HALLOWEEN AND PUMPKINS

Come to my pumpkin page to learn all about pumpkins! Get a great cookie recipe too!

WELCOME 5th Graders

Welcome to Miss Amber’s 5th grade class! I am so excited to teach you this year. You are all wonderful students. This year you will work hard to learn new things. Some of the things you will be studying are; reading, math, science, U.S. History, social skills, P.E., music, technology and art. We also have 2 class pets this year. They are turtles, and their names are Wally and George. This year will be fun and exciting. Together as a class we will accomplish great things, if we work together. LET THE LEARNING BEGIN!

Please answer the following questions
What is your full name?
What is your birth date?
What is your favorite subject in school?
What do you do after school?
What is your favorite sport?
What is your favorite genre of music?
What would you like to learn this year?
After you have answered the questions, please get together with a partner. Share your answers with each other. After you have discussed the answers, draw a collage of all the things YOUR PARTNER told you. Please do your best work. These collages will be displayed on the wall for the first week to help us get to know each other. Remember, DO YOUR BEST!

Technology......... as I see it!

I view technology as a double edged sword. I understand that technology has the ability to teach more effectively by engaging the students of today. It also has the ability to help students with disabilities have greater success. Also I understand that with technology come multiple problems such as loss of human, face to face interaction. Technology is now a crucial part of society and must be dealt with professionally.
Technology has never, been one of my strengths as far as understanding and implementing it into the classroom. I am only 21 years old and most people my age are far more advanced in the subject than I. I feel I am this way for multiple reasons. First, I lack desire. I really don’t care all that much about computers and the internet. Most of my friends and family are within close proximity and I simply don’t need to email them or create a blog to keep them updated. Second, my mom really controlled my technology use growing up. She was so afraid I would access something I shouldn’t that we really were allowed to use our computer except for school purposes. Finally, I would say I am afraid of technology, afraid I will never be able to keep up with the times so why try?
I feel that technology is a necessary component of teaching today. The main reason is because of how great an impact it can have with students with special needs. With an increase of the special education population, more tools are needed to help them learn. For many students who cant see hear or write, computers are crucial to their educational success. I have worked in classrooms before where a child with severe behavioral problems is able to work because he is allowed to use the computer to help him. Where as, before he had computer access, he refused to do any work and threw fits. This is the kind of success and learning I want to take place in my classroom.
On the flip side to the benefits, I feel like technology is depersonalizing the learning experience. Too many students are texting and surfing, while they should be listening to a teachers direct instruction. I feel that students should not be allowed to text while in class or surf unless it is pertaining to classroom work. I think far too many students have become to addicted to technology and really cannot function without it. I feel that students should still be able to work with pencil and paper.

REFLECTIONS

I was completely dumbfounded by the time I finished the readings. I had truly been living in ignorance. There is so much depth and application in the technology world. I learned numerous benefits to using technology in the classroom. I was amazed to find out how passionately students felt about technology. What really left me in deep in thought was the limitless ways to use technology to teach curriculum. I need to learn the net standards, and use them. Now I know the world is changing (or has changed) with or without me.

ADVANCEMENTS IN FUTURE TECHNOLOGY
I was completely unaware of the different technological devices available to help students. I had never heard the term media mobility because the Millennial Generation Video. What students say this means is that they want to have music, internet, homework, television, with them at all times, available on a small multi-functional device. Students were also predicting that credit cards and drivers licenses would no longer be needed. They predict that within the next fifteen to twenty years it will all be accessed with your fingerprint. No identity left. I think that is incredible. I really think it could happen. After all at one time weren’t; computers, internet, cell phones, just someone’s dream. Students also say that keyboards won’t be needed in the future. To type a paper you will just be able to say the words and the computer will be able to generate the text for you. Touch screens will be used for all computers and cell phones. Students are generating so many great ideas and it will only be so long before they create ways to make their great ideas come to life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFsJY00yNOQ
WAYS TO USE TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

In the Millenials article, I learned how students would like to have small handheld devices so they could combine their school and home lives. They want to have access to things from school at home and vise versa. This is a great idea, because there has been a correlation study between home involvement and academic success. I would like to see this increased. I think having technology devices would be a great benefit to the classroom.
One other idea the students had was to use e textbooks. I think this would be a great benefit to the classroom as well as to the environment. This would prevent students from damaging books, ripped pages, etc. Also, it would help when new editions are published you could just update the books online, and not have to purchase a whole new set. Anything that helps the classroom budget is wonderful.

Students learn so much from doing group work. Students really have a difficult time meeting in groups outside of school. They mentioned they would like to be able to have online study groups or online help from teacher that would decrease this problem and help with study/group time efficiency.

NETS STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS 2008
According to the Net Standards for teachers 2008, I am not using adequate technology in the classroom. I never realized how much teachers should be integrating technology, and how much it can teach all across the curriculum.
The first thing discussed in the standards is the use of creativity and inspiration. I feel I am open to new ideas and love creative work. I never realized all the possibilities technology provides and how it helps to expand student creativity. I really think this is an important component of technology use.
The 2nd standard stated that students needed to be provided with digital learning experiences and assessments (appropriate with their age level). I had never thought about how critical this is. If students are not accustomed to using computers at the elementary level, then how can we expect them to appropriately use it in high school? Even Kindergarten students should have the opportunity to complete work using technology. The more they learn when they are young, the better off they will be.
The 3rd standard discusses the necessity of teacher modeling technology use. If we do not use technology to teach, but expect our students to use it then we are being hypocrites. Teachers need to use digital storytelling, blogs, powerpoints, movies, webquests, etc. in order for our students to see these things as valuable. The more teachers use technology to instruct the more familiar students will become with it. Teachers must also be aware that some students may not get technology exposure at home, and desperately need it in the classroom.
The 4th standard mentioned for teachers was Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. I think this is so important because plagiarism is huge problem today. Largely due to how easy it is to copy, paste, burn, rip, etc. Students must be taught to understand how to give credit and find accurate information on the web. Creative Commons website is a great way to educate your students concerning copyright issues.
The final Standard mentioned was professional growth and leadership. I had never personally thought of this as an important thing for teachers to do. However, know that I am reflecting on all that I must teach students I am realizing that I need to learn more myself. Technology is something that is never at a stand still. It will constantly be changing and we have to keep up with the times. I will need to keep up on current research in technology in order to be a better teacher.
UNI SURVEYS
The first technology survey I took was asking about basic technology equipment and concepts. I found that a little ironic because I would think of it as anything but basic.
Most of my answers fell into the Novice category, which is embarrassing. How can I teach something that I am a novice at?
For the most part I feel comfortable with Windows and programs. However at times when I have had to use Macintosh I have felt completely confused. Computer terminology is also one of my weaknesses. I have to be honest when I started this class I had no idea what a junk drive was. This survey also asked questions about troubleshooting. I actually do feel that this is something I am decent at doing. The reason is I will spend hours trying things in multiple ways, trying to get it to work. I see it as some sort of puzzle. The survey also asked about ethics and legal issues with computers and the web. This is also one of my strengths. I am aware of copyright issues and I try to give credit where credit is due. It also asked about devices used to assist students with special needs. I am aware there are devices; however I do not know how to use them or where to get them.
The second UNI survey was based on technology resources and tools for information literacy. Of 13 questions I answered 5 at the pre-novice level, 6 at the novice level and only 2 at the apprentice level. I have a lot to learn about technology and the web.
Some of the questions on this survey, asked about the World Wide Web and using it to access information. This is something I am very comfortable doing. I have been using the web to research and study for about 8 years. I am familiar with different search engines and ways to find accurate information. The survey also asked about the use of email. I do have 2 email accounts that I use. One is for school work, and the other is personal. However, I do not use them with consistency. I have never used video conferencing before. This does seem like something that could be very valuable to teachers. It also asked about how often I used multimedia tools to create presentations. I am avid PowerPoint user. I love the program. I want to extend this to other programs for instructional use. I seldom use spreadsheets; however I know the basics of using Microsoft Excel. I feel the use of technology to present information is crucial in engaging students today.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Strengths
I understand the basic functions of Microsoft office and use it on a regular basis.
I surf the web multiple times weekly to research and study information.
I use a digital camera, ipod, and junk drive frequently and can use them in a way suited for education.
I use PowerPoint to directly instruct students on a regular basis.
Weaknesses
I do not understand technical terms and phrases.
I don’t use my email as a source of everyday communication.
I do not understand how to install and uninstall different programs and navigate through my computer hard drive.
I am not aware of the latest technology (how to use it and where to get it)
My overall technology skills are not as in depth as I would like them to be.
GOALS
I want to use my Igoogle account everyday to keep lessons and other school material organized. I want to use the Gmail access and Google docs more frequently. I want to become aware of the ins and outs of Google to make it simple and get the most out of it.
I want to learn more about assistive devices to accommodate students with special needs. This is one of the greatest uses of technology in our world. I want to have these to help all my students to succeed.
I want to become familiar with Macintosh and its programs. I want to be able to feel comfortable using these. (Most schools in Utah use Macs) This will be very important to be me as a teacher.
I want to incorporate technology into all areas of the curriculum. This will engage the students and help them to learn even more. I want to use it while instructing everyday, so students will become familiar with it and know of its importance in today’s world.
Some sites and tutorials that will help me reach my goals:

http://www.i-w-t.com/disabled_assistive_technology.html

http://www.macinstruct.com/node/194