Blogfolio

1.      Introduction Video

This activity meets 1a Nets Standards for teachers because I am promoting creative thinking.  Also, I am meeting standard 3c by communicating information and ideas to students and parents by using digital media formatting introducing myself.  I can use the introduction video for my future classroom so the children and parents have an idea who the teacher is.  I like the introduction video because it is a great way for people to see who the teacher really is.  Being able to watch and hear the teacher talk will allow the parents to know the teacher’s fluency and vocabulary level.  This video also gives parents the chance to see what the teacher’s goals, expectations, and past achievements are.  Parents like to see who their child’s teacher is and what they are like.

2.      Concept Map

This activity met a lot of Net Standards.  The concept map met the following standards: 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.  Concept maps are a great way to get children involved.  The standards were met because everyone is able to get engaged in this activity; it allows children to reflect on what they know.  Also, everyone should be able to orally discuss their concept map face-to-face to their classmates.  Students will not only be learning by reflecting their knowledge, but they will be learning thru technology as well.  Students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge about technology by using digital tools.  The concept map gives student’s the chance to customize their own maps, which address students’ with a diverse learning style.  Concept maps can be used in the class because it addresses students’ with different learning styles.  Being able to reach every type of learner is important in the classroom because everyone learns differently.  I enjoyed this assignment because everyone’s concept map is completely different.  I love how everyone can express their ideas and be creative with this assignment.

 

3.      Khan’s Academy

Khan’s Academy met a good bit of Net Standards.  The following standards include: 1a-d, 2 b-c, 3b-c, and 4b.  All of these standards are met because they give students the chance to think independently.  A lot of times children do not understand what they are being taught and Khan’s Academy gives student’s the chance to watch a video of the lesson and also allows the student’s to work on their own pace when learning something new.  Also, the Net Standards mentioned above are met because children are learning thru technology.  Addressing the needs of all students by using learning-center strategies is met.  Some of the pointers from Khan can be used in my future classroom.  I will be sure to post tutorials on how to work out problems on the class website so every student will be able to learn how to do something on their own pace.  I will also find videos (with my approval) that show children how to solve a problem because sometimes it is beneficial to hear how to do something from somebody else.  I like the fact that children are able to stop the video and watch it again if they do not understand a problem.  Everyone learns at a different pace, therefore having an instructional, educational video will give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace.

 

4.      Voki

Voki meets the standard 1d because I will be modeling information to the class, as well as, engaging students in virtual environments.  Voki can be used in the classroom for an introduction video.  I like it because students are allowed to personalize their Voki based on their preference.  I love when students are able to be creative and have some choice in the classroom.

 

5.      Gap Minder

Gap Minder meets Net Standard 3d because it gives students the chance to analyze information using digital tools.  Gap Minder can be used in the classroom to show students how long people live.  I personally would not use this in my classroom because I did not find it to be valuable information.  I did not like Gap Minder because I do not find it beneficial in any way. 

 

6.      World Peace Games (TED videos)

Net Standard 5b is addressed for the World Peace Hunger Games because everyone is able to show leadership and are required to collaborate together to make decisions.  This is great for the class because it really teaches children about the world and how things work.  I loved learning about this because it is so creative and the children love playing this game.  However, I would not use this in the class because it takes just about the whole school year to play this.  However, if I had a gifted class that met for about an hour every day, I would consider teaching this game in depth to the students so they could learn from this.

 

7.      Movie Maker

Movie Maker meets standard 2c because the students will be asked to create a movie of their choice.  Addressing this standard gives children the opportunity to be creative and personalize their video to their interest.  Movie Maker can be used in class just like we used it in IT 365.  I will ask everyone to create a movie about what they would like to inform the class.  I like this activity because it allows everybody to work on the same thing, but everybody’s outcome is different.  This is a great activity to learn more about classmates.

 

8.      Xtranormal

Xtranormal addresses Net Standard 1b.  1b states that students are engaged in real-world issues using digital tools.  I will use Xtranormal in my class because it is a great way to get students aware of real life issues.  Also, using Xtranormal will give students the opportunity to watch public service announcements.  I really like Xtranormal because it is great for almost all types of learners.  This is another approach to teaching, versus lecture teaching. 

 

9.      Software and Hardware Terminology

I will be meeting Net Standard 2a because I will be teaching students how to properly use digital tools and resources to promote student learning.  Knowing shortcuts and terminology will give students the opportunity to become faster and more efficient with their online assignments.  I like this activity because it is very beneficial and gives everyone the opportunity to learn shortcuts.

 

10.  Web Site

Creating a website meets standard 4a because I will be demonstrating how to safely use digital information.  I will also use my site as a model and get the students aware of how to respect copyright.  Websites can be used in the classroom to keep the student(s) and parent(s) aware of what is going on in the classroom.  Also, a class website can be used for assignments and open discussion boards.  I love having a class website because it is a great way to get children engaged with activities at home.  It’s also available for parents to check out if they have any questions about what is going on in the classroom.

Overall Course Reflection

 

I have learned so much from IT 365.  In this course I have learned how to integrate technology into the classroom.  Some of the things I learned include: how to make a website, how to use Voki and Xtranormal to create a video to get students aware of real-world issues, I learned different methods how to introduce myself, and even different ways to get children thinking creatively to express their ideas by using the computer.  Children are able to think creatively, while using a computer to help them express their ideas.  Students love technology so why not bring it to the classroom to keep them engaged?  I will definitely integrate technology in my future classroom because it is a great way to get everyone participating.  I also learned some shortcuts to use on the keyboard while typing.  I will have to teach my students shortcuts on the computer because it makes typing quicker if they are familiar with a computer (which they probably are).

Just like everyone else, I have strong and weak points.  I feel like I am strongest with creating concept maps and making videos.  I love expressing myself and being creative when given the opportunity.  However, I feel as if my weak points would have to be saving a movie file.  Although I have learned how to do it now, I found it difficult to save the file under the right format.  I will improve my weak area by practicing how to save the movie file the correct way.  That way when I get ready to teach my class how to create a movie that informs the class about something, then they will know how to properly save a movie file.

I plan on integrating technology into the classroom by using technology as much as possible.  Today, children grow up using technology.  However, a lot of teachers try to remove technology in the classroom by making students put up phones, keep laptops at home, etc.  I will use the promethean board, as well as allowing a student to walk the classroom through the lesson by being the “driver” of the promethean board.  Also, there is a plethora of great technology to use in the classroom for students with learning disabilities.  Not only do I want to address the students with disabilities in the classroom, but everyone else as well.  Some days I will allow the students to use their phones for pop quizzes; they will be asked to submit their answer via text message.  Also, I can use barcodes for the children to scan to assign every one different reading prompts.  There are just so many great ways to integrate technology in the classroom.

I never thought I would like blogs in education, but they are actually very beneficial to learning.  I like the fact how when you submit an assignment, it is easy to access because it is only a click away.  I also think it would be great to use blogs as a way to submit quizzes.  I could easily use blogs in the classroom to get the students opinion on the lesson.

Overall, I feel like I have learned a lot of ways to integrate technology in the classroom.  I will definitely carry on what I have learned in this class, to my future class.  Children love learning by using technology, therefore I will try my best to use technology as much as possible to promote a better learning experience for my students.