Technology

Technology in the Classroom

In my technology class I have learned a whole lot about many different resources I can use to make my class a 21^st century classroom. I learned about blogs, wikis, web pages, kidspiration, inspiration, database, spreadsheet, and much more. Of all of these I struggled most with web pages. When I first learned about a web page I was amazed at all of the things I could create and how I could make my students learn on a whole new level. Although this class was only a half semester I feel like I have learned two semesters worth of things for my future classroom.

Blogs: In the Classroom

A blog is a good way of communicating with parents because parents can read lesson plans you are doing. Parents are able to see sample work, watch lessons (if you video them), look at tips they could help with at home, and they can comment on your blog. For example, when I have a blog for my classroom I want to post assigned homework, tips for parents, and a link to my email at the end of each post. I would summarize what was taught and the expectations of what the child should have learned, as well as the purpose of what was being taught.

Blogs in my classroom could be a way to help students with special needs. Special needs aren’t just students falling behind average, but also students above average. Blogs could be an extinction for children who need more challenges. I could also provide students who need extra attention with blogs that help have specific instructions and lots of scaffolding. I could make blog templates on Microsoft Office for them to use when they are creating entries for the “blog writing journal”.

I have found some great new technology tools such as Animoto, Prezi, and webquests. All of these tools are AWESOME for the classroom. Animoto and Prezi are two programs that are “powerpoints on steroids” as I have heard several people describe these programs. It would make lectures more exciting for my students. Webquests are fun way for students to engage in their work and learn something new, without me as a teacher, presenting them with all the information.

Technology is a powerful tool..

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The more I am in my technology class the more I realize how technology is a vital tool in the classroom. It provides learning opportunities that many children do not have at home and will never experience unless I open the door and show them. I really like the idea of having a blog in my classroom. Almost every teacher has their students keep a writing journals, morning journals, math journal, and science journals. I want to be the teacher that goes a step further and have my students use blogs. It would be a great way of keeping them interested in writing. Their parents could access their blogs, as well as I. Students wouldn’t make the excuse, “I left my journal at home or school” they would always have access to it.

With the ESL students blogs are awesome because the student can type in their language first and then get the ESL teacher, or a program on the computer to help translate the blog in English. They would be able to see the both their home language and their developing English at the same time. I really believe this would help the ESL student learn English faster and be a fun exercise.

Since I last wrote on my blog I have discovered so many more types of technology that I can use in my classroom like Prezi & animate which are a new way to do PowerPoint; they are really exciting and engaging for everyone. I have also found that databases and spreadsheets are extremely helpful for making labels, keeping records, and keeping organized. Before this class I never knew how to use database, and didn’t know spreadsheet could do formulas, “what-ifs”, make charts, and graphs. I have also learned that websites aren’t so hard to make and really fun. It is an interactive tool that students can access to learn more about the teacher. The teacher can design websites to create interactive assignments. Technology is a powerful tool that I cannot wait to exploit in my classroom.

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The Blog Excursion

Of the blogs I viewed the bloggers were all educators that have been in the education field for quite some time. The bloggers where expressing advice, ideas, and resources for parents, students, fellow educators, and anyone who read their blogs. I thought all the blogs that I viewed were extremely interesting, until I ventured on my own. I discovered that anyone can be a blogger and some of the blogs I found weren’t very professional and didn’t have credibility.

From reading, “The Teacher’s Toolbox” by Adrian Bruce (http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/ ) I learned ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. Mr. Bruce creates digital posters, comics, and other things with his classroom and then posts the final products on to his blog. When I was scrolling through his post I found a video he incorporated in his blog. I did not know that that was possible. I did know you could incorporate pictures in your blog, but was unaware that videos could be put in. The video really enhanced his blog post for the day. Most of Mr. Bruce’s blog was an idea presents through video or picture and then a short description. I found that this was more enjoyable for me as reader. I was more interested because it was not an overwhelming page of text. I was captivated by the interesting graphics and wanted to keep exploring throughout his blog. I was also unaware that you could link your blog post into folders and make links. “The Teacher’s Toolbox” had blog post organized by subjects. I found that really helpful when I wanted to see resources for certain subjects.

I did not realize that blogs could actually be so interesting. Before taking the time to read the blogs I assumed blogging was just online journaling, no different than Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter, but I soon discovered blogs can be helpful, educational, and very interesting. For instance, The Teacher Toolbox by Adrian Bruce (http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/ ) is very interesting and provides teachers with ideas and resources.

I already knew how to make a blog. I already had one that I wrote on from time to time. I went through spells of writing: writing for classes, writing because I missed everyone from home when I study abroad, and writing for my wedding plans. I already knew how to “fancy” the blog up with layouts, backgrounds, colors, and font styles.

Having blogs in my classroom could take on a whole new level of learning. I have so many ideas for blogs in my classroom. It could take journaling to the next level by letting students free write, or have topics to discuss in their blog. They could still follow all the processes of writing on paper: brainstorming, outlines, drafts, and final products that they post. I could also blog my daily lesson plans and include extensions, resources, and extra help. This could be useful for students that are advanced, struggling, or even students who missed class because of an absence.