Field Experience
When I went to my practicum this week the students went to physical education in the afternoon. They didn’t go outside to play in the jungle gym due to the dreadful weather. Instead the students stayed inside the gymnasium and to my surprise, played video games. These weren’t any normal games where the children were sitting down. They had the “move” systems where they were moving around while playing the game. This is the new technology that video games recently came out with. They had the Wii and xbox360 systems which are fairly new. There were 5 different stations so students weren’t sitting around and watching. They were always engaged and playing a different game while being active. I was surprised they had this in the school because it definitely costs a lot of money and most often the budget for schools will go to the main subjects such as ELA or math. It was really enjoyable watching the children use technology in their physical education class because it looked like they were enjoying it!
Technical Skills
A new technical skill that I recently learned was how to create my own QR code. I went to http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ and it allowed me to create my own code. This is great because it can be integrated into teaching to show the concept of how scanning and codes are. I created a code for my blog. This is good because the parents of the students will have access to any future information about the class and will be able to prep their child.
Weekly Reading
The article I read came from eschoolnews.com and it was about iPads being used in physical education classes in Honolulu. Students would do active things such as tumbling and moving around. While half the class was doing this, the other half was filming their partner with the iPads. The students then reverse roles so everyone has the opportunity to use the iPads. They believe it keeps the children more on task. It’s great because iPads are like portable computers and Pc’s aren’t mobile like iPads are. The videos can be sent to the computer through email very easily. All students will have access to their video on a computer after it is sent.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/25/school-fires-up-ipads-to-fine-tune-phys-ed-skills/2/?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Week 8
Field Experience
This week my host classroom did not use any technology in the classroom, although our block 1 group went to Syracuse to teach a mini lesson to second graders.This was such a great experience because we got to see a different school setting and in my case, a different grade level as well. The first thing that I noticed as soon as i entered the room was the fact that the teacher had a computer at her desk. Usually the computer is off to the side, but I guess she preferred it at her desk. As i walked around the classroom I noticed that there were 4 Mac computers in the class as well. Speaking of good technology there isn't a better quality device than the ones in the classroom. I think it is great there is more than 1 computer. I would definitely try to get the most out of these computers in my classroom if I had them. I think technology is crucial for children's learning and development.
Technical Skills
The technical skill that I learned was how to use the Movie Maker on the Mac Computers. Although I am not an expert at this because I just learned about it, I plan on playing around with it to see what it is capable of doing. I think the Movie Maker could be great for children that are doing group projects. They can film anything and use their voices. I was amazed at how much this program can do and I hope to keep learning more about it!
Weekly Reading
I found an article from eschoolnews.com talking about one particular school in Oklahoma. This school launched its own mobile app where students can check the school website for any important announcements or dates. The app is free of charge and requires the Android or Iphone. I think this is wonderful because in many ways it encourages students to use a SMART phone. SMART phones are a big part of today's society in this day and age where it is used very frequently. I believe this app has separate sections where the children can check homework from their class also so they can always have access to their school work.
This week my host classroom did not use any technology in the classroom, although our block 1 group went to Syracuse to teach a mini lesson to second graders.This was such a great experience because we got to see a different school setting and in my case, a different grade level as well. The first thing that I noticed as soon as i entered the room was the fact that the teacher had a computer at her desk. Usually the computer is off to the side, but I guess she preferred it at her desk. As i walked around the classroom I noticed that there were 4 Mac computers in the class as well. Speaking of good technology there isn't a better quality device than the ones in the classroom. I think it is great there is more than 1 computer. I would definitely try to get the most out of these computers in my classroom if I had them. I think technology is crucial for children's learning and development.
Technical Skills
The technical skill that I learned was how to use the Movie Maker on the Mac Computers. Although I am not an expert at this because I just learned about it, I plan on playing around with it to see what it is capable of doing. I think the Movie Maker could be great for children that are doing group projects. They can film anything and use their voices. I was amazed at how much this program can do and I hope to keep learning more about it!
Weekly Reading
I found an article from eschoolnews.com talking about one particular school in Oklahoma. This school launched its own mobile app where students can check the school website for any important announcements or dates. The app is free of charge and requires the Android or Iphone. I think this is wonderful because in many ways it encourages students to use a SMART phone. SMART phones are a big part of today's society in this day and age where it is used very frequently. I believe this app has separate sections where the children can check homework from their class also so they can always have access to their school work.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Week 7
Weekly Reading
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-apple-co-founder-who-transformed-computers-and-culture-dies-at-56/
I read an article from eschoolnews.com. I thought it was a sad topic but at the same time one that would be relative to our class. This article was about the death of Steve Jobs. For those that don't know who Steve Jobs is, he was an important man for technology to this day. He was the creator and inventor of Apple Incorporation. These products include the Mac Computers in our class to Iphones that some people use frequently each and every day. He co-founded this product back in 1973 and these products have come a long way to being arguably the top product on the market. Steve Jobs always spoke about wanting to "make a dent in the universe." He certainly has achieved his goal. I'm sure even though Steve Jobs has passed, people of the company will always try their best to keep Apple Products to be the best that they could possibly be.
Technical Skills
This week I put my standards on for Project 1: Come to the Edge. I didn't know how to do it but got some help from one of my peers. She showed me how to do it. It was good knowing that my peers are there for my help and of course I would help hem with the knowledge that I know. I found it to be very convenient that the link was automatically posted and all you had to do was just click which standard you wanted.
Field Observation
Today I had my second field observation and unlike my first time, there wasn't any technology used today. Technology can't be used too much because teachers need to go back to the basics of teaching certain lessons at times which i found to be very understandable and reasonable. Since I only observe once a week, who knows, maybe they did technology yesterday and I just missed it. I'm sure they use technology daily because my host teacher does think it is a helpful resource for students to use to advance their learning abilities. I hope the next time I got to do my participatory observation I get to see the students in action using all the technology that is available to them.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-apple-co-founder-who-transformed-computers-and-culture-dies-at-56/
I read an article from eschoolnews.com. I thought it was a sad topic but at the same time one that would be relative to our class. This article was about the death of Steve Jobs. For those that don't know who Steve Jobs is, he was an important man for technology to this day. He was the creator and inventor of Apple Incorporation. These products include the Mac Computers in our class to Iphones that some people use frequently each and every day. He co-founded this product back in 1973 and these products have come a long way to being arguably the top product on the market. Steve Jobs always spoke about wanting to "make a dent in the universe." He certainly has achieved his goal. I'm sure even though Steve Jobs has passed, people of the company will always try their best to keep Apple Products to be the best that they could possibly be.
Technical Skills
This week I put my standards on for Project 1: Come to the Edge. I didn't know how to do it but got some help from one of my peers. She showed me how to do it. It was good knowing that my peers are there for my help and of course I would help hem with the knowledge that I know. I found it to be very convenient that the link was automatically posted and all you had to do was just click which standard you wanted.
Field Observation
Today I had my second field observation and unlike my first time, there wasn't any technology used today. Technology can't be used too much because teachers need to go back to the basics of teaching certain lessons at times which i found to be very understandable and reasonable. Since I only observe once a week, who knows, maybe they did technology yesterday and I just missed it. I'm sure they use technology daily because my host teacher does think it is a helpful resource for students to use to advance their learning abilities. I hope the next time I got to do my participatory observation I get to see the students in action using all the technology that is available to them.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Week 6
Field Observation
After going to my first field observation today, I learned how technology is incorporated into classrooms. There was a cd player where children sat down to listen to an audio book. I thought this was great because students are different learners and this would certainly help those who learn best by audio. There was also a SMART Board in the classroom, but the students didn't use it today. There were also a few computers in the classroom for children to play learning games if they had finished the assigned work in time. This is great because it gets children to do more with computers and understand how they work at such a young age. In this day and age, technology is very important so starting at a young age definitely won't hurt.
Weekly Reading
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/05/central-high-makes-student-achievement-tech-access-its-top-priorities/
This week's weekly reading came from eschoolnews. It related to my observation and group project because it had to do with technology being included into a classroom. Philadelphia's Central High School has a goal to make their students technologically advanced. The school has wired and wireless Mac Computers for student access at anytime. They want to break communication barriers between home and school and get information to people at anytime. Teachers can post grades or homework online. This saves paper and also gives parents access to view how their child is progressing in school. Saving money is crucial especially because funding has decreased for schools over the past few years.
Technical Skill
This past week I had worked on my group project using the SMART Board. I had never used on before this class and I found it to be very fun. There are many different tools that children can do to create a learning project. One important thing I learned was to "lock" an item on your page. If you don't lock it, it can be moved very easily on the screen by accident. To lock it you right click, than go to lock, than lock in place. I hope this helps everyone else when you work on your SMART Board project!
After going to my first field observation today, I learned how technology is incorporated into classrooms. There was a cd player where children sat down to listen to an audio book. I thought this was great because students are different learners and this would certainly help those who learn best by audio. There was also a SMART Board in the classroom, but the students didn't use it today. There were also a few computers in the classroom for children to play learning games if they had finished the assigned work in time. This is great because it gets children to do more with computers and understand how they work at such a young age. In this day and age, technology is very important so starting at a young age definitely won't hurt.
Weekly Reading
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/10/05/central-high-makes-student-achievement-tech-access-its-top-priorities/
This week's weekly reading came from eschoolnews. It related to my observation and group project because it had to do with technology being included into a classroom. Philadelphia's Central High School has a goal to make their students technologically advanced. The school has wired and wireless Mac Computers for student access at anytime. They want to break communication barriers between home and school and get information to people at anytime. Teachers can post grades or homework online. This saves paper and also gives parents access to view how their child is progressing in school. Saving money is crucial especially because funding has decreased for schools over the past few years.
Technical Skill
This past week I had worked on my group project using the SMART Board. I had never used on before this class and I found it to be very fun. There are many different tools that children can do to create a learning project. One important thing I learned was to "lock" an item on your page. If you don't lock it, it can be moved very easily on the screen by accident. To lock it you right click, than go to lock, than lock in place. I hope this helps everyone else when you work on your SMART Board project!
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