Chapter 9 Creating and Sharing Information with Multimedia Technologies

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Question: How can teachers create PowerPoint presentations for maximum teaching potential and learning impact? 

• Multimedia technologies offer ways for teachers to incorporate dynamic information presentation experiences into classroom teaching and learning. 
• PowerPoint, one of the most widely used computer applications in the world , is a way for teachers and students to present information in visually engaging ways.
• The use of PowerPoint has been criticize for oversimplifying complex material and creating uninteresting presentations. 
• Using PowerPoint effectively requires teachers to pay attention to two information presentation design principles, the first being to stress active participation rather than passive viewing by students, and the second to inquire who the audience is and what the audience should leave knowing or remembering. 

Photo Credit to Paul Watson on Flickr

PowerPoint presentations are becoming the easiest way to teach valuable information the students will remember. It is a short easy way to get the information across to not only students, but an audience without losing their focus. There are millions of copies of PowerPoint in circulation, and the tools are widely used in schools (Maloy, 2010, p. 245). It is hard to keep students focus with a lengthy set of information because they are going to lose interest to things that drag on. When teachers create a PowerPoint they can add videos, music, colors, themes, designs, ect, to keep the information visual appealing to students. Also teachers should make sure the PowerPoint has information presentation design. Which means the arrangement of written and pictorial information so that its intended audiences can easily and clearly understand it (Maloy, 2010, p. 247). Teachers should realize that they need to create fun lesson plans for students because when a student’s engages in what they are learning they will remember it. Most schools are starting to get active boards in the classroom, and that is what most PowerPoint presentation would be shown on. As stated in chapter one active boards are the new way to present information from a teachers computer to the entire class. 

Tech Tools 9.1: National Teacher Training Institute 

If teachers are having trouble creating media rich lesson plans I would recommend that they use the website above. This website is a video resource for teachers featuring lesson plans written by teachers (Maloy, 2010, p. 252). The website is very easy to navigate and is straight to the point. Once you are on the website there will be a tab that says "Lesson Plan Database", click on it. Then it will give you different school subjects to pick from. Whichever subject you pick there will be many databases to choose from that can help create video rich lesson plans. We have to keep the students interested and focused on learning, so I highly recommend looking through this page for lesson plan ideas.  

Summary & Connection: 

The chapter this week has been a reinforcement of the PowerPoint presentation that I have recently have done. Always make sure that when creating PowerPoint that they are short and simple. Once you lose the students attention it will be difficult for them to actually retain what is being taught. Remember students will pay attention to anything that is visual appealing to them. Classroom should start to have multimedia learning. Multimedia learning happens when teachers combine spoken words with visuals or written text with audio or utilize simulations and models (Maloy, 2010, p. 243). It is proven that students learn better with a multimedia classroom, than if they did not have any technology in the class. Videos are another great way to get information to students because a teacher can pause and rewind when someone does not understand, or needs the information. Teachers could also make or find a video presentation that comes with questions after every section. Then the teacher can pause the video and have the students answer the questions, than play it so they find out the answers. Or the teacher can just have the students answer questions and turn them in for a grade to ensure they were paying attention. There is also a technology called a podcast. With podcast teachers make new opportunities to learn academic material outside the classroom by hearing new opportunities to learn academic material outside the classroom by hearing or viewing lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and summaries (Maloy, 2010, p.272). 

This video is a short example of how to create a Podcast.

This video is a short video on how to create a PowerPoint. 

Reference: 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 8 Communication and Networking with Websites, Blog, Wikis, and More

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Question: How can teachers use a website or blog to improve teaching and learning?

• Websites and blogs are emerging as one of the most important ways for teachers to communicate with students, families, and colleagues. 
• There are three basic types of education-related blogs: 
1. "Official face" blogs
2. single purpose blogs
3. active learning blogs 
• Teachers have three options for creating their own website or blog:
1. A do it yourself option
2. A commercially available option
3. An open source option 

Photo Credit to ajSEO on Flickr

It is becoming a rare thing that a teacher is not using some sort of technology in their classroom. Teachers are generally building one of two kinds of sites teacher/ classroom websites, and blogs (Maloy, 2010, p. 217). When teachers build websites they are generally using them to highlight who they are and what they have accomplished. It may also show information about your classes, and work students have done (Maloy, 2010, p. 217).  Teachers may put additional work on their websites so that students can use it for more practice. I had a teacher in high school that would put extra credit and fun educational games on the website for students. The educational games that were on her website always refereed back to the material being taught. Also a website could give the students a heads up of the material and lessons that would be taught throughout the year. A teacher’s blog is like their personal web journal that the public can read. Blogs are not only useful for student interaction, but also for fellow educators. Students can comment on posted blogs by teachers who have asked them to answer a question. Students can also read other students comments (Risinger, 2006, April, p.130). It does not matter which sources a teacher end up using because their focus is integrating technology.

Teach tools 8.1: Blogger

Creating a blog is very easy to do, as long as the website is easy to navigate. Blogger is one of my favorite websites to use to create a blog. I have used it a numerous of times in high school for my digital design class. After each project that we did, we had to create a blog to express what we did, and how we felt about it. At first I thought that it was going to be a drag to do this every week. As I became comfortable with the website I learned that it is a great way to express yourself. When someone is creating a blog they can choose between different background styles, font, color text, color highlighting, insert links/ videos, and also add pictures. The creativity of making your own blog is endless. You could write a blog to share with the world, or keep it as your own private journal. After you publish your blog you always have the option to change it to private or public. I would recommend using blogger because it has many features, and is easy to use.          

Summary & Connection: 

The chapter this week has taught me about websites, blogs, email, online discussions, and wikis. I cannot stress enough how important it is to use technology with students. I believe when teachers us different kinds of modern technology they will have a higher success rate in their class. When teachers incorporate something that the students will enjoy, students will pay more attention to their assignments. According to the text book transforming learning with new technology I have come up with a description of everything that I have learned. Websites are Internet sites developed by teachers to communicate information about themselves and their class to students, family members, school, and educational personnel. Blogs are publicly assailable online journals written by individuals; such as, teachers and for others; such as, students, families, and other educators to read and comment on. Emails/ instant messaging are forms of online communication that features short electronic exchanges between individuals, such as between teachers, students, family members, administrative, and educational personnel. Online discussions are electronic forums where teachers and students discuss educational topics. Online discussions are a common component of many teachers’ websites and blogs. Lastly wikis come from the Hawaiian word meaning "quick" or "rapidly", and are websites that teachers and students create together by reading and revising each other's ideas and comments. (Maloy, 2010, p. 208)

I believe this video is a good example of how to create a wiki page. 

This video is like a basic tutorial for blogger. 

References: 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 7 Problem Solving and Inquiry Learning with Software and Web Tools

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Question: How can teachers use computer games and simulations as learning resources? 

• Students today play computer, video, Web-based games regularly for entertainment; boys are heavier users of video games rather than girls  a fact that contrast with fewer gender differences in most other areas of technology use and online activities. 
• The educational impact of gaming experiences remains intensely debated-- some educators and psychologist see little value in games or gaming while other researchers envision exciting possibilities for learning when students use the intellectual skills needed in effective game playing for educational purpose. 
• Digital games for learning represent a new category of educational themed games that emphasize active learning, sustained concentration and focus, and innovative problem solving. 
• Strategies for effectively using games in the classroom include minimizing those that teach isolated skills, carefully choosing games that are solely based on winning or losing points, discussing game content with students, and actually playing games with your students. 

Photo Credit to Harryjacob2911 from Flickr. 

In today's world more than half of the Unites States families have a computer, I pad, or smartphone in their house hold. It would be the logical thing to do to incorporate these new technologies that are being created into teaching. Students should understand that they can use these items as a form of engaging themselves in learning, and that it can be fun. There is a website that helps students create their own educational game from what they have learned in the class called scratch. I talk about it more in my tech tools 7.1. When using educational games in the classroom it gives the students a chance to explore new learning strategies that the teacher has. When teachers use games the students will be more involved, and are most likely to learn what is being taught. The photograph above is an example of a learning game for a student who is in elementary school. This online game has the student subtract certain numbers, and see what answers they get. When the student is correct they can fine the number that matches theirs with a certain color on the bottom. Once they click on the number and color it will automatically color the picture with the certain color. This game is fun for students because they are coloring the picture, and they cannot wait to see what the final picture will look like. The students are engaged in the activity and want to do well to see how their picture will turn out. If a game is educational I say use it as a tool in the class for information reinforcement. 

Tech Tools 7.1: Scratch 

There were only three teach tools thing week that I could choose from, so I chose that one that went along with the focus question. The website that I looked up is called Scratch. This website is a beneficial website that teachers and students could use. The students can go to the website and create their own educational game, animated story, and interactive art (Maloy, 2010, p. 185). It is free to sign up for this website, as long as the student or teacher has a valid email account. Once an account is set up, they can see project that other people have made. Also the website is very easy to navigate. In the home page there is a button that says "Get Started" and when clicked on it gives step by step instructions on how to get started. I feel that anyone would be able to navigate this website because it is self-explanatory. It is a different experience when the students get to create their own work to teach themselves. Here students follow their own initiatives, learning from those activities with feedback, and support from the teacher (Maloy, 2010, p.185)

Summary & Connection: 

The chapter this week has been about how teachers could use computer games as a way to teach. Some people might think that it has no educational value for students to play games, but I believe they are wrong. When teachers teach they have to keep in mind that their material has to be appealing to the students. If a class is boring it is likely that the students would not want to pay any attention. On the other hand when a teacher makes the lesson plans appealing to the students, they are more likely to pay attention to what is being taught. Also when you give the students an opportunity for them to create their own game based on what they know, it gives them a sense of freedom to express themselves. Students will be confident in their knowledge when the teacher gives them positive feedback. A teacher can determine what software to use in their class by evaluating the effectiveness of it. If a software program is not going to benefit the students, then there is no point in using it. Educational software can be evaluated in terms of how it promotes higher order thinking where students engage in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of what they are learning (Maloy, 2010, p. 203). The school board usually makes the decision if certain software would be valuable to a large amount of students.  They are the ones who usually buy software in bulk for the different schools in the county.  If a teacher is going to use free software for students, they have to make sure that it will be flexible for all students.  A new term that I learned this week is Intelligent Tutoring System; Are powerful new software programs that promote inquiry learning by students through computer responses to student actions (Maloy, 2010, p. 197). Just as a human tutor would help out a student in any subject that they need help, so would this new online tutor. It is a new way to get online help at all times. The online tutor would provide the extra practice the student needs to become better academic learners, and test takers (Maloy, 2010, p. 197). 

Technology in Education

Example of Educational Online Game

References:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 6 Teaching with Educational Websites and Other Online Reasources

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Questions:  How are information management technologies such a bookmarking, social bookmarking, and information alerts useful to teachers?

• Bookmarking, social bookmarking, and information alert technologies enables teachers and their students to manage information electronically. 
• Bookmarking refers to saving website addresses on your computer to access them easily, rather than looking them up repeatedly. 
• Social bookmarking happens when groups of interested people share their Web links electronically in a public Web space. Online tolls such as Delicious, Backflip, and Connotea are useful social bookmarking tools for teachers. Bookmarking services such as Portaportal and Filamentality allow teachers to bookmark a group of sites in a secure space for use by students. 
• Information alerts are electronic notices that receive on their personal computers advertising them that material on requested topics has become available in an online format. 

Photo Credit to Ricardo Barra from Flickr

One thing that always gets me frustrated is when I love a website that I saw, and I forget what the website was called. It is difficult trying to remember every valuable website that I have visited; I know anyone can relate to that. Good thing that as technology progresses we are capable of remembering all the websites that we love with social bookmarking. Social bookmarking expands the concept of individual bookmarking from one user/ one computer to a community of users on many computers (EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative  2005b, May) (Maloy, 2010, p. 146). Bookmarking websites on one’s own Internet window was the only way to save them at one point. As technology progresses websites are being created to help store all types of bookmarks that people love. People are not restricted anymore to using the same computer all the time to access their bookmarks, but can be anywhere in the world accessing their bookmarks with Internet access. It is an essential for teachers to create a profile on Delicious, Backflip, Connotea, Goodreads, or Diigo to save their bookmarks because they can reference back to them whenever they please. Teachers could easily create lesson plans anywhere they are by having a profile on one of these social bookmarking websites to easily access their favorite websites. 

Tech Tools Link 6.2: Delicious

At first I have trouble locating this website because the textbook says it is www.del.icio.us.com, when it is really delicious.com. There is no need for the additional periods separating the words. Delicious is a website where anyone, even teachers, can create an account to save their favorite websites. It is free to create an account on delicious and can be accessed from anyplace that has Internet connection. This website lets a person add, organize, and send any bookmark that they place on the website. Delicious even has a toolbar that can be downloaded to make it more accessible to add bookmarks to delicious.  This makes it easier than having to go to the delicious website every time someone wants to add a bookmark. It is always easier to save bookmarks onto a website because if a bookmark is saved straight to a computer it can only be accessed through that computer. Saving bookmarks to a website gives people a wide range of places they can go, and always having access to their favorite sites to use. I enjoy always having access to my favorite websites, so I would recommend anyone to try it out. 

Summary & Connection:

Who would have ever known so much stuff can be done with the Internet that can benefit teachers. As a future teacher I am always learning something new each week from the textbook, and I know I will always refer back to it after this class is done. This week I have learned that there are many different sites that can be used to save bookmarks onto. It is important to save informational resources on these websites because they can always be retrieved. Teachers can make their lesson plans from anywhere, so it is always important to have access to them at all times. A piece of information that I found valuable to use while making a lesson plan is using education websites to have more interaction with the students. Not only does using the Internet involve incorporating technology to a classroom, it helps students get more practice with the subject they are learning. A term that I have learned that goes along with teachers using the Internet as teaching tool is called digital content. Digital content means to easily accessible source of academic information and new knowledge, the Internet is unparalleled (Maloy, 2010, p.145). Teachers can use this Web-based information to teach the school curriculum (Maloy, 2010, p.145). The internet is evolving from just being a source to surf the web, to being a source of teaching information in the classroom. 

This week I did a video on Webquest because I wanted to learn about them, but it was the one page that was ripped out of my book. So I did my own research on WebQuest and Virtual Field Trips. 

(First two are videos on Web Quest)

(Virtual Field Trip/ Technology)

Resources: 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 5 Researching and Evaluating Internet Information

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Questions: What pieces of information do students need to know about Internet searching?

• Goggle's system of ranking Web pages not only by keywords, but also by popularity and cross listing with other sites, has propelled it to the status of world's number one search engine.
• Searching the Web involves one of the three search strategies: 
• Free-text
• Keyword/ Exact match
• Boolean
• Search resources designed for students provide age-appropriate information and valuable Internet and information literacy learning experiences.   

Photo Credit to Keso on Flickr

There are millions of different websites in this world to search information on. We can search anything from "What time is the notebook showing" to "The history of George Washington", one major defect is that students have to know where and how to search it. Specific websites are a good source to search specific content. Google gives such a broad spectrum of what is on the internet, that sometimes the question asked to Google can be lost with too many words. When searching information on Google a student has to be very specific, and use little words. If they use more than 5 words in a Google search engine, any website with one of the words will come up. For example  Healthy foods for parents to make for a child's lunch, this sentence is so long that now Google will have any website with the word lunch show up. The word for this type of searching would be called free-text. Free-text looks for the title, keywords, and description fields of each resource for the word or phrase you type into the search command (Maloy, R. W, 2010, p. 124). A better way a student can find an exact website for what they are searching is by keyword/ exact match. It is easier for a student to find information this way because Google will look up an article that has the exact text that is given, and send you to the exact source. For example, to find information only on the 2000 president election, you need to type those exact words into the search command-- "2000 U.S president election." (Maloy, R. W, 2010, p. 124). One last way to search a specific content is by Boolean search. Boolean search means to add words, such as, and, or, and not (Maloy, R. W, 2010, p. 124). This will make the search even more specific to the content being searched for. 

Tech Tools Link 5.1 : Flickr 

Flickr has to be one of my favorite websites to use to upload, and locate pictures. It is a very organized website, and easy to navigate. For every one of my journals I use Flickr because any content I choose to search it takes me right to the picture that matches my text. I do not have to try different text in order to locate a picture; it takes me right to what I have asked for. It is free to sign up to Flickr a person just has to have a Yahoo, G mail, or Facebook account. All three of these accounts are also free to sign up for. For teachers, when using Flickr they can set up different folders so that the pictures go along with the subject that is being taught. Flickr offered a limitless way to add visual learning resources to teacher’s curriculum (Maloy, R.W, 2010, p. 122). Teachers can add students into a group, where they can add comments onto a discussion board. It is a great way to have fun teacher- student interaction. Also once a teacher has photos in the system, teachers and students can make cards, photo books slideshows, calendars, and postage stamps (Maloy, R. W, 2010, p. 122). I would recommend anyone, even teachers, to use Flickr. 

Summary & Connection: 

A term that I have never heard before is information literacy. Information literacy just means the ability to recognize when information is needed and to then have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (Windhamd, 2006, p. 114). It is important that teachers show students how to properly use internet search engines, so that they receive useful information. Before students use a website to gather information from, they should evaluate it to make sure it is a reliable source. Anyone could make a internet page with phony information on it, that is why teachers need to teach how to distinguish a good website from a bad one. I also learned that the first thing to be on the top of the list after a student has searched something, may be a popular choice but may not be the best site for the student to use. It is very tricky using Goggle because if a student is not very specific with their search, Google may give broad results for just certain words. It is always best to have only a few words, and put them in parenthesis. Also teachers have to be very clear why plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is not taken very lightly in school setting and sometimes can cause a student to receive a zero, dismissal of a class, or school. Plagiarism is when a student does not properly cite someone else's work that they have used. If ever in doubt when to cite, cite the work anyways. It is better to be safe, then sorry.  

The video that I have posted below is a brief tutorial on how to search specific

 topics in Google. 

Enjoy!

Resources

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 4 Integrating Technology and Creating Change

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Question: How can teachers integrate technology into their work as educators?

• Teachers can incorporate computers and other information technologies into three major parts of their professional work: 
• 1. Classroom instruction,
• 2. Outside-the-classroom activities, and 
• 3. Inside-and-outside-the-classroom learning activities for students.
• Computers and other new technologies can function in one of five possible formats for teachers:
• 1. Technology-based library,
• 2. Technology-based textbook,
• 3. Technology-based learning environments,
• 4. Technology-based teaching tool, and 
• 5. Technology-based office.

Photo Credit to ConnerJG at Flickr

 I learned in last chapter how important lesson plans are in order to teach the class correctly. Now that I have an idea of how to create a lesson plan, I have to learn how to integrate technology into my work. As I read the first focus question it made me think of classroom jeopardy. Classroom jeopardy is a great example of how a teacher can integrate technology in the classroom. Classroom jeopardy is just like real jeopardy, but the information behind the blocks has to do with the subject and section that is being taught. A teacher can set up a power point or active board to play jeopardy. This would be a good example of how to incorporate an active board into the classroom.  Jeopardy is a great way to have student’s play a game, but learn at the same time. It keeps them intrigued and they actually want to participate. I remember when my teacher had us play this game after each chapter, but before a test. She would tell us the day before we played how she was going to split up the class, and to make sure we studied. There would be a bonus of three extra credit points for the team who scored the most points. Everyone made sure that they studied because we all wanted to get the three extra credit points. Little did we know how much playing the game would prepare us for a test. It helped me remember more than I thought I could. The teacher really did a good job of integrating the technology of the active board to help us study.

Tech Tools Link: National Educational Technology Standards

This chapter was not very long, and there were not that many links to choose from. I explored the three links in Teach Tool 4.1. They were all a little tricky to navigate. It is always helpful when a website is easy to navigate because then it could be useful to a wide variety of people. The website that I felt had the most valuable information is the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS-T). A teacher would have to make an account on this website to get full access to all the information. I did not make an account, I simply explored the website. I clicked on the tab that says NETS, then the drop down box came down and I chose nets for teachers. This page is meant to give resources on how teachers can integrate technology in a classroom. A teacher can also purchase books, webinar, and online courses. I also explored typing in different things, such as, lesson plans and rubric in the search bar. It gives a forum where other teachers have posted blogs that were pertaining to what was typed in. I would recommend this website because it gives many different resources on how to integrate technology into the classroom. I would first sign up with an account on the website. 

Summary & Connection: 

It would have been nice if the chapter was a little bit longer because it did have useful information. I believe it went along perfectly with chapter 3 where I learned about making lesson plans. Integrating technology into the classroom means that a teacher will have to learn how to create an interactive learning experience for the students. Teachers have to think about what technology they will use, and how they will integrate it into their lesson.  Technology integration is not limited to the classroom but encouraged within the library, textbooks, and office. It can be integrated within all parts of the school. Learning how to integrate technology into the classroom has a process, and does not happen overnight. I learned that there is five stages of integration; entry, adoption, adaptation, appropriation, and invention. Teachers should look at technology as a positive reinforcement for what they are teaching. Some minority and low income students do not get the luxury of owning a computer at home this is called participation gap. This is another reason teachers should integrate technology into the classroom as much as possible so that all students may get the same experience, and carry it with them. Even if the teacher has to use the technology that is out of date or up to date, it will equally benefit any student. We have to infuse technology into the classroom because the students will have a better learning experience. 

The videos that I am posting this week deal with classroom jeopardy!

This video is a news broadcast of classroom jeopardy. 

These video are an example of a class using jeopardy to learn.

(They are a little distracting, but there the best video I could find)

References:

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

Chapter 3 Developing Lessons with Technology

*All links are highlighted in yellow*

Focus Question: What is meant by "lesson development using technology"? 

• Lesson development is central to the work of every teacher.
• Lesson development is a process of creative design and decision-making that includes three elements: 1. What to teach 2. How to teach it 3. How to know what students have learned.
• Technology tools support all three aspects of lesson development. 

Photo credit to dkzody on flicker

Teachers have to plan ahead of time what they are going to teach each day of the school year. Rarely do they create a meaningful creative class at the spur of the moment. It would be very hard for teachers to think off the top of their head what they teach for 190 days of the year. The curriculum would be sloppy, and a disaster.  Students would not learn what they need to learn, in the order it should be taught. Teachers should always make a lesson plan to determine what to teach it and how. The national standard of what should be taught is given to all teachers, but it does not give specifics. Teachers have to decide what is going to be explored that goes along with the curriculum. The have to make the intelligent decision of what is going to beneficial to the student and what will not. After they decide what they are going to teach, they have to think about how they will teach it. Teachers will combine goals, methods, and procedures to determine for they will present the material. Some ways that teachers could present the material are large/ small groups, discussions, role play, lectures, inquiry-based activities, creative writing, or learning games. Sometimes students learn better with more interaction, than just a simple lecture. There are also many technologies that teachers can use to teach the class that are presentation software, threaded discussions and email, assistive technologies, digital cameras, movie-making software, web-based diagram, and blogs. There are endless possibilities of technologies a teacher can use to help the class stay interested. They just have to determine what technology goes along nicely with the lesson of the day. Another thing that teachers have to consider is what the students have learned. A way they can do that is by 1. Summative summarizing what the students have learned at the end of a lesson 2. Formative- happening as a lesson unfolds 3. Diagnostic- preceding a lesson as a way to measure what students already knows. A couple different ways that a  teacher can asses what the students have actually learned if by test, quizzes, online surveys, evaluations, and portfolios. It is always important that a teacher makes sure that all the students are on the same page. Teachers have to make sure that students fully understand what they are being taught, and are able to retain it. Before moving on to the next chapter or step of the class, a teacher should always check that everyone understands. 

Tech Tools Link: Gliffy

Teachers have to make lessons plans in order to be able to effectively teach a classroom. Creating a lesson plan may not always be that easy because you have to make sure everything is being covered in 190 days, and flows together. It may be a difficult task to make lesson plans as a new teacher, but there are ways to help. The website above (Gliffy) is a wonderful website, I believe, for new/ experienced teachers. This website has different flow charts, and diagrams that would help organize how things could flow together. It is a good way to first see how you will put everything together. Lesson plans usually have to be turned into the school ahead of time, before class actually begins. Before writing in stone how you will teach the class, it is a good idea to make any type of flow chart. With a flow chart you can see what assignments can go were, what you would do certain days, when you think a test should be given, ect. Another good thing about this website is that you can make a floor chart. It is always a good idea to know what student is sitting were, not only so you know there name, but to make sure they are sitting somewhere where they can learn. Some students at the beginning of the year like to sit next to their friends, and usually talk as much as possible. With a floor chart you can keep an eye on the friends, and then make the decision of what students would work well next to another. Floor charts are also a good way to take attendance. There would be no way that a student could pose as someone else, if you know who exactly is supposed to be there. Check out the website, it could possibly help you in the future!

Summary & Connection:

This chapter has been very beneficial to me because I now I know the importance of making lesson plan. It is important that teachers now how to effectively teach the curriculum. As a future teacher I want to make sure that my students are actually learning something that they will remember, and can use in the future. Each lesson plan that is made usually goes along with the national standard curriculum. Teacher’s final goal is that the students pass the grade meeting the educational standards. Also there are state exams that students need to take in order to pass certain grades. During the year that the student has to pass the test, teachers should make sure that the students fully understand what is being taught. After reading this chapter I think I will give quizzes randomly not only for a grade, but so the students can show me their learning. As a future teacher you have to know when it is okay to move on to the next section, or stay a few more days on the same one. I have to make sure that the students are always on the same page. I will also use electronic grading so that the students can monitor their grade. It is a quick way that the students can have immediate asses to the assignment grade, and overall grade. Guardians can also review how their student is doing in the class and where they might need help. Sometimes students will go home and say they have done all their homework, but when report cards come out it shows the complete opposite. With this new technology of grading, guardians of students will know exactly what is going on in the students schooling. 

This video incorporates what was discussed in my focus question.

The video below gives a helpful example of what to think about when writing a lesson plan. 

References: 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.