- Final 306 Blog -

What have you learned this semester about technology and how it might be implemented in a classroom setting? What have you learned to do? What have you learned not to do? What technologies do you see yourself integrating into your classroom? What technologies do you see yourself not using and why? Have your thoughts about using technology in the classroom changed since the beginning of the semester and, if so, in what way? What advice do you have for yourself for future situations when technology is involved?

This semester, I've learned a lot about technology and how to use it in the classroom. I think Google Docs was the most useful I learned as a college student, while blogging and wikis will probably be a really useful tool in my future classroom. I've learned many ways to apply technology in the classroom and will definitely use these tools in the future. I've learned not to give my blog web address to my friends because they post it on their Facebooks as a way to make fun of me, therefore, I will always keep my blogs and wikis especially for my students and their parents. I can't really see myself using Twitter and Facebook as a way to communicate with students. I definitely prefer to communicate with my students via blogging or e-mail, or simply in person in class. Overall, my thoughts about using and incorporating technology into the classroom have changed. I was hesitant at first because I wasn't sure how I felt about technofying a classroom, I enjoy using books and white boards, etc. However, after learning more about these technologies, I realized that they really can have some benefits in the classroom. Advice for myself for future situations with technology is just to make things organized and secure for my students. I don't want them to feel like if they post something online it's for the world to see. I want to make sure they feel comfortable using tools on the internet.

Google Earth!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, Google Earth is amazing! There are so many applications that can encourage students to explore the world without leaving their seat! My favorite application is the 3-D street view. That way, you're able to see actual buildings and what they look like in real life, not just pictures. In a history classroom, this application will be great to use. To show civil war battlefields, show pictures of what they looked like back then and then what it looks like now. Not only battlefields, but historical places in general. What a great tool!

Book Review Podcast

Kelsey/Molly

Picture

This is a picture of my sisters and I.

Twitter

I must admit, I am very skeptical about using Twitter in the classroom. These days, students are exposed to so much technology and I feel by using Twitter in the classroom, it's crossing the boundary. I think it serves best as a social site, not so much as a beneficial tool in the classroom environment. But who knows, perhaps I don't know enough about its uses in the classroom, and it could serve a much better purpose than I initially thought.

Google Docs

I love the idea of using Google Docs in the classroom. I recently used it for a project and with a group of four people, it was ideal. There was no attaching documents and wondering whether or not it will actually work, nor was there any trouble editing and saving again, etc. I think my favorite aspect of Google Docs is the fact that you never have to worry about saving your documents; it saves your documents automatically every couple minutes. Overall, Google Docs is a great tool to use in the classroom and I will be sure to utilize it in the classroom!

Wikis*

Last Thursday, with the instruction of my 306 teacher, I created a wiki! I actually really liked the way a wiki worked. It's so collaborative--gives us a chance as students to all work together for our individual benefits. I really enjoyed working with it and hope to incorporate the use of it into my classroom one day!

What I Think About Using Blogs in the Classroom

I was hesitant at first about the idea of incorporating blogs into the classroom because I'm fearful at times relying on technology both inside and outside the classroom. Not everyone is computer saavy nor does every family own a computer--which is the only reason as to why I fear using blogs in my classroom. I agree that it's a wonderful way to communicate with parents, however, as I said before, you can't expect that every parent has access to a computer. Blogs do serve as a great tool of communication, however, so perhaps you could have both a blog and another way to communicate with your students and their parents. Overall I do think blogs are a very useful way to communicate, but I think relying solely on them as your line of communication with parents is not the best idea.

National Geographic

Another great website I've discovered that I love is National Geographic's website. There is so much to learn from this website, students and adults a like could gain tons of knowledge just by reading a few articles here and there. It, too, is easy to navigate as the History Channel's website. There are numerous videos to watch and other great tools for learning on this site as well. A great website I would recommend to anyone!

History Channel Website

I chose this wonderful website as one of my favorites because there is so much useful information to be found! One thing I love about it is that it's easy to navigate; so whether you're computer saavy or not much experience at all, this website is for anyone interested in history. The information itself is also great and very informative, as well as interactive. If you have a minute to read some historical information this is your website! Enjoy!

The Machine is Using Us

Here's a picture of me (I'm on the left).

First Post!

Hello! This is my first blogging experience ever. I'm starting this because it's required for a class, however, I've always wondered how these things work, and now I have one!