Jessica+McGivern

__**This page was created with html coding**__: This is the link for my html page.

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__**This is a Glog - an interactive, multi-media poster on Pedagogical Theories**__:

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__**This is my opinion of Virtual Field Trips**__ I believe that taking virtual field trips are a great opportunity to experience things that most students don't have the ability to do. Students may be limited by the monetary requirement, availability, and the fact that some great field trips aren't within a reasonable distance to the school. A virtual field trip can give them so many resources on a topic and with technology constantly improving, the field trips are getting more and more life like, almost like you are actually there.

With that said, based on my experience in Harford County, I think virtual field trips would be best for elementary or middle school students. In high school, the students want to actually be there and if they aren't there, very few of them show interest. In elementary school, you could view the field trip and read them the text if it is beyond their level. In middle school, the students may enjoy having the nagivate and see all of the different things available to them. It will give the feeling of those experiences that they wouldn't have otherwise.

Below is a link to a promotional video of Havre de Grace High School.

Digital Story

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 have already integrated the wikispaces website into my classrooms. I post questions or reflections on the wiki page and they respond on their own personal pages. I also really liked wall wisher, but the site always seemed to freeze. **  **2.** You were asked 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? ** I think my philosphy on education technology has remained the same. Being a business education teacher, I know how important technology is and I use it every day. I honestly don't know how I would function without it. It allows the kids to stay engaged and is interesting when they learn new things about technology and how to use it appropriately. **  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 have also shared all of the website and tools that we have used in class with some co -workers in Harford County as well as with teachers that I used to teach with in Massachusetts. My teacher friend in Massachusetts was so grateful and made the comment "why isn't there a website or something where all of this info is for everyone to share." Technology is what keeps the students interested and the more we, as teachers, use it the more likely the students will be interested in our subject matter. **  4. What could be added to this course to make it better for graduate students? ** I think the course is a great way to get teachers information about technology and how they can implement it in their classroom. Since our course started in January I was only able to use it a bit. Next school year I plan on using wikispaces a lot more for assignments and reflections. **