Blog #4

I would like to begin this blog with stating that prior to this course I was not a big fan of a lot of technology use in the classroom. I thought technology used by the teacher could be useful to the educational process. But, allowing the students to use technology would be a disaster waiting to happen. You can call me old school but I thought that using too much technology in the classroom would take away from the relationship building that needs to occur between student and teacher. My EDCI 505 introduction to principles of instructional technology class has shown me there is a way to utilize technology but not lose touch with your students. Having worked in a charter school I have experienced student’s main interaction being with the computer. My class has shown me ways that I can incorporate technology into my class as a support to my lesson. I have seen how technology can help me with addressing the challenges differentiated instruction. I will be using technology for cooperative learning activities. I will also use technology for my record keeping. These are just a few uses I have discovered. As I become more comfortable with the integration of technology, into math and language arts, I see myself enhancing my student’s educational experiences in my classroom.

Blog #3

Since our last blog we have created an interactive power point, designed an educational movie and developed Wikispaces. I enjoyed creating the power point. I have created power points before, but never like the power point we designed for class. I liked the fact that we made the power points interactive so that students can use them as well the teacher. I also thought the hyperlinks added to the power point effectiveness. The educational movies were the next project.  What I enjoyed learning from this project was how to download a movie to you tube for public viewing.  I think the movies would be a great review of a lesson or units.  I plan to implement movies as reviews for student to review before or on our day of review for a quiz or test.  It was the first time I used Windows Live Movie Maker.  The third project was to develop a wikispace.  I haven’t been able to vision how I would implement this technology into my classroom.  The other technologies I thought provided the technology that the wikispace provides and then some. However the from this wikispace assignment I did discover some of the emerging technology that I found to be useful.  My favorite emergent technology was the side vibe. I liked the way that program helps with keeping all of the research and note taking information up on the monitor. With side vibe you don’t have a bunch of papers on the desk that need to be arranged in some manner, everything is on front of you on the computer.

Blog #2

Since the first Blog I have had the pleasure of learning how to create a visual learning concept map.  I will be utilizing this technology in my class.   This will enhance my skill at being able to differentiate my instruction.  The use of pictures as symbols for topics or concept can really be a good tool for helping students retain the content being taught.  I am a believer in using associations to help with recall or being able to memorize information.

The spreadsheet grade book is a useful tool.  I haven’t decided if I will use this technology alone or have a hand written grade book as well.  I am a little concerned with someone being able to access my grade book without my authorization.  I really like how the programs compute the averages and grades for you.

I will definitely be utilizing the on-line quiz.  I see this as a compliment to the other technology idea such as the visual learning concept maps or the glogsters.  Initially when I started these modules they seem overwhelming with the jargon and necessary work.  However, after I got started it becomes understandable and enjoyable.  I find these resources to be very useful and applicable.  I look forward to using them.

Post #1

My name is David Watson. I am in the Bachelors Plus program at Ashland University. I am changing my career from being a Social Worker to becoming a certified Math and Language Arts teacher for grades 4 through 9. In this EDCI 505 course I am looking for ways to become a more effective teacher by adding technology to my instruction. In this course I have learned how to design an Information Portal, which I can definitely see me using for my class. I like the fact that students will be able to access my Portal at any time outside of class. The Portal also gives me the opportunity to reinforce the lesson or give students other information they will need for my class. I see myself changing my information Portal bi-weekly or monthly. The next tool I will be using that I have learned in this course is the Glogster - Interactive Poster. I will be using the Glogster to extend my teaching to outside of the classroom. The topic or unit we will be working on will be covered in the Glog. I will be providing students a variety of multimedia resources to help them understand the key topics they should comprehend or be learning from the unit we are working on. I really find the Glog to be a way of teaching my students without having to actually be there with them. This can help students with reviewing and studying the information they need to know for the class. Although this is my first experience with being exposed to these teaching tools, I did find them to be fairly easy to use and very effective for teaching by way of technology.
There where times that I did think the Information Portal and the Golg provided the same technology. I do question what is the difference between them? Is one better than the other..... maybe I can just use one of these tools for my class instead of both of them? However, I am very satisfied with how the course is evolving and with the technology I am learning. When I ask teachers that are in the profession now about Gloging - Interactive Posters or Information Portals, they have no ideal what I am talking about. I do feel the tools I have learned about thus far in this course are preparing me to become a teacher in the 21st century.