Final Project for ded318
Question #1:
Discuss the TWO (2) tools that were your personal favorites from the semester and why.
Answer #1:
The two projects that were my personal favorite were the use of Adobe Spark Page and HSTRY at sutori.com.
Discuss the TWO (2) tools that were your personal favorites from the semester and why.
Answer #1:
The two projects that were my personal favorite were the use of Adobe Spark Page and HSTRY at sutori.com.
With Adobe Spark Page I created a page with my son Payton, to go along with his Science Investigation for his 8th Grade Science class. What I liked about Adobe Spark Page was that you can easily transition images in the background to match text slides in the foreground to make a more compelling slideshow. It provides a nice alternative to Powerpoint. In addition, Adobe Spark Page is easy to use (for teachers and students) and contains limited choices in regards to font and design, which is actually a plus. With less choices, you can use this in class (and so can your students) and put together presentations that are quick and focus on content instead of style. You can get Adobe Spark here for Apple products (or click the image above) or use it in your web browser here .
I plan to use Adobe Spark Page in my classroom for presentations over powerpoint for students so that we can focus our energies on content and collaboration instead of style.
I plan to use Adobe Spark Page in my classroom for presentations over powerpoint for students so that we can focus our energies on content and collaboration instead of style.
Sutori was originally called HSTRY. It remains a timeline creator, but also has options to do more with classes and collaboration. I created a Digital Citizenship Project for a 4th to 6th grade class, using the sutori website (it is NOT an APP). Again, this was a tool that focused on ease of application over visual features. So, a teacher (or student) can quickly set up a class with a timeline and links in a short amount of time. Students could use this for timelines, but also include class polls, forums questions and fun facts they find within the subject matter. I found a lot of what I used for my class on Pinterest.
As a teacher, I plan to use Sutori in my social studies class, but seeing how it can be used for a lesson on Digital Citizenship, I see it being used in many areas. I would be an essential site to use for presentations where you implement cross-curriculum lesson planning.
You can access Sutori on the web here (or click the image and text above).
As a teacher, I plan to use Sutori in my social studies class, but seeing how it can be used for a lesson on Digital Citizenship, I see it being used in many areas. I would be an essential site to use for presentations where you implement cross-curriculum lesson planning.
You can access Sutori on the web here (or click the image and text above).
QUESTION #2:
LOOK BACK THROUGH YOUR ENTIRE WEBSITE, LOOK AT ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AND LEARNED THIS SEMESTER. REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED & LEARNED THIS SEMESTER:
LOOK BACK THROUGH YOUR ENTIRE WEBSITE, LOOK AT ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AND LEARNED THIS SEMESTER. REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED & LEARNED THIS SEMESTER:
Answer #2
What I learned this semester was how to leverage some Applications and Websites to enhance my class. Some I enjoyed and some I did not (but after looking back and hearing from my classmates, I may be willing to give it another shot). In addition, I learned a little more on how to find resources and network with other educators.
Some of the Applications and Webpages changed over the course of this short semester, so it was both surprising and overwhelming to consider all the aspects of technology that affect our classroom. I was a little anxious about trying to keep up. As I started to use many of the applications and work with my fellow students, I realized that this was a common concern and it just takes time to stay current. You definitely cannot be passive in education. You need to constantly seek out better ways to incorporate technology that meets your objectives and goals.
I started to use Pinterest far more often as the semester progressed. I think the biggest issue, again, was the overwhelming nature of the resources available. I still need to organize the boards a little more. I think if you have too many things it may be hard to find what you are looking for.
Last, I really enjoyed the networking and education technology websites we explored and reviewed. What I personally gained from that is a lot of resources and ideas. There were thought provoking sites like edutopia, which had articles I pinned or saved to use at a later date. There were also many educators like Kayla Delzer and Alice Keeler would were an inspiration and a help when trying to figure out what kind of teachers I want to be, how I want to set up my classrooms and how I want to use technology. I will definitely be using ideas like flexible seating and Genius hour. In addition, it was eye-opening to see companies like Apple and Google and Philanthropists like Bill Gates and George Lucas have put some much effort into education based resources. I was very worried as to what would be available for administration of my classroom. Now, I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of choices. I realize that location and school district will determine a lot of the "nuts and bolts" answers to "how?", but I still will use the resources below (icons) as guides and references.
I wasn't able to complete all the projects to my satisfaction, but this is a good lesson in teaching. We won't always have time to get it perfect, but if we remain student centered we can get it right for our students.
What I learned this semester was how to leverage some Applications and Websites to enhance my class. Some I enjoyed and some I did not (but after looking back and hearing from my classmates, I may be willing to give it another shot). In addition, I learned a little more on how to find resources and network with other educators.
Some of the Applications and Webpages changed over the course of this short semester, so it was both surprising and overwhelming to consider all the aspects of technology that affect our classroom. I was a little anxious about trying to keep up. As I started to use many of the applications and work with my fellow students, I realized that this was a common concern and it just takes time to stay current. You definitely cannot be passive in education. You need to constantly seek out better ways to incorporate technology that meets your objectives and goals.
I started to use Pinterest far more often as the semester progressed. I think the biggest issue, again, was the overwhelming nature of the resources available. I still need to organize the boards a little more. I think if you have too many things it may be hard to find what you are looking for.
Last, I really enjoyed the networking and education technology websites we explored and reviewed. What I personally gained from that is a lot of resources and ideas. There were thought provoking sites like edutopia, which had articles I pinned or saved to use at a later date. There were also many educators like Kayla Delzer and Alice Keeler would were an inspiration and a help when trying to figure out what kind of teachers I want to be, how I want to set up my classrooms and how I want to use technology. I will definitely be using ideas like flexible seating and Genius hour. In addition, it was eye-opening to see companies like Apple and Google and Philanthropists like Bill Gates and George Lucas have put some much effort into education based resources. I was very worried as to what would be available for administration of my classroom. Now, I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of choices. I realize that location and school district will determine a lot of the "nuts and bolts" answers to "how?", but I still will use the resources below (icons) as guides and references.
I wasn't able to complete all the projects to my satisfaction, but this is a good lesson in teaching. We won't always have time to get it perfect, but if we remain student centered we can get it right for our students.