Blog #4 - Online classroom experiences

I can honestly say I have not had any online class experiences / activities that I thought were useless. I felt that each activity provided me with some learning. One online class I had did use BlackBoard and I was not fond of their discussion format. I feel that the conversations on mybb seem to go much better and have more flow for me. Not to mention, I enjoy having each persons picture and signature. I have had a little difficulty with the podcasts for this class loading / playing but I think that is a result of my computer more than anything. It does not stay connected to the internet consistently. Between the podcast outlines / notes as well as listening to the podcast (even if it takes more than 2 attempts) I feel that I get the information that is needed. I do appreciate having that outline as a guide because it helps me when I want to write down a point from the podcast to already have a little info typed out to look at.

The only other negative experience that I had with an online class was that I did not feel the instructor answered my questions thoroughly through emails. I felt this did impact my grade a little bit when writing papers. THe first paper I wrote was a 13/15 for APA formatting errors. I emailed the professor for more details and he gave me various websites to visit for more information but never actually told me specifically what errors I made. After that paper, I spent a LOT of time reading various websites (suggested by the professor) and having my colleagues proofread my next paper. I even had one of my friends with a masters in some sort of writing something (I should probably know what her actual "title" is) do a final proof read and check simply for APA formatting. She was convinced that everything was 100% as it should be. However, I received the same 13/15 for this paper due to APA formatting errors. I was very frustrated that I had literally spent an additional 3 - 4 hours preparing myself to write the paper as well as having at least 5 others read it, to be told I had the same problems. Again, when I emailed for clarification, the response directed me to the same websites. I still ended up with a great grade in the course so I did not push the issue further.

I actually just told my husband last night "I am beginning to love online classes"! My son has had every bug in the last 12 weeks, and I have had numerous unexpected doctor appointments for my pregnancy. WIthout having this class online, I would probably not be doing well as I would have missed several F2F sessions. Quite honestly I wouldn't be in the class because I would be having a baby at some point during the class!

As I said before, I feel that each activity I have completed for an online class has taught me something. I have never walked away feeling as though something I did was useless.

Blog #3 - Ironically my 4th post!

My focus for the final project is going to be surrounding a program called Geogebra. It is free software similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad and easier to use in my opinion. It really provides only the features that a student would be expected to work with. It can be downloaded at geogebra.org. I currently use Geogebra as a demonstration tool for students when I am doing intervention but would like to start having students use it to explore topics we are studying in class. I am going to use the previous suggestion of using a google doc instead of a google site to get information to the students. The document will have links for students to follow as well as a guide that includes how to navigate through the program. Each of my students has a google account so I can easily share one document with them that links them to each of the documents for the upcoming activities. I will start with some basic introduction to geogebra type activities followed by some more “advanced” uses for the program. I anticipate having at least 3 of the introductory activities as well as one bigger “project” for students to work on. The bigger project will probably focus on transformations of functions and / or images. I anticipate implementing this next year, so I will most likely focus on transformations of functions which is an algebraic concept. If I am a classroom teacher again next year I will most likely teach Algebra I and II. So the breakdown that I envision is:
* How to enter functions into geogebra
* How to change the grid / scale / object properties
* How to turn labels on and off / how to hide objects without deleting them
* Transformations of functions Project

I have been playing around with the program a lot and am getting really excited to get the project finalized! I should probably get going quickly since the ETA on my little one is less than 40 days!!!

629 Project Discussion

Blog Entry #3

My focus for the final project is going to be surrounding a program called Geogebra. It is free software similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad and easier to use in my opinion. It really provides only the features that a student would be expected to work with. It can be downloaded at geogebra.org. I currently use Geogebra as a demonstration tool for students when I am doing intervention but would like to start having students use it to explore topics we are studying in class. I am going to use the previous suggestion of using a google doc instead of a google site to get information to the students. The document will have links for students to follow as well as a guide that includes how to navigate through the program. Each of my students has a google account so I can easily share one document with them that links them to each of the upcoming activities. I will start with some basic introduction to geogebra type activities followed by some more “advanced” uses for the program. I anticipate having at least 3 of the introductory activities as well as one bigger “project” for students to work on. The bigger project will probably focus on transformations of functions and / or images. I anticipate implementing this next year, so I will most likely focus on transformations of functions which is an algebraic concept. If I am a classroom teacher again next year I will most likely teach Algebra I and II. So the breakdown that I envision is:
* How to enter functions into geogebra
* How to change the grid / scale / object properties
* How to turn labels on and off / how to hide objects without deleting them
* Transformations of functions Project

I have been playing around with the program a lot and am getting really excited to get the project finalized! I should probably get going quickly since the ETA on my little one is less than 40 days!!!

Online teaching vision

I quite honestly have not attempted much in regards to online teaching. The only thing I could count that some might qualify as "online teaching" would be using E2020 as a remedial tool for students. However, given that it is not much different than handing them a worksheet, I would not constitute this as any form of online teaching or even online learning for that matter.

I do not have a great plan for my future in regards to online teaching. I assume that I will be transitioned back into the classroom as a teacher at some point, especially given the current budget cuts each district faces. My vision will focus on my classroom teaching. I do not anticipate that my district will offer fully online classes separate from using a resource such as E2020. I would then hope to offer at least a few online lessons to students. I was very overwhelmed when attempting to work with my moodle account a couple of weeks ago and after exploring Google sites, I feel this may be a better platform for me to use at this time. Unless of course I am able to attend one of the moodle workshops offered by the KISD, then I quite honestly might feel more comfortable using moodle. The atomic lab videos are awesome resources but I feel I learn much better actually doing something as it is being explained. I like that google sites offers the option of starting with a "blank slate" allowing me to build and customize my own website. I know that moodle will allow me to customize many things, but there are a LOT of buttons to click. Google sites seems very simple! I would also want to use a tool that my students could use as well. Google sites would be an awesome way for students to create their own website someday.

One online tool that I also would want to engage students with more frequently is Geogebra. It is a free online (simpler) Geometers Sketchpad-like tool. Students can explore various features of functions as well as construct polygons. I prefer to allow my students the time to explore concepts and work on projects versus the typical lecture-test cycle. I currently have only used Geogebra as a demonstration in class. If I could move several lessons online, then students would not feel lost or disconnected if they have to miss school.

I feel that the largest barrier that I face currently is my role as an interventionist. I work with students at varied levels of mathematical ability and I do not see the same students consistently. If I were in a classroom my biggest barrier would be the amount of content I am expected to cover in a very limited amount of time. It is difficult to not lecture-test when you are given 8 sections of material, 1 test and 1 quiz to cover in 5 class periods!! It takes additional class time to set up and support the online learning initially. I am looking forward to the Common Core Curriculum which will incorporate more of the project based learning in which I feel I can use more online resources.

Blogging in my Classroom (629)

I have never used a blog in a classroom in the past and have not really seen many great examples of blog use nor can I say I have seen bad examples. It is something I have not really explored much. This blogging activity prompted me to explore some of my colleagues blogs. It seems that many of them use them as an informational tool for students.

One of the math teachers posts daily notes, assignments as well as important information. She also has links to several helpful websites which include video tutorials and written explanations. While her blog seems mostly focused on students, there are helpful resources for parents as well.

One of the computer teachers uses his blog as described above but also allows students to comment on various things. He expects that they comment on certain posts as an assignment as well as engage in discussion with their peers in his blog.

One of the English teachers has a website which seems to be hosted on weebly. While I don’t know what weebly is, I am sure it it similar to a moodle. While this is not a blog per say I was very impressed by some of the content on this site. She even had a link to each students portfolio that they had to create for their English course.

So now that I have explored what other teachers have to offer in my district, I don’t feel any more comfortable or ready to use a blog in my own position! I quite honestly am not sure how a blog would really be helpful to the students in my role as an interventionist. However, thinking to the future, I assume I will be back in a classroom someday and could really see myself using a blog there.

I would put weekly posts outlining the course goals for the week which would include important dates and reminders. I would make all class resources available online when possible. I would use the SMART technology we have to record any lecture portions of class to post for those who missed class or those that simply chose not to pay attention. I really also like the idea of having students be active in participating in the blog. They could post questions that either myself or a classmate could answer and I could monitor the discussions occurring between students on the blog. This could also be useful if a student comes to class the next day with the same question. We could pull up the blog and read the discussion that had occurred previously to further a classroom discussion.

Having taught in a district with minimal technology prior to last year, I feel very new to the whole integrating technology into my classroom piece. I am very comfortable using technology myself but feel that I could harness it in a way that is more beneficial to students. When I create my first classroom blog, I will definitely seek the input of my students to see what information / links / resources they would find useful, after all, it is for them!

Test Post

Hey! This is my first post for EDT 629!