It Is Not the End....But Just the Beginning!

I can’t believe our class has come to an end! I’m so fortunate to have taken this class because my knowledge of technology has grown even more since last semester. One part of this class that I really enjoyed was listening to the final projects. I feel that I learned so much from everyone’s presentation. Everyone did a great job with creating a visual to use when presenting their information. I feel that my confidence has greatly grown using technology in my classroom as well as on my own personal level. This class has given me the courage to explore programs and incorporate them into my future teaching. One idea that I got from this class is to make a slideshow of pictures using Photobucket. Next year for Open House, I’m going to create a slideshow of my students working in the classroom for parents to see what their child is doing throughout the day. Prior to this class, this idea would have never crossed my mind! Even though this class is over, I feel that the want to know more for technology will not end for me. I learned a lot of new things from Dr. Smirnova and other students in the class. Thank you to everyone for making my learning experience unforgettable and enjoyable. Good luck to everyone in the future! :)

Photobucket and Flickr

You learn something new everyday! I never even heard of Photobucket or Flickr until I had to choose my final project. I'm the type of person who takes pictures and leaves them in my camera forever. I eventually download them onto my computer and that is the end! After learning about these two programs, I felt encouraged to be couragious and use my pictures to make things. Both programs are very simliar and have many features that one could do with their pictures. Below, is the website to my power point presentation where you can learn more about both programs, watch a couple of youtube videos, and learn about some ideas on how you could incorporate these programs into your lessons. Enjoy!

:)
http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/75467/Photobucket-and-Flickr

Changing Learning from Boring to Fun!

I really enjoyed learning about all the different Web2.0 tools to use in the classroom. There are so many different ways a teacher could spice up their lessons so that they have students engaged in the learning process. One of my favorite Web2.0 tools I would use in my classroom (if my students were older) would be blogging. I think students, especially in high school, would love to create a blog and use it to post responses and discussions of books they read. One Web2.0 tool I read also read about was Wiki pages. This would be great for students in high school to use if they had a group project to complete because they could all have access to the group's page. Students can make changes or add to the page anytime they want to.
Another Web2.0 tool that was mentioned in the feedback was one that involved a computer that helps students type papers. I thought this was a great tool especially for students who are LD or are ESL students. I never heard of the tool until I read it on someones post. They use the tool in their classroom. I was thinking that maybe I could have my first graders try it when they publish their books in Writer's Workshop.
There are so many opportunities on the Internet of Web2.0 tools that one may use in their classroom. I found the website that listed all the different Web2.0 tools to be helpful. I have it booked marked on my computer that I'm able to refer back to it quickly.

Our First Class Meeting

As I have learned from Monday night's class, technology does not always cooperate! I was continuously getting kicked off because of my Internet connection which was very frustrating! I kept missing bits and pieces of class which was annoying!
It was interesting to hear everyone's view on Internet safety. We all pretty much had the same views and ideas of what we thought is important for children to know when using the Internet. I liked reading everyone's lesson plans and got some good ideas from plans I read. One idea that I did not think of was to create a contract for using the Internet. This was suggested by Carla in her lesson plan. I feel this is a great way to have students become involved and hold them accountable for their actions.
I felt that I learned a lot of good ideas that night on how to incorporate and teach technology safety tips to students.

A New Beginning!

Part 2

After taking literacy and technology, I realized there is so much information about technology that I could be incorporating into my classroom! I felt that I wanted to continue learning about technology. The first meeting with my group was a success! We used WizIQ which I liked much better than gchat. The members of my group were very involved with our discussions and did a great job. I'm looking forward to collaborating more with my group members and continue the journey of technology!

Easy Grading!

No Pens and No Paper!

http://www.engrade.com/teacher-gradebook.php?c=1

http://www.engrade.com/teacher-comments.php?c=1

Here are the two links to get into my engrade website. The other website I posted did not allow you to see these pages. Sorry!

Digital Story Telling

Digital Story Telling

This assignment was very fun and I really learned a lot of new things about making videos that I did not know prior to this assignment. I have never used movie maker before so at first I had to play around with the program. I would definitely recommend using digital story maker to all teachers. It would be great for older students to use when completing a unit and could make a movie for a culminating activity. Also, this could be used with younger students as well with teacher's assistance. Using digital story telling would definitely spark students' interest in learning and make learning more appealing to them!

Since my computer is not allowing me to post my video, I have added some pictures that I used in my video. I took pictures of my students' work of different types of writing we do. We do Writer's Workshop everyday, but sometimes students become bored with the same old routine. This is when I feel is it important to change writing a little and incorporate the other content areas as well.