I is for Introductions
We learn from introductions whether it is being introduced to a new person, introduced to a new concept or introduced to a new outlook on the world. My time so far in the Faculty of Education has included many introductions and starting March 9th, I will be introduced to the way that my next co-operating teacher, Devon Caldwell, runs her classroom and I couldn't be more excited! The projects and topics that the Kindergartners from Oak Lake cover under her direction are amazing and I just know I will learn SO much. Reading her blog, I better understand the idea of blogging as a teacher to share ideas with parents, to reflect on how things are going in your classroom and to inspire those who are following in your footsteps. I truly hope I can keep up with my blog and introduce other teachers to my way of thinking and my way of teaching.
Saturday 28 February 2015
Sunday 22 February 2015
H
H is for Homework
At the end of January, I moved into a new house and after numerous visits from MTS and a few complications, we finally got internet on Friday which made for over three long weeks without internet access at home. In a world where so much of our school work is technology based, it made for a lot of trips to the library and mooching of friend's internet. My three week gap from internet at home made me realize how difficult it must be for student's whose parents can't afford internet or live in rural/remote areas with limited internet access. When so much of our homework is based on using online sources, not having internet at home made homework that one extra step harder.
Obviously I made a point to get it done and drove or walked to the library but students might not be able to do that. These past three weeks just reminded me to be aware of the home life of my future students. How many have access to internet at home is going to affect the homework I give and the communication tools I use. Having our internet back made me so grateful that I am privileged enough to have this online access and live in an area where this is an option.
At the end of January, I moved into a new house and after numerous visits from MTS and a few complications, we finally got internet on Friday which made for over three long weeks without internet access at home. In a world where so much of our school work is technology based, it made for a lot of trips to the library and mooching of friend's internet. My three week gap from internet at home made me realize how difficult it must be for student's whose parents can't afford internet or live in rural/remote areas with limited internet access. When so much of our homework is based on using online sources, not having internet at home made homework that one extra step harder.
Obviously I made a point to get it done and drove or walked to the library but students might not be able to do that. These past three weeks just reminded me to be aware of the home life of my future students. How many have access to internet at home is going to affect the homework I give and the communication tools I use. Having our internet back made me so grateful that I am privileged enough to have this online access and live in an area where this is an option.
G
G is for Growth
This week, I spent two days at the WESTCAST conference in Saskatoon learning and growing by sharing information with my peers and in turn, listening to their ideas and strategies. I tend to feel nervous public speaking but this was a safe and understanding environment that allowed my confidence to grow and my nerves to diminish. Although this is a traditional face to face way of sharing information, I think it has just as much use as a PLE/PLN. I truly enjoy learning from others in a face to face setting.
The experience of WESTCAST also helped me to grow and develop deeper friendships with some of my classmates and I know I will stay in touch with these people regardless of where we get jobs or where life takes us. It was an amazing opportunity and I would encourage other students teachers to go when they get the chance. I sat in on many speakers discussing a variety of topics including Montessori method and Aboriginal teachings, encouraging creativity in the classroom, tools for assessment and evaluation, strategies for creating a classroom community and problem solving in Kindergarten. From each presentation I learned at least one new thing and therefore have grown as a teacher and a learner. It was truly an excellent experience!
This week, I spent two days at the WESTCAST conference in Saskatoon learning and growing by sharing information with my peers and in turn, listening to their ideas and strategies. I tend to feel nervous public speaking but this was a safe and understanding environment that allowed my confidence to grow and my nerves to diminish. Although this is a traditional face to face way of sharing information, I think it has just as much use as a PLE/PLN. I truly enjoy learning from others in a face to face setting.
The experience of WESTCAST also helped me to grow and develop deeper friendships with some of my classmates and I know I will stay in touch with these people regardless of where we get jobs or where life takes us. It was an amazing opportunity and I would encourage other students teachers to go when they get the chance. I sat in on many speakers discussing a variety of topics including Montessori method and Aboriginal teachings, encouraging creativity in the classroom, tools for assessment and evaluation, strategies for creating a classroom community and problem solving in Kindergarten. From each presentation I learned at least one new thing and therefore have grown as a teacher and a learner. It was truly an excellent experience!
F
F is for Forging Online Connections (My PLN/PLE)
This week our class task is to develop our own PLN and discuss what exactly that acronym entails. A PLN is a Personal Learning Network and it is a set of connections that go beyond traditional face to face connections or resources. It is very similar to a PLE which is a Personal Learning Environment. I plan on building my PLN/PLE using the following:
This week our class task is to develop our own PLN and discuss what exactly that acronym entails. A PLN is a Personal Learning Network and it is a set of connections that go beyond traditional face to face connections or resources. It is very similar to a PLE which is a Personal Learning Environment. I plan on building my PLN/PLE using the following:
- Twitter: I will use Twitter to connect with other like minded teachers and join in on the ongoing discussion between Manitoba educators. I will also use twitter to share what goes on in my class and connect with outside information sources such as news accounts and different non-profit organizations to help broaden my students' horizons.
- Pinterest: I will use Pinterest as a means of inspiration as well as a curator to keep track of ideas, websites, articles, etc. I will also follow the boards of other teachers and educational programs to have access to even more great ideas!
- Blog: I will continue to blog to share my ideas about education and my experiences as a teacher.
- YouTube: I will use YouTube to share student work and projects as well as using it to show other videos to increase thier knowledge and spark their interest.
- Shelfari: I will use this curating site to keep track of my classroom books and more importantly, I will use it to discover new books and see what books other people are using in their classrooms and join in on discussions with people who have the same type of library as myself.
- Symbaloo: I will use Symbaloo to keep track of our common classroom websites and include the Symbaloo on my classroom website so that parents can easily access the websites we use. Symbaloo also has a blog feature and a section where they highlight different educators and give you the option to follow their profiles. I think this would be a neat way to connect with various excellent teachers who also use Symbaloo.
- Instagram: I will create a class Instagram profile to share the work that we do and perhaps connect with other classrooms and see what they do. I will also follow other teachers and see the ideas from their classrooms that they share.
- Ning: I will use Ning to stay connected with current, former and future students in the Faculty of Education.
- Maple: I will use Maple to become a part of many discussions of issues in our field as well as resources and ideas. This is a professional environment and I will stay connected to it so I can grow as a professional teacher.
Tuesday 10 February 2015
E
E is for Easy!
Throughout the past five weeks spent in our Information & Communication Technology class, I've been amazed at how easy all of the apps, websites, tools and activities have been.
Learning new ways to interact with technology has made me much more confident because I now realize that it's not hard or confusing or there to set you up for failure; technology is easy! Anyone can use it and harness its endless capabilities. It's easy for students and it's easy for teachers too.
Throughout the past five weeks spent in our Information & Communication Technology class, I've been amazed at how easy all of the apps, websites, tools and activities have been.
Learning new ways to interact with technology has made me much more confident because I now realize that it's not hard or confusing or there to set you up for failure; technology is easy! Anyone can use it and harness its endless capabilities. It's easy for students and it's easy for teachers too.
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