Frist Blog EDU 241

In the past four days I have learned about some useful applications located on my handy Meredith laptop. I was taught how to create a web-page using Expressions (I have not yet mastered this skill but I'm working on it). I have always looked at teachers web-pages but it never occurred to me that sooner rather than later I would be making my own. I can use my (almost) new found web-page building skills to create a page that says "I'm fun but I have eyes in the back of my head". Especially as a new teacher, having a web-page will be a great way for parents and students to get to know a little about me before starting off the year. In addition, since parents rarely get newsletters sent home with children (at least in my family), posting them on the web-page ensures that the parents receive the information intended for them. I can also use it as a way to reach the masses when I am in need of parent volunteers or school supply donations ( I plan to post that on my future page as a "teacher wish list").

Unlike a web-page, I had never heard of Kidspiration or Inspiration. My limited skills with technology proved difficult to over come on this assignment. However after learning about it in class (and reading multiple google "how to" pages) I created a concept map that looks similar to what my imaginary second graders could have made. I'm not being too hard on myself about that though considering I still have no idea how to use call waiting on my phone, a less than perfect looking concept map is okay. I love the idea of using an interactive concept map in the classroom. The students can fill in remaining bubbles or add onto ideas that are already in place. I feel this is an especially good tool to teach children how to move from drawing as pre-writing to creating charts as pre-writing. I always found the charts to be very dull but making them on in a brightly colored and kid friendly application would make it a much more desirable task. Especially since the students can incorporate pictures and sound.

As a student with disabilities I feel as if I should have know what Wynn Wizard was prior to today, especially considering it is on my laptop. I am very excited about using a program that can read text aloud in the classroom. This program will be fantastic for ESL students, students with hearing impairment, and students who are struggling with reading in general. This program would be great to use for students who are just learning how to read as well. By hearing the word while also seeing it, I believe they will learn to read more quickly. The last thing I love about this program is that, while it cannot replace parental involvement in education, it allows a student to hear a story. Children who are read to regularly tend to do better in school. Since children are all at different comprehension levels, this allows them to each here and follow along with a story that is right for them. This would be great to use during centers or morning work time.

I am happy to say that there are two things we went over this week that I already knew how to use. I am fairly competent at Word and Publisher. Creating flyers on these two things was good practice for the classroom. It was interesting to think about the first thing I would send home to the parents. It was nerve racking so I am glad I got to practice it with my imaginary class first.

The field-trip flyer was also good practice for the classroom. I had planned a field-trip before, in the Elementary Science class, but we did not create a letter/permission slip. I did my best to include all the information the parents needed to know about the trip that far in advance so that the letter was short enough that parents would read it (I have a feeling if I sent home a 5 page reading assignment for Mom she would be very displeased).

The flyer about a person was different for me. I had never done something like that before. I liked the idea of it for elementary school students because it is a way for them to gather information they can use in a presentation or a paper but in a less overwhelming way. Also, by only having one page to put pictures and information on, the student (in this case me) only put on the most important or interesting things.

The last thing we did this week was a resume and cover letter. I had used the resume wizard before on Word but I still find resumes difficult. Putting so much onto so little space and making it different from all other resumes (which are no doubt identical) is stressful. Prior to this resume I had never written a cover letter. I found that to be a great way to share my personality with my hopefully future boss. It also served as a place to elaborate on my skills; for instance I expressed that my Public History degree would make me a very effective Social Studies teacher (a subject that I feel is very much neglected). The resume and cover letter knowledge I have gained will certainly assist me in my job search this time next year.