End of Semester Reflection

Before this semester I didn't really think about technology and its uses in the classroom at all. I just kind of figured that was for the "techie" people and I was going to be satisfied with my own simpler way of teaching. Gladly after this class that perspective has changed. I've learned that in order to prepare my students for the world they are being sent into I need to equip them with the tools and resources that is going to allow them to keep up with the other people of their generation. I've learned a number of different tools that I want to incorporate in my classroom- the Smart board, Active votes, blogging, and all kinds of internet resources. I am very excited to have the knowledge of these but I am the most excited to have a new perspective of technology in education. I am glad that now I am open to constantly needing to learn and grow and expand in the area of technology, I don't think I would have ever thought about it before. I want to be a relevant teacher that equips my students with what they need, and having an open mind to new technologies and a willingness to learn these new technologies is one of the best things I can do for my students. I am excited to learn how to incorporate these technologies in my future classroom.

The NETS that I chose to focus on was
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.


By learning the new technologies and learning the correct way to approach technology in the classroom I hope to be able to enhance my lessons with technology promoting my student's thinking skills. I hope to always be prepared so that technology is not a hindrance to my class but that it is an effective tool that will help learning take place in the most efficient way possible!

Reflection #12

I was teaching children's church a couple weeks ago for elementary aged kids and as I was teaching I realized how useful technology would be even in children's church! We don't really have any technology for children's church and I think it would be really cool to start adding some. I was thinking it would be really helpful to show the kids where on a map Israel is and do creative projects to make the stories really stick. I found it interesting that I had never thought about incorporating technology into my children's church lessons, it is just as important and it would be really effective!

Comments on other people's blogs

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Word Excel and Powerpoint

Word:
-Word processor
-table
-clip art
-word art
-stationary
-worksheet

Excel:
-table
-graph
-grid
-math functions

PowerPoint:
-presentation
-insert images
-insert text
-video
-audio
-special effects
-slide show

3 projects
1. Write three paragraphs using Microsoft Word about a topic of your choice.
2. Create a budget using Excel.
3. Using power point present to the class all that you learned about your assigned country.

Reflection #11

In one of my education classes there was a student who used the random person chooser on the smart board. It worked extremely well. Being a "student" and having that random chooser picking who got asked a question brings excitement and a little anxiety as it is passing through the names. While I was participating in the lesson I decided that would be something I want to use in my classroom. It was a very good example of how technology can enhance your lessons! It was both exciting and efficient! If I have a smart board in my classroom I will definitely use the random name chooser on the Smart board as opposed to drawing sticks or picking students.

Reflection #10

I wanted to reflect on the panel of teachers that came in last week. I thought that a lot of their perspectives were very helpful. One thing stood out that I really appreciated and that was that you can "learn" how to teach in college but you don't REALLY learn how to teach until you have your own classroom. One thing I was kind of surprised about though was that lots of the stories they shared were shared in a negative light. I think they liked their job, but there was quite a bit they didn't like about their job. I am thankful for the talk about all the certifications that we have to get but I had NO clue we even had to do that! So it was mildly stressful to hear about the road ahead, however it is better to know sooner rather than later. The biggest thing I took out of the panel was that you really have to have a PASSION and LOVE for teaching or you will NOT make it.

Comment on Jordan's toolbox (week 12)

Comment on Jordan's toolbox