Public Service Announcement Reflection

While preparing our Public Service Announcement, each group exerted a lot of effort in planning and producing our PSA. We met multiple times outside of class to prepare and gather our ideas together. We divided each other’s work up equally, in order to secure a proper balance of workload. Our PSA on Facebook privacy allowed us to be familiar with our content because of having our own accounts. As a group, we wrote our script in order to be prepared when recording our video. Prior to recording our PSA we practiced many times in order to ensure us of no mistakes. We gave our best effort in producing the best PSA we are capable of making.

Creating and sharing our PSA allows our peers to view our content and educate themselves on the harm of Facebook. This impacts my future teaching because a PSA exposes me to a different technology tool I could use in my future classroom. It would be a great way to implement the classroom rules through using a PSA. Developing a PSA relating to classroom could be produce by my students or me. Allowing my students to produce a PSA would allow them to fully understand the classroom rules. Creating a PSA allows me to familiarize myself with the understanding of using iMovie in order to develop a finished product of a PSA.

Viewing my classmates’ PSAs can supply me with knowledge about other content too. When I view my peers’ PSAs I am able to develop other way to approach a PSA that could benefit me in my future teaching. Overall, we each exerted a lot of effort on our PSA to produce a PSA to the best of our ability.

Public Service Announcement upload

 

Exit Slip 11/18/10

Today in class we discussed the final chapter in the book. While debriefing the group’s presentation I gained a better insight on the grouping of Jigsaw. I realized how important this grouping is because Jigsaw allows everyone to put in their input because the groups are smaller. The students are able to receive input and give input.  Another thing that I took away from the debriefing is using multiple tools, not just using an Interactive White Board (Smart Board), but also the Document Camera (ELMO). Which brings up another topic and that is identifying certain tools properly by using the tool’s name and not just the brand name. I also learned about the three new R’s for education, which are Relevance, Rigor and Relationship.

Another thing that I took away from class today is when we were searching for media for our future classroom. This allowed me to see that things on the web are easy to find. I also learned that finding media that will be beneficial for me in the future will allow me to easily access this media later. I am also able to access my classmates’ Delicious account, which allows me to save time and use sources from their account. This class allowed me to future my Delicious account and also to see that I should add things that will benefit me and my future students.

Exit slip 11/11/10 and "What we did in class wiki"

Today in class I was really relieved to hear that today was a “catch your breath” day. I think this was beneficial to do because I am able to take time and revise and catch up on a few things.  During the debriefing of discussion Chapter 9 I was able to learn some beneficial ideas for presenting in the future. Those ideas included using new tools such as Scriblink, assigning perspective to students, using tools that benefit visual learners and using the” five words or less” summary. The rest of class we were allowed to work on what we needed to work on. I worked on my iRLO and my Inquiry question wiki page.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Today in class:

1.       We were informed that today will be a “catch your breath” day.

2.       We were reminded about our podcasting to make sure we are doing a SWOT analysis and not showing how to use the cool tool.

3.       Sarah Jackson, Kara Halambeck, Casey Bahr, and Casey Moon presented discussion on chapter 9: What does It All Mean?

1. They presented:

                                                               i.      What are positive/negative traits students learn from technology?

                                                             ii.      What are positive/negative impacts of social communities on learning?

2. Debriefing:

                                                               i.      Plus: had a plan B, New tool (Scriblink), Using a new tool would allow all students to have their input, new grouping,  assigning perspective, visual learners for new tool, summary in five words or less

                                                             ii.      Delta: share prezi, forgot student.

4. Discussed the quote that was provided in the chapter 9 presentation.
5. Shared article: First graders use Facebook as a learning tool
1. Found on D2L under course home.
6. Shared article: Series of Eight : Building a Better Teacher
1. Found on D2L under course home.
7. Closing comments/concerns
1. Professor Boyer shared his personalized Google page.
2. iGoogle: provides feeds to come to you, you can personalize your own Google page.
8. The rest of class we took time to catch up on homework
9. homework:read Ch. 10 & Epilogue of Rethinking Education (pp. 147-159); post a reflection to your reflective learning blog:

o    How does this reading impact your thinking about technology's role in teaching and learning?

o    What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

2.       A contract only: submit revised IWB lesson to dropbox on D2L

3.       A contract only: continue revising your iRLO based on peer feedback (final version is due in 3 weeks)

4.       continue developing your technology inquiry wiki page; annotated bibliography may change (additions, deletions, revisions); begin identifying 3-5 "best practices" synthesized from your formal and informal sources (WORK IN PROGRESS: due 7:00 PM on 12/20/10)

5.       add helpful resources to your delicious account

Ch.10 Rethinking Education in a Technological World

Through reading this chapter my thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning was not impacted on due to the fact that my thinking has previously been impacted through reading previous chapter relating to these topics. As I read this chapter I had three sections that stood out to me. As I read these sections I began to think a lot and how beneficial these topics or sections are. These sections were “Rethinking Learning”, “Rethinking Educational Leadership”, and Rethinking the Role of Government in Education”.  With these sections I was also able to realize what I will and have to do differently as a future educator.
                The first section, “Rethinking Learning” allows me to see that I, as a future educator must rethink learning. Due to the fact that much technology wasn’t present to me in my every day education, therefore I am used to the way I have been taught.  However, as a future educator I must see that learning can take place outside of the classroom. I must also encourage learning outside of the classroom, as well as within the classroom. Even more so, I must promote lifelong learning. Even though it might allow me to be “that educator in the classroom”, I still must encourage learning. In other words I will promote learning that will benefit my students throughout their whole life time.
                The second section “Rethinking Educational Leadership” is important for me to do. Having the leadership about technology will make it easier because I can emphasize the integration of technology in the classroom as well as at home. I will accept and encourage my students to adapt to robust language-rich resources. As a future lower elementary teacher, where reading is important, I think using the computer to increase student’s reading skills is beneficial. As mentioned the page 141, students will learn the sight-to-sound which is very important. I will incorporate as much technology in my classroom for others to follow; I will also encourage technology outside of the classroom.
                The third section “Rethinking the Role of Government in Education” is very important. One thing that I believe that was an important point noted on page 143 by the author was, “…the federal government can try to equalize educational opportunities for all citizens.”  As I read that I think the federal government should equalize educational opportunities. I feel that so many education systems are at different places based on curriculum, but especially technology. I know with the economy some schools can afford updates like other schools can, but I believe federal government should work hard in making schools equal. As a future educator, I will provide as much technology equipment beneficial towards my students. I will seek out extra help if needed.
                These three sections were a great reminder for me as a future teacher. Also, I was able to realize that I will have to overcome barriers, be a leader, and emphasis equally through my school system I teach at.

Podcasting Reflection

Link to contemporary issue:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/

Note: when you arrive at the website you will have to go to the search engine. At the search engine enter in the following title: Panel: Cell phones have much potential in classrooms.

Reflection:

I exerted a lot of effort in preparing for my podcast. I found a contemporary issue that related to technology and cell phone use within a middle school classroom. I read the article through and afterwards I began reflecting upon my own thoughts. After I processed through the article, I than began to write a full script of my podcast. I used garage band in order to produce a high quality podcast. I recorded my podcast multiple times before I could actually convert my podcast into a MP3 file. I made sure that I spoke professionally with few mistakes. As for the lead in and lead out music, I gathered those files off of iTunes, in which were already on my computer. I also used one sound effect that I arranged near the introduction of my podcast. I used the beginning of the song called Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlile in order to have student’s voices while I was saying “classrooms”. I exerted as much effort in producing my podcast.

            Creating a podcast allows me to explore other technology uses within my future classroom. At first I thought creating a podcast was going to be difficult, but it is something that I can promote my students to use as an assignment. Sharing my podcast with my peers allows me to know that I can seek for other’s input as a future input. In some cases, sharing your work allows you to become better and gain a different perspective. Creating and sharing a podcast impacts my future teaching because it allows me to seek input and improve in certain technology areas.

(Rethinking Education) Chapter 9

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

How this reading impacted my thinking on technology’s role on teaching and learning in through understanding. More or less, this chapter created a better connection with technology and education. When discussing what learning students take away from technology I agreed with this statement—“…problem of video games in terms of addiction and the “corruption of youth.”’ However the reason I think a statement like this is stated about technology is because of the student’s home life. I feel many parents, especially in today’s society are trying to be friends and less of a parent. Being more of a friend towards your children provokes the parents to “give in” and then before you know it the kids are playing any game they want to. Parents need to be stricter towards the relevant games and more apprehensive towards the educational games.
On to encouraging children to join online communities—isn’t that harmful? I think there are many risks presented through online communities. For example, anybody can pretend to be someone! One may think they are talking to someone of their age, but in reality it could be a 50 year old man or women they are actually talking to. Another thing I find interesting is on page 127 is the last of the first paragraph, the author states, “…leaving the teachers behind to maintain their traditional classroom practices.” That statement can be bended depending on you as the future teacher. As a teacher you can either be “that” teacher that is left behind or you can be the teacher that pursues that technology difference through incorporating new technology. As a teacher, you have to be the one who is willing to keep up with today’s needs and wants for the classroom through taking those extra classes.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct results of this new thinking?

As a future teacher I will allow technology into my classroom that will benefit my students. The technology will be used for educational purposes only. As a teacher, I will not promote online communities in which the students can discuss their interests. Online communities are too big of a risk to take as a teacher. I will also take those extra courses I need in order to stay up-to-date with technology and other subjects.

Ch. 10/Epilogue

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

As I read this chapter and epilogue, I was able to bring what I have read in previous chapters and put the information all together. This chapter allowed my thinking about technology’s role on teaching and learning to be complete. This chapter didn’t necessarily impact my thinking a whole lot, but I was able to relate all the big shifts to change that is needed to be made by all future and present educators.
Some of the shifts that I found extra important were shifts 4, 6, 7 and 8. Shift 4 is self explanatory, the title itself—Teaching is Conversation, not lecture. As the elementary level this is definitely important, but a main area teachers or professors need to work on this shift is at the college level. Even though we are adults, I feel as if professors don’t have the need to allow our opinion through conversation such as discussion. I know from personal experiences I earn better through conversation/discussion because I am able to process that material better. The next shift, shift 6: Readers are no longer Just Readers is important because it is where the fundamentals of writing develop through a student’s reading skills. I know for me I don’t enjoy reading that much and therefore my writing skills sometimes suffer.
I liked how the author mentioned shift seven because I was able to relate. For my Education 200 class, I am required to make an online portfolio, which allows easy access. Now, shift 8: Writing is No Longer Limited to Text is a big shift that many teachers should try to incorporate into their classroom. Yes, students should engage through writing in text, but also through audios and videos. Audio and videos will also enhance the student’s social and young professional skills. Overall, this chapter allows my thinking to be more comprehensible because I was able to put all the information together.


What will do you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?

As a future teacher, I will incorporate these big shifts into my classroom to the best of my ability. I will definitely focus on interacting with my students through discussion. I believe this will allow the students to understand the material well as well as me to obtain input from my students. Another thing I will definitely focus on is allow my students to expand on their writing skills through audio and video.

Exit Slip 11/4/10

Today in class the book chapter group presented their chapter discussion. Overall, they presented the chapter discussion very well. As a class we debriefed their discussion there were some things I took away from their debriefing. The things that I took away from their discussion were organizing groups and intertwining the compelling ideas. In the future discussion, I will look for ways to organize groups that include at least four students, but no more than that because that way there will be a “meaty” discussion. I will also use things like a Venn diagram and other ways to organize information. Also relating to this discussion, I was introduced to Scriblink. This site will be very beneficial for other future discussions.
Also, prior to debriefing I was really surprised by the article we read as a class called Experimental School Gets Rid of Classes, Teachers. Even though technology is developing schools through time, I think allowing this within the “classroom” is taking away future educators jobs. Then what is the point of us going to college to become a teacher? I just find that article interesting and hard to understand why New County did what they did.
Another thing that I took away from class today involved the helpful tips of Scratch. Most of these tips I knew of, but it is always nice to get those tips to better my iRLO. The next thing that I took away from class involved the “yes” test for my technology inquiry wiki. This allowed me to see that I have to do a lot of changes in order to meet the expectations. This class was helpful towards my homework assignments.

Cool Tool Reflection

Link to screencast: http://screencast.com/t/BFQb7a3zHDv

My screencast required a lot of effort on my part. I took a lot of time to do my SWOT analysis on Show Beyond. In preparing for my screencast, I prepared a script and highlighted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. I double checked to make sure that I had everything to the best of my ability. I rehearsed my screencast prior to recording it and I did this several times. Once I was prepared to record my screencast, I then did multiple recordings of my screencast. I recorded my screencast on a Windows computer and a Mac computer and picked the best one. I recorded my screencast and saved it at least ten times. I tried to pick out the best recording, one that had very little mistakes.


Creating and sharing my screencast impacts my future teaching through analysis. I think as future teachers, many teachers will be hindered to many cool tools, but with my peers and me revealing so many cool tools, my future teaching will benefit from it. I know I have already viewed some other cool tools and I will be considering the use of that cool tool in the future. Also, through the SWOT analysis I was able to learn about a cool tool that I will use in my future class. Show Beyond was such a great way for students and people in general to share stories through pictures. I really enjoyed doing the SWOT analysis of Show Beyond.