Example of Linking

Check out this great ESL page.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

This program has helped me both professionally and personally. I know so much more about computers. I had very little experience with Web 2.0 applications and used mostly the applications on my computer. I also just taught the applications that were on the computers at school. I now incorporate many Web 2.0 tools at all grade levels. I am increasing the number of lessons that require collaboration, both online and off. I feel that my students are getting so much more out of my class than they had in previous years. I have been asked to help change the curriculum to make it compliant with the ISTE standards. I'm really excited to do this and can't wait to get started! (Plus they're going to pay me to do it ;) ) If I had to choose a topic that we had delved into deeper, it would have been networking and security. I know very little about either. My husband is the IT Admin for a college, so he know all of that stuff and handles our needs at home. I would have liked to have learned more about this so that when I talk to the techs at school I don't sound like an idiot. They aren't very friendly, they are just like Nick Burns. The most surprising thing about this program to me was that I somehow found time to do all of my work, and do it well, and still work full time and keep all of my other commitments. It was satisfying to be able to complete this degree in only two years and to come out knowing so much more.
So,
Au revoir, uff werrergugge, bai bai, tot straks, hasta luego, and 01100111 01101111 01101111 01100100 00100000 01100010 01111001 01100101.

The end is near!

My culminating project is finished and I'm working on adding the final touches to my portfolio. I'm then going to transfer it, and all of my work, to a my personal google account(s). As this program comes to an end, I can't help but be a little sad. It's become such a 'normal' part of my daily life that I don't know what I'm going to do with my time!

I can honestly say that I've put most of what I've learned these past two years to use in my classroom. I am a technology teachers, so I obviously use computers daily with my students, however, I've begun to question the 'status quo' for our technology program. We are teaching to the old standards and they are just not good enough. I've had multiple discussions with our district technology coordinator, who is also one of the vice superintendents, and he is on board with me initiating some major changes. He has asked a peer of mine, as well as myself, to rethink the scope and sequence of our program this summer and find out where we are lacking in the way of 21st Century Skills. It's going to be a daunting task, but I feel, due mainly to this program, I'm up for it!

It's done!

I'm done with my project! It turned out great. I have one lesson for each grade level on Internet safety and all the lessons incorporate the use of technology. I am relieved to have it finished and feel wonderful. I am excited to implement the lessons and see what changes need to be made, because as all teachers know, even the best planned lessons will need to be changed slightly once you try them out with the students. I look forward to seeing everyone's finished projects on May 2nd and to graduation and having my life back :)

Culminating Project Week 2

This past week I have gotten a lot done with my project. I am splitting my time between researching, creating, and collaborating. I have finished my lesson for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. You can view them here. I am having such a fun time researching and looking at activities, videos, and lesson ideas. I am excited that I get to do more work on this over the summer, creating digital citizenship lesson on cyberbullying and copyright and fair use lessons, as well. :) I'm going to keep this brief, as I am working on the research part of my second grade lesson right now.

Here are some great videos I have found that I am using:
http://ikeepsafe.org/assets/videos/?vid=fauxpaw_video







http://www.netsmartzkids.org/rbs/watch_rbs.htm

599 Week One - And We're Off!!!!

I met with Louis yesterday and got some great feedback from him on my project. I was relieved to hear that he thought my goal was too ambitious for the time period, which was a sneaking suspicion I had when I realized the class was only four weeks! I am up and running with my project and am in the research phase. I am just amazed at the abundance of resources for teaching Internet safety. I definitely have my work cut out for me. I think the best tactic will be to focus on my end product (thanks to Louis for this advice) and work backwards. I'm thinking of wiki pages for fourth grade and videos for fifth, but that's all I've got so far. I have had a busy week and am throwing a bridal shower tomorrow, so I'm squeezing school work into all the gaps between work and commitments. Luckily, I have a pretty tame week next week and will get a ton of work done then.

WEMTA Conference 2011

Hi all! I'm at the WEMTA conference today and tomorrow and wanted to share the highlights with you!

I created this google site to track the highlights.