Scenario

            As I start thinking about myself as an educator, I can pick out some strengths as well as some challenges for my future teaching.  Some strengths that I have are flexibility, organization, and patience.  I think these attributes will benefit me as a future teacher.  No two days in teaching is alike.  I will have to have a general outline for each day, but I will be prepared to change it.  Some lessons will go smooth, but others will take longer or shorter than originally planned.  I will have to be prepared for that.  All teachers must also be organized.  I believe that this is one of my best qualities.  Even during college I find that I am very organized.  As a teacher if your not organized that is just one more thing that you have to worry about.  Some students will be harder to deal with and help than others.  That is why I think my patience is a good attribute to have.  If I can have patience in my class my students will feel more at ease and want to learn. 

            Some challenges that I might struggle with in my future classroom is caring too much about my students and finding a balance between home and school.  Like many teachers, I love children and hate to see them suffer.  When I become a teacher I am going to have to find the “happy medium” between caring about a student’s academic welfare and intruding too much in their life.  I cannot single handedly make a child’s situation better for them.  I can only take the necessary steps get them in touch with a counselor or social worker.  There is so much to do as a teacher.  I spend hours preparing for my college classes, and can’t imagine how much time I will spend preparing as a real teacher.  I will have to figure our how to keep schoolwork at school and make time to spend with my family.    

            Every day technology changes.  What I am learning in technology class this semester might be obsolete when I actually start teaching.  I am going to have to continuously learn new and different tools every year if I want to integrate technology into my classroom.  When I come across a tool that I don’t know how to use, I’m not just going to pass it by.  I will find tutorials on the Internet to help me.  You can find tutorial on how to do almost anything these days.  If I can’t find a tutorial to use, I will ask someone else who might already be using the tool to help me. 

            I think technology can greatly impact student learning.  Every child learns in a different way.  Using technology can help me accommodate all types of learning styles.  For visual learners I could use Animoto videos and Wordles to help reinforce topics.  For auditory learners I could use VoiceThreads and podcasts more often.  Using text to voice technology could help me accommodate struggling readers.  I could even use Prezi to accommodate learners who need to see spatial relationships between topics.  Technology is so versatile.  It takes only a few minutes to tweak something so all learners can benefit from it. 

            I think all teachers need to have some confidence using technology in their classrooms.  We are living in a technological world, and our students need to be prepared to participate in that world.  To help promote technology in my school I would work with the principal to bring in professional development workshops on technology.  I could also be available to help teachers learn how to implement technology in their classrooms.  To help the faculty get ideas on how to integrate technology into the curriculum, I could set up a visit to another school that has successfully implemented it.  

            There are two projects that I did in technology class this semester that I definitely want to try in my own class someday.  Those two projects are Google Lit Trips and a VoiceThread.  Each of these projects teaches students more than just how to use technology.  Literature, geography, art, math, and science could all be addressed using these two tools.  The Google Lit Trip could definitely be beneficial in a classroom.  It allows students to learn and “visit” a place that they may never get to see.  This trip is especially interesting in Google Earth as opposed to Google Maps.          

           

           Now more than ever employers are demanding workers that take initiative, are technologically savvy, and know how to collaborate.  It is my job as a future teacher to educate students for that demand.  I believe integrating technology into my classroom can definitely help me meet this goal. 

My Wow Moment

             

             To be honest, at the start of the semester I didn’t really want to take this class.  I have never been very technologically savvy.  I was always the one asking other people how to do something, instead of me teach them.  I was actually a little nervous about taking this class, because I didn’t feel confident using technology.  Now, as I look back over the semester, I find that I have come a long way.  So with that being said, I guess my wow moment is actually becoming more comfortable using technology in my everyday life!  It has been more than a moment, but instead a progression of the entire semester.  I now know how to use tools that some of my friends have never even heard of! 

            Just the other day my boyfriend was complaining about finding time to meet with a group to work on a project.  I could actually sit down and show him how to use Google Docs to collaborate at home.  In another one of my classes my group needed to make a presentation to present some new information.  Instead of using a boring PowerPoint, I suggested we make a Prezi.  My group members had never seen Prezi before.  I was able to show them how!  When I was finished putting it together, they actually created an account and told me that they wanted to start using it themselves.      

Podcast Favorites

            Over the semester I listened to many podcasts from various people.  From all of these, my favorite was Tech Chick Tips.  In these podcasts two technologically savvy ladies discuss tools and tips for all educators.  I really liked listening to them because they were energetic and clearly passionate about what they were discussing.  They also always had show notes with hyperlinks right on the page where you listen to each podcast.  I really liked this feature because I could go to the tool they were talking about while they were talking about it.  On other podcast, the person might be talking about something that I didn’t understand because I couldn’t see it.  

            A few tools that I learned about from these ladies are Google Body Browser, Print, Cut, and Fold, and Google Art Project.  Google Body Browser is a free tool that allows you to look at different layers of the human body.  All you have to do is download the correct browser that supports it.  This would be great to use in a biology class for student to do virtual dissections.  Print, Cut, and Fold is another site that has downloadable PowerPoint templates that can printed, cut, and folded into many different things.  These templates include everything from mini-books and flip books to dioramas and pyramids.  Google Art Project is a tool kind of like Google Lit Trips.  You can take your class on a virtual tour of some of the biggest art museums in the world.  Students can see the artwork along with information about each one.  

Semester Favorites

            As I look back over the past semester I have several favorites.  The three projects/tools that I liked the most are Animoto, Prezi, and VoiceThread.  I think these three tools can be used in anyone’s classroom to help make learning fun and interesting. 

            Animoto is a way that you can make a video very quickly and easily.  All you have to do is create an account on Animoto.com, upload your photos, choose your music, and Animoto does the rest!  It is free to make a 30 second video.  However, if you want to make a longer one you can sign up for an educators account for a minimal fee.  In the classroom, a teacher could use Animoto to introduce a topic or end a topic.  She could also have her students make an Animoto to show what they have learned.  

 

            My second favorite tool was Prezi.  This tool could replace boring slideshows in our classrooms!  To get started go to prezi.com and create a free account.  From there they give you a blank canvas.  All you have to do is click anywhere to start adding text.  This is probably my favorite part.  You really don’t have to plan your presentation before you start to make it.  It is easy to add audio, video, and photos.  When you are finished create the path that you want your Prezi to move in.  This tool is great for someone that is non-linear.  They can just get their ideas on the page, and choose the order to present them at the end.  Teachers could use this tool to present information in a fun and interesting way to their students. 

            The final tool that I really enjoyed was VoiceThread.  All you have to do is go to voicethread.com, create and account, add photos, and record a comment to go with each photo.  Even though I really liked VoiceThread there were a few things that I wish they could change.  Once you start you can’t really redo a comment unless you want to completely start over.  This encourages extensive planning before recording.  I think every classroom in every state could use this tool to captures the words of someone influential in their community.  

Challenge-Based Learning Reflection

             Challenged-Based Learning is a relatively new term to me, and really to education.  In careers today, employers are asking more and more of their employees.  They expect them to be creative, be technologically savvy, and take the initiative.  Employers want their employees to figure out a problem on their own.  To meet this ever-increasing demand for creative and self-driven citizens, schools are changing the way they educate children.  As future teachers, one of the ways we need to be preparing our students is by using Challenged-Based Learning. 

            Challenged-Based Learning (CBL) is when teachers present a challenge and ask their students to come up with a solution.  Teachers may give kids a broad topic or situation but let them do the rest.  The students do their own research, choose how they will present their information, and cooperatively work together to reach their goal.  CBL encourages leadership, initiative, creativity, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.  In CBL, the teacher’s responsibility is to facilitate.  She is there to provide students with resources and encouragement, but that is all.   

            Recently my technology teacher presented our class with a CBL project.  Our teacher said that we could choose any topic that we wanted.  Our challenge was that we had to present our information in a Prezi presentation.  As a group, we had to choose our topic, find information, find pictures and/or video, and figure out how to use Prezi.  Figuring out how to use Prezi was the biggest challenge.  Our teacher gave us hints on where to find tutorials and instructions, but she would not answer specific questions. 

            I think CBL projects can encourage creativity and put the power of learning back in student’s hands.  It not only forces students to really learn the material, but also prepares them for their future careers.  Everyone has to learn to cooperate affectively.            

Podcast Reflection #12: Classroom Dos and Don'ts

            For my final podcast reflection I choose to listen to Tony Vincent’s Learning in Hand.  I listened to podcast #20: Classroom Dos and Don’ts.  This podcast talked about all of the dos and don’ts when it comes to using iPods in the classroom.  There were many that Tony mentioned, but I am just going to highlight a few of the ones that I found extra important. 

            The first Do that Tony mentioned is to sync iPods to one computer.  Teachers should add everything that they want to sync to their iPods to one computer.  If you start syncing iPods to more than one computer you will start to get messages that request you to delete all material form the iPod.  Also when it comes to syncing the iPods, Tony says to make a playlist on the syncing computer.  This way you only sync the apps, audio, and video that you want to transfer to the iPods.  Tony says that it is also a good idea to delete information on the syncing computer that you aren’t currently using.  Teachers can drag and drop that information into another folder on their computer until they need it again.  This way iPods will not get bogged down with unneeded information. 

Another great tip is to name all iPods.  Teachers can engrave a number on the back, use a sticky label, or used color-coded cases so students can recognize their iPod easily.  Tony says that classrooms should purchase a charger cart, case, or tray to charge and store iPods when not in use.  This is of course if you have the money.  If not, purchase power USB hubs, and some other container to lockup iPods so they do not get stolen.  

Three final tips that Toney suggests for using iPods in the classroom are: have procedures for handing out and picking up iPods; purchase inexpensive ear buds for each student; have consequences for misuse of iPods.  Teachers should come up with procedures that everyone is aware of so the class does not waste valuable learning time passing out or picking up iPods.  Teachers should also have consequences that are posted for misuse.  Tony suggests creating an iPod contract that is sent home with students at the beginning of the year.  This contract would be read and signed by parents and the child.

            Finally, Tony mentioned some Don’ts for using iPods in the classroom.  He said not to give students the iTunes account password.  If they have the password, they can download apps that may not be appropriate for school.  Then when the iPods are synced that app could be spread to all of the iPods.  A small problem could turn into a very big problem in no time at all.  Tony also said that teachers should not feel like they need to sync their iPods everyday.  IPods should only be synced when new information needs to be put on them.  This could be weekly or even monthly.  Tony warned to not just use free apps.  You tend to get what you pay for.  Although some free apps are very good, teachers can download really good apps for fewer than five dollars.  An app that is downloaded once can be synced to all iPods for free!  Finally, Tony reminded teachers to keep up with their professional development.  There is always something new to learn in the world of technology.    

           

                                                           

Podcast Reflection #11: Barbara Brueggemann, Head of school at the George Washington University Online High School

           This week I listened to podcast #150: Barbara Brueggemann, Head of school at the GWU Online High School on the Ed Tech Talk website.  This was a very interesting podcast because it was about something I have not heard very much about: an all online school.  Barbara has been an educator all her life.  She started in post-secondary education, then moved so secondary education to make a difference in the formative years of students.  Now she has started the experimental, fully online George Washington University Online High School. 

            This high school, like many others, is for 9-12 graders.  It currently has 16 9^th and 10^th graders enrolled.  They wanted to start out small to get all of the kinks worked out.  This online high school has all of the good things from a traditional high school, but without the time and size conflicts.  Barbara discussed the Journey Symposium, one of the high school’s unique classes.  Every year students enroll in one seminar type class that helps prepare them for college.  In 9^th grade, students focus on the exploration of self.  They answer questions like: what am I good at? What do I want to do? How will I reach my goals?  Then in 10^th grade they focus on self and team.  Students learn through service.  In 11^th grade, student focus on stewardship.  They begin looking at their future and college.  Finally in 12^th grade, students focus on legacy.  They work with George Washington University professors on a project, and decide what they will leave behind when they are gone. 

            The class structure in this all-online high school includes some self-pace and some synchronized classes. There is a lot of interaction between peers and teachers using skype, e-mail, conference calling, and elluninate.  In this high school, Barbara said that students can’t disappear in class.  Teachers can monitor their work and see how much time they spend on assignments.    

            I believe this school is on the cutting edge of what we will see in the future.  With kids of this generation obsessed with digital networking and learning, I think we will start to see more hybrid and all online classes develop.  I think we need more research, however, to know how to teach kids effectively online.  We also, like Barbara said in this podcast, have to be deliberate about engaging kids.