Take Away Message 4/14

Today I took one stop closer to becoming a Digital Native! I feel I have learned so much already about an application that I have been using for years and already thought I knew all there was to know. Aside from that I learned what Voice Thread was. In high school my local public library provided tutoring and extra help for a variety of subjects and they used a program extremely similar to Voice Thread. I always wondered how they made them and now I know! It was interesting to see how it is made from the teachers standpoint. Immediately it brought me back to those extra help math sessions I endured during high school and I can most definitely picture myself using this program as a way to integrate technology into my future classrooms. I can have each student create their own math problem and everyone in the class has to respond with their answer and how they found it as well as have students post questions they might have to problems and it is a great way for me to communicate with them step by step on how to solve it. This application can be used in more ways than just math and I am excited to explore the possibilities.

Chapters 8 & 9

What I related to most in chapter 8 was the use of email and blogs to better a student to teacher means of communication and better their learning process. In high school I do not recall anyone emailing their teachers or supervisors but what I see now is that it is becoming more and more common and popular under the collegiate level. Instead of phone calling students and parents between certain hours I feel that communicating via email leaves more flexibility and a greater line of communication open between parents and teachers. I think emailing a teacher or professor is a great way for students to also keep in touch and it can be used for assignment clarification and questions. Chapter 8 also mentioned that blogs are becoming more and more popular. In this class, 7266, it is the first time I have ever experienced writing a blog. According to the text I believe that this blog would be considered an 'active learning blog.' This is so because students are sharing their ideas, thoughts and opinions on current topics and chapter readings in the classroom. I think blogging is a great way for the teacher to assess if students are understanding the knowledge at hand as well as for students to interact and learn from each other. 

Chapter 9 also had some very relatable information and what stuck out to me the most was how teachers and students can use their own movie making sot wares and digital cameras to enrich the learning process. This is true and I loved reading more about it because I experienced it first hand. For example when we make our group video projects we are focusing in on a specific topic, learning and applying it to real life. What we don't necessarily think of is that when we are learning about this topic and creating a video we are also learning and practicing our technological skills. Together they go hand in hand to create a broad more diverse learning task. Not only that but incorporating technology such as movies and pictures into everyday or basic lessons makes it more exciting and engaging. There are endless possibilities when it comes to creativity and applying technology to our classrooms.

Questions:

1. What do you think is the earliest grade blogging can be incorporated into a lesson successfully?

2. Do you think making movies or leaning through a digital lens be more beneficial to students with disabilities?

Take Away Message 4/7

Today I learned how to spruce and spice up my teaching portfolio and how it is also important to have students keep on and do the same. I feel it is important for students to keep a portfolio therefore at the end of the year they can look back on all their work and see how much they have learned and progressed. I also learned a lot more about maneuvering around the e-portfolio website. I was never sure how to customize my banner or change my background pictures and now I certainly will take advantage of that to make my personality come through and make it as unique as possible. I also enjoyed learning and being reminded that portfolios need constant updating! I read my 'about' section and I was still listed as an undergrad student. This class has most definitely made me want to go home and get to work on what needs updating!