What?
This week we learned about Picassa and how it is used. We took pictures last week with our digital cameras to add to Picassa this week. In class we learned how to make a presentation in Google Presentations using Picassa. Kristina, Matt and I created out presentation and finished it during class.
So What?
Picassa and the presentation project that we did are going to be great resources for my future as a teacher, student and colleague. As a teacher, I plan to use Picassa for our classroom projects where we use digital cameras so that we have a place to store our pictures. We can also use them to create presentations on different subjects that we are studying at the time. I found many websites that give ideas of lesson plans that can use digital cameras and then I can incorporate Picassa and Google Presentations.
As a student, I plan to use this program instead of Power Point. Power Point and Google Presentations are new to me. I had used Power Point twice before this class and just learned how to use Google Presentations. They work very similar but I now know how to use presentations and Picassa together and it was very simple. I plan to use Google Presentations for any future presentations that I have to do for my other classes as well. I feel more confident using Google's tool.
As a colleague, I plan to use Google Presentations and Picassa when I have to do a presentation in front of my other colleagues in meetings. One of the huge benefits of using Google Presentations is that we can work on this project with our team because we can add whomever we want so that they can also work on the presentation. So, any presentation/project that has to be done can be done on our own time if we are working with others because we'll all have access to it. I think this is an awesome feature!
Now What?
This technology means that I can put pictures that we've taken in class (my future class)and make a presentation about whatever project we were working on. This information allows me to use more technology in my classroom and I can involve the students in the projects (picture taking, adding them to Picassa and then making the presentation). I can put the students into teams and have them create their own pictures and presentations on a given topic. I think that they will enjoy doing these assignments plus they can collaborate with the other students in their teams when they are at home since they can work on the projects even if they aren't together.
I feel that this information will help me to be a better teacher because I will be more aware of the many different types of technology that can enhance my student's learning. It also allows them to do some hands on work which is how some of the students do their best learning. It will also prepare them for the future and they will be confident in their technical abilities in the future. It will help me to be a better colleague because I have knowledge of the different technologies available. I can bring more knowledge to the table that will benefit out team. Like I stated earlier, it will help us to create better presentations as well.
I am really excited about Picassa because I can use the program for my own family as well as for my future classes. Each week I am surprised at how much information is out there that I don't even know about. This class is definitely good for me because I am learning so much and plan to use it all.
Video Reflection
The video was pretty funny! I think the guy that was presenting had some good pointers and did it in a way that was entertaining. Some of the pointers that I got from him were:
1. You don't have to put every word that you are going to say on the slide. I have noticed that a lot of people try to pack too much info into the slides and it looks really messy and boring.
2. Make sure you use spell check. He said that spell check is there to help you find the words that haven't been spelled correctly, use it! It cracks me up when my professors spell things wrong on their presentations because they require that we have everything spelled correctly but they don't. (Not all of the professors, just a few of them...)
3. Avoid excessive bullet points. This is a good reminder. I sometimes do this and need to remember that not every bit of information needs to be on the slide. I can verbally tell the information to the class too.
4. Bad color schemes. So many times I've seen presentations that are hard to read or see because the person used yellow or too light of a color. Stick with darker colors which are easier to see.
5. Too many slides. Keep the slides to a minimum. If you are switching from slide to slide and there are too many, your presentation can quickly get boring.
6. More data doesn't equal a good presentation. Enough said.
7. Too much animation. Too many things happening on a slide can be confusing.
8. The type of font you use says something about you. He mentioned that if you use the default font it looks like you're boring and can't make a decision. It was pretty funny. He says that you should choose something easy to read but fun.
I liked the video for this week!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Reflection #7 Digital Cameras and Video
What?
This week we are learning about digital cameras and how we can use them in our classrooms. We are also learning about how we can encourage creativity and learning through technology and the use of digital cameras. We read a couple of articles that discussed this in the classroom and the experiences that the teachers and the students had.
So What?
How can I apply what I have read and learned during this week to my classroom as a teacher? I have seen some of the advantages using digital cameras has in the classroom. It is amazing how much can be done with just using a digital camera and the enthusiasm that the children have in being able to see what they have created. It not only helps them with their creativity and being able to bring the experiences to life through pictures but it also helps them to become more comfortable using the computer which will help them in the years to come. As a student this information is helpful to me for several reasons. One of the reasons is because I am still learning how to use the camera and then being able to download the pictures onto the computer. During this week's assignment and next week's I will learn how to be more confident in using my camera and putting the pictures to good use instead of just staying on my memory card which is what happens a lot. As a colleague I can use digital cameras and the pictures for team projects such as scavenger hunts for the students to teach them different concepts such as healthy eating habits, the food groups, or shapes for example.
This technology will be very helpful in my classroom. I know that each student learns differently and I know that some of my students will be visual learners. Using a digital camera to get them to use their imaginations or to understand a point that I am teaching might be exactly what they need to fully understand something that they wouldn't have understood otherwise. The same goes for students who learn better through moving and doing hands on activities. They will also benefit from these activites using digital cameras.
Now What?
This technology means that my future students will be more comfortable using a digital camera to take meaningful pictures rather than pictures of things that aren't important because they will be using the pictures to create something that is important to them. They will also be able to use basic digital photo software for projects and that will help them out while working on projects as well as in the future they will be one step ahead of many other children their age. It enhances their creativity which I believe is very important in a well rounded student because it helps in reading, writing and even math. It helps them to think out of the box.
This information will open up a whole new world to these children as well as to me as the teacher. It encourages us to see the things around us in a different light. I plan to encorporate the use of digital cameras into my classroom. I hope that the school that I teach at will have access to cameras for the students. I really think that any projects that encourage the students to do hands on work and to work in a team is going to be beneficial. I plan to have the students write stories using pictures that they have taken and also to divide them into teams and have each team work on a topic and take pictures that support that topic that they are given. An example of this might be to have one group take pictures of things around them that have to do with fractions or another group could work on taking pictures of things that are healthy for their bodies. Then they can share what they have gathered with the rest of the class. They can also use the pictures for projects that they are working on in groups by using Google Docs which means that they can have access to the information and pictures from home.
This information will help me to become a better future teacher because I will know how to use the digital cameras and the software to its full potential. One of the articles that we read gave some great tips on what we can do to always be prepared so that we can snap pictures at the perfect moments and so that we can use the digital cameras to enhance the teaching that we are doing. It will also allow me to create assignments where the children can be active in creating something that can be shown to their parents and other students and they can be proud of the work that they are doing.
Learning about digital cameras and what they are capable of doing will help me not only as a teacher and colleague but also as a mother so that I can be more creative with the pictures that I take of my children. This is important information that will help me to become a more well-rounded person both at home and at school. I look forward to learning more about digital cameras.
Video Reflection
The first video was short and to the point. It was Top Ten Things You Do Not Learn About Teaching in College. I enjoyed the video because it was funny but also so true. I liked how they used David Letterman's Top Ten Countdown list that he uses on his show but changed it up to talk about what what no one tells us to prepare us for teaching. It was fun to see "real" teachers giving the countdown. It made fun of the difficult things about teaching such as not calling in sick to work because it's easier to go than to prepare sub lesson plans or that the difficult kids never get sick. I enjoyed it!
The second video or set of videos were interesting. I wasn't quite sure what we were supposed to learn from it but as I watched the videos I started to understand a few things. First of all, if we are working well as a team and each doing our part, every thing flows and can "create great harmony". Also, the section called "About" was interesting because the person that created the videos explained how he put them together. He didn't know the people in the videos instead he searched youtube and found things that could go together. He used many different resources to create amazing music none of which was meant to go together. We can do similar things with the many resources that we have as teachers. We can combine different techniques or resources to teach concepts to our students through the access we have through the web as well as UEN and youtube to mention a few just as the gentleman did when creating the music videos. We need to make sure to take full advantage of everything that is out there for us to use.
This week we are learning about digital cameras and how we can use them in our classrooms. We are also learning about how we can encourage creativity and learning through technology and the use of digital cameras. We read a couple of articles that discussed this in the classroom and the experiences that the teachers and the students had.
So What?
How can I apply what I have read and learned during this week to my classroom as a teacher? I have seen some of the advantages using digital cameras has in the classroom. It is amazing how much can be done with just using a digital camera and the enthusiasm that the children have in being able to see what they have created. It not only helps them with their creativity and being able to bring the experiences to life through pictures but it also helps them to become more comfortable using the computer which will help them in the years to come. As a student this information is helpful to me for several reasons. One of the reasons is because I am still learning how to use the camera and then being able to download the pictures onto the computer. During this week's assignment and next week's I will learn how to be more confident in using my camera and putting the pictures to good use instead of just staying on my memory card which is what happens a lot. As a colleague I can use digital cameras and the pictures for team projects such as scavenger hunts for the students to teach them different concepts such as healthy eating habits, the food groups, or shapes for example.
This technology will be very helpful in my classroom. I know that each student learns differently and I know that some of my students will be visual learners. Using a digital camera to get them to use their imaginations or to understand a point that I am teaching might be exactly what they need to fully understand something that they wouldn't have understood otherwise. The same goes for students who learn better through moving and doing hands on activities. They will also benefit from these activites using digital cameras.
Now What?
This technology means that my future students will be more comfortable using a digital camera to take meaningful pictures rather than pictures of things that aren't important because they will be using the pictures to create something that is important to them. They will also be able to use basic digital photo software for projects and that will help them out while working on projects as well as in the future they will be one step ahead of many other children their age. It enhances their creativity which I believe is very important in a well rounded student because it helps in reading, writing and even math. It helps them to think out of the box.
This information will open up a whole new world to these children as well as to me as the teacher. It encourages us to see the things around us in a different light. I plan to encorporate the use of digital cameras into my classroom. I hope that the school that I teach at will have access to cameras for the students. I really think that any projects that encourage the students to do hands on work and to work in a team is going to be beneficial. I plan to have the students write stories using pictures that they have taken and also to divide them into teams and have each team work on a topic and take pictures that support that topic that they are given. An example of this might be to have one group take pictures of things around them that have to do with fractions or another group could work on taking pictures of things that are healthy for their bodies. Then they can share what they have gathered with the rest of the class. They can also use the pictures for projects that they are working on in groups by using Google Docs which means that they can have access to the information and pictures from home.
This information will help me to become a better future teacher because I will know how to use the digital cameras and the software to its full potential. One of the articles that we read gave some great tips on what we can do to always be prepared so that we can snap pictures at the perfect moments and so that we can use the digital cameras to enhance the teaching that we are doing. It will also allow me to create assignments where the children can be active in creating something that can be shown to their parents and other students and they can be proud of the work that they are doing.
Learning about digital cameras and what they are capable of doing will help me not only as a teacher and colleague but also as a mother so that I can be more creative with the pictures that I take of my children. This is important information that will help me to become a more well-rounded person both at home and at school. I look forward to learning more about digital cameras.
Video Reflection
The first video was short and to the point. It was Top Ten Things You Do Not Learn About Teaching in College. I enjoyed the video because it was funny but also so true. I liked how they used David Letterman's Top Ten Countdown list that he uses on his show but changed it up to talk about what what no one tells us to prepare us for teaching. It was fun to see "real" teachers giving the countdown. It made fun of the difficult things about teaching such as not calling in sick to work because it's easier to go than to prepare sub lesson plans or that the difficult kids never get sick. I enjoyed it!
The second video or set of videos were interesting. I wasn't quite sure what we were supposed to learn from it but as I watched the videos I started to understand a few things. First of all, if we are working well as a team and each doing our part, every thing flows and can "create great harmony". Also, the section called "About" was interesting because the person that created the videos explained how he put them together. He didn't know the people in the videos instead he searched youtube and found things that could go together. He used many different resources to create amazing music none of which was meant to go together. We can do similar things with the many resources that we have as teachers. We can combine different techniques or resources to teach concepts to our students through the access we have through the web as well as UEN and youtube to mention a few just as the gentleman did when creating the music videos. We need to make sure to take full advantage of everything that is out there for us to use.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Addition to Reflection on Internet Safety
The following is additional information that I found while finishing this week's project. This goes with the Sunday night reflection.
There are many reasons that we should use the internet in education. The internet has many tools that are great for helping students to improve their learning skills. Some of the reasons to use the internet are because we have access to real time data which is information that is happening "right now". An example of this is to take a look at the Weather Channel to see what is happening in real time any where in the world. We could use this as a Social Studies lesson with the students. We can get original sources about famous people so that the children can hear and see what the people were all about. As educators, we have endless resources that will help aid our lesson plans as well as great activities that will go right along with the lessons we are teaching.
It is VERY important that we evaluate the websites we use for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is to make sure that the information that we are using is valid and legitimate. The internet has information that is opinion as well as information that is correct so it is important that we identify which it is before using it as a tool in our classroom. We can teach our students how to figure out whether a site is legitimate or not so that they can use it for reports and to learn. We had some great examples in this week's exercises of valid information and bogus information. We also have guidelines now from the exercises that tell us how to decipher the correct information. It is also important that we use sites that are safe for the students.
What questions would I use to evaluate the websites that I will use for the class?
1. Is it a credible website? Where does the info come from? What is the URL?
2. Do I believe what I am reading? Is it bogus info?
3. Who is the author and what additional information can I find on him? Look for his biography.
4. When was the site created and last updated? Is it old information?
5. What does the author say is the purpose of the site? Is it what you are looking for?
6. Is the site safe?
The ways that I can keep my students safe while they are searching the internet are by using the online tools for internet safety. There are many sites that teach children and adults internet safety. Some of the ones that I found are the following:
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm
http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx
http://www.kidscom.com/games/isg/isg.html
There are many reasons that we should use the internet in education. The internet has many tools that are great for helping students to improve their learning skills. Some of the reasons to use the internet are because we have access to real time data which is information that is happening "right now". An example of this is to take a look at the Weather Channel to see what is happening in real time any where in the world. We could use this as a Social Studies lesson with the students. We can get original sources about famous people so that the children can hear and see what the people were all about. As educators, we have endless resources that will help aid our lesson plans as well as great activities that will go right along with the lessons we are teaching.
It is VERY important that we evaluate the websites we use for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is to make sure that the information that we are using is valid and legitimate. The internet has information that is opinion as well as information that is correct so it is important that we identify which it is before using it as a tool in our classroom. We can teach our students how to figure out whether a site is legitimate or not so that they can use it for reports and to learn. We had some great examples in this week's exercises of valid information and bogus information. We also have guidelines now from the exercises that tell us how to decipher the correct information. It is also important that we use sites that are safe for the students.
What questions would I use to evaluate the websites that I will use for the class?
1. Is it a credible website? Where does the info come from? What is the URL?
2. Do I believe what I am reading? Is it bogus info?
3. Who is the author and what additional information can I find on him? Look for his biography.
4. When was the site created and last updated? Is it old information?
5. What does the author say is the purpose of the site? Is it what you are looking for?
6. Is the site safe?
The ways that I can keep my students safe while they are searching the internet are by using the online tools for internet safety. There are many sites that teach children and adults internet safety. Some of the ones that I found are the following:
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety2.htm
http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx
http://www.kidscom.com/games/isg/isg.html
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Reflection #6 - Internet Safety
What?
This week we are learning about Internet Safety and what we as educators can do to keep our students safe when they are online. Another thing that we are learning is how to help our students decifer good information on the web versus bad information and sources. We are also adding more information onto our UEN classroom website.
So What?
This information is very important to me as a teacher, student and colleague. As a teacher it is very important that we keep our students safe when they are on the internet. We have the responsibility to teach them how to safely use the internet for projects and activities. There are many dangers on the web that children are unaware of and unfortunately can be sucked into some very bad and dangerous situations. There are tons of great information that is very useful and educational as well as fun if used correctly and it's my job as a teacher to show them how to find it and stay away from the bad things.
As a student, I learned how to find out if information on the internet is helpful and correct such as when I am searching under a specific topic and pages and pages of websites come up, I can know how to tell if they are legit and worth looking into. This is helpful for projects that I will have in the future as well as for me as a parent so that I can keep my children safe when they are on the internet.
As a colleague, we need to make sure that we are all teaching internet safety to our students. We can work together with the computer teacher, if there is one, to find ways that we can encourage safe surfing. My kids were with me as I looked at the different websites and they told me that they had been on all of the internet safety websites that Doc Waters had us look up. It makes me very happy that they are being taught about this at their school. In fact, we have one of the websites in our favorites from a while ago, NetSmartKids.org.
Now What?
What does this technology mean to my future students? The internet is used by the majority of the families in the United States which means that the children are using it. It's important that they are aware of the dangers that can be found there but also understand how to be safe. We may be the only people that teach them about it.
I can assign the students to play on some of the internet safety games that I have found. I can also have them work on projects using the internet. There are several great websites that have worksheets that the students can fill out as they do searches on the web. I will be a better teacher by making sure that my students are safe when on the net.
As a parent, I would hope that my kids are learning internet safety at school as well as at home...which they are and I am very thankful!
Video Reflection
The video basically went over internet safety and had rules that are helpful for students as well as teachers. I enjoyed the pictures that were there as well because the kids can relate to it. I liked that there were parts for the parents, teachers and students! I will be sharing it with my future students for sure!
This week we are learning about Internet Safety and what we as educators can do to keep our students safe when they are online. Another thing that we are learning is how to help our students decifer good information on the web versus bad information and sources. We are also adding more information onto our UEN classroom website.
So What?
This information is very important to me as a teacher, student and colleague. As a teacher it is very important that we keep our students safe when they are on the internet. We have the responsibility to teach them how to safely use the internet for projects and activities. There are many dangers on the web that children are unaware of and unfortunately can be sucked into some very bad and dangerous situations. There are tons of great information that is very useful and educational as well as fun if used correctly and it's my job as a teacher to show them how to find it and stay away from the bad things.
As a student, I learned how to find out if information on the internet is helpful and correct such as when I am searching under a specific topic and pages and pages of websites come up, I can know how to tell if they are legit and worth looking into. This is helpful for projects that I will have in the future as well as for me as a parent so that I can keep my children safe when they are on the internet.
As a colleague, we need to make sure that we are all teaching internet safety to our students. We can work together with the computer teacher, if there is one, to find ways that we can encourage safe surfing. My kids were with me as I looked at the different websites and they told me that they had been on all of the internet safety websites that Doc Waters had us look up. It makes me very happy that they are being taught about this at their school. In fact, we have one of the websites in our favorites from a while ago, NetSmartKids.org.
Now What?
What does this technology mean to my future students? The internet is used by the majority of the families in the United States which means that the children are using it. It's important that they are aware of the dangers that can be found there but also understand how to be safe. We may be the only people that teach them about it.
I can assign the students to play on some of the internet safety games that I have found. I can also have them work on projects using the internet. There are several great websites that have worksheets that the students can fill out as they do searches on the web. I will be a better teacher by making sure that my students are safe when on the net.
As a parent, I would hope that my kids are learning internet safety at school as well as at home...which they are and I am very thankful!
Video Reflection
The video basically went over internet safety and had rules that are helpful for students as well as teachers. I enjoyed the pictures that were there as well because the kids can relate to it. I liked that there were parts for the parents, teachers and students! I will be sharing it with my future students for sure!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
UEN Reflection
The UEN website is an amazing tool for both educators and students. I will definitely use UEN in my future classroom. The Pioneer Library is very beneficial because it allows the students and teachers access to a wealth of information so that they can do reports and projects on pretty much any subject. It is a great place for students to go to work on group assignments as well as individual assignments. In the Pioneer Library, students have access to articles, encyclopedias and books. They have access to this information without even having to leave their homes. I will also use the Pioneer Library in the classroom so that the studens are familiar with the site and can use it to it's full potential.
Interactives are also a great resource for the students as well as me as a teacher. There are programs that allow the students to learn by using learning aids with links to PBS activities. Many of the students will be familiar with the characters from these programs so they will enjoy the many different interactives. Some include Reading activities with Clifford and Word World. There are also math, social studies, health and several other interactives which the students can use at home as well as in class. My goal is to use these interactives during individual study time or in centers.
The lesson plans that are found in UEN are going to make my life much easier because there are hundreds of lesson plans which all go along with the State Core Curriculum. I can use the lesson plan exactly as it is on the UEN site or I can change it up a bit to meet the needs of my class depending on what the subject is. I am also excited to be able to use it in the classes that I am taking now and will be taking in the future at UVU. The Core Curriculum is explained and ideas are given for lessons so there shouldn't be any confusion on what should be taught throughout the school year. The UEN site is a treasure trove of information that I can't wait to use!
The Scavenger Hunt that we did this week has been very helpful and has allowed me to become much more familiar with the resources that UEN offers to both students and teachers! I also love that we have access to eMedia where we can find videos to go along with the lessons that we are teaching. We can also save them to our classroom site and even if they are taken off of the UEN site, we will have them forever. My own children have seen me working on this project and have told me that several of their teachers have used UEN with them in their classrooms.
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