Wednesday, June 23, 2010
C:\Users\Owner\Documents\Iupui Education Program\Summer 2010\Educ W200\Module 6 Class Room Blogs Shartley
Check out this SlideShare Presentation about using blogs in the classroom:
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Smilebox - Emerging Technology 2
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| Picture collage created with Smilebox |
I decided to try Smilebox for my second emerging technology. This program allows users to upload pictures from their digital photo file and decoratively arrange them in pre-developed templates in order to create calendars, scrapbooks, photo albums, postcards, collages and more. You can even add music to play in the background while people are viewing your photos. There are many options to choose from but users need to beware because there are also upgraded options that cost money.
The site is very user-friendly but I have to admit that it was difficult to do what I had originally intended with this program. My goal was to create a flower journal of all of the flowers that I have noticed around my property this spring. I love taking pictures of flowers so I already had quite a few to work with and the past few weeks have brought out many more. The idea was that I would post a picture and alongside would be the name and a few facts about the flower. After extensive time searching through different options that said they would work for journaling, I could not find any templates that really fit my idea. So, for the sake of finishing this project by its deadline, I needed to rethink my project. I still wanted to share some of the flowers with everyone in the class, so I chose a collage which I feel is still very effective although not quite as educational.
This technology is a great option to use for class projects. I think that my journal idea will still work but I just need to find the ideal program. My niece’s third grade teacher used a program similar to this one to create a slideshow with music in the background. The show recapped the year using pictures she had taken of the class during different events. She saved it to a disc for each student to take with them on their last day of school along with a self-addressed stamped envelope so they could send her a letter over the summer. The slideshow was beautifully done and my family and especially my niece were deeply moved by this gesture. It’s amazing how something that can take just a small amount of time to create can mean so much to another person. I love how her teacher used this technology to really let her students know that she care about them.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
DELICIOUS
I've setup some bookmarks on my new delicious account. Feel free to check them out.
http://delicious.com/susanhartley27
http://delicious.com/susanhartley27
Friday, June 4, 2010
Critical Thinking – Module Three
In the article “Teachers & Technology: English with an Edge,” teacher Andie Brown (2008) of Manchester, MO discusses her integration of iMovie technology into her class room. She teaches Composition and Literature at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Using iMovie, she captures the essence of Kurt Vonnegut through modern day, short satiric films created by her students in small groups. This project is challenging, time consuming, edgy and could potentially upset some administrators, but Andie Brown (2008) sees a difference in her students and feels it is worth the effort.
I recently wrote a researched argument paper for W132 which discussed whether charter schools were a good addition to the traditional public school system. I argued that that charter schools were a good addition and Annie Brown’s iMovie project is a great example to support my claim. She kept suggesting throughout “Teachers & Technology: English with an Edge,” that the administration may not understand the project, should they happen to see the finished product (Brown, 2008). Ms. Brown teaches at a traditional public high school. I would suspect if she were teaching at a charter school, the tone of the article in reference to administration would have been a mute point. I questioned why she did not sit down with someone from her administration and explain what the project was and why it is important for the students to complete. Perhaps she thought they would say “no” from the beginning. I do not have the answer to the question now, but I have a feeling I will reference this article someday when I am in a similar situation in my own classroom.
The article was brief so there were limited suggestions as to Ms. Brown’s protocol, challenges and supplies. However, she did mention the Best Buy grant program as a way to acquire cameras. In today’s budget cutting society this type of information can be a tremendous help. Technology is constantly changing and it could be considered too expensive to outfit a classroom. Innovative ideas such as group work help to reduce the quantity of materials required but it will be important for teachers to continually look for opportunities to develop the technology through offerings such as community grants.
There are two sections in the article which caught my eye. First, Ms. Brown states, “I think it’s probably a good thing that I’m not a teacher who is new in the profession. Being ‘experienced’ or just plain fossilized is definitely a plus in this case” . I would agree that a teacher who has the background and has been with a school for awhile would have more room to freely work outside of the box. A teacher of new status would potentially be under more scrutiny right from the beginning. Ms. Brown should be commended for expanding her knowledge by taking additional coursework in iMovies and integrating the technology into her teaching. As with many people in many jobs, a person can become stale and continue on a daily basis, never pushing out of their comfort zone. I feel that it is very important in the teaching profession that all teachers, new or veteran, continue to strive for new knowledge and new ways to integrate that knowledge.
The second quote that caught my eye was when Ms. Brown reviews how her project has helped some of her students. She notes, “I recall a young man who was amazingly intelligent but so bored with school that his grades were average and below.” She later continues, “He spent way more time on this project than anything else we’d done all semester… He left high school on a high note…” . I firmly believe that all students have different ways learning and dealing with their strengths and weakness. As a teacher, I hope to determine each student’s interest and what will drive them to achieve. I will push to offer curriculum and support which taps into this area in hopes to ignite a spark in each student.
The role of the teacher continues to be more challenging with an extended diversity of students and ever changing technology. Innovative ideas, such as Ms. Brown’s idea can trigger excellent outcomes for students but they will require time and effort. It is a challenge to stay on top of technology but the knowledge and understanding will help to make these amazing ideas feasible. I look forward to this challenge and the opportunities that follow.
Reference:
Brown, Andie (2008, May 15). Teachers & technology: English with and edge. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from The Journal: Transforming Education through Technology Web site: http://thejournal.com/articles/2008/05/15/teachers--technology-english-with-an-edge.aspx
I recently wrote a researched argument paper for W132 which discussed whether charter schools were a good addition to the traditional public school system. I argued that that charter schools were a good addition and Annie Brown’s iMovie project is a great example to support my claim. She kept suggesting throughout “Teachers & Technology: English with an Edge,” that the administration may not understand the project, should they happen to see the finished product (Brown, 2008). Ms. Brown teaches at a traditional public high school. I would suspect if she were teaching at a charter school, the tone of the article in reference to administration would have been a mute point. I questioned why she did not sit down with someone from her administration and explain what the project was and why it is important for the students to complete. Perhaps she thought they would say “no” from the beginning. I do not have the answer to the question now, but I have a feeling I will reference this article someday when I am in a similar situation in my own classroom.
The article was brief so there were limited suggestions as to Ms. Brown’s protocol, challenges and supplies. However, she did mention the Best Buy grant program as a way to acquire cameras. In today’s budget cutting society this type of information can be a tremendous help. Technology is constantly changing and it could be considered too expensive to outfit a classroom. Innovative ideas such as group work help to reduce the quantity of materials required but it will be important for teachers to continually look for opportunities to develop the technology through offerings such as community grants.
There are two sections in the article which caught my eye. First, Ms. Brown states, “I think it’s probably a good thing that I’m not a teacher who is new in the profession. Being ‘experienced’ or just plain fossilized is definitely a plus in this case” . I would agree that a teacher who has the background and has been with a school for awhile would have more room to freely work outside of the box. A teacher of new status would potentially be under more scrutiny right from the beginning. Ms. Brown should be commended for expanding her knowledge by taking additional coursework in iMovies and integrating the technology into her teaching. As with many people in many jobs, a person can become stale and continue on a daily basis, never pushing out of their comfort zone. I feel that it is very important in the teaching profession that all teachers, new or veteran, continue to strive for new knowledge and new ways to integrate that knowledge.
The second quote that caught my eye was when Ms. Brown reviews how her project has helped some of her students. She notes, “I recall a young man who was amazingly intelligent but so bored with school that his grades were average and below.” She later continues, “He spent way more time on this project than anything else we’d done all semester… He left high school on a high note…” . I firmly believe that all students have different ways learning and dealing with their strengths and weakness. As a teacher, I hope to determine each student’s interest and what will drive them to achieve. I will push to offer curriculum and support which taps into this area in hopes to ignite a spark in each student.
The role of the teacher continues to be more challenging with an extended diversity of students and ever changing technology. Innovative ideas, such as Ms. Brown’s idea can trigger excellent outcomes for students but they will require time and effort. It is a challenge to stay on top of technology but the knowledge and understanding will help to make these amazing ideas feasible. I look forward to this challenge and the opportunities that follow.
Reference:
Brown, Andie (2008, May 15). Teachers & technology: English with and edge. Retrieved May 31, 2010, from The Journal: Transforming Education through Technology Web site: http://thejournal.com/articles/2008/05/15/teachers--technology-english-with-an-edge.aspx
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Days of Our Chickens' Lives - Podcast
Today I learned about podcasting. In the past, I have listened to podcasts for classes and for fun but this was my first opportunity to create my own. Podcasts are a unique way to add additional material to a lesson plan that does not require additional reading. It can be fun for students to utilize. As I have learned through this experience, podcasts are also a great way to share a story or information alongside some pictures whether it is for educational purposes or just for fun.
I tried to use Gcast to start but received a message stating that the program was no longer allowing new users or posts. I glanced through a few other links and settled on Yodio. Its simple format, step by step directions, and extensive help options allowed for me as a beginner to make a podcast with limited difficulty. I was hesitant to use my phone to do the audio recording but the option proved to be safe and effective. I did not see the option to record directly through a computer unless you already had an audio file saved.
I found that preparing an outline of my pictures and voice prompts before starting to upload and record helped the process to run smooth. Other than that, just clicking on the link was the best way to start.
I enjoyed this project and I hope that you enjoy the results. Please click on the link to view The Days of Our Chickens' Lives.
I tried to use Gcast to start but received a message stating that the program was no longer allowing new users or posts. I glanced through a few other links and settled on Yodio. Its simple format, step by step directions, and extensive help options allowed for me as a beginner to make a podcast with limited difficulty. I was hesitant to use my phone to do the audio recording but the option proved to be safe and effective. I did not see the option to record directly through a computer unless you already had an audio file saved.
I found that preparing an outline of my pictures and voice prompts before starting to upload and record helped the process to run smooth. Other than that, just clicking on the link was the best way to start.
I enjoyed this project and I hope that you enjoy the results. Please click on the link to view The Days of Our Chickens' Lives.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
A lil' about me...
I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Go Pack... and Colts!) After high school, I made my way to Orlando, FL on a running scholarship and I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Relations/ Advertising and a minor in Hospitality Management. After college, I ventured north to New Jersey and lived just across the Hudson River from Manhattan in Jersey City. I started my career in Hospitality working for the Marriott and eventually became a Conference Planner for JPMorgan Chase in Manhattan. After a some years in the city I eventually took a job back in New Jersey's horse country with Jet Set Sports, an Olympic Hospitality provider, working in their F&B, Hospitality and Hotel Operations department. My main role was hotel operations which always offered plenty of challenges and excitement. Not too long ago, I relocated Indiana were I now reside in Sheridan, IN with my wonderful boyfriend, two fluffy cats and about 20 chickens. During this relocation I decided that I wanted to go into teaching. I wanted to enter a career that would allow me to help children grow, explore and learn, as well as provide me with a close connection to my community. I am now seeking my second degree in elementary education at IUPUI and exploring my new home of Indiana.
Greetings...
Welcome to my blog.
This is my first encounter as the author of a blog so every bit of this project is new. I have already found that there are many easy to use tabs which help guide a first-timer through the initial start up of the blog but stay tuned for many updates as I continue to explore the world of blogging.
This is my first encounter as the author of a blog so every bit of this project is new. I have already found that there are many easy to use tabs which help guide a first-timer through the initial start up of the blog but stay tuned for many updates as I continue to explore the world of blogging.
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