Ashley+Grubb

__This is the page I created with html coding__: [|My Towson Homepage!]

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__This is an online, multi-media poster on the topic of Pedagogical Theories__:

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__Virtual Fieldtrips__

I think Virtual Field Trips are amazing! Especially in today's economy when teachers may not be able to go on actual field trips because of funding issues. I have gone to art museum websites before to find paintings related to what I am teaching (there are a few lessons where the kids 'create' masterpieces). I used to have a big list of virtual feld trip websites from a class in undergrad, but I cannot find it :(. I tour the Sistine Chapel when the kids paint like Michaelangelo. I know it doesn't really compare to a virtual fieldtrip, but my school has access to Discovery Education and I am able to show video clips which really help the students make connections. Technology helps us make a connection to what we teach becuase we have access to more resources which can help the students make more connections to the materials. I know during the winter unit we discuss how animals migrate south so they are warm. Since I can't really load the kids up and drive them south to see the animals, I show a video clip of birds going South and it shows the birds in warmer weather. Virtual Fieldtrips (and resources) are just another way to help make more connections for the materials we are teaching!

Here is my movie made with Windows Movie Maker:



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My 5 and 6 year old kindergarten students were the illustrators of this poem. I gave each student a line of the poem, and individually they had to draw an image on a puzzle piece which represented thier interpretation of the poem line. I had some real random puzzle pieces displayed so they could see that a puzzle piece usually does not just have a drawing - there is a lot in the background too. There are some verses which has more than one image for the verse, so the transtion where the images fade represent a new line of the poem.


 * REFLECTION**

** 1. We have used many technologies in this course over the past months; which one(s) made the most impression on you? How might you integrate this technology into your teaching? **

I liked all of the resources we have learned about. I think my favorite is the VOKI. I love how easy it is to use and my kids love it. I can use it to share stories, give a morning message, and the thought has crossed my mind about using it when my throat is sore..haha (if the internet will stream at a decent pace). I like how I could change the appearance of the VOKI based on the topic I am using it for - it is just very functional!

2. You were aske ﻿ d to articulate your personal philosophy on educational technology to include in your html page. Has your philosophy changed as a result of what you have learned in this class? If so, how? My philosophy is pretty much still the same.

After seeing all of the different resources, I think it substantiates my philosophy further. I was able to include my kids in my movie project - so even though they did not operate the actual technology, they were still a part of it. With all of the resources - free ones at that- kids do utulize it and it helps them express who they are!


 * 3. I have always maintained the position that students who learn to use technology effectively in their teaching should be ready to share what they’ve learned with their colleagues in schools or their place of employment - doing so makes one a teacher-leader, a position that is very important to the success of school improvement and student achievement. How do you think you could share what you’ve learned in this class with others with whom you work? What would you say to them in terms of what you believe about the importance of technology tools in teaching and learning? **

I feel I could share a lot of the resources I learned about. Unfortunaly, there are a lot of hesitant teachers in my school when it comes to technology, but I think most of it deals with everything being thrown at them and not having the time to really learn it or explore it. I am the 'techy' girl on my team - and quite a few people come to me from around the school. I love creating resources for my lessons, and usually people want them too. They will use them, but unless it is made already, most wont try. I always offer help and let them know I would be willing to show them how to do it, but then there is a time factor for both of us. Especially now, I could not imagine teaching without the technology. If I were to go show my team how to do something on the computer, I would probably show the Voki just because it is quick and not much has to be done to use it.

4. What could be added to this course to make it better for graduate students?

I loved learning about all of the different resources that are available! If there are more resources, I would say more projects using those resources. I think it would also be neat if there was a forum or web page for the students to post any cool resources or ideas they have had or come up with! There is so much to learn about technology and infinite resources!!!! Especially as teachers, I think we are able to find some neat things to use with our lessons, and having more opportunites to share them would be helpful! But I loved actually using the resources!!