When I signed up for this course, I was nervous that the requirements and assignments wouldn't necessarily be hard, but could possibly be vague and hard to understand simply because we don't have an in-person connection. I have been pleasantly surprised and relieved that all of the assignments have been very clear, thoroughly explained, with many resources to look for help. I have found the assignments interesting and pretty easy to complete with the right amount of time spent. Since I'm not teaching this summer, I have had plenty of time to work on the assignments, though I could see that having so many due dates for various things (which I DO like, but it could be confusing) might make it hard during the school year. As far as this being a course near the beginning of the program, I think it is very appropriate and provides a good basis for thinking about educational technology and how it can be used in the classroom.
I feel that I have been supported both by colleagues in this class as well as the professor. I haven't had a specific question that I needed answered in order to complete an assignment, but I feel that my question would've been answered in a timely manner. The only drawbacks of this course that I have found are in the groups that we are supposed to post thoughts on. Every week I have had to go out of my group to be able to post enough comments to get full points. I don't mind this, but it sort of makes the groups useless. The other drawback is the fact that we get grades back without any comments. If I don't receive full points for something, I would like to know why so I can address that issue in the next assignment.
In regards to using the presented technology in my classroom, I think I will. I won't use all of it, mostly because the kids I work with are pretty young. I do think I will set up a blog to post student artwork since it is so much easier than creating a website. I think I will use the delicious bookmarking site and plan to propose using it schoolwide to my building's TAG(technology) person. I'm not sure that I will use RSS feeds for the age group that I have, but I do plan to experiment with pod casting. The best part of this class is getting to use the technology and figuring out ways to incorporate it into our lessons.
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I've also been annoyed by the groups, just because Sharon had to figure in everyone enrolled in the course... and then some haven't done any of the work. But I do agree that this makes the groups a little useless. I wonder how I only have 1 comment back when there are at least 2 people IN MY GROUP that were SUPPOSED to respond to me (but everyone isn't a perfectionist like me). :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as wondering about full points, I just email Sharon to find out why. So far, it's just because she's missed a response I've posted. I'm not sure if she'd give feedback if our postings were lacking, but I'd like feedback on my work as well. -Suzy
Danelle,
ReplyDeleteI second what Suzy said, just email Sharon if you are wondering about your grade. That same happened with me when she overlooked a post I made. I also think this is due to the group thing which I mentioned in my post.
I feel the same way you do about the technology. There are some things that I find extremely helpful and will implement and others that I am not sure of. For example, I will do a blog, a bookmarking site and probably a photobucket link/show on the blog. The others, I am not so sure of.
Jackie Sowle
Danelle,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about not getting full points as well I thought it was just that I was not writing enough. I thought most of the tools we have used so far I will use but the mapping-probably not. I like the format for this class-I don't really want to listen to lecture-I like hands on experiences! :) KathyW.
I also would like to know why I am not getting full points. I was taught throughout my undergrad courses that comments were the number one thing that students look for on their assignments. I would also like to know if my reflections were on the right track, so a little feedback from the instructor would be nice there, too.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy with the information I have gained from this class. The material is very appropriate and the work load is what I expected. Like you, I am going to try and implement some of what I learned in here into my classes.
I know how you feel about using technology with young learners. I teach kindergarteners and first graders as well. But after doing the assigments, it gives me some confidence to apply these technology in my classroom. It might not go well at first, but I think it will get easier and it will also be a lot of fun.
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