Online Discussion Forums

These online discussion boards really created an opportunity for the class to share our ideas and how we feel about various issues regarding technology and the classroom. I found these forums valuable in the sense that a.) I wasn't aware of all of the applications/issues that are available today and b.) I was able to see through other people's contributions, sides of issues I hadn't really considered or thought of.
I think I missed a couple of the discussions by way of sheer forgetfulness, but I did end up going back and reading them anyways. I have been continuously impressed by the feedback of my classmates and feel I have a much deeper awareness and understanding regarding technology and its role in education.
I really enjoyed helping the moderation of the discussion on Second Life. It forced me to research a topic I was previously unaware of, and in turn I was able to kind of stir the pot and get people talking about the subject. Most people didn't see the value of the application for the classroom (which I agree with for the most part,) but as moderator I was forced to take no side and in this case play the bad guy in promoting the advantages of Second Life. I just thought that was fun.
One of my favourite posts was for Leigh and Graham's "Internet as an Educational Tool" forum. Her it is:
I agree with David in the sense that it is important to stress the basics in the classroom, but computers have become such a huge part of society, that knowing how to use a computer and it's various applications is now becoming a basic skill much like spelling! The problem i guess in teaching young kids how to use computers is that they figure out the short cuts that come along with these programs, like calculators and spell check etc, it may just go back to the teacher placing restraints on their students within their classrooms...I remember being told not to use spell check when I was in elementary. But I suppose it is much like that balance we spoke about in other forums - that whatever a student wants they can get if they need to, at school or at home.
I think in terms of entertaining educational software, there is a lot of great games on the market that can encourage students that you can have fun while learning at the same time....anyone remember math blasters? :)
I really enjoyed the forums as a way to share things as I see them, while getting the opportunity to reflect on the thoughts of others as well.

Webquest

Well. I did ask to be a part of the performing arts group, I just didn't think that would include so much uneccesary drama! I'm not a huge fan of group projects to begin with, but I tried my best to be as optimistic as possible. unfortunately I think some information was misinterpreted and in the end affected our mark. This is sad to see, as I think all of us really did want the best for the project. all in all I still think we got a decent mark. The points we did lose were so unavoidable, and a little bit frustrating, but there is not much I can do about that now!
I learned throughout this process that you can't always get along with everybody, and all you can do is try! In the long run, I think our group pulled together and created a really nice end product. I think this was a really valuable experience, as previous to it I didn't even know what a Webquest was. I believe it could be a very valuable tool to me when I am a teacher, as it is a new and interesting way of presenting assignments to students. I look forward to using this concept again in my schooling, and in the future throughout my career!

Web Portfolio

Where do I begin. Well, I'm working on it! I can't lie and say I haven't been frustrated a bunch of times throughout the process so far, so I won't. I've been really frustrated! This is a lot trickier than I anticipated. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I forget a step as soon as I finish it, but other than that, it is coming along, and should be set up before no time.

PowerPoint

I love being given any opportunities to be creative in any situation, especially in an educational setting. PowerPoint is a great way to mix educational intentions with creative ones! In this instance, I was able to learn a bit more about Behaviorism, while at the same time coming up with a concept, design, and style in which I could present it to others in a way that they could become interested in my findings and ideas as well. Though I have done countless number of PowerPoints throughout my years of (somewhat) computer literate life, this class was the first in which I learned how to incorporate hyper links into my presentation, which in todays internet age can be a very useful feature!

I would encourage students to use PowerPoint presentations in the classroom as a creative way to share not only their insight on a topic, but their own visual interpretation of that same topic as a way to interest other people in their area of research.

Spreadsheet

Excel is often a word that magically gives me a headache (I'm not good with numbers and charts!) every time it comes up in an assignment. Despite the pain it has caused me in the past, I do recognize that it can be a very useful tool in certain situations. I have had experience with spreadsheets and it's many functions from other courses throughout high school and college, as well as in some office situations, but I never thought of the significance it could have in the classroom.

It never occurred to me that a spreadsheet could be used in a way to organize data in this way as a teacher. I must admit I was impressed at this idea! It really was a quick and effective way to organize student scores and averages, with (surprisingly) no harm done to myself!

Lesson Plan

I really enjoyed working on my lesson plan, as I was able to create it based on a subject that I am interested, and passionate about teaching-English! This is not the first assignment I have been given where I have to come up with a lesson plan for a class, so I was aware going in how much work it actually is.

All in all, I really think lesson plans pay off. It is a great way to break down what needs to be done i n order for yourself, and maybe even a substitute to be able to understand the steps that need to be taken to make it an effective class in which the students can learn something valuable. The more fluid the idea is to the teacher, the clearer it can be relayed to those learning the topic!

Think Big....

neat! i have my own blog. here is where you will be subject to my opinions whether you like it or not...