November 28 2011

Last week we had a brief instruction on using technology in the classroom to modify the lesson for students with disabilities. The importance of mastering this cannot be understated. Everyone in the class got to use at least one program then give a short summary of it's beneficial characteristics. Once we were done with that I did my Web 2.0 presentation for the rest of the class. My topic was a Web 2.0 called Hotchalk. It is a Learning Management System that teachers can use to post assignments, classroom notes, and information for parents. As far as speaking in front of a group is concerned I have no qualms. Hopefully this will carry over in to the classroom once I am in front of a group of teenagers!

21 November 2011

This week my group and I got to work on our Podcasts. I wrote the script while the other group members found images on the google sites to liven up the Podcast. Once we had everything we needed we got down to business and started recording the Podcasst on Garageband. Once that was compete we began editing the cast to 'make it pretty'. Since time just flew by we had to compare schedules so we could finish up the Podcast outside of class.

14 November 2011

Today in class we had instruction on how to make a podcast using the GarageBand program on Mac. Also we viewed some Podcasts that were developed by students in the Philadelphia School District. I was very impressed at the quality of the Podcasts I sampled. They were comprehensive, creative, and informative. Since this was the first time I was making a Podcast the instruction on how to edit the Podcast was very useful. Afterwards my group and I picked I fun topic to make our own Podcast. We are going to be doing an informative Podcast on Philadelphia Cheesesteaks... should be fun!

7 November 2011

Despite not having class last week we did have to finish our desk top publishing assignments and the online exam. The newsletter and brochure seemed to be productive exercises since I used material from them and incorporated them into my website. I especially liked doing the brochure... this is a skill that I will definitely use once I am in the classroom. As far as the exam went, I was glad it was take home. I refreshed a lot of what we went over the first couple weeks of class and knocked it out. Once I am teaching I will also give take home quizzes. The students will apply themselves more, hence, they will learn more by completing the simple, yet important assignment.