Reflection #3 Podcasting

What? We are learning about Podcasts, which are pre-recorded files that can be broadcasted over the Internet. We are creating a Podcast that is 1-1 ½ minutes long and then uploading it to your website under tools. Becky and I created a public announcement about a girl who has cancer and ways to help raise money such as a fair.

So What? We are doing this so we can learn how to create them and also upload Podcasts. Podcasts are great in many ways. I think that they will be beneficial for kids who were sick or were on a family vacation. As a teacher I could record my lectures or the class discussions we had that certain day. With colleagues we could share information or even our lectures on specific units. This technology tool is a great tool. I think I will definitely use this in my own classroom.

Now What? Podcasting can be very beneficial to my future students if they were sick, had a death in the family etc. Podcasts can be used for lectures or just general information. It is another way for students to refresh what we did that day or if they did not understand the assignment given. For an assignment I would love to do is to create a public service announcement on a specific unit that we are doing. For example, creating an announcement about Lewis and Clark and their Expedition. This will help me to become a better teacher because I will be more educated about all the tech tools out there. I want to be able to accommodate all types of learning styles. As we get further into the semester the more I am learning about meaningful and functional tools that will help not only my students, but also my colleagues and I.

Reflection #2 Google

What?
I am learning how to sufficiently use google docs and all that is within google docs. The assignments we are performing is creating our own google site that has information about ourselves, announcements, homework, calendar, file cabinet and resources for students and parents to access. Another assignment we are preforming is gathering information for our digital story later in the semester.


So What?
This means to me as a teacher is to learn different ways to organize my life for example, using the calendar on google docs you can access it anywhere. Also the endless possibilities that google docs offers with me as a student with creating a document you will never lose it and it is a free tool. This will work great with my colleagues we will be able to share and collaborate together. We are doing this because to inform us that there are new, easy and free tools out there to help anyone if you are a teacher, student, etc. This can apply to me in all areas you do not have pay to use microsoft and can save money.This works great not only for my personal life, but school and even work. My colleagues will love this tool and all that it offers. You can do anything from sharing documents to creating online surveys and quizzes.

Now What?
They can work on assignments and projects from anywhere from their home, school or library. Also I am able to go in and see what they have been working on and am able to edit their work. My schema for Google docs has increased. Before I did not know anything about Google docs. There have been many doors that have opened up. I hope that this will change me as a teacher to let students know that there are several ways to work on things for school. I think a fun assignment that I could have my students do is to have them work on a country assigment and create like a handout they could collaboarte by finding certain information about the country such as religion, transportation, food and so much more. We are the future! It is up to us as teachers today to focus on changing the future of technology. The new technology out there is amazing and can be used in many different subject areas. I hope that when I am a teacher that I am always be willing to learn new technology tools and to be educated in all technology out there. Also I hope to encourage my colleagues if they are hesitant about trying out the new tech tools.

MY Educational Hero

As I look back on my educational heroes one that comes to mind is Mrs. Larsen. I vividly remember going to my first day of high school. I was terrified! I made it to my first class, computer tech. According to my schedule, my teacher’s name was Mrs. Angie Larsen. My teacher began going over the course syllabus and briefly telling us about her. She told the class that she was going to share a life changing experience. Angie got in a severe car accident her freshman year of college that has impacted her life ever since. Angie’s face was contorted as she slammed into the windshield. Glass went flying everywhere, and she had several cuts in her forehead. Her right kneecap was shattered and later removed. Angie had a compound fracture in her tibia; she broke her fibula in two places and her ankle in three. Her abdomen hit the bottom of the steering wheel which almost resulted in her liver splitting into two pieces. Angie’s abdomen was a ¼ inch away from her main artery, however if her main artery had split she would have bled to death.

Throughout my life I will be faced with challenging trials or simple daily problems, I need to try my best to have a positive outlook on what may come in my way. Times will be hard, but I will have to hang in there and give the situation all that I have. My family and friends will be there to help me along when I am down. I had Mrs. Larsen all three years during high school. She was not only my teacher but also a dear friend of mine. Mrs. Larsen has become an inspiration to me over the years and has made a huge impact on my life. I will never forget that day sitting in class hearing about her life changing experience. I need to remember to enjoy every minute of life and tell the people in my life that I love them. Honestly, you never know what life will throw at you and if there is anything I have learned from Angie it is to achieve the goals and dreams that you want to accomplish, and try your hardest to truly live your life to the fullest.