Thursday, October 22, 2009

Week 9 reflection

What - This week we learned about digital stories. What they should look like, and to use them in the classroom, ect. We saw some really cool digital stories and discussed what we liked about them and what we didn't. My favorite video was the one on the Holocaust.

So What - Digital stories will be a great tool to use in the classroom. Many of the digital stories we watched as an example left me wanting to learn more about the subject. Its such a great way to start a unit. If we can get students wanting to learn about a subject it will make your job as a teacher much easier.

Now what - I thought digital stories were so cool. I'm very excited to learn how to make one. This would be great to use as a preview to a lot of units. Literature, social studies, science, ect. It would also be really awesome to have your students make their own digital story. They would love it and learn so much researching their topic. Digital stories are so far my favorite thing we have learned about in class.

Video- I'm and not sure if it is just me but the video brought me to a page that wasn't available. I was excited about watching a NASA digital story.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Week 8 reflection

What- Some things we have covered in class have been, google everything , I really liked goggle documents and have used it for several of my assignments since, We made are google sites, podcast, video cast, and web quest. I think my favorite thing we have learned has been the google document, it definitely comes in handy.

So What - These are all great tools that would be extremely handy in our classroom and I plan on using them. I love the video cast and think they could have a place in all of the grades. Google sites are great and would make a great classroom site to keep everyone informed on class activities. We have learned so many great tools!

Now What - Right now I am actually planing a lesson for my field experience and I am working on incorporating technology into a lesson about the branches of the government. I am toying with the idea of making a web quest and having my students go to youtube and watch the school house rock video then make their own. This is just on idea I have had but my cooperating teacher has 15 computers in his classroom, so we should be able to come up with some great lessons using tools we have learned in class.

Video- I don't think we have a video this week at least I hope not because I couldn't find anything. Fall break was great, I was able to catch up on lots of home work.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Week 7 reflection

What -Again this week, we worked on our webquest, this week we put the final touches on our webquest. It was nice having the class time to work on them. I was feeling very stressed about the assignment but everything was better after class.

So What - I really like making the webquest, again I don't like that we have to make it on a power point. It seems pointless to make a webquest on a powerpoint but I like power point so it is a good way to learn more about power points. Web quest are a great tool that we can use in our classrooms. Webquest 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-  I found out that the class I will be doing field in has computers for every two students, which makes webquest a possibility. We also are probably teaching on the branches of the government. I could have my class pair up and look up the different branches of the government on a webquest. Also My group is working on a plan for a literature lesson. I think it will be very helpful for students learning to write a paper.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.  These are a couple example of the many ways you can use webquest.

Video - I could figure out which video you wanted us to watch (school house rock nouns are person, place and thing) The link just took me to teacher tube, I typed "school house rock nouns are person place and things" it gave over 4,000 possibilities. The one I watched was of children singing in another language. I didn't really get anything out of this video.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Refection week 6

What - This week we learned how to put our webquest on powerpoints and more about how to make  a webquest and contiuned working on ours in class. I like that you have an example for us to check out.

So What - Web quest are great, I don't like that we have to make it on a power point but I do like power points.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 think it will be very helpful for students learning to write a paper.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 - I could figure out which video you wanted us to watch (we didn't start the fire) The link just took me to teacher tube, I watched a video called we didn't start the fire that did a time line with the song. It was cute, but I don't think this is what you wanted us to watch.