Week #11 Current Event

This week our current event topic was: As future teachers it is important that you are comfortable learning from online resources.  Take a look at the list of online publications found on Page 262 of your textbook.  Identify an online article that describes a teacher using technology to support global learning. 

As a group we chose an activity from the scholastic website.  

Scholastic - Teachers  www.teacher.scholastic.com
(Teaching and Learning with Technology, pg 262) - Standards-designed, thematic lesson plans and reproducibles, web projects, research reports, and online activities from Instructor magazine are available here [all for teachers, parents, and students].

The article is titled "Global Trek: Virtual Travel Around the World".  It is for students grades 4-8.  Here students are able to have a unique and rare opportunity to tour various countries and gain lots of new information without stepping foot out of the classroom. Students start by "booking" their flight, choosing a time and date that they would like to arrive and departure.  They can write in a travel journal and meet other students around the world.  Scholastic lists their SLO's in great detail.  We had a lot of fun with this activity.  Have fun on your trip!!

Task_ 3-2 Reflection

1.    What roles did the members of your team have this week?

     This week for some reason a lot of us were a bit confused about what exactly it was that we had to do.  I'm not sure why but I read the task multiple times and I still did not understand it.  Napua did an excellent job explaining what it was that needed to be done.  As a group we all decided and agreed that Napua would be an excellent group leader.she always keeps us on track. And reminds us what needs to be done.  Napua created our newsletter and to be honest I can say that I did not do much.  I read it and re read it to make sure it made sense and that I liked it but that's about it. I let her know that it sounded good and she did not to make any corrections.  As a group she wanted us to read, proof read and edit if needed.  I will step it up and do more this upcoming week.

2.    Given your role in the group this week, how did you contribute to group?
     As stated before I proofread and let Napua know what I thought about it.  I told her that no changes were necessary.  I don't think I did much.

3.    What worked well this week?
     What worked well for our group is that we some what communicated a little more.  Napua is an excellent leader and many of us go to Napua for guidance.  We communicate by text which helps a lot.

4.    What will you do differently next time?
     I will make sure that I understand what needs to be done and do way more in the upcoming weeks.        I will communicate more with my group.

Web 2.0 Debrief

After completing a review on a web 2.0 tool, I would definitely use the web 2.0 tool that I have selected.  The web 2.0 tool that I selected was make beliefs comix.  I would use this because it allows students to create their own comics and use their creativity and imaginations.  Students can create a whole story with this tool.

Prior to this activity I would just use what was provided or what other people were using.  I did not really take the initiative to go out and find new ideas and or tools.  I guess it was because of ease of access as well as part laziness.  After doing this activity I have found many different web 2.0 tools from my fellow team mates and classmates.  

As for improving the web 2.0 selection I feel that it is really good that we are able to go out and look for different web 2.0 tools.  This keeps us all aware and we can learn about new tools all of which will help us as future teachers.  I really enjoyed looking for a web 2.0 tool and it was such a tough decision having to choose just one.  

Educational Technology Reflection

During these first couple of weeks of school I have created different software tools such as Twitter, Diigo, iGoogle, and Google Reader.  If it were not for this class I would not have any of those software tools.  I am really glad that I am taking this class because it has forced me to use such tools and I'm finding that I really like them and they actually make my life a lot simpler.  It saves me a lot of time.

I definitely plan on using the resources that I have gathered in my personal learning network.  I got used to always checking my iGoogle this week or so and I really like it.  It keeps me some what up-to-date and in the loop on what is going on in the world (local news, world wide news, teaching, etc).

I definitely think that a new teacher could really use such resources.  It will help them a lot and I'm sure that they will really like it and they will realize that it is very valuable to them.  I don't think that only a new teacher could use such resources; i feel that these resources could also help teachers who are already teaching as well.


Screenr
http://www.screenr.com/qXi8

week #6 group 6 current events

A website that we found was titled: "Study Finds Benefits in Use of iPad as an Educational Tool."  We all agreed that Apple iPads were very useful in the classroom.  The website we chose is about a school in England for students age 11 to 18.  This website shows various results of students as well as teachers using iPads.  Results show that the iPad not only helps students but it also helps educators.  If both benefit from using the iPad thats always a plus.  It is such a great creation.  We also agreed that iPads are an important tool for our classrooms and they are very useful.  As for the Android based tablet we felt that it would be "okay" but not as "good" as the iPad.  Cabinet laptops are good to have but the iPad is much more portable.  And as for the traditional desktop computer stations thats always good to have because students should also know how to use desktop computers as well.  But iPads are still always an excellent thing to have in the classroom!!

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-as-educational-tool/

Week #3 Current Event

Differentiating Learning with Technology

Second grade teacher, Robert Pronovost helps his students to really understand math.  He not only makes learning fun but he takes time to make sure that each and every student understand what he or she is doing.  He gives his students differentiated learning.  Once his students feel comfortable with addition and subrtraction words such as "all together" and "take away" he then starts his students on computers.  He uses a program called Planet Turtle.  Planet Turtle gives the students immediate feedback which helps Robert to really help the students who may be struggling.  Not only does he use pencil and paper to teach the students he uses all sorts of technology that he got from free trials and or grants.  They use white boards, iPod touch, Dream box, and hands.  This is an excellent way to teach and work with students.  He has seen a much greater improvement in his students than in previous years.  

Self Introduction

Favorite technology gadget? Why?

My favorite technology gadget has to be my iPad. I can do everything on the iPad. I can listen to music, search the internet, check my email, play games, stay organized, go on YouTube. There is so much I can do on the iPad it is unbelievable. I just love my iPad.

My work style

I don't mind working alone because you can work at your own speed and your work is your grade. But at the same time i like to work in groups because it helps me to become a little more confident because there are others there to work with and we can all help and put our ideas together as and help each other to give a better understanding if needed. I also love meeting new people and making new friends!!

Two skills I can offer

I like to get things done in a timely matter and I do not like to procrastinate. I am also a very open minded person I listen to what others have to say because they may have a better idea and I know that you can't always be right.


A link to an online video that i found about teachers integrating technology into their classroom and facilitate learning was how schools in Canada use MARVIN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odFshl0VYFU&noredirect=1