Course Reflection

a. Coming into this course, what was your level of tech skill? Did you find it easy to adapt to the ways we used technology in this class? What was difficult for you? What was easy?

                   

• Before this class I was about a 5/6 with my technology skills.  I enjoyed the ways we used technology in this class and being able to experience and use different programs and websites.  You had all of the assignments clearly laid out with all the expectations and then we were on our own to go and do the assignments, I enjoyed that about this class.

b. What have been your favorite activity/assignment in class so far and why?

• I enjoyed making the presentation and using Google docs to do so.  I also really like Google doc and plan to use it in the future, it is so convenient how you can save things and access them from any Internet. 

c. Do you think you can easily incorporate your tech knowledge and skills into your role as a teacher? Out of all the tools we’ve  learned about so far this semester, which ones do you see using the most frequently as a teacher?

• I can see myself using a number of these resources as a teacher.  As I mentioned above Google docs, as well class tools to create assessments for student activities.  Also could have students create their own blogs and avatars.  I look forward to using a variety or technologies with my students.  That being said I also see the importance in differentiating for student needs and plan to have concrete activities, stories and games for students and well as the technology. 

d. As we approach the final four weeks of the course, what do you want to know MORE about in Ed Tech? What are you still curious about?

• I am still interested in the use of smart boards and programs you can use with students for interaction.  As well any websites that read stories or have assessments and activities to go along with stories. 

                                    e. Do you think your level of tech skill/knowledge has                                                             increased so far this semester? If so, how?

• Yes, I believe my technology skills have increases slightly, from about a 5/6 to a 7/8.  I am sure I still have lots to learn but my eyes were definitely opened to new programs and websites to use an upcoming teacher. 

Creative Commons

http://creativecommons.org/about

Educators can benefit from using creative commons cc, for “some rights reserved” when copying, sharing, adding to a variety of materials, from songs, to academic. This would allow educators the right to “share, use, and even build upon a work you’ve created” by using creative commons to protect from copyright infringement.

Pinterest in the Classroom

Pinterest Account Name: mblackn16@yahoo.com, mblackn16, Markie Black

1.What did you learn from the PINTEREST activity?  How does it relate to what you learned about UDL, lesson planning, and differentiation?

This activity gave me the opportunity to view many different lesson and ideas for things to use in my own classroom.  There are many ideas to help differentiate in the classroom to meet every students needs.   

2.How do you believe you will utilize PINTEREST as a teacher?  

I would use pinterest in the classroom so I don’t have to recreate the wheel.  You as many resources, that are provided, to make life easier for you as a teacher. 

3.What are the strengths of PINTEREST?

Pinterest gives many lesson ideas, and well as activities using common core standards.  Also is good for decorating and organizing ideas. 

4.What are some of the challenges of PINTEREST?

5.What comments, questions, thoughts, opinions, and/or feedback do you have about PINTEREST?

Pinterest may give one idea and you need to differentiate it to meet your student’s needs.  As well some activities would not be appropriate for every class, so know your students strengths and weaknesses.  Shouldn’t be used so teachers don’t have to create anything, just used as an aid to help teachers.  

Lesson Plan Assessment

http://www.classtools.net/widgets/turningPage_1/GBG39.html

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I used class tools website, http://www.classtools.net/ to assess students over the story and lesson, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Using this website I would have students create their own version of the story. Using the tool of creating a virtual book online.  Students would be asked to follow the format of the original story, but create their own variation of what the mouse would ask for in each situation. For first grade I would make the requirement that each student write at least 4 sentences of if, then situations for the mouse.