DeWitt Tech Teacher

Final Course Reflection

2008-06-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

This course has taught me a lot about new technologies that are available for me to use with my class. I like to learn by doing, so the hands-on use of a variety of digital tools was definitely my favorite part of this course. Learning in this fashion allowed me to see the struggles and successes that will happen in the classroom when employing these technologies. I would like to talk to many of my colleagues about incorporating some of these tools in their classrooms. I think by using these tools students would not be able to easily say "I hate school because its boring".

I thought the culminating project of the week, although a little overwhelming, allowed me to really get a feel of how some of these technologies could be used in a school setting. By using these tools in school we are going to help students to achieve at the highest level and broaden their horizons.

2008-06-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

In my Lego Robotics class we have a final project in which they have to design and program a sumo robot. The students could explain the design steps they went through using voicethread. Other students could then respond to their project with critiques which could provide the student with feedback. This feedback could allow the students to improve the robotic design or robotic software.

21classes seems like a good way to teach students blogging. However, I don't think many administrators are ready to let students to blog in a school setting. I think it could be an excellent way for students to share ideas in a safe online environment.

I think this last reflection is a great way to reflect on the entire week as a whole. I would like to be able to go back to my school and convince my staff how important this new technology is and that is not adding to their work, but enhancing their work.

Thursday Tech

2008-06-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

As with the entire week we had a lot of information today. I was really engaged with iMovies today. I can see where this would be a highly motivating activity for all students. I get tired of seeing the same tired projects assigned to students in my building year after year. I think many of these assignments could be changed into video projects or podcasts. It would allow teachers an opportunity to learn about these technologies, but more importantly, it would motivate students to achieve at a higher level by incorporating technologies with which they are interested.

What a Great Day!

2008-06-18T18:58:00.001-07:00

Today was an all around great day for me. I was really having fun learning today. Part of the reason for this is something that Dr. Zeitz said today. He said that we cannot be current on all new technology. Technology is basically changing way too fast. We need to focus those technologies we feel we will use and with which we will be the most productive.

Podcasting is the greatest. I would like to incorporate this somehow into my audio broadcasting module. I think my students would really enjoy it. Using garageband to create the podcasts was awesome. I really like this software because it is really intuitive to use. You can find your way around this software quite reqdily.

As far as voicethreading, I thought my colleagues did an excellent job introducing the class to this application. Mr. Vrotny only increased my interest in this technology. Unfortunately, I don't have the time for my students to use this software. However, I will try to find a place for this in my class in the very near future. And, I am going to introduce this technology to my colleagues at work. I can see this as being a valuable storytelling device and/or a unique way to deliver researched material. It also includes a wonderful way for all students to provide feedback.

Better Days Ahead!

2008-06-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Today was a much better day for me. I was able to take more stuff in. I am extremely excited about Skype after we had our session this morning. I agree with Dr. Zeitz that this will make our classrooms more global. Students can interact with experts from around the world. I could see incorporating this into my industrial tech. class. For example, during my rocketry and space module I could talk to NASA experts on the field of rocket science.

I was also intrigued with Steve Hargadon this morning. I really liked his idea about becoming a lead expert on a specific topic and how students could do this using Ning. I don't know if I could use this in my class, but I would like to introduce this technology to my colleagues. I think it would be a great way for students in specific classes to share writings, ideas, and/or collaborate on projects.

It will be harder to convince me of the importance of 2nd Life. I agree it is a kick and I think students might be initially motivated at the prospect of using it, but I could also see students abusing it. I am such a pessimist! Here is a video I found about the educational use of 2nd Life.

ugh!

2008-06-16T08:23:00.001-07:00

I feel a little overwhelmed by all of this new technology. I am wondering if I made a mistake going for my Master's Degree in Instructional Technology. I don't get blogging, twittering, ning... To me, it seems like variations of the same thing. Maybe it will get better for me as the week progresses. I just really did not know what to expect the first day!

I am excited about Google Docs. I will definitely use this tool when I create my class website.

2008-06-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

Not much going on here. Just clean up from this past weekend's destruction. Most of the tree has been removed. We are just waiting for the "tree guy" to come with his chipper to remove the smaller branches. And let me tell you, there are a ton of smaller branches. The other major concern this week is the repair of the garage. A contractor said it would cost between 4 and 5 thousand dollars to fix the damage. My insurance company does not seem too receptive to that amount. Hopefully, I will hear something soon so we can get the repairs done and we put this mess behind us!

Destruction Pictures!

2008-06-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is our garage from the front after Saturday's wind shears.
Here is what it looks like from the side...
... and the back.
But, that wasn't enough for mother nature. She came through again on Sunday to finish the job!

Hey Ma, Ain't That a Tree on the Garage?

2008-06-07T21:57:00.001-07:00

Yes, we had a tree fall on our garage today. Wind sheers up to 80 mph came through DeWitt leaving a swath of destruction in their wake. I will add pictures of this tomorrow. Until then, have a good night!

Digital Immigrants/Native Blog Assignment

2008-06-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

I don't really prefer the terms digital imigrant or digital native. Those terms seem lacking in scope, in my opinion. My perception of digital natives and digital immigrants is that students are proficient in the digital language because they have grown up with it. Many teachers are fluent in academic language and have had to immigrate to digital language later in life. I don't think one of these languages is superior to the other; rather I think both have value and a place in education. I think we are all stronger if we are all bilingual.

Tri-venue Discussion Assignment

2008-06-06T08:16:00.001-07:00

I went to my first chat last night. It was okay! I can't type as fast as some of the poeple because I am concerned about correct spelling and correct grammer. I know that chatting and texting don't conform to many of the rules of English but I am a stickler on this.

Thursdays chat made me feel like I have a lot to learn. I had trouble using all of the technology so I stuck with the one that I am somewhat familiar with which is the chat. I would like to try to use 2nd Life, it seems like an interesting novelty. Whether or not it is a viable technology in the classroom remains to be seen.

My summer classes appear to be going well. I am working on a group project with two other people for one of my classes. I can't wait for it to be over; I am just not used to the technology used in distance learning.

2008-06-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

School is completely done for me. Now I get to finally put more effort into my Master's classes. I feel like I have not been giving them the attention that they deserve. Unfortunately, I just have not had the time lately with school and the musical with which I am involved.

Here is a video of a number from Thoroughly Modern Millie from the Tony Awards.

Whew!

2008-06-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

School with students is finally over. Now I can start preparing and repairing. Preparing new materials for next year and repairing and/or replacing damaged or worn-out items and equipment. This is the time of year when I feel I can actually get some things done!

Crazy Times

2008-05-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have forgotten to blog the past two days. I am not used to being on the internet so often. Anyway, my last two days have been crazy with work and the musical with which I am involved.

Thursday we had our first real run through. It went horribly. Afterwords we were told we had to show up for an extra rehearsal or our services were no longer needed. I ended up quitting. But, it was short lived because the director apologized to me and we got things straightened out.

Friday, I got to accompany my eighth graders to Adventureland...woohoo! We left town at 7:00 in a torrential downpour. However, by the time we got to Adventureland the skies were pretty clear. It was a basically uneventful day. Thank God! We got home at 7:00 pm so I rushed to my playing job in the musical which started at 8:00. It went much better. However, I did not get home until after 12:00. It was an exhaustingly long day.

Tonight I get to play the show again. I hope it goes well!

2008-05-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's late so I am not going to write much. I had my first "rehearsal" with cast members tonight. It did not go well because we only went through 3 or 4 numbers. They were still working on their tech rehearsal.

On a more positive note, we launched rockets today in my tech class. All students involved enjoyed it very much. All in all it was a pretty good day!

2008-05-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

Not much to report on today. My Tech class launched rockets today. It was a cold and blustery day so the students did not have too much fun. Unfortunately as unpredictable as the weather has been lately I had to get this activity done. My robotics class is getting closer to competition. I hope all goes well with this activity. As well as can be expected anyway.

2008-05-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

I had my first pit orchestra rehearsal tonight. It went alot better than I had expected. However, there are alot of young musicians in the group. They just need to play with confidence. I think that they are too concerned with drowning out the actors...they need to realize that their parts are important too.

On a different note, this is my last week of classes. Friday I have a trip to Adventureland with the eighth graders. I'm not really looking forward to 6 hours of riding a bus with them.

2008-05-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

As I stated yesterday I am playing in a pit orchestra for Thoroughly Modern Millie. I just got the music today and we open on Thursday. I am a little nervous because the music is a little rough. I worked through most of it tonight. I hope it will come across okay.

2008-05-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

What should I write? How about there are only 3 class days until the end of the school year!Woohoo! I'm always worried about the end the year because it seems like I have so much to do, and very little time to do it in. Before the end of the school year I have to finish grades, of course, launch rockets with my 6th and 8th grade students, have a Sumo-bot competition, and last but certainly not least, I have to finish my orders for next year. I hope I can get all of this done. Additionally, I now am going to play trumpet for the next three weeks in a musical.