My final thoughts

Wow. This has been quite a semester. I have learned so much in both of my edtec courses. I have learned how to create a design document and all of the wonderful details that go with it. It has made me think in a whole new way. I have learned so many wonderful tech tools that I can't begin to use them all, and this is a good thing. I have become more aware of the evaluation and assessment process as well as how my children learn. This has been an informative and extremely valuable spring semester. Thank you Terri and TJ!

What I have learned from my project

As I was working way into the wee hours of the night last night on my instructional media package I realized how far I have come. I have learned and used so many new tools since I began this program. I am hoping as I may have to make a transition to a new school next year that these tools will help me branch out with a new staff and new parents and kiddos. I am struggling a little with my project since our staff morale is low waiting on a decision of whether or not to close our school, so it is a tough time. But I am trying to hang in there and complete what I have already put into work.

My video

Have we got a video?

Okay so I finally finished my video project. Well, at least I think I did. I have limited experience with imovie, especially the new version, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. My assignment came from a staff development day I attended a few weeks ago. We had a great speaker who spoke about the 12 powerful words that kids need to know, especially for testing. So, I decided to make a "kid friendly" video starring my own second graders. It was a fun project and I can't wait to show my kids when we return from spring break. Here is the link:
http://angw1068.googlepages.com/edtech572 then click on the video assignment.

An unfortunate wake up call.....

As I drove in this morning to school thinking about the upcoming staff development day I tried to have a positive attitude. Then my thoughts were on school projects again and how I am going to create this "awesome" powerpoint that my class can view and interact with on this rather large T.V. we have in our classrooms. As I pulled up to our school I noticed the Sheriff's car and my heart sank. We have had many break-ins, grafitti and the like at our school but I have managed to avoid having my room broken into, until today... I come to my room and my large screen T.V., four student computers, my own personal ELMO document camera and my CD player have all been destroyed. My room is full of glass and my front window has been bashed in. Every piece of technology in my classroom was destroyed.. How depressing and sad... So I went on with my day in our staff development and returned to clean up my room so that the kids would have a decent and safe room the next day. As I drove home, I cried thinking of how sad it is that someone would actually want to do that to a classroom and to things that belong to kids and teachers.... Rough day for me....

A long drive to L.A.....

As I was driving my daughter to a soccer game in Camarillo yesterday, I had some time to reflect and think about this program and what we are learning. It is amazing how many new tricks I am learning each day as I try a new asssigment. I am sharing these ideas with my family as well as colleagues and eventually my students. I am hoping that not only will this help me become more efficient in the classroom but also come up wtih an idea for a family business..... Lots of future possibilities!

Using my blog with my second graders

I am excited to share this technology with my students. My first idea is to have my students type an entry about their performance called, The Second Grade Love Show! I can't wait to show them their entries. I also would like to publish their writing. Second graders get so excited when they see their writing published. It is truly amazing. Although I know as a primary teacher I may not use the blog feature as much as upper grades, I still believe it will be an exciting and useful tool for my classroom!