What:
This week we arrived at our computer class to a little surprise-no using the computers. I have to say, I really don't like virus's, any kind but especially the computer kind. It worked out okay though. We spent about 30 minutes receiving instruction on our final assignment for the class. We will be creating a newsletter, a flyer or a brochure and we will be choosing two of the three.
So What:
I have actually had to create flyers many times. Ive used them to announce different things. I've made flyers announcing scouting activities, church activities, and even birthday parties. A few months back I made a flyer for the school carnival. It contained information on the carnival, like where it was and what time it was at and the cost. Then at the bottom there was a portion that could be torn off and sent back to school with the student. Knowing how to create a flier comes in really handy for things like this.
I've also made newletters in the past and they are definately more work that flyers are. I think knowing how to find and use a template would make it so much easier. The first time I went through college at the U of U, I was in a group that made the newsletter for a sorority and it was a lot of work. It took us a long time, particularly the first time, to get the format all set up how we wanted it. It was worth it though, because it is nice to be able to hand out a newsletter to everyone with announcements, info, recaps of things that have happened, special events and other things. Everyone liked looking at the newsletter. I think I could use newsletters for other things in my life right now too, like my sons' soccer team could have a newsletter, or we could have a newsletter at church. There are many different possibilities.
Now what:
There is no doubt, that teachers make flyers all of the time. Knowing how to make a flyer will be an invaluable tool for me as a teacher. I know that I will have to send home flyers announcing school activities, field trips, upcoming events and reminders. To be able to have a template or a master copy already made and just have to change information and graphics will make it much quicker of a project, and that is something that teachers always need.
It would also be fun to have a class newsletter. Parents like to know what is happening in their childs class. A newsletter can highlight things happening in class, give important dates to remember, congratulate students on accomplishments, and even provide some humor. I also think that a class blog would be fun but I don't know if I would want to do both. You would almost have to have the newsletter, for parents who don't have access to a computer. I guess you could put the newsletter on the blog, too. That is something I would have to think about.
I don't think that I would use a brochure that often. It provides more detailed information on one subject matter, I don't know what subject would require that much information that it would take a whole brochure. The thing I can think of right now is the summer camp that the 5th graders go on. That might have enough information to fill a whole brochure. It will be interesting to see some of my classmates final projects to see what information they put in a brochure.
Video:
I loved the 70's video! I'm sure that no student now is going to know who The Monkeys or Chubby Checker is, but it was still a great video. I think it did a great job describing what a noun is. One of the things that I've learned from these videos that we've had to watch, is that they are great supplementary tools for teachers. I wouldn't use just this video to teach nouns. I think it could be used as part of an introduction to nouns, or I think it could be used as a reward or a final part of the unit. It is funny and it makes you smile. Kids like that and if they are learning a little something too, that is even better.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
REFLECTION #14
What:
No class this week, but still blogging. During the second part of our class on March 31 we talked about the use of video. We talked about video simulations, like on nationalgeographic.com. We discussed Youtube and Teachertube and we learned about Zamzar, which is an application that converts files without downloading software.
So What:
Many people watch the videos that are found on the internet, particularly on Youtube, just in everyday life. I think that it is mostly used for entertainment purposes, but there are other uses as well. One that I'm familiar with, is 'How To' videos. If I need to know how to do something, I can usually find a video clip on Youtube. For example, last week I was looking for some help on how to make fondant (for cakes). I asked around and did get some help from friends, but one friend told me that she found her recipe for fondant and advice on how to make it and use it from a video on Youtube. When I went to search on Youtube there were over 7 pages of videos that I could choose from. I'm sure I would get the same result with many different topics. Youtube is a great tool for anyone who is looking for instruction on how to do something.
The other great thing about Youtube, for me in my life right now, is that I can make my own video and post on Youtube. It is a great way to communicate or share information. Maybe I might have to be a little cautious with what I want to post, but in general it would be good. I could post video of my kids' soccer or baseball games. Other parents could do the same thing. If a parent missed a game or another family member wanted to see some of the game they could jump on Youtube and watch pretty easily. With just a digital camcorder and a little know how you can easily put a video on line.
Now What:
I have often wondered how a teacher could use video that is on Youtube or Teachertube, or other places on the internet, in the classroom. I know that most school districts are pretty strict about what they allow in the school. When my son was in 4th grade and in computers at his elementary school he did a search on BYU, that sent an alarm to the district. The district immediately called the school saying that someone was on an unauthorized site. Now, if BYU is not an approved site, then I'm sure that Youtube isn't going to be approved either. That is why I thought it was pretty cool to learn about Zamzar. As a teacher, I think I could use this all of the time. If I found something on Youtube that could help to teach something or that I thought was fun and appropriate, I could use this Zamzar to send it to my email and then be able to show the video clip. I think that is a really cool thing to know about. It is something I never would have known about if I hadn't taken this class.
It will be interesting to learn what the restrictions are on video, in the classroom. I guess it is different depending on the school district, but I'm sure there are some pretty strict guidelines. I know that teachers use video all of the time, but it would be great to have access to different and more modern video. The students would like the variety, too. I hope, that as a teacher, I am able to use video from places like teachertube or youtube, or to be able to use the video simulations if they are available on a subject we are learning about. Being able to actually see something instead of just talk about it helps students learn and makes education more diverse and enjoyable. I think it would be a great asset to me.
Video:
In the video for this week we saw some teenagers talking about what they think will be the future of technology. The first thing that I thought of was when I was a kid, we always thought that by the year 2000 cars would fly. The second thing I thought was that there was only one girl in the video. However, just because we are past the year 2000 and cars arn't flying, doesn't mean that people arn't still thinking about it. It is great to see teenagers thinking big and dreaming big. The possibilities, when it comes to technology, are endless. Technology is forever changing and some day it is likely that all of the things that those kids said would happen, will happen. Especially if there are kids out there who are dreaming big and then educating themselves and working hard to make those dreams a reality. I would have liked to see another girl in the video, it was okay though.
No class this week, but still blogging. During the second part of our class on March 31 we talked about the use of video. We talked about video simulations, like on nationalgeographic.com. We discussed Youtube and Teachertube and we learned about Zamzar, which is an application that converts files without downloading software.
So What:
Many people watch the videos that are found on the internet, particularly on Youtube, just in everyday life. I think that it is mostly used for entertainment purposes, but there are other uses as well. One that I'm familiar with, is 'How To' videos. If I need to know how to do something, I can usually find a video clip on Youtube. For example, last week I was looking for some help on how to make fondant (for cakes). I asked around and did get some help from friends, but one friend told me that she found her recipe for fondant and advice on how to make it and use it from a video on Youtube. When I went to search on Youtube there were over 7 pages of videos that I could choose from. I'm sure I would get the same result with many different topics. Youtube is a great tool for anyone who is looking for instruction on how to do something.
The other great thing about Youtube, for me in my life right now, is that I can make my own video and post on Youtube. It is a great way to communicate or share information. Maybe I might have to be a little cautious with what I want to post, but in general it would be good. I could post video of my kids' soccer or baseball games. Other parents could do the same thing. If a parent missed a game or another family member wanted to see some of the game they could jump on Youtube and watch pretty easily. With just a digital camcorder and a little know how you can easily put a video on line.
Now What:
I have often wondered how a teacher could use video that is on Youtube or Teachertube, or other places on the internet, in the classroom. I know that most school districts are pretty strict about what they allow in the school. When my son was in 4th grade and in computers at his elementary school he did a search on BYU, that sent an alarm to the district. The district immediately called the school saying that someone was on an unauthorized site. Now, if BYU is not an approved site, then I'm sure that Youtube isn't going to be approved either. That is why I thought it was pretty cool to learn about Zamzar. As a teacher, I think I could use this all of the time. If I found something on Youtube that could help to teach something or that I thought was fun and appropriate, I could use this Zamzar to send it to my email and then be able to show the video clip. I think that is a really cool thing to know about. It is something I never would have known about if I hadn't taken this class.
It will be interesting to learn what the restrictions are on video, in the classroom. I guess it is different depending on the school district, but I'm sure there are some pretty strict guidelines. I know that teachers use video all of the time, but it would be great to have access to different and more modern video. The students would like the variety, too. I hope, that as a teacher, I am able to use video from places like teachertube or youtube, or to be able to use the video simulations if they are available on a subject we are learning about. Being able to actually see something instead of just talk about it helps students learn and makes education more diverse and enjoyable. I think it would be a great asset to me.
Video:
In the video for this week we saw some teenagers talking about what they think will be the future of technology. The first thing that I thought of was when I was a kid, we always thought that by the year 2000 cars would fly. The second thing I thought was that there was only one girl in the video. However, just because we are past the year 2000 and cars arn't flying, doesn't mean that people arn't still thinking about it. It is great to see teenagers thinking big and dreaming big. The possibilities, when it comes to technology, are endless. Technology is forever changing and some day it is likely that all of the things that those kids said would happen, will happen. Especially if there are kids out there who are dreaming big and then educating themselves and working hard to make those dreams a reality. I would have liked to see another girl in the video, it was okay though.
Friday, April 2, 2010
REFLECTION #13
What:
This week in class it was decided that we would cover two lessons in one day, and then have a free class next week to work on our own and not meet in class. We learned about podcasts, vidcasts and video and simulation. This week my blog will be on podcasts and vidcasts and next week my blog will cover the other topics.
So What:
Podcasts and Vidcasts are something completely new to me. Of course, I've heard of them, but really know very little about them. When Doc was asking how we could use podcasts, I really didn't have an answer. I know what an Ipod is, though I don't have one, and I know people who use Ipods to listen to podcasts all of the time. They use them for things like listening to news or talk shows, or listening to talks by speakers that they like. I think it would be really great to be able to have that available to me. I could listen to podcasts when I'm driving, or cleaning my house, or walking, or doing whatever. I would love to be able to listen to a motivational talk, or something entertaining. Something besides the same songs over and over again on the radio. Also, I would really love to learn Spanish, and I am thinking about taking a class in the fall. I think it would be a great benefit to me if I could enhance my studying by listening to a podcast.
I'm still a little unsure about vidcasts. If I'm understanding correctly, they are the same thing, except with video instead of just listening. Meaning, I guess, that you could watch the speaker who is giving a motivational talk. Someone in class mentioned using vidcasts to learn how to play the piano. I think, that I may have used a vidcast once, to learn how to make a greeting card. It was a video with step by step instructions, on a website that I was searching on. But, then what is the difference between video and vidcast? I'm not really sure of the answer.
Now What:
I think it would be really fun to use podcasts in class. What a fun way to use differentiated instruction. The students wouldn't even have to use it at home. They could listen at school, like in rotations or centers. I think that they would love to learn something by listening to a podcast. It could be on whatever topic we were learning. Science or poetry or whatever. I bet they would love to make their own podcasts as well. They could write a short story or poem, make the podcast and then the students could all listen to each others podcast. The possibilities of what they could use podcasts for are numerous, and kids love doing things like that. Anything with technology gets them excited.
Podcasts and vidcasts would be a great way for teachers to share lessons. Teachers could each be assigned to make a pod or vidcast on a certain topic, and then the info could be shared among the classes. It would be a great way for all of the students in the grade to get the same information, and a great way for teachers to work together. I really like the idea of using podcast. It gets me excited to teach something new and innovative and something that students will like and that can help teachers work together.
Video:
The video this week was called 'Why let our students blog?' It was a video with shots of kiddos on the computer and reasons why blogging helps them. I thought there were some good reasons. I think blogging can be a motivational tool, and a reward. I think it does give students a voice and lets them express their opinion. I agreed with pretty much all of the reasons that were given. I do have some concerns when it comes to a class blog, though. I think you would have to be very careful about what was posted. I don't know if you'd have to approve before posting or just monitor very carefully. I don't think I'd be willing to give students permission to blog at home. There would just be too many opportunities for things to be put on the blog that would be inappropriate. At school, though, in a controlled situation, I think students really could benefit and probably would really love blogging.
This week in class it was decided that we would cover two lessons in one day, and then have a free class next week to work on our own and not meet in class. We learned about podcasts, vidcasts and video and simulation. This week my blog will be on podcasts and vidcasts and next week my blog will cover the other topics.
So What:
Podcasts and Vidcasts are something completely new to me. Of course, I've heard of them, but really know very little about them. When Doc was asking how we could use podcasts, I really didn't have an answer. I know what an Ipod is, though I don't have one, and I know people who use Ipods to listen to podcasts all of the time. They use them for things like listening to news or talk shows, or listening to talks by speakers that they like. I think it would be really great to be able to have that available to me. I could listen to podcasts when I'm driving, or cleaning my house, or walking, or doing whatever. I would love to be able to listen to a motivational talk, or something entertaining. Something besides the same songs over and over again on the radio. Also, I would really love to learn Spanish, and I am thinking about taking a class in the fall. I think it would be a great benefit to me if I could enhance my studying by listening to a podcast.
I'm still a little unsure about vidcasts. If I'm understanding correctly, they are the same thing, except with video instead of just listening. Meaning, I guess, that you could watch the speaker who is giving a motivational talk. Someone in class mentioned using vidcasts to learn how to play the piano. I think, that I may have used a vidcast once, to learn how to make a greeting card. It was a video with step by step instructions, on a website that I was searching on. But, then what is the difference between video and vidcast? I'm not really sure of the answer.
Now What:
I think it would be really fun to use podcasts in class. What a fun way to use differentiated instruction. The students wouldn't even have to use it at home. They could listen at school, like in rotations or centers. I think that they would love to learn something by listening to a podcast. It could be on whatever topic we were learning. Science or poetry or whatever. I bet they would love to make their own podcasts as well. They could write a short story or poem, make the podcast and then the students could all listen to each others podcast. The possibilities of what they could use podcasts for are numerous, and kids love doing things like that. Anything with technology gets them excited.
Podcasts and vidcasts would be a great way for teachers to share lessons. Teachers could each be assigned to make a pod or vidcast on a certain topic, and then the info could be shared among the classes. It would be a great way for all of the students in the grade to get the same information, and a great way for teachers to work together. I really like the idea of using podcast. It gets me excited to teach something new and innovative and something that students will like and that can help teachers work together.
Video:
The video this week was called 'Why let our students blog?' It was a video with shots of kiddos on the computer and reasons why blogging helps them. I thought there were some good reasons. I think blogging can be a motivational tool, and a reward. I think it does give students a voice and lets them express their opinion. I agreed with pretty much all of the reasons that were given. I do have some concerns when it comes to a class blog, though. I think you would have to be very careful about what was posted. I don't know if you'd have to approve before posting or just monitor very carefully. I don't think I'd be willing to give students permission to blog at home. There would just be too many opportunities for things to be put on the blog that would be inappropriate. At school, though, in a controlled situation, I think students really could benefit and probably would really love blogging.
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