Final Reflection

"As I begin this class, I feel I have mediocre tech knowledge.  I am amazed at how much it has changed since I was last in school pursuing my BA in 1997.  Obviously, computers were around then but no one had lap tops, few had cell phones, and I think the closest thing to instant messaging was via a pager.  My degree was in English and all my papers were done on a Brother word processor.  Any research I did was at the library, there was no Internet.  I don't feel like I'm that old but when I consider all that plus the fact that now since I have returned, everyone has an e-mail account, most have lap taps or access to them, many have smart phones and now there are things such as wikis and Blogs!  Crazy!

I currently have a PC (could you imagine me lugging in my Brother word processor to class and a backpack full of encyclopedias, ha!).  I also have an Apple Mac-Pro.  Although, I'm excited about using it and know it will be beneficial to my classroom, I have been reluctant in making the switch. Anyhow, I look forward to embracing this technology, especially from an educational standpoint as a teacher and even a parent.

This semester, I hope to become more familiar with various technology resources and the ability to maneuver them in an effort to engage and communicate with my future students, as well as their parents/ caregivers and the learning community."

Looking back at my initial course expectations, I feel I have definitely accomplished  what I set out to do!  I have switched over to my Mac (most of the time), as well as explored various technology resources and created tools that will be so beneficial to my future classroom.  I can truly see using flip charts, web diagrams, iMovies, blogs, and websites!  Although I wonder about the time involved in creating such items, I believe it is doable and something with which I can build upon.  

Looking back on the website and blog, I am proud of my accomplishments, particularly considering that the term "wiki" was something I was unfamiliar with until this past semester.  Hopefully, having the knowledge and experience in using such tools will be a marketable asset when I begin my job search next summer!

Digital Diagram- Inspiration

Creating a digital diagram with Inspiration software is a great way to incorporate standards and make connections for students.  I created the reading comprehension strategies diagram above which is connected to TN. Common Core State Standards for Language Arts.  I can see myself using this software and posting diagrams such as this to reinforce skills.  It is a great tool, particularly for visual learners.

I could also see creating these type of diagrams for your daily class objectives.  You could create an "I can" bubble and then link the daily objectives for each class (math, reading, writing, science, social studies), especially if concepts are integrated and you can show the relationships to student learning.

Digital Storytelling- iMovie

I really enjoyed creating this tutorial using iMovie.  I think this type of technology is a great way to create tutorials, instructions, and even present material in a fun/ engaging way for your students.  I was surprised at the ease of use!

I will be excited to actually see this being used by one of my future students!

Interactive White Board- ActivInspire

I really enjoyed making a flip chart with the ActivInspire software!  As with the scavenger hunt assignment, I created a flip chart to go use with a math lesson on geometric shapes.  The activities in the flip chart are aligned with Common Core State Standards.  I also created activities with student friendly "I can"  objectives and Bloom's Taxonomy higher order thinking skills.  Although some of the intermediate activities involving the containers and pull-tabs took some time to figure out, I believe if I continue to use this software the set-up process will become easier over time.  Furthermore, and why I think this software and making these type of unit driven flip charts will be of great benefit to my future classroom, is that I can create the flip charts to motivate and engage my students with technology but they can also serve as an outline/ cue as I'm conducting a lesson to remind me of the objectives and various elements associated with teacher evaluations to ensure that I am covering my basis.  In that sense, and particularly in my early teaching career, they have a two fold benefit with the students but also in my teaching as a sort of scaffold to foster best practices.

Google Presentation

I thought the Google Presentation was a great way to add visual interest while teaching a particular subject.  For instance, I did a Google Presentation on related to Social Studies on the state of Tennessee.  With the slide presentation, I was able to provide visuals to content matter that would have been difficult or with which I may only have been able to present using a text book.  I can see myself using this type of technology in my classroom, particularly as a possible in class field-trip study.  I think the biggest take away for me was the compatibility and ease of use between the Picasa Albums, Google Presentation, and Google Docs otherwise I don't see many differences between it and a PowerPoint presentation.

Scavenger Hunt

I enjoyed the "scavenger hunt" as a collaborative assignment and way in which a teacher might further engage and build upon student learning and understanding.  For instance, the topic I chose was shapes and it was a topic about which I had just written a Kindergarten math lesson plan.  One of the lesson plan objectives was to recognize shapes in ones environment.  This would be a great way to incorporate the objective and lesson plan into the classroom.  I think uploading and creating the Picasa album would be something the teacher would have to do, but I definitely think even Kindergartners would be capable of using a digital camera and explore shapes in their environment as a whole group.  A teacher could even encourage them to take pictures at home to further extend their learning.  You could then collect the photos into an album and create a classroom project to share.  I think students would enjoy seeing their contributions!

Web Quests & Inquiry Based Activity

I really enjoyed exploring the various Web Quests and creating an Inquiry Based Activity for potential use in my future classroom primarily because prior to this activity, I had never heard of or experienced these type of interactive learning tools.  Students these days have so much more experience with technology not only inside the classroom but often at home, as well.  Giving students an opportunity to learn while using the technology that they enjoy and are comfortable with is a win-win situation for both teachers and students. 

I was particularly amazed by the 4th grade Web Quest on the Underground Railroad. http://questgarden.com/88/01/4/091112091643/index.htm .  It somewhat reminded me of an observation of Steven Levy's classroom experience, "Voyage of Pilgrims", which I viewed in my Education 422 class last semester.  Although the Levy classroom was truly a hands on experience in learning, the Underground Railroad Web Quest gives the students a similar role in which they have an active role researching their objective and then are able to collaborate and apply their learning based on an additional activity assigned by the teacher.  I believe that any time students can have a "experience" with their learning, they are better equipped to remember that experience and apply it to future learning opportunities.  The depth of the experience may depend on the age group and subject matter, but I think that even at a young age, if students are exposed to these type of activities, it will help them in the future when they are required to do more research/ inquiry based activities on their own.