Adrienne Miller's student blog

class 14 notes

adrmiller — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:11:24 +0000

In today’s class we learned about smart boards. I have never used one, so I thought it was pretty cool to see. After seeing the do it yourself smart board, I don’t see why anyone would need a real smart board! Not only for the benefits in teaching, but it saves so much money. It seems like a great investment to make in your classroom. I was a little confused at how to set up the whole system and what files to use. However, I think a tutorial would help teachers learn how to use this system. It seems like a great idea because you can write notes on the board, even if you don’t have a whiteboard, simply a white wall! Also, I think its great for zooming in on pictures (like shown in class) or even for dissections. It’s a good way to show students information on a larger scale, especially if you don’t have enough copies for the students.

Another great idea that would be useful for this, would be to have students write their answers to questions on the board. Or even use educational games to show the whole class.

Finally, I thought it was really effective that you can save all the work you do on the board to a file, then you can post it online. This can be really great for tracking lessons, giving students information when they are out, or even using the material for next year!

Although I think this is a great idea for teachers to use – I was very confused. I felt the lecture was very scattered and I couldn’t focus. It seemed the guest lecture had to keep asking for help, so the lecture kept getting interrupted.

Journal 13

adrmiller — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:51:50 +0000

In my observations this week my teacher told me that the school Im at has interactive white boards. I didn’t get to see them, but she told me that they fold up, and you can carry them. Its no bigger than a suitcase. Also, if you want one, you need to sign it out and transport it to your room. Theres not that many, andonly the math teachers really use them. My teacher said she tried it, and its just a hassel trying to sign one out and carry it up to her classroom (she’s on the second floor).

I think this is a shame because interactive white boards can be pretty creative. I think they can really enhance a lesson and give alot of opportunities to solving problems, and giving a lecture. Although I can understand the lack of excitement for some of the teachers. When you already have alot to do, it can be quite annoying trying to struggle to get a board, then transport it around. It seems as though the effort is more than when you are getting out of it. Like the pay off isn’t worth it. Im sure if the opportunity were available to them, they would use it. This just seems like the technology is there, but its not accessable. Thats a big problem with alot of technology i think. Especially in the school Im in. Im not sure if thats do to a money problem, or if the teachers arent that educated on the subject.

class 13 notes

adrmiller — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:55:18 +0000

In todays class we first worked on evaluations for other students in the class. I think evaluations are a great way to give feedback on a project. It helps you get your work out there for people to see, and gives you a variety of peoples responses and opinions. As long as the student puts thought into the evaluations i think it can be very sucessful.

We also worked on polls. I thought this was pretty neat. It gives instant feedback on questions. I think this woul dbe a good way to also get instant feedback, especially in a lesson. a teacher could put this into a power point to get student responses. also, it gives students a chance to take out their cell phones and respond anonymously.

I thought this was one of the easier tech peices we used so far. It had little set up, and it was really straightforward too. As long as you can figure out how to embed it, it can be a great and easy way to pose questions to the class – especially if you want to get an idea of students prior knowledge.

We then moved on to work on free lessons on paper. the one we were given, on finding norms was pretty interesting. It seemed as though everyone was pretty engaged in it! Which is great, because it hold everyone attention as well as being a free lesson. i dont think great technology can beat that. I think any teacher can use this in there class as an alternative to a lesson, or perhaps if theres a substitute in the class.

Class 13 activity 1c

adrmiller — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:38:07 +0000

http://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/LTE1NTg0ODk0NTI

http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTEwODE3NDU3ODg

Week 12 Journal

adrmiller — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:24:18 +0000

I did not see any new technology in my observations this week. However, I noticed something interesting in one of my classes.

We had projects to do for my one class, and one group decided to video record their project outside the classroom. They edited it, using text and music. Then they presented it to the class through a powerpoint, so they could also present their notes to us as well. I thought that was pretty neat because we just learned how to do that. Also, I thought it was a great way to save time because they didnt have to demonstrate in class, or waste all that time setting up and carrying their props. Using a click of a button they could show us everything they needed.

Also, they had the advantage of stoping, starting and replaying certain points if needed. I think videos are a great way to express a certain topic, especially if you cant always bring your materials into the classroom. Also, it can also be more fun for students to see a video thats edited with cool features, than simply watch a presentation. Its a good way for students to see the multiple options of learning, as well as getting information across. They dont need to simply lecture in order to learn, they can use many different modes.

Class 12 Notes

adrmiller — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:47:09 +0000

Todays class was very informative. We learned alot about google applications. I think what is especially useful is the web page and google docs. I think creating a web page is a great way to share information with your students, and once you learn the hang of it – you can be very creative. I think all teachers should make this for their students, it would be much easier to keep track of grades, documents and information you want them to know. google made creating a web page very easy to use, which is great for people who aren’t good with technology.

Also, I found it really great using google docs for sharing purposes. It allows many people to view a document, even if you dont want them to edit the page. I didnt realize how much google had to offer before this class, and I think all of what we learned every teacher can use.

I think with all technology it just takes practice, the more time i use this, the better ill become at it and im sure it wont be as frustrating, and it will look better too!

Week 11 Journal

adrmiller — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:20:58 +0000

In my observations, my teacher was using a computer and projector to put her notes on the board so the students could see it. She baught her on computer and projector so she could do this. She said the school has computers on wheels but it takes awhile. You have to sign them out, sometimes they may not work, they have problems, or all of them are taken. She said its so much easier this way, even if she had to spend some money.

I just thought it was a shame that there werent enough computers on wheels for teachers to use in the building, and even if there were, they are frequently out of order. I think sometimes we get spoiled when some schools offer computers, but this school Im at doesnt have that privlidge. Sometiems it can be beneficial for a student to see the notes projected thru the computer. But if the teacher cant afford to buy his/her own computer, is the class supposed to suffer? What does a teacher do if all the computers are in use or taken. Sometimes, it can take away from the learning experience. I just thought it was dissapointing. Some teachers shouldnt be expected to purchase their own materials, although it can be helpful if they do.

class 11 activity 2

adrmiller — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:39:04 +0000

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/707986/dtse-class-11.ppt

Week 10 journal

adrmiller — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:45:13 +0000

This week at my observations my teacher showed me something pretty cool. It was an online lesson plan book. Im not sure of the exact website they use. However, this lesson plan allows you to track all of the lesson plans you do, from this year as well as previous years. It also holds the njcccs, as well as a option to attach handouts and any tests or quizes that you want to give out.

I thought this was pretty cool because my teacher said she could access this from home too. It saves time because if you are using the same lessons as a previous year, you dont have to create brand new lessons, you can simply go to the previous year, look up the lesson, and copy and paste it into this years. Then, from there you can make adjustments as needed. Also, it helps the teacher be paperless. She doesnt need to carry around a lesson plan book, or hold onto papers. It makes searching for lessons, as well as specific handouts much easier! The teacher knows exactly what to look for and where, there is no time lost to searching.

I also like how its an online system, not just a program. That way my teacher can access it from home, and as long as you can gain internet you can get access. I think this is great because then even if a computer crashes, the information is still saved online. Its very efficient and a big time saver.

class 10 notes

adrmiller — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:27:30 +0000

Todays class was pretty interesting. We learned all about different movie / video programs and video editing systems. I think using a video to supplement learning is a great idea. It can help with create experiments that a teacher may not be able to do in class. Also, it can help reinforce an idea. But mainly, it helps with effeciency and makes set up and clean up alot easier.

I looked at a whole bunch of videos only of different science experiements that were pretty cool, that actually made me want to try them myself. Using this in the classroom will help add more excitement with experiements. Hopefully it can help students become more interested and engaged in what their learning. Its something different for students as well.

Ive never had experience editing movies before, sso i had a hard to playing around with windows movie maker. I think something like that will take alot of practice and getting used to. However, I think adding words and sound can really make the video that much better and interesting. Im looking forward to creating our movie for our project. We can really get creative with it.