Mrs. Helminick's Class

Reflection #5

2009-06-26T09:58:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-25T14:18:00.002-05:00

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

2009-06-24T14:19:00.003-05:00

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

2009-06-24T14:07:00.002-05:00

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...

2009-06-24T13:22:00.001-05:00

Mapquest Vacation Directions

2009-06-24T11:06:00.001-05:00

Welcome Podcast

2009-06-24T10:21:00.000-05:00

Listen to my podcast

Reflection #2

2009-06-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

1. I didn't think that I would be able to use a wiki after I learned about blogs yesterday. However, I'd be willing and excited to use this for our Link Crew program. Even though I've worked with a wiki before, I realize that I need to continue working with it on a consistent basis to remember what I've learned. On another note, I also actually learned what Web 2.0 means:)
2. I realize that I need to continue to challenge my students, collaborate with them and use Web 2.0 tools whenever possible.
3. Web 2.0 will fit great into my classes. It's even becoming more evident to me with each hour that I spend in this class. As I spend more time in class, it's also becoming more clear how I can implement Web 2.0. At this point, I'll be using a blog for my Business Law class and a wiki for our Link Crew, as I stated earlier.
4. Podcasts...VODcasts...don't know what they are!

Reflection #1

2009-06-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

1. How has my new learning challenged my beliefs about Web 2.0?
After the initial frustration of not being able to use the tutorial, I'm realizing that a blog isn't as hard to manipulate as I first thought. I can see where these tools will work for different classes and different teachers.

2. How have the concepts addressed in this course challenged your beliefs about education and your current practice?
I didn't think I'd ever use a blog in any of my classes! However, I can see where it will be a wonderful learning tool for my students. As well as using technology to keep them engaged, they will be able to learn from each other as far as content and new ideas.

3. How do you see Web 2.0 fitting in your practice?
I definitely will use at least one of these tools for at least one of my classes.

4. What questions remain and still need to be investigated?
I still need to figure out some of the gadgets and how I will add my students to have rights to the site.

Business Law Summaries

2009-06-22T14:16:00.000-05:00