Throughout the course, integrating technology into the curriculum I have learned how to use many web 2.0 tools effectively in my instruction. Most importantly, I have learned that in order to use technology effectively, I must be proactive and plan ahead, I must be knowledgeable about how to use the web 2.0 tools, I must be adaptive to meet the needs of my learners, I must be culturally sensitive to adapt the technology to meet the needs of my students, I must be collaborative to find new, innovative ways to integrate technology into the curriculum, I must be make decisions about what technology to use, I must be a leader to integrate technology more extensively and assist others, and most of all, I must be reflective in order to continuously improve my teaching strategies.
As I completed online discussions with my classmates and the required projects for the course, I met the course objectives of being a part of an online learning community, reviewing learning theories and technology standards to evaluate technology proficiency at my school, creating and evaluating lesson plans that incorporate technology, and developing an instructional unit that meets a defined need and incorporates technology. Meeting these objectives have helped me to gain a better understanding of how, when, and why I should technology in my own classroom. I am leaving this class with a deeper comprehension of how to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum. I have enjoyed blogging about my experiences, and I hope to continue sharing my ideas and reading the ideas of my peers to find new, innovative ways to use technology in my classroom. Technology is constantly changing and it is up to educators to commit to being lifelong learners of how to integrate technology into the curriculum in order to prepare the future (our children) with the 21 century skills and knowledge that they need to be successful members of society!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
PBL Proposal
In my most recent project, I collaborated with peers in my class to design a project-based learning proposal integrating reading into other content areas using technology. We used Google Docs to share our ideas and work together to provide examples of PBL that could be used across all grades at the elementary school level.
Our activities did not focus purely on tests scores, but rather they focused on creating engaging activities that involve students' literacy skills in an effort to improve their reading, while fostering a love for reading and encouraging them to be lifelong learners.
Here is a link to our wiki which includes the articles we used, activities we created, and our project proposal for Chapel Hill Elementary school.
PBL Project Proposal Wiki
Our activities did not focus purely on tests scores, but rather they focused on creating engaging activities that involve students' literacy skills in an effort to improve their reading, while fostering a love for reading and encouraging them to be lifelong learners.
Here is a link to our wiki which includes the articles we used, activities we created, and our project proposal for Chapel Hill Elementary school.
PBL Project Proposal Wiki
Monday, November 1, 2010
Movie Maker
Throughout the last project, I created a movie addressing character education. Using the Movie Maker software is a great way to get students engaged and it allows them an opportunity to publish their work and share their ideas!
Here is the video that I created (with the help of my students):
Windows MovieMaker can be used to create mini-movies about various subjects (especially historical figures and procedures for how to complete math problems). I could also have Windows MovieMaker available in my class as a tool for students to use for performance evaluations of content areas of PBL for a variety of different units.
Some of the challenges for completing this project included student involvement/participation and finding appropriate visuals to use within the movie. Many of my students still have not returned permission slips, so some could not participate in the audio recording aspect of the activity. Also, due to my student’s lack of previous exposure to audacity, the use of the software required my assistance and was not completed independently. Next time, I need to make sure to model a lot before allowing them to try and use the tool by themselves. Finally, I had a bit of difficulty searching for pictures that matched the narration of the movie. I knew what I wanted in my head, but it was a little time consuming to find the picture that was most appropriate for the message.
I have had previous practice using this tool though my video production class I took last spring. I know how to do a lot with Windows MovieMaker and I feel like it is a fairly easy tool to teach young students. In my past experience, I have found that it is best to teach them one step at a time. For example, the first time they create a movie they might just have pictures with no video or sound. Then as they get more and more practice, I begin to model how to perform other tasks on Windows MovieMaker. As a learner, I have found that it is very important to create a storyboard and gather all of your visuals and audio clips before you begin the creation of your movie. The storyboard is the brainstorming part of the activity and it should be completed before starting the actual movie.
Although there are some challenges, they are far outweighed by the advantages of this tool. The possibilities for students are endless, especially after they begin feeling comfortable using the tool! I would recommend this software to any teacher, and the best part is...it is already installed on every windows desktop! Free! It doesn't get better than that!!!
Here is the video that I created (with the help of my students):
Windows MovieMaker can be used to create mini-movies about various subjects (especially historical figures and procedures for how to complete math problems). I could also have Windows MovieMaker available in my class as a tool for students to use for performance evaluations of content areas of PBL for a variety of different units.
Some of the challenges for completing this project included student involvement/participation and finding appropriate visuals to use within the movie. Many of my students still have not returned permission slips, so some could not participate in the audio recording aspect of the activity. Also, due to my student’s lack of previous exposure to audacity, the use of the software required my assistance and was not completed independently. Next time, I need to make sure to model a lot before allowing them to try and use the tool by themselves. Finally, I had a bit of difficulty searching for pictures that matched the narration of the movie. I knew what I wanted in my head, but it was a little time consuming to find the picture that was most appropriate for the message.
I have had previous practice using this tool though my video production class I took last spring. I know how to do a lot with Windows MovieMaker and I feel like it is a fairly easy tool to teach young students. In my past experience, I have found that it is best to teach them one step at a time. For example, the first time they create a movie they might just have pictures with no video or sound. Then as they get more and more practice, I begin to model how to perform other tasks on Windows MovieMaker. As a learner, I have found that it is very important to create a storyboard and gather all of your visuals and audio clips before you begin the creation of your movie. The storyboard is the brainstorming part of the activity and it should be completed before starting the actual movie.
Although there are some challenges, they are far outweighed by the advantages of this tool. The possibilities for students are endless, especially after they begin feeling comfortable using the tool! I would recommend this software to any teacher, and the best part is...it is already installed on every windows desktop! Free! It doesn't get better than that!!!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Insights about PBL
Throughout our last class discussion, I was able to brainstorm ways to create a lesson plan for project-based learning by incorporating many different subject areas. I also had the opportunity to view some outstanding thoughts about how my peers would create a PBL with various subject areas. There were some excellent ideas which included many different types of technology. One of the lesson plans I brainstormed involved using music to teach about the science concept of recycling and conservation.
What are your thoughts about PBL and please comment if you have any good ideas for PBL lessons that you have implemented with success!
What are your thoughts about PBL and please comment if you have any good ideas for PBL lessons that you have implemented with success!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Experience Using Voicethread
Voicethread is a web 2.0 application that allows users to share their ideas through audio, text, video, or images.
I think Voicethread is a great tool and has lots of potential in the field of education. Although these are my thoughts after finishing the project, I cannot honestly say I had this same perspective 10 days ago when I first started the project.
Voicethread is very easy to use, once you have learned the basics of the tool. For instance, you need to know how to upload video, images, and PowerPoint presentations from your computer or the web, then you need to know how to create identities. It is also essential to have a microphone and headset to record audio comments.
For my first experience with Voicethread, I involved my students. They absolutely loved it and it got them very excited about learning and sharing what they knew with their classmates. I ran into a few obstacles when using my students, but I think any teacher would the first time implementing it. First of all, I should have modeled a little more before letting them do it independently. Second, I learned that you really have to use open ended questions rather than black and white questions. It needs to be set up so the students can discuss their ideas, rather than their answers. Finally, I learned that I need to remind the students to speak up when recording their answers.
Here is my Voicethread Project
Have you ever involved students in Voicethread? What advice would you give a teacher before they use it in their classroom for the first time?
I think Voicethread is a great tool and has lots of potential in the field of education. Although these are my thoughts after finishing the project, I cannot honestly say I had this same perspective 10 days ago when I first started the project.
Voicethread is very easy to use, once you have learned the basics of the tool. For instance, you need to know how to upload video, images, and PowerPoint presentations from your computer or the web, then you need to know how to create identities. It is also essential to have a microphone and headset to record audio comments.
For my first experience with Voicethread, I involved my students. They absolutely loved it and it got them very excited about learning and sharing what they knew with their classmates. I ran into a few obstacles when using my students, but I think any teacher would the first time implementing it. First of all, I should have modeled a little more before letting them do it independently. Second, I learned that you really have to use open ended questions rather than black and white questions. It needs to be set up so the students can discuss their ideas, rather than their answers. Finally, I learned that I need to remind the students to speak up when recording their answers.
Here is my Voicethread Project
Have you ever involved students in Voicethread? What advice would you give a teacher before they use it in their classroom for the first time?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Experience Using Comic Life
I can honestly say, I enjoyed learning to use the software Comic Life. It is a shame that my school does not have the program installed on our computers and all downloads are also blocked. Maybe one day, it will be a tool that will become available for me to use in my classroom with my students.
Throughout the completion of the assignment I learned a lot. I decided to personally take all the pictures for the comic strip (with an exception of 3). I quickly learned the importance of staying organized and planning ahead. I had to write out all the camera shots I wanted to get before taking pictures, and I have to write out the story before the creation the comic. I definitely think it helped in the final outcome of the project. When I implement this tool with my own students, I will make sure they write a story and gather all their pictures in a file before they begin to complete their comic strip.
This software has the potential to drive student enthusiasm and enhance their learning! I have showed the comics to my students the last couple of days and they get so excited just to read them! I can't imagine how they would react if they were creating them themselves!
Throughout the completion of the assignment I learned a lot. I decided to personally take all the pictures for the comic strip (with an exception of 3). I quickly learned the importance of staying organized and planning ahead. I had to write out all the camera shots I wanted to get before taking pictures, and I have to write out the story before the creation the comic. I definitely think it helped in the final outcome of the project. When I implement this tool with my own students, I will make sure they write a story and gather all their pictures in a file before they begin to complete their comic strip.
This software has the potential to drive student enthusiasm and enhance their learning! I have showed the comics to my students the last couple of days and they get so excited just to read them! I can't imagine how they would react if they were creating them themselves!
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