OK, so I bribed my child with 2 smiley faces to get her to sing a song for my podcast. Basically, I hate using a microphone or hearing my own voice through speakers.... so 2 smileys (Abby and Beth are earning smileys to get ice cream, we're almost there!).
It took some cajoling, but she finally sang Twinkle Twinkle... first by herself, then with Sam. After that, she really got into it... and sang a song (kind of) that Beth identified as a Hannah Montana song. Too funny! I'd kind of like to let them just go with it and see what they record.... but I have to return the microphone soon.
I think this will get easier as I do it more often, but I'm not really sure it's something I'll do often (between my dislike of microphones and my students lack of verbal output, seems unlikely).
It might be cute to use at home with the girls to have them send messages to family and friends (if we ever get a microphone).
For now -- I officially finished the course! I learned a lot, and I am trying to use at least some of it in my classroom.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Course Reflections
Technically, I'm not done yet. I still have to do my podcasting lesson (but what I need to do it is broken on my computer).
Reflections:
What I Liked...... I liked that it is online, so I can go at my own pace. This is especially helpful since it's summer time and everyone has funky, different schedules. I liked learning about lots of interesting tools to use in the classroom (and in life).
What I Didn't Like..... I think the biggest thing for me is feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information I have learned about. At the time of each lesson, I could think of ways to use it, but the big question (the essential question) is "Will I be able to find the time to use it in my classroom?" I am still learning about how best to teach the severe/profound population. I am still trying to find the time to incorporate all the ideas I have already to use in my classroom. With 2 of my daughters with me after school each day, it can be hard to actually get any work done after school. I think I'll be using nap time to do a lot. (Here's to hoping that the new kiddos can also rest in a room with some light.) Anyway, enough about why it'll be hard. I think I need a goal... how about try to incorporate something new each month. Just one thing each month. Maybe a gentle nudge, an email, or something about a month or so into school to see how everyone is using what we learned might be helpful.
Reflections:
What I Liked...... I liked that it is online, so I can go at my own pace. This is especially helpful since it's summer time and everyone has funky, different schedules. I liked learning about lots of interesting tools to use in the classroom (and in life).
What I Didn't Like..... I think the biggest thing for me is feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the information I have learned about. At the time of each lesson, I could think of ways to use it, but the big question (the essential question) is "Will I be able to find the time to use it in my classroom?" I am still learning about how best to teach the severe/profound population. I am still trying to find the time to incorporate all the ideas I have already to use in my classroom. With 2 of my daughters with me after school each day, it can be hard to actually get any work done after school. I think I'll be using nap time to do a lot. (Here's to hoping that the new kiddos can also rest in a room with some light.) Anyway, enough about why it'll be hard. I think I need a goal... how about try to incorporate something new each month. Just one thing each month. Maybe a gentle nudge, an email, or something about a month or so into school to see how everyone is using what we learned might be helpful.
PLN
I am going to have to think more on PLN, but for now, here are my thoughts. Throughout this course, I have found many different ways to use technology in the classroom. I think, for me, the biggest way I will be able to use these new tools (well, new to me) is to work with other educators to collaborate on lesson plans and other ideas to use in my classroom. I can also use many of the tools to communicate with the parents.
Back to PLN... I think Wikis will be useful to me. I also like my Google Reader -- although I need more blogs that are related to education and specifically teaching the severe/profound population. I like the idea of Google Docs -- actually, I like the idea of having documents available from any computer with internet access.
Back to PLN... I think Wikis will be useful to me. I also like my Google Reader -- although I need more blogs that are related to education and specifically teaching the severe/profound population. I like the idea of Google Docs -- actually, I like the idea of having documents available from any computer with internet access.
Digital Storytelling
I checked out YouTube and TeacherTube. I found YouTube to be easier to navigate than TeacherTube. I was able to find videos on augmentative communication and one on positioning students using a prone wedge. For fun, I searched how to bake bread, then found others for making pizza dough and honey glazed sweet potatoes. The girls and I watched funny, cute videos about kittens and babies.
In my classroom, I could use digital storytelling to share special activities with parents. The biggest thing to remember with this is confidentiality. I would have to have written permission from all parents to use the kids, and it would be even better if I could password protect the videos. In the classroom, we sometimes use a form of digital storytelling -- Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks seems to me like a version of digital storytelling. I would like to incorporate this more into the classroom -- maybe even make my own from books I have. Something for me to think about and try.
In my classroom, I could use digital storytelling to share special activities with parents. The biggest thing to remember with this is confidentiality. I would have to have written permission from all parents to use the kids, and it would be even better if I could password protect the videos. In the classroom, we sometimes use a form of digital storytelling -- Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks seems to me like a version of digital storytelling. I would like to incorporate this more into the classroom -- maybe even make my own from books I have. Something for me to think about and try.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Google Docs (and a look back at my Google Reader)
OK, I'm still working on how to use Google Docs in school or in life. Right now, many of the other options (Wikis especially) come to mind to use for planning purposes. (Planning parties, planning themed lessons, ...)
As for my Google Reader, I had Michael add a shortcut to it on my desktop at home. I really like that I can click right on it this way. I think I look at it more often because of this. (I wonder if there's an app for it now that I have an iPhone!?!?) Anyway, I have a few blogs on my reader that I enjoy looking at. I have Mary Ruth's food blog, I have the one from a mother who has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I have the Happiness Project which in theory I'd really like to read but haven't really, and I read Daily Worth.
This is where I found something interesting.... in the post about Offermatic.
I'm interested but leery of it. I'd like to know more before signing up, but it sounds like a great idea ("freak love child of Mint, Groupon and Blippy.")
As for my Google Reader, I had Michael add a shortcut to it on my desktop at home. I really like that I can click right on it this way. I think I look at it more often because of this. (I wonder if there's an app for it now that I have an iPhone!?!?) Anyway, I have a few blogs on my reader that I enjoy looking at. I have Mary Ruth's food blog, I have the one from a mother who has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I have the Happiness Project which in theory I'd really like to read but haven't really, and I read Daily Worth.
This is where I found something interesting.... in the post about Offermatic.
I'm interested but leery of it. I'd like to know more before signing up, but it sounds like a great idea ("freak love child of Mint, Groupon and Blippy.")
Monday, July 19, 2010
Social Bookmarking
OK, to be honest, when I first saw this, I thought -- oh, so it's bookmarking a page. BUT, I like the idea of being able to bookmark pages for others to see or for me to see from other computers. I can see this being very useful at school. I could find and bookmark lots of helpful sites for parents. My goal: to try and actually accomplish this during the 10-11 school year. Here's what I have for me. I think it would also be helpful to have for ECP teachers to access and use. See what sites others like. I wonder if I could do it like a Wiki where everyone could add theirs instead of everyone having their own sites?
As a side note, I also went into Goodreads. I like it though it's not always user friendly, but I did like it. I was going to add it as a sidebar/widget to my other blog, but I can't figure out how. I'm also afraid it could become just one more thing I need to do.... we'll see.
As a side note, I also went into Goodreads. I like it though it's not always user friendly, but I did like it. I was going to add it as a sidebar/widget to my other blog, but I can't figure out how. I'm also afraid it could become just one more thing I need to do.... we'll see.
PodCasting
OK, I have put off podcasting because I have NO desire to have my voice or face up on a video. I finally sat down to do it, and I can't. I have to get Michael to look at it -- my computer says there is no microphone (well, essentially it is saying that).
I looked at some of the podcasts. I think it's a neat idea, although I don't think I would use it in my classroom (at least not to make them). I do like the stories (Storynory) and may use this at home or school.
I think I'll move onto social bookmarking and come back to podcasting later.
I looked at some of the podcasts. I think it's a neat idea, although I don't think I would use it in my classroom (at least not to make them). I do like the stories (Storynory) and may use this at home or school.
I think I'll move onto social bookmarking and come back to podcasting later.
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