The END!

Today, we tried using Avatars once more to help with class. It was a very interesting idea because people could talk with one another without being in the same room. However, we had so many technical difficulties that for our group, it was ineffective. I go back to my previous statements about it, I would wait to have the kinks worked out before I would use the avatars with my class. It would be a fun way to teach students about places if I were able to create my own worlds. The system imprudence had a couple locations of Gettysburg, and I think that it would be a very informative lesson if I were able to 'show' the students, through an avatar the location of Gettysburg. This class has been quite informative about the use of technology within the class. I would appreciate having some sort of email or link of the websites that we used so that I could have them all in one place, if possible. There are so many possibilities when it comes to teaching students. I find that technology just opens up the possibilities!

Website Evaluations

Today, we found some educational websites and then evaluated them. We used 4 different evaluation sheets to find which website we liked best as well as to see which evaluation form was best. Some of the evaluation forms asked yes or no questions and if there were more yeses, then the website was most likely a good website. However, the form that I preferred over the others had yes or no questions, but then it had a judging system on numbers. (on a scale from 0-4...) I preferred this evaluation form because it used my opinion rather than just yes or no. Some of my answers seemed like they would be more of a maybe answer. With this evaluation, if I wanted to have a maybe, I would put 2-3 instead of absolute yes or absolute no. These evaluation forms are very helpful when looking at the websites because I could look for things like the source being reliable and other things that I wouldn't normally think of looking for. I think if I were just looking for a website for ideas, I wouldn't use a formal evaluation; however, if I were having my students directly on the site, I think that I would use a formal evaluation in order to make sure that I had checked out everything. I would hate to put my students on a site that wasn't going to benefit them or even tell them inaccuracies.

Today, we got to use Instructional Architect. Within it, we looked at lesson plans that other teachers have created. Then within it, we created our own lesson plans. We got to search the internet for lesson ideas. My lesson was about health which is in the science curriculum. This involves having a balanced diet. So first, I searched within Instructional Architect to see if there was any information about health and diet. I found many good sites. Then, I went to google and searched to see if there were any other websites that I wanted to use. After I had found and saved all the links I wanted to use, I then created my lesson plan using the format on Instructional Architect. The link for my lesson plan is http://ia.usu.edu/viewproject.php?project=ia:13222 This is something that could definitely be used in my classroom for any subject. This is a very useful website, and its fun to manage.

Inquiry Lesson Introduction

Today, we worked with webquest.org. This is a website that has some suggestions for different lessons. We worked with literature, and we were supposed to create a brochure about Henderson, NV. This was a great way to have students know how to search the internet with guidance because the links were on the website. Some of the links didn't work which created some issues in finding information. We just used googled Henderson, but that may be something that I wouldn't want my students doing in my classroom. If I were to create my own webquest page, I would feel more confident in my students following along the lesson. I would have to check the webpage perhaps the day before in order to make sure that the links are still working and available. We also went to questgarden.com. This website is another was to make a webpage with lesson plans. The web administrators take the lesson to make sure that it is a detailed lesson that students will be able to work with. Then they will post the lesson plan on the website for other teachers to use as well! Both of these websites could be very useful in the teaching process. These websites can give students 'hands on' experience without needing classroom materials. This is something that I would definitely like to use in the classroom. Next week, we will learn more information on how to create our lessons on these types of websites.

Avatars and Teaching?

Who would have ever thought that an avatar could be a teaching technique? I surely didn't; however today, we learned how to create avatars. The sub suggested a couple of different ways that avatars could be used in teaching. First, he showed us a tutoring type of scenario. This could be used in practice for student teachers with how students would react without using real students. Also, the sub suggested that new areas could be created and a teacher could make a place like Jamestown and teach history by using the avatar. The avatars could also be used while doing class plays. They could act out the play on the computer rather than the actual student being in front of the class. I don't think this is a way that I would teach unless I could get all the kinks out. (This class took a while to get all the avatars working and some didn't work at all.) I think that it is something that would engage students in the lesson. So, if it were to have fewer problems, I could see myself using it in the classroom.

Surveys

Today, we got to create our own surveys on google docs. To take my survey, you can go to

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDJobS1RLWRRT2NabGxOcWg3c1BDdEE6MA

So far, I have had a few take the survey, and I have greatly enjoyed their answers. This would be an excellent resource to use in the classroom for quizes because you can see what each individual answer is. This could also be a fun way to get to know the class a little better at the beginning of school by asking them things that they like to do in class, for fun, or anything else.

Excel and Polling

Today we listened to 2 more presentations (I was in one so technically, I only listened to 1 presentation). Then we struggled through learning how to make a gradebook on excel, but it finally worked. Thank goodness for trial and error. ;) We also learned about doing texting polls online. This way an anonymous voting can be done. The website is polleverywhere.com It's really cool! (I think it would be a neat way to have people guess for missions or such.

Today was quite and exciting day. We got to learn how to use google docs. I knew about google docs before we learned about them today. However, I didn't know how to create and share them. I only knew how to look at them. Now I know that I can create a document and share it. This way an entire group can work on one project without having one particular person in charge of editing. Everyone can put in their information and edit on the same page. This could be shown to student groups if they have an assignment that they have to do together. They can use the google docs for easy access and editing their assignments.

YETC

So, today for class, we got to explore some different education sites. Just on the YETC site, there are 2 links that link to numerous other sites. It's kinda cool to see how much there really is on the internet to help us as teachers....just to make things a little less stressful! My favorite website that we looked at was storylineonline.net. I like seeing actors read out the books because they really bring the words to life by doing different voices, faces, and at least one prop. This I think would be so good for students because it allows them to see people who enjoy reading.

The Beginning

Never, ever did I think that I would get my own blog. Family, friends, it seemed like everyone had their own blog. I enjoyed keeping up on their information, but I told myself, 'nothing interesting happens that anyone would like to read about.' Now, people get to read my blog for a class...Thus the beginning of at least a semester of blogging!