Standard: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Performance Indicators for Teachers:
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.
b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
c. evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.
d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.
Reflection:
This class really opened my eyes to all sorts of new technological advances for classrooms. I never knew that half the equipment available were useful in classrooms. Apart from obvious technology such as Microsoft Word and such, programs such as Inspiration and the use of websites really opened my eyes to new ways to teach students. Instead of just ordinary powerpoints and sent home newsletters, there are a huge variety of ways to contact parents and students at home without ever leaving your desk.
Artifacts:
• blog
• website
• web tools
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Chapter One Reflection
Chapter one was about technology and its uses in the classroom. This
is important because, though we have the available resources in our
country to use technology in the classroom, it is often not used for
much besides administrative purposes. Many school districts have begun
using technology in the classroom because it creates the ability for
students to learn using video, photos, and other web-related objects.
The internet is a wide and expansive place to relay knowledge.
Teachers should use the technology available to them in the classroom
because it opens up new ways for them to create and share lesson
plans. People from across the world can share lessons that they have
done with their students, comment on what worked and did not work, and
even provide ideas for what might make the lesson better. Teachers can
explore new cultures with their students because of this technology.
We learned about how to use the jump drives today. Although I already
know how to use jump drives (I work in a library and have numerous
questions about them), it was good to get a refresher lesson on them.
I think the lesson was a bit slow today because most of the students
in this class have either used a jump drive or could probably figure it
out on their own, and so a whole class period was not needed to run
over the material. However, for those that did not know, I’m sure it
was great to do that in class and not have to take time out of the day
to struggle through it on their own.
is important because, though we have the available resources in our
country to use technology in the classroom, it is often not used for
much besides administrative purposes. Many school districts have begun
using technology in the classroom because it creates the ability for
students to learn using video, photos, and other web-related objects.
The internet is a wide and expansive place to relay knowledge.
Teachers should use the technology available to them in the classroom
because it opens up new ways for them to create and share lesson
plans. People from across the world can share lessons that they have
done with their students, comment on what worked and did not work, and
even provide ideas for what might make the lesson better. Teachers can
explore new cultures with their students because of this technology.
We learned about how to use the jump drives today. Although I already
know how to use jump drives (I work in a library and have numerous
questions about them), it was good to get a refresher lesson on them.
I think the lesson was a bit slow today because most of the students
in this class have either used a jump drive or could probably figure it
out on their own, and so a whole class period was not needed to run
over the material. However, for those that did not know, I’m sure it
was great to do that in class and not have to take time out of the day
to struggle through it on their own.
Chapter Two Reflection
Chapter two was about computer hardware. The hardware of the computer
(as opposed to the software) is the physical part of the computer that
you can touch and break. There are three different types of devices
within the hardware category: peripheral devices, input devices, and
output devices. We also learned about memory, storage, and ways to
connect to the computer.
The devices that a computer uses to function are peripheral, input,
and output. Peripheral devices are components of the computer not
necessary for the computer to function such as printers, scanners,
mice, and keyboards. An input device for a computer is something that
brings information into the hard drive such as mice, keyboards, and
scanners. An output device is something that sends information out of
the computer like printers, speakers, and the computer monitors.
We learned about the computer memory and storage and learned about
which amounts are better. A larger amount of storage (which is
measured in bits which become bytes which become mega, giga, etc.
bytes). Ways to connect to the computer is like USB, external
hard drives, and more.
(as opposed to the software) is the physical part of the computer that
you can touch and break. There are three different types of devices
within the hardware category: peripheral devices, input devices, and
output devices. We also learned about memory, storage, and ways to
connect to the computer.
The devices that a computer uses to function are peripheral, input,
and output. Peripheral devices are components of the computer not
necessary for the computer to function such as printers, scanners,
mice, and keyboards. An input device for a computer is something that
brings information into the hard drive such as mice, keyboards, and
scanners. An output device is something that sends information out of
the computer like printers, speakers, and the computer monitors.
We learned about the computer memory and storage and learned about
which amounts are better. A larger amount of storage (which is
measured in bits which become bytes which become mega, giga, etc.
bytes). Ways to connect to the computer is like USB, external
hard drives, and more.
Chapter Three Reflection
Chapter three was about computer software. Software differs from hardware in that the hardware is the physical components (like a body) of a computer while the software is the information that makes the computer work (like thoughts). When you first look into buying software for a computer, you must consider whether or not the software is compatible with your computer and how pricey it is. Compatibility means that the hardware must be able to keep up with the software in storage and function.
It is important that we are aware of different types of software because availability and function need to be considered. A teacher (or consumer of any sort really) must ask themself "does this software work for my needs, and can I afford it?" If either answer is "no", the consumer should probably just step back and walk away.
Operating systems are important forms of software that every computer needs to function. The three main brands are Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, and Linux. Of lesser importance are application software programs. These include spreadsheet programs, word processing programs, and web authoring programs.
Without software, a computer could not function correctly. It is a vital and integral part of today's technology.
It is important that we are aware of different types of software because availability and function need to be considered. A teacher (or consumer of any sort really) must ask themself "does this software work for my needs, and can I afford it?" If either answer is "no", the consumer should probably just step back and walk away.
Operating systems are important forms of software that every computer needs to function. The three main brands are Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, and Linux. Of lesser importance are application software programs. These include spreadsheet programs, word processing programs, and web authoring programs.
Without software, a computer could not function correctly. It is a vital and integral part of today's technology.
Chapter Four Reflection
Teaching philosophy is a ridiculously important part of being a teacher. Without it, a person is less of a teacher, and simply a person who teaches. These may not seem like very different things, but they really are. A teacher is someone that has been trained and molded into the world of teaching. They live for teaching others knowledge and how to apply said knowledge in a beneficial way. A person that simply teaches is not doing so for any reason other than personal gain. A teacher is a teacher for the benefit of society and future generations.
My personal teaching philosophy is that the education of today’s youth is probably one of the most important careers anyone can have. Today’s youth is tomorrow’s leaders. A teacher must be properly trained and have an undying love for educating. They must have tolerance, patience, and a great sense of humor. Children can be very difficult and silly sometimes, and a person that is not prepared for such will not do well as a teacher for long.
A teacher without a teaching philosophy is like a musician without an instrument. You cannot properly reach your goals without your main tools. Although school seems to be tedious and almost too much work right now, I know that it is helping me form my personal philosophy on teaching, and that is one of the most important features of teaching.
My personal teaching philosophy is that the education of today’s youth is probably one of the most important careers anyone can have. Today’s youth is tomorrow’s leaders. A teacher must be properly trained and have an undying love for educating. They must have tolerance, patience, and a great sense of humor. Children can be very difficult and silly sometimes, and a person that is not prepared for such will not do well as a teacher for long.
A teacher without a teaching philosophy is like a musician without an instrument. You cannot properly reach your goals without your main tools. Although school seems to be tedious and almost too much work right now, I know that it is helping me form my personal philosophy on teaching, and that is one of the most important features of teaching.
Chapter Five Reflection
Blogs are usually known to be personal uses of online journaling. Almost as popular are blogs used for business. However, blogs, if used appropriately, can be used a major classroom tools, as well.
I think an important feature of modern classes should be class websites. A teacher should set one up at the beginning of each year (or adapt one that has been previous created) in order to keep in touch with students and parents and have easy access to assignments and due dates. A feature of the website should be a blog. A teacher could choose to set up a teacher blog and/or a student blog. An assignment for students could be to blog about one lesson each week on the website. This way, the teacher could figure out what needs to be concentrated on for each student. Making the student blogs anonymous for the public, but not for the teacher could really help with tutoring the students in problem areas.
Another way to use a blog in the classroom is to keep a teacher blog on the website. A use of this is for parents to be able to see what the teacher is teaching each week. They could then comment on the blogs, make suggestions for future lessons, and even note where problems have occurred with their child or children.
I think an important feature of modern classes should be class websites. A teacher should set one up at the beginning of each year (or adapt one that has been previous created) in order to keep in touch with students and parents and have easy access to assignments and due dates. A feature of the website should be a blog. A teacher could choose to set up a teacher blog and/or a student blog. An assignment for students could be to blog about one lesson each week on the website. This way, the teacher could figure out what needs to be concentrated on for each student. Making the student blogs anonymous for the public, but not for the teacher could really help with tutoring the students in problem areas.
Another way to use a blog in the classroom is to keep a teacher blog on the website. A use of this is for parents to be able to see what the teacher is teaching each week. They could then comment on the blogs, make suggestions for future lessons, and even note where problems have occurred with their child or children.
Chapter Seven Reflection
Digital images are incredibly important for classrooms for a variety of reasons. They can and should be used in lecture material, classroom artwork, and online.
Teachers tend to use a lot of lecture material for the classes. An increase has been seen in the PowerPoint presentation for lectures. Too often, a PowerPoint is left with simply text, leaving students bored out of their minds and not at all stimulated by the lecture. When a teacher adds digital images to the presentation, the students suddenly have a relatable image to connect with the text. Presentations flow better with images and are more aesthetically appealing.
Classrooms that do not have artwork hanging around the walls are not stimulating classrooms. These are not classrooms that students positively anticipate going to. These are boring teachers. When a classroom’s walls are covered with interesting artwork and encouraging posters, it is more likely that a student will learn and be excited about the knowledge that is being presented.
A teacher should have a website set up. It is an easy way to parents and student to connect with the teacher from home and allow access to assignments and due dates without having to directly contact the teacher. On this website, images should be used liberally, but with obvious application to the subject. Photos of students learning and clip art of the subject area should be used.
Teachers tend to use a lot of lecture material for the classes. An increase has been seen in the PowerPoint presentation for lectures. Too often, a PowerPoint is left with simply text, leaving students bored out of their minds and not at all stimulated by the lecture. When a teacher adds digital images to the presentation, the students suddenly have a relatable image to connect with the text. Presentations flow better with images and are more aesthetically appealing.
Classrooms that do not have artwork hanging around the walls are not stimulating classrooms. These are not classrooms that students positively anticipate going to. These are boring teachers. When a classroom’s walls are covered with interesting artwork and encouraging posters, it is more likely that a student will learn and be excited about the knowledge that is being presented.
A teacher should have a website set up. It is an easy way to parents and student to connect with the teacher from home and allow access to assignments and due dates without having to directly contact the teacher. On this website, images should be used liberally, but with obvious application to the subject. Photos of students learning and clip art of the subject area should be used.
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