Last Day!

Integrating Tech, Project Based Learning, NYC

Alright, we made it!! Okay, this class was a lot, but I learned a lot that I will definitely use in my classroom this coming up school year. I have always know that it was important to integrate technology into my classroom; however, I never did it because I didn't come up with an appropriate project. Learning how to create a digital story and a website has been very beneficial. I will definitely require my students to create a digital story, and also create a culture quest -maybe in the form of a website. I will also do a couple of lessons on Power Point. I think my students will be much more interested in my projects when they will be allowed to use the Internet. My school does have a mobile computer lab, but there are often problems that come with them. A lot of the computers' batteries don't work, or the wireless doesn't work. So a lot of the time I spend a good 10 minutes of the class making sure that everyone's computers are working properly. I guess there is nothing I can do about this obstacle, but I will do online computer technological projects. As far as the NYC culture quilt went, I really enjoyed reading other peoples' websites. People really did a nice job, and I think I will show it to my parents for the next time they come to NYC. I think there is some really helpful information. I need to remember to get the link so I can go back. Have a nice summer, and hopefully I'll be back to do more entries in the future. Okay bye

That's It

I hope you enjoyed my blogs, and I hope to continue writing in here. Okay bye

Article #4: Smartboard in the classroom opens a world of promise

This was an interesting article about using smartboards. My school has two smartboards, although I've never used them because of the fact that I taught on multiple floors. I believe I will be on one floor this year, so I hope to use the smartboard more often. The article talks about many of the benefits that come with the smartboard, but possibly the most beneficial is the fact that you can guide students through different programs on the computer. The smartboard projects what is on the teacher's laptop, and therefore the students can see exactly what they need to do. I've noticed this year that many students do not even know how to attach a document to an email. This would be one of the first things I would do with my students. I would be able to show them exactly what needs to be done. I think this would save me many minutes, and make my lessons much more productive. In addition, the article also talks about how the smartboard makes the lessons more student based and more interactive. It allows students to come up to the board and touch the screen just like clicking a mouse pad. This would be great for the more hands on and visual learners. I will definitely come back to this article as I hope to use the smartboard in my classroom.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/05/1081017089222.html

Article #3: Nothing But Net: Creating Slam Dunk Lesson Plans

This article was pretty interesting. I definitely can identify with the teachers that this article talks about. I rarely incorporate technology based lessons and this article gives some very helpful tips to doing so. The article gives five benefits that come with the Slam Dunk Lessons. One that I would really find beneficial would be that because all of the lessons are done on-line, the lessons are stored and can be done repeatedly. Also, the SDL lessons have great assessments for the students at the end of the lesson. This is definitely another area in which I need to grow. I always have a tough time gaging whether the more quiet students are grasping the lesson. This seems like a more effective way to do this.

http://www.fno.org/sum06/slamdunk.html

URL for #1

http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=12803449

URL for #2

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/timesaver0501

Article 2 - Blogging: an introduction

Well, I don't know that this article really taught me anything, but it did give me a couple of ideas to the upcoming school year. The title says it all. Blogging: an introduction. The purpose of the article was pretty much to inform people about blogs, and the different ways blogging can be used. The blogging that we've done for this class is actuallly the first blogging that I've ever done. I've known about it, but I guess I have never really liked the idea of putting my writing out there for anyone to read. Anyway, the article did talk about using blogging in the classroom, and I think this is something I might do. Right now I have my students journaling. They have to complete three journal entries a week. I have them doing this in a composition notebook. I do like the idea of having them do an online blog, because I think it could help develop their typing skills, and I think it might be more appealing to some of them. I think I will definitely give them the option. I also like how the blogs are dated. Even though my students have to complete three journal entries a week, I usually only collect them once or twice a month. Because of this, many students complete multiple journals in one day. I think they would spread them out more if they knew that I would know

One More Day!!

More problems with the Digital Story!!!! I can't believe how much time I've put into this. You would think that I am producing a blockbuster hit. Nope - just a digital story. Anyway, I think I know what I need to do to complete it. This sounds familiar though, doesn't it? I'm done worrying about though, so that's nice. I guess I don't know much else. I was kind of disappointed in myself for not volunteering to go first with my culture quilt, because I feel like the bar was set pretty high, and my website is pretty weak. Oh well. Maybe I'll spend a couple of minutes on it over the weekend. I think I've already spent too much time on it though. We'll see. Well, it's been real. I guess I still have to submit my article responses, so I'll be back soon. Okay bye

Hola Bola

Well, I just published my culture quilt! So, that's pretty exciting. Today was a pretty good day, but really frustrating. I've put a lot of time into my Digital Story, but I'm having a tough time with the programs available. I'm trying to play a song as my narration; however, power point has breaks in between slides. So, it wont work. I tried downloading photo story, but for some reason my computer wont let me. Then I tried movie maker. Hopefully this will work. I haven't messed around with it for too long, but I have all of my pictures in. I just need to get the music in. I have to do this tonight! See you tomorrow. Only two more days!!