the youtube experience

This weeks class was held online. I am currently working on the group presentation project due next week. Our group has to present the Constructivism teaching method. In order to complete my part for our collaborative presentation, I decide to search youtube for the first time. I was so excited what I stumbled upon. I found so many video options that showcase Constructivism which surprised me. The site was very user friendly and it was relatively easy to upload video into Google Docs.

I like the Google Docs collaborative component. It's nice to see all the pieces of our group presentation come together. There are so many creative pieces that make the presentation appealing to all types of learners.

I also join Twitter for Week 4 PLN assignment. That also surprised me the resources available to get updates. We had several options to choose from but I have been curious about Twitter for some time now. I was surprised to find how many media outlets a user can follow. I am also following several book publishers to keep up to date on new materials being released. I really think Twitter is a convient way to keep in contact with others. It has a lot of potential for being used in education. Teachers can follow other professionals in the field or message information to parents and students.

573 Reflect Week Three

The Impact of Technology Reflection was really eye opening to me. I fell in the middle of the bar in most of the categories. I really am lacking the knowledge to utilize technology properly in the classroom. I am learning a lot of great resources and sites to use in the future.

I am starting to really love GOOGLE! Google docs has a lot of potential for classroom collaboration. In class we are working on a group project due in a few weeks. We will be using Google Docs Presentation software as our format. I am really excited about all the things we have learned about so far. I never knew these resources are available. I can see why students love technology, you can be so creative adding video and graphics.

We defined and discussed Web 2.0 resources. I am mildly familiar with Web 2.0 from a previous class I took last semester. I never really understood Web 2.0 educational significance until tonights class. I think it is amazing to log onto a site and be instantly connected to other people with your similar likes and interests. People you would not have collaborated with otherwise because they might live in a different country. I like how on these sites you can create, share, and discuss your thoughts. I really feel it is important that we teach kids how to protect themselves online. They definitely need to be cognizant on what they post and share with others.

573 Reflect Week Two

We discussed in class tonight the The NETS Standards for Teachers and Students. We specifically touched up the NETS 2: Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment. I think one of the important lessons of this class is not to be afraid of being outside the box. The collaboration options we discussed in class would be great, all you need is a little creativity and internet access. I feel as an educator teachers need to outline specific rules for using this type of technology. You really need to think through the pros and cons. The etherpad option would be a great tool for exit slips or maybe questions and comments about projects.

I think the Google Docs options are a great way for students and teachers to collaborate with one another and across the globe. For example; students working together to create a project presentation with each group member working on a specific goal and adding their own personal creativity. A teacher can monitor the whole process.

One of the main points I have learned so far is new technology opens the door to experience authentic collaborative education. Teachers, parents, and students are sharing, developing, and creating together through digital media.

573 Reflect Week One

My thoughts about this class vary from feeling totally terrified to extremely excited. The last time I took an official technology class was in 2001. I know a lot has changed since then. I am by no means a digital native. I am mainly self-taught on computer technology. In my teaching experience, computer technology was nonexistent. Resources were very limited. I am sure most of the class has experienced difficulties using computers and just decided it was safer not to try. It is definitely a management nightmare when your carefully planned technology lesson falls apart because equipment doesn’t work properly.

During class I have already learned several things. First, I had never heard of the Delicious Bookmark website. I can see it being a vital resource for me in the future. I have lost all of my bookmarks before when my old computer crashed. It took me months to remember all the sites I had bookmarked. I have also never constructed a website before and am looking forward to the challenge.The other account we set up tonight was with Google. I had no idea Google had document tools. I can't wait to explore Google Docs.

Overall I feel like this is going to be a great class. I am hopeful to leave in the end expanding my knowledge of technology. I truly feel this class is very important to my future success in the educational field. I have to find a way to adapt to new technology. So I am really excited about this class and hopefully it will give me guidance in using technology in a library capacity. I want to be able to use new technology confidently with my future students.