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.
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