CEP 811 Final Reflections – Basso
1. Indicate areas of growth and what supported that growth
The StAIR assignment helped me grow in my ability to record sound, add hyperlinked buttons and animations in PowerPoint. I researched the topics bullying and cyberbullying. I learned how to upload files to an AFS at MSU and using Screen Cast. I discovered a great place to find lesson plans in MERLOT and that I can also share plans I created.
In the TPACK I learned how to use Skype and Vyew to conference with my TPACK group. I practiced evaluating lesson plans while working with my TPACK group. I experienced being a part of a WebQuest. I designed a WebQuest for classroom use but never had participated in one before.
I learned how to edit in a Wiki. I was thrilled to be able to add information to my school district Wiki. I never knew you had to know “code” to type information into a Wiki.
I learned about designing a web site and created a web site. I would really like to use a web site to advertise what I’m doing with my students. There is a site we can use at school that connects to our web page. I’ll have to take the time to learn how to use it so I can share information with parents and students.
The KIPP schools really caught my interest. I like their high expectations, the commitment of the students, parents and staff. The extended hours at a KIPP school and their level of academic achievement is impressive.
2. Indicate areas where you would have liked to learn and grow more than you did along with anything that limited your learning growth.
The first time I uploaded to Netfiles at MSU and to Merlot I didn’t have any problems it was super easy. When I went to load the StAIR Power Point I couldn’t get the URL to work. I kept receiving an error message. I didn’t know if I was saving it in the wrong format so I kept uploading it to Netfiles in different formats. I couldn’t get any format to open with a URL. It was very frustrating to me because I’d spent so many hours working on the StAIR I wanted to be able to submit it.
The StAIR was also very challenging to me. I thought it would be super easy because I have used PowerPoint in the past. When I went to record my voice I found out I couldn’t record directly to MAC PowerPoint 2008. I had to record my voice in Garage Band and import the sound clip. I had to figure out how to use Garage Band. I also found making the buttons and hyperlinks a challenge. I had to keep looking for complete instructions that I understood. After hours of working on the project I figured out how to use the buttons. Animations were also new to me. I wanted to add video but I ran out of time. Also, I would’ve liked to add text that was animated and more animations on my slides.
I have difficulty learning how to use new programs. In the class most of the programs are presented using a PC program. I have a MAC. It is like listening to a foreign language that I know a little bit about and trying to translate the information into my own language. I would like to have the choice of having my lessons presented using a PC or a MAC version of the program. It would be easier for me to view a demonstration of how things are done on the MAC.
I miss the old fashioned classroom where the neighbor sitting next to me can walk me through the steps. I try looking on the Internet for answers but if the directions don’t give me every step and the correct phrasing on the screen I’m lost. I feel like I really need to learn the basics about how computers operate because sometimes I don’t understand how things are stored because I can’t physically see it. The FTP tutorial used a PC to demonstrate. I was totally lost. I wanted to see how to do the same lesson on a MAC. I needed more visuals and more information on how the whole system works.
When I got stuck on how to do something I couldn’t trouble shoot it myself because I didn’t understand how the item worked. It looked like my StAIR was loaded into Netfiles but I couldn’t get a URL to work. I kept getting an error page. As it turns out part of my problem was the size of the Power Point.
3. Specifically, reflect on my work and
growth during this course as well as making plans for my future goals for
integrating technology.1. Indicate areas of growth and what supported that growth
The StAIR assignment helped me grow in my ability to record sound, add hyperlinked buttons and animations in PowerPoint. I researched the topics bullying and cyberbullying. I learned how to upload files to an AFS at MSU and using Screen Cast. I discovered a great place to find lesson plans in MERLOT and that I can also share plans I created.
In the TPACK I learned how to use Skype and Vyew to conference with my TPACK group. I practiced evaluating lesson plans while working with my TPACK group. I experienced being a part of a WebQuest. I designed a WebQuest for classroom use but never had participated in one before.
I learned how to edit in a Wiki. I was thrilled to be able to add information to my school district Wiki. I never knew you had to know “code” to type information into a Wiki.
I learned about designing a web site and created a web site. I would really like to use a web site to advertise what I’m doing with my students. There is a site we can use at school that connects to our web page. I’ll have to take the time to learn how to use it so I can share information with parents and students.
The KIPP schools really caught my interest. I like their high expectations, the commitment of the students, parents and staff. The extended hours at a KIPP school and their level of academic achievement is impressive.
2. Indicate areas where you would have liked to learn and grow more than you did along with anything that limited your learning growth.
The first time I uploaded to Netfiles at MSU and to Merlot I didn’t have any problems it was super easy. When I went to load the StAIR Power Point I couldn’t get the URL to work. I kept receiving an error message. I didn’t know if I was saving it in the wrong format so I kept uploading it to Netfiles in different formats. I couldn’t get any format to open with a URL. It was very frustrating to me because I’d spent so many hours working on the StAIR I wanted to be able to submit it.
The StAIR was also very challenging to me. I thought it would be super easy because I have used PowerPoint in the past. When I went to record my voice I found out I couldn’t record directly to MAC PowerPoint 2008. I had to record my voice in Garage Band and import the sound clip. I had to figure out how to use Garage Band. I also found making the buttons and hyperlinks a challenge. I had to keep looking for complete instructions that I understood. After hours of working on the project I figured out how to use the buttons. Animations were also new to me. I wanted to add video but I ran out of time. Also, I would’ve liked to add text that was animated and more animations on my slides.
I have difficulty learning how to use new programs. In the class most of the programs are presented using a PC program. I have a MAC. It is like listening to a foreign language that I know a little bit about and trying to translate the information into my own language. I would like to have the choice of having my lessons presented using a PC or a MAC version of the program. It would be easier for me to view a demonstration of how things are done on the MAC.
I miss the old fashioned classroom where the neighbor sitting next to me can walk me through the steps. I try looking on the Internet for answers but if the directions don’t give me every step and the correct phrasing on the screen I’m lost. I feel like I really need to learn the basics about how computers operate because sometimes I don’t understand how things are stored because I can’t physically see it. The FTP tutorial used a PC to demonstrate. I was totally lost. I wanted to see how to do the same lesson on a MAC. I needed more visuals and more information on how the whole system works.
When I got stuck on how to do something I couldn’t trouble shoot it myself because I didn’t understand how the item worked. It looked like my StAIR was loaded into Netfiles but I couldn’t get a URL to work. I kept getting an error page. As it turns out part of my problem was the size of the Power Point.
I want to use the StAIR that I created with my 5th grade students. I want them to have an understanding of bullying and cyberbullying and what the differences are between the two.
I want to use the lesson plan sheet developed with the outcomes in mind to help me create better units of study.
I may incorporate a WebQuest into my fifth grade class. The WebQuest would be about bullies and cyberbullies. The students would study an assigned role and present information about the role.
4. What are some of the things I learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
I learned about using different types of lesson plans to make my lessons better. The Goal Directed Instructional Design Lesson Plan helps make a very strong lesson. Using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and tangible/time) goals will help me be more thoughtful when developing my lessons.
The Universal Design for Learning provides a great checklist to make sure your lesson plans are removing barriers, flexible and allowing optimal learning. All teachers should pay attention to the UDL because we can help all students when we design our lessons to meet special needs and the three areas of learning in the brain.
The face-to-face instruction allows us to teach in ways that we are comfortable and familiar but also allows us to incorporate technology too. Lectures can be presented using a PowerPoint. Discussions can be conducted through a blog. Questions can be presented through Google Forms or a survey tool. Explaining can be done using a screen cast program. Demonstrating can be done using a simulation.
I became familiar with the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The Michigan Merit Curriculum requires students to have online learning. The document provides guidelines about the student’s online experiences, how to teach effectively online and the use of learner management systems. Students using Moodle can have access to class information 24/7, they can access assignments, and information about the class, and the class calendar, study guides and learning can take place outside of school.
5. How did integrating web-based technologies help me think about and evaluate uses of technology?
Knowing that my lesson plans are in MERLOT and other people can see them and use them makes me want to produce the best product I can.
Walking through the step-by-step lesson plan and using the checklist for UDL really made me think about what I was planning to teach and what I needed to do to get ready for the lesson and what I would do during the lesson.
6. How have I met my own personal goals for learning about technology integration?
My personal goals are to learn as much as I can and to do my best work. Every piece of new knowledge I gain will be helpful to me as a teacher.
7. Do I have any new goals?
I would like to locate a tutor that can work with me in person and answer my questions on the assignments as I’m working on them. I still like having one-to-one contact with a person that can help me. I would prefer to take the classes in person. I like working with people in person.
8. What are my plans for reaching my new goals?
I plan on contacting CMU for my transcripts. I plan on getting two letters of recommendation. I plan on applying to the MSU Master’s in Educational Technology Program.
9. What are my long-term goals after this course is over?
After this class is over I would like to take the third class in the series. I would like to apply to the master’s program in educational technology. I would like to get my master’s degree in educational technology. I would like to continue teaching technology skills to elementary students. Someday I may also want to work in a setting where I can train the teachers how to incorporate technology into their classrooms.
