Friday, March 12, 2010
Week 8
I have had so many "Aha" moments in this class it is not even funny! I have learned so much over the last 8 weeks and I am very excited about all of it. I think my favorite things was creating this blog. I am going to create my own for personal use as well. I just love the idea of social networking. I also enjoyed learning about Wordle. I have already shown it to my class and they love it as well. We did a concept map about sports to go with our story this week and they had the best time. I can't wait to use more of these Web 2.0 technologies in my classroom!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Week 7 Reflection
This week I created a training plan to use during the summer when I will be an instructor during my district's Tech Camp. Since my mother-in-law is our districts instructional technology specialist I kind of just do what is asked! ( : She is very excited as well as I am about teaching wiki's. She had never really used one until I discussed our class wiki with her. She is also learning a lot more about blogs and avatars as well. I think it is so fun taking these classes because I can share what I have learned with people who are as excited about it as I am!
My lesson was a training plan for teaching other teachers about wikis. I will definitely keep in mind all the great ideas of my peers in this class for the uses of wikis in education. I have learned so much from the great ideas of others!
I only hope my "students" in tech camp will be as excited as I am!! ( :
My lesson was a training plan for teaching other teachers about wikis. I will definitely keep in mind all the great ideas of my peers in this class for the uses of wikis in education. I have learned so much from the great ideas of others!
I only hope my "students" in tech camp will be as excited as I am!! ( :
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Week 6
This week was very fun! I decided to do my podcast over how to access my class website. I thought this would be a good resource because many of my parents say they would love to see the website and use it but they just don't know how. Well now I guess they are out of excuses! ( :
I was amazed at all the resources available for teachers to teach with technology. I read an article this week about how many schools still think that 21st century teaching is a foreign phrase and an impossible idea. Some of the things stopping them are money, attitude, and lack of knowledge. Many "old school" teachers think that just because they have done something a certain way for years that it should not be changed. I just wish they would realize all the benefits teaching with technology will offer their students.
If I had a magic wand, I would wave it and open the eyes of many administrators and teachers who have the resources to teach with technology but who choose not to. I think that is one of my biggest pet peeves. I teach with a hand full of teachers who have so much technology at their fingertips but because they are a certain age, they believe they cannot use it. They say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well I think you can! If their attitudes would just change they would probably surprise themselves at everything they could do!
I was amazed at all the resources available for teachers to teach with technology. I read an article this week about how many schools still think that 21st century teaching is a foreign phrase and an impossible idea. Some of the things stopping them are money, attitude, and lack of knowledge. Many "old school" teachers think that just because they have done something a certain way for years that it should not be changed. I just wish they would realize all the benefits teaching with technology will offer their students.
If I had a magic wand, I would wave it and open the eyes of many administrators and teachers who have the resources to teach with technology but who choose not to. I think that is one of my biggest pet peeves. I teach with a hand full of teachers who have so much technology at their fingertips but because they are a certain age, they believe they cannot use it. They say, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Well I think you can! If their attitudes would just change they would probably surprise themselves at everything they could do!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Week 5 Reflection
This has been my FAVORITE week so far. I have never used a Wiki but I am no hooked! I have even approached my mother in law, who is our district's instructional technologist, about teaching Wikis in our annual Tech Camp held during the summer. I can't wait to share everything I have learned with my peers. I have already shared a few things with our school librarian that she is very excited about.
For my Wiki I chose to create a mothers helping mothers site where moms, new and seasoned, can share questions, experiences, and ideas with each other. I am a first time mom of a seven month old and I have a new question everyday! She is really developing a personality and I just want to be able to share my experiences and questions with moms who are going through the same day to day struggles/rewards I am. Hannah is an absolute joy so I wanted a place where I could even share some of the super cute things she does!
I can see many uses for Wikis in the classroom as well as for personal use. My classmates have posted some excellent ideas for Wikis and I am going to "borrow" many of them to keep in my good ideas file! ( :
For my Wiki I chose to create a mothers helping mothers site where moms, new and seasoned, can share questions, experiences, and ideas with each other. I am a first time mom of a seven month old and I have a new question everyday! She is really developing a personality and I just want to be able to share my experiences and questions with moms who are going through the same day to day struggles/rewards I am. Hannah is an absolute joy so I wanted a place where I could even share some of the super cute things she does!
I can see many uses for Wikis in the classroom as well as for personal use. My classmates have posted some excellent ideas for Wikis and I am going to "borrow" many of them to keep in my good ideas file! ( :
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Week 4: Portfolios
This week I was eager to begin my online portfolio. I have always wanted to do a portfolio with my students but have not really had the chance to sit down and plan something out. Since my students are so young and their time on the computer is limited, an electronic portfolio would probably not be the best thing to use at their level. Also I would have to do most of the organization for them.
This week I focused on the Assessment for Learning principle of how student's learn. I thought this was the best because for me, it is one of the most difficult parts of my job. I would love to have the time to sit down with each of my students one on one daily to give them instruction on their level just the way they will learn it best. Unfortunately that is just not possible when you have 22 students who all learn differently in your classroom.
When I finally do sit down and organize myself in order to start the portfolio process with my students I think it will be an excellent tool for assessment. Each student will get to show me what they are most proud of. That means I will be looking at their best work. This assessment tool can be leveled so that each child is assessed based on what they can do rather than what the teacher has told them to do.
My portfolio will be used to show my best work. I want to take ownership in my work and embrace this process. I don't want to look at it as just another assignment. I want it to reflect who I truly am and what I can do.
This week I focused on the Assessment for Learning principle of how student's learn. I thought this was the best because for me, it is one of the most difficult parts of my job. I would love to have the time to sit down with each of my students one on one daily to give them instruction on their level just the way they will learn it best. Unfortunately that is just not possible when you have 22 students who all learn differently in your classroom.
When I finally do sit down and organize myself in order to start the portfolio process with my students I think it will be an excellent tool for assessment. Each student will get to show me what they are most proud of. That means I will be looking at their best work. This assessment tool can be leveled so that each child is assessed based on what they can do rather than what the teacher has told them to do.
My portfolio will be used to show my best work. I want to take ownership in my work and embrace this process. I don't want to look at it as just another assignment. I want it to reflect who I truly am and what I can do.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Week 3: MAPping and Delicious
Well this week has taught me that I still have a lot to learn about technology. When I saw an assignment was to take a quiz, I thought, no big deal, I know this stuff...well I was wrong!! Some of the questions were very difficult. I even had my mother in law, who is an Instructional Technologist take the quiz and she found some parts difficult as well (she still did better than me though!).
After the MAPping activity I learned that you cannot believe everything you read on the Internet. I chose to look at the tree octopus website and I just laughed and laughed! I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen! I do think teaching students how to tell the real websites from the fake ones is very important. Often times they just click on the first website that google finds and they are done. (sometimes I am guilty of the same thing)
Sharing favorite websites via Delicious is a great way to use cooperative team teaching strategies. I have shared this with my team teachers and they are very excited to get started using it!
After the MAPping activity I learned that you cannot believe everything you read on the Internet. I chose to look at the tree octopus website and I just laughed and laughed! I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen! I do think teaching students how to tell the real websites from the fake ones is very important. Often times they just click on the first website that google finds and they are done. (sometimes I am guilty of the same thing)
Sharing favorite websites via Delicious is a great way to use cooperative team teaching strategies. I have shared this with my team teachers and they are very excited to get started using it!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Week 2: Educational Technology
In my opinion educational technology is the tools used in order to ensure classroom management and inform, engage, excite, and motivate students to continue their learning.
Throughout the week I have been thinking about this topic. I finally realized that there is no set definition for educational technology. It is simply whatever you think it is. I utilize technology in almost every aspect of my classroom. Weather it is figuring grade averages, informing parents of upcoming events, or reviewing the weeks vocabulary words. Technology is everywhere around us and as we all know it is not going away. It can help ease our work load if we just let it. My students love using technology that is interactive. The SMART board has become a favorite activity during center time.
I think my definition of educational technology fits in with my philosophy because I want to be a guide to my students. With all the resources available to us it is easy to become overwhelmed. I like to give my students the basics and then let them try to figure out the rest on their own. Sometimes they even teach me something new along the way!
Throughout the week I have been thinking about this topic. I finally realized that there is no set definition for educational technology. It is simply whatever you think it is. I utilize technology in almost every aspect of my classroom. Weather it is figuring grade averages, informing parents of upcoming events, or reviewing the weeks vocabulary words. Technology is everywhere around us and as we all know it is not going away. It can help ease our work load if we just let it. My students love using technology that is interactive. The SMART board has become a favorite activity during center time.
I think my definition of educational technology fits in with my philosophy because I want to be a guide to my students. With all the resources available to us it is easy to become overwhelmed. I like to give my students the basics and then let them try to figure out the rest on their own. Sometimes they even teach me something new along the way!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Week 1: Blogs and Philosophies
My Educational Technology Philosophy
When I decided to become a teacher many thoughts filled my head. I sat down and contemplated what I wanted to accomplish in this profession. In my classroom we have a motto: Teamwork is the key to success. If we work together, there is no mountain we cannot climb. I really think that is true. Teachers and students should work together to accomplish their goals.
I believe the purpose of education is to prepare you for life. Without education it would be difficult to find a job and make money to support yourself. Education is also important when making decisions such as buying a house, buying a car, or shopping for groceries. Education allows people to make informed decisions.
The role of the learner is to take responsibility for their learning. The teacher can present the information and help as much as possible but the learner must have enough pride in their work to do their best.
The role of the educator is to be a guide. The educator helps students reach their goals by offering support and guidance along the way. The educator should also be a knowledgeable helper to their students, patiently assisting when the student is in need.
As my experience as an educator grows, my views are changing dramatically and I am sure will continue to change. At the beginning I thought the job of the teacher was to simply supply information. Now I believe the teacher should not just supply the information, they should find a way to relate it to their students in a way that is relevant. They should encourage their students to take ownership of their learning and guide them in a way that will help them accomplish their goals.
Having my philosophy written down will help me remember what I want to accomplish as an educator. It will remind me how I want my students to view me and how I want to act towards them. I would love for them to look back later in their lives and say that Mrs. Hollingsworth was my favorite teacher because she was patient and kind and always did her best to help me achieve my goals.
I think Downes' article on Educational Blogging was great! In my classroom I use blogs on my class website. It is nothing to in depth since I do teach second graders. Mostly I just post a question once a week and during our computer lab time the students go and share their opinions in a few sentences. They really enjoy using this resource.
From November's article I would have to say that area number one stuck out to me the most. "If it's on the Internet, is it true?" Before I began classes for my Master's degree every time I googled something I would just pick the first result of the search and be done with it. Now that I have learned more about searching correctly I know to check the resources of the website for validity. Just because you read it on the Internet does not mean it is true!
When I decided to become a teacher many thoughts filled my head. I sat down and contemplated what I wanted to accomplish in this profession. In my classroom we have a motto: Teamwork is the key to success. If we work together, there is no mountain we cannot climb. I really think that is true. Teachers and students should work together to accomplish their goals.
I believe the purpose of education is to prepare you for life. Without education it would be difficult to find a job and make money to support yourself. Education is also important when making decisions such as buying a house, buying a car, or shopping for groceries. Education allows people to make informed decisions.
The role of the learner is to take responsibility for their learning. The teacher can present the information and help as much as possible but the learner must have enough pride in their work to do their best.
The role of the educator is to be a guide. The educator helps students reach their goals by offering support and guidance along the way. The educator should also be a knowledgeable helper to their students, patiently assisting when the student is in need.
As my experience as an educator grows, my views are changing dramatically and I am sure will continue to change. At the beginning I thought the job of the teacher was to simply supply information. Now I believe the teacher should not just supply the information, they should find a way to relate it to their students in a way that is relevant. They should encourage their students to take ownership of their learning and guide them in a way that will help them accomplish their goals.
Having my philosophy written down will help me remember what I want to accomplish as an educator. It will remind me how I want my students to view me and how I want to act towards them. I would love for them to look back later in their lives and say that Mrs. Hollingsworth was my favorite teacher because she was patient and kind and always did her best to help me achieve my goals.
I think Downes' article on Educational Blogging was great! In my classroom I use blogs on my class website. It is nothing to in depth since I do teach second graders. Mostly I just post a question once a week and during our computer lab time the students go and share their opinions in a few sentences. They really enjoy using this resource.
From November's article I would have to say that area number one stuck out to me the most. "If it's on the Internet, is it true?" Before I began classes for my Master's degree every time I googled something I would just pick the first result of the search and be done with it. Now that I have learned more about searching correctly I know to check the resources of the website for validity. Just because you read it on the Internet does not mean it is true!
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