http://www.learner.org/jnorth/mclass/
http://www.xtranormal.com/
I observed in a 5th grade technology class this afternoon and thought everybody might like to see the really fun and educational projects they were working on! Both of these sites are free, so go in and play around with them. The students loved it, and you'll have fun with them too!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
More on Social Net-working
My cooperating teacher emailed me this link this morning. Check out the article. I think it will scare some professionals away from social net-working sites. http://www.nea.org/home/12784.htm
Saturday, April 25, 2009
CLRN
I signed up with CLRN not really understanding what it was. I went back later on and investigated the site further to find that it will be a wonderful resource for me as I begin my teaching career. With all the information available on the Internet it is hard to gauge what sites are reputable and accurate. Using CLRN to assess electronic resources before using them with a class will help to ensure that the information I'm sharing with the students is accurate and appropriate. I spent quite a bit of time going through the many features of the site, and I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface. I would have found CLRN overwhelming and confusing, but the tutorials about how to search for specific information were very helpful. Like all of the educational websites we've learned about during this course, I'm happy to know that such a resource exists for teachers.
Technology Enhanced Lesson Plan
When I first started my student teaching I stressed over writing lesson plans so much that it could have possibly scared me away from teaching all together. Once I got into it and learned the format and how to word the different sections better, it got much easier. Writing lesson plans is now just a minor chore. The lesson plan I wrote, introducing the human skeleton to fourth grade students, easily lent itself to incorporating some technology. I absolutely love using Brain Pop with this age level, so I showed the video about the human skeleton, as well as one about bones, when teaching this lesson. The quizzes at the end of the videos are a great way to reinforce the subject matter, so I went through the questions with the students aloud, afterward. I also used an overhead projector in my lesson plan, but during this lesson was the only time I had ever used one. There are better tools, such as smartboards, that have made the overhead projector obsolete.
The students definitely appreciate it when technology is incorporated into a lesson. Brain Pop is always a big hit in the class I student teach for, as well as movies, and video clips. I've watched the students in Technology class, enjoying every minute of creating Power Point presentations, exploring educational websites, and using Kidspiration. Today's students are so comfortable and familiar with using computers and many other forms of technology. Using technology in the classroom will make the learning environment one that the students can relate to and can really thrive in. In order to keep them engaged, teachers need to keep including new advances in technology into their lesson plans.
The students definitely appreciate it when technology is incorporated into a lesson. Brain Pop is always a big hit in the class I student teach for, as well as movies, and video clips. I've watched the students in Technology class, enjoying every minute of creating Power Point presentations, exploring educational websites, and using Kidspiration. Today's students are so comfortable and familiar with using computers and many other forms of technology. Using technology in the classroom will make the learning environment one that the students can relate to and can really thrive in. In order to keep them engaged, teachers need to keep including new advances in technology into their lesson plans.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Social Networking
I am really not all that thrilled about people's social lives primarily being conducted over the Internet rather than face-to-face. Without human contact, people will lose touch with reality. Everyone sitting in their own little room staring at a screen all day is creepy and it makes me sad. I realize social networking is a way to communicate and stay in touch with large groups of people, but there is something not quite right about living life on the Internet as many people seem to do.
When someone creates a web page using a social networking web site such as face book or my space, they can make themselves out to be anyone they want. All you can know about someone you are "friends" with on the Internet is what they tell you, whether it is true or not. You can not really get to know someone until you spend quality face time with them. Communicating via the Internet does not allow true personalities and feelings to come through. Without hearing the tone of someone's voice or watching their body language, you do not get to fully know and understand a person.
Obviously there are some very good uses for social networking sites. My band has a my space account to spread the word about shows and allow people to listen to samples of our music. Businesses advertise using social networking sites, and people can be reunited with old friends they have lost touch with. For these reasons and many others, social networking is a great tool.
It is when people become obsessed with updating their pages and posting every thought that ever crossed their mind that I start to feel uneasy about the popularity of social networking sites.
The fact that employers and strangers can have access to your private life and can find things out about you that were never meant to be shared, really bothers me. Instead of someone putting their personal life out there for all to see, they should go out and meet real live people and share common interests and activities outside in the real world. This way they can share the right information with the right people. For safety and out of self-respect, no one should indiscriminately share all of their personal information with everyone.
I fear people will lose much of what makes them human if they become too dependent on computers. If someone only learns to make friends and have relationships at a distance over the Internet, they will be missing out on human contact, and with it, much of the beauty and joy of life. Social networking is a wonderful tool but it is being completely over-used and abused to the detriment of the human race.
When someone creates a web page using a social networking web site such as face book or my space, they can make themselves out to be anyone they want. All you can know about someone you are "friends" with on the Internet is what they tell you, whether it is true or not. You can not really get to know someone until you spend quality face time with them. Communicating via the Internet does not allow true personalities and feelings to come through. Without hearing the tone of someone's voice or watching their body language, you do not get to fully know and understand a person.
Obviously there are some very good uses for social networking sites. My band has a my space account to spread the word about shows and allow people to listen to samples of our music. Businesses advertise using social networking sites, and people can be reunited with old friends they have lost touch with. For these reasons and many others, social networking is a great tool.
It is when people become obsessed with updating their pages and posting every thought that ever crossed their mind that I start to feel uneasy about the popularity of social networking sites.
The fact that employers and strangers can have access to your private life and can find things out about you that were never meant to be shared, really bothers me. Instead of someone putting their personal life out there for all to see, they should go out and meet real live people and share common interests and activities outside in the real world. This way they can share the right information with the right people. For safety and out of self-respect, no one should indiscriminately share all of their personal information with everyone.
I fear people will lose much of what makes them human if they become too dependent on computers. If someone only learns to make friends and have relationships at a distance over the Internet, they will be missing out on human contact, and with it, much of the beauty and joy of life. Social networking is a wonderful tool but it is being completely over-used and abused to the detriment of the human race.
Module 8-9 Videos
The first video about the introduction to the book was silly, but it did make a good point about the challenges people face when learning how to become technologically savvy. People need to make an effort to learn how to utilize new tools. Even though we may want to give up when struggling to figure out how to use new inventions, and we may be tempted to stick to what is old and familiar rather than spend the time needed to learn to use something new, keeping up with advances in technology is extremely important. People would not be where they are today if they didn't focus on learning and improving the tools we use for day-to-day life.
The panda video about Cyber-bullying was adorable. It would be an effective video to show to younger students to prepare them for a social life spent on the Internet. Since kids are becoming computer literate at such a young age, it is important to prepare them for life lessons they will learn on the computer as well as in real life. The video had an easy to understand lesson about bullying and would be helpful to students who may be teased and upset by things people write about them on personal web pages or in chats.
The students interviewed in the third video, about social networking, seemed to know a lot about safely posting personal information on their my space and face book pages. The animated portion of the video was well-done and sparked some good points, but I thought the live student responses and advice were especially effective. Showing this video to older students would be very helpful in teaching them what to keep in mind before they post certain personal things on their web pages. I liked that they brought up the important topic of employers viewing your web pages before hiring you. That information will make young people think twice before posting photos or stories that may paint an unflattering picture of who they are to prospective employers.
The last video, about teaching special needs students how to use computers and the Internet, offered insight as to the importance of making sure that special needs students do not get left behind with regards to technology education. In order to be a working member of society these days, a person needs to have knowledge of how to perform basic tasks using computers. For special needs students to land jobs as adults, it is necessary for them to have an education in technology equal to that of other students. The teacher interviewed in the video seemed inspired and got her important message across. I agree that special needs students should be trained in technology and should be prepared for life in the real world in the same ways that regular education students are trained and prepared.
The panda video about Cyber-bullying was adorable. It would be an effective video to show to younger students to prepare them for a social life spent on the Internet. Since kids are becoming computer literate at such a young age, it is important to prepare them for life lessons they will learn on the computer as well as in real life. The video had an easy to understand lesson about bullying and would be helpful to students who may be teased and upset by things people write about them on personal web pages or in chats.
The students interviewed in the third video, about social networking, seemed to know a lot about safely posting personal information on their my space and face book pages. The animated portion of the video was well-done and sparked some good points, but I thought the live student responses and advice were especially effective. Showing this video to older students would be very helpful in teaching them what to keep in mind before they post certain personal things on their web pages. I liked that they brought up the important topic of employers viewing your web pages before hiring you. That information will make young people think twice before posting photos or stories that may paint an unflattering picture of who they are to prospective employers.
The last video, about teaching special needs students how to use computers and the Internet, offered insight as to the importance of making sure that special needs students do not get left behind with regards to technology education. In order to be a working member of society these days, a person needs to have knowledge of how to perform basic tasks using computers. For special needs students to land jobs as adults, it is necessary for them to have an education in technology equal to that of other students. The teacher interviewed in the video seemed inspired and got her important message across. I agree that special needs students should be trained in technology and should be prepared for life in the real world in the same ways that regular education students are trained and prepared.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
School Web Pages
I took a close look at each school's web site in the district where I am currently student teaching. They are all designed a little differently, but contain the same basic information. The things they all have in common are that the links are layed out in neat, easy to read menu lists, the fonts are a good size and easy to read, and the background colors are calm and easy on the eyes. Each site also includes a link to all the teacher web sites for the school's faculty.
I definitely like that most teachers now have a web page. It is important to help keep parents and students informed. I think it must save teachers some frustration too. By posting announcements and assignments on a web page where everyone can check it at their leisure, parents and students won't need to ask the teachers the same questions repeatedly. I found that the teachers working at the school I am at have wonderful web sites with great information and a variety of interesting layouts. The district has a subscription to TeacherWeb, and all members of the faculty are required to maintain a web page. I was comforted to see that most of the teachers post their assignments weekly, because that is what I thought I would like to do. They all have disclaimers about the assignments being subject to change too! Other things I saw posted that I thought were good ideas were schedules, calendars, and upcoming class activities and school events.
Based on what I've seen on other teacher's web pages, I have figured out how I want my web page to look, and what I want it to include. Unfortunately the Scholastic web page builder will no longer allow me to do anything. After many tries, it finally allowed me to log in so that I could try to edit some sections. Each time I click on anything, it sends me right back to the log in page. Is this happening to anyone else? It would be nice to have a free site to help me build a web page, but if it doesn't work, it is not at all helpful. Hopefully I can get it working and finish this project, but I do not plan on ever using Scholastic again. Hopefully whatever district I eventually work for will have a subscription to something much better. If they do not, I will gladly pay my own subscription to TeacherWeb so that I do not have to deal with this frustration again.
I definitely like that most teachers now have a web page. It is important to help keep parents and students informed. I think it must save teachers some frustration too. By posting announcements and assignments on a web page where everyone can check it at their leisure, parents and students won't need to ask the teachers the same questions repeatedly. I found that the teachers working at the school I am at have wonderful web sites with great information and a variety of interesting layouts. The district has a subscription to TeacherWeb, and all members of the faculty are required to maintain a web page. I was comforted to see that most of the teachers post their assignments weekly, because that is what I thought I would like to do. They all have disclaimers about the assignments being subject to change too! Other things I saw posted that I thought were good ideas were schedules, calendars, and upcoming class activities and school events.
Based on what I've seen on other teacher's web pages, I have figured out how I want my web page to look, and what I want it to include. Unfortunately the Scholastic web page builder will no longer allow me to do anything. After many tries, it finally allowed me to log in so that I could try to edit some sections. Each time I click on anything, it sends me right back to the log in page. Is this happening to anyone else? It would be nice to have a free site to help me build a web page, but if it doesn't work, it is not at all helpful. Hopefully I can get it working and finish this project, but I do not plan on ever using Scholastic again. Hopefully whatever district I eventually work for will have a subscription to something much better. If they do not, I will gladly pay my own subscription to TeacherWeb so that I do not have to deal with this frustration again.
Web Page Building
I started working on my web page during the last class meeting and came away feeling pretty good about the free Scholastic site. Though I had a positive first impression, I've since become very frustrated working to build my web page. It really bothers me that I am knocked off the site repeatedly. I'm not sure if the glitch is Scholastic's fault or just bad luck with the different computers I'm using, but either way, it's making this project become a difficult chore. I am also unhappy with the selection of clip art the site provides. Please correct me if I am missing something on the site, but I have not been able to find helpful directions for how to add better photographs and images from other sites on the Internet.
Besides having general problems with using the Scholastic web page builder, I'm also struggling with the content. I don't really know how in-depth to get with making book lists, software lists, and posting assignments. I am only student teaching right now, and do not really have my own class, so that may be why I don't really have ideas for books or software to recommend. As far as posting homework goes, I think the best way to do it would be to update the assignments on a weekly basis. I will be sure to include a disclaimer stating that assignments are subject to change, depending on what is covered in class each day.
I am sure that I will figure out what to do and become more comfortable working on and maintaining my own web page, but I will probably need to ask some friends for advice and help. I am also going to take a look at other teachers' web pages to get a better sense of what I should include, and borrow some good ideas! Thanks for reading my venting session!
Besides having general problems with using the Scholastic web page builder, I'm also struggling with the content. I don't really know how in-depth to get with making book lists, software lists, and posting assignments. I am only student teaching right now, and do not really have my own class, so that may be why I don't really have ideas for books or software to recommend. As far as posting homework goes, I think the best way to do it would be to update the assignments on a weekly basis. I will be sure to include a disclaimer stating that assignments are subject to change, depending on what is covered in class each day.
I am sure that I will figure out what to do and become more comfortable working on and maintaining my own web page, but I will probably need to ask some friends for advice and help. I am also going to take a look at other teachers' web pages to get a better sense of what I should include, and borrow some good ideas! Thanks for reading my venting session!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Creating A Web Page
I'm actually looking forward to creating my first web page! Since I started this class, I have been looking at more websites than I have ever had to before. Doing the website evaluation assignment really helped me realize why I like or dislike the design of certain websites. Now I am aware of and take notice of the quality of every website I visit.
I find that the easiest websites to use have plain and simple menus in list form. The font is easy to read and the colors and graphics are not distracting. Websites that I find confusing and difficult to use have links in random places, fonts that are unclear, and too many graphics, animations, or colors that take away from the information on the website. Based on these observations, I have a good idea as to how I want to set up my web page.
Though I have not started working on my web page yet, the Scholastic site appears to provide clear instructions and seems easy to use. I like the fact that it is a free domain, and that it is meant specifically for educational purposes. All of the teachers at the school I am currently student teaching at are required to have a classroom web page. I think it is a wonderful way for parents, students, and teachers to communicate with one another. Posting assignments on the web page helps parents keep track of what their children should be doing as far as homework each night. It is also nice that teachers can let parents know about upcoming events and things that are happening in class even if the students fail to mention it at home. I will enjoy building a web page that will include the information I want to communicate in a way that is accessible and helpful to parents and students.
Though I have not started working on my web page yet, the Scholastic site appears to provide clear instructions and seems easy to use. I like the fact that it is a free domain, and that it is meant specifically for educational purposes. All of the teachers at the school I am currently student teaching at are required to have a classroom web page. I think it is a wonderful way for parents, students, and teachers to communicate with one another. Posting assignments on the web page helps parents keep track of what their children should be doing as far as homework each night. It is also nice that teachers can let parents know about upcoming events and things that are happening in class even if the students fail to mention it at home. I will enjoy building a web page that will include the information I want to communicate in a way that is accessible and helpful to parents and students.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Web-Based Resources
Access to web-based resources have opened up many wonderful opportunities for me as I begin my teaching career. The programs and sites available for educators are valuable classroom aids, providing innovative activities, ideas for special projects, and lesson plans on every subject. Finding ways to enrich lessons and help students get involved is much easier with the help of teacher and student friendly educational websites.
When I was teaching Art to elementary school students, I would often perform online searches to find projects that could be done with the materials I had on hand. I was amazed at the number of free websites offering me practical information and really fun, kid-friendly project ideas and templates. The websites I found previously on my own were pretty good and usable, but now that I am student teaching I have been exposed to so many more official and well-organized websites. My current favorite is Brain Pop. My cooperating teacher incorporates a Brain-Pop video into almost every chapter of Science that she teaches. The website is not free, but the school district has a subscription. While I am here, I will certainly take advantage of Brain Pop and include the videos in my own lesson plans.
While working on the Web Quest, I was directed to many other excellent educational websites. I also stumbled on a few just by googling. With every new web-based resource I discover, I feel more confident using the Internet as a teaching tool. It is important that students learn how to use computers and the Internet competently and that they are comfortable adapting to new technologies. As a teacher trying to prepare students for life in the real world, I feel a responsibility to expose them to computer use as much as possible. I'm glad there are plenty of resources out there for me to use in the classroom with the students. By showing the students more ways they can use the Internet to gain knowledge, I can lead by example.
Before taking this course I was barely computer literate. Knowing what I do now, about all of the educational resources made available by the computer, and about technology standards in the school curriculum, I am so glad I am beginning to learn how to utilize the Internet. I will be a much better teacher now that I am on my way towards learning about and using all of the new advances in technology.
When I was teaching Art to elementary school students, I would often perform online searches to find projects that could be done with the materials I had on hand. I was amazed at the number of free websites offering me practical information and really fun, kid-friendly project ideas and templates. The websites I found previously on my own were pretty good and usable, but now that I am student teaching I have been exposed to so many more official and well-organized websites. My current favorite is Brain Pop. My cooperating teacher incorporates a Brain-Pop video into almost every chapter of Science that she teaches. The website is not free, but the school district has a subscription. While I am here, I will certainly take advantage of Brain Pop and include the videos in my own lesson plans.
While working on the Web Quest, I was directed to many other excellent educational websites. I also stumbled on a few just by googling. With every new web-based resource I discover, I feel more confident using the Internet as a teaching tool. It is important that students learn how to use computers and the Internet competently and that they are comfortable adapting to new technologies. As a teacher trying to prepare students for life in the real world, I feel a responsibility to expose them to computer use as much as possible. I'm glad there are plenty of resources out there for me to use in the classroom with the students. By showing the students more ways they can use the Internet to gain knowledge, I can lead by example.
Before taking this course I was barely computer literate. Knowing what I do now, about all of the educational resources made available by the computer, and about technology standards in the school curriculum, I am so glad I am beginning to learn how to utilize the Internet. I will be a much better teacher now that I am on my way towards learning about and using all of the new advances in technology.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Kidspiration
I downloaded the trial version of Kidspiration to see the capabilities the program has to offer. I had seen it used once before in the Technology class my students attend every ten days. The students used the word web feature to plan out slides for a Power Point presentation about themselves. They enjoyed using the computer to create the word webs, and it really helped them to plan their projects.
The other features offered by Kidspiration seem to provide fun and interesting opportunities for lesson enrichment, if used in the proper setting. I like the idea of using it on a Smartboard to engage the whole class, as seen on the youtube video posted in module four. If your class happens to be studying one of the Science or Social Studies topics included in Kidspiration, they would benefit from the activities offered by the program. The topic would be drilled into their heads while they are just having fun playing around with the computer. The writing features of Kidspiration appear to be the most useful and practical. If a teacher had regular access to enough computers for the whole class, I could see them incorporating Kidspiration into most of their writing lessons. The math features provide excellent visuals for students learning new skills. With access to a Smartboard, a teacher could use the Math features Kidspiration offers to support a number of lessons.
Because it is so important that students become computer literate, a program like Kidspiration is a wonderful classroom tool. The students get to practice subject related skills as well as gain experience with general computer use. After seeing all that this program can do, I am anxious to try and incorporate Kidspiration into a future lesson while I am student teaching.
The other features offered by Kidspiration seem to provide fun and interesting opportunities for lesson enrichment, if used in the proper setting. I like the idea of using it on a Smartboard to engage the whole class, as seen on the youtube video posted in module four. If your class happens to be studying one of the Science or Social Studies topics included in Kidspiration, they would benefit from the activities offered by the program. The topic would be drilled into their heads while they are just having fun playing around with the computer. The writing features of Kidspiration appear to be the most useful and practical. If a teacher had regular access to enough computers for the whole class, I could see them incorporating Kidspiration into most of their writing lessons. The math features provide excellent visuals for students learning new skills. With access to a Smartboard, a teacher could use the Math features Kidspiration offers to support a number of lessons.
Because it is so important that students become computer literate, a program like Kidspiration is a wonderful classroom tool. The students get to practice subject related skills as well as gain experience with general computer use. After seeing all that this program can do, I am anxious to try and incorporate Kidspiration into a future lesson while I am student teaching.
Monday, March 2, 2009
About Blogging
At the first meeting of the class, I was extremely unhappy to hear that I would need to keep up a blog as an on-going assignment for the semester. Not being a computer-savvy person or having an interest in working online, it seemed like it would be a chore to log on multiple times a week and post my thoughts. I had some trouble getting used to it in the beginning, but to be honest, it is not nearly the daunting task I thought it would be.
Before taking this course I did not read or follow any blogs, but it is obvious after looking at the websites listed in module 4 that many people are very interested in it. Most people are tied to computers for work or as a hobby, and blogging has become a practical and convenient way to communicate information. Blogging has been a great way to keep this online-based class personal. I feel I am in touch with my classmates, and can get a sense of who they are through their blog postings. I still much prefer face-to-face class meetings, and would rather not have to depend on the computer for everything, but I am glad I was forced to try something new!
We can't avoid the path technology is pushing our society down, so I guess it is important to embrace the ways of the future and start getting comfortable with it. I still hope that online education will not fully take the place of traditional education, because there is nothing like the personal contact experienced in the classroom for sharing ideas and experiences. Maintaining human contact is important for learning social skills and being able to work cooperatively with others. I am impressed with how easy it has been to manage a blog and stay in touch with my classmates, however I miss having immediate back and forth conversations, and it would be nice to know what my classmates looked like.
Before taking this course I did not read or follow any blogs, but it is obvious after looking at the websites listed in module 4 that many people are very interested in it. Most people are tied to computers for work or as a hobby, and blogging has become a practical and convenient way to communicate information. Blogging has been a great way to keep this online-based class personal. I feel I am in touch with my classmates, and can get a sense of who they are through their blog postings. I still much prefer face-to-face class meetings, and would rather not have to depend on the computer for everything, but I am glad I was forced to try something new!
We can't avoid the path technology is pushing our society down, so I guess it is important to embrace the ways of the future and start getting comfortable with it. I still hope that online education will not fully take the place of traditional education, because there is nothing like the personal contact experienced in the classroom for sharing ideas and experiences. Maintaining human contact is important for learning social skills and being able to work cooperatively with others. I am impressed with how easy it has been to manage a blog and stay in touch with my classmates, however I miss having immediate back and forth conversations, and it would be nice to know what my classmates looked like.
Make A Difference Movie
I just watched the movie that Prof. Luongo sent us the link for. I have to say it moved me to tears. I know from being a student in elementary school that the kindness and attention shown by teachers towards their students makes a lasting impact, but this movie was a nice little reminder of that. As teachers we need to be emotionally invested in our jobs. The movie makes the excellent point that we are not teaching subjects, we are teaching children. When we get frustrated or tired at work, we need to keep in mind that our purpose at the school is to be kind and loving role models for the children we educate. The students need to know that we care about them and that we are coming to work everyday just for them. I was disappointed to find out that the story was fictional, but nevertheless it was a sweet reminder of why we teach and it made a strong impression on me. If you haven't checked it out yet you should. http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Final Thoughts on WebQuests
I just finished up my WebQuest after much time and effort. I thought that planning the assignment was interesting, but I was not happy about having to build it into a WebQuest when I first started. I encountered a lot of problems while working in QuestGarden. At one point, just days away from the deadline, I lost all of my work and information! I struggled to create links and upload pictures, and the formatting in QuestGarden was like nothing I had ever seen. Though I complained my way through this project, I actually feel that I am walking away from it with a lot of knowledge and valuable experience. This was the first time I had ever done a web-based project. I am starting to feel more comfortable working with computers and the internet. I probably won't make WebQuests a regular part of my lesson planning, in fact I most likely will never make one again, but at least now I know how to! If anyone is interested in checking out my finished WebQuest, visit http://questgarden.com/76/35/6/090215112734.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Obama's Education Plan
Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the chat about Obama's new education plan, but it is something I am very curious to hear about. If anyone does stop by the chatroom, please share anything interesting that comes up! The principal at the school where I am student teaching recently sent an article out to the staff with information regarding the new plan. It seems that much is being done to improve the education system, and I was especially impressed with the ideas and suggestions made to change our system of standardized testing. Hopefully education reform will be a priority with the new administration and improvements will be made to keep public education progressing. I hope the chat is interesting and informative!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Web Page Evaluation
The site URL is http://www.edhelper.com.
The site title is edhelper.com.
The site is student friendly because it offers games and activities; however it is only available to students of teachers who are registered members.
The site is very teacher friendly. It has ideas, plans, worksheets, puzzles, games, and activities for teachers to use to supplement their lessons. It is very well organized by subject, and then subdivided by specific concepts and lessons, as well as by grade level.
It is definitely an appropriate reading level for the audience of teachers that it will mainly reach. The supplementary work for students that is available on the site comes in a range of reading levels. A teacher would easily be able to find appropriate materials on this site for the grade level that they teach.
The screen loads rather quickly.
The site does not contain any advertisement banners or pop-ups.
I did not have any problems accessing any of the links contained on the website.
I feel very comfortable navigating this website. Everything is divided and subdivided very clearly, and the link titles are brief and descriptive. It has a simple design with easy to read text and small, but eye-catching, icons. There is a very convenient search option on the site to limit time spent reading through each section and enable the user to find exactly what they are looking for immediately.
I found the entire site extremely useful. The best features are the supplementary worksheets and ideas for lesson plans. The activities are fun and provide engaging and fun additions to almost any lesson.
I really did not have any problems using this site and found it to be quite clear and user-friendly.
The site seems to be very well maintained. It offers a newsletter with up-to-date information, and even includes a link entitled, “What’s New,” containing seasonal and relevant project ideas.
Students must log in but do not require a password.
The only personal information asked of students is for their first and last name and for their teacher’s email address.
This website seems to be fine as is. It has a large audience; it is easy to use, well maintained, and full of useful information. I suppose in the future the authors will want to modernize it by making the design a little more creative and fancy, but no improvements are necessary at this time.
The site title is edhelper.com.
The site is student friendly because it offers games and activities; however it is only available to students of teachers who are registered members.
The site is very teacher friendly. It has ideas, plans, worksheets, puzzles, games, and activities for teachers to use to supplement their lessons. It is very well organized by subject, and then subdivided by specific concepts and lessons, as well as by grade level.
It is definitely an appropriate reading level for the audience of teachers that it will mainly reach. The supplementary work for students that is available on the site comes in a range of reading levels. A teacher would easily be able to find appropriate materials on this site for the grade level that they teach.
The screen loads rather quickly.
The site does not contain any advertisement banners or pop-ups.
I did not have any problems accessing any of the links contained on the website.
I feel very comfortable navigating this website. Everything is divided and subdivided very clearly, and the link titles are brief and descriptive. It has a simple design with easy to read text and small, but eye-catching, icons. There is a very convenient search option on the site to limit time spent reading through each section and enable the user to find exactly what they are looking for immediately.
I found the entire site extremely useful. The best features are the supplementary worksheets and ideas for lesson plans. The activities are fun and provide engaging and fun additions to almost any lesson.
I really did not have any problems using this site and found it to be quite clear and user-friendly.
The site seems to be very well maintained. It offers a newsletter with up-to-date information, and even includes a link entitled, “What’s New,” containing seasonal and relevant project ideas.
Students must log in but do not require a password.
The only personal information asked of students is for their first and last name and for their teacher’s email address.
This website seems to be fine as is. It has a large audience; it is easy to use, well maintained, and full of useful information. I suppose in the future the authors will want to modernize it by making the design a little more creative and fancy, but no improvements are necessary at this time.
Monday, February 9, 2009
My First Impression of WebQuests
I first heard about WebQuests in my Assessment course last Spring semester. Another student who had been using WebQuests for years did a very thorough Power Point presentation on the subject. My first impression was that it seemed like a lot of work for designing projects that were mediocre. It appeared to be time consuming for the teacher, and I couldn't see a student getting enthusiastic about having to complete such a long, drawn out, and complicated assignment.
I just finished investigating the websites listed in module 3. I took my time and read through all of the information about what WebQuests are, how to make them, and even how to complete one designed by someone else. I must admit I was bored. I was unimpressed with the objectives of the assignments, and I didn't think a student would benefit from completing the WebQuests enough to warrant the amount of time they would need to spend working on them.
I have not started working on designing my own WebQuest yet. I do think that using the QuestGarden website will make the process easier, as the site seemed to be well organized and user-friendly. I was shocked to find out that WebQuests have been around since the 90's! I'm sure when they first came out they were a hit with teachers and students because of the novelty of getting to use a computer to complete an entire project. Now students are so used to using computers that a WebQuest is just another assignment.
I'm trying to be open minded about designing my own WebQuest. I hope that as I research it further and continue working through module 3 I will come to appreciate WebQuests and be able to design one that is engaging and worthwhile for my students. If my students respond well to my WebQuest, and I can see that they truly benefitted from completing the project, my opinion of WebQuests will be changed.
I just finished investigating the websites listed in module 3. I took my time and read through all of the information about what WebQuests are, how to make them, and even how to complete one designed by someone else. I must admit I was bored. I was unimpressed with the objectives of the assignments, and I didn't think a student would benefit from completing the WebQuests enough to warrant the amount of time they would need to spend working on them.
I have not started working on designing my own WebQuest yet. I do think that using the QuestGarden website will make the process easier, as the site seemed to be well organized and user-friendly. I was shocked to find out that WebQuests have been around since the 90's! I'm sure when they first came out they were a hit with teachers and students because of the novelty of getting to use a computer to complete an entire project. Now students are so used to using computers that a WebQuest is just another assignment.
I'm trying to be open minded about designing my own WebQuest. I hope that as I research it further and continue working through module 3 I will come to appreciate WebQuests and be able to design one that is engaging and worthwhile for my students. If my students respond well to my WebQuest, and I can see that they truly benefitted from completing the project, my opinion of WebQuests will be changed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Some Helpful Websites
I am just coming to the point in my student teaching where I am starting to write some lesson plans and teach a few classes. My first science lesson is going to be on Thursday and my cooperating teacher told me a few sites to check out for some ideas and materials. One of the sites, edhelper.com, which was actually listed on the web page evaluation rubric, proved to be extremely helpful to me. I was able to get an idea for an activity, and a worksheet as an assessment off of the site for free! Another great site I'm taking advantage of for my lesson is BrainPop.com. It has videos and quizzes on just about any subject, and the students really get into them. I believe you need to pay for the site, but many districts subscribe to it. If you haven't already, go check them out!
Friday, January 30, 2009
The New Way to Learn
After reading the Juke's article from module 1, I realized that teachers and education administrators have a huge task to undertake right now more than ever. It is our responsibility as educators to understand the ever-changing psychology of learning, and adapt our teaching styles to suit the needs of each new generation of students. The curriculum needs to be taught in ways that our students are comfortable with and can relate to. The way we are comfortable learning is not stimulating enough for students who have grown up with computers and high-tech gadgets in their homes. It is necessary for us to challenge ourselves and learn to be fluent in modern technology in order to teach our students using high standards and working them at the proper level. As teachers, it is especially important to keep informed and continually learn of new advances in technology as well as be aware of any new resources as they become available.
The Secretbuilders website seems to be a great new resource being developed. It includes many of the desirable features and assets discussed in the Juke's article. Designing projects with this website and others like it will be a fitting way to educate the current generation of students. Working online in an interactive community where their ideas are published to a wide audience of their peers will be a motivating and enjoyable way for students to learn. It incorporates audio, visual, text, and individual creativity to stimulate the fundamentally different way that students now learn. Students and teachers can take a personal interest in using a site like this because it is a very adaptable tool, and when used well can support any type of lesson with successful results.
The Secretbuilders website seems to be a great new resource being developed. It includes many of the desirable features and assets discussed in the Juke's article. Designing projects with this website and others like it will be a fitting way to educate the current generation of students. Working online in an interactive community where their ideas are published to a wide audience of their peers will be a motivating and enjoyable way for students to learn. It incorporates audio, visual, text, and individual creativity to stimulate the fundamentally different way that students now learn. Students and teachers can take a personal interest in using a site like this because it is a very adaptable tool, and when used well can support any type of lesson with successful results.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Internet Safety
I just finished watching the three videos on internet safety that are linked to modules 1&2. I assume the first one is meant for teenagers, the second one for children, and the third one for very young children. The first one seemed like a teenager's project for a computer class. Whoever made the video put some personality and style in it, using music and text effects. They also included some good information about websites that could be helpful to other teenagers who may be encountering some troublesome situations on the internet. The second video had a catchy rap tune that would certainly appeal to kids, though I'm not sure how much information would really stick with the viewer after watching. The third video for young children was my favorite. It was very age appropriate, repeating the rules several times, using consistent graphics, and explaining internet safety in the simplest terms possible.
Student safety is a top priority for educators. I remember back when I was in elementary school, how much time and effort my teachers spent going over fire safety, stranger dangers, how to cross the street safely, and other basic skills to keep students safe in their everyday lives. These days students spend much of their time on the internet. How to behave responsibly online and how to react to situations that will occur when using the internet are becoming important life skills that teachers will have to incorporate into their lessons on staying safe.
Student safety is a top priority for educators. I remember back when I was in elementary school, how much time and effort my teachers spent going over fire safety, stranger dangers, how to cross the street safely, and other basic skills to keep students safe in their everyday lives. These days students spend much of their time on the internet. How to behave responsibly online and how to react to situations that will occur when using the internet are becoming important life skills that teachers will have to incorporate into their lessons on staying safe.
Monday, January 26, 2009
NJCCCS Technology = WOW!
I am completely impressed by the standards set for technology education in the state of NJ. If technology programs in all schools can be implemented well enough to support this curriculum it will do wonders for the next generation of students. Having been through school before much of this technology was available has left me somewhat in the dark when it comes to dealing with life in the computer age. From the simplest tasks, such as paying bills, to major undertakings, such as earning a college degree, computers have become absolutely necessary for successful day-to-day living. Being able to master using the computer and internet before leaving high school will give students amazing opportunities that will make their lives much easier.
I am currently student teaching in a fourth grade class, and just today witnessed the students in action during their technology class. These 9 year old children were creating Power Point presentations, something I did not learn how to do until last year! The students all seemed very comfortable navigating their way around the computer, using a program called Kidspiration to create word webs to plan out the information they wanted to include in their slides. They were taking pictures with digital cameras that they will later upload onto the computers and use for their presentations. The school district is doing its best to follow the state curriculum, and it is evident that its efforts to make technology accessible to the students has been extremely beneficial.
As technology advances, it seems it would be in the public's best interest to start educating students on using computers at an even younger age. As soon as students learn handwriting they should learn to type. As soon as students start taking notes they should be issued laptops. The way things are going with the growing need to conserve our natural resources, I would not be surprised if textbooks become entirely computer or even internet based, and students start submitting their homework via email. Though it seems foreign to me (for now!- I am getting better), and possibly most of the older people in this country, it is completely necessary that we educate the next generation to be able to keep up with the times, and grow up prepared for the changing world.
I am currently student teaching in a fourth grade class, and just today witnessed the students in action during their technology class. These 9 year old children were creating Power Point presentations, something I did not learn how to do until last year! The students all seemed very comfortable navigating their way around the computer, using a program called Kidspiration to create word webs to plan out the information they wanted to include in their slides. They were taking pictures with digital cameras that they will later upload onto the computers and use for their presentations. The school district is doing its best to follow the state curriculum, and it is evident that its efforts to make technology accessible to the students has been extremely beneficial.
As technology advances, it seems it would be in the public's best interest to start educating students on using computers at an even younger age. As soon as students learn handwriting they should learn to type. As soon as students start taking notes they should be issued laptops. The way things are going with the growing need to conserve our natural resources, I would not be surprised if textbooks become entirely computer or even internet based, and students start submitting their homework via email. Though it seems foreign to me (for now!- I am getting better), and possibly most of the older people in this country, it is completely necessary that we educate the next generation to be able to keep up with the times, and grow up prepared for the changing world.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
First Blog Post
Hello,
Welcome to my blog! This is my first post just to try things out and see how it all works. I'll be back posting again very soon. Goodbye for now!
~Ginette
Welcome to my blog! This is my first post just to try things out and see how it all works. I'll be back posting again very soon. Goodbye for now!
~Ginette
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