Unit 12 Musings

Wow, a semester already completed. It seems just like yesterday I was having fits with the computer and the new technologies that we have learned...oh wait that was yesterday!!! No this semester has brought to me a number of fresh ideas that can be incorporated in the classroom. One goal that I have for next semester is to communicate outside of the course work with fellow students more about ideas for the classroom and beyond. I think that the group that we have is a great cross-section of careers that can be linked with one another in certain scenarios. I hope to continue this networking that has started and develop these relationships further.

Unit 11 Musings

The past discussions about the Ed Webs has been very useful for me. I have appreciated the links and insight to a variety of areas that will allow my ed web to expand. Being able to network and share ideas for mine and others has been useful. Although, I work in a building that encourages the sharing of materials the opportunity does not arise as often as I would like. This is in part of my extra curricular activities serving as a football coach in the fall and seemingly a lacrosse coach all year round. Despite it not being academic related the two hours that I spend each day with the students does make a difference and allows me to build a relationship outside of the walls of the classroom. Thus sharing on line with my fellow classmates has been very useful to date. As we progress further I hope to continue this sharing as I find it a valuable resource.

Unit 10 Musings

Typography was an interesting read. While reading the text and looking at the various examples that were presented I started to reflect upon the variety of assignments that I use in class and how I am presenting the information. After I actually went through some of my lectures, notes, hand outs and began to edit items that I have used previously. Another part of this came into play this week helping students that were working on a project that had them creating web pages, I showed them and we utilized the text to enhance their projects. Lastly, I had the chance to use it with my lacrosse team as we order new apparel, I was able to work the kids in developing designs that we want to utilize and put into my new knowledge.

The first version of this blog was erased between automatic saves due to the wireless going out in our building!!!! Got to love technology.

Unit 9 Musings

Having had time to think about the process of actually presenting the webinar I can see areas that we as a group could improve to be more effective in the future. The toughest part of creating the webinar is coordinating group work with working professionals who have a variety of commitments both in and outside of the work place. As a teacher we may be done at 2:35pm each day with class, but I remain involved with the students supervising conditioning and weight room sessions that extends my day usually till 5pm before I leave home.
Overall, I was happy with the first attempt at presenting to a group, what a weird feeling speaking and not seeing anyone's face as you try to teach the material. Most conversing I do online is either through instant message or the F2F via formats like Skype, thus it was odd to just see the screen.
I think all groups will improve upon their original presentations and refine what they didn't like or have run as smoothly as they would have liked. Ah...the joys and pains of technology!!!

Unit 8 Musings

In thinking about the work during this unit I return to the Ed Web and the brainstorm that I have been doing. I am going to focus on a Holocaust and Genocide theme that will analyze why humans behave the way they do. An overlooked aspect of these tragic events is that the bystanders are rarely persecuted and questioned as to why they didn't do anything. As Teddy Roosevelt said "the pacifist is just as guilty as they wrong doer." This will serve as my basis for the Ed Web and I am excited to use materials that I have from an organization that I piloted their program called Facing History who has consented to use their resources.

Unit 7 Musings

The idea of creating connections is very important in the high school classroom, as I begin to plan my Ed Web I am trying to envision what it is going to look at. Although the samples have helped, I am still working on wrapping my head around how to make students feel a connection. Part of the problem is making them functional for the students. As I continue to work on this and put ideas to paper it is becoming clearer. The first Ed Web will be a challenge and something to build on from.

Unit 6 Musings

In our You Tube activity, I thought it was great to see the different clips that everyone was able to share and look at. Utilizing You Tube though in the classroom is difficult for me as a high school teacher though due to it being blocked on our system. In order to utilize this piece of technology I have to rip it using a program called Sea Tubes to be able to have it available for use in my class. My district has blocked a number of these sights due to the chance of students viewing and posting inappropriate material online and Teacher Tube does not have the adequate resources that I am looking for yet.