Summative Assessment

I had so much fun exploring web 2.0 tools today, looking for one I'd like to use for this assessment.  This site is incredible!  When you hover, it explains quickly what the tool does.  I found lots of cool toys there, but none that really suited this project.  (It didn't help that I already had popplet in mind and was having a sort of writer's block because of it).  Anyway, I decided to use popplet because I thought it could demonstrate really well how this course aligns with the SJC conceptual framework (both in theory, with the objectives, and in practice).  Enjoy!

Voki

The web 2.0 tool I chose was Voki.  I created a Dumbledore avatar and wrote and recorded a short booktalk to engage and motivate my students to participate in the project.

I think students could create a Voki from a character's point of view, too.  I think this would allow them to empathize with the character and improve their visualization.

Enjoy!

Literacy Project Reflection

I was a bit apprehensive about using Weebly, but I thought I would give it a shot.  SO GLAD I did!  It is stupidly easy to use.  I'm really happy with my final product.  I did not encounter any problems creating this Weebly. Ideally, I would have liked to transpose text over images, but this tool does not allow that.  I am extremely pleased with the results regardless!  Wikispaces, however, do not allow for the same degree of manipulation and, as a result, I think the page looks sloppy and unprofessional.  It works well for its purpose, but I much prefer the Weebly.

Yes, it was time-consuming, but this tool was not the cause of that!  In all actuality, it facilitated my objectives. 

I absolutely love this project.  I think the Weebly looks fantastic and I think the unit allows for so much student creativity and I think it caters to every type of learner.  I think a real class would absolutely love this project because it allows them so much freedom to be independent learners. 

What have your experiences been with Weebly?  What do you think of what I created? 

Ciao!

Literacy Project

I have completed my literacy project!  I created an author study on J.K. Rowling for 5th graders.

I'd love for you to contribute and/or give me some feedback on it!

Please find everything you'll need here.

Ciao!

Inspired by Brianna

I love to hear (read?) people wrestle with the concept of a ever-changing technological world.  Brianna does just that in this post as she she expresses her experience as what Gwaltney termed a "web native."  She compares herself to the students we Skyped with, who are "digital natives," and analyzes the fundamental differences between these generations.  The best part, in my opinion, is one that is often overlooked -- teenagers and "digital natives" clamor for balance, too!  I think older, less tech-savvy people often think they are the only ones who advocate for balance. 

In this course, we need to explore current trends (course objective #1, #4, #5), and Brianna's post is a reflection of her doing just that...as well as her promise that she will welcome those challenges as they come!  This is important because networked communication and computer-based instruction often enhances content (course objective #3, #6). 

Compassionate teachers begin where students are and use what interests them.  That not only means incorporating technology, but constantly searching for new cutting-edge tools, as well.  And, of course, being an agent of change that breaks down administrative barriers to accomplish this goal.  At the end of the day, that forces our lessons to be more rigorous.  It's all connected, people!

Ciao!

Weebly

Weebly seems like a great way to get a professional looking website.  As an undergraduate, I actually made my own website using DreamWeaver.  It was actually pretty fun once I got the hang of it, but the learning curve was a tad frustrating.  Linking was definitely the most obnoxious part.  Anyway, my professor insisted that I use software like DreamWeaver and not a tool like Weebly (a great learning experience, but a LOT more work for similar results).

Overall, a great example of the power of word-of-mouth.  I am drawn to the layout and freshness of the sites, and I probably would have chosen this tool for my literacy project.  However, in class, several people mentioned its drawbacks, especially copying and pasting from Word.  So...I think I'll avoid it! 

However, I am loving the idea of the ePortfolio and I am seriously considering creating one for my career.  I love the way this one is set up.  It's also a great way to set up a WebQuest, like this wonderful example. 

I don't know...on second thought, after seeing all those cool examples, I sort of DO want to explore and create one for my project!  I'm just apprehensive about potential frustrations.  What is your experience with Weebly?  I am sure it is user-friendly and easy, but I'm worried about formatting annoyances.  Have you had any of those?  Help me make my decision!!  Thanks in advance :)

Ciao!

Blogs I Follow

I have a special weakness for teacher blogs, especially pretty ones!  I have bookmarked a LOT on Diigo.  I thought I'd share my Top Five, all worth following on google reader!! Highly recommended. 

The First Grade Parade
Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations
Tales from a K-1 Classroom
Keep Calm and Teach On
Teaching in Flip Flops

If you had to narrow down your favorite teacher sites to five, which five would you choose?  I have chosen mine based on readability and usefulness - these sites are especially good for freebies! Once I have a classroom, my favorites will be more focused on those grades.  I still think it's helpful to look at a variety of grades, though!  What do you think of these sites?

Skyping with Mike Gwaltney and Students

This session really taught me a lot.  Two concepts were especially significant for me:

The differences between online discussions and classroom discussions really surprised me.  I had always focused on the negative drawbacks of online discussions, as I really love grand discussions in a live classroom.  But these girls taught me that there are actually many benefits of online discussions!  Students have an opportunity to form more complex arguments.  Moreover, the discussions are entirely student-driven.  Teachers are almost forced to stay out.   If you’re anything like me, you’ve definitely experienced the professor who promises not to talk for the discussion, only to pipe in more than anyone else.   The other super great part of online discussions the girls brought up is that there are virtually no off-topic diatribes.  In my adolescent lit class, it seems that we spend approximately 10-15 minutes each class talking about the Hunger Games movie.  Those conversations (although incredible enjoyable!) would not happen online.

The other thing I took from the session was that, although counterintuitive, the Internet is actually humanizing.  Yes, it allows teachers to differentiate more easily and it allows people to connect across great distances.  This I knew and understood.  But what really stuck with me is the amount of effort Gwaltney puts in to reach his students.  I went to a very small college, with classes no larger than 20 students, and that kind of personalized attention was rare.  Although more common in high school, it still was not at Gwaltney’s level.  I think online teachers are forced to make these kinds of effort to make up for lost “face” time...but what people don’t understand is that being in the same room does not add value intrinsically.  If that effort isn’t put forth, then a brick and mortar classroom is no better than a virtual classroom.  However, brick and mortar teachers are less motivated to make those efforts because they think being physically present adds value.

What do you think?  What was your experience as an undergraduate/high school student?  What do you see as the pros and cons of virtual learning?

Ciao!

Revised Digital Story

Hi all!  I updated my digital story (added transitions between photos, mostly).  Enjoy!


I think this story would be great at the beginning of the school year.  Firstly, it provides a really personal introduction to me as more than just a teacher.  It's important for students to view us as humans!  With lives!  It also serves as a model for their own retelling of their summer vacation.  It enhances the curriculum by modeling successful detail and elaboration in original writing and shows them that I, too, am a writer and creator.

Here's the storyboard.
Here's a google form to provide specific feedback :)

Ciao!

Digital Story Feedback

Click here to view my digital story.

I think this story would be great at the beginning of the school year.  Firstly, it provides a really personal introduction to me as more than just a teacher.  It's important for students to view us as humans!  With lives!  It also serves as a model for their own retelling of their summer vacation.  It enhances the curriculum by modeling successful detail and elaboration in original writing and shows them that I, too, am a writer and creator. 

I would be eternally grateful if you would be so kind as to take a few moments of your valuable time to provide some feedback on my digital story. Click here if you're awesome.  (It should be pretty and blue.  Let me know if it's not!)