http://instructionalmultimediaproject.wikispaces.com/
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Instructional Multimedia Project Created by Melissa & Amy - Week 8
Click on the link below to view our Instructional Multimedia Project!
http://instructionalmultimediaproject.wikispaces.com/
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http://instructionalmultimediaproject.wikispaces.com/
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Professional Development Plan - Week 7
I am really happy that I had the opportunity to take this course. When I first started this class, I was very intimidated by technology and apprehensive to utilize technology in the classroom. Now, eight weeks later, I feel as though I have a better understanding of how educational technology can be used to enhance and support learning. This class has encouraged me to become familiar with a variety of technology tools and, as a result, I now feel as though I can successfully implement many of these tools in the classroom.
As we have learned, it is very important for educators to stay current with the constant changes in the field of education. Partaking in frequent professional development opportunities will ensure that educators stay up-to-date and utilize the latest tools and strategies to support student learning. Without professional development on educational technology, teachers would not be able to stay current because the field of technology is constantly evolving. I believe that the sites I chose to bookmark on Delicious provide educators with a variety of resources on how to utilize different types of technology in the classroom. These sites would be beneficial for any educator to use in order to learn how to utilize and apply the latest technology in the classroom.
In order to continue my professional development in the area of technology I plan to further explore and utilize the tools offered on many of these websites. For example, I would like to further my knowledge of WebQuests and practice creating my own to utilize with students. Also, I am interested in using Rubistar to build different rubrics to use for assessment. Finally, I would like to use the HotChalk Lesson Plans Page and Edutopia to connect with other educators through discussion forums and online learning communities.
Finally, I am very excited that I was able to learn how to use Glogster to create different multimedia presentations. Learning how to use Glogster was one of my favorite things about this course! After creating my first few glogs, I was excited to share my work with my co-workers. As a result, I was asked to present a workshop on how to use Glogster during our professional development week! I am excited about sharing my new knowledge with other educators who want to increase their use of technology in the classroom. I am also proud that this course has allowed me to develop a new sense of confidence in my use of technology.
As we have learned, it is very important for educators to stay current with the constant changes in the field of education. Partaking in frequent professional development opportunities will ensure that educators stay up-to-date and utilize the latest tools and strategies to support student learning. Without professional development on educational technology, teachers would not be able to stay current because the field of technology is constantly evolving. I believe that the sites I chose to bookmark on Delicious provide educators with a variety of resources on how to utilize different types of technology in the classroom. These sites would be beneficial for any educator to use in order to learn how to utilize and apply the latest technology in the classroom.
In order to continue my professional development in the area of technology I plan to further explore and utilize the tools offered on many of these websites. For example, I would like to further my knowledge of WebQuests and practice creating my own to utilize with students. Also, I am interested in using Rubistar to build different rubrics to use for assessment. Finally, I would like to use the HotChalk Lesson Plans Page and Edutopia to connect with other educators through discussion forums and online learning communities.
Finally, I am very excited that I was able to learn how to use Glogster to create different multimedia presentations. Learning how to use Glogster was one of my favorite things about this course! After creating my first few glogs, I was excited to share my work with my co-workers. As a result, I was asked to present a workshop on how to use Glogster during our professional development week! I am excited about sharing my new knowledge with other educators who want to increase their use of technology in the classroom. I am also proud that this course has allowed me to develop a new sense of confidence in my use of technology.
Yes! Using technology CAN be fun!
Monday, June 13, 2011
PBL and Student Learning - Week 5
It was interesting to watch the video “Beginning the journey Five-year-olds drive their own PBL projects” and witness kindergarten students who are so engaged in learning. Personally, I believe that these students are motivated to learn because problem-based learning addresses their natural curiosity and allows them to engage in activities that have meaning. For example, as mentioned in the video, students in this particular classroom are allowed to pick the theme for each lesson. Once the theme is established, the teacher guides student learning by providing the resources necessary to complete meaningful activities. Students are interested and engaged from the beginning of the lesson because they have ownership of the entire activity. In this respect, problem-based learning allows teachers to make learning activities authentic. In order to complete each lesson, students are required to use investigative problem-solving, critical thinking, and basic reading, writing, and math skills.
As demonstrated in the video, teachers have the opportunity to enhance student learning through the use of classroom Smartboards and additional technology. Because Smartboards and other technology tools can be interactive, students have the opportunity to manipulate and take charge of their learning. This sense of ownership and the ability to demonstrate that they can be successful learners encourages students and prepares them to continue on the path of lifelong learning. In addition, utilizing technology in the classroom makes learning easier and much more fun.
As demonstrated in the video, teachers have the opportunity to enhance student learning through the use of classroom Smartboards and additional technology. Because Smartboards and other technology tools can be interactive, students have the opportunity to manipulate and take charge of their learning. This sense of ownership and the ability to demonstrate that they can be successful learners encourages students and prepares them to continue on the path of lifelong learning. In addition, utilizing technology in the classroom makes learning easier and much more fun.
Ultimately, a successful project-based unit requires the development of a plan, research, writing, and follow-through. During this process, cooperation, problem solving, and critical thinking are necessary skills students must learn and be able to demonstrate. At the end of a project-based unit, students will not only be able to demonstrate new knowledge from the completed activity, but they will have also learned several important real-world skills which will help them to be successful in the future.
References
Ellis, K. (2007, May 9). Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project-Based Learning [Motion picture]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/kindergarten-project-based-learning-video
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