Learning Experience

   It wasn't until taking this class that I came to the realization that I had not been using technology in my classroom to its full potential. I was accustomed to using the active board, document camera, I-pad, and laptops within my classroom, but did not realize how much more there was that I had not been utilizing. I was familiar with using the internet, but didn't realize all the possibilities of the world wide web until participating in the assignments for this class. I had not ventured out in using Power-point and embedding hyperlinks to the web in those presentations. I also did not have much understanding of using or creating Web-quests, Web Blogs, and Screencasts. With this new knowledge I will be able to incorporate more of these activities into the daily instruction of my classroom to enhance both mine and my students learning, and better prepare them to be both college and career ready.

 

 

Not so scary...

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don't get along so well with technology; I am always hesitant at the thought of using technologies that are new to me in my classroom, so using technologies that are CREATED by me (webquests, blogs, basically anything other than your run-of-the-mill PowerPoint presentation) was a terrifying concept, and simply NOT going to happen!

Until.... The webquest helped me realize that this 1. isn't so bad after all.... and 2. is nothing I am not already doing!!  It's just a way to make it more relevant (because it's technology) to my students, and a way to make it more visually appealing to them (much more colorful, and interesting than a handout!)

And now, although I fear they will think I'm even more of a dork than they had first realized, I am SO excited to share my blog with them!!!

Maybe I am a complete dork, but this has been a TRUE revelation for me!  Anybody else??

Struggles & triumphs

This semester has been very Foghorn Leghorn for me (you know, the rooster from Looney Tunes that steps on a rake and gets hit in the face every time he turns around... Yeah, that guy!)!  For example, when accepting my invitation to this blog, I assumed I would have the opportunity to enter my own information...  NOT the case!  My husband was the last one to check his Gmail account on the laptop I used when accepting the invitation, so... Here I am, showing up under my husband's name :-p
But... All in all, I have to say, this course has proved to be one of the greatest learning experiences I have had in some time!
I FEAR, and LOATHE technology!!!  When beginning my Rank I at UC, I realized I would have to take 15 hours of electives, and jumped at the opportunity to take this course in hopes of defeating said fear and working on my love/hate relationship with all things technological.  Thus far, despite all mishaps and unforeseen circumstances, I can report that I have been successful in both!
My students have even commented on my improved use of technologies in the classroom when showing off some of the new knowledge I have attained!
Go me! ;)

I also really enjoyed learning how to do a web blog! I have already used the one I created for this class in my own Political Science class. The students have already started responding with comments and questions as well as links of their own. This is the future of education!

Webquests

I really enjoyed learning how to do a Webquest! I have used the one I created for class in my own U.S. History Class and my students really enjoyed doing it! It was a vey positive learning experience for me as well as them and I will continue to do them with the rest of my classes.

Screencast

Screencast was something that was completely new for me & I have to admit was my favorite assignment in this class! Screencast are a great learning tool & another great way to bring learning to life! I plan on using screencast as an introduction to new material. Students who view the screencast can get a look into what will be taking place the next day at school or it can be used when working at home on assignments when students need assistance! Screencast allows for students to have access to their teacher by a push of a button! Technology is making teaching so much easier & is exposing students to a world of learning! Technology is powerful & something I will continue to learn and expose my students as much a possible!

Web Blog

I have really enjoyed this technology class & I have learned so much that I am taking back to my classroom! Technology is all around us & it is important to expose students at an early age! Technology is a way to bring learning to life & engage ALL students! My favorite thing I'm taking away from this class is the web blog! This is a great way to communicate & demonstrate with the parents what is taking place inside the four walls of my classroom! Instead of doing weekly newsletters to parents, I can save paper, copies & time just by uploading information on the web blog! This tool is something I want to continue using in m classroom for years to come! :-) Web blogging ROCKS!!!