Tech and Topics

The best part of this class was learning all of the new presentation techniques.  These new presentation styles are not only helping me form new lessons for in my class, but they are also helping me in my other classes.

The worst part of this class is that it is over.  :(

Does Technology Change the Way We Teach

Does technology change the way we teach?

HECK YES IT DOES!

Even in my short education I have seen a huge change in technology.  Classrooms have gone from chalkboards to white boards.  There have been overhead projectors, screen projectors, and now smart boards and 3M machines.  There did not used to be Internet and computers in schools were for typing stories to print out only.  Now a student can not get by without a computer.  Technology is changing more than just the way we teach, technology is changing the way we live.  And because our lifestyles are changing, the way we (as teachers) prepare our students for the future is by using technology.  Technology allows us to better connect and interact with our students because it allows us to enter into their realm of learning and into the world that interests and captivates them.  Technology is going to allow students to succeed and exceed the learning expectations.

Technology Presentation Overview

Even though I do not have to present a Web 2.0 project I have looked a little into Wiki's from one of my previous observations in Loveland Middle School.  The teacher that I was working with used a Wiki for her poetry unit.  She had her classes divided into single sex groups and each person posted some of their poetry and the people in their group could read and give comments regarding the editing of the poetry. 

I loved this project because it gave the students the ability to self-reflect on their own work and to read and reflect on the work of their peers.  It broadened their view of poetry and expanded their experience with editing.  Without wiki the project would have been paper and red pen based.  I don't know about you, but red pens scare me!

Technology gives teachers the ability to interact with the class and to have the class engaged and interacting themselves.  Without technology there would only be giant lecture halls and education would be in even more of a decline.  The days of lecture and paper are over, Web 2.0 is the present and the future.

Value in Fiction

I think, as an English major, that there is a great value to learning from fiction.  Fiction is a mirror of life, even though it is not a biography or completely true.  There are many aspects of fiction which a student can relate to and that can be used as a teaching tool.  Students learn from Shakespeare all the time.  They can relate to Romeo and Juliet, the learn story lines from the historical plays.  Learning fiction is important, not for the information within the piece of fiction, but for the information and lessons that a person can get out of the fiction.  Being an English major, my opinion of fiction may be slightly biased, but you can not easily find a class that does not involve some type of fiction. 

Value of Portfolio Assessment

The values of portfolio assessment are often shoved under the rug.  People are more interested in the negatives all they can think about is their precious time wasting away, but there are many positives to portfolio assessment and some of these values may be even more important when the new teaching salary is based on merit and student improvement.
Portfolio assessment is a compilation of a students or collectors best works.  The portfolio can be used in English, music, art and really all across the curriculum.  A portfolio is good for assessing a students improvement.  It shows the progress that a student has made in a specific area and that can help teachers with merit pay.  More importantly are the impacts that a portfolio has on a student.  The student is able to see their progress.  More importantly they are able to self-reflect on and self-evaluate their work.  Also the students will learn strong editing skills, which will help them in their education and their career.  A portfolio is good for all walks of life and in many different positions.  Having portfolios in schools can only better prepare students for their future. 

Critique Document

Jessica Miller

3/24/11

Presentation Critique

            My presentation of similes using technology went smoothly.  My information was accurate and I was comfortable with my knowledge and the method that I was presenting the information.  I think that my interaction with students is done well and that I do a good job in getting students to understand material to the point where they can give their own examples and participate in the learning experience.  Also the Glog that I used was creative and eye catching.  It would be able to catch and hold the attention of students while still being informative and a proper teaching tool.   

There are also some things that I think I need to improve upon.  I feel that in my teaching experience I need to find a larger vocabulary when it comes to praising my students.  The way I praise students is often repetitive.  I also need to better acquaint myself with the Smartboard and other technologies to make a more flawless presentation.    

Some other things that I need to work on are my movement around the classroom and the proximity that I have with the students.  Also my body posture and my hand movements need some work.  A final thing to work on is my voice projection.  I need to speak up so that even students in the back of the classroom can hear me. 

Overall my presentation went well and I am satisfied with the outcome.  I know that as my teaching experience grows I will become an even better teacher.   

Critiquing Myself

It was strange to critique myself, but not entirely foreign to me.  In my speech class we had to record all of our speeches and critique them and I have also been notorious to critique myself while watching old videos of my dance recitals.  I tend to be pretty harsh on myself, but I figured that this video was more of a learning and teaching tool for myself and something that would help me improve, so I didn't have to be quite so tough on myself.  I can't say that I really enjoy watching myself, it makes me think what in the world am I doing, because to myself I look and sound like I'm twelve.  And really what high school student would listen to someone that looks and sounds like they are twelve.  I guess the image of myself is the hardest thing for me to deal with.  I created my topic and my lesson, so I obviously think that they are good.  My critique is based on me and my performance.