Backwards design, Zoho Show...uh oh?

I have a confession...I'm starting to like EDLF 345. It's one of the first classes I have had at UVA where the learning environment is cooperative and the material actually has multiple applications.

Every week, I am learning more. This week is no exception. First of all, I learned valuable information about application of technology in the classroom. Some tips I now know of are testing software programs before implementing them, using kitchen timers for time management, and the cup system (where a student places a cup on his or her monitor if they need help). This week in class we discussed "Backwards Learning" which is a type of lesson planning procedure. In "Backwards Planning," the teacher starts with the objectives she wishes her students to accomplish and then works towards how they can be accomplished. Also, I learned the "10 Commandments of Multimedia Projects." These will be very useful in my academic life as well as my career. Another program, I learned about was Zoho Show. It is basically an online version of Power Point. I definitely feel as though it would be useful in the classroom.

All the topics I learned this week will be extremely useful in the classroom. While I have a class in the computer lab and some students have already finished their assignments, I am going to have prepared my knowledge of educational software games on the computer so that they can have fun while learning. By doing this, all students will be engaged. I think the Zoho Show program will be very useful to set up quick guides, instructions, or examples for classroom use. Also, Zoho Show can be used by students to present projects in an easy to use format. Also, students could work on Zoho Show from home and not have to worry about deliverables or not have Power Point on their computer. Furthermore, by following the 10 Commandments of Multimedia Projects, my classroom use of technology will be more efficient and adequate. Especially the commandment of 'save often and early' will be very beneficial for my students and their work.

One of the questions I have this week is rhetorical, how will I adequately implement technology into the classroom without over doing it?

Here's a fellow classmate's perspective on what is occurring in class...

Until next time...

Image, Text, Music...you can digitally tell a story?

Fun is the word I would use to describe this week's class. I learned so much this week, yet it was all interesting. Digital storytelling is very interesting and entails alot of information. From the formation of a story to bringing the story to life, digital storytelling will be a useful aid in the classroom. One aspect I like of digital storytelling is its flexibility. It can be used with varying content in many different ways. Also, I find it interesting that it can also be used with most age groups with varying adaptions--adding to its flexibility. Another big idea I acknowledge is the importance of images, audio, text, etc. in conveying a compelling story. The use of the tools allows for more attentive students. Finally, I find it interesting that students in today's society can create stories this way. It would make for some interesting projects.

In a second grade classroom, I know a teacher who used digital storytelling to convey metamorphosis to the class. The students used clay to mold the different life stages of a butterfly, frog, or seed. The teacher then compiled the pictures of the designed stages and made a movie. Another application of digital storytelling could be allowing older students to create autobiographies. They could use pictures from home, choose their own music, write the narrative, etc. The students' writing skills would be developed. Technology would be learned. There are many more ways to use this type of technology in the classroom.

I still have many questions regarding this form of telling a story. For example, how do you use your own music from your personal library such as iTunes? Or is there a way to use common noises, such as a dog barking?

Until next time...

UDL, Fair Use..ok...

This week in class we covered a lot of material. We discussed UDL (Universal Design for Learning) which is a concept of integrating technology into the classroom while allowing differentiation for students' learning needs. I learned of different learning styles students have: recogniton learning, strategic learning, affective learning. I had never heard of UDL. I learned it is similar to Differentiated Instruction which I am familiar with. My mother has held many meetings and conferences on the use of Differentiated Instruction. (For more information on UDL, click here.)Also, I learned much needed information regarding the legality of using information. I now understand circumstances in which I can use copyrighted materials. I did not know it was such a hot topic in education.
I believe UDL can definitely be implemented into the classroom. For an elementary classroom, I believe simple stories for learning of reading can be used. The stories can be printed in a tangible format, in digital text, recorded, and animated. The different applications allow for more understanding of a story and learning of vocabulary. I am happy to learn "Fair Use" guidelines because I know I will use video clips in my classroom because children enjoy visual representations of topics. Video clips allow for the reading to come to life.
Another thought that I am starting to comprehend is that technology is vital in the classroom. Yet, I wonder actually how affective UDL is? Is there significant research supporting it?
Until next time...

HTML, HTTP, URL...uh oh...

Well this week, we sunk into the meat of technology from terminology to actually designing a web page. The biggest things I learned were how the internet works, different terminology (i.e. HTML, HTTP, URL, etc), application of the terminology (especially HTML). Also, I never knew that protocols existed in web publishing. Now that I know the protocols, I believe I understand my everyday use of the internet better. In addition, I found it interesting that there are established design principles for designing a web page. Now, I understand the need for computer science in education.

I am starting to understand that technology can be useful in the classroom. As a teacher, I believe a web page, updated regularly, would be very beneficial to students and parents. Classroom policies, important dates, updates, schedules, and assignments are a few things that could be posted on the web page. A teacher could create a web page no-matter-what grade level he/she teaches. I believe older students could create their own web pages to relay topics of study especially in history and science because many images could be used. Also, group projects could be coupled with the creation of web pages. This would allow for each member to have input and be responsible for a certain task.

Of course, I am not an expert at this whole web publishing deal. I have many questions. For example, how does the web page from NVu get published? How does creating a web page occur without the use of Home Directory? Do you just use a flash drive, then? How do you create/obtain an html? Hopefully by December, I will know the answers to all these questions.

I find webopedia.com to be a useful site to answer questions I have about computer terminology.

Until next time...