This week, I spent the majority of my week working on my web quest. In college we had to create a web quest, but boy how times have changed! A web quest 8 years ago, had a few pages and buttons, all of the information was on the internet, but the finished project was on paper. Now, there are so many more steps, and links, and Web 2.0 tools that you can use that it was a bit overwhelming at times.
In the end I do see that the work was all worth it. I think back to last school year and how we did our author study project, and I think about my web quest. I honestly think that my kids are going to enjoy the project so much more this year because they will get to use the internet and work in a small group. I also think that the quality of the work will be much improved. Last year the students slopped anything down on a piece of paper just to get it done. I have found with my class this year, they are very particular about how their technology projects look. When we make Powerpoint presentations, they are meticulous in their animations and font choices. Because of this, I think that they will turn in a more quality project.
I also think that the group aspect will help some of the lower academic students. Many of them cannot revise and edit on their own. They are constantly needing help and guidance. With a small group project they will have help from their peers to answer questions and make it perfect!
I look forward to making more web quests over the summer to use during the next school year!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Week 6 Reflection
This week was probably my second favorite. One of my favorite things about technology is Google! I ask myself on a daily basis what did we ever do before google? I truly don't know! To top it off, not only can you find an answer to ANY question you our your students could ever ask, but they have apps to make your classroom experiences more functional. I currently use google docs and gmail. I use gmail for my primary email account because it has a huge amount of storage and I am terrible about deleting my e-mail :-) I also use Google docs for my website. I like to upload important notes and study guides so that the parents can download them in an easy to use format and then link them to my website. I have found in the past that I love to create documents in Publisher, but not everyone has that program. With Publisher I can save it as a PDF, upload it to docs, and link it to my website so that everyone has access to it. However, I learned this week that with Google docs students can work collaboratively on an assignment and both be working on it at the same time (a feature we don't have the way our server system is set up). While I don't know that this is ideal for elementary students, I do like the idea that I could post resources to Google docs and all of the students could access them at any time (instead of looking for a handout that has been lost in their desks).
The other Google app I am interested in is Google calendar. I love the idea that I can post things and the parents can download the calendar to their mobile device. I look forward to trying out this app this year and have it up and running for the next school year.
The other Google app I am interested in is Google calendar. I love the idea that I can post things and the parents can download the calendar to their mobile device. I look forward to trying out this app this year and have it up and running for the next school year.
Week 5 Reflection
This week I was shocked to learn that Twitter is an acceptable PLN to use in the classroom. It was my understanding that Twitter was just for social media, to post things similar to a status update on Facebook. I had no idea that so many educators were on Twitter and that many share ideas. I have tried spending some time on Twitter to find these educators, and I hate to say they are much harder to find than your average tv celebrity. However, I am keeping an open mind and continuing my search for educators on Twitter, and to find a way that it would be acceptable for use in the classroom.
Week 4 Reflection
This week I learned another new term that I have never heard before PLN's. A PLN is a Personal Learning Network. Through these networks you can confer with other teachers around the world and share your teaching experiences and ideas. My favorite PLN is blogger. I use a blog for my class website, though I do not keep up with it as much as I would like. I also use it to follow other fantastic teachers around the country. The best lesson I have learned as a teacher is "Why re-invent the wheel?". With a PLN we can share ideas and resources instead of constantly trying to make something new. Other teachers are our best resource!
This week I have also decided that Wikis are not for me. I love the idea that all of the students in your class, or a small group can collaborate on a project. However, I teach young students who frequently delete files, and don't follow directions as well as we would like them to. My worst fear is that the students would delete each other's work, and even my own. I also think that it would take a lot of practice to teach them how to use it, and I don't have the technology in my classroom to be able to show all of the students at once several times.
This week I have also decided that Wikis are not for me. I love the idea that all of the students in your class, or a small group can collaborate on a project. However, I teach young students who frequently delete files, and don't follow directions as well as we would like them to. My worst fear is that the students would delete each other's work, and even my own. I also think that it would take a lot of practice to teach them how to use it, and I don't have the technology in my classroom to be able to show all of the students at once several times.
Week 3 Reflection
This week I learned a new technological term that I have not heard of. Web 2.0. What on earth is Web 2.0? Was there a Web 1.0? This week I have learned that Web 2.0 is a term used to describe a series of tools that allow people to collaborate and share information with each other through social media. Upon further research I found that I was already using several tools that are considered Web 2.0 tools. I also particularly found this week's discussion interesting because I feel like in our school we are shown new and exciting tools to use in our classroom each year on staff development days. However, I have also found that if I don't use these tools right away, I forget about them. This week's discussion reminded me of several tools that our eMints teachers use on a regular basis and love.
This week I started using Edmodo with a group of my students. I have found that my highest reading group is the hardest to motivate to do any kind of reflection. Naturally, I thought that Edmodo was perfect for them. These are all my most responsible students who can use technology independently without me having to stand over their shoulders. This was the best decision I have made! As we read each group of chapters I post a discussion question about their reading. As soon as we finish the students go straight back to their seats and read their chapters right away. We are currently reading Hatchet, which can be a hard read for some, but they are so much more excited about it now! They are even asking to read the sequel as soon as we are done. I look forward to adding Edmodo in with my other reading groups, but I am concerned about them using it correctly and not playing on it.
This week I started using Edmodo with a group of my students. I have found that my highest reading group is the hardest to motivate to do any kind of reflection. Naturally, I thought that Edmodo was perfect for them. These are all my most responsible students who can use technology independently without me having to stand over their shoulders. This was the best decision I have made! As we read each group of chapters I post a discussion question about their reading. As soon as we finish the students go straight back to their seats and read their chapters right away. We are currently reading Hatchet, which can be a hard read for some, but they are so much more excited about it now! They are even asking to read the sequel as soon as we are done. I look forward to adding Edmodo in with my other reading groups, but I am concerned about them using it correctly and not playing on it.
Week 2 reflection
This week was a bit of an eye opener for me. It was a well needed reminder that we need to look much more carefully at resources before we use them. So often we are in a hurry to find the resources we need to share with the students that we don't take the proper time to fully evaluate and explore them. I hate to admit it, but this has happened to me. I think I found the perfect website, I have my students engaged and focused on the SMART Board, and then come to find out the website wasn't all that I thought it would be. So, naturally, I turn it into a quick lesson for the kids on properly evaluating websites before you use them. Sadly, my students are only 8 and 9 so much of that discussion is lost on them. But, I hope someday they will remember what I have said.
I am really excited to be learning about wikis this week. We have several teachers in our building that talk about them, but we never have the time to share and discuss. I am hoping that this would be something that I could incorporate into my classes.
I found the article, "Digital Natives" this week to be especially interesting. I think it is an article that should be shared with all educators. Often we say that students don't have the attention span to do some things (and yes I do realize that there are a few students out there whom this is true for), but the reality is that the students are not truly engaged in the lesson. I feel that it is our job as educators to provide quality learning experiences that foster a desire to keep learning. I look forward to learning more tools in this class that can help to engage my students more in our daily lessons.
I am really excited to be learning about wikis this week. We have several teachers in our building that talk about them, but we never have the time to share and discuss. I am hoping that this would be something that I could incorporate into my classes.
I found the article, "Digital Natives" this week to be especially interesting. I think it is an article that should be shared with all educators. Often we say that students don't have the attention span to do some things (and yes I do realize that there are a few students out there whom this is true for), but the reality is that the students are not truly engaged in the lesson. I feel that it is our job as educators to provide quality learning experiences that foster a desire to keep learning. I look forward to learning more tools in this class that can help to engage my students more in our daily lessons.
Week 1 Reflection
This week I got my first taste of graduate classes and how overwhelming it can be along with working a full time job, and now (Surprise!) being pregnant. This week has been a true test of learning how to balance my time and learning.
I am so excited to be learning about technology in the classroom. Our school is slowly transitioning to becoming an eMints school. I see all of these teachers who are trained in eMints doing all of these great things, and I am excited for my turn to be a part of it. I think that this class is going to give me a great foundation for when it is my turn to become an eMints class.
I enjoyed watching the video this week on the inspired classrooms. It was a reminder of where I want to be, and how I want to incorporate technology into my classroom. Of course there are always limitations ($$$$ being the largest), but if I truly want to do this I will find a way to use the resources that I have!
I am so excited to be learning about technology in the classroom. Our school is slowly transitioning to becoming an eMints school. I see all of these teachers who are trained in eMints doing all of these great things, and I am excited for my turn to be a part of it. I think that this class is going to give me a great foundation for when it is my turn to become an eMints class.
I enjoyed watching the video this week on the inspired classrooms. It was a reminder of where I want to be, and how I want to incorporate technology into my classroom. Of course there are always limitations ($$$$ being the largest), but if I truly want to do this I will find a way to use the resources that I have!
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