It's been a while....

I am hoping to start using this again. I have started my intern teaching assignment. Here is a video on media influence that I plan to discuss with my students.

Final is Done

I am so excited to have completed the technology class. I have gained so much confidence in using new technology.

I have completed:

The BYU route Y evaluation
The online survey
and I checked my grades on Blackboard.

Have a great Christmas break everyone!

Last Week! We made it (almost).

1) My article of choice was Leave it Alone by H. Burke Peterson, written almost 15 years ago, but still true today.

2)I explored several pages of the k2weboutlaws website. I also watched 4 segments of the Frontline program Growing up Online. I plan to watch the rest of the program especially the section on Cyberbullying.

3) My most important "take-aways" from these programs and website are that parents need to be aware of what their children are doing online. I agree completely with the parents who remove the computers from the bedroom. The computer should be in a public, community place in the home. However, I also agree that if a child decides to use internet resources in other places they can find a way to access them. Parents need to start young, teaching their children what an amazing resource the internet is and how to use it safely.

4) I talked with two of my children who are in elementary school to ask them what they knew about internet safety. They already know that the computer needs to be turned off immediately if something inappropriate show up. They know to show me or an older family member if a window opens that may contain a virus. My younger children do not have email or Facebook. they do use safe sites such as Build a Bear or Wiggi World. We watched the short video from McGruff the Crime Dog about internet information. My 7-year old had the 4 things you never give out over the internet down right away: name, phone #, address and school name. I am really glad we had a chance to talk because my teenage boys also came into the conversation and reinforced what I had shared. My kids were open and receptive to learning about safety on the internet. I am glad that we can talk about it without the anger or accusations that some of the parents in the videos encountered. I think that reopening the dialogue about the internet will help us to continue using it safely.

TPACK report

Week 11 Lesson Plans

Here are the links to my lesson plans on Google Docs:

Science:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg86c7w8_6hn8k8tfd

Math:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg86c7w8_4f84grrc5

Language:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dg86c7w8_3gccppfdm

Week 10 Technology Videos

While watching the three videos about technology in the classroom, one thing that I noticed was how the teachers said that the students learned to use the technology quickly. Even the very young kindergarten students without previous computer experience were able to effectively learn and use basic computer skills. In the videos the children appeared to be very comfortable using the classroom computers and software. I found it interesting that the third grade class was navigating the internet and learning about copyright laws. These students are getting a great start in learning about the uses of technology. In addition, the technology can help students create a connection with their parents and families. The students see how computer use is becoming integrated into our society. They lose their fear of it and it becomes another tool in their reserve. As they need to increasingly use computers in their schoolwork, it becomes a natural part of their abilities.

Week 9 Already

The first week of observation in second grade was a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to know the students. There is not much technology used in instruction in this classroom. The two things that are used regularly are a computer/overhead projector that doesn't require transparencies and a teacher microphone. The microphone came in especially handy last week when the teacher had a sore throat. All of the students were able to hear her, so her management didn't suffer. Also all teachers in Alpine have a district laptop to use for attendance, lesson plans, memos, etc.

I have completed the midcourse evaluation and the informed consent.