Week 5 Reflection

What - We learned about webquest this week in class. We learned how to make  a webquest and started working on one in class. We had the chance to brain storm ideas on the webquest that we will make.

So What - Web quest are a great tool that we can use in our classrooms. They are a great way for children to safely surf the web and explore certain topics. They can be used in any subject and allow for a great deal of creativity for the teacher and students.

Now What- My group is working on a plan for a literature lesson. I would like to use this or something like that in my class. The students will explore a website that teaches them about writing styles and then they will chose one and write a short story.  This is one example of the many ways you can use webquest. 

Video Reflection - (Surface computers) The video on surface computers, was really neat. That would be so cool, if someday we could have these computers in my classroom. I loved how they just placed the camera on the computer and it took the picture off, I am curious if you would have to have a certain type of camera, or of any digital camera would work. It looks easy to use. They said that somedays they will be everywhere, it our virtual world. 

Week 4 Reflection

What- Today we learned how to make podcast and video cast. It was awesome! This is my favorite thing I've learned so far in any technology class. I found out about a tool I have on my computer called garage band, it was super cool. We had a lot of fun making our podcast and I look for to making our video demonstration this week.

So What- This will be a great, fun tool to use with our students. I could have my class make a  podcast or video cast in groups as a fun way to assess what they have learned on subjects, they could do the video as if they are teaching another grade the material or next years students. Students would love to make video cast and it would let me know exactly how much they have learned. I could use podcast as away to introduced a new topic. 

Now What- I loved making our podcast and I can't wait to use them in my own classroom or during field work. I would like to let my students break up into  groups and make their own  videos, I would have loved this as a students and I think most children would enjoy making podcast or video cast.

Video Reflection- I already thought it was a great Idea to have your students blog. The video just gave me more reasons to want to use them in my classroom. Blogs give our students an opportunity believe skills such as creativity and literacy to name a few. Blogs are great and more fun then writing in a paper journal.

Week 3 Reflection

This week we used google presentation. I really like the idea of google presentation but I HATED it. I found that powerpoint is easier to use and can do more. I also didn't like it because it wasn't working well, probably due to the entire class being on at once. I don't think I will use this again but it could be used as a student when a presentation is due or as a teacher you could have your class make a powerpoint together. It could also used as a teacher with your partner teacher to create lesson plans or to make presentations for faculty meetings. I personally would rather my class use powerpoint. I do realize that google presentation has its perks and could be beneficial in a classroom, I personally did not like this tool.

Week 2 Reflection

This week in class we covered everything google. My favorite tool we covered was the google document. This is an awesome tool to use as a college student. If fact my group for psychology decided to use it for our group project. Not only is it a site that is helpful as a student but it would be useful as a teacher. I want to use it as a Journal for my class. They could write weekly and I could go in and respond to their entries. I think that would make writing in their journal more enjoyable. We also went over google calendar, I think it is a great organizing tool. I would like to incorporate that into a google site for my class. that way students wouldn't have an excuse for not knowing what is due or announcements. I also think the google sites would be a great tool to use in my classroom. I think parents would enjoy having a way to know what is going on in their child's life at school. Today was a lot of fun.

The weekly video "pay attention" sort of hit home to me. First I can't believe only 50 percent of students graduate high school. I like the ideals it has about using cell phones in our classrooms. I've heard you say it but I could never figure out how that would work. I love the idea of having our students take out their cell phone and get the answers to a survey from someone outside of the classroom. I definitely want to do this is my classroom. I can just imagine a class having so much fun with that. This clip showed me  how important it is to be a good teacher and keep your students interested.