Blogging

Well, blogging has been an experience for me. It took me a moment to get the concept of blogging. I do see how it would be beneficial. It's a place to log you thoughts and gain feedback from others. It has been a little challenging keeping up with the blogging. I got off track when the first blog sight did not work, and have found it time consuming trying to catch up. I do feel confident about using blogging in the new school year. I volunteered to create a blog sight for Peer Mediators for PG County. The coordinator was interested in finding a way to communicate other than email to our team. We get so many emails per day, that many times emails were lost. We are looking for one central location to share and receive information. I am looking forward to setting up the Peer Mediation Blog site as well as possibly helping to create a Blackboard site.

Blogging

I think that we were at a disadvantage with the construction of this blog. This is actually the second site that we used for blogging. I don't know about everyone else but I have atleast three entries on the original site. I know that it might not seem like a lot, but as a current classroom teacher I have very little time to do assignments repeatedly.

Conducting a Voicethread/Podcast Workshop

Today I conducted a staff development workshop for Voicethread. It was actually fun. The teachers that attended the workshop were definetly excited to be there. I presented examples of student work, and I discussed my instructional method with my coworkers.

During the presentation, the teachers were able to make their own voicethread. We had a couple of problems with the microphones, but oveall the workshop was a positive experience

Voicethread Workshop

Tomorrow I will be introducing Voicethread and podcasting to some of the members of our staff. I am excited to spread useful information to the staff. Staff development is always interesting. Some teachers will be excited, and others could careless. This is something that will add another dimension to the classroom setting. I know that the purpose of the STEP program is too share information with staff members, and I have chosen to be proactive in this process by sharing information with the members of the science department and anyone else. So wish me luck!

Gallery Walk Anxiety

I have to admit that I am nervous about the gallery walk. I am not sure what to expect and how prepared I will be. I am putting the finishing touches on my work now. I still feel that what I am working on still can use some more expert help or more time. I am wondering if I will be able to make changes after June 2nd. I hope so. I want to put my best foot forward. Besides all of that I am excited about seeing how other teachers used the same applications in their classrooms.

Voicethread is Awesome

I would like for everyone to know that voicethread is a fantastic concept. Let me begin by stating that voicethread is a form of podcasting, but it is more than that. It is an instructional tool. When I use voicethread in my Environmental Science Class, I was able to instantly view student progress on each part of the assignment. I decided to use one username and password. I know that in the future this may cause problems, but for now its working. By using one account, I am able to view each group assignments instantly. Voicethread also allows each person to comment. So if a group is not keeping up, I can make a quick comment and move on.

Getting Away from Traditional Testing

Testing online has been my life for the past two weeks. There were some positives and negatives to this. On the plus side, testing online is more efficient, uses less paper and tools to give students, and is an easier process than the traditional paper and pencil tests. The online tests went by quicker than some of the paper and pencil tests and uses a venue that students are highly familiar with. The negatives were that I missed teaching my morning classes for two weeks, some computers did not have the links properly installed or loaded, and some computers had glitches that had not been taken care of before testing.

It would be great if all state and county high stakes testing could be completed online. I do feel that the option for pencil and paper should still be in place for the few students who actually do better with that option. The other issues would be extending the testing window (or starting earlier) in order to accommodate all students, making sure that every single computer is working properly to eliminate additional time used to troubleshoot during testing, and making sure that every school has the necessary numbers of computers to accommodate all the students for testing. Will the county move in this direction? Probably, but not anytime soon. With the budget cuts and restraints I know this is probably nonexistent on the list of needs and priorities. However, it needs to be addressed soon. As I see it, technology is moving forward, not backwards. So, it is imperative that our county administration keeps up.

I had the experience of being the test administrator for tests involving special needs students, general education students, and AP students. Behaviors varied, as expected, but I can say that the testing process was more efficient and used less time to pass out multiple tools students would need for testing. The Algebra test had the calculator online and their formulas sheet online as well. With time, I feel that this is the new direction for education. Yet, balance is always key. No matter how much technology advances, there is nothing that can replace that human interaction and need for human contact which makes teaching so magical.

Podcasting Quiz

I created a quiz using podcasting. As I was in the podcasting training, I pondered on ways to using the Voicethread to enhance mathematics. I thought about using them to create BCR’s and ECR’s where students could respond on the Voicethread. I thought about using them to create quizzes. I also thought warm-ups could be created, or it could be one of the rotations in the classroom if the teacher used centers. I created an HSA Algebra review quiz because my partner teaches two classes using HSA materials. My goal is to have students complete the Voicethread a few students at a time. This quiz could take the place of a paper/pencil quiz.

Digital Camera too

The second digital camera project I want to introduce one of my strongest lessons about self-portraiture. In the digital story I will clearly identifies the objective and explain the background and knowledge needed for students to understand the basics of self-portraiture. I will also include pictures of famous self-portraits and conclude the lesson by showing finished student self-portraits, before and after images.

Technological Implications

Today, I took my students through an advanced search lesson using google.com. It was part one of a two part lesson in which students will create annotated bibliographies tomorrow in class. I have a class of LD students who range anywhere from a 4th to 6th grade reading and writing level. Keep in mind I am teaching 10th grade students. What I have found is that not all of my students have access to computers at home, and many do not see the importance of learning appropriate research skills. I believe in the use of technology because I see the transformation in our world with its uses, its connectivity around the globe, the advancement and variety in career choices, and the need for it in our daily lives. This lesson showed students how to specifically narrow down ideas and searches in order to lesson the number of hits on a page and to find specific information for research purposes. The lesson also required students to assert reasons as to why certain searches based on keywords receive higher or lower numbers of hits. It was difficult for most of my students to follow the directions at first. One, they may have never had to conduct such a type of search; two, they may have limited exposure and knowledge as to what research is and its uses. What I should have done is to survey students on their level of skills and what they are familiar with technologically. This would have given me a better perspective as to where to start.

I know that the HSA will cover research and locating appropriate sources, and that is one reason why I decided to conduct this lesson; However, what has discouraged me the most is that in this day and age of technological advancement, some students are being left behind the technologically. Unfortunately, many of those students are those who are in special education. I find it vital to teach and use the skills necessary for employment in today's society. I still get parent emails full of grammatical mistakes, students who have electronic devices that are not used to their full capacity to encourage learning daily, and a huge gap between those who are well informed and knowledgeable of technological applications and those who are not. This applies to my students as well as the parents of those students. Using technology and teaching its uses and applications are an imperative.

I have made the decision to make technology a huge part of my teaching for next year. I am armed with information and training that I will use to create a 21st century classroom.

Technology Blues

Currently, I am working through my technology blues with trying to get my whiteboard in my classroom up and running. I have put I the request to order the part needed to connect my whiteboard to my Mac Book Pro. Unfortunately, because of other pressing deadlines my request has been put on hold. So, I began to concentrate on other areas of technology in my classroom that need my attention.

Recently, I received an upgrade on the software used in my iMac Lab, with the upgrade I did not receive the monitoring tool needed to monitor my students work from my workstation. At the MICCA conference I found a vender who was promoting a classroom-monitoring program called InVision and she gave me a free 30-day trail. I have not tested the program out yet however, I have been researching the program to see how I could use it with my classes. The next step is to take it to my Art Supervisor and see what she thinks. So far the program look promising.  

MICCA and me

Since the MICCA conference I have found a renewed hope for using different forms of technology in my class. Since I teach computer graphics I am always surrounded by technology. I constantly, try to learn new graphic software or develop new design stills to teach my students. One day (hopefully soon) I will start designing for my self and create enough work to have my own art show. However, because I am always searching for better projects or skills to teach my student I am able to give them an advantage, especially for those students who take graphic design classes in college.

The only aspect of the MICCA conference that bothered me was that there were not enough computer graphics/Apple/Macintosh workshops. If there were more workshops like these, maybe then I will not have to work as hard in trying to connect what they are presenting to what I teach in my classroom.

MICCA Conference Review

I had an awesome time at the MICCA Conference. It was great to network with other educators and learn new ideas for the classroom. I enjoyed the Web 2.0 presentation, which was actually presented by a PG County educator. This presentation highlighted many websites that could enhance learning in the classroom. I especially liked animoto.com and xtranormal.com. These sites actually allows users to created animated movies. I also enjoyed seeing the comparison between Moodle, Blackboard and SharePoint. The vendors had many great tools for learning. I enjoyed the science board diplays which highlight student work, especially the one that featured VoiceThread.

MICCA 2009

I am so glad to have had the opportunity to go to MICCA. It gave me so many technological tools and websites to use in order to enhance my teaching within the classroom. I had no idea that so much was available and free at the same time. I am going to definitely use what I learned and employ it in my classroom for next year. One thing that I want is to make my classroom one that uses technology on a daily basis and teach students how to apply the same applications and tools in the real world.

This has really inspired me on so many levels. In the past, I have been one to shrink away from technology because of the time I assumed it would take to learn and apply for a daily lesson. The more I use the applications and tools that I have at my disposal, the more inclined I will be to use what I have learned with confidence and dexterity. I also shrank away from using technology because I felt that I didn't have the skills necessary to apply technology within the classroom, not having much of a computer background or interest. Now, I have an interest in really maximizing this on so many levels. At the MICCA conference I received information about becoming certified in integrating technology within the classroom. Whereas, at one time I would have totally dismissed this as being possible for me, I know am confident I can effectively integrate technology within the classroom and teach what I have learned to others. STEP has definitely boosted my confidence and given me the tools I need in order to apply this and begin my journey in effectively being a teacher trainer on some level.

MICCA Conferene

My STEP experience has been enjoyable. I have learned a great deal of information. After the MICCA conference I have found renewed hope that I can get all of the technology elements in my classroom working. Currently, I am trying to gather all of the supplies needed to operate the Smartboard in my classroom. I feel it will be a great tool to use for teaching Computer Graphics.

Podcast

Voicethread is a wonderful concept. Most of my students enjoyed creating the podcast, and I think that this will become apart of my classroom requirements. I have also had the oppurtunity to provide a Voicethread/Podcasting workshop to members of my staff, and all of the teachers were excited about using Voicethread in the classroom.

Blogging is a nice concept

I know that I could never be a professional blogger. It's really simple. I don't have enough to say. Ofcourse, I dream of completing a novel one day or maybe a travel guide, cookbook, or a self-help book for teachers that are over worked. However, a blog requires discipline. I would really need to dedicate time to sitting still and writing down my thoughts, but I just have too much going on to devote the time to this task. Even as I sit her typing this blog, I'm thinking about my lesson for tomorrow. What will I wear? And do I have enough change to buy coffee.

So could I be a professional blogger? I don't think so.

Photostory

The photostory was an interesting activity. I don't think that it was practical, however, because of the limited number of computers with the software installed. For instructional purposes, we need more computers with the software. I found it difficult to create an assignment for an entire class while using only one computer.

Podcasting Removes Excuses

The podcasting session was informative. What I was able to learn is that whatever I want to share, I have a forum with which I can spread the news. What I realize is that I never really understood how podcasting was done, and now I do. I would like a way to be able to record lessons or information for students to download onto their IPODs. I see all of my students with IPODs, so I know that they listen to them frequently, and I can take away any excuses for them not having access to information that is necessary for their learning. I also would love to have a weekly podcast where I can also provide information to parents as well. Podcasting seems so natural and such a wonderful extension to what I do in the classroom.

I realize that with technology comes training and learning how to use the tools and applications, but it also takes away the lack of availability of resources. With technology comes access to resources. It definitely takes away any excuses as to why information has not been or cannot be accessed. This is a wonderful result of technology. I love the fact that what my students and their parents use on a daily basis can be used to provide all the information that parents and students need at the touch of a button. One thing is for sure, most of my students have access to computers at home. Even if they don’t, they have access at school during the day. This really hones in on the fact that there are very limited places in the world today that don’t provide access to a computer for its multiple uses.

I am going to use voice thread for podcasting, but I wonder is there any other type of podcatcher that I can use, or what else is out there for me to use so that I have the ability to record consistently and post the information or download it for student and parent use?

Teaching with Voicethreads

The Podcasting session was awesome. I learned many ways to use Voicethreads in the classroom as a teaching tool. My focus has been on mathematics, and I saw plenty examples that I can incorporate when completing my podcast. Several ideas came to mind for me. I could create mini-quizzes for the students, bcr’s and ecr’s could be completed using voicethread, or I could use it as a reflection piece for students to respond to specific mathematics lessons. I am looking forward to creating a Voicethread for the students.