Hey everyone!
It has been quite the interesting and fun journey. I enjoyed learning a little bit of all of your lives from our google presentations. I am excited to be a part of teaching along side you in the future. I hope you all have a great summer!
See ya around!
MariKate
Saturday, April 25, 2009
EDM 310 Class Review
This class has been very informative and helpful. It has taught me just enough to be dangerous with technology, and shown me the importance of furthering my education on how to incorporate technology in the classroom.
Blogs
In the past, I had read a few of my friend's blogs, but I had never considered the informational tool they could be to me as a teacher. The main things my friends wrote about were feelings, ideas, and other things they just wanted to write down. They were not necessarily used for informational purposes. When we began to use blogging in the classroom, my whole perspective changed, and now I will most definitely be using blogging in my classroom!
Presentations
As far as presentations go, I already knew how to use them in a powerpoint set-up; however, I never made them through google. I enjoyed learning how to use them as another part of the endless things google has to offer.
Google Documents
Before I took this class, I had only a little bit of experience with google documents, spreadsheets, and things of that nature. It has been neat to explore them and really figure out the ends and outs of this tool. I will definitely continue to use.
Picasa
I had heard of Picasa and looked at friends albums from there, but I had never played with this website before this class. I am not a huge picture taker, so I did not know that much about the website, but I am sure that I will use it in the future as my need for a camera grows.
Podcast
The podcast were interesting and fun to make. Once again, I had heard of podcast, but never used them before. I plan on continuing to use them for information, collaborating, and ideas. I am excited to see their potential in the future of my career.
Twitter
I had only heard of Twitter one other time before actually getting an account in this class. Even though I am not completely sold on it at this point, I am going to continue to use it and learn about it so that it can be an aid in the future.
iTunes
I had no idea that iTunes offered as much information as it has. I have had iTunes for a long time, but was completely clueless to the many tools it had inside. This is another tool that I plan on using in the future and as a teacher.
I cannot think of anything that I would have liked to learn. I did not know what to expect coming into this classroom, but I left with more than I ever thought possible.
Even though I may not use everything I have learned on a regular basis from this class, I do not think there is anything that I wish I had not learned. Every item we covered in class helped to show me the importance of technology being a vital part of my classroom.
My perspective on my future classroom and teaching technique has truly been changed. I have learned many helpful things from this class and can honestly say that I am excited to see the changes that will come from it. Being able to learn from each other and connect to people all across the world in no small deal. I love the fact that teachers understand the challenge of raising an educated generation to learn and think for themselves and are taking ever measure possible to better themselves and the way they teacher. I am excited to join this community in the near future and gain advice from these knowledgeable people. Thank you for opening my eyes Dr. Strange!
Blogs
In the past, I had read a few of my friend's blogs, but I had never considered the informational tool they could be to me as a teacher. The main things my friends wrote about were feelings, ideas, and other things they just wanted to write down. They were not necessarily used for informational purposes. When we began to use blogging in the classroom, my whole perspective changed, and now I will most definitely be using blogging in my classroom!
Presentations
As far as presentations go, I already knew how to use them in a powerpoint set-up; however, I never made them through google. I enjoyed learning how to use them as another part of the endless things google has to offer.
Google Documents
Before I took this class, I had only a little bit of experience with google documents, spreadsheets, and things of that nature. It has been neat to explore them and really figure out the ends and outs of this tool. I will definitely continue to use.
Picasa
I had heard of Picasa and looked at friends albums from there, but I had never played with this website before this class. I am not a huge picture taker, so I did not know that much about the website, but I am sure that I will use it in the future as my need for a camera grows.
Podcast
The podcast were interesting and fun to make. Once again, I had heard of podcast, but never used them before. I plan on continuing to use them for information, collaborating, and ideas. I am excited to see their potential in the future of my career.
I had only heard of Twitter one other time before actually getting an account in this class. Even though I am not completely sold on it at this point, I am going to continue to use it and learn about it so that it can be an aid in the future.
iTunes
I had no idea that iTunes offered as much information as it has. I have had iTunes for a long time, but was completely clueless to the many tools it had inside. This is another tool that I plan on using in the future and as a teacher.
I cannot think of anything that I would have liked to learn. I did not know what to expect coming into this classroom, but I left with more than I ever thought possible.
Even though I may not use everything I have learned on a regular basis from this class, I do not think there is anything that I wish I had not learned. Every item we covered in class helped to show me the importance of technology being a vital part of my classroom.
My perspective on my future classroom and teaching technique has truly been changed. I have learned many helpful things from this class and can honestly say that I am excited to see the changes that will come from it. Being able to learn from each other and connect to people all across the world in no small deal. I love the fact that teachers understand the challenge of raising an educated generation to learn and think for themselves and are taking ever measure possible to better themselves and the way they teacher. I am excited to join this community in the near future and gain advice from these knowledgeable people. Thank you for opening my eyes Dr. Strange!
To be completely honest, my twitter experience thus far is lacking. Ever since we have started exploring twitter in the classroom, I have seen people advertising their twitter accounts EVERYWHERE! However, I have a lot more exploring to do before I am officially a regular user.
My first effort in exploring twitter was simply using the tools it gives you up front. I made a few status updates, sent messages, searched different people to follow, and searched other people's pages. I can see where more in-depth research would be beneficial, it is just hard to stay interested and spend time there when I do not see the full point.
As with blogging and podcast, I can see the connection and informational value of twitter. I can see where you would use it to connect with other teachers across the globe. It is a quick resource for getting a variety of answers on a subject. It just seems like another technology tool in the bag. However, at this moment in my life, it just seems like one more thing to check and keep up with.
Twitpic serves as an interesting part of twitter by allowing you to post pictures and leave comments. This would be a neat idea to use as far as posting your students work, or getting ideas for classroom decorations and projects. I do like that twitter allows you to connect in a helpful way to other people who are interested in your life and things you have going on. When I begin to understand twitter better, I will find ways to fit it into my teaching schedule, and use it as yet another aid in my classroom.
My first effort in exploring twitter was simply using the tools it gives you up front. I made a few status updates, sent messages, searched different people to follow, and searched other people's pages. I can see where more in-depth research would be beneficial, it is just hard to stay interested and spend time there when I do not see the full point.
As with blogging and podcast, I can see the connection and informational value of twitter. I can see where you would use it to connect with other teachers across the globe. It is a quick resource for getting a variety of answers on a subject. It just seems like another technology tool in the bag. However, at this moment in my life, it just seems like one more thing to check and keep up with.
Twitpic serves as an interesting part of twitter by allowing you to post pictures and leave comments. This would be a neat idea to use as far as posting your students work, or getting ideas for classroom decorations and projects. I do like that twitter allows you to connect in a helpful way to other people who are interested in your life and things you have going on. When I begin to understand twitter better, I will find ways to fit it into my teaching schedule, and use it as yet another aid in my classroom.
EDM 310 Podcast Review
After reviewing my group's podcast, I was pleasantly surprised. I felt like we knew our subject well and were able to produce an informative podcast. However, I did feel like there was a handful of things that we ran out of time to say that may have tied the podcast up a little better, but I do think it got our point across. From listening to my specific part, I wish I would have conveyed my thoughts a little clearer. I knew what I was trying to say, but I do not think that your average Joe Blow could have picked up on the message I was trying to send.
One of the podcast I listened to was somewhat informative. The one thing I noticed about it the most was the way they seemed to put each other on the spot. Rather than working together to get a message across, the seemed to make it harder on one another. It seemed like they would ask questions to one another to fill the silence, but the other group members were not prepared to answer. Maybe if they spent a little more time practicing, they would have been able to better convey their thought.
The other podcast I listened to was thoroughly enjoyable and informative. From start to finish they did well. Their podcast flowed well and clearly conveyed their points. The only thing I would critique about this one was their actual voice and talking into the microphone. It was hard to understand them sometimes throughout the podcast. Speaking a little more clearly would have helped their cause tremendously.
One of the podcast I listened to was somewhat informative. The one thing I noticed about it the most was the way they seemed to put each other on the spot. Rather than working together to get a message across, the seemed to make it harder on one another. It seemed like they would ask questions to one another to fill the silence, but the other group members were not prepared to answer. Maybe if they spent a little more time practicing, they would have been able to better convey their thought.
The other podcast I listened to was thoroughly enjoyable and informative. From start to finish they did well. Their podcast flowed well and clearly conveyed their points. The only thing I would critique about this one was their actual voice and talking into the microphone. It was hard to understand them sometimes throughout the podcast. Speaking a little more clearly would have helped their cause tremendously.
Classroom Blogging
Through out the semester, I have tried to look at other students blogs and see their viewpoint on the topic we were given to write about. It was interesting to see the variety of things people had to say about one topic. Something that I would think could only be interpreted one way, would be interpreted a totally different way to them. This simple fact changes my views even more on blogging in the classroom.
The topic of my podcast group was about this specifically, blogging in the classroom. In the podcast, we discussed the various ways we saw teachers use blogs in the classroom. Whether it was the teachers specific blog that she used to keep the parents informed, or the students using the blogs for homework and things of that nature, it was a helpful tool. It helps you to get a better perspective as a teacher on how you can specifically incorporate it into your daily activities.
From researching blogging in the classroom, I found that the earlier students begin blogging, the further along they are then the rest of students in their grade. Blogging teaches the students how to better use technology, as well as giving students who are not as talkative in the classroom, a chance to truly express themselves.
As a future teacher, I plan on using blogging in my classroom. I am excited to be able to use it as a collaborating tool, as well as an aid in the classroom. Being able to use blogging will make learning more enjoyable and productive for the students and I am excited to see their response!
The topic of my podcast group was about this specifically, blogging in the classroom. In the podcast, we discussed the various ways we saw teachers use blogs in the classroom. Whether it was the teachers specific blog that she used to keep the parents informed, or the students using the blogs for homework and things of that nature, it was a helpful tool. It helps you to get a better perspective as a teacher on how you can specifically incorporate it into your daily activities.
From researching blogging in the classroom, I found that the earlier students begin blogging, the further along they are then the rest of students in their grade. Blogging teaches the students how to better use technology, as well as giving students who are not as talkative in the classroom, a chance to truly express themselves.
As a future teacher, I plan on using blogging in my classroom. I am excited to be able to use it as a collaborating tool, as well as an aid in the classroom. Being able to use blogging will make learning more enjoyable and productive for the students and I am excited to see their response!
"Growth" vs. "Fixed" Mindset in Learning
In the iTunes U portion of iTunes, Stanford has quite a selection of informational videos and podcasts. In the "Growth" vs. "Fixed" Mindset in learning video, they conduct an experiment using students to explain this title. Through out this video, they run about 8 sessions with the students split into two groups. Half of the groups are learning about a growth mindset and study skills, while the other half is only receiving study skills. The group that received both a growth mindset and study skills preformed much better than the group only receiving study skills.
In a world that is constantly changing and growing in so many areas, it is imperative that understand what it means to have a growth mindset. If we simply teach students information to past the test, they have gained nothing. To be able to function in the world we are living in, we must instill in our minds a desire to learn and push pass the basic level of our education.
I believe this mindset starts with teachers. Getting to a place of desiring to continue to learn is where all teachers should be. Once we have set the standard in that manner, we can begin to teach our students the mindset of digging in a maintaining a growing mindset. There are many ways to make education enjoyable and exciting, and if we can funnel that into our students, their lives will be changed. We will not be producing students who should not even being moving to the next grade, but we will produce students of excellence!
In a world that is constantly changing and growing in so many areas, it is imperative that understand what it means to have a growth mindset. If we simply teach students information to past the test, they have gained nothing. To be able to function in the world we are living in, we must instill in our minds a desire to learn and push pass the basic level of our education.
I believe this mindset starts with teachers. Getting to a place of desiring to continue to learn is where all teachers should be. Once we have set the standard in that manner, we can begin to teach our students the mindset of digging in a maintaining a growing mindset. There are many ways to make education enjoyable and exciting, and if we can funnel that into our students, their lives will be changed. We will not be producing students who should not even being moving to the next grade, but we will produce students of excellence!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
iTunes U: WGBH Videos
WGBH, part of iTunes U videos, contains a wide variety of educational videos. These videos are a not only great resource for teachers, but they are FREE! The videos range in grade level, as well as topic being discussed. The 'Solar Eclipse' video was chocked full of information in a concise, but effective way.
One of the main things that is being drilled into us as future teachers, is to find different and creative ways to teach to stimulated the student's brain and keep them interested. These short educational videos "beef" up your lesson plans, but are short enough as to not take away from the actual lesson.
One of the main things that is being drilled into us as future teachers, is to find different and creative ways to teach to stimulated the student's brain and keep them interested. These short educational videos "beef" up your lesson plans, but are short enough as to not take away from the actual lesson.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Edutopia
Wow! Edutopia is one of the most interesting ways of actual teaching I have seen. I have heard plenty of proposals on how one could or should teacher, but never actually seen it. The Edible School Yard was a very practical way for students to incorporate the things they were learning in the classroom into actual hands on projects. Actually getting to see your knowledge in action and the fruit it produces increase an interest in children to learn and think outside of the box.
A Night in the Global Village was interesting as well. The students seem to take away tangible, life changing information from this field trip. They get first hand experience at living life from a totally different perspective. They learn what it means to work together to survive, how to appreciate the things they have, and how they can help in their community, as well as their world.
A Night in the Global Village was interesting as well. The students seem to take away tangible, life changing information from this field trip. They get first hand experience at living life from a totally different perspective. They learn what it means to work together to survive, how to appreciate the things they have, and how they can help in their community, as well as their world.
iTunes University
What is to be said of iTunes University, other than it seems to be one of the leaders in changing the face of education. Many universities are using iTunes U to make lectures and other important information available to it's students. There have been studies on how effective listening to the lectures off ipods can be. They found that students who listened to the lectures on their ipod scored, on average, higher than those who attended the lectures. For this reason, along with many others, Professors have made their lessons available to the students in many forms other than attending class. However, there are many professors that do not make as much information available to encourage students to attend class on a more regular basis. One professor made his classroom information available in all forms, but he would give a little quiz before each class to encourage attendance. This is a perfect example of a professor that understands the increase of technology in our learning and how he can use it as a tool to aid him in the classroom.
One of the major things the qualifies iTunes U for me, is the fact that well-known universities, such as Duke and Yale, use iTunes U as a valuable tool. For successful universities that maintain a high level of academic achievements to use iTunes U in the classroom, shows the credibility and effectiveness of such an investment. I am interested to see the growth in use of iTunes U in my academic career.
Apple Eduction
Oxford on iTunes U
One of the major things the qualifies iTunes U for me, is the fact that well-known universities, such as Duke and Yale, use iTunes U as a valuable tool. For successful universities that maintain a high level of academic achievements to use iTunes U in the classroom, shows the credibility and effectiveness of such an investment. I am interested to see the growth in use of iTunes U in my academic career.
Apple Eduction
Oxford on iTunes U
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