I must admit, I had no idea how addicting blogging could be. I don't know if I mentioned before, but I'd started a blog about 3 years ago. It was just something because people were so intrigued by my postings on Facebook regarding my students, the things they would do/say and my daily outbursts. However, once summer ended so did my blog posting.
I have been inspired to start a personal weight loss journey blog from this experience. I haven't had time to update it because of school and work but as soon as I do, I will add it to here so you can follow me.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My favorite discoveries has been learning about all the sites that are out on the web that allow you to create different videos and images for FREE! I've bookmarked so many sites and every time I learn something fabulous, I take it and share it with my students. For example, some of them have computers at home but do not have word processing software. I introduced them to Google Docs and Zoho so that they could type their essays this weekend that are due on Monday.
I especially like the video creation sites that allow me to upload my photos and add special effects. A lot of the movie/video making software takes up so much space and memory. With these sites, I don't have to worry about those limitations and I can make the video accessible for students, as well as, their friends and family.
I have learned so much I can't even keep up and I want to use it all at once! This was a great exercise if for nothing else but exposure and awareness of what's available on the World Wide Web!
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program has affected my lifelong learning goals by enabling me to add to my learning toolbox. All that I discover, I am then sharing with others. This is too great of knowledge that I've been exposed to, to keep it to myself. I share it with my colleagues and my students. They will be so much more prepared, technology wise, when they enter middle school that I ever could have been back in my day. I also hope that this knowledge I share with them inspires them to seek more on their own and to teach me!
It has stirred me up to seek more knowledge and applications to use technology to my advantage. Why Not? There is a technology application or site for EVERYTHING you could ever imagine doing for the most part it is all FREE.
I am definitely more equipped after this blogging experience to add variety and excitement in my classroom and lessons.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Yes, there were. Just the fact that so much is available on the web for FREE. I wish someone would just compile all these sites in one place, in a user-friendly format, for my use.
I did not know what to expect at first but learned SO MUCH. Surprisingly, I had used a lot of the resources in the Things and considered myself to be quite technologically savvy. I had no idea!
I would even like to do something like this for my students. Of course in smaller, more manageable doses. But these are things they need to be exposed to, even the parents. It may convince parents of the need to have some type of computer/internet capabilities at home. As we continue to move forward and attempt to gain a competitive advantage amongst other countries, exposure is key to that success.
4. What could I do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I think the concept of this program is great. Like I said, I've learned a tremendous amount of useful information. It was a great use of my time and breaking it up into chunks made it more manageable.
I think the difficulty came in when certain links either did not work or had expired and browser compatibility. I found that some sites did not work in Chrome but worked in Internet Explorer.
Overall, the idea is great. We were exposed to a vast amount of concrete, tangible, impacting information and practice and I would totally recommend the use of this in the future.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thing 16 - Photopeach
From Trash to Treasure on PhotoPeach
For AIMS Night last year, the students chose to do "Going Green". They had various group projects on everything going green - from recycling, to conserving, to alternative energy.
Well, that was their group project. Their individual challenge was to create a product using any of the recyclable materials (glass, aluminum, plastic and paper) and the results were ASTONISHING! They truly exceeded any expectation I thought I had! Here are a few of the top highlights of products from that night. Enjoy! You will be just as amazed as I was!
For AIMS Night last year, the students chose to do "Going Green". They had various group projects on everything going green - from recycling, to conserving, to alternative energy.
Well, that was their group project. Their individual challenge was to create a product using any of the recyclable materials (glass, aluminum, plastic and paper) and the results were ASTONISHING! They truly exceeded any expectation I thought I had! Here are a few of the top highlights of products from that night. Enjoy! You will be just as amazed as I was!
Thing 15.5 - Twitter
I must say I was not a Twitter fan. I found it very difficult to navigate and post and didn't care for the limiting of my voice in numbers of words. However, since my initial attempt at it, I noticed some of its functions have changed. I am still having difficulty limiting my words and maintaining professional grammar and appearance, but I have used my 'professional' Twitter account more than I have used my personal one.
I am following several people and companies and people really do post some great information. I think I will continue to use my 'professional' Twitter account and enhance my educational resources data bank.
I think this is a great resource to use when I complete my Masters degree and begin seeking employment that will utilize the skills I've learned. A lot of these sites are much like Facebook. I know Facebook wasn't the pioneer of social networking but it was created very well and emerged as a leader.
I would like to look more into this site when I begin that search and I think it will provide me with useful connections for the employment I will seek upon completion of Graduate School.
Thing 15 - Things like Skype
I have used Skype and "things like Skype" with my students for various purposes. There was one year my partner and I created what we called, "FUTURE FRIDAYS". We would have, many of who were people we knew, come in and talk about their occupations with our students. It was 1-2 Fridays a month, during our social studies block. We alternated between college-based careers and community college/trade careers.
One month we Skyped with my partner's father who is a coach at a college in California. IT WAS SO AWESOME! That was my first experience with video chatting back around 2007 or 2008.
Since then, our school librarian and tech specialist are ALWAYS finding awesome video chat opportunities for the students to participate in. Almost every year I have my students participate in "READ AROUND THE PLANET". In this, each participating class creates a presentation and shares it with another and then time is allotted at the end for Q&A either on the presentation or the students who are video chatting. I've had the opportunity to share with school in the MidWest, across Houston, and my last pair up was unsuccessful but they were in Canada! The students love it!
On a personal note, I use Skype to video chat with friends and family in other states, as well as, friends overseas. I even used Google Hangout to make final edits to my last group presentation.
Some difficulties I find, especially in the educational setting, are connectivity issues. Particularly with speed, buffering, and audio. Scheduling chats across time zones can be a little difficult to when tied to a bell-to-bell schedule.
Overall, I LOVE video chatting and all the wonderful ways it allows me, my students and experiences to connect.
p.s. I just had Skyped with Kate Jeter! We all have to help each other! Thanks Kate!
One month we Skyped with my partner's father who is a coach at a college in California. IT WAS SO AWESOME! That was my first experience with video chatting back around 2007 or 2008.
Since then, our school librarian and tech specialist are ALWAYS finding awesome video chat opportunities for the students to participate in. Almost every year I have my students participate in "READ AROUND THE PLANET". In this, each participating class creates a presentation and shares it with another and then time is allotted at the end for Q&A either on the presentation or the students who are video chatting. I've had the opportunity to share with school in the MidWest, across Houston, and my last pair up was unsuccessful but they were in Canada! The students love it!
On a personal note, I use Skype to video chat with friends and family in other states, as well as, friends overseas. I even used Google Hangout to make final edits to my last group presentation.
Some difficulties I find, especially in the educational setting, are connectivity issues. Particularly with speed, buffering, and audio. Scheduling chats across time zones can be a little difficult to when tied to a bell-to-bell schedule.
Overall, I LOVE video chatting and all the wonderful ways it allows me, my students and experiences to connect.
p.s. I just had Skyped with Kate Jeter! We all have to help each other! Thanks Kate!
Thing 14 - Podcasting and Bookmarking
Podcasting
Podcasting has been around for a while (well, at least since I started buying iPods). I would download Sesame Street videos for my niece to keep her entertained when I was going somewhere that she would bore easily of.
However, I really like the new iTunes U. In fact, I actually considered buying an iPad just to take advantage of some of the available resources. A service rep in Best Buy ALMOST had me when she showed me how she used her iPad and the iTunes U for books and homework help.
As I surfed around the available resources, what jumped out to me immediately was this:
Bookmarking
I first discovered Pinterest through others' posting via Facebook. I didn't initially "get it" because I had to be "invited" to join and/or wait for approval. Once approved, I began surfing around and saw the pics...but still didn't "get it". Well, they send you a weekly "Inpiration from Pinterest" email and some things caught my attention. Again, I surfed around and I was starting to get it but it was just there.
It wasn't until I began to plan my mom's 60th birthday party and was doing some home decorating that I realized the WONDERS of Pinterest! I found SO MANY ideas for my home and SO MANY MORE ideas for her birthday party decor! I was hooked! I then began following others and others began repinning and following me! I've tried new recipes, gotten ideas for my home.
Then recently, in class, it hadn't dawned on me before - but they also have TONS of ideas and very creative crafts that can be used in the classroom! Pinterest is awesome! I love how you look at one pin...and it turns into another pin...and another...and another... and before long you've got THOUSANDS of ideas that you can't wait to do and you've spent HOURS online!
Here is the link to my Pinterest page if you want to see some things I like...ENJOY!
http://pinterest.com/layers99/pins/
Podcasting has been around for a while (well, at least since I started buying iPods). I would download Sesame Street videos for my niece to keep her entertained when I was going somewhere that she would bore easily of.
However, I really like the new iTunes U. In fact, I actually considered buying an iPad just to take advantage of some of the available resources. A service rep in Best Buy ALMOST had me when she showed me how she used her iPad and the iTunes U for books and homework help.
As I surfed around the available resources, what jumped out to me immediately was this:
There is still so much 'mystery' around the STAAR test and any resources you can find are like treasures! There is a lot of information to listen to on here, but I can never find much for Reading/Language Arts.
How cool is this?! Creatures that you only read about but can now actually view!
Bookmarking
I first discovered Pinterest through others' posting via Facebook. I didn't initially "get it" because I had to be "invited" to join and/or wait for approval. Once approved, I began surfing around and saw the pics...but still didn't "get it". Well, they send you a weekly "Inpiration from Pinterest" email and some things caught my attention. Again, I surfed around and I was starting to get it but it was just there.
It wasn't until I began to plan my mom's 60th birthday party and was doing some home decorating that I realized the WONDERS of Pinterest! I found SO MANY ideas for my home and SO MANY MORE ideas for her birthday party decor! I was hooked! I then began following others and others began repinning and following me! I've tried new recipes, gotten ideas for my home.
Then recently, in class, it hadn't dawned on me before - but they also have TONS of ideas and very creative crafts that can be used in the classroom! Pinterest is awesome! I love how you look at one pin...and it turns into another pin...and another...and another... and before long you've got THOUSANDS of ideas that you can't wait to do and you've spent HOURS online!
Here is the link to my Pinterest page if you want to see some things I like...ENJOY!
http://pinterest.com/layers99/pins/
Thing 12 and 13 - Discovering & using YouTube
In this thing 12-13 I am supposed to add a YouTube video. I actually did that in Thing1 not knowing it would "officially" come up. However, here is a CATCHY video my students and I have been singing (whether we want to or not) that I used to teach figurative language:
I personally, <3 YouTube and am ALWAYS going to YouTube to look things up. I'm a visual person. I have never been disappointed with the vast amount of data you can find there.
What I liked most about this video is that the students actually understood the figurative language and could bring up examples from the song in later lessons. Some even wanted to assign vocal parts! While others want to make songs for other lesson objectives.
Here is my TEASe video from last semester for a Holocaust unit that I initially created using Windows MovieMaker and then uploaded into YouTube:
As far as which social video site I prefer, it just depends on what I'm looking for. I definitely go to YouTube for more personal searches and the education based social video sites (TeacherTube & SchoolTube) for my instruction. I do notice, however, that the education sites tend to be slower and sometimes have too much on a particular subject and I haven't quite figured out the best way to search in the site so I usually end up using YouTube or United Streaming.
I am truly grateful and appreciative of those who post/share educational videos. It serves as a reference for subjects that I am not as comfortable in teaching due to lack of knowledge, it gives a different outlook/variety to my instruction, and it makes learning something new fun & the students are highly engaged enabling them to process and retain the information.
Having students create videos and sharing will somewhat force them to research and process the new information, allow for collaboration and cooperative learning groups, and exposes them to new technology skills. Having it uploaded gives students a sense of pride and accomplishment while also teaching the material from a kid's point of view and language.
These sites and videos are an ASSET to any teacher's career!
I personally, <3 YouTube and am ALWAYS going to YouTube to look things up. I'm a visual person. I have never been disappointed with the vast amount of data you can find there.
What I liked most about this video is that the students actually understood the figurative language and could bring up examples from the song in later lessons. Some even wanted to assign vocal parts! While others want to make songs for other lesson objectives.
Here is my TEASe video from last semester for a Holocaust unit that I initially created using Windows MovieMaker and then uploaded into YouTube:
As far as which social video site I prefer, it just depends on what I'm looking for. I definitely go to YouTube for more personal searches and the education based social video sites (TeacherTube & SchoolTube) for my instruction. I do notice, however, that the education sites tend to be slower and sometimes have too much on a particular subject and I haven't quite figured out the best way to search in the site so I usually end up using YouTube or United Streaming.
I am truly grateful and appreciative of those who post/share educational videos. It serves as a reference for subjects that I am not as comfortable in teaching due to lack of knowledge, it gives a different outlook/variety to my instruction, and it makes learning something new fun & the students are highly engaged enabling them to process and retain the information.
Having students create videos and sharing will somewhat force them to research and process the new information, allow for collaboration and cooperative learning groups, and exposes them to new technology skills. Having it uploaded gives students a sense of pride and accomplishment while also teaching the material from a kid's point of view and language.
These sites and videos are an ASSET to any teacher's career!
Thing 11 - Web 2.0 Tools
How ironic! I just used this site with PLowe in a group project, www.goanimate.com, to do a presentation on Schools That Change. We thought it was the perfect medium for our topic, to keep it light and positive.
Here is our video presentation, the scenes without dialogue were our talking points. Check it out!
South Heights Elementary School by pamloweregion4 on GoAnimate
Animated Presentations - Powered by GoAnimate.
I truly enjoyed making this and upon seeing it my mind IMMEDIATELY thought of ideas for use in the classroom!
In the classroom:
Here is our video presentation, the scenes without dialogue were our talking points. Check it out!
South Heights Elementary School by pamloweregion4 on GoAnimate
Animated Presentations - Powered by GoAnimate.
I truly enjoyed making this and upon seeing it my mind IMMEDIATELY thought of ideas for use in the classroom!
In the classroom:
- students can use goanimate to create an original story where the teacher can assess their comprehension of the narrative elements (character, setting, plot and theme)
- students can use goanimate to create an alternative ending to a story or
- change the story into a different genre by changing its elements
- students can use goanimate as we did, as an alternative to traditional presentation mediums, for a project or task WHILE at the SAME TIME developing technology skills and abilities.
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