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