For my second ILP, I wanted to learn how to create an InfoGraphic. I see these poster-like graphics on the internet all the time, and I had always wondered how people made them. After looking at a few different websites, I decided I liked Piktochart the best. The editing tools were really easy to use and I thought all the fonts, pictures, and icons were really neat. You also could do the most without paying for a subscription. I decided against using a template, and I made mine from scratch. It took a good bit of time, but that's thanks to my inner perfectionist. I used the standard about the moon phases because last year while observing a class, the teacher used this activity with Oreo cookies to teach the kids the phases of the moon. I thought it was an awesome idea and wanted to embody it in an InfoGraphic.
See my Piktochart here!
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
ILP "Design" - Prezi
For my first Independent Learning Project, I decided to explore the presentation tool Prezi. I had only used Prezi one other time, and it was a long time ago, so I wanted to re-discover this technology using new skills I have acquired from this class. I found it much easier to navigate this time, because I have learned so much about navigating and optimizing educational technology. I decided to finally execute the Dance standards I see every time I look at CPalms. As both an aspiring Elementary school teacher and dance teacher, I had a lot of fun combining the requirements of this assignment with my passion for dance and dance instruction.
Find my Prezi here!
Monday, November 16, 2015
10 Some last words...
I originally had some trouble with the PowerPoint
Interaction assignment because it took me FOREVER to find a template on the
Internet that was relatively easy to manipulate, aesthetically pleasing, and
aligned with the assignment requirements. Once I found a tangible template to
use things became easier. I settled for a simple Jeopardy game because I didn’t
have the time or energy to search for the “perfect” template. Honestly, I think
the simple design would be easier for third graders to use anyway. I didn’t
love the idea about editing features that were put there by someone else,
because I wasn’t always exactly sure how the animation worked. I went through a
lot of trial and error. Many of the text boxes were slightly off center, so of
course I had to go and change every single one. I had to add a lot of
transitions and mess with all the settings. I also had to add sound. If I were
using this for instruction, I would edit it so there were different settings in
the animations for right and wrong answer, and I would add a scoreboard.
As an aspiring third grade teacher, I could use Data
Collection tools such as surveys to assess my students’ many opinions about
various things. I could create a more psychological-based one to find out the
best way my kids learn and thrive, or I could create one just for fun so I can
learn more about my kids’ personalities. I believe third graders are more than
capable of filling out an online survey.
I find everyone’s different opinions about educational technology
to be very interesting. Coming from a technologically-privileged home, I like
to hear about the other side of the spectrum. The two things I liked reading
about the most were the concept maps and the PowerPoint video tutorials. The concept map was one of my favorite projects in this class, and I loved seeing how other classmates created concepts maps to different subjects. That's another thing I liked seeing; how we all took the same concept of the assignments but applied them to different subjects and grade levels.
I have always wanted to know how to use Photoshop. It's not used for educational purposes a whole lot, but I believe if I understood it enough it could definitely be useful. I'm really in need of the knowledge right now because I'm running an organization. I love designing things on Word and Powerpoint but Photoshop can offer so much more. Just think of the possibilities of graphics you could design yourself and use to support your teaching.
This class has opened my eyes to the modern world of educational technology. I want to teach around 2nd-3rd grade, and I never knew how ingrained technology now is in (most) schools nowadays. Since I haven't been in Elementary School for almost a decade, I haven't noticed how much things have changed. My goal is to continue learning more technology I can use in my future classroom and to successful integrate it into my curriculum.
Monday, November 9, 2015
9 You got to be ~Flipping~ kidding me!
The flipped classroom is an alternative to the normal way we
experience educational instruction. You may associate school with lectures in
class and then homework activities at home. A flipped classroom is the
opposite, hence the word “flipped”. Students are given a video or podcast to
watch and/or listen to at home, before they’ve even been introduced to the
material in class by their teachers. Then, in class, they complete activities
similar to what they would have done for homework. This way the teacher becomes
more of a guide rather than a full on lecturer. There are definitely different
pros and cons for this style of teaching, but I do believe that this could
better prepare students for higher-level learning. In college, I have many
classes where I view material at home first before attending class. It allows students
to take control of their own learning.
This website has so many educational videos it actually
stresses me out.
Technology has changed professional teacher development. Before,
teachers had to fuel their lifelong learning through in-service days at their
schools. Now, teachers can enhance their professional development whenever is most
convenient for them through the Internet. We can interact with diverse people
we wouldn’t otherwise ever meet. I’ve noticed some of my classmates have
explored Edutopia as well, and I’d have to agree with their opinions about this
website. Out of all the other websites I checked out, this one was definitely
the most user-friendly. You have easy access to blogs, twitter accounts,
articles, videos, and more. You can see how many people the media has reached
out to and how many people have shared it, commented on it, etc. I like how it
posts relevant and popular media that I can easily share with others through
social media.
I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. I really enjoy
using it, but my inner perfectionist always comes out. I tend to spend a lot
more time on my presentation than a normal person would. After this assignment,
though, I have cleaned up my skills a bit and was able to complete tasks a
little faster. I learned how to link slides together, use smart art, and insert
sound and video. Although, I had a hard time teaching an entire standard in
only 5 minutes. If I were using this PowerPoint for real instruction, I would
probably spend at least 5 minutes on each slide, not the whole presentation.
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