Chapter 9 Reflections

This week I worked on creating a newsletter.  We used Microsoft Publisher to create the newsletter.  Publisher had templates that I could choose from that set up a newsletter format.  I then went in and change the text to what I wanted to say.  I was also able to go in and put in different clip art.  The newsletter was set up as if I was sending it to my students and their families over the summer before my first year of teaching.

One of the standards met this week was Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  This standard was met because newsletters allow me to communicate with families and students that are in my classroom.  This assignment also met the standard called Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  This standard was met because I was modeling technology and creativity by creating a newsletter for families to read.  Another standard met was Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.  This was met because I was learning how to use new technology that I could use in the future and help others learn to use the software too.

I definitely find this useful to know how to use for the future.  Newsletters were sent home to my parents when I was younger, and it helped them know what was going on in the classroom.  I think it would be important for me to send out newsletters to allow parents and children to get to know me before they come to my classroom.  Also, sending them throughout the school year can keep parents informed on what their kids are doing, and it sets up a way of communication between school and home.

Week 8 Reflection

This week I worked on making a Podcast.  I learned a lot about Audacity and making a podcast.  I learned how to record my voice and what I wanted to say.  I was taught how to bring in music files to add to the podcast.  In Audacity, I learned how to make effects to the sounds on the podcast.  After I was done recording everything, I was taught how to export the file into an mp3.  This week I also made a concept map.  I knew how to make concept maps, but I never made one one bubbl.us, so I learned how to use bubble.us.

The four ISTE standards met this week are Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, and Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.  Model Digital-Age Work and Learning was shown by communicating the information on the podcast because I am communicating work with a digital tool.  Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments was used because I had to take information I knew and convert them into a type of digital tool.  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity was shown by using the concept map to show my thinking, planning, and creative process since I had to web my information.  Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership was shown by looking at podcasts and creating podcasts other could use.

I know that concept mapping will be a good thing to use in my classroom in the future.  It will help me organize units and what routes I could go. I could also make a concept web with the students to learn about something.  The podcast would also be useful to help students learn a topic.  I also think it would be fun to have students create podcasts on a topic.