Reflection Post

Picture credit to Brigette Rivet

     When I first signed up for EME2040 I was extremley nervous. I had never before taken an online course, and I knew I would have to complete the course early because of my missions trip so I was not sure how well I would do. I was pleasently suprised to say the most. Thanks to Professor Coleman, EME2040 is extremley well organized making understanding and completing each activity a breeze. I have learned so much more than I thought I would when I began this class, and have obtained so many useful skills I will be able to use when I become a teacher.

     My favorite assignment was working on my teacher website. I had so much fun creating it that I actually forgot It wasn't for a real class! Learning how to use Weebly and create my own website was a lot more difficult than I thought it was going to be but it didn't feel like I was doing work or an assignment because it was so interesting. I will definitley be using the website I made, with a few revisions, for my future classroom.  I also really love using my del.icio.us account. It is one of the most useful websites I have ever used, and I am so glad I learned about it in this classroom.

     The only part of this course that I had trouble with was the group work on the lesson plan assignment. Working on the Wiki with a group was very easy and nice because we could write back and forth on the Wiki intro page but with the lesson plan assignment contacting our group members was extremley difficult. I also believe I would have liked to work on the lesson plan by myself because I found it difficult to split up the different parts and instead found myself wanting to do it all by myself. However both of these group projects were very interesting and I learned a lot while doing them, about not only technology but about working with others.

Video credit to Take Part

     In conclusion this class taught me so much more than I thought was possible. Before taking this class I thought technology in the classroom was limited to Smartboards and the teachers computer but I have learned that is not true at all. I have seen so many different technologies being used for things I couldn't have imagines, my favorite being using Skype in the classroom to talk to other classes across the world. I can not wait to start my own classroom and use skills I have learned in EME2040 to make my class more interesting and fun through the use of technology.



References-

 T. (2015). A World Without Teachers - Youth Grand Prize Winner - Marina Barham. Retrieved June 18, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl6Jnf3__eA 

Digital Blog Post #E- Chapters 7&9

                                                    Video credit to Tara Linney on Youtube
                                     

      The first concept I would like to address is the use of Google Earth in the classroom. Before reading the textbook I would have never guessed that this program could be useful in any classroom, but after reading the examples and uses that the textbook gave I find that it would be a fascinating addition to any class. I especially like the idea of using Google Earth in an English classroom to make a book come alive. In high school I knew many students who hated reading and much rather watch a movie, but seeing where certain scenes in a book took place, I believe, would help students enjoy what they are reading a lot more. I think this could be such a great use of using technology to enhance many topics in the classroom.

                       

                                                 By Brigettrivet | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

   

      The second concept I found interesting is Gamification. I thought it was extremely interesting how the textbook showed both pros and cons of gamification. I believe if the students are closely monitored that the use of gamification can be definitely a benefit when it comes to providing recognition and rewards in a fun way. The textbook used the example of Jeopardy- style games as a form of gamification and it reminded me of some of the times I have played games like this in middle school, high school and even college. I believe it’s a great way to help students study without it feeling like work and without pressure. I definitely will be using gamification in my future classroom. 

      The last concept is using cameras with students. This concept is one that I don’t agree with or find necessary to use in classrooms. The only use I would find in using cameras in the classroom is to film yourself teaching so you can see what needs to be improved or changed. I think its unnecessary to use allow students to use cameras to make short films or for student writing. I believe it could end up wasting time, or seem unfair if only one student can use a camera at a time. I believe camera use should be restricted to teachers and students should not use them. 



References

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

 Rivet, B. (2016, June 09). Gamification by Brigettrivet - ToonDoo - World's fastest way to create cartoons! Retrieved June 09, 2016, from http://www.toondoo.com/View.toon?param=10229935 

T. (2014). Using Google Earth in the Classroom. Retrieved June 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqR5DWnjpTw 

Blog Post #C- chapter 8

photo credit to educationalnetworking

The first concept that I found intertesting was educational networking. Before looking at all of the productive ways teachers could use social networking that are listed in the textbook I thought the idea of using social networking as an educator was a bit uneccessary. As I get further along in this class my mind is becoming more open to the use of social networking in the classroom and i'm getting a better understanding of it. I believe the use of social networking for teacher-to-teacher discussions about curriculum and education, that the textbook suggests, is a great idea and would help me and many future teachers in the classroom. For newer teachers it would allow them to be able better embrace help from teachers who have been working a while, and for teachers who have been educators for some time I think it could help them make their instructional time more up to date and interesting for their students. I believe that using educational networking for this reason could most definitely help teachers, myself included, in many ways.

This video shows briefly what its like to use skype in the classroom

(video credit to skype)

The second concept that I really enjoyed reading about was communicating with skype in the classroom. I can not wait to use skype as an instructional tool in my classroom. I think its amazing that you can have your students participate in a video conversation in skype with another class that they would never get to meet in person. I think it would be a great way for students to learn about other cultures, and improve on their technology and communication skills all well having a fun time.

Photo credit to Brigette Rivet via storybird

The last concept that I have chose to write about is using technology to share with families. I think that this is an extremely important concept. The textbook made a very valid point that I would have never thought of, posting information such as assignments and announcements online saves time that you can use in class for course material or other important things. I also know as a student how much more likely I was to complete all my assignments knowing that at any moment my parents could check and see what I had to complete and what kind of grades I was receiving in class. As a future teacher I will most definitely be posting information online to families, but I will still be announcing it in the classroom for the students who can not access the internet.



Resources

 Hargadon, S. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from http://www.educationalnetworking.com/

 

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

 Rivet, B. (n.d.). Poetry by brigettecollette on Storybird. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from https://storybird.com/poetry/poem/rzv273gqye/ 

 S. (2013). Skype in the Classroom brings together classes in New Zealand and California. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YVeMPY5FqU 

Digital Blog Post #A- Chapter 1

 The first thing that stuck out to me while reading chapter one, Becoming a 21st Century Teacher, was all of the statistics in reference to technology used by very young children. The textbook showeds a statistic that shocked me,"At the youngest age, about two-thirds of nursery school children and 80% of kindegartners use computers"(Maloy,2013, pp.4).I knew that the percentage of technology used by teenagers would be quite high but I never expected the percentage to be so high for nursery and elementary students.When I become start working with students, I would like to teach 1st or 2nd grade and I didn't think technology would be such a big part of what I would be doing. The statistics in the beginning of the chapter definitely make me realize how important technology is in education both for the teacher and the student and make me realize how important it is that I learn how to use different kinds of technology more efficiently.
   
The second concept that really interested me was when the textbook addressed technology-based library and technology-based teaching tool. The paragraph about technology-based library I found really interesting and awesome. I think it is so amazing that teachers can interact online with eachother, sharing teaching lessons and advice. It really helps me feel better prepared become a teacher knowing that if I ever need help with a lesson plan help is only a few clicks away.The paragraph about technology-based teaching tool also was very interesting.I found it very interesting because when observing schools I saw this concept everywhere, I saw students seperated in small groups teaching themselves on computers and smartboards while other students were working with the teacher. The students seemed to enjoy learning on their own with the help of the computers, and it also made them more eager to prove they could do it on their own. I realize that when I become a teacher it'll be important for me to practice using technology as a tool. 

The third concept I found helpful and interesting was about building your digital identity. I realize now after reading about this concept how important it will be for me to build a strong digital identity, for future employers to look at and for future use in the classroom. Making sure I know how to use technology is of utmost importance when it comes to my future capabilities as a teacher.This article helped show me the impact technology has on teachers and made me realize just how much a modern classroom uses technology. 

In conclusion reading this first chapter of the textbook helped me realize that technology plays a bigger part in education and teaching than I would have ever thought and it's important that I start preparing and learning about technology now before I become a teacher. 

Resources-

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.  

Purcell, K., Heaps, A., Buchanan, J., & Friedrich, L. (2013). How

Teachers Are Using Technology at Home and in Their Classrooms. Retrieved May 15, 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/02/28/how-teachers-are-using-technology-at-home-and-in-their-classrooms/