class this week

I had dabbled in podcasting in the past, but it has been awhile since I created one for myself. I enjoyed watching/listening to the others in the class create their own. I think that last week in class we as a group exemplified what learning is about, exploring and problem solving with eachother. While trouble shooting the issues with posting to the wiki page there were many ideas offered and avenues tested in order to come up with the best way to have all the podcasts posted. Since we worked as a team we were able to complete the assigned task. This is how I think digital immigrants learn and understand the new technologies that are available. We play around, and receive advice from others. Right now I don't believe that we have truly encountered any digital natives. The amount of new technology that has become available within the last 5 years would mean that the only true digital natives are not even school age yet. Since I do not have children of my own, I am not around kids under 5 and therefore do not think that I surround myself with the truly "digital native". Since we have passed the chance of being digital natives, we as immigrants must work on learning and using the technologies we have available, using eachother can only better our chances.

Elements of storytelling

This week we read articles about elements of storytelling. One element of storytelling that I think is important to use in the classroom is the element of pacing. When you are lecturing in story telling format the pacing you use can really "sell" the story. Dramatic pauses keep attention of the students and draw them in if they may have drifted away. Telling stories too quickly can also lead to the concentration of the students to diminish. If they feel as though they can't keep up they will not even try. Another element that is helpful in instruction while using story telling is the gift of your voice. Combining proper pacing with proper voice can engage listeners and really leave a lasting impression. In the future these two elements of story telling are two that I will pay close attention to while instructing. I think that using these elements will improve instruction because it will keep attention of students and hopefully engage them in the instruction.

How to apply what I have been learning

Last week in class one thing that stood out was the, "we didn't start the fire" video. Though this was interesting I could not see myself using or creating something like this in my class or with a class of mine. After reflecting on this video I realized that I needed to move my focus to think about something that we worked on in class that I could forsee myself using and enjoying with my students. Our discussion on copyright rules and fair use is one thing that I will/should use in my class. I just finished a unit on copyright laws and fair use and thought that some of the items shared in class would have enhanced my unit. Though some of the sites offered would need more exploration before setting the students free to explore on their own, they are a good start to help me best understand how to explain copyright protection to students. Even the video that my group watched would be good addition. Videos can always enhance the discussions that have begun or jump start a discussion if there is a struggle.

The family of Girls

CEDU 531

I have begun a new course and will now be adding to my blog again. Below is my reaction to digital stories:
This year I have worked with a 5th grade team and the students did create a digital story using Photostory. At the beginning of the year they had to create a story that told everyone what they did on their summer vacation. I was in charge of teaching the software and the teachers were in charge of helping them write their stories. Though I was fascinated at how excited the students were to learn this new presentation tool, I thought their stories were lacking. After thinking about what was discussed the first week I can see how creating the story first is the most important part of the story-telling, I don't think this was the main objective and that is why the stories lacked. I can see digital story-telling used in conjunction with reading/writing. Students could re-enact their favorite scene from a book putting their spin on it using digital story-telling. It can also be used as a way to present findings done in research. I personally created a digital story to showcase the efforts of the library program at one of my elementary schools. I took snapshots of the students working and of the library and talked about the goal/vision of the library program. My first time completing one definitely shows that I am an ameteur, but that is why I am so interested in this class.

It's been awhile

Hello anyone whom reads my blog.

I just want to give a quick update about my life and where I am at now. Last week I accepted the Library Media Specialist position in New Berlin. I currently am working in 2 schools trying to keep the libraries running and hopefully make them be a wonderful place for all in the school. I am excited about the new challenge, but know I will miss teaching 6th grade. I am putting youtube video on this site because it really made me think when I saw it last year and with my new position I wanted to re-visit the thoughts going through my head while watching it. Hopefully some of you will watch it and tell me what your thoughts were.

End of class

Now that class has come to an end I am still swarming with information in my head. I have so much new technology wisdom and am excited to start using it in the classroom. Besides for learning all about web 2.0 tools I also took a class on digital media and learned how to edit video. I edited my first video this past weekend since the one I created for the class. I impressed all my family by creating a video of my niece's baptism. I had a lot of fun and was able to pull off giving her the video as a present instead of searching around for another cross or religious trinket. I think my present is a little more meaningful than her 4th cross!
I am looking forward to learning more technology at my districts technology academy. I will be learning how to create webquests for and with my 6th graders. One more piece of technology to take to my classroom. A huge perk for tech academy is that I actually get paid for professional development, this never happens! I hope many of you will keep up your blogs since I do enjoy reading them occasionally and learning what is going on in the lives of my education partners!