Virutal Schools

1. Identify and discuss 5 pros and 5 cons of online virtual schools.

Virtual Schools allow parents and students to create a new learning environment. The first pro is that parents can have a hand in their student's teaching. On Insight, and WAVA the parents are able to review the student's curriculum and print out various pages. Looking at a sample reading lesson for a kindergartner, the parent plays a specific role in the child's learning. Not only will the parent have a part in their student's learning but the parent is able to have their child at home and spend time with their child. Another pro of online school is that the student will be able to learn on an individual basis. The student will be able to start a lesson when he/she needs to and can take their time to in learning a particular subject. Continuing with this idea, another pro is that the students will be able to do everything on their own time. For instance, if there was a high school student that had to work certain parts of the day, he/she could do their work at night rather than during the day. Finally, another pro of online virtual schools is that students will be able to get all of the information they need online. They will be able to do everything on the internet and this is a very easy and fast way for children to learn.

There are many pros to online schooling but there are also many cons. The first con that is apparent is that the students will not have other students to learn social skills. Children need to spend time with other kids to be able to learn how to socialize and learn people skills. Whereas with WAVE and Insight, students will be learning by themselves and not given a chance to work in groups or with other students. Another disadvantage is that one parent would have to be home for younger children. A lot of the lesson plans require the parents to be there to read various stories or do other things with their child. Whereas a public or private school the parent can continue to work during the day etc. Another con that has to do with the parents is there is quite a bit of prep work. The parent has to go online and look at the students schedule for the next day and has to prepare the papers and lessons for their child. Online schooling can be very time consuming so parents may find that this is not the choice for them. Another con of online schooling is that the student's attention level may not work well with online schooling. The student will be spending an ample amount of time at the computer, and a lot of little children cannot handle sitting starring at a computer screen all day. Finally, the students will not be able to learn how to deal with different adults. In regular schools, the students may face various different teachers, such as the art teacher, gym teacher and a music teacher. They learn how to interact with other teachers, parents and how to treat adults. Along side of this, the students learn how to be without their parents for the day. The students learn how to be independent, and online schooling may not allow the students to have a slight independence from their parents.

2. Discuss how you think virtual schools might impact your future teaching.

Virtual schools such as WAVA and Insight can impact my future teaching in various ways. With the way the economy is going, when I leave school I may not be able to find a job. I could use online schooling as a door way to a different way of teaching. I could be an online teacher and help with schools such as WAVA and Insight or work on a program like Black Board or Elearning. Online teaching can also impact my future, because if a student enters my classroom, as a previous student of online classrooms, the student may not be fully prepared for the class. The student could be behind or ahead. I would have to gauge the student's knowledge and figure out where the student should fall within the classroom and adjust accordingly. Also if the student entered my classroom from an online class they could lack various social abilities, so I would have to help the student adjust.

Emerging Technologies

I chose three different emerging technologies. The emerging technologies I chose to explore were the SMART board, Skype and Wikis. I chose these emerging technologies because I felt that these could be used in an effective way in the classroom.

The SMART Board is a new technology that will change the classroom. Teachers can utilize the smart board to create interactive lesson plans. The SMART board can be used as a white board or a sketch pad. The SMART board comes with notebook software that the teacher can utilize for lesson plans. The most exciting thing about SMART boards is that it can enhance any lesson plan or presentation for the classroom. Not only can the SMART board enhance the lesson but teachers can use the SMART board to cut down on preparation time. The teacher could use word or the notebook on the SMART board and be able to write notes on the page. This will cut back making overheads or having to write everything out on the whiteboard. Last of all technology could impact the students learning because they could be involved in their own learning. The teacher could have students come up to the board and demonstrate an activity or learned skill. The teacher could also turn the SMART board into a learning center in which the student could use various programs to enhance their learning. More information about the SMART board can be found at http://smartboard.com

Skype is a fantastic new emerging technology. It allows the individual to connect and communicate with various individuals around the world. All that is needed for this emerging technology is a computer camera and a fast download of the Skype program. This technology could have an impact on my teaching because I could have a Skype account to connect with other teachers, parents and maybe even children depending on what age group. I could use my Skype account to help improve teacher parent communication and have brief conferences with parents. Students could be impacted by Skype by using the program itself. They could potentially contact me if they have problems with homework or an assignment. Students could also use Skype to keep in contact with others or use it to work on a collaborative project. More information about Skype can be found at www.skype.com

Wikis are also an exciting new emerging technology. Wiki's allow individuals to create personalized websites with various education. You can put educational information on wikis or even use it as a way to post ideas and fun gadgets. Wikis can always be changed and if you are the creator you have endless things you can do with your Wiki. Teachers can use wikis by creating a classroom website. The teacher can use wikis to keep parents updated with lesson themes and lesson projects. Teachers can also use this site to create their own WebQuests. Students can use wikis by using their teacher's wikis to find information. Students can also create their own wikis on various projects etc. More information on wikis can be found at various wiki websites such as, pbwiki.com

Blogs and Wikis in Education

1. Identify and describe 3 interesting/innovative ways blogs and/or wikis are being used in K-12 classrooms.

Blogs and Wikis are being used all over the world today. They are both innovative tools that teachers and parents can resource. I've noticed that blogs are more so places where educational leaders can share their ideas and experiences with.

Blogs can be used for tools within the classroom. Teachers can use blogs as a resource to learn new teaching ideas or format their classroom. For instance, there are various blogs on how to organize your teaching. Educational blogs can also be used for students to self reflect on various projects that they have done in class. Teachers can also use blogs as their classroom website. They can post new information, or assignment information on their blogs for the students to access. Last of all, some blogs have videos of speakers and such. These blogs could be good to use in upper levels so students can experience various topics "live".

On the other hand wikis are used for various resources. According to some wiki websites I found, it stated that wikis could be used for classroom projects, as a resource, for both the parent and the student. Wikis can also be created to have various interactive projects. This way the student's learning could come to life. The most important thing that wikis could be used for is to create a classroom resource for students and parents. Wikis can be used as a classroom website. Various resources that are used could be posted on the wiki, and things such as a class syllabus or course information could be posted.

2. Describe how you might use RSS readers/aggregators within a classroom setting.

RSS readers and aggregators are a very innovative classroom tool. These are used to consolidate context onto on page, this way students do not have to research for the same information on a daily basis. For example, RSS readers could be created so children could pull the information from this reader to create a specific feed. Teachers could use this idea for morning circles. In my practicum class she does a daily news every morning. Teachers could utilize RSS readers/aggregators to compile their news everyday so it could be accessible at the touch of a button. Due to the fact that aggregators update information the teacher would be able to save time to complete other projects in the classroom. It would be more time efficient, and the teacher could even have the job helper gather the feed for the news.

3. Describe at least 2 pros and 2 cons of using blogs and wikis in education.

There are many pros to using blogs and wikis. The first would be that it is a excellent way to integrate technology into the classroom. Students will be able to learn how to navigate a wiki to find various resources; or be able to use a blog post site in order to discuss their thoughts on a project etc. Another pro of using a blog and wiki is that they are fast and can be updated at the click of a button. For example, teachers can update their classroom wiki on a daily basis. This way parents can stay in touch with teachers and see on a daily basis what their students are doing.

Although there are many pros to using blogs and wikis in education there are many cons to the ideas. First of all, parents or students may not have access to the Internet frequently. So, if a teacher posts an assignment information on the Internet the student could have trouble gaining access to the assignment. Secondly, just going on the Internet could be a distracting. For students of any age, the Internet is a distracting place. If a teacher had her class go to the computer lab to write in their blogs, students could be playing games online or checking their myspace.

Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities

1. Post a 3-5 paragraph summary of the 3-5 ideas you explored for how you could use
Concept Mapping within your future classroom. Give your specific examples.

Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology in various ways. It creates a place for students to utilize their creativity and allows teachers to have a fast and efficient way to plan out activities.

Kidspiration is an engaging technology that can help children map out various ideas. One of the ideas explored on this program was the concept map for reading and writing. The reading and writing portion can be used for multiple things. Students can create a concept map that pertains to the book they are reading. The students could create a concept map that discusses the various characters throughout the book. Also, the students would be able to create a map on the plot of the book. Kidspiration is a perfect tool for students to use during reading and writing.

This program could also be used within the social studies portion of a classroom. There is a particular template that deals with various cause and effects. Students could take a particular situation and determine the outcomes. The concept map can include information of effects on people, the community and themselves. It allows students to map out events and the significance of them.

Kidspiration can also be used during math. The teacher could create various math problems or interactive story problems for the students. For example, there is a template that can have students determine how many apples can fit in the medium cart. They can use pictures to determine what the answer is, and then create an equation from the pictures. It allows students to use visuals and be hands on with story problems.

Science can also be incorporated with Kidspiration. There is a science section on the program in which teachers and students can create a template, or find a template that works for them. One in particular could be used in a future classroom setting. The classification template is a perfect template for various activities in science. Students could use this to understand the various differences between the animal kingdom.

Overall Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology. It can create an effective concept mapping program that can help students develop their learning even further.


2. Discuss what you see as the impact of the use of Concept mapping within your classroom might have on student learning? Give some details to support your statements.

The use of Kidspiration will create excitement within the classroom. Concept mapping that is interactive and exciting will increase student's excitement on learning. Students will have control of what goes in their concept map and can add their own flare.

Students are able to choose various templates, due to the subject matter. Kidspiration provides a numerous amount of templates for the student to choose from. It allows the students to choose the particular template that would work towards their learning matter. For example, if a student was to make a concept map for a character they could find the template on Kidspiration.

Overall, Kidspiration will bring excitement into the classroom. The students will have an easier, and more efficient time making concept maps. They are able to explore the program and discover what works for each assignment. It will enhance the students learning and create a positive learning experience.

3. Discuss some criteria that you would use to decide whether or not Concept Mapping activities would be part of a lesson for your students.

There is specific criteria to consider when deciding whether or not to use Kidspiration. First, it is vital to look at the lesson in general. You would have to ask your self if concept mapping would hinder the child's learning experience. Concept Mapping would only be effective if used appropriately. For instance, if a student needs to write an essay, concept mapping would be appropriate to plan out the rough draft. It is important to access the learning activity and the result that you are looking for.

TeacherWeb Reflection

1. Describe and discuss the impacts your use of a class web site like the one we created on TeacherWeb might have on student learning on student engagement,and communications with students and parents.

TeacherWeb has various impacts on learning. First of all, TeacherWeb allows classrooms to connect to technology. The world we live in is very technology forward and having a website such as TeacherWeb allows students to learn how to navigate the web effectively. TeacherWeb provides various links, under web resources, that allow students to learn at their own desire. Teachers can provide websites that cohere to the agenda and current unit theme. This can provide extended learning for the students.

By creating various ways for students to interact with themes they are learning in class, technology is creating a larger picture for the students. They can connect what they learn to the bigger picture. Rather than seeing they can experience and interactively work on activities.

TeacherWeb is also a fantastic place for the parents. It creates a new communication network that allows teachers and parents to communicate when needed. TeacherWeb can allow students and parents to check their grades a click of a button. They can also recieve the schedule, news flash or any other announcements.

Overall TeacherWeb is an excellent and efficient form of communication. Teachers can communicate with not only parents but provide excellent resources for students.


2. Identify and discuss what you see as the two biggest advantages of designing
and using a classroom web site within your teaching activities. Also,identify what you see as the biggest disadvantage of using a class website for instructional activities and why.

The first big advantage is having everything accessible. Teachers can put handouts and grades on the TeacherWeb and, students can access it at any given time. Another advantage is creating a portal to bigger ideas. With pages such as web resources, it can create a portal for student's learning. Students can explore greater ideas and comprehend the bigger picture.

A disadvantage to a TeacherWeb is time. It takes ample amount of time to create a website such as a TeacherWeb. The teacher would have to create it and update it at all times in order for it to be successfully. The final disadvantage is that students and parents may not have access to computers. It is difficult to assume that everyone has access to the internet. A lot of individuals may feel left out if they do not have technology, such as computers or the internet, at their home.

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

1.The multiple intelligence test brought to the surface my strengths and weaknesses with the various intelligences. According to the test, my top strengths were in the categories of intrapersonal, logical, existential and kinesthetic. The core characteristic that best fits my learning style is intrapersonal. I work best when creating individual goals for my learning and I thoroughly enjoy discussing my personal feelings on a topic. I also believe in fair learning and justice for every individual.

2.Intrapersonal types of students enjoy classrooms that have set goals. Creating a classroom journal would be an excellent idea for intrapersonal learners. It would also be important to allow the students to utilize metacognition and be give a chance to think about subjects on an individual level. Last, it is necessary for intrapersonal learners to be provided with activities that allow decisions and plenty of opportunities for self expression.

3. I will support intrapersonal intelligence learners in my classroom through various ways. I is important that students be given the opportunity to freely express themselves through various ways such as a journal. I will have the students set realistic goals for themselves throughout the year so they can challenge themselves on a daily basis. Last of all, I will create time for class discussion. Having input on discussion from intrapersonal learners will create an affective awareness for the rest of the class.

4. Technologies that stimulate this type of intelligences are activities such as creating a journal. It would be an efficient idea for these types of learners to create a blog, such as this, to record their daily thoughts in about school, units or activities we have done in the classroom. The students could also create a digital portfolio or do online activities that would stimulate this particular type of multiple intelligence.

5. And finally, discuss how you see your attention to multiple intelligences could impact student learning within your classroom.It is extremely important to understand the different multiple intelligences within a classroom setting. After researching and taking various tests I understand that different students need different needs met. Now that I am aware of the various multiple intelligences that may occur in the classroom I can create lesson plans that will fit all types of learners, or at least at one point or other.

Day 1

Welcome to my blog. I am excited to see how we can use this!