WOW!   

The first thing that comes to my mind is, I have never wanted to apply so much, so quickly, to my current work. 

I came into the class with very little knowledge about technology in general, and even less about using technology in education.  After the shock and awe of all these amazing resources that I never new existed, I immediately began to think about how I can incorporate them into my work.  Since these ideas and tools were all new to me there was a big learning curve, along with some frustration.  But always, after the final product, was a sense of achievement, better understanding, and a drive to make that product even better.  That is how I personally know I have grown, and that is the point of continuing to educate yourself.  Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, and seeing the positive in every resource, even if it wasn’t your favorite, is how you can evolve as a teacher, student, and a person.

Blogging

All though I still I have a lot to learn, I feel I am most comfortable with blogging.  This tool is so helpful, and allows you to do so many things.  You can use it socially, to collaborate on projects, to learn and share ideas, and the list goes on and on.  I have started blogging in one of my HS classes, and it is going well.  We are working out the kinks, and getting comfortable with the program.  Some kids have really embraced it, and some are a little blah about it, which is OK; not everything is for everybody.  We are piloting this program in the school, and are working with the creator to give feedback and suggestions which really empowers the students. I will continue to push this in other schools, and with other teachers.

NON-LINEAR POWERPOINT

What a neat tool to use, and have students interact with.  I really see myself using this with the elementary students, to create “booster” activities, and games to review previously covered material.  I know it can be used with all grade levels, but I see myself using it there first, and most.  This software  pushed my need to keep creating, and to have students create in PP I see them having the same need.  Not only would they work with the content, they can create how it will be presented.

PODCASTING     

The potential to create within podcasting is almost limitless.  Again, the process, content, and product is all up to the creator.  This to me is something I might just do for fun.  It might be interviews, positions on specific topics, teaching, learning.  It can have any look and sound I want.

These are just some of the tools used we have learned to use, but ones that made the most impact on my learning.  I can walk away with some wonderful philosophies as well.  It is not the technology that makes something creative, but it’s the teacher or student who uses it creatively.  Take your time in applying these things, but know they will rapidly change and evolve, and you have to evolve with them or be left behind.  It is my job to continue to grow and explore on my own, but with technolgy I guess you are never alone.  New ideas, and solutions to problems are just a blog, podcast, and wiki  away.     

What is the point!

I am wondering why we have to do these observations for our classes.  We learn about these great strategies and activities to use in the classroom, and then when we go to a school, to observe these strategies/activities, the teachers are not even using them.  At least that is my experience so far.  It has been so frustrating  to watch a teacher lecture and test and call that teaching.  What do I get out of it, and more importantly the students?  I understand I can see what to not do, but there is only so much of that you can take and use.  I can guarantee that when I go on an interview at the end of my program the principal will ask. “How can you incorporate these strategies into your classroom?”  I could respond with, “I don’t know, I have never seen it done before”.  I wouldn’t say that, but it is just frustrating to get excited about observations when the teachers are doing what you are not suposed to be doing.  What is the answer to this problem?  Anyone else experience this?  Does it ever end?

I was really excited about the pod-casting project.  I had a great resource for my topic in Rochester, and conducted an interview with her.  I could really see this being used in my classroom.  It could be used as a reflection activity for a project, used as a tool to enhance a particular section of a project, it can also be used as a form of review for a test.  Each student jigsaw’s a section of a chapter, or several chapters and has to add, facts, video, 5 review questions about that chapter or section. 

The ability to use such a powerful program like Garage Band, to create an extension to the research paper was exciting.  You got to make it your own, focus on a particular topic of your paper, or the whole thing.  The software is all about creativity, and makes something that used to be so difficult and not possible, possible.  Editing, creating, composing, producing, in a classroom is now possible.  There is a re-occurring theme of this class, “the limits of the creativity stand with the classroom teacher.  Not everyone needs to like this, but I am sure we all have found something to latch onto from the class.  Something to get better at and apply to our classroom down the road. 

I could see myself using podcast’s to continue my learning.  If I meet an intersting person, and want to find out more about them or what their passion is, I can interview them and turn it into a podcast.  My preperation for the interview will help get me learning started, and the interview could continue the process.  This way if other people are intersted it is now on file to listen to whenever.  The idea in ou rlast class about creating and sharing ideas is very important.  If we don’t share what we know, then what is th4e point of learning it.