Reflection on the Podcasting

The podcasting assignment was most likely my favorite project out of all. This project allowed me to accomplish something I have been trying to do with my students for some years. Which is the ability to look at artwork in an aesthetic way, talk about each other’s artwork in a matter that is constructive and help them to understand what aspects of their designs they need to improve upon in order to produce wonderful art.

Math PhotoStory

I have been working with a math teacher here at Wise High School. My goal this year was to work with a colleague on integrating technology in the classroom. Mr. Thompson has been very pleased with the use of the Elmo in his classroom. He uses the Elmo to give instruction, display and discuss student work and as a visual means for teaching the use of manipulatives to his students. I have observed Mr. Thompson using the Elmo on a regular basis. Students are engaged in learning and enjoy being on camera as the do presentations in the classroom. I believe it is important for the STEP team to share what we have learned and reach out to other staff members who may need training for integrating technology into their daily lessons.

Can I Really Become a Professional Blogger?

I recently received my copy of Fortune magazine and read an article about a lady who left her job and is making $10, 000 a month from blogging. She started her business out of curiosity of how to do use computer applications and to become more familiar with up-to-date technology. She turned this into a business. I forgot the name of her site, but the article continued, and although what she had done is somewhat of an anomaly, she is not alone and it is possible. I found out that through a blogging site, many people can monthly take in a couple of hundred dollars to a couple thousand based on the numbers of ads or hits that are made. I am not completely clear as to how this all works specifically. The article only gives an overview of how this works.

Now, she found her niche, how can I find mine? I love writing and my goal is to finish my first children’s book by the end of the year, but how can I get into blogging as being a part of my job or for supplemental income. What is out there that I can talk about, that people want to hear, where they will respond, and I can give information that is useful. What is out there that has yet to be talked about or at least been talked about in a way that I can get their attention? This will require some thought and planning. The other thing is that what most people blog about is directly related to a personal interest or part of their lives that they don’t have to go to school for, study for, or even have to get additional training. Now, I need to know how this works from A to Z. Maybe I can find some way of obtaining this information (a blog perhaps) to make this idea a reality.

Hardware Issues????????

I have a lot of ideas for possible uses of technology in the classroom, however, I have encountered a number of hardware issues this year. I have 5 computers in my classroom that have been offline for two years. Yes, two years.I have requested assistance multiple times this year, and I have been ignored by the tech coordinator in my building. It's really frustrating to work with someone with this type of attitude, but I refuse to become discouraged. Its just sad.

Podcast

At the work session the month we learned about podcast and voice threads.  I think there is a lot that I could do with this form of technology integration. I could create a gallery of art works or review a lesson so that students could go online form home or even from school to get information that they might have missed. The project I will present in the STEP program is a gallery of artwork created by seniors in my class. All the student’s work in the gallery would have to be done by advance level students who have explored varies techniques in designs. The overall goal of the podcast is for other students to comment and develop critiquing skills needed to help develop their knowledge and understand of their work as well as others.

Achieving Balance with Technology in the Classroom

I am concerned because my digital camera is showing that my battery is low. I really do not think that the battery should be replaced so soon. I turn the camera off when I am not using it. Maybe the batteries that I have need an upgrade.

I am finding that using technology in the classroom, not only requires critical thinking on my part, but it requires me to transfer these same skills to my students. When using technology, I cannot just use an application and think that it is going to work or even be effective the first time that I use it with my students. I have to plan ahead, which I am used to; however, I have to be even more proactive when working with special needs students. I realize that have to break all necessary indicators and skills down to their barest parts in order to teach special needs students the same skills that most general education students will grasp more quickly. This is the work within special education.

What I find to be evident is that my special needs students grasp the uses of technology with so much ease. They are excited about using the computer or anything that requires the use of kinesthetic and tactile skills. They struggle with reading text and having to generalize these skills. With my new found training on technological applications through STEP, I really am hoping to find a variety of ways to assess, teach and apply the same skills I have been teaching over the years, using technology and engagement. I still feel that there are just some days and concepts that will require direct instruction, so I need to apply a balance. I really need for them to understand that technology has its places and uses and that everyday in class, will not be all the bells and whistles. This is my struggle. Unless my students are listening to an IPOD, or texting, everything else seems to be boring and they easily tune out. This is a struggle. Balance, balance, balance.

WikiSpaces

WikiSpaces is a unique way to house assignments. As a teacher you could display student projects with specific instructions and examples to follow. Each student could also have their own Wiki Page of which the teacher can access it. This would be a place for students to upload and reflect upon all projects and activities for a specific class. Wikispaces eliminates many paper and pencil activities. Students would need to have access to the internet outside of school, however, in order to keep up with assignments. I found it very easy to follow the steps for created a Wiki Page. You only need a working knowledge of basic computer skills to be successful.