I Will Not Lie

I am super excited about using screencasts in my classroom.  I know that it will work awesome with the smartboard.  One thing that is a must was the idea of using a podcast when you have a substitute.  The older students will probably work harder knowing that the assignment really is from you.  Looking for great things this year… Please wish me luck with this interview. 

Last Minute Blogger

Thanks for sending me an invite so late!  Third time is a charm they say :)  I went for a job interview at 6:15 this afternoon so I have been a little scatter brained all day.  This class is about to officially come to an end.  I have enjoyed learning all this new technical stuff.  I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer!

Individual blog

After adding my post as an author to our class web blog I am wondering if I posted my own web blog correctly :( I certainly hope so! The URL for my own blog is: http://williamsthirdgrade.blogspot.com...I think I posted it publicly but I'm suddenly doubting my self!

Relieved!!!

Finally, I am able to post as an author on the class blog! It has been a long process trying to get the invite; to say the least! However, with that being said, I feel much more confident in my abilities concerning technology after participating in this class. I am happy to say that screencasts, podcasts and web quests are all things that I look forward to incorporating in my third grade class this coming school year. I feel much more confident in my understanding of each of these due to the participation in EDUCATION 573! I hope everyone has a terrific summer!

Podcast

I must concur with some other posts I've read, creating the podcast has been the most beneficial assignment of the class. I've heard a lot mentioned about podcasts, and actually listened to many podcasts over the last couple of years, but never actually looked into and created one of my own. Since the completion of the assignment, I've been thinking of various ways this could be used in the classroom, school and district level, as well as personally. Seemed like a challenge at first, but turned out to be relatively easy to do.

New Level of Literacy

One of the aspects of the book that stuck with me was the new level of literacy that technology has brought to existence. In the past, being literate was having the ability to read and write. Currently, being literate involves much more than just the ability to read and write. Employees must be computer literate, and have the appropriate technology skills needed for the 21st century. Possessing the basic knowledge of Word, Powerpoint and Excel is now entry level, and no longer considered an advantage over others. Blogging, podcasts and social media are becoming staples in every work place. School leaders must ascertain that the education being delivered to students is preparing them for a work environment that has changed drastically over the years.

Benefits of Blogging

     Blogging for the classroom is a great idea. So many ways for the class to benefit. Students can have access to note sharing, reviews, assignment and test dates, etc.... I'm sure once I actually incorporate it into my classroom the possibilities will broaden. Great resource at no cost to the district!!!

Favorite Assignment

My favorite assignment for the course would have to be the podcast assignment.  I found the podcast assignment the most useful for my classroom.  There are numerous activities that you can do in a U.S. History classroom with a podcast.  A couple of ideas that I have already thought of for this upcoming school year are character interviews of the Great Depression era and student interviews of Vietnam Veterans.  I really feel the podcast will help with the feeling of "boredom" that students feel some time with a history class.

Continual Learning

Even though I am a fairly young classroom teacher this course really scared me.  I consulted our district multimedia teacher multiple times with worries and he always assured me how much this would help me in the classroom and how it wasn't as hard as I was making it. I felt proficient in many areas of technology already and how to implement them into my classroom but this course has really helped to broaden my ideas for my classroom.  The possibilities are endless, especially with my U.S. History courses.  This has been the most beneficial class to me so far with my graduate work at Union College.

Keeping up with Technology

     I have gained a lot of knowledge of the new technologies that can be implemented into our classrooms. On top of that I was forced to learn much more; It seemed that every time I downloaded something for an assignment a new problem arose with my PC. I think I spent as much time figuring out these problems as I did the assignments.
     Overall the experience was very beneficial to me. I believe I would have a better grade if the assignments were graded more on knowing how to use the technologies rather than how we will use them in our classrooms. Personally that is where I'm at with these technologies, I am learning how to use them and once I have a better understanding of them I will be able to effectively incorporate them into my classroom.

The thought of actually using a blog in my new classroom was an idea I had struggled with for a while.  I had a really hard time figuring out how to get my posts to publish (until I realized that I hadn't joined the group) and have had to ask for help a hundred times, but now I realize that I panicked for nothing.  I like the idea of setting up a blog so that parents and students alike can always know what is going on in the classroom.  I think this may eliminate some excuses for not having homework.  I do see it as not working for some of the students that will be in my class due to lack of internet access at home, but I feel the benefits will out weigh the cons.

Technology was an extremely scary word to me until this class.  I have learned so much in such a short amount of time.  I will begin my first year in the classroom in August.  I will definitely be using some of the things we did in class in my classroom.  I had struggled with the idea of how to implement technology in a way that the students will enjoy and learn from, not just have the technology there to say we used it.  I have already written down an assignment in which I want my students to make a podcast to deliver to the class.  I think this will help them enjoy  Social Studies and hopefully lessen the stigma that it has to be boring.

Technology

This has been one of my least favorite classes at Union so far, although it is probably one that I have learned the most. I am good with basic technology, but struggle when it starts asking me to download a program and then convert and post..and so on!  I guess I just don't have the patience for it. Through this class I realized the work is worth it. The more I create the different types of technology the easier it will get. Our students are so advanced in technology, it is important that I can keep up with them. Another great thing is that the technology introduced to me in this class doesn't involve the school having to purchase anything!

Podcast

I thought the podcast assignment had a lot of steps to complete it, but it will be a great technology for me to incorporate into my program. My brother let me know of a a wireless device that will automatically record to a MP3 file. I think this will be a great tool for my mentoring program. While I am out on a college visit, I can interview students about their experience at college and see if they have any advise for my high school students. Then I can easily upload it on to our school web page.

Technology

This class has truly opened my eyes as to how much technology is changing and improving.  I plan on using RSS feeds frequently in my U.S. History classes.  Students always seem to struggle with how to acquire and sift through information, and the RSS is a perfect solution to that problem.  A podcast on various history subjects would also be an excellent supplemental teaching tool (explaining a topic in detail etc.).  Off to finish my remaining assignments, this has been a productive class that will help me with the upcoming school year and beyond.

Beneficial

Over the last few years I've attended a couple of technology conferences and for the most part I was really disappointed.  Perhaps it is the way that I learn, but I always left feeling like it was a big waste of time.  It was nice to see and hear about technologies from different companies or teachers, but most of the sessions just didn't appear applicable to me.  Maybe I was overwhelmed with information or underwhelmed when the session names sounded more interesting then the actually sessions.  However, I suspect the biggest problem was me.

Which is why I've enjoyed this class so much.   This class has given me the opportunity to experiment with some really exciting stuff that didn't require me to have a computer science degree.  Even our textbook has been great at explaining how easy some of these services are to get started with.  I've loved the links to working examples of how other teachers are using technology with their students.  It's been really beneficial to be able to explore and interact with what they are doing.   I can't wait to see what we'll be able to bring to the table after taking this class.    

 

Classroom Blog.

I never thought that I'd be one to actually have a "classroom blog" for my students.  I've spent the last hour and a half playing with my blog that I've created and have actually became really excited with the idea and the potential that it holds.  I teach social studies to 8th grades who think that the act of using a text book is a difficult and impossible task! So I tried to help them out a little bit and create a classroom set of folders with class notes and other important infomation for them to use while in the classroom and sign out if they needed to keep them for the evening.  Nonetheless, I had a limited number and not every student was able to get a folder if they needed it.  By having a blog,  I have gained the realization that I am actually capable of taking everything in those folders and put on  this blog for all my students to access whenever and where ever they pleased!  I am a young teacher (only 25) and I've always thought that I was pretty familiar with the use of technology. But after taking this course, in the matter of just a couple of weeks, I have been exposed to a whole new world of possibilities! I was dreading school starting back and was slipping in to a state of depression with the date of August 7th creeping closer and closer (as most teachers on summer vacation do).  But now, I'm pretty excited!

First Time Every "Blogging"

I love the way that this class is set up. I am a hands-on learner and have found myself catching on to all of these new technological "toys" that I never dreamed I'd be able to do! This class has definitely given me confidence to incorporate new approaches and advanced technology into my weekly lesson plans!

More at ease with technology

Now that this class is coming to an end, I do feel more at ease with technology. It seems to take me a long time to figure out the assignments, but once I complete them it seems so easy! I am excited to create a screencast for my class and then present it with my smart board. Even my husband has become intrigued and wants to spruce up his power points in his middle school classroom. I plan to keep going with my class blog and hope to get the parents excited as well. My fourth graders will have a blast creating podcast to show what they have learned! My reluctance towards technology has changed to excitement because of this class!

Personal endorsement for Blogging

It has been a while since I've blogged anything, but I am happy to return.  I started blogging in 2007 about Converse shoes.  Unfortunately parent company Nike took Converse out of the basketball marketplace and my enthusiasm for blogging went with it.  However,  it was truly a great learning experience.  I was able to connect with some amazing people that I otherwise wouldn't have had an opportunity to do. 

Just like our textbook talks about, we should really try these tools out for ourselves before we bring them to our students.  Blogging can be as quick and fun or as complicated and serious as you want.  I would encourage all of you that haven't started blogging yet to give it a try.  Even if your post are sporadic in frequency and content, stick with it. 

New to Blogging

This is a first for me, and I'm looking forward to transferring this skill to my students.  It seems that social media is what drives our culture today, and students love to write about their experiences i.e., so why not have them use a tool that will develop their learning?  This class has challenged me and made me more aware of how technology can positively affect student learning.  The screencast was interesting, and I plan on incorporating it into a lesson about WW2 propaganda.  RSS feeds are going to be an incredible help to me (teaching history).  I noticed that Gmail is now using an RSS feed style system.  I'm off to take Exam 3 after finishing my first blog.

For any history buffs out there, here is a link to a trailer for the new Lincoln movie, its an outstanding film (our junior class went to see it this year).  If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJVuqYkI2jQ

Blogging

I am fairly new to blogging,  but through research I can really see the advantages blogs can bring to a classroom and how students can use them to be successful in the classroom.  The aspect of blogging that I like the most is the collaboration that is incorporated in them.  I like the idea of having people comment on a post and putting their own ideas into a post.   I think through time and experience blogs are something I could use in my own classroom. 

EDUC 573 Class Blog

I have really enjoyed EDUC 573, been a great learning experience for me.   I have found several ways that I can incorporate different types of technology into my own classroom whether it be through blogs, podcast, or screencast.   I feel that bringing these different types of technology into my classroom will be really beneficial to the students and help them become more successful in the class.  Before this class I had very little knowledge of all the types of technology I could be using, but now I feel I have a great enough understanding to bring these into my classroom and use them successfully..

Exciting times to be a student

When I was in school we didn't have the amazing technology we have at our fingertips today.  I imagine how exciting it would be to be a student today.  It takes more to engage the student today and this class has taught me many ways to do that. It's time to get creative in the classroom. 
~Monica~

Great Class

I have learned so many new and exciting things in this class.  I felt like I had a great understanding of technology and utilized it well.  However with this class I'm excited about all of the things out there.  My mind is thinking about all the exciting stuff I can do with this.  I'm not a teacher but volunteer for different organizations and I have thought of many things I can utilize to help.  #excitedabouttechnology
~Monica~

GLAD TO BE HERE, BLOGGING

Wow, this was fairly easy after I worked everything out. Technology can be a pain at times, but when it all comes together it can be so much more creative paper and pencil. I am very nervous about this class, something about an on-line technology class has been difficult for me. I just hope to survive until last of June, wishing everyone well also.

Practice blog

I was wanting to make sure I knew how to join in on the blog so I am doing a practice run here.  Technology can be very overwheliming at first, but hopefully as I learn I will become more at ease with the assignments.  I am just always afraid of messing up when in reality I should be thinking when at first you don't succeed, try again!

New at blogging

Well here I am trying out the blogging. This is new to me and I'm very curious to see what all I can do with it. Technology has always fascinated me but at the same time frightened me because I didn't grow up in a world of technology. I am excited at the possibilities for my classroom and my personal life with web blogs, podcasts, etc. I have not created the most eye appealing profile but as I said earlier it is new to me. I enjoy reading the other comments on here about blogging. It seems as though I'm not the only one that is a "newbie" to this and that gives me some comfort. Technology is a powerful resource and I'm hoping this class will help me to jump into it and not be so afraid.