I have learned so much this semester with technology and using it in the classroom. Just this last week I made a SmartBoard completely by myself and I was shocked at how easy it was for me to use. I had used pre-made ones sometimes in the past if I wanted it to me more complex, but for this I did it on my own and I loved it. It was very simple and I shocked myself with how much I learned about this piece of technology. I have also learned about so many other webpages that are so useful when it comes to technology. I can make my own short videos, webpages, blogs and so much more. Not only have I learned how to use different types of technology and programs, but I have also learned how important technology is in the classroom today. It is so important that I stay up with technology and know how to use it. I also think it is important that my students use technology and get very familiar with it. They will be using technology so much in the future that I need to make sure I use it enough and encourage them to use it enough to stay on top of the always changing world of technology.
NETS FOR TEACHERS
At the beginning of the year the Net for teachers that I chose was: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I think this is so important. Students need to have fun and enjoy class. I think they will learn more if they are enjoying and not dreading an assignment or class. Over the semester I think I have learned many ways that I can make teaching interesting in my classroom. Not only when I am teaching technology methods, but also as I am teaching any other subject in my classroom. Another thing I have learned this semester that will help me when it comes to being creative and to inspire students is all those apps we looked at. I think these will be great, as well as the many websites and programs we looked at for students. I think being creative and changing things up so it is not always the same and become redundant and boring for the students. This may require more out of me as a teacher, but that is my job and I am prepared to do that.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Reflection #12
I have read a few articles lately on technology in the classroom. The one that got me the most interested was one about the possibility of students no longer needing text books in the classroom. Basically, schools would buy text books online, and each student would have some kind of technology (for instance the ipad) located at their desk. This item would NEVER leave the classroom, however, this would reduce the need for text books in the classroom. I do wonder how the students would be required to do classwork outside of school, without these electronic textbooks. I would assume that they would have some kind of password that would allow them to access the textbooks on line when they are at home. But this still poses the questions, "What if they do not have a computer at home?" Then what? Or are we in a time and age now that even the poorest of people have computers in their homes? I think that with technology advancing as it is and with prices going down as I stated in a previous blog, that maybe computers in homes will become a natural thing, like a table or a bed. However, schools would still be required to provide for the student who may not have the luxury of a computer. Then what are they going to do if we are using electronic textbooks? Will they be forced to by regular textbooks? Then will they charge those students to use the textbooks who do not have a computer at home? I think this could get a little messy, however, the idea of online textbooks, would be nice for students. Teachers will never have to worry about the student who didn't bring their book to class.
Assignment #4
4th Grade Classroom Webpage
This is the webpage I have created for a "future" class. I have a list of classes that I will be teaching, discussions for the class to begin participating in, a few announcements to get the year started, a few important dates, and a welcome page. I tried to make the webpage kid friendly, but also professional. I plan to use a theme for the year, which is "Sports," so the homepage portrays this theme. I think this webpage will be very helpful for me as a teacher, as well as for students and parents. This is just a start, as the year went on more things would and will be added.
For the second part of my project I created a video. My thought was to connect this to my webpage, but I could not get it to work, I don't know if photostory is not compatible with the program or what caused the problem. Video
Technologies that I used
Created a new Webpage using a new website
Used the links and gadgets on this site to make my page look kid friendly, but professional
Created a Video using Photostory
Imported Pictures
Used already imported music
One issue I discovered was I was not able to download my video to my webpage. This was frustrating because I was going to use it for the students and possibly a discussion topic. Instead I made a link you can go to to then download the video in order to see it. I could still do the whole discussion thing, but it will be more of a hassle now to download it for the students and if some do not have to right program it will not play. So, instead I think I would just show it in class to the students. Also, it was mainly so I knew how to do the video so it will be a nice reminder.
Another issue I encountered was finding an place to make a webpage without having to know all the codes. I made a webpage in 8th grade using the codes and I loved it, but it was very time consuming so I wanted to find a place that made it easier. I found k12lessonplans.com this page is great! It made it so easy to make a webpage and I can totally see myself using this as a teacher.
I think this webpage will really be great for me as a teacher. At first I wasn't sure if I would use it, but after I played with it and realized how great it is, I think it would be wonderful. I can have students use it to take quizzes and check on their classes. I can send notifications to parents so they are kept in the loop. I think this webpage will be wonderful. As for the video part of this project, I think it will just be more of a fun thing for me to use with my students. I can make videos for them and I can also teach them how to use the program so they can make their own and present them to the class. I think they would love this and it would also be teaching them very useful technology skills.
Nets for Teachers
I would be using #1 and #2 doing this project. For #1 I would be encouraging students to use this new webpage and form of technology that they may not be familiar with. I would be encouraging them to use it as they post on the discussion page and take quizzes. For #2 I am simply creating my own webpage using this technology and that basically sums up Net 2. I am providing it for my students to see and to use which is spreading the knowledge to them as well.
Nets for Students
I would be using and applying nets #1 and #6. The students would be encouraged to be using the webpage and beginning to make their own. Also, when it comes to the video they will be using creativity and innovation to create their webpage or video which is Net #1. As for Net #6 the students would have to understand technology operations and concepts in order to make either of these items. I would be using this be having the students make either a video or the webpage. For this to be successful the students will have to learn the technology.
This is the webpage I have created for a "future" class. I have a list of classes that I will be teaching, discussions for the class to begin participating in, a few announcements to get the year started, a few important dates, and a welcome page. I tried to make the webpage kid friendly, but also professional. I plan to use a theme for the year, which is "Sports," so the homepage portrays this theme. I think this webpage will be very helpful for me as a teacher, as well as for students and parents. This is just a start, as the year went on more things would and will be added.
For the second part of my project I created a video. My thought was to connect this to my webpage, but I could not get it to work, I don't know if photostory is not compatible with the program or what caused the problem. Video
Technologies that I used
Created a new Webpage using a new website
Used the links and gadgets on this site to make my page look kid friendly, but professional
Created a Video using Photostory
Imported Pictures
Used already imported music
One issue I discovered was I was not able to download my video to my webpage. This was frustrating because I was going to use it for the students and possibly a discussion topic. Instead I made a link you can go to to then download the video in order to see it. I could still do the whole discussion thing, but it will be more of a hassle now to download it for the students and if some do not have to right program it will not play. So, instead I think I would just show it in class to the students. Also, it was mainly so I knew how to do the video so it will be a nice reminder.
Another issue I encountered was finding an place to make a webpage without having to know all the codes. I made a webpage in 8th grade using the codes and I loved it, but it was very time consuming so I wanted to find a place that made it easier. I found k12lessonplans.com this page is great! It made it so easy to make a webpage and I can totally see myself using this as a teacher.
I think this webpage will really be great for me as a teacher. At first I wasn't sure if I would use it, but after I played with it and realized how great it is, I think it would be wonderful. I can have students use it to take quizzes and check on their classes. I can send notifications to parents so they are kept in the loop. I think this webpage will be wonderful. As for the video part of this project, I think it will just be more of a fun thing for me to use with my students. I can make videos for them and I can also teach them how to use the program so they can make their own and present them to the class. I think they would love this and it would also be teaching them very useful technology skills.
Nets for Teachers
I would be using #1 and #2 doing this project. For #1 I would be encouraging students to use this new webpage and form of technology that they may not be familiar with. I would be encouraging them to use it as they post on the discussion page and take quizzes. For #2 I am simply creating my own webpage using this technology and that basically sums up Net 2. I am providing it for my students to see and to use which is spreading the knowledge to them as well.
Nets for Students
I would be using and applying nets #1 and #6. The students would be encouraged to be using the webpage and beginning to make their own. Also, when it comes to the video they will be using creativity and innovation to create their webpage or video which is Net #1. As for Net #6 the students would have to understand technology operations and concepts in order to make either of these items. I would be using this be having the students make either a video or the webpage. For this to be successful the students will have to learn the technology.
Reflection #11
I have recently seen the movie Avitar. This movie is crazy when it comes to technology. I do not even want to get into the fact that they create alien looking people. My main focus is the actual computer technology they use in the movie. The computer screens are flat and clear basically. You can grab one thing off of a computer and pull it to the computer screen in your hand without having the computers even connected. Everything is done by touch, there is not a mouse or a key board to do typing or navigation. (Many things are now coming out as a touch screen and this is a new advancment. The i-pad for instance). It makes me wonder if technology can actually come up with these types of things. I would not want to say it is impossible, but in my head it just seems like it would be. However, I would not be too surprised if in the future computers just needed to be near enough to each other to send and recieve information instead of hooked up or emailed from one to the other. I can only imagine what this kind of technology would do in schools and the world in general. They joke about robots doing the "undesired" jobs or easy jobs, but it makes you wonder if the time of "The Jetsons" is in our grasp.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Reflection # 10
Netflix. I am sure everyone knows about Netflix. It is the movie service that is delivered to your door, for cheap. Well as if that was not enough, there is now Netflix you can order on your TV. I never knew about this. I do not know if it is new or years old and I am just discovering it, but either way it is incredible. The family I nanny for has this luxury. Basically they call, or order it online to be sent to their TV. They then have a remote that has an option for Netflix that they click. All the movies they have ordered or wish to view are right there on the TV. They have to do nothing! The only down fall to this is that it take about 3 to 5 minutes to recieve each time you watch the movie. But serioulsy? Who can't wait 3 to 5 minutes for a movie that they should have had to get at a store!? It is just crazy to me that we can now send a movie via TV to someones house. Yes, you have to have an account and the right technology inorder for this to work, but I am assuming that future TV's will have it programmed in without even needing to ask for it.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Reflection #9
I was shocked after learning so much about the different tools in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I have used these programs for as long as I can remember. There were so many new things that I had no idea existed. I know that some features are new with the 2007 word, but it was not all new. Some of these tools have been a part of the programs for years. It was surprising to me how many new tools I learned about. I think that sometimes I just get comfortable with what I already know and it seems easier to me, so instead of branching out and trying a new 'tool' or whatever, I stick with what I know, and apparently I miss out. There were so many tools that would make my life easier when using these programs. Maybe this will teach me to explore a little more.
Technology and the Future
Technology and Education: What Will the Future Bring?
This article was very interesting. It talked about how technology production is going to continue to increase (estimated that the processing speed and power will double every 18 months), and the prices will continue to decrease at rate of 35% a year. So, not only is technology going to keep getting better and better, but it is also going to be more affordable. Expense will no longer be an excuse as to why a school has not Incorporated some of the newest technology. This article also talked about teachers/principles/parents who believe that technology is just a fad right now and it will pass. They believe that children really only need the basics. This is not true, and this article talks about how untrue this thought is. So much of our world is based around technology that if students don't start learning it at a young age they are going to be lost when they get older. For example, I have never used a SmartBoard before this class, I have seen and heard about them, but that is it. If I had grown up using one I would be great with it. I would know all the techniques and short cuts, all the methods and tools. I would know everything about it and I would have just discovered this through use. However, now I have to learn it and it is confusing. I am not used to it and it is a whole new 'concept' to me. Technology is not a fad, it is not going to run its coarse and go away and schools need to accept this and integrate technology to better their students' education. After all, it is about the students, not the educators.
This article was very interesting. It talked about how technology production is going to continue to increase (estimated that the processing speed and power will double every 18 months), and the prices will continue to decrease at rate of 35% a year. So, not only is technology going to keep getting better and better, but it is also going to be more affordable. Expense will no longer be an excuse as to why a school has not Incorporated some of the newest technology. This article also talked about teachers/principles/parents who believe that technology is just a fad right now and it will pass. They believe that children really only need the basics. This is not true, and this article talks about how untrue this thought is. So much of our world is based around technology that if students don't start learning it at a young age they are going to be lost when they get older. For example, I have never used a SmartBoard before this class, I have seen and heard about them, but that is it. If I had grown up using one I would be great with it. I would know all the techniques and short cuts, all the methods and tools. I would know everything about it and I would have just discovered this through use. However, now I have to learn it and it is confusing. I am not used to it and it is a whole new 'concept' to me. Technology is not a fad, it is not going to run its coarse and go away and schools need to accept this and integrate technology to better their students' education. After all, it is about the students, not the educators.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Reflection #8
For last weeks blog I watched a video on apps. Now, I know we have learned about a ton of different apps this semester, and I have been surprised to see how many apps I never even knew existed. However, after watching this session, I was amazed to learn about how many apps I have never heard of or seen before. I have no idea where they come from, or who makes them. Although I have not used all or many of these apps, I feel like they are all so very helpful. I have wondered, with how good our technology is, why these apps are so unknown. Maybe it is just because I don't play around too often or look. I just go straight to what I already know and I don't branch out very often. I think I just get comfortable with what I already know and don't want to waste the time to learn something knew. But, after seeing this session and how easy and helpful these apps are I think I will be much more willing to give these apps a shot. I mean, they are simple and seem like they would make life so much easier.
Week 13
Word
Spell Check
Tables
Clip Art
Borders
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Copy and Paste
Paragraph settings
Font settings
Excel
Grids
Tables
Business-if you know the codes it will add/mult/find % for you
PowerPoint
Clip Art
Back Grounds
Font settings
Slide Choices
Insert items
Copy and Paste
3 Projects for Students
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Make a grid on Excel, inputting data (this way they learn to use the codes)
3. Write a story in Word and use pictures
Spell Check
Tables
Clip Art
Borders
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Copy and Paste
Paragraph settings
Font settings
Excel
Grids
Tables
Business-if you know the codes it will add/mult/find % for you
PowerPoint
Clip Art
Back Grounds
Font settings
Slide Choices
Insert items
Copy and Paste
3 Projects for Students
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Make a grid on Excel, inputting data (this way they learn to use the codes)
3. Write a story in Word and use pictures
Online Learning Experience
The Wizard of Apps
I visited the Wizard of Apps session. Basically this session talked about tons and tons of different apps you can use on the computer for various different things. It talked about different apps for research, for checking reliability of research, enhancing drawings/visual presentations, and ways to practice presenting a presentation, with an "audience" even when you do not really have people watching you. They made the video a little more interesting because they used the Wizard of Oz theme and it just livened the presentation up a little bit. I had looked at a few for a few seconds before watching this, but some where rather boring. I think this session is very helpful and I can see myself going back and using it/watching it again to get new app ideas. There were so many that were named, that I had never heard of before. I have learned of many just in this class that I have never heard of before, but this session gave even more. With all these different apps, it seems like any presentation I have to do would be so much easier if I used some of the apps to complete my presentation. I think this session is worth watching and I found it very helpful and insightful.
I visited the Wizard of Apps session. Basically this session talked about tons and tons of different apps you can use on the computer for various different things. It talked about different apps for research, for checking reliability of research, enhancing drawings/visual presentations, and ways to practice presenting a presentation, with an "audience" even when you do not really have people watching you. They made the video a little more interesting because they used the Wizard of Oz theme and it just livened the presentation up a little bit. I had looked at a few for a few seconds before watching this, but some where rather boring. I think this session is very helpful and I can see myself going back and using it/watching it again to get new app ideas. There were so many that were named, that I had never heard of before. I have learned of many just in this class that I have never heard of before, but this session gave even more. With all these different apps, it seems like any presentation I have to do would be so much easier if I used some of the apps to complete my presentation. I think this session is worth watching and I found it very helpful and insightful.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Educational Blog
Blog
This blog was about parent involvement. Do you want it/need it? What is too much? What is too little? How do you involve parents? etc. I realized that this idea of parent helpers is not only new to me, but new to many people. I never grew up with any kind of parent in the classroom helping out. Now it is so greatly emphasised, I wasn't sure if it was just because I grew up in Montana, and was a Washington thing, or if it was a new thing everywhere. This lady wasn't sure how to incorporate parents so I think I am not the only one who this is a new concept for. I just commented and said that I have learned a lot about how helpful parents can be in the classroom and gave examples from experience and from what I have heard from others. I also added a few tips that I have learned that get parents on your side and should set you up for more smooth sailing that year. I tried to give helpful and relevant information to add to the community.
This blog was about parent involvement. Do you want it/need it? What is too much? What is too little? How do you involve parents? etc. I realized that this idea of parent helpers is not only new to me, but new to many people. I never grew up with any kind of parent in the classroom helping out. Now it is so greatly emphasised, I wasn't sure if it was just because I grew up in Montana, and was a Washington thing, or if it was a new thing everywhere. This lady wasn't sure how to incorporate parents so I think I am not the only one who this is a new concept for. I just commented and said that I have learned a lot about how helpful parents can be in the classroom and gave examples from experience and from what I have heard from others. I also added a few tips that I have learned that get parents on your side and should set you up for more smooth sailing that year. I tried to give helpful and relevant information to add to the community.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Reflection # 7
I have a question to pose in this reflection. It may be easily answered, but I have always wondered about it. For example, the Activboard vs the Smartboard. There are pieces about the Smartboard that I like, and pieces about the Activboard that I like. I think most people come across the same pros and cons for both of these boards. Some people may be more critical of one than the other; however, there are a few common things about each that is liked or disliked. My question is... "Why does someone not make one that is a mix of both?" Now there may be copy right rules and legal things that stop this from happening, and if so, then my question is answered. However, (i could be wrong) I do not think this is the case. I have always wondered why, when technology is so advanced, a third person doesn't come up with a technology that contains "the best of both worlds." If you know what is good about one and what is good about another, you research what people like and prefer, then why is a third not made that has the pros from both and eliminates as many cons from both as possible? This is the same with so much technology. I have just always wondered why the third person never came along made a combined piece that essentially is better than the first two that were created.
NU Educators Panel
Do you find incorporating new technology in the classroom to be an helpful/easy task or more time consuming?
What is your best piece of advice for a first year teacher?
What is the one thing that you learned while teaching that has impacted you the most in your life/beliefs/teaching styles?
What is your best piece of advice for a first year teacher?
What is the one thing that you learned while teaching that has impacted you the most in your life/beliefs/teaching styles?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Technology Project Plan
The below link/video is a short description on what I am going to do for my technology plan. Basically, I want to create a web page by using a very handy and easy cite that will be very beneficial to me as a teacher. Also, I am going to create a video and link it to my web page. I want to create it as a reference so I will remember how to and TO do it for the students. I think little videos will be great for the students.
Podcast
http://vocaroo.com/?media=vyM2SZjNrJxeyzAGG
Podcast
http://vocaroo.com/?media=vyM2SZjNrJxeyzAGG
Assignment # 3
Tool Box
I created a tool box that contains twenty different websites. The toolbox was designed to help me, as a future teacher, to have websites to refer back to. Above is a link to my toolbox and all the websites contained within it. I created my toolbox on Mindomo.com. I really liked this website. I was able to place a title with the website and if necessary I could create a subcategory explaining what that site had available for me to use as a teacher. My toolbox is organize in a spider-web like format. In the center is the name of what I am doing. (For this it was called "Helpful Websites") Then I created subcategories off the main title and moved them around so they were easy to see and did not appear to be a jumbled mess.
When I was deciding which websites to put in my toolbox, I wanted to choose ones that I thought would be helpful to me and my area of interest. I chose to use some math sites, reading sites, ELL sites as well as ones we have learned to use in this technology class. Ones for the Smart Board, weebly, etc. I think these will all be very helpful for me once i begin teaching in my own classroom. I will use this toolbox to teach lessons, to refer back to websites and lesson plans on these sites. I can also use it to teach my students new kinds of technology. Students today like to do things hands-on, and if I was unaware of so many websites, I am sure they will be too. I can introduce these new websites to students to help them later in life as they use technology more and more throughout their education. When it comes to sharing this website, I will have it posted to my blog. I can also send the website home in a letter or email so parents can check it out if they so desire. Sharing with my other colleagues will be easier. I can have it available to them and suggest which sites I think may be useful for them to use. If I have it posted in my own email, or my blog everyone will have access to it.
Math Learning
This site talks about the many different learning styles that students have. I really like this site a lot. It gives many options for the teacher, some that I would never have thought about doing. One was redesigning the classroom. I would never have thought that this would make much of a difference for the students. I have always heard that warm colors are good in classrooms, but something as simple as moving things around is also helpful for the students. Along with that there are many areas in math covered in this site and I found it very helpful. I think teachers would definitely benefit from this site.
Math Games
This is a great site for kids to enjoy. It has many different games that can be played that help understand different math concepts. This site also incorporates science, reading, telling time and other subjects in school. So many of my classes have been talking about how you can integrate subjects and I think this site is great for that. It may also be helpful to teachers when they are looking for ideas on how to integrate subjects. I enjoyed looking at this site. I think it was well put together and very beneficial. I have gained ideas from it for projects I have had to complete this semester. It has much more than just games on it, but games are great for students. Many students hate math so if it takes games to help them love it, then as a teacher you need to incorporate games. Each student learns differently and a teacher needs to be flexible and learn to adapt and adjust his/her teaching techniques.
Ten Teacher Tips
This website gives the teacher 10 very useful tips about teaching math to elementary students. I think they are all great tips and will help the teacher teach the concepts and make the concepts easier for the students to understand. This is more useful to the teacher, but the students will get help from this site also. This site had very good insight. They are simple little tips, but good nonetheless. Some were tips that maybe you wouldn't have thought of as a new teacher, or something that your cooperating teacher may not have taught you. They are very helpful and I think teachers and students would really benefit from this website.
I created a tool box that contains twenty different websites. The toolbox was designed to help me, as a future teacher, to have websites to refer back to. Above is a link to my toolbox and all the websites contained within it. I created my toolbox on Mindomo.com. I really liked this website. I was able to place a title with the website and if necessary I could create a subcategory explaining what that site had available for me to use as a teacher. My toolbox is organize in a spider-web like format. In the center is the name of what I am doing. (For this it was called "Helpful Websites") Then I created subcategories off the main title and moved them around so they were easy to see and did not appear to be a jumbled mess.
When I was deciding which websites to put in my toolbox, I wanted to choose ones that I thought would be helpful to me and my area of interest. I chose to use some math sites, reading sites, ELL sites as well as ones we have learned to use in this technology class. Ones for the Smart Board, weebly, etc. I think these will all be very helpful for me once i begin teaching in my own classroom. I will use this toolbox to teach lessons, to refer back to websites and lesson plans on these sites. I can also use it to teach my students new kinds of technology. Students today like to do things hands-on, and if I was unaware of so many websites, I am sure they will be too. I can introduce these new websites to students to help them later in life as they use technology more and more throughout their education. When it comes to sharing this website, I will have it posted to my blog. I can also send the website home in a letter or email so parents can check it out if they so desire. Sharing with my other colleagues will be easier. I can have it available to them and suggest which sites I think may be useful for them to use. If I have it posted in my own email, or my blog everyone will have access to it.
Math Learning
This site talks about the many different learning styles that students have. I really like this site a lot. It gives many options for the teacher, some that I would never have thought about doing. One was redesigning the classroom. I would never have thought that this would make much of a difference for the students. I have always heard that warm colors are good in classrooms, but something as simple as moving things around is also helpful for the students. Along with that there are many areas in math covered in this site and I found it very helpful. I think teachers would definitely benefit from this site.
Math Games
This is a great site for kids to enjoy. It has many different games that can be played that help understand different math concepts. This site also incorporates science, reading, telling time and other subjects in school. So many of my classes have been talking about how you can integrate subjects and I think this site is great for that. It may also be helpful to teachers when they are looking for ideas on how to integrate subjects. I enjoyed looking at this site. I think it was well put together and very beneficial. I have gained ideas from it for projects I have had to complete this semester. It has much more than just games on it, but games are great for students. Many students hate math so if it takes games to help them love it, then as a teacher you need to incorporate games. Each student learns differently and a teacher needs to be flexible and learn to adapt and adjust his/her teaching techniques.
Ten Teacher Tips
This website gives the teacher 10 very useful tips about teaching math to elementary students. I think they are all great tips and will help the teacher teach the concepts and make the concepts easier for the students to understand. This is more useful to the teacher, but the students will get help from this site also. This site had very good insight. They are simple little tips, but good nonetheless. Some were tips that maybe you wouldn't have thought of as a new teacher, or something that your cooperating teacher may not have taught you. They are very helpful and I think teachers and students would really benefit from this website.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
"Caught on Video"
This was a little weird to me. I think it would have taken me a little while, as a student, to get used to a teacher constantly filming everything that is going on in the classroom. I thought some of the ideas like bringing the outside in, filming for absent students, students filming themselves solving problems, and filming a before and after learning experience are great ideas (to name a few). There were a few that I thought were odd or farfetched, but maybe that is just because this is new to me and would feel uncomfortable to me at first. It is very interesting, this idea of videotaping everything. I think it can really come in handy and also engage the students. I think some students will love it and others will not like it so much, so I think there will need to be a line drawn on when too much video is making some students stop learning. I would like to see it put into action before I ever tried it.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Reflection #6
Evolution of Music Devices
Music devices such as Record player,tape player, Walkman, CD player, MP3 player, IPod, ITouch have evolved so much over the years. I wonder what they will come out with next. I though a Walkman was a great thing. I did not even think anything better could come out. Then came the IPod and its many different versions. I also wonder if CD's will ever be obsolete. Records and tapes are rarely used, since we have CD's and then IPods, but now that we do not need CD's, I wonder why they have not yet disappeared. They are not as popular, but they are still used. I try to imagine what will come next, but I cannot begin to imagine what tech people will When will what we have be good enough? What is not convenient enough about an IPod that would need it to be replaced by something better? Is there anywhere to go after this or is IPod the best it gets? Music isn't even the limit on the ITouch, you can surf the Internet, play games, and even talk on the IPhone version. I love the new technology, but I just wonder when what we have will be good enough.
Music devices such as Record player,tape player, Walkman, CD player, MP3 player, IPod, ITouch have evolved so much over the years. I wonder what they will come out with next. I though a Walkman was a great thing. I did not even think anything better could come out. Then came the IPod and its many different versions. I also wonder if CD's will ever be obsolete. Records and tapes are rarely used, since we have CD's and then IPods, but now that we do not need CD's, I wonder why they have not yet disappeared. They are not as popular, but they are still used. I try to imagine what will come next, but I cannot begin to imagine what tech people will When will what we have be good enough? What is not convenient enough about an IPod that would need it to be replaced by something better? Is there anywhere to go after this or is IPod the best it gets? Music isn't even the limit on the ITouch, you can surf the Internet, play games, and even talk on the IPhone version. I love the new technology, but I just wonder when what we have will be good enough.
Promethean Activboard
The Promethean Activboard is used much the same as the SmartBoard. Teachers can use it just the same and it is used interactively with students and for many different subjects. This board uses magnetic pulls when using a marker or cursor, which results in a more accurate use of these devices. Also, you do not have to calibrate the board and it is great for any heigth of students. Like the SmartBoard, it has a large collection of teacher lessons that are pre-made and accessible. Some disadvantages of this board, is that you always have to use a marker or object to do anything on the board. It is not touch sensitive. I think in this way, the SmartBoard is more convenient. I am not really sure, besides that difference what the big deal or differences between the many different Activboards. They basically all serve the same purpose and are great in improving student learning. This particular board, like other Activboards, encourage student involvement and create different ways to teach using different methods and approaches. This helps to better engage the students and thus leads to better learning in the classroom.
Promethean Activboard
Promethean Activboard
Reflection #5
A little while ago I was faithfully watching the Australian Open. I never used to a huge tennis fan, but I really got into it this year. One thing that I found amazing was the replay option. They only really used this when the players would challenge an "in/out" call made by the line judges. I watch a lot of sports so the idea of a replay was not what interested me. It was the actual way the play was replayed. I am not sure if there are sensors in the ground, or how it works, but when it is played back again, it shows the exact path of the ball and shadows where the ball hit the ground. Sometimes there was literally centimeters or less between the line and where the ball hit, but some kind of technology was able to detect this. This kind of technology has really changed sports today. Without replays you had to deal with the call that was made, often time's this calls were game deciders. New technology has improved many sports and helped the games to be called more accurately. This also takes away the chance of an unfair judge. Another thing that the sports center would broadcast was all the different places the ball was hit or where the player ran to during the rally. I am not sure how it works, but it is a great addition and not only helps when reffing a game, but also will help a player perform more accurately.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)