As we bid our farewells and we all begin another school year, I wish everyone a exciting and positive school year as they bring all that we have learned and explored in this classroom to their own!
As I begin to think back when we first began the class, I think about what I knew. I knew that these web 2.0 tools were there for me to use, I just didn't know how to incorporate them in my class or really dedicate the time to try. Don;t get me wrong, I used web 2.0 tools, but ones that I already Knew. Tools such as Moodle Chat Rooms, Smart Boards, Video Conferencing Systems, & Skype.
When signing up for this course, I was looking for new tools/resources/site that I had never heard of before; learning how to incorporate these tools/resources/sites into my classroom and share them with my school. I wanted to learn how to create a Podcast! I had hear all about them, listen to them, but never really took the time to create one and post one!
As we finish out Week 9, I look back and say WOW. Look at all that I have been exposed to: Webinars, Blogs, Podcasts, RSS Readers, Google Docs, School 2.0, What exactly social media was, and not to mention the great information relating to Project Based Learning & Assessment of Technology.
There is so much, and unfortunately too little time. What would be great is if they offered classes on just specific tools. I could spend 2 or 3 weeks on creating podcast and learning more about the programs available to create them.
Finally, if there is one tool that I learned about from this class, that has made my job easier, is Google Docs. As I have mentioned, I am heavily envolved in Manchester's Hockey Program and schedule games, practices, scrimmages, etc for almost 25+ teams. I have saved myself a ton of time, by switching to Google Docs.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Week 8: Teaching in a new networked world - Are you flatter yet?
In reading chapter 4 of Web2.0 new tool, new school; it talks about the 21-century learning environment and the Gate Foundation which, "helps reinforce best practices by shaping the way teachers think about teaching and learning." That's it! If we cannot get teachers to think about how these tools, facebook, youtube , Flicker, Pod-casting, Blogging, Wikis, Jing, or even Smart Boards, then how can we move forward in a networked world.
Think back to one of Kim's Posts', one was titled, "If we could build our own schools? What would they look like?" How would you build yours? What would each classroom have in it? Would every class room have a Video Conferencing System? Smart board? Student Responders? Laptops or Computers?
That would be a fun project. Create your 21st century classroom... I am excited to go back to school and incorporate some of these new tools in my classroom. Give projects that can be completed via Skype, Facebook, or Moodle. One thing I am going to try and set up, but still working on it creating a webinar that my students can log into once a week to discuss HW, Projects or Questions. The resources are endless!
Think back to one of Kim's Posts', one was titled, "If we could build our own schools? What would they look like?" How would you build yours? What would each classroom have in it? Would every class room have a Video Conferencing System? Smart board? Student Responders? Laptops or Computers?
That would be a fun project. Create your 21st century classroom... I am excited to go back to school and incorporate some of these new tools in my classroom. Give projects that can be completed via Skype, Facebook, or Moodle. One thing I am going to try and set up, but still working on it creating a webinar that my students can log into once a week to discuss HW, Projects or Questions. The resources are endless!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Podcast Project
I am on the Board of Directors for our local Hockey Program. We are in the process of coming up with new way of advertising our program. My goal is to create weekly podcast by players, coaches, and parents on anything and everything relating to our program. I have created one podcast that give a brief introduction about our program. All of these will be posted on our website.
ABOUT MRYHA:
ABOUT MRYHA:
Week 8: Topics of my Choice - OCD & Websites
You know what just bugs me more than anything? When I am looking at websites and the information is incorrect or not up-to-date. I was recently viewing our school website, specifically the page that list teachers. It frustrates me to see the 2007 - 2008 teachers listed instead of the 2008 - 2009 (recent school year) teachers.
What bothers me more, is that I have offered to help manage the website on numerous occasions with no acknowledgment or acceptance. In a world that is heavily depended on websites for information, better efforts should be made on keeping websites up-to-date.
I was recently at NHTM's website and up until just recently, many of the links were broken and information was past date. While I just happened to be browsing one day and not looking for anything specific, If I was looking for something I would have gotten really frustrated for not finding it.
That leads me to my last comment. Making information easy to find. I don't know about you but when I am looking for an Email address or contact info and I have to navigate through 4 or 5 pages... Simple is better!
What bothers me more, is that I have offered to help manage the website on numerous occasions with no acknowledgment or acceptance. In a world that is heavily depended on websites for information, better efforts should be made on keeping websites up-to-date.
I was recently at NHTM's website and up until just recently, many of the links were broken and information was past date. While I just happened to be browsing one day and not looking for anything specific, If I was looking for something I would have gotten really frustrated for not finding it.
That leads me to my last comment. Making information easy to find. I don't know about you but when I am looking for an Email address or contact info and I have to navigate through 4 or 5 pages... Simple is better!
Week 7: Thoughts on Assessment of Technology
One thing I have always wondered or asked myself is when I have students create a media presentation, do I grade the media? I have had students complete power-point presentations, skits, web pages, and videos. In moving to standards based, I have always told students that while they should be creative the final piece will be graded based on the standards.
As we continue to go through this class and learn about all the tools that can be used in the classroom, how to I assess them? Should I be assessing them, or are they tools that are used to learn the material. I have come across the NETS before and again during this class, but never gave it too much thought as to if it is my responsibility to asses technology.
A goal that I have this year, is to create a separate rubric that will allow me to assess technology along with the actually standards I am supposed to cover.
As we continue to go through this class and learn about all the tools that can be used in the classroom, how to I assess them? Should I be assessing them, or are they tools that are used to learn the material. I have come across the NETS before and again during this class, but never gave it too much thought as to if it is my responsibility to asses technology.
A goal that I have this year, is to create a separate rubric that will allow me to assess technology along with the actually standards I am supposed to cover.
Week 7: Topic of my Choice - Turning Point Student Response Systems
I'm fortunate enough to have one of the Turning Point Student Response Systems in my classroom. These systems are great and used for a variety of uses such as instantaneous assessments, informal assessments, surveys, or just for a fun.
Using Power Point, slides are created that requires students to select what they believe is the correct response. Once everyone has selected their choice or the poll has closed, responses are tallied and reported.
Example: What is 6 + 2 x 8 - 4 =
A) 60
5 Responses
B) 18
8 Responses
C) 40
2 Responses
No one knows who selected what, just how many of each choice was selected. This is especially great for those students who tend not to participate or raise their hand. At the end of class, simply print a report that shows each students response. I have used it during class, as a pre/post assessment, and even as a formal quiz.
Week 7: Thoughts on Project Based Learning
Just like any "idea" in the educational environment, people are going to embrace it or reject it. Project Based Learning is no exception. The idea of giving a student a long-term project and working with classmates to develop understanding and mastery of GLE/State Standards is amazing. It is challenging for both the students and teachers, and keep students involved and participating.
The one concern I have is that school cannot do it because of high stakes testing. I don't mean that they are unable to in the sense of wanting to, but being allowed to. Our district is in entering its 5th year on the "list." At some point were going to be forced to follow a specific curriculum, which is no way will be close to Project Based Learning.
I found a website PBL, that list some good resource:
The one concern I have is that school cannot do it because of high stakes testing. I don't mean that they are unable to in the sense of wanting to, but being allowed to. Our district is in entering its 5th year on the "list." At some point were going to be forced to follow a specific curriculum, which is no way will be close to Project Based Learning.
I found a website PBL, that list some good resource:
Project Based Learning Resources
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Saturday, August 8, 2009
Week 6: Professional Learning Networks
We began creating PLN two years ago as a school. We call them PLC's (Profesional Learning Communities). Since doing so, I have seen a positive shift in the way academics is taught at the Middle School. Before, every teacher taught fractions or decimals different. Some taught out of the MathScape program, while some taught out of the traditional Glencoe. Now, we are all teaching out of the Glencoe. By creating PLC’s and Common Planning Times, our department work together collegiality, rather than 4 different teachers.
What does this mean for our students? They are getting the same instruction regardless of what class they are in. IF they are taking Math with myself or another teachers, the same principals and standards are being taught and assessed. With that comes a PLN for our students. This year we are creating a Math Central Moodle page in which ALL 450+ students will be enrolled and required to participate in online discussion forums, blogs, and other “new” tools that can be incorporated in the classroom and Moodle.
We will expect our students to work with one another on group projects, even if students have different teachers. We will expect that students will approach other students for help and assistance even if they have different teachers. By doing this we are fostering a PLC/PLN within our school, which will carry through (hopefully) their education and be a foundation for using web2.0 to influence and make them want to learn on their own.
What does this mean for our students? They are getting the same instruction regardless of what class they are in. IF they are taking Math with myself or another teachers, the same principals and standards are being taught and assessed. With that comes a PLN for our students. This year we are creating a Math Central Moodle page in which ALL 450+ students will be enrolled and required to participate in online discussion forums, blogs, and other “new” tools that can be incorporated in the classroom and Moodle.
We will expect our students to work with one another on group projects, even if students have different teachers. We will expect that students will approach other students for help and assistance even if they have different teachers. By doing this we are fostering a PLC/PLN within our school, which will carry through (hopefully) their education and be a foundation for using web2.0 to influence and make them want to learn on their own.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Week 6: Topic of my Choice: Evolution of the Cell Phone
So I was at party yesterday and people were showing the type of phones they own. Some had a Blackberry, some had old flip phones,and some even had the iPhone. As I was thinking about what to write about for my free choice, I began to think about how the cell phone has evolved over time. So, instead of writing about my thoughts, I opted to make a video using Animoto, which I have never done....(Hope that is OK.)
For the record, if Verizon offered the iPhone, I'd have one! It is killing me its only offered through ATT!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Week 6: Reflection on Chapter 5
What do teachers think of when the hear Professional Development? Clock hours? Incriment hours? How many actually think, wow what will I learn new that I can bring into my classroom?
As I was reading Web2.0 I immediately thought of my school when I read the following sentence, "Unfortunately, even though massive amounts of money have been spent on training educators, we have not seen a real difference in the ways technology has been integrated into the classroom." I am fortunate to work in a district, sau16, that has and spends the money on technology for classrooms, and schools. They also have a website dedicated to Technology New. It is there I learned about sites for educators such as CommonCraft , Best Of website, or the Mac 101 classroom. The problem is that not many teachers take advantage of the technology or the resources around them. Being that we are heading into our 5th year as a School in Need of Improvment, teachers are less concerened about using technology. "It takes up time, that could be used teaching what matters," is what one teacher told me this past year. AHH!
To address this problem Sau16 created positions at each school where classroom teachers would become technology mentors. By becoming a technology mentor they would agree to engage in ongoing professional development (100% paid for by the district), actively use and promote technology within their classroom, offer and hold technology sessions for faculty to share with them ways of incorporating technology into their classroom that coincides with what they are teaching.
I quickly applied and received the position, this past year completing my second and the programs second year. I have found over the years, that teachers are a) not even aware of the technology tools available to them, and/or b) have no idea how to incorporate them into their classroom.
As we move forward this new school year, our goal within my school is to promote several tools that can be easily integrated into the classroom. By beginning small, our hope is that once teachers become familiar with some tools, they will begin to move ahead and research and incorporate new tools on their own. While CMS is ahead with having all the technology, we are far behind in how we use it in our classrooms.
As I was reading Web2.0 I immediately thought of my school when I read the following sentence, "Unfortunately, even though massive amounts of money have been spent on training educators, we have not seen a real difference in the ways technology has been integrated into the classroom." I am fortunate to work in a district, sau16, that has and spends the money on technology for classrooms, and schools. They also have a website dedicated to Technology New. It is there I learned about sites for educators such as CommonCraft , Best Of website, or the Mac 101 classroom. The problem is that not many teachers take advantage of the technology or the resources around them. Being that we are heading into our 5th year as a School in Need of Improvment, teachers are less concerened about using technology. "It takes up time, that could be used teaching what matters," is what one teacher told me this past year. AHH!
To address this problem Sau16 created positions at each school where classroom teachers would become technology mentors. By becoming a technology mentor they would agree to engage in ongoing professional development (100% paid for by the district), actively use and promote technology within their classroom, offer and hold technology sessions for faculty to share with them ways of incorporating technology into their classroom that coincides with what they are teaching.
I quickly applied and received the position, this past year completing my second and the programs second year. I have found over the years, that teachers are a) not even aware of the technology tools available to them, and/or b) have no idea how to incorporate them into their classroom.
As we move forward this new school year, our goal within my school is to promote several tools that can be easily integrated into the classroom. By beginning small, our hope is that once teachers become familiar with some tools, they will begin to move ahead and research and incorporate new tools on their own. While CMS is ahead with having all the technology, we are far behind in how we use it in our classrooms.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Week 5: Toughts on Blogs
To be honest, I found this post more challenging than I think any. I just was not sure what to write about. Usually I write my post, then read everyone else is just in case I wrote about the same thing I would not want to feel like a copycat :)... This time however I read everyone else is first which in turn gave me ideas to write about.
First, the hardest part I am finding with blogging is the "linking" aspect of it. I feel as though I am not linking enough or not linking the important aspect of my blog. Since this was the first time that I blogged, I didn't see the relevance of linking everything. That being said, when I am reading everyone else is blogs, it is so helpful to click the link and find out more of what has been discussed or the actual website that is being discussed; and so I quickly realized the importance and linking and appreciate the idea much more.
So in my quest to determine what to blog about on blogs, I began to search for specific blogs on Math, Hockey, and the NHL and was amazed at what I found. I found sites such as 601a a blog from a hockey referee, the Sydney Crosby Show a blog dedicated to Sydney Crosby, or the Math Blog dedicated to Math Education. I could find blogs about anything from hockey, to math, to education, all of which are other peoples thoughts and opinions.
It was at some point that I was searching for blogs that I connected what Mark said in his blog, "It is starting to become apparent to me that Web 2.0 is all about establishing connections with people with similar interests. We are no longer limited to the people we share lunch with to bounce ideas off of. The entire world is out there, ready to and willing to collaborate."
First, the hardest part I am finding with blogging is the "linking" aspect of it. I feel as though I am not linking enough or not linking the important aspect of my blog. Since this was the first time that I blogged, I didn't see the relevance of linking everything. That being said, when I am reading everyone else is blogs, it is so helpful to click the link and find out more of what has been discussed or the actual website that is being discussed; and so I quickly realized the importance and linking and appreciate the idea much more.
So in my quest to determine what to blog about on blogs, I began to search for specific blogs on Math, Hockey, and the NHL and was amazed at what I found. I found sites such as 601a a blog from a hockey referee, the Sydney Crosby Show a blog dedicated to Sydney Crosby, or the Math Blog dedicated to Math Education. I could find blogs about anything from hockey, to math, to education, all of which are other peoples thoughts and opinions.
It was at some point that I was searching for blogs that I connected what Mark said in his blog, "It is starting to become apparent to me that Web 2.0 is all about establishing connections with people with similar interests. We are no longer limited to the people we share lunch with to bounce ideas off of. The entire world is out there, ready to and willing to collaborate."
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