Photo Story

Ok, I am usually so lost when it comes to technology! I get overwhelmed, frustrated and all around mad... until I found Photo Story. What a discovery! You can upload pictures, music, podcasts to the program and it flips through it as if it were a story. I have enjoyed using this program in my classroom, because it is quick and easy to use. My students love to create their own photo stories and share them with the class!

WIX

A few weeks ago in my technology class, we created our own websites from a site called www.wix.com. This is the coolest website! I am not a technology geek whatsoever, but this was very easy to use, and looks like you spent weeks on it! I designed a page for my class on the unit we are presently covering. On the site they can view homework, videos, articles, games, ect. This site is also designed for parents, so that they are educated on what we are doing in the classroom. My students have had a lot of fun with the six page and I can't wait to make one for the next unit!

Prezi!

Recently in my technology class, we learned how to design and present powerpoint presentations through a website called PREZI. It is SO COOL! You should check it out it you have never seen it before www.prezi.com. It is a great way your students can design projects, or for you to show in the classroom. You can upload videos, pictures and documents. I found it to be very education and helpful for my students that are visual learners. I plan to continue using this program in my classroom!

Reflection #1

• What was the most important/interesting learning experience (e.g. course reading, group discussion, or lesson plan development) for me and why it was important/interesting to me? 

I found the power point unit introduction assignment very helpful. It helped me explore PowerPoint and refresh my abilities to create a slide show. It helped me organize my thoughts on my Unit Plan and how it would help my students. I really enjoyed making the excel grade book. I have never really explored excel (hard to believe, I know) so it was educational for me to learn how to use all the formulas and functions.

• How would I apply what I have learned in my future teaching? 

I will definitely use power points in my classroom. This project reminded me that I can make slide shows for every lesson and upload them to my personal website for parents and students to review together or to gather assignments from. My understanding of WORD has also improved. I have used it for years, but some of the functions were foreign to me. I am glad I have been exposed to these functions so I can use them in my classroom!

• What was my previous assumption (a theory or a practice), and how did the learning make me re-evaluate my assumption? 

I assumed that unit plans were a lot more challenging than they really are. This assignment put me at ease knowing that all it is, is organizing your content you will deliver throughout the daily lessons.

• What would I like to challenge (e.g. a theory, a practice and a common belief) 

I would like to challenge myself to make a unit plan that included all required parts. I would hope that after taking this class I will be well prepared and much more knowledgeable on how to make PowerPoint, prezi and story book projects and presentations.

• What observation would I like to present about a particular learning event? 

I would like to point out that while our written instructions for the next project seem to explain the instructions, I am still very confused. I would love to have a more thorough explanation on what our multimedia project in tails.

• What new thoughts do I have as the result of my learning/reading? 

I know that these PowerPoint or prezi presentations help me understand what the content means because I can visually see what the teacher is talking about. I know that these will also help my students understand the content I deliver to them as well.

About Me!!

Hi! My name is Anne Autry and I am from Montgomery, Alabama, and I just started the fifth year graduate program this summer. I work full time as a nanny for a local family here in Birmingham, doing everything from setting up their christmas tree to weekly grocery shopping. I have a little Bichon Frise named Lucy who is the love of my life! I attended the University of Alabama where I earned a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development. I was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority while at the university. Over the past year I decided to go back and get my masters degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, because it is my passion to help children and watch them learn.
1. I want to become more familiar with technology that I can implement into my classroom to create better ways for students to understand and comprehend information.
2. I want to become more knowledgeable about what is new in the world of technology.
3. I want to learn ways that students can use technology in the classroom and at home to become stronger students.