Blog Post #10

Throughout this class this semester I have learned an immense amount about numerous technological tools that I can use in my future classroom.  We started off by learning even simple keyboard and screen tools that will definitely make using the other larger tools easier.  I enjoyed very much learning more in depth about PowerPoint and Excel.  Although, I already know how to use some technological tools like those, it was very beneficial to learn how to gear them towards and apply them into a classroom setting.  I have also learned about different computer programs, such as wikispaces and the web charts program.  I am very grateful to have learned how to use these programs so that I will be even more technologically advanced for my students.  Having learned all of these tools not only will help me in my future career but will also enhance my students learning.

The final project is a good way of getting us accustomed to creating a lesson plan.  I think it is neat that we had to meet with the teacher and that our lesson plan will actually be used in her classroom.  It has been very helpful to experience how to put together a full effective lesson plan.  We had to brainstorm and look into how to display our information in a creative educational way.  We also had to make the lesson plan interactive so the students could participate in hands on learning. I feel that this project is very helpful to us and has helped us prepare for being teachers and having to create lesson plans on a daily basis. 

I know for sure I will be using most of the concepts learned in this class in my future classroom.  I am very thankful for have learned more about PowerPoint and easier ways to create educational presentations.  Even just learning about this blogger site has been helpful and I can use it in my lesson plan if I want.  This class has made it possible for me to create all sorts of different lesson plans with technological tools.  I can now create a whole grade book into Excel or create a newsletter on Word Processor.  After everything we have learned this semester, I am thankful to now know such technological tools that I can apply in my class everyday that assist my students.

It has also been very interesting reading my classmates blogs.  In the beginning everyone seemed to agree that this blogger site is a great idea and tool to use in a classroom.  Throughout the semester it has been helpful and neat to see what others would think about the concepts we were learning.  I also enjoyed being able to see pictures of what they were doing.  Overall, we all seem to have learned an exceptional amount about technology and how to use it in our future careers.

Blog Post #9

I feel like this project is a great preparation for what we will all be doing in our classrooms later in life.  It helps us gain knowledge on how to make a successful lesson plan and what to incorporate in it to make it learnable and attractive to students.  It is very beneficial to have us meet with the actual teacher and get her input too.  She showed us how she will be teaching our lesson on a smart board where the children will be able to participate and interact.  Therefor we added some blank places into our presentation where the students can come to the board and fill them in themselves.  Overall, I think this project is a great learning tool for us.

During this previous week I have contacted Mrs.Kirkendoll at Fairview Middle school and set up an appointment.  I also went and met with her to share with her our ideas and get feedback.  As a group, we met last monday and I began making the powerpoint for our actual lesson plan.  I also incorporated my information onto our jeopardy slideshow and my wikisite.  Altogether, we are working very well and on great track!

In this previous week I have learned quite a lot with slideshows still and also learned how to create a crossword puzzle on excel.  Knowing how to use slideshow well is a very important and is a great tool to have in the classroom. I will definitely be using it in every way we have learned in the future. Also I have learned a lot while doing our project.  The teacher gave us very helpful advice about incorporating the smart board into our presentation so know the children will have a chance to participate in hands on learning.  I am very grateful to have taken this class, I have certainly learned a lot.

Blog Post #8

In our project we could use WebQuest to make good use of the internet while engaging the students in thinking about the subject matter. WedQuest would be beneficial to use in a middle school classroom where they are becoming more technologically advanced. They could also incorporate the WebQuest in their Wikispace. In doing this each student could go on and comment or add onto what another writes. This keeps the students attentive and engaged in the information as well as having to work together with their classmates.

An example of a good WebQuest would be for students in grades 6-8 to take on different roles to learn about the history of the computer and how they have changed our lives .  Students can use their research to create a first-person presentation about the computer innovator they have studied. Not only would this teach them about the technology but it has them apply their knowledge as well. 

Learning about Wikispaces was a great tool that I will be sure to use in my future career! When we learned about it I actually was thinking it would be beneficial to use with other teachers. You could collaborate and get ideas from your co-workers and everyone could post examples and such. For older, maybe high school, classrooms it is a great tool to use for when students are working in groups. This way they can communicate across numerous group members at a time. Altogether, it is definitely another technology tool that I will be able to use in my classroom! :)

Blog post #7

The web based tool that I am most familiar with to use in my classroom would be this blogger site.  I think this web tool is very helpful in keeping the students writing and sharing with their classmates.  It lets the students be creative and free and gives the teacher the ability easy access to the students work.  I have rally enjoyed learning the different tasks that can be done on blogger.  Similar to this class, I would have my students post pictures and outlines of their projects or presentation assignments.  This way I can comment on them as well as other classmates.  It is also a great tool to have for teachers to post assignments or helpful hints and students can see them right away without having to wait to be in class.  Altogether, it is a very beneficial web tool that I will be sure to incorporate into my future teaching career.

Excel spreadsheets are a great way of keeping information organized and clear.  I will most likely use Excel the most with having my class roster and attendance as well as my grade book.  Excel has tools that allow you to equate numbers and add up percentages, therefor using it to enter grades is very efficient.  I believe that Excel is more used by just teachers on an elementary level and then taught and learned by students at more of 8th grade high school level.  In college, I took a course on Excel and I even found it to be challenging at times. 

 It is a good tool to use in like an economics classroom for like a project on the economy and budgeting.  You could have the students make a personal budget with their everyday needs and income. Or you could have your class make a pretend business and make a budget for their business. This would help them to learn basic life lessons, as well as how to compute on an Excel sheet.