Reflection

I would like to take this opportunity to mention what I have learned in this course and how it will affect my career as an educator. This course was not a lecture, thank gosh, it was more of a real hands on experience that taught me how to blog, the various educational websites available, the many computer programs that can be used in schools, how to create a Rubric using Rubistar, how to use my SPC email account, how to use blackboard, exposed me to webquest and how to implement it in the classroom, to know the difference between a informative and a bland webpage and to know how to present using various forms of technology. I will be using this information to share with colleagues, implement in the classroom, at staff developments and to improve my skills in technology. I would like to thank you professor for the curriculum that you chose to use and how you delivered your instruction, thank you =)

After-School Computer Lab

Schools have an initiative to implement technology in the classroom, which I agree with this initiative very much. The problem that I witness is that teacher's assign projects for students to complete at home on computers but many students do not own or have access to computers. I would like to see schools have a computer lab open to students on particular days during after school hours for students to have access to computers and printers. I think this would benefit students where income is a factor. When doing this initiative some aspects that must be recognize are; compensation for computer lab teachers during after-school, security in building, parent permission, permission to use building during after-school hours, student procedure and responsibility and money for computer maintenance.

Standardized Test =(

Stop blaming teachers in failing schools for students not passing Standardized Test. Is not the teachers is the tool that is being used to measure. Language Arts and Math that is the focus for schools that have not met Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). Is ashamed that students are measured by what they score on a test not by any other talents. Schools are not a business therefore solely analyzing data from scores is not ideal, these schools should focus more in discovering individual student talents and nurturing these talents. Teachers are practically discouraged in these schools from spending to much time in other subjects such as Social Studies, Science Art, Music etc. I do understand that there is an accountability factor but at the same time the visions of these schools should be to prepare students to be successful independent individuals in life and coming up with a better measurement of student achievement would make better sense....Will anyone ever ask these students in a job interview if the passed the NJASK? my point exactly.

Cash Incentive for Students????

I think the idea of giving students cash incentives for performance is not so bazaar. For years teachers have been giving students positive reinforcement such as stickers, colorful pencils and pizza parties based on their performance. What is so wrong for the schools to put aside in the budget money to be allotted to students for when there performance academically or behaviourally exceeds expectations. Take a look at this article that deals with this issue.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/01/AR2008110101989.html

Grading Programs/Lesson Plan Program

With all the new technology, I find myself creating tables and various spread sheets to use in the classroom since we have to document everything, but I'm having trouble with deciding what is a good grading program to use with Windows XP to purchase to make the task of grading students easier. If anyone knows of one please let me know the name, estimate in price and the location where I would be able to purchase it. I would also like to know if there is a lesson plan program for Windows XP that makes it easier to create lesson plans. I'm open for ideas, thank you.

Class Presentations

I wanted to mention a few things about the presentations. I have to say I have learned strategies and ideas to use in the field of education with both the Webquest and Rubric Presentations. Is one thing when someone tells you about a skill to use in the classroom but is definitely icing on the cake when they show you step by step these wonderful ideas in technology. I wish the Staff Development Departments would use these ideas of modeling and showing technology in education when developing teacher workshops in technology as opposed to setting up the workshops where they are simply telling teachers what they are able to do with computers in the classrooms. I will be using the Disney World Webquest and the Scholastic Website. Thank you classmates for the wonderful information. very useful.

Cameras in Elementary Schools

Cameras in elementary schools may seem like and extreme measure. I feel that positioning cameras in certain parts of school buildings such as auditoriums, lunch rooms and play grounds may help improve discipline problems in elementary schools with students. I work in an urban school that has a high rate of student suspension and I'm talking about a K-8 school. The high rate of discipline problems is definitely dampening students academic progress. Installing cameras in school may raise student awareness and make them accountable for their actions. Installing cameras will not be affective in a schools but it will help in some.

MYAccess

I have seen many web-based instruction programs but the MYAccess is one of the few programs that I have seen that is dedicated solely to writing. Many students struggle with writing and become discouraged when given a writing task. Teachers now have one more strategy to use when it comes to teaching students the proper form of writing. MYAccess offers students the opportunity to develop their very own electronic writing portfolio and gives them instant feedback on their writing piece this is great, while a teacher work with one group another group can be working on MYAccess. I will definitely share this web-base instructional program with my school. MYAccess is a great investment to schools.

Brainchild

Many Districts use Brainchild to help improve Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). Brainchild is a program that focuses on preparing students for State Assessments it is aligned with the Core Curriculum Content Standards. The components of Brainchild include Web Based, Hand Held Study Buddies and Mechanics Basic Skills and English as Second Language Learners. The Schools are able to purchase the program and parents are also able to purchase the program on a individual basis. The Brainchild program was very helpful to use with Resource students. If you want more information visit the site and click on each component such as Web Based http://www.brainchild.com/

Educational Software

I love the fact that many schools have purchased various computer programs in the initiative to implement technology in the classroom. I have used Kidspiration and Inspiration with my students and they loved it. There are so many educational programs and websites out there. Some programs that I recommend are SuccessMaker is available in any content area and it focuses on basic skills. Brainchild OnlineLearning a NJASK test prep is very helpful since the questions are outlined with the same setup as the NJASK assessments. I do feel that teachers should be offered the opportunity to be trained in how to implement these programs in the classroom.

Internet Safety

The Internet is one of the most helpful instruments but at the same time the most dangerous. I watched the Internet Safety Video focused on a young girl who was excited she had connected with a new friend but in reality she connected with a Internet Predator. Children now in days don't have to leave there homes to be in DANGER!! it can happen in there very own room while the adult is in the next room. I don't like the idea of children having a computer with Internet capability in there room I think the computer should be some where in the home where the adult can supervise. Children have outsmarted parents when it come to technology, therefore parents must take precautions. In many cities the adult schools offer technology classes to adults and I think is a good idea for parents who have young children to educate themselves about the Internet. I also advise adults to monitor there children's account when it comes to MySpace and Facebook

WELCOME

Welcome to where abstract and concrete ideas meet. I'm amazed in the transition of education, from "Lecture Hall" to "A Classroom Without Walls." The days are far gone when a teacher stood in front of a classroom to lecture in a monotone voice. Thank Gosh!!! for technology I'm home with the T.V. tuned to my favorite reality show, my cell phone ringing to my personal ring tone, on going text messages...while receiving quality education. Yes, I'm working on my first "Blog" and I'm glad I was give this assignment. I have never Blogged before and this is a new experience, I have to admit I had some difficulties but like they say "practice makes perfect" and I have a long way to blog or go.