My PLE!!

The most valuable thing about my PLE is that I learned to create a link. to them. I like being able to see all the different things that I worked on. It is fun to see how far I came.

Okay the thing I least liked about my PLE is that sometimes I did not have enough to say about one thing, but it was not long enough so I had to blabber. It was tedious at times.

I am not sure if I will use this blog after. But I might make a different blog for my actual life!

Watching Video's about Internet Safety!

I recently just wanted many videos--60 minutes worth to be exact concerning internet safety. I learned so much. I watched all these different feeds about giving out personal information. I saw how it ruined a girls life by giving out her password to her friends. Everything can be degregating. Everything was very informative!

Readings of Internet Safety

The fourth article that I read was entitled, "Mixed Signals." The most important things that I learned from this reading were: 1. The computer has an off button. I should not be afraid to press it abruptly. 2. Be wary of pop ups, I should not click on them. 3. I learned that I should keep the computer in a high traffic area.
Now, how has this information helped me in becoming a parent/teacher? This has helped me greatly. I will teach youth that you should not always believe what you see or read. I will teach them to always keep the computer in a busy place to avoid temptation. I will monitor what is being viewed as well.
I can have a positive influence on my family and friends by just giving a friendly reminder of being safe and not giving out personal information. It would give me peace at mind if they would never do this.

The last week in the Schools

The techonology use and attitudes that I saw modeled were lacking just a little. This week my teacher did not use any technology, unless of course the few times she pulled out the trusty overhead. Although, for the fast finishers after centers she does make the computers an option, and because all the kids want a turn, she did make a new sign up list this week!
I used technology this week in a lesson and it did not work out the way I had hoped it would. I wanted to show a power point and a simple clip of Pinnochio, but to no avai. My teacher and I tried to hook it up and after we failed, we brought in antoher teacher... two teachers later and the technology support dude... the projector still would not work. I did my best though. I just wish that the support was a little stronger in the schools!!
As for lesson plans... I think that guided reading is your best bet with technology. The kids love the powerpoint on the computers. A good mix of computer and tangible books helps the kids to focus more on what they are reading. I wanted to play a health game online, but we do not get internet in our classroom.

Barnett this week

The attitudes I noticed this week in the classroom were about the same as last week, which is a positive one. The students all try to finish their centers as quickly as possible in order to use the computer to play the reading and math games we have in the classroom. We had to establish that once you have used the computer once that week you cannot use it again until the next week. The sollution for this... buy more computers!!
This week I taught a lesson using technology. It was simple power-point that had a movie clip incorperated into it. I taught about problem/sollution. Unfortunatly the lesson did not work out how I desired. Four teachers and the principle tried to help me to get the projector to work, but to no avail. We all could not figure it out. Finally it worked for a second, but then it turned right back off. My lesson was not completely ruined though because I just told them that it was problem... I asked, "how can we solve this problem"? I learned we all need to learn more about technology though.
I did have some ideas this week about how we can use technology in the classroom. I thought that using a powerpoint presentation during guided reading would be a good idea. I also realized that I could use google earth to teach the children about geology. Yay for technology!!

This week in the Schools

This week I did see attitudes towards technology modeled. The entire 1st grade was divided into six diffferent sections for a math review. The highest group got to go the computer lab, which was a total reward. The kids loved it. My teacher promised her students the whole class would have the chance to go use the computers for math. My teacher however was very frustrated with the computers in her classroom because they would not funciton properly for her reading students. The kids know that she hates dealing with the computers.
I have not had the opportunity to use technology too much, but I help the students complete their reading when they get lost. I just keep clicking until something works!
I have a couple of ideas for using technology this week. I do not knwo if they are possible though because she does not get wireless. But I want to show a clip displaying conflict/ resolution. I will then discuss that everything can have a resolution. Again I don't know if I could get the sound to work as well. But we will see.

First week of Practicum

1. My teacher is quite old fahsioned. She has only been teaching for a few years now, but does not like technology at all. She does has a few computers in her classroom and lets her students use them during the phonics lesson. She uses the whiteboard rather than use her overhead.

2. I have not had the opportunity to use technology this week.. but I can't wait to try!

3. Today I did a shared reading lesson. I would have really liked to be able to use a visualiser to show the pictures. It would have really enhanced the way the students understand my lesson on setting.

What I learned and all my other virtual tour info.

First I learned once again that technology is very difficult. Using the google earth method is a good way for children to learn about other cultures and world geography. Children will like this way more than me! haha
As for using this in the classroom... I will be able to visually show my students where history occured. I have watched some really great Virtual Tours and am very impressed with my peers. I learned that when you do an engaging activity is makes the project more fun!
ANOTHER WEEK DOWN!!!

what I learned this week

This week I learned oh so much about google earth. For starters, I did not know that you click on the actual screen to move around. I learned that you can post spots to illistrate where things are. This could be very useful in teaching my future students about things that we could never actually visit. I could use this information found on the kmz to show pictures of actual clouds all over the world. This will help my students to understand where differnt clouds are found.

Link to my kmz... http://gelessons.com/kmzfiles/

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

My Storyboard Learning outcomes

I have learned alot from viewed 3 other storyboard projects. Girls are very creative. I learned that you can do alot with digital storytelling. It is an innovative way to teach a concept or tell a story. I will incorperate this is my teaching in second grade with poetry and with telling fairy-tale stories!

My Blasted Storyboard

So, I finally completed my storyboard on my rendition of Goldilocks and the three bears. As it turns out, I am Goldilocks (as you will notice) and other family members star as the three bears. Check out the story board here.

What I learned this week

This week was yet another trying one. It seems I am not cut out for technology. Although I am trying my best I am just not doing so hot. But I am sure digital storytelling would be helpful if they did not take hours to create. I just need to learn how to create them faster. I think the students will enjoy them.

What I learned this thrilling week

This week I learned oh so much. I was reminded how important it is to work together in a team. We preformed an experiment testing friction. It was a simple experiment that would work well in grades 3-6. I cannot wait to try it out.

More technology fun

Working on our Technology Project

New technology makes learning about heat fun again!

       I am a third grade teacher and in order to teach Standard 5, objective 3 concerning friction I have come up with an innovative technique.  The materials needed are:  a computer with the logger program, a temperature wand, and groups of students in 5.  

Our main objective was to compare the amount of friction created when using different surfaces.  The surfaces we chose were:  wood, linoleum, polyester, cotton, and metal.  We wanted the students to physically see the differences that exist with friction when using different surfaces.  

        We preformed all of the experiments and quickly realized that we need a control temperature.  The control temperature that we used was 74 degrees F.  This was the temperature of the room.  We used this number to compare the amounts of heat produced by the friction.  Our first experiment was with the linoleum surface.  The temperature changed from 74.5 to 76.0 degrees Fahrenheit.  Our next experiment was with the polyester surface.  Our temperature started at 74.7-90.4 degrees.  This shows a rise in heat by 16.3 degrees.  The next surface we texted was with cotton.  Cotton started at 74 degrees and we ended with 84 degrees Fahrenheit, displaying a 10 point change.  The next experiment was with metal.  The temperatures ranged from 74-72.8.  The temperature actually went down 1.2 degrees in Fahrenheit.  Our last experiment was with wood.  The temperature started at 74 degrees and it ended on 75.5 degrees.  This is an increase of 1.5 degrees.  

      Our conclusion is that different surfaces create different amounts of friction.  The students will be able to clearly see and measure this through the computer program logger.  The thermometer gives the students to interact with technology and expand their horizons.    

Boy oh boy... TPAK

This week has been another stressful one in my technology class. I am first of all not sure if I have to submit another assignment besides this one, but in the case I am lucky I will just describe my experience with TPAK and hope for the best. TPAK enables teachers to use technology in a well-rounded atmosphere. It's goal is to create a balance in teaching with technology!

Another week of technology terror

I have learned this week that asking questions really does work.  I am just loving life every time I come to my technology class! 

Second Week of Technology Class

Well, here I am still alive after my second technology class. I am a bit confused on how everything works though. I am not sure I am getting credit cuz I don't know my blog and moodle are connected. Somehow I missed that detail. I learned how to use RSS this week!

Cheryl is nervous about new technology class @ BYU

Today is my first day in my new technology class.  Those of you who know a little about my background in this area might already have a smile on your face, those of you who do not know about my area of expertise, just know that it is a miracle that I have made it this far.  I will be documenting my ride through this class.  I cannot tell you how thrilled I am.  Finally... my own blog full of technological discoveries!!