This was my first time using Jing. It is a screencast that will tell you a little bit about me. Enjoy!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Reflection
There have been many teaching strategies that I’ve learned over the past two months on how to integrate technology into my classroom. Some things I’ve learned about are how to use and post resources on MERLOT, how to create a Webquest, about the 3 principles of the Universal Design for Learning, how to use Web 2.0 in the classroom, and face to face instructional strategies. Learning about all of these different ways to integrate technology has motivated me to use assistive technology in a way that improves student learning and reaches the widest range of students possible.
Integrating web-based technologies has helped me to think more critically about the types of technologies I am using in my classroom. I’ve learned that it’s not what you use, but how you use it. In the past, I was using technology just to use it. Now I am using technology effectively. Today, I had my Spanish 1 and 2 students creating google docs and presentations. It was great! I had to do some explaining, but they were catching on so fast. (Thank you to all of the other teachers at my school that have been using google docs with them!) It is very rewarding to see students engaged in the lesson while using technology.
I have started integrating technology into my class more and more which was one of my goals. I have also used google docs with students, which was another goal of mine. One of my personal goals was to integrate technology into my classroom at a point where I feel comfortable using it. I am getting over the fear that I might not know how to use something and that it’s okay because I will learn! I am so motivate to integrate technology effectively into my classroom!
My next goal is to use the webquest that I created with my Spanish 2 students. I didn’t get the chance to because we switched trimesters. My next goal is to learn how to use voicethread or learn how to embed students’ voices on google presentations. I would love to have them record so I can hear their español! I would also like to have students share their presentations in front of the class. Having them use the StAIR or kiosk mode on powerpoint would be great for the stories they will be creating at the end of the year. My personal goal is to finish the MAET program within the next 2 years and my long term goal is to continue to use technology effectively and in a way that is fun for students to learn!
Integrating web-based technologies has helped me to think more critically about the types of technologies I am using in my classroom. I’ve learned that it’s not what you use, but how you use it. In the past, I was using technology just to use it. Now I am using technology effectively. Today, I had my Spanish 1 and 2 students creating google docs and presentations. It was great! I had to do some explaining, but they were catching on so fast. (Thank you to all of the other teachers at my school that have been using google docs with them!) It is very rewarding to see students engaged in the lesson while using technology.
I have started integrating technology into my class more and more which was one of my goals. I have also used google docs with students, which was another goal of mine. One of my personal goals was to integrate technology into my classroom at a point where I feel comfortable using it. I am getting over the fear that I might not know how to use something and that it’s okay because I will learn! I am so motivate to integrate technology effectively into my classroom!
My next goal is to use the webquest that I created with my Spanish 2 students. I didn’t get the chance to because we switched trimesters. My next goal is to learn how to use voicethread or learn how to embed students’ voices on google presentations. I would love to have them record so I can hear their español! I would also like to have students share their presentations in front of the class. Having them use the StAIR or kiosk mode on powerpoint would be great for the stories they will be creating at the end of the year. My personal goal is to finish the MAET program within the next 2 years and my long term goal is to continue to use technology effectively and in a way that is fun for students to learn!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Online Teaching Experiences
A WebQuest would be an online experience that would be very beneficial to students learning Spanish. A WebQuest guides students while they are online to discover information about a particular topic.
I recently created my first WebQuest and I am so excited to use it in my classroom. The WebQuest I created has students explore Spanish speaking countries and their typical eating habits and types of food. It also has students create a restaurant skit and learn about World Hunger.
A WebQuest can help a language teacher cover a variety of content including communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. It can help students improve their communication skills interpersonally, interpretively and presentationally. It is a great way for students to learn about different cultures using online resources. They are able to explore great sites that have awesome information about the Spanish speaking world. They are able to connect their Spanish skills and knowledge with that of other content areas, whether it be history, geography, science or math! They are able to make comparisons not only between English and Spanish, but also between the lifestyles they live and those of other countries. They are able to reach out into the community and find websites that offer Spanish resources. Overall, it connects their learning with Spanish in a variety of beneficial and useful ways. They can become GLOBAL LEARNERS!
Pedagogical strategies that might be used within a WebQuest are scaffolding, critical thinking, role-playing, group work, hands-on learning, active learning, and experiential learning.
One technology that I tried which was not very beneficial with language learners was creating an e-portfolio. Partially it was difficult because students have different teachers throughout the year because we are on a trimester schedule. It started off as a great idea because I had students use google sites to prepare their e-portfolios. They created different sub-categories and even wrote in Spanish! I found it difficult to keep all of the students on track, some were way ahead and some were way behind. Overall, I had a challenge as a teacher because it was difficult to keep up consistently and perhaps it was difficult as a student because it is not their first language. Any suggestions?
I recently created my first WebQuest and I am so excited to use it in my classroom. The WebQuest I created has students explore Spanish speaking countries and their typical eating habits and types of food. It also has students create a restaurant skit and learn about World Hunger.
A WebQuest can help a language teacher cover a variety of content including communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. It can help students improve their communication skills interpersonally, interpretively and presentationally. It is a great way for students to learn about different cultures using online resources. They are able to explore great sites that have awesome information about the Spanish speaking world. They are able to connect their Spanish skills and knowledge with that of other content areas, whether it be history, geography, science or math! They are able to make comparisons not only between English and Spanish, but also between the lifestyles they live and those of other countries. They are able to reach out into the community and find websites that offer Spanish resources. Overall, it connects their learning with Spanish in a variety of beneficial and useful ways. They can become GLOBAL LEARNERS!
Pedagogical strategies that might be used within a WebQuest are scaffolding, critical thinking, role-playing, group work, hands-on learning, active learning, and experiential learning.
One technology that I tried which was not very beneficial with language learners was creating an e-portfolio. Partially it was difficult because students have different teachers throughout the year because we are on a trimester schedule. It started off as a great idea because I had students use google sites to prepare their e-portfolios. They created different sub-categories and even wrote in Spanish! I found it difficult to keep all of the students on track, some were way ahead and some were way behind. Overall, I had a challenge as a teacher because it was difficult to keep up consistently and perhaps it was difficult as a student because it is not their first language. Any suggestions?
Merlot
You may also view my StAIR project on Merlot's website. It has great resources for educators!
StAIR Project
This is a StAIR Project that I created for my MSU online class. It is geared for Spanish 1 students in grades 6-12. It will go well with noun-adjective agreement and description vocabulary. Please visit the following link if you would like to view it or use it in your classroom. StAIR Project
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
UDL Guidelines for Food Unit Lesson Plan
I am evaluating a Spanish 2 lesson plan using the UDL guidelines. The lesson is on my blog if you would like to view it. It is a lesson using assistive technologies to create a video ordering food in the target language, google apps to add to online portfolios, and Web 2.0 tools to discover information about world hunger in Spanish speaking countries. My original lesson plan features some standards of the UDL guidelines, but after learning more about UDL, I see that my plan also has barriers for students. I would like to break these barriers in the future so I can reach a wider range of learners in my classroom.
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