Blog Reflection #15: Extra Credit

This was a blog was titled Using Cell Phones and Scan Codes in the Classroom.  I am sure many people have seen these scan codes popping up around you neighborhood, in stores, on packages, and in airports. Well if you have never seen these codes, they are called QR coded or Quick Reference Codes and they are taking the world by surprise. Jeff Utecht is trying to explore the possibilities of using these QR codes in the classroom and with the larger school communities.  This seemed like an interesting topic, because I haven’t heard much about QR codes. I have now actually seen them in magazines and some advertisements I get in the mail but I really do not know how they would work in the classroom, it is something interesting to look into!

This is what the scan codes look like:

Does anyone know more information about this???

Blog Reflection #14: Extra Credit

This is another blog a read from a Principals Reflection blog site.  The blog, Cultivating Authenticity in Learning, was about using Skype in the classrooms.  He basically restated what our professor has been saying about the debate of using technology in the classroom.  This principal is pro-technology.  He believes that it only gets students more engaged in what they are learning.  He talked about this program they have based on the Holocaust where students are able to skype with Holocaust survivors.  So instead of reading a second-source textbook, they are able to get accounts from primary-sources who were actually witnessed and were a part of history!!

Blog #13: Extra Credit

A Principles Reflection  

This was a great blog about an eastern school principle who traveled to schools in Iowa who are using the 1:1 laptop ratio in their everyday classrooms. After visiting these schools she came up with many different observations as to why all schools need to be 1:1 laptop ratio.

We need to prepare our students to be doers and creative thinkers who can compete with their peers all around the world. Schools that don’t use these methods are at a disadvantage. Students in schools with 1:1 programs don’t ask what they have to do to get the right answer.  Instead, they are asking thought-provoking questions, challenging assumptions, making interdisciplinary connections, applying acquired knowledge, and are immersing themselves in authentic learning experiences.  Each 1:1 school in Iowa represents a “Field of Dreams” to each and every student enrolled there (Scott McLeod!)

Final: Scenerio

I believe that some of my strongest attributes as a future educator is the empathy I show for other people.  I really feel strongly about getting to know my students and connecting with them in deep, personal levels.  When students feel that a teacher really cares about them, and connects the curriculum to their daily lives, then they are more open to learn and they are more apt to actually let the teacher know about their problems.

I think technology can open many doors to both teachers and students.  The standard that I chose from National Education Technology Standards was #3: Digital Age Teaching.  This standard states that teachers will collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.  A teacher can really get to know a student by volunteering in their community and by having a really great relationship with the students parents.  Parent-involvement is a must, when it comes to student achievement!

One way I can do this as a teacher is through Digital Media.  I can have students create a video about their family history (migration, genealogy, etc) or their culture.  I can have them talk to their parents and collect stories and pictures that they will be able to use.  Then I can have them edit everything on the school computers.  I can have a family night were the students will present their videos to the community and celebrate their families and their culture!  If everything goes well I can encourage the faculty of my school to make this an all school event, where different grade levels use  different  websites to get their projects done.  Some of this resources can be Animoto for lower grades, Glogster and Voicethread for upper grades.

Twitter Reflection

So I got a Twitter account at the beginning of the semester, and whoa is it amazing!!! I started following lots of education professionals and they just post so much valuable information and resources!! Plus, I can always get a personal twitter account just to be random! lol I really like following this technology teacher who is based out of Junction City, her name is Amy Trujillo and she really gives tons of valuable information.  I think you all should get a twitter account and start following people who will only make teaching less stressful for you!! Hey and you should follow me too!

Final: My Wow Moment...

My wow moment was probably GoogleDocs.  There are a bunch of wonderful resources that I can use as a teacher.  I think that it is such a wonderful resource because as a teacher you can group your students up and have them work and edit on different computers simultaneously.  I know that I have used this resource many times after finding out about it.  The best part about it is that it is all free!!

Final: Favorite Podcast

My favorite podcast is TechChicks.  I really like how well they present the resources in their podcast.  They are very upbeat and funny ladies!! Some of the other podcast presenters were really monotone so I couldn't really even stand hearing them.  I believe that even if you have the most valuable information if you present it in a boring way you will never truly be able to captivate the audiences.  I know I would become disengaged and started thinking of other things when I heard over other podcast presenters, but every time I heard the TechChicks I would really stay focused on the topic they were talking about.  I felt like I was actually sitting there next to them and having a girly girl conversation.  Their actual website layout is also nice to look at and very organized!!