Last Day of Class

We began class with an activity to discuss an educationally issue involving Janet, a teacher wanted to use the Apple ITouch in her classroom. To do this she needed to talk to her principle and the PTA president to get the funding. We were to role play each of those people. Some groups videoed their discussion and my group was one that was going to use Science Sim to chat about it. We had several technical difficulties. Sara and Morgan were able to get started chatting but they were the only two of our class that did. This is something that as a future teacher I need to be prepared for. Technology is very effective but is not always sure. I liked the idea of using the flip video camera in the classroom. They are simple, relatively affordable, and not bulky.

Today was our last day of class and I feel like this has helped give me ideas of ways to utilize some of the technology available. I don't know if I will use extremely involved technology like Science Sim in my elementary classroom, not because the kids couldn't work it, because they easily could. I would choose not to because I feel like with time demands on teachers I would not be able to use them.

I-Pods in Class & so much more

We took an excursion to Edith Bowen Lab School this morning to visit Mr. Johnson. He showed us how he has been using his class set of IPods to in rotations for audio books, educational videos, and as a way to differentiate his instruction. He puts in the extra hours it takes to research out technology options, applications, and stay current on research while conducting his own. In addition to that he studies a lot of educational publications and blogs to learn about grants and awards that they can apply for to get what they need for the school. He isn't afraid to mention to his parents that instead of giving him mugs, scented candles, etc. for Christmas gifts that they can give him ITunes gift cards for him to buy audio books. He attends bookfairs, goes to stores like Boardars, and tells people he is talking to that he is trying to gather this stuff for his classroom and he has gotten good deals on it as well as some given to him for free.
It is obvious the students enjoy his class. He provides the resources, gives a brief explanation, answers questions, and allows them to discover the possibilities on their own. I would really like to provide similar opportunities for my classroom by putting in the extra hours finding technology and allowing students to use it to enhance their learning.

Instructional Architect

I didn't realize that USU had a nice resource for teachers to create online lesson material for their class. I thought that in order to do a lesson online I would have to create a web page and figure out how to create links, buttons, and those sorts of things to ever create my own. This is nice because you only have to choose the template and the resources you what and it does the rest. I don't know what my computer situation will be when I am in the schools but I can picture this being a great resource. My mom works at an elementary school where there are 3 and 4 grades in each class and so they rely on computers a lot. I am going to show her this as an option for them to also use. I almost completed my web page but the computers in the lab were really struggling. I was one of many who lost parts of the assignment, word just collapsed on a bunch of us. Yippy for retyping everything.

Inquiry based instruction

We discussed ways to use Webquest options at webquest.org. Webquest has inquiry lessons that presents the students with a situation and a task to go with it. My group's task was to create a brochure for Henderson Nevada because a family wanted to take a trip there but didn't know what to do while they were there. Each family member enjoyed different activities so our brochure was to have information about each of their interests, other options for them to participate in, facts about Henderson, and also maps or accommodations information. I liked the idea of a brochure but I felt like this specific webquest task was more busy work and several of the links were not working any more. As we presented in class some webquests I thought that sounded engaging and like good inquiry lessons. Some favorites I heard were about the seasons and how you should dress for that weather. One example had the students trace a student on paper and then color the type of cloths they should wear for each season. I also really liked the idea of inventors and inventions where they were to think of their favorite toys and find out who invented them and then if they were to invent something what would it be. I can see how these lessons can be a great resource, I just was not impressed with the one that my group found.