I consider myself to be a quick learner, and usually I have no problems with technology. I vividly remember getting my first desktop computer in high school. I was still using a type writer and my parents decided to finally join the technological age! When I first set up the computer and got it running, I did not know where to begin. Through trial and error, I eventually knew my way around the computer. That is until my teachers assigned projects that mandated we use Microsoft Power Point, scanners, and picture editing software. Again, I didn't know where to begin! At first, my agitation level was quite high with Microsoft Power Point because I didn't quite know how to put one together. Teachers assumed all the students knew what they were doing, but little ole me was stuck staring at the screen. Swallowing my pride, I eventually asked the most technologically advanced student in my classroom to help. He was kind enough to take a few minutes out of his time to explain the ins and outs of the software. While I finally had a grip of the power point software, scanning things were a different story! The task itself was easy, but so time consuming! Again, my agitation got the best of me. With a few deep breaths, scanning became a love-hate relationship!
My most recent experience with Microsoft Excel is certainly not picture perfect. I have never used the software, so when the Technology Basics Class had me do an assignment using it, I cringed! I thought to myself "Where in the world am I going to use Microsoft Excel and most importantly, how am I going to use it?" When I first opened the software to a page with rows and columns, I had a blank stare on my face. To be honest, I was quite intimidated by it. On the contrary, the step by step instructions really helped me in conquering Excel. The recent assignment I completed in the class, Technology for Educators, truly helped by making me create a step by step process for tables and charts. While the instructions are intended for middle childhood students, they undoubtedly helped me review my skills in Microsoft Excel.
I have to admit that my frustration does get the best of me when it comes to new technology. Over the course of the past decade, I have learned to step away from the computer, take a few deep breaths, and come back when my mind is clear. Learning something new is never easy, so it's important to cautiously handle the situation. My experience with scanners clearly illustrate how I did NOT handle the situation correctly. In a sense I believe this mentality can be applied to the students in my classroom: when presenting new information, relax and work at a managable pace so that students do not risk getting agitated and being turned off the new material.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Using Blog Posts in the Classroom
As technology is becoming more advanced, so are the ways in which teachers use the media. For example, chalkboards are seemingly disappearing leaving space for an electronic white board. No one would have guessed that years ago teachers would be able to save whatever they wrote on a white board onto a computer as a document. I predict pencils and paper will soon be obselete, especially with the usage of blogs in the classroom.
In my education career, I have only used a blog once (now twice). As an undergraduate student at Kent State University, one of my requirements for the education department was to create a blog discussing different lesson plans. This was helpful in sharing lesson plan ideas with all of the other students in my cohert. Essentially, the blog allowed each of us to brainstorm to create bigger and better lesson plans.
The idea of using a blog in a middle childhood education classroom is quite new to me. I know in my middle school days, I would have to do daily journal entries and then share them with my peers. As a Language Arts teacher, I believe incorporating the blog as a way for my students to keep a daily journal would be beneficial. Not only would it aid them in strengthening their writing skills, but it would also allow them to become proficient in educational technology. I could also use the blog as sort of a review for a book the class has just finished reading. For example, if the students just completed The Outsiders they could easily log onto their blog and provide me with their opinion of the book. This enables students to voice their own opinion and in a sense become their own person. It is during these middle school years that students are beginning to develop their sense of self and a blog would certainly do that!
My other content area is Social Studies. In a world that is centered on politics, many media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and HLN take on air time as a opportunity to express their views on what is happening in the country and the world around us. In creating a blog, students could use the blog to express their opinion on what is going on in the world in relation to the Academic content being taught in the classroom. This would give students the opportunity to make intelligible connections between historical facts and what is going on today. As they say, history does repeat itself. To say the least, it would be interesting to see what connections my students would be able to create.
As I said, technology is ever changing. To make my lesson plans the best they possibly can be, I must include educational tecnnology that will positively influence my students. I must be aware not to overuse such technology. I believe blogs would be an asset to my classroom with respect to the Academic content areas such as Language Arts and Social Studies. Again, middle school is the time for students to begin formulating their opinion of the world around them. Undoubtedly, blogs would enhance this important chapter in their lives.
In my education career, I have only used a blog once (now twice). As an undergraduate student at Kent State University, one of my requirements for the education department was to create a blog discussing different lesson plans. This was helpful in sharing lesson plan ideas with all of the other students in my cohert. Essentially, the blog allowed each of us to brainstorm to create bigger and better lesson plans.
The idea of using a blog in a middle childhood education classroom is quite new to me. I know in my middle school days, I would have to do daily journal entries and then share them with my peers. As a Language Arts teacher, I believe incorporating the blog as a way for my students to keep a daily journal would be beneficial. Not only would it aid them in strengthening their writing skills, but it would also allow them to become proficient in educational technology. I could also use the blog as sort of a review for a book the class has just finished reading. For example, if the students just completed The Outsiders they could easily log onto their blog and provide me with their opinion of the book. This enables students to voice their own opinion and in a sense become their own person. It is during these middle school years that students are beginning to develop their sense of self and a blog would certainly do that!
My other content area is Social Studies. In a world that is centered on politics, many media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and HLN take on air time as a opportunity to express their views on what is happening in the country and the world around us. In creating a blog, students could use the blog to express their opinion on what is going on in the world in relation to the Academic content being taught in the classroom. This would give students the opportunity to make intelligible connections between historical facts and what is going on today. As they say, history does repeat itself. To say the least, it would be interesting to see what connections my students would be able to create.
As I said, technology is ever changing. To make my lesson plans the best they possibly can be, I must include educational tecnnology that will positively influence my students. I must be aware not to overuse such technology. I believe blogs would be an asset to my classroom with respect to the Academic content areas such as Language Arts and Social Studies. Again, middle school is the time for students to begin formulating their opinion of the world around them. Undoubtedly, blogs would enhance this important chapter in their lives.
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