Module 1- What is Technology Integration?

            Having read those chapters put a lot of different thoughts in my head. My initial reaction to the reading was, “It’s about time!!!” I graduated from college 10 years ago and found that the amount of methods I was taught was minimal. Also, inclusion of technology as applies to teaching was basically non-existent. My first two years were just as the book noted- survival.

 

            It is uplifting to see that our teachers are coming to their careers with experience and ability behind them. Why don’t more schools take note and have these programs designed to increase mentoring and experience in the classroom?

 

As for technology, I consider myself relatively computer savvy as applies to the classroom. I have a web page, use the computer as a teaching tool, have students complete computer assignments, use Pasco Probes and enjoy giving students multimedia presentations they can relate to. However, I am a bit leery on the PDA idea. I think it would be great for all teachers to have one, but am not sure about letting my students have one. We ban I-pods and cell phones in the classroom in order to decrease text messaging between classes. We have also had a student use a cell phone to tape a teacher’s class and attempt to use it against her

 

            Also, money issues are a concern. I work in a district with a very large disparity of income levels. So, I do have students who do not have home internet access. They can access it in school, but time becomes an issue. I have to attempt to tailor my lessons so some kids can complete them offline as well; for example, finding articles via the internet or in a newspaper. But then I have to adjust time lines to accommodate that as well.

 

 

Module 2- Website Evaluation/ Copyright

I liked the chapter reading. As a mentor, I can see how it would be very helpful to have full time mentors assigned to several mentees. I would like to focus on my mentoring, but as a full time teacher, it is hard to find the time for observations and meetings.

 

            I tried to look at the bogus website of “Feline Reactions to Bearded Men”  and was not able to access it at school due to our blocking program. I did find it funny that when I Googled it, I came up with Blogs and people who reviewed the “experiment” (http://www.sree.net/stories/feline.html ). This would be a great way to emphasize that you need to make sure of your source before using it.

 

            Regarding filtering software, it is a good thing, to a point. Our filter is very good in filtering out unacceptable sites, but also filters out anything regarding Music Appreciation- as mentioned earlier. Also, I would like to be able to use things like Yahoo Briefcase and can’t because it is a sharing site. I believe the filtering is needed, but also needs to be able to be overridden by teachers and not just administrators. My administration should trust me to determine sites are appropriate for my students. However, I do realize this isn’t always practical.

 

            Having used the computer in my class for several years now, I realize the importance of proper evaluations of websites. I reinforce this with my students by showing them sites that are and are not proper. I also stress copyrighting and citing their sources so I can check them for appropriateness if needed. I prefer to direct my students to specific sites to be safe.

 

Module 3- Word Processing for Everyone

Reading and Links

            I particularly found the 1st portion of the reading to be both interesting and relevant to me. I have considered working on becoming nationally certified briefly before. I decided to first take these extra graduate courses for an increase of knowledge, skill, and yes, salary. Also these seemed less time consuming for me with 2 small children at home. However, reading that text gave me further impetus to look into the certification and maybe plan a more specific timeline for that particular goal as opposed to “in a few years”.

            The incredible amount of technology in the Texas school district astounds me. I would love to see my district embrace technology, but I’m not sure I would want it to that point. I was not comfortable with the Superintendent’s comment that the curriculum could not be taught without the technology. Don’t misunderstand, I love integrating technology and definitely have seen the advantages, but I wouldn’t want to rely 100% on it.

            My favorite link was the one that explained how to use the “Speech” feature in Windows. I did not realize that this was available on XP. What a great addition to my little bag of tricks. I can hardly wait to find the time to set this feature up and have it running. I will also work to find time to teach this to my students. Fun stuff!!

            I also enjoyed the link that was a list and explanation of all the technology that teacher’s today should be proficient in. I was especially happy to see that I feel comfortable in the large majority of the categories. (Go me!!  ;^o  )

 

Reflection- Module 3- Personal Goals

            I have several goals I would like to achieve over the next year in regards to becoming a leader.

 

            1st- I consider the extra graduate courses are allowing me to become a leader in my school by increasing my knowledge and understanding of not only my curriculum and techniques, but also of how my district works. My plan in that regards is to continue to take them. I am involved in this course and one other right now as well as planning on adding 1 more before the school year ends. I want to take 2-3 more in the fall.

            2nd- This goal is mainly in regard to the next 5 months. I plan to help my mentee improve her skills in order to allow her to get re-hired next year. I will be working closely with our mentor trainer and other mentors to accomplish this goal. I will need to increase my observation time in her classroom and find alternate ways to help her methods improve by tapping in to other teachers and my knowledge from these courses.

 

            3rd- I want to continue to bring more technology understanding to my colleagues. I will be assisting another teacher in making PowerPoint presentations and helping a Guidance Counselor improve his web page to make it a place for valuable information. In the same respect, I will continue to add to my page in order to make it more than just a place to obtain basic class materials and information, but also extra links to places of interest.

 

 

            4th- I want to increase my leadership in regards to my children. I will be making “activity” charts and sticking to them as well as being more firm in bed times and cleaning chores.

 

Reflection –Module 4- Alternative Assessments

            This reading was very powerful. It allowed me to get real perspective into what wholly integrated teaching is. I completely agree with the idea of making education count for our students. Just standing before the class spouting theory and vocabulary is not a good choice.

 

I think many teachers need to overcome this way of teaching simply because that’s how we were taught. I changed how I teach as a result of my graduate classes. However, not all teachers have been exposed to current pedagogy and are resistant to change. I believe our newer teachers will be much better equipped and more enthusiastic of the idea of collaboration and portfolios.

 

            I feel a bit stifled as I receive students in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. It is not often my students have truly worked as a collaborative unit. I have a chance to work on that in the middle school, but the state curriculum nemesis of all teachers rears its ugly head in the High School. Our curriculum is so broad and depthless it defies reason. I DO feel the need to cover material and try desperately to make my lessons more meaningful. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I do not. This is one reason to enjoy this class; the collaboration and flow of ideas here is inspiring.

 

            Technology needs to be set into my entire curriculum wisely and with meaning. To complete a project just for the technology aspect in Science would be useless. I have been working on ways to integrate technology where it is useful and meaningful in regards to topic. Allowing students the ability to express them in this alternative, modern way can be very effective when used in moderation.

 

Reflection- Module 5- Multimedia/ Class Thus Far

Reflection- A

            The multimedia idea of this module was just up my alley. I love to use technology in my class and constantly look for little extras to use in my PowerPoint lessons or other little online activities I can use with my students. I love the available amount of material out there as shown by the links in this module.

            I particularly enjoyed the sound and video ideas for multimedia. I would love to have my students make movies. My problem is availability. I used to give my students opportunities to make VHS videos if they owned a video camera. However, now I would need digital cameras and maybe their phones. The phones are not allowed in school and we do not have Digital recorders to supply to my students. I would have to make it as part of a choice and not the only assignment.

 

            As for me making presentations? That is something I love to do. I find that in Science, it is so much easier for my students to understand a concept they can see. Plus, all the gross pictures of hernias, tooth decay, and other human stuff keep their interest as well as giving them something to relate to. If I do not have a good graphic that pertains to my topic, I like to put in cartoons to little animations just to keep them paying attention. I have found that the PowerPoint shave given me much more power to discuss with my students. I am able to give them a visual and then have them talk about it in a way that was not possible to do before I began using multimedia.

 

Reflection-B

            I have not changed how I work in class as a result of this module. Since I consistently use these types of things in my classroom, this was more of a way to collect additional sources. I was also able to get some more ideas for projects and activities from the sources; for example, the Owl and Mouse Software striking an idea for my 7th grade.

            My technology concerns at the moment focus on things like getting my SmartBoard back in my classroom and what to do if my speakers or computer are out for a day. I am lucky to have a very supportive administration regarding technology and a very knowledgeable tech guy who can help me solve problems that may arise.

 

            Other concerns I face are those few students who still do not have computers at home and finding them ways to work in school on projects and activities. I have 6 computers in my room and try to get them access to our computer labs if needed.

 

Reflection- Module 6- Integration

            The readings in this section seemed a bit too non-achievable for the average school. I could integrate lots of technology in my class, but would still meet a large amount of resistance among more veteran teachers and even newer teachers. It would be ideal, but bigger than me for now. I think we will move more in this direction as more teachers enter our field with new skills and from our current technology generation.

            I did like a lot of the links in this module. I found several types of graphic organizers that I had previously not known of. These would come in very useful especially with my inclusion kids.  I copied the link for the Desert Project as a possible source for next year.

 

            I do use some integrated lessons in my classes. For example, I have my Anatomy students write a children’s book about a body system. They design, write, and co-edit the books. My students then bring the books to our elementary school and share them with the k-4th graders. I would love to have laptops for this so that the books could be made easily on PowerPoints or multimedia software and transported to the younger grades. I could also use my available PCs and key drives to accomplish this.

 

            Another way I could use handhelds is to have students take data about ecological factors outside the school. The data could then be transferred and analyzed in the classroom.

 

            I like to use integrated lessons, but I cannot really work with other teachers on this since I do not necessarily have the same students as my Social Studies or English teachers. Therefore, I would have to either assign lots for homework or use excessive time in class. I try to work at least one in a year, but it is taking a lot of revamping of my curriculum to try to fit more in. I hope to be more adept at integration in the future.

 

M7 Reflection- Spreadsheets

 

            I felt the reading in this module was a bit more realistic for the average school than what we have read before this. Most schools are capable of implementing programs that help to turn around the school social and cultural issues that arise daily. My school has implemented the Safe School Ambassador Program closest to, but more far reaching, than a mediation program. Simple things like standing in the hallway and talking to students between classes has proven to be very effective also.

 

            I was actually nervous to hit this module due to the Excel issue. This is the one program that I have never been very comfortable with. I have now had the chance to explore it and have seen more applications that what I considered basically mathematical ones before. I am still going to use the given links to take tutorials and learn the more mathematical set-ups, but am very happy to have seen other ways to use this powerful tool in my classroom.

           

            In addition, the links had a few gems. The Microbe World is a gem for any science teacher. I love to gross out my students and this is a good start! I also find so many thing I can share with my colleagues. I try to get others involved in technology and many of these sites make it easy to see the advantages.

 

M8 Reflection- Community Involvement

 

            The further I get in my teaching career- year 10 now- the more I recognize the importance of parental involvement. Inevitably, the students who perform the worst have either the most uncaring or the most incapable parents. That is not 100% true, but most often.

 

            I have tried to increase my communication with parents in order to provide feedback for them and a way for them to let me know what they think and if they have ideas that could help their child. I ask every parent for an email address at the beginning of the year and I use it. I have had such wonderful feedback from the parents and how they like to know what I s going on with their student before the Progress Report comes out. I encourage them to email whenever they want to check in or have a question and get back to them within 24 hours, usually within 2 if it’s during the school day.

           

            I also have a webpage attached to our school site so parents can see some of what we do in class.

 

            Granted, not all parents have computer access, so I make sure they have my direct number for any of their questions and try to call or send notices home for them as well.

 

            I also ask parents to come on Field Trips and if they or someone they know would like to present a topic relevant to the class.

 

            In today’s world, parents have so little time to spend with their children and so many are overwhelmed and did not have a proper education themselves. I am continuing to work at ways to involve my parents and to let them know I do care. Not always an easy task, but it works for many of my students.

 

 

M9 Reflection- Internet Safety

             Internet safety is definitely a topic on every educator’s mind. We cannot ignore the fact that students will try to get around our protection and visit sites that, for one reason or another, the district has deemed they cannot go. This is a problem I have to deal with whenever I allow students online. Also, I need to continually check that my students are on task. This will help ensure their safety.

 

            However, I feel a large part of Internet safety will come from educating our parents. Too many are unaware of what their children are doing onine and the possible dangers out there.

 

            The Digital Divide is something I deal with all the time. I have students who think $500 is small potatoes and those who would be ecstatic to get $10. The technological situations of each show the same disparity. It is hard for several of my students to get online access and they start technological lessons at a definite disadvantage. I need to catch them up without calling attention to their situation or making them feel stupid.

 

            In relation to the textbook reading, what stood out to me were the classes for the school board. I think this idea is fantastic. Too many Board members have no real concept of what we deal with on a day to day basis. Educating them can do nothing but good for a district.

           

            I try to get my community involved by inviting local professionals in to class to teach my students about their field. I a also very involved with email contact with parents to let them know what is happening in my room.

 

            I have not ever had any major issues with viruses or filtering software. I try to be very careful and back everything up and to keep virus protection on my computer- though I am absolutely not perfect at it!!