Final Presentation Continued

This week, I finally finished my final presentation! It feels so great to have it done and I am really happy with the way it turned out!

Since this past week's class was a lab day, I focused on learning the tools that I did not know how to do before (i.e. button making, video embedding, and adding sound). I have now mastered these tools and plan on implementing them with future Power Point presentations.

I really enjoyed this class a lot more than I was expecting. I learned so many new skills and techniques that will really improve my teaching style once I get out into the field. Who knew just how helpful technology would be with teaching techniques? I didn't think it would be as helpful before, but now, I know how important it is to involve students as much as possible with technology (since that has become their world). I am excited to use these new skills with my future students! Thank you for everything you taught me about the usefulness of technology in the classroom! I really enjoyed this class!

Final Presentation

In our last class last week, we worked on preparing for our up-coming final presentation. I decided to present a Power Point on the process of plant growth - from seed to plant. I'm excited to work on this project and hopefully use it in a class for my future students!

Technology to the Extreme!

Today, we went over to look at the Smart Board in another classroom of the EB. I think the Smart Board would be a great investment for any classroom! The more students can interact with the lesson, the more they will remember what is being taught.

In addition to the Smart Board, we had the opportunity to look and "play" with other fun technological devices to use for the classroom. I really think the Flip Phone would be a great investment to a classroom. Students could capture themselves and classmates on video with projects, presentations, and assignments at the beginning of the year and compare later in the year with future projects. I also think the Digital Overhead ("Elmo") would be an amazing classroom device to have! There are so many ways this tool could be used in comparison to a standard, overhead projector. There are so many ways to use these fun, exciting tools to bring classroom lessons to life and enhance teaching opportunities!

Finalizing the Group Project (Finally :-)

Last class, we learned how to create a poll and place it on our websites. I think next week we will be looking at other students' polls and adding our input (by answering their polls).

In class, I was able to finish everything that needed completion through Microsoft Publisher. I know my brochure and flier contain flaws, but I have to admit that I am pretty impressed by the finished product! If I were to see the brochure as a parent, I would probably be more persuaded to believe the information it contained because of the professional appearance than if it was just a handed, typed up paper. I think it looks great - it's definitely something I plan on using when I have my own "Open Houses" and parent/teacher conferences!!

Group Project Continued (Internet Safety)

Today, my group and I finished creating our chart of characteristics for finding credible Internet sources. Working on this project has definitely given me a greater perspective of the proper qualities an accurate and credible website should entail. Some qualities (such as an, "About Me" page and links to similar sites) I had not thought of to relate in reference to a credible source. This project so far has given me more ways of finding useful, truthful, and reliable information for future research.

Group Project

During this week's class meeting, we formed into groups to work on an online project. In this project, we will be putting together ideas of internet safety tips for our future classrooms. Internet safety must be used by all teachers.

Currently, I am observing a Kindergarten classroom this semester where computers are used daily. The students have been assigned to work on math and reading assignments which are found online. As I have watched these students, I have noticed them strictly following their teacher's instruction and sticking to the programs/websites assigned.

What if these students were a little older and tried venturing off to different websites? What if these students noticed their parents and/or family members surfing inappropriate material online and wanted to search for similar material on their own at school? As teachers and parents, we must do all we can to protect the safety of our students and children while using the world wide web. Inappropriate material viewed online can damage the innocence of any student and cause future addictions such as pornography. Internet safety can be learned not only in the classroom, but in the home as well. We must be willing to use Internet safety tips on our own if we expect our students and children to abide by the rules as well.

Continuing the Use of Picasa

This week, I have been focusing on editing my 15 pictures to prepare for my Powerpoint presentation. I have really been having fun working with Picasa and trying out different editing options. I tend to use similar editing options for the pictures because I like a certain style of look for my photos. Without realizing it, I'm trying to take the different pictures and make them all appear similar by cropping them a certain way and adding specific touches of color.

This is a program I would really love to use in my future classroom! I think my students will have a lot of fun working with it as well. I could provide them with specific assignments as we have been provided with in this class (i.e. cropping and editing in various formats).