So after a year and a half of learning a lot and working really hard, my time in the MTT program is coming to an end. I am really thankful for all that I have learned. It has been a lot of hard work, and I have been overwhelmed many times, but I am very thankful for the progress that I have made in technology.
Even if I only learned how to blog, I learned a lot because I think blogging has become one of my favorite things and I have discovered a love for writing and sharing as well. However, that is definitely not all that I have learned. I find myself using my technology skills nearly every day both at work and in my personal life.
I can only imagine how technology will continue to change over the next few years and I plan to really try to keep up with changes and advancements as they pertain to education. Technology is our future, and educating children using technology will only prepare them for brighter futures as well.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Current Research Summary
One research article that I looked at completed an experiment that blended a variety of multi-media components into learning. The program was divided and graded on components of self-check assessments, online activities, weekly quizzes, team projects, and a final exam. To test the effectiveness, they did interviews with the student. The overall results showed that the students not only really enjoyed the activities, but also learned a lot as well.
http://www.rcetj.org/index.php/rcetj/article/view/66/136
The second research study that I looked at studied "technology-based content through virtual and physical modeling." The idea behind this study was that visualizations and abstractions can help people to better learn concepts and remember facts related to them. The research further supported this idea, and also showed that those that participated enhanced their technology skills and knowledge as well as the content that was studied.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v20n2/ernst.html
The third study that I looked at considered criticisms of technology in education. With the constant changes in technology, there have been some negative opinions of using technology for educational purposes because it is constantly changing. The article concluded that there should be more current research done that is randomized and takes all aspects into account without bias.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v20n1/daugherty.pdf
http://www.rcetj.org/index.php/rcetj/article/view/66/136
The second research study that I looked at studied "technology-based content through virtual and physical modeling." The idea behind this study was that visualizations and abstractions can help people to better learn concepts and remember facts related to them. The research further supported this idea, and also showed that those that participated enhanced their technology skills and knowledge as well as the content that was studied.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v20n2/ernst.html
The third study that I looked at considered criticisms of technology in education. With the constant changes in technology, there have been some negative opinions of using technology for educational purposes because it is constantly changing. The article concluded that there should be more current research done that is randomized and takes all aspects into account without bias.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v20n1/daugherty.pdf
Identifying Sources of Ideas for Education and Training Programs
6.1
I have recently planned a training program for the teachers at my school about how to integrate the technology that we have available to us at our school into our curriculum. My sources for ideas came from a few different sources. The first was during the brainstorming session in our Assessment class this summer. I listened to what other teachers were planning based on their experience, and I tried to transfer it to my own experience. Then, once school started, and I got to know my colleagues, I asked them about what sort of technology training they would each find most valuable. Through a combination of those ideas, I was able to come up with what topics I should focus on.
6.2
In my current role as a teacher at a charter school, I feel that there is a need for more training and professional development. I think that it would be beneficial to provide a wide variety of options for training programs. Several types could be: large seminars, after school meetings, online courses, or book studies. The two main types that seem to be most effective in this setting are online courses and book studies. It seems that with everyone being so busy and overwhelmed, they do not also want to volunteer any of their time after school hours that involve being on campus. Therefore, I think that these two are the best options for our particular school because it is the best way to get teachers to want to actively participate.
I have recently planned a training program for the teachers at my school about how to integrate the technology that we have available to us at our school into our curriculum. My sources for ideas came from a few different sources. The first was during the brainstorming session in our Assessment class this summer. I listened to what other teachers were planning based on their experience, and I tried to transfer it to my own experience. Then, once school started, and I got to know my colleagues, I asked them about what sort of technology training they would each find most valuable. Through a combination of those ideas, I was able to come up with what topics I should focus on.
6.2
In my current role as a teacher at a charter school, I feel that there is a need for more training and professional development. I think that it would be beneficial to provide a wide variety of options for training programs. Several types could be: large seminars, after school meetings, online courses, or book studies. The two main types that seem to be most effective in this setting are online courses and book studies. It seems that with everyone being so busy and overwhelmed, they do not also want to volunteer any of their time after school hours that involve being on campus. Therefore, I think that these two are the best options for our particular school because it is the best way to get teachers to want to actively participate.
MTT Showcase
To celebrate our completion of the MTT program, we are putting together a showcase of the work that we have completed in the program. Each student created a poster to showcase background information about themselves, as well as show the work that they have completed throughout the four classes of the program.
The idea is to allow students that are entering (or considering) the MTT program to be able to come to the session and see what topics and projects will be covered throughout the courses. They will be allowed to ask questions of each individual and see the examples that they provide.
I am a little nervous because I do not have a lot of experience presenting to people that I do not know, and I do not particularly like to talk about myself and my accomplishments outside of an interview setting. However, I think it is a great idea for the program and will give us all some great experience if we ever choose to participate in poster sessions at professional development seminars in the future.
The idea is to allow students that are entering (or considering) the MTT program to be able to come to the session and see what topics and projects will be covered throughout the courses. They will be allowed to ask questions of each individual and see the examples that they provide.
I am a little nervous because I do not have a lot of experience presenting to people that I do not know, and I do not particularly like to talk about myself and my accomplishments outside of an interview setting. However, I think it is a great idea for the program and will give us all some great experience if we ever choose to participate in poster sessions at professional development seminars in the future.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Website that work... at least for my students
Since my students spend only about 30 minutes in the computer lab, 3 times a week. Therefore, most of their time is spent working on educational websites. I hope that in the future, they work more on projects, but these websites seem to be helping them with their basic reading and math skills.
manythings.org
This site has a lot of language and vocabulary practice.
elfnet.com
This is a great vocabulary site, especially for English Language Learners.
spellingcity.com
This site allows you to put in your students' spelling lists and it generates teaching, practice, and testing for them from that list.
hoodamath.com
Some of these are more fun than mathematical, but there are several good games that focus on beginning math skills.
softschools.com
This site covers a variety of topics, but I use it for the 1st grade math skills. You can also produce practice worksheets for homework or extra practice.
There are a ton of educational websites out there, and it is hard to say which ones really are the best, but it has really been through trial and error that I have found what works best for my students.
manythings.org
This site has a lot of language and vocabulary practice.
elfnet.com
This is a great vocabulary site, especially for English Language Learners.
spellingcity.com
This site allows you to put in your students' spelling lists and it generates teaching, practice, and testing for them from that list.
hoodamath.com
Some of these are more fun than mathematical, but there are several good games that focus on beginning math skills.
softschools.com
This site covers a variety of topics, but I use it for the 1st grade math skills. You can also produce practice worksheets for homework or extra practice.
There are a ton of educational websites out there, and it is hard to say which ones really are the best, but it has really been through trial and error that I have found what works best for my students.
Creating a Professional Portfolio
I have to admit that at first I was not very excited about this project. Making a resume has never been one of my favorite things. However, once I got started, I had a lot of fun! I never realized that putting together samples of my work could be done in such a fun way.
There are a lot of ways to put together a digital portfolio, but I chose a website format. I thought that it would be a good idea because I could actually give the link to potential employers so that they could easily file through some of the work I have done and learn things about me that my resume does not show.
If I were going to give it to a future employer, it would definitely need some editing and tweeking first, but I am glad that I feel pretty comfortable designing a simple website because I think that will prove to be a valuable tool for me in the future.
Here is the link to my portfolio: http://web.me.com/yvette.grenz/Professional_Portfolio/About_Me.html
There are a lot of ways to put together a digital portfolio, but I chose a website format. I thought that it would be a good idea because I could actually give the link to potential employers so that they could easily file through some of the work I have done and learn things about me that my resume does not show.
If I were going to give it to a future employer, it would definitely need some editing and tweeking first, but I am glad that I feel pretty comfortable designing a simple website because I think that will prove to be a valuable tool for me in the future.
Here is the link to my portfolio: http://web.me.com/yvette.grenz/Professional_Portfolio/About_Me.html
My Professional Development Plan
When I first started out, I was not really sure what I should develop a professional development program on. So, I started talking to other teachers, and the principal, to see what things they felt that they needed help with. Since I am at a small school (only 10 teachers) it was easy to make this a personalized experience.
Most teachers said that they were pretty familiar with Microsoft Office, or at least as it pertained to anything that they might use it for at this time. However, the one thing that all of them struggled with was how to use the technology that we have available, other than just having their students work on our mandated (and suggested websites).
So, after speaking with all of them and seeing who would actually be interested in a training session, I began to develop a session that would give them some ideas and resources. It includes some basics of PowerPoint, as well as other software that we have on our computers. From there, I went to websites and other tools that they could access for free to use in their teaching in the classroom.
I have not performed my session yet, but I hope that it will be beneficial and that even if they do not immediately implement the things that they learn, that they will feel comfortable coming to me with technology related questions in the future.
Most teachers said that they were pretty familiar with Microsoft Office, or at least as it pertained to anything that they might use it for at this time. However, the one thing that all of them struggled with was how to use the technology that we have available, other than just having their students work on our mandated (and suggested websites).
So, after speaking with all of them and seeing who would actually be interested in a training session, I began to develop a session that would give them some ideas and resources. It includes some basics of PowerPoint, as well as other software that we have on our computers. From there, I went to websites and other tools that they could access for free to use in their teaching in the classroom.
I have not performed my session yet, but I hope that it will be beneficial and that even if they do not immediately implement the things that they learn, that they will feel comfortable coming to me with technology related questions in the future.
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