Sunday, April 24, 2011

Field Experience

My field was a positive experience and I learned a lot about teaching, as well as myself as a teacher. Classroom management is a lot harder than it seems. I always knew it was hard, but in the class I was in, it was WAY hard. We were in a very hard class, the hardest our cooperating teacher had in 30 years. There were lots of students with disabilities, as well as lots of diversity. There was a group of boys who were very rowdy and disrespectful. The teacher did her best to control them, but she did not use any cues or anything that we have learned in our program. It was surprising to me, because she is a veteran teacher. She also did not do any teach methods other than writing on the board or reading out loud and having the students take notes. Even though this is not the teaching style that I want to use, I still respected her for using it. With the lesson we taught, we decided to have then students get up and move. We did a "drama" activity with the three branches of government and the students loved it.
Field solidified for me that I do want to be a teacher, but that I want to teach younger children. The fifth graders were too old and had too much attitude for me. They were cute and fun to work with, but that is not what I want to do. I want to be with the young kids who want to be there and are excited to learn!

Monday, April 18, 2011

My Beliefs

I believe that technology is very important in the classroom today. In one of our classes today we talked about three things needed for a teacher to be a great teacher: curriculum competency, classroom management and tecnhology. I strongly believe that those are all important things, but especially technolgy in the world today. If students don't know how to use a computer, they cannot succeed. The fact that we are teaching children to be ready for jobs that have not even been created yet blows my mind. Our students have no idea what they are going to be doing when they "grow up". So therefore something like tracking, where a students potential is determined in school and they are only allowed to take certain classes is ridiculous. If they don't know what they are going to be doing when they grow up, how are we supposed to train them for those jobs. It is exciting to me to know that the future is unknown and we are going to find out with them!

Lessons Learned

I feel that I learned a lot from the PDP assignment, the readings and the videos. There was one video, the "Did You Know?" one, that was very interesting to me. There were a few facts on that video that shocked me. Such as "There are more text messages sent everyday than there are people in this world." I couldn't believe this fact! Not everyone in the world has a phone or the ability to text, so that means that those who are texting are sending out hundreds or thousands a day! The e-school news was also something that I found interesting. That is something I am intested in for sure! I want my students to be able to use technology and keep up in the world. I feel that I am fairly competent in technology now, but when I am older I know that it may be harder to keep up so I need to be continually learning about technology in the classroom. After taking the survey, I am a a little concerned that I do not know enough about technologies that will help those with disabilities or those who are learning English.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April- 14: Strengths and Weaknesses

I feel that I know a lot about technology, but I also have a lot to learn. I know how to use a computer, and do most things you need to do as a teacher, but there are many new things coming out for teachers that I have yet to learn about. During field, we were exposed to smart boards, and they are amazing! I am excited for the day every students has a "smart board" on the top of their desk. I feel that on the survey I was between an apprentice and a practitioner on most of the questions. I know a lot, but I still have a lot to learn. I also feel that this class has taught me a lot. I excelled in my abilities to create videos/digital stories during this class. One goal I have is to learn more about technology that is available for children with special needs. I know there are many technologies available for them to learn and progress in education, and that is something I need to learn more about before beginning to teach. Also, the technology for ELL learners is something that is going to be important when I am a teacher. There are many students who are coming to America and who don't know Engligh and there are many resources out there that I should learn about. Another goal I have is to learn more about certain programs that I can use to create activities/worksheets for students. A lot of teachers spend a lot of unnecessary time creating things that can be done on the internet/computer. Assistive Technology Voice 4 Me for Windows ELL/ESL Technology Teaching ESL with Technology

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Copyright Laws: March third

Last week we talked about copyright laws in relation to our digital stories. I learn a lot of stuff I did not know about copyright laws. I learned that you cannot show a movie at school unless you have permission to show it.

This is a very important thing for teachers and students to know, especially in today's world with technology in everything. As teachers, we use images and movies a lot so not knowing these laws can be very dangerous.

I will definietly use these laws as a student now and as a teacher in the future. I will be careful with what I use and be sure that I ask permission if I want to use something. I am very grateful I know these things before I get started as a teacher.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Feb 24: Digital Story 1

We talking about Digital Stories. It was our first day or digital stories. I am pretty excited about the digital stories and I think it will be fun to make.

Digital Stories are very useful to teacher and students. I think that students would love making them, even the younger students. It would be very useful as a teacher, because it is a more exciting way to teach a concept than just teaching.

I can't wait to make mine. I get to make it in 5th grade, which has some pretty fun stuff in Social Studies. It will be fun to learn more about the 5th grade core curriculum.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

February 17: Vidcast

Visual Art (5th grade)
Ashley Crandall

5th grade, fine arts
Standard 4: The students will interpret and apply visual arts in relation to cultures, history and learning.
Objective 3: Recognize the connection of visual arts to all learning.
All indicators

I feel that art is a very important subject for children to learn, but it is something that is being cut from schools all over the nation. I want to incorporate a lot of art in my classroom and this is something that I would definitely use in my classroom. Learning to analyze and talk about art work is very beneficial and it is something that can be taken and used in other curriculum as well. Learning to analyze and think critically can also be used in many other subjects, such as math, science and language arts.


One drawback to using this may be that taking time with the arts may cut out critical time for other subjects. Although I feel that art is very important, I also know that the other subjects and core curriculum are essential to the students.


My future plans for this series is to make more vid-casts talking about this other core in this subject. Some of those include talking about the time period in which the art was done, learning to express thoughts about the art work and talking about personal experiences that may have influenced the art work.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

February 3: Podcast

What?
This week we made a public service announcement podcast. I did mine on flu prevention. This is a great thing to know how to do as a teacher, and as a student.
So what?
As a teacher I can use this to record special lessons or assignments so that students who are sick or those who may have missed school can log onto the website and get the assignment or lesson. As a student, I can maybe make podcast assignments, if approved by a professor.
Now what?
I believe I will use this as a teacher, in the future. I will be able to record my lessons, or even have my students use podcasts as an assignment. There are also many podcast available online (or iTunes) that are very useful to teachers. There are so many free education podcasts! I am excited to learn about this wonderful technology.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

January 26: Google Part 2

What?
This week we created a "class website". I think this is a GREAT tool as a teacher. Many parents now days have access to computers and would much rather use a computer than have notes sent home.
So What?
This means to me that I will be a teacher who implements digital media and tries to get my students and their parents involved. I understand there will be parents and families who don't have the internet or who are not aware of how to use a website like this, but I think there should be a workshop at the school to help those parents and students.
Now What?
I will definitely use this as a teacher and as a student now. If I ever had an assignment in school where I could make a website, I would! It's an awesome tool and so easy to use. I will use it as a teacher for sure! It will also be helpful to other teachers in my school, so they can access my files and see what our class is up to.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

January 20- Google Part 1

What?
This week we learned Google. We did a collaborative assignment using Google Docs and educational websites.
So what?
This tool is a great tool for all college students, teachers and colleagues. It will be great for me, and the rest of my cohort, so we can do our assignments together, without physically being together, in this and all of our other classes. As a teacher, it will benefit me with my colleagues, students, and their parents.
Now what?
I already knew and used Google, especially the docs. I love it! It is all I use for my assignments and other school work. I am always happy to learn new and exciting things about stuff I already use on a daily basis. I love that it is free, especially as a college student, and not becoming a teacher it will be a great tool.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

January 13- Introduction

Week 1
I have chosen to talk about my goals, aspirations and strengths and weaknesess (as applies to my teaching career. I believe I have many strengths and weaknesses in my chosen field. I have always wanted to be a teacher and can't wait til that is what I am doing. I am so excited to be in the program- I have worked harded than most students to get in because of some personal experiences I have had throughout my college career. Some of strengths include being able to relate well to children, patience, love of learning and charisma. I have worked with children my whole life, from babysitting when I was younger to teaching preschool classes and working as an elementary aide. Some of my strengths are natural to me and some I have worked for.
I also have some weaknesses in this field. I am sometimes shy in front of lots of people, although never in front of children. I struggle with math, which could be considered a weakness, but I have been working really hard, so that I can better teach children what they need to know about the subject.

My goals and aspirations are what I would like to talk about next. I aspire to be a kindergarten or 1st grade teacher. In high school, I had the opportunity to intern in a kindergarten class and I loved it. The teacher was a great example to me and I hope I can someday be as good as her. But I am a teachers aide currently in a 3rd grade class and I would also love to teach 3rd grade. Anything above 3rd grade though, is not something I think I would like. I have a goal to be the best teacher I can be and I know that is going to take work, but I also know that I can do it!