Future Plans

With all the new forms of classroom technology that I was introduced to in my classes this semester, I've been considering which ones I'd like to implement. Dues to the nature of my students and their disabilities, I know that I have to continue to be flexible with their inconsistencies. I like the idea of allowing students to work on iPads. At my school, it takes a lot of work to check them out because the entire school is fighting over 30 iPads, but I could at least make the effort. This allows me to differentiate instruction while granting students the ability to learn in their preferred way. Similar to how my students learn on the computers, they would do the same on the iPads. The only difference is that they would be allowed to use various educational apps. My students have missed several of the basics and foundations of vital concepts that they would've learned in previous grades. In order to bridge these gaps, I allow them to spend much time on the computer. Along with the iPads, the students will learn how to blog. I'd like to use blogging as an exit ticket where they can recap concepts learned everyday. This helps to document skills as well as enhance the memory. It also helps with grammar and spelling. I want my students to write more, and the best way to start is to begin typing. I'm excited about my future plans and more excited about the expected academic gains as a result.

Virtual Team

My latest class project was a huge challenge for me. I was assigned to a virtual team to create a technology related resource to implement within a school. We chose a website that benefited teachers by assisting them with technology issues. In order to find out just what teachers needed and how they felt about certain aspects of technology in their schools, we created a Google Survey to distribute to staff members at our three schools. I had never used it before, but now I see how it streamlines the data collection process. We also chose to utilize Google Documents to compile ideas for the site. Google Documents allowed each of us to simultaneously type onto the document. It fascinated me and I could see how efficient it made the information gathering process. Towards the end of the project, we knew that we had to present our presentation using a voice recording program. I had never heard of such a program, but after my teammates taught me, I learned quickly. We decided to use Voicethread, which is a great program. We were able to split up the PowerPoint slides and record our voices at our own pace. I was amazed at how the program put everything together and made it sound so professional. I would definitely use these tools in the classroom. It's a different way to communicate and compile ideas. I think that students would really enjoy the presentation part. It's a great way to illustrate real teamwork!

Jing-A-Ling

One of the requirements for my 7510 class was to create a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation had to teach the main points of a topic learned in class that would be most useful to a digital-age leader. Not only was I required to teach the points, but I had to SELL my classmates on its importance and usefulness. I have to admit that this assignment confused me for over a week. I'm pretty good with PowerPoint, but it took awhile to figure out exactly what was expected from me. Once I created the PowerPoint, I then needed to attack the monster that they call Jing. I have never heard of the software, so aside from having difficulties signing up, I had no clue how to use it. As I was creating login credentials, the voice-over app on my computer turned on unexpectedly. I had never used voice-over either, so I thought it was part of the Jing program. I tried to exit from voice-over several times. I was unsuccessful, so I restarted the computer three times. Finally, after many unsuccessful attempts, I found voice-over and disabled the app. I was very relieved. At this point, I still didn't know how to use Jing, so I decided to find a YouTube video that explained the process. Thankfully, the video was very informative. After gaining understanding, I recorded my presentation and actually had fun. I can visualize this program being very useful for student projects in the classroom. I teach in an elementary setting, so I feel that Jing might be somewhat complicated for young students. But from the middle school grades up through high school, students would find much success and confidence using this program.

SCREENCAST PRESENTATION

Weekend Job

On the weekends, I work in the technology department for my church. It's a job I don't need, but I've been doing it for 10 years, so I keep at it for now. I operate the screens, so I'm responsible for designing the presentations and displaying them properly. I also work as a back-up camera operator. My role is quite basic, but tedious. I take much pride in what I do, and my perfectionist side always shows. In 10 years, we've seen so many people come and go. From camera men, to audio engineers, we've seen a lot of employee turnover. With all that said, I'm amazed every time I show up at work. The other guys use the video switchers, the live streaming connections, Facebook to check the social media comments, and Pro Tools for editing purposes. We have screens and monitors all over the church. I've always wondered how someone has the ability to get all of these machines working together as one big unit. We didn't start off with this very expensive set up, but with growing trends comes expansion for us too. The technology department started off with just a home video camera and a device to record cassette tapes. Now we can do just about anything, and the cool part is that most of the crew aren't even professionals. We've just doing what we enjoy doing with the little talent that we have. Technology is great!

Test Prep

Sooooo these days, the entire school has been quickly preparing for the upcoming GA Milestones test. All of the teachers are nervous because they don't know much about it. I'm a bit apprehensive myself, but I'm trying to prepare the students the best I can. The majority of the students will be testing via technology due to their read aloud accommodations, so I've been looking for online computer programs designed to train and prepare students for testing. I think early preparation is a good idea seeing how they have issues with short term memory. Lately I've been teaching the standards while being focused on repetition to help my students with remembering what they learned. I feel that this year has been my best year so far as a teacher, so I want to cap it off with good test scores from my students. My principal gave me compliments on my students' scores from last year, so this time around I want to do even better. Based on my teaching and their work ethic, I definitely think it's possible. I think it will be hard to steer away from the standards for a couple of weeks, but I think I will get the hang of it after awhile. As much as I would like to solely focus on the upcoming testing, I don't think I'll be able to focus on it completely without getting into trouble with administration. What I've been considering is to split time between the two somehow. I could teach for half of the period and allow the students to practice for the remaining half. I possibly could alternate days, which might be a logical decision. Either way, I will begin to get my students prepared. I need to get them excited about the test and dedicated to performing well. How will I do this? First of all, whenever I speak about the GA Milestones test, I'll need to speak with excitement. I will also have to explain why the test is so important and what positive results could come from earning a high score. It'll be like GA Milestones boot camp, and I'll be playing the role of drill sergeant!

Too Busy to Teach

As a special education teacher and non-traditional department head, I have MANY responsibilities. Aside from teaching 6 classes a day, I have the responsibility of what we call a Lead Teacher as well as being the point of contact for the department. My days consist of instructing and multitasking. I could be in the middle of teaching a lesson, and someone will barge in or call needing me for something. It's one thing for my unstable students to interrupt me, but for adults to see me doing my job but still continue irks me fully. I know I have to split time between students and my other responsibilities, so I ALWAYS entertain my coworkers and their concerns.

This week, our regular Lead Teacher was out due to bereavement, therefore all of her duties fell right into my lap. She called me on Tuesday to ask if I would conduct 5 meetings for her by Thursday. I didn't think I could do it, but I did somehow. I usually don't like to toss my students on computers while I work, but I hate to say that I've done that all week. At first I felt bad about the situation, but then I realized that sometimes the lessons done on the computer are just as beneficial as if they were delivered by a teacher. The students have many options of educational lessons to do, and there are even assessments that I can use for my data records. As the weeks progress, I'm starting to see the many options of technology. I'm even seeing myself use it more and more in my classroom.

Technology Takeover

The more I interact with my students and the more I learn about integrating technology, the more I begin to understand the need for it. I teach special education, so all of my students perform below grade level. I make it my duty to at least introduce them to the grade level standards, and still have high expectations. Aside from the grade level work, I feel the need for remediation. I utilize a lot of time working with them on basic reading and math skills. In order for them to continue learning with the hopes of one day performing on grade level, they will have to improve with the basic concepts missed. I share a classroom with one other teacher who teaches special education as well. We work very well together, although our teaching styles are very different. I work better in front of the class, teaching using hand gestures, lots of energy, and the dry-erase board. She works better either in small groups, or by assigning students computer programs to use. For years, I viewed the computer use as a way of taking the easy way out. This year, I'm starting to see things a bit differently. We have one particular student who has a tough time focusing and learning anything, whether it's on grade level or below grade level. The only thing he likes to do is play computer games and cuss me out when I don't allow him to. She continues to allow him to use the computer, but we try to train him to complete his virtual math and reading lessons first before he gets free time. He will do the math, but the reading is like pulling teeth. Since the students have been spending more structured learning time on the computer, they've been more focused and eager to learn in class. The basic skills are covered through the computer activities, so that gives me more time to teach. I can also use the computer time as a good incentive to get the students working on a consistent basis. Thanks technology!