Artifact: Weebly Blog Post
Reflection:
My blog posts were created over the course of the master's program. These posts recover a variety of Web 2.0 tools, course reviews, troubleshooting, online etiquette,online safety, and lesson plans. Creating the blogs was exciting and enjoyable, especially during ITEC 7430. In each module, our class was constantly discovering and evaluating online courses. I enjoyed this because if I found a tool I really loved, I could use it with my students in the next couple of weeks.
The topics of these blog posts show my ability to select, evaluate, troubleshoot, and implement digital tools and resources effectively. Some of the digital tools evaluated in my blogs are as follows:
1. Screencast
2. Diijo
3. Delicious
4.Wikis
5. Edmodo
6. Vocaroo
7. Audioboom
8. PowToon
9. Weebly
As I evaluated these resources for class, I looked for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility. Most importantly, I wanted tools for the student to use, not for myself. I thought social bookmarking was intriguing; however, I didn't think it was suitable for my middle school students. Some of tools I found to be accurate, easy-to-use, and compatible with the learning goals I had established for my students were PowToon, VocaRoo, and Screencast. These are tools I love to use when I make webquest, and tools that are also perfect for students to utilize when they are doing projects. When I first evaluated, I thought it would be very compatible with the goals I had established for my students writing. When I tried to implement a portfolio, I saw the students struggling and not having any true cognitive benefit to creating a writing portfolio. Once I finished my evaluation, I brought back the tools and resources I loved the most to shared with my colleagues. During our planning meetings, we would collaborate to see how we could use these tools to enhance our student's learning experiences.
Continually researching and evaluating technology resources has challenged our content area team to make sure our students are receiving the best instruction possible. It has also shown me that students tend to retain more information long term when they complete online assignments. I have also seen how motivated and empowered students feel when they are shown how to take charge of their own learning.
Researching new tools frequently has kept me from coming complacent with my teaching style. After my students have an established relationship with me, they realize how much I try to make my class fun and interesting for them, which helps our class rapport. All around, staying current with technology trends has had a tremendous impact on my students and I in a positive way. It pushed us to keep going and to try new things.
Reflection:
My blog posts were created over the course of the master's program. These posts recover a variety of Web 2.0 tools, course reviews, troubleshooting, online etiquette,online safety, and lesson plans. Creating the blogs was exciting and enjoyable, especially during ITEC 7430. In each module, our class was constantly discovering and evaluating online courses. I enjoyed this because if I found a tool I really loved, I could use it with my students in the next couple of weeks.
The topics of these blog posts show my ability to select, evaluate, troubleshoot, and implement digital tools and resources effectively. Some of the digital tools evaluated in my blogs are as follows:
1. Screencast
2. Diijo
3. Delicious
4.Wikis
5. Edmodo
6. Vocaroo
7. Audioboom
8. PowToon
9. Weebly
As I evaluated these resources for class, I looked for accuracy, suitability, and compatibility. Most importantly, I wanted tools for the student to use, not for myself. I thought social bookmarking was intriguing; however, I didn't think it was suitable for my middle school students. Some of tools I found to be accurate, easy-to-use, and compatible with the learning goals I had established for my students were PowToon, VocaRoo, and Screencast. These are tools I love to use when I make webquest, and tools that are also perfect for students to utilize when they are doing projects. When I first evaluated, I thought it would be very compatible with the goals I had established for my students writing. When I tried to implement a portfolio, I saw the students struggling and not having any true cognitive benefit to creating a writing portfolio. Once I finished my evaluation, I brought back the tools and resources I loved the most to shared with my colleagues. During our planning meetings, we would collaborate to see how we could use these tools to enhance our student's learning experiences.
Continually researching and evaluating technology resources has challenged our content area team to make sure our students are receiving the best instruction possible. It has also shown me that students tend to retain more information long term when they complete online assignments. I have also seen how motivated and empowered students feel when they are shown how to take charge of their own learning.
Researching new tools frequently has kept me from coming complacent with my teaching style. After my students have an established relationship with me, they realize how much I try to make my class fun and interesting for them, which helps our class rapport. All around, staying current with technology trends has had a tremendous impact on my students and I in a positive way. It pushed us to keep going and to try new things.