Summative

In my last post, I reflected on some of the main things I would take away from this ICT class. For the most part, the effectiveness and simplicity of using technology in the classroom is what I will take away from this course. I had no idea how many tools there were that could be used in the classroom. For example, Scribd, Symbaloo, and EverNote are all tools that are very easy to use. These are also tools that I would have never thought to use or known existed, and their availability (FREE!) is a bonus! 

I would like to use technology in my classroom more often. The school I'm going to for my second placement is very modern and up-to-date with their use of technology throughout the school. They have iPads, many computers, SmartBoards, etc. Many students also have their own iPad. 

As much as I'm a fan of technology and think it can be a fantastic tool for education, there are some faults. I think that teachers need to be careful about how much they depend on and use technology. Using it in moderation is great, and using it as a tool to assist learning is ideal. However, when students are not meeting the lesson objectives because of distraction, this is very counterproductive. As teachers, we have to be careful to balance this line of too much technology and not enough. I believe this is something that I will struggle with throughout my student teaching. Hopefully I can get the hang of it soon enough! 

I'd really like to use technology to assist differentiated learning in my classroom. I think it's a great way to allow students to express themselves and use many skills (problem solving, communication, creativity, etc.). For example, students could be given a research project on a particular topic, and use technology (whatever they chose) to show and present their findings. Another example would be in English, students could read a particular poem or book and represent the main themes/ideas of that piece using technology. This could be a Wordle, EverNote, picture editing, etc. 

Now that all courses are over and done with for the first semester, it is time to enjoy the holiday season and take a quick break before jumping back into the swing of things in the New Year! 

Final Week

It's finally the last week of classes, and these next few days are going to be chaotic! I'm extremely happy to say that my ePortfolio is finished (for the time being). It is going to be a constant process of adding more information and revising what I've already put on the site. I really enjoyed making the ePortfolio, just like I enjoyed making the website. You can guess my only complaint with the process, and yes it was losing my entire finished product! However, I'm happy that I chose weebly to use. It was very easy to navigate and recreate my portfolio.

The main thing I will take away from the ICT course is how easy and effective it is to use technology in the classroom. I thought creating videos and adding audio was a complex process that would be too difficult for me to do using my laptop. Wow, was I ever wrong! I can't wait to experiment with the various technologies and see how I can use them in the classroom. One aspect I'm very excited to try in the classroom is videos. I loved the idea of videoing students at the beginning of a unit and at the end to show their progression. It's a great tool to engage kids and keep them excited for class. It also shows how much they can improve in a short time, building their self-confidence.

I can't express how excited I am for the Christmas holiday! It will be a much needed break and I plan on enjoying it to the fullest!!

Second Last Week

The second last week of classes for the first semester has quickly approached! There is a ton of assignments left to be completed, and I'm slowly but surely checking off my to-do list. The biggest downfall of the ICT class so far happened last week. I thought I was being productive by completing my ePortfolio two weeks early.. However, I went to finish up my editing on Wednesday and it was completely gone.. I was mortified! It was one of the only experiences I've had where I lost everything due to technology. But I regrouped and started over. I should soon be done my ePortfolio, not to the level I'd like it to be, but it will be done. I will need a lot of luck on my side for the next week and a half...  

Favourite educational quote and edited selfie!!

Technology

The technology was pretty readily available at the school I did my student teaching at. There were two laptop carts (25 computers per cart). They are also in the process of getting an iPad cart (25 of them). Each classroom has about 4-5 computers. My classroom in particular had four. I think that my CT could have used technology in a much better way, being way more effective. My CT was very "old school". He actually criticized me for using the SmartBoard too often....

Pre-service teaching

How fast did these past five weeks go by?! It was a whirlwind of emotions, but a great experience. There were many conflicts with my CT and a few rough patches, however I learned more than I thought I would! My FS was great and extremely helpful. The kids were challenging but awesome. I created good bonds with many students and hope I made an impact on others. 

Through coaching the girls grade 7&8 volleyball team, I connected with students that I don't think I would have if I didn't coach. I really enjoyed it and am continuing to coach until the end of the season. I definitely hope to get the chance to coach in the future!

7 days left!

Well it's the last week of classes before student teaching..yup, seven days..

With exams and presentations coming up all over the place, it's nice to have the ICT class to release stress. I find that allowing creativity to flow also allows stress to flow out of one's mind. The ICT class is a different style of learning, not like the lecture/pen and paper style of classes which we usually take. This type of learning really appeals to me, I think I succeed in these types of situations. I like that ICT lets you express yourself in various ways and there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer. 

Concluding this week, I look forward to student teach for the next five weeks. It will be both exciting and a huge challenge.I have heard from a fellow Ed student that I should be expecting the worst.. This student had the same cooperating teacher as I will have in a few days. His experience was terrible, as the teacher took a five week vacation during the placement. This is my biggest fear, but something that I think will be my biggest learning experience. I am I'm sure after the fifth week of being in the classroom, I will be running through the Ed doors to come back to class! 

We'll see what happens...

Pixlr

I had never used Pixlr previous to yesterday. It is surprisingly easy to use. I think it would be a great tool to use in the classroom. It would be ideal for students to use in expressing opinions in subjects such as English. I have used photoshop and various types of photo editing tools, which I really enjoy. I think it's a great way to get creative and I think there is huge potential in using visuals in a classroom. 

As a teacher, I really want to strive to use a variety of teaching strategies in the classroom. I personally think that simply lecturing is boring. I like interactive learning, and I think kids are much more likely to be engaged and successful when exposed to different styles of learning. Hopefully I can integrate Pixlr into my lesson plans in the next few weeks!

Websites

Good news.. I actually really enjoy making websites! I just finished mine today, "Ms. Korman's Phys Ed". Weebly was a super easy site-builder to use, I highly recommend it! It's a very easy navigation system and everything is simply click and drag. From someone who has never built a website, it is definitely something I would use in the future. I can't compare it to other sites, as I've never tried any other ones, but I think it's awesome!

New Outlook

Well, week two into classes and they're slowly getting better! Thank god! I'm getting into a routine of homework, time management, and thinking on the fly. Slowly but surely improving!

Tonight will be my first hockey practice in four years, so if I can't walk tomorrow and am falling out of my chair you will know why. As nervous as I am, I'm overwhelmed with excitement! It's going to be a blast. I'm looking forward to lacing up my skates and seeing how much talent I've lost. Let's hope I've still got it!!

Wish me luck!

A side note: I've discovered my juicer again today, very exciting news! Delicious and highly recommended!

First Week

Well the first week of actual Education classes is coming to an end...finally! It has been a very long and overwhelming four days. From last weeks orientation to homework, we've already got the ball rolling! Projects started and presentations due in a few days, there is no time wasted in the Ed program! Managing my time will be key to keeping my sanity over the next few months. Aside from school, next week I will be on the ice for my first hockey practice in four years! SUPER excited for the chance to play again, it's going to be a great year! You're now reading the blog of the newest ACC Cougars rookie!