Day 23 [4/13/10]

Today in class, we discovered the SMARTboard whiteboard. We read an article on what it was, how to use it, and how it could be used in a classroom. This article touched on so many different reasons why the SMARTboard would be a great learning tool in the classroom. However, SMARTboards are very expensive. They need a computer, projector, and the board itself. In the article, however, it gives great examples on why it is worth the expenses. For instance, the article states "Research also indicates higher levels of student retention, and notes taken on an interactive whiteboard can play a key role in the student review process." This is a great way just to get the students involved. Another piece of evidence that was found in this article says that it keeps the students attendence up in the classrooms. The article, however, was written by the inventors of the smartboard, so therefore, it needs to be taken into consideration that there still may be some flaws.

Day 22 [4/8/10]

As students complete webquests they are using alot of technology skills. The 21st century skill that they are using the most of is Information, Media, and Technology Skills, ICT (Information, Communication, and Technology) Literacy. This is because they are using technology effectively by: Using digital technologies (computers, PDAs, media players, GPS, etc.), communication/networking tools, and social networks appropriately to access, manage, integrate, evaluate and create information to successfully function in a knowledge economy. By doing all of this, they are creating an easier way to gain knowledge with their one of their favorite new fads, technology and computers! The internet is a big deal to students, therefore, using the internet and computers to help them create a webquest or any other sites on the world wide web, they are learning it in a fun way as oppose to a boring way in a class room with a teacher talking in all monotones. They can create a fun webquest using bright vivid colors and great graphics to explain what they are thinking.

Day 21 [4/6/10]

Today we worked on our Webquests. I think that this is a fun way to A. learn abuot lesson planning B. work with technology and C. work with the students in a technological world. The ISTE-Nets T standard that I feel goes best with this Webquest activity is 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. This is because I am designind and Developing a Digital-Age lesson plan for these students. They are also learning diverse learning styles through the lesson I chose by using listening skills and locomotor skills. This is a great way to interact with other teachers, as well, by sharing lesson plan ideas, asking questions for advice, and giving feedback. This is a great way to interact with future teachers as well (including myself). This is because I can give feedback as well as learn new things from these teachers.

Day 20 [4/1/10]

Today in class we looked through Webquests for a lesson that we can modify. The point of this is leading us up to making our own webquest while we are modifying the one we found. I found a webquest that demonstrates listening skills along with locomotor skills. (Dr. Seuss) I chose this webquest due to the fact that it had absolutley no graphics, the color scheme was too hard to read, and the process was not clear. THerefore I decided to make my own graphics to spice up the webquest itself, make a better color scheme that is easy to read, and make my own process to the lesson. I found that it was not as hard as I thuoght. It was almost easy! It was also very fun. The standards that I found for this site were 1.0- Movement forms/ Motor Skills and Movement Patterns, and 1.1.3- imitate locomotor movements in personal and general space.

Day 19 [3/30/10]

Today in class, Denise had us get into groups of four and assign ourselves a role from Webquest: The Efficiency Expert, The Affiliator, The Altitudinist, and the Technophile. I chose to search the websites as The Affiliator. As we went through the websites that were available to us on this site, we thuoght in the mindset of the role we had to play. The Affiliator's mindset was to view the websites in a way of learning is better when in groups. Thinking in this mindset of the role I played, I felt that the most efficient one for working in groups was the Unraveling the Underground Railroad. This was because it uses a group of four individuals to literally play a certain role from the slavery times. This way, I feel, is very groups learning efficient. The ISTE-Nets student standard that I feel goes well with this activity is 4c. (4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions. ) This is because they aer using their critical thinking to make a decision on which lesson to use.

Day 18 [3/25/10]

Today in class we watched the eight little indians' digital stories. I absolutley loved this activity. The students were all so very creative. I think that every Intermediate grade school classroom should have a technology class to learn how to do things like that. This is because it helps them use their creative minds, along with technology, along with computer skills, all while having a good time. I feel that the ISTE Nets standard for students that fits best with this activity of digital stories is 1a. (1.1. Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students: a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.) Students obviously already know how to write stories, they are now learning to use that writing skill to create a story of their own and generating it into a technological sense.

Day 17 [3/23/10]

Today we became part of a social network called Bruceton's Five. We made ourselves a profile that included the magazine cover that we designed and a miniautobiography. This miniautobiography was a really neat way to communicate information about ones self to other students using this site. I feel that this helps students develop competencies in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills standards for (ICT) Information, Communication & Technology because it helps them understand the use of technology and the ways that it helps us interact with each other. This helps them manage things in their lives by using one of their favorite tools, a computer! I know that I feel better when typing out something abuot myself, finding pictures that go well with the topics I am talking about, and finding out other information about my fellow peers and friends. The Ning website was really fun and interesting, and I am sure that younger students feel the same way.