So I have decided that a WebQuest is much more fun for me to create, than to complete as a student. I think that it is a great way for students to find their own answers to a problem or question. Because the students are finding their own answers, and not just being told the information, they are more likely to remember the material.
Before learning about WebQuests, I thought they were pretty straight forward. However, I didn't know that all WebQuests had a mirror side. I didn't realize that there was a teacher side as well. The student side explains each step for the student, so that they find the information that you want them to find. The teacher side basically tells other teachers how they can use the WebQuest in their class, and what they need to do to prepare.
A WebQuest is great to use because it lets students use the Internet safely. The Internet is a great resource to find information. You can find anything on the web. It can also be a very dangerous place though. By typing a single wrong letter, you can find yourself somewhere you don't want to be. Instead of giving students a problem and saying "use the Internet to find the answer", they are given specific sites that I have chosen, that will help them. There also isn't even a chance of typing the wrong URL, because all of the sites are linked to the WebQuest.
WebQuests are a lot of work, but overall I enjoyed making one. It is something that I can definitely use in my classroom. I can see myself using our WebQuest, that we are making for this class, in the future. Proper nutrition is something that is important for students to learn, but don't know a lot about. If I can help someone improve their eating habits at a young age, it will improve their quality of life now and in the future. I can also share this with other teachers in the PE/Health department. Students can share the sites with their friends and family as well and help them to eat better also.
This weeks video "Schoolhouse Rock - A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing" was great. I remember seeing Schoolhouse Rock videos when I was younger. I like that it repeats itself with different examples through the entire video. Also putting the concept to music helps to cement it to memory. I don't think that I will ever forget that a noun is a person, place, or thing.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
My Beliefs
I believe that technology has a very important place in the classroom. As the world evolves, more and more things are done using technology. How can we teach kids to be active participants in the world if we don't use technology. The basics will always need to be taught in school, it is the way that they are taught that is changing. There are many new devices developed constantly. There are now electronic books, smartboards, mini computers, and the list goes on and on. In order to use these new things, we must learn how they work. I believe that knowing how to use technology will be an important tool for everyone.
Technology is not only for young people. So much of communication today is technological. We have cell phones, text messaging, IM, and email. We also have social networks that keep people connected, and blogs to keep everyone updated with our lives. What did people do before all of these things were developed? I didn't even have a cell phone until I went to college and now I can't seem to do without it! It is never too late to learn about technology, with all of the resources availabe (tutorials, podcasts, online workshops) all people should be able to learn at least the basics principles of technology.
Technology is not only for young people. So much of communication today is technological. We have cell phones, text messaging, IM, and email. We also have social networks that keep people connected, and blogs to keep everyone updated with our lives. What did people do before all of these things were developed? I didn't even have a cell phone until I went to college and now I can't seem to do without it! It is never too late to learn about technology, with all of the resources availabe (tutorials, podcasts, online workshops) all people should be able to learn at least the basics principles of technology.
Lessons Learned
I think that the biggest concern that I have after reading and watching this weeks assignment is that I didn't know what IMHO, BRB, and AFK stood for. That's embarrassing! I am always amazed by how much I do not know about technology. It seems like for every one thing that I learn, more things are developed and I just keep getting further and further behind.
This concerns me because as a teacher I want to incorporate technology in my classroom, but how can I teach kids that already know so much more than I do? The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know much. I learned that to keep up with education and to make my class useful for the students' future, I must use technology in my classroom. The world is a very technological place.
This concerns me because as a teacher I want to incorporate technology in my classroom, but how can I teach kids that already know so much more than I do? The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know much. I learned that to keep up with education and to make my class useful for the students' future, I must use technology in my classroom. The world is a very technological place.
Strengths & Weaknesses
I would have to say that my technological strengths are few and far between. I don't feel like I am an expert (or even a practitioner) in any of the points on the UNI survey. The highest level that I put on any question was apprentice. I have, however, at least heard of all of the different categories/subjects in the survey. I didn't feel like I was pre-novice in any category. I feel that my "strengths" consist of operating a multimedia computer system, using the World Wide Web, using the Internet and email to communicate, using multimedia software, creating an educational website, and using a word processing program. These are all things that we have used in Instructional Media, and I am now mostly comfortable using them.
Because I will be teaching PE, I don't feel like I will use technology as much as other teachers will. There are certain areas where I will use it though. I think it would be awesome to use video conferencing to talk to other PE classes around the country and world. The students could see what is being done in different classes and share what they have learned. I will also use digital stories as a way to introduce different topics and sports. I think that digital stories are a great way to begin a discussion about serious/sensitive topics such as body image and eating disorders. I would also like my students to develop a workout program for themselves or others using audio/video equipment.
Though I am not an expert on these things yet, there are places that I can go to help me learn and teach my students. I will use Video Conferencing Podcast to help me learn more about video conferencing and I will also use one of the audacity tutorials to help me to edit audio for a workout program. The one that I think is really cool is removing the vocals from an MP3 (Lose Vocals). Exercise videos need music with a great beat, but usually not any words. This will really help me and my students.
Because I will be teaching PE, I don't feel like I will use technology as much as other teachers will. There are certain areas where I will use it though. I think it would be awesome to use video conferencing to talk to other PE classes around the country and world. The students could see what is being done in different classes and share what they have learned. I will also use digital stories as a way to introduce different topics and sports. I think that digital stories are a great way to begin a discussion about serious/sensitive topics such as body image and eating disorders. I would also like my students to develop a workout program for themselves or others using audio/video equipment.
Though I am not an expert on these things yet, there are places that I can go to help me learn and teach my students. I will use Video Conferencing Podcast to help me learn more about video conferencing and I will also use one of the audacity tutorials to help me to edit audio for a workout program. The one that I think is really cool is removing the vocals from an MP3 (Lose Vocals). Exercise videos need music with a great beat, but usually not any words. This will really help me and my students.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
google presentations
This week I decided to talk about google presentations. After playing around with a presentation for a while, I have decided that I really like the google version of PowerPoint. One of the best features (in my mind) is that you can share the presentations with others. It will be awesome to be able to work on a presentation with others from anywhere. I also like that it is saved in google, so I can work on it from any computer, and I don't have to have my flash drive on me.
There are many features that I really like about google presentations. It is very easy to insert a video. When you click on insert video it opens a window that goes directly to youtube. You can enter exactly what you want or a concept you are covering and find something you can use. It is also easy to insert a slide from a different presentation (google or PowerPoint). So if you are on a computer that doesn't have the Internet, you can still work on your presentation using PowerPoint, then import those slides into your google presentation.
I think that presentations are great in class (as long as they are not just read word for word). A well placed and prepared presentation can make all the difference in a class. They can help a visual learner stay focused. Plus with the ability to add videos right to the slide, you don't have to search for where you have your video on the computer.
This weeks video, The Connected Classroom, was very similar to another video we watched. It had a lot of the same information, but was presented in a little bit different way. The first song played was great! I liked the way the music was put in the video. The middle was more dramatic, then it changed to more lighthearted or hopeful. I think it is strange to think that the world is training people for careers and technologies that don't exist yet. I need to think more outside the box.
There are many features that I really like about google presentations. It is very easy to insert a video. When you click on insert video it opens a window that goes directly to youtube. You can enter exactly what you want or a concept you are covering and find something you can use. It is also easy to insert a slide from a different presentation (google or PowerPoint). So if you are on a computer that doesn't have the Internet, you can still work on your presentation using PowerPoint, then import those slides into your google presentation.
I think that presentations are great in class (as long as they are not just read word for word). A well placed and prepared presentation can make all the difference in a class. They can help a visual learner stay focused. Plus with the ability to add videos right to the slide, you don't have to search for where you have your video on the computer.
This weeks video, The Connected Classroom, was very similar to another video we watched. It had a lot of the same information, but was presented in a little bit different way. The first song played was great! I liked the way the music was put in the video. The middle was more dramatic, then it changed to more lighthearted or hopeful. I think it is strange to think that the world is training people for careers and technologies that don't exist yet. I need to think more outside the box.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Digital Story is Complete
Over the past three weeks I have learned a lot about digital stories. I don't feel like I know how to make them exactly, someone else in my group put it all together, but I can see how they can help or hurt a lesson in the classroom. I also know how to use tutorials to help me when I am ready to make a story of my own.
In another one of my classes, I saw a digital story that helped create the perfect atmosphere for the subject matter being taught. The lesson was on how Sept. 11, 2001 affected the market. We watched a digital story that brought back the same feelings that I felt when the day actually happened. I can distinctly remember sitting in my living room my sophomore year of college, watching the news and feeling fear and dread. It is amazing how seeing the digital story had the same affect. It made everyone remember something different and the class discussion that occurred afterwards was intense.
Using a digital story to introduce a subject is an amazing way to get students on the same page. It must be thoroughly thought out and aligned with what is being taught. A well placed/created digital story will be remembered by students and help them to remember material taught as well. The more a student feels when being taught, the more they will be able to remember because it gives the lesson personal meaning.
I think that the biggest drawback of digital stories, is the amount of time and thought it takes to put one together. However, once completed, it can be used multiple times, by multiple teachers if it is well done. I am excited to use this in my classroom in the future. It is something that will make me a better teacher and will give my class meaning.
This week's video, Three Steps, wasn't as exciting as previous video's we have watched. It did however have some very good ideas. I liked the three steps that the video suggested. Step 1- transform your classroom into a creative learning space. Step 2- teach students the skills of competition, cooperation, and collaboration. Step 3- introduce your students to their global peers and provide the opportunity for them to collaborate. I think that classrooms should be creative learning spaces. Student interaction is a great way to promote learning. Students should be able to compete with themselves, cooperate with others and work together. I think that one way to make the world a better place is to work together as people. If students are able to work with other kids from around the world, they will be more loving and tolerant of all types of people.
In another one of my classes, I saw a digital story that helped create the perfect atmosphere for the subject matter being taught. The lesson was on how Sept. 11, 2001 affected the market. We watched a digital story that brought back the same feelings that I felt when the day actually happened. I can distinctly remember sitting in my living room my sophomore year of college, watching the news and feeling fear and dread. It is amazing how seeing the digital story had the same affect. It made everyone remember something different and the class discussion that occurred afterwards was intense.
Using a digital story to introduce a subject is an amazing way to get students on the same page. It must be thoroughly thought out and aligned with what is being taught. A well placed/created digital story will be remembered by students and help them to remember material taught as well. The more a student feels when being taught, the more they will be able to remember because it gives the lesson personal meaning.
I think that the biggest drawback of digital stories, is the amount of time and thought it takes to put one together. However, once completed, it can be used multiple times, by multiple teachers if it is well done. I am excited to use this in my classroom in the future. It is something that will make me a better teacher and will give my class meaning.
This week's video, Three Steps, wasn't as exciting as previous video's we have watched. It did however have some very good ideas. I liked the three steps that the video suggested. Step 1- transform your classroom into a creative learning space. Step 2- teach students the skills of competition, cooperation, and collaboration. Step 3- introduce your students to their global peers and provide the opportunity for them to collaborate. I think that classrooms should be creative learning spaces. Student interaction is a great way to promote learning. Students should be able to compete with themselves, cooperate with others and work together. I think that one way to make the world a better place is to work together as people. If students are able to work with other kids from around the world, they will be more loving and tolerant of all types of people.
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