Class 6-6-11

Thanks to Jason I was ready to make my first podcast using podomatic.com! Spanish for Communication Final is published and ready to view and was actually created to help my Spanish for Communication class review for their final exam. Now I am ready to try the other cool tools that were demonstrated during our class this week! Like I said during the Ahhhh haaa moment, I am so amazed at the quality and amout of tools that are really useful and that I have not heard of yet! I love this program and am so happy that I have such great colleagues!

Together we really are going to change the world!

5.23.11 class

We definitely saw some great tool time demonstrations in class this week.  I love taking part in the demonstrations vs. just searching on the web myself all the time, it is nice to see different tools explained by a real person sometimes!  I was really happy to learn more about zunal webquests because I am making and sharing one about sports in the Spanish speaking world to share with my classes on June 6th and it really helped me to get a better feel for the site and the different possiblities that it offers! Thanks to all who have shared so far and I am excited for the ones still to come!

5-16-11

Wow, so this is what breathing room feels like?  Everyone last week and this did such a great job on their IT presentations, I really got a lot out of them.  It was also interesting to learn about the multitasking findings affecting students learning negatively, but I have to admit, not surprising.  We have learned so much about brain-based learning and comprehension, it just seems like overload on our senses sometimes.  Hmmm, so glad sometimes to not have television...
My next step is my student glogster project.  They logged in for the first time today and seem "motivated" to work on their project so....We shall see!  It is about their dream homes so, they are ready to get to work, and I can't wait to see the results.

Until we meet again..... enjoy the FREEZE!

Clase de 9 de mayo

Ay, I am feeling slightly overwhelmed!  This class is moving at warp speed and it is tough to find my footing.  I have made a mental and phyical checklist...contract turned in ...check, any points done?...check, IT project done.........hmmmm no check yet but getting there and happy to have great partners!  Plus school is rapidly coming to a close and there are soooo many tasks and activities going to there, EOC in the HS, ASK in the MS, MS competition day, 7th grade trip, activity day picnic, HS proms, end of year meetings....Grrrr, can't I just have the last month to teach and not be interrupted by the state tests and other activities...?  Oh well, Juggle, juggle, and catch!  We can do it!!!!!

I really enjoyed the tool demonstrations and IT project that was presented during class, we are really lucky to have class with such a great group.  I am relieved and thrilled to work with such fantastic people!

Clase de 2 de mayo

Ok, rolling on down the tech highway with the IT project.  It was nice to have the time to really sit down with each other and focus on one task.  It was a little confusing getting started on this project but I think I have a better grasp now.  I love collaborating on mindomo, I had never heard of it before but, I am glad to use it now!  I think that now that we have some ideas and focus, the rest of the project should run smoother! 

April 25th class

Well, I have made it through another Wimba and BlackBoard training session and I have to say, I feel pretty good about it!  I am getting the hang of Wimba and find it a little annoying for me to use from home unfortunately because I have such a weak internet signal....bummer.  Anyway, I have conquered the complete worksheet with the help of some great classmates and love how helpful we all are to each other!  Collaboration is the key for our success, for sure!
I also spent some time during tonights class to create my definition of instructional technology.  Hmmmm....there are so many facets to tech and ed.  that it was not as simple to answer as I initally thought!  First you have the hardware and software programs needed, then the understanding to use the tools and the desire to learn how to use the tools with the students, then we have the design process, without which we wouldn't be able to get anything accomplished successfully with students'.  I am attaching an article that I found on Instructional design for your pleasure! 
See you next time!

Second class 4/18/11

I can't believe that Easter is almost here and break is coming to a close. Que sera sera.  Moving right along...
I am very proud to say that I found out how to use blackboard and wimba to much success after this class! I have finished the worksheet for learning how to use both of these tools and am ready for some more.  Now I really need to think about this contract and what I want to do to earn my 50 pts. while learning some more useful tools for my classes.  There are soooooo many choices of cool tools and options, my head is spinning with ideas......I'll get there! 
One tool I really like is xtranormal (thanks Colleen for showing it to me!!!!) If you haven't checked out my movie and you are bored over break, please take a look and give me some feedback :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1RizJii2hM

Hope everyone has a fantastic Easter!!!!!

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

April 12th

So, I was a little anxious about starting the next MAIT class with our cohort.  We really have a great group of people to work with, I was just curious about the new teacher and the course itself.  What are we going to be learning?  What will we have to do?  Will it be a lot of work?  Will I understand what's going on?
Well...the anxiety has come and gone and here we are, on our way towards conquering our second course on our way to our masters degree!!! I think I am more excited than nervous.  Now that I know what we are up against, I feel pretty good.  I am interested in learning about educational design.  It just makes sense to understand why we are using the tools that we share with our students.  My supervisor always talks about backward design, starting with the end of a unit/topic and then working backwards in the unit planning and creation to make sure you reach your goals at every point. That has always made sense to me, I like having everything planned out step by step, so I help myself when planning and my students when I present.  Who knows... maybe someday I will even learn how to make my own Web 2.0 tool...OK so maybe I am getting way ahead of myself but wouldn't that be cool???