It has been a gratifying experience putting together the eportfolio. I see it as a good resource for myself as I have included links that are valuable to me. I have included some of the ideas that were given by my classmates that I will want to remember and of course these reflections that I can look back on one day. It was a good experience to bring my resume up to date.
Because I have included my lesson plans and links to valuable resources, I think this could be a resource for others as well. I also think that this would be a valuable project for students. It would be challenging for them to organize the material and valuable for reflection and evaluation of their own learning.
The wiki was a great way to put the portfolio together. Had I started the wiki earlier, I might have posted my reflections onto it but I had already started them on the blog so I just linked them. It gave me an opportunity to include a slideshow of family pictures to my blog from pictures posted to Flikr and some educational videos although I was unable to control them much, they are just posted as educational videos. This is why I posted my favorite videos on the resources page of the wiki.
I am looking forward to seeing other portfolios for ideas about how I might add to mine.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Embedding Videos on a Wiki
Wiki wetpaint has a feature whereby you can add what they call widgets. You can add slideshows of pictures, videos and RSS feeds to your site. This is very easy to use and can be very effective for use in the classroom.
To add to the webquest of King Tut, we added some videos. I learned to embed videos on a wiki. I found though that if the video is very large (45 minutes) it does not work. I had to link our introductory video because it was too large.
Our project is complete. We will be putting the finishing touches on in the morning. We have created what I feel will be an awesome tool lesson for teaching about history and how it impacts us today. Studying King Tut's tomb is a great way to learn about artifacts and how archeologists can piece together information to come up with our history. We have created a great lesson for teachers. I am proud of our accomplishment.
To add to the webquest of King Tut, we added some videos. I learned to embed videos on a wiki. I found though that if the video is very large (45 minutes) it does not work. I had to link our introductory video because it was too large.
Our project is complete. We will be putting the finishing touches on in the morning. We have created what I feel will be an awesome tool lesson for teaching about history and how it impacts us today. Studying King Tut's tomb is a great way to learn about artifacts and how archeologists can piece together information to come up with our history. We have created a great lesson for teachers. I am proud of our accomplishment.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
tMaking a Webquest Using Wiki Webpaint
The Webquest "How Did King Tut Die?" is almost complete. It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun. I believe it will be a useful tool for social studies teachers.
We decided to use Wiki Wetpaint. Wetpaint is appropriate for educational purposes because if you are using the website for education purposes they claim they will make the site web free. Unfortunately the email that Dawna sent to them never was returned so our site never did become ad free. Fortunately though, the ads are educational at least.
At first I thought that students would post their initial research results to a blog on class blogmeister but then realized it would be much more convenient for students to post them on the discussion forum on the wiki. The only problem with this is it would be awkward for Dawna, Shelley and myself to use the webpage at the same time. Also, not all teachers have editing rights to this site. So I guess teachers that do not have editing rights to this site could have their students post their initial research to blogmeister.
It is important to link pages together for ease of finding the information and knowing what pages need to be linked together. This is where the CMap provided a concrete picture of what pages should be linked and how.
It is also very nice to be able to work cooperatively using the wiki. It is very easy to edit and quick to set up. Also, you don't have to worry about consistency from page to page because that is set up already.
Angie
We decided to use Wiki Wetpaint. Wetpaint is appropriate for educational purposes because if you are using the website for education purposes they claim they will make the site web free. Unfortunately the email that Dawna sent to them never was returned so our site never did become ad free. Fortunately though, the ads are educational at least.
At first I thought that students would post their initial research results to a blog on class blogmeister but then realized it would be much more convenient for students to post them on the discussion forum on the wiki. The only problem with this is it would be awkward for Dawna, Shelley and myself to use the webpage at the same time. Also, not all teachers have editing rights to this site. So I guess teachers that do not have editing rights to this site could have their students post their initial research to blogmeister.
It is important to link pages together for ease of finding the information and knowing what pages need to be linked together. This is where the CMap provided a concrete picture of what pages should be linked and how.
It is also very nice to be able to work cooperatively using the wiki. It is very easy to edit and quick to set up. Also, you don't have to worry about consistency from page to page because that is set up already.
Angie
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Moderators for Online Learning
If I were taking an online course for the first time, I would want to see that I would have a considerable amount of help and support. I would want to know that the instructor and the other students would be understanding and patient with me as I learn my new role as an online student. I would want to know about my instructor and my fellow students. I would want frequent and specific feedback about the quality of my work.
I would need this kind of support to provide confidence. If I gain confidence from taking this online class, then I will be more likely to persevere through the class rather than drop it in frustration.
I would need to know how to use the technology that I would need to perform the tasks set before me. The technology should help organize the content, provide details about the course and not get in the way of my learning.
I would get this information from the instructor’s “how to do stuff” section of the site. Perhaps there would be a specific place for me to ask technological questions. Also, I may be able to get some answers from the internet or from my colleagues.
It would be really frustrating to not have consistent and frequent conversation with others in my class. Without the social and educational dialogue, I would feel alone and isolated rather than part of a community of learners.
I would need this kind of support to provide confidence. If I gain confidence from taking this online class, then I will be more likely to persevere through the class rather than drop it in frustration.
I would need to know how to use the technology that I would need to perform the tasks set before me. The technology should help organize the content, provide details about the course and not get in the way of my learning.
I would get this information from the instructor’s “how to do stuff” section of the site. Perhaps there would be a specific place for me to ask technological questions. Also, I may be able to get some answers from the internet or from my colleagues.
It would be really frustrating to not have consistent and frequent conversation with others in my class. Without the social and educational dialogue, I would feel alone and isolated rather than part of a community of learners.
What I Learned about Being an Administrator
I attended a principal's short course in July. I am not sure why they call it a "short" course as it is 5 days of very intense learning. I took in everything I could from the facilitators, instructors, and other principals. This is a small sample of what I learned:
I learned that everything that administrators do has to be accounted for right down to putting money from the hot dog sale into an account.
I learned that the best information that you can get comes from others in similar situations.
I learned that you are never alone, there will always be someone out there with an answer to your question. Your job is to find that person.
I learned that you can learn something from everyone.
You must feed the teachers or they will eat the students!! I learned what to feed the teachers.
In the end, it is always about the students.
The last few days, I have been sitting in the office that is so new to me and trying to make sense of what my role is. I have been thinking about communication, collaboration and how important these things are. I look toward distance learning and what it will mean for us. I think about how unique we are geographically and how the statement "We will never close your school" still doesn't offer much consolation when it comes to declining numbers and reductions in staffing. How can I continue to provide the students with quality education with declining numbers and cuts in staff. What kind of pressure does this put on teachers?
It will be a very challenging position. I am ready. I have an excellent staff and very well rounded student, and a supportive community. Bring it on!
Angie
I learned that everything that administrators do has to be accounted for right down to putting money from the hot dog sale into an account.
I learned that the best information that you can get comes from others in similar situations.
I learned that you are never alone, there will always be someone out there with an answer to your question. Your job is to find that person.
I learned that you can learn something from everyone.
You must feed the teachers or they will eat the students!! I learned what to feed the teachers.
In the end, it is always about the students.
The last few days, I have been sitting in the office that is so new to me and trying to make sense of what my role is. I have been thinking about communication, collaboration and how important these things are. I look toward distance learning and what it will mean for us. I think about how unique we are geographically and how the statement "We will never close your school" still doesn't offer much consolation when it comes to declining numbers and reductions in staffing. How can I continue to provide the students with quality education with declining numbers and cuts in staff. What kind of pressure does this put on teachers?
It will be a very challenging position. I am ready. I have an excellent staff and very well rounded student, and a supportive community. Bring it on!
Angie
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Unit three discussion.
Here is my response to unit 3 and the article by Tom March.
What ever happened to teaching, with kids, in a classroom?
I think that the easiest way to reach students is to get to know them better. If we talk to students and see what they are doing in their free time, we will be able to see what interests them. We can’t lure in the fish without knowing the right bait!
Students are using technology every day. For example, my son uses the internet to keep up with hockey teams, his favorite football team (Go Riders Go!), and his friends.
Younger students are on the “Webkins” website. Students love to interact with their peers using their cell phones and through online messenger. Can we find ways to use these technologies to engage them in learning? I think we have to.
The days of teaching, with kids, in a classroom are not over. They have changed. Flexibility is the key here. We need to be able to engage our students in learning by coming up with real-world problems and we also need to show them how sift through information to find what they are really looking for and find what is authentic. The classroom has become a place where learners are engaged in learning whether it is a face-to-face or an online classroom.
What’s the new job for teachers?
Our job then is to find out what our students are interested in, relate that to the curriculum objectives and find a real-world problem that will engage students in learning. It involves being creative and it involves knowing a bit about the web and technology. I say a bit because I have found that the students often know and are able to use technology. They find ways to use it to their advantage. I have learned a great deal from my students because I am not an expert at everything.
In our information processing class, I had the students design their own music video using power point. It is a bit of a tedious process getting the slides to line up with the music but they took pride in getting it right. I had some examples from what other students had produced to show them and that seemed to really motivate them. They were engaged from the beginning because they had control of the song, and the content. One student decided to put her music video together using “One True Media”. It was super! So in addition to the power point music video, many students decided to include their music video using the new program. The students showed each other how to use the programs and I was free to be able to help those that needed my direction. Everyone learned how to use powerpoint and some that were more advanced added the use of the new program. Am I an expert at using these programs? No. I know a little bit about them – enough to get them started. Were my objectives met? Yes, and then some. There was a whole lot of learning going on, and with not so much traditional “teaching” from me.
Our new job is to get past the idea that we need to be the “expert” and help the students realize that the they are not limited by what the teacher knows but by what they can learn from the web and their peers. We also need to know our students well so that we can design a program where they are engaged and focused on an outcome and not so limited to how they achieve it.
What ever happened to teaching, with kids, in a classroom?
I think that the easiest way to reach students is to get to know them better. If we talk to students and see what they are doing in their free time, we will be able to see what interests them. We can’t lure in the fish without knowing the right bait!
Students are using technology every day. For example, my son uses the internet to keep up with hockey teams, his favorite football team (Go Riders Go!), and his friends.
Younger students are on the “Webkins” website. Students love to interact with their peers using their cell phones and through online messenger. Can we find ways to use these technologies to engage them in learning? I think we have to.
The days of teaching, with kids, in a classroom are not over. They have changed. Flexibility is the key here. We need to be able to engage our students in learning by coming up with real-world problems and we also need to show them how sift through information to find what they are really looking for and find what is authentic. The classroom has become a place where learners are engaged in learning whether it is a face-to-face or an online classroom.
What’s the new job for teachers?
Our job then is to find out what our students are interested in, relate that to the curriculum objectives and find a real-world problem that will engage students in learning. It involves being creative and it involves knowing a bit about the web and technology. I say a bit because I have found that the students often know and are able to use technology. They find ways to use it to their advantage. I have learned a great deal from my students because I am not an expert at everything.
In our information processing class, I had the students design their own music video using power point. It is a bit of a tedious process getting the slides to line up with the music but they took pride in getting it right. I had some examples from what other students had produced to show them and that seemed to really motivate them. They were engaged from the beginning because they had control of the song, and the content. One student decided to put her music video together using “One True Media”. It was super! So in addition to the power point music video, many students decided to include their music video using the new program. The students showed each other how to use the programs and I was free to be able to help those that needed my direction. Everyone learned how to use powerpoint and some that were more advanced added the use of the new program. Am I an expert at using these programs? No. I know a little bit about them – enough to get them started. Were my objectives met? Yes, and then some. There was a whole lot of learning going on, and with not so much traditional “teaching” from me.
Our new job is to get past the idea that we need to be the “expert” and help the students realize that the they are not limited by what the teacher knows but by what they can learn from the web and their peers. We also need to know our students well so that we can design a program where they are engaged and focused on an outcome and not so limited to how they achieve it.
Concept Map - Assignment Two
Our concept map is finished. It has been great to be able to collaborate with my group members Shelley and Dawna. We used Google Docs to work together on our accompanying document. It was very efficient to be able to work on the document together. We used the chat room from Web CT to discuss our changes to the document as we went along. We used the highlighter to highlight the changes we made. This worked very well. The only problem was there were a few glitches with how we might see the font. One of us might see bolded print where another didn't. We rectified this problem by downloading the document to one computer, making any necessary changes and sending the document from there.
We used CMaps to make the map. I had some difficulty at first setting up the map for collaboration as I was putting it into the wrong public folder. Once that was worked out we were able to work on the map together. It takes a little time to learn how to use Cmaps but it is a very versatile tool because you are able to chat with each other while you work. Also you can change the file formate of the cmap as well as view it as a web page.
This assignment has given us a good start to creating the final product which will be a webquest for grade 9 social studies students. We are very excited about getting to work on this project. We are thinking we may use Google Docs again to post the web quest or possibly a wiki.
Angie
We used CMaps to make the map. I had some difficulty at first setting up the map for collaboration as I was putting it into the wrong public folder. Once that was worked out we were able to work on the map together. It takes a little time to learn how to use Cmaps but it is a very versatile tool because you are able to chat with each other while you work. Also you can change the file formate of the cmap as well as view it as a web page.
This assignment has given us a good start to creating the final product which will be a webquest for grade 9 social studies students. We are very excited about getting to work on this project. We are thinking we may use Google Docs again to post the web quest or possibly a wiki.
Angie
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