What:
This week in class we talked about our assignment, to create a power point activity. I must admit, I was a bit confused by what we are doing. I think I understand now that we are creating a technical document on how to use power point for elementary age students. I hope I'm right.
So What:
So..... I don't know. I haven't really had a lot of experience with power point. The first time I went through college we didn't use power point (Yes, I'm old) and since then, I haven't had a need for it. I know that I could use it for class presentations, or to do any other kind of presentations, in my job, or anything else. Other people have told me that it is very easy to use and that there are fun options that can be done with it. I actually was kind of looking forward to doing the Power Point activity so that I could get some experience with it.
When the assignment was changed I was a little disappointed. I do think it is a great idea. I mean, we do want to be teachers, and that is why we are at school, so we should have to learn how to teach students. I just am nervous about the technical writing part of it. I really don't have any experience with technical writing, and I'm worried that what I write won't make sense or professionally won't be correct. I am glad that this is a team assignment so that we can help each other on it, but I think it would have been easier to stick with just doing the Power Point activity. I know, I know, we don't always get to do what we want, or what is easy. I'm sure I'll be telling my students that all the time when I am a teacher, so I'll just stop whining and be positive. I can do it!
Now What:
As a teacher, I'm quite certain that my students will be using Power Point. Really, it is a necessity that they learn how to use this program. If they can get the experience while they are young, doing school projects and reports, it will help them in the future with college or in a professional career. It will be up to me and my colleagues at the school to help teach students how to use this program along with other computer programs. The more experience that I have, the better able I will be to teach others. Which means, that I am going to have to get some experience using Power Point.
I think the assignment, to write the Power Point activity, will help me prepare to be able to teach students. Even though I'm feeling uncertain about it, I know that once it is done I will be better prepared to teach a Power Point activity. I will not feel so much concern because I will have had some experience. One added benefit, is learning to give instruction in a different way. Teachers always give verbal instruction, and really they have to, but some children learn better visually, and if they can see the instructions written out for them and can follow along they may do better on an assignment. Anything that will help me to be a better teacher, I'm willing to do, so with this assignment, I can only do my best and learn from it, so.... that's what I'll do.
Video:
The video this week Do You Believe in Me was one that I already watched. It was the video, I think, for the introduction week. With the cute kid who stood up in front of the big crowd of people and gave his speech. You can see blog entry #1 for my reflections.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
REFLECTION #10
Kidspiration
What:
This week in class we learned about the features of Kidspiration. We talked about ways that we could use it in the classroom, and we spent time working with the mind map feature.
So What:
What does Kidspiration mean to me now, as a student and as a parent? To be honest, I'm not sure that it means much. I guess, the knowledge that it is there and available is probably the most important thing that I can take from it. I am really glad to have learned about it, because I think that as a teacher, if I had access to it, I would use it. As a student now, I don't think that I would use it for anything or be willing to put forth the money to purchase the software. As a parent, if I had a struggling child and thought that maybe the program could help him at home, I might consider purchasing it. But, I would have to see that it would have benefits for my student, on a home basis. I can see that it would definately have great benefits at school. I also would have to spend some more time on it to really make an informed decision.
Now What:
Kidspiration is a great tool for teachers. There are so many things that could be done with it. The possibilities are endless. It is a great thing especially for visual learners, who need to see things before they connect them. Those students who need to see something organized so that they can process the information would really benefit from this program. If teachers could have access to it in the classroom, it would be great. I don't know how readily available it would be. I do think that the cost might be one obstacle that might have to be overcome. If that could be worked out, though, it would be great.
As a teacher, I could use this program to create lesson plans. I could use the mind map to outline what I want to teach, with the main point of the lesson, or objective from the curriculum, and then I could outline all the ways that I will teach that lesson. I could use Kidspiration as a teaching tool. If we were reading a book we could develop characters, and see how they were related, or talk about themes of the book and how they were related. We could use the mind map to show the relationship. I think it would be really fun, too, if we had access to it in the classroom, it could be a reward activity for fast finishers, or for those who are doing what they are supposed to do. It would also be fun for the students to be able to work on a project in such a fun way. They have reports and assignments that they have to do, and they always have to use paper and pencil, but what a great idea, to use Kidspiration for those students. They would enjoy the assingment more, and may get more out of it from being able to do it differently. Also, for those students who have some kind of special need, Kidspiration is a great form of differentiated instruction. I can see so many possibilities with it.
Video:
Per Doc Waters-no video this week.
What:
This week in class we learned about the features of Kidspiration. We talked about ways that we could use it in the classroom, and we spent time working with the mind map feature.
So What:
What does Kidspiration mean to me now, as a student and as a parent? To be honest, I'm not sure that it means much. I guess, the knowledge that it is there and available is probably the most important thing that I can take from it. I am really glad to have learned about it, because I think that as a teacher, if I had access to it, I would use it. As a student now, I don't think that I would use it for anything or be willing to put forth the money to purchase the software. As a parent, if I had a struggling child and thought that maybe the program could help him at home, I might consider purchasing it. But, I would have to see that it would have benefits for my student, on a home basis. I can see that it would definately have great benefits at school. I also would have to spend some more time on it to really make an informed decision.
Now What:
Kidspiration is a great tool for teachers. There are so many things that could be done with it. The possibilities are endless. It is a great thing especially for visual learners, who need to see things before they connect them. Those students who need to see something organized so that they can process the information would really benefit from this program. If teachers could have access to it in the classroom, it would be great. I don't know how readily available it would be. I do think that the cost might be one obstacle that might have to be overcome. If that could be worked out, though, it would be great.
As a teacher, I could use this program to create lesson plans. I could use the mind map to outline what I want to teach, with the main point of the lesson, or objective from the curriculum, and then I could outline all the ways that I will teach that lesson. I could use Kidspiration as a teaching tool. If we were reading a book we could develop characters, and see how they were related, or talk about themes of the book and how they were related. We could use the mind map to show the relationship. I think it would be really fun, too, if we had access to it in the classroom, it could be a reward activity for fast finishers, or for those who are doing what they are supposed to do. It would also be fun for the students to be able to work on a project in such a fun way. They have reports and assignments that they have to do, and they always have to use paper and pencil, but what a great idea, to use Kidspiration for those students. They would enjoy the assingment more, and may get more out of it from being able to do it differently. Also, for those students who have some kind of special need, Kidspiration is a great form of differentiated instruction. I can see so many possibilities with it.
Video:
Per Doc Waters-no video this week.
Friday, March 5, 2010
REFLECTION #9
What:
This week in class we were suppose to learn about kidspiration. Class was canceled because Doc Waters has strep throat. Assuming I still have to do a blog for this week, what should I blog about?
So What:
Well, I emailed Doc to ask if we still needed to complete the assingment on our own. She said, "no" so I don't know what Kidspiration is about. I do know what strep throat is about though. My son always got strep throat when he was young and finally it became so bad that he had to have his tonsils removed. I had never had it, so I felt bad for him, but couldn't really empathize with him. That was, until I got it myself. WOW! That was probably the sickest I've ever been, maybe tied with the one time I had food poisoning, but I was pretty sick. Fever, body aches, the sorest throat you can imagine. Couldn't get out of bed for two days. Totally ignored by kids. Horrible. So now, when people tell me they have strep, I cringe inside. I feel so bad for them because I know just how horrible it is!
Now What:
Well, I can't speak from experience yet, but I know that teachers are exposed to a lot of sicknesses and stuff. I've heard that in the first year of teaching you can catch a lot of colds and other stuff. I don't look forward to getting colds, coughs, pink eye, strep throat, stomach aches, lice, etc. etc. Thank goodness for antibacterial hand sanitizer and sinks in the class room. Oh well, just part of the job I guess. I won't let the fear of a few little bugs stop me from becoming a teacher, but if I do catch something, thank goodness we get sick days!
Video:
I did watch the video that was assigned for this week, and I didn't really like it. I mean, I do think that there was some truth to the things that were portrayed. I just didn't like the presentation. I don't like to watch these things when they concentrate on the negative. China is better than we are, we have less people, blah, blah, blah. I mean, yes, it is important to educate children to be the leaders of tomorrow, but isn't that what teachers have done ever since there were teachers? I agree, too, that we do have to teach them in different ways, particularly using technology. I just think that clips like these could have a more positive spin on them.
This week in class we were suppose to learn about kidspiration. Class was canceled because Doc Waters has strep throat. Assuming I still have to do a blog for this week, what should I blog about?
So What:
Well, I emailed Doc to ask if we still needed to complete the assingment on our own. She said, "no" so I don't know what Kidspiration is about. I do know what strep throat is about though. My son always got strep throat when he was young and finally it became so bad that he had to have his tonsils removed. I had never had it, so I felt bad for him, but couldn't really empathize with him. That was, until I got it myself. WOW! That was probably the sickest I've ever been, maybe tied with the one time I had food poisoning, but I was pretty sick. Fever, body aches, the sorest throat you can imagine. Couldn't get out of bed for two days. Totally ignored by kids. Horrible. So now, when people tell me they have strep, I cringe inside. I feel so bad for them because I know just how horrible it is!
Now What:
Well, I can't speak from experience yet, but I know that teachers are exposed to a lot of sicknesses and stuff. I've heard that in the first year of teaching you can catch a lot of colds and other stuff. I don't look forward to getting colds, coughs, pink eye, strep throat, stomach aches, lice, etc. etc. Thank goodness for antibacterial hand sanitizer and sinks in the class room. Oh well, just part of the job I guess. I won't let the fear of a few little bugs stop me from becoming a teacher, but if I do catch something, thank goodness we get sick days!
Video:
I did watch the video that was assigned for this week, and I didn't really like it. I mean, I do think that there was some truth to the things that were portrayed. I just didn't like the presentation. I don't like to watch these things when they concentrate on the negative. China is better than we are, we have less people, blah, blah, blah. I mean, yes, it is important to educate children to be the leaders of tomorrow, but isn't that what teachers have done ever since there were teachers? I agree, too, that we do have to teach them in different ways, particularly using technology. I just think that clips like these could have a more positive spin on them.
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