Final Reflection

What did you get out of this class? Will you use tech in your classes? How will you use tech in your classes? How has this class changed the way you think about teaching? About technology?

I think I learned a lot in this class. Not only did I learn how to use a few new programs, but I also learned how to troubleshoot (which is actually probably more helpful knowledge than just knowing how to use the programs). I also learned to be super paranoid about internet safety (thanks a lot Dan), but I think it's a good thing because I won't get myself into trouble now (hopefully). I will definitely use technology in my class, but if I have the students use something that's a little more advanced, I will have to determine whether the time it'll take to teach them to use the technology is worth it. I'll probably use a lot of video, some photo editing, stuff like that. Maybe I'll set up a website to keep students (and parents) on track.

I think this class has helped me see that I can use a lot more technology than just PowerPoint. You can use so many different technologies to teach a concept, and this class has helped me to become more aware of the technologies that are available. When I started this class, I said that technology and I have had a rocky road. I can't say that we're best buds now, but we do get along better now :)

Shift Happens

How did the video or the concept of collaboration change the way you think about the world? About education and using technology in your classroom? OR did it not change how you feel? Why?

Also, here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnjm0B6DFI&playnext_from=TL&videos=pH1Zvzt4nBw


I had seen this video before, and it is not only surprising but maybe a little startling. It is true, though. I don't remember very many specific things I learned in high school. I did learn a lot, though. I learned how to think and learn and be organized. I learned how to deal with people and even use the limited technologies that were available at the time. I think it will be the same way with what I teach, as far as technologies go.

Ten years from now, everything will be different, and most of the specific technologies we use today will be better, different, or gone. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't teach and use technology in the classroom; it just means that we need to make sure we are teaching concepts and skills, too (not just, "this is how you add in excel."). I was observing a Financial Literacy class where the teacher was having the students balance a checkbook on paper. One of the students asked her, "Is this method even applicable with all the new technologies we have?" Well, is it? Many people still use the paper method, even though online banking is much more widely used now than ever before. But the concept of planning and keeping track of where your money goes is still just as important. I think the students benefit from learning to do it on paper, but the teacher probably should have included some online budgeting lessons, too. After all, that is what most of these students will be doing.


So to sum it up, technology will change and there is really nothing we can do but try to keep up. We still need to teach our current technologies, but we also need to explore the newer options (and discuss options that have yet to evolve). The most important thing we can do as teachers is teach students the underlying concepts so that they understand what they need to do regardless of the technology required to do it.

Internet Safety

In about 1 page describe your opinions about internet safety, what changes, if any, you will make about how to use the internet. How does this apply to teens or the students you would teach? Also, tell about the internet safety lesson you gave – who you taught, highlights, etc.

I enjoyed this topic a lot in class. Then I went to isafe, and in order to view the modules you had to create an account. It asked for full name, phone number, email address, and address, which I thought was weird. If the site is about internet safety, why would they have you break all the rules? I created an account (with fake information), but after watching 30 minutes' worth of sales pitches, I gave up on the site.

I ended up watching a few videos and viewing other sites about internet safety, and they basically reiterated what was said in class. It is hard to keep from putting your information on the internet; I am pretty careful about what I post to the internet, but sites like Facebook make you feel secure. You're just sharing with your friends, right? Wrong. What's even worse is that teens don't even know about potential dangers.

I talked to my little sister about internet safety. I asked her what she thought it meant, and she didn't know. I asked her about identity theft, and she didn't know anything about it. I asked her about crazy online stalkers, and she didn't even know what I was talking about. That was scary. That is why so many teens just put WHATEVER on the internet -- they don't understand the implications. They don't understand how easy it is for someone to find their information and use it against them. I didn't realize I would have to start from scratch teaching my sister how to protect herself online, but I did. Sheesh.

Here are the basics: don't put your full name out there. Don't put your phone number or address. Don't even put your email if it is connected to something that might have your personal information. Never assume that any information you put online is secure. Photos, videos, financial and personal information. All of it, once it's put out there, stays out there.

Who Won?

I went to the Innovative Instruction contest finals yesterday, but I had to leave at 4 so I didn't see who won. If I had to choose, though, I might have picked the mega-overachieving group who created a website that basically ran an entire class on its own. It contained sources, homework assignments, lesson plans, everything you'd need to run a class. However, because it was so huge, I didn't really get a feel for what the point of the project was.

Another project that impressed me was one that included a website that contained documents about the patriots vs. the loyalists. This website allowed students to read these documents and formulate their own opinions about whether they would have sided with the patriots or with the loyalists. They then post their ideas on the site, and dialogue starts. I thought this was a great idea, because as teachers we often tell the students the information but never let them form their own ideas about it. Personally, I don't think you can really learn something until you are able to think about it critically and form opinions. Although this project was not as huge and impressive as the first I mentioned, I think that the overall idea is much more applicable and beneficial. Just because you have technology, doesn't mean you have to use it. Technology doesn't always make things better.

Update

Well, due to "communication" errors, my video wouldn't upload from iMovie to YouTube. So, I exported the movie to my flashdrive and uploaded straight to YouTube from there. And it took FOREVER! Here it is:

The video is (finally) done

Embed your video on your blog. Then, in the same post talk about your experience making this video. Was it positive? Negative? Did you find it a valuable experience? Do you think you could make another video without help if you were asked to do so? Do you think you would do some type of video project in your classroom? Other thoughts or comments?

Creating this video was an interesting experience. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I did learn a lot doing it. First, I learned that technology can be really annoying sometimes (like when I had to restart my project because it was somehow "lost in translation"). Second, I did learn how to use iMovie and how to better use Macs (I still prefer PCs). I could probably help someone else make a simple video, but I don't know how great it would turn out. However, using something like this in class could be beneficial, especially if the students are already familiar with the program or don't have to do anything too complicated.


So, if the darn thing ever loads to YouTube, it will end up a success. If it doesn't, well, I've got a bone to pick with iMovie. It's been a pain in the #%!. Okay, it won't load. !$#^$!#%.

Working on it...

I started on my video/film/movie last week in class, and it's going alright. It is definitely not professional looking, but that's okay. My big problem is piecing all the different parts together. I'm using transitions, but the videos were all taken in different places, so I'm having trouble making it look cohesive. It doesn't help that I sped up one portion and slowed down the next ... we'll see if I actually keep it that way...

done.