Week 6 EDUC 630

 

 

I loved investigating all of the free educational social networking sites that are out today.  My favorite free website for my classroom is from www.yola.com/  Like everything you can upgrade to a fancier version but the free website has quite a lot of features.  If you want to own your own domain the upgrade works for that, but I am happy to just getmswardsfirstgrade.yolasite.com in this domain for free.  Another thing I liked about this site is you can blog with your classmates, upload assignments, use Google translate for the text in any language as well as create a Google calendar of any events that are occurring in the classroom from snack to testing times.  I  think technology out there is amazing for students to keep a relationship between parents, teachers, and students.  We do have to be careful about social networking with the younger audiences, I would NOT recommend Facebook for this audience it is too dangerous and social networking in education needs to have a babysitter and approval of things before it can go viral.

EDUC 630 Week 5

As an adult learner I feel that asynchronous tools are better for me because I can do my assignments and discussions on my own time.  I have 2 boys, a full-time job, a small business on the side, and trying to complete 2 classes within 8 weeks.  I clearly do better in the asynchronous environment than the synchronous environment because of the time commitment.
As a professional I think I would prefer the synchronous environment because this could provide my students more interaction and feel better about strengthening a teacher and student relationship especially for the younger ages.

EDUC 630 Week 4

Please reflect on some web-based resources for education . . for living . . you find useful and why. Share your secrets here. :)

 

I am having a hard time comprehending this week's reflection on finding a web-based resource for education and living?  This first thought that runs through my mind is Pinterest.  I am OBSESSED with Pinterest.  For some reason it makes me a better person, teacher, mother, cook, decorator, quote giver, DIY, etc.!  If you have ever been on this site you agree.  This is educational as well, there are so many "pins" made by teachers.  I have a board on Pinterest dedicated to classroom ideas only.  I can search for a particular subject matter and up comes hundreds of ideas for teachers and most of the ideas are free, which of course we love!

And another resource I love to use is of course www.SMARTboardexchange.con because I can just input a lesson that I am completely unprepared for and find rigorous amazing lessons for my students on any subject matter.

I use www.brainpopjr.com for the primary level because they have a funny robot and a smart girl who teach students about anything you want.  They are short videos which is a great way to introduce a new subject and see if students have any background knowledge.  There are so many great resources, but for living?....Aren't we doing that now?

 

EDUC 630 Week 3

 

As a visual and hands on learner, I get more out of all types of presentations than text in a book.  I feel that presenting material in different fonts, animation, colors of slides are visually stimulating because my visual memory can recall this information better than highlighting words on paper.  In Thorsen (2009), presentations was also defined as using text, video, audio, graphics, and animation.  I think incorporating these essential visuals and auditories into information and displayed for learners can help students recall curriculum in a more rigorous way. 

In my classroom, I use a SMARTboard which is interactive as well.  I love that I can go onto www.SMARTboardexchange.com and download a lesson in any appropriate subject and grade level matter and be able to deliver a rigorous hands on lesson.  I have noticed that these students are constantly engaged and can transfer the subject matter quicker than timely lessons.  I think I would have learned better at their age if they had interactive boards back in my school day.

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/