John Finch

Today in our ICT class, John Finch came and spoke to us about literacy with ICT in the classroom. He talked about some key points that we have heard before, but what really caught my attention was the way that we need to prepare our students so that they can be effective in using ICT in their studies. John spoke about how students need to be able to think critically and creatively while also being ethical and responsible. I think it is really important as teachers to be conscious about teaching students these three key areas. So often the use of the internet as a source of information is so easily accessible that proper use is assumed and as a result problems arise.

John also made a point of discussing the vast amount of information that is on the internet and as a result needing to equip students with tools to properly access the information and resources that they are seeking. John suggested teaching students to look at the internet through three lenses: validity, reliability, and currency. Too often students enter a search on the internet and take the first few results that pop up on their screen, looking further would be too overwhelming! As teachers, we need to give students the tools to look for valid, reliable and current information. In providing students with tools to look at the internet in this manner, they will in turn think more critically about the information that they are taking away.

What John talked about echoed what I read in Powering Up this week. How do we educate students so that they are more well rounded thinkers? With information at their finger tips for every question imaginable, students do not need the background knowledge or skills the way that they used to. John began to answer this question for me by talking about how students need to always reflect on their learning so that they will constantly be asking deeper questions and seeking answers and information. When students are taught to look for valid, reliable and current information, they will hopefully not only find the answers they are looking for, but also be curious to search further and delve deeper than they initially intended. As a result they will become more well rounded and educated with background knowledge in areas that interest them.

Creating a Website

This week has been another “first” for me in the world of technology. I have started building my first website for my future classroom. Once I got past being intimidated yet again by the process, I realized how much I have to learn. For some people, technology comes easy, unfortunately I am not that person. After two days of struggling with the program, I am beginning to see some progress and aspects of my website are actually taking shape! I am excited to see it all come together and the vision of my website take shape. Actually making a website has forced me to seriously think about what I want and need to include to make it complete. Starting to think about different aspects that are important to students, parents, as well as myself as a teacher starts putting things into perspective. I am excited that the possibility of having my own classroom is just around the corner, but at the same time I scared about all of the little things like creating a website that need to be done and consume so much time! I need to remember that it is a slow process and it will all come together in time.

Classroom Websites

This week in class we began talking about our future classroom websites as we start the process of developing them in class next week. For me, the task is a little scary. Developing my own website? Never thought I would see that happen! However, once I got past the intimidation of the actual process, the thought of a classroom website began to make me really think. When I was in school, a website devoted specifically to our class was not even a thought. I am so excited to be teaching with all of the tools that are available now compared to when I was in school. When we talked about different aspects that could be included in a classroom website I could not help but think of the difference a website would have made not only in my life as a student, but also for my parents. The ability to have information and tools available any time of the day or night is an amazing resource that teachers can provide. In a digital world, the opportunity to include education and appeal to students on their level is another way of engaging them in their educational journey.

Here We Go Again. . . .

Intentions were great to continue with my blog after I4ED, but apparently intentions were not enough! Now that I am back in ICT I am going to give blogging another attempt. I am really looking forward to learning some of the basics of ICT in this course! I know that I have a lot to learn and am so thankful to have a safe environment to do it in. Having done three student teaching placements (only two that I was able to use technology in), I have a better understanding on what I am comfortable with and where I need more help in terms of technology. I am excited to be able to gain that knowledge and experience this semester in order to be a more successful teacher next year! I hope you enjoy reading my blog this semester. . . if all goes well it will continue into my teaching career!

Final Project

I can't believe that we are presenting our final projects today in Internet for Educators! This semester has gone by so fast, but has been packed full of so much information!
This final project was another learning experience for me. . .and another test of patience and faith! I used power point, vocaroo (for sound) and slide share (for presenting). All programs I have never used before (yes, I know, my first power point presentation ever!). There were many glitches and I am sure that it is not of the quality of some others that will be presented, but after hours of working on my slide show, I am happy to have something to present. I hope you are able to learn a little something about my Adventure in Technology!

Internet for Ed Summative Project from educhart

BYTE 2013

This was my first year attending BYTE (Building Your Teaching Experience) which was held in Neepawa (my home town) this year. What a great day full of amazing information and networking! The main problem I had with the conference was narrowing my sessions down to four. . . so many knowledgeable presenters to choose from!
The first session that I attended was Safe and Caring Schools in Cyber Times: Making Connections and Building Community with Kate Roberts. Kate's presentation focused around how we need to make school an environment that is safe for all students. She talked about how educators need to look at technology in regards to the doors that it opens and the connections that are made instead of focusing on the negatives. Kate also touched on the importance of the community being involved in protecting students. She shared some different programs such as: Sources of Strength, Roots of Empathy, Reclaiming Youth International and Responsive Classroom that are being used to develop healthy connections between kids and the community. This was a very informative session and focused around how we need to teach kids, not programs. By getting to know our students and connecting with them, the students will feel safer in their school environment. The feeling of safety will also help students to feel comfortable to come to their teacher if they are feeling unsafe in any situation.
The second morning session was They All Have Computers, Now What? Teaching in a BYOD Classroom with Roy Norris. This presentation was excellent! Roy is one of the initial teachers at Dakota Collegiate in Winnipeg that fully integrated BYOD in his classroom. Roy talked about how the students in his classroom are more engaged and involved because they are learning through their "normal", using their own devices. In Roy's classroom, BYOD actually means bring your own computer. Although he does not discourage other devices, he requires that each student have their own laptop so that they have a device that they can use to create with. Roy also talked about the different policies, successes and challenges that Dakota has seen since implementing BYOD. It was exciting to learn about a school that has been able to successfully implement BYOD!
The third session (after an amazing lunch - thanks BYTE!) was Edmodo in a Multiaged Classroom with Barry Waldner. This session was good for me in the sense that I have never done much with Edmodo. That being said, I don't think that it is a program that I would enjoy using. After seeing Blackboard and using Moodle, I think I like these programs and their options more than I enjoy Edmodo. One thing that I do like with Edmodo is the aspect that parents can be linked in and see the progress that their children are making. Even though I am not sold on this program, I enjoyed being at this presentation and having a chance to be exposed to it from a different aspects of it from a different point of view.
The fourth session of the day was 21st Century Learners by Sophia Palahicky. I was excited to learn from Sophia again as we had had her the day before in our I4Ed class. The format for this presentation was more of a discussion than a presentation which I really enjoyed. Sophia had a lot of great leading questions that really got everyone talking and sharing ideas on the 21st century learner. I really appreciated the opportunity to listen to the views of different teachers that are in different levels of education within Manitoba. As a pre-service teacher, the opportunity to gain knowledge from those in the field is really important to me and this session provided that opportunity. The ideas that were shared were meant to make us think deeper and reflect on what is important to us as teachers and how we want to approach educating the 21st century learner.
Overall this conference was amazing! I can not wait to go back next year and continue to learn and network with some amazing educators and presenters. I would highly recommend BYTE to anyone in the education field, you will not be disappointed!

Class Presentations!

Today was maybe one of my favourite Internet for Educators classes. Everyone was responsible for presenting in groups on topics that they chose that pertained to class. The wide variety of information and resources that were shared was amazing. It was neat to see what we have learnt in class come together and be expanded on in different methods and approaches.

I really enjoyed working with my group and learning more about BYOD than I had known before. It was neat seeing all of our personalities come together to make a presentation that flowed together, but we were still able to show our individualities through our deliveries. I was really happy that using "Today's Meet" worked so well. Seeing the success of it during the presentation reinforced how it could be beneficial in a classroom setting.

Each group shared great information and I was able to learn something from each presentation. Perhaps the presentation that really hit home for me and that I will probably go back to repeatedly was "How NOT to Steal from the Internet". The resources that were given as part of this presentation are ones that I am sure I will be referring to on a regular basis. Having taught myself how to reference, I really appreciate the websites that were provided by the group so that I will be able to actually teach students how to properly reference both print and online material. I know this is an area that I need to improve on and the way that it was presented made a lot of sense to me and I felt that I came away with information that I did not know or fully understand before. Information that was given on Creative Commons was also really informative to me. I did not realize that there were different levels of usage and sharing with Creative Commons. This was really important for me on different levels. For my own use it is important, but maybe more so for when I am teaching. Had I not know the different aspects of Creative Commons, I would never known how to direct my students and teach them the proper usage of this amazing tool. Thank you Kirsten, Tyler, Jen, Lisa, and Kelsey from providing me with information that I will be able to use for years to come!