Words, Numbers or Both?

If anybody knows anything about teaching then they'd know that it's lots of paper work. But I've got news for you, yes you. If you are a teacher and are looking for a way to save some time and paper then this post is just for you. Have you ever heard of a Word Processor? If you haven't, that's ok. A Word Processor is a program or a machine that allows you to store, manipulate, and format text entered from a keyboard and provides a print out. If you're still confused then you shouldn't be, because I'm sure you've used word processing software and didn't even know it. If you're ever created a word document using Microsoft office word or maybe a spreadsheet document using Microsoft excel, then that means you've used a Word processor before.  

Now how exactly are those going to save paper? How about creating your lesson plans and saving them on your computer? That eliminates paper use completely and it promotes the use of technology. If you want some more free time and there are just too many grades to average you can use a spreadsheet to enter grades and have your computer average them for you. Everything you need right at your fingertips. 

I like providing examples for you to see, like the good teacher that I am, so you will find below an example of a grade log that you could use with your grades. I added some colour and only initial grades and had my computer average the grades for each student for me. It was that simple. 

Like I always say, "Nothing beats a try". So if you're unsure, just try it out as I'm sure this will be as helpful to you as it is to me.

Be ASSUREd!!

       I am sure that we can all agree that to successfully complete any task we all have to have a plan. With that said, I must share my experience with using the ASSURE Model Lesson Plan. If you've ever had to plan for classes, and if you're a teacher it means everyday, then this is just for you. The ASSURE model breaks lesson planning down into subsections that are easy to follow and with enough practice, this will become quite easy to do.

The acronym ASSURE stands for
A- analyse learners. Really think about who your students are and how they learn best.

S- state objectives. Say what the students will learn in particular lessons using the curriculum as a guide.

S- select media and materials. Based on your objectives, decide what materials are best suited for your              lesson and how you will get what you need to across effectively.

U- utilise media and materials. Whatever you would have identified in the previous step, make sure to use          effectively here(kinda like keeping tabs on yourself as you teach).

R- require learner participation. Thinking? Solving? Creating? Developing? Analysing? These are all the things that your students can do during a lesson. Get them involved in their learning!!

E- evaluate and revise. This step is very important as it allows you to see just where your students are and          how you will move forward with the class. Will you need to go over or can you move on?

6 Steps and your lesson is complete, It's as easy as ASSURE!!!

       A great way to make your lesson come alive is by making use of Windows movie maker. Before my course I had no clue or interest in using this tool and now, although not quite a professional, I think I can do a thing or two. Movie maker allows you to create itemised movies for your students for any lesson of your choice. Of course you won't be able to show a movie every lesson but once you get the hang of using the movie maker tool, you won't want to stop.

      Just so that you can see how simple it is, here's a video I made using movie maker (I'm so excited). I combined pictures of the parts of the flower that I wanted to highlight with a video I found on youtube which I further edited it to only the parts that I needed.

I'm no professional like I said before, but if I can do it, then you definitely can, so just get up, get creative and try it for yourself!!

Testing, Testing, Sound Test!!!!

Have you ever heard of the term Pod-cast? If you haven't or you were like me and heard it but never knew what it was then this post is just for you. A pod-cast is a type of media that is used to create audio files that are available for download via the internet. It can be considered downloadable radio and can be available at later time for listening at a more convenient time. The great part about podcasting is that it is amateur radio and anybody can to do it. That brings us to using pocasting in our classrooms.  

Podcasts are so beneficial and there are many uses in the classroom. Podcasting is useful for recording a teacher’s lesson or a student conversation. It can be used to create a homework assignment or even be part of a test. (Students in Tom's class would listen to and anlyze historical speeches and readings.) Students can use podcasts to interview each other about what they learned during the week. They can create a newscast, hold a debate, or run a radio show. Schools can use podcasts to make announcements via their Web site. Students could read their own essays or stories. Podcasts can also be used to record guest speakers and make their presentations available online.

I think that podcasting taps into the creativity of both the students and the teachers as it is a creative way of expression. As I explore the world of podcasting on my own, I hope that you will do the same and try it out in your own classrooms!!!

Blogging Away, while soaring through the clouds!!!

As the 5 week mark approached and then faded into the past, with it has come a whole new perspective of using technology in the classroom and even as an enhancer to daily life. I now have the title of blogger under my belt and am definitely proud of it. In week 5 as a class my colleagues and I explored the use of dropbox and Google drive as alternates to storage and word processing software.

The whole blogging experience for me is not one that is entirely new as I have used blogs before for publishing my poetry. The difference from my past experiences and this one is that I have the task of keeping you my readers up to date as I explore. This is helping me to keep track of the important stuff so that I am able to look back and easily see where I was and where I am going. It also makes me responsible for myself and the work I produce. I have also been given the task of working along with my colleagues and checking up on them and having them keep track of what I'm doing. The collaboration in my opinion helps us to get into the habit of using the blog and this in turn will give us an idea of what it will be like in our own classes at the end of this learning experience. I have included a sample of some comments made by colleagues just as an example of what can be done to facilitate student centred teaching and learning through support from classmates.

If you have never explored using dropbox as an office tool then this is your time to start. If you are wondering what dropbox is, then you are in luck. Dropbox is a storage device that allows access to all of the files that you save on your computer, android enabled device or even your smart phone. With its use, you no longer have to worry about your device crashing as you can access information stored in dropbox from any device with an internet connection. That is definitely something that anybody can use. Dropbox stores your important information in the clouds as it were and you no longer have to worry about losing anything ever again. Google drive on the the other hand allows you to create word documents, power point presentations and spreadsheets and all you need is a Google account and everything is available at your finger tips.

Now can you imagine my excitement at finding all this out? I am no longer constrained to just Microsoft office suite and I don't have to panic at the thought that any of my devices will crash. I GOT BACK UP!!!!
I continue to explore on my own and I have forged ahead with using both Google drive and dropbox. They have both made my journey in technology both easier and more dependable. All these aspects have tied nicely together and continue to help me in my blogging.

Well Done!

I had the chance to view your blog posts and I must say that they were very detailed  concerning your reflections on what you learnt in class. Also I recognized that you have already completed each task given by Mrs Roberts. Good Job!!  Sweetie your page design was simply adorable. However, I thought that your reflections were a little lengthy although details are good maybe you could try to summarize a bit so that your viewers are able to quickly browse through without spending to much time on one post. Overall good job quiet creative and interesting ideas and information.

My Contribution

Hola Lauricia,

I enjoyed viewing your blog. Great diagrams, topic use and insights .....well appreciated. Keep up the good work and I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your thoughts and experiences.

Zeleka

Exceptional

Really impressive blog. I really enjoyed looking at your information. Your outlines and reflections were well thought out. Just a bit wordy in some areas, but overall a splendid effort

Nuff Respect 

IWA B