Class As Of 9/27

What?
This week in class, we learned about WebQuests and how to use and create one for your classroom. Our 4th Grade Group is doing our lesson based on fossils to fulfil a Standard requirement.

So What?
This will help me in my teaching career greatly because it not only gives a fun, new, and innovative way for students to learn something, but they are using technology to learn, which helps them to keep familiar with new technology and the current times. We are learning these tools in class to bettter help us to be prepared for the future and learn more about how we can keep out students' knowledge growing in more ways than a simple lecture.

Now What?
This is an excellent tool to use for the future because it brings a variety into the classroom. Plus, although the method of learning changes, the learning is still streamlined and controlled. Students will look at specific web sites, do specific activities, and yet be able to learn. This is also great because it gives students a chance to work hands-on, and can be used in a group setting or in a singular setting.

Video
Unfortunately, the video would not open on my computer. I downloaded it, but it would not open so I could not watch it.

Class as of 9/19

What?
In class we learned about creating Podcasts and videos for classroom use. We uploaded our video of showing students how to make bubble makers onto YouTube and then downloaded a link to our web page. We also figured out our basic idea for a script and have recorded it.

So What?
We collaborated together to find out what kind of information we could give to our "Fourth Graders" and had to come up with uniform ideas.

Now What?
We learned and used great new tecvhnological advances that will be very helpful to our students. Not only will these be accessable to all students, but it is also a new, fun way to integrate knowledge.

Class as of 9/12

What?
In class, we worked on our "Rules" of the class with our groups. We made a Google Doc equivalent to a PowerPoint that displayed each of our rules with a title page and six graphics. We then were given extra time to work on our Google Sites, or just jump on Facebook or whatever.

So What?
We learned how to work as a team and talk to each other about formatting ideas, uniformity, etc. so we could publish a document for parents/guardians, students, and even administrative staff to see.

Now What?
Knowing how to do this type of slide show is very valuable because not every computer has access to Microsoft Power Point. Plus, by using this slide show there can be more than one creator/editor on at once, and it helps with time as well as being able to see everything right then and there as it is being created.

Class as of 9/5/09

I cannot get up the class website in order to fill this out correctly, but I did take some notes the first day of class, so I hope this is right!...

What?
In class, we worked on our group assignments and discussed the criteria for the newsletter. We dubbed John our "Principal" since he's been in the class before, and Kelly and I are teachers. We began a discussion page, but did not finish since we went on in our class discussion and talked about the classroom site and its criteria.

So What?
We'll learn how to work as a team over long distances and without even seeing each other by using Google Docs. We also will be able to communicate with parents and administrators through a classroom website that will have all of the information (current and past) in one location.

Now What?
These tools and ideas are fabulous tools and resources for teaching. It is an easy way for parents to constantly be "In-the know" about what is happening in their child's classroom. Often kids lose their papers or parents don't understand things completely. This is a great way for parents and students to learn a little more about myself, my background, and also to have access to classroom announcements and homework.