Week 13 A Reflection On My Classmate's Online Presentations

GREAT job everyone!  I watched/listened to quite a few presentations, they were awesome.  The content and ways in which everyone chose to present their information was great. 

The first presentation I chose to reflect on was Paula's voice blog video.  I thought you did a great job speaking, it was at a great pace to understand what you were talking about.  I loved the article, I can totally see how a voice blog would be effective with foreign languages.  Personally, I did not practice speaking French nearly enough when I was a student.  As a result, I did not have the confidence to carry on a conversation.  I also think my listening skills would have benefited from the voice blog assignment.  This also brings up another point from your presentation, a voice blog will decrease the pressure because you are speaking without an audience, even though your teacher will be hearing your words.  Great job Paula!

I also enjoyed what I learned from Sarah's Skype presentation.  The foreign language video works well with Paula's video presentation.  I think his advice to start across the hall and work from there is good advice.  The idea of having a student Skype from a trip, as long as the student has the ability to do so, would be a neat extension to a classroom activity.  Using skype to present reports and virtual field trips sounds like a great opportunity to expose children to wonderful things without having to leave the classroom.  This is along the same line as my article, Through the Buscope.  I enjoyed it, thanks Sarah!

Julie's presentation about video games was also great.  As a parent, my 7 & 9 year old boys each have a Nintendo DS, my 4 year old has a Leapster.  The learning games are great.  I'm not sure they even think about what skills they're practicing or learning, they're just playing.  Take a look at the Christmas Wish Book's, from little on up, it is full of educational learning games and software.  Like all "good" things, I am a firm believer in balance.  So I appreciated that this article keyed in on the fact that classroom games need to be well constructed and meaningful.  Video games are so important to kids ( and many adults ) so it seems like a great way to engage children.  It totally makes sense that CAI programs can serve to motivate and challenge students while also increasing their curiosity and helping to learn fantasy.  I've heard the reports about physicians before, that's is very interesting!

Technology Notebook Project

Hello all!!!  If you would like to view my notebook presentation, please navigate to our Moodle page and click on the link.  Josh's notebook project is there as well.

Week 12 Interactive White Boards

I like the IWB for classroom instruction.  It is a great tool, with nice software functions as well as the ability to link to your pc so you can utilize other software and online supplements to your lesson.  I've had the opportunity to observe a 4th grade teacher tap into the potential of the IWB in her classroom.  She utilized the capabilities so effortlessly, it truely looked like an extension of her and the focus was on what she was teaching, not this cool board in front of the class.  The students used the IWB with ease as well.  The students really enjoyed going to the IWB and participating.  After seeing this, I was surprised that my first encounter did not go as easily as I had expected it to.  There is a learning curve and I will definitely need to practice so that the focus is on my content, not on the IWB. 

I don't like the set up in our classroom, the projector can be blinding and I was surprised how differently the screen looked when I was using it as a teacher versus viewing it as a student.  I liked having the screens that I planned visible, it helped me as a teacher to make sure I was covering what I had planned.  I felt a bit anxious moving around between screens and links to videos and songs however.  I imagine that with practice this feeling will subside and I'll be able to tap into more of what the IWB has to offer. 

I would definitely welcome one in my future classroom. I believe it provides one more tool in my tool belt to help my students learn and excel.  I like the interactive functions. I see the IWB making classroom functions more efficient.  For example, as a class, we could take notes or complete a diagram and then take a picture of it and print it out for later reference.  The IWB is a tool and if used when appropriate, I believe students will benefit as well.   I would not solely use the IWB, like many great tools, it has its place and it should be used to complement instruction.  I believe students will be more engaged.  There are many interactive possibilities that I don't see how a student wouldn't be more engaged.    It's new and exciting, kids love that.