Reflection Question: What did you get out of this class? Will you use tech in your classes? How will you use tech in your classes? How has this class changed the way you think about teaching? About technology?
Probably the most important things that I got out of this class were my knowledge of Studiocode, film editing, and website design. I will be able to use Studiocode for the rest of my college career as a tool to evaluate my teaching. The point of my degree is to become the best Physical Education teacher I can be and I see this program as a good tool to do that. I think it will also be cool if I can use a database within Studiocode to make a highlight film of sorts to send to future employers.
Since we made our advocacy videos I have made one other video. I took video of my little cousins indoor soccer game. I made an introduction, and organized the clips so that it showed him doing all the good things he did during the game. The highlighted moment being when he scored a goal. I put it to music, an instrumental version of a popular hip-hop song. My little cousin loved it. He thought it was so cool that he has a video on Youtube. Granted the program I have on my PC is not as good imovie for apple but it was still pretty cool. I wouldn't have had the ability to do that had I not taken this class.
I do see myself using these programs and technology in my future classes. I think a class website is a great way to distribute information and promote activities. It can also be central place to share information I want students to learn. When I think of all the possibilities for technology in my classes it's just awesome. Games, videos, Google docs, and more. Students today are very accustomed to learning with technology and my classes should appeal to them in that way.
I have always wanted my classes to be interactive and not just a lecture. The things I have learned about this semester I think will help me involve students in ways I didn't know about.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Mobile Apps, the textbook of tomorrow?
Would you use mobile apps in your class, why or why not?
I honestly don't know how big mobile applications could be in my future teaching. Right now a lot of apps are just for fun. Apps for games, music, and TV stations. I know they have apps that help you study, they come in the form of flashcards by subject. Just like Brother Randall said, "In the next 10 to 15 years students will probably all have a smartphone or ipad, so they might as well be using it to study." Which is a good idea. Forms of media and ways of presenting information are always changing, and in order to be at the forefront we have to be changing and taking advantage of these new technologies. I think it could be very affective if at some point textbooks were all in apps. That way I always have my textbook with me, I could study at any time. Also it saves resources, and costs significantly less. This situation would only work if the class had this technology or someday when all students have it.
One thing that I really did find interesting was the QR codes. I had heard about smartphones that could scan a bar code and find the price, or other shops that had the same product and its price, but I had never actually learned about them. One thing I thought about was that you could use QR codes to link to a class website. For example, a student walking down the hall sees the bulletin board and it has information about an upcoming event. They scan the code, which takes them to find more info and the page to register for the event. A second example could be, If I posted pictures of athletes or specific lifts, the students scan the QR code next to the picture of that athlete or exercise to see it in action. It could significantly cut down on the size of flyers and bulletin boards because you just need to have the main title or small picture to attract attention and then the code, not everything about that specific subject. So I see a lot of potential in QR codes today.
I honestly don't know how big mobile applications could be in my future teaching. Right now a lot of apps are just for fun. Apps for games, music, and TV stations. I know they have apps that help you study, they come in the form of flashcards by subject. Just like Brother Randall said, "In the next 10 to 15 years students will probably all have a smartphone or ipad, so they might as well be using it to study." Which is a good idea. Forms of media and ways of presenting information are always changing, and in order to be at the forefront we have to be changing and taking advantage of these new technologies. I think it could be very affective if at some point textbooks were all in apps. That way I always have my textbook with me, I could study at any time. Also it saves resources, and costs significantly less. This situation would only work if the class had this technology or someday when all students have it.
One thing that I really did find interesting was the QR codes. I had heard about smartphones that could scan a bar code and find the price, or other shops that had the same product and its price, but I had never actually learned about them. One thing I thought about was that you could use QR codes to link to a class website. For example, a student walking down the hall sees the bulletin board and it has information about an upcoming event. They scan the code, which takes them to find more info and the page to register for the event. A second example could be, If I posted pictures of athletes or specific lifts, the students scan the QR code next to the picture of that athlete or exercise to see it in action. It could significantly cut down on the size of flyers and bulletin boards because you just need to have the main title or small picture to attract attention and then the code, not everything about that specific subject. So I see a lot of potential in QR codes today.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Studiocode Project!
I really enjoyed the studiocode project for a few simple reasons. Firstly, it was something totally new, I have never done a technology project like this before. Secondly, I think it will really improve my teaching in the future as I can analyze, organize, and review how I teach. That is really the most important thing, that my teaching improves.
Here are some of the things that I learned about management and instruction in my teaching through this studiocode project. You have to teach really simply and show exactly what you want younger students to do. The younger they are the more this applies. Also kindergarteners don't really understand the concept of turns, so if I did something like have them touch the next person in line so that person can go, that would eliminate a lot of chaos in running relay formations. I also learned that having them sit down close to you can help them stay focused and keep them from causing trouble. When their legs can't move they are less likely to go places or get in trouble. It's also fun to have them close where you feel like you are really teaching them and you are building a positive relationship with them.
I have learned that I don't have to have management issues if I run my class a certain way. When I am positive and upbeat, students are more excited and willing to participate. When I am friendly and helpful students are willing to try. When I give positive feedback and share success, students feel good about themselves for the little successes they are achieving. These things help alleviate management issues all by themselves. That is why I want to be this type of teacher.
These are the changes I want to make to my teaching next semester so I can improve. I feel that I should use my whistle more frequently. That way I don't have to yell and lose my voice. I will gain their attention quicker and the class can function better overall. I also want to make sure that I give more positive feedback which is specific and personal to each student. I'm pretty good at doing general feedback, but I would like to be more specific. Lastly, I want to make sure that class is fun for all my students. If fitness is fun then they will have a desire to do it on their own and live a healthier, happier, more productive life.
Here are some of the things that I learned about management and instruction in my teaching through this studiocode project. You have to teach really simply and show exactly what you want younger students to do. The younger they are the more this applies. Also kindergarteners don't really understand the concept of turns, so if I did something like have them touch the next person in line so that person can go, that would eliminate a lot of chaos in running relay formations. I also learned that having them sit down close to you can help them stay focused and keep them from causing trouble. When their legs can't move they are less likely to go places or get in trouble. It's also fun to have them close where you feel like you are really teaching them and you are building a positive relationship with them.
I have learned that I don't have to have management issues if I run my class a certain way. When I am positive and upbeat, students are more excited and willing to participate. When I am friendly and helpful students are willing to try. When I give positive feedback and share success, students feel good about themselves for the little successes they are achieving. These things help alleviate management issues all by themselves. That is why I want to be this type of teacher.
These are the changes I want to make to my teaching next semester so I can improve. I feel that I should use my whistle more frequently. That way I don't have to yell and lose my voice. I will gain their attention quicker and the class can function better overall. I also want to make sure that I give more positive feedback which is specific and personal to each student. I'm pretty good at doing general feedback, but I would like to be more specific. Lastly, I want to make sure that class is fun for all my students. If fitness is fun then they will have a desire to do it on their own and live a healthier, happier, more productive life.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Web 2.0
Reflection Question: Were there any Web 2.0 tools that we talked about today that you feel would help further education? How might you use them in your teaching? Also, how might Facebook be utilized in education?
Since opening my twitter account last school year I have been able to network with a lot of PE teachers across the country and some advocacy groups for PE. I think that is an excellent resource for me especially as I finish school, begin looking for a job, and start work in my own program. I can ask others within my field how they do things and hopefully take good things that they do and add them to my own teaching. Blackboard and sites like it, might not be truly web 2.0, but they are a chance for the users to submit work online. I love the idea of using the many applications that google provides. Calender, docs, a link to blogs, and youtube, all through one google login. Just as we have been ask to do within the class I can someday ask my students to do similar things.
Currently Facebook is the social networking website to be a part of. That means that generally all our students will be a part of it. Posting events, and sending invitations can be a good way to spread information. Also I could make a class webpage, ask kids to like it and then whenever I wanted to make an announcement it would come up on there newsfeed. That could be just one more tool to stay in touch with students.
Technology is here to stay and will be becoming an even bigger part of our lives as time progresses. So I might as well make the best use of it possible within my life and the classroom.
Since opening my twitter account last school year I have been able to network with a lot of PE teachers across the country and some advocacy groups for PE. I think that is an excellent resource for me especially as I finish school, begin looking for a job, and start work in my own program. I can ask others within my field how they do things and hopefully take good things that they do and add them to my own teaching. Blackboard and sites like it, might not be truly web 2.0, but they are a chance for the users to submit work online. I love the idea of using the many applications that google provides. Calender, docs, a link to blogs, and youtube, all through one google login. Just as we have been ask to do within the class I can someday ask my students to do similar things.
Currently Facebook is the social networking website to be a part of. That means that generally all our students will be a part of it. Posting events, and sending invitations can be a good way to spread information. Also I could make a class webpage, ask kids to like it and then whenever I wanted to make an announcement it would come up on there newsfeed. That could be just one more tool to stay in touch with students.
Technology is here to stay and will be becoming an even bigger part of our lives as time progresses. So I might as well make the best use of it possible within my life and the classroom.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Be Stronger, Live Longer!
It was a really gratifying feeling to complete my advocacy video. I've never done any type of video editing before. The overall experience was definitely a positive one. I think it could be a fun and interesting way to present material as I become a teacher. For example in the accounting program a lot of supplemental lectures are done on video by the professor. The professor doesn't actually have to be there to present the material, nor do the students. This could be very applicable for substitute teachers, I could give them part of the lecture on a video I had done and they would more a less just have to direct the class through lecture, classwork and homework. I think that I could do another video if i was asked to, because even if I use different programs the process is generally similar. so even though I may not know exactly what do to, I think I have the basic skills to navigate through the process again. The prospects for technology within my classroom makes me really happy. Here is the link to my website advocacy page where my video is posted. Be Stronger, Live Longer!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Advocacy campaigns!
Reflection Question: Talk about challenges or problems you have. If you find solutions to them, include those as well. If you find an easier way to do something or a tutorial or some other helpful resource, share that as well. Read your group member’s PLE’s and if they have a problem and you know how to fix it, leave a comment and tell them!
So this morning I checked out a tripod from the SFH and I was excited to get to work so that I could begin filming my advocacy campaign. I new that if I filmed at work I would not be able to follow the script I had previously designed but I decided to proceed anyway. I was able to incorporate my theme of be stronger live longer into the video although I did not quote it directly. It took me several tries to get it the way I wanted. The first time I did it I stuttered on my words. The second time I moved to close to my camera and my head was cut off from view. The third time however I was able to go all the way through what I wanted to do. Now it is just up to the editing part. That is the part that I am most excited for but also that I worry about the most. That seems like the hardest part. We'll see how it goes in class. Wish me luck!
So this morning I checked out a tripod from the SFH and I was excited to get to work so that I could begin filming my advocacy campaign. I new that if I filmed at work I would not be able to follow the script I had previously designed but I decided to proceed anyway. I was able to incorporate my theme of be stronger live longer into the video although I did not quote it directly. It took me several tries to get it the way I wanted. The first time I did it I stuttered on my words. The second time I moved to close to my camera and my head was cut off from view. The third time however I was able to go all the way through what I wanted to do. Now it is just up to the editing part. That is the part that I am most excited for but also that I worry about the most. That seems like the hardest part. We'll see how it goes in class. Wish me luck!
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