As a new educator, I can bring several positive attributes to the table. The concept of regular technological integration into the classroom is fresh in my mind and is something that I am confident about, excited about, and of which I am an advocate. I strive to make my goals and objectives in the classroom student oriented. In my eyes, students meeting objectives is the pinnacle of what education is. Some challenges that I may face as an educator include not yet having the experience to know what technological strategies work better than others. Also, I think a challenge will be that technological integration in classroom is not yet standard. This presents challenges in that a change is necessary within the education world, which will not happen overnight. My goals for my classroom will take time to reach.
In the next 3-5 years, I see myself teaching music using as many different resources as I possibly can. I see myself JUST settling into teaching in general, but becoming more comfortable with lessons plans, new ideas, and a structured curriculum including technology. I will have tried lots of new things and have decided which ones work and which don't get through as well.
Technology can have a huge positive impact on student learning. Students who need more repetition with a concept, students who have visual or aural impairments, students who struggle with reading, students who want to learn more than was available in class, ANY STUDENT can benefit from technology. Some ways may include homework reviews recorded and available online, student assessment by recording practice sessions, and reaching students who simply need more information at a slower pace.
My education has been effected in a positive way. I've been able to listen to recordings of pieces that I'm playing, kept a check on my grades, had lessons with AMAZING musicians via iChat, streamed live concerts through ustream, and countless other ways.
Monday, May 2, 2011
My Wow Moment....
I rarely have "aha!!!" moments, and this class was no exception. I have had an "aha!!" SEMESTER. I never in a million years thought I could create my very own website with embed codes, pictures, links, rss feeds, and so much more. I haven't really been interested in technology, but seeing all the possibilities with technology and education and how easy they are to access puts a spring in my step. Now, I have the confidence to create webquests, use google maps to create lesson plans, have the students display their knowledge using countless avenues, and so much more that I haven't even learned about yet. I have the resources that I've discovered along with all the resources my peers have learned about because I know how to access their Delicious accounts, follow them on twitter, and lots of other educational social media. I've learned that it is all about learning non-stop, asking others via technology, and being creative in finding ways to use technology in my classroom. It has been so enlightening to learn how to embed things (I didn't even know what that meant before!!) I am so happy that I fought through my frustration as a relatively new "techie." Visit my website and see what all I've learned to do!!
Podcast Favorites
My two favorite podcasts to listen to were:
1. The podcast about Salman Kahn>
Watching Mr. Kahn talk about his advancement in technology and education was so inspiring and really made me get excited about my generation of teachers and what are role is going to be when we acquire jobs. Gone are the days of blackboards, confused students, and "one-size-fits-all" education. We now have the resources available to easily tailor educations for each and every student. Wow.
2. K12 Online Conference
I liked k12onlineconference because I thought their topics were interesting, the discussions were stimulating, and very well articulated. I enjoyed hearing about NEW topics that I was not familiar with and receiving lots of pertinent information about what the new tool was, how it works, ways to use it in the schools, and examples of how others have begun to use it.
1. The podcast about Salman Kahn>
Watching Mr. Kahn talk about his advancement in technology and education was so inspiring and really made me get excited about my generation of teachers and what are role is going to be when we acquire jobs. Gone are the days of blackboards, confused students, and "one-size-fits-all" education. We now have the resources available to easily tailor educations for each and every student. Wow.
2. K12 Online Conference
I liked k12onlineconference because I thought their topics were interesting, the discussions were stimulating, and very well articulated. I enjoyed hearing about NEW topics that I was not familiar with and receiving lots of pertinent information about what the new tool was, how it works, ways to use it in the schools, and examples of how others have begun to use it.
Semester Favorites
My favorite tools that we explored this semester were the Prezi website and the Glogster website. To present information to my students, I am always looking for new and innovative ways besides the 'ole PowerPoint. As a music educator, I plan to integrate the Prezi tool to introduce new concepts, skills, and other information. Also, Prezi is a great professional tool. Even this summer, I'm giving a presentation at a Kansas Bandmasters Association conference in Wichita and I plan to use Prezi to give it. What is so great about it is the cool way it moves from one point to another. With a power point, moving from slide to slide with the same format can get boring fast. With prezi, the viewer zooms in and out, jumps from point to point, and is whirled around to connect all the big presentation points.
I really loved glogster because it was so easy to use and is really versatile. I know that since I had no trouble using it, students will have no trouble using it, as each generation is more tech-savvy than the previous. I love all the choices of available backgrounds, signs, bubbles, and the potential to add pictures and videos. It is a great assessment tool for teachers as well as a fun project creator for students.
I really loved glogster because it was so easy to use and is really versatile. I know that since I had no trouble using it, students will have no trouble using it, as each generation is more tech-savvy than the previous. I love all the choices of available backgrounds, signs, bubbles, and the potential to add pictures and videos. It is a great assessment tool for teachers as well as a fun project creator for students.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Podcast Reflection #11: Tech Chick Tips #84
First, the chicks discuss an article from macworld.com about angry birds and its correlation to technology. Basically, if you don't use technology, you can't learn how to incorporate it further into life. The same goes for technology and education. Basically, if you don't allow students to use technological resources in the classroom, they'll never understand how to use it and its importance in the world we live in. Trial and error is the foundation not only with the game but with technology. Also, they mention that there is more than 1 way to win (the game and technology.) Our technology teacher always says, "There is NOT JUST ONE WAY to do what we are doing." Similarly, there is more than one way to defeat the game and there are tons of way to arrive at a destination when using technology. Haven't heard of/played angry birds? Check out this website!
Podcast Reflection #10: K-12 Online Conference: ERACISM
The project discussed in this podcast was Eracism. This new word, made up of two other words, (erase and racism) means to erase racism. This project was created by students all over the world using new technological tools such as voicethread to make the debates seem synchronous. Instead of just using text only to discuss issues, students were able to record debates about issues and receive the information that way. They also used Diigo to have the students collectively store their research and their resources. They designed their own protocols and formats as to how the debates were designed and run.
I thought this was a great way for students all over the world to connect with each other, discuss issues, and find solutions without ever having met. In today's world, technology enables us to collaborate with so many people with so many different talents to work on finding solutions to pressing issues. As I've stated in other reflections, I firmly believe that my generation is responsible for learning as much as we can for and with our students to grow in education, technology, and as active participants in life.
I thought this was a great way for students all over the world to connect with each other, discuss issues, and find solutions without ever having met. In today's world, technology enables us to collaborate with so many people with so many different talents to work on finding solutions to pressing issues. As I've stated in other reflections, I firmly believe that my generation is responsible for learning as much as we can for and with our students to grow in education, technology, and as active participants in life.
Podcast Reflection #8: EdTechWeekly #190
This presentation focused on twitter. The pros and cons of twitter are discussed. One con that is brought up is that parents are sometimes intimidated and hesitant to join twitter. It is a fairly new tool and parents may find it confusing and unnecessary if they already use other communication tools such as email or text messages. On the other hand, there is a feature on twitter that allows people to receives text messages of any tweets made by the persons they follow. The eliminates the needs to always "check" twitter to see if any news has come up. People who are not addicted to checking social media sites during the day may not benefit from updates if they are not notified that they have happened.
Persuading educators to use these mediums such as twitter to be a part of the technological age and the education community is a concern. Using twitter as a resource as opposed to a communication device to open the lines of communication with parents could be persuasive. Teachers can "follow" people they don't necessarily know, but have more knowledge or insight into topics that are interesting/relevant to them.
Personally, I think it is important for my generation of up-and-coming teachers to become involved and informed about technology and its use in the classroom. Students are different kinds of learners than they were 50, even 15 years ago. Technology has advanced; we must advance our teaching styles and strategies to match.
Persuading educators to use these mediums such as twitter to be a part of the technological age and the education community is a concern. Using twitter as a resource as opposed to a communication device to open the lines of communication with parents could be persuasive. Teachers can "follow" people they don't necessarily know, but have more knowledge or insight into topics that are interesting/relevant to them.
Personally, I think it is important for my generation of up-and-coming teachers to become involved and informed about technology and its use in the classroom. Students are different kinds of learners than they were 50, even 15 years ago. Technology has advanced; we must advance our teaching styles and strategies to match.
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