Last Blog of the semester

What: I have been learning about what a digital story should be and what it should not be.

So What: I learned that a good digital story can really invoke emotion. I was watching some of the digital stories, and I did like some parts of each story. I thought each had their good parts but I really think that they all could have used a little extra something.

Now what: I really want to get better at teaching through a digital story I guess I just need practice and a little more instruction on the finer points of digital story making.

My Beliefs

My beliefs about technology in the classroom is one of cooperation. I want to see my class, my school, my district integrate technology. The reason for this is that it gets the kids excited because it connects with their world. I think the more connections you can make the better the instruction.

Ideally I would like to have a chance to show my students that all things in the world have more that one subject tied to them. If You take sports for instance, there is science, math, chemistry, writing, social studies, and economics in just sports. I would like to show the kids that. If I could introduce ways for students to use technology to discover that that would be ideal.

I believe that a teacher has to be very knowledgeable about the subject he or she teaches. If you can't answer follow up questions from students, the learning, and questions slowly go away. I like the idea to find information, and share it with a class that asked a follow-up question. These kids know how to use technology, why now put it into their hands and let them run.

Lessons learned

while reading the articles about technology integration, I came up with some questions about technology. One question is who pays for the technology? another is How do you get other teachers to embrace technology? I will try to answer these questions with what I have read and seen.

Who pays for the technology. The bottom line in education, is the Bottom line who pays for that? I have read some articles about classrooms and schools receiving grants to pay for technology items in their class. I would be for jumping through hoops to get technology to the students. Today's students loves technology and they can connect with a computer.

How do you get teachers to embrace technology? I watched one video where the students and teachers all were on the same page about technology and it was very exciting to think I could be a part of something like that. There are some people who DO NOT do technology. In our cohort I can think of a few people who don't want to use much technology. I do believe that a principal or district leadership have to begin any type of transformation. How do you start the ball rolling, well I can think of showing the numbers or something that would get administration types interested.

Strengths and Weaknesses

After looking at UNI survey and NET Standards, I found that my strengths are that I have used a lot of technology and I am comfortable with it. I do however need to improve on applying technology to develop students’ higher order skills and creativity. Making the most of a technology lesson is the biggest thing I would like to improve on.

I have been looking at http://www.eduscapes.com/sessions/itotems/ and http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction for professional development in my week area of having meaningful lessons. I liked the idea of the Itotems because of the guidelines I could use to make sure the lessons are worthwhile. I also enjoyed the lessons on Edutopia.org. I liked how every part of school life had a component of technology that could be used.

By using this information, I hope to have a basis on where to take my class. I like how everything was interconnected sports teams gave data to the math department. Physics lessons were taken from the sports teams. Music was used in science to analyze sound. I would love to use something like this in my classroom. I believe that every thing in the world is connected on some way or another.

week 13 reflection final week of field

Jordan Oswald

Bobbie Paonessa

EDEL 3250 Section 1

EDEL 3250 Field Experience Service Learning Project

A. Ridgeline Elementary is located in Highland, Utah inside of Alpine School District. The elementary is home to 790 students with 33 kids in Mrs. Burtons fifth grade class.
B. Our relationship with Mrs. Burton was very open and friendly. She really liked how much we helped her in the class. We were grading papers, doing jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit ups, and we really got along with the kids.
C. Mrs Burton really liked the vidcast and the Digital story that we created. She thought they were nice.
D. Our Teacher was pleased with the lesson plans that we did. She liked that the kids enjoyed them.
E. The training session never took place. We approached her with the PhotoStory3, and she said that she was being honest and said that she would not ever use the program. So we did try to teach the lesson to her, but she did not want to spend the time to learn.
F. Since we weren’t able to teach PhotoStory3 to Mrs. Burton, we can’t say exactly. But we were prepared for a lesson. We would have liked to taught it, but each teacher has their own way of teaching.
G. Mrs. Burton was not interested in the technology, so our teacher didn’t gain much from the experience.
H. We learned that even though PhotoStory3 is a neat program with a lot of potential in the classroom, not all teachers will embrace these kinds of tools. We gathered that she thought it was a waste of time.
I. The Digital story and Vidcast was worth the time put in. All of the students liked the use of photoStory3, they all clapped when it was finished. As for the Service Learning, we would have liked to teach it to her.

week 12 reflection 4th week field

What: We have been able to use the technology in our field classroom. I wish our teacher wanted to learn about Photostory3.

So What: Being able to use the ELMO Digital overhead projector has been nice to use for lessons. I have really enjoyed the kids, and the experience, and I know that the kids were engaged with the digital stories, and vidcasts we have put together. I know that when our teacher put together a powerpoint, the kids actually wanted to look at what was being taught. It really wakes the kids up. Our teacher was not inclined to learn about photostory3 she said it would take too much time and she was not interested. I wish she could hear what the kids told us about our stories.

Now What: When I do a lesson plan from now on, I am doing a technology assisted lesson. I have so many ideas to get the kids awake, and learning. I have seen it for myself in the classroom field experience. The students wanted to see our digital story, and vidcast and they really liked them. I really hope that I am able to learn new things and not turn down education.

week 11 reflection 3rd week field

What: I am learning about how a vidcast and a projector really help in the classroom.

So What: I have been able to create a vidcast for our Veteran's day Socratic discussion. I was able to find images on google, locate "Taps" on the internet and make something unique that started a discussion about veterans. The students all wanted to watch the vidcast again they all discussed the topic and the lesson went well.

Now What: I really like the of creating something for a lesson plan doesn't have to take all day to prepare. I looked for pictures for 25 min, and mixed and added music in photostory3 for 35 minutes. One hour and I had the vidcast I wanted for that lesson. I can see the same application for students to find things for an assignment I think the kids would love to do something like that too.

week 10 reflection 2nd week field

what I am learning about how to integrate technology into my field classroom.

So what: I have been able to use my laptop that is hooked up to the projector. I learned that preparation is the key to a good experience with tech tools. I was searching around for several different speakers, cables, and making sure connections were made to make the whole thing work. There would be nothing more frustrating than to not have it work or just describe the thing you were working on. So preperation is the key.

Now what: I still would like to have the digital story, and vidcasts be a big part of my lesson planning. I want to wake these kids up. I did a brain booster which was a song. Those kids didn't know what to do. I think our teacher doesn't do any extra frills or things like that. She is nice, but there could be a lot more she could be doing to have fun. She even admitted that she is burned out. I want to liven things up and make my classroom lively and more fun.

week 9 reflection

What: we are learning about our digital stories and preparing them.

So What: a digital story can be a great tool to get the attention of the class. I believe that we are doing this so we can present subjects that will get kids excited. Far too often I have seen teachers who just print handout after handout to satisfy the curriculum standards. WHY? Why don't those kids deserve a chance to have something more. A digital story can do that for any subject.

Now what: I know that kids are very smart and creative. I would like the chance for my students to create a vidcast, or digital story or something that would wake them up. I am very excited to be proficient at creating a digital story for my classroom. I have listened to my fellow classmates argue and complain about various things they have to do, and I just am surprised that they don't see the value in just doing the assignment. I realize a digital story takes a lot of time at first, but I cant see anything else that wakes the kids up as much as music, pictures and a good story.

week 8 reflection

What: In class we learned about copyright issues in the classroom.

So What: Copyright infringement is a big deal it is stealing, and that is something never encouraged in the classroom. When a student takes something and calls it their own, the only learning that goes on is how to copy and paste. Students need to realize that just because it is on the internet and you functionally can download it you probably should check before you do.

Now what: I think that this information will change how I view writing assignments, if I see something that I don't think a student would write I will check it. I like the idea of informing the student and offering a choice before there is action taken. I never liked the idea of people using my hard work and saying that they had done it. that is dishonest and I don't want that in my classroom.

week 7 refletion

What: This week in class we learned about the digital story that we have to create. I really look forward to putting this together. We are going to tell a story to introduce or add to a lesson plan.

So What: I think that digital stories will really be nice for my students to create some of their own thoughts and ideas. To be able to mix information and come up with an emotionally stirring message would be huge for a classroom. I really like the idea of learning how to storyboard, scaffold and plan a story even before you begin. I think you could tie that into writing by having a visual example.

Now What: These technology assignments have really been helpful to me as a future teacher. It has given me an opportunity to see that there is more that just opening your textbook. I've seen that and I don't really enjoy it. Technology engages me, I think that kids today who already understand this technology, would really be excited to do this for themselves. I realize it would take a little time, but I would like to do that for my future students.

Vidcast Reflection

Vidcast Key Assignment

The Greatest State
The name of the Vidcast series is “The Greatest State”. Heather and I chose to talk about the state of Utah in conjunction with Fourth Grade Social Studies Objective 1 standard 1 and 2.
Standard 1: Students will understand the relationship between the physical geography in Utah and human life.
Objective 1: Classify major physical geographic attributes of Utah.
Objective 2: Analyze how physical geography affects human life in Utah.
We chose this standard because of the idea we had to introduce the state to students as if they had just moved here. This was an introductory Vidcast the first in the series. By showing this Vidcast, we hope to activate the schema of student’s vacations or experiences inside of Utah. The hope is that we can build on this video to engage and explore The Greatest State.

INTASC standard 2C says “Design and articulate instruction aligned with Utah Core Curriculum standards”. INTASC standard 3E says “Differentiate instruction to meet individual student learning needs. I believe that this video and others to follow fulfill these requirements. This vidcast integrated into the classroom would engage a student. Students today are visual learners.

Some drawbacks that I can see from vidcast would be the time to set one up, and the technology to be able to play in a classroom.

I really want to do more Vidcasts in the future not only to introduce a subject like Utah history, but to have the kids use their own ideas to make a story. With Photo Story 3 from Windows, it is really easy. A final assessment could be done as a project on Photo Story 3.

week 5 reflection

What: I am learning about vidcasts and how to create them. I look forward to being more knowledgeable on the subject.

So What: The reason Vidcasting is taught is because it has the potential of helping your students understand visually as well as with music. A lot of emotion can come from a good vidcast. Background information can be activated. A student can say "I've seen that" and that is a connection a textbook cant come close too.

Now What: Many kids today are visual learners, they need to see and process visual cues. A textbook becomes obsolete when a vidcast can be used in its place. I spent some time in a class where there were no computers, or presentations it was all book learning. All those kids were as board as I was. While they were quiet and respectful in the teachers lesson, all of the kids were bored. If a lesson is not fun would you stay and listen to it? Vidcasts could be created by students and they could import songs, pictures, and mix them together. there are a lot of fun ideas to consider out there.

week 4 reflection

What: This past week we learned about the Podcast and the many uses of them. By having a recording device and Audacity mixing tool you can really make a nice Podcast for your class.
So what: This podcast tool could be useful for everything in your classroom. A podcast can be used to create a reading of the homework, an announcement, or an advertisement about the next section in class. In the home a podcast could be used for a blog, or something that was missed can be put on the internet for all to enjoy.
Now What: I can see that for my students, I could record their assignment for them and do a before and after about something. I could have them talk about what they want to know during a year, and have them listen to what they said and what they actually did. I like the idea of having a recorded message for prosperity. Reflection is a very useful tool to keep you accountable, and also to see how far you have come. I would like to do that in my class have some sort of before and after activity.

Week 3 reflection

What: This week we learned about making a Google website and what needs to go into a useful site.
So What: This topic is nice to learn how to do because I can now publish what I am doing for my classes, what the main themes are about, what homework is due, what I am about and some fun stuff too. I think that it will help to make me more organized, more professional, more personal, and more accountable to students and parents. I like the idea of informing kids and parents what the assignments are.
Now what: By implementing this Google website, I would be able to have all of my calendar items, open to colleagues and students alike. I know one thing about myself is that I am not the most open person, and so if I can be prepared in this way, it may keep me accountable to everyone. That can only be a good thing.

Week 2 Reflection

What: For Google part 1 we learned about sharing documents through Google docs. We also talked about the Sync-ing of calendars through Google calendars, and what a time saver that can be. By sharing a Google doc with our partner, we were able to gather information independently and still share the document. That was cool.
So what: Google docs has really revolutionized the document sharing world. What is neat is when a document needs to be created and shared, all of the parties can be in on the editing, or you can just hop on and view it when you have time. I can see that collaborating over the web can help students with their assignment, as well as teachers that need to create documents and share them.
Google calendars is another time saving device that allows anyone you want to view your schedule. that will come in handy when it comes time for parents students and other teachers to know what you have planned and when. I love that you can sync the calendar in a couple clicks. No typing or writing it out to transfer to your calendar.
Now what: As I think about the possible uses of Google docs, and Google calendar, I am excited to use these programs for my students. An assignment for a student could be to go home and create a document and share it with a partner. Once you have played around on it share it with me. Think of all the people you have just engaged in learning. The students working together and the parents. Parents would love to show them how or the kids could walk their parents through the process.
There are countless possibilities with Google docs in school, work, family. These programs have already changed my thoughts on technology. I want to be able to engage the students using more that just a textbook or coloring. Being able to think abstractly is what I would like my class to do. The sky is the limit with this technology.

Reflection 1 My Hero in teaching

I had a hard time trying to find a teacher I really looked up to in my School career. I really wanted to talk about this subject though. I finally decided on a teacher that wasn't really a full-time teacher in a school. This person was the one who made me think about going into education. That person is my dad. My dad has been a teacher throughout his life, in his profession, his family, and his freindships. My dad worked for the Boy Scouts of America, he was a Professional scout for 33 years and I have never once met someone who didn't think very highly of my dad. He spent countless hours at scout camp teaching boys and leaders how to be better people.

About ten years ago my dad told me to think about being a teacher. I didn't even think of teaching as an option until last year. My dad was right, and I hope that I can have an impact like my dad has. I have learned from him that every person deserves a second chance, and to always keep an open mind for everything.

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