“What did I learn and how can I use it in the future?”
I think that the readings in this session have influenced me and inspired me just as much as the video clips we watched during our very first class. The first reading I delved into, "List of What Makes a Good Teacher, Created by Students", opened my eyes and gave me a wake-up call. I think that educators, and all professionals, often get stuck in a comfortable routine. We find what works and oftentimes we do not stop to question it or to challenge ourselves. Due to a constant shortage of time, energy, or both, we do not continue to explore or experiment with new methods, strategies, routines, or schedules. Instead, we stick to what we know. This same principle connects to a concept I wrote about in my first blog. I wrote about how many educators seem hesitant of all this emerging technology because we are scared of what we do not know. We allow our timid human nature to take the reins and we take shelter in what is comfortable and familiar. If we are to succeed, we must stay vibrant, alert, and fresh. We must continue to blend the old with the new along the way. I am writing this because the article written by students was a wake-up call I needed. Although I did incorporate a lot of new methods this year, it is important to also adopt new mindsets and approaches. Reading about what students observe and respond best to has inspired me to try and connect more with my students. If I want to really inspire them as an arts instructor, I need their respect and their admiration. Every little action, every word, every mannerism is watched by students and I need to maintain more alertness to my behaviors, both big and small.
The most amazing resource I discovered in this section, Arts Alive, has completely changed my classroom and my everyday class activities. I wrote on the discussion wiki, this is a wonderful resource because it offers something for every learner and every different classroom activity. Through Arts Alive, we can do research, watch video clips, use study guides, take quizzes, critique dance, and analyze dance photos. I am so grateful for this resource and I have shared it with many other arts teachers.
Before blogging, I took a glance at one more article, "10 Sites to Use with Mobile Phones in Education". As mobile phones are becoming more powerful and more prevalent in schools, I think most classrooms will use them as a productive tool in the near future. I was amazed by ClassParrot, which is a safe way to text students about reminders and updates, or to communicate with parents. This is a great way to communicate in a favorable way without allowing students to have too much access to one's personal information. Since my students love texting, especially my 7th and 8th graders, I am interested to see how they would respond to StudyBoost or TEXTNLRN, both of which use texting to study, review, and learn. I think this ties into game-based learning and I think it will be very successful because it connects something students love with content knowledge.
I have acquired so many new resources and tools to explore through this session. As I wrote, I am ready to wake up and try some new approaches and methods, these resources are a great place to start!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Interactive Whiteboard: Session Eleven: 12/03/12
“What did I learn and how can I use it in the future?”
I really enjoyed learning about the different types of interactive whiteboards. This is my first school year with a SMART board, and before this year I was completely foreign to the concept. All I had in my dance classroom was an old boombox and a dysfunctional TV set! I had heard of Promethean boards and SMART boards, but I had never heard of PolyVision, Interwrite, or Numonics. I feel much more familiar with these tools now and I am equipped to discuss them with another colleague or professional if the opportunity were to present itself.
After reading all of the interactive whiteboards' websites, brochures, and customer reviews, I am realizing how massive interactive technology in the classroom really is! This is a huge movement for America's educational realm and it is only going to continue to grow and develop. Interactive whiteboards are a key part of technology in the class; affecting our lesson plans, class activities, class projects, class assignments, grading, assessments, and research. Interactive technology will go on to influence our state test scores, student learning styles, and the way we communicate on both a professional and on a personal level. Like any other sudden movement or trend, a lot of money, marketing, and sales go into the interactive whiteboard. I was intrigued about how different companies advertised their product by offering slightly different deals and promotions. For example, Numonics offers a pen set complete with batteries, a recharger, and a red pen if the customer can afford to buy the whole set in addition to the costly board. On the other hand, Interwrite offers to include a wall-mount bracket, but the projector is sold separately. I found it very interesting how various companies compiled differing deals for their product. I was also surprised about the several shades of difference I found in terms of warranty. Since the interactive whiteboard is such a large and expensive classroom resource, I assumed all competing companies would have to offer the same (or very similar) warranty plans in order to stay afloat. However, all of the warranty plans fluctuated between 2 years and a full lifetime. As an individual who is immersed mostly in education and the arts, I am still amazed when I realize how much the corporate business world is involved in so many aspects of our everyday lives.
If I had to choose an interactive whiteboard for my classroom, I think I would give PolyVision a chance. As I wrote, I have a SMART board in my room and I do love it! I am extremely grateful to have this tool at my fingertips; it has enhanced my lessons and classroom activities immensely. It has also helped me to project music at a greater level and it allows me to cater to my visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners all at the same time. However, in a school district overwhelming in size and slightly disorganized, my cords and supplemental equipment have been misplaced more than once already. None of my cords or pens were in the proper place when I returned to school in September. After Ms. Diane Maguire thankfully lent me some new cords, I had to buy my own dock in order to get my SMART board up and running. After I had a sick day out of the classroom in November, all of my equipment was missing again! I had to buy another dock and thankfully recovered the other cords and connectors. I think PolyVision would be much easier to manage, maintain, and care for since there are no cords, cables, or power outlets needed. In addition, I really appreciate that this product is made of all recycled material. This interactive whiteboard tools are large in size and intricate in design, the more materials and resources we can save on our earth, the better! PolyVision can host up to three interactive users at the same time, whereas my SMART board can only accommodate two users. Lastly, the board comes with a "forever" warranty, meaning for its entire lifetime.
I am very glad that I was given this assignment so that I am now more knowledgeable about interactive whiteboards in general and the most popular options available!
I really enjoyed learning about the different types of interactive whiteboards. This is my first school year with a SMART board, and before this year I was completely foreign to the concept. All I had in my dance classroom was an old boombox and a dysfunctional TV set! I had heard of Promethean boards and SMART boards, but I had never heard of PolyVision, Interwrite, or Numonics. I feel much more familiar with these tools now and I am equipped to discuss them with another colleague or professional if the opportunity were to present itself.
After reading all of the interactive whiteboards' websites, brochures, and customer reviews, I am realizing how massive interactive technology in the classroom really is! This is a huge movement for America's educational realm and it is only going to continue to grow and develop. Interactive whiteboards are a key part of technology in the class; affecting our lesson plans, class activities, class projects, class assignments, grading, assessments, and research. Interactive technology will go on to influence our state test scores, student learning styles, and the way we communicate on both a professional and on a personal level. Like any other sudden movement or trend, a lot of money, marketing, and sales go into the interactive whiteboard. I was intrigued about how different companies advertised their product by offering slightly different deals and promotions. For example, Numonics offers a pen set complete with batteries, a recharger, and a red pen if the customer can afford to buy the whole set in addition to the costly board. On the other hand, Interwrite offers to include a wall-mount bracket, but the projector is sold separately. I found it very interesting how various companies compiled differing deals for their product. I was also surprised about the several shades of difference I found in terms of warranty. Since the interactive whiteboard is such a large and expensive classroom resource, I assumed all competing companies would have to offer the same (or very similar) warranty plans in order to stay afloat. However, all of the warranty plans fluctuated between 2 years and a full lifetime. As an individual who is immersed mostly in education and the arts, I am still amazed when I realize how much the corporate business world is involved in so many aspects of our everyday lives.
If I had to choose an interactive whiteboard for my classroom, I think I would give PolyVision a chance. As I wrote, I have a SMART board in my room and I do love it! I am extremely grateful to have this tool at my fingertips; it has enhanced my lessons and classroom activities immensely. It has also helped me to project music at a greater level and it allows me to cater to my visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners all at the same time. However, in a school district overwhelming in size and slightly disorganized, my cords and supplemental equipment have been misplaced more than once already. None of my cords or pens were in the proper place when I returned to school in September. After Ms. Diane Maguire thankfully lent me some new cords, I had to buy my own dock in order to get my SMART board up and running. After I had a sick day out of the classroom in November, all of my equipment was missing again! I had to buy another dock and thankfully recovered the other cords and connectors. I think PolyVision would be much easier to manage, maintain, and care for since there are no cords, cables, or power outlets needed. In addition, I really appreciate that this product is made of all recycled material. This interactive whiteboard tools are large in size and intricate in design, the more materials and resources we can save on our earth, the better! PolyVision can host up to three interactive users at the same time, whereas my SMART board can only accommodate two users. Lastly, the board comes with a "forever" warranty, meaning for its entire lifetime.
I am very glad that I was given this assignment so that I am now more knowledgeable about interactive whiteboards in general and the most popular options available!
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