Looking back on the technological adventure...

     Its hard to believe that this semester has come to an end! Though the last week may or may not have aged me several years, I have to say that the semester has made me learn a lot about myself.

     When I began this semester I was daunted, I thought of myself as someone who was very technologically challenged. I only used things like Facebook and twitter to keep in touch with people, not realizing what potential they possessed. I also had no idea about the plethora of apps and programs which exist that can assist classroom teachers. Sites like Animoto and and Prezi, to me, are so much more engaging than Power Point. If I was to use them in my classroom I would likely include them in my English class. With the outcomes of the curriculum allowing for so much creativity, these two sites could offer ways to creatively generate ideas and communicate topics. I also learned so much about the connectivity which can be achieved through sites like twitter and instagram, and with programs like google docks. Over the semester I have followed so many interesting people and organizations. I have also been followed by a few exciting people and organizations. Through this I have been able to share ideas about education, art and the trials and tribulations of being a education student. Google docks has really changed the way I think about group projects and sharing information. With many of my group presentations we utilized google docks, it allowed for easy sharing of ideas and editing. This would translate easily to the classroom in so many subjects. Whether it is generating tests or using it in group work, similar to how my groups and I did, google docks offers an easy to understand and easy to use doorway to learning.

     A topic which reoccured throughout our ICT course was the appropriateness of tech in the classroom. I believe that tech in the classroom is inevitable, we are in an age where education is evolving rapidly towards technology. If I was to shut out technology from my classroom I would be limiting my students. Things like smart phones and ipads, if used with specific criteria, can create a strong environment for learning. It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide guidance and order to the classroom, whether it includes technology or not. Students who are distracted by technology are likely not engaged in the learning environment. If students are engaged in the learning, technology becomes a tool rather than a distraction.

     One of the highlights of the ICT course for me, among many other things, was the group presentation. My partner and I focused on the importance of creativity in the classroom and the ways in which technology can facilitate creativity. We chose to do a video, as I have had experience with making video in my undergrad degree. The video was made using three things; a digital camera, an iphone and imovie. We wanted to make as simple as possible so it could be utilized easily in the classroom. I think both of us really enjoyed creating our presentation. I also feel that it was an awesome way to finish off the semester. I can truly say that I am more than excited to use the information and skills, which I have acquired, in my teaching. 

Here's an example of a prezi which includes some things I will carry with me..... just click here .
I have also included the video which was created in our ICT class. Thank you to Joanne for being such an amazing partner.

Edit, Edit, Edit........ Did I mention EDIT!

So if you haven't noticed I have been slacking in terms of writing my blogs every week, and to be honest I had trouble even figuring out what day it was today...... Thursday right? Well the last couple weeks have been a bit crazy with assignments starting to pile up, plus working up to sixty hours from Friday to Sunday hasn't been helping a lot either. But we all have to deal with our own choices!

In terms of technology, I have been chipping away and have just recently finished my e-portfolio. I included as much of myself as I could, hopefully giving who ever looking at it a sense of what kind of person I am, as well as what kind of teacher I may become. It was pretty difficult editing it. I began with the site which I had prepared before, which may I mention I was quite fond of, and I tore it appart. I felt like the format didn't serve the purpose as well as it should. So long story short I finished it. It's always interesting when you have to inwardly look at yourself, it's the whole stigma that we all hate looking at or talking about who we really are. That's the beauty and difficulty of this site though, you need to be honest with yourself on who you are otherwise you will mislead someone to think you are something your not.

Anyways to finish off, I thought I would include a video which encapsulates how I think my fellow students and I are feeling. Keep in mind I hope that this never happens to any one of us, and by no means does ICT make me feel this way..... 

Emotionally Driven Classroom.

 I know I had mentioned a bit about how powerful using image and sound can be in a classroom setting in my previous post, but I think I want to go back there briefly.

I wanted to share with you why this topic is so important to me. While I was taking a class, called Elucidata: a course in multi-media poetry, we were asked to create an original video which would contain our own poetry being spoken throughout. Prior to this, and even still a little now, I really struggled with technology. I had trouble connecting with it, struggling to build a sense of why it mattered to me. After completing the project however I soon realized the implications of technology.

It allowed me to visually express myself in ways I never could before, making me passionate about something I hadn't really cared about in the past.

That's what I wanted to say, which I had failed to say in my previous post. Regardless of the medium, whether its paint or a computer screen, any outlet which allows a student to find passion is extremely important. People are not proud enough of themselves, so if its possible for me to allow my students to be proud of themselves over something then I will stand behind it.

Here is the video I created in Elucidata, I hope you enjoy it.

 

The Return

 Well that was a phenomenal experience! Its really exciting and scary to think that I'm one step closer to becoming a certified teaching professional. I had some amazingly positive experiences, as well as some negative ones. Regardless of how negative the experiences I had were I did my best to learn from them, its them which will make me the best teacher I can be. I think one of the greatest part about my placement was the amount of technology which I tried to use while in the school. The school were I was placed was rural and quite small, due to this the technology there was limited. Right away I utilized wordle, having my 5/6 students using the program to assist them in a creative writing assignment. I also became more familiar with the smart board, as well as using prezi and powerpoint at multiple points during my placement. I found that technology, especially video, is extremely effective in engaging students. Overall my placement couldn't have gone any better. I'm happy to be back to B.U but I'm missing my students already.

This Thursday we had a guest speaker who was great. He really connected to me and what I value in education. He spoke about the emotional connection which can happen with students when using things such as voice recording dubbed over music. This activity really offers so many possibilities for implementation, whether its as an english or social studies.

Here's a photo of an assignment I did with my 5/6 science class. My students were asked to create mobiles, outlining the three main varieties and five aspects about each one written on a visual representation of the given cloud. 

Week 5/Week 6..... The return of wordle!

      So I have the first week of student teaching under my belt! It was a little crazy, being in grades 5-11 in multiple subjects. The students were fantastic, we will see how their behaviour changes once they become more accustomed to me. I was even asked to teach a couple lessons during the week, which was both nerve wrecking and exciting.

      During the week I didn't use a whole lot of technology. That was until, while in my grade 5/6 ELA class, we needed to create a way for them to think creatively about Halloween. Can you guess what I used? That's right, our old friend wordle! I had the students brainstorm 10 words about Halloween individually, then share their words with a partner. This was of course after I had read them a compelling story about a witch and her broomstick. 

     I am about to start a project with the grade 5 and 6's with presentations about extreme weather. I am hoping to convince my co-operating teacher to look at Prezi. So here it goes... bring on the next week!

Week 4..... Next I promise more exciting titles!..... P.S. I forgot to publish this entry...whoops

             Well, this week has flown by, which I don't necessarily think is a good thing. So I have been etching away at my website, adding videos and links to cool sites, it is really amazing how quick and easy weebly is to use. Probably my favorite feature about weebly is the simplicity in embedding video and other media.  This program would be amazing in so many subjects. Students could use it to produce presentations, portfolios and so many other ideas. It offers the individual student an opportunity to develop their ideas in a technological format which is quick and easy.

               

                            Here’s the link to my site if you want to check it out. Just click here!

Another thing which I feel  is necessary to mention is Google dock. I think this is a very useful program, not only for myself, but especially when thinking of its use in the classroom. It brings a whole new dynamic to group work which I haven’t experienced before. 

Finally I wanted to share with everyone a site which I have followed for a long time. It focuses mainly on exposing artists from all over the world, working in all different mediums. I just refer to it as Colossal, but if you want to check it out click on this link.  

                Here's a video from colossal.....

Week 3- Curation/Lets get bouncy

     So I am aware now that my previous post didn't really contain much in terms of content concerning ICT in the classroom...... the is my redo post. I have been working on my classroom website sporadically through the week, its coming along and I'm excited to started really using the site to give a good sense of the teacher I hope to be. Weebly is a great site, I mean if I can understand and use it then anyone can!

     One of the main topics we discussed on Monday was the idea of online curation. My familiarity with the subject is limited to curation of art, but the two are much the same. They each deal with grouping information and topis into groups depending on common information. I believe that curation is crucial if I want to stay inventive and creative. Without looking at what other people are interested in, such as on Pinterest, then how will I ever broaden my knowledge of what is out there? I remember when I first got my Pinterest account, much to the dismay of a lot of my male friends who believed it was only for girls. In the beginning I mostly used it to collect tattoo ideas as well as ideas for art projects. Now, however, I have come to understand that Pinterest is an almost unlimited resource of shared ideas from educators all over the world. It would seem redundant not take advantage of it.

 Here is a link to my Pinterest if anyone is interested:

Follow me on Pinterest!

     Another really fun and interesting program we were shown was the bouncy ball program, which basically tracks noise with animated color balls. This program would be really useful in the classroom not only from a managerial stand point but also from an activity stand point. I could even use it to show how sound travels, the balls bounce more the closer I get, showing how sound ways change over a certain distance. I also think it could be used in many ways in say a grade 11 or 12 art class, students could study movement and active drawing, through following the movement of a certain ball with their pencil. How can you go wrong with brightly colored bouncy balls.......... THAT MOVE!

Here is the link to the program:

Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy!

Week 3

It is hard to believe that week three has already arrived, ever harder to believe that in three weeks I will taking my first pre-service teaching position.

I had my first paper to write over the weekend on the topic of adolescent development..... good times! Despite the fact that I am now in my second degree, and probably should know better, I once again left it to the last day to actually write. At least this time I had the outline completed prior to it. It was a difficult thing, having to identify myself in the essay using "I". If I had done the same thing in my undergrad..... well lets not even think of that. Despite my procrastination I was nice to express my opinion subject matter which I am passionate about.

I have high hopes for the oncoming week, as I am beginning to feel more accustomed to the changes in my schedule. The old brain is starting to smoke a bit but that's okay, I'm always up for a little pain and gain! Here's to another week in Ed..... ready set go!

Creating Creativity

 Here is a phenomenal talk concerning creativity and the school system. Pretty inspiring stuff!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

This is where it begins!

Well, so far so good. I have survived the first week and half of my education degree. Though orientation week was a roller coaster of fear mixed with excitement, I am beginning to get back into the groove of a schedule. It's been an interesting adjustment form my undergrad degree, going from classes once or twice a week to everyday has made me feel a bit out of sorts. Some how I am already behind on homework, shocker! Regardless of this I am excited to get my feet and meet new people. I already feel more comfortable with the technology we are using in the ICT classroom. Through being shown wordle I am already thinking of ways to utilize the program in multiple ways. For me, what's most exciting about wordle is how visually stimulating it is. With my background in creative writing there were many times where we were asked to combine image and text. In the case of wordle though it is a self contained image comprised of text, pretty wicked stuff right? Here's an example with words from this very post!