Mrs. Hill's Kinder Krew

Test Post

2011-08-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Kindergarten!!!

My Blog-My Vision #10

2009-05-06T17:54:00.000-05:00

It is very difficult for me to choose just one aha moment throughout this course. One of the biggest has to be my Blog. It has made a huge impact on my belief of social networking and the purpose of them. If fact it has made such an impact it inspired me to create a Face Book account! Using my Blog I have found it to be very convenient to post information and receive information in a central location. I can't say I'm ready to replace a weekly newsletter with it yet, but it will most certainly be an additional tool I use for next year for my parents and administration.

During the readings of my journal articles I learned of two software programs that are geared more for early childhood education. Kid Pix and Kidspiration are two programs that are geared more for early childhood age students. I have just recently learned about this software so I am not familiar with it yet, but I am very hopeful that it will be something my students can use to enhance and engage them in learning.

Learning about new software and web 2.0 applications have greatly influenced my beliefs and practices relating to technology. I am very grateful and excited to know that I CAN work different technologies and even more excited to continue using them in my classroom and in my personal life!

2009-04-29T22:05:00.000-05:00

I hope to harness the power of technology by first exploring technology and become more educated and comfortable about it's on-goings. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I will enrich my lessons by utilizing different programs and software such as PowerPoint, Kid Pix, and Kidspiration. Although I have just learned of the latter two programs I hope to spend time this summer becoming familiar with them and planning how to implement them for next year. In the meantime I hope to integrate a PowerPoint lesson with a small group for a presentation to the rest of the class. I have even expanded the use of technology as an extension for my parents! I have been working on a CD (from Movie Maker) as a gift to my parents of pictures I have taken throughout the year!

As you can tell I am rather excited about the technologies that are applicable to my current teaching position. I am very much looking forward to utilizing them and implementing them in my classroom setting. So, here's to exciting learning experiences with five and six year olds!

2009-04-15T21:45:00.000-05:00

Overcoming Technology Fears

As an educator in a rural, Title 1 school district I strive to give my students all opportunities affordable to them. Technology is one of the top priorities of implementation for my kindergarten classroom. However, as you well know that the funds are not always conducive to our goals. Some of my worst fears of technology implementation are ‘something’ not working (whatever ‘something’ is) and the lack of knowledge to appropriately engage my students. The old saying ‘practice makes perfect’ applies so well with the practice of overcoming my fears of technology. I have found myself playing more and more when I am working on the computer and as a result learning more and more. This class has most definitely inspired, and lovingly forced me to step out on a limb and learn more about how technology can be used in the classroom to both develop activities and communicate with my parents and administration more efficiently. Some of what we have learned has been incredibly easy to use and very applicable to every aspect of what I do. I can’t wait for this summer when I will have more time to really get some of what we have learned applied to my classroom practices.

2009-04-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

Post 6: Online Learning – Facilitating Interaction Online

Personally, when it comes to learning in a ‘formal environment’, I prefer the classroom setting as opposed to sitting at a computer (and such). This is partly because of my dependence on visuals,and voiced instruction; mostly because old habits are hard to break. Because I believe there is something to learn in everything we do I used the words ‘formal environment’ to indicate a classroom setting. Having said that, I greatly appreciate the flexibility of online learning. For a mother of two very active children and a husband who is at work twenty-four hours every third day scheduling can become somewhat of a nightmare. Online courses allow me to stay at home to complete assignments and report to ‘class’ within the guidelines given.

The courses I have taken thus far have incorporated all three types of interactions: learner-learner, learner-content, and learner-instruction. As Moore stated, learner-content is the most significant of the three interactions. ‘Without it there cannot be education’. As you can guess I usually prefer the learner-instruction interaction, but I am quickly becoming very fond of the learner-learner interaction that takes place in an online course (and many classroom settings). It seems rather bizarre to say that my education philosophy is viewed as a constructivist after having made the previous statement. But when it comes to me learning I prefer learner-instruction (with visuals), but when I teach I prefer learner-learner interactions.

Post 7: Online Learning-The Student

When this course is complete I will have taken four online courses toward my masters degree, or supported online courses with A&M-Commerce. I would consider myself comfortable and therefore successful in my ability to complete an online course. Now I may become frustrated, nervous, and at the point of tears but I have not allowed that to hinder my completion of the course (yet!). In regards to virtual learning in K-12 schools I would have to say I completely support this movement. However, being a kindergarten teacher it leaves me in a quandary as to how this works with five and six year old children. They need the technical skills, but they also need the social interaction that goes along with a classroom setting. Finding the balance between the two is somewhat of a challenge when you are trying to meet the needs of every student in your classroom. Being a constructivist I struggle with the lack of a tangible product in a virtual classroom, but certainly see the benefit of a technology in an online learning environment.

Desktop Publishing, Movie Maker and Photo Story 3

2009-03-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

Just about the time I think it can't get any better with what there is to offer out there in regards to technology something new comes along. To be honest I am a little familiar with publishing and movie maker, but still very much enjoyed playing around with both. Photo Story 3 is the new application that just 'wowed' me this time. After showing it to my family I began to think of all the possibilities is has. We'll talk more about that later.

Utilizing these skills empowers me in that I can communicate with my parents, colleagues, and administration more effectively. DTP is a tool I use almost every week to send classroom news to my families. It is easy to use and very effective because the options available to organize the information. Movie maker is fun to produce pictures and video slide shows coinciding with music for a personal effect. I hope to produce a movie by the end of the year as a gift to my students that include all the picture I have taken so far of their kindergarten year. But now that I've learned a little about Photo Story 3 I'm not sure which is the better way to go. It appears that Photo Story 3 allows you to personalize even more, but in shorter increments.

The use of Movie Maker, Desktop Publishing and such is expanding. The ability to use images, sometimes your own images, to produce a product allows the user to gain ownership, and in turn pride in their work. They are able to customize to their own specification using their creativity and imagination. In an educational setting this ability is very motivating and rewarding for the students.

These skills align with my vision in that the use of any technology is good for me to learn and utilize. However, these skills are particularly interesting because they are pertinent to obtaining and maintaining communication with parents. They allow me to personalize my message, and sometimes, give a souvenir of their child's educational experiences in my classroom.

2009-03-11T21:24:00.000-05:00

Web 2.0 (Blog #4)

Web 2.0 technologies do and should have a huge impact on education. These technologies, as best as I understand, enhance the delivery of information through many different means. It allows us, the users, to interact more and find a multitude of data files.

This week my school district required us to complete a study on technology in the classroom called the Starchart report. As I am responding to each questions I could not help but to reflect on this course and everything we have learned up to this point and how much more there is out there to discover. My district is supportive of technology and how it is delivered. We strive to be up-to-date and compliant to support the requirements set before us. I would hope that there is not a district out there that does not place a large value on technology and support every measure. Technology, especially Web 2.0, is a expanding and ever changing world that allows us to stay informed and to assist educators/students in delivery methods. In education you can never have to much. Therefore, opening the door wide gives us an advantage to deliver meaningful and educational lessons.

At this point my Wiki is a sad case. I plan to play with it more as the semester rolls along to include more information about my classroom. Right now I would describe my Wiki as an introduction to me. I have a few family photos posted and a very small message. Stay tuned there's more to come! I have to be honest though, I am trying to decide which application to use; my blogline or the wiki. As of now, I am more comfortable with the blogline. I discussed the blogline with my principal and she wants to learn more about it as well!

Teacher

2009-03-05T21:40:00.001-06:00

2009-02-24T18:00:00.000-06:00

Information Literate

Information literate... Wow! What complex term! In order to be information literate one needs to know and understand all the acronyms, platforms, and applications. It is very important because we need to understand the purpose of technology, how it works and what applications are running it; otherwise, you end up like me... struggling to understand and wanting to use more, but not knowing all the powerful tools available... yet.

Of course in a classroom of twenty-one kindergarten students learning needs to be presented with enthusiasm and repetition. It is my hope to work with my principal to find ways to gather some tools necessary; for example a student computer! I hope to search this summer for 'bargains' to purchase and incorporate into my classroom. Examples include, digital camera, more electronic learning games, etc. If both are unsuccessful I will rearrange my room so that the 'teacher' computer is available for my students. I will find activities conducive to our curriculum that will allow the students to use technology.

Being information literate is critical in order to understand which type of technology will encourage an interactive and more meaningful learning experience for my students.

2009-02-18T20:46:00.000-06:00

Educational Technology Organizations

The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) is an organization that develops programs based on the needs they receive from Regional Education Service Centers. Through the service centers they strive to provide state of the art information to educators and administrators.

Mission: The Texas Computer Education Association is dedicated to the improvement of teaching and learning through the use of computers and technology.

I chose this organization because it works so closely with Region X. I have found most workshop/staff developments I have attended at Region X to be very applicable to my current assignment with the district. What better way to support my vision than to utilize Region X to support my technological endeavors! They are close and available during the times I need the support and guidance to incorporate technology activities in my classroom.

visit their site at: www.tcea.org

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation.

ISTE's mission is "Providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education."

I chose ISTE for an organization because they provide support across the curriculum to educators and administration. They gain their support internationally through a variety of organizations such as; The Center for Applied Research in Education Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). This professional organization has many tools available to deliver technology into the classroom. They also have a link to great resources in K-12 classrooms!

Visit them at: www.iste.org
To find the resources go to: http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Educator_Resources

Educational/Instructional Technology

2009-02-03T20:50:00.000-06:00

As I began to research the meaning of educational/instructional technology I discovered it to be ironic that the first place I searched was the internet! Given may past statements about how I am not comfortable and do not use technology as I should I had to giggle when I began this task...

Educational/instructional technology is the process of educating by utilizing tools to enhance and/or inform. The tools include but are not limited to; machines, overhead projector, laptop computers, and calculators. More recent tools include I-Pods, MP3 players, etc. This form of instruction is ever changing based on society and it's needs.

This semester, as sad as it may sound, I am game for any and all assistance with any technology. I own a cell phone, a computer, and a newly acquired Wii. That is the extent of my daily technological influences. So, needless to say, in order to keep up with the 'Jones' I need to broaden my vocabulary to better understand how to utilize technology in my classroom. As far as my sharing experience with the class, I'm pretty sure I can instruct how to change a CD out of a CD player:-)

Resources:

Retrieved January 30, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_technology

Educational. (1984). In D. Guralnik (Ed.), Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (p. 444, second edition). New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Technology. (1984). In D. Guralnik (Ed.), Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (p. 1460, second edition). New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

My Introduction and Vision

2009-01-31T22:00:00.000-06:00

TECHNOLOGY!!! As a child, on more than one occasion, I said 'I will never have a need for technology'. You see, my daddy was a technical writer and always encouraged me to learn more about it. Well, I fought it long enough and as a result made myself silly scared of working with anything technical. I will admit my fears have subsided considerably and my level of knowledge has expanded minimally, but I have found the need to encorporate technology into my daily routines. While seeking (online might I add!!) an elective for this semester this course screamed my name. I chose this course as a tool to add to my repertoire of learning experiences for both myself and my classroom. Please do not misunderstand what I am trying to convey. I use technology everyday. I have a cell phone, laptop, desktop and a new wii in my home. As far as my classroom I don't feel like I use technology to the right advantage or near enough. I use technology and the students watch it. They don't get to experience it, or shall I say use it enough. I am confident that this course will give me the confidence and knowledge needed to utilize a wide range of technilogical tools for the classroom. I want for the students in my classroom to gain the full advantage of different technological experiences offered. Having said that, I am looking for skills I can directly link to my classroom so that my students will have different and meaningful learning experiences.

My masters degree started with the course requirements needed for the alternative certification program. Upon completion of the program it only made sense to complete my masters degree. Lord willing this August will be the end of this adventure in my life! Yea! At this time I am enjoying my classroom too much and have no intention of leaving it. However, I hope my degree will be an advantage if the good Lord should decide it's time for me to venture into another educational department.