Kan-ed Reflection

I do not think that I could have found a website to be more resourceful than Kan-Ed. I had heard of Kan-ed before, but never really took the time to look into what it had to offer. I am relieved to have discovered such a jackpot website for lesson plans, standards, and activities.
Kansas Education Resource Center or KERC is such a wonderful outlet for lesson planning. Especially because we are starting to do our "Chunks" in Core Teaching Skills and several of my classmates and I are having a hard time using 'more with less' in our descriptions of the standards, benchmarks, indicators, etc. KERC is so great because it has all of the subjects needed for elementary teachers aligned with all of the Kansas Standards. I will most definitely be using KERC as a resource while planning my future lessons.
netTrekker was another great outlet that I discovered that has an infinite amount of lesson ideas, assessments, quizzes, and interactive activities for teachers to use and incorporate in the classroom. I know personally I have been worried about what specifically I will have to teach, and how I can do so in a fun, interactive way. netTrekker most definitely answered several of my lesson idea questions and will be a resourceful tool in my future brainstorming sessions for lessons.
Thinkfinity is a great resource for teachers to join blogs, find widgets, and current resources that are applicable to everyday life. For example, each day there is a link that shows you the day in past history, and how to incorporate this day into your lessons. I think I will find this site more useful when I am actually in the classroom teaching rather than still in my education blocks.

Kan-ed is truly a wonderful resource that I will be using from now and through my teaching career.

My Avatars!

 

Podcast #6: Various NEIT 2010 Reflection, Global Education, Conference, and FocusManifest.com

In this blog, three technology experts are discussing Google docs and how iPads are being used to edit files, and use as a word-based word documents.
Taking notes, using functions throughout the days are also qualities of the iPads within the schools. Typing on the iPad is if someone did not learn how to touch type, they are much more comfortable on the iPad.
They also discussed the difference of touch screen mobile phones and how surprisingly easily they are working to edit and create documents.

The evidence that iPads are becoming more and more useful in the classroom keep showing up in almost each podcast I am listening to. The endless possibilities of using the iPad for language, special education, person first languages and functions, international connections, etc...are only a tiny tiny part of all that the iPad has to offer.

Learning how to type on the iPad is also a feature that can allow students to upload, edit, and create documents for projects and assignments. Students who have writing problems or learning disabilities can assess their prior knowledge on iPads, create study guides, or even research information. Over all I think that the iPad if available to teachers can and should be utilized in the classroom as much as possible.

About Me Animoto

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Animoto Reflection

Usually when entering into a new technological adventure, I am a little weary of my understanding of what I need to be doing, and how quickly I could catch on.

When I first saw the Animoto videos, I was very intimidated by how fancy and well put together they looked. I was nervous that I was not going to be able to understand exactly how to do these small projects.

Thankfully, to my surprise, I was able to catch on relatively quickly to the Animoto videos and create a couple extra projects that I am excited about.

 Along with my 'About Me' and 'My Philosophy' videos, I also made a sweet (if I do say so my self) slide-show of some of my sisters' wedding photos. I also was able to compile some volleyball action photos to make a fun 30-second slide show. I am excited about this new discovery and look forward not only to use it in my courses at Kansas State, but also in my future classroom. :)

This will be such a useful tool in grabbing my students attention about subjects by using interactive pictures, songs, and templates that are more exciting than a standard slide show. Animoto is also simple enough to where young students can use it in groups for assessment over a lesson, or just for fun in the classroom. 

Podcast #5: Learning in Hand #24 Project Based Learning

 

Tony Vincent describes applications on iPods that allow for maximum technology-based application in the classroom. Through podcast, websites and apps, students are given resources that will aid in their interest of subjects, and allow for more exciting lessons. 

Tony shows a United States Government slide show with pictures and narration example that a teacher could implement in his/her classroom. This slide show was created with the SonicPics apps. He was able to create a 5 minute slide-show with 4 main concepts and open ended questions. Using these project-based learning strategies can spark students interest and also give them a model of what they themselves will be doing for the lesson.

Tony does a great job in showing how the apps work, and giving step by step directions for teachers to access and apply these concepts in their own classrooms. I, personally was not aware of these applications, and sparked several creative ESL lessons from simply watching this podcast. Using visual audio presentations can allow for students of all different learning types to be catered to, and understand the assignment more thoroughly.

Tony's discussion about the importance and applicability in the classroom through technology and apps is something that I completely agree with. Students who take advantage of these in the classroom through project based learning will be able to understand and apply their knowledge of technology in most all of their courses.

This podcast was extremely helpful in understanding the benefits, and true necessities of implementing more technology based facilitation in the classroom.