EDTC 6433-What I learned, Week 5: Collaboration

Tech Smackdown:
The Tech Smackdown was fun! I presented about Raz-Kids, which is an amazing program that I use everyday for reading groups in my classroom. Each reading group gets to go on once a week at school. I ask parents to pay for it in the beginning of the year since it does require a subscription. I enjoyed listening to the other presentations as well. One that I may try in the future is Bloomz. I hope it would help to eliminate the length and frequency of emails. I send out bi-weekly newsletters through email to my parents, so I wonder if there would be a way to send it over the Bloomz program. I will have to check it out!

Skype in the Classroom:
The Mystery Skype session was both educational and engaging. I loved playing the guessing game and could definitely see myself doing that with my class! I loved that there was a GoNoodle mystery Skype session coming up when we last logged on. That is something that my students would LOVE! My only concern is obtaining a camera for my ActivBoard. It would only make sense for me to do a whole class skype session that way, since students wouldn't be able to see on a small laptop.

Breakout EDU:
This was definitely the highlight of the night! It was cool seeing everyone's strengths and how we worked together to figure out the locks and beat the timer. Overall I think we worked well as a group and took on certain roles without really having to designate anyone. In the classroom, I might have to help facilitate with my 2nd graders as they are still learning about appropriate social-emotional actions. I could see staff doing this during a LEAP to build teamwork and community.

Overall this week's class was a lot of fun. I really have enjoyed all that I have learned so far and am looking forward to what is yet to come!

EDTC 6433-What I learned, Week 4: Innovation

This week was a-SWAY-zing (see what I did there?)

I loved learning how to create and use Sway. What a cool tool! I like it so much better than power point. It's more user-friendly and the designs look more professional. I like that a layout is given to you so that you only need to worry about content. I think this would be a great tool to use for a more personal presentation. For example, if I were able to split up my curriculum night presentation into specific sections, it could be a more engaging way for parents to follow along. I could also use it to make research more engaging for my students. For a writing lesson, I could share information about a specific animal that we were going to research. In 2nd grade, students only need to be able to add text and images to 1 power point slide, so I think something like Sway would be more appropriate for them as they get older. At their age, watching as I model would be more appropriate than them creating.

I found the SAMR model interesting. It seems like for younger grades, most of the technology used in the general education classroom ends up being a substitution or an augmentation. With the new LWSD technology standards, sometimes it feels like we have to just "check off a box" to integrate technology rather than use it for something useful. In this way, the technology would only be the at the bottom 2 tiers rather than the top 2. In my classroom, I have found it hard to justify that kind of use of technology. Sure, I use technology everyday, but my students aren't creating something new. Since I only have 6 netbooks for my 20 students, I have a small group use Raz-Kids during reading and IXL during math, so that students have access to a computer once a week each for reading and math. When teachers feel the pressure to address all of the standards they are supposed to, it's hard to justify a "fun technology project" when they aren't independent or don't have the tools to access it properly.

EDTC 6433-What I learned, Week 3: Communication and Presentation

I loved the learnings this week. Doing the class Twitter chat was actually really fun! I didn't realize that all the posts we were sending were automatically posting to our Twitter pages, and vise versa. I have had back-and-forth conversations on Twitter, but wasn't aware of actual Twitter chats. I think I would like to try the Teachers College Reading Writing Project chat, the 2nd grade chat, or the BrainPop chat. I would love to collaborate with teachers whom I don't know and most likely don't live near me. I think it would only benefit my knowledge and help me to reflect.

I also found making an Office Mix very interesting. It was actually way easier and more user-friendly than I anticipated it to be! I really liked the feature of deleting the recordings for just the particular slide you were on. The first time I messed up, I thought I was going to have to start all over. I think that next time I may want to try making a mix on a computer with a less-sensitive microphone. The microphone on my laptop picked up EVERYTHING! Slight movements I made, or even the clicking sound of my mouse moving to the next slide were picked up. I will have to figure out next time how to lessen the background noise.

I definitely think Mix would be beneficial for my parents. If I made a presentation for parents to listen to, like the Curriculum Night mix I posted, it may make them feel more at-ease with the information, as well as be more accommodating to their schedules if they aren't able to make it to the event.

EDTC 6433-What I learned, Week 2: Digital Citizenship

I really enjoyed this week's learnings! Last week I felt a little discouraged knowing I didn't have enough computers for my class to use at once. This week, however, I feel as though I left with a few tools in my "tool belt" because many of the lessons can be accessed whole-group. I loved that there was a free Brain Pop online etiquette video. I plan on showing both that and the Brain Pop Jr video on internet safety in my classroom. My students LOVE the robot Moby, so I know it will help them to be engaged!

The learning and teaching of Digital Citizenship impacts my teaching because children are living in a world that has an amazing amount of access to technology. Because of this, it is important that they learn how to stay safe, navigate properly, and be respectful online. As they enter into 3rd grade and are accessing so much online to help prepare for the SBA tests, it is important that I help to prepare them for the online world.

EDTC 6433-What I learned, Week 1: Overview, Self-Assessment, ISTE Standards

New learnings for the week include reading and reflecting upon the ITSE standards vs the LWSD technology standards. I had never heard of the ITSE standards, and am curious if our district used this as a framework to create their own standards. Is ITSE more of a general guideline? The LWSD standards seem more specific. For example, they mention specific programs that teachers should be using with their students (e.g. Microsoft Office), whereas the ITSE standards mention "a variety of tools."

This learning impacts my teaching by making me more aware of the ever-growing use of technology in schools. It still amazes me! I don't think I started typing on a computer in school until I was in middle school. Now, there are (basic) typing standards for as early as 1st grade! It makes me think about the importance of our school district providing 1:1 netbooks for students so that they can reach these standards and be more successful on digital standardized testing.

Another component of this first week was taking the self-assessment. It was good to be honest while reflecting, however, it made me realize how little my students are able to individually access technology when they don't have the means to do so! Although we use a lot of technology whole group, there isn't many opportunities given for my students to access classroom technology individually when they have to share 6 netbooks among 20 students. 

Caitlin Pullen: Initital Reflection

     Reflection on my practice as an educator is always something I have extremely valued. I thrive on words of affirmation, but am quick to accept constructive feedback. It is important to me to be the best educator I can. If I am going to do a job, I am going to do it well! I try my best to reflect and put forth what is considered to be well-researched and best practice--even if it doesn't align with my school or district's ideas.  
     Having collaboration time with my team is highly important as well. I love to get ideas from others, even if it means not implementing them fully. If there is some small part that I can take and make my own, I am grateful! I also love to be given the opportunity to be a "teacher" to my peers. There have been many times over the last few years of my teaching career that I have been able to teach educators with much more experience than I have something new. In this way, I know that becoming an administrator is something I think I have the potential to do well. Because this is my first official year teaching 2nd grade (I was in a 2nd grade classroom during my internship and taught 1st grade the last two years), I intend to learn a lot from my colleagues and reflect upon my practices in new content areas. I also hope that I am given opportunities to bring forth new ideas to my new teammates.
     As mentioned previously, when I have a job, I intend to do it well. Being an effective educator is the highest priority in my life as it stands. I am very passionate when it comes to the rights of my students and peers. I am an active member of the Lake Washington Education Association and am the lead representative for my school. Because the staff voted me into this role, it is important for me to honor them and do it effectively. I love to research what other districts do to attract and retain their teachers and compare it to my own.  I feel the need to be an advocate for my students and peers. With that comes its own obstacles, as some administrators may feel that it reflects poorly on them. I think this is a great perspective to have as a future administrator. I never want to be too far removed that I forget the hardship that educators experience day-to-day in this current time.
     I also love to research what is best practice as it exits the Teacher's College. I love to learn! When looking at the Danielson Framework, it is important to me to continue to grow in Domain 4. This is why I wanted to completed my M.Ed. The field of education is constantly changing, and I want to know that I am doing the best I can to reach my full potential as an educator. 
     Another area that I would like to grow is time-management. I don't mean time-management when it comes to my regular daily teaching--that is something I pride myself on! What I would like to get better at is managing my life outside of work. Because I am single and don't have any outside "obligations," I often find it hard to leave work at a decent time. It is so important for me to do my job well, that I keep working at school later than nearly all educators in the building. It seems as though one has to choose between being a successful educator and successful family member. Sadly, many teachers in my building agree. How can I be the best educator I can be while still having a life outside of work?