OTEN CONFERENCE REFLECTION

I attended that 2011 OTEN INSPIRATION CONFERENCE  on Saturday, Septemeber 24th.  I listened to three speakers:  Joe Morelock-the keynote speaker, Machelle Childers on podcasting in the elementary classroom and Serena Flyer who spoke about utilizting the white board.  From the keynote speaker I learned about how beneficial and easy it is to use technology in the classroom.  I learned that podcasting can encourage students to work collaboratively together and it allows them to practice on their speaking skills in a less intimidating manner than a video camera from the podcasting talk.  From the white board seminar, I learned that there are many options for creating fun, interactive, colorful lessons that intrigue and excite the younger population of students. Click on the link below to view my reflection on Yodio:

OTEN Reflection 2011

Title: Google Docs Group Project

The purpose for our Google Docs Group Project for Ed 520 was to help us explore, learn and practice ways that using Google Docs could benefit us in our classrooms.

Here is the link:

https://docs.google.com/a/willamette.edu/document/d/17a6UakIAESrO9oHmodyWpEh47ISkJPc9bpAIPqQzr_c/edit?pli=1#


Reflection:
Google Docs is a great tool where students and teachers can collaborate in real time.  I don't have to attach anything to an email which allows the people you give access to immediate entry.  It is quick and easy to use. I like the fact that you can invite only the people you would like to, read, add to or edit your document.  Bottom line is that it saves time and you can collaborate with anyone from anywhere all at the same time.  Pretty cool! It is an effective way to get ideas and to give ideas all with the click of a button...so simple!
For the most part it is easy to use.  I did need to go into the help link to figure out some of the insert options.  I am still a little unclear with a few of them. I started out knowing absolutely nothing about Google Docs.  After some practice and playing, I am figuring some things out although, I still have much more to learn!  Many of the applications are very easy and fun to use for me, some of the others are a little more difficult.  I am hoping to understand more as I get a chance to use it more.
In our group project, I added to the description of Google Docs, had some ideas of how it could be used to enhance the teaching and learning experience in a classroom, added my reflections and played with some of the formatting and equation options.  I also noticed that there were different options for file formats that the doc could be saved to.

Post #2 -Ed Tech--BLOGGING

I have been learning about many of the possible ways that blogging can be useful in a classroom. Three specific ways I have found most interesting so far are:  Teacher Blogs, Classroom Blogs and Student Blogs.  I plan on teaching at the elementary level so the grade level being taught would determine how in depth one could get in application of the blog.  Here are some ideas in which I could see that blogging could be beneficial in my classroom: 

Teacher Blogging would be a great tool for giving assignments to students, it could also be a way to communicate with some parents and a way to keep them current with schedules, homework, due dates and upcoming events. Communicating and collaborating with other teachers is a possibility as well.  In a few of the elementary blogs that I have observed, I have noticed that some teachers share specific details (complete with pictures!) about projects, crafts and ideas that have worked and not worked for them. I can see that being very helpful for me as a new teacher.

Classroom Blogging is a wonderful way to display students work, recap about the weeks events, activities and experiences in which students can participate in doing each week (age appropriate of course!) and communicating and collaborating with other teachers,

Student Blogging can involve a classroom effort in sharing experiences with projects, readings, self-reflections, certain subject matter etc.  Blogging in this manner is beneficial because it can motivate quieter students to participate, it gives each student an opportunity to read, write and share.  Students can take the time that they need read, re-read, reflect, react and respond to ideas in a way that they feel most comfortable.

Blogging seems to me like an easy, effective and efficient tool for students, teachers and even parents in which learning and information can extend beyond the school doors.

~A Little About Me~

I am the mother of three wonderful children.  They they are one of the reasons that I am pursuing a teaching career.  I have always loved being around children.  There is something comforting about holding my newborn baby nephew, seeing my four year old sons face light up when he writes a B (the first letter of his name) correctly on his paper, watching my four year old daughter grow in confidence as she performs a helpful task I have asked her to do and being able to develop trust and a closer bond to my eight year old son as we have our special "talk nights" that he asks to have with me. As long as I can remember I have wanted to be a teacher.  Now, through a series of events in my life within the past few years, I am able to begin to to fulfill that dream.  I have always been able to relate well with younger children.  I am having a tendency to lean toward teaching K-3 and maybe 4,5 but am also excited to observe some 4-6 grade classrooms and see if that spurs on any interest as well.

 My Little Inspirations!

I have an amazing, supportive family and we spend a lot of time together.  I have a married younger brother with two small boys ages 7 and 4 and a younger married sister with an almost three year old little girl and a new baby boy.  We get together every holiday with all our relatives that mostly all live close to Salem.  One cool thing that our entire extended family does is have an annual Family Camp.  We go to different places every year usually campgrounds and spend time hanging out, boating and doing family talent shows (very comical!). I spend many Saturdays at either my son or my nephews soccer, basketball or baseball games throughout the year.  My family goes deer hunting every October and I got my tag last year and shot my first deer.  Pretty exciting for my dad and I.  My oldest son had mixed feelings because he loves to go hunting but is also an "animal expert" (his own words) so he really loves animals.  I have to sneak around to kill a spider in my house!  I'm NOT a spider lover by any means actually, I'm not even a spider "liker"!  Well, I'd better get my three crazies headed to bed so until next time...