Success
The students really seemed to enjoy activities that were hands on. They were actively participating in the Desktop Organizer assignment and seemed to be enjoying themselves while they worked.
One thing that the students really responded well to was when we as the teachers would set our expectations at the beginning of the lesson. When we established not only what would be taught, what we wanted of them and what we expected of them, then the class was always much better behaved.
A few things that the students really enjoyed in our lessons were our activities used in our Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima/Nagasaki lessons. In the Pearl Harbor lesson, the students created their own paper airplanes after watching a video clip on Pearl Harbor. They wrote their thoughts of the movie on their airplanes and they had the chance to throw them across the room for one another to read. In a later lesson on the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the students enjoyed watching our Digital Story on the bombings. A discussion was held after watching it and it was clear that each of the students felt something. Many of the students participated in the discussion and expressed how they felt about the bombings and about war in general.
The students really enjoyed the lessons we taught, as did our cooperating teacher Myles Peterson. He asked for copies of all of our lesson plans so that he could use them in later teaching of Social Studies and WWII.
Improvement
The places where I need to improve are in my classroom management. We learned in field that once you can get a class to listen to you, to keep their attention and to maintain control in the class, then teaching becomes fun.
During our first lesson, materials for the Desktop Organizer were placed on the back table. When the time came for the students to go and get their materials, the table turned into a jumbled mess! I learned that instead of telling the students to go get their materials all at once, we should have dismissed them row by row to prevent chaos.
Another place I need to improve on is with my classroom voice. I need to keep a tone that lets the students know I’m there and that I’m in charge. In addition to that, I need to first let the students know that I am to be respected. In doing so, I need to be strict first (let them know who’s in charge) and then later relax slightly so I can be their friend / be likeable. I first need to establish that I demand respect and expect it from my students, and later is when I can make myself more personal to them.
Possibilities for Professional Development
I discovered during this experience that I need to always be prepared with a back up plan. I learned a few times that sometimes what you have planned either doesn’t work, or is so different than what you had in mind that a plan b would come in handy.
Another point that I will emphasize in the future is to give very specific instructions. Through this experience, I sort of assumed that older children automatically act more mature and well behaved. I learned that the students feed off one another and if one student is confused than more become confused. It’s important to give very specific instructions because no matter how old they are, someone could still get lost while the teacher is instructing.
In plan on using these lessons in the future. Some of them were very successful and the students really enjoyed them. Our digital story lesson, for example, couldn’t have gone better. I feel like the students took a lot from the video- both educationally and emotionally. I like to think that the students in Mr. Peterson’s classroom will not soon forget that lesson because it was so social-emotionally captivating.
I had a wonderful experience in field and I look forward to taking what I’ve learned and implementing it in the future.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
My Beliefs
I think technology is powerful. However I can see how it can be good and bad. I personally think it's great! Why not experience the new cell phones and ipads and i(insert word here) gadgets!? I think it's fun to learn about the new things that new technology can do. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum, technology to some can be dangerous and addictive.
In the classroom, I feel like we can use technology in moderation for good and for fun! It makes learning fun. We all like to do things that are fun, right? As a kid, and even now, I still love technology. It really is fun to me, and it is to most kids. To incorporate technology (such as youtube videos, podcast/vidcasts - teacher and student made - remotes, gadgets) is to incorporate fun and interest. Fun and interest = exciting learning.
I also think that if we let technology take over, like I learned in one of the videos, we will soon have computers who are smarter than we are. If we allow technology to run everything about our lives, we will all end up as a bunch of vegetables who can't do anything for ourselves anymore and who can barely think for themselves - or think at all! If we let technology take over our lives, then we as teachers and as students could become lazy individuals. Distractions will form, which could lead to unhealthy addictions. Technology is exciting yes, but just like with anything really, we must be careful with how we use it and be aware of what it can cause.
In the classroom, I feel like we can use technology in moderation for good and for fun! It makes learning fun. We all like to do things that are fun, right? As a kid, and even now, I still love technology. It really is fun to me, and it is to most kids. To incorporate technology (such as youtube videos, podcast/vidcasts - teacher and student made - remotes, gadgets) is to incorporate fun and interest. Fun and interest = exciting learning.
I also think that if we let technology take over, like I learned in one of the videos, we will soon have computers who are smarter than we are. If we allow technology to run everything about our lives, we will all end up as a bunch of vegetables who can't do anything for ourselves anymore and who can barely think for themselves - or think at all! If we let technology take over our lives, then we as teachers and as students could become lazy individuals. Distractions will form, which could lead to unhealthy addictions. Technology is exciting yes, but just like with anything really, we must be careful with how we use it and be aware of what it can cause.
Lessons Learned
One thing that really stood out to me in the readings is just how prominent technology is becoming. It's...kind of taking over. Our world is changing and shifting to become a very, almost futuristic technology based place to be. It's a good time to be alive. All of these changes and advances - that are happening very swiftly - help to benefit our lives. These changes are good which brings me to my next point.
The articles and movies helped me see further that technology is really a blessing. Yes, it can be intimidating when it's first encountered, but in the long run you see that it's purpose is to make life easier- and it does. Teachers can use technology to lighten their work load and shorten their work lists. Technology is really a good thing, it's not bad. Yes, it's different, but to be different is not bad. Yes, it's different than the way things used to be, but that's what change is. And the more I learn about the advances in technology, the more excited I am becoming about these changes in our ways of life.
The last point I wanted to bring up was how beneficial technology can be for students. As teachers- we're older and wiser, yes, but we're also behind on the times when it comes to the hot new cell phone or the new game system. It's important to be aware that our students are very in tune with the changes and advances in technology in the changing world around them. We also need to be aware the students learn how to use these technologies probably better and faster than we as teachers. It's something that they embrace and enjoy. So of course, if technology becomes incorporated into the classroom, then students will have a whole new, far more enjoyable and memorable learning experience. Technology is not just good for teachers, it's even better for students.
The articles and movies helped me see further that technology is really a blessing. Yes, it can be intimidating when it's first encountered, but in the long run you see that it's purpose is to make life easier- and it does. Teachers can use technology to lighten their work load and shorten their work lists. Technology is really a good thing, it's not bad. Yes, it's different, but to be different is not bad. Yes, it's different than the way things used to be, but that's what change is. And the more I learn about the advances in technology, the more excited I am becoming about these changes in our ways of life.
The last point I wanted to bring up was how beneficial technology can be for students. As teachers- we're older and wiser, yes, but we're also behind on the times when it comes to the hot new cell phone or the new game system. It's important to be aware that our students are very in tune with the changes and advances in technology in the changing world around them. We also need to be aware the students learn how to use these technologies probably better and faster than we as teachers. It's something that they embrace and enjoy. So of course, if technology becomes incorporated into the classroom, then students will have a whole new, far more enjoyable and memorable learning experience. Technology is not just good for teachers, it's even better for students.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
I know how to work a computer and I can figure our most technology. I like using technology when I'm learning in a class and I feel like I would be effective in teaching students to use that technology. I am very aware of technology - especially after reading the articles and viewing the videos about it - and I see that is is rapidly developing and even more rapidly becoming a part of each and every one of our lives. I know how to use the internet and how to access what I want on the internet. I feel that because of this I will be effective in finding teaching strategies and techniques, also content that would be appropriate for teaching on the web. DVD's and CD players are simple for me and easy to use in a classroom. Using other forms of audio and visuals are not to hard for me to figure out either. And I know how to use email and I think it's one of the best means of communication for teachers. It's convenient for teachers and its easy to use. I also know how to communicate and video chat through Skype in case a video conference is every necessary. I do know how to create a website through google, but otherwise I'm clueless. I also know how to create podcasts and vidcasts and think they would be fun for students to create as well. When it comes to using Word Processing systems I feel extremely comfortable and able to not only help others but I can define most of the components of Word Processing programs.
Weaknesses:
I don't know computer terms very well or the high tech definitions of technology. I don't even know what "trouble-shooting" is. I don't know very much about what is legal and what is illegal when it comes to computers and technology. I'm not sure I know how to accommodate students with special needs when they're using technology.
I don't really know what a database is. Spreadsheets are handy but I've become out of practice in using them and sometimes I get a little confused with them. I'm not sure what a graphic organizer is and I'm still learning about instructional software.
Goals:1. Learn more about what I don't know about technology. I'm sure that once I learn what I don't know about technology it will come in handy and it'll be information that will be helpful and good to know.
2. Have a project involving technology/ vidcasts for students atleast once a year. In creating my own Digital Story I learned a lot about technology. I fell like Digital Stories could be the new "book report" type of project. It was hard work but it was a lot of fun to make it!
3. Learn about what is legal and what is illegal when it comes to technology and computers. I can't be letting my students do projects if they're illegal.
4. Re-learn how to use spreadsheets. I know that teachers use them all the time to take attendance and keep track of their students' grades.
Sources to Improving my Weaknessess:
What is a Driver?
-This is a start for me learning a little bit more about technology and computer terminology. Learning what a driver is will be good to know in case I ever have a problem with one, or who knows maybe I'll be come an expert and will be the one fixing a drive/driver at my school!
How to Use Google Spreadsheets/Microsoft Excel
-I can use this to re-learn how to use spreadsheets, which I know will be a handy skill to have as a teacher for any grade.
I know how to work a computer and I can figure our most technology. I like using technology when I'm learning in a class and I feel like I would be effective in teaching students to use that technology. I am very aware of technology - especially after reading the articles and viewing the videos about it - and I see that is is rapidly developing and even more rapidly becoming a part of each and every one of our lives. I know how to use the internet and how to access what I want on the internet. I feel that because of this I will be effective in finding teaching strategies and techniques, also content that would be appropriate for teaching on the web. DVD's and CD players are simple for me and easy to use in a classroom. Using other forms of audio and visuals are not to hard for me to figure out either. And I know how to use email and I think it's one of the best means of communication for teachers. It's convenient for teachers and its easy to use. I also know how to communicate and video chat through Skype in case a video conference is every necessary. I do know how to create a website through google, but otherwise I'm clueless. I also know how to create podcasts and vidcasts and think they would be fun for students to create as well. When it comes to using Word Processing systems I feel extremely comfortable and able to not only help others but I can define most of the components of Word Processing programs.
Weaknesses:
I don't know computer terms very well or the high tech definitions of technology. I don't even know what "trouble-shooting" is. I don't know very much about what is legal and what is illegal when it comes to computers and technology. I'm not sure I know how to accommodate students with special needs when they're using technology.
I don't really know what a database is. Spreadsheets are handy but I've become out of practice in using them and sometimes I get a little confused with them. I'm not sure what a graphic organizer is and I'm still learning about instructional software.
Goals:1. Learn more about what I don't know about technology. I'm sure that once I learn what I don't know about technology it will come in handy and it'll be information that will be helpful and good to know.
2. Have a project involving technology/ vidcasts for students atleast once a year. In creating my own Digital Story I learned a lot about technology. I fell like Digital Stories could be the new "book report" type of project. It was hard work but it was a lot of fun to make it!
3. Learn about what is legal and what is illegal when it comes to technology and computers. I can't be letting my students do projects if they're illegal.
4. Re-learn how to use spreadsheets. I know that teachers use them all the time to take attendance and keep track of their students' grades.
Sources to Improving my Weaknessess:
What is a Driver?
-This is a start for me learning a little bit more about technology and computer terminology. Learning what a driver is will be good to know in case I ever have a problem with one, or who knows maybe I'll be come an expert and will be the one fixing a drive/driver at my school!
How to Use Google Spreadsheets/Microsoft Excel
-I can use this to re-learn how to use spreadsheets, which I know will be a handy skill to have as a teacher for any grade.
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