Animoto Video on Collaboration!

Animoto is a great tool to use in the classroom! It allows the teacher an easy way to introduce a topic to their class! I find it to be an extremely engaging tool! I thought it would be difficult to use, but it was fairly self explanatory! I look forward to creating Animoto videos in the future to introduce topics to my class!

Podcasting

I have subscribed to a few podcasts and have enjoyed listening to them. I have subscribed to “The Story Home Children’s Audio Stories”, “Math Dude”, Stuff You Missed in History Class”, “Teaching with Smartboard” and TedTalks.”

I’ve found them all to be interesting and would really like to have the ability to listen to them in my car. I was really interested in a Ted Talk that was based on introverts and extroverts. The speaker said that most situations anymore are designed mainly for extroverts, rather than introverts.

I am an extrovert and so I did find some of these comments to be offensive because she talked a lot about how introverts are typically smarter, get better grades, are more creative. Although some of this seemed offensive to hear, I do think it is good for me to hear that there needs to be more of a balance.

As a teacher, I set up my classroom in pods or groups. I encourage teamwork and create collaborative activities for my students to complete together. I think that it is important for students to be able to work with/get along with peers. They won’t only work others in school, they will grow up and they will need to know how to work with others. This speaker challenged teachers for teaching to the extrovert and I realized that I am the teacher that teaches to extroverts. Although it did get me thinking about how maybe I need to pay more attention to what an introverts learning needs may be, but I do still think it’s important to teach students how to work together and interact with one another.

I think that these podcasts will offer a lot of advice and insight.

Digital Storytelling

I made this video in reflection of an article written by Jennifer New. The article is called, "How to Use Digital Storytelling in Your Classroom"

Reflection:

I thought this was a great article for someone who is interested in beginning implementation of digital storytelling into their classroom. It offered great advice to follow throughout the introduction process. It was also a great reminder of what students are really capable of when we allow them to use tools like digital storytelling. They can produce information in an interesting and professional way.

I agree with what the author of this article presented. I love what it extended to other teachers. This article could definitely have an impact on my classroom! I want my students to be able express themselves in creative ways and challenge themselves with new tools! I can't wait to introduce new projects to them!

One part that this article mentioned was to not count on things working out the first time. It did include a resource that I wanted to share with you- “Creative Cow” it said that it was a resource you can go to in order to find answers quickly. That’s the most frustrating part of technology, when things don’t work out and you need to find an answer but don’t know how. I appreciated that they included this resource for their readers.

Curriculum Project

Here is a link the curriculum project I am in the process of creating:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zUGCpAzbQUr5cjr48nBv29YmxUT4Wa0UUq5BgRT1uOg/edit?hl=en_US

Using Blogging in the Classroom

After the interactions I've had with blogging, I think it would be a great addition to my classroom! I incorporate the daily 5 into my classroom. I have some students who don't particularly enjoy write to self. I think that Blogging may be the answer for some of these students. I have 3 computers and 24 kids so I am going to need to figure out how to make this fair for everyone. I do think it would be a positive addition though! I think it would be a great way for my students to communicate with me on certain topics, and also not only read other students responses, but possibly even respond to them. I think this would provide a great challenge to students, and engage them in their writing!

50 States and Capitals

Introduction

My name is Shawna Maher and I am currently a 4th grade Teacher in Omaha, NE. I taught 1st grade for my first two years, and am enjoying seeing learners in a whole different light. I have learned a lot through this transition, and am sure it will continue!

The purpose for this blog is to explore/learn more about technology and utilizing it to the fullest in my classroom. I am taking a course through my master's program that is all about using the internet. I feel that even though I feel like I have a good grip on using the internet, there is most-likely a whole world of possibilities out there that I am completely unaware of!

I look forward to extending my knowledge and the benefits that it will have on the students in my classroom!