Week 4

Every week I get more excited about how to integrate technology into the classroom. One of my blogs from my Google Reader popped up with this video last week. I thought it was very interesting to see the kids using the computers in the classroom and hearing actual students' feedback on Twitter in the classroom. This video motivated me to use social technology in the classroom. Before I was a little skeptical, as I wasn't sure social technology could be taken seriously in the classroom or may blur personal and professional lines. However, the teacher in the video made an excellent point: if you do not engage your students in the lesson you might as well be teaching to a wall. I've already found that in my few teaching experiences that students won't learn if the way you present the material is not engaging. Social technology is an easy way to grab the students attention. Twitter is a program they are familiar with, its a program they're favorite TV or music stars use. Plus, it truly is a 21st century literacy. English teaching is about literacy and that has now expanded to include technolgy.
While this video clip did not provide specific examples of how to use social technology in the classrom, the blogger attached a link titled "21st Century Literacy" by the NTCE. It has an entire page of "vocabulary" definitions of different technologies that can be used in the classroom. Specifally with Twitter, however, I feel--similar to our Voicethread participation--Twitter could be a good way for students to discuss in small or large groups their thoughts on books we have been reading--which maybe in class they didn't feel comfortable sharing. I considered that by using Twitter--or some of the other internet communications discussed in this week's lecture--it could help place students in a real life situation. In my grammar class, we've been learning about teaching grammar in context and how creating real life situations are important to helping students see the importance of good grammar. If students are writing things to the outside world via the internet, it will help them take a more serious approach or atleast be able to apply subjects taught in the classroom to a real life situation. People tend to be a little bit more careful with grammar or developing their thoughts if they know someone other than their teacher will be reading it.

Week 3

The websites have me a little worried about my technological ability, but also very excited about what I can do once I master the technology. I am really grateful we are learning how to create a website for our classroom.
While at BYU, I've learned how important it is to be able to communicate with teachers outside of the classroom. I've discovered how convenient it is to have access to my class assignments, readings and calendar outside of the school. As a teacher, I have been wondering how I would be able to provide a similar opportunity without Blackboard. Websites are the answer. If I constantly update my website calendar with due dates for projects, book readings, tests, etc. my students will have a reference after they leave school to turn to for questions. Also, I love how you can upload documents or explanations for homework assignments. I understand that after a long day of classes, its easy to forget specifics of homework assigments.
Furthermore, I enjoy the website because it gives students access to me without creating personal communication. The website is professional, and directly related to school. It is not my personal email or cell phone. Especially in my first years of teaching when I am only a few years older than my students, it helps keeps professional and personal separate while providing information during my personal hours.
Another aspect of the website I really enjoy is the opportunity to post extra information or assignments here as well. While they tend to be few, there are always students who wish to know more about a certain book they read in class or want more challenging assigmnents, books, research, etc. The website can provide the opportunity to upload documents or attach links to sites I trust and know are factual. I can link to pages for proper MLA format or upload example essays for a certain assignment. The possibilities are limitless. The more I work on my website, the more opportunities I see to create a class community online. Technology, when used properly, can greatly. benefit education.

Week 2: Personal Learning Network

The first blog, I subscribed to in Google Reader is titled "Free Technology for Teachers." I looked through the bloggers recent posts and all of them were filled with websites or programs teachers can download online to enhance their teaching in the classroom including acquiring more storage, getting the most out of Wikipedia and creating podcasts. Also, the dates on the post were roughly a week apart, letting me know this blogger will conintue to update regularly.
The second blog is titled "The Power of Educational Technology." This blog was nominated last December for and Edublog award which gives the blog more credibility. While there are some posts about personal experiences (which can actually be beneficial and entertaining as a teacher), most of her posts provide links to or information from other education websites or her own ideas that were successful or not. It is written specifially for English teachers, but it does involve integrating technology into teaching.
"Mr B-G's English Blog," however is specifically for English teachers. He also has several other blogs linked to this blog, including one addressing technology in the classroom. I read through many of his posts (ten have been written since around Thanksgiving) and really enjoyed his insights and stories into teaching English. His blog posts are not too extensive, and not all words. As a busy student or teachers, concise is wonderful.
The fourth blog is titled "The English Lab." While it is not a regularly updated blog, it was a blog I will refer to for website and ideas on vocabularly or grammar quizzes and information online. Also, it provides tips and ideas for teaching ESL students--a very challenging aspect of English teaching.
The last and final blog I chose to subscribe to in Google Reader is called, "Successful Teaching" by a teacher named Pat Hensely. The top post on the blog (which was actually posted today) titled "Where to Find Free Teaching Worksheets for the Classroom" got me hooked. It includes 10+ links to different worksheet varying assignments. In one of her blog posts she even mentions Personal Learning Network. I am very excited about this blog! Who knew so much teaching-specific information was just at my fingertips!

Week 1

I am new to the blogging world. Though, I am excited (as I'm sure my Mother will be as well) to learn how to use a blog and feel confident in creating blogs for my personal and work use. As and English Teaching major words dominate my life, and am excited to use this rapidly expanding technology to project my words publicly for others to read. Its almost like Google books.:)

Like most in my generation, computers are nothing new or scary to me. I feel fairly confident in my ability to follow the directions programs provide or fiddling with my computer enough to figure out what is going on. I've worked with mainly Microsoft Office (Vista and previous), though my husband (tall man in the picture above) does have a Mac and I am quickly learning how to manipulate his computer, as well.

I look forward to this class, though, I am slightly scared since I added a little late and missed the first face to face meeting. But with many emails and lots of outside help, I'm sure I will be able to pass this class and harness this technology to my advantage.