Hay House World Summit

Hay House World Summit

Last Reflections on EDUC 518

I started out in this class thinking that I did not need it because I had already taken a Technology in Education course and it was not required for me. I am so glad I took this class! 

Some of my favorite technology tools discussed this semester were: Podcasts, Digital Storytelling, Mind Mapping, Google Forms and Prezi. I think this class really motivates me to use technology in a number of ways in my classroom when I start teaching.  

I also learned that as an educator continuing my learning in technology is important because new tools and new ways to use them are constantly being introduced.  

Integrated Technology Lesson Plan

Freckle Juice Character Connections

Grade Level: 2^nd Grade

Objectives:

·         Students will create an online mind map (graphic organizer) using Spicynodes to describe one of the main characters Andrew Marcus, Nicky, or Sharon from the book Freckle Juice.

·         Students will describe how one of the following characters Sharon, Nicky, or Andrew from Freckle Juice respond to a major event in the book using a podcast.

New Mexico Common Core Standards:

Reading Literature

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7

Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

Key Ideas and Details:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

Language-Comprehension and Collaboration

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.2

Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Technology Tools:

www.Spicynodes.org to create character mind maps

podcasts to be uploaded to teacher website

Procedures:

Day1:

After reading Freckle Juice by Judy Blume as a class students will create a mind map using spicy nodes to describe one of the following characters from the book Andrew Marcus, Nicky, Sharon.

Day 2:

Students will use podcasts to describe a major event that happened in the book (i.e. How did Andrew react when he found out Sharon tricked him?). Students will make self to text connections by explaining how they would react, feel, or if they have been in a similar situation or had a similar feeling.  The class will discuss their characters and their connections as a class after taking turns in groups listening to each other’s podcasts.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed by finished products of mind maps and podcasts. Mind maps should have at least five words describing the character. An informal assessment will be done during discussion to find out more on why students chose words for specific characters. Class will have prior practice of creating a mind map of a character in whole group discussion during reading of book.

Podcasts will serve as the ultimate assessment for students understanding of characters.  Assessment will show that students recall information from text, and how they understand characters response to the major events of the text.  Informal assessment will be given during discussion of students understanding of characters feelings and self-connections will give more information of this. 

Favorite Subject Survey

This week we learned about Google Forms. It was my job to learn as much as I could about it and present the topic to the class.  Above are two really informative videos about Google Forms. I learned that there are numerous ways to use Google Forms in the classroom.  Teachers can create tests, rubrics, invitations, announcements and surveys using Google forms. Another great way to get students involved is allowing them to create tests, surveys and rubrics using Google forms.  I am excited to use this tool in my daily life and teaching. Below is a quick survey that I created to get a feel for Google forms. Feel free to take it. I am interested to see what subjects are favored by students.

STI Mind Map

This week we learned about Mind Mapping and Word Clouds.  This was my first experience with mind mapping. This particular mind map is about some facts around STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) since Sexual Health is a very important subject to me.  I used bubbl.us for this Mind Map. I have to admit it was a little difficult to create the mind map the way I wanted.  I feel like if I was struggling than kids might struggle with this.  I attempted another mind mapping tool at spicynodes.org and it was much easier to maneuver. I think I would definitely use it with a class of second or third graders.

Word Clouds were not new to me but it has been some time since I have used them. In some ways I wonder what the point is but I have to get more experience with the tool before I can make a judgement about it.

A story about my journey of becoming a teacher

Today's Story using Storybird.com
http://storybird.com/books/in-the-process-of-becoming-a-teacher/


This week we learned about Digital Storytelling. This was one of the coolest tools! My Digital Story was created using Storybird but I am eager to try another type as well since Storybird limits that story to the pictures of one artist.  I have used this tool before but I struggled with it because I wanted to create an Alien story with the preschoolers I worked with and there were not very many space pictures to choose from. I thought I would have them tell me their story and we would write it down and try to find pictures together and then tell the story to the class.  This was not as easy as it sounded since the pictures were so limited and preschoolers have such vivid and wide imaginations.  Spiderman could easily make his way into a space story and Storybird had only certain pictures to choose from.

I will definitely use this and other Digital Storytelling for my future projects with kids.  I think it is a great Writer's Workshop tool.  In class the presenter showed us a YouTube video of a class that did this.  They learned how to write a rough draft and then to transfer it to a script.  They learned editing skills in writing and video making, adding sounds and graphics. It was a really fun lesson!

My Instructable

http://www.instructables.com/id/EYATHBVHSJAOUU4/

Instructables is an interesting tool we learned about today.  It was a program that allows for teaching others how to do something. It also required pictures.  I think it is similiar to Wiki how and I definitely plan on using Wiki's in the classroom with students. I am not so sure about Instructables.

We also learned about Corkboard, Facebook and other Social Networking sites like Twitter.  I had always wondered how to use Facebook successfully in the classroom and today one of my fellow classmates showed us an example of how she uses it.  She created a Facebook page completely separate from her Facebook, it was a fan page.  She encouraged the students and their parents to like her page and they would get updates when she made an announcement or linked them to colleges and resources.  I thought this was a fun way to include the family with little effort on the teachers part.

Take My Virtual Prezi Tour of Ireland

Reflections on Podcasting

Test Podcast EDUC 518

EDUC 518 Blog Posting-Introduction

Welcome to my blog! I am a graduate student studying TESOL. This semester I am taking a Grant Writing and Proposal Class and getting ready to graduate in the fall.  Learning drives me and I find the education field fascinating. My Bachelor's Degree is in Early Childhood Education. I first became interested in teaching when I helped my little brother learn to read at the age of 14. This experience really helped me see how rewarding and fun learning and teaching can be.  I have worked in various settings with young children.    

Apart from teaching my personal interests include drawing, dancing, singing, hiking, traveling and helping people.Other activities that I enjoy are yoga, mediation and reading.  My goals include traveling to Europe, working on projects for developing a non-profit, and starting a teaching career after obtaining a Master's Degree.  On the side I illustrate for FabulousFables.com and volunteer with Latinitas.