Week 12 Final Reflections

I am glad this quarter has finally come to an end. I really enjoyed learning from all of you guys. I can honestly say that this course has provided me with a lot of knowledge in which I can actually use. The technologies discussed were both relevant to my teaching and to my personal learning. For example, I learned of a phenomenal book mark called del.icio.us in which I can save all the articles and websites I view. This is better than the paper trail I have been collecting since I started this program. I enjoyed blogging and will continue to do so because, even if no one else sees my blogs, it helps me reflect on meaningful events in my life and in the classroom. I have introduced a few of my students to blogging and they love it. I guess the most meaningful experience I gained from this class is that these new emerging technologies are becoming more teacher friendly than ever. They allow teachers to use constructivist strategies for teaching and learning such as collaboration and active engagement. All of which can be done through software such as wikis, blogs, game simulations, and more.

Forgive me, but I have to share the following news with you guys because I never heard of this technology before. A few weeks ago we discussed ways in which schools can ensure that students are using the Internet effectively. Well, last weekend I worked Saturday school at one of our local high schools and the students had to go into the computer lab to work on one of the assigned learning websites such as Compasslearning. The lab was huge so I was not able to see what all the students were doing at once. However, a media specialist came in and informed me that I could use the software installed on the teacher's computer called SynchronEyes to view everyone's computer screen at once. I was excited about this new technology because it enabled me to monitor the browsing and activities of each student. It also enabled me to send a chat or a message to anyone who needed help or was off task. I happened to find a student using My Space and I was able to zone in on only her computer and sent her a direct message telling her to get back to one of the learning sites she was supposed to be on. She was shocked that I could do this and immediately went back to work. The software includes other features; the teacher can take pictures of the webpage being viewed by students and offer assistance to anyone that may be struggling. All this is done in a discreet manner without upsetting the entire lab.

I have enjoyed chatting and reading the blogs of all of you. I wish you luck in the rest of your courses and any future endeavors. May we be be virtual classmates again or meet at a residency!

Best regards,
Denise

Week 11 Reflections

All I can say is whewwww! This has been a challenging week for me as I have tried to juggle course assignments for my two classes, work, and unexpected family visitors. I am glad to be finished with the 10 page academic paper which is due today. Initially, I loved the idea of having to do a 10 page paper, but as I gathered all my articles and other resources together and tried to synthesize the information, I found it challenging to get it all in 10 pages. I constantly had to go back and delete some information while making sure my paragraphs flowed logically. I am not sure if I was successful at this because my eyes became a little blurry after 4:30 a.m.

I regret that I did not get the chance to chat with any of you this week. I am sure you were just as busy as I was trying to complete your papers.

I loved our discussion on gaming and simulations this week. I was so inspired after reading the assigned readings, that I had to change one of my topics to include gaming and its implications in K-12 classrooms. I hope Dr. Green doesn't mind that simulation gaming was not in my original outline and realize that I was driven by enthusiasm to take it upon myself to change one of my topics. I also learned a lot from some of the simulation and gaming websites you guys posted. I bookmarked several that I found relative to my teaching. Thanks a lot!

Well, only one week remains. I look forward to chatting with you all and reading and responding to your postings.

Denise

Week 10 Reflections

I am soo glad we are on the downside of this quarter. I have really enjoyed learning about these new technologies and using Blogger, Wiki, and IM, but I am drained from having to do these in addition to other assignments. Although I have read all the required readings and completed my posts on respositories, learning objects, and LCMS, I am still a bit unsure of how I might refer to these things in a conversation. The definitions I found seem too simple to provide me with in-depth insight as to what they actually are. I learned more from reading the post of a few of our classmates. Either Christine or Kristy broke the meaning down and even provided a few links to examples of these technologies; this helped a lot. I must admit, sometimes I overanalyze things and make them seem harder than what they actually are, so the example sites gave me a better understanding.
To Shane, if you read this: I had to go back and look through your multimedia presentation on learning objects because it also helped me gain a better understanding of what learning objects actually are. Thanks, Shane!

Denise

Week 9 Reflections/IMessenger

MSN Messenger has served as a helpful tool for this course. In fact, it would be nice to have it availabe and as a requirement for other courses. It was helpful to see the faces of my classmates (some of which I have had shared many courses with before) because sometimes these online courses can be intimidating--seeing the face along with the posts helped realize that we are all human. During the chats, I learned about many resources and applications for class material and topics. A few times I was engaged in helpful discussions on how to use the Whiteboard of MSN Messenger; I believe Kristy showed me how to upload a file and draw on the Whiteboard. It was either Kristy or Meredith who upoaded a picture of one of her sons playing soccer. Shayne, and a few others and I once started a group chat; this was easier than I realized, but it reminded me of being in a conversation in which everyone is talking simultaneously--I found myself responding to or trying to keep up and respond to everyone's comment--which was fun. One student even shared some information on free web sites for teachers--Moodles was the one, which I had never heard of before then. I was even able to get information on how to set up and enhance a web log. Overall, the Instant Messenger by MSN Live was very helpful in that it allowed me to collaborate on various applications for these new technologies in which we have been studying and it has given me opportunities to learn from my peers. I was even able to catch Dr. Green on-line to ask him a question. The only thing I have not been able to do is engage in audio chat and that is because I cannot find the setup disc for installing my microphone. Using the IM has been a wonderful experience; one in which I intend to keep going and use it as a learning tool. The MSN Messenger would also be a wonderful tool for use in K-12 education as teachers, parents, and students would be able to communicate.

Reflections for this week: It has been interesting viewing the remaining multimedia presentations. Although there is no use crying over spilt milk, each time I view a presentation, I cringe at my own. Many are so captivating and professionally done that I feel so small. The good thing about all this is that I can take what I have learned from other presentations (e.g., design, style, information) and improve my skills.