My class has been so excited about the research that they have been doing in conjunction with their Heifer International project. We started with printed materials, but quickly decided to delve further, beginning with the use of the Heifer International Website. A few of my children knew to look in other places as well, using ask.com . It was fun to see them collaborate as they gathered information. Later, they took this information and created a powerpoint presentation - some were quite well done, others had minimal information. I loved that two of my children included links to other websites on theirs.
I learn from and with my kids all the time. As I was trying to help them locate some clip art for their slides, one showed me how easy it was to obtain by going to google images. I never knew! We were able to find just the right images to illustrate their slides, and were not limited by cute little graphics that sometimes don't fit.
I am trying to figure out how download (upload? I'm still not sure of the difference) a movie clip into a power point presentation.
Reading chapter s 7 and 8 in the textbook supplied me with many "ah ha moments." When I read the section (ch. 7) on distance learning, I still could not help but feel that, while distance learning may be appropriate for some subjects, it is NOT the best way for me to do a technology class. Because I am such a novice, it would be so helpful to have an opportunity to have face to face learning, rather than struggling through each task.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
electronic gradebooks / student resonse systems
The upper grade teachers at my school use electronic grade books. They all marvel at the accuracy and at how easy it is to enter grades, get a quick average, make print outs for parents and to use as a report for BBST or other needs. All of this seems really good, but so much of my grading happens at home late at night. I am not always energetic enough to then trudge upstairs to enter grades, and it is next to impossible to find time at school to do it. (What ever happened to having a planning period?) Sometimes the ease of entering grades into my grade book is appealing - I can do it at home, at school, outside on the porch on a nice day.
All that said, it is my goal to begin to use an electronic gradebook. STI provides one that other teachers use and like. I asked them if they worried about having a back up or what they would do if the system crashed and they did not seem to think that was anymore of an issue than losing the traditonal grade book (how true!). I had already entered the data I needed to begin to use this system with the beginning of the new marking period in March when my principal suggested to me that I begin next year so that I would have a consistent record for the current school year! I wonder if she knew that I had felt like I was really blazing a technology trail - I am always hesitant to begin something new, but after reading Chapter 5, I decided now was the time to take a step. So, tabled for now, but definitely something I will do in the future.
I LOVE the idea of the H-ITT student response system and have written it into my lesson plans to try in the computer lab with my students. This will give me a clear understanding of their comprehension.
All that said, it is my goal to begin to use an electronic gradebook. STI provides one that other teachers use and like. I asked them if they worried about having a back up or what they would do if the system crashed and they did not seem to think that was anymore of an issue than losing the traditonal grade book (how true!). I had already entered the data I needed to begin to use this system with the beginning of the new marking period in March when my principal suggested to me that I begin next year so that I would have a consistent record for the current school year! I wonder if she knew that I had felt like I was really blazing a technology trail - I am always hesitant to begin something new, but after reading Chapter 5, I decided now was the time to take a step. So, tabled for now, but definitely something I will do in the future.
I LOVE the idea of the H-ITT student response system and have written it into my lesson plans to try in the computer lab with my students. This will give me a clear understanding of their comprehension.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Things are getting better
Although I still have so much to learn, I feel like I am beginning to get a handle on this class. My group members are so patient with me - they must hate to see my name come up in caller ID! Thank you ladies. I am also looking forward to the face to face instruction with Dr. Wang.
My goal this week is to get a usable video for my National Boards and to solve the dilemma I am having getting good audio. This will also be a challenge because my voice is not back 100% yet. I still have to video because I need to use our day on Monday to work on writing it up. I am off to buy new batteries for the microphone, and to see if I can download some information about it so I will be able to use it more effectively. I am using a lightsmith in the video and also showing my children creating their power point presentations. Hopefully this will all run smoothly. The viewers will think I am pretty technical - if they only knew!
My goal this week is to get a usable video for my National Boards and to solve the dilemma I am having getting good audio. This will also be a challenge because my voice is not back 100% yet. I still have to video because I need to use our day on Monday to work on writing it up. I am off to buy new batteries for the microphone, and to see if I can download some information about it so I will be able to use it more effectively. I am using a lightsmith in the video and also showing my children creating their power point presentations. Hopefully this will all run smoothly. The viewers will think I am pretty technical - if they only knew!
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