Week 2 EDUC 630

 

I love participating in online communities.  I am addicted to Facebook because I have found old friends that I haven't seen in many years.  I love to look at their family's pictures and their status'.  I love the fact that I can reach out to freinds and their advice about parenting, restaurant choices, or networking for work. 

I enjoy emailing my in laws across the pond to the UK and best of all Skypeing helps us see our loved ones over in England and is cost effective.  My husband is English and he relies on communicating through Skype.  His Mom Skypes him at least twice a day and it can feel like she is right at home.

I believe that online communites are effective especially if people live in different states or countries, but nothing compares to the warmth of a hug from a loved one.

 

 

Week 1- EDUC 630

 
Teaching first grade provides a balance between using technology and teaching a child how to form their letters and book awareness.  Working in Littleton Public Schools, a small district in the suburbs, has been amazing.  The district's awareness of technology is accredited with distinction.  Technology is important to the district as well as the teachers. All schools have student and teacher computers in the classroom.  Most schools have SMARTboards or some type of interactive apparatus in most classrooms.  Most classrooms have small notebooks that students are allowed to independently work on. All classrooms have a document camera. Students are encouraged to use technology for assignments and facilitating a rigorous learning environment.
The school that I work at doesn't have interactive boards in every classroom.  There are only three classrooms that have these, mine being one of them (lucky me!!).  I believe this is a barrier in our school, especially because two out of three first grade teachers have a SMARTboard.  It is hard to stay consistent as a grade level when we do everything on our SMARTboard and our poor teammate has to do everything paper and pencil.  I think all classrooms should have a SMARTboard because it does adhere to students' desire to use technology in their learning.
We have tried to write grants but it is hard getting money because our free and reduced lunch is lower than expected.  Does anyone know some grants that I could look into for getting at least my teammate on board?

About Me

About Maggie Ward

 

My name is Maggie Ward and I live in Littleton, CO.  Here is a picture of my husband Spencer who is from England and me at a wedding.  We have 2 rambunctious boys 6 and 3.  We have an English Bulldog named London, a Guinea pig names Scooby Doo, a box turtle named Lucky, and 5 chickens that need to start producing some eggs!

I teach first grade in Littleton Public Schools.  I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Technology.    I love teaching first graders with a SMARTboard.  This is my first year with this apparatus and I can't remember how I taught without one, it is easy to use and I can copy some great lessons on www.Smartboardexchange.com.

I love using my ipad and any free app that I can get my hands on.  I love great reading websites for first graders such as www.readingeggs.com, www.RAZkids.com, www.starfall.com.

I am excited to learn how to use more technology to drive my instruction. 
Here is my website: http://mswardsfirstgrade.yolasite.com/