3 Get Techie With Me

We have been using Edmodo in class recently and I really enjoy it. I used Edmodo my sophomore year of high school for AP Literature. All of our writing assignments were posted and we could complete them on the laptops in class and turn them in for grading while still sitting in our seats. Sometimes our tests and quizzes were also through this site. I believe Edmodo is a great way to communicate from teacher to student and an organized way for the teacher to post grades. This is another great way for students to interact with students on educational terms. Attached is a screenshot of our class Edmodo account. Edmodo Account

Everything nowadays is in the digital age. All information can be found on the Internet in the snap of a finger. When I have a classroom of my own, everything will be digital. Not only will it allow me to be more organized but for the parents to be informed on everything too. Since I’ll be teaching second or third grade this is a great time for kids to learn how to log onto an educational portal to view an assignment and its grade. However with using a public or private portal, Internet etiquette must be remembered. Ads popup to keep the services going and this must be monitored to ensure appropriateness.

I am still working on my newsletter design assignment. I never realized how much time and effort teachers put into making these jazzy sheets of paper. I remember in elementary school, we would receive one each month with a calendar of upcoming events and important things for our parents to know. I am struggling with making my newsletter look organized, presentable, and inviting. I am glad I learned how to make different columns throughout this assignment as well as learn how to insert a photo and make the text cover the photo.

2 A Twist on Teaching

For as long as I can remember, I have used Microsoft Word. Whether it was to take notes for a class, write an essay, or even make labels or a banner. Throughout my years at school, teachers would always use Microsoft Word to create my tests and quizzes, prompts for essays, etc. Anything that involved typing was made through Microsoft Word. There are many programs available to teachers that touch on different ways teachers around the world are incorporating technology into their classroom. Some of these include, edutopia and blogs.

I never really thought twice about the photocopied excerpts I was given by my teachers. They were always either a picture from a textbook, or stories we would read as a whole class. By doing this, the teacher cut down on expenses so we didn’t all have to purchase a textbook. Since I will be teaching early childhood my students will be knowledgeable about citing their work when we make PowerPoints or any type of presentation.

I love the fact that we use social media in class, such as twitter. Incorporating a site that most college students use on a daily basis into lesson plans and an assignment makes it much more fun to interact with classmates. By creating this twitter account and following educators I am able to broaden my horizon in the topic of teaching and learn something new everyday. Little tricks and tools that I have read will certainly be added to my mental list when my teaching days begin! J