A Video Introduction to Technology

http://bit.ly/bTaHNl

Technology is taking education to so many new levels, beginning with the Smart Board. I really like they many different advantages that the smart board has to offer, especially the interaction that kids in the classroom can have with it. This youtube link gave me some quick and easy tips for using a smart board. It was a short tutorial that let me on all of little secrets that you can use to get started with your smart board, and I think the first tip was the best. The introduced the smart board but said that you don’t necessarily need the smart board at all, you can actually just use the software on your computer.

I think the tutorial is a great way to get a new smart board user started. I know that when there is some kind of electronic or new technology put in front of me, I don’t even know where to start but this tutorial gives you quick and easy tips to get you familiarized and more confident in using it. The steps consisted of things such as the magic pen, the ability to zoom in on things, the ability to spotlight things, and also how to erase it all after without erasing the document you are using. I think having simple tutorials like this available to teachers is a great idea because that way they will not feel so overwhelmed when the are first presented with something that might challenge them. This video is a great way to use technology to teach about some new and exciting technology that can be used for classrooms.

Diversity in the Classroom

This semester I am taking Multicultural Education. I picked this picture because it is how I feel a classroom should be. This picture is of many people holding the globe in their hands. I love this picture for a few reasons all relating back to my education class. First I like how each student is of a different nationality. This shows the cultural diversity and is something I find important in a classroom. I firmly believe that each student has so much to offer to their peers and teachers by just bring their culture, knowledge and opinions to the table in a positive way. In my Multicultural Education class there was a lot of conversation on the topic of diversity, with the same result in everyone’s mind; diverse classrooms allow so much more knowledge and growth to its students. The second depiction I feel that is made in the picture is that each person is helping to hold the globe. In my Education class our teacher brought to our attention that each student in our classroom is the future. Students today will be the leaders of tomorrow and that is something all teachers should take into consideration. It is not only important for students to learn math, reading, science, and social studies but to also incorporate into each lesson on how to work with each other and to become a positive role model to our world in the future. To put it simply, the students in our classrooms hold the world in the palm of their hands, and it is with what we teach them that will help them decide what it is they feel they should do with it.

Web 2.0, Interact with Technology

The tool that I found on web 2.0 was an awesome resource for teachers in all areas! It is called E-Learning for Kids (http://bit.ly/co3ebQ ) and has links from what the site is about to subject areas in education. I clicked on grade level one, which opened a page of many interactive games that a teacher can use to get their students involved and learning while having fun. The course selection consisted of language arts, math, science, computer skills, and environment skills, and each had at least one interactive game. I think these kinds of tools are really helpful and good to have in the classroom not only for class, but also as an incentive for some students. It’s a great tool because it is not only educational but also fun and will make students want to play the games. Another educational way this website can be utilized is by centers. The teacher I observed last semester had computers as one of her centers and the kids absolutely loved it. They were so excited when that was the center they were assigned too, even if it meant they had to do something educational. I think it is great introducing technology into the classrooms because it gets kids at a young age to start expanding their knowledge on how technology works, and then how to use it. Its important to get kids excited to learn and I think using the technology we have in our world is a good way to get positive interaction.

Tips for Teachers!

http://www.teach-nology.com/ideas/

I really liked this website! It was great feedback from a number of teachers who have ideas on how to fix classroom problems. The first one that caught my attention was in 5 more minutes called “Ticket to Leave”. This teacher used the last 5 minutes of class as great feedback on how her lessons of the day went. She has each student fill out a piece of paper with a heading that directs where there question or statement is going to go such as, “AHA”, or “I Don’t Understand This”. The rest of the paper is supposed to tell the teacher what it is that they finally understood, what they need help understanding, or the question they did not have the chance to ask during class time. The next section I looked at was classroom games. The White Board  Wars was so cute! Since I am going to be an early education major I think it is great for students to get to know each other in the most positive way possible. This activity allows the students to tell each other what is so great about one another and sets a positive attitude in the classroom environment.

One Word: Bittersweet

         Overall, I completely loved this experience. It was an opportunity that I would not give up for anything. I met so many great students and teachers that really inspired me and cemented my dream to become a teacher filled with compassion, encouragement, and pride in my student’s. Along with learning from the student’s and teachers I learned from myself the things I would have to offer my classes in the future, and the things I needed to work on. I realized that there is a lot more to teaching than just walking into a classroom and teaching students. The job of a teacher is to show the students what they are capable of, to help them discover and pursue their dreams, and to allow them to explore the many different experiences life has to offer, and gain knowledge about themselves and the world at the same time. I truly took a lot away from this experience and it has made me even more eager to complete my future observations throughout the next few years of college and through my career. My journey has just begun, and I cannot wait to see where this path leads me!

No Fist Fights in This Room...or you Flip a Card!

As much as any teacher would like to think that all of their students will be perfect and obedient there, it is practically an unreasonable expectation. In my class there was an outbreak between to boys that could have ended bad if it weren't for my teacher thinking on her feet. It was not surprising to me when the student who got in an argument during reading circle was the one who started this little rumble. 

Two little boys had been arguing over something that happened on the school bus the day before. Neither of them had told anyone and it was a small argument that grew into something they thought they would settle in the classroom. All of the students were working in their center's when one of the little girls in the class yelled for the teacher because one of the boys had grabbed the other. Before she could make it over there, the boys had attempted a few punches but neither got seriously hurt, just a small bruise on the arm of one of the boys. Just as soon as it had began it was over, and thankfully everyone made it out alive. 

I took a lot away from this experience and realized that even turning your back to the class for a second can result in something that could end up a catastrophe. It's important to keep your focus on your students and to be on the look out for any possible outbreaks of anger or hostility.

Even 2nd Graders Need an Office

            On a test day in class I found a very interesting field artifact that I truly thought was an awesome idea! So when my cooperating teacher told the students to put everything on their desks away except for their pencil and their mini office, I was surprised to find that a second grade student’s office really can be mini! This mini office was a great resource for students while taking tests. In my second grade class the kids were starting to learn how to write not only stories but also answer short essay questions. In their mini office it gave them a few different checklists to go through to make sure they remember all of the different important points. So as they unfolded there mini office made of two manila folders taped together, I could not help but to take a peek and see what was inside.

            At the top there was the alphabet both lower case and uppercase just in case they needed a little help. Then there were 5 different checklists. The checklists were; Revise and Edit, Writing, Punctuation, Story Words, and How to Write a Paragraph.  I really liked this artifact because it was a great resource for the students to follow. I think that second grade is very busy with a lot of information that students need to remember. This mini office is a great way to keep them independent but still help them remember all of the important details. This way students will not lose points because of silly mistakes and it will help them practice for writing essays and papers in the future.