Electronic Portfolios

I really like the idea of the electronic portfolio for both educators and students. It can provide a source for future job opportunities or references to look to if a person needs help on a specific topic. I am excited to put my portfolio together because all I have is a huge binder that has all paper copies of units, papers, lesson plans, and more. Having it all electronically and at my fingertips basically anywhere I go is such a great thing because it's hard to carry everything with you or finding it because sometimes you are strapped for time and flipping through pages takes a lot of time.

So, in a lot of ways, this electronic portfolio is like our social bookmarking project because we have all these sources in one place and at the click of a mouse, we are able to find a resource.

Technology is a great thing in these aspects because it is information that is relatively at our finger tips.

Powerpoint Vs Smartboard

I really prefer using Smartboard above any normal computer program. It offers many great features and EVERYTHING is just about interactive. It makes teaching and planning activities alot easier. It is also less expensive for the teacher. All the materials that would be needed if it were a lesson are included in the interactive programs!!!!! And who wouldnt want to poke a screen and have learning literally at the tip of your fingertips? It's a fun tool for students to use. Though its a pity that many schools dont have smartboards and even more of a shame that schools that do have it, dont use it.

Power Point Project

I love powerpoint. Like literally love it. I think that it is a great tool to create not only presentations, but slide shows and great games. I am excited to do this PPT lesson. However, I wish that it was a smart board lesson because I have such a great idea for a lesson but it can only be done with a smart board.

I really like the newer version of PPT. I feel like it offers more tools and features than the old one, unless I cannot find it. Even though PPT is a great tool, some teacher's abuse it and use it for the wrong reasons. There is nothing worse than a teacher/professor who reads straight from the slides. I even cringe when students do it during a project. I guess it was just pounded into my head during all my high school projects that you are only supposed to have three bullets per slide and they are not even supposed to be full sentences! Only reminders!

So class,
Please dont make me cringe!

Windows Movie Maker 2

So, Ive been doing videos for four days now. Still using Windows Movie Maker. I really wish that I could do really neat effects such as making it look like I'm moving really fast. I think it would be a great option to have. I understand that WMM is a free software program but it doesnt really offer all you need to create a great movie clip.

I would really like to try another movie software. Any cheap ones out there?

Windows movie maker

Well, I really like using Windows Movie Maker. I liked doing the project that we had to do. The PSA we did, turned out really well (despite microphone issues). One of my friends is doing a Project 365 and I decided to do it as well.

For those of you who do not know, a Project 365 is a video blog. You blog everyday for a year and post it on youtube. After I did my first one (yesterday) I used Windows movie maker to add a title slide as well as music and a credit slide. It turned out nice. Then I looked at other Project 365s online and saw that people did the same thing (though, they used better software I'm guessing). The one that caught my eye and I watched alot of her is the user name kisforkandyce. She edited and added alot of neat effects for her project. It was enjoyable to watch and see the day in the life of.......

I think using Windows Movie Maker in the classroom is a neat idea and you could do the Project 365 for school and do it for an entire school year. You could set it up to be like a confession booth where the kids could go to video blog about something interesting in the class that day or just to talk about their day. It could be a masterpeice!

Because I have nothing better to do

Well spring break has been fun.. not. Ive been working on all my projects for my classes and doing observations at one of the elementary schools here. The one project that is taking me forever is my children's literature database. BUT THANK GOD FOR DELICIOUS! Delicious seriously is a life saver and more importantly a time saver. Though, Im still not done with my data base, it has saved me ample amounts of time at the public library (though the other day i was there for 6 hours). Instead of searching about the internet for awesome resources that I found to help me, I just clicked My Delicious at the top of my web browser and just opened up all the sites in a new tab. I know Ive written about the bookmarking project already, but I am just so darn thankful for it and I know it will be something that I take from this class and apply into the real world.

Web page problems

I am using bravenet for my web page project. I started out liking it to its uttmost entirety. Now, I hate it. To build a website, I couldnt figure out how to use the template that I chose from my favorites. The templates that they offered in the website wizard were so minimal that it was hard to choose one. You cannot move any of the modules around. Instead, they have three layouts to choose from. Another feature that I do not like about it is the fact that when you open the window to full screen, it doesnt use the entire page. Instead, it looks like the text box I am typing in which doesnt span the full length of the page. It's fairly annoying.

It also wont let me post pictures wherever I want. I just do not like or recommend this site to build a website to any one. But do as you will, more power to you.

Third Post

I am loving this social bookmarking project. Having all my favorite sites in one spot and available with the click of a mouse is so convenient. As an education major, we use so many different resources that are available online. Having them all on one site is magestic because it is faster access in the classroom so you are not taking so long to load up everything AND keeping your kids on track. Its just awesome and something that I will be using after this class is over.

amended second post

Well, now that I know what I have to write about here is my REAL second post. This class is a really big review for me. I have always been in advance computer courses throughout high school. I am glad however that I have the chance to learn Inspiration software. I think this will be alot more helpful and make my life with lesson planning alot easier. As of right now, I do all my organizing with post-it notes then use Microsoft Word to put it into a lesson plan or a concept map. This will save me uber amounts of time!

Second post

Im not sure what we are supposed to blog about so I am just going to talk about some of my plans as an educator. One of the main reasons why I want to become an educator is because I live by the notion that one small thing can change the world. I feel that if you make an impact on a child, they will grow up to make a difference. I know it may sound naiive but it's what I believe.

When I teach, I don't plan on being one of those teachers who just stand infront of the classroom and preach school. That just turns children off to school. I want to involve the students in everything. I want to include alot of drama in the classroom with everything. I learn by doing and I know alot of children do also. Though, for those students who learn by other means, I want to try to involve them in everything (worksheets, reading, listening, discussing). Teaching means the world to me and I want to be a spectator in a classroom where the students are the show.

First Entry

A blog is a website used as a personal reflective journal. You can post basically enything you want to. It initially is public but you can change it to private or to limited public. You can use it in the classroom in many different ways. This includes journals for students, assessments, paper assignments (used electronically). You could also use it for roleplaying in social studies units or science. It can also be used as an ongoing discussion in the classroom for any of the core subjects.