Reflective Post

I really enjoyed taking this class, and it is one that I will never forget. Working with technology is not an easy think to do, especially when every day something is changing. I really had no idea that there was this many different websites and applications that you could use to help you create blog posts or projects. At first I felt a little intimated because I have never really used technology to created portfolios or blogs but the videos that were linked to each module really helped me understand what I had to do.

One of my favorite parts about this class was actually doing the Collaborative Lesson Plan. I worked with such an amazing group and we were really able to get things done in such a timely matter. The whole idea was being able to create a lesson plan and all put in effort to perfect it and I loved hearing my group members really help each other and put in their opinion. Looking on ideas for the lesson plan was a bit tricky but after we started it was easy going from there.

The textbook was a really great resource and was really easy to understand, but my favorite was actually working throughout the different modules. Everything was so well put together that failing a project/discussion post was almost impossible. I would defiantly suggest everyone take this class, even if they aren’t going to be a teacher. Everything I learned in this class will be extremely helpful towards my teaching career. There is nothing that I would change about this class if I were to take it over again.

I think my favorite website I used was Weebly.com. This is one website that I will for sure use for my classroom. Actually my stepmom uses this website for her business and she loves it also. It was a little difficult at first but as soon as I got the hang of it I really enjoyed using it. Click here to view my Teacher Website!

To finish out my last blog post I would like to include a video that I found that talks about what students think the world would be like without teachers. I’m only two classes away from being in the Bachelors Program and I cant wait to start my career!

Resources:

Heflin, K. (2016, June 20). Ms. Heflins 4th Grade Webpage. Retrieved from http://kheflin.weebly.co

Jubilee Project. (2015, June 20). World without teachers. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RN3iLeq1828 

Maloy, R. W. (2011). Transforming learning with new technologies(Second ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Digital Blog Post #E

After reading chapters 4, 7, and 9, I found three concepts that I found very interesting. There was “Building, Inventing, and Creating Software”, “Steps in Solving Problems”, and “Concept of Exploring Computer Games as Learning Resources”.

The first concept I would like to talk about is Building, Inventing, and Creating Software. This section explains how these things happen when students engage in open-minded explorations of topics that interest them. Kid Pix and Google Earth are listed as great tools for teachers to use with their students. The text lists that’s the most effective programs are those that do not require a single right way to use them or a single right answer. I agree with that because it really allows students to interact more because they don’t have to worry about getting embarrassed if they get the wrong answer. Kid Pix sounds like a great website that I would use when I become a future teacher, allowing my students to use their imagination which will make them want to learn.

The second concept I found interesting was Steps in Solving Problems. George Polya proposed an idea for solving mathematical problems that included steps like understanding the problem, using problem-solving strategies, and checking results. Math hasn’t always been my best subject so I really like this approach and think that it would really help me understand math more. Understanding the problem, in where students need to identify the type of question they are being asked, what they already know can help them solve the problem. Using problem-solving strategies, is really just telling you to break down the problem and use your chosen strategy to help find the solution to the problem. Lastly, Checking results, is the step just to make sure you have done the problem right. Many students forget this step and don’t check their work and end up getting the problem wrong because they didn’t look over it.

The last concept I liked was, Concept of Exploring Computer Games as Learning Resources. I noticed that many teachers worry about the effect of computer and video games on the minds of the children especially since there are so many violent games out there today. Setting that aside, there is many video games out there that actually do benefit children’s learning. Growing up I had a whole shelf of fun, learning, interactive games that my parents would let me play daily and I feel like that is something all parents should have a look at.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.