Blog Post 12.

As much as I thought these blog postings were going to be a pain, I really enjoyed doing my own reflection, and reading the thoughts of my classmates! Especially because my own examples and screenshots tend to be so off the wall (WWII website, anyone?), it's nice to see how different people interpret the prompt and what they write about. I really loved the blog posting after our second Powerpoint assignment, especially Ashleigh's screenshots! Too cute! But other than that, I just like seeing what other people think about the same topics. Maybe that's just the Psychology major in me, but it's been a lot of fun.

I don't want to sound self-assured or anything, but I think I'm at my limit of technology! I would be perfectly comfortable mastering the skills I have right now, and not moving on at all. I don't want to tempt fate or anything by overloading my repertoire, but I definitely want to get better at what I do know. The Powerpoint I did for my final project was such a headache, and I know that there has to be an easier way to get things done... I just don't know it yet. Like I said, my only technological aspirations at this point are to get quicker and better at what I know right now. This class has definitely helped me get faster and better at a little more than the basics and I'm pretty content that way.

I suppose the only way to really improve upon what I know now is to practice! I'll try as hard as I can to keep practicing with the skills I have no until I've gotten faster and more efficient... but I might try to avoid the Excel and Powerpoint for a while. No Microsoft Office Suite over the summer, no way!

Blog Post 11.

Oh, Twitter. I definitely thought for the longest time that Twitter was a waste of time... and now I find that I check it all the time! I actually didn't need to create a Twitter account IN class because my cousin made me do it over the summer. She and I are both obsessed with Perez Hilton, and the rest of Hollywood (who isn't, though?). Anyway, I told her I'd never use it, and then when I had to for class, I realized how neat it is! I'm admitting to trying to tweet a few celebrities, but I never got a reply back... but I do realize that you need to be crazy fanatical and tag them about 150 times before they really get your attention. I don't have the patience for that (: I really enjoyed Twitter, and I'll continue to use it.

I think that I will continue to use Twitter on a more personal level. I'm currently following the Relay for Life team I'm helping, and stuff like that... but I'm not entirely sure I want a lot of people knowing that I watch Lost (final season!!!), and what I ate for dinner. I really don't update my Twitter very often, but it's still a more personal thing that I wouldn't want sharing with everyone. I'm already careful with what I put on Facebook, I don't need to censor my odd fascination with Perez Hilton, Prison Break, and the OC too (:

As much as I like Twitter, I don't know that it serves a good educational purpose. It's a lot of fun, and definitely a useful way to get information across quickly, but I think the social networking aspect of Twitter will deter me from using it in the classroom. There are other ways to get information across quickly, and sometimes the good old fashioned paper handout really does work. To those of you who will use Twitter, enjoy it, but I think my Tweeting days are over, as far as school is concerned.

But maybe one day Caroline from the Real Housewives of New Jersey will tweet me back.. :)

My Horrifying Podcast

I laugh a little bit, and it's... just awful haha. If you like nasal voices, check it out.
If not? Stay. Away.

Blog Post 10.

http://www.preceden.com/

I googled 'web 2.0 tools' and was really excited to find this one! Preceden is really the easiest way to create timelines, even if they make the claim themselves! I know that I usually review history sites and stuff related to the World Wars (I also named my dog Truman because Roosevelt was too long... it's my favorite time in American History), so finding this Web 2.0 tool to make timelines really seemed like it would make life a lot easier for a lot of people. Instead of creating a WWII timeline, I decided to just create one of all of the places I have lived in my life, and it honestly took 5 minutes! Preceden has one of the simplest interfaces ever! I'm including two screenshots: the first one is of the displayed timeline (a piece of it), that immediately pops up after you finish typing in the very few information fields, screen shot 2.

As you can see, the interface is smooth, and idiot-proof. I had a lot of fun using Preceden, and I would definitely use it as a teacher, and also recommend it to others! I was, however, upset to realize that I've lived in Fort Myers for much longer than I lived in New York... so that was a bit of a blow, despite how great of a tool Preceden is (:

Based on my glowing review of Preceden, and what I've said in past blog posts... I love Web 2.0! I think there are a ton of great tools out there to make teaching and getting information across infinitely easier for teachers, parents, and students alike. Of course, some of the social networking sites (I'm admitting right here to checking Facebook the second I wake up in the morning) have no place in the classroom, but things like Wikispaces, Preceden, Paper Rater (online grammar check!), and Carrot Sticks (online math games) are really great tools to use in a world where my nine year old cousin has a 24-inch iMac.

Blog Post 9.

http://militaryhistory.about.com/?once=true&
This is the website I chose to review, and it is about World War I. American History is one of my favorite subjects, so I always go back to it when we have to review stuff! Anyway, this website is an about.com site, so the layout is well-organized and well-structured. However, it is more of a collection of blogs, articles, and links to other websites rather than a straight informational page. The web-source offers a ton of interesting information, but someone who was looking for easy-to-find facts and information would probably not have a good time. As an instructor, I would use the web-source to look for information to teach, not necessarily use it as a teaching tool.

The blog and article collection format of About.com websites can be confusing to some, but so long as the person is researching and has the time to devote to it, http://militaryhistory.about.com is actually a really great resource. The articles and blog posts tend to be written by educated individuals and offer unique perspectives, and different focuses than one would find by just using Wikipedia or another web-based encyclopedia.

Excel gives me a giant headache! I think it is a fabulous tool to use for those with the patience and more mathematical understanding/mindset, but for me? I can't stand it! I can never click the right cell and it always makes me want to just give up entirely. Learning about it in class helped a little bit, but I think I'd use it only for attendance and maybe as a gradebook. Other than that, I don't want to touch it until I understand it better... or maybe just never at all. I don't really see the need for the functions and advanced programs in a third grade or elementary school setting. I suppose it is good for organization and chart-making, but there are other easier programs that I can use just as well.

Blog Post 8.

I think my Little Mermaid project followed the guidelines of Ch. 8. The spelling was correct, the content was varied, like in this screen shot. Most of my slides were set up differently, with the text and images working together to form a cohesive picture. I used the same navigation button in all of my slides (the logo with 'NEXT!' on it :) ), but it varied based on the location of the text and images.


I've always loved overhead projectors, and I know they're so outdated, but I think I'd use it in my teaching! Especially for math, seeing the problem being worked out by hand with accompanying explanation always worked well for me. Also, anyone can use overheads, and kids can come up to the projector and work problems out themselves. Sometimes with the more advanced technology, students can't get involved as much, which can be a shame. I always paid more attention when my classmates and I were involved in the lesson. I think I'd use this in combination with Power Points as quizzes-- present the material on the Power Point, and then work it out by hand on the projector.

As much as I love overhead projectors, I have a new appreciation for Power Point! I loved the 'show' option, and making the story all come together. Now, that could have something to do with my project on the Little Mermaid, but I had a blast doing it! I will definitely use Power Point in my teaching!

Blog Post 7.

I think presentation materials are actually a really great idea in classrooms. Writing on the board gets boring, repetitive, and causes students to lose interest really quickly. I know I did, and the only time I ever really paid attention in class is when I had something interactive to work with, like a specific study guide or worksheet/outline to follow along with. My high school teachers really never used powerpoints, and they were rarely used in middle or elementary school. I think that a visual presentation of the information, in a way that can be customizable and exciting for students is a really good way to keep students interested as well as teachers. Doing the exact same thing for 180 school days a year gets repetitive for teacher and student alike. Of course, there can be a downside to relying heavily on presentation materials. Teachers can not give the class the attention they deserve if they're focused on the computer/screen/what have you, and students might not feel they are able to ask questions or interact as much as they might in a traditional setting.

I used my PowerPoint to create a history lesson on World War I for my assignment this week, and I think it addressed all of the knowledge dimensions. The information was reformatted to match my specific theme, and organized in a chronological order. This would help to keep the students organized and focused while I lectured. I also might provide a supplemental outline for them to fill in. I'd provide spaces and all of the information on the slides, but more room for the rest of the lecture that isn't on the slides. I'd be asking many questions throughout the slide, so I'd also provide an area for the students to write down their own answers, even if they didn't say them out loud to the class. This would help with all three dimensions, conceptual, factual and procedural.

A technology issue that interests me at the moment, is still Web 2.0! I really am interested in how teachers are going to integrate the technology more over the coming years, and whether or not it will be as effective of a teaching tool as I believe it can and will be! I know a lot of people don't agree that Web 2.0 should be a big part of classrooms (and I don't either, but I think it's great in small doses!), so my question is.. if you don't intend on using Web 2.0 technology, what will you use to get messages across quickly? There's always email, of course, but how often do third graders check theirs (: ?