CEP 811 Growth

Whew! What a quick eight weeks! I have really learned so many new tools and obtained many new resources that I can use throughout the rest of my professional career.  

Through these last eight weeks I have been able to explore effective strategies for the classroom such as lecture and hands-on exploration. The idea being that there is a time and place to lecture, but when it comes to incorporating technology guiding hands-on exploration can be more effective for the learning process. 

I have also discovered web-based resources such as MERLOT that can be used as a valuable source of content as well as evaluation of materials. This is such a great resource for teachers and I think that everyone should take some time to explore this for their classroom. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm

Another tool that I am definitely going to use is UDL (Universal Design for Learning). While it is not necessary for every lesson to meet every principlee, it is important to make sure that you are differentiating your instruction with technology and this is a great guide. http://www.udlcenter.org/  

As far as the goals for the course I definitely think that I have learned some ideas for integrating technology.   It is the idea of finding a piece of technology that can be used to help SUPPORT your curriculum.  Not making the technology the game changer.   So it is the idea of taking a tool like an iPad and using it in the classroom for either teacher instruction or academic discovery.  I think there is always going to be a "new" technology to use to teach an "old" concept.  What I have learned is not to use technology for technology sake.  Use it when it can engage the students more than before!

Long term, (after this course) I would like to continue building and cultivating my PLN.  I think that having a reliable place to go to gather information and ideas for your classroom is priceless.  I hope to continue building this and hopefully begin contributing to the conversation. I know that I am going to be learning new things and I want to begin to share those with my colleagues.  That is why I am happy that this blog was created.  I hope to continue posting and sharing new ideas with whoever wants to listen!

Overall I think this class was great!  It was a great combination of reading and hands-on activities.  I hope that the remaining classes in this program are just as engaging.

Teaching & Learning Online: Wikis

 Wiki (a collaborative editing place on the web)

• This tool would be very useful for any content. However, this tool would help support project based learning exceptionally well.  Students can contribute to a collaborative space and support their own learning experiences. They can learn from each other as they work through a project.

• Many different pedagogical strategies could be used with students. Including experienced based learning, cooperative learning, as well as interactive lectures. Students could be asked to drive their own academic discovery while collaborating with peers. Teachers can also enhance learning by posting video/audio of lectures or supplemental materials that help support 24/7 learning.

• RSS Feeds would be a hard tool to use with students. While this tool is powerful, it better serves someone on a personal level, i.e. developing a personal learning network. This tool would not necessarily support any of these characteristics; Collaboration, Integration, Sustainability, Life-long Skills, and Teacher Involvement. Therefore, I do not think this would be a useful tool for an online learning environment.
  
  

All About Wikis

During Session 5, we were asked to learn about wikis and collaborative spaces. Below you will see my additions to my company's Wikipedia page as well as the start of my personal wiki page. This was a fun assignment and I have learned a lot!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WGTE-TV&pe=1&

https://charleneclassroom.wikispaces.com/