I have created a photostory that will encourage my administration to use virtual online courses for students who are at risk for graduating. Enjoy.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
UDL project
Here is my UDL project. I would like to know your feedback on my informational project. Some of the pictures did not turn out the way I had hoped. I am going to look for better ones but would like your input.
Thanks
Thanks
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reflection
I have learned a great deal in this course. The GAME plan is a great tool to use when accomplishing goals. It really sets you up for success. You make a plan and then it helps you follow through.
Some immediate changes I have made in my class is having the students set up a google reader account and a blog. We are actually opening both tomorrow in class. I got the go ahead with the tech team to set this up. I will give weekly discussion prompts that the students will blog each week and then read and respond to other classmates. I am looking forward to seeing what this does to the classroom.
Some immediate changes I have made in my class is having the students set up a google reader account and a blog. We are actually opening both tomorrow in class. I got the go ahead with the tech team to set this up. I will give weekly discussion prompts that the students will blog each week and then read and respond to other classmates. I am looking forward to seeing what this does to the classroom.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
GAME plan with students
I went into school to revise my lessons to incorporate blogging, voice threads, digital story telling and put my game plan into place. I was able to write my lessons and get my rubrics written but when I tried to practice going through the lessons I found out that some of the websites are now blocked. I was unable to get on the blogging site and the voice thread site. I was able to ask the tech team to download the digital story telling software so we will see if I can get it loaded before school starts.
I think getting these items put in place will help with communication and creativity. I am so excited for my new group of juniors entering my program. I am looking forward to watching them learn using all the new tools I have in place.
I think getting these items put in place will help with communication and creativity. I am so excited for my new group of juniors entering my program. I am looking forward to watching them learn using all the new tools I have in place.
Friday, August 6, 2010
GAME Progress Week 6
When it comes to progress, I feel like I have a plan set forth and have scheduled time to complete it but have not completed it yet. I am going into work on Monday and Tuesday of next week to finish this plan. My environment at home has too many distractions that I have not been able to finish.
I do not want to set any other goals yet until these are complete.
I do not want to set any other goals yet until these are complete.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Progress Week 5
As far as progress goes, I am not as far as I would have liked. I have not started writing the prompts for the weekly blogs. They are in my head just not on paper yet. I have added the blogs to my first week of school plans. I am going to have to have the students set up a blog first and then sign them into the google reader to get the students posts. I am also going to have the first blog be about them and they can introduce themselves.
As far as the marketing tools. I am working on getting movie maker on my computer to have my seniors complete how-to videos to start the year off. I have also decided on the first two sections I will start with my juniors. I have started constructing a check list for them so that as we go through the 22 curriculum items they can check off what they learned and which product will be added to their portfolio.
This coming week is the county fair. My kids have projects so after fair week is over I will be able to get into school and achieve my goals.
Kelly
As far as the marketing tools. I am working on getting movie maker on my computer to have my seniors complete how-to videos to start the year off. I have also decided on the first two sections I will start with my juniors. I have started constructing a check list for them so that as we go through the 22 curriculum items they can check off what they learned and which product will be added to their portfolio.
This coming week is the county fair. My kids have projects so after fair week is over I will be able to get into school and achieve my goals.
Kelly
Thursday, July 22, 2010
GAME plan progress
My first goal was getting the students to identify prior knowledge. The second goal was communication. What I have decided to put in place is a weekly blog. I am going to give the prompts just like we are given in this course. The students will have to post by Wednesday and then read other posts and give comments by Sunday.
They will be using their prior knowledge to answer the posts and this will be using one type of communication with others. Another communication skill that I have added to my curriculum is I have identified almost 30 different ways that information is communicated by marketing companies. This is one of my 22 different standards in my program. So instead of going through and completing a unit on marketing I am going to have my students use these communication avenues as their final product on a particular topic or standard. Some examples are: press release, sign, speech, newsletter, thank yous, videos, fliers, postcards, articles, calendar, website, or poster.
I will use these products as a final portfolio to turn in when they have successfully completed the two year program.
They will be using their prior knowledge to answer the posts and this will be using one type of communication with others. Another communication skill that I have added to my curriculum is I have identified almost 30 different ways that information is communicated by marketing companies. This is one of my 22 different standards in my program. So instead of going through and completing a unit on marketing I am going to have my students use these communication avenues as their final product on a particular topic or standard. Some examples are: press release, sign, speech, newsletter, thank yous, videos, fliers, postcards, articles, calendar, website, or poster.
I will use these products as a final portfolio to turn in when they have successfully completed the two year program.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
GAME resources
Lots of resources are available when it comes to teaching. One of the resources I utilize is my advisory committee. This committee consists of parents, former students, college educators, and business managers within the community.
We meet once or twice a year to discuss the curriculum. I will ask the business managers what skills are needed in the workforce and I will ask former students what they remembered about the program and what could be improved.
It is amazing what I learn.
Other resources I use are websites, books, other teachers in the building, teachers in other schools teaching the same program as me.
We meet once or twice a year to discuss the curriculum. I will ask the business managers what skills are needed in the workforce and I will ask former students what they remembered about the program and what could be improved.
It is amazing what I learn.
Other resources I use are websites, books, other teachers in the building, teachers in other schools teaching the same program as me.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
GAME plan
After visiting ISTE website, I was able to pick two areas to set goals and use the GAME plan. These two areas would be creativity and innovation; and collaboration and communication.
My first goal would be working on getting students to identify their prior knowledge and helping them identify what they know.
My second goal would be to work on communication skills. Communication skills in business can make or break a business so it is important that I use correct communication with my students but that the students learn correct communication as well.
The actions I will take will be to initiate open discussion before assigning projects. This will improve both skills. I will also use different forms of communication with the students and have them communicate with me in different forms.
I will monitor progress based on the products developed. I will have rubrics to assess formally.
When it comes to evaluation I reflect each day as I drive home. After my reflections I then writes notes next to each lesson on how things went and what I might do differently next time. I use these notes for planning purposes the next time I teach that particular lesson.
My first goal would be working on getting students to identify their prior knowledge and helping them identify what they know.
My second goal would be to work on communication skills. Communication skills in business can make or break a business so it is important that I use correct communication with my students but that the students learn correct communication as well.
The actions I will take will be to initiate open discussion before assigning projects. This will improve both skills. I will also use different forms of communication with the students and have them communicate with me in different forms.
I will monitor progress based on the products developed. I will have rubrics to assess formally.
When it comes to evaluation I reflect each day as I drive home. After my reflections I then writes notes next to each lesson on how things went and what I might do differently next time. I use these notes for planning purposes the next time I teach that particular lesson.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Technology and Online Inquiry Reflection
During the past 8 weeks I have grown as a professional and a person. Taking this class has made me evaluate the lessons I want to use when teaching.
Students need to be taugtht different skills then what I was taught in school. These are called new literacy skills. When it comes to teaching these skills, I find that it is more difficult than I thought it would be. I use technology every day and incorporate technolgoy into almost every lesson I teach but just incorporating is not enough. I need to vamp up my lessons so that the students are getting the most out of the lessons and learning the literacy skills.
The class has reinforced the idea of project based learning. Not jsut the project itself but all the details that go into a correct project for students to learn. One item that stands out is asking the questions. I have never had the students ask questions before and think about the project ahead of time. I usually just introduce the project and let them work. Something else I learned was assessment. The use of a rubric is important but it needs to be set up correctly and you have to really think about what skills you are assessing. Are you assessing the content only or other 21st century skills like communication or presentation skills?
I am currently working on my curriculum. I am going to have my program students for 2 years instead of a year and a half. As I go through each standard my goal is to include 21st century skills and incorporate the new literacy skills into my program. The first step I will take is to plan out projects that include research or simulations using the computer and internet. I will introduce the new literacy skills before giving the projects. Another stepis to reinforce those skills throughout the entire program.
Students need to be taugtht different skills then what I was taught in school. These are called new literacy skills. When it comes to teaching these skills, I find that it is more difficult than I thought it would be. I use technology every day and incorporate technolgoy into almost every lesson I teach but just incorporating is not enough. I need to vamp up my lessons so that the students are getting the most out of the lessons and learning the literacy skills.
The class has reinforced the idea of project based learning. Not jsut the project itself but all the details that go into a correct project for students to learn. One item that stands out is asking the questions. I have never had the students ask questions before and think about the project ahead of time. I usually just introduce the project and let them work. Something else I learned was assessment. The use of a rubric is important but it needs to be set up correctly and you have to really think about what skills you are assessing. Are you assessing the content only or other 21st century skills like communication or presentation skills?
I am currently working on my curriculum. I am going to have my program students for 2 years instead of a year and a half. As I go through each standard my goal is to include 21st century skills and incorporate the new literacy skills into my program. The first step I will take is to plan out projects that include research or simulations using the computer and internet. I will introduce the new literacy skills before giving the projects. Another stepis to reinforce those skills throughout the entire program.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Web Site Evaluation
Here is a copy of me evaluating web sites to see if they are valid. I am posting to my blog for easy access.
http://kswitt.podbean.com/
Enjoy.
http://kswitt.podbean.com/
Enjoy.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Theory Reflection
Even after spending 8 weeks exploring theories, I still feel the same about constructivist. I think that it is important that the students have hands on activities to help them learn. I do feel like I am more equipped to bring on those activities for them. I now have the tool of Voice Thread to add to my list of technology to use and have an awareness of how the technology is used whether it be instructional or learning.
One immediate adjustment that I will make to my instructional practice is that I am going to become more aware of how I am using the technology. In my lessons, I will identify whether it is used for instructional or learning purposes.
One tool that I would like to use with my students is PowerPoint. I tend to make a number of PowerPoint’s to use with my students but do not have them make the project themselves. The students making their own projects will help enhance the learning by them building something on their own.
Another tool I would like to use is my SmartBoard. I currently have a SmartBoard in my room but do not use it to its fullest. The settings are off, so I tend to gear away from the equipment out of frustration. I am going to make a point to get the equipment fixed and start utilizing it. This again will allow the students to complete hands on activities and enhance their learning.
Some long term goals I have planned is having the students start blogging. I want to incorporate this into my curriculum this summer and have it be a staple of the class. Another long-term goal would be to incorporate more virtual tours. I enjoy working with the tours and if time allows I would like to make a virtual tour of my own. Both of the long term goals would be used for learning purposes.
One immediate adjustment that I will make to my instructional practice is that I am going to become more aware of how I am using the technology. In my lessons, I will identify whether it is used for instructional or learning purposes.
One tool that I would like to use with my students is PowerPoint. I tend to make a number of PowerPoint’s to use with my students but do not have them make the project themselves. The students making their own projects will help enhance the learning by them building something on their own.
Another tool I would like to use is my SmartBoard. I currently have a SmartBoard in my room but do not use it to its fullest. The settings are off, so I tend to gear away from the equipment out of frustration. I am going to make a point to get the equipment fixed and start utilizing it. This again will allow the students to complete hands on activities and enhance their learning.
Some long term goals I have planned is having the students start blogging. I want to incorporate this into my curriculum this summer and have it be a staple of the class. Another long-term goal would be to incorporate more virtual tours. I enjoy working with the tours and if time allows I would like to make a virtual tour of my own. Both of the long term goals would be used for learning purposes.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Social Learning
When I think of social learning, I think of cooperative learning and collaboration. These have become very popular in education in the last decade. I will use both in my classroom. The first is cooperative learning. I will put the students into groups for projects on a regular basis. Students get the benefit of learning from each other and taking their knowledge and putting it all together.
Collaboration is also very common in business. The students in my junior program complete a 30 day simulation where they run their own business. All the businesses are in one model community. I also talk about the fact that if the post office does not open then the other businesses can not run properly. They are collaborating so that all the businesses can run smoothly.
A rubric is something that I use when completing these projects with the students. They know what is expected ahead of time. I find that they work harder and have greater outcomes with the use of rubrics.
Collaboration is also very common in business. The students in my junior program complete a 30 day simulation where they run their own business. All the businesses are in one model community. I also talk about the fact that if the post office does not open then the other businesses can not run properly. They are collaborating so that all the businesses can run smoothly.
A rubric is something that I use when completing these projects with the students. They know what is expected ahead of time. I find that they work harder and have greater outcomes with the use of rubrics.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Constructionism
Constructionism to me is when you actively involve the students in building something or creating something to help them remember. An example would be actually having the students write out a check to their neighbor to help them remember. The videos call this an artifact.
When it comes to project-based learning, you are also involving the students in building something to help them remember. The video talks about PowerPoint presentation becoming the artifact. I like the idea that you would have a unit on banking and have each student or group build a presentation on a different part of the unit and then present that information for all.
These two correlate with eachother because you are both building something to help you learn the information.
When it comes to project-based learning, you are also involving the students in building something to help them remember. The video talks about PowerPoint presentation becoming the artifact. I like the idea that you would have a unit on banking and have each student or group build a presentation on a different part of the unit and then present that information for all.
These two correlate with eachother because you are both building something to help you learn the information.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Cognitive Tools
I think the biggest reason to use cognitive tools is for long-term memory. When the students use maps, charts, or other visuals it is helping them sculpt their brain to remember the information. It also helps the students make connections so that they can relate the information to something.
Pictures are huge when making connections. Look at the pictures of Haiti that we have seen since the earthquake. If reporters just described what was going their would not be as much as an impact on the devastation. It is with those pictures that we can make a connection. In the resources they talk about senses. The more senses you can get involved the more the students will remember. The only sense that we can not get from the earthquake is the smell. It has been described to us but unless you are their you will not be able to make that connection.
Pictures are huge when making connections. Look at the pictures of Haiti that we have seen since the earthquake. If reporters just described what was going their would not be as much as an impact on the devastation. It is with those pictures that we can make a connection. In the resources they talk about senses. The more senses you can get involved the more the students will remember. The only sense that we can not get from the earthquake is the smell. It has been described to us but unless you are their you will not be able to make that connection.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Behaviorism Week 2
There were two strategies talked about in this week’s resources. The first is reinforcing effort. At our school we have used the Baldrige approach. We introduce charts and graphs to show the students behaviors. One popular chart is attendance. This correlates with behaviorism because usually if the student has good attendance then they will get an award or some type of praise at the end of the quarter.
The second strategy is homework and practice. I use a couple websites to help me with this. The first one is Quia.com. I have online quizzes and have set up games to help the student with vocabulary. Another website is one from the book I use. On this website the students can take a test, quiz, or just play games all while learning or reinforces the material discussed. This correlates with the drill and practice idea of behaviorism.
The second strategy is homework and practice. I use a couple websites to help me with this. The first one is Quia.com. I have online quizzes and have set up games to help the student with vocabulary. Another website is one from the book I use. On this website the students can take a test, quiz, or just play games all while learning or reinforces the material discussed. This correlates with the drill and practice idea of behaviorism.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Welcome Back
I first created this blog in my technology class two classes ago and now I am going to pick up blogging again in my recent class. The first time around, I enjoyed blogging but was not sure I would have time to keep it up. I am hoping now that I am not a rookie, I will be more experienced and can utilize this technology better. I am a mother to three boys and have been married for 11 years. I teach a career and technical education program in Dayton, Ohio where my focus in business management. In my free time I enjoy exercising and reading. I also love to watch movies. I am looking forward to reading your blogs and learning new information from you too.
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