Module 10: Visual Learning

Digital Story

This week we learned about digital storytelling. Three technological resources that can be used in this are Animoto, Photo Story, and Wideo. Each of these technologies can be used in my future classroom. Animoto is an online resource that allows you to create videos. Photo Story is an online resource that allows you to use pictures to tell a virtual story. Wideo is another online resource that allows you to create and share videos. I could use any or all of these in my future classroom to help my students. If there was something that I wanted to teach my students, I could use these technologies to create an informational video to show them. I could also use these to create a virtual lesson if there was ever a time that I couldn't teach them in-person. All of these technologies would be very helpful and useful in my future classroom.

One challenge that I should consider when using these technologies is the availability of the internet outside of school. These technologies shouldn't be hard to use if I only required my students to watch a video that was already made. However, if I want my students to watch a video outside of school, I would have to consider the fact that some of my students may not have access to the internet. If this were the case, I would have to create special accommodations for these students. Once I address this challenge, I should be able to implement these technologies into my classroom with great efficiency.

 Module 9: Virtual Learning

Virtual Field Trip

This week, I planned a virtual field trip to the Grand Canyon. This was a very fun assignment. I could plan a virtual field trip in my future classroom to help get my students engaged in the lesson. I plan on teaching math when I graduate from college, so planning a virtual field trip could be a little difficult. However, there are several different trips I could plan. Once I plan a trip, I can create several activities to go along with the virtual field trip. This would ensure that all my students were engaged and paid attention to the field trip. I could use this field trip to help my students learn something that they might be struggling with. A virtual field trip could end up being very beneficial for my future students.

One challenge that I should consider would be the availability of internet connection and the students' knowledge of how to navigate the websites. If I plan to let the students work on this assignment at home, I must consider which students have access to the internet away from school. If I only allow the students to work while they are at the school, then internet access is not a problem. One thing that I must always consider is the ability of the students to navigate the websites and use the technology. It would not be good if I assigned this and I had students who could not operate the technology efficiently. These are just some of the things I must consider when assigning online projects and assignments.

 Module 8: Evaluation and Assessment

Online Assessment

This week we learned about online assessments. I had to create two online assessments that focused on things that I learned earlier this semester. The two online resources I used to create these assessments were Quizlet and Quizizz. One assessment focused on UDL and the other focused on Social Bookmarking. Creating these online assessments was very beneficial to me. I can use online assessments in my future classroom. I could have students create Quizlets to help them study, or I could create other things using Quizezz or Kahoot! to help my students study and learn. Doing this will help my students because it will make the learning more fun and interactive. This will help the students retain the information better, and will help them become more successful.

One challenge that should be considered would be the availability of internet access and a possible learning curve when it comes to technology. If I was getting my students to create a Quizlet to help them study, I would most likely assign it as a take-home project. The problem with doing that is the possibility of some students not having internet access at their house, or them not understanding and being able to work with technology. If they were working on it at school, they would have internet access and I would be there to help them out if they had problems with the technology. However, I cannot assume that all students will know what to do and have appropriate internet access when they are on their own. Ignoring these possible challenges would be unfair and unprofessional on my part, and that could lead to more problems down the road.

 Module 7: Collaboration

Online Meeting

This week, I held an online meeting. This was a very interesting and beneficial assignment for me. I plan to graduate college and pursue a career as a teacher, and knowing how to hold online meetings can be very helpful in my career. There may come a time in my teaching career when I have to host/join a meeting with my supervisors. Knowing how to host and join an online meeting would help this meeting to flow smoothly. Another time would be if I had to host an online meeting with a parent/guardian of a student. It may be easier for them or even myself if we were to meet in an online setting. If I didn't know how to host an online meeting, this could prove to be very challenging.

One thing I need to keep in mind for holding online web conferences would be the availability of the internet and the attendees' knowledge about how to work computers and other technological devices. If I tried to host an online meeting with a person who did not have access to the internet, they would not be able to join the meeting. I might also face challenges if the attendee doesn't know their way around technology. These are just a few things that I need to keep in mind when planning and hosting online meetings.

 Module 6: Mobile Devices

Kahoot!

This week I learned about mobile devices and how to implement them into the classroom and the lessons. Kahoot! would be a very fun and helpful tool to utilize in the classroom. Kahoot! is an online resource/app that allows you to create and give quizzes all at one time. The quiz is online, so students can get their phones or computers and join via the quiz code. The questions and answer choices on the quiz are given on the main screen, which can be the smartboard in the classroom. Then the students can choose and submit their answers from their phone or computer. There is also a scoreboard that encourages students to compete and try to get the answers correct. 

One challenge that you might face could be with low SES students. If there are students without mobile phones or personal computers, they would not be able to join and participate in the quiz. Some classrooms have computers, but some do not. If you are in a classroom that does not have computers for the students to use, the students without a phone or computer will not be able to participate.

It is important to know your school district/workplace's policies when dealing with mobile devices. If you are not careful, you may violate these policies and then you could get in trouble. You also have to make sure that students stay on task when using mobile devices. The school district may allow you to use Kahoot!, but if your students get off task then you could still get in trouble. If you violate these policies, you could ruin the opportunity to introduce and utilize more technology for others in the school district, as well as for yourself.

 Module 5: Multimedia

PowerPoint Recording

This week I learned about PowerPoint Recording. This would be a very useful tool in the classroom, especially when dealing with presentations. I can use this to record my lectures and allow students to watch them on their own time. I could also have my students use this wonderful feature. If my students were preparing a presentation to share with the class, I could offer for them to use PowerPoint Recording to help with their presentation. I could have students pre-record their presentations to share with the class. This would allow me to still give their presentation even if the student wasn't in class for some reason. I could also allow students to use this instead of getting up and presenting in front of a live audience. I know that some students struggle with presenting in front of a group of people. This would allow them to still present and give all of their information without having to stand in front of a class. 

One challenge that I would have to consider would be the availability of computers and webcams/microphones. If a student does not have access to a computer or a webcam and microphone, then they will not be able to use PowerPoint Recording. This would make it difficult for students to work on their presentations. They would have to work on it at school, which can be extremely difficult if you are trying to record video and audio of yourself. We would have to find a private space and time for students to work on their presentations at school.

 Module 4: Desktop Publishing

Sway

This week, I learned about Microsoft Sway and the different uses that it has. First, I created a brochure, a flyer, and a newsletter. After creating these, I posted my newsletter on Sway. Posting my newsletter in Sway allowed me to share it with all of my classmates without having to email a Word document to each of them. Sway also has a different feel than your normal Word document. It made my newsletter seem a little more modern and fun. This would be a very useful tool in the classroom. I plan on teaching math after I graduate. One way that I could incorporate Sway into the classroom is by having my students complete a group project and posting it on Sway for all of their classmates to see. For example, I could have my students create a flyer for a math-related event, and then I could have them share it through Sway. I could also make them complete a project relating to whatever topic we are covering and have them post it on Sway. After they post it, I will pull it up on the board/projector and allow them to present it to the class. 

While Sway would be a very useful tool in the classroom, there could be some challenges when using it. One challenge would be internet access and familiarity with this tool. For some students, it might be very easy to get online and use this tool. However, not everyone has access to good internet when they are away from school. Even if they do have access, this does not mean that they would be aware of how to use it. Some students might be able to figure out how to work Sway, but you cannot assume that all students will be able to figure it out. You would have to show them how to work Sway, but this could be very time-consuming if students tend to struggle with technology.