Reflection #20

EDU 6384 has been very beneficial in many ways as an educator, a student and a mother. This was my first online course, and it was very difficult to get used to learning pretty much on my own, but at the same time it was very convenient because I was able to do it all at home. Therefore, it had its pros and cons.
The book was very informational and helpful. I learned so many ways of integrating technology, and new websites that I could use in the classroom. The discussion posting were also very helpful. I was able to learn from my classmates, and steel some technology ideas to use in my class. Something that I took from the book, and have already started to use is E-Pals. My students have enjoyed using this site, and so have I. They are now able to write letters to me through E-Pals versus me having to take their journals home on the weekends.
This course has enhanced my way of thinking of technology. I thought my campus was pretty advanced in the area of technology, but there is still so much to learn about it. After being in this course, I have really reflected on my ways of integrating technology in class. I really need to step it up with technology. There are so many new things out there for students, including Assistive Technology. This class has shown me that I need to be better equipped to be able to integrate technology in class.
I really enjoyed creating a Blog for the first time. I have also created a Blog for the classroom for my students to see. My Blog helped me reflect on me integrating technology in class. I plan on creating a personal blog as well to write about personal things.
The best part was the driving time! I was able to do it all from home, and dedicate more time to my family duties.
Now to the things that didn’t work out as great for me…
I had difficult time learning on my own. For example: the database and excel assignments were my worst. After sitting for hours listening to the tutorials, I still struggled with these assignments. This is where I needed to sit in a classroom, and learn step by step.
The postings on Blackboard were not difficult. The only problem I had in this area was waiting for others to post so that I could have any discussions. I constantly had to check Blackboard to check when people had posted so that I could reply back. Another issue in this area is that when a discussion had to be posted based on the Chapter questions, I felt like the answers of classmates were very repetitive making it hard to respond if you were one of the last ones to respond to the answers.
Overall, this course was a great one! I would recommend this course to a person that is always on the go, and wants to save driving time. Plus, it offers so many new ways of learning how to integrate technology in the classrooms, and help you be up to date with some of the new TECH items, and sites to use.

#19 Thanksgiving Story

The last day before break I allowed my students to create a Thanksgiving story on thanksgiving story.com. It is a site that students star in a story all about Thanksgiving. Students were able to fill in some blanks, and at the end a story is generated for them.
This was just something quick that my students had fun with, and integrating technology simultaneously. I thought it would be fun for each student to create one so that they could share with their family on Thanksgiving. This activity only took about 10 minutes per student.
They were all excited to print it after they were done!
I added one example below to share...

Megan's Thanksgiving Story
At Megan's house on Thanksgiving day, everything smelled fantastic! The grown-ups were in the kitchen filling the best china dishes with all sorts of yummy Thanksgiving food. In the spirit of sharing, every Thanksgiving Megan's family made a big turkey dinner to eat with special friends. All of a sudden the doorbell rang. It was Matthew, one of Megan's favorite people. "Come in!" Megan said excitedly. "Dinner's almost ready!" "I've brought corn bread," Matthew said, smiling, holding up a dish of great-looking corn bread. And Karla has made turkey," Megan said. This is going to be great! Dinner was terrific. The turkey and stuffing was especially good this year. But, the big question every year at Megan's house was: "Who will share the wishbone?" This year was no different! "Me, me!" Megan and Matthew pleaded. The grown-ups smiled. Karla nodded and said, "Go ahead you two!" Megan and Matthew were given the wishbone. Each grabbed one end and pulled. All of a sudden, the wishbone slipped from their fingers and flew into the air! From nowhere, Sparty appeared and grabbed the wishbone! Everyone jumped up! The grown-ups started shouting: "Get it!" "Grab the bone!" "Sparty can't eat that!" "Bones aren't safe for pets!" Chairs fell over and dishes almost crashed to the floor as everyone tried to catch Sparty. Sparty loved all the attention and ran happily around the room, slipping away each time someone got close! Finally, Karla caught Sparty and got the wishbone away. "Whew! Here it is," Karla said, holding the wishbone in the air for all to see. Oh no! It was broken! For a moment, everyone was silent. "Well," Karla said, starting to laugh. "It looks like Sparty gets to make the wish this year! I hope it's a good one!" Then, everyone laughed and applauded. "More pie!" Matthew said. This is a Thanksgiving to remember always, Megan thought, looking around at all the happy faces. Megan would always remember this Thanksgiving as "Sparty's Thanksgiving Wish!"
The End

#18 Big Huge Thesarus

I have decided to add one more thing to my Writing publishing center, Big Huge Thesarus. This is a site that the students can use for new vocabulary words. It gives them synonyms and antonyms. The students can type in a word, and the thesaurus will give them a synonym or antonym, depending what it is they are asking for.
This site can be used a resource, as it is required by TEKS that students in 5th grade learn how to use resources like thesauruses and dictionaries. Students can add richness of vocabulary to their writing. Many of my students get stuck using the same words over and over. This will definitely help broaden their vocabulary horizons.
I will be integrating this resource on the week back from Thanksgiving break, and I really hope that my students take advantage of this great resource. I will have to train them well to ensure that they do.

#17 MATH FACTS

Last year one of my students was struggling with his multiplication facts, and this year I decided to follow up on him. This student had a really hard time in math as we all know if we do not know our facts, then we will pretty much struggle with everything else in math like division, fractions, decimals, etc...

Well what I did is I took his IPOD and downloaded all the facts for him so that he could listen to them during the summer time. This year I was so happy to find out that he knows them all! He told me that listening to his IPOD really helped him remember his facts. This year in 5th grade he has told me as well as his teacher that he is doing great in math, and his multiplication facts come like 123 to him.

I have told other teachers so that they can too do this for some of their students that are struggling with math facts.

An IPOD can be used for learning tool, as I discovered this year. Before I used to only see it as a form of entertainment. It is essential that we think outside the box!!!

#16 WORD PUBLISHING

I have set up a new station for our writing time, WORD PUBLISHING. After revising and editing process, my students will now be using Microsoft Word to finish their writing product. I was having a hard time motivating some of my students to write during writing workshop time. I have noticed that many of my students are now eager to write to be able to get to the final step, which is Word Publishing. I have allowed them to insert pictures as well to make their stories seem more real. Some of my kids have been very creative with their products.
After the students are done publishing their writing, they email me their stories through EPALS.
This allows me to grade their writing from my home, versus staying late after work or taking their journals home. We have also set up a folder for each subject so that they can stay organized.
I am beginning to see all the benefits of integrating technology in my class, and I will continue to try and find new ways of making my job easier and more exciting for the kids. Using technology is definitely a plus!

#15 Shelfari.com

Shelfari.com is a great site for kids to talk about books. This social media site is focused on books. Members can build virtual bookshelves, discover, rate and discuss books, and participate in online groups.
The kids love to use because they compare it to myspace and facebook. They are able to chat with others, add their pictures, add and invite friends to their page. The kids are able to focus on nothing but books and they are able to give others book recommendations. The site has so many books available that kids can choose from to add to their list of books that they have completed. This site can be used a motivation tool to get kids to read.
My students are eager each day to log in to chat with others. I myself love this site!

#14 Photo Stories

This week my students made stories on photo stories. They really had fun doing this project. The kids took one of their stories that they wrote during writing workshop and published them on photo story. The students downloaded some picture from the internet and some even used their own pictures and added them to their stories. The students were able to add their voices to the stories as well. Next week the students will be sharing the stories with other classes. I couldn't believe how creative some of my students got. This really motivated me as their teacher to integrate more technology!