I absolutely love the RSS feed site and believe knowing how to use this will really benefit me as a student and teacher; it is an awesome way to receive up-to-date info on topics relevant to what I am studying/will be teaching without having to wade through all the junk on the web. It is very easy to navigate, once it is set up, and I feel a certain amount of protection using it because I don't have to give out my e-mail address to receive information. Hopefully, this will lessen the risk of getting weird emails and/or viruses!
Just being able to use this resource shows my new-found ability to navigate and use the web, and the ISTE standards I cover involve modeling use of the web, working collaboratively with others through virtual environments, communicating relevant, updated information and using a variety of digital-age resources. More standards could be covered, especially if I have my students use this resource!
Some other things I really like about it is that you can easily share information with others, it is easy to organize info., and you can just skim headlines and choose the whole articles you want to read, saving lots of time. The Google Reader RSS site will be of great use for me as a teacher, and I have already enjoyed the benefits of using it! :)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Christie, ruberic reflection
The RubiStar site for rubric creation is an awesome resource, and I will continue to use it once I am teaching. The template can accommodate any subject, the site is really user-friendly, and it was very easy to create and customize my first rubric.
The ISTE Standards I satisfied in my rubric creation were standard 1c, "Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative process," and standard 2d, "Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching."
The idea of having a rubric is very different... "Back-in-the-day," we didn't have rubrics. In fact, this is a new vocabulary word for me! But I love having a rubric to follow, and I usually do well in classes that provide them! It tells the teacher's expectations straight off, and it leaves the student to decide what grade he/she will work for. It puts the responsibility of grades on the student, where it should be, and takes that responsibility off of the teacher. The teacher still has to teach, but the student has to complete what is assigned. I think this is a really valuable tool for communicating with parents, too. It is very cut and dry, and it is a tangible way of showing what a kid is/is not doing.
The ISTE Standards I satisfied in my rubric creation were standard 1c, "Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative process," and standard 2d, "Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching."
The idea of having a rubric is very different... "Back-in-the-day," we didn't have rubrics. In fact, this is a new vocabulary word for me! But I love having a rubric to follow, and I usually do well in classes that provide them! It tells the teacher's expectations straight off, and it leaves the student to decide what grade he/she will work for. It puts the responsibility of grades on the student, where it should be, and takes that responsibility off of the teacher. The teacher still has to teach, but the student has to complete what is assigned. I think this is a really valuable tool for communicating with parents, too. It is very cut and dry, and it is a tangible way of showing what a kid is/is not doing.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Christie, Geo-caching plan
I had fun creating this lesson plan! I have had a couple of experiences geo-caching, and both were so much fun that I know students will not only learn a lot and get exercise, but they will also enjoy it!
Technologically speaking, I hope the students learn to use a GPS and start to connect technology with exercise. I think technology has been dubbed the "bad guy" in terms of childhood obesity, along with television viewing, but I hope to show them that technology can be used in creative ways to support healthy lifestyles. Besides that, through this lesson my students will practice following written instructions, working as a team, and with all the running through the park they will get plenty of aerobic exercise!
The electronic form is AWESOME and includes everything... Who the lesson is for, the objective, detailed description of the activity, how long it should take, standards met, etc... When I was subbing, I wish the teachers I subbed for would've used this form because it gives you everything you need to teach a lesson! I have this in "delicious" and plan to use it for my plans.
The ISTE standards I meet in this lesson are standards 2 ( Designing and developing digital-age learning experience and assessments) and 3 (Modeling digital-age work and learning).
The only thing I would do differently in this lesson is adding cell phones for picture taking... Kids love pictures, and it would be awesome for them to each receive a team picture holding their cache (Great idea, Christine!). This would also reinforce the connection of technology and activity!
Technologically speaking, I hope the students learn to use a GPS and start to connect technology with exercise. I think technology has been dubbed the "bad guy" in terms of childhood obesity, along with television viewing, but I hope to show them that technology can be used in creative ways to support healthy lifestyles. Besides that, through this lesson my students will practice following written instructions, working as a team, and with all the running through the park they will get plenty of aerobic exercise!
The electronic form is AWESOME and includes everything... Who the lesson is for, the objective, detailed description of the activity, how long it should take, standards met, etc... When I was subbing, I wish the teachers I subbed for would've used this form because it gives you everything you need to teach a lesson! I have this in "delicious" and plan to use it for my plans.
The ISTE standards I meet in this lesson are standards 2 ( Designing and developing digital-age learning experience and assessments) and 3 (Modeling digital-age work and learning).
The only thing I would do differently in this lesson is adding cell phones for picture taking... Kids love pictures, and it would be awesome for them to each receive a team picture holding their cache (Great idea, Christine!). This would also reinforce the connection of technology and activity!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Assistive Technology reflection
I felt like this was a really useful assignment, and I loved exploring websites that could possibly help my future students! The possibilities seem limitless, and my only complaint is not having enough time to look at everything available.
Because of my past experience working in the schools, I know special needs kids are integrated into "normal" classroom settings, including Physical Education; some of the sites I found could enable students to participate more fully in a typical P.E. class. Abilityhub.com was one of my favorite sites because it had great resources for every impairment you could imagine, including quick links to order from. Physical aids were included at this site, as well as great software.
Another site I really appreciate is the "Adaptive Technologies" site. It was written by someone who, himself, is physically disabled, and the site is easy to navigate and includes some incredible resources for those with physical and/or mental disabilities. One impressive item I found there was something that enables folks without use of their legs to stand upright and play, instead of having to sit in a wheel chair. There were also voice-command units that allowed for freedom of movement.
Technology is amazing, and the use of it is enabling people with limits to experience what others take for granted. From software that allows quadraplegics to "hit" a tennis ball to hardware that enables deaf people to hear, it was an eye-opening experience seeing what was available!
Because of my past experience working in the schools, I know special needs kids are integrated into "normal" classroom settings, including Physical Education; some of the sites I found could enable students to participate more fully in a typical P.E. class. Abilityhub.com was one of my favorite sites because it had great resources for every impairment you could imagine, including quick links to order from. Physical aids were included at this site, as well as great software.
Another site I really appreciate is the "Adaptive Technologies" site. It was written by someone who, himself, is physically disabled, and the site is easy to navigate and includes some incredible resources for those with physical and/or mental disabilities. One impressive item I found there was something that enables folks without use of their legs to stand upright and play, instead of having to sit in a wheel chair. There were also voice-command units that allowed for freedom of movement.
Technology is amazing, and the use of it is enabling people with limits to experience what others take for granted. From software that allows quadraplegics to "hit" a tennis ball to hardware that enables deaf people to hear, it was an eye-opening experience seeing what was available!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Back to school powerpoint reflection
There is always room for improvement on anything I've ever done, but my back to school powerpoint makes me smile! Part of my joy lies in the fact that this is the 1st powerpoint I didn't struggle with... I remembered how to use animations, sounds and graphics, so I didn't have to spend my time searching for those things!
I learned a few new tricks, including taking pictures on my PC and animating the bronco symbol. I also really worked on making the sounds I chose match the feeling of the slide. In my previous powerpoint, I just chose a sound and assigned it to a slide. That worked okay individually, but once the slides were put together, the presentation didn't have a good "flow," and it detracted from what I was trying to convey. My back to school powerpoint flows, and the sounds enhance each individual slide and the show as a whole.
I also really like the color scheme... The blues and greens are pleasant to look at, and the waves of color give it a layed-back, beachy feeling. I think the appearance would make people who might be nervous on back-to-school night feel more at ease!
Content-wise, I followed the ruberic closely and checked off requirements as I went, so everything should be covered. Even though P.E. doesn't seem like it would have much in common with technology, all 3 class "highlights" involve using some form of it, which provides evidence of the role technology will play in my classroom.
I learned a few new tricks, including taking pictures on my PC and animating the bronco symbol. I also really worked on making the sounds I chose match the feeling of the slide. In my previous powerpoint, I just chose a sound and assigned it to a slide. That worked okay individually, but once the slides were put together, the presentation didn't have a good "flow," and it detracted from what I was trying to convey. My back to school powerpoint flows, and the sounds enhance each individual slide and the show as a whole.
I also really like the color scheme... The blues and greens are pleasant to look at, and the waves of color give it a layed-back, beachy feeling. I think the appearance would make people who might be nervous on back-to-school night feel more at ease!
Content-wise, I followed the ruberic closely and checked off requirements as I went, so everything should be covered. Even though P.E. doesn't seem like it would have much in common with technology, all 3 class "highlights" involve using some form of it, which provides evidence of the role technology will play in my classroom.
Internet Safety/Class rules reflection
The ISTE Standards I met on this powerpoint are numbers 3 and 4. Number 3 states that teachers "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning", and specifically, I met letter C by communicating "relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats." In number 4, "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility", I accomplished letter A by advocating, modeling, and teaching safe, legal and ethical uses of digital information and technology. My knowledge of technology is demonstrated by the fact I can create an interesting, informative powerpoint! :)
I was really happy with my internet safety and classroom rules powerpoint until I saw Michael's... Mine was okay, but his is a masterpiece! He used many fun, custom pictures in his, and his letter animations were amazing. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of improving my work.
I presented all the required information, and more, but it didn't have much flair. I had a lot of fun with colors and word art this time, which is defintely a big improvement over my 1st cyber dangers powerpoint, but it still seems lackluster. I need to be much more adventurous with using animation, sound, and pictures other than standard clip art. Right now I demonstrate moderate knowledge of powerpoint, but I want my presentations to show expert knowledge of the program and inspire the students who will be viewing them. After all, if we expect excellence from our students we need to model it!
If I was a student watching my powerpoint presentation, I would think it was nice, but it wouldn't be memorable or engaging. So in the future, I will try to use more unusual features of powerpoint to capture the attention of my kids and present information in a more effective manner.
I was really happy with my internet safety and classroom rules powerpoint until I saw Michael's... Mine was okay, but his is a masterpiece! He used many fun, custom pictures in his, and his letter animations were amazing. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of improving my work.
I presented all the required information, and more, but it didn't have much flair. I had a lot of fun with colors and word art this time, which is defintely a big improvement over my 1st cyber dangers powerpoint, but it still seems lackluster. I need to be much more adventurous with using animation, sound, and pictures other than standard clip art. Right now I demonstrate moderate knowledge of powerpoint, but I want my presentations to show expert knowledge of the program and inspire the students who will be viewing them. After all, if we expect excellence from our students we need to model it!
If I was a student watching my powerpoint presentation, I would think it was nice, but it wouldn't be memorable or engaging. So in the future, I will try to use more unusual features of powerpoint to capture the attention of my kids and present information in a more effective manner.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Susie's reflection
I absolutely loved learning how to create my back to school newsletter in Word. I had never done anything like that before, so the whole newsletter was a testimony to my growing skills in technology!
I learned so much on that project... The first really useful thing I learned was how to access Word, and then I learned how to choose a page layout and create borders for it. I had a ball choosing the font and colors to be used, but my favorite thing was learning to use WordArt and clip art. I learned how to insert lines and boxes, too, but it wasn't as exciting as finding clip art and using WordArt.
What I really liked in my newsletter was the "Class expectations" box. It was very simple and well-spaced, but it contained all the information needed. I also liked how the "Parent Corner" turned out; that, too, was really clear and concise and easily readable.
The next time I do a newsletter, though, I will not use a box with single-spaced lines in bold lettering. It came out looking very crowded and business-like, and it really didn't match the casual style I used in the rest of the newsletter. I think I will use the "less-is-more" philosophy when I create my next newsletter, but I will be more adventurous with color!
http://www.spokentext.net/members/susiechristie/Susies_newsletter_reflection.mp3
I learned so much on that project... The first really useful thing I learned was how to access Word, and then I learned how to choose a page layout and create borders for it. I had a ball choosing the font and colors to be used, but my favorite thing was learning to use WordArt and clip art. I learned how to insert lines and boxes, too, but it wasn't as exciting as finding clip art and using WordArt.
What I really liked in my newsletter was the "Class expectations" box. It was very simple and well-spaced, but it contained all the information needed. I also liked how the "Parent Corner" turned out; that, too, was really clear and concise and easily readable.
The next time I do a newsletter, though, I will not use a box with single-spaced lines in bold lettering. It came out looking very crowded and business-like, and it really didn't match the casual style I used in the rest of the newsletter. I think I will use the "less-is-more" philosophy when I create my next newsletter, but I will be more adventurous with color!
http://www.spokentext.net/members/susiechristie/Susies_newsletter_reflection.mp3
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