Field Trip

My virtual field trip is to The Space and Rocket Center. We will take this field trip while studying about the solar system. This field trip will motivate students to want to learn more about the solar system. Students will be able to come up with some ideas for their papers they will have to write after the field trip.

http://lmwhitlock.wikispaces.com/Field+Trip

Scrumblr

Simple and Compound Sentences

I would divide Scrumblr into 2 sections. One section would be simple sentences and the other one would be compound sentences. On the notecards, I would make 5 simple sentences and 5 compound sentences. The students would have to match the sentences with the correct section. This would make sure the students know how to identify simple and compound sentences.

Seating Chart

One benefit of using Microsoft Word to create a seating chart is being able to move seats around easily and adding names. I was also able to make them as large as I wanted to and add notes.
One limitation of using Microsoft Word is duplicating the chart.

Assignment #5

Dream Computer

            If I had an opportunity to consider what kind of computer I would like for my classroom, I would choose the iMac. A Mac is built for the way people use computers today, so I believe this would be a great computer to consider. Microsoft Office and thousands of other applications can be used on these computers whether they are made for Windows or Mac. Students can use the software to do things, such as presentations and papers.  Documents, photos and music files can be opened on Macs. An advantage of using a Mac is that they never get viruses.

            The Magic Trackpad is designed to work with Mac desktop computers. This trackpad provides a whole new way to control and interact with what is on your screen. They are used in place of a mouse or in conjunction with one. Students would be able to swipe though pages online just as they would flip through pages of a magazine or book. These also make scrolling up and down more natural. Magic Trackpad connects to your Mac though Bluetooth wireless technology.

            Another device I would choose is a projector. Some features that may enhance teaching include quick start features and internal digital zoom and focus. Quick start features ensure that presentations move quickly between slides. Internal digital zoom and focus reduce the need to stop the presentation and manually bring the picture into focus. Projectors include video inputs that allow you to network you projector to DVD players and VCRs. By using digital video projectors students can view streaming videos from the Internet and teach with different programs.                

Assignment #3

            Each person has his or her own way of thinking and learning. Cognitive style refers to how one thinks and learning style is a factor influencing how an individual learns. Cognitive style and learning style inventory tests can be taken by individuals to determine how each one differs. These results can help one in the classroom as a teacher or learner.

            Based on my cognitive style inventory test, my style is sensorial/emotional. These say that a person does not necessarily have control over receiving data, but know how to process it once they have it. A sensorial person prefers to receive data from the five senses. This type mentally lives in the present, uses common sense solutions automatically, the memory recall is high in detail of facts and past events, and likes clear information.  The learning style test says that I am an auditory learner. This learner listens and takes notes in lectures and reviews notes frequently.

            I believe these results to be accurate. I like to receive clear information and use common sense solutions to everything.  I am very good at listening and taking notes and I find that I have to go over my notes often and rewrite information in order to understand it.

            These results can help me in the classroom as a teacher and also as a learner. As a teacher I can give clear information and common sense solutions to help my students understand information. As a learner I can take clear notes and summarize lectures so I can process the information.

            Cognitive and learning styles are both factors that influence how an individual teaches or learns.  By taking the inventory tests, one can learn about what style fits him or her best.

Favorite Thing to Eat

Make your own poll voting question with Poll Everywhere

Assignment #1

Technology in Education

            Technology in schools has changed tremendously throughout the years. Technology is used in schools in many different ways to help educate children and also to help teachers be the teachers they want to be. I have been in classrooms where technology has helped me, but I have also been in classrooms where technology has not helped me. Technology can be a motivator and self-esteem booster.

            Educational technology includes systems used to improve capabilities. These are systems such as software, hardware, and Internet applications to improve performance. Years ago schools had no use of technology, so classrooms have improved in ways to educate children. Some of the main technology is overhead projectors, laptops, and calculators.

            Technology’s role in the classroom is to support students teaching themselves along with their teachers’ guidance. Teachers use technology to be better educators.  The Internet is the major use of technology in the classroom for both teachers and students. Teachers use the Internet to communicate with the faculty and parents, as well as the students. The main use of the Internet for students is for research for projects and papers. My senior year in high school we were given our own laptops to use in the classroom. In my opinion, the laptops were only helpful in English classes. We never really used the laptops in other classes other than for any kind of research.

            Factors can encourage or discourage the use of technology in the classroom. The use of technology in classrooms motivates children to want to learn and do better. Learning to use technology is something that children want to accomplish and it enhances their self-esteem. Students can learn new technology that their parents don’t even know. One of the issues with technology is controlling access to content that may not be appropriate. A child may have access to content that has violence or destructive concepts.

            Technology in schools has advanced over the years in mainly good ways.  It has helped teachers accomplish what they need to in their classrooms and has helped students with motivation and self-esteem.