What d0 you consider to be three of the "best" features of this software?
1) Easy Access
2) It keeps track of attendance
3) Like the announcements category
As a teacher how easy was it to learn and use?
Everything was pretty self explanatory. The only thing I had trouble with is the students reports. It seems if you know how to create a user name and password it would be easy to use as a teacher.
As a student how easy was it to access and use?
As long as students know their identification number the links lead the student easily to their grade or their status report.
What additionally features would enhance this software?
1) Maybe if their was a podcast option, so if students were gone and they missed the lecture I could load it on to the site.
2) I think it would be helpful if their was a comment option for the students to use if they had a question about a specific grade they got. More interactive opportunities.
Would you recommend this software to other teachers? Why or why not?
Yes...
1)Easy to use
2)Great communication device for students
3)Really organized software, links are easy to understand, and it covers all areas of assessment.
Overall it would make teachers jobs easier in percentage calculations and they would have less responsibility to keep track of a grade book.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Technology Project Part #1
I want to create a website that will be both informative and interactive. I am envisioning a section of the website being an "about me" section where both parent and students can see who I am, where I have been, what I like, people I know, and get a feel for my teaching style. I would like to have a video of the month that will illustrate something unique or fun that happened to me in that month. Another section of my website I am planning to have a weekly current world problem that my students can blog or hold a forum on. I would also like to have links such as resources, calendar, upcoming activities, contact information, and important documents. These are all some ideas that I have been working through. I have a feeling when I start this project, my creative juices will start to flow and a lot of the other ideas will come to mind. I am hoping to use software such as free webs, flikr, delicious, freerecorder, and audacity. I would like to use the tools within my websites such as a wikis, podcasts, media libraries, and photo albums. I want this website to be used by students, parents, and other teachers. I want it to be information loaded, anything that I can put on there I will and should. This way it is a reliable information tool used by the parents and students that they can used to get updated on or just continually participate in. I also want this website to be a way of documentation of what I do as a teacher inside and outside the classroom. I want my students to be as involved as they can. This is just another way to document our progress and our year. Furthermore, it would probably be beneficial to have technology information and resources on the websites to help inform the parents of their students! They come from a different generation of technology so it would probably make them feel more involved when they actually know what their kids means when they tell them they recorded a podcast today. It would be great if I could set up a wiki for parents to get them involved in the classroom. Whether it be volunteering or parent teacher conferences, the wiki would be a helpful tool to use on my website. Like I said earlier I am just jotting down as many ideas that I can think of now. This will probably change some and I will most likely remove ideas and add ideas. Overall I want my website to be attractive to BOTH my students and parents. Colorful and creative with pictures and videos. The process of this creation will be interesting and fun. I am excited.
As of now I have mapped out what I would like my website to look like on paper and started to format it. I have realized through the creation process that I will not be able to include all the features I had mentioned in the above paragraph due to lack of time. Some features that are going to be included are an "introductory podcast" of who I am, an endorsement resources folder (history and social studies resources that my students can use), and lots of pictures! So far so good, I am seeking help from those that know what they are talking about.
As of now I have mapped out what I would like my website to look like on paper and started to format it. I have realized through the creation process that I will not be able to include all the features I had mentioned in the above paragraph due to lack of time. Some features that are going to be included are an "introductory podcast" of who I am, an endorsement resources folder (history and social studies resources that my students can use), and lots of pictures! So far so good, I am seeking help from those that know what they are talking about.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Caught on Video
Overall I enjoyed the many ideas that were behind the use of the Flip camera. Getting students motivated to learn because they really are learning (and being able to document this by video) is more rewarding and important than students learning to get a grade attached that may not really reflect their work amongst the rest of the class. The Flip camera would definitely put a spin on educational assessment. Instead of a class of students all turning in hard copy assignments, their is a video that is proof that each kid knows or doesn't know how to do a particular problem/activity. Furthermore sharing a "video assignment" is easier and more immediate to the parents. In the article in mentioned a net base that would store, organize, copy, and send parents videos for each student. Although this may be a rigorous to set up, once it is done, it seems well worth it. In addition students like seeing themselves do things and probably learn a lot more from watching their own videos. It fits with the generation of students that are in the classrooms today! The only downside I found to this is TIME! I can imagine shooting a video of each student (including the students that are not cooperative or hard to manage) doing a particular problem takes time out of the classroom. How much could really be covered or accomplished in the classroom daily? It seems that if a teacher did want to try this method, they would have to have helpers in the classroom to be more time efficient. Overall, if trained properly, the Flip Camera would be a great tool to use in the classroom.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Comments on other blogs
Cathy's Blog: http://accaghayes.blogspot.com/2009/03/reflection-3-my-kids-and-technology.html?showComment=1236407220000#c6044901753068711585
Annie's Blog: http://englishteacherannie.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-if-we-had-no-google.html?showComment=1236407700000#c8146692599411433039
Danielle's Blog:http://danielletrettevik.blogspot.com/2009/03/reflection-5.html#comments
Hillary's Blog:http://missott-hillary.blogspot.com/2009/03/impact-of-technology-on-learning.html?showComment=1236408420000#c7968981704938097659
Tammy's Blog:http://misstammylee.blogspot.com/2009/03/chinook-middle-school.html?showComment=1236408660000#c4235788220913897687
Reflections
Reflection #1: Technology equipment
Technology use in the classrooms that I have observed thus far has been pretty limited. Most classrooms have the traditional technology equipment such as computers, TV’s, and projectors. What was most interesting was to see how they used in the classroom. One teacher had an interactive DVD that he used for an activity within his history unit. The students responded positively because it was something different than a lecture. The projector is most commonly used on a continual basis in the classrooms. Both the teachers and the students used the projectors for lectures, videos, power points, and Internet in the classroom. It has been disappointing not seeing any other technology used in the classrooms; it makes me wonder how accessible other equipment is to schools. The Puyallup School District is considered a middle class district, but is average when it comes to technology use whether it is equipment or websites.
Reflection #2: Rainier Beach is where my heart is
Observing Rainier Beach was an eye opening experience for me. My whole life I knew I wanted to be a teacher but I didn’t know what kind of school fit my personality. Originally I wanted to go back to Rogers High School which is where I went growing up, but I didn’t know it that would really be a challenge for me. Little did I know that one time observing Rainier Beach High School, would clear up my confusion about what type of school I want to teach at. Being in an intercity school I realized a couple things. Firstly, the stereo types that are put on the school by the media and the surrounding community are completely inaccurate. They want to learn, succeed, be social, and have a future. Yes, a good majority of their students come from poor broken homes; however, they still have the same needs as any other students in any other school. I realized that I want to be challenged to relate to students of different cultures, socio-economic status, and upbringings. Teaching at Rogers would be easier for me because my name is known and most all the kids are the same, I don’t want that. Secondly, it was disappointing to see the lack of finances the school had to provide good resources for the school. Their technology was completely outdated, they had minimal textbooks, and the maintenance of the school was not kept up. It was discouraging to see, however I walked away from those observations feeling like this is where I belong. I want to touch the hearts of the kids that are tough to get to and I want to help them be motivated to learn.
Reflection #3: Technology and Standardized testing
Technology can be a great resource used in the classroom; however in my Assessment Class I have learned that technology use doesn’t always prove to be a sufficient method for learning. Randy Dorn , the new OSPI guy, has opted to take the WASL testing out and replace it with the WCAP. The Washington Comprehensive Assessment Plan is supposed to start in 2010 and has two tests. The first text is called Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) which is for grades 3 thru 8. The second test is the High School Proficient Exam (HSPE) which is for high school students and is essentially reading and writing. The problem with these new tests is they will be done on computers. I am not sure how this is going to work. There are a couple of questions I have regarding this new testing process. Would these tests be taken at home or school? How would the schools monitor the accuracy of its grading? What about low socio-economic schools that cannot afford computers to take these new standardized tests? Even though this new test gives feedback immediately after the test is taken, there are many problems that arise with this new process. This test does not give an equal opportunity to every school; therefore it should not be in effect. In my opinion, there is no one standardized tests that would give every school and every student and equal opportunity to succeed.
Reflection #4: Technology at the 2B Basketball State Tournament
While watching my boyfriend's team play in the state tournament I noticed that I was surrounded by technology. Firstly, for every game they had broadcasting with commentators so people in the Spokane region could listen over the radio. Secondly, they had a jumbo tron that was in the middle of the coliseum that would post text messages written by spectators, players, and coaches. Lastly, there were two or three professional camera men that would tape the games and then post them on the venue's website or on demand. They also made highlight reels for teams that were in the winners brackets. Twenty years ago, with all the technology that they were using a 2B tournament, you would of thought it was an NBA game. Even though the team lost two games right away, seeing what they did for broadcasting and promotion was interesting.
Reflection #5: Learning Technology
I wanted to reflect on the technology in education so far. The websites that we learn about in this class is helpful, but it is only a snipit of what it does. I wish I had more time to just fiddle around with different websites so that I could become more familiar with how to really use it to my benefit. Learning one thing to the other can be overwhelming at times. I know I could be good at creating a website for my future classroom someday, however I am not good with keeping up on it. I have facebook and myspace accounts and I probably check them once every two weeks. I think that stems from me not being confident or creative with technology. I want to set aside more time to fiddle around with some of the websites we have learned and make it a higher priority.
Technology use in the classrooms that I have observed thus far has been pretty limited. Most classrooms have the traditional technology equipment such as computers, TV’s, and projectors. What was most interesting was to see how they used in the classroom. One teacher had an interactive DVD that he used for an activity within his history unit. The students responded positively because it was something different than a lecture. The projector is most commonly used on a continual basis in the classrooms. Both the teachers and the students used the projectors for lectures, videos, power points, and Internet in the classroom. It has been disappointing not seeing any other technology used in the classrooms; it makes me wonder how accessible other equipment is to schools. The Puyallup School District is considered a middle class district, but is average when it comes to technology use whether it is equipment or websites.
Reflection #2: Rainier Beach is where my heart is
Observing Rainier Beach was an eye opening experience for me. My whole life I knew I wanted to be a teacher but I didn’t know what kind of school fit my personality. Originally I wanted to go back to Rogers High School which is where I went growing up, but I didn’t know it that would really be a challenge for me. Little did I know that one time observing Rainier Beach High School, would clear up my confusion about what type of school I want to teach at. Being in an intercity school I realized a couple things. Firstly, the stereo types that are put on the school by the media and the surrounding community are completely inaccurate. They want to learn, succeed, be social, and have a future. Yes, a good majority of their students come from poor broken homes; however, they still have the same needs as any other students in any other school. I realized that I want to be challenged to relate to students of different cultures, socio-economic status, and upbringings. Teaching at Rogers would be easier for me because my name is known and most all the kids are the same, I don’t want that. Secondly, it was disappointing to see the lack of finances the school had to provide good resources for the school. Their technology was completely outdated, they had minimal textbooks, and the maintenance of the school was not kept up. It was discouraging to see, however I walked away from those observations feeling like this is where I belong. I want to touch the hearts of the kids that are tough to get to and I want to help them be motivated to learn.
Reflection #3: Technology and Standardized testing
Technology can be a great resource used in the classroom; however in my Assessment Class I have learned that technology use doesn’t always prove to be a sufficient method for learning. Randy Dorn , the new OSPI guy, has opted to take the WASL testing out and replace it with the WCAP. The Washington Comprehensive Assessment Plan is supposed to start in 2010 and has two tests. The first text is called Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) which is for grades 3 thru 8. The second test is the High School Proficient Exam (HSPE) which is for high school students and is essentially reading and writing. The problem with these new tests is they will be done on computers. I am not sure how this is going to work. There are a couple of questions I have regarding this new testing process. Would these tests be taken at home or school? How would the schools monitor the accuracy of its grading? What about low socio-economic schools that cannot afford computers to take these new standardized tests? Even though this new test gives feedback immediately after the test is taken, there are many problems that arise with this new process. This test does not give an equal opportunity to every school; therefore it should not be in effect. In my opinion, there is no one standardized tests that would give every school and every student and equal opportunity to succeed.
Reflection #4: Technology at the 2B Basketball State Tournament
While watching my boyfriend's team play in the state tournament I noticed that I was surrounded by technology. Firstly, for every game they had broadcasting with commentators so people in the Spokane region could listen over the radio. Secondly, they had a jumbo tron that was in the middle of the coliseum that would post text messages written by spectators, players, and coaches. Lastly, there were two or three professional camera men that would tape the games and then post them on the venue's website or on demand. They also made highlight reels for teams that were in the winners brackets. Twenty years ago, with all the technology that they were using a 2B tournament, you would of thought it was an NBA game. Even though the team lost two games right away, seeing what they did for broadcasting and promotion was interesting.
Reflection #5: Learning Technology
I wanted to reflect on the technology in education so far. The websites that we learn about in this class is helpful, but it is only a snipit of what it does. I wish I had more time to just fiddle around with different websites so that I could become more familiar with how to really use it to my benefit. Learning one thing to the other can be overwhelming at times. I know I could be good at creating a website for my future classroom someday, however I am not good with keeping up on it. I have facebook and myspace accounts and I probably check them once every two weeks. I think that stems from me not being confident or creative with technology. I want to set aside more time to fiddle around with some of the websites we have learned and make it a higher priority.
Beginning of Semester Reflection
What about technology?
Honestly I know enough about technology to get by. I do not experiment often with creating websites, podcasts, or blogs. I know about networking sites such as myspace and facebook, I have three different email accounts, and being a student I have become a pro at finding information for research. I have never heard of or used SMARTBoards, "clickers", document cams, ect before this class. In addition to technological equipment, websites like delicious, flickr, blogspot, and HTML code are all new to me. I am excited to learn more about how to use both technology equipment and websites.
What role should it have in a K-12 classroom and in your life as a teacher?
Now more than ever I think it is important to incorporate technology as much as possible into all grade levels. It is the way the younger generation connects with content and each other. I would like to become more familiar with helpful teacher websites to keep my content lesson planning organized and creating presentations on the SMARTBoards for my future classroom. I think the use of technology would help me be a more effective and versatile teacher in the classroom.
Honestly I know enough about technology to get by. I do not experiment often with creating websites, podcasts, or blogs. I know about networking sites such as myspace and facebook, I have three different email accounts, and being a student I have become a pro at finding information for research. I have never heard of or used SMARTBoards, "clickers", document cams, ect before this class. In addition to technological equipment, websites like delicious, flickr, blogspot, and HTML code are all new to me. I am excited to learn more about how to use both technology equipment and websites.
What role should it have in a K-12 classroom and in your life as a teacher?
Now more than ever I think it is important to incorporate technology as much as possible into all grade levels. It is the way the younger generation connects with content and each other. I would like to become more familiar with helpful teacher websites to keep my content lesson planning organized and creating presentations on the SMARTBoards for my future classroom. I think the use of technology would help me be a more effective and versatile teacher in the classroom.
Improving Instruction with Interactive Whiteboards
This was article was interesting because it was actually an account of teachers and classrooms reactions to the Interactive Whiteboard. The impact that the interactive whiteboard has had in subjects, more specifically in this article math, is encouraging and motivates me more to incorporate into my future classroom. The principal in the article advises, "We shouldn't be investing enormous amounts of money in history textbooks anymore, when we can get all the history we want online." It is time for schools to budget wisely and use money where the students will benefit the most from it. Like this article illustrates, investing in interactive whiteboards for schools would be an effective for students in the classroom, more so than a traditional textbook.
Generation IM
I agree with the article when it says that the younger generations brain has developed differently. I had exposure growing up with technology, but no where near the exposure the students in jr. high and high school have now. I truly believe that mass technological exposure had made the younger generation "multi taskers". That is their specialty! This is a positive and a negative. Furthermore, the concept of the young having an "active voice" in the public issues of America is because of the availablity of technology. The three barriers of integrating technology for teachers were interesting because I think the priorities have changed. As a teacher if technology is a high enough priority for me, I will make time to explore or go out and seek help whether it is supported by my administration or not. I think technology is hard at first (while learning), but then makes classroom presentations, lectures, and organization easier. These barriers can easily be broken, it is just a matter of really wanting to integrate technology into the classroom. "The 7 Ways to Bring Today's Tech into your Classroom" will be something that I keep in my future folder for my own classroom someday. Overall I thought this article was really thought provoking.
SMARTBoard
The SMARTBoard is a good resource, but I definitely would need to have a couple hours to play around with it. The SMARTBoard has so many great features and engages students in such a creative way. Features like the slide show, split screen, cover sheet, and patterns all help in the classroom while presenting or lecturing. Something else I really liked was the "SMARTBoard technology" website that offers a plethora of subject based websites that teachers can use according to their grade level. I am hoping whatever school I do teach in some day the SMARTBoard will be available to use. Downloading the software on my computer now will be helpful, because then I could get a head start in creating presentations and learn how to better use it. I enjoyed experimenting with the SMARTBoard.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Assignment #3
SMARTBoard activity: Before the Cold War-Potsdam
http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+activities/Notebook+Activities/Browse+Notebook/United+States/Secondary/10-12/History/Before+the+Cold+War++Potsdam+SMARTcreated.htm
NETS standards:
For students:
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
The whole Potsdam Conference smartboard slide show consisted of problems that were to be collaboratively solved between the students and did require analysis and critical thinking of the Potsdam Conference.
Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
Through my example of safe and ethical behavior in using the smartboard the students also learned how to use the smartboard properly and appropriately.
For teachers:
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
I used my knowledge of the Potsdam Conference to review the upcoming unit that we will be covering in class and helped the students use the smartboard activity to figuring out the points specifically that will be covered.
Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:
a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning
I demonstrated this by knowing how to effectively present the smartboard activity on the Potsdam Conference. Furthermore I was able to instruct the students on how to solve problems in the Potsdam activity.
SMARTBoard in the future classroom:
The SMARTBoard would be great for visual learners. The different features that the SMARTBoard program offers gives students the opportunity to be creative in developing their presentations and/or teaching their presentation in front of their class. Secondly, the websites that use the SMARTBoard program and give already made presentations, create a continual interactive classroom. Most of the pre-made presentations involve students interactions. This would be very beneficial for the kinisthetic learner. In addition to interactive learning, some of the SMARTBoard presentations also have audio connected to them, which would help the audiotory learner some as well. Overall, using the SMARTBoard would benefit multiple types of learners. Furthermore, the SMARTBoard could potentially teach students more about a different use of technology and how to create a "powerpoint" using the SMARTBoard, instead of the traditional Microsoft PowerPoint. Overall I think the SMARTBoard would be very beneficial for student learning and contributes to the kinisthetic, auditory, and visual learner.
http://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Lesson+activities/Notebook+Activities/Browse+Notebook/United+States/Secondary/10-12/History/Before+the+Cold+War++Potsdam+SMARTcreated.htm
NETS standards:
For students:
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
The whole Potsdam Conference smartboard slide show consisted of problems that were to be collaboratively solved between the students and did require analysis and critical thinking of the Potsdam Conference.
Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.
Through my example of safe and ethical behavior in using the smartboard the students also learned how to use the smartboard properly and appropriately.
For teachers:
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
I used my knowledge of the Potsdam Conference to review the upcoming unit that we will be covering in class and helped the students use the smartboard activity to figuring out the points specifically that will be covered.
Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:
a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning
I demonstrated this by knowing how to effectively present the smartboard activity on the Potsdam Conference. Furthermore I was able to instruct the students on how to solve problems in the Potsdam activity.
SMARTBoard in the future classroom:
The SMARTBoard would be great for visual learners. The different features that the SMARTBoard program offers gives students the opportunity to be creative in developing their presentations and/or teaching their presentation in front of their class. Secondly, the websites that use the SMARTBoard program and give already made presentations, create a continual interactive classroom. Most of the pre-made presentations involve students interactions. This would be very beneficial for the kinisthetic learner. In addition to interactive learning, some of the SMARTBoard presentations also have audio connected to them, which would help the audiotory learner some as well. Overall, using the SMARTBoard would benefit multiple types of learners. Furthermore, the SMARTBoard could potentially teach students more about a different use of technology and how to create a "powerpoint" using the SMARTBoard, instead of the traditional Microsoft PowerPoint. Overall I think the SMARTBoard would be very beneficial for student learning and contributes to the kinisthetic, auditory, and visual learner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)