Friday, May 7, 2010
Using a blog in the classroom
I plan on using a class blog to communicate with parents and students, post homework, due dates,class expectations and behavioral expectations. I love that it is paperless, easy to access, and takes away the "I lost the paper" excuse! Blogging will be an affective communication tool in my classroom! :)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Christie, Glogs
What a fun tool! Is there a 12-step program called "Glogger's Anonymous?" I might need to enroll! What a great way to get a message across to kids OR to have them show what they've learned in a creative way. This is a program I've starred in my "favorites," and the fact that it is free makes it even better!
Using Glogger to create posters on plagiarism and copyright laws was a great way to foster learning, and I know it will motivate/facilitate greater learning in students. ISTE Standard # 1, "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity," is definitely fulfilled using Glogger! Creating a masterpiece of information was so easy with this program; students will love how user-friendly it is! Those without artistic gifts (like me) will especially appreciate Glogger because you can easily click on a picture, move it around, and if you don't like it, simply click on the trash can. Backgrounds and different styles of print are available, along with endless choices of color. There are many special affects, too, including animation and the ability to add videos and audio clips. It is really fool-proof and fun, so both artistic and non-artistic students will enjoy using Glogger.
Glogger has really boosted my love for technology! I can feel myself getting nerdier by the minute, and I know I will use this in my classroom. I, myself, already have plans for 2 more Glogger posters as soon as I'm finished with my finals: One for my very supportive yet often neglected husband, and the other for "Parent Information Night" at Boise High, where I coach volleyball. Creating a glog will be a fun way to introduce some of our rules and expectations to our athletes and their families!
Using Glogger to create posters on plagiarism and copyright laws was a great way to foster learning, and I know it will motivate/facilitate greater learning in students. ISTE Standard # 1, "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity," is definitely fulfilled using Glogger! Creating a masterpiece of information was so easy with this program; students will love how user-friendly it is! Those without artistic gifts (like me) will especially appreciate Glogger because you can easily click on a picture, move it around, and if you don't like it, simply click on the trash can. Backgrounds and different styles of print are available, along with endless choices of color. There are many special affects, too, including animation and the ability to add videos and audio clips. It is really fool-proof and fun, so both artistic and non-artistic students will enjoy using Glogger.
Glogger has really boosted my love for technology! I can feel myself getting nerdier by the minute, and I know I will use this in my classroom. I, myself, already have plans for 2 more Glogger posters as soon as I'm finished with my finals: One for my very supportive yet often neglected husband, and the other for "Parent Information Night" at Boise High, where I coach volleyball. Creating a glog will be a fun way to introduce some of our rules and expectations to our athletes and their families!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Christie, Professional Development
Learning is in my blood! I wish I would've realized that 30 years ago, but as a "non-traditional student," AKA: older student, I have come to appreciate every aspect of education... The questioning, the process of searching out answers, struggling, failing, succeeding, sharing information, and finally, raising more questions. An attitude of being a life-long learner is imperative for continued growth, and once the flame of being hungry-to-learn burns out, mind and spirit enter into the aging process of slowly fading and eventually dying.
For these reasons, among others, it is absolutely necessary that teachers are required to continue their own education. Lack of knowledge, apathy and burn-out are killers of creativity and learning, so it is important not only to stay current in new subjects and teaching techniques, but to also keep your passion and love-for-learning alive and fresh. My favorite teachers have always been those who have been open to learning themselves and are passionate about what they teach. Our profession demands this of us, and if we fail in this area, we fail ourselves and the students we are there to serve.
Technology is a perfect example of this... I have experienced educators who have refused to update their technological skills and use Blackboard. This school-wide network is so helpful and easy for teachers and students alike, but apathy and fear inhibit it's full use. Others are still using black-and-white powerpoints for lectures instead of the plethora of free teaching resources available for educators. Maybe they don't know about the possibilities, but continued professional development might keep them abreast of these resources.
Under ISTE standard 5, it is an educator's responsibility to "continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources." I plan on being the kind of teacher who is open to using all technological advances to enhance student learning and promote creativity, even as a P.E. teacher!
For these reasons, among others, it is absolutely necessary that teachers are required to continue their own education. Lack of knowledge, apathy and burn-out are killers of creativity and learning, so it is important not only to stay current in new subjects and teaching techniques, but to also keep your passion and love-for-learning alive and fresh. My favorite teachers have always been those who have been open to learning themselves and are passionate about what they teach. Our profession demands this of us, and if we fail in this area, we fail ourselves and the students we are there to serve.
Technology is a perfect example of this... I have experienced educators who have refused to update their technological skills and use Blackboard. This school-wide network is so helpful and easy for teachers and students alike, but apathy and fear inhibit it's full use. Others are still using black-and-white powerpoints for lectures instead of the plethora of free teaching resources available for educators. Maybe they don't know about the possibilities, but continued professional development might keep them abreast of these resources.
Under ISTE standard 5, it is an educator's responsibility to "continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources." I plan on being the kind of teacher who is open to using all technological advances to enhance student learning and promote creativity, even as a P.E. teacher!
Christie, Webquest Reflection
Out of all of our assignments, the webquest assignment is my favorite. I loved the experience of taking a lesson and making a team adventure out of it, and I know students will reap many benefits from this type of assignment!
One of the main benefits students will receive is the benefit of working with others as a team. This opportunity affords students the chance to learn from teammates and other groups, and the model can be used in any subject area. Webquests invite students to not only learn a subject, but to work together, problem solve, delegate responsibility, create, hold one-another accountable, use technology to peer-teach and present, phewww... The list goes on! I am excited about the possibilities!
As if that were not enough, webquest lessons satisfy ISTE Standard 1, among others; student learning and creativity will be inspired through the use of webquests, and all the while students will be honing their basic computer skills.
As a teacher-in-training, I appreciated researching the subject I chose and discovering all the free resources out there... It is nice to know that one does not have to reinvent the wheel to be an affective teacher. Additionally, connecting with other educators from all over the world and getting different perspectives and ideas is a bonus to using webquests! I can hardly wait to get started, and I already have some ideas...
One of the main benefits students will receive is the benefit of working with others as a team. This opportunity affords students the chance to learn from teammates and other groups, and the model can be used in any subject area. Webquests invite students to not only learn a subject, but to work together, problem solve, delegate responsibility, create, hold one-another accountable, use technology to peer-teach and present, phewww... The list goes on! I am excited about the possibilities!
As if that were not enough, webquest lessons satisfy ISTE Standard 1, among others; student learning and creativity will be inspired through the use of webquests, and all the while students will be honing their basic computer skills.
As a teacher-in-training, I appreciated researching the subject I chose and discovering all the free resources out there... It is nice to know that one does not have to reinvent the wheel to be an affective teacher. Additionally, connecting with other educators from all over the world and getting different perspectives and ideas is a bonus to using webquests! I can hardly wait to get started, and I already have some ideas...
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