Wrap-Up

Well the semester coming to an end. I have completed all of my assignments and I am ready to submit them all. This past semester I have learned some much about technology in the classroom. I honestly thought I knew a lot of different programs, but this class has opened my eyes to a variety of different resources. For next year my goal will be more interaction with technology by bringing in the class laptops and using SoftChalk together as a class, producing Power Point presentations, using MovieMaker, podcasts, etc. I really think the students will benefit so much more.

As our world increases the use of technology in our eveyday lives, it is our job as teachers to help provide guideance in the technology avaible to studnets at a very young age. For myself I am going to update my teacher website an actually use it as a classroom resource for my students. This will be my goal for this summer.

Overall I would recommend this class to any teacher. It will not force teachers to change their lesson plans, but just improve them by increaseing mulitmedia resources.

Podcast

So I just finished my podcast and I think it turned out pretty good. This is such a great tool to use in the classroom. Students are able to download these audio files and listen to them at home. It is also great for students who are absent, all you need to do is send them a link of the audio file from the days lecture. Also it can help your students who have learning differences.

I did have some trouble at first uploading it, but after playing with it for a while I was able to figure out how things work. I plan on have my students each make a podcast for their saint project at the end of May. Hopefully I will be able to get all 90 of my students to complete this task.

Smart Boards

For my research paper I discussed the great benefits of using the interactive boards in the classroom. By using technology in the classroom it helps meet the variety of learning styles and can help your students with learning differences. Also it is great for teachings because there is no need to change lesson plans, all it is doing is improving them with mulitmedia. The interactive whiteboards also provides teachers more opportunites to use the Internet together as a class to complete assignments or research.

Integrating technology on a daily basis will truly benefit the students and their future as technology grows. Technology is engaging for the student and is a great motivator as well. By using the interactive whiteboards it can produce higher level thinking, and is very adaptive to students learning, needs, and capabilities.

Check out the websites for more information:
http://smarttech.com/
http://www.prometheanworld.com/

Soft Chalk

Currently I have been working with the SoftChalk to build my website as well as my lesson plan. It is a editing tool to help develop interactive lessons using the Internet. It has been fairly easy so far to work on my lesson plan. The website also offers examples of completed lesson plans and has "help" videos explaining how to use the different tools. One of the aspects I have loved about this program is the activities provided that are customizable image maps, matching, sorting and ordering activities, cross-words and flashcards. It also offers a self check section where the students are able to complete a quiz question after a content section which then allows the teacher to check for understanding.
Currently at my school we do not have this program and I am using the FREE 30 day trial. I hope to show this program to our Technology Administrator.

http://www.softchalk.com/

WebQuest

Currently in my class we are reading the novel Esperanza Rising. At my school our QUEST program is pulled during reading. They are also reading the novel during their reading time as well. I needed to do some type of enrichement for my QUEST students while I was busy working with my reading group. During my research online I found a great WebQuest on the novel. The students are in groups of 4 and each take on a role from the novel. On the WebQuest the directions are clearly stated for the students. Each student will write a expository article and narrative article on their character. As a group the students will develop a magazine using Microsoft Publisher. They have the freedom to be as creative as possible. So far it has been working wonderfully. I think the students are enjoying the opportunity to take an idea and "run with it."

Link to WebQuest: http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/jchumbley/Esperanza%20Rising/esperanza_rising_webquest%20intro.htm

I think WebQuest are great for students because they offer some much opportunity to use different types of technology such as videos, podcast, internet research, etc.

Student Voters

Helpful Websites about Student Voters
1. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/07/18/clickers
2. http://www.h-itt.com/
3. http://www.classroomclickers.com/
4. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2005/07/68086
5. http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/DUNC%20bkfm%20i-x%20v1.pdf

Here are a few helpful websites as well as articles supporting this use of technology in the classroom. For pricing you will have to call to get a quote.

Videos

So far I have submitted two videos for my class. The first video was basic use of a camera. I did this one outside. If I could re-do that video I would use a better camera. I am use a very small simple camera that does not have a very good zoom. Also my hand was somewhat shaky while filming. Adding in music was difficult because it would not cut at the time spot I had plan. I wanted the music to play at the beginning and end but for some reason I was unable to have the music play at the end of the video during the credits.
For my second video I taped my tutoring group while using the KWL strategy. While taping the camera died. :( It was very upsetting and I could not start all up again because the student's parents would be arriving to pick them up soon. I did my best by editing out the extra film, but I still need more practice on that technique. Also the sound is soft on some parts while the students are reading. I have turned it up as loud as possible to fix the problem.
Using video in the classroom can be a great technique. I think for myself however I need more practice on my editing skills. The next time I plan on again video taping I will have to have my camera plugged in because it has such a short battery life. With practice I can only get better with my skills.

Animation and Audio

Well I started my animation and audio assignment this past week. At first I had no idea what in the world I was going to do for my audio assignment. I downloaded audioactity still having no idea what to do. So while I was sitting at my desk during my planning period I was plugging in grades and it just came to me. I am going to do a sound clip of me reading a story for my dyslexia students. I hope to record several stories to help my students meet their AR goal so they will become more confident in reading. As for my animation project I did a power point presentation, but I am trying to add more to make it a bit more interesting.

MIMIO

Today we have started using mimio with our new grammar program. The students have been really enjoying this activity. They are able to come up to the board and under the articles or nouns found in the sentences. Just like all technology it has a been somewhat of a rocky start but I'm sure by the end of the week things will run much better.

Last week while my students were in computer lab they were working on Kidspiration. That is when I got the idea to use that program to make all of my graphic organizers for their poetry book. I think this will be a great idea because its a step up from them just writing them down. They will be able to use their creative ideas with technology. Hopefully things will go well.

About Me...

My name is Caroline Magruder and I am a 4th grade teacher at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano, Texas. I am currently working on my masters at Southern Methodist University in Education. I am specializing in reading and possibly technology.