{The End?}

Education Technology is a class that has offered me and my peers a

tremendous opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones and learn about teaching, not just technology.  It has been refreshing to go beyond a standard methods class and learn new ways with which I can quench my students' thirst for learning!

Looking back on this class, there were some “jems” worth sharing:

• Technology is constantly advancing.  There is never really a way to stay current, especially inside of a school environment where funds are limited.  This means that, as teachers, we must be creative with the resources that are available and willing to use whatever is given to us, which is a superb attitude to have in every area of teaching.

• Technology is easy, but it’s not!  Implementing technology into the classroom is not a difficult thing to do.  It is there to enhance a child’s learning experience – to help them learn something more quickly or with more ease.  However, it can be difficult because it does not always work. This is when we have to think on our feet and come up with an alternative activity or a way to fix things.  This is something that is also exercised in every area of teaching often.  IT IS IMPORTANT to find ways to teach effectively, and if something is not working, we must quickly alter it for the better or find another method.

Communication, communication, communication.  Of course, I have already recognized the importance of communicating with parents about their child’s successes and areas to improve on. 

However, throughout this course I have been exposed to new ways to communicate which includes Excel Worksheets and flyers or newsletters that don’t put parents to sleep.

On a final note, I wanted to stress that everything I have learned in Education TECHNOLOGY is applicable in ALL areas of teaching. It is great to be activated in something that puts in more than its requirements, which is exactly our job to do as teachers. I am excited to take what I have learned and use it in my future. 

{Technology in the Classroom: A Video}

As a continuation of my philosophy of technology in the education, I created a short video to further enhance where I stand on the issue.

You can view my Youtube video here!

The audio for this video was much more difficult to manage compared to my previous video, however, having already experienced with MovieMaker, I was able to add pictures and small details very easily!

I hope this video helps you to understand more of my opinion on where technology belongs in the field of education.

~Enjoy~

{Philosophy of Technology in Education}

         My Philosophy of Technology in Education

Technology is advancing constantly and simultaneously weaving its way into every person’s life, whether it is a grandmother’s lock system on her house or the business man’s work presentation and daily schedule on his iPad. Regarding my profession in education, I think at the depth with which technology is becoming part of everyday life,  my students will largely embrace technology no matter if it is in the classroom or not.  My job as a teacher requires that I devote time and create new ways to effectively teach what I need to teach to my audience of students.  If my students are “tech-savvy,” I believe that it is my responsibility to  instigate within the students personal integrity towards their digital footprint and include ways to keep them interested in learning, which widely includes technology in the classroom.

                

   However, to be completely one-sided would not be wise in this case. 

Technology has its place in education; which, in my opinion, is to enhance students’ abilities to comprehend subject matter and to open up opportunities for social development. 

Through testimonies of other teachers, I have learned that some kids connect very well by using technology, where other methods of teaching are not getting through.  Also, like in any other media, it comes more easily for some and as a hassle for others.  The fact that students will have to support and encourage each other in these areas gives them a chance to develop social skills with their peers. 

        
  When I teach, I plan on using technology to enhance each subject using whatever materials and resources are available.  If every student has access to a notebook or tablet of some sort, I would utilize one or two apps that the students could look forward to using two or three times a week in every subject.  Also, I would assign four or five large group and single projects a school year where students would have to collaborate and create something, be it a short movie, website, song, or anything else that the students could work hard on and be proud of and share easily to the rest of the world. 

{Three Thrilling Free Apps}

Technology can be used in various ways regarding education. I researched three more apps that I found not only helpful and fun for students, but also for teachers.

The THREE apps I found are:

• Socrative 
• Groovy Grader
• Duolingo

All of these apps are free, made for any Apple product with iOS4+, and can be found in the Apple App Store!

Socrative:  This app is excellent at student/teacher engagement.  Both the student and the teacher download the app and set up an account. The teacher is given a pretend "room number" on her version of the app which the students would type into their versions of the app.  From there, the students can take quizzes that the teacher has composed herself.  The teacher can see who she is waiting on to finish the quiz, what grade each student made on the quiz, and their incorrect answers.  The thing I like most about this app is that every quiz is saved (optional) with a special number so that other teachers can grab that quiz if they want to use it for their own class.

                                           

Groovy Grader:  Goodbye, old flimsy EZ grader. Hello, easier grader!  That's exactly what this app does.  Type in the number of questions on your test, quiz, etc. and it gives you the final grade depending on how many questions were answered incorrectly.

Duolingo:  I had fun playing with this app.  Duolingo is a super easy language learning app.  Players start at one level of their choice of 6 languages (I chose French) and make their way to the top.  Matching, vocabulary, and even audio exercises are played to unlock adorable awards and levels.  The thing I liked most about this app was that kids can "test out" of a level and move onto the next if they are learning quickly and getting bored.

{Technology in Education Article}

Today I found this really great article about technology in the classroom! 

This lovely article is somewhat of a collaboration of teachers' opinions of how technology has effected their classrooms. Some major positive effects are:

• Change in student and teacher roles.
• Increased motivation and self esteem.
• Accomplishment of more complex tasks.

For the most part, teachers have found that technology does a tremendous job at enhancing their students' overall skills when used properly. This article is worth the time to read and easy to read because of the variety of testimonies included.  If we can cause students to become more interested and care about school, it is worth devoting time and embracing new experiences for.

{Communication Log}

One of the most overlooked aspect of teaching, in my opinion, is parent communication.

Research shows that students who have academically involved caretakers are excelling in school.  Teachers have to communicate to parents and caretakers!

Sometimes parents do not have 3 minutes to spare before or after class to talk about their child's improvements or areas they need to work on.  One effective way of communicating is through a communication log.
An example that I created is here.

I have used my classmates as example students and my college professor as the contact for each of my students.  

It is important to note that Andrea is not a parent to all of the students.  She is a neighbor, a grandmother, and also an aunt.  Today, people who provide and love and raise and care for our students are not always parents, and often, not even related to the student. How beautiful is it that someone takes on the "parent" role when one is lacking in a student's life? Since we as teachers care for our students just as much, it is vital that the person who is taking care of the student knows how they are doing, what areas they have improved on and what areas they need to improve on.

A relationship with the parents/caretakers is a window into who your student is and why they are the way they are. The communication log documents your conversations with parents, giving the dates, topics, and tool of communication preferred by the parent.  This is great for your personal achievement as a teacher to record how you have assessed improvement, it is a proactive way to avoid specific legal disagreements, and it enhances your parent/teacher relationship tremendously. 

{I AM A MOVIE MAKER!!!}

So, I made a movie. Yes, I did! BIG DEAL ALERT!

Digital Storytelling is something I have never done, so my new experience was pretty interesting. Read all about it.

I love to think of stories and write stories and tell stories.  I love to draw and create.  You'd think mixing all of that together, throwing in a dash of technology, and putting it in the School Project oven would be easy as pie;)

BUT

I underestimated the detail and time you need to devote in order to come out with a presentable digital storytelling piece.  First, we had to create a story map.  This is like the guideline basically every story has: an introduction to characters and their normal lives, a challenge or enemy that the character must defeat or overcome, and the conclusion and resolution to normal life or better life.  All, of course, revolving around the moral.  In writing any story I had every written previously, I never once had to write a story map first.  So, I thought: "I'll just write the story map after I write my story!" 

NO. NO. NO.

I ended up writing a small library of stories, unsatisfied with all of them! So, I finally decided to write the story map first. Take a look at my story map!

Part 2 was to write the story, or "narrative."  This part came pretty easily aside from having to stay within the time limit, which I ended up going way over anyways. HERE is the final draft of my story, The Rattle Slayers.

This story was SO much fun to write because I felt like I had no limitations! I could be as creative and off-the-wall as I wanted to, but I later found out it would not only make the "digital" part of the "digital storytelling" very difficult, but also steal away a lot of the underlying moral I wish could have been more clearly seen.

Putting together all of the pictures became difficult as I was EX-hausting Google search high and low for free pictures that fit the story of a little boy with a very active, involved imagination. I did not expect the fight and time it took, but I think it ended up...presentable. With a few hundred re-takes of narrating the story and adding on the pictures, my final project is now on YOUTUBE for all the world to see! Or HERE ;)

Here is Billy getting defeated by Galactic Toad.  This is what Billy was imagining throughout his evenings by the pond.

Here is the actual Galactic Toad. What an enemy!

Billy is astonished at the change in Galactic Toad. How could this be? Does he change too and save Galactic Toad?

{Technology Helps}

I recently read a series of testimonies from teachers about how technology has enhanced their classrooms.  One of them that I really enjoyed was by an ESL teacher in Massachusetts, Susan Schwartz. 

 Susan gave her students an assignment to interview immigrants from other countries using the iPod nano to film the interviews.  Like any other assignment involving technology, there were a  few who struggled to master it and a few who knew the ins and outs.  

Schwartz says, "there are always a few "expert" students who know how to use the iPods for this purpose, and they teach the others what to do."  

Later, Schwartz talks about how some students who are typically more shy in the classroom were able to help out other students in this area which caused them to participate more in class. 

The thing I liked was that Susan found another method or material that the students LOVED and that helped make a connection and she continues to utilize it.  When I become a teacher, I definitely plan on using some sort of technology in hopes of finding that exact connection that could stir up a little excitement in my students. 

Susan Schwartz is one of several teachers who share how they have used technology to enhance their teaching.  To read their complete stories, click {here}.

{SO, LET'S TESOL}

TESOL

international association is an online community designed for individuals teaching or learning English as a Second Language (ESL).  Throughout becoming a member of TESOL I have taken the chance to see what exactly is offered to young ESL teachers.

Bulletin Board:

TESOL has an English language news bulletin of articles that concern English learners or teachers.  I found all these articles very interesting and most of them I would implement into the classroom.  One in particular that covers the effects of technology on this generation of students seemed appropriate for this blog, so feel free to read all about it. 

TESOL Journal:

The journal is mostly accessible to those who have memberships with TESOL.  Members of the community who have become part of the Board of Directors take turns writing entries about their experiences, thoughts, etc. on ESL teaching.  

I 

LOVE 

these journals because they are written in a more relaxed tone than the articles, but still offer professional advice to aid in your career.  One article that talks about what happens when ESL learners are asked to write poetry is available to non-members and was one of my favorites to read!

Forum:

My favorite part of the online community is the active forum that members are welcomed to join in on.  In a forum you can chat back and forth with other members about current topics.

EVEN BETTER: Each forum is separated into different "interest sections" so you can talk to others who have the same interest as you do.  A lot of professionals are active in the forums, but there are also a few students who have become members that are ESL learners.  Being a student myself, but coming from the perspective of "teacher," I was interested in what TESOL offered for a fellow student who had become a member for the purpose of learning English.  An exchange student from Columbia was online at one point.  He had come to America to study language because that was his passion but he was not surrounded by people who felt the same way.  Throughout joining TESOL he found that. =) 

Another forum that was locked, but I read out of curiosity was from a first year elementary  ESL teacher. 

"WHAT DO I DO FOR A WRITING ASSIGNMENT?!?!" he asked.  He had been doing well for his first year, but he was stuck in the English Writing segment of his curriculum because some students were advancing more quickly than others.  What to do?? TESOL members from experienced teachers to other ESL learners quickly replied with encouraging suggestions, ideas, and websites for the teacher.  I was happy to see such support from the fellow TESOL members.

If you would like to become a member of TESOL

 or just check out the great website, check it out here!

{That's Shady}

I created an art lesson plan for 4th or 5th graders that utilizes two of the FUN apps mentioned in my last post!

This lesson is full of awesome activities to enhance your teaching of shading and blending in the art class, and there is a PowerPoint I have included to more simply outline the week-long unit! This unit plan has a variety of examples for the teacher to use from Van Gogh to Sidewalk Chalk Art to anonymous YouTubers across the world and an exciting field trip centering on the techniques of shading and blending to top it all off.

 <<- Go check it out! ->>

 

 

{Fun Education Apps}

Every teacher needs to use technology at SOME point in their classroom.  Technology is a huge part of our students' lives; why not use it to enhance your lessons!? I researched some apps that are compatible to Android devices and are great for elementary Art or ESL classes. 

Click on the name of the app to go directly to the download page for each one:) 

{iStoryBooks} iStorybooks is an excellent app for younger children in an English class. I LOVE the  cultural variety offered and most subject groups are also offered aside from History.  The narrator talks to the young reader before each story and gives a short preface of what the story will be about.  PLUS she speaks very clearly. This app is very much directed to ESL students.

{How to Draw Superheroes} this app is so much fun without being distracting. Art students of older ages could utilize this in an Art unit to take a break from class lecture!  Easy step by step instructions are given started with basic line, then going to shape, then showing shadowing techniques.  Advertisements are kept at an extreme minimum. YAAAY!

{How to Draw Wild Animals} Very similar to Draw Superheroes but instead, the kiddos get the chance to draw their favorite animal. I chose these two art apps because they are so simple to use, but limit distraction, which offers an easy, yet effective way to plug technology into the art classroom.

{ABS Kids Phonics: Animal Train} This app does a really great job drawing interest and phonics together. It is designed for younger children so it has a lot of different games and matching words to sounds.  A little monkey drives a train through the thriving "Phonics Island" and at each side of the pentagon shaped island is a learning "station" the children can select.  Because phonics can be especially frustrating for the little ones, I think the reward system was a really great perk of the app.  When students match sounds to letters or correctly achieve the task at the station, they get to put a sticker on their sticker board.  This app is really fun to interact with, yet very detailed.

{Kids n Books} I think it is important that kids get the chance to read folk tales and fairy tales in Reading classes. This app has an interactive storyteller much like iStoryBooks, but students are encouraged more with this app to play with the characters as the story is being told.

~~ Phonics Island and Kids n Books have full versions you could buy if you wanted your students to play around more, but are still very useful in their free version! All of the other apps are free and easy to use. ~~

{Um, uh, teacher?}

"Miss Mercee, why can't I fly?"

"Miss Mercee, last night I counted to forty twenty and then I went to space where there's no gravtee (gravity) and gave God a hug!"

"Miss Mercee, watch! I can whistle my ABC's like you taught me."

These quotes are few of many that I am BLESSED to hear daily.  As a teacher, I have been crowned "Miss Mercee" to those I teach who are mostly sweet, sweet 3 year olds. 

Okay, so technically I am a teacher-in-training as a Junior at Family of Faith College and called by God to teach children all over the world about His PERFECT love!  Three years ago I decided to get a head start on getting to know children, so I got the job as "teacher" at a daycare.  What was I thinking, right??? 

Well, I was born into this world barely thriving.  Barely surviving, for that matter.  Now, I could go into the sap story about the several factors that pointed to my certain death, but the victory is in the life. 

The LIFE! The Life that God gave me and that He gives everyone and that I want to do everything in my ability to see breathed into every person. Hello, John 10:10!

{I have come that they may have life, 

and that they may have it more abundantly.}

That is what I was thinking when I heard God say, "Mercee. Go around the world and teach children.  Tell them about me through education.  Love them through education."
That is what I was thinking when I got the rewarding job as a "teacher" at a daycare.
And that is what Jesus was thinking when He forgot about His priesthood and His power and He laid it aside for me. 
WHAT a sacrifice!  And what a happy story I have been blessed to get the chance to share!

Throughout my rockin' education to be an educator, I have traveled to Lebanon, Mexico, and Israel to minister to and teach orphans, elementary students, and residents at Women&Children Shelters. 

Let me tell you... I..LOVE.IT. 
I also love, love, love photography, music, traveling, and art!!!
And from now on I will be sharing my ideas, exciting experiences, and thoughts on being a teacher-in-training HERE!