Last Session - June 30, 2005
This class has been the best experience I’ve had in college in a long time, and I have been in school a while now—double major bachelor and now this masters. In my opinion, this was the optimal class to take during the summer session. It was very interesting, the teacher was excellent, and the course material was very fun to learn. I actually looked forward to doing assignments. I don’t even know where to begin to describe the invaluable information I received over the course of this class, all which will begin to be implemented this very summer, in fact, I start summer school on the 8th of July. I am sure my students will instantly see their new and improved, and excited, computer teacher overflowing with new information, methods and approaches.
Although I am currently a technology and computer teacher, the materials I’ve learned in this course have given me a whole new way to approach teaching technology and computers. In fact, I may be registering for the Educational Technology Specialist CST in October 2005, which was inspired by this course. Moreover, I am going to propose more technology professional development, hopefully to be held by yours truly. I am also going to speak to my superintendent to propose that professor Gersh hold at least one professional development session, hopefully it will be approved after all the good news I will provide. Anyway back to technology, I learned many new educational technology tools, methods, and approach, but most importantly how to integrate them into the individual subject curriculums. Furthermore, much of the educational software introduced I was very familiar with. Nevertheless, I learned many new aspects of the software used in class that I was not aware of. Despite the short summer class, many of the objectives were realized. Not only did I learn to further develop search strategies on the Internet, I also learned how to enhance proper and efficient research. I learned when to best use word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools—such as MS ppt—and the Internet for instruction, research, communications, problem solving, and publishing. Creating a website, in my opinion, was the best part of the course. Website creation opens up a whole new word for me. This powerful tool will hopefully use to motivate, capture the interest, and excite students to learn, especially my population (special ed.). I also learned new educational methods to teaching via technology such as creating a WebQuest, digital story (through PowerPoint or Movie Maker), and/or Blogs. Culture quest provided me with the opportunity to work in a team setting, or cooperatively with my classmates. I must say I was very impressed and satisfied with the outcome of this course. With professor Gersh’s permission, I plan to sit-in one of her classes in the fall. I would like to thank all of you for your help, your input, and support. I also would like to thank professor Gersh for this wonderful experience. I trust that everyone’s experience was as worthwhile as mine during the course. I hope you guys have a wonderful summer and hopefully will see each other during the fall semester.
Session 9 - 6/23
Today's session was fair. We discussed several topics. The session wasn't as intereting as the previous ones, but you can't win them all. The summary slides were very helpful, however. Some of the stats were surprising. For instance, in 2010 every single job will require technology. This stat reinforces my urgency to make computer and technology a priority in every school setting. My district does not require computer or technology as a graduation requirement. I am going to change that, however.
Session 8 - 6/22
Today's class was very interesting. We reviewed how to insert your narration on our digital stories. What's even more interesting is the visual literacy we worked on. I really enjoyed writing the bit of poetry based on the pictures we choose. I did not realize that poetry could be such an interesting way to express yourself and experience. Learning to create a movie maker clip was the most exciting part of the session. PowerPoint has met its maker. I look forward to working with movie maker with my students over the summer and the fall.
Session 7 6-20
Today I had a difficult time focusing. The number of tasks that need to be completed this week are overwhelming me. I'm slightly behind on my webquest so I plan to work on it tonight. I need to plan this week very carefully if I going to complete all the tasks on time; I really don't have a choice anyhow. I hope you guys aren't going through the same dilemma I am during the last week of school.
session 6 - June 16, 2005
I appreciate the comments from you guys. Rgrlehman thanks for the comment I am sure I will enjoy the Chinese research. Paul I'm glad we could relate with the material we learn as it can be an excellent tools not only for our lesson plans, but also for classroom management. I really like the rapport that we all have with one another. I can truly and honestly say I have never had a class with so much collaboration and support from the professor and classmates, although the professor has too much energy at times. The web site experience was very exciting. Although I have a computer programming background, I could not believe how easy it is to setup a web page. I think this has been the most exciting part of the course thus far. I think web page creation has opened up a whole new world for me in terms of lesson planning. I have never been so motivated and excited to teach.
Session 5 - 6/15
Today's session, as usual, was very helpful and insightful. The materials can certainly be intergraded into my lessons. I am always eager to try all of them in my classes. Special education students always welcome on-hands and visual material. I also enjoyed working with my peers. My culture quest group and I have decided to focus on the Chinese culture. My role will be to research how technology is integrated into the Chinese school curriculums. I will also research on how the preparation of teachers differs from ours.
Session 4 - 6 -13
This session went at a lightning rate, however, I feel I could handle it. I am always up for a challenge. Today we discussed our webquest project. We reviewed our introduction to our webquest. The professor advised that our introduction should stimulate curiosity; we should avoid too much informational information in the intro. We briefly discussed the task section of our webquest also. We also touched on the "cultures" project. The literary portion of our digital story was assigned for homework. The New York State ELA standard was addressed and how it is relevant to all lesson plans, thus, enhancing literacy further.
