For my first online course, I really liked EDU 6384. It was hard for me to get organized in the beginning, but as the course went on, I feel like I got in a routine. Sometimes I really enjoy working by myself, so it was easy for me to reflect and work on my own time.
I found the content in the book to be very interesting and there are some things that I can definitely take back to my classroom. The ones I'm most excited about are blogging, webquests, and the Monster Exchange (which we started this week).
I am glad that I am taking these technology courses because I want to be equipped to teach my students. The more I read about current trends, the more I realize I have to learn! I thought I was ahead of times with my Promethean Board and laptops, but there is so much more out there. AND, there is so much more integration that I can be doing across the curriculum.
The biggest issues for me with taking an online course was the communication. When I was struggling with an assignment, it was hard for me to figure out the problems. The database, for example, was really hard for me and I spent A LOT of time trying to learn how to do it on my own. I guess you have to problem solve, as you do in any stressful situation, but I do miss having the weekly interaction with a professor to talk to with issues such as these.
I have already started dreaming of the endless possibilities my students will have to use these cool cameras. They can interview each other, they can record scavenger hunts, they can perform, and so much more. I am not sure what I am going to have them do first.
We are currently studying VOICE in our writing as well as character point of view and I'm going to read different versions of the Three Little Pigs. We are going to discuss the story from the different character's point of view. I am thinking that I will have my kids create their own "Three Little ____ and the Big Bad ____" story and have them record their character's point of view using the flip camera. My kids love, LOVE, love drama, so I think this might be a fun little project for them.
As I've previously mentioned, my kids have created their own websites, and this video feed could easily be uploaded to their own websites.
I think these cameras would also be really cool for when we study biographies. My students could pretend to be various people and they could interview each other and answer questions about history.
I am very excited about my new flip camera! Every teacher at my school got one...Christmas came early at Bradfield!
Technology is AMAZING!!!
