One of my personal favorite Web 2.0 sites is Flickr.com. It provides an easy way to upload photos to a server for online sharing. I like the site because it is secure and can be used publicly or privately with viewers around the world. The photos are organized by tabs or topics. I use Flickr.com to share photos and stay in touch with family members that I rarely would get to see. I would recommend this site to anyone looking for a simple way to share photos online.
Another of my favorite Web 2.0 sites is the IMDb site. This is the Internet Movie Database. I was turned onto this site by my husband. He came across it one day when he was searching for a movie title that he could not remember. This site is absolutely wonderful for any movie fanatic such as myself. It provides trailers to view, as well as, percentages for what is new at the box offices. Videos that are new on DVD or Blu-Ray as reviewed. Many film trailers can be viewed on the IMDb site. Overall, I would recommend this site to a movie lover or someone who is interested in connecting with the latest movie information.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Week 4
Interactive storybooks would be one type of multimedia that I will incorporate into my classroom. I would use the on screen story to show how to correctly track their reading. My kindergarten students are already reading and I definitely see how interactive storybooks would have a positive impact on my students. Each word can be highlighted on the screen as it is read aloud. The PBS Kids site is wonderful for younger students. I believe I will also try the Clifford interactive storybook site for my class because they love when I read Clifford books to them.
Another type of multimedia that I will incorporate into my classroom is reference materials. Google maps would be great for showing where we live and other cities or states that we are learning about. I tried out Google maps and they are interactive and have many activities for determining distances from one location to another.
Another type of multimedia that I will incorporate into my classroom is reference materials. Google maps would be great for showing where we live and other cities or states that we are learning about. I tried out Google maps and they are interactive and have many activities for determining distances from one location to another.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Week 3
Drill and practice software provides exercises for students to work example items and receive feedback in their correctness. An example of drill and practice software used in my classroom is IXL math. It is tailored to my students and provides feedback to them to show if they got that particular math problem correct. The program sends me a weekly report on my class, which is wonderful for adapting the math problems to each students' needs.
Instructional game software add game-like rules to learning activities. Where I teach we use Harcourt reading, with the series there are two wonderful instructional game software programs. Splash Into Phonics is for lower grades and Comprehension Expedition is for upper grades. My students absolutely LOVE going to the computer station to play "that game" on the computer. My students have no idea I am sneaking skill practice into their computer time.They see the games as fun! I see the benefit of using instructional game software in my own classroom. Students want to spend more time "playing" the game when it is fun for them.
In past years, when I taught third grade, I used simulation programs often to teach how systems work. The www.congressforkids.net site is great for showing the U.S government to students. The site also provides a check for understanding.
Overall, I believe that any use of instructional software must meet the needs of the classroom.
Instructional game software add game-like rules to learning activities. Where I teach we use Harcourt reading, with the series there are two wonderful instructional game software programs. Splash Into Phonics is for lower grades and Comprehension Expedition is for upper grades. My students absolutely LOVE going to the computer station to play "that game" on the computer. My students have no idea I am sneaking skill practice into their computer time.They see the games as fun! I see the benefit of using instructional game software in my own classroom. Students want to spend more time "playing" the game when it is fun for them.
In past years, when I taught third grade, I used simulation programs often to teach how systems work. The www.congressforkids.net site is great for showing the U.S government to students. The site also provides a check for understanding.
Overall, I believe that any use of instructional software must meet the needs of the classroom.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Week 2
3 issues shaping the role of technology in education
1. Standards movement - We need to know how technology can help our students meet required standards in the curriculum.
2. Reliance on the Internet and on distance education - More and more virtual schools are popping up in U.S. education. Students could have more access to high quality courses through virtual schools.
3. The debate over directed vs. inquiry-based, constructivist instructional methods - Teacher directed learning has been long used and has been found effective in addressing curriculum standards but some see this learning has not exciting for most students. Inquiry-based learning is more modern and interesting for students but it is unclear how this type of learning is meeting the required standards.
3 things learned from the history of educational technology that can help us shape today's issue
1. Things change faster than teachers can keep up - When technology continues to change, teachers bear the largest burden. We must try to learn the new technology and adapt our teaching methods to it. I believe as educators, we need to be aware of the ever changing field of technology and see it as an investment of future better practices in teaching.
2. Older technologies can be useful - With the ever changing technology, I believe sometimes we give up on certain technology too quickly. We need to devote ample time to learning new educational technology and use it before moving on to the next new thing in technology. Teachers must be well informed on all educational technology.
3. Computer/ technological literacy offers a limited integration rationale - Appropriate guidelines must be established for integration of technology. I believe the skills should be matched to all subject areas for technology resources.
1. Standards movement - We need to know how technology can help our students meet required standards in the curriculum.
2. Reliance on the Internet and on distance education - More and more virtual schools are popping up in U.S. education. Students could have more access to high quality courses through virtual schools.
3. The debate over directed vs. inquiry-based, constructivist instructional methods - Teacher directed learning has been long used and has been found effective in addressing curriculum standards but some see this learning has not exciting for most students. Inquiry-based learning is more modern and interesting for students but it is unclear how this type of learning is meeting the required standards.
3 things learned from the history of educational technology that can help us shape today's issue
1. Things change faster than teachers can keep up - When technology continues to change, teachers bear the largest burden. We must try to learn the new technology and adapt our teaching methods to it. I believe as educators, we need to be aware of the ever changing field of technology and see it as an investment of future better practices in teaching.
2. Older technologies can be useful - With the ever changing technology, I believe sometimes we give up on certain technology too quickly. We need to devote ample time to learning new educational technology and use it before moving on to the next new thing in technology. Teachers must be well informed on all educational technology.
3. Computer/ technological literacy offers a limited integration rationale - Appropriate guidelines must be established for integration of technology. I believe the skills should be matched to all subject areas for technology resources.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Week 1
Hi! My name is Heather Beasley. I am currently teaching kindergarten in the Tuscaloosa County school system. This is my fifth year teaching. I have taught kindergarten and third grade as well. The goal of getting my master's degree has always been something that I wanted to accomplish. Recently, I transferred to a different school within the county and my new school is blessed with a vast amount of technology. My new favorite piece of technology that I teach with is the Smartboard. I use it daily! I also enjoy having an ELMO to use with my students as well. I hope to get a new understanding of technology use in the 21st century classroom through this class.
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