As a student in school, I was always a leader. Always trying to help others and always trying to be a class officer or an officer of student senate. As a professional, I still step up to lead, but not as frequent as I normally would. I think a lot of it has to do with working with such wonderful veteran teachers. They have been teaching for 20 years, what could I possibly say that would help them? Technology is that piece. After taking this masters course, I am completely more comfortable in the technology world. I also would love to share my new ideas with others. I am connected with different team members and we have weekly meetings, where technology could become a weekly topic. If I come up with a new project or a new activity that involves technology, sharing that with them would be that first step to becoming that leader. I also would like to become an expert in podcast, or blogs, or creating websites. So that the whole building would know, if you need help with "this" then you can come to Mrs. Young. I haven't decided what my calling is yet, but I intend to find it :)
Being a leader is in my blood, I just need to bring that to my professional life!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Technology Concerns
One of my concerns about technology is making sure that everything I upload is read-only. This was something that I had to figure out to do, to make sure that when students go to my web page or my moodle the documents will not be altered. I have the fears that my students/parents could change my documents to say something that my original did not say. Along these same lines, I have the concern that once it is published to the web it is very hard to retract. I know that I need to edit my comments/notes carefully and make sure that all of my posts are professional and fair.
Another concern I have with incorporating this technology, is that not all my students would have the resources or access to complete all projects with the internet/computer. This might mean making time in class to actually perform the WebQuest, or to give those students time each day to check the website or progress book.
Technology lessons also take time. I know these technology tools will have my students engaged, but I have to find the time to do them. I need to set goals and once the project/activity is made, then it can be used each year. I have also found that I have a fellow team member that is also creating new ideas, so we can share!
Another concern I have with incorporating this technology, is that not all my students would have the resources or access to complete all projects with the internet/computer. This might mean making time in class to actually perform the WebQuest, or to give those students time each day to check the website or progress book.
Technology lessons also take time. I know these technology tools will have my students engaged, but I have to find the time to do them. I need to set goals and once the project/activity is made, then it can be used each year. I have also found that I have a fellow team member that is also creating new ideas, so we can share!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Put me in coach, I am ready to play!
My first year of teaching technology was nice, but I was to overwhelmed to really give it time.
My second year of teaching I was in a room with limited technology options, however my observing administrator wanted to see more technology. Need less to say I had to get creative. I was projecting on white walls in my room, and I was creating jeopardy games on PowerPoint because that was most practical with my restriction.
Now I in my third and fourth year of teaching I have discovered that technology is a wonderful tool to enhance lessons and student learning. I have discovered this, because I finally have the appropriate resources to accommodate technology in my classroom. Currently in my classroom I have a smart board, graphing calculators and clickers to enhance my student education. I use the smart board every day and I am able to save my notes for the day daily. One goal I have this year, since I am now using Moodle (a free e-learning software), is to upload those notes daily. Using technology such as Moodle will help with communication in so many ways. It helps the students that are not in school on a given day, they are able to log on and see what was covered that day. It also helps the parents to provide the right support at home. My student's parents are able to go to Moodle and check for things like homework assignments and upcoming assessments.
The clickers are a wonderful tool for test reviews and/or class discussions. Even though this is available to me, I have to admit that I need to improve my use of these! The students would benefit from having the opportunity to see what the majority of the class chose as the correct multiple choice answer. Especially those students who pick the wrong answer, they can hear the discussion on why the other answer is correct or the better answer.
As I am taking my technology class, I have been inspired. Better to say, I have been re-inspired! I now know that I can include things like blogging, website creations, PowerPoint with audio, pod casts and Microsoft publisher to my classroom instructions, activities or projects and my students will thrive. I am no longer too scared to get off the bench and enter the game of technology!
Put me in coach, I am ready to play :)
My second year of teaching I was in a room with limited technology options, however my observing administrator wanted to see more technology. Need less to say I had to get creative. I was projecting on white walls in my room, and I was creating jeopardy games on PowerPoint because that was most practical with my restriction.
Now I in my third and fourth year of teaching I have discovered that technology is a wonderful tool to enhance lessons and student learning. I have discovered this, because I finally have the appropriate resources to accommodate technology in my classroom. Currently in my classroom I have a smart board, graphing calculators and clickers to enhance my student education. I use the smart board every day and I am able to save my notes for the day daily. One goal I have this year, since I am now using Moodle (a free e-learning software), is to upload those notes daily. Using technology such as Moodle will help with communication in so many ways. It helps the students that are not in school on a given day, they are able to log on and see what was covered that day. It also helps the parents to provide the right support at home. My student's parents are able to go to Moodle and check for things like homework assignments and upcoming assessments.
The clickers are a wonderful tool for test reviews and/or class discussions. Even though this is available to me, I have to admit that I need to improve my use of these! The students would benefit from having the opportunity to see what the majority of the class chose as the correct multiple choice answer. Especially those students who pick the wrong answer, they can hear the discussion on why the other answer is correct or the better answer.
As I am taking my technology class, I have been inspired. Better to say, I have been re-inspired! I now know that I can include things like blogging, website creations, PowerPoint with audio, pod casts and Microsoft publisher to my classroom instructions, activities or projects and my students will thrive. I am no longer too scared to get off the bench and enter the game of technology!
Put me in coach, I am ready to play :)
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