Week 9 Mail Merge/Group Project

The mail merge was simple. Having background in corporate America, I've had to use mail merge often. Consequently, I enjoyed doing the project. On the other hand, I 've been in the school district for the last two years and I don't know that any of the teachers here ever use mail merge. They usually just type out the letters and place them in the student's folder.
It was hard selecting a partner for the project. Finally, Brandon and I decided to be partners. We are still working on the topic.

Lesson Plans

Finding lesson plans to incorporate technology was an easy one. The Promethean Board is fairly new at our school, and most of the teachers love it. We only have about 2 or 3 that our teachers have to share, which means they are excited when it's their turn to present a lesson using it. The Promethean Board offers a ton of lesson plans for Kindergarten such as calender math, shapes, lengths; all sorts of fun things. Consequently, I found lessons using the Promethean Board. There is one lesson where students use a "remote control'' type device to lock in their answers. I had no problem finding lesson plans; it was just hard deciding on the right one to use.

On Line Discusssion

We had to do an online discussion in class because we couldn't schedule a time outside of the classroom that was good for everybody. In class, it went smooth and I feel that online discussions are good for online classes. I have had to do weekly, mandatory online discussions with online classes I've taken in the past. The only difference is we were given a certain time that we all would have to meet. I know our professor is trying to be a bit more flexible which is great but sometimes is harder for 20 people to agree on a time than it is for the professor to designate a time and we have to do it.

WEEk 4 3M Chart/Websites

I liked the idea of the 3M chart we were introduced to. This is something I am sure I will use in my classroom.
Finding the websites was very easy to me. Because I already work in a school, I have access to numerous amounts of websites for parents, educators and students. However, to challenge myself, I tried to find at least half from a new source. It is amazing the amount of free resources available on the Internet to parents, educators and students. It's just a matter of knowing they're out there. Having this list handy when I begin teaching will be a great resource.

Multiple Intelligence

I've always been aware of how I learn/ study best. I learn best through mathematical, logical, and musical. I've come to learn that teachers usually teach by using their personal learning style. That scares me a bit, which means I will be very conscious of how I am teaching. I do realize that not every student will share the same learning style as I do. Therefore, I must be able to recognize each student's style and accommodate my lesson plans accordingly. One professor suggest that I teach using my learning style and then reteach or review the lesson using different learning styles. I can honestly say that I will observe and assess which method works best in my classroom.

Week 3 Bloom's Taxonomy

This week we discussed Bloom's Taxonomy and it's impact with technology. I believe technology and Bloom has a positive impact if it is applied correctly. Technology has such a wide variety and differs in relevance to cognitive learning. I believe that students don't learn directly from technology, but indirectly depending on the amount of thinking the student has to do. The more the student is required to think the more meaningful the learning will be.

WebQuest Cancelled

We no longer have to complete a Web Quest as an assignment. Although I didn't know how I was going to fit it into my schedule, I was kind of disappointed. I'm sure it would have been a time consuming, but fun project. I do, however, plan to keep this project in the back of my mind. Someday I hope to create a Web Qest for my class.

Webquest

I am excited about my web quest. I didn't realize it would be this simple to create. The author of the existing web quest I'm using has given permission on the website so I don't have a delay in obtaining permission. I feel that I can use the web quest and create a new one. I'm excited!!!! Did I already say that??? My web quest is for Math. It's for 3rd and 4th graders but I'm thinking of altering it so that it works for 1st and 2nd. I love math; always have. I believe that these types of activities will make kids want to do math; and enjoy it.

Week 8 Reflection

This week, I found an article about education and technology. Students were using the “Classroom Performance System”, which is sort of like an overhead projector to take exams instead of formal paper tests. I also learned about "Web quest”. I was amazed at the different web quests created by teachers for educational purposes. I hope someday that I will be able to design and apply a web quest for my classroom

Using the Promethean Board

Today I completed a lesson with Kindergarteners using the Promethean Board. The lesson was Determining Size through Length. I’ve seen a teacher use the Promethean Board, however, today was my first time to actually use it. It’s fairly simple and the kids loved it. We basically completed our math lesson as a whole while also individualizing. The class sat on the carpet and I called each kid to the board one by one. Each child had to circle the item that was longest. It’s just an all around great piece of technology to use. I will definitely use the Promethean Board in my class room. I thoroughly enjoyed administering this lesson by using the board.

Digital Book Reader

In class tonight, my professor showed us a SONY digital reader. It’s basically a printed book downloaded into this small device which is easier to carry around. She informed us that this may soon be the future for college students and then eventually high school, middle school, and elementary students. Utilizing e books will eliminate having to carry heavy books around. The price range can vary from $200 to $300. You can download books from the internet; there may be a cost for some; but not for others.
I think this is great. It allows students to carry all there books in this small compact device. It’s also great for recreational reading.

Relection on Week 8

This week was rather simple. I completed my abstract. My abstract featured a school district in Maine that distributes laptops to all students in grades 7-12. Each student and teacher is given his/her own laptop. The students also partner with local business to complete hands on experiences using technology. It was fascinating to actually read about how this particular district integrated technology into education.

Promethean Board

Today one of the teachers used a promethean board for her class. It is an interactive board, sort of like a projector, but you can write on it. There is a special pen. You have to be trained to use it but I think it is an awesome electronic tool to have in your classroom. The kids also used little controls where they could vote on the answer. I think that's neat because they all get a chance to work with the promethean board. I definitely want to have training to use it.

Powerpoint

I completed my powerpoint and it turned out pretty good, I think. Creating the powerpoint gave me more ideas of how to use a powerpoint. I have only known for the powerpoint to be used for a class as a whole, with one person in charge of the clicking. This is a great idea for kids to access online as a homework assignment. It's a great idea for kids to do individually. I now realize the many uses of powerpoint.

Scanner

This doesn’t particularly involved education, but it does involve technology. Today was my first time using a scanner. My daughter was chosen by the Dallas Morning News to be featured in the paper. She had the opportunity to ask questions; however, they needed a picture of her immediately. I did not have time to take them a picture and didn’t know exactly how I would get the picture to them. “Light bulb” One of the teachers owns a scanner. I asked her if I could use it and she showed me what to do. I scanned my daughter’s picture and voila; I was able to email it immediately; in just a matter of seconds. AND IT WAS EASY!!! I was so impressed. The teacher told me it was great for emailing samples of students work to professors if need be. Someday I may purchase a scanner.

Visual Aids

We have a teacher, who is legally blind. She is such an excellent teacher and without the use of technology, she wouldn’t be able to share her ability to educate. She has a piece of equipment in her classroom that increases the size of the words in the books. This allows her to read to her students just as any other teacher does. There is a function on her computer, which allows her to magnify everything by 100. This is a great accommodation for her. It allows her to teach, which she would not be able to do, if this form of technology was not offered.

Recognizing How We Use Technology

I have to work with a group of kindergarten students who aren't grasping the concept of numbers, shapes, and patterns. I have been working with them for weeks using visuals and manipulatives. This past Friday, I decided to research a couple of math interactive websites for them. I discovered one that is excellent for them. There are tons of math activites for them to do; ranging from very basic to advance. The website offers games to help them identify their shapes. They can not move on to the next game until they get the previous one correct. There is also a lesson in which they must count the number of objects and match it with the correct number. This allows them to work at their own pace, while I am also able to work with them one on one. I think it is awesome that the computer assists with teahing students through interactive websites.

PowerPoint Feedback

Tonight we discussed PowerPoint. I would say that I could create a simple PowerPoint if need be. However, I did not think I was capable of creating a “fancy-smancy” presentation. Before our professor reviewed PowerPoint, I must admit, I was once again a bit intimidated by this assignment. However, I decided to put my fears aside and be very open. As a result, I am very excited about our assignment. It does not seem hard at all. I am excited to use the new techniques our professor has taught us. My only concern now is not using PowerPoint, but for which grade and subject I will create my PowerPoint.

1st Night Blog

I am extremely nervous about this class. Mainly because I don't find myself to be computer savvy at all. I don't own a digital camera nor do I own an MP3 player.!!! Especially after scanning the syllabus, I am praying that I can pass this class. Because of my prior experience as an accountant, I feel that I am very good with Excel and PowerPoint. However, I have had trouble with Access and I am very nervous about producing an assignment using Access. Although I am extremely nervous, I hope to become more comfortable with technology by the end of the semester. With the integration of technology, I know it is very important for me to be knowledgeable regarding this subject.