When I first signed up for this course I thought I would like to learn more about integrating technology with my classes. I am working on my Masters plus 15 credits and thought this class would get me going in the right direction. Then I looked if there were any restrictions to the class. It stated “Familiarity with the World Wide Web and e-mail and an active e-mail account.” I thought to myself, I know the World Wide Web; I have an e-mail account at home and at school. I could take this course, I’ll be just fine. Little did I know how much I really didn’t know? Just going in the first day and having a lap top in front of me was a bit scary. I felt like I was thrown into the den with the lions and I better figure out this technology and slowly climb out before I get eaten. Now two weeks later I am no longer at the bottom of the den but I’m not totally out either. Let’s just say I am excited about all of the new things that I have learn and I am slowly picking up new ways to do things. You learn with a lot of trial and error and knowing who to ask for help.
So what have I learned in this class. Well, there are so many things to do and find on the internet, from podcast to RSS feeds (and now I know that RSS does not only stand for Reading Success from the Start-HA HA HA) to web quest to protopage to pageflakes to wikis to wikipedia and every other kind of wiki out there. If any thing, my poor brain was on over load for two weeks straight and this was right after a stressful school year. It was a lot to take in all at once but believe it or not it is sinking in. I know I will be going back to my Del.icio.us account and look back at some the sites that I didn’t have time to read. I have also found myself googling everything. I was always knew about Google but for some reason I really didn’t use it much for education. I know this school year it will be more of a resource to me.
What else will I try; well I may try blogging with my 3rd of 4th graders. I would love to get them to reflect more on what we read and do. I would like to make my own teacher blog with lots of resources for parents to go to. Now that I know what a blog is and somewhat know how to create one. I’m not sure what else I will try but I think I will start with one small group and slowly build from there.
Lastly, what I got out of this class was to “to think outside of the box”. Develop student directed activities rather than teacher directed activities. I know that my creative side will help me there. Pink had good points with the L-Directed Brain and the R-Directed Brain. One side is not better than the other but we need to utilize both sides of the brain. I really enjoyed reading the book A Whole New Mind. It had great examples to bring out your creative side. I will keep it as a reference. I did enjoy hearing about everyone else’s books as well. What I great way to share all of that information.
I have been teaching for twenty years and I still look for new ways to do things and boy do I have a boat load after this class. I am lucky to have access to a computer lab so that I am able to try out some of the things that I have learned. I think for schools to go forward with technology, we need lots of teacher training and support. I know that change is not easy with teachers but when you point out the success you can get from your students that may change their thinking. Well now that class is over I can relax a bit but I know that the wheels are still spinning in my head with new ideas for the fall.
Lorajean
Friday, July 6, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day 8
It was nice to have Tony and Scott in our class today. I thought it was interesting that Tony was on our blog yesterday so he could see what we were up to. Monday I couldn't figure out who was apowell on our blog, now I know.
Today was discussed our rubric for our projects. I feel like we wrote the rubric weeks ago and it was only last week. I am so glad that we will have a chance to work in our groups tomorrow. I know that we need to think outside of the box and remember all of the class discussions and books that we have heard about on Monday and Tuesday. I think that our group is on the right track for the project now. It is just hard to break old habits but when you are willing to try you can always do better.
This class has definitely shown me so many things that you can do on the Internet. I have to write them all down just to keep track of them. Oh , I should say they are in my Del. icio.us account. You could play on the computer all day looking at stuff. I know that I will use what I have learn to the next school year.
Today was discussed our rubric for our projects. I feel like we wrote the rubric weeks ago and it was only last week. I am so glad that we will have a chance to work in our groups tomorrow. I know that we need to think outside of the box and remember all of the class discussions and books that we have heard about on Monday and Tuesday. I think that our group is on the right track for the project now. It is just hard to break old habits but when you are willing to try you can always do better.
This class has definitely shown me so many things that you can do on the Internet. I have to write them all down just to keep track of them. Oh , I should say they are in my Del. icio.us account. You could play on the computer all day looking at stuff. I know that I will use what I have learn to the next school year.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day 5, 6, 7
I am so frustrated with Edublogs. They are slow as death (using a metaphor-Pink) and have lost some of my postings from the other day. I have not been slacking in my Blogging, just for the record. I decided to take Natalie's advice and just switch to Blogger. I was a bit resistant at first because I thought it would be a hassle but it turned out easier than I thought. In fact I think I even remember how to put it on the class page.
Okay, now that we have that all cleared up let me remember what I had put in the last log that went to syber space. I know it was a bit tricky to blog during the presentation on Monday. I was trying to listen and type at the same time. I know that for Rainbows End I got about half of the info that was presented. I thought I could multitask but this was a first time for me on the computer doing this kind of activity. The book did sound interesting with all of the futuristic things that could come about. I feel like you need to keep up with the times. I also feel as my typing skills improve blogging should go faster. On the second go around with blogging during the second presentation, I found myself taking things a bit slower. I listened more and blogged a bit less. Once I had a better feel for the presentation, I would blog more with everyone else. The World is Flat had some good points. It really connected to my book in the end. Sarah and I were looking at each other knowing that we knew what Brian and Conrad were talking about. It was great that we followed them with our book. A Whole New Mind gives lots of examples of how to be more creative and use your right brain thinking.
Today I was the Google Jockey, a bit stressful since I have never done it before but sometimes the only way to learn is to jump into it. I did find it a bit tricky to focus on what was being said and google at the same time. I had to check what I was googling to see if it matched what the discussion was about. Over all a good experience.
Our class presentations continued. Sarah and I had to finish our book. I really enjoyed the book. It makes you look at yourself and the ways you do things. I thought I was a right brain thinker but it seems I'm a bit of both.
I can't believe how much I have learned in this class so far. Although I need to play and visit more places on the internet. I really liked using Protopage for my project. I though it was going to be hard to figure out but it was easy when I got the hang of it. I didn't even ask my husband for much help.
Okay, now that we have that all cleared up let me remember what I had put in the last log that went to syber space. I know it was a bit tricky to blog during the presentation on Monday. I was trying to listen and type at the same time. I know that for Rainbows End I got about half of the info that was presented. I thought I could multitask but this was a first time for me on the computer doing this kind of activity. The book did sound interesting with all of the futuristic things that could come about. I feel like you need to keep up with the times. I also feel as my typing skills improve blogging should go faster. On the second go around with blogging during the second presentation, I found myself taking things a bit slower. I listened more and blogged a bit less. Once I had a better feel for the presentation, I would blog more with everyone else. The World is Flat had some good points. It really connected to my book in the end. Sarah and I were looking at each other knowing that we knew what Brian and Conrad were talking about. It was great that we followed them with our book. A Whole New Mind gives lots of examples of how to be more creative and use your right brain thinking.
Today I was the Google Jockey, a bit stressful since I have never done it before but sometimes the only way to learn is to jump into it. I did find it a bit tricky to focus on what was being said and google at the same time. I had to check what I was googling to see if it matched what the discussion was about. Over all a good experience.
Our class presentations continued. Sarah and I had to finish our book. I really enjoyed the book. It makes you look at yourself and the ways you do things. I thought I was a right brain thinker but it seems I'm a bit of both.
I can't believe how much I have learned in this class so far. Although I need to play and visit more places on the internet. I really liked using Protopage for my project. I though it was going to be hard to figure out but it was easy when I got the hang of it. I didn't even ask my husband for much help.
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