Wednesday, May 5, 2010

End of Semester Reflection

It is crazy that 2009-2010 school year is at an end. I have learned so much in the classes I have taken. I feel truly blessed for the wisdom I have gained from peers, and teachers. I have learned so much in this class also. I learned how to comfortably manquere around on the Smart Board. My cooperating teacher has a Smart Board in her classroom, I will definitely use it! I also have really enjoyed learning about all the free tools/ resources online. I have also utilized the site Diigo to do my social bookmarking for this class along with my visual art/ and math method classes. I will continue to use the knowledge to learn more about the latest technology that is available. I will try to update my blog periodically to let fellow peers see what is happening in the class room I student teach in.
For my Nets for teachers I focused on
1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
During the course, I tried to use the Smart Board or other form of technology in my other classes. I tried to use it in a way that would impact students and spark interest in subject matter. In my final project for example, I used Youtube, Smart Board, google images, and google maps to present my lesson. I tried to show students how/ what screen printing was through the artist Andy Warhol. I used his pictures to show how one could be created. I also showed a video that showed "how to make" screen prints on t-shirts.
5) I also focused on Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership-
Throughout this semester, I tried to be more outgoing in my classes. I tend to observe instead of actively participate, and this semester I tried to help lead discussions. I found that I have gotten much more out of classes that I try to participate in on a regular basis. Both NET goals will be something I will be continually striving for as I student teach and soon after become a teacher.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

People I have Commented on

Amy Angleton

Ashley Peavey

Deanna

Jonus Angleton

Kacie Simpson





Reflection 12

What?
Two years ago I recieve an Acer laptop for christmas. Upon recieving it, I plugged it in, and made sure it was fully charged before using it. After just two short weeks of having it, I noticed several glitches. The battery was supposed to last for two hours but only lasted for half an hour. It constantly "dumped" physical memory, and it also had trouble gaining connectivity with free wifi locations.
So what?
After two years of trying to be patient, my motherboard completely fried. Fortunately, the person that was working on my computer knew someone that was recycling their semi-used Gateway computer, therefore I got a new one for free! Having the Gateway for over three months has been a lifesaver. I no longer worry whether something I have saved will be their in the morning. I also have the latest Windows 9 which has made operations on my computer much simpler.
Now What?
Between the two computers, I have seen substantial differences. I feel completely blessed that I have a functional computer that has amazing speakers. I am never, ever going back to ACERs.

Reflection 11

What?
I recently met with my cooperating teacher. If everything goes right, I will be teaching in the Bellevue district at Enatai grade school in a second grade classroom. I am so excited to finally use the tools that I have been taught in an actual classroom setting.
So What?
Why am I talking about this? Well, I noticed that my cooperating teacher had a Smart Board. She told me that she hasn't used it often, therefore I am excited to be able to teach her what I have been taught through this class. I hope that through teaching her what I know, she will use the great tool.
Now what?
I am super excited to start in the classroom. I have heard that the group I will be working with is behaviorally challenging. Hopefully with the use of technology and the classroom management students will be less inclined to act up. I hope that this next year exceeds my expectations and pushes me to grow in ways that I didn't think possible!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Reflection 10

What?

I thought it would be fun to talk about online courses. The benefits and the draw backs. Recently, there has been an upward climb of courses offered online. I have recently found that some elementary school have gone strictly online. While at times I feel that would be handy, I don't think that should be implemented especially in the younger grades.

So What?
Why am I bringing this up? Well, as a society, we have become somewhat reliant on the latest technology. Although technology has brought many much needed conveniences, it also hinders are interpersonal experiences. Often times people use Facebook, texting and IM and forgo face-to-face communication. If we start redefining school as simply a program that teaches and leave out any type of verbal communication, I wonder how our society would be. I do, however, feel that there are benefits to online school programs. For students that have parents in the military or parents that move often, its a great way for them to stay within the "class" year round. I think teachers would start to see students that moved constantly having less "gaps" in their education.
Now What?
Although I think there are benefits to online education, I don't think that is should substitute classroom education. In the classroom we learn more then just the basic facts, we learn about how to interact with others. If students at a young age aren't given that opportunity I just wonder how they will be when they have a job that forces them to interact with others on a daily basis.