Online Learning

In today's technology filled world, it is important to be able to adequately use technology to reach students.  While looking at Michigan Merit Curriculum Online Experience Guideline Companion Document, I found that there are a few resources that I can use in my classroom.  One thing I found that can be beneficial is the use of online test preparation.  One of the main focus of my course I teach is SAT and ACT preparation.  I can use online resources to encourage the students and have them focus on what they need to work on.  Also having the students using educational blogs would be a useful tool.  By completing this course, I have really learned the impact of blogs. By having students use blogs, they can express them self and also modernize their journals and reading log requirements.  Taking them away from the traditional composition book but sharing on a greater level.

By using these two resources, I can reach my students at a different level.  This would be especially useful with reflections.  They can use the online test pres to discover information and then reflect on that in their educational blog.  Since I teach my students to reflect on what they need to do to do their best.  Having them complete these steps would allow them to develop the skills of self reflection.

Final Reflection

Before beginning this CEP course with MSU, I had the understanding that the only real type of technology that could be used in the classroom was Smart Boards and ELMO Projection Systems.  This was not the case. I have learned that you can use other forms of technology, such as blogs and Twitters, to effectively communicate with students and parents. Some of the things I have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology are direct and indirect instruction. I have also found that StAIRS (Stand Alone Instruction) are something that I can use throughout the year with my students to  help them understand concepts.

By integrating web-based technologies helped me think that I can really use with my students.  This would allow my students (and school) to not have to purchase expensive equipment and programs for the students to really utilize technology.  This helped me evaluate the use of technology because I don't have to rely on expensive software to use certain technologies.  Also by using programs such as Google Docs, the students can work on documents as a group or individual from school and home.  Something that can make learning easier.

By learning all this information about technology I have developed a few goals.  One of the goals I have is really use technology in my classroom.  As I said earlier I had come in with the preconceived notion that all technology in the classroom was Smart Boards and ELMO Projection Systems.  I have surpassed this goal because I have learned more ways technology can be used.  This leads to my new goal of integrating technologies like Google Docs and Blogs into my classroom.  By using a blog I can steer my students away from the traditional journals and reading logs. To reach this goal I will be utilizing the new resource my school has called Gaggle. Gaggle provides a safe monitored blog that students can post their comments and reflections on.  Similar to how we are doing reflections to things in this course.  Another new goal I have is to share with my peers in a PD about everything I have learned.  This relates to using Gaggle and blogs.  Sharing with my peers is a way for me to increase our schools use of technology and make sure we are all progressing together.

Wiki Lab

In the past, I have always told my students not to use Wikipedia as a source.  I never really considered it as something other than a tool that people use to stay updated about TV shows, movies ect.  For CEP 811 I had to create a Wiki post and by creating this post my view of Wikis and Wikipedia has changed.  For the beginning of the the lab, I had to find my school on Wikipedia.  I was able to find TL Hanna on the page and made a few changes to it.  These changes were in the area of one of our most famous students: James Robert "Radio" Kennedy.  You may have heard of him from a Sports Illustrated article and a movie that was released a few years ago.  The changes I made were to the fact that Wikipedia said he had died a few years ago.  This is in fact false as he is very much alive and is currently looking forward to starting his 11th grade year once again at Hanna.





The next part of the assignment was to actually create a Wiki.  After just coming back from the AVID summer institute, I decided to create on sharing some of the strategies we  shared with each other while at the conference. I hope that through the blog others can share ideas and strategies they may have that come from (but don't have to) from AVID.  Feel free to check it out and share any thoughts or comments you have!





By creating this lab, my view has changed on Wikis and Wikipedia.  I don't trust Wikipedia as a source still but do see the value of Wikis that students can use to share ideas they have.