Class is held in Mrs. Morrow's 5th Grade room at O'Neill Public School.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Kids & Technology

In Gov't class today we are broken up into 2 groups. They have to present their summaries of the Federalist's Papers. I informed them they could use any means to convey their summaries.

What I now have in progress is ONE MOVIE with their own music and the other group is working on the Team Board. Both groups are having a blast with assignment. It will be fun to see what the end project will be. I will keep you posted.

PS - the team boards are very limited we are finding out. Nothing at all like the Smart Boards.

Monday, October 03, 2005

"Field Experience INterviews"

To be able to listen to these students talk about their experience was of great value. To know what the students want and what they like is of such value to teachers. What is of importance to students was to be able to work with a piece of equipment themselves. I would have to agree becasue that is how I learn best - with actual hands on time.

Teamwork was another aspect that the students voiced that was fu for them. A lot of students had actually been in after school technology clubs that really help execel what they were learning in class.

I would love to do a web page for each of my 7 classes but I just don't have the time. I need to find a student who would like to get that project going. Now my brain is on overdrive to try & figure out how to get this done.

These students gave me the courage to try & do a web page for atlest one classes. They all voiced that technology would help them get a job in the future. All their experiences helped them become a member in this great world society.

One More Thought!

"All Learning is self-taught" made me think long & hard about how I teach. At the secondary level, teaching can be like pulling teeth. If you said this to my 11th graders they would just laugh and say that it is the teachers job. Their parents & the state also say the same thing. So until there is a educational revolution, good luck!

But if you do make it student centered, and not teacher centered you solve a lot of problems. At this level they need to be lead and reinforced with feedback not only from the teacher, but from their peers. Feedback can come from the world wide web also. But there area dangers to WWW that as teachers we need to protect our students from those people who miss use the technology highway.

This is a saying I will keep to remind me, of how learning should be for all people.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

Self-Taught

What a great article. I am one of those kids that learned the best by hands on. I can see kids taking this to the next level and helping their fellow classmates. Technology embraces different learning styles and enhances those of us who thinking differently. Left- brain linear kids as well as well as the right -brains kids can ALL find their way working with a computer. Whether it is working with photos, music, movies, presentations there is something for everyone to work with.

How to move technology into the classroom without losing your teaching staff is the next question. I love technology but there is a lot of people who don't. How to bring this set of tools to everyone is a real big question, which I have no answers to.

The more that I learn about technology, the more I want it in my classroom for the students. I can see them working on projects that will open their eyes and make them feel like they really accomplished something special.


Now how do I become one of those teachers?

Monday, September 12, 2005

Time to Think

The Grant is done and off. I'm glad it is done and out of my hands. Now that I've had time to think about it, what is the plan if we do get the money? I don't know. But I'm sure I will think of something. That is something I don't have to worry about now.

Feeling a little over whelmed with all this PPP stuff. It looks to be a lot of fun. I just need to find the downtime to think about it. Ha! Downtime - that will be when I'm dead and buried.

Does anyone know when Windows will come out with a new PPP? I looked into buying 2003 but was advised to wait a while.

Also I was blogged to put my bloggs on the internet? How do I do that?? I thought I was dong that already?

Is there a way we could practice some of this PPP stuff ex. getting links hooked up before we move on? I really want to know how to do this stuff and I feel I'm losing out.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Power Point Madness

After having class last night about Power Point Presentations, I feel like a complete smuck. I've done all of those mistakes with my studnets.
I've learned to look at PPP in a different light. Just like technology, make it work for you and not let it work you. That PPP can be a such a tool not only to present main ideas, but making the processes a valueable teaching tool for students & teachers.

My brain hurts after I leave class - there are some many things I want to try and do. I need more time!!!

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Thinking Things Through

Have had time to think about class and all this technology and how am I going to fit it in? If it isn't about fitting it - then how or what can I change to make the technology work for me & my students. I don't want to be worked by the technology, but make it work for me. Does that make sense?

Thomas is really exicted about the palms, he said he would teach me how to use it.

See Ya!

Monday, August 22, 2005

What we learned tonight....Aug 22, 2005

I learned what a blog was & I even got to creat account for myself. Comments can be left for our teacher (Mrs. Morrow). Which is way cool.

Comments on the article: I feel like they were writting this article about me. I don't feel comfortable with technology, but I'm willing to learn more about it. I want to integrate technology in my classroom and expand my students knowledge. Right at the moment I don't have the tools, but I have a feeling that I will learn.

imovie

We are going to have a blast in this class. This class is just want I needed to really get into technology. I can't wait to do this stuff.

To have my own web page that my students can go to, will blow them away. Bring it on!!

Trying to blog again

Hello, again. I hope that this works. This is fun.

First Night of class

First night of class and the ice breaker was a hoot! I don't know what I'm doing but I want to learn so I can enhance my students experience in my room.

I'm kinda scared about using some of this stuff, but I want learn and use it in my room.

So here we go!!!!

PS-my spelling sucks! It's hell not to have spell check for us LD students!