Reflection #5

1. What are your plans for sharing your enthusiasm and with whom?
I'll definitely go back to my colleagues in the business dept. and tell them about everything I learned and experienced throughout this week. I'll also share my enthusiasm with the media specialist--this will pave the way for my blog discussion:) I'm also on two committees that meet this summer--so I know I'll be excited to share this with them. The principal and assistant principal are on these committees also--so that will be good:)

2. How can you utilize your learning to become a leader in your department/building/district?
I'm on the PBIS leadership team and a Link Crew coordinator. I'll definitely use the wiki for my Link Crew. I most likely will create something for a PBIS presentation for fall workshop, but haven't figure out what, yet.

3. What advice will you give to colleagues who are resistant and/or who have not yet explored Web 2.0?
I would suggest that they take this class:) I'd also share with them that anything that can help the students learn more is a good thing. We are here for our students--not to ignore change!

4. What will you be doing for the rest of the summer to prepare for the start of the school year and your integration of Web 2.0 technologies? Who can you go to for help?
I may be contacting one of you:) I'll be working with my blog and possibly a VODcast.

5. How will your work from the past week transform your classroom to more closely represent the “ideal” according to the Net Gen (refer to your Before, During, After blue sheet)?
I'll incorporate a blog, which will help the students be better critical thinkers and writers and also keep them engaged.

Reflection #4

My philosophy of education has changed somewhat this week. I've always known that students need to be engaged to learn best. Since I'm in the Business Ed. area, I've always taught by using as many tools as I had available. However, I've learned that it's basically essential to maximize the NetGen's learning. I also have known that there needs to be trust and caring in the relationship with students, which was reaffirmed in this class.

Web 2.0 technologies, as I've come to understand them, fit easily into my philosophy. I'll continue to utilize as many new tools as I can in the next few years, but realize that I need to go slow to keep my sanity. This is challenging in itself!

These new technologies will make my teaching more effective by helping the students collaborate and engage them.

I will work toward putting these tools in hands of more students by integrating them slowly into my curriculum. I will try blogs, wikis and podcasts this year. I will use blogs in Business Law, wikis in Personal Finance--not sure how yet, and podcasts for my Computer 1 class. These classes are each in a different trimester, so I can go slo-o-o-w.(Do I need to stress this again!)

New Technologies In My Classroom

I teach Business Ed. classes at Apollo High School in St. Cloud. I have several classes but will incorporate a blog into my Business Law class. I will use this for summarization of articles and collaboration through comments to these summaries. I could also use a wiki for my Personal Finance class. In addition to this, I could incorporate use of podcasts into some of my computer software classes.

Reflection #3

1. Well...I'm not sure I'll attempt a podcast or vodcast this year, but I sure am glad that we learned how to use it and I'm aware of everything that goes into it.
2. The challenging part about what we've learned so far is that it's A LOT of information. At times it's overwhelming. Then I remember that I can go slowly and use one part now, another part next year or trimester, etc.
3. It was reaffirmed yet again that I need to do different things in my classrooms--just go slowly. The slowly part is for me!
4. I still need to research what my district will let me do and how I go about getting the computers usable for a blog.

Just because I think this is funny...

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