Coming into this semester i truly believe that i was rather knowledgeable on the different forms of technology and different websites available to me as a teacher, I was wrong. I learned how to successfully create and update a blog, create a website, make a toolbox of resources, use and operate a smart board, run a wiki space, i found many great websites i can use for future classrooms, learned new information regarding Microsoft office and Mac materials, attended online seminars, learned how to create video blogs and the proper use of video technology in the classroom, learned how to post smart board presentations to the internet through box.net, learned how to create podcast, learned the NETS standards, and much more information that will help me in my future classrooms. I realize that there is a lot more information that i am yet to learn, i understand that just the same as any other form of education, you must continue learning and seeking new methods of accomplishing the same goals. I understand that in technology everything is rapidly changing and growing, i feel that this class was able to give me resources and general knowledge that i would have been unable to do all on my own. I am grateful for the information learned and look forward to learning more as technology advances.
NETS-Teachers
5. Professional growth and leadership
This is the most important of the five NETS in my opinion because of the word growth and leadership. As teachers we are suppose to be leaders of our students and to guide these young learners in the right direction. In order to do that properly we must learn and grow in our understanding and use of the proper technology. I feel be going to online conferences, updating tool boxes, and finding new resources and technological updates is the way that teachers grow and lead in this field. Never becoming complacent and always striving to be the best teacher and student you can be is the way to grow and once you grow in your knowledge and become familiar with the technologies that are available to you, then you can in turn teach that information and use it to enhance your teachings in the classroom.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Assignment #4: Technology Project
Mr. Solomon's Health and Fitness Class
The features of technology that I have used for my technology project are a class blog, a podcast recording, and a SmartBoard Power Point presentation.
Some of the issues that I ran into while creating this project was the time it took to finish all of the phases. It took me a while to get started and to put together this much work and materials took longer then expected. Also loading the Smartboard presentation onto the blog took a while to figure out and made it tougher then i thought it was going to be.
This project was a great project to end with because it allowed for us to learn so many different skills that we could put together on this project to make it useful for our future. I will be able to use this project in my future health and fitness classes. In each health and fitness class it is important to understand how to react to emergency situations with first aid and CPR training. I will be able to use the blog which has lists of helpful websites that can help students understand more information and i will also be able to use my smartboard presentation to help collaborate my teachings and allow for students to both understand the materials but interact with the materials.
NETS-Teachers
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
a. I believe that my project reaches this standard because it is bringing new ways of learning into the high school lesson and allows for the students to learn using technology instead of straight teacher lectures.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
a. I believe that my project demonstrates fluency in technological systems and allows for me to expand my teachings into different forms of instructions.
NETS-Students
1. Creativity and Innovation
a. This project allows for students to see the teacher thinking outside of the box which will allow for them to go outside the box with their learning and to research and find new methods which will allow for them to help their learning and understanding.
5. Digital Citizenship
a. This project is centered around many different technological systems which will allow for students to become familiar with the use of technology and how they are able to use it to help in their learning instead of hindering their education.
The features of technology that I have used for my technology project are a class blog, a podcast recording, and a SmartBoard Power Point presentation.
Some of the issues that I ran into while creating this project was the time it took to finish all of the phases. It took me a while to get started and to put together this much work and materials took longer then expected. Also loading the Smartboard presentation onto the blog took a while to figure out and made it tougher then i thought it was going to be.
This project was a great project to end with because it allowed for us to learn so many different skills that we could put together on this project to make it useful for our future. I will be able to use this project in my future health and fitness classes. In each health and fitness class it is important to understand how to react to emergency situations with first aid and CPR training. I will be able to use the blog which has lists of helpful websites that can help students understand more information and i will also be able to use my smartboard presentation to help collaborate my teachings and allow for students to both understand the materials but interact with the materials.
NETS-Teachers
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
a. I believe that my project reaches this standard because it is bringing new ways of learning into the high school lesson and allows for the students to learn using technology instead of straight teacher lectures.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
a. I believe that my project demonstrates fluency in technological systems and allows for me to expand my teachings into different forms of instructions.
NETS-Students
1. Creativity and Innovation
a. This project allows for students to see the teacher thinking outside of the box which will allow for them to go outside the box with their learning and to research and find new methods which will allow for them to help their learning and understanding.
5. Digital Citizenship
a. This project is centered around many different technological systems which will allow for students to become familiar with the use of technology and how they are able to use it to help in their learning instead of hindering their education.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Reflection #12
What?
In our assignment last week we talked about and gave presentations regarding Microsoft office. I found out many features that would have been extremely helpful over the years that i did not know before these presentations. I believe that if i had learned some of these features my works over the years would have been advanced.
So What?
I feel that our class as a whole kept saying "i wish i would have known about that before" I believe that we as teachers need to teach our students about helpful features. It is our job to help put our students in situations that will allow for them to succeed.
Now What?
I believe that teachers of the future need to become fluent in many features of word and powerpoint and other Microsoft office materials. If we can become fluent and understand what features may be helpful and the students may be unaware. I believe we should find ways to help our students learn at a better more efficient way.
In our assignment last week we talked about and gave presentations regarding Microsoft office. I found out many features that would have been extremely helpful over the years that i did not know before these presentations. I believe that if i had learned some of these features my works over the years would have been advanced.
So What?
I feel that our class as a whole kept saying "i wish i would have known about that before" I believe that we as teachers need to teach our students about helpful features. It is our job to help put our students in situations that will allow for them to succeed.
Now What?
I believe that teachers of the future need to become fluent in many features of word and powerpoint and other Microsoft office materials. If we can become fluent and understand what features may be helpful and the students may be unaware. I believe we should find ways to help our students learn at a better more efficient way.
Reflection #11
What?
The use of smartboard notebook software in the classroom. When we visited Lake Washington we saw it was prevalent and then in the classrooms we teach here at Northwest it is extremely prevalent. In our instructional design we have all used smartboard tools at least once.
So What?
In our classes our professors have said to use the technology as an aid and not as something to hide behind. I feel it is important for us to find that right mixture of using technology and teaching without it. I believe that the smartboard is extremely helpful but can also be to relied upon by myself.
Now What?
As I gain more experience and observe different teaching styles, it will be important to distance myself away from using the smartboard tools as my number one option each time i go to do a teaching. I believe that technology should be used but used in a way that will excite learning not something that should be used each and every lesson.
The use of smartboard notebook software in the classroom. When we visited Lake Washington we saw it was prevalent and then in the classrooms we teach here at Northwest it is extremely prevalent. In our instructional design we have all used smartboard tools at least once.
So What?
In our classes our professors have said to use the technology as an aid and not as something to hide behind. I feel it is important for us to find that right mixture of using technology and teaching without it. I believe that the smartboard is extremely helpful but can also be to relied upon by myself.
Now What?
As I gain more experience and observe different teaching styles, it will be important to distance myself away from using the smartboard tools as my number one option each time i go to do a teaching. I believe that technology should be used but used in a way that will excite learning not something that should be used each and every lesson.
Reflection #10
What?
Computers in the classroom. Since attending college for the first time five years ago, computers have become increasingly more prevalent. Just in the past five years the amount of students carrying computers on them from class to class has increased.
So What?
It is amazing to see how far the impact computers have had on learning. It is a matter of time before computers become a necessity in all ages of schooling. Technology has not only made it easier for teachers to teach but has made it easier for learners to learn.
Now What?
How will teachers of the future compensate for students who are unable to bring computers with them on a daily basis? It is important for teachers to not only adapt to students with access to technology but they must also adapt to those students who do not have the ability to carry newer technology to class with them.
Computers in the classroom. Since attending college for the first time five years ago, computers have become increasingly more prevalent. Just in the past five years the amount of students carrying computers on them from class to class has increased.
So What?
It is amazing to see how far the impact computers have had on learning. It is a matter of time before computers become a necessity in all ages of schooling. Technology has not only made it easier for teachers to teach but has made it easier for learners to learn.
Now What?
How will teachers of the future compensate for students who are unable to bring computers with them on a daily basis? It is important for teachers to not only adapt to students with access to technology but they must also adapt to those students who do not have the ability to carry newer technology to class with them.
Reflection #9
What?
During the last week i attended an online conference, where the topic i reviewed was about the use of video games in the classroom. The topic was about whether or not using video games in the classroom can help aid learning and teaching. It is a topic that is much debated just as the use of technology grows the concern of teaching and learning grows.
So What?
The article made some good points in regards to proper use of video games in the classroom. These points were that video games take much time and preparation from the teacher and the teacher must facilitate and correlate the use of video games to the real world information that the teacher is teaching.
Now What?
I do not know if i ever will be a proponent of using video games in the classroom, however, i was able to see that when video games are constructed in the proper manner students can use these devices to help learn. I believe that technological advancements are unlimited and it is our job as teachers to find what forms of technology will best suit our students and our content.
During the last week i attended an online conference, where the topic i reviewed was about the use of video games in the classroom. The topic was about whether or not using video games in the classroom can help aid learning and teaching. It is a topic that is much debated just as the use of technology grows the concern of teaching and learning grows.
So What?
The article made some good points in regards to proper use of video games in the classroom. These points were that video games take much time and preparation from the teacher and the teacher must facilitate and correlate the use of video games to the real world information that the teacher is teaching.
Now What?
I do not know if i ever will be a proponent of using video games in the classroom, however, i was able to see that when video games are constructed in the proper manner students can use these devices to help learn. I believe that technological advancements are unlimited and it is our job as teachers to find what forms of technology will best suit our students and our content.
Reflection #8
What?
In one of my classrooms here at Northwest, my professor videotapes each lecture and posts them on discovery. In case students are ill and miss a day or in a case where the teacher talks to fast and students are unable to write down all the notes. The professor allows for students to go online and view the class lecture over again.
So What?
I believe that this could be used as a valuable teaching tool in our future classrooms. Some students are unable to both take notes and pay attention to what is being said. Often times students taking notes only hear the words and not the meaning or significance. This tactic can allow for students to review what they missed as well as use it to help improve their study skills.
Now What?
I believe that this technique could really help in future classrooms. I believe that not only will it be an evaluation tool for me to go back and see how i am teaching, it will allow for absent students or students who become overwhelmed during a 50 minute class with information. This can be an extremely helpful teaching tool that i believe could benefit students if i uploaded my lectures onto my classroom website.
In one of my classrooms here at Northwest, my professor videotapes each lecture and posts them on discovery. In case students are ill and miss a day or in a case where the teacher talks to fast and students are unable to write down all the notes. The professor allows for students to go online and view the class lecture over again.
So What?
I believe that this could be used as a valuable teaching tool in our future classrooms. Some students are unable to both take notes and pay attention to what is being said. Often times students taking notes only hear the words and not the meaning or significance. This tactic can allow for students to review what they missed as well as use it to help improve their study skills.
Now What?
I believe that this technique could really help in future classrooms. I believe that not only will it be an evaluation tool for me to go back and see how i am teaching, it will allow for absent students or students who become overwhelmed during a 50 minute class with information. This can be an extremely helpful teaching tool that i believe could benefit students if i uploaded my lectures onto my classroom website.
Reflection #7
What?
When we traveled to Lake Washington High School we learned features of the active board. It was a good teaching tool because it allowed for us to see how teachers in the field are using the active board in the actual classrooms. It was important to see from my perspective different lesson plans and how the teacher used those lesson plans with her students.
So What?
I believe it the most important facet of this presentation was listening to the teacher explain the value the active boards have in the classrooms. I believe that in our technology class we are learning skills that will be essential in running our own classroom one day and this presentation confirmed that.
Now What?
It is time for us as future teachers to realize the importance of properly using this technology and using it in a way that will help learning and not hinder it. We must find the balance between technology as an aid and technology as a barrier.
When we traveled to Lake Washington High School we learned features of the active board. It was a good teaching tool because it allowed for us to see how teachers in the field are using the active board in the actual classrooms. It was important to see from my perspective different lesson plans and how the teacher used those lesson plans with her students.
So What?
I believe it the most important facet of this presentation was listening to the teacher explain the value the active boards have in the classrooms. I believe that in our technology class we are learning skills that will be essential in running our own classroom one day and this presentation confirmed that.
Now What?
It is time for us as future teachers to realize the importance of properly using this technology and using it in a way that will help learning and not hinder it. We must find the balance between technology as an aid and technology as a barrier.
Future of Education and Technology (Week 14)
Technology and Education: What will the future bring?
Technology is an ever growing tool that is at the disposal of future teachers. It is important that we as teachers realize that education can be improved significantly with the proper use of new technologies. "Educational research will undergo massive paradigm shifts we can only imagine. Because we live in a revolutionary time of astonishing advances in technologies, a world of constant and unrelenting change, new paradigms appear before the implications of their predecessors are digested. We know that schools must make changes to accommodate the technology revolution. Many are already making changes in curriculum, teaching, and learning." It is important that schools as well as teachers understand this shift in education. If we continue to somewhat "fight" technological advancements then we may hinder our students. Technology should not completely run the classroom but it should be an influential teaching piece. I believe that if as our generation takes over the classroom technology will be used with much more prevalence. "As David Thornburg reminds us, we are preparing children for their future, not our own past." I believe that's a significant quote because that is exactly what technology creates. It creates unlimited possibilities that we as people must accept and work with. If we fight technology we will hurt our students.
Technology is an ever growing tool that is at the disposal of future teachers. It is important that we as teachers realize that education can be improved significantly with the proper use of new technologies. "Educational research will undergo massive paradigm shifts we can only imagine. Because we live in a revolutionary time of astonishing advances in technologies, a world of constant and unrelenting change, new paradigms appear before the implications of their predecessors are digested. We know that schools must make changes to accommodate the technology revolution. Many are already making changes in curriculum, teaching, and learning." It is important that schools as well as teachers understand this shift in education. If we continue to somewhat "fight" technological advancements then we may hinder our students. Technology should not completely run the classroom but it should be an influential teaching piece. I believe that if as our generation takes over the classroom technology will be used with much more prevalence. "As David Thornburg reminds us, we are preparing children for their future, not our own past." I believe that's a significant quote because that is exactly what technology creates. It creates unlimited possibilities that we as people must accept and work with. If we fight technology we will hurt our students.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Word, Excel & PowerPoint (Week 13)
Word:
- Font, bullets and numbering, High lighter, tables and graphs, and alignment placing.
Excel:
- My use of excel comes few and far in between, the only reason I use excel is to set up worksheets with numbers and totals on worksheets.
PowerPoint:
- Slide themes, clip arts, copying pictures, bullets and numbering, video links, and font style and colors.
One project i could use with my students to help them learn word would be to do a scavenger hunt, i would give my students a worksheet they are to follow using many different features of word and i would have them follow the steps and complete the worksheet and then turn in the paper in which they completed the tasks on.
Another project i could use is for Excel and that would be a project that would again be like an introduction tool. It would help to teach the students how to put numbers in a tile square and then be able to add or subtract different cells from one another to get totals.
A project for PowerPoint would be easier, i would again assign the students an area in which they are suppose to learn and then create a slide or two using that feature and present it and teach that feature to the class and when they were done i would clean up and mistakes they may make during the teaching.
- Font, bullets and numbering, High lighter, tables and graphs, and alignment placing.
Excel:
- My use of excel comes few and far in between, the only reason I use excel is to set up worksheets with numbers and totals on worksheets.
PowerPoint:
- Slide themes, clip arts, copying pictures, bullets and numbering, video links, and font style and colors.
One project i could use with my students to help them learn word would be to do a scavenger hunt, i would give my students a worksheet they are to follow using many different features of word and i would have them follow the steps and complete the worksheet and then turn in the paper in which they completed the tasks on.
Another project i could use is for Excel and that would be a project that would again be like an introduction tool. It would help to teach the students how to put numbers in a tile square and then be able to add or subtract different cells from one another to get totals.
A project for PowerPoint would be easier, i would again assign the students an area in which they are suppose to learn and then create a slide or two using that feature and present it and teach that feature to the class and when they were done i would clean up and mistakes they may make during the teaching.
K12 Online Conference (Week 12)
Games in Education
Kicking it up a Notch
Games in Education
By: Sylvia Martinez
SUMMARY
This online conference was debating on whether the use of video games in the classroom are a helpful teaching method. Sylvia Martinez set out to tackle the questions surrounding video games in the classroom. Can video games be effective as learning experiences? Can video games replace worksheets as effective methods of teaching? Can learning content be as easy as inserting games into the curriculum? Or are games hindering the learning of students? Sylvia Martinez gives her take on both the positive and negative affects of video games in the classroom and how to properly substitute hard learning for the use of advanced technology.
REFLECTION
Sylvia Martinez says that there are two important factors that come into having effective game planning in the classroom: having adequate time to play and the role of the teacher as administrator and facilitator. These are important because unlike doing old fashioned worksheets that are easier to create a teacher must take adequate time out of there school day for their children to play these games. The games must also be created in a way that will allow students to learn there importance not just the fun of being able to play the games. It is also important that the teacher knows how to balance game play as well as helping the students understand the correlation between games and real life. Games must be fun, it is hard to create games that are fun as well as realistic. Video games are made to be unrealistic as well as false on historical facts in order to keep the kids entertained. Finding games that are true and fun are a hard combination. Sylvia Martinez does a good job of expressing the time commitment and the potential negatives and positives of plugging games into the curriculum. It is important that teachers understand their roles when games are played and how to effective correlate students game play to real life. Games create a great potential if used correctly. A teacher has a huge task in creating these games, it is important that teachers cover all angles when creating games for the classroom.
Kicking it up a Notch
Games in Education
By: Sylvia Martinez
SUMMARY
This online conference was debating on whether the use of video games in the classroom are a helpful teaching method. Sylvia Martinez set out to tackle the questions surrounding video games in the classroom. Can video games be effective as learning experiences? Can video games replace worksheets as effective methods of teaching? Can learning content be as easy as inserting games into the curriculum? Or are games hindering the learning of students? Sylvia Martinez gives her take on both the positive and negative affects of video games in the classroom and how to properly substitute hard learning for the use of advanced technology.
REFLECTION
Sylvia Martinez says that there are two important factors that come into having effective game planning in the classroom: having adequate time to play and the role of the teacher as administrator and facilitator. These are important because unlike doing old fashioned worksheets that are easier to create a teacher must take adequate time out of there school day for their children to play these games. The games must also be created in a way that will allow students to learn there importance not just the fun of being able to play the games. It is also important that the teacher knows how to balance game play as well as helping the students understand the correlation between games and real life. Games must be fun, it is hard to create games that are fun as well as realistic. Video games are made to be unrealistic as well as false on historical facts in order to keep the kids entertained. Finding games that are true and fun are a hard combination. Sylvia Martinez does a good job of expressing the time commitment and the potential negatives and positives of plugging games into the curriculum. It is important that teachers understand their roles when games are played and how to effective correlate students game play to real life. Games create a great potential if used correctly. A teacher has a huge task in creating these games, it is important that teachers cover all angles when creating games for the classroom.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Educational Blog (Week 11)
Blog
This blog helped to show me a website that has fun and interactive games that can be incorporated into future classrooms. Some of these games are for ages under high school, which is what i plan to teach, however, it shows that technology does not have to be power points or just presentations. Technology can be fun interactive games which will help the students learn and have fun at the same time. My comment, as of now, is not on the blog because it has to wait for the writer approval, however, it should be there soon. My comment simply states that this is a great site and can help improve teaching using various forms of technology. In this case those forms of technology are interactive learning games. I believe that this site, which is www.what2learn.com can help future teachers with certain lesson plans by incorporating activities in which the students will enjoy.
This blog helped to show me a website that has fun and interactive games that can be incorporated into future classrooms. Some of these games are for ages under high school, which is what i plan to teach, however, it shows that technology does not have to be power points or just presentations. Technology can be fun interactive games which will help the students learn and have fun at the same time. My comment, as of now, is not on the blog because it has to wait for the writer approval, however, it should be there soon. My comment simply states that this is a great site and can help improve teaching using various forms of technology. In this case those forms of technology are interactive learning games. I believe that this site, which is www.what2learn.com can help future teachers with certain lesson plans by incorporating activities in which the students will enjoy.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Technology Project Introduction
For my technology project I will be creating a Smartboard powerpoint presentation pertaining to a health and fitness lesson. This Lesson plan will be over a first aid and CPR training lesson. The Smartboard presentation will allow for me to set up a potential future lesson plan in one of my classes. The other form of technology i will use will be a link to a blog site which will have articles as well as links to websites pertaining to the information that will be on the technology project.
Podcast
Podcast
Sunday, March 21, 2010
NU Educators Panel (Week 10)
In what ways will new technologies be implemented into our prep classes to help prepare the students for teaching with newer versions of technology?
In what ways is the program changing in its required courses for a major in education?
What is NU doing to help students in their hunt for jobs after they graduate with a degree?
In what ways is the program changing in its required courses for a major in education?
What is NU doing to help students in their hunt for jobs after they graduate with a degree?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Assignment #3: Resources for Teachers
Tool Box
As a future educator it is important to find as many resources as possible. In this toolbox that is linked above I have created a list of 20 websites that will assist me in my teachings. It is important for teachers to reach out and find as many different options for lesson plans as possible and this toolbox that I created has allowed me to create a reference point where I can go when I need help creating lesson plans. Learning this skill as well as creating a list will help me in my schooling as well as when I begin teaching.
I used Mindomo to create my list of resources in my toolbox. At the center of my map is labeled 'Blake's Tool Box', 20 tentacles reach out from the center with links to certain sites on the end of the arms. The tentacles have the name or descriptive heading of what each site is. It helps for me to read the laymen term name of the links so that I can know exactly what websites I want and need to access. I used a variety of sources to help find the resources that I wanted to put into my toolbox. I used websites that were listed on the class blog, Health and PE interactive sites, Smartboard activities, as well as other various resources such as You-tube and wiki. The reason in which I used a variety of sites was so that I had a flavor of all different technologies and methods which will allow for me to have a wide selection when I am soliciting help from my toolbox.
I will use my toolbox for different ideas on how to present lesson plans, interactive whiteboard lessons, video sharing, blogging, assignments, group activities, etc. I believe that I will be able to use my toolbox for many different and a variety of activities in the classroom. My students will benefit from many different resources giving me many different perspectives on how to teach the same assignment. I believe that I will be able to pick and choose the best ideas and mold them into one lesson which will benefit the students learning and my teaching and preparation process. I will interact with fellow teachers and ask them for helpful pointers and tips as well as share my web address so that they can visit my site and find helpful hints of their own. It is important to use a two way street when dealing with sharing and receiving help from your peers.
Youtube
When dealing with health and PE classes it is important for students to learn specific movements and motor skills, Youtube presents a great teaching tool and can help students learn the movements necessary for certain sports. It also allows for teachers to show different forms of stretching and also has videos of workouts and various types of exercise routines. If a teacher was to use youtube in the class, I could explain movements and games and then be able to use this teaching device to show and support the teaching done by the teacher. It can help support the teacher by giving visual reassurance to the students and can help elevate and enhance the teaching of sports and motor movements.
Games Coaching Tool
This is one of my favorite sites. It allows for students and teachers to interact with the Smart-board while learning how to play certain sports. On this website you can show the students the certain positions and where the positions are to be located on the field or court. It is important for students to be able to interact with the material as well as visually see what position goes where and what position does what on the field and that's what this website does. It allows for the teacher to quiz students and have the students physically move each position from the side of the board onto their correct location on the field of play. It gets the students involved as well as teach them proper technique and positioning.
PECentral
The reason that this site is so valuable is that it allows for teachers to search for various lesson plans. PEcentral gives different lesson plan ideas from all different grade levels and pertain to all different subjects inside the health and fitness field. One aspect of this website that i really enjoy was that it gives teachers certain teaching cues for each different sport and each different unit. It allows for the teacher to learn as well as help prepare their students for certain sports and lessons that go along with each unit. I believe that sometimes a teacher may not have all the imagination and thinking for all the days of the unit and this site allows for those days when the teacher cannot find a lesson to go to the website and help create a fast and efficient lesson plan. It can be extremely beneficial.
As a future educator it is important to find as many resources as possible. In this toolbox that is linked above I have created a list of 20 websites that will assist me in my teachings. It is important for teachers to reach out and find as many different options for lesson plans as possible and this toolbox that I created has allowed me to create a reference point where I can go when I need help creating lesson plans. Learning this skill as well as creating a list will help me in my schooling as well as when I begin teaching.
I used Mindomo to create my list of resources in my toolbox. At the center of my map is labeled 'Blake's Tool Box', 20 tentacles reach out from the center with links to certain sites on the end of the arms. The tentacles have the name or descriptive heading of what each site is. It helps for me to read the laymen term name of the links so that I can know exactly what websites I want and need to access. I used a variety of sources to help find the resources that I wanted to put into my toolbox. I used websites that were listed on the class blog, Health and PE interactive sites, Smartboard activities, as well as other various resources such as You-tube and wiki. The reason in which I used a variety of sites was so that I had a flavor of all different technologies and methods which will allow for me to have a wide selection when I am soliciting help from my toolbox.
I will use my toolbox for different ideas on how to present lesson plans, interactive whiteboard lessons, video sharing, blogging, assignments, group activities, etc. I believe that I will be able to use my toolbox for many different and a variety of activities in the classroom. My students will benefit from many different resources giving me many different perspectives on how to teach the same assignment. I believe that I will be able to pick and choose the best ideas and mold them into one lesson which will benefit the students learning and my teaching and preparation process. I will interact with fellow teachers and ask them for helpful pointers and tips as well as share my web address so that they can visit my site and find helpful hints of their own. It is important to use a two way street when dealing with sharing and receiving help from your peers.
Youtube
When dealing with health and PE classes it is important for students to learn specific movements and motor skills, Youtube presents a great teaching tool and can help students learn the movements necessary for certain sports. It also allows for teachers to show different forms of stretching and also has videos of workouts and various types of exercise routines. If a teacher was to use youtube in the class, I could explain movements and games and then be able to use this teaching device to show and support the teaching done by the teacher. It can help support the teacher by giving visual reassurance to the students and can help elevate and enhance the teaching of sports and motor movements.
Games Coaching Tool
This is one of my favorite sites. It allows for students and teachers to interact with the Smart-board while learning how to play certain sports. On this website you can show the students the certain positions and where the positions are to be located on the field or court. It is important for students to be able to interact with the material as well as visually see what position goes where and what position does what on the field and that's what this website does. It allows for the teacher to quiz students and have the students physically move each position from the side of the board onto their correct location on the field of play. It gets the students involved as well as teach them proper technique and positioning.
PECentral
The reason that this site is so valuable is that it allows for teachers to search for various lesson plans. PEcentral gives different lesson plan ideas from all different grade levels and pertain to all different subjects inside the health and fitness field. One aspect of this website that i really enjoy was that it gives teachers certain teaching cues for each different sport and each different unit. It allows for the teacher to learn as well as help prepare their students for certain sports and lessons that go along with each unit. I believe that sometimes a teacher may not have all the imagination and thinking for all the days of the unit and this site allows for those days when the teacher cannot find a lesson to go to the website and help create a fast and efficient lesson plan. It can be extremely beneficial.
Monday, March 15, 2010
"Caught On Vidoe" (Week 9)
I learned that there are many ways in which a teacher can assess and teach in a classroom. Once reading the article it was common sense that showing a video of the students performance could be beneficial, it just never occurred to me before. Using a camera can really help teach and show the students that learning can be hip and fun. It is important to find the appropriate times and use the appropriate equipment, however. Student can benefit from seeing themselves on tape as well as learn from the mistakes they may have made. It is important to focus more so on the positives and allow for them to experience seeing themselves successful rather then when they were unsuccessful. I believe it is important to help teach in anyway possible and I believe that students can learn great deal from watching themselves on video.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Promethean ActivBoard (Week 8)
Promethean ActivBoard
The Promethean ActivBoard is doing their best to help educate students through the use of technology. While reading through the statistics of the activboard i found that the use is wide spread throughout the world. I found it interesting that over 12 million students in over 500,000 classrooms across the world are using the activboards in their classrooms. I believe that is a sign of how technologically driven our students and society has become.
I also found out that the two premises that the activboards strive to build upon are no one understands teaching better than teachers and the best way to engage tech-savvy students is through technology. I believe that it is important to cater lessons to all students and all different learning styles, however, now more then ever students are learning more comfortable with the use of technology in some capacity.
Another aspect of this website is that it allows for teachers all across the world to share lesson plans and different ways to use the activboard within the classroom. I believe it is important to learn and build off what other great teachers have done. As a future educator i will find it extremely helpful to learn and build off lesson plans that other, more experienced teachers have done in the past.
I believe the activboard can be a great teaching tool and all teachers should look for opportunities to incorporate it into their classrooms. Students all over the world are responding to the use of technology in the classroom and we as future educators should do as much research as we can and learn how to help our future students learn through the use of technology.
The Promethean ActivBoard is doing their best to help educate students through the use of technology. While reading through the statistics of the activboard i found that the use is wide spread throughout the world. I found it interesting that over 12 million students in over 500,000 classrooms across the world are using the activboards in their classrooms. I believe that is a sign of how technologically driven our students and society has become.
I also found out that the two premises that the activboards strive to build upon are no one understands teaching better than teachers and the best way to engage tech-savvy students is through technology. I believe that it is important to cater lessons to all students and all different learning styles, however, now more then ever students are learning more comfortable with the use of technology in some capacity.
Another aspect of this website is that it allows for teachers all across the world to share lesson plans and different ways to use the activboard within the classroom. I believe it is important to learn and build off what other great teachers have done. As a future educator i will find it extremely helpful to learn and build off lesson plans that other, more experienced teachers have done in the past.
I believe the activboard can be a great teaching tool and all teachers should look for opportunities to incorporate it into their classrooms. Students all over the world are responding to the use of technology in the classroom and we as future educators should do as much research as we can and learn how to help our future students learn through the use of technology.
Reflection #6
What?
In a classroom here at Northwest, my professor was wanting to use the Smart Board for a lesson plan and found it more difficult then he wanted. While preparing lesson plans the teacher must have back up plans and lessons especially when the lesson plan calls for the use of technology. Technology is a great tool but is not 100% reliable and sometimes it can go down and create more of a problem then a solution.
So What?
When technology is not responding or working the way in which the teacher wants it to, they must be able to have a back up plan and a revised way of teaching the same lesson. I feel as an educator, or in any profession, the teacher must hope for the best but prepare for the worst and use that mentality when using technology in their lesson plans.
Now What?
Just as in any lesson the teacher must find a method that works for him or her. Some teachers did not grow up in this technologically advanced society and therefore, run into problems while incorporating it into their lessons. I believe that technology is a great teaching tool but it can be a damage to the classroom if the teacher does not properly prepare for the worst case scenario.
In a classroom here at Northwest, my professor was wanting to use the Smart Board for a lesson plan and found it more difficult then he wanted. While preparing lesson plans the teacher must have back up plans and lessons especially when the lesson plan calls for the use of technology. Technology is a great tool but is not 100% reliable and sometimes it can go down and create more of a problem then a solution.
So What?
When technology is not responding or working the way in which the teacher wants it to, they must be able to have a back up plan and a revised way of teaching the same lesson. I feel as an educator, or in any profession, the teacher must hope for the best but prepare for the worst and use that mentality when using technology in their lesson plans.
Now What?
Just as in any lesson the teacher must find a method that works for him or her. Some teachers did not grow up in this technologically advanced society and therefore, run into problems while incorporating it into their lessons. I believe that technology is a great teaching tool but it can be a damage to the classroom if the teacher does not properly prepare for the worst case scenario.
Reflection #5
What?
A smaller more widely used form of technology in the classroom is the use of power point. In many classrooms the use of power point is required during presentations.It is used in classrooms for a while now that we can forget the use of power point was not available to students years ago.
So What?
The society we live in are so visually and technologically engaged that we must use forms of sight to capture the audience. I believe students as well as teachers can help prove their point or lesson objectives by the use of a detailed power point presentation.
Now What?
In using power point a student can include pictures, videos, graphs, etc. The possibilities are endless and it creates easy and smooth transitions without having to give presentations with poster boards or papers. It can help the students relate to one another and also keep their fellow classmates involved in their presentation or activity.
A smaller more widely used form of technology in the classroom is the use of power point. In many classrooms the use of power point is required during presentations.It is used in classrooms for a while now that we can forget the use of power point was not available to students years ago.
So What?
The society we live in are so visually and technologically engaged that we must use forms of sight to capture the audience. I believe students as well as teachers can help prove their point or lesson objectives by the use of a detailed power point presentation.
Now What?
In using power point a student can include pictures, videos, graphs, etc. The possibilities are endless and it creates easy and smooth transitions without having to give presentations with poster boards or papers. It can help the students relate to one another and also keep their fellow classmates involved in their presentation or activity.
Reflection #4
What?
The use of the wiki board in classroom participation is also a great method for presentations. I believe that some classroom's are unorganized or randomly place students in presentation orders. With the use of wiki boards the students will allow for them to create their own order and be confident and happy with the order of their assignments.
So What?
This use of technology in the classroom is subtle and not necessarily a major use of technology but it does make life more easy for the students and allows for them to take responsibility of their time. If the students sign up for presentation times they understand they need to be held accountable and must be ready to give their performance during their time.
Now What?
In the classroom their are many opportunities to use the wiki board for orders to presentations, speeches, assignments, etc. I believe that as a teacher the wiki board would help tremendously and would give students confidence and comfort in knowing what order and when they are going to have to give their presentations.
The use of the wiki board in classroom participation is also a great method for presentations. I believe that some classroom's are unorganized or randomly place students in presentation orders. With the use of wiki boards the students will allow for them to create their own order and be confident and happy with the order of their assignments.
So What?
This use of technology in the classroom is subtle and not necessarily a major use of technology but it does make life more easy for the students and allows for them to take responsibility of their time. If the students sign up for presentation times they understand they need to be held accountable and must be ready to give their performance during their time.
Now What?
In the classroom their are many opportunities to use the wiki board for orders to presentations, speeches, assignments, etc. I believe that as a teacher the wiki board would help tremendously and would give students confidence and comfort in knowing what order and when they are going to have to give their presentations.
Reflection #3
What?
In class we used the quick response clickers. I feel that is a great tool to use in a classroom. The technology of allowing for the teachers in today's classroom's to use these clickers helps to include their students in the middle of lessons without having to stop the class and question them and gauge their knowledge individually.
So What?
By using the clickers you can make sure that each student is engaged and responding because the results of their answers are recorded. This allows for the students to interact and have something to participate in without ever having to leave their desks.
Now What?
I believe that as a teacher, we must learn when and when not to use technology. I feel that many of these reflections sound the same in the 'now what' category because it all comes down to incorporating or not incorporating the technology we have seen and observed into our classroom. With time it will become easier to learn when to engage students with technology and when to engage them using other teaching methods.
In class we used the quick response clickers. I feel that is a great tool to use in a classroom. The technology of allowing for the teachers in today's classroom's to use these clickers helps to include their students in the middle of lessons without having to stop the class and question them and gauge their knowledge individually.
So What?
By using the clickers you can make sure that each student is engaged and responding because the results of their answers are recorded. This allows for the students to interact and have something to participate in without ever having to leave their desks.
Now What?
I believe that as a teacher, we must learn when and when not to use technology. I feel that many of these reflections sound the same in the 'now what' category because it all comes down to incorporating or not incorporating the technology we have seen and observed into our classroom. With time it will become easier to learn when to engage students with technology and when to engage them using other teaching methods.
Reflection #2
What?
In one of my classrooms, here at Northwest, my professor used You-tube to help explain his point or to back up his teachings. I believe that there are many good features to using and incorporating this use of technology into the classroom.
So What?
Many children and students are growing up in a technologically driven society and the proper use of You-tube and other technology applications can help engage the students. I believe that sometimes lectures can go lost on students and if the teachers show videos, internet sites, interactive boards, You-tube, etc. The students can engage in a more interactive way.
Now What?
Just as any method of teaching, the teachers need to find out the proper time and ways in which to bring technology into their lessons. I believe that a teacher must practice this trade and learn when and when not to use technology applications during their lessons.
In one of my classrooms, here at Northwest, my professor used You-tube to help explain his point or to back up his teachings. I believe that there are many good features to using and incorporating this use of technology into the classroom.
So What?
Many children and students are growing up in a technologically driven society and the proper use of You-tube and other technology applications can help engage the students. I believe that sometimes lectures can go lost on students and if the teachers show videos, internet sites, interactive boards, You-tube, etc. The students can engage in a more interactive way.
Now What?
Just as any method of teaching, the teachers need to find out the proper time and ways in which to bring technology into their lessons. I believe that a teacher must practice this trade and learn when and when not to use technology applications during their lessons.
Reflection #1
What?
The first reflection has to do with the use of technology and phones. Recently we were on a road trip. We ended up becoming lost and not knowing where we were suppose to turn. We pulled over and plugged in our destination into our phone and the GPS was able to navigate us through the area and to our desired stop. I understand that this does not have to do with education but it shows how far we have come technologically. In the old days we would have to navigate ourselves using maps, now all we have to do is type in the address and the phone does the rest.
So What?
This enhancement in technology shows how far we have come in recent years. If we can find our way through uncharted areas by simply putting information into your telephone think of the opportunities that could be presented to our students.
Now What?
As a society that is growing constantly and becoming more and more technologically advanced, it is our duty to incorporate that technology into our classrooms. Technology can serve such a purpose in the classroom if it is used in the proper ways. I believe if we can find our way across the nation by using a phone we should be able to help educate our students using similar technologies.
The first reflection has to do with the use of technology and phones. Recently we were on a road trip. We ended up becoming lost and not knowing where we were suppose to turn. We pulled over and plugged in our destination into our phone and the GPS was able to navigate us through the area and to our desired stop. I understand that this does not have to do with education but it shows how far we have come technologically. In the old days we would have to navigate ourselves using maps, now all we have to do is type in the address and the phone does the rest.
So What?
This enhancement in technology shows how far we have come in recent years. If we can find our way through uncharted areas by simply putting information into your telephone think of the opportunities that could be presented to our students.
Now What?
As a society that is growing constantly and becoming more and more technologically advanced, it is our duty to incorporate that technology into our classrooms. Technology can serve such a purpose in the classroom if it is used in the proper ways. I believe if we can find our way across the nation by using a phone we should be able to help educate our students using similar technologies.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Kentwood High School (Week 7)
Kentwood High School Website
Kentwood High School is where I both went to school and would like to student teach. I was able to access their website and found many interesting and useful information. I believe that having a website that is readily accessible and easy to use is a great tool for both parents and students.
There were many aspects of the Kentwood website that I really enjoyed. One feature that does not pertain to the learning aspect that i especially liked was the Alumni pages they had. In the Alumni pages, students from my class, or any other class, post their email addresses in their year of graduation and I was able to find some old friends and get into contact with some of them. Another aspect of the website that I liked and felt was appropriate was the posting of the student handbook. In this handbook were the rules, expectations, policies, and procedures. This allows for anyone to view the rules that the school has and gives the school evidence that each student has access and knows what is expected of them in all aspects of being a student. I really thought that was the most important bit of information posted on the school website.
For the most part, there was not much confusion, while i was surfing their website. It is clearly labeled and links to everything and student or parent would need is listed on the side of the main website. It has been five years since i graduated and the school is now using Skyward to access student information. I am unfamiliar with this application and so I would say that the link to the Skyward page would be the most confusing to me.
I believe that this website has all the essential information that an individual would want while looking at the school online. The only thing i feel the website is missing out on is pictures. I had a hard time finding pictures to the campus and or the students who attend. The use of images could really help relate the viewers more to the school and the atmosphere. I believe that if i were able to make one suggestion that would be it, add more photos. Overall, i was pleased with the website and the information that was at hand to me.
Kentwood High School is where I both went to school and would like to student teach. I was able to access their website and found many interesting and useful information. I believe that having a website that is readily accessible and easy to use is a great tool for both parents and students.
There were many aspects of the Kentwood website that I really enjoyed. One feature that does not pertain to the learning aspect that i especially liked was the Alumni pages they had. In the Alumni pages, students from my class, or any other class, post their email addresses in their year of graduation and I was able to find some old friends and get into contact with some of them. Another aspect of the website that I liked and felt was appropriate was the posting of the student handbook. In this handbook were the rules, expectations, policies, and procedures. This allows for anyone to view the rules that the school has and gives the school evidence that each student has access and knows what is expected of them in all aspects of being a student. I really thought that was the most important bit of information posted on the school website.
For the most part, there was not much confusion, while i was surfing their website. It is clearly labeled and links to everything and student or parent would need is listed on the side of the main website. It has been five years since i graduated and the school is now using Skyward to access student information. I am unfamiliar with this application and so I would say that the link to the Skyward page would be the most confusing to me.
I believe that this website has all the essential information that an individual would want while looking at the school online. The only thing i feel the website is missing out on is pictures. I had a hard time finding pictures to the campus and or the students who attend. The use of images could really help relate the viewers more to the school and the atmosphere. I believe that if i were able to make one suggestion that would be it, add more photos. Overall, i was pleased with the website and the information that was at hand to me.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
SMART Board Presentations (Week 6)
One of the things that I learned after watching the presentations today was the different types of activities that you can do with. What I learned is that you can play games, model sports, do power point slides, have interaction with the students and teach in many different forms. I also learned that you can use the interactive board in all subjects and at all grade levels. Each teacher has the ability to create a lesson that can incorporate the SMART Board. One aspect that i did not use in my presentation that i thought was cool was the ability to write out words by pen and have the board turn it into text. I really thought that feature was cool and could be useful.
In class today we saw that the boards do not always cooperate with what we as teachers want to do. The questions that i still have are how much stake do you put into the technology working well and how much work will it require to put back up plans and lessons in case of technical difficulties. In all lessons teachers must have back up plans and my question is how often does this technology go offline and possibly hurt and cut down learning time. Other then that i feel that the more i can learn about the interactive whiteboards the better the educator i can become.
In class today we saw that the boards do not always cooperate with what we as teachers want to do. The questions that i still have are how much stake do you put into the technology working well and how much work will it require to put back up plans and lessons in case of technical difficulties. In all lessons teachers must have back up plans and my question is how often does this technology go offline and possibly hurt and cut down learning time. Other then that i feel that the more i can learn about the interactive whiteboards the better the educator i can become.
Assignment #2: SMART Board Presentation
Games Coaching Tool
The main feature that will be used in my presentation is the touch recognition. While explaining how to play certain sports or how to set up the field with each position the students will be able to touch and actually move the certain players wherever they choose. Another feature that will be used in my presentation is the use of SMART trey pen and eraser. Students will be able to draw on the board as well as erase the lines when they are done. This will allow for the students to show their knowledge of the sport by drawing and showing what each position should be doing during the game.
NETS-Students
The NETS that will be met for the students will be 2. Communication and Collaboration. The area of my presentation that this meets specifically is b. to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media formats. This meets this criteria because it is allowing for the SMART Board and the use of its features to relate important information regarding the subject to the class as a whole.
NETS-Teachers
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
This presentation covers this aspect because instead of sitting in the gym trying to explain to the students the certain positions that each sport requires, I, as the teacher, can show them on the SMART Board that positions before we begin that particular unit. This way the students will already have a background on the types of positions and rules and responsibilities each game carries before we begin. That will allow for the students to enjoy the game and not waste as much time in the gym on preparation as before.
Interactive white boards can be an excellent tool in all subject areas. I believe that in my future classrooms, I will be able to use the white board to facilitate learning in both health and PE. With the new technology, teachers can use the interactive white board to explain different games played in the class by showing the positions, rules, strategies, etc. This will cut down on explanation time during the actual activity and allow for the students to maximize their sports playing time. In a health classroom the SMART Board will allow for me to explain and show the importance of a healthy diet while showing the children what proper exercise and eating habits looks like. I believe technology can help any teacher in any subject if they use it properly and I am excited to find different ways to incorporate the SMART Board into my future classrooms.
The main feature that will be used in my presentation is the touch recognition. While explaining how to play certain sports or how to set up the field with each position the students will be able to touch and actually move the certain players wherever they choose. Another feature that will be used in my presentation is the use of SMART trey pen and eraser. Students will be able to draw on the board as well as erase the lines when they are done. This will allow for the students to show their knowledge of the sport by drawing and showing what each position should be doing during the game.
NETS-Students
The NETS that will be met for the students will be 2. Communication and Collaboration. The area of my presentation that this meets specifically is b. to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media formats. This meets this criteria because it is allowing for the SMART Board and the use of its features to relate important information regarding the subject to the class as a whole.
NETS-Teachers
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
This presentation covers this aspect because instead of sitting in the gym trying to explain to the students the certain positions that each sport requires, I, as the teacher, can show them on the SMART Board that positions before we begin that particular unit. This way the students will already have a background on the types of positions and rules and responsibilities each game carries before we begin. That will allow for the students to enjoy the game and not waste as much time in the gym on preparation as before.
Interactive white boards can be an excellent tool in all subject areas. I believe that in my future classrooms, I will be able to use the white board to facilitate learning in both health and PE. With the new technology, teachers can use the interactive white board to explain different games played in the class by showing the positions, rules, strategies, etc. This will cut down on explanation time during the actual activity and allow for the students to maximize their sports playing time. In a health classroom the SMART Board will allow for me to explain and show the importance of a healthy diet while showing the children what proper exercise and eating habits looks like. I believe technology can help any teacher in any subject if they use it properly and I am excited to find different ways to incorporate the SMART Board into my future classrooms.
Monday, February 8, 2010
"Blogs for Educators" (Week 5)
Melissa's Secondary Education Blog, Teacher burnout.
The entry that most interested me was on the 'Melissa's Secondary Education Blog', the entry was talking about the causes of teacher burnout. The article speaks to the trend that teachers burnout very easily and that the state of teachers across the nation is in trouble. "The study, based on information provided by a sample of the nation's 2.5 million schoolteachers, says that almost 67 percent of the country's public schoolteachers are over the age of 40, 54 percent have their master's degree or at least six years of college, and 38 percent have been teaching more than 20 years, with the mean a hefty 16 years." This is scary because, although, it shows that there are experienced teachers in the field it shows that young teachers are not staying in the profession and are burning out at young ages and stages of teaching. When these current teachers begin to retirement age, what is going to be left to teach the youth? This burnout issue holds weight to the future of our education system.
The public school systems are in need of young, dedicated teachers who can find proper ways of dealing with this issue of burnout. If we, as educators, can find productive ways to keep from leaving this profession early it will benefit the students and the education system tremendously. It is figuring out how all the stress that comes with being an educator and balancing the time and workload properly. Teaching is one of the most short tenured professions in this country. This is a major problem and we as educators need to acknowledge the fact that it may happen to us in order to prevent it.
Nothing can prepare a future teacher for the rigors and the workload that awaits us once we are hired. It is our duty to prepare ourselves to the best of our ability for the responsibility we have to these kids. It is important that we find the proper balance between work and free time so that we do not overstress and cause damages to our health. I believe as more attention is paid to this problem the better the solutions will be. I just know that it is our responsibility to take the correct steps to ensure that we are prepared to the best of our ability in order to survive the early stressful years that teaching brings.
The entry that most interested me was on the 'Melissa's Secondary Education Blog', the entry was talking about the causes of teacher burnout. The article speaks to the trend that teachers burnout very easily and that the state of teachers across the nation is in trouble. "The study, based on information provided by a sample of the nation's 2.5 million schoolteachers, says that almost 67 percent of the country's public schoolteachers are over the age of 40, 54 percent have their master's degree or at least six years of college, and 38 percent have been teaching more than 20 years, with the mean a hefty 16 years." This is scary because, although, it shows that there are experienced teachers in the field it shows that young teachers are not staying in the profession and are burning out at young ages and stages of teaching. When these current teachers begin to retirement age, what is going to be left to teach the youth? This burnout issue holds weight to the future of our education system.
The public school systems are in need of young, dedicated teachers who can find proper ways of dealing with this issue of burnout. If we, as educators, can find productive ways to keep from leaving this profession early it will benefit the students and the education system tremendously. It is figuring out how all the stress that comes with being an educator and balancing the time and workload properly. Teaching is one of the most short tenured professions in this country. This is a major problem and we as educators need to acknowledge the fact that it may happen to us in order to prevent it.
Nothing can prepare a future teacher for the rigors and the workload that awaits us once we are hired. It is our duty to prepare ourselves to the best of our ability for the responsibility we have to these kids. It is important that we find the proper balance between work and free time so that we do not overstress and cause damages to our health. I believe as more attention is paid to this problem the better the solutions will be. I just know that it is our responsibility to take the correct steps to ensure that we are prepared to the best of our ability in order to survive the early stressful years that teaching brings.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Generation IM (Week 4)
This article is full of information. It is amazing to see how technology has really changed the culture. Students are extremely digital and technologically advanced that it is hard to get them to sit in their desks and listen to a teacher teach. 6.5 hours a day outside of school are spent on some sort of media for our students. 93% of students 12-17 go online everyday. Those numbers are extremely high and shocking. This shows that we as teachers, must adapt and incorporate technology into our classrooms or witness the students tuning us out. I know that I come from a generation that was more media crazed then my parents, but this generation is even more dependent on technology and it is only going to get worse. The teachers must find ways to deliver their educational messages through some kind of technological devise. It will help students to learn and stay focused. I believe this article is beneficial as well because it gives 7 tips of how a teacher could incorporate technology into a classroom. Every generation adapts to the new ways of society and this society has our youth spending over 44 hours a week using media outlets. It is important for us as teachers to use this technology to our advantage and to use it properly so that we can still educate these students the way they need to be educated.
Assignment #1: Technology Literacy
Assignment #1:Technology Literacy,link to page
As a health and fitness educator is was difficult to find journal articles discussing the use of technology in my particular field. I was, however, able to find an article that demonstrated the use of technology in other fields, I would then be able to incorporate these techniques into my health classroom. The article I found is called "Technology-based Classroom Assessment", by Spencer J. Salend. This article came from "Teaching exceptional Children; July/August 2009, Vol. 41 issue 6, pg 48-58.
The summary of this article is complex. The author touches on many ways that the students and teachers can use technology to both and assess and learn. The range of topics include technology-based active responding system (clickers), digital observation/diaries, technology based educational games, technology-based performance assessment, engaging in computer simulations and virtual learning experiences, teaching students to be good digital citizens, digital divide, and creating digital portfolios. The article discusses how students and the form of education are changing. It is important to incorporate technology into education because that is what sparks children in today's society. Assessing the students through technology can have its benefits on both the student and the teacher. For students it can develop a love for learning of technology and the academic skills it requires to move the students forward. For teachers it can be beneficial because it can monitor the students learning progress and inform their instructional decision making. This article highly supports technology in the classroom which is important because like it or not, technology is a major part of education and the world we live in.
This article talked about many important issues but I focused particularly on a few certain areas. The three that I felt were most important and most likely what I would want to incorporate into my health classroom's were the technology-based active responding system (clickers), technology-based educational games, and bridging the digital divide. I feel that with the clickers, I, as a teacher, would be able to quickly and accurately be able to assess where my students are in terms of learning the certain material in a matter of moments. This would help me to understand what I need to explain in more detail and what information are the students learning and able to move on from. The technology-based educational games that I could use in my classroom are the students writing down everything they eat over a week period and plugging it into a food pyramid data base and let the students see first hand the effect their food choices have on their overall health. It is a great teaching tool when the students can put there real experiences down and see results that apply to them specifically. Last this world is becoming more and more technologically advanced, these students need practice with technology and to become fluent with it. I believe by incorporating some of these tactics into my classroom, I will better prepare my students for the real world.
NETS-Teachers (2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments)
I chose this area because I feel it is extremely important for the students to experience digital learning and to become fluent with the ever changing technology. I also believe it is important that the teacher assess his or her students and to do so in a way that similar to the students learning with technology. Some students do not have the luxury of owning a computer, TV, video games, etc. The school can stand to be an equalizer between the wealthy and the poor and give the students equal opportunity and I feel it is important that the teacher take advantage of that and create technological experiences for his or her students. Three ways that I will be able to work on this standard is to do as much research as I can. I will look into the use of technological assessments, such as clickers, in classrooms around this area. I will make sure that I am aware of the advancements in technology by researching internet data bases. In health classes, or in any subject, students learn best when they are using themselves as examples. In a health class it is easy to incorporate individual lessons. I will develop and find different ways that students can enter there eating habits and exercise regimens into the computer and give them feedback on there living conditions and the choices they are making. Once the students learn there habits and what is healthy and what is not, I will then allow for each student to personally develop a plan of action for their future and what they would like to do with their exercise and eating habits. This will allow for them to take over their education and set their own goals and expectations for themselves.
NETS-Students (4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making)
As a health teacher and an active person I believe it is important to identify problem areas and fix them through hard work. This is an important skill for students to obtain because no matter what path life leads you down you must be able to make good decisions after much thinking. Life also requires you to be able to solve problems and work well with other people. I believe these characteristics are important in all of life's adventures and hurdles. Two assignments that can relate to this standard would be the food pyramid. Many students and parents do not eat healthy meals or exercise as much as the body requires. In this assignment the student will log all their meals throughout the first half of the semester and plug it into the data base to see what food groups are receiving proper nutrition and what groups are either lacking or have to much of. This will allow for the students to see the problem in their eating habits and allow for them to develop a plan of action and to turn in a project that outlines how they intend to fix their UN-healthy diets. Another potential assignment is similar, it deals with the amount of exercise a student performs. The most important factors in maintaining and living a healthy lifestyle are diet and exercise. The students will keep a log of how often they exercise and to which the intensity of their exercise is. This will allow them to see both their eating habits and exercise habits and help for them to develop a plan of action to make sure they meet the requirements that their young bodies need. This will allow for them to crtically solve problems by planing and thinking ahead. I believe being able to solve problems is one of the most important skills in life.
As a health and fitness educator is was difficult to find journal articles discussing the use of technology in my particular field. I was, however, able to find an article that demonstrated the use of technology in other fields, I would then be able to incorporate these techniques into my health classroom. The article I found is called "Technology-based Classroom Assessment", by Spencer J. Salend. This article came from "Teaching exceptional Children; July/August 2009, Vol. 41 issue 6, pg 48-58.
The summary of this article is complex. The author touches on many ways that the students and teachers can use technology to both and assess and learn. The range of topics include technology-based active responding system (clickers), digital observation/diaries, technology based educational games, technology-based performance assessment, engaging in computer simulations and virtual learning experiences, teaching students to be good digital citizens, digital divide, and creating digital portfolios. The article discusses how students and the form of education are changing. It is important to incorporate technology into education because that is what sparks children in today's society. Assessing the students through technology can have its benefits on both the student and the teacher. For students it can develop a love for learning of technology and the academic skills it requires to move the students forward. For teachers it can be beneficial because it can monitor the students learning progress and inform their instructional decision making. This article highly supports technology in the classroom which is important because like it or not, technology is a major part of education and the world we live in.
This article talked about many important issues but I focused particularly on a few certain areas. The three that I felt were most important and most likely what I would want to incorporate into my health classroom's were the technology-based active responding system (clickers), technology-based educational games, and bridging the digital divide. I feel that with the clickers, I, as a teacher, would be able to quickly and accurately be able to assess where my students are in terms of learning the certain material in a matter of moments. This would help me to understand what I need to explain in more detail and what information are the students learning and able to move on from. The technology-based educational games that I could use in my classroom are the students writing down everything they eat over a week period and plugging it into a food pyramid data base and let the students see first hand the effect their food choices have on their overall health. It is a great teaching tool when the students can put there real experiences down and see results that apply to them specifically. Last this world is becoming more and more technologically advanced, these students need practice with technology and to become fluent with it. I believe by incorporating some of these tactics into my classroom, I will better prepare my students for the real world.
NETS-Teachers (2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments)
I chose this area because I feel it is extremely important for the students to experience digital learning and to become fluent with the ever changing technology. I also believe it is important that the teacher assess his or her students and to do so in a way that similar to the students learning with technology. Some students do not have the luxury of owning a computer, TV, video games, etc. The school can stand to be an equalizer between the wealthy and the poor and give the students equal opportunity and I feel it is important that the teacher take advantage of that and create technological experiences for his or her students. Three ways that I will be able to work on this standard is to do as much research as I can. I will look into the use of technological assessments, such as clickers, in classrooms around this area. I will make sure that I am aware of the advancements in technology by researching internet data bases. In health classes, or in any subject, students learn best when they are using themselves as examples. In a health class it is easy to incorporate individual lessons. I will develop and find different ways that students can enter there eating habits and exercise regimens into the computer and give them feedback on there living conditions and the choices they are making. Once the students learn there habits and what is healthy and what is not, I will then allow for each student to personally develop a plan of action for their future and what they would like to do with their exercise and eating habits. This will allow for them to take over their education and set their own goals and expectations for themselves.
NETS-Students (4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making)
As a health teacher and an active person I believe it is important to identify problem areas and fix them through hard work. This is an important skill for students to obtain because no matter what path life leads you down you must be able to make good decisions after much thinking. Life also requires you to be able to solve problems and work well with other people. I believe these characteristics are important in all of life's adventures and hurdles. Two assignments that can relate to this standard would be the food pyramid. Many students and parents do not eat healthy meals or exercise as much as the body requires. In this assignment the student will log all their meals throughout the first half of the semester and plug it into the data base to see what food groups are receiving proper nutrition and what groups are either lacking or have to much of. This will allow for the students to see the problem in their eating habits and allow for them to develop a plan of action and to turn in a project that outlines how they intend to fix their UN-healthy diets. Another potential assignment is similar, it deals with the amount of exercise a student performs. The most important factors in maintaining and living a healthy lifestyle are diet and exercise. The students will keep a log of how often they exercise and to which the intensity of their exercise is. This will allow them to see both their eating habits and exercise habits and help for them to develop a plan of action to make sure they meet the requirements that their young bodies need. This will allow for them to crtically solve problems by planing and thinking ahead. I believe being able to solve problems is one of the most important skills in life.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Interactive White Boards (Week3)
Interactive White Boards: Page link
Teaching with an interactive white board can have a major impact on your students, if used properly. According to the JSET (Journal of Special Education Technology), there are many ways that an interactive white board can help in your classroom. "These include the ability to write on touch-sensitive surfaces, save documents, and simultaneously display multiple documents (Stark- man, 2006). Additionally, the features of the board make accommodations and modifications for stu- dents with cognitive disabilities easier. For example, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to demon- strate processes on the board while students follow along on worksheets or in notebooks." In addition to technology and the fact that students can learn visually, it can also be a kinesthetic teaching tool as well. If the teacher incorporates activities in which the students themselves come up and do certain tasks on the SMART board it will allow for them to engage and learn through both visual and physically performing tasks. The SMART board is also a great tool to teach students how to look up information on the internet and teach them how to do research for future projects. This article goes into depth about how certain teachers that the authors observed incorporated this new technology into their lesson plans. As a teacher it is your job to be creative and keep the students attention while teaching your objectives. With this new technology and the interactive white board, the possibilities are endless for teachers and if this is used properly teachers can relate to their students and the content in ways that they never have been able to before.
Teaching with an interactive white board can have a major impact on your students, if used properly. According to the JSET (Journal of Special Education Technology), there are many ways that an interactive white board can help in your classroom. "These include the ability to write on touch-sensitive surfaces, save documents, and simultaneously display multiple documents (Stark- man, 2006). Additionally, the features of the board make accommodations and modifications for stu- dents with cognitive disabilities easier. For example, interactive whiteboards allow teachers to demon- strate processes on the board while students follow along on worksheets or in notebooks." In addition to technology and the fact that students can learn visually, it can also be a kinesthetic teaching tool as well. If the teacher incorporates activities in which the students themselves come up and do certain tasks on the SMART board it will allow for them to engage and learn through both visual and physically performing tasks. The SMART board is also a great tool to teach students how to look up information on the internet and teach them how to do research for future projects. This article goes into depth about how certain teachers that the authors observed incorporated this new technology into their lesson plans. As a teacher it is your job to be creative and keep the students attention while teaching your objectives. With this new technology and the interactive white board, the possibilities are endless for teachers and if this is used properly teachers can relate to their students and the content in ways that they never have been able to before.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Turning on the Lights (Week 2)
This is an interesting article that has many points that I agree with and few points that I can disagree with. I believe strongly that today's classrooms are far to boring and unproductive compared to what they could potentially be. During the article Prensky quotes a ten year old as saying she is bored "99% of the time" that she is in class. I believe that in order to help solve this problem, schools need to allow for more technology to enter the classroom. Instead of "powering off" we need to open up the resources and the technological advancements and to relate the content in new exciting and different ways then we ever have before. Boredom and classroom lectures is the best way, in my opinion, to disengage students and to hurt their chances of learning to the best of their ability. We are short changing our students by not allowing technology into the classrooms. As Prensky writes, he is describing how students are far more advanced when they enter the schools then ever before in the history of education. This is something that needs to be built upon and taking advantage of. We, as educators, can help, now more then ever, students reach potentials that were unattainable to prior generations and students. I believe strongly that technology, when used properly, can propel students to new intellectual heights.
Beginning Semester Reflection
Technology is an ever present tool in the lives of younger generations. Technology allows for teachers to reach out to their students and change the way the two communicate and learn from one another. Younger generations are involved with many new technologies and technology is one of the more stimulating tools in younger children's lives. If we, as teachers, can learn how to properly integrate technology into our lessons, we will have a much greater impact on our students lives and learning styles. I believe technology can be a great asset and teaching tool. Many people believe that technology is to present and takes away from the interaction of teacher to teacher and student to student. I believe, in society, people must adapt and change to the times. Technology and the new advancements should be embraced and integrated into the teaching process. If technology will help the the students become more engaged and give them the necessary tools to become successful in life, then we should do our best to learn how to teach with these new technological advancements.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Becoming a Teacher (Week 1)
I am a Secondary Education major with an endorsement in health and fitness. The reason that I want to become a teacher is because I have a strong passion for the subject area and feel that I can help future students achieve better fitness levels. I also want to help students realize the importance of a great diet and exercise routine. Obesity is a major problem in this country and I feel I can help make a difference in students lives while getting to know them and teach them. I believe in the importance of education on all levels and would love to be a positive role model in young men and women's lives. I am eager to learn how technology can better my profession. I believe that kid's are motivated by technology and could learn a great deal if more of the lectures and teaching's came with better technology. I hope this class can help me to become a better educator and help me to incorporate technology into my future classrooms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)