This past semester...

...I have learned so much from our class. I remember at the beginning of the year being so scared of the class, but in the end it has been one of my favorite classes. I have learned so much from great free websites to use, using a SMART Board, creating a blog, a wiki, and my own website! Wow!! Who would have thought that I would be able to do all of that? (Well, definitely not me!). I know the importance of technology in education, and before I was only scared of technology, but knew I could not hide from it; now I am able to look at it without feeling so intimidated. I do want to incorporate as much technology as I can within my classroom, because I know the difference it can make in my student’s education. I am proud of all that I have learned and am capable of doing with technology. Thank you professor Sorenson for a great semester and helping me realize that technology really is not as scary as it may appear!!

Technology in Education

Being that we live in such a technology generation; it is rather sad seeing a lack of technology in schools today. I do think that technology should be more visible within classrooms to help the digital natives learn in a way that better suits the time. Students today spend hours watching tv, playing video games, or on the computer. Expecting students to receive all their education from books and lectures does not necessarily benefit them. Gradually, technology is coming into the classrooms helping students learn their material in fun and new ways where they actually want to learn. Even though technology can make many aspects of teaching so much easier; it does also have its moments where everything feels so much more complicated, such as when the particular technology does not want to work when you need it to. Other than that I am rather excited to see technology in more classrooms in different ways over the years to come!

Classroom Reflection # 10

On my last day in the classroom for this semester, my teacher gave me about a half an hour to share about my life as a missionary’s kid in Argentina. It was fun getting to share with the students with something that is so close to my heart. It was also great to see the students get so excited about Argentina, and asking me questions about the country I grew up in. I was nervous knowing that my cooperating teacher was observing everything I did; however I knew that I could not let that get to me. It was a lot of fun being in front of the class. It was sad saying good-bye to the students. They were a great class to be with for the last few months. It was cute, some of the kids came up to me and asked if I would be moving on to 6th grade with them.

Classroom Reflection # 9

My cooperating teacher participated in the Boston Marathon, and instead of going to her classroom to observe a substitute teacher, I went to observe two different kindergarten classes. One of the kindergarten classes was just a half day class, while the other one met for the whole day. It was so much fun being with the younger kids, however now I know that I would much prefer to work with little older students. Even though the kindergarteners were very cute, and the simplicity in the way they though was absolutely precious, but I do enjoy when the students are able to do a little more on their own, and I do not feel like I am babysitting them.

Classroom Reflection # 8

While my 5th graders were away at camp, I had the opportunity to observe a 3rd grade classroom. The first aspect I noticed about this class was that they were they quietest class I had ever seen! The students seemed to only speak in a tone of whispers. At first I felt bad for these students. I just wanted to these kids to be allowed to be kids. However, I judged too soon. After the students were dismissed for the day, I was able to talk with the teacher for awhile. She mentioned that she had ADD growing up, and now has several students with ADD or ADHD in her class. From her own experience she understands the importance of a quiet learning environment for her students. I am so glad I had the opportunity to observe and talk with this teacher, and get her view point on helping students with ADD/ADHD in the classroom.

Classroom Reflection # 7

The four different 5th grade classrooms were getting all prepared to go to their 5th grade weekend camp. I had the opportunity to eat lunch with teachers as they finalized the boys and girls cabins, as well as organize what was going to go on when each cabin had lunch with their high school cabin leaders. It was rather interesting to see all the thought, and hard work that the four teachers had put into making sure that everything would run smoothly.
The next time I was at my school, was when the cabin groups and their cabin groups were having lunch together. I graded Language Art homework and listened to the different groups get to know each other better. I was in the room with several of the girl groups. It was so cute listening to the girls talk about how they wanted to decorate their cabins. My teacher then encouraged me to go into some of the other classrooms (especially the ones with the boy cabins). The boy groups were so much louder and discussing their cabin names, as well as sharing random facts about each other. It was so nice to return back to my classroom with the girls where the volume was so much quieter. The girls also worked on their name and different chants.

Assignment #5: Technology Project

Here is a link to my project.

This particular assignment most definitely has been a learning experience. For someone who has never really been caught up too much in technology, now has the beginning stages of a classroom website as well as a wiki for the class. Wow!! I am so glad that I was able to accomplish this assignment. I am pleased with how everything turned out; however I want to be able to continue to add more to my webpage. I do want to have a webpage in the future for my students and parents. I could expand on the one I already have, or create a brand new one. Either way I do think it is a very important way of communication with both the students and parents. For this particular reason I wanted to create a webpage. Now I know that it is not impossible for someone with my technology skills to have a webpage. I currently have several different links for students (both fun and educational), parents, and teachers. I want to go back and be able to write little comments about the different links. I would also love to be able to add worksheets, newsletters to the parents, pictures of my students, vocabulary words and much more; however some of this may have to wait until I really do have my own classroom.

Using Page Creator was not too difficult, but it did require a lot of time. I really enjoyed how it is not impossible to create a website with the help of Page Creator. I also started up a wiki space called “Our Spot.” The idea of the wiki is for the class to be able to use as an ongoing class project throughout the school year. After each unit for certain subject areas, the students will work together to select what information they want to post on our wiki. Hopefully it will be a way for the students to review together after a unit prior to a test. Also, the students will be able to go back once they year is over to see all that they had learned. There is a link on the webpage for the students as well as the parents to see “Our Spot.” Parents enjoy seeing what their children are doing at school. This is an easy way for parents to go and see what the class is learning. Right now the class wiki is rather empty, but I do hope that I can at least try out this idea one year to see how it works with a class.

On my webpage I have included several different pages: Home, Homework, Students, Parents, Teachers, and Class Rules. On the Homework Page I included: Language Arts, Bible, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Each of these links can take someone to another page with different links pertaining to that subject. On the Student, Parent, and Teacher page there are different links to for each. I also included both on the Student and Parent Page a link to the class wiki: Ourspot.

The Wiki right now only has three different pages: Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. As mentioned before, the idea is for the students to include the information they want from each unit regarding the subject area.

Here is a link to my project.

Classrooms in 5 Years

In five years I do not see too much change happening in five years. I know that there will be more possibilities and advances in technology available to educators. I just hope with all these new advances in programs, or developing further the technology that already is available, schools will start incorporating more of this new technology for teachers within the classroom. I think it will take time to be able to include whatever technology that is available into the classroom due to money. Right now there are already some great products to include into classrooms, but not all schools are able to due to money. Currently some schools are putting smart boards in their schools, even if it is just for a couple of classrooms. I am at a private Christian school; I think that it will take much longer for schools such as these to have more technology in each classroom other than just maybe one computer for the teacher and an overhead projector. I do know of some schools with several computers in each classroom for students to use, or a microphone and speakers for elementary teachers so that they do not have to tire their voice out as much. I guess I see the technology advancing for students and teachers within five years, and those schools which can afford them will be able to incorporate them into the classroom. I would love to be able to teach at a school that was able to afford and provide these new and improved technological resources; however that may not be an option. I will just have to work with whatever my school provides and make sure that my students get the most out of it!!!

Internet Safety Issues

The internet is a great place to find all sorts of information; however some have taken advantage of the freedom we have to put different things up. One simple spelling mistake can lead someone to a dirty website, instead of the original site they were looking for. I personally, am not very informed of the different kinds of internet safety programs to use in classrooms. I am also not aware of what kind of internet safety rules my teacher has. The classroom does not have any extra computers for students (only one for the teacher). When the students need a computer for a project the class will go to the computer lab. I have only been with the students once while they were in the computer lab. The teacher had given them several websites that they could go to to look up the information they needed for their geography project. I am excited to learn a little more about this topic so that I can help my students be safe on the internet for whatever we may be doing as the internet is such a great tool.

Kidsperation

This is such an wonderful program!! I really enjoyed playing around with this program. I can see how students would enjoy using this for different projects. The quote "we are only limited by our own imagination" comes to mind when I think of all the possibilities for incorporating this program into the classroom. After reading the article prior to class I was very excited and curious to use Kidspiration. I think it is great that it is helping students to get excited about learning. I was very excited to have a link to what I created, but unfortunately I must have saved it incorrectly as I was unable to open it. I guess I will just have to go back and play with Kidspiration a little more to do another project so that I can put it up!

K-12 Online Confernece Session

I was able to get the conference to work!! It was very interesting to read about and hear the session on Oodles of Google by Sharon Betts.

During this session, Sharon Betts shared on some great tools Google provides; which can be helpful for teachers and students. Some of these features included google notebook, google web history, google docs, google page creator, and google groups. For this session, Betts went through these different features on google as if students were given the assignment of presenting a report. I am amazed at all that Google has to offer. Betts had some great ways of incorporating these great tools from google into the classroom. I am excited to use some of her ideas in my future classroom. She explained everything rather clearly (here is a link to watch/hear her session). She also had some video clips that helped explain what she was talking about (if one was just listening to the session) on her wiki.

K-12 Online Confernece Session

Sadly, I was unable to get any of the sessions I wanted to listen to to work. Actually, I was only able to get one of them to work on my computer, and it was only about two minutes mentioning all that they would be talking about in their session. I will attempt a second time to get some of these sessions to work. I am very intrigued by some of the titles to hear what they will be talking about. I hope that I will be able to add more to this blog sometime soon with my reaction to some of these sessions.

Assignment #4: Technology Integration

I am currently in Instructional Design, and we have been working on our lesson plans. I am still working on a few ideas with my lesson on personification, so I will not be posting it yet; however, I did find another lesson very similar to what I am working on. Here is the link.

From this lesson I was able to get several ideas to possibly include in my own lesson on personification in poems. This particular lesson does not include technology. There are several ways on how to incorporate technology into the lesson. One idea would be to include a slide show with different pictures of examples of personification as a way to visibly show what personification may look like. Instead of just reading from a handout, the teacher could have the poem projected on to the wall for everyone to see, as it may help some students learn better. If the teacher had a SMART Board, the poems could be on the screen for everyone to see. For example, the students could come up and circle what object is being personified. In the lesson, on Session 2 when students are to write a verb and a noun on the board, one could use the SMART Board to do this activity on instead. In Session 3, the students are given 10 verbs and nouns and are to combine them to then write a poem with personification. Instead of merely writing out these poems, they could be typed and then added onto the teacher’s or class’ blog to show their compilation of poems using personification.

If one wanted to use the idea of a slide show or power point to have illustrations and examples for the class to see, one would need a computer for each student, or one main computer with a projector in the classroom. One would be able to do many things with a SMART Board on this topic; the only major requirement would be to actually have the SMART Board equipment.

Some challenges to adding technology, such as a computer for each student or each pair of students, would be if the student/s started looking up different information on the computer and were not staying on task. There is always the idea that something would not work, or even that the power would go out (as it did at my school today) and then the so called “old-fashioned” way of doing this lesson without technology would have to be done.

NETS for Students:
1.B: Students are creating original works as a means of personal or group expression. (The students are writing their own poems using personification).
2.A: Students interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. (The students will be typing their poems and including them on the teacher’s or class’ blog to share with others).
2.D: Students contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems. (The students will be writing poems to create a class compilation of poems with personification).
6.A: Students understand and use technology systems. (The students may be using computers, or a SMART Board).

Classroom Reflection # 6

Today was an interesting day at my school. As I went into the school office to sign in, I noticed a generator going outside the door, as well as a pitch black office. My first thought was “oh sad, I won’t be able to be with my 5th graders today!” Then the “Power is out. There is still school” sign caught my eye. So the entire school was without power until about 1:00 pm. It was interesting to be in a cold and dark classroom trying to grade papers. The class still followed their normal procedure for a Tuesday. One student from another fifth grade class mentioned how they were doing school work like pioneer kids would have. One of the teachers mentioned that they lost their free hour they normally have, because the computer class had been canceled (obviously due to the power). Even though technology is a great tool to have in every classroom, there is the possibility that the power will go out, and plans will need to be altered. Overall, the students enjoyed having a not so average school day, as it would have been without electricity.

Microsoft Features

Fist of all, sorry that this is late. I did not realize that we were to make a list and put it on our blog. I just made a list for myself...now I feel dumb. As I keep on saying I am not all that savvy when it comes to technology. I really do wish I knew more than I do, especially in this day and age. The only person I have to blame for that would be myself for not just trying and playing with different features which are available.

*Word: I use this primarily for wirting papers, copying and pasting information I may need, making letters, or notes.

*Excel: I am going to be completely honest here, I do not use this program. Out of all of the Microsoft features I know that I need to work on learning and incorporating this.

*Power Point: Making slide shows, or just having fun.

Reflection on SB Presentation

I really enjoyed seeing everyone's SMART Board Presentations. I wish I had a little more time to go through my presentation; however at the same time I know everyone got the basic idea from what one was able to do with the map of the U.S. to learn its States and Capitals. I think if I were to re-do my presentation I would ask for a representative from each table to come forward, and then go through the states and capitals. If I would have presented in a different way I might have shown the different maps and levels that can be found on this particular link. I really did enjoy my particular activity, and I hope that others may be able to use it as well. I find it to be a great way to learn about geography, and have fun at the same time!!! I want to use this website and the activities it includes in my classroom.

Assignment #3: SMART Board Activity

The more time I spend looking up the endless possibilities with a SMART Board the more I learned and the more I am amazed. I was able to find a great way to use the SMART Board with helping the class learn their States and their Capitals. I came across a website with several different activities which can be done on a SMART Board, and here is that link. From this particular website I found another link of map activities. I ended up deciding that using the States and Capitals map would be an excellent choice for a 5th grade Geography class. Here is the link for this given activity.

I enjoy how this activity has different levels so those students who may have a hard time with learning the material can go at their own pace, and those who already know will not be bored; rather challenged by a more difficult level. This is an excellent way for students to see where the States are located within the U.S., as well as which capital coincides with which state. After one is able to locate a given capital with its proper State, one can then read some of the information given about each. After the activity is completed, a final score is added up and then given to show one’s accuracy on their knowledge of the States and their capitals. I would love to do this particular activity in teams, however I think that which ever team went second would have a greater advantage. Also, maybe it is best not to always encourage competition. Instead, the whole class will participate and, as a class they will receive a final grade. This activity meets several different NETS for Student standards, and they include: II.A, III.B, IV.A, V.B, VI.A.

Educational Blogs

It has appeared to me that I have gotten lost in time while looking at all these different educational blogs, and reading different things they had to say. One blog I found interesting was the Spiral Notebook Blog. I found the blog entitled, "A Classroom Web Page is a Must-Have in 2008" rather interesting. The blogger mentioned the importance of teachers having a blog whether it is encouraged by their school or to just make one up on their own. Having a blog is a great way to get wonderful tools only a mouse click away for one's students. This particular blog went very well with what we have been learning about in our Tech. in Ed. class. It was a reminder that I need to include technology in the classroom, not just for myself, but to help educate my future students with the best material that I can. Here is a link to the Spiral Notebook Blog.

Another blog I found interesting, well maybe a better word for “interesting,” is passionate. This blogger had a lot of passion for seeing a change of increased technology in classrooms. When I first started reading this blog, I found it odd but a little amusing if I may say so. Immediately, my attention had been captured and I was so intrigued that I needed to know where the blogger was going with her whole cup cake thought. After the youtube clip of Les Miserables “final song,” she really got to her point (well, at least it was the point that really got me). She was mentioning how...well, maybe I should just let you read the blog for yourself. Sorry, if that was mean, but I think it is worth reading, and make sure to watch the youtube clip (that way you get the whole experience). All I will say is "will you have earned the right to sing in the finale? And will you be a person who has promoted positive, wise, change?" Here is the link to the Cool Cat Teacher Blog.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!!

Classroom Reflection # 5

Being at my school for almost a month now I have noticed the lack of technology in the school. I am usually at my school while the class is going over their math assignment as well as learning the new lesson. When the studetns check their homework, the teacher writes the answer down on a overhead projector for the class to be able to read and check their assignment as they go along. It would be wonderful if the school's budget would allow the grades to have more technology within the classroom. It would be great to have a SMART Board. I know they are expensive, but it would be so much fun to see how the students would become more involved in the lesson.

Classroom Reflection # 4

On February 14th, I was able to be with my 5th graders during their Valentine's Day Party. It was so much fun seeing all of them working on their valentine’s bag project. They decorated a brown bag which was then used to put all of their valentines in. It was great to see those who really got into the project and then those who were not as much into the project. Afterwards, the students went around and gave their valentines to their fellow students. A few students even made me some valentines. I think that this has been one of my best valentines ever! It was so cute receiving valentines from my kids. I even got a "Teacher Valentine". These were my first valentines as "Miss Ellis".

Classroom Reflection # 3

On February 5th, my 5th graders went on a field trip to see a play. I would have loved to have gone with them; however I was unable to miss a particular class at school. That did not stop me from observing though. I had the opportunity to visit a 2nd grade classroom instead of my usual 5th graders. It was good for me to see a different teaching style, classroom layout, and a different classroom management. There are aspects from both teachers which I enjoy and would like to incorporate in my classroom. It was very interesting to see how different and how similar classroom management was. I enjoyed observing the 2nd grade classroom, but I think I think that for the future I would rather stay in upper elementary.

Classroom Reflection # 2

In my classroom I have to opportunity to work with several students with some of their homework. At times it can be a little scary, in the sense that I hope that I am actually helping them better understand their homework. I must say that when they finally understand whatever they are working on their faces just seem to light up, and they have this feeling of "Yes! I did it!" It is the most adorable thing to see their faces transform from "I don't like this. I don't understand this." To "This makes sense, and I can do it!" Those moments make my heart melt!!

Classroom Reflection # 1

On my first day observing in my 5th grade classroom, we went to the school's computer lab. I noticed that the students were complaining at how slow the school's computers were compared to their computers at home. The computers were very slow, some more than others. I would have been frustrated trying to do research or homework and not being able to get very far since it took such a long time with the computers. I know that computers are expensive, and for the school to buy new ones is not in their budget right now. It would be great to see newer computers in their computer lab though. The students would be able to get more of their homework/research done and be able to enjoy some of the great tools that the internet can provide for them.

Web 2.0 Tools in the Classroom

It still blows my mind away at all the different resources found online. There are great websites for teachers to use and to incorporate in their classrooms. I am already getting ideas of what to use and how to have it be included into different lesson ideas. One can find fun, interactive, and still educational tools to be used as a class. I have always been the type to make "Need to Do" lists, and as something has been accomplished I then get to check it off. There are websites online where one can make a need to do list. There are also great websites to show, share, and find different pictures. This particular tool would be great to show students art projects for their friends and family members to see. I am excited to learn more about all these different tools that can be helpful in the classroom!

Assignment #2

1). Student Resources: Math
Sadly, many students now-a-days seem to not necessarily enjoy math. I hope that I am able to help my students understand math better and even more specifically enjoy it! In my 5th grade classroom I have noticed those who catch on to the math lessons right away, there are those who are completely lost, and then there are all those who are somewhere in between. Hopefully these links will be able to help those students better grasp the material covered in class, as well as have a little fun while learning. Math is a subject that needs to be practiced frequently, which was another reason I wanted to have some links to help my students keep practicing their math skills. One of these links is Interactive Math The students are able to go to this link and select what grade level they are in and click on a broad topic to which will then lead them to a whole list of more specific math items to work on. This would be great to use as math homework or extra credit every once in awhile. Another great math link is Ask Dr. Math! . This particular website is wonderful to help students at home with maybe any math questions they may have. One can either send in a question, or see if someone else has already asked the same question one had. If so, then they are able to read the answer and hopefully understand whatever their question was.

2). Student Resources: Social Studies
Social Studies has been one of my favorite subjects to learn about. I tried to limit myself on how many links I added to this category (I did not want to get too carried away). One website that I think will be very useful in a 5th grade classroom is States and Capitals . A possible idea as to how to include this website into the classroom could include having the students report on different states. This website has a good amount of information on each given state that would help each student with their assignment. A second great and fun website is On this Day…. This website daily shows what has happened historically with today’s date. This would be a great source to share interesting facts, maybe the students will even find a fact that ties back to their state that they will be representing!!

3). Student Resources: Art
I do wish that schools would not cut out Art programs. Art programs seem to be among the first things to leave a school. Art is such a great tool for students to learn, especially since there are so many different mediums. I do want to find some more art websites to include in this particular resource for the students. For starters, Art Attack includes a ton of fun, creative art projects. These art projects include more 3-D projects. I would love to be able to do some of the projects I found on this website. There are great ideas to create fun picture frames (Maybe could make these for father’s or mother’s day!), a 3-D still life (Maybe they can draw each others still life as another art project), to even castles (Everyone loves castles! Maybe I can find a book to read to the class such as The Tale of Despereaux, and then as a class we can create a 3-D setting of the story). Another wonderful tool at the student’s fingertips is the ability to visit an Art Museum . The students would be able to look at different art works without even going to visit the museum. This would be wonderful in case the teacher wants to show the students an example of an art work or style they are attempting, or could show a work of art and have the students write about the art work. This way they would be including both art and writing.

4). Resources for Parents
With our fast passed schedules, many times parents do not always have enough time to help their kids with school work. A key ingredient into seeing students succeed is not just found at school with their teacher, rather at home. Sometimes parents need to be reminded how important their role in their children’s lives can play in how well they will do at school. One website that can help parents is Helping Students Succeed in School . On this website parents can find helpful tips of how to help their children with homework, study habits, or taking tests. A second source for parents is Helping your Child Learn Math . As mentioned earlier, math is a subject that seems to be less engaging to students. Hopefully my parents will be able to get more involved in their students work such as math. Maybe with the parents help, these students will find a better appreciation for math. This particular website offers some activities families can do together to encourage math.

5). Resources for Teachers
Lastly but not least are resources for teachers. I know that I will personally be able to use all of the websites for this category for different reasons. There are some great links to help with lesson plans, games to include in class, a class timer, and math drills. There are so many more great websites for teachers, which hopefully one will take advantage of while great tools, resources, and ideas are all a mouse click a way. I personally like the School Express website. This webpage has several different links to a whole bunch of free worksheets, awards, games, and so much more for teachers to use. ABC Teach also provides teachers with ideas of projects, worksheets, art, activities, themed units, etc. Both these websites are great in that they both have great ideas and examples for teachers to use, as well as hopefully make their lesson planning easier with great resources to turn to.

The SMART Board & ME

I must say that I am amazed at how far technology has come from when I was a little girl, or even in the last few years. I find the SMART Board to be a magnificent tool which hopefully will be a part of my classroom. The Smart Board would be able to be used in so many ways within the classroom setting. Not only would it be helpful with the material being covered in class, but it would get students more excited about learning. The SMART Board would only be limited to the teacher's imagination and creativity.
With students spending such a large amount of their time with video games or on computers, the SMART Board helps to engage those students into active, and fun learning. Educating our students is important, and if stepping it up a notch or two means giving them a better education where they are able to learn more then by all means count me in! I want my future students to have the best education that they can.
I am thrilled to learn more about the SMART Board and all of its capabilities. Once understanding what you are able to do with this technology, and how to do it, as mentioned before it is then left to the teachers imagination as to how far that will go.
I would love to be able to use the SMART Board for different subject areas such as Math. Hopefully by incorporating educational games in Math the students will be able to better understand and enjoy math as a subject. I just want to keep learning how to better use the SMART Board, and hopefully let my imagination do the rest!

"Assignment #1: Technology Literacy"

1). I feel like I should know a lot more about technology then I do. I sometimes feel like an "old soul" or somewhat "old fashion" when it comes to technology. I do have a computer and I am able to get on to check my email, do research, or do my homework. I am sure there is some more that I can do, but at the moment that is what is coming to mind. In this day and age one sees more and more lap tops in lecture classes for taking notes, but not me. I still like my technology of a notebook and a pen. I do realize how important technology is, and how it really needs to be incorporated more into our classrooms than it already is. At times that thought scares me, as I feel like my future students will be so farther advanced than I could ever be. Instead of freaking myself out too much, I know that I need to just take one thing at a time and learn what I can. I do want to be able to incorporate technology in my classroom as I see it is crucial in the student's learning. I know that during this semester I want to overcome my fear of technology, and be able to learn as much as I can. I find the SMART Board absolutely fascinating, so I definitely want to learn how to use this technology better so that hopefully I will be able to include it into my classroom.

2). Technology is very, very, very important in one's education and learning. I think that as technology becomes more advanced one should learn it, embrace it, and finally incorporate it. There are many different types of technology, and each one is able to aid a student or the class differently. Everyone learns differently some learn through hearing, seeing, or doing. Depending on what the technology is each student should be able to benefit. This is one reason I am really wanting to learn how to use the SMART Board, because it includes all three of the aspects of how one learns. Technology can give one's students the opportunity to better understand about the world around them without even leaving the comfort of their classroom. I must say that I like the sound of that!

3). Now for the NETS standards and how to achieve these with 5th graders:

#1: Produce a media-rich digital story about a significant local event based on first-person interviews. Students could keep an online journal about different current events, interviews, different prompts, and free writes throughout a few months. Then in the end they will have to type out a story using some of the ideas from their journal entries.

#5: Identify and investigate a global issue and generate possible solutions using digital tolls and resources. According to the current events going on at the time, the students will need to look up three during the week and write a summary of what had happened. At the end of the week, students can share with one another what they found. As a class we can locate on a map (maybe by using the SMART Board) to see where different current events and issues are taking place.

#9: Debate the effect of existing and emerging technologies on individuals, society, and the global community. Students will need to choose some kind of technology. They will then have to do research on what it was like years ago. They will get the opportunity to see how it has changed, and see if there are any new developments. Then they can make further changes to the particular item to show how they think it will change. The students will also need to think of any advantages/disadvantages of the changes from the past, present, and to the future.

"Making Strides in Miramichi"

In this particular article by Diane Curtis, one can read about how using the SMART Board in one's classroom can truly change the dynamic, students' grades, and even how much more they students want to learn. From reading this article, I have some new ideas of different ways on how to incorporate a SMART Board into the classroom. Students are enjoying this new technology in their classrooms. According to this article, those schools that are using this technology have seen an increase in students' grades. "The more children are engaged, the better learning they will have and the higher academics they'll achieve." Students were not as involved in their classrooms when it was just a stick of chalk and a blackboard, but now these students are wanting to participate more. It is a great tool to have in a classroom for many different reasons. Some of these reasons include, having larger font sizes for all students to be able to see, having audio go along with what is being taught, or to have children be able to fully understand what they are learning about by using this great technology.

My Website

So I have my own website... those who know me might be surprised to findout that I have my own website. Well, at the moment it is nowhere near done. I still have a lot more to add to my website. I would have never guessed that I would have been able to create my own website. I am still going back and forth on a few ideas as to what the website will be about. I have a link to my website. Now, just to warn you, it still needs a lot of work.

http://olygirl86.googlepages.com

My School

I will be doing my observation in a 5^th grade classroom at Cedar Park Christian School. I found the school’s website to be easy to understand and to navigate through. I personally enjoy how every time I go on to their website different pictures from students from their elementary, middle and high school appear on the home page. Under the faculty members each teacher has a little bit written about them including where they are from, where they went to school, and what they teach. I enjoyed being able to read about different teachers, including the one I will be observing for this semester.

http://www.cedarpark.org/cpcs/

Technoloy and Me

Technology is a huge part of our lives. I wish I knew more about technology then what I know or should know. To be quite honest I have never been real big into technology. Sure I have a cell phone, and a computer to check my email among a few other items. But I know that there is so much more to know and learn about technology. I almost do not even know where to begin. Prior to our class I had never heard of a SMART Board. I would like to learn how to better use it to then incorporate into the classroom. Overall I want to learn how to incorporate more technology into the classroom.

"We are all learners. We are all teachers."

As time continues to change before our very own eyes, technology is advancing rapidly. While technology changes students are keeping up with the changes while teachers only seem to be falling father behind. In order to be more effective as a teacher, we need to try to stay at the same pace with technology as it changes. Many students have commented on how their teachers “are old school”. Teachers do not include more technology in the classroom due to their fear of “looking stupid” as their students will actually know something that the teacher does not understand. According to the article, How to teach with technology: keeping both teachers and students comfortable in an era of exponential change, by Marc Prensky, teachers should embrace technology, and even ask their students for help on how the particular technology works. The teacher is still able to show how the technology can be applied to what they are learning. Prensky states that, “. . . if we don’t teach these kids to use these technologies responsibly, they will just use them to beat us” (pg 44). He also mentions how it is the job of the teacher to help “teach responsibility and the responsible use of tools” (pg 45).

Why do I want to be a teacher?

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed working with children. As a little girl one of my favorite games to play was "school" or "teacher" as I liked to call it. No longer being that little girl, I do realize that becoming a teacher is much different and not just a game. Now it has a deeper meaning, I will have the opportunity to hopefully influence and change the lives of those students who come into my classroom with many different dreams and a lot of energy. I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to teach overseas at an international school. At the moment I am interested in grades 3rd through 5th.