Friday, June 24, 2011

Workshop 4 Post

What are your concerns about using various internet technologies in your teaching practice? 
My only concern when dealing with internet technologies is my students being off topic or trying to listen or download music.  I don’t have any of the traditional concerns (e.g. students looking at inappropriate/pornographic material or engaging in inappropriate conversations with strangers) when it comes to implementing internet technologies in the classroom because our school does a wonderful job at blocking out all of these things.  They do such a good job that some would say that it is overkill. 

The only issue I have ever had in my class was students being off topic, like when they would rather play solitaire or pinball rather than complete their work.  Listening to music while on the computers was another big issue, and I still don’t know how I feel about this.  Some students could handle it, but most could not.  On the one hand, I realize that the 21st century learner can multitask and is used to listening to music while engaged in other activities.  On the other hand, I just find it hard to believe that students can be authentically engaged with higher level, “deep” reading while they are listening to Gucci Mane or Lil’ Wayne.  I also find it disconcerting when I overhear some of the lyrics that are constantly being pumped into their brains.  Any thoughts or wisdom?
How can you alleviate these concerns?
The best way to alleviate these concerns is to have a well-prepared lesson that will authentically engage the student.  My job is to get students more interested Civil Rights or the Harlem Renaissance than solitaire or pinball.  I think webquest.org will be another wonderful tool that I have learned about through my studies at Indiana Wesleyan.
In addition to the well-prepared lesson, I will commit to being vigilant when my students are working online.  My persistence for them to stay on topic will pay off.  I should be helping students while they are working, not grading papers or checking email. 
As far as the music issue goes, I am still not sure where I stand on this issue.  I know that when they are at home and on the internet that they are most likely jamming out to the latest and greatest hits.  As long as students are learning and engaged, I guess I don’t care what they listen to.   

Friday, June 17, 2011

Workshop three post

What software applications do you use regularly in your teaching practice?
 I currently use PowerPoint, excel, Microsoft word, and an electronic grade book (STI).  In addition to these applications, I have also implemented blogging as a part of my students’ journal writing when we are studying a novel.  I have also found that the 21st century student is visually oriented.  Therefore, youtube.com has been a treasure trove for finding clips/songs/pictures that I can use to activate my students’ prior knowledge before exploring a new concept.

Students are also required to spend at least 20 minutes a day on the Read 180 software.  The software allows the students the opportunity to work on reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and fluency.

What other software skills would you like to improve to increase your professional efficacy?
This week I attended a literacy conference and saw two speakers use prezi.com.  I thought the presentations were fresh and unique because they had a different look and feel compared to more traditional PowerPoint presentation.  This has sparked my interest, and I am going to spend the summer learning more about prezi.

In addition to prezi, I have also become interested in podcasts.  One of my colleague suggested that podcasts could be a great way to do book talks.  I think that is a great idea.  My job as a Read 180 teacher is to motivate the unmotivated reader.  Effective book talks can be a wonderful springboard to getting a student interested in a certain text.


Propose an action plan to improve these skills.
Part of the reason I feel that I am so behind in technology skills is that I took an eight year break from teaching.  I thought that teaching was not for me and tried to work in the business world.  After an eight year hiatus, the Lord called me back to the world of education.  Unfortunately the job I had did not use the technology required in teaching, so I have become a bit rusty.
 I am taking three workshops this summer that are being offered through our school district.   The first is on Microsoft Word.  The second is on PowerPoint.  The third is on moodle. 
In addition to these classes, I am also going to commit to learning more about podcasts and prezi.  I want to have several podcast book talks ready when August rolls around.  I am also going to create several prezi presentations that will focus on some of my reading strategy mini lessons.