Tech class

First, I must admit this was probably one of the most challenging classes I've taken. I thought I was fairly up-to-date on technology, but I guess "you don't know what you don't know"... Despite the challenges, I most enjoyed the variety of tasks and assignments. I feel I learned technology uses as an aspiring administrator, current classroom teacher, and also for my own personal use. After each class session, I excitedly shared some of my new technology experiences with colleagues I knew would be interested and would try some things out. I commit to continued professional development in technology so that I can support my future staff (if I end up an administrator before I retire!)

Using some of the new tools

Even down to the last minute of class, we were seeing new tools which we can use. I was able to put several of the tools to use, and also provide some of the tools to others in my buildings. I am planning to use a few of them in the future, and hopefully the teachers will see that if I can use the tech, then just about anybody should be able to. :) I think that as a future instructional leader, if I expect staff to use technology, I should have a working relationship with it myself. I do not like being at the complete mercy of the technology department, when with a little practice, I can navigate most of the tools. Most sites have support, and Youtube has tutorials for everything.

Thank you everyone for a good class.

Course Reflection

As this course is ending I have a huge amount of resource to use that I never had before.  I am excited to share this with the staff at my middle school this Wednesday.  Not only have the resources allowed me to gain access for education in a much easier way, but also challenged me to challenge my students with technology.  Great course and looking forward to using the tools!!

Last Class!!

Overall, I felt this class was very beneficial.  I have learned so much more about using technology in the classroom that I didn't know before.  It was fun to be able to navigate the internet during class and generate new ideas for how I can implement some of these sites into my classroom instruction.  I also feel my Excel abilities have improved, but I wish we would have had a few more of those assignments for extra practice.  I look forward to becoming an administrator someday and encouraging my staff to implement as much technology as possible into their everyday instruction.

Scanners and such

I too was fastinated with much of the things that we were introduced to in the past few weeks. The problem for me continues to be the fact that I had absolutely no prior experience with ANY of these new toys. I thought the scanners were absolutely amazing, but aside from being able to check the price of something at Walmart rather than asking someone in a blue vest, I'm not sure what else I'd use that for. I must confess that today at school I tore up my room looking for items to scan. The kids thought I was a little too excited about that but whatever. The thing is, in my lifetime, when new inventions came around, there was usually an adjustment period of some kind. Unless I'm making way more out of all these inventions and corresponding assignments than they really are, I'm simply overwhelmed with it all. 

Great Class!

Sundays class was great!  I loved learning about QR codes, and I feel almost addicted to creating and scanning these codes at school.  Today, I showed my students the website where you can create your own QR code. Those who had smart phones downloaded the appropriate app and were as fascinated as I was when they scanned their first code.  My school also has three Ipads that are not being used effectively, and I received permission to check the Ipads out and use them in my classroom.  I am excited about the opportunities I will soon be able to give my class. 

QR Codes Everywhere!

Throughout this class, I have learned so much about how truly awesome technology is. My mind was quickly changed when I got home from class to find my internet not working…technology was NOT awesome. Thus it required me to write my reflection during my lunch hour today!

I felt that the QR codes that we discussed and practiced were both fascinating and useful. It blew my mind because after class yesterday I saw one as I was checking out of the grocery store on my receipt screen, and another in the corner of a Super Bowl commercial last evening. I scrambled to capture the QR code on the television, but I wasn’t quick enough. I never thought about using QR codes on advertisements, but it makes sense. Why couldn’t they be used on the most expensive commercial slots of the year? It also makes sense that I would be able to include them in my classroom. I had visions of a vocabulary activity in my classroom in which students use the QR codes for clues about word meanings. Obviously it needs some planning, but I am excited at the prospect of using QR codes in my English classes.

At 12:00 PM yesterday (Sunday) I looked around the classroom and thought - their eyes are glazing over.....I was worried I had lost some of you.  BUT, after reading the reflections it appears that you are all excited about the possibilities and the new skills/knowledge/insights that you have gained over the last few weekends.    That makes me, as a teacher, feel pretty good.

Hang in there and work on your projects.  They will not be that difficult!

Keep up the good work.  You have been a good group to work with.

Super Bowl Sunday

As I prepare for the Super Bowl to begin, I remembered - I needed to post!!  So, I will take a moment to reflect on the day.  I am very excited to complete my Blogger site, as I am using it to plan for the class I am going to teach next year to incoming seniors.  It is going to be such a cool thing for the kids, as I am positive no other teachers use this type of technology in their classes.  I think the things I am learning to do in this class are going to be cutting edge for our counseling office, and hopefully the kids will truly catch on and utilize the resources I hope to add for them through this technology.  From QR Codes to the Word Clouds, I am very excited with what I can do to jazz up our website!!

Go Bears!!  Oh, wait.......

02/05/2012

Having a Mac is a good start I suppose, but having a nice pair of running shoes didn't make me any faster of a runner. :) As an educational leader, if we let technology sit on the shelves, we fall further behind by the day (and so do our students). We have to use it, upgrade it, and devote professional development time to it. I do not want to be in staff meetings and professional develop meetings and be in awe of the technology I am seeing. I want to have a working relationship with it, and be able to assist staff on some level in using it.

Sunday 2/5/12

A lot of information today! I feel a little stressed because most of what was covered today is new to me. I am becoming painfully aware that my technology skills are not at the level I want them to be. I find comfort in realizing that some of the assignments are not really difficult or time consuming, they simply require an understanding of the technology.

I wish I owned a Mac!

Second weekend

It is amazing to think just how technology has changed over the last few years.  I had to think about huge zip drives for a Mac during my undergrad!  Crazy!  The uses are  numerous for teachers and administrators for technology.  Implementing more and more will increase the HOTS that kids need.  Last year to fulfill our grant, each class had to creat a multi-media presentation using Garageband, Audacity, Flipshare, etc.  It was a great learning experience and the engagement level was through the roof!  The students enjoy being able to use the resources we have and using other methods to present theri findings.  Today I feel as though I should put a QR Code on everything!  Also I have been putting off a website or blog for my class, so this is a perfect oppourtunity to get one going.  Overall, it was a great weekend and I feel better with a few assignments off of my back!

Sunday Post

The big takeaway from today is that using technology brings excitement back into teaching for me.  Sometimes I am just moving along doing the same old thing, which does not provide a challenge or excitement for my teaching.  This next week I plan on using the QR codes to engage students and have a little fun with them.  I also plan on making podcasts for struggling readers in my classroom.  Hopefully making use of this technology will continue to engage me and challenge my students.

Weekend 2 Day 2

It really only seems like there is a lot to do.  When you actually look at what is due, you will realize that most of this stuff will really only take about 20 minutes each.  The longest ones might actually take an hour or so.  It is still pretty fun seeing all these different tech apps and gadgets.  I am going to have to do a better job of staying up on what is out there, but some of the sites we have looked at should help with that.

Weekend 2

Feeling more comfortable with Podcast, especially when back to my familiar iBook! Script too long (know that a need I have is to be more concise.) Will try on my own at home, and hopefully, retained what I've learned. Practical use for podcast - I'd like to have a "welcome" on my class website. Also loved the extras in Google that I can use immediately - especially the capability to translate documents from English to Spanish. I will first translate my newsletter and have it proofread by our ELL teacher. Then, I'm excited to send my weekly newsletter home in Spanish to my two families that do not speak/read English. Also signed up for two alerts: iPads in Education and Common Core Standards. Lastly, can see how motivated older students would be with QR Codes and am anxious to share lesson ideas with my colleagues.

Weekend 2, Day 2

Today was another day of information. There is so much information and material out there that I am worried about remembering what it is if I do not use it for a while. But with all technology, about the time I complete and understand it will be obsolete. The QR codes are very interesting and something I believe schools could use and students would enjoy working with them. SO much information...so little brain space on my part.

QR Codes

Weekend 2, Day #1

Based on this class there is really no reason to not be informed about the latest advances in education or any other field for that matter. With everything from google alerts to twitter to scoopit there is really no reason not to be up to date with the what is going on. The key is to use it as with everything else it will be forgotten if not used.

week 2 day 1

I found the essential conditions for success worksheet activity to be interesting.  I feel like the Moline School District is headed in the right direction with technology.  After talking to the two other people in our class from our district, I realized that the shared vision is much different throughout the district.  Every school in our district is in a different place.  The principal at our school is very into technology so we are ahead of the game.  We have SMARTboards in every class, a SMARTtable, SMART clickers, IPADs, and we are in the processing of getting SMART tablets. However, other schools in our district are not at the same place as we are based on their leaders view on technology and available funds (PTA, boosters, grants, title money, etc.).  We need to improve our shared vision so all students in our district have the same opportunities.

Saturday 2/4/12

I really enjoyed class today. It was reassuring to hear that many other schools/districts are integrating technology into their buildings/classrooms at the same rate as my school/district. I was able to register for a Twitter account and learn how it could be used as a valuable tool for coaches and principals to keep their students informed. I feel a little bit intimidated by the podcast right now, but hope to eventually master Audacity...or buy a Mac.

I thought Saturdays class was full of good information.  I really enjoyed filling out the essential conditions for success in technology worksheet about my school district.  This worksheet really opened my eyes to some of the strengths and weaknesses of our technology department.  I also enjoyed the NETS powerpoint we discussed and the phases: literacy, adapting, and transforming.  Finally, each class meeting I add to my list of useful websites.  Splashtop, and pages.li were two sites I thought were very beneficial. 

Dropping Twitter Bombs

The world of technology is something I need to embrace and do a better job of being well informed. Today I created a Twitter account, so I could practice using a multi media tool. Twitter is a great way to stay informed and connected with a number of different interests. I believe this would be a useful tool an administrator can use to keep stakeholders updated with the school. In addition, as a baseball coach I could use Twitter to keep our fans updated on our progress throughout the season. The uses of multi media can sometimes be overwhelming, however I'm beginning to accept that technology is ever changing and it is designed to make things simpler. It will be a goal of mine to stay well informed on technological advances and practice using these forms of technology, and see how it can improve my career.

Productivity

Knowing where to get information makes one more productive.  This was my biggest take away from yesterdays class time.  Having google alerts and creating the newspaper in li will help keep me up to date with information that I want.  Using these provides filters to the all the information that is out there.  I look forward to getting my google alerts and watching what comes up on my newspaper website each day.  And getting an iPad would be nice, but my wife said no last night so I need to come up with a better reason.

Saturday February 4, 2012

From class yesterday I learned how to locate and utilize some free autistic apps for our special education program. I also realized that I rely on the same technology daily. I do not surf the net for other technology uses or broaden the scope of my technology understanding. This class is has made me more aware of all that is out there!

Not a bad day.

Some of the terminology is feeling less foreign after a few weeks of internet searches and consistent exposure. I was particularly interested in the fair use/copyright topics we discussed, as well as becoming familiar with what we can, and cannot (and should not) be doing with things we "find" on the internet. I see a lot of things being copied around our district, and I am positive that even though the best of intentions are had, there are still things being copied and used that really should not be.

With budget cuts and consistently being asked to do more with less, I can see how educators might decide to take the risk, even knowing they are likely breaking the rules. I know that "doing it for the students" will not save them from trouble, I do understand the temptation to do these things anyway.

Weekend 2, Day 1 Dan Powell

It was nice to see that twitter is more than just some annoying site where professional athletes and famous people enter in the most mundane of activities.  Never could figure that out.  I may actually be willing to use twitter, but actually subscribe to feeds that are meaning!  Google Alerts and the paper.li sites are also ones that I am going to have to learn more about because they could actually be a pretty big deal depending on how you use it.

Second, it would appear to me that if I were to buy a Mac, one could probably cure cancer, fight world hunger, and create peace in the middle east all before lunch time. 

District Technology Support

As we reviewed our district's technology support in the "Essential Conditions for Success Worksheet," I reflected on how much I did not know.  As I recognize this is my first year with the school district, I still did not feel many of these areas were accomplished, and most were in the initiating/attempting stage.  With 2.5 FTE staff in the entire district, it is a struggle to have your issues at the help desk addressed in a timely manner, much less know about their plan for the district's technology aspirations.  What I have noticed is that we have zero Smart Boards in the high school, and some teachers lack a projector.  With a tight budget, we have what we need, but no luxuries.  Even with these restrictions, we find our students are growing and achieving due to an increased focus on academics, instruction, and rigor at the secondary level.  Our scores are higher than ever, and we are moving forward in the district with curriculum mapping and alignment.  We are on the cutting edge of many things - but technology is NOT one of them.

To Tweet, or Not to Tweet

From the moment I heard about Twitter, I was against it. I mean what could be better than my beloved Facebook? However, over the past six months or so, I have been curious about it. I mean what could be so wrong with something used by so many? Could I be missing out on something great? I think my Twitter-based fear is common among many educators. It may not be Twitter specifically, but I think that a common belief of educators (especially those of an older generation) is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  This class is definitely opening my eyes even more to the possibilities I either do not know about, or don’t consider as a classroom tool. It is the challenge of us as future administrators to implement this exciting technology into our classroom and eventually, into our staff. There is so much out there to engage our students. As educators, we just have to take the plunge. So at the end of the day, I have more knowledge of available technology….and a Twitter account.

Literacy, Adapting, Transforming

These three new concepts surrounding student learning creating a great discussion in class.  This was an interesting way to look at what we are doing with our students and how much they are using their knowledge in the transforming stages.  The quiz was a good assessment of this knowledge and was useful taking it here in class.  The other parts of class I enjoyed today were the new things like tweetdeck and iBook author!  I think I can now convince my husband to buy an Ipad.