CI 556

I have learned so much about technology and the classroom.  This class as gotten me really excited to get in my own classroom. I have had so many for what I can do.  I hope I can use a lot of what I have learned when I have my own classroom.  I really like the wiki that we have.  I will use that all the time.  I have even used while subbing.  It as been a great class.  I'm so happy to be apart of it.  I think his is the best way to learn technology.

Article: How Teachers Learn Technology

In this research article they discussed different ways to teach teachers technology.  It is important the teacher knows what they are teaching their students.  They also discussed what happens when they don't have support of buying the technology. One way they thought it would be good for teachers to learn technology was by getting a district goal for every teacher and grade.  Once the district comes up with a goal the teacher are to get into small groups and come up a weekly time to meet. In their small groups they will have to come up with a goal that they want to accomplish.  When they meet each week they will work towards their goal. This is a good way teacher to learn technology.  They will be able to discuss their problems and work through them together.

Overall this was great article to read.  It was interesting to see how teachers learn technology.  It made me think of our class.  CI 556 is kind of like a little group we  discuss technology and work through problems. I have learned a lot of different technology in this class.  This article just made me think of it more.

The Article Technology: It's Effects on Children

The article discussed what technology can do to students.  They discussed the differences between good technology and bad technology.  One thing that was brought up in this article is that everyone says that children love technology but this generation has never been without technology. So is just in their blood.  After reading this article I don't think technology is a bad thing.  I think it can be abused just like anything can be.  When working with students in the classroom they love technology.  They love getting up and going to the board, even the shy students do it.  They are amazed what some people can do with a computer or an iPod.  Students don't usually see technology in that light.

Overall I thought this was an interesting article.  Many children love technology but don't know the benefit technology can bring to the classroom.

Finding a Web 2.0 Tool

So this week as I was searching for a web 2.0 tool I was having a hard time.  There are so many tools out there that don't really give anything like we discussed in class.  There are a lot of games out there that help students learn but they aren't web 2.0 tools.  I also found a bunch of tools that help students study.  One of the neatest sights I found was for helping teachers with their plans.  I think if you could put your plans online just think how easy that would make your life if you were gone.  Another teacher would just print them off.  I thought that would make life a little easier.

After all my that searched I found one about music.  It's just like garageband but it's free for everyone.  You don't even have to have a mac.  I think web 2.0 tools are really neat and I didn't know to much about them.  I have learned a lot after taking this class.

Magic Touch

So as I was working over Thanksgiving break.  I was in the a special education room.  They had the most amazing things called Magic touch screens.  These screen can make any computer screen touch.  I thought it was one of coolest things ever.  You can do just about anything with it like play games, check your e-mail, and google stuff.  I was wondering if anyone has ever seen them? 

I started to think of what doors these could open for students who fine motor skill aren't the best.  They can play learning games like doing the abc's on the computer.  They also make special websites that help students use them and learn a variety of different things.  I have seen students uses them and they love them.  It's a way they can do things on their own.  It just gives them some independence when they don't have a lot. 

My typing teacher...

So last week in class we discussed word processing.  It got me thinkingg about my typing teacher.  We started in forth grade and went till six grade.  Each year you had a nine weeks of typing class.  When we got into typing class we were not allowed to talk.  We had to turn on our computers and go to a blank word document.  Once there our teacher would start place drill instructor.  We would start with reviewing the home row.  She would be like aaaaaaa, fffffffff, afafafafaf, and so on and so on.  Then we would learn a new letter each day.  We did this every year for three years.  I will tell you I can type but during the time of learning I was so afraid of loosing a finger if I looked down at the key board. 

Now a days they don't do it like that.  My brother can all type but they learned in technology class.  They have always loved going to the computer lab but when I was in school I hated it.  I can see if you make some enjoyable for students they will love it. 

P.S.  I finished my imovie and I even made my own music!!!

Sometimes thing just don't work...

So this week I have been working on my imovie.  It is making me so made.  First I had a hard time coming up with a movie idea that would work for this class.  Then my imovie isn't working very well so it has been very frustrating. It is slowly coming together but it has not been easy.  I have had to ask my seventeen-year-old brother how to do a lot of things.

As I was working on my project and having problems I was trying to think what you would say to children if they were get frustrated with their technology.  Sometimes it can be the hardest thing to use if something is working out.  What do you do if your students are just in the mind set of giving up? Do you just tell them to save and come back to it tomorrow or do you show them how to do it?  Like especially if they are older and you want them to figure things out on their own.  In the past when I as a teacher don't know how to do something I have them ask a peer but is that always the best way to do it?