Final Course Reflection

Final Course Reflection

For my final course reflection blog I wanted to try a Web 2.0 tool that had interested me throughout this course but I hadn't had a chance to try out.  So yet again I signed up for another trial.  This comic was made using Bit Strips.  I very quickly made it and I had fun creating!  The alphabet is 3 letters W-E-B! I'm the teacher and a colleague is complementing my blog.  Everyone now knows at my school that I am a blogger:) Then one student asks a question...everyone answers how they love Web 2.0 tools.  Learning is fun when students can choose and create, develop and deside!  I have yet another tool I plan to use in my class.  I learned so much throughout this course.  I am utilizing multiple technology tools and am aiming to "flip" my classroom in the near future.  I love blogging and if my schedule permitted more free time, I would blog more frequently.  I enjoyed Skyping with the various teaching professionals and learned a great deal from our conversations.  When I brought back a new way to incorporate the computer into the classroom, their enthusiasm increased noticeably.  My daughter was the guinea pig...trying everything out so I could test it before trying it with my class.  It was perfect because she's the same age.  Now she always wants my laptop:)  My class collaborated so nicely when using technology.  They worked well with Mrs. Parisen's class and the end result was a Digital Project that impressed our principal, parents, and colleagues.  They are so proud of their project!  We are currently adding to our class MAPPs Wiki.  Next year I want to create a Wiki or Weebly for my class.  I'll work on the design and details over the summer.  Hard to believe the semester is over...

Literacy Project

Literacy Project - Class Voki's

 The first thing I did with my class was show them what a Voki is.  We did this as a whole group in the computer lab.  I projected on the Smartboard the Voki website and the steps to create their own Voki's. Then I shared a personal Voki I created, and one that my daughter created.  This sparked their interest!  Then they really couldn't wait to get their own Voki started. I gave them a time limit to create their personal Voki, because they would use up the whole day experimenting with styles.  They wrote out their personal narratives, then edited and typed into their text space for their Voki.  While listening to their Voki read they learned that they could change the way certain words sounded by respelling it.  


Click below to view a sample Voki:)


My daughters Voki that I used as a model for my class. - Megan


Here are some links to my students' vokis.  Enjoy!!!

Student Voki Personal Narrative - Bella
Student Voki Personal Narrative - Dustin
Student Voki Personal Narrative - Lindsay
Student Voki Personal Narrative - Jacob
Student Voki Personal Narrative - Krissy


There are many more....we are still working on these:)

Sharing Skype with Megan

Skype

google images.com

After Skyping last class and hearing my son talk about how easy Skype is, I decided to set up an account on my home computer.  Then my daughter, Megan  caught on, and now she is Skyping with two of her friends everyday.  Since she is on vacation this week it has served as a way for her to set up play dates and sleepovers.  I find it so adorable how she uses tech. lingo like brb, for be right back.  Then she runs in her room gets a toy and holds it up to the camera to show her friend what they will be doing when she comes over to play.  Last night my daughter asked if she could buy a webcam... my response was as long as I know when you are going on and who you are Skyping with, YES!!!  My mother lives in-state but with our busy schedules we don't see each other enough.  I plan to Skype with my mom once I can set her up an account on her computer.  Skype is great!  Krysta and I tossed around the idea of Skyping with our two classes as an introduction lesson into Skyping.  I think we will revisit the idea once our next class project is completed.  I also thought of trying to find a children's author who would be willing to Skype...Hmmm.  Now I'm inspired!  Have you heard of any children's author who whould be willing to set up a Skype with a 3rd grade class?

Skype with Mr. Gwaltney

Last Weeks Skype with Mr. Gwaltney and His A.P. Students

I was impressed with last weeks lengthy Skype with Professor G and his four students.  The ladies were articulate in their explanations as to why their online course with Mr. G is working for them.  They explained how they need to be extremely flexible and organized in order for the collaborative assignments to be successful.  I can only imagine how scheduling and planning are key.  Krysta and I had to rearrange several days in order to complete our Digital Story.  Then I think of how it must be to work around several schedules and from people from different time zones too!  Must be tricky.  Next I think of the wonderful Google Docs, which I have come to LOVE!!!  They mentioned how Google Docs is their chosen way to stay organized and share ideas.  Yes, I can see how using Google Docs would make the process of collaborating and assigning tasks much less time consuming.  Also, I found their opinions on online communication vs. classroom communication to be truthful and understandable.  I can think my answers through before typing them in for others to view.  I had a few friends take A.P. classes when they were in High School but the classes were at a community college.  I have seen technology advance to what it is today.  How far it has come!!!  When I mentioned the Skpe to my 15 year old son, I asked him if he would take online A.P. classes and he said, 'Yes".  Who knows maybe one day he will be Skyping with you Judy???

Digital Story-Symmetry Final Draft

Digital Story on Symmetry

                        

This is the final draft of our Symmetry Project.  We hope you enjoy!!!

Digital Story Project - Work in Progress

 Symmetry Digital Story

Whose Line is it Anyway? (Rough Draft)

Work in Progress

This is the rough draft for Krysta and my Digital Story on Symmetry. We still need to work on fading the music, slowing down the text, possibly some narration, and editing some of the pictures to make it a shorter story.  It has been a long process and having not used imovie before it's been a rough road.  However, once we realized that it saves automatically we weren't so intimidated that we would loose all of our work. Then we began to take risks. Thankfully we were able to import the pictures, arrange them by activity, clip the videos to show student learning, create interesting transitions, download and import music.  This being a holiday weekend and reportcards going home next week, Krysta and I are trying to be flexible and creative with our schedules in order to research how to make the changes that need to be made.  Work in Progress

Book Discussion Wiki

http://www.google.com/

As Krysta and I work together on our digital story, we learned that we are both reading Charlotte's Web to our classes.  We had talked about creating a Wiki for our classes to gain experience with using a Wiki.  My class has a Wiki with their MAPPs pals and they love to post comments and different ideas to it, but why not create another one with their Symmetry buddies.  We've been pleased with their collaboration and how they interact with one another.  Watching them guide each other has been wonderful.  I see many of my former students take on a leadership role as they help my students extend their learning.  In the coming weeks, after we  complete our Digital Story, be on the lookout for the Charlotte's Web Wiki!  : >)