Monday of this week was a fantastic learning experience for me! I learned so much; however, I do feel a little overwhelmed. I want to try everything I saw, but realistically, I do not have the time to experiment with all of the technology and implement what I saw into all the different classes that I teach, especially when I learned that a sixth class will be added to my already busy schedule. I have decided that I will try several of the new technologies and spend my summer deciding how I can incorporate even more for my classes next fall.
I was really impressed with Glogster, Voicethread, and Ipadio. Thanks, Sara Kajder, for a wonderful staff development day. My experimentation and implementation for this week was creating a Ning for my English IV class. Next week, I want them to create profiles for for their favorite Canterbury characters, and I thought this would be an awesome way for them to express their knowledge and understanding of character and characterization. In addition, they are going to begin work on a multimedia travel project in connection with The Canterbury Tales. I'll post more on how this turns out next week.
I've also taken some time to play with Jing. I was surprised at how easy screencasting is. I still hate the way my voice sounds when recorded, but the uses for this technology are endless. I had to train some teachers last week for our online SAT/ACT prep software, and by using Jing, I was able to create some how-to videos which really enhanced teachers understanding during the staff development. Not only did this tool help teachers prepare for the staff development, but this will also give them something to go back to when they feel lost or can not remember how to get where they need to go in TCA. I love it!
I love all this new technology! I only wish I had more time to learn and more time to implement what I'm learning in the classroom. Slowly but surely, I'm trying to get there.
The word is "Wow"!Please share how you are getting the students to use these spaces. Maybe share links of your How to's in your blog.What are you plans with the ning?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. I always appreciate your comments. As far as the Ning is concerned, I'm going to start by having their profiles reflect their favorite Canterbury characters to assess their understanding of character and characterization. Then, I hope to begin using the Ning in place of my teacher page (if possible) for their class as a more interactive space. Right now, my English IV class is not using my teacher page as well as they should be, and the Ning may be the tool to get buy-in, especially when the majority of their time outside of class is spent on MySpace and Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you...it can be overwhelming. So many cool things, so little time to learn how to incorporate them into our lessons. I like the lesson you are going to try with the characters in Canterbury. Good luck! I'm going to try voicethread while teaching the novel, "Lord of the Flies." I'm going to put them in groups (each representing a major character, and one group representing adults of authority), and ask them to present evidence defending their actions. The group of adults will respond according to their view point of their actions presented in the novel. All this must be created on the voicethread, and upon completion and presentation of each project, their fellow classmates will be asked to respond...using voicethread of course. THIS should be interesting, since I've never used this before in the classroom, but I tell you what, I'm sure glad that there is something else out there to use instead of always resorting to powerpoint. I'm about sick of powerpoints!!! Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to the lesson I'm planning on doing? I'm open to any thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFebruary 21, 2010 6:39 AM
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I love the idea of using the Ning in this manner! Your students are very fortunate to work with you. A SIXTH prep?! Please let us know how we can help you feel less overwhelmed. Keep it up, Mrs. A!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having students create a ofile using a character from the Cantebury Tales. I would love to use the same idea for my Eng One after reading Romeo and Juliet. Let me know how it works out. Olga, can you help?
ReplyDeleteI like your voicthread idea, HippieTeacher. Please post how that turns out for you on your blog. I'd love to know more. Thanks for reading.
ReplyDeleteMiss Olga, can you make me a twin? I'll let you know if I need anything. Thanks for reading and for your support. You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI certainly will, Colleen. Thanks for reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we learned some wonderful stuff Monday in our meeting with Sarah. I also agree that it is overwhelming, but you sound like you have made a good start in experimenting with some of the technology. I can't wait to see how it turns out for you. Another good idea you had is to digest some of this and use it in the fall with our new students.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, matkinson. I really like the idea of using JING for the TCA instructions or SAT/ACT prep. I have the step by step instructions on paper, but putting them on a JING screencast will save time and will be less confusing. I like to see what I need to be accessing. I know Bill's have helped me tremendously. Great Blog. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSounds great!! I am anxious to hear how The Canterbury Tales lesson goes. I am starting the work with my Honors III class this week. My thinking wheels are already spinning!!
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