Thing 23

Looking back at this course, I learned many interesting and new things to do with technology in my classroom. Podcasting, youtube, and google docs are three things that I am planning on integrating into my teaching next year. I know that it will be difficult since we are firewalled from just about everything at AHS. However, I have become quite proficient at using the Zamzar converter so I think I will be able to work around the system.

Even though I was against it in the beginning, I am starting to see the value of Twitter. I may try to integrate it into some of my lessons. Obviously, I cannot require students to use it, especially since most of them do not have computers. However, I can post a topic for discussion and see what others on the internet have to say on the matter. After I get some feedback, then I can share that with my class and see how our deiscussion evolves from there.

While I still would not say that I am proficient at utilizing this technology, I would say that I am no longer functionally illiterate at it either. I am a work in progress and overall I really enjoyed this course.

Oops

Here's the amap I created.

Summer Break

Thing 22

The two tools that I chose were amap and twitter. I really like amap. It is a great graphic organizer that students can use to organize their thoughts. This would be a good tool to use when teaching AP students how to write their DBQ's and essays. I am linking mine in this blog.

The other one I explored more was twitter. I had written twitter off as a superficial toy that people use to "get more attention". However, I recently read an article in TIME magazine about twitter. It opened my mind. The article discussed how twitter could be used to have discussions and conversations on what amounts to current events headlines. Thinking about this on an educational level it blew my mind. I could use twitter to help my students (many of whom have never left Barrow County) get a world view. Even the students who have been to other places lack a well rounded world view. They know and believe what they have heard in their own little sphere. This could open them up to new concepts and points of view. I truly underestimated this tool and its value to society.

Thing 21

Pageflakes is a hard system to use. While I am sure that it that it has and will have benefits to classroom education, I did not experience any that were useful.

Thing 20

I was not really familiar with google docs before this. My mother-in-law has been trying to get my wife and me on board with the google calendar, but I never had any practical use or knowledge of it before this class.

I really like the idea of not having to back things up to a flashdrive or disc. I could have really used this a few years ago when I lost a final exam because I could not open the file. As far as using it, I will need to practice more with it. Can I just invite my barrow county email address to view it though? I want to use it, but the firewall makes that virtually impossible. If there was a way around it I would use it in a heartbeat.

The advantages for me are really great. I tend to lose things if I am not extremely organized. This is an effective way to keep track of my tests and syllabi without having to worry about my tiny flashdrive. I also like this because I do not have a printer in my classroom. This way I can cut down on the amount of time it takes to print things. I like this technology.

Thing 13

I had never used voicethreading before and I am still not 100% sure that I did it correctly or that you can access my comment (I can though). Though the practical application for this is evident, I think I will need to play around with it more in order to feel secure enough to utilize it with my class. Perhaps this summer I can work with it.

As I stated in the sandbox and on my comment, I could use this to further a class discussion or as a way to introduce and stimulate debate on a current events topic. I think that the voicethreading would be more useful on a daily basis. It would encourage classroom participation, etc. Like I said, I will need to explore it more in order to implement it effectively in class.

Thing 5d

I chose to write about President Obama's visit to Egypt. It was interesting to read some of the comments that the President made as well as the analysis. It seems that President Obama was well received which could positively open the doors between the Middle East and the US. A new line of communication needs to be established in order to secure our safety and ensure global stability. While the world is not going to change overnight, this is a step in the right direction.

Thing 19

This is probably the most painless activity that we have done yet. That, or I am just getting better at using the computer and all of its technological gadgets.

The programs that we used to produce the podcast were actually very user friendly. This could be useful in my teaching for a cooperative learning activity. Students could be placed into groups where they could read, analyze, and discuss one lesson in the text. After all of the groups created the podcasts, then they could all share what they learned with the class. What I really like about this is that not only could they access this podcast at school, but they could also access it at home when they are studying for a test.

I could also record and publish important notes or lecture highlights so that students could access the information from home if they had a question regarding something that they read or did not take clear enough notes on.

This could also benefit special needs students who need repetition or are auditory learners. The possibilities are boundless.