Week 14 Reflection

Week 14 Reflection

I have been using Web 2.0 applications in my everyday life and as teaching tools for a long time but I am just recently finding out what exactly Web 2.0 is thanks to this class.  If I had to choose my favorite applications we have been introduced to, I would pick social bookmarking and screencasting as my top two. 

Social bookmarking sites like Delicious, make finding lessons and ideas much easier.  Having input from many others benefits all; I cannot tell you how much time I have spent on google trying to find the perfect interactive site or worksheet.  Now with the use of my Delicious account, I can save my precious time.  Web 2.0 applications like this “allow multiple ways to value and sort information” which is a time saver and great way to keep track of useful sites.   I also love the fact that I am able to visit these sites I have saved from any computer and not worry about whether or not I emailed the website to myself.  Students could use social bookmarking to work on projects with group mates at their house, school, or other group member’s house.  As a teacher I could preselect websites before working on a class project so students would not waste time looking for reliable sites.  The textbook states that Web 2.0 applications “offer new opportunities for learners to take more control of their learning and access their own customized information, resources, tools, and services.”  Social bookmarking is one of these great tools that can be utilized by both the teacher and student. 

Screencasting is something I myself use when I have trouble with using a new program or even tasks like helping my husband tie a bowtie.  After being introduced to making my own screen cast, I could easily use it as an educational tool also.  Every time I take my classes to the computer lab to work on a project, complete a gizmo, or go to interactive sites I would love to have a screencast made going through the directions on log in or how to use a new program.  Students could even be given the choice to create a screencast of a project or program that they could then show to the class.  The possibilities with this application are truly endless and can add so much to our everyday lessons.  “Web 2.0 technologies enhance current and support new, more open kinds of learning and learning activities in formal education” as an educator I try to incorporate many different learning styles into my lessons and these applications are helping us reach those learners.

Week 13 Reflection

Week 13 Reflection

          This week’s reading focused on e-learning and instructional design.  “E-learning” is a term used often my many but holds many meanings.  They start the chapter by discussing how difficult it is to define a term like e-learning because of the constant changes and updates to technology.  When discussing this class with my colleagues many comment that they would never take an online class.  Being older, they fear their lack of technological skills would keep them from being successful in an online course.  I took my first online course last year through University of Phoenix and was very nervous about not being face to face with an instructor and classmates.  Once class started and I got the hang of maneuvering around the site and saw how easy it was to ask questions and converse with both the instructor and classmates I was at ease.  I think it is great to have the option of taking classes online and have really enjoyed both of my experiences so far. 

          “Instructional technics could include any combination of on-campus lectures, computer-based training modules, online seminars, reference websites, e-books, DVDs, threaded discussions, videoconferences, weblogs, simulations, performance support systems, and numerous other elements by which learning is accomplished.” (pg. 284) This section of the chapter discusses how as new technologies are invented they can be incorporated into teaching or used as a method of teaching.  I recently took a GT (gifted and talented) class where the instructor had us present our weekly reflections or assignments using a different method each time.  I was not only introduced to great sites like glogster.edu and blabberize.com but I was able to show my knowledge in a video, poem, or online poster rather than a boring paper.  I was then able to use these new ideas in my own classroom and offer choices to my students when completing an assignment.  As a teacher, I try to hit as many learning styles as possible and I think the variety of elements used in online learning do just that.

Free App Reviews

This week, I got the opportunity to check out a few free applications that can be used for both teaching and personal use.  In the office suite category I choose to look at Google Documents, I have heard others mention it and Google seems to know what they are doing so I figured why not.  Google Docs ended up being very user friendly, I didn't even have to google a how to video.  I could easily see myself using Google Docs to create presentations, spreadsheets, or word documents.  I found that being able to access your docs on any computer to be a plus; there have been multiple times where I have forgotten to save to my flash drive and gotten to school without my work.  I also thought this feature was genius since you can allow access to others who can go in and edit the document.  This could be used with co-workers or students who are working in groups to complete a project.

The image editor program I chose to review was Phixr.  This program was also user friendly.  I easily uploaded a photo from my computer and began to play.  Phixr offers a variety of ways to alter a photo whether you want to add text, frames, or change the colors.  When you have finished your photo, you have the option to save it, email it, or upload it to a variety of sites.  I was hoping to add it here but Blogger is not a choice, so I saved it and inserted the image.  I could not think of an educational use for this program with my students in science but plan on using this free program for personal use.  Both of these programs being free is great! 

 Here is Lloyd!

Google Sites

https://sites.google.com/site/foodchainwebenergypyramid/

My site is an informational site with class notes and interactive websites that my students could use for studying and practicing their new knowledge.  I found Google sites fairly easy to use but wish my site was more colorful and exciting, I think Google sites lacks in this area.  I would hope to eventually have multiple pages with all of the state standards and correlating notes, worksheets, and activities.  Absent students could easily catch up online and parents could use it as a support guide to help their children with homework or projects.

Week 12 Reflection

Week 12 Reflection

          Talk about relevance, I filled out my resignation papers today at my school and my husband and I will be making the move back to Michigan this summer.  My number one goal is to find a middle school science teaching position.  This chapter has reminded me of tips I learned in college and taught me a few new ones to help me on my journey. 

          It has been six years since I have gone through the interview process and I am already quite nervous.  Rejection is difficult for all but lessons nine and ten provide some reassurance, if you do not get the first few jobs you apply or interview for do not become discouraged.  Becoming discouraged will not accomplish anything, staying positive even in times of doubt is important when job searching.  Number eight is also a huge lesson in any occupation that is of utmost importance.  Developing a strong set of communication skills such as clearly stating your ideas or concerns and also being a good listener are key talents.  Communication is key, as they say.  Currently, I am communicating with and listening to students, parents, teachers, and administrators daily to ??????????????? I hope to communicate my strengths and qualifications as I interview and answer any questions clearly and confidently.    

          Lesson fifteen is one lesson that will require research on my part.  This lesson states when preparing for a job interview, find out as much as you can about your potential employers.  This will not only show my interest in the school and district but will hopefully leave them with a great impression.  I will be better prepared for questions which with any luck will make me a more appealing candidate.  I also felt lesson sixteen would fit right along with lesson fifteen; lesson sixteen encourages you to keep up with the literature in your areas of interest.  The school I currently work at constantly assigns articles and chapters from books to stay up to date on the best practices and current initiatives.  I will need to work on this lesson over the summer because without being assigned the reading, I can easily see myself choosing People magazine over a scholarly journal.  Keeping up on current issues, initiatives, and technology are three important areas I would enjoy reading about.  Even this chapter, which normally a teacher would not be reading taught me new relevant lessons and reminded me of old lessons learned.  These lessons will hopefully stay with me as I search for my new niche.

Week 11 Reflection

Week 11 Reflection

          After reading the last three chapters on instructional design and technology throughout business, p-12 education, and higher education I noticed a couple similarities with the different contexts.  I of course relate most with the p-12 education context but could easily see similarities in all three. 

For success, working together as a team is imperative in all three areas.  They discuss the importance of roles when working in the business world as an instructional designer(s).  Designating responsibilities or positions so that the job can be done successfully is key.  Whether you are the leader or a member of the team, the overall goal cannot be accomplished without everyone doing their part.  In an educational setting we are constantly working as teams to get the job done.  Whether we are collaborating with our instructional technologists on how to use a new piece of technology or working with our colleagues on coming up with ideas on how to incorporate the technology into a lesson, we are working together as a team.  My school has not received any new gadgets really since I started, but coming into a room with a SmartBoard, I needed all the guidance I could get.  I took professional development from our districts instructional technologists and teachers on how to use the technology to its fullest potential and since the day I started up to today I am constantly sharing and stealing ideas from my colleagues on using the SmartBoard.  If the overall all outcome in all three areas is to successfully reach a goal working as a team will get you there.  As they say two heads are better than one.

          Another common theme in all three areas is the constant change.  With technology always changing and improving and initiatives and programs being added all areas have to adjust appropriately.  The business world has gone through everything from cut backs to new and improved technology.  Having the ability to handle these changes properly will ensure their success.  If “better, faster, cheaper” is the new phrase, instructional designers have to prototype, deliver training, evaluate, and research technology to make sure the business is up to date and running smoothly and efficiently.  Looking at education, we are constantly given new initiatives to follow or programs to incorporate.  As educators and instructional designers/technologists we need to be flexible and open to change.  Here working as a team also comes into play when a new program is introduced working together to understand, explore, and use it will help everyone adjust to the new change.  Lastly, we all work very hard to make sure our clients or students are receiving the best technology, training, and education possible.

I created a concept map of South Carolina's 7th Grade Ecology Standards.  I would show this to my students at the beginning of the nine weeks to give them an overview/idea of what they would be learning over the next quarter.  I may also make one for the other 3 main units and show them as one large map at the end of the year looking at all we have accomplished.  By showing them an example, I could incorporate using concept maps throughout their units.  My students make multiple flow maps, tree maps, spider maps, and various other graphic organizers in science to show their knowledge on a topic or to help them remember an order of something.  I loved that bubbl.us was free but found myself wanting more bells and whistles.  I would have liked to add images to my concept map and see myself using a SmartBoard document to create concept maps in the future.

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