Is it the end or only the beginning?

I’ve learned many things along my journey, some of which I will explore further and implement in my classroom, while there are others that I probably will not utilize at this point in time.  However, the program has opened my eyes to the plethora of technology available to aid teachers in the classroom.  Technology is the future of education and the more we explore and understand, the more we can offer our students.  While I teach special education students, and they are somewhat limited in their understanding, I am amazed at the innovative web tools that are easy and extremely user friendly.  Honestly, I will probably not blog regularly, but now that I do know how, I can blog when I need advice, ideas or direction.  Flickr is a great picture source and a tool that will be extremely helpful in my classroom situation.  Visual aids are priceless in my classroom. 

I would recommend this course to any and all teachers.  The web is an invaluable tool. 

Thing #22 - Explore social networking in education

The social network I perused is called "Classroom 2.0."  I even signed up.  This is an impressive website that I can use in the classroom not only to help facilitate learning, but also as a reward.  Of course, I need to check into all of the nuances of the website.  There are forums to help with foreign language, history, and even connect with other educators.  The activities are engaging and intriguing at many different levels.  

Thing #7b - Google Reader Revisited

What makes a good school? What a powerful question.  The article I viewed was How Much Special Education is a good Thing? I have been in special education for eight years now and I have numerous tools that have benefited the education of the students I teach. In the article I reviewed, the writer talks about many ways to reduce the special education population. You can review the article by clicking on the link above.  One of the best tools a teacher can have is an active parent.  The writer of this article is an active parent of his special needs child.  Every teacher wants and hopes for active parents.  When I have active parents, I have always had better students (behavior, grades, etc.).  Active parents make a tremendous difference.

Thing #21 - Try Twitter

For my 8th grade computers and careers class I can use this as a way for students tell me when assignments are complete and to have the students follow somebody or something of interest. I'm thinking that the shortened script writing will help the student be more engaging. At this time, I'm not sure where this could go. My thinking is I get the students accounts at school but after that the student would only be able to connect at the school.  But for a general education class this would be a great way for teachers and students to stay connected about assignments and questions about a topic.

Thing #20 - Google Docs

When we began the school year last year at A. C. New, we had a lesson plan template that was adopted from Google Docs.  However, since  I teach six different subjects and each of my student's has a seperate IEP, I was unable to take advantage of the Google Docs lesson plan.  I had to design my own template, which is on my compter at school. 

Thing #19 - Voicethread

I find that this type of engagement in learning can be a very useful tool in my classroom.  The students hear the information from another voice source and the information becomes more relevant. I like using this tool as an option or a bellringer in my classroom.

Thing #18 - You too can YouTube

In sharing my Youtube browsing I chose a video about the deveoplment of special education and a video of the introduction to special education. I chose these two videos as a brief overview because there are always questions regarding what laws affect special education students in the classroom and how teachers and parents can be advocates to aid students with learning disabilities.  

I must teach my students grade level curriculum and as stated in previous posts I have made comments about the use of visual learning. In Teachertube, I chose a video about the Pythagorean Theorem to illustrate the level of engagement I have to use to teach my students.

 

Thing #17 - Podcasts: No iPod Needed!

I do use podcasts from Teacher Tube for helping engage students in the classroom, usually this will spark conversation of interest. The students I teach are grade levels behind the typical middle school student, and I have found that using more pictures, power points, and podcasts have helped to boost their interest, intrigue and even their vocabulary.  Indeed, the use of these visual aids are a positive to their educational learning because the written language becomes relevant and real because of sight association. These tools have definitely helped to raise my test scores on average.  

Thing #16 - LibraryThing: Where Books Meet Web 2.0

The LibraryThing is a new way that I can find and catalog information which I need to keep organizied. I think at this point the LibraryThing would be benenifical for me in my studies and research. However, my students are at such a low reading level thtat they would take one look at the home page and give up. I would have to do the resreach to find the appropriate levels for them. At this time I use the district resreach tools and the school librarian. But this tool is definitely worth my time and effort. 

Thing #15 - Social Bookmarking and Tagging with Delicious

This is where I get bogged down, only because of the abundance of information and my shortage of time in which to explore. I am of the mind that more is not always better, but I do know that I must strive to grow in my learning so that, not only can I continue to offer my students the best possible education, but so that I can set the example of continuous learning. I push myself as well as my students to find ways to engage them in the classroom and on their own at home. I liked the Delicious/tag/misd23things about the simple machines. I have a file system in my bookmarks that I use quite often.  One of the sites I use most often is  Pete's Powerpoint's.

Thing #7a - Google Reader Revisited

This has been the most beneficial component of life long learning process. I reviewed this site about technology in the classroom and thought it was very appropriate for the elearning process. I the reading there was a article that is good reading about how elearning is shifting the classroom.

A quote from the article that is important in the shift is this:

     

          "reason may range from econmics to ethics-if you have a limited budget for educational interventions, do you spend the money on the students or evaluations? So, while it's important not to overstate what the research shows, an emerging body of evidence strongly suggests that effective elearning can produce promising effects. Research also seems to indicate that a more technology-rich environment delivers greater impacts." 

 (http://www.k12blueprint.com/k12/blueprint/cd/Positive_Impact_White_Paper.pdf)

Thing # 14 - Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

I played around with the Jigsaw Puzzle Games.  This is an amazing tool that I can use for multiple purposes. The students can use this site as a reward for free time, they can use it at home and I use the site to monitor their motor skills.  Great site.

I have already created a Weebly site.  

Thing #13 - Online Image Generators

I used Flikr to post this image. These type of images are important to my teaching because most of my students have bearly made it out of the city limits much less to other places in the state. I mostly have to be quick and I use google search to explain places and events in the world.

Austin Skyline with Moon, a photo by Ellen Yeates on Flickr.

Thing #12 - Create a Slideshow!

As I stated in my last post I have already embeded two slideshows on my blog in the design section. At first, this is very tedious, but if you are applying this to the educationial process daily or weekly it will become easier. My biggest problem is finding the time to be creative. I have six classes -- each student is at a different level with learning disabilites and reading levels.   Because I have ARDs and multiple teaching aides, I try to keep my slideshows simple.  

Thing #11 - Photosharing with Flickr

The first week I had inserted a sildeshow on my blog page. Using Flickr, a source and tool that is extremely beneficial, I can not only show where the photos were obtained, but I can also explain the importance of citing where you obtain and share your information.  For example, when my class works on an assignment about the Alamo, I can help enhance my presentation and visual tools by reaching out to Flickr to get pictures of the Alamo, like this one.

The Alamo, a photo by thedaisychick on Flickr.

Thing #10 - Creative Commons

I'm very fortunate that my wife has worked in copyright law, but I have to say I never noticed the icon. However, I do have a good concept of the do's and don'ts in this area. 

Ths use of the Creative Commons was beneficial and informative.  It gave me additional informationg information and ideas to consider for my classroom. At this time, I would probably want to complete  more research on the websites, but for the most part, the majority of the assignment was at a level too high for the students I teach. And research I will, because if I can find any resources that I feel will work a lesson's objective, I will include it so that I can give my students the most complete lesson possible. I would use this website for presentations that may help me with the lesson.

Thing #9 My Wiki


Wow!! This for me was a chore, but got it done.
Spencer 2012