Course Reaction Blog

The past fifteen weeks in EDT 610 – Computer-Based Instructional Technology have been a very fulfilling time for me. The first two assignments (word processing and gradebook) were easy and utilized software that I was already very comfortable with. The ease with which I completed those assignments allowed me to build some confidence before we tackled the real core of the course which is working on the Unit Plan and using MS Publisher and PowerPoint. For me, using a new software is somewhat intuitive but identifying objectives, creating the actual assignments and evaluation rubrics and then completing the actual project while learning and using the various features of the software was the challenge. I am aware that my perspective as a student in this class is similar to the perspective my own students will have when I stand in front of them and make an assignment that requires technical knowledge as well as subject matter knowledge.
As this course progressed, the Unit Plan became clearer and in the end I was much more aware of what changes I needed to make so that the objectives worked well with the Alabama Standards and unit questions. The procedures came together fairly easily after having completed the 3 technology projects, the 2 student support artifacts and the teacher support artifact. The actual timing of how long it will take to accomplish these tasks and assignments in a real class setting is somewhat of an unknown for me. I am more concerned than ever that my first year of teaching will be trial and adjustment as I try to meet all the Alabama Standards while creating my unit plans for the first time. I can picture weeks when I, the teacher, must speed up the pace and others when I must slow down the pace or add to the assignments so that I can stay on task with meeting objectives for the year.
Using Bloom’s Taxonomy was a great resource in creating objectives for my Unit Plan. Creating objectives that touched on the various learning domains (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) will keep the learning activities from being so one dimensional. For example, instead of simply testing students’ recall, memorization and recognition, allowing the students to explain, discuss and report or to create, design and formulate will engage them at an entirely different level. The more fun the learning activities are, the more students will engage and the more they will take away from a unit of study. And, I believe, the knowledge gained will stay with the student because the knowledge was gained through an experience and not just through a classroom lecture or exam. The Intel CD will also be a useful resource as I develop my own portfolio of unit plans as a beginning teacher. I plan to hang on to it!
I know that to use software to its fullest and most efficient, one must use it often. It is my hope that I will use technology in my classroom to teach as well as a means for students to express themselves creatively and to learn.

Nearing the End

We are coming down to the end in Instructional Technology. I have the Unit Plan to complete and once I have my grade on that assignment I can turn in my entire portfolio. The objectives have been tricky for me. I have some editing to do to make sure the objectives for each of the assignments and my Unit Plan all tie in together and cover the important questions for this unit. I hope to wrap up my unit plan and turn that in today. I hear those objectives calling to me now so I'll get started - no time like the present!

Nearing the End

Wow, this semester is flying by. Dr. Wang announced tonight that we only have 3 classes left. This has been a good class. I hope I can remember many of the tips and tricks she has shown us throughout the semester.
Tonight I turned in my Student Support materials. I created a vocabulary word map which seemed like a fun assignment. Kids like using templates and this one combines writing with drawing.
Next week we turn in our teacher support. I am not sure now what I will be creating for that assignment. I am leaning toward a PowerPoint presentation for my unit, Colonial American.

Web Project Hindsight

My initial vision for the web project assignment was a bit too grand. I wanted to create an interactive crossword puzzle that would allow the students' website visitors to interactively complete the puzzle and receive feedback when an answer was correct. As each new visitor entered the site the crossword puzzle would be reset to a blank puzzle.

I created the puzzle in Excel and used nested IF statements to evaluate the letters entered into the puzzle and return a message of "KEEP TRYING" or "GOOD JOB". I also set up data validation in Excel to let users know they could only type one letter per box. I created the puzzle itself by using a site called Crosswordpuzzlegames. The resulting file worked well and covered the historical subject matter quite well. I was very pleased with the puzzle.

Then, I attempted to link the Excel file into the students' site and that is when I found out that the file was no longer interactive. Dr. Wang told me that to accomplish what I had in mind would require programming language. I ended up adding the puzzle and instructing the user to print it.

Although I was disappointed that my initial plan was not successful, I was pleased with the final result of my students' website. Fun assignment!

More work to do

I just reviewed Dr. Wang's comments on our last assignment - the unit introduction and unit powerpoint. Looks like I have more work to do on my unit objectives. I need to revise the objectives for technology and language arts. I am a little confused over what Dr. Wang meant when she said the objectives are not exclusive to each other. Maybe I can get a better idea of how to revise the objectives tonight at class.

I also need to rewrite the unit summary. Not sure if the content is ok and I just need to reivse the format from bullet points to paragraph. I'll check on that tonight at class as well.

I am disappointed in the results of this assignment. I had no idea I had missed the boat so far on this one. The one bright spot is that Dr. Wang said we would revise the unit many times during this course so I guess this will be one in a long line of revisions!

I enjoyed very much Dr. Wang's lecture last night on the history of computers. How amazing to have been a pioneer in the world of computing as far back as the 1800s.

I remembered to check out the meaning of ENIAC. It means Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.

Danna's first blog

Greetings fellow students and Professor Wang. I am returning to school to pursue the AMP in Early Childhood Education. After many years as a CPA I decided to make a change in my professional life. I look forward to learning alongside you this semester as we explore the uses of today's technological opportunities available to us in the classroom. I hope to gain a better understanding of ways to utilize technological tools even with younger students to enhance their learning.