web 2.0

I did my web 2.0 on DIIGO.  I like  this website because it is a social networking site that is based on useful information.  I do not use facebook because I can't stand seeing what other people waste their time doing.  However, this website connects people with similar interests regarding information.  For instance, people who read a lot of political articles online are introduced to each other.  This website would be useful to use in school because students would have paper free access to current event articles and other websites that i wanted them to see. It consolidates what I want into a single place so that students can avoid nonsensical websites.  I can also make notes and highlight what I want on other websites.  Then, all students will be able to see my notes and highlights.  I can post qeustions and highlight the aprts that I am referring to.

However, many students do not have internet access at their homes, so I could not possibly rely on this, or any other website for homework assignments.

Podcasting

Podcasts can be made by anyone with the required technology.  Podcasts can be made on garageband about anything that the recorder wants to talk about.  A person can record his or her voice and add pictures which will show while the persons' voice is playing.  As a teacher, I could use podcast to record more difficult lectures and lessons. The students could then access it on their own time and play it as many times as they need to.  They could focus on specific parts, such as the casuses of the Civil War, or the Battle of Gettysburg.

However, many students at inner city schools, such as south philly, or another one that i probably will get a job at, do not have mac computers.  Nor do the libraries have them.  Therefore, many students would not be able to make their own podcasts, or even listen to mine.

10.17

Today we started class by discussing upcoming assignments.  We have a newsletter and brochure due at the end of the month.  We practiced making out own newsletter and then looked at others'.  This is a super useful skill to know because it is a very easy and catchy way to communicate with parents.  It is quick and easy and if done well, it will draw parents' eyes to important information.  Moreover, we watched three presentations of websites which are useful to use as a teacher. I really like the idea of using flickr in the classroom because most students are drawn to pictures.  The more pictures I can show in my class, the more interested they will be in the lesson. Visualization also helps them understand and learn the information.

10.10

Today we discussed our Web 2.0 projects.  We have to select from a premade list a single website that we will present to the class through a powerpoint presentation.  We watched an example of a video that another person made about a bookmarking website.  We learned about the factors that must be considered to make a good powerpoint. This is very important because I will use powerpoints in my classroom and it will need to keep the students' attention, but not distract them from the lesson.
Next, we learned about giving the presentation.  It is important to keep students attention and not insult them by reading what is on the slides.
We made our own powerpoints to display our understanding of the important aspects of making powerpoints.

Excel Spreadsheet

Today we learned some some useful tools in Microsoft Excel.  We learned how to make grade books and turn them into different graphs.  When fluent with the program, this can be a very important and useful tool.    It is a good way to keep students' grades neat and organized.  When using the spreadsheet grades can easily be changed and distributed to parents and students.  They can also be charted to see students shortcomings on tests, topics, and individual questions.  With this information the teacher can focus his or her attention on where the most students struggled. For example if all the students did fairly well on a specific test but the graph shows one question with very low marks, that question may be erroneous.  Likewise, if a single student's bar on the class' graph is lower than his or her classmates, that student may need extra help. Over the course of the class I will be able to see whether or not low scores are consistent. If they are, it would indicate a learning disability or other factors leading to low achievement.  I would definitely need to meet with the student in private.

10.3

Today we discussed standards and how to hold teachers accountable for their students.  We discussed formative and summative assessments.  Neither of these, do I feel, are appropriate measures of teacher success.  When a student comes into 9th grade at a 5th grade reading level and leaves at an 8th grade level, the test will reflect failure onto that teacher. However, that is a very successful teacher.  Other classes that pass the end of the year test may not have had as much progress as that teacher.  Instead, we must look at progress made over the course of the year.  To do this would mean more work for everyone involved, but accuracy and accountability would improve drastically.  We must use graphs and charts to display progress made, NOT end of the year skills.   We also briefly discussed the CORE standards which will be put in place soon.  No Child LEft Behind was also mentioned.

What I learned 9.12

Technology is a very important part of teaching and learning in our schools today. It is a very useful tool, but does not assume that students with technology will be more successful in the classroom.  It is crucial that as a teacher, I know how to use technology for several reasons. First of all, students will expect technology to be used.  Videos, pictures, powerpoints, etc.  will help me appeal to a wide variety of learners.  It will keep the students' attention. However, more importantly, I must teach my students how and when to use technology.  Given the right circumstances, the internet can lend itself to learning on students' own time. For instance, it is much easier for students to do research on the internet than it is for them to go to a library.  Moreover, students will need to be proficient with technology for the job market after school.  Future employers will almost certainly demand a sufficient understanding of technology from new hires. In the classroom, the more I can involve the students, the better.  If they are participating and I resist classes which are only lectures, I will have better results as a teacher.
In addition, there are many differences between digital  natives and immigrants.  Natives are much more familiar and used to using technology. Therefore, they are more comfortable turning first to technology to solve problems. For instance, they may turn immediately to the internet to find the answer of a questions instead of the library.  On the other hand, an immigrant may turn to technology only after he or she has exhausted all other options.