version soon and often with how fast things are changing. 

     Learning about the class act portal made me want to use this type of strategy in my classroom.  Students can learn from the research that is being built upon year after year.  I also was learning so much from the high school students who spoke of wireless options for convenience.  This opens my eyes to what the next generation really desires and possibly where we are heading as a nation because they will make it happen when they are in the work force. I think this is what we need to be thinking of as teachers because we need to prepare the students in grade school so they will continue to advance.  The UNI and NETS*T standards and goal can help us continually set appropriate goals and evaluate our teaching on going. 

Strengths & Weaknesses

      I learned a lot by taking the UNI survey and studying the NETS*T  standards.  I feel that my areas of strength in technology include my experience utilizing technology for personal use, school work, and research, demonstrating awareness of the uses of computers, and using electronic information and reference resources.  I have had access to computers and have been required to utilize technology in most of the classes that I have taken at UVU.  I also use the computer on my own time in many ways.  I also have a strong desire to continue to learn more in the technological field and hope to take many classes and attend many workshops related to technology so I can learn more ways to integrate it into my classroom.  

     My weaknesses are using terminology related to computers and oral communications, using the more elaborate graphic organizers, and experience using the adaptive assistive devices for students with special needs.  I want to use the proper technical terminology comfortably in my teaching.  I also want to use graphic organizers and learn it well enough to teach it.  I have only had a little bit of experience with adaptive assistive devices.  I would like to learn more about them and be familiar more with the different types that are available now.  With these goals I know I will be better prepared to apply technology to increase productivity in my classroom.

     I would like to attend the workshops offered for teachers in Utah.  I will access on-line tutorials such as w.3schools.com to learn about internet explorer 8 and learn how to incorporate the proper terminology while explaining what I have learned in the classroom.  I would also like to access macinstruct and learn more about podcasts, google video, and their graphic organizers.   I will utilize it in my teaching.  I would like to utilize on-line tutorials onwhatever type of computer the school I work for uses.  I will look for opportunities to learn as much as I can about computers and adapt my lessons to incorporate this often. 

Brainstorming for Digital Storytelling

     The possibilities are endless.  Digital stories are imaginative and inventive.  They capture interest and intrigue.  As we watched many of the examples of other creators today I was touched, moved, and inspired.  Digital stories have the ability to capture the interest of children.  We are always looking for ways that will bring a unique element to the lesson and this will be a creative tool in making this happen.  

     As we create digital stories for our lessons, it will help us increase our creativity with technology.  We will be able to offer a fun addition to lessons creating messages that are narrated and enhanced with music.  Digital images set up in this capacity are more compelling.  Colorful images and text will teach students in a way that they want to learn. 

     As I introduce the digital stories that I make for my class, I will incorporate things that are part of the core curriculum in the stories.  Educational digital stories will be a great thing to make and share.   I would also ask the students to create their own digital story.  It would be fun to see how they will be able to use their own imaginations to create something that they will be proud of.  We could assign topics from language arts, social studies, or any subject.  The children could create a digital story of the events that happened in the school year and have a memorable keepsake of our year together.  

Video:  

     The NASA digital story would not come up so I watched a variety of digital stories about the topic we will be teaching for field.  We have been asked to teach about the Navajo Native American Tribe.  I looked up digital stories on the Navajo tribe and was amazed at the selection that were narrated in the Navajo language.  Knowing the story of how the Japanese were unable to crack the code of the Navajo language and how it played a key role in World War II, intrigued me, and I  listen closely to the digital stories spoken in the Navajo language.   The images were amazing as well.  The beauty of their land and the respect they have for the beauty of the earth in inspiring.  I watched the traditional dances and feel that this will be a great tool to share with the students in the classroom.  

Technological Intrigue

     As we are advancing in technology techniques, we find that it is an effective tool in the classroom now more than ever.  It seems as though the tools of technology are a magnet for children.  I used a power-point presentation, similar to what we are learning about in 3250, with a group of 7th graders and many of the students made positive comments about the presentation.  They were never distracted and stayed with me the whole class period.  

     We can bring the world into the lesson effectively when we take the time to prepare. The types of lessons that the students find interesting are the lessons that show the students that we are invested.  We can invest in educating them in a way that makes learning a win-win situation.  I plan to bring the core curriculum to life through technology.  Teachers cannot teach students who are disengaged and technology will be our key to effectively engage our students.  

     I plan to make many power-points through the summer months in preparation of the new school year.  I will also prepare web-quests and find appropriate youtube and teachertube videos to have for quick access.  I would like to have a class in another state to use skype with.  I will look for donations to have a smart board and other technological tools for my classroom. We will use Google Earth and the internet to prepare papers and projects and I will use pod-casts and vid-casts in teaching my students.  There will be new and exciting developments in the near future and I will continue to educate myself so that I will have the technological skills to utilize technology effectively throughout my career. 

VIDEO:  Do You Believe In Me?

     This is public speaking at its best.  I am amazed at the skill of the student and hats off to the teacher who coached him!  I am moved by his message and impressed with his confidence.  I believe he represents children from all over this nation.   We can and should believe in our students.  They will rise to the levels we set the standards for.  They can accomplish what ever they set out to do.  They will believe in themselves if we believe in them... He is right!

Welcome to Hyperlinkville!

     Hyperlinks make me hyper!  We had an amazing network of hyperlinks on our web-quest and just sat in awe of our creation.  Are we supposed to still giggle at our age?  Our web-quest is coming together and believe it or not we even had fun creating the teachers page.  We couldn't help but enjoy everything we learned about the Rainbow Plate on the quest to discover healthier meals.  I can't help but think that this beats that posterboard on Mrs. Dawson's wall in the 2nd grade any day.  Charting fruits and vegetables is fun, but a web-quest linked to a rocket launching off game!  I am so excited to teach!  

     Web-quests are fun to create.  I will use them to instruct children in a way that would make learning fun.  I think if more teachers used web-quests, homework would be getting done without fail.  I was amazed at the selection of videos available on you tube and teacher tube that we can use in our web-quests.  Within minutes I was able to link an excellent educational supplement to a lesson that can make such a difference.  When students are able to work on web-quests for homework, it will provide great opportunities for parents to be able to support children in their schoolwork and it will be fun for the parents as well.  This will be a great way to incorporate the support from home.  It would open up opportunities for parents to discuss internet safety and see their child's computer skills which will be important to their future in education.

     As we wrap up our web-quest I will quickly make another, so that the skills will be refreshed and planted deeper.  I plan to make several before my first year of teaching so that I will have options with quick access.  I'm sure they can be easily adjusted to teach any grade.  We are the recipients of the on going effects of the Industrial Revolution.  It is amazing to think about!

Video:  School House Rock-  A Noun is a Person Place or Thing

     Yes, I know what a drugstore record machine is!  School house rock is loved by all.  We can sing along as if we are still little second graders on a Saturday morning.  I plan on using school house rock videos in my classroom because they have stood the test of time.  I can recite the Preamble of the Constitution to this day because of these fun videos.  It will be fun to see how my students will respond.  I am looking forward to it soon!

 

Thanks Google images for making our web-quest amazing!

     Our web-quest is coming together and may I just say...It is Awesome!!  We had a blast getting our images together to put on the finishing touches.  So much, that we did not want to go to our next class.   But that is how it is with technology.  It is captivating and intriguing all in one.  I have learned that narrowing a topic is key, so that the lesson is spot on, and I think that makes it work so much more effectively.  Is learning supposed to be this much fun?

     We are putting the rubric together and will finalize our web-quest this week.  I am starting to realize that teaching with technology can be organized and prepared in a time effective way.  This is important to know since there will be so many things to prepare.  We want to teach in a way that students won't want to go home at the end of the day, and technology is the ticket. 

     I hope to prepare many web-quests for my students and to utilize the ideas that are at our fingertips (lesson plans and other web-quest ideas) to help me.  I won't over do it, but it can also be a tool for fast finishers and those who need a little more challenge that is technology oriented.  Web-quests are a tool for research and learning that help students.  Students engage with lessons in a way and may not even realize how much they are learning.  Talk about a win-win.       

Video: Billy Joel and Technology- What more do we need?

Hat's off Redhotscott!  That was better than MTV any day.  I have a new level of respect for the song We Didn't Start The Fire.  Seeing the images of world history made such a difference when you listen to Billy Joel nail those lyrics.  This would be a video that I would hope to use no matter what grade I teach.  I will find a place to fit this in!  I saw images in this video that I have never seen before (a fact of which I am not proud of).  I felt that I had been entertained and educated and loved every second of it.  This video made me want to learn more and familiarize myself with the stories of the images that I did not recognize and find out more of why they made it into this song.  I love American and World History and the more I learn the more fascinating it becomes.  This one hit it out of the ballpark!

Surface Computing-Not just For Election Night Anymore

Video Response:

     Move over NBC... 

Surface computing will be an amazing tool to use in businesses and schools before too long.  The computers have made advances that will intrigue students and help their technological skills stay up to date at young ages.  Students love to learn new things.  Surface computing will capture their interest and keep them invested in any learning task.  Just the fact that the digital pictures could be transfered without a usb cord!  The progress has been phenomenal.  From here...who knows, maybe the computer system from Minority Report will be in my classroom before too long.

Any Web-Quest-ions???

     Web quests are cool.  That's all there is to it.  As we learned how to create a web-quest in class on Thursday,  I couldn't help but wonder about so many topics we could use to create web-quests.  The possibilities are endless.  We pulled together as a team and decided to create a web-quest on what we would want students to learn about healthy eating.  The resources on the web are amazing.  We chose a website that the government sponsors called mypyramid.gov.  It is a site that will teach students about healthy eating and will be a site that students will want to access and return to in their own spare time.  We are fortunate to have so many options at our fingertips.   This is a tool that I will use in my class for sure.

     I am excited to look at other examples of web-quests.  I'm sure that it will help me gain ideas of many different options.  Students love to use technology and if they are learning at the same time it is a win-win.  I do wonder if this is something that a teacher can require for homework or would it need to be done in class.  I will have to see what the computer accessibility is and what a teacher can expect in this regard.  Times are changing and I hope that we will have students who all have computer access in their home.

     I saw how quickly a team can work together  and create a web-quest.  We are still working on ours, but we've made significant progress in a short time.  I love the creativity of technology and I find it so enjoyable.  My desire is to get very good at creating web-quests, so that when an idea comes, I can create one quickly and efficiently and use it often in my classroom.

       

     

Websites complete... onto Podcasts and Vidcasts!

     Is it normal to be completely obsessed with tweaking and maintaining a web-site?  I have had a great week making sure my website was in tip top shape.  No human error allowed, after-all, my students deserve the best!!  

     Now, it is time to move onto the amazing creation of the PODCAST and VIDCAST!

This is somewhat a new adventure for me.  I have been the recipient of both podcast and vidcast instruction, but to create such a production is a new adventure.  I am excited to record lessons for once without typing.  This may revolutionize my classroom, who knows.  After recording our first micro-lesson, our team was absolutely thrilled at the success.  This is a creation that will be long remembered.  Our team (pod) is creating a lesson that most children would find beneficial while learning their times tables in grade school.  The podcast will be an amazing asset to lessons which are in need of repetitive practice.  We have chosen to record the times tables with melodies.  This is a common method used in the classroom, but to record this for a podcast would make it possible for repetitive practice with accurate help and eliminate the guesswork while at home.  

     One of the most amazing things about the pod and vid-casts, is the help they offer students with learning disabilities.  Children who are ill for long periods of time would still be able to maintain some form of formal education with this technology.  Children with hearing problems or even language barriers could be helped with the ability to go back and catch what they need.  I would like to find out how much this is used in the blind schools for instruction at home.  This is something I will keep in mind for my classroom in the future.

     It takes a bit of bravery to record our voices.  Hopefully we will get used to it quick enough, because the benefits far outweigh the worries.  As we make this a routine, it could become a digital library of  information that could be recorded to help students for years to come.  I could see it used for instruction, stories, repetitive exercises, reminders, and the clarification of new concepts.  I'm sure this list will grow and I look forward to increasing my expectations as we expand on the possibilities.

 

Video:  To Blog or Not to Blog?

     For children to be excited about learning we need to find avenues of intrigue.  Children are intrigued with technology.  This is an amazing benefit to our society.  Children are reading more than ever. They are learning hand eye coordination and accessing educational lessons in a way that facilitates learning in their free time.   For children to blog and learn  about communication, literacy, ownership, sharing, collaboration, discussion, empowerment, interaction, motivation, participation, engagement (adorable pic), excitement, conversation, creativity, reflection, while extending the walls of the classroom, giving students a voice, and audience, and learning environment, while open 24/7, in addition to giving them the digital skills for their futures, we can embrace the message, "Write to learn, Blog to learn".  It is what we desire.  It is what children desire.  We are fortunate to have such a tool that brings the intrigue of the children and the desires of adults together.  This is the time, technology is the way, and our future is why.   

     

    

 

Video: Dewey Decimal

Finally someone has the right idea!!  This video is something I will watch just for enjoyment and I'm sure everyone who watches it feels the same way.  You know you've found a nugget of awesomeness when you not only want to replay it right away but also show all your friends as well!  I had half the song memorized by the time it was over and couldn't get it out of my head after that!  All this and educational too...whoa, I almost forgot!  Nobody's going to fear fractions anymore.  Now fractions are the sweetest gig. 

GOOGLEMANIA!!

     Is it just me or was it a Googlefest this week?  Our team had a blast on Google docs, we even came to school on Friday!  We put together our presentation on Piaget for Ed Psyc. on Google docs and did it in a fraction of the time!  Speaking of fractions...Yo Dewey!  But before we go there again...So, we put together an awesome presentation and still had time to study for the bell quiz!    And speaking of the  google explosion, we now can offer a powerpoint made with synergy!  Our pod put together the first google presentation that I' m sure will be the oldest child of a larggggge family.  It was so easy to create and fun too.  This was a great week for us and google.  

     I have often wondered if I was going to have the time when I was a teacher to pull power points together.  This has solved my problem completely.  When you are able to put teamwork into the equation, it makes hard things easy and fun...as we found out on Friday.  I am excited to see what the possibilties in the classroom with be.  I will absolutely continue to play around and explore the possibilities.  One of my goals while I am still in the program will be to add to my collection of images and clipart so that I will have quick access to an assortment of pictures.  Pictures have a way of communicating what text cannot.  I believe the picture on the homepage on my second grade site  says "we are going to have a good time in this classroom."  I thought about posting a darling picture of colored pencils but decided to save it for a different post.  Although the pencils were colorful and appropriate for a second grade page I think they looked also stiff and sharp!  Not the first impression I want people to get.  Cute cupcakes with sweet school yummies on top says "you won't hunger for knowledge and fun in my class." 

     So how do we make sure that we are collecting the right images for our google presentations?  We can make careful choices and find images that speak to the viewer.  I will never forget when my 6th grade teacher shared the presentation of her travels in Europe.  She showed us all the famous sites with enthusiasm and I've wanted to go there ever since.  Visual Presentations can have a great impact on a child's education.  I will choose images that are moving and send a powerful message. This can be an effective tool in the classroom.  Another great idea...students can create their own presentations on any subject and share what they've learned.  I'm loving google more and more!! Save Now  

Technology is Exciting!

     This week was exciting because we learned how to save so much time by working on Google Documents.  Our time is precious and we will be limited with our time in making our amazing creations.  This will allow for collaborative work to come together in a more time effective manner as we work as team teachers. 

      I am also excited to create my 'Get to know you' letter for parents.  This is great practice and will be fun to see how it turns out.  I always appreciate learning about my children's teachers.  I am excited to work with parents and the more contact we have the better.  Introductions are important and this will help with first impressions and the beginning of a great year.  

     I loved the blend of similarities of the Edel classes and a common thread they all have is their promotion of teaching and using technology in the classroom.  Our first assignment in Social Studies Methods was exclusively researching on the web, and it is innovative to anticipate how this skill to utilize technology will enhance our future lessons.  Children need to feel that they are learning something new.  It helps them look forward to progressing and invites their enthusiasm.  When this occurs the children will learn what we teach and thrive exponentially.

     Video Response:

     The video "Pay Attention" was an attention grabber!  It is amazing how far our country has come.  It is mandatory that we utilize technology in the classroom.  It is no longer optional.  Students want to learn and they will be enthusiastic about learning if we synergize our efforts and teach what we want , but teach how they want.  I will look to see what my students enjoy doing in their free time. I will incorporate what they enjoy playing into their lessons and academics.  This is worth the challenge and will invigorate the learning process for us all.  It is exciting... I love a challenge!!

An ideal second grade classroom in my mind is...
A place of UNDERSTANDING.
A place of SYNERGY.
A place of GROWTH.
In preparation I will set up the classroom to be clean, organized, and efficient with eye catching decorations that will show the children that we will have a productive year in a fun way . I will correlate with the core standard lessons for the day by working with the administration and team teachers, who are energetic and on task, so that we will have the full benefits of a complete support team. I will plan on transitions so the students will have the ability to change settings to prevent a lack of focus. After setting up the classroom and preparing well designed lesson plans, I imagine the beginning of the new school year will begin with...
Our classroom being a place where students will find acceptance and understanding. We will set up our class goals together so that each student will be a contributor and will feel invested. Students will come with diverse personalities and experiences. I will encourage group work and patience for others. Energetic students and shy students will all find a way to shine in our classroom. I will help the students understand that everyone has valid ideas. Every student will be given the opportunity to be a contributor. The students will build each other up so that each student will feel safe in our class environment. Each student will be given the opportunity to lead and teach in appropriate ways. I will work with parents and encourage an open door policy.
Our classroom will be a place where we will synergize effectively so that optimal learning will occur. I will watch for differences and adjust each lesson to engage the enthusiasm of the students. We will work together to build an effective year of learning for the group as a whole. This will be different each year and will be determined by the choices and the personalities of the members of each class. Students need to make choices and will be invested in their educational experience far more when they are given options.
Our classroom will be a place of exponential growth. The students will grow academically and socially. We will make sure each child will have their questions answered and that their test results will show significant improvement. The students will feel the progress with a sense of satisfaction at the end of the school year. I will use as much technology as the funding allows. I hope to use student laptops, smartboards, podcasts, skype, and digital cameras. They will be amazed at the progress they have made and how far they have come as individuals and as a class.

Video Response:
Techwatch by eschool news was informative and interesting. I personally would not like to see internet providers charge more for those who use the internet more frequently but we will see alot of changes in the future regulating internet usage in many ways. Interface by microsoft was awesome and will be fun to use in a classroom. Sandra Day O'Connor is also on the right track with her project. I will download Our Courts as soon as possible. I would like to be very familiar with this so I can use it in the classroom.