Smart Board

I think the smart board has some neat features like the Recorder. I could definitely use the Smart Board to record the lessons for children to refer to later on. I could also create math games so children can learn to enjoy math and become confident in learning it. I can also create jeopardy games that help children remember facts for social studies, geography, and science.

Technology Literacy

1. I know enough technology to write research papers using Microsoft Word, create presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, and I have had some training in using Microsoft Outlook. I send and receive emails, I know how to use instant messengers, and I have created web pages using geocities.com. The aspects of technology I would like to work on have to do with problem solving when a Word document will not seem to look the way I want it to look. For example, sometimes when I try and align my title to the center, the rest of the paper moves to the center. I never started having this problem until Word 2007 was installed on the computers. There has got to be a way for me to fix this problem I am having. I also need to start typing correctly. I type fast, but I do not always use the right fingers on the right keys. I also would like to become familiar with the Smart Board and all its components and know how to trouble shoot when the program is having problems. I need to also refresh my memory of what I learned in high school about Microsoft Outlook. Finally, I want to learn about that program that enables us to talk to people in another location on a video screeen.

2. Technology should not replace the teacher, but it should enhance the learning experience. Technology can enhance learning by providing research resources to students and teachers alike. It should help teachers locate quality resources to create excellent lessons for their students. Technology should aid in keeping track of student grading and there should be a system where students can check their current grades online and track their academic progress.

3. I can help students meet Standard 1 by showing them how to properly start up and shut down the computer. I can teach them the basics about using Microsoft Word and how to file and save as. If my students are constantly using the computer to write papers they will become proficient in the basic uses of technology. If I have a smart board or overhead in my classroom I can teach students how to run that equipment so that when they do presentations they will be able to set up ahead of time with little help from me. I can help students in my classroom meet standard 2 by teaching them how to research and properly give credit to their online sources using a particular format (i.e. MLA or APA). Students can learn about social issues and attitudes surrounding technology by researching and learning about areas where there is not much technology (i.e. Amish community or a small village in Africa). They can brainstorm ways technology can help reduce poverty in the world. I can also show students websites where they can keep journals (i.e. blogspot). At blogspot.com students can respond to books they read inside and outside of class by posting a blog and communicating with other students. I can teach students how to create resumes using Microsoft Word. In order to help students develop a positive attitude toward technology I can show them how to have fun with technology by helping them create videos using the smart board and I can show musically inclined students how to record their songs using computer programs. Of course, I will have to learn how to do this first. I can help students meet Standard 4 by having them create a PowerPoint on a topic they are researching. Writing blogs and communicating with their classmates through blogs will also fulfill Standard 4.

Article Response to: Flexible, Appropriate, and Fun

I read "Flexible, Appropriate, and Fun" written by Nancy Knowlton. I learned three arguments for using the smart board. First, children tend to participate in class better when there is a smart board, second, the smart board could help students get higher academic scores, and third, the smart board is a good tool to have in the classroom for children with special needs.

The smart board is a very fascinating tool. There are so many activities a teacher can do from playing a video created by the students to creating a game of jeopardy. However, besides the smart board being entertainment, the smart board can contribute to student participation, because with the smart board, the teacher can assign different roles to different students. For example, one student can be assigned to set the smart board up and get it running and another student can be responsible for shutting it down. Throughout the lesson children can come up and solve math problems using the smart board. This will help in promoting a class environment where every child feels included.

The smart board has the potential to help children improve their grades. Some teachers claim math scores have risen by 10-15% since the smart board has been used in the classroom. One reason is when using a smart board tool called Recorder, a teacher's math notes can be recorded and left on a website where students can refer back to them. This makes it easier for children to focus better in class without worrying about getting every piece of information on paper and it also provides effective studying resources for them later on.

The smart board is helpful for children with special needs. For example, if a child struggles with his or her fine motor skills, it could be difficult to use a computer mouse. However, with the smart board, the child can easily use his or her fingers to select the application he or she needs. Also, teachers can use the smart board while signing to deaf students.

At the school where I am doing my practicum there are no smart boards. As a result, teachers have to use other tools like an overhead or the plain old pen and white board. However, I would be interested in comparing students' learning while not using a smart board with their learning when there is a smart board. I think any teacher can make learning successful without a white board. my feelings about incorporating the smart board into the classroom are mixed. On one hand, I question whether spending billions of dollars on these smart boards is necessary. There are so many financial problems in the schools and communities this money can go toward. On the other hand, these smart boards are neat and have the potential to be effective in the classroom and help children become technologically literate which is important in today's society.

Link to my new web page

Down below is the website I just created. I will probably add more features to it, but here is what I have so far. I did html for the first time tonight. It is not too hard. I hope it will help me as a teacher if I need to create a website. I will add the link to the page I created with html when it looks better.

http://hinckleyjessica.googlepages.com/home

Edmonds Elementary

I went to the website for Edmonds Elementary. I do not like the format. It seems weird and it is not very attractive. However, I do like how it has the staff directory on the page called Basics. You can even send an email straight from the directory list. The website has a link at the top right corner that is called Internet where one can look up the books the school library has and even look something up in an online encyclopedia. One thing that needs to be fixed is the link to the school calender, because it does not work.

http://staff.edmonds.wednet.edu/ee/ee/default.htm

Technology standards I would like to work on

I definitely want to come out of this class with a grasp on all technology tools I will be using as a teacher, because let me tell you, sometimes technology does not like me. I do not want to be in the classroom trying to work the smart board while my students are becoming antsy and impatient. I want to be fluent with the equipment I will be using. Some specific things that I would like to learn are: how to keep track of students' grades through an electronic grade book, how to create videos and using computer software, and I want to learn about all the resources that will help me prepare effective lessons for my class.

"Engage me or Enrage me."

I read "Engage me or Enrage me." It is written by Marc Prensky. It talks about how many kids today have access to electronic entertainment through the use of cellphones, computer games, MP3 players etc. They find much entertainment outside of school through the use of electronics, but not in the classroom. Students today are a challenge to engage, because they want to be entertained. The overall message of the article could be summarized in that instead of letting electronics be an enemy which distracts children from learning, perhaps teachers should incorporate electronics into their lessons. I agree with incorporating electronics sometimes. I think once a week a virtual tour through some historical land or through outer space might be effective. Perhaps digital curriculum might be effective when used a few times a week. However, I believe that children need to also learn to pay attention without electronics being used in the classroom. As a Christian, I believe in exercising self-control and perhaps students can learn how to develop self-control by choosing to pay attention even when they do not feel like it. Otherwise these students are going to be disillusioned when they come into a work environment where they have to pay attention to not-so-entertaining speakers. With that said, if a teacher truly cares about student success, he or she will work hard to keep their attention. The teacher will vary the teaching methods to meet the needs of the students. Electronics will be used in some lessons, but not in every single lesson. Some might argue that students will not be able to adapt to non-electronic learning methods, because of Attention Deficit Disorder. However, not every student suffers with A.D.D. and the only way for some of the students to fight through A.D.D. will not be through constantly engaging with digital curriculum, but by learning to pay attention while reading a book or participating in a class discussion. Children must learn how to adapt to a variety of different lessons and teaching styles. Digital curriculum should be used, but the use of it should be limited. After all, it should not become a crutch for teachers or students.

Why I want to teach

I am studying education, because I believe God can use me to impact children by helping them develop the necessary skills to succeed. I might want to teach at a Christian school because in a Christian school I can pray with students when they have needs. I also can encourage my students to get to know Jesus intimately and learn who they are in relation to Him. I also plan on working toward becoming certified in Teaching English as a Second Language. I can use a TESL certificate and my regular teaching certificate to work overseas as a missionary. My biggest desire is to reach out to people who are oppressed, such as those who are forced into prostitution, children who are abused, and others who might not otherwise receive a good education. When I become certified, I will most likely teach in the United States and then do short term teaching overseas in the summer. I prefer to work with children who are in fourth grade. I might want to teach children who are a little bit older, but I will need more experience with them in a classroom setting before I can say for sure what I want.