Web Quest Reflection

This assignment was designed to demonstrate ability of authoring and publishing web pages and the capacity to incorporate technology to meet curricular goals. Creating an interactive lesson with resources beyond the classroom to promote active participation in the classroom and engage students in the learning and thinking process. The goal of a teacher is “design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes” (ISTE Nets‐ T2); “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE Nets T2, a); and “model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning” (ISTE Nets T3,d). Using Google Sites I created a Web Quest, it is a technological resource that enables students and teachers to develop lessons and presentations. Google sites were a little more confusing to me when I wanted to organize the pages of my lesson. It made me feel frustrated. The other components of the web quest site were quite smooth. I started developing my lesson about similarities and differences between Spanish culture and U.S.A. culture. I also incorporated technological knowledge in the lesson plan for 5th grade students. It was the first time that I did a lesson plan with a rubric. I still have a lot to learn about it. I like the technological resources that we have available to us on the Internet, but it still is a little difficult to fully understand the technological requirements because a lot of school districts still do not have enough economic resources to acquire this enormous engaging benefit from currentlytechnology. I will certainly utilize it in my classroom if it is afforded to me.

https://sites.google.com/a/ashland.edu/pratcliff-s-web-quest-project/

Wiki Reflection 

    This assignment was to create a Wiki in Wikispace.com with the purpose of conducting a discussion board about the research on two emerging technologies.   Wiki is an Internet resource that allows teachers and students to communicate effectively between each other. Wikispaces Classroom is a social writing platform for education. It is a workspace where teachers and students can work on writing projects alone or in teams. These great assessment tools provide the necessary power of to monitor student posts, engagement in real-time, and give feedback and support as required. Wikispaces Classroom can be used on tablets and phones. Wikispaces Classroom is free for teachers and students. After creating the Wikispace we had to choose two emerging technologies from Webquest.  The technology has come to impact almost every aspect of our lives, and the style in which we learn, communicate, approach information, and evaluate student performance. This is possible across the developed world, but it is very remote in economically disadvantaged areas. Most of the emerging technologies are Internet limited and require technological resources such as computers, I-pads, tablets, and smart phones. The concept of education is changing in small consistent increments, and programs are coming to transform the vision of education in schools. Some School Districts are already using tablets and smart phones. The two emerge technologies that I chose were Blendspace and PowToon.

    

Blendspace has a dashboard that consists of a list of classes and the canvases created for each class. Teachers can see whose students have joined the class and the canvases that students have created for the class. Teachers can also create a multiple-choice quiz, Students are able to design their own canvas, as well. The canvas could be shared with the rest of the class for a homework review, or to get feedback.

    PowToon is a highly innovative emerging technology. Teachers are able to inspire students with creative stories and evocative presentations via the addition of short animated video clips. Powtoon also allows teachers to use animated characters. This feature enables educators to create interactive story lines that tend to be more inspiring and inclusive for all students, but especially for the growing number of students for whom technology has become commonplace. 

Wikispace.com has a great deal of potential to increase communication between teachers and students.  I will use it in my classroom.  
https://pratcliff.wikispaces.com/home

Movie Reflection

This assignment was designed to demonstrate proficiency of using a video editing program and the ability to integrate technology to meet curricular goals. The NETS•S encourages teachers to; “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity”(ISTE Nets-T, 2a) and “promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness”( ISTE Nets T, 1a). For this assignment I could use Windows Movie Maker, Windows Live Movie Maker or iMovie. The video should be an educational video relating to my area of study. The movie must be creative to engage students’ learning. I was permitted to use videos, pictures, power point slides, sounds from music or a recorded voice. I used pictures, transitions effects and texts to enrich the movie. Utilizing a slide movie title and credits was also a requirement to complete the project. The project could be a classroom visit, lesson, or a field trip.  When teachers are able to bring more interactive lessons via video, sound, and images, students are actively motivated and involved. Using multimedia can improve creative thinking and problem solving for students. Students can design presentations and video reports. Teachers can share classroom performances with their peers, as well. Movies are yet another tremendous benefit for teachers and students, making it more enjoyable and easier to learn.

My IMovie  http://youtu.be/1Yr6ZMBExpQ