Week 7 Reflection

One of the things I learned how to do this week was create rubrics.  I learned about a website called Rubistar that gives teachers templates to create rubrics for different topics.  I was able to set up the template and change around words to my liking.  I also learned how to create a rubric in Word by creating inserting a table then text to go in each box.  Another thing I worked on this week was looking tools to use in the classroom.  One tool I was able to use was Wordle.  It is a fun website to help design a word cloud based on text that someone creates.

One of the standards addressed this week was Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  This standard was met because I learned how to use digital tools in the classroom.  Also Wordle helps to communicate ideas effectively because you are seeing important aspects of a text.  Another standard met was Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.  This standard is met because I learned how to create rubrics to help with assessment.

Both of these activities will be helpful in my future in the classroom.  The rubrics will be helpful in communication to students what is expected on a project in the classroom.  Also, it will help parents also know what is expected on an assignment.  The tools will be very helpful in the classroom because it allows me to find multiple ways of creating documents to help foster students in learning.  Also, they could use tools to show their knowledge.  I really enjoyed Wordle and could see me using it with a classroom in the future.

Week 6 Reflections

This week we learned how to create a movie in Windows Live Movie Maker and how to create a VoiceThread. I have used Movie Maker to create a project before, so I knew mostly how to use this software.  I put video clips in my last project, so I learned how to make a movie just by using pictures.  I also learned how to put music in the movie for this project.  I have never used VoiceThread before, so I learned a lot during this assignment.  I learned how to upload pictures in VoiceThread and move them around to create a presentation.  I also learned how to comment on the pictures on VoiceThread.  I also had to learn how to use the pen tool to circle and emphasize things in the pictures while commenting on them.

One of the standards met during this weeks assignments was Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  This standard was met because I was using technology to help assist students success through the VoiceThread.  Also, I'm communication my ideas about Conceptual Core by making the movie in Movie Maker.  Another standard met was Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. This standard was met because digital tools were incorporated to help to students learn by using the VoiceThread.  A third standard that was met was Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  This standard was met because I had to reflect on what I thought Conceptual Core meant to me to create the movie in Movie Maker.  The last standard met was Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.  This standard was met because I'm learning about the new technologies to continually learn and create new things.

I think the VoiceThread would be a good activity for students to do, so they have an interactive model to watch.  Each student would be able to comment on their thoughts on each picture.  Also, Movie Maker would help students contribute to their understanding of information given in class.  They could make a brief movie based on a unit they have learned about and show it to the class.

Week 5 Reflections

This week I learned about how to create a movie in Picasa.  I have never used Picasa, so I learned a lot on that.  I learned how to edit photos using Picasa and Picnik.  I also learned how to put transitions on the slides and choose how long I wanted the slides to stay up on the page.  I learned how to put music in the presentation and how to put slides with texts in the slide.  We also learned about an evaluation for websites you want to use in class.  I learned things that should be on a website for it to appropriate to use in the classroom.

One of the ISTE standards I used during this week is Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  This standard was met by using Picasa to tell my ideas and beliefs on diversity.  Another standard met was Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experience and Assessments.  This standard was met by using Picasa to show my creativity and learning on diversity.  The last standard met this week was Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  This standard was met because I had to reflect on what my belief of diversity is to create a movie using a technological tool.

I think that Picasa would be a fun thing to use in class.  The students could create a show about something they are studying in class.  I think it would also be a nice thing to create with pictures of students working on a project for parents to see.  I really think the evaluation is a good source to help determine whether or not to use a website in a classroom or for a WebQuest.

Week 4 Reflection

This week I learned about how to set up a WebQuest.  I never have done a WebQuest, that I can remember, so I learned a lot.  I had to learn how to set up the whole layout.  Along with that I had to learn how to set up each tab.  I also learned how to create a rubric to grade students by.  I learned how to write the activity in ways that the child would be able to understand, and I learned how to write it in ways that will help the teacher implement the activity.

One of the ISTE standards I met was Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  This standard was met because I created a WebQuest to communicate to students information and ideas.  Another standard met was Faciliate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  This standard was met because students are using tools to find an understanding about rain forest animals that also involves them thinking, planning, and being creative.  The last standard met was Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility.  This standard was met because I made sure to cite all works that have been used that are not my own.

I think this would be a very useful tool in the classroom.  It will allow students to learn to work collaboratively.  Also, it would be a good supplementary activity to use while teaching a unit in the classroom.  I also think this would be great to have in the classroom because students are using a lot of different resources (computers, books) to pick out important information.  It will help students learn how to give a brief presentation as well, so I could imagine using this in the classroom.