Interactive White Boards

As a new teacher at my school, I never received training on this wonderful resource. One day, the students and I experimented together and I realized that I am very bad at writing with the pen. Some days, I feel like if I were properly trained on how to use all of features, my students would be a lot more engaged in the class activities. I would like to find some time to explore my school's resource and see what I can do with the board.

Podcast

I am very excited to experiment with the Podcast. I was able to write the script and start uploading Audacity. I have some experience recording podcasts, and I know they are very fun and interesting to create. I started thinking of how I could use this in my class. My students love to record and hear or see themselves. I think this would be another alternative to present their research papers, mini projects or other summary assignments.

Digital Storytelling

As an English and reading teacher, I think I can make great use of digital storytelling in my classroom. The combination of images and sounds is a great way to see if students remember what they read. They can do stories about characters from the books they read, and I think it would really help them remember what they read.

Lesson 8: Lesson plans, etc.

I really like the idea of project-based learning. I always loved hands-on when I was in school. And I have noticed that my students really like interaction to any other form of learning. The problem that I have is finding the time to develop lessons that cater to this. I am often borrowing worksheets and activities from older, more experienced teachers just to get the content in the students' hands. I know this is not the way to go about it, but for now, it's what I have to work with. Every now and then when I have some extra time (which rarely happens) I try to pull something together that I think the students will enjoy interacting with. And, it always works. I am very thankful that many other teachers are willing to share their information and plans on the Internet for new teachers like me to borrow. It makes life a lot easier!

Session 7: Creating Web sites

I had a lot of fun with this assignment. I was a little frustrated with the things I wanted to do and was trying to figure out, but it's a learning process that is sometimes slow. I like that I can use the Web site to save me a lot of breath in directions. I took my students to the computer lab to play the games on the Web site and I think many of them appreciated the change. I know I did. I think this summer, I would like to sit down and look at some of my lesson plans and see how I can plan ahead to make them easier. I think technology and what I learned in this class will play a big part in those changes.

Web site evaluations

I have been doing Web site evaluations in another class, so I have gotten good at exploring educational Web sites. However, the evaluation sheet gave me a little more detailed list of ideas on what I might be looking for. So many times we just "can tell" when a Web site looks professional or is easy to navigate, but we don't know why. The evaluation sheet made you really sit down and explore the Web site. Some of the questions are cofusing, but I got the overall idea.

Session 5: Assistive Technology

I am constantly amazed at technology and what it can do for people with disabilities. Humans are so resilient. When faced with a problem, we find ways to make it work. I was pretty familiar with assistive technology from a few of my other classes. Just because people are disabled doesn't mean they aren't intelligent. Little girls like Elina can be so successful if they are just given the right tools. And that is what is so inspiring about children like her. Think of the possibilities for young people who just aren't able to write or aren't able to express themselves verbally. There are ways around that and assistive technology seems to open so many doors for them. While I don't directly work with any students using this at this time, I would be excited to help children find new ways to learn and communicate.

Session 4: Digital Photos/Desktop Publishing

What a frustrating week for me. I just felt like it took me forever to get all the work done. I ran into some problems with Windows Photo Gallery, then realized I had to download a PDF converter. That is the joy/hates of computers. They can do wonderful things. I was refreshed on my love of being creative. The desktop publishing assignment is a great tool to use in the classroom. I found it hard to come up with enough information to fill the entire thing for just one class. Since I teach high school, I only see the students for one 42 minute period all year or an 84 minute period half of the year. There are a lot of valuable resources, but I still think I am feeling like a digital immigrant. I wanted to walk away from the computer many times and get out the markers and scissors. I think I am slowly picking up the pieces that I will need to act more like a digital native.

Session 3

I think the Internet is such a wonderful resource, but it's been so overwhelming for me. I think there are so many great resources out there, but finding the 5-10 that are really suited to you is so hard. I get e-mails at school daily suggesting more and more and more Web sites to check out. Finding the ones that work for me as a teacher is the key. I hope over the summer I can sit down and find sites to incorporate into my lesson plans. I just really with I could get a handle on a manageable plan to use and organize the Internet. I guess that could be a goal of mine. I am thankful for all of the ideas that I have come across in this class.

Spreadsheet class

WOW! I never knew the possibilities of Excel. When I have free time, I am going to research the genius that invented that software. I just can't believe the attention to detail. I have used the program to do my monthly budget, but I didn't realize what the extent of the functions that were available and everything that is possible with it. It introduced me to a new way to approach my teaching and how to evaluate my students. The school I teach at really stresses standards, but never developed a system to help us see if we are actually doing well and in what areas. If they have, I haven't seen it yet. And, I even teach at a technical school. I am really excited to get the time to try and sit down and play around with Spreadsheets and to use them in the future. What a valuable topic! I am so happy I learned it.

January 19 Reaction Blog

I am very intrigued to learn about how to approach my students with technology. I feel that my school really pushes this in the classroom, but never really supplied me with the proper training. After viewing the class materials, I believe that I am going to be able to learn a lot about the Digital Natives and how to reach them. I am a fairly young teacher (28), but I didn't grow up with computers always in my reach until I was a sophomore in college. I find it hard to relate to these students and how they go about learning. I am excited for this class to teach me what I can do to be more on their "page" when it comes to technology.