class websites

I thought this chapter was very interesting because it showed me the benefits of creating a class website, as well as how easy it was to incorporate them in the classroom. This was important for me to see because I am always complaining about how I am bad with computers...this showed me that I don't have to be good with computers to do this!
This chapter discussed things like templates and predesigned formats, so that people who don't know much about computers can make websites just as easily. It makes it easy for students as well as teachers.
I also thought it brought up a good point when it said that not just advanced kids can benefit from this; special-ed kids do, too. I liked the one teacher, Nellen, who discussed how the computer is an enabling machine for them, "It can work if it is done correctly," he says, "It approaches Dewey's 'learing by doing' and Gardner's eight intelligences. This one machine allows for all of that." I think it is good to know that there is technology out there that helps special-ed kids succeed better in school.

Using the Web

I am just amazed at technology these days. Am I seriously reading about a class website? This is crazy to me since in my school days this was unheard. This chapter makes the web seem so easy and beneficial too.

Easy: Anyone can use it and most people are familiar with the basic tools of the computer anyway. You could use ADDIE or Myschoolonline.com and it will guide you on how to create a website.

Beneficial: I really like the idea that students could incorporate mulitimedia tools in to their writings by using the web. Teachers could also test their students online by using Quia.com. With this website teachers could create interactive quizzes and then the results would be posted immediately-I thought that was so neat.

I really enjoyed reading the story about Ted Nellen and how he felt like people would benefit from posting their writings online because other people would be able to read the work. Most people write just so their information and opinions can be read. A class website provides the perfect opportunity for those students.

I just cannot believe I went from knowing the basics of word, excel, and the internet, and am now learning things I never knew existed. A class website seems really interesting and beneficial, but I don't even know the first step to creating one. So I'm anxious to see what I'll learn next.

Websites and Reflections

As the beginning of this chapter says, "the Internet is, at its heart, a community (89)." I completely agree with this statement. Although many of us may not want to admit it, we rely heavily on the Internet for communication with the people in our lives. I know that I spend massive amounts of time on Facebook catching up with my friends at different colleges. Well, someday the students that we teach are going to be using networking sites like Facebook too. I believe it is important to start out early with incorporating the Internet into our curriculum.

One great way to do this is by creating a class website. We are all on the Internet so much as it is, why not make it part of our homework? A class website can allow teachers to stay organized and have the students constantly know what is going on in the classroom. I know there are times when I have to do a certain project for a class and I wish I had some resources and help from my teachers. Well, a class website would be able to have these resources readily available to students. Also, a class website could cut down on the paper usage in classrooms and benefit the environment as well.

There are often times when I am sitting in classes trying to think about how I would personally make that class more exciting. Up until I took this course, I was unsure of how I would do that. But now that I am experimenting with different forms of technology, I realize that is quite simple to make lesson plans more interactive and entertaining for students. I have enjoyed learning about the possibilities of PowerPoint, and I even learned a few things from my classmates during the presentations. I honestly can't wait until I start implementing all of these ideas into my own classroom.

The Possibilities of Websites and Reflection on PowerPoint

As a future high school English teacher, I found this week's reading especially interesting and useful.  Going through high school with the use of the internet myself, I know how helpful it can be for the student.  This chapter expanded on and emphasized the numerous possibilities the internet provides to really aid in the classroom and the learning process as a whole.  

By creating a classroom website, a teacher can really show his/her students what all is available to them literally at their fingertips.  As we learned in putting together our PowerPoint presentations last week, there are so many resources out there - you just have to know where/how to look for them.  By finding some of the better resources and putting them together in one place, a teacher can illustrate the power of the internet to his/her students without the frustration they may feel if they are looking on their own (at least at first).

The text also emphasized how a website can be a great place for students to post their writing.  I definitely agree that some students have more motivation to write to the best of their ability when they are writing for a real audience.  Also, I know for me, there have been some instances when posting a blog (and reading other posts) on a course website has forced me to think more critically about something or see something in a way than I might not have otherwise.  

This course has already taught me so much about the possibilities of technology in the classroom.  In doing the multimedia presentation especially, I have begun to see how even though I knew the basics before, I now can bring something completely different into a classroom - something that is interactive and hopefully will be able to reach students on a deeper level.  I think learning to create my own classroom website will be especially helpful.  Even though there is a lot on the internet that is far from educational, teaching students the right way to use the internet is definitely worthwhile.  

From PowerPoint to the Web

I thought the chapter we read was very interesting. Although I am nto planning on teaching highschool there were some great ideas that can be adpated to elementary school. For example having a class website. This wouldbe be an easy way to keep in touch with parents and students as well as have a place for studentsto check for homework assignments or extra activities. I really liked the ADDIE model of instructional design and the checklist for developing a website. Both of these seem to make it a lot easier then I thought to design and operate a web page.  I am excited to begin creating my own web page. 

I have already learned so much about PowerPoint. I never thought about all the ways it can enhance a classroom. Also when it combines with the web, you can post your presentations online for children to review later for tests. I love that they can be used again and again as well as with many of the presentation you can pick and choose which parts you want to use. 

As we discussed a little bit in class  I also believe this class should b a requirement int he education department.  Technology is changing the classroom so ALL teachers should know how to use it to their advantage and their students advantage. I have already learned so much I am much more confident in my technological abilities then I was before.

Powerpoint and Beyond

I liked the chapter we read in using technology in the English classroom because it provides an opportunity to see how what technologies children learn and use in the elementary classroom can be expanded on as they advance throughout their school careers. I agree that multimedia software is a great way for students to gather their main points and thoughts, and then eleborate on these points in a presentation. It eliminates the problem of having to think on the spot, and it gives students the opportunity to use innovative learning techniques. I though having student fill out a flow chart is a good idea, because it is essentially the same as creating an outline. That way students can use their time efficiently. I was unfamiliar with the copyright notice which students can use instead of citing all of their sources. I think this is especially efficient for the younger grades, but I still believe it is important for students to learn about plagarism and how to cite their sources properly. I liked the idea of having student reflect on their projects because it gives them ideas for improvement, etc, without the teachers feedback.

I really enjoyed working with the multimedia software. I had a lot of fun making my project, and there is still so much more I could do with it. There are endless possibilities of what you can do with the software, as we saw today in class. One of the things I find frustrating about software is that I know their are sometimes more efficient ways to do things but I just don't know what they are. Some of the other challenges I had with the project was determining what significant texts to include in the project that would be sufficient in conveying the main idea to the students. I had to decide if the picture was enough of an explanation or if text was needed. I also had trouble navigating the web to find reliable sources and typing in the keywords that would give me the best results for pictures. Despite some of the frustrations that come with learning about technology, I do get excited when I master something and I will be a more competant teacher because of it. I am glad I am taking this class and learning so much!

Chapter 10: Presentation Software

Throughout high school and over the past few years, I have used PowerPoint significantly more than I have used other programs, such as Excel.  I thought that I had a pretty good grasp on how to use the program.  After reading Chapter 10, however, I realized that once again, my knowledge of presentation software barely touches the surface of the possibilities these programs have to offer.  In the reading, Hamilton presents so many activities and assessments that can be done using these programs.  Many of these activities, including brochures and bookmarks, I would have thought to do in other programs - never PowerPoint.  I'm excited now to learn how to do them on presentation software instead.

While this book does focus on the elementary level, I am finding it very interesting and useful for me, a future high school teacher, as well.  Most of the ideas that I have read about so far could easily be adjusted for the high school student/curriculum.  In this chapter, for example, the text mentions creating portfolios and character webs using presentation software.  Both of these projects would be very applicable to the English classroom, no matter what the grade level.