Day 3 Reflection

During my PLN time, I searched on Twitter for resources. Connecting with different educators is very eye opening when looking for the latest and greatest in technology. I found many different strategies to enhance my technology next year, such as “What I didn’t know about Google,” STEM and different blogs that will help me. My app that I used to create my video was educreations. I am going to let my students choose educreations, fotobable or printing press to create their assignment. I made/found videos for each app to explain my expectations for the assignment. Creating my video was overwhelming at first but once I really got started it was very easy. I found different how-to videos online if I got stuck on a step in the process. At the beginning of my lesson I think that that the level of Bloom’s is at the Understanding/Remembering level. When the students are creating their own subtraction word problems and deciding on which app to use they are using the Analyze/Apply level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Their finished work is at the Create level of Bloom’s because they have made their assignment from “scratch.”

Day 2 Reflection

During my PLN time I searched different blogs, websites, and apps. The ones that stood out most to me were the ones that didn’t have enough tablets or the ones that had great classroom management of technology. They really made me think about how creative I have to be with the technology I am given. The blogs gave me great insight to ideas I had never thought of but will for sure be using them next year.

I think having a flipped classroom is an awesome idea! Having the students take ownership of their own learning is a wonderful and beautiful process. Watching the webinar was very refreshing to know that an educator is so passionate about technology in the classroom.

My lesson will be over the topic of subtraction of 3 digit by 3 digit numbers in word problems. Students will watch a video (from Educreations) prior to day 1 that instructs the students on how to correctly do the steps of subtraction. In class, students will practice subtraction questions as whole group and individually, that I have created. Students will have already been taught how to use the app Printing Press (through the video they watched the day before) as well as fotobabble to create their subtraction steps video. They will then be divided into groups, or individually to work on their own subtraction word problem.

Crushing Barriers

Our classrooms and our students are ever changing in this fast-paced world. With all of the new technology available to us on a daily basis it is no surprise that students are coming into our classrooms with more tech savvy skills each year. Sometimes, I am the student and they are the teacher ;) As teachers, we need to keep up through researching and our PNL as well as taking time with these devices. I know we don't have the time to become fluent in everything but looking at these “I Can” Statements gives me the confidence I need to “keep up with the times.”

Photo from http://brittanywashburn.blogspot.com/2014/12/technology-i-can-statements-for.html

Having enough devices so that my students can work on their own is another barrier I face as a teacher. I was searching online earlier and stumbled upon this amazing blog! It discussed different avenues you can take when you are not 1:1 in the classroom.

The following is a link to the blog: http://go.learningpod.com/blog/not-enough-tablets-to-go-around-the-classroom

Another barrier that I face is having enough time for each technology advancement. When I reflected on the time that I spent trouble-shooting, looking at ideas, becoming confused at different technology apps, I was frustrated. Looking on pinterest I found an awesome website that described the ways you can use a variety of apps and web-based apps.

Photo from http://learninginhand.com/blog/2013/4/7/ipad-as-the-teachers-pet-infographic

The last barrier face would have to be time for my students to use the devices. Reading a blog about technology management has helped me to understand how to effectively use our time in the classroom. Creating shortcuts to frequently visited sites will greatly help my kiddos as well as cut down the time for searching different topics and the students becoming confused because they didn’t/did spell the word correctly. Also using dropbox instead of students sending you an email to your school account. It is better organized and not as confusing. I linked the website so that you can browse around as well :) 

http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/2012/01/some-ipad-management-tips.html

Four Barriers Post

My top barrier that I face would have to be that technology is ever changing. It is very difficult to keep up with all the variety of apps, websites, blogs, and constant communication. I know that with my attitude about technology that I will do my best though to keep up with the times. :) My second barrier would have to be having enough devices so that my students can work on their own. Letting the students be engaged at their own pace is a valuable tool for each student.
The third barrier that I face would be time. I need time to become proficient at the app, web app or website before I can let my students use it. It can become frustrating when it doesn’t work during class and it worked perfectly at home. Knowing how to trouble-shoot the app, web app or website before hand would prove less overwhelming. My last barrier that I face would have to be time for my students to use the devices. I want them to explore and be fully immersed in the device instead of just “going through the motions.” Students get more out of the experience when they understand the importance of technology and what they are using it for.