From+My+Heart

Wow, I’m done with my Wiki, and I want to tell you some things:

I learned several things about me and technology as a result of building this wiki. I never knew about Web 2.0. The idea of the internet as a creation tool really made me look at how I approach lesson plans and what to present to my students. After learning about the tools, I felt an obligation to students to present material and discussions in an engaging manner. I had the opportunity to teach two lessons during this semester’s observations, and I used techniques I learned in class in both lessons. The first was a document with sound and pictures and such like our first assignment. The second technique was a power point which included techniques learned in this class. In fact, I do not think I would have done a power point if not for this class. Some of the technology widgets were difficult, or at least I found it very difficult to generate ideas for so many stories to tell with the different applications. I felt that if I were to do a story like that, I wanted to present the best, so I felt overwhelmed with the amount of work. I wanted to be as creative as possible, to showcase the best example for the student. While writing this unit, I learned that to be a great teacher requires tons of creativity and efficiency. One of the hardest parts was trying to come up with an idea to create the assignment. After that, time was a concern. I think some of the more effective assignments are the ones that will be able to be made in two hours. Unless the assignment is a final assessment or so, I would find it difficult to justify spending a weekend on showing the students a sample project. That being said, one cannot ask of the students what one is not willing to do for ones self. I suppose that better planning might be the best approach for the time needed to finish a project. I am proud of all my products. I learned something from every one, and I had fun creating them. I would like to think that I put out quality work. I wanted to be fun and interesting. Hopefully, the products are engaging. That would make me the most proud. Next time, I would perhaps use technology to introduce each topic. Then I would teach the students a specific technology lesson, incorporating the tool into the unit. I felt creating podcasts was a great way to explore poetry and still have the students use tools to enhance the experience. I want to say that I would use technology every time, but some widgets and tools I think took more time to learn about the actual tool rather than the lesson. I am sure there is a balance somewhere. Perhaps the students will view so differently. If I were a high school student, I would be pretty excited about making a movie and posting it to Youtube. Perhaps I am the issue and not the technology. The aspect I am most concerned with about technology is how teach it and my subject as well. I would not want to focus too much on technology. Concerning obstacles, most schools I have seen have at least one computer lab accessible to the students. The assignments given using technology would have to be in such a scope that a student could finish the assignment within the time at the computer lab or during a lab day with the class. Outside of school, most libraries have computers available to the public. Despite the availability, one needs to consider the life of students outside of school. Some students might not be able to get extra curricular access. I am most concerned with keeping the subject matter interesting. I also want to be interesting to the students. I know that I need to work on my classroom presence. I think I could use technology to help me with presentations and overall classroom management. If the students are engaged with what is happening in the classroom, they will be interested in the material. By presenting the material in an engaging way, I think I will be able to command the classroom. Students will be interested with information presented in an exciting way. I can use technology to keep the attention of the students. Technology affords many opportunities to differentiate. If a student has a problem with a certain assignment, there are so many ways to present information that a student should have an easy time to find a mode he or she can work with and present their information. Technology offers something for everyone. It allows for maximum creativity in students. I have never tried to be more creative in my schooling experience than in this class. According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, creativity represents the highest level of learning. When one can create something, one really understands the subject. I am most intrigued about the students. Technology will allow the students to express themselves. I look forward to facilitating that process and product. It will to be wonderful to see the students learn and progress as people. I will be teaching in the twenty-first century. I plan on using technology on a daily basis. The students will be using technology to gain information they already have an interest in. If I can show them how to access information for their education, then they will have the opportunity to always be within reach of learning. By being a good example, my students will learn how to use technology in a way that can be fun and creative. Hopefully, I will make a positive difference. That is the goal. I want to show students what they can do. In order for students to succeed, they need to know they can accomplish the tasks given to them. When students get the proper support to succeed, they can do anything. When teachers believe in their students, they make the most impact. I want to impact my students in a way which leaves them with confidence and knowledge.