Week 8: Last Week of a Great Class

Part 1: My Favorite Technology

I have been exposed to a variety of technologies over the course of this semester, but I would have to say Web 2.0 technologies are my favorite, from Wikis to blogs and to all the wonderful Google Apps.  I like Web 2.0 tools because they are easy to use and mostly free.  They store everything in the Cloud so it doesn't matter what computer you use as long as you have access to the Internet. 

Of the Web 2.0 tools that I mentioned, my favorite is Google Sites.  I like Google sites because it is easy to use and edit.  It also has a variety of templates available for use.  I like using it because I use Gmail and Google Docs all the time so it is easy to access.  

Google has influenced the way I teach because I see the importance of keeping an e-portfolio for myself.  I will use my e-portfolio to keep a record of all the professional development and other achievements throughout my teaching career.  My students like to use theirs to save their work.  They see their achievements and can be proud of them. 

Part 2: My "Aha" Moments This Semester

I have learned so much while taking this class.  Every week, it was filled with "Aha" moments, either by reading articles that Dr. W posted online or the ones I read from my journal articles.  It was helpful to   get feedback from other students and hear about the struggles and successes they have had in their careers. 

I think the most interesting thing I learned was about how to search the Internet by using different search engines and looking up a website’s origin and seeing what it looks like throughout its development.  I found the hate group website to be an eye-opener because it looked like a good creditable website, when it was actually just the opposite. 

Part 3: Continue to Use My Blog

I will continue using my blog as a way to post information that I have learned whether from my grad classes, other teachers, and/or my professional development experiences.  I know there are lots of websites that share information about interesting technology but, because only a few co-workers and family will probably view it, I will be able to answer any questions they may have about my posts. 

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Week 7: Google Apps

Part 1: Google Sketchup 

I made a lesson for students to use the Google App called Sketchup to create a 3D image of a house with various elements, in and around it.  I used my class Wiki to put the full detailed assignment on it.  The Tutorials were created using Jing and then uploaded to YouTube.  The students will use their Google accounts to share their projects via Google Docs and even create a screen-cast using Jing where they describe everything in their project as they navigate the screen.  Then they will put the screen-cast on their e-Portfolios on Google Sites. 

Here is the lesson on my Wiki

http://5cgreece.pbworks.com/w/page/51474593/Google%20Sketchup%203D%20Design

Part 2: Improving Student Learning Using Technology 


After watching the videos and from my own experience I have noticed that students are eager to learn new technology and it comes easy to them.  I am a digital native but technology was not used a lot in my educational upbringing.  Because of this, I have to learn how to teach using new technology.  I can not teach the same way I was taught as a child.  I think it helps that I started teaching after technology made a major transformation in the classroom.  It would be hard to have taught for years only using textbooks and then being told you have to totally adjust your teaching style to adapt to new technology.  I think this is why so many teachers are having trouble catching up.  Education and training is the key to teachers using this new technology.  I have learned so many things already by taking my grad program at TAMU-Commerce and from other professional development opportunity. 

Another Motivating Video from YouTube about Technology