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.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)