Technology in the Classroom

 

Hello all:

Currently, as I am student teaching, I have gained a lot more experience in the actual classroom.
During this semester of student teaching I have also been taking a technology class that discusses it's use in the everyday classroom.

The final topic of this semester is blogs and websites. Can they be used effectively in the classroom?

My answer, as is the answer with all questions in life, IT DEPENDS.

In terms of blogs, I know that many teachers have blogs that discuss lesson plans and ideas for activities. This type of educational blog activity is certainly useful to educations and their colleagues. Using technology in this way can be an effective means to share ideas, successful activities, and enables an easy way for teachers to continue growing and adapting their lessons.

The real question though is: can blogs be used for students and teachers in an educational setting? I think the answer is yes, but once again, it always depends. I think that a blog could be a suitable communication and classroom tool. It could act as a format for the student to communicate assignments, clarify questions through posts and comments, and provide a forum for online classroom interaction. I think a blog could be an online classroom in a way, but I feel like there are other formatted programs that may better suite this need.

In terms of websites, I think there are numerous websites already in existences that can integrate, utilize, and amplify the use of technology in the classroom. Should a classroom teacher create a website for their classroom? I guess if used effectively to teach content and foster a positive classroom environment, why not?

For my own personal classroom use I do not think I will be creating a website of a blog to utilize in my classroom. If I want to utilize technology I think I will use programs that are specifically geared towards classroom instruction.

But who knows, may I'll stumble upon a blog or a website that will change my mind altogether.
We shall see.

Using Jing I bring you these...

I took a Stage Makeup Class at Columbus State University in the Spring of my freshman year.
It was A LOT of fun and I really enjoyed myself. PLUS, I found out I wasn't half bad at it.

Here is our animal day, I decided to do a raccoon:

Here is our clown day, I decided to do some traditional elements with a cirque influences:

Here is our oppostie sex day, I used cut up crepe hair and spirit gum to define my jaw line. It worked very nicely:

Hope you enjoyed this picture. Prought to you through Jing, screenshot capture image software.

To add on, here are some screenshots you might enjoy?



FOR MY TECHNOLOGY CLASS:

Here is just a little bit about myself:

My name is Elise Miller and I am 20 years old.
I was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
I have moved 6 times in my life time.
The placed I have lived include: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia; Perth, Western Australia; Kalbarri, Western Australia; Townsville, Queensland; Winnemucca, Nevada; Douglasville, Georgia; and Columbus, Georgia.
I am a citizen of Australia and am awaiting to acquire my citizenship here in the United States.
I have 5 cats (Simba, Hamlet, Romero, Julius and Bailey) and I have 3 Pomeranians (Aussie, Maggie and Aurora).
I have a large extensive family but only my mother Lorrane, my father Neil, and my sister Brooke live here in the US with me.

My Education:

• I moved around a lot so I went to a variety of elementary schools.
• The main two middle schools I attended were French Ford Middle School and Chestnut Log Middle School.
• I attended Douglas County High School for the entirety of my high school career; I was part of the first class of the International Baccalaureate Program.
• I was within the top 10 of my high school class and graduated with numerous honors.
• I currently attend Columbus State University where I study Theatre Performance with Teacher Certification.
• I am currently a Junior.

Work Experience:

• I have been a student for the majority of my life and have not had much "real-life" work experience.
• I have worked in Riverpark Student Housing's office (this is my second summer working there).
• I worked at the Dowtown Bookstore for a month in Fall 2010.
• I babysat for 2 years in high school.
• And most recently, I worked for Circle Ensemble Theatre Company in Athens, GA all of Summer 2011.

Skills

• My skill set is mostly in the are of theatre.
• I am being Mesiner Trained through CSU.
• I am able to stage manage shows, run light/sound boards, and be a part of backstage crew.
• I am competent in Word and Powerpoint.
• I can whistle.
• I am very crafty.
• I am good with children.

Hobbies

• I love to make things, like: scrapbooks, crafts, food etc.
• I love working with animals, I volunteers with PAWS Humane Society.
• I am a big sister in Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• I love to go horseback riding, swimming, and dancing.
• I take vocal lessons here in Columbus.