This is a very brief screencast that gives an overview of the ABR assignment I did to conclude my unit on The Lightning Thief.
Internet Tools in the Classroom taught me a lot about technology implementation in the classroom. It also introduced me to many new tools that I was too complacent to try. Before taking this class, I would sometimes use technology to implement technology. Of course, I didn't realize it at the time. Throughout the course, I was forced out of my comfort zone. I tried new technologies that help me connect and interact with parents and students.
In addition to the Web 2.0 tools, I also learned a lot about networking with other teachers via the web. In our module on Twitter, we were required to follow particular educators. Since then, I have followed these educators and other people that they mention in their tweets. I have been exposed to a lot of new ideas and thoughts to learn things I could not have accessed fifteen years ago. The most useful thing I learned in the course was Screencast. When we learned about the Screencasts, I was teaching the students how to write an argumentative essay. I have a high absentee rate in my classroom, so screencasts were the perfect way to let students remain accountable for the content being taught in class. It also allows my students to who need review the content at home to go back and get a refresher on the content. In conclusion, I found ITEC 7430 to be a very useful course. Everything I learned in the modules I could implement the next day in my classroom. I found everyone in the class and Dr. Frazier very supportive of one another, which made the learning process so much easier for me. I enjoyed my experience and I look forward to using these classroom next year. During 21st Century Teaching and Learning, I learned a lot about how to raise engagement in my classroom. At the beginning of the course I had no idea what a LoTi score was, and now I am coaching other people how to improve it in their lesson plans! I also had never heard of the Engaged Indicators of Learning. I also learned about how to use features of Microsoft Office and other computer software, such as, Co-writer and Brain Pop to help students use technology and meet state standards.
One thing I enjoyed about this course is the presentation of the content. We gradually got practice and experience throughout the course, and the material was scaffolded so we would have optimal chances to succeed. After completing this course, specifically after completing the Engaged Learning Project, I feel a lot more confident in my ability to create and implement projects. I initially struggled with identifying the difference between challenging and difficult. I kept making my project harder for the students, but I was not having the students use the research they were finding to produce new, original thoughts. Additionally, I learned the value of taking extra time on projects to formatively assess along the way. Most of the time, I feel so much stress when I am teaching I just try to finish each standard as fast as I can. Instead, I should slow down and try to be more thorough in what I am covering. Overall, I feel like I am a better teacher and coach because of my new found familiarity with LoTi and the Engaged Indicators of Learning. Since our class centered around application based discussion and projects, I feel very comfortable creating lesson plans with my colleagues, working with my students, and differentiating to suit the needs of each student. |
Archives
April 2016
Anna LutherTech Savvy Teacher. Categories |