End of Semester Reflection

What have you learned regarding technology in education this semester?

What havent I learned this semester in our class. I have learned great things about technology and how to integrate them into our classroom. I think that this class is an exceptional class for any Elementary Education Major. Everything about this class screams elementary school. I loved how relevent everything we learned was. For example: the Story Bird website is a fun up-to-date way to explore story telling. I also have learned that even though technology is a great tool, it can also be used in the wrong way. I have learned a lot about digital citizenship and the importance of it. I think that this is one of the most important things we have learned in the class this year. If you dont know how to use the technology correctly than it will not be effective for your students.

What progress have you made on the NETS for Teachers that you focused on this semester?

One of the most important Nets that I have been working with all year is to "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity." I think that this is an important Net because teachers are using their knowledge of the technology and sharing it with their students. I expect my students to go above and beyond what I have asked them to do. This wont happen though if I am not inspiring them to do so.

Like I talked about above, digital citizenship is very important to learn and to teach. Another Net that I have been working with is to "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility." If I am using the technology correctly, so will  my students. I think that with a lot of creativity and respect for and with the technology, a student and teacher can produce wonderful things.

This class has been one of my favorites all year. I am excited to go to class and know that I will actually use what I am learning in my classroom. It is extremely relevant.

All About Me Flipsnack

Blog Comments

 Annette

 Nicole

 Heather 

 Ilona

 Yuliya

 Jeff

Reflection Twelve

Reflecting back on the class, I can say that I have learned more about technology in this one semester than ever before. I have realized the importance of technology in the classroom and how to effectively use it. After finishing the digital citizenship project I have also realized that there is a lot that goes into teaching about technology beyond the simple instructions of how to operate it. I think that this project has been one of my favorites along with the story books. I will always refer back to Mrs. Adair's Blog for resources and great ideas to use in my classroom. I am excited to see how this final project will turn out!!!

Reflection Eleven

Autistic Girl Expresses Unimaginable Intelligence: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89bckvoa1Iw

After watching this amazing video about a girl with special needs, I have realized how much of an effect technology has on children with disabilities. This young girl couldn't speak simple words, had more than 40 hours a week of therapy, and suffered from spastic fits. No one knew what she was thinking or feeling because she could never communicate to others until one day when she went on her fathers computer. She started typing. The shocking thing was that she even knew how to type or let alone spell words. She finally found a way out by using the computer to express how she was feeling to her parents. Though she doesn't speak, the technology has given her somewhat of a voice. She now is a regular blogger and is writing a story about  her life. She wants to help other children who are struggling with the same things she does. This is a breakthrough not only for her parents and herself, but for others around her. I know that in the future with we are going to see great things with technology in our special needs classrooms. What a wonderful invention!

Reflection Ten

Kirkland Wa!!!!! What a beautiful place we live in. There are trees, and clean streets, a breath taking view of Seattle, and of course, the lake. We are so fourtunate to be living in a place that is so amazing as this. The sad things is....it has everything to do with money. The houses we drive by, the clean streets, the shops downtown and the beauticul landscaping, has everything to do with money. Even the way our school are ran has everything to do with money. I know the place I grew up in never looked as good as Kirkland Wa, does. Instead of having a negative attitude about this, in my four years living here, I have learned to admire and respect the city. There are so many ammenities for the community to use. Take the library for example. Everyone is able to have a computer to themselves for an hour, they are able to check out 100 books at a time, and can print up to 75 pages for free. This is a wonderful thing. This also relates to our schools and the technology used in them. Of course since this is a higher socio-economic ares, there are better resources in our classrooms for students. Especially technology. Not only are these in the classrooms but also in the homes as well. Students can finally get a chance in the Lake Washington School District to see things and to experinec things they might not somewhere else. Living in this high tech area has really opened my eyes to how fourtunate I really am.

Reflection Nine

"Using Satellites to Track Wandering Students"

This kind of sounds like an article you would read in one of those crazy magazines that tell you about life found on other planets. But to tell you the truth, it is completely true. According to this article, teachers are now using GPS tracking devices to locate students while on field trips. With the invention of any product you know that it will have its pros and cons. Some teachers love using theses, especially for trips when they know the students will be off on their own. Some think that $200 for one is a good reason not to use them. Since this is a technology class, I would reflect on this article and say, WOW, how cool are these. As a teacher, loosing a child would be the worst feeling in the world...but it happens. I think that these wrist bands or lanyards are a great idea when out on field trips. I think that this is technology at its finest. I also know that this would make a teacher and maybe parents feel  more comfortable with sending their child/students on trips. What are your opinions????


Here is the article: 
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin345.shtml

Reflection Eight

Internet News

As I reflect on the horrible Boston Bombings, I am sadden for every single person who has been effected by it. I also reflect on the technology of news through the internet that has helped us to stay updated. The internet has done so many great things for us. For example: when my sisters husband is deployed to the Middle East, his three children can have contact with him. When horrible events like the Boston Bombing take place, we are able to know within a short amount of time. And finally, for us students, making our lives so much easier. As I go on about how wonderful the internet is, I am thinking of ways that this event could be made into a lesson in our classrooms using the internet. I know that for a current events class in high school, this would be a great topic to discuss and the internet could be the main source of information. How amazing that we can read about something that took place a couple days ago, even though horrible, and don't have to wait for it to be published in a history book. The internet can be used as a source in our classrooms for streaming live news, reading articles, and watching the events that take place. I know that this will be incorporate into my classrooms at some point. The internet is a wonderful thing, that when used correctly, can be effective.

Reflection Seven

Today in my Special Needs in Education class, a young man named Josh came into speak with his parents and elementary school teacher. Josh was born deaf and now, at the age of 14, has a cochlear implant. The advancement of this technology amazes me. I am sure that one day I will come across a student with a hearing disability and will need to be prepared to accommodate them. One thing the parents talked about the teacher using was a microphone and a speaker. This way when the teacher had their back turned to josh, she still had the microphone clipped to their shirt with the speaker next to Josh. I think that with the advancement of technology and inclusion of it in the classroom, students with hearing disabilities have a better chance to become successful. I wonder what other ways technology in the classroom is used for the hearing impaired?

Week Thirteen

Features of Word, Excel, and Power Point: 

Word: Mostly everything. Because writing papers is something that every college student does mostly everyday, I have mastered Microsoft Word:) I normally use footnotes, page numbers, header, footer, highlighter, font, font size. A fun project for students in a classroom learning how to use Word could be a scavenger hunt. The students would have a list of tasks they needed to complete and print them out when finished. For example: The word "cat" in 56 pt. font, blue, in Times New Roman. 

Excel: Excel is one of those programs I never really got around to using. Although our budget of death is made from excel, I left that up to my husband. Thanks to Annette, I now know how to make a pic chart and insert data for graphs. I think that doing a math lesson is a great way for students to understand how to use excel. 

Power Point: This is one of those programs that I have utilized a lot in school. I remember making Power Point Presentations in high school and throughout college. I have also become a master at using Power Point. I like to make slides, create fun headings, use borders, change color, insert pictures and sound, use fun transitions and insert clips. A fun project to get students familiar with Power Point could be anywhere from a Power Point story of their lives, or a fun trip they went on, to a Power Point of their favorite things. This would be a great lesson for students to make a presentation of themselves and become interested in how to use the program. 

Technology Project Plan

For my technology project I have decided to incorporate my favorite magazine into the assignment. I will have the students choose an article from National Geographic Kids and write a review of it. They will record themselves reviewing the article and answer questions I have assigned. They will then put their recording into a movie using Windows Movie Maker. They will add photos, music, their recording and anything else they want. This will be along the lines of a persuasive review. The students will then watch every ones movie and then will be able to discuss with fellow students what they liked and didn't. I hope the students enjoy this assignment, as much as I will.

Podcast

Audio recording software >>

Week Twelve

Three questions I will ask the NU Educators Panel: 

1. What can Northwest expect to see in the future regarding technology in classrooms and around campus?

2. In the next ten years there will be 2 million empty computer science jobs. How will Northwest prepare students for this rich job market?

3. Will Northwest offer a wider range of classes in the future?