I liked using Prezi for the most part, but I'm so used to using Microsoft Powerpoint that it took me a while to get used to Prezi. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by how simple it was to use after watching one of the tutorials. I really like the flexibility of using this, and the fact that I will be able to use Prezi for a lot of my teaching techniques. I even plan to teach my future students to use this, to put a new, creative spin on the typical, boring presentation. I like that Prezi has action with it, so it is a lot less boring than just clicking from page-to-page.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Rythm Game
I think this game would be very useful for jobs that require dexterity, quick responses, and relationships to music. I think this could be good for future doctors, because it can help train their brain-fingers response. I think it's good for those going into something musically-related, because it keeps you connected to music.
But really, this is good for anybody. The beats and desire to get a higher score made me like music even more than I already did!
Jigsaw Method
1. If my classroom only had five available computers, one of the ways I could still implement the Jigsaw method would be to give each student roughly 15 minutes at the computer, and just condense the assignment to one specific thing to research. For example, if the assignment were on the Holocaust, I could assign one student to research the number of people who died, give one person the responsibility to look up Hitler's influence in 1941. This way, each student can still get time at the computer, but I would still have the opportunity to use the Jigsaw method.
2. An advantage of this would be that this is a very effective use of reciprocal teaching, and allowing the students to act as teachers. This also helps boost students' confidence when it comes to knowledge and passing it onto others.
3. A disadvantage to this would be that students might get lazy with the research and go straight to sources like Wikipedia, and not utilize academic databases and articles.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Reflections of Assistive Technologies
AT tools help tremendously in bridging gaps of students with disabilities of all levels. For students with cerebral palsy, AT tools give them the opportunity to participate in class discussions and not have to push themselves too far to be able to be successful in school. They can help with students who don't have full control over their muscles, but it can also help quite a bit with students who are non-verbal, like Josh. The technology can help students feel comfortable and inclusive, as well as easing them into independence.
In cases like Josh's story, the AT technology can eventually be taken out to the point where the student is completely independent. The technology builds the child's confidence, and doesn't force them to do something that is out of their comfort zone. This allows children to fully participate in school, and not be left behind just because of a disability. The technologies can help build fine motor skills and muscle control, so a child may be able to hold a pencil after a while, and eventually write, without the dependence on a laptop.
These AT tools help tremendously in school, and they also help at the child's home. In cases like Josh, where the child is non-verbal, these technologies can be used at home, so the parents would be able to build a stronger relationship with the child, now that he/she can communicate with his/her parents.
In cases like Josh's story, the AT technology can eventually be taken out to the point where the student is completely independent. The technology builds the child's confidence, and doesn't force them to do something that is out of their comfort zone. This allows children to fully participate in school, and not be left behind just because of a disability. The technologies can help build fine motor skills and muscle control, so a child may be able to hold a pencil after a while, and eventually write, without the dependence on a laptop.
These AT tools help tremendously in school, and they also help at the child's home. In cases like Josh, where the child is non-verbal, these technologies can be used at home, so the parents would be able to build a stronger relationship with the child, now that he/she can communicate with his/her parents.
Back to the Future
When I watched these videos, I noticed what things were like in the classroom. The teacher was utilizing a type of video chat technology with a student who was home sick. Though this isn't used today, I think it would actually be a good idea, if the permission of the student were to be given. I also noticed the lack of desks in the classroom.
Then, when it came to the two students who were doing the report, and how they gathered information, I observed how similar this is to how we attain information today. Though not identical to the methods the students used, the general idea of getting information from databases and sending the knowledge electronically is exactly what happens now. Information gets looked up online, whether it be in online books, websites, databases, etc., the process of getting a book from the library to look up information is far less prevalent now that information is at the fingertips of anybody with access to the internet.
It's tricky for me to think of how the future is going to be Education-wise, because I already feel like there is such a huge implementation of technology, that I don't know how things could possibly progress more. However, if I had to guess, I would say that paper-and-pencil tests will no longer exist. I think there will be an increased usage of either smart phone or iPad-type technology into the classrooms, and that students will take tests and quizzes electronically and be able to submit them directly into an online dropbox for the teacher to view and grade.
Then, when it came to the two students who were doing the report, and how they gathered information, I observed how similar this is to how we attain information today. Though not identical to the methods the students used, the general idea of getting information from databases and sending the knowledge electronically is exactly what happens now. Information gets looked up online, whether it be in online books, websites, databases, etc., the process of getting a book from the library to look up information is far less prevalent now that information is at the fingertips of anybody with access to the internet.
It's tricky for me to think of how the future is going to be Education-wise, because I already feel like there is such a huge implementation of technology, that I don't know how things could possibly progress more. However, if I had to guess, I would say that paper-and-pencil tests will no longer exist. I think there will be an increased usage of either smart phone or iPad-type technology into the classrooms, and that students will take tests and quizzes electronically and be able to submit them directly into an online dropbox for the teacher to view and grade.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Robyn!
Hi! My name is Robyn Weaver, aka "Rob Rob", "Rob", "Robby", "Ro Ro" and just about anything else you can think of! I am currently attending Boise State University. I'm a junior, and I am majoring in Elementary Education. I am applying for the Teacher Education program this semester, and though I don't have my future career planned out to a "T", I would ideally like to teach grades K-3.
I've lived in Idaho all my life; I lived in Shelley, ID until I was 18, when I moved to Boise for college! I've lived on campus all three years; this year I am a Resident Assistant in Chaffee Hall. If you don't know what that means, it means that I'm a mother of 50+ college freshman.
Now that you know a little bit about me now, I want to talk about why I am going to become a teacher. Since I can remember, I've always wanted to be a teacher. I loved playing "teacher" even when I was just three years old, and since then, my passion for teaching has exponentially grown. I love kids, and I love seeing the light bulb go on in them. I want to encourage students to learn, and I want to help kids who may be a little socially awkard expand and become comfortable around others. I have seen what kind of damage not having friends can do, and I never want to see this happen in future students of mine.
Teaching is one of my major passions, but I do in fact have other things that I love. The first thing that comes to mind when I think passion is traveling. I've had the opportunity to travel to quite a few cool places: Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, South Dakota, California (many times), Washington, Oregon, Canada, and most recently, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The trip to the East coast has definitely been my favorite vacation. Two of my best girlfriends live there, so I was able to see both of them, as well as seeing the majority of the tourist-y sites in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, as well as eating some delicious cupcakes at D.C. Cupcakes in Georgetown. I definitely recommend it if you're ever in the area; there's definitely a reason those women have a t.v. show about their cupcakes! All this traveling has been amazing, and I can't wait to do more! I have plans to go to New Zealand with my friend Makenzi, and I would definitely love to go to Europe someday. Too bad I'm not going to be rich!
Another thing I'm passionate about is sports that aren't super mainstream. Firstly, I love bowling. I have been bowling for about 14 years now. I was actually on the team here at BSU for two years, but had to quit this year to become an R.A. I used to play softball for about five years, run track for three, ice skate for four, and my most recent addition to the collection is rock climbing. It is definitely my stress reliever.
Three simple words to describe me: passionate, empathetic, and extroverted.
I've lived in Idaho all my life; I lived in Shelley, ID until I was 18, when I moved to Boise for college! I've lived on campus all three years; this year I am a Resident Assistant in Chaffee Hall. If you don't know what that means, it means that I'm a mother of 50+ college freshman.
Now that you know a little bit about me now, I want to talk about why I am going to become a teacher. Since I can remember, I've always wanted to be a teacher. I loved playing "teacher" even when I was just three years old, and since then, my passion for teaching has exponentially grown. I love kids, and I love seeing the light bulb go on in them. I want to encourage students to learn, and I want to help kids who may be a little socially awkard expand and become comfortable around others. I have seen what kind of damage not having friends can do, and I never want to see this happen in future students of mine.
Teaching is one of my major passions, but I do in fact have other things that I love. The first thing that comes to mind when I think passion is traveling. I've had the opportunity to travel to quite a few cool places: Alaska, Hawaii, Texas, South Dakota, California (many times), Washington, Oregon, Canada, and most recently, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The trip to the East coast has definitely been my favorite vacation. Two of my best girlfriends live there, so I was able to see both of them, as well as seeing the majority of the tourist-y sites in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, as well as eating some delicious cupcakes at D.C. Cupcakes in Georgetown. I definitely recommend it if you're ever in the area; there's definitely a reason those women have a t.v. show about their cupcakes! All this traveling has been amazing, and I can't wait to do more! I have plans to go to New Zealand with my friend Makenzi, and I would definitely love to go to Europe someday. Too bad I'm not going to be rich!
Another thing I'm passionate about is sports that aren't super mainstream. Firstly, I love bowling. I have been bowling for about 14 years now. I was actually on the team here at BSU for two years, but had to quit this year to become an R.A. I used to play softball for about five years, run track for three, ice skate for four, and my most recent addition to the collection is rock climbing. It is definitely my stress reliever.
Three simple words to describe me: passionate, empathetic, and extroverted.
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