Reflection 3

This week I learned how to make a concept map online and make a newsletter. Both were two activities I had never done before, and both will be beneficial in my future classroom. I can send newsletters out every month or so to parents, that way they feel welcomed and engaged with the class. Then I can use the concept map when presenting topics to students. The concept map can show students how different topics relate to one major topic. They were both difficult assignments for me, because I do not use many computer programs, and it was all new to me. This week I think I fulfilled S1, S2, S3, and S5.

I think all of these standards were fulfilled, because I used and implemented creative thinking. The newsletter would be helpful in showing all the types of technology I use in my class, and to show parents that their children are learning the most recent programs in technology. It promotes creativity, and is helpful for later on in life. With the concept map, I can make a sample, and then students can make their own. It teaches students to be creative, research, and tells me how detailed they were in the assignment.

For these two assignments, I met all the ISTE student standards. My newsletter communicates to the parents, teaches citations, promotes creativity, became more familiar with Microsoft Publisher, and illustrated my thoughts with images.

Next I fulfilled the ODE standard of describing how people use programs or tools to help them do things. Both assignments give explanations, but the concept map is perfect illustrator of applying what you learned and explaining it.

Lastly, as difficult as most of these assignments were for me, because I did not have experience with many of the programs it was extremely helpful. All promote the effective use of technology, and will be beneficial in my future classroom. I'm really glad I learned these programs!

Week 2 Reflection

For week two I learned how to make a google survey, see the results of the survey, make a movie, and a podcast. The ISTE Standards that I have fulfilled are:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Students can make podcasts and movies, and that would inspire their creativity. It would also help boost learning. These experiences could be for a grade and shown to others, so that is how it fulfills numbers two and three. This meets standard number five, because we can always be growing and improving. If we do not grow professional then we will not be good teachers. The more time goes on the more technology will become important, and it is our job as teachers to incorporate this into our classrooms. The use of technology should be beneficial and improve student achievement.

A google survey could be taught to the class, and then have students make their power point to reflect the data. It could help in math by reading charts and graphs. The podcasts and movie could be done by students to show something they learned, and be used as a way to demonstrate it to the class.

In the paragraphs above, I have given examples to how this could be used in class, and listed the standards that the assignments met. I think these tools would be tremendous assets to teachers if they were used in the right way, and be great for professional development. Students would probably enjoy these assignments, and learn more because they enjoyed it.

Week 1 Reflections

Before this class I already knew how to set up blogger, because I had done so several times before this. However, I had no idea how to use a google site, and in many ways am still learning. I learned how to set up a google site, how to add pages, and edit those pages. I also inserted a picture of myself, an introduction, and hyperlinks to show important websites.

I completed all five of the ISTE NETS*T standards. Using all three of these programs gives me the opportunity to correspond with students, and promote creativity. This could let me tell me assignments, the class schedule, address questions from home, and several other opportunities. Technology is so important in a classroom these days, because of social media and how popular it is becoming. Teachers need ways that encourage technology, but still promote learning at the same time. Not only will it help me in my future classroom, but it will also help me in other jobs I may work. It shows professionalism, and adds news tools that I am able to use. While creating these projects applies to all five standards for the assessment part I am completing three standards. This allows students that love technology the opportunity to do something they love without it feeling like work. Then it also teaches people like me who do not know much about technology how to use these applications, and be more caught up in world where technology is becoming critical to society.

As I said earlier, these programs are so beneficial to my future classroom. It will help me be more organized, and communicate with students and parents. This way with these programs I can answer questions, show the syllabus, post homework problems, encourage creativity, and teach what is responsible to put online and what is not. It can be used in all subjects, and no matter what grade I end up teaching. I even know of schools that are starting to require their teachers use online programs to communicate with students. This puts me at an advantage, because I will already know it when I start teaching.