PowerPoint Terrific!

For our latest task in my SEDU 183 class here at Edinboro University, we were to complete a PowerPoint to be based on a PA standard for whatever grade and subject we wanted. To accompany our PowerPoint we were to create a narrative with the goals of our lesson and PowerPoint. We then were to present our PowerPoints and Narratives to other members of the class. Sounds too easy right? Well, there was a catch, and what was the catch you may ask? We couldn't use the PowerPoint as a means of Direct Instruction. This is what most people would typically expect of a PowerPoint; create 15 slides of facts on a single topic.Well, we weren't allowed to do that. That's just too easy! We were to step outside of our comfort zones and explore other ways that PowerPoint was meant to be used! So, we were to make a PowerPoint that could fit somewhere into our lesson that then helped to enhance that lesson for our students.

No Direct Instruction Allowed!! 

I decided to choose the Kindergarten age group for my subject area. I chose a standard from the mathematics section dealing with teaching the students the meaning of equal and not equal. I decided to use my PowerPoint as a closure activity to check for comprehension. As I went along making my PowerPoint, I tried to stick with easy fonts and bright colors to appeal to the young age group of children I was dealing with. I also chose age appropriate pictures of things the students would be able to recognize. I felt my PowerPoint was like a type of game; I proposed two groups of objects and the students got to choose whether they were equal or not equal. They were to work on a computer by themselves and 'play the game.' I stepped out of my comfort zone by adding narration to my PowerPoint. As my instructor pointed out, Kindergartners most likely wouldn't be able to read, so it was essential to add narration to guide the children through the activity. I have never done this before, but I was surprised at how quickly I got the hang of how to add the sounds. Another risk I took was timing my slides and adding more complex animations. For example, in one part of my PowerPoint I had the children count with my voice. I had the objects enlarge as my voice said each number.

I thought my end product turned out beyond what I expected it could. I learned how to utilize action buttons, and successfully incorporated them into my creation. I am also very pleased with how my presentation went, besides the fact that my group could not hear my narration because of the other noise occurring in the classroom. I received a lot more positive feedback than I was expecting as well. Some of my group members said that they "wished they had that much free time," when in reality I lost my flash drive containing my almost complete PowerPoint project and had to start from scratch the day before the assignment was due. I was surprised I finished the project at all and surprised it received so much positive reinforcement.

The other members of my group did very well with their projects as well. Surprisingly, I learned quite a bit from them. Sadly, though, if I was on 'Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader,' I probably wouldn't have won. I had a hard time answering Third Grade Science questions! I thought it was neat how all of us chose different age groups and subjects to focus on.

Here is my narrative I did for this project! Click on the first hyperlink. I'm not sure how to get my PowerPoint to show up, but I guess that'll just be one of my next tasks to learn how to do(:

Two More for the Roll!

Recently I've been looking at other blogs that will help me in the future with my educational career path towards teaching. Two that I've recently found are jam-packed with tips, tricks of the trade, personal experiences, and other goodies that will definitely help me out on my journey to having my own classroom! For Special Education, this blog shares information that will hopefully help those who are around those with special needs. I really love the links on the side that are grouped by academic subjects. These would be useful in the classroom as handouts or just for extra practice. There are also helpful links for parents which I feel is great so that they can learn how they can help their children at home as well! Now another blog I found shows ideas on how to let children play! People can share their ideas as well as look at photos of how the creator is creating fun ways for her children to play. I feel this is important especially for young children. Playing helps their creativity and helps them build an imagination! I am excited to follow these blogs for future reference. The personal experiences shared on these blogs can help paint a picture in my mind of what I'm getting myself into, which is something I need to be aware of. I want to have the best classroom environment possible for each of my students so that I influence their life in some shape or form! I'm hoping these blogs can help me in making the best choices I can to become the teacher I know I loved when I was in school. So, hopefully you will enjoy looking at these blogs like I have(:

My Beliefs about Technology and Learning...

One thing I have observed since starting the teaching program here at Edinboro is the increase in technology use. Many of my professors have highlighted this in their teachings. So, as I thought about it, it's crazy how much of our daily lives now revolve around some sort of technology. For example, many can't live without their smartphone in their pocket, or function without their iPod to walk between classes. I've also noticed that now children are starting to learn how to use technology at such young ages. Some adults probably hate to admit that their 2 year old can navigate an iPad quicker than they can. So, since these youngsters are learning these habits at home, it's no wonder that technology is also creeping into our classrooms.

 

 

Personally, I feel it's a great thing that technology is making its way into the classroom. For one, its teaching both us teachers and our students. Another plus I see is being able to explore beyond paper and pencils. I also feel technology may give more room for interaction within the classroom. For example, smartboards can be used for educational review games such as jeopardy. This can promote classroom involvement for every child. Another plus I see from having technology is not just its cognitive affects but also helping with physical affects. Many schools are now investing in Kindles or iPads to give to students, which I feel can help children get away from carrying a 15 to 20 pound book bag to and from school everyday. Another positive I see is possibly gaining more interest in class from students who would typically become bored after sitting for a few hours in a classroom. I definitely believe that technology and learning go together. Because our world is now so deep into technology, it only makes sense that we as teachers incorporate technology into our classrooms!

 

This video sums up a lot of my beliefs on why we should use technology:

Reasons FOR Technology in the Classroom