My Learning Experience ![]() As we began this class, I was nervous and excited at the same time. My nerves were going crazy because I knew that it would be a lot of work due to my lack of technological experience. However, I was excited to learn new things to take with me into teaching. This course has opened a new door for me when it comes to integrating technology into my teaching. I have learned numerous ways to incorporate technology into my daily lessons as well as use technology with my team members. Creating and exploring the various assignments in this class has helped me learn new ways to use many technological programs to enhance my teaching. Strong and Weak Points Strengths that I had in this class were timeliness, great communication, and organization. I feel that I completed all of my assignments in a timely manner with plenty of time to fix any mistakes. I communicated well with my team members when they had a question or commented on my blog. Organization was a main strength of mine because without it, I would not have been able to keep up with my blogs and assignments. My weaknesses include confusion and having the wrong computer. At the beginning of the class, I was very confused on how Weebly worked. It seemed as if no tutorials could help me. Also, having a MacBook was a weakness in this class. A lot of assignments and little details were hard to complete on Safari and on a Mac in general. I often had to use Google Chrome or my husband's PC to complete assignments. Communication Between Peers and Instructors Communication in general was great. I felt that the professor and TA were great about responding to emails and answering question in a timely manner. This class had a great group of students that helped each other out as well. My group members helped me sort through any confusion I had on assignments so that I limited the amount of questions I had for the professor and the TA. Overall, communication was top notch in IT 465 all the way around. Tools Used for Communication Tools that were used for communication in this class include Canvas, email, announcements, and Weebly. Canvas is a great program that allows me to complete my degree online with all of the tools I could possibly need. I found it very easy to navigate and email others through Canvas. Email is always a tool that I use if I have a question or concern. Announcements were a great way that the professor kept us informed of assignments, due dates, and rubrics. Another communication tool I used was Weebly. Commenting on others' blog posts helped me better understand the chapters and gain knowledge of how others interpreted the material. Blogfolio Experience Weebly...Weebly...Weebly. The first night of this class completely overwhelmed me because of WEEBLY! I felt as if this was going to be the worst class ever. I was completely shocked at how it all turned out. After the initial setup, Weebly was fairly easy to navigate. I thoroughly enjoyed completing blogs each week and talking about the chapters we read. This was much more enjoyable than reading a chapter each week and writing a 2-3 page reflection on what I read. I feel that this entire blogfolio experience is going to help me in the long run. I now fully understand how to create a teacher website and use various web tools to enhance my teaching. IT 465 is a class that I will remember forever and one that I truly enjoyed!
5 Comments
Key Strategies for Integrating Technology in Mathematics and Science (Chapter 11) ![]() Technology has taken over our classrooms, so it should be simple to integrate it into our teaching. Gone are the days where teachers wrote with chalk on boards. Now, Promethean boards and iPads are the new "normal" in a classroom setting. One simple way to integrate technology into mathematics is by using virtual manipulatives. Strategies that teachers can use include supporting math problem solving, motivating skill building, and communicating using math related talk. There are various apps and websites that teachers can use to support children's learning. Integrating technology into mathematics is a great way to enforce what you have already taught. Science is another subject that could benefit from technology integration. Strategies for integrating technology into science include the BCSC Framework: engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation. Online projects will allow teachers to support specific processes like collecting data and investigating issues. There are apps available for students to dissect an animal and complete lab experiments. Students will become more engaged in science through the use of technology. Issues of Integrating Technology in Special Education (Chapter 15) ![]() There are current issues that are affecting the accusation and use of technology in special education classrooms. Education reform and accountability are two of those issues. When considering technology for a special education classroom, teachers must decide between assistive and instructional technology. For example, a non-verbal autistic student would need a different type of technology than a student with a hearing impairment. It is important that technology be integrated into all classrooms, including special education. Teachers must diversify their teaching in order to meet the needs of all students. Using technology in a special education classroom could greatly help support that diversification. Chapter 8 Summary and Understanding ![]() There are so many ways for teachers to integrate the internet into their daily teaching. Web-based curriculum is used when teachers create websites and online tests, and teach virtual school. Teachers are now able to create online courses for their students because of the increasing technology today. Virtual schooling is beneficial for those who need to go to school at home and for those who are absent. Chapter 8 discussed this idea in elementary and secondary schooling which was very interesting to me. I have been aware of virtual school in college, but never in elementary or secondary school. A web-based curriculum that I currently use is Canvas. Because of this, I have been able to complete my degree fully online while holding a full time job during the day. My Experience ![]() WOW! I did not realize just how much time goes into creating a teacher webpage. My experience was pleasant but LONG. I felt as if it took me ages to create a site with various pages and resources for my "students". Because I have been working with Weebly for a little while now, I noticed that it was much easier to navigate than the first few times creating my blogfolio. The only problem I encountered was finding a way to create a quiz within Weebly under my assignments page. After researching, I was prompted to download an app to the sidebar of Weebly to create a five question quiz. Overall, I enjoyed creating my teacher website and will definitely use this resource as a future teacher! My Experience, Understanding, and Input ![]() This week's project was to choose a topic based on what you are teaching and create a test, answer key, and rubric. I found it very fun to complete these assignments using the different web tools we were given. I learned how to use RubiStar to create a quality rubric, and how to use Easy Test Maker to create a test with an answer key. Both tools were simple to use and took little to no time to complete. The only problem that I encountered was saving my rubric as an Excel spreadsheet. The tutorial on Canvas was not working, so I had to Google various topics until I learned on my own. Both RubiStar and Easy Test Maker are tools that I will use in my future classroom because they are so convenient and simple. I like how the test maker gave the option to save as a PDF to print or to use an access code to complete the test online. This allows students who are absent to still complete the assignment. I look forward to using RubiStar to help formulate rubrics for assignments I will give. The great thing about this tool is that it allows you to use their suggested options for a specific topic, or you can type your own options in the given space. Both web tools are great resources to have in my future classroom. ![]()
![]()
![]()
My Understanding of Chapter 7 ![]() The internet is being used more day after day in the classroom setting. It is now possible for students to learn away from campus and out of the classroom because of the internet. Lesson plans can be viewed and lessons can be taught by using the internet. I find it very useful that Google can answer any questions I am unsure about, Teachers Pay Teachers can give me extra work to enhance my lessons, and EdHelper can assist me on making quizzes. Podcasts and videos are great sources for introducing new materials and helping aide students who need to study for an upcoming quiz or test. While the internet does have downfalls such as wifi crashing and no blocking on unnecessary content, it is still vital in today's classroom setting. My Experience ![]() I was very pleased with the way this week's project went. I used Vocaroo to create a three minute podcast about writing a friendly letter. This program was so easy to use and not confusing at all. There were no problems encountered during this project. Making a podcast was by far the easiest project I have done in this class. With that being said, I am very excited to use this in my future classroom. I feel that I will use this program when I am away for the day or have to have a substitute cover my class. If I know that I will be absent, I can prepare talks/lectures that my stub can easily play back. This will allow me to feel more at ease knowing that something educational is going on in my classroom while I am away. Resources and Skills Required for Multimedia/Hypermedia Design, Development and Integration (Chapter 6) ![]() Many skills are required in order to develop a multimedia/hypermedia design. While reading Chapter 6, I noticed that a person must know basic skills such as editing pictures and files in order to begin creating this type of design. Technology today allows anyone to be able to create designs like webpages, short films, or videos. Multimedia/hypermedia can be integrated into educational classes by teaching students how to record and edit a video or how to create a graphic design. The teacher I work with uses multimedia and hypermedia by having a class webpage, incorporating SeeSaw into student's learning, and using Remind101 to send messages to parents. Teachers should consider going to trainings or watching how-to videos for more information on how to incorporate multimedia/hypermedia into their lessons. This will be useful to me as a teacher because it allows me to have a varied way of introducing and reviewing standards that need to be taught. I was very excited about the multimedia project we had to create this week. Multimedia Project Reflection and Experience ![]() From start to finish, I feel like this project has been the easiest of all. I was excited to be working with iMovie, so I jumped right in. The hardest part for me was creating a title and credit slide. I found that creating a slide on PowerPoint and adding the slide as a picture worked easier than trying to create a slide on iMovie. Other than that, I had no issues with this project. I am pleased with the way my video turned out. I wish I could have done some type of voice change on my video because I REALLY do NOT like to listen to myself on recording. I can incorporate programs like iMovie in my classroom to read books aloud and to teach new topics. This project was fun for me because it allowed me to work with a new program. I was also able to experiment with different topics and books before choosing the one that best worked for me. MY DIGITAL STORY My Reflection ![]() This week was the first time I used Google Docs to collaborate with others. I enjoyed working with my group on the same documents, but it was overwhelming at first. The biggest challenge for me was that I had never used this before, so I had to learn it before I began. Making surveys, embedding things, and sharing documents sounded like a foreign language to me. Also, working around 5 other group members' schedules was hard for someone like myself who likes to complete assignments quickly and turn them in early. I had to learn how to be more patient with my group when they were completing assignments. With that being said, I truly had a WONDERFUL group to work with. We each worked together to achieve the same goal--complete the assignment on time and receive and A. Way to go Group 3! You guys ROCK. Using Google Documents in the Future (Chapters 3-5) ![]() I will use many features of Google Documents in my future classroom. If I teach an upper grade, I would love to have my students collaborate on a small project. I think it would be fun to see how students could work together to create a project while being engaged in their learning. The survey is something that I am new to, but I find myself very excited to be able to use more often. I plan to use surveys to receive feedback from parents and students anonymously. I currently use excel spreadsheets often as an assistant, so that is something I plan to continue to use as a teacher. I am mostly excited to incorporate collaborations among the team I teach with. This can be a great tool to share lesson plans and ideas for teaching the students. This week's lesson has taught me a lot about Google and is a great resource for what I can incorporate into my teaching later. Instructional Software and Usage in the Classroom (Chapter 3) Instructional software is defined as "a general term for computer programs used specifically to deliver instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic" (Roblyer). Computers and technology now have the capabilities to help tremendously in academics. For example, the school I work at uses instructional softwares in their RTI and ELL programs. Today there are five types of instructional software: tutorial, drill and practice, instructional games, simulations, and problem solving. Teachers should keep these in mind when teaching and noticing an issue. The instructional softwares are great to use in classrooms to help benefit students. From experience, I know that programs such as Starfall and iReady are great for interventions and helping with deliver instruction. Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Presentation Software, and How To Use Them In the Classroom (Chapter 4) The most frequently used software program, Word Processing, is designed to create documents with text, designs, and even pictures. This program includes tools such as spelling and grammar check. Another software program is spreadsheets such as Excel. Spreadsheets are software programs that allow info to be stored in cells in columns and rows. The data can be used to calculate other data. Spreadsheets are great to use for grade books and checklists. Presentation softwares such as PowerPoint are slideshows that are put together in an animated and informative way. Teachers can use all three for these programs in their classrooms and benefit from them greatly. Word Processing is great for taking notes, spreadsheets are good for keeping track of data, and PowerPoints are engaging ways to present a topic to students. My personal favorite program is the PowerPoint presentation software. I have found it helpful when trying to keep students interested in not-so-interesting topics. Tools That Can be Used to Support Teaching and Learning (Chapter 5) There are various tools that can be used to support teaching and learning tasks for both teachers and student in the classroom. There are seven categories of software tools that can be used by teachers and students. These categories include: material generators, data collection and analysis tools, testing and grading tools, graphic tools, planning and organizing tools, research and reference tools, and content-area tools. A way to use research and reference tools in the classroom would be to allow students to use virtual encyclopedias and dictionaries to find information. As an educator, a favorite tool of mine is the planning and organizing tool. Those tools help educators like myself organize and communicate thoughts, ideas, and important information. Each software tool has its own benefit for classroom use, but used together, these tools are crucial to a successful classroom in 2017. Educational Technology and Issues (Chapter 1) Educational technology is defined as "a combination of the process and tools involved in addressing educational needs and problems, with an emphasis on applying the most current digital and information tools" (Roblyer, 5). It can be anything from a pencil to a computer. These educational sources include software publishing, online courses, social networking, and systems such as an iPad or Kindle. Educational technology has changed in 4 eras throughout history; pre-microcomputer era, microcomputer era, internet era, and mobile technologies, social media, and open access era. I can remember going through a few eras myself. When I first started school, teachers used chalkboards and dry erase boards to teach. Now I am able to learn virtually through online courses. Technology has changed, and with that, the way students learn has changed. While educational technology is great, there are still downfalls. New concepts such as "cyberbullying" are becoming an issue. Using technology regularly for educational purposes can also pose a health risk such as blurred vision. I plan to integrate technology into my teaching daily, but I also plan to monitor the students' amount of time in front of a screen. The technological advancements are doing wonders in the world of education, and us educators should take advantage of that. Technology Integration Learning Theories and Planning Model (Chapter 2) Many learning theories for technology integration were explained in chapter 2. These theories are categorized into two parts - directed instruction (objectivist) and inquiry-based learning (constructivism). Under these parts are many theories such as Piaget's Cognitive Development and Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. All of the theories listed have differences that are outlined so educators can choose the methods they wish to teach. Every implementation should be directed by the teacher. The Technology Integration Plan (TIP) Model specifies "analysis of teaching/learning needs/objectives, planning tasks, and post-instruction analysis and revisions" (Roblyer, 33). This plan has 3 steps that should be followed for successful integration. In step 1, teachers find a problem and figure out a way to solve that problem using technology. Step 2 includes deciding on what to teach and what technology to use in the lesson. The last step is where the educator evaluates how the first two steps went. Teachers who use this correctly will see success in integrating technology into their classrooms. I have not used this plan before, but I anticipate using this model to integrate technology in my future classroom. ![]() Hey, all! My name is Shelby Dilliard, and I am a teacher assistant at Overpark Elementary. I am an Elementary Education major in the TAP program at Southern Miss. I am currently a fully online student excited to finish out my degree at USM. My family includes my husband, Trey, and my dog, Harlow. Trey and I have been married for three years and we have had Harlow for a little more than two years. I am very excited about this class because technology is not my strong suit, and I know I will learn a lot this semester. I do not have a big technology background, so this class will be very useful to me. My hobbies include reading and photography. I have been blessed to be able to pursue both of my passions--teaching and photography. My philosophy is that education is the most powerful weapon a person can use to change the world. It is my goal to educate children, open their minds, and encourage them to use their knowledge to change the world. |
AuthorShelby Dilliard BlogrollHeather Jordan Elizabeth Brinker Madison Rakinic Kelsey McGrevey Shelby Dilliard Test Student Aleigha Hebert Ashleigh Paull Meghan August Jaime Bowden Shala Hines Jessica Campbell Tiffany Bunch Audra Bosarge Brenda Lamb Samantha Guyton Jessica Capers Kimberly Ingram Stacey Lowery Felicia Holden Tracy Lang Copyright Shelby Dilliard 2017
|