I decided to expand my animoto video for this project because it was a topic that I was going to be teaching soon. I gave all of the pictures frames and text using picnik. I added music from freemusic.com and I added more text using powerpoint. I realize that my video isn't the most exciting of videos (at least that's what my girls say), but I was amazed at how it kept the interest of my students. I guess that just goes to show the impact that technology (even boring technology) can have on learning. I used this video as an introduction to our Polygon lesson. I had a few technical difficulties at first, but I was able to get around them and share what I had learned to do with my class. I don't know if they were really impressed with the video or with the fact that I was able to make something like that. I have talked with my class before about the fact that I was taking classes also, so it was fun to show them what I was learning.
The main thing that I disliked about making this movie was the amount of time it took to create a 6 minute video. I realize that the more I do this the easier it will become. I am hoping to continue to look ahead in our curriculum and attempt to make a couple more videos before the year is over. I liked using animoto more than imovie but I realize that there are limitations to that program.
Overall, I feel like this was a very positive opportunity. I loved that it related to what I was teaching and that I was able to use it in class. I hope that I can keep on using the skills that I have learned in this class in increase the amount of technology that I use. Hopefully, as soon as I learn what my teaching assignment will be for next year, I will be able to get things put together that I can incorporate right at the beginning of the year next year!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Technology
Well so much for using technology in my classroom. I was so excited to share my curriculum video with my 5th grade math class. I was talking it up so much about how I created this video with them in mind and the lesson that we would be learning today. I thought that I had everything all set up. I found my video on Utube and was ready to go but an error happened and I was unable to show the movie. Luckily I had it saved on my desk top so I was able to show it that way. I was amazed at how they paid attention. It wasn't the most exciting video, but I think they were impressed that I made it and that it was a movie and not me lecturing.
Next, I was use another video that I found on teacher tube and my camera to review a test that we had taken with my 3rd grade class. Once again, I thought I had everything set up and ready to go. When I went to look at the test, the projector wouldn't work right. I spent more time trying to get it to work than I should have. Never did get it.
I think all of this technology use is great, but you have to also have a backup plan when something doesn't work right. I am not sure that total use of technology is the best way. I think there needs to be a good balance of technology and good old fashioned teaching.
Next, I was use another video that I found on teacher tube and my camera to review a test that we had taken with my 3rd grade class. Once again, I thought I had everything set up and ready to go. When I went to look at the test, the projector wouldn't work right. I spent more time trying to get it to work than I should have. Never did get it.
I think all of this technology use is great, but you have to also have a backup plan when something doesn't work right. I am not sure that total use of technology is the best way. I think there needs to be a good balance of technology and good old fashioned teaching.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Podcasts
I felt that iTunes U was more beneficial for what I was looking for. I searched "elementary math lessons" and came up with several great podcasts that I could use. Paradise Valley Unified School District has several podcasts that deal with the different concepts taught in elementary school. The two that I looked at were about division with 2 digit divisors and how to create a multiplication tug of war game. I could see using these videos as a way to introduce different concepts to the class. The only problem that I saw was they seemed a little bit out dated. I am sure that if I did some more searching, I could find some more up to date videos. I also found a podcast that gave instructions on how to create a blog. I thought this was very interesting and it gave step by step instructions that were very easy to follow. The last podcast that I subscribed to was CNN Student News. I feel that this podcast could create some great discussions among the students about what is happening in our world. I would also create more informed students.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Animoto Video
I have uploaded this video in two different ways. Wasn't sure which one would work the best. I loved this program. It was sooo easy to use and I can think of many opportunities where I could use it to show information to the class or have the students create a video to show what they have learned. My husband is a high jump/long jump coach. He likes to make videos of his athletes jumping so I showed him this site.
I almost changed my mind about the topic of my video because I was having difficulty getting the pictures to fit the way that I wanted them. Picnik helped with that problem. I used this program to create frames for each picture and added text. This made it possible for me to use the pictures that I had chosen. When we return from spring break, my 5th grade math class will be starting their geometry unit. I will probably use this video as a way to introduce the vocabulary of this chapter. Before then, I will probably revisit my video and add to it to make it more informative. I just wish that you weren't limited to the number of characters you can use on the text slides.
I almost changed my mind about the topic of my video because I was having difficulty getting the pictures to fit the way that I wanted them. Picnik helped with that problem. I used this program to create frames for each picture and added text. This made it possible for me to use the pictures that I had chosen. When we return from spring break, my 5th grade math class will be starting their geometry unit. I will probably use this video as a way to introduce the vocabulary of this chapter. Before then, I will probably revisit my video and add to it to make it more informative. I just wish that you weren't limited to the number of characters you can use on the text slides.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tagxedo
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dear Dr. Feldman
My name is Sara Kosmicki. I have been a teacher with Lincoln Public Schools for 20 years. For the majority of those years, I taught 4th grade part-time. This year I joined the ranks of full-time again as a 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade Math support teacher. I love teaching Math, so this was a dream job. Unfortunately, because of budget cuts, my dream has been short lived. Next year, I will return to the classroom full-time. I am uncertain about what grade I will be teaching, but I am excited about this new chapter in my teaching career. I completed my bachelors degree at UNL and never left. I live with my husband, Devin and our 4 children. Maggie, a college freshman, Sydney a high school sophomore, Cooper 4 yrs old, and Caiden 2 yrs old. In the summer, we love to spend time at one of our area lakes tubing, skiing, and jet skiing.
I do not consider myself very tech-savvy. I can use email, facebook, search the internet, and use the programs available to us through our school district. In our district, we use Mac computers and that is what we also use at home. I was excited to receive my own laptop through the school district this year. Right now, I am using it for basic purposes and to complete assignments for my online classes. I would really like to learn how I can use it to better my classroom instruction. In my classroom, I utilize a variety of different websites that reinforce concepts that students are learning. I have recently acquired a projector and very simple camera that I can use to project worksheets on the board. Because I don't use it all of the time, it can be a little bit time consuming to set up, as a result, I tend to resort back to overhead transparencies. I believe that in order to teach the students that are growing up in our technological society we need to incorporate more technology in our classroom. I am hoping that newer curriculum will automatically have in place ideas for using technology so that teachers are not having to create their own activities.
I chose to pursue my graduate degree at PSC because the way the program is set up and the time frame in which the classes are offered felt like a perfect fit for me. The financial aid opportunities available also made it a program that I could afford. I have been teaching for 20 years and have only taken classes that have been offered through staff development. This program has helped me to really understand the trends and philosophies that we are seeing in education. For so many years I feel like I did what I was told without really understanding "WHY". Now I feel like I am much better informed and can use that information to better educate my students.
I do not consider myself very tech-savvy. I can use email, facebook, search the internet, and use the programs available to us through our school district. In our district, we use Mac computers and that is what we also use at home. I was excited to receive my own laptop through the school district this year. Right now, I am using it for basic purposes and to complete assignments for my online classes. I would really like to learn how I can use it to better my classroom instruction. In my classroom, I utilize a variety of different websites that reinforce concepts that students are learning. I have recently acquired a projector and very simple camera that I can use to project worksheets on the board. Because I don't use it all of the time, it can be a little bit time consuming to set up, as a result, I tend to resort back to overhead transparencies. I believe that in order to teach the students that are growing up in our technological society we need to incorporate more technology in our classroom. I am hoping that newer curriculum will automatically have in place ideas for using technology so that teachers are not having to create their own activities.
I chose to pursue my graduate degree at PSC because the way the program is set up and the time frame in which the classes are offered felt like a perfect fit for me. The financial aid opportunities available also made it a program that I could afford. I have been teaching for 20 years and have only taken classes that have been offered through staff development. This program has helped me to really understand the trends and philosophies that we are seeing in education. For so many years I feel like I did what I was told without really understanding "WHY". Now I feel like I am much better informed and can use that information to better educate my students.
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