Closing Thoughts on Instructional Technology

As I come to the end of my EDCI 232 course, it is so exciting to realize all the new knowledge I have acquired and how much more technologically inclined I have become. Since my last post I have created a Wiki and a WebQuest. Both of which are excellent ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.

The Wiki was sort of like a blog for students and parents to use to stay current with topics being discussed during the school day. Because the Wiki was so similar to a blog it took some time for me to get a grasp on what exactly it was and how it could be beneficial in my classroom. 

The WebQuest is a way to make students' learning more independent. Through this technology, I was able to have the students follow instructions and navigate the web to create a project without my one-on-one assistance. I feel that this is a great way for students to take ownership of their own work. This is a great way to prepare students for the future, when teachers are going to expect them to be more independent. 

In conclusion, I am very happy with the amount of knowledge I have gained this semester. All of the different uses of technology I learned throughout the course of the semester will help me one day when I have my own classroom. 

I look forward to one day having my own classroom and being able to put all of these different resources to use!

Review of Past Couple Weeks

   The most recent assignment for this course was creating an online Wiki. This was very unfamiliar to me, so it took me a little while to get the complete understanding of this technology. This technology could easily be used in the classroom. It creates an excellent resource for students, parents and the teacher for in or outside the classroom use. For students and parents it is an excellent way to continue to learn and stay updated with the teacher at home. It is a nice way for the teacher to stay organized and to provide helpful resources to students and parents.
 
   Also, I created a desktop movie. This is an excellent resource for students as well. I created a movie about natural disasters. It was mainly a movie listing all the natural disasters and pictures of what they look like. This created an excellent short intro for students to watch before starting a new topic in a science class. Not only does this help with the students understanding, but it helps the teacher prepare for a new topic as well.

  

   Overall the last couple assignments have been great learning opportunities. They have helped me become more knowledgeable about the different technologies I have right at my fingertips.

Half Way Through!

It's so hard to believe we are already half way through the semester. I have learned so much throughout the course of the semester. It truly showing me the limitlessness of using technology in the classroom.

Both projects that used Google was excellent. The gradebook was a great resource to have practice with as I plan to implement that or something very similar to that when I have my own classroom. The Google Form was also an excellent resource to have experience with. Not only is that a great tool for teachers but it also is an excellent way for students to gain more practice.

I also created a Jeopardy game for Algebra 1 students to play to review inequalities before taking a test over them. This really utilizes PowerPoint and is a fun way for students to review and sharpen their skills before taking a test. Upper level math can be hard sometimes to make fun for students so this use of technology to make it more enjoyable for students.

Overall I have been very happy with the different uses of technology we have used and gained experience with so far throughout the course of the semester. I am very eager to see what the second half of the semester has in store. 

Blog #1 Reflection Blog

I am currently a senior at Ashland University as a Marketing major and Business Management minor. After graduation I will be pursuing a teaching license in Adolescent/Young Adult in Math. So far this class has shown me different ways to incorporate technology into a classroom that I never knew existed. Everything thus far can be used in a classroom fairly easily and can be very rewarding not only for the students but the teacher as well.

In the future I see myself creating my own webpage.  This will be a great way to communicate with parents and students about homework, review sessions, tests and other out of the classroom activities. Also, the newsletter I created about monomials and like terms is a great resource to have on hand in case a student needs extra help, is absent the day new material is taught or if there is a substitute present . This is another excellent resource to benefit both the teacher and student alike. The newsletter could either be printed off as handouts or posted on my website for students to use as a reference.

I am excited to learn how to use more instructional technology tools that will help me to be an effective educator.