This week the entire class time was devoted to working on our websites. In all honesty I didn't get that much work done on my website because I got distracted with trying to make the banner on my page look right by fiddling with it through Dreamweaver. I always seem to do things the hard way. I could have just edited the image in Photoshop and put the text I wanted on it on the image in that program, but no, I have to be me, and see if I can accomplish that in Dreamweaver itself. I'm close to getting it figured out, and I really would like to do it this way because I would feel very accomplished, but I may just resort to Photoshop in order to make my life easier, and actually finish my website.
We learned how to set up a basic layout for our pages, and put in content and images. It was a good review for me, and that's why I got distracted with something that I don't know as well. My website is about clouds. I'm worried that I have too much information, and won't be able to finish my website in a timely manner, but we'll see.
I really like all of the flexibility you have in Dreamweaver, but in all honesty I don't think I'll use it as a teacher. First, I don't even know if I'd have access to it. Second, I don't think I would have time to create a website like this. I think websites can be an invaluable tool in many ways though, and I think that I will find a free online program that I am happy with, and use that extensively both for classroom units, as well as, staying connected with parents, and keeping them up to date on what is occurring in my classroom.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Week 8-Website Design
This week we had an introduction to website design.
We began by finding different online website creators through Web 2.0. I found that I liked them very much, up to a point. Most online website creators are really good for basic layouts, but once I started wanting to do anything even relatively fancy, it became difficult and frustrating. I have a little bit of a background in website design because I took a website design class here at WOU, so I think that was part of my frustration because I know that I can do more with a website than the online creators allow me to do. Granted, I only explored a few, so there may be some creators that would allow me to do more, but that would take some more looking.
After we had looked at the online website creators we began to learn about Dreamweaver. I used Dreamweaver in my website design class, so I am familiar with it, but it was good to have a refresher. Depending on what you do, it can take a very long time to create a website, but I find that Dreamweaver is fairly user friendly.
I think that it will be useful to know how to use Dreamweaver even though, as a teacher, I will probably never have access to Dreamweaver, or the time to create a website using Dreamweaver. I think that the online website creators will be very, very useful as a teacher. Almost every teacher I know has their own website now. I think it is a great way to provide extra resources to students, and to stay in touch with parents.
We began by finding different online website creators through Web 2.0. I found that I liked them very much, up to a point. Most online website creators are really good for basic layouts, but once I started wanting to do anything even relatively fancy, it became difficult and frustrating. I have a little bit of a background in website design because I took a website design class here at WOU, so I think that was part of my frustration because I know that I can do more with a website than the online creators allow me to do. Granted, I only explored a few, so there may be some creators that would allow me to do more, but that would take some more looking.
After we had looked at the online website creators we began to learn about Dreamweaver. I used Dreamweaver in my website design class, so I am familiar with it, but it was good to have a refresher. Depending on what you do, it can take a very long time to create a website, but I find that Dreamweaver is fairly user friendly.
I think that it will be useful to know how to use Dreamweaver even though, as a teacher, I will probably never have access to Dreamweaver, or the time to create a website using Dreamweaver. I think that the online website creators will be very, very useful as a teacher. Almost every teacher I know has their own website now. I think it is a great way to provide extra resources to students, and to stay in touch with parents.
Week 7-Mobile Learning
This week was all about mobile learning. Mobile learning in this sense is bringing such devices as iPods, and iPads into the classroom. I can see great possibilities with using iPads and iPods in the classroom, as well as great downfalls if not used properly.
Many children today own, or have had experience with either or both of these devices. They are a great way to get students engaged with their learning. Sometimes it can be hard to find applications that are ready to use in the classroom, but many can be very useful with a little bit of thinking. The challenge is that most applications that are geared towards learning are in game format, which aren't usually that useful in the classroom.
This week in class our task was to find a way to use one type of mobile learning in a lesson. We had to create a lesson that incorporated the use of an application on an iPad or iPod. My group found an application that has the text of the entire U.S. Constitution. Our idea is to split a class into groups, and give each group a portion of the Constitution to translate into their own words. We realize that the text of the Constitution could easily be found online and printed off, or viewed on a computer, but giving it to students in this format may feel more relevant to them, and can be more easily accessed.
As with every technology there is the danger of letting the iPods, or iPads, take over the role of the teacher, and that is something that it is always important to avoid. They have their place in the classroom, but there should be definite lines between when technology is used, and when the teacher is the source of new information.
Many children today own, or have had experience with either or both of these devices. They are a great way to get students engaged with their learning. Sometimes it can be hard to find applications that are ready to use in the classroom, but many can be very useful with a little bit of thinking. The challenge is that most applications that are geared towards learning are in game format, which aren't usually that useful in the classroom.
This week in class our task was to find a way to use one type of mobile learning in a lesson. We had to create a lesson that incorporated the use of an application on an iPad or iPod. My group found an application that has the text of the entire U.S. Constitution. Our idea is to split a class into groups, and give each group a portion of the Constitution to translate into their own words. We realize that the text of the Constitution could easily be found online and printed off, or viewed on a computer, but giving it to students in this format may feel more relevant to them, and can be more easily accessed.
As with every technology there is the danger of letting the iPods, or iPads, take over the role of the teacher, and that is something that it is always important to avoid. They have their place in the classroom, but there should be definite lines between when technology is used, and when the teacher is the source of new information.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Week 6-Podcasting
This week we talked about podcasting. I've listened to podcasts a few times, but haven't really paid much attention to them before now. From what we discussed in class I think that podcasts in the classroom have a lot of potential. As with anything there is a lot to sift through that is not of much, if any, educational value, or is not the right type of material to use in the classroom, but I think there is some content out there that could be really helpful in the classroom. One concern I do have is that, if used improperly, podcasts could take the place of the job that the teacher is supposed to be performing. Podcasts can supply so much information that it nullifies the teacher's role in the classroom. I view podcasts as supplementary material only. For example, podcasts that include images or video of places or animals that it is impossible to take students to view for themselves would be very beneficial, but a podcast that includes that, and all the information about those places or animals would take the place of the teacher, and I don't think that has a place in the classroom. Overall, if used correctly, I believe podcasts can be a very beneficial tool in the classroom. I'm excited to finish mine, too! It's about bats. =)
Friday, May 11, 2012
Week 5-Evaluating the Internet
This week in class we gave the internet a report card.
Not really, but we did look at various websites to determine their legitimacy. We learned that it's not always a sure thing to trust all web address extensions. Extensions such as .org, .edu, .gov, etc we tend to think of as very reliable. Just as we all know the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' we should probably add a new one of 'don't judge a webpage by its extension'. Anyone can have any extension they wish, and can put whatever kind of information, or misinformation, on their website they choose. Some websites may look very legitimate, and/or very, very close to a real website, but may be fake, or radically different organizations.
The most important thing that I think I learned was that it is vital that I don't just let my students loose on the internet. I already mostly had that idea in my mind, but looking at all of these different websites really helped me see how very important it is to be careful about what my students are able to access. Learning this I will definitely only allow my students to search on specific websites that I have evaluated if I choose to allow them to research the internet for information for a project.
Not really, but we did look at various websites to determine their legitimacy. We learned that it's not always a sure thing to trust all web address extensions. Extensions such as .org, .edu, .gov, etc we tend to think of as very reliable. Just as we all know the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' we should probably add a new one of 'don't judge a webpage by its extension'. Anyone can have any extension they wish, and can put whatever kind of information, or misinformation, on their website they choose. Some websites may look very legitimate, and/or very, very close to a real website, but may be fake, or radically different organizations.
The most important thing that I think I learned was that it is vital that I don't just let my students loose on the internet. I already mostly had that idea in my mind, but looking at all of these different websites really helped me see how very important it is to be careful about what my students are able to access. Learning this I will definitely only allow my students to search on specific websites that I have evaluated if I choose to allow them to research the internet for information for a project.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Week 4-Google Earth Tours
I had a lot of fun in class this week. We learned how to make Google Earth tours. Google Earth is just really fun to play around with. It is a great interactive view of the world. I never made a tour before, and I didn't even know what they were before this. We had to make a tour of at least 5 different places, and had to include pictures on each of them, and links on two of them. I ended up putting links on each of my places. Also, our tour had to be educationally relevant, and it had to be in Oregon. I chose to make my tour of geologic places of interest in Lake County because that's where I grew up, and I love the area. I had a lot of fun creating it, and finding out a few new facts about some of the places I've seen my whole life.
I think Google Earth and tours in Google Earth could have so many different educational applications. A tour could be a really good introduction to a unit. It could give just a few facts about what students would learn during the unit. Also, I thought it would be a great tool to use with students when they learn about the Oregon Trail, or any migration route for that matter. I think it would help make those routes and times more accessible for children because they tend to have trouble understanding events that took place so far a way, and far back in history. I think it could be used by the teacher or the students. Students could be given segments of a route, and include information at different stopping points. Then they could present their segments to see the route as a whole.
I think Google Earth and tours in Google Earth could have so many different educational applications. A tour could be a really good introduction to a unit. It could give just a few facts about what students would learn during the unit. Also, I thought it would be a great tool to use with students when they learn about the Oregon Trail, or any migration route for that matter. I think it would help make those routes and times more accessible for children because they tend to have trouble understanding events that took place so far a way, and far back in history. I think it could be used by the teacher or the students. Students could be given segments of a route, and include information at different stopping points. Then they could present their segments to see the route as a whole.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Week 3-Videos
This week we began working on our videos. We have to create a 30 second commercial about an idea. My group decided to do ours on stereotypes in the media. We have to have 3 different types of shots. One close up, one mid-distance, and one far shot. Also, we have to have at least 10 different shots. We're using iMovie to edit our videos, and add transitions and music, and any other effects that we wish.
I actually used iMovie this past weekend to put together some clips from when my family went out target shooting. I found it really easy to use, and I am excited to use it in technology class. I think it would be a great resource to have in the classroom. There is such a myriad of possibilities when you have access to video production software. Even if there was only one video camera and computer for the classroom it would be an amazing resource for collaborative projects. I imagine something like having different groups each contribute a small part to a large project to present.
I actually used iMovie this past weekend to put together some clips from when my family went out target shooting. I found it really easy to use, and I am excited to use it in technology class. I think it would be a great resource to have in the classroom. There is such a myriad of possibilities when you have access to video production software. Even if there was only one video camera and computer for the classroom it would be an amazing resource for collaborative projects. I imagine something like having different groups each contribute a small part to a large project to present.
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