Monday, April 20, 2009

The "END OF VOICE THREADING!" LOL!!!

Whew! We had problems with google.docs yesterday, but nothing like the "voice threading of today!" I can honestly say, it was a wonderful experience, and I must now confess, the assignment was an excellent idea. The assignment was an opportunity,(for me), to make a self evaluation. I have struggled throughout this course, and I don't consider technology that new to me. But their is soooo much to learn, professionally for teaching, and personally for my own enjoyment.

The child, "Jen" really absorbed the technology with fun and enthusiasm. I was glad to have helped with the project, again it was a great opportunity, and privilege to have taught her a few things about technology.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Collabortive Service Project Update

After much confusion, on my part, I have finally gotten with a student, "Jen". I tried giving her directions, but her attempts weren't very successful. No problem, because I have experienced failed attempts as well. We were finally able to get together, Sunday. She is a student in TM, it is a year round school. & they were off this entire week, and vacationed in New York. Having arrived yesterday, Saturday, and working today, I am most appreciative.

Everything was going well, until we got to Google.Docs . . . it was giving us an error message, and we weren't able to create the google.docs account, so we'll have to try again tomorrow. We attempted on two different computer systems, and to no avail. This was most discouraging because I wanted to complete the assignment. However, that is about the only thing needed, so as soon as google.docs is up I'll be able to tie up all loose ends.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Collaborative Service Project Assignment

I am presently getting prepared to help a student with a research project that will be posted in a blog. The blog will include voice threading, and helping the student utilize technology. As a student-teacher this will be a great opportunity to plan and monitor a student’s progress; with an added opportunity to practice assessing the students work. I will make every attempt to create interesting open ended questions to help stimulate discussions, and promote problem solving strategies . My hope is to kindle within the student a desire to practice inquiry-based techniques, with technology. I look forward to inviting and engaging a student to participate with interest.

Friday, March 20, 2009

My Spring 2009 Creative Learning Experience

I consider this assignment the most difficult. After reading the assignment, and before I started working on the project, I thought it was going to be one of the easiest of all the assignments. But this project has been the most time consuming, and I must admit that without the help of my peer Vicky, I would have been completely lost. However, following the completion of the project I was appreciative of the learning experience because I am planning on creating something similar as a surprise gift for my daughter’s upcoming May graduation.

The tool’s I used were my camera, and all the features I had never utilized prior to this project. My laptop, which had some compatibility issues with Vista; and other programs which I didn’t even know exist on my laptop. I took most of my pictures and used a few online pictures. The reason I used the Internet pictures was because I wanted pictures that would correspond with my theme. And as we are just coming out of the winter season, I needed pictures that could be applied to my topic.

As a future Special Education teacher, this project experience will allow me to create, and modify educational videos targeting all of my future student’s personal strengths, and interest. Another benefit for me as a teacher is that it is very inexpensive as opposed to buying videos for my students. I will be able to use my teaching allowance for other needed supplies as well.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Fun with Excell Spreadsheets

This week’s Session 9 spreadsheet assignment was a bit confusing, as I attempted to upload on google.docs. The difficulty was related to the compatibility of my software with google.docs. The instructions were not explicit, which became time consuming. However, through trial and error, I was able to accomplish my goal.

Students doing these activities will have the opportunity to analyze, create and record; and will have a hand on inquiry based approach experience. Teaching students by hands on experiences provides students with authentic learning opportunities, which is the core of the inquiry based teaching approach. Three questions I would use to help my students get started on creating a spreadsheet, are: 1.) How will students monitor the weather? 2.) What elements affect climate change? 3.) What is the impact on vegetation globally?

Friday, March 6, 2009

How the 7 elements of storytelling relate to my unit plan & storyboard

This week’s assignment is to create a storytelling movie. Are the effects of climate change severe? The entire world is suffering from the results of climate change. Tackling the seven elements of digital storytelling is an important element of both a unit plan and storyboard.

The first element I want to address is the point of view. In my storyboard, my point of view is dealt through my belief that climate change is a major factor in the reduction of necessary plants and vegetation in our existence. The dramatic question I wish to answer is, “what can we do to delay this process?” Answering this question is accomplished in my storyboard, by the images of recycling. The emotional content is related to the impact this topic will have on future lives of mankind. My voice will help reinforce the importance of awareness of climate change, by adding feeling and depth to what I’m presenting. The sound track will enhance my voice and my storyboard by emphasizing of what could be lost in this downward spiral. There is a multitude of information on how climate change is affecting ecosystems worldwide. I have tried to be economical in my presentation in order to put forth the information I feel is most important. My pacing accommodates each image individually and allows enough time for my audience to understand the information I am attempting to convey.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Digital Storytelling

I would use digital storytelling in my classroom as a fun interactive way to encourage my students to develop technology skills. The storytelling process prompts focusing on various subject matters, such as writing and creativity in Language Arts. I am presently a student-teacher at an Adaptive Education transitioning public school. Most of my students are autistic or are students with autistic tendencies. This concept at the simplest level would allow students who are unable to read or communicate verbally, to participate in a wide variety of digital storytelling venues.
Voice thread would help my students with verbal organizing skills to comment on any slide in the voice thread. Voice threads might be described as interactive media albums; basically they are online slide shows of images, videos, and documents that allow viewers to comment. They can be used for collaborative projects at all educational levels. Slideshare and slidecast also prompt participation, and online involvement by engaging students in a variety of activities.
As I develop my unit plan, I can foresee my students pooling their resources, to create their slideshare video projects of the knowledge they gain.