In this semester, I have gained amount of information in several areas of educational technology. In the modern ages, people have to keep up with the progress of technology. As a member of E-generation, I am of great interest in diverse technology. This area is also of great potential and developable.
In addition, I would like to share my opinions on the final presentations of all the classmates. I really appreciate the presentations we did for the course. I have learned various kinds of ways of arranging powerpoints from everyone. The fonts, sizes of letters, ways of expressions, and embedded videos and sounds are all creative and amazing. I also realize my lack of creativity in designing patterns. I know that this requires extra time to get improved.
Everyone has done a perfect presentation to me. Since most of them are in-service teachers and they are of great experience, I have learned a lot from them. They have enlightened me about which directions my future teaching will be led. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to join this course in this semester. I have acquired knowledge and information needed, and all what I have got will definitely help my future career.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Online teaching tools
With the trends of developing modern technology, more and more online teaching and learning tools are appearing. I am surprised that the classrooms can be influenced and assisted by these educational teaching tools to a large extent, for instance, Socrative, Edmodo, and Twiducate can help the teachers build virtual classrooms without the restraint of time and space.
iPhone and iPad applications are used more and more frequently in class. Based on my experience of learning a language, iPad helps a lot. I have downloaded various dictionaries and ESL/ FLL applications. In this applications, multi-media elements are always embedded in. These will improve the users attention and performance in using.
All these online teaching tools will assist teaching. However, as teachers, we have to realize that they are only tools. We'd better not totally depend on them. Without electronic tools in ancient times, the teachers can achieve excellent students. What really matters should be the teaching content, but not the tools. The more you rely on external tools, the more unreliable your internal tools will be in the future.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word now is probably the most popular office software in common use. It is used as the basic to do word process. But till now, the potential of it has not been fully developed.
I designed a flyer in the class. It seems that it is the first time I have done that. Moreover, I found that a lot of work can be done by Microsoft Word. For example, questionnaires and posters can also be designed by it. Since it is the easiest software to some extent, both the students and the teachers can keep seeking the potential.
In my opinion, Google doc is a similar word processing service that is based on cloud drive. Google doc and Microsoft Word do share some characteristics. For instance, they can both do word processing work, and modify the fonts and sizes. Although Google doc don't allow the users to create colorful brochures or flyers, its most advantageous feature is that the texts can be stored in the cloud. The users can get access to the texts as long as they log in their Google accounts. This is more convenient than Microsoft Word, because Word cannot be easily shared and modified online.
In general, Word is worth trying for the students and the teachers. Although it is used for relatively low-level users, it can still be useful in most areas.
I designed a flyer in the class. It seems that it is the first time I have done that. Moreover, I found that a lot of work can be done by Microsoft Word. For example, questionnaires and posters can also be designed by it. Since it is the easiest software to some extent, both the students and the teachers can keep seeking the potential.
In my opinion, Google doc is a similar word processing service that is based on cloud drive. Google doc and Microsoft Word do share some characteristics. For instance, they can both do word processing work, and modify the fonts and sizes. Although Google doc don't allow the users to create colorful brochures or flyers, its most advantageous feature is that the texts can be stored in the cloud. The users can get access to the texts as long as they log in their Google accounts. This is more convenient than Microsoft Word, because Word cannot be easily shared and modified online.
In general, Word is worth trying for the students and the teachers. Although it is used for relatively low-level users, it can still be useful in most areas.
Podcasts
The podcast is actually another form of broadcast that created by some people at home. The author can choose whether to publish it on the Internet or keep it as private. In this class, I have chance to create a podcast myself. From the process, I learn that in order to make it interesting and attracting, useful content, author's way of expressing and editing, and appropriate audio elements all matter.
Now the podcast is a convenient and time-efficient way to learn what you want to focus on. The users can select the stations they are interested in, and subscribe them, then new episodes will be downloaded to the devices once they are updated. What's more, the podcast is portable, which means that you can get your subscription wherever you log in with your usernames and passwords. Moreover, compared to the youtube or vblogs, the podcast frees the users from sitting by the computer. The users can listen to the podcast during the slices of time, such as when taking buses or subway.
In fact, I'm a fan of podcast. I have subscribed tons of stations focusing on TESOL, Foreign Language Learning, Various University's Open Courses, and Photography. It shows that the podcast is really a good way to learn after class. However, information explosion can be a problem based on my experience. Because you are free to subscribe tons of stations, you almost cannot complete every episode. This may make the users feel anxious sometimes, such as me. As users, you need to make sure that the stations are in real need. As teachers, we need to select appropriate stations for the students, in order not to overburden them.
Now the podcast is a convenient and time-efficient way to learn what you want to focus on. The users can select the stations they are interested in, and subscribe them, then new episodes will be downloaded to the devices once they are updated. What's more, the podcast is portable, which means that you can get your subscription wherever you log in with your usernames and passwords. Moreover, compared to the youtube or vblogs, the podcast frees the users from sitting by the computer. The users can listen to the podcast during the slices of time, such as when taking buses or subway.
In fact, I'm a fan of podcast. I have subscribed tons of stations focusing on TESOL, Foreign Language Learning, Various University's Open Courses, and Photography. It shows that the podcast is really a good way to learn after class. However, information explosion can be a problem based on my experience. Because you are free to subscribe tons of stations, you almost cannot complete every episode. This may make the users feel anxious sometimes, such as me. As users, you need to make sure that the stations are in real need. As teachers, we need to select appropriate stations for the students, in order not to overburden them.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Creating a classroom's website
It's quite convenient for teachers to create websites by various website creators. They don't need to worry about coding and server problems. All they need to do is to arrange the layout of the pages, fill them with useful content, and click "publish". Then their websites can be seen by the world.
The process of creating a website is a big fun, but you have to think about all the factors to make the pages more engaging and user-friendly. As user interface is highly required in current Internet situation, colors, fonts, pictures, texts, and even flash, audio and video clips should be taken into consideration when doing the design. The pages should be resourceful but not overwhelming. The amount of content should be controlled strictly, and the content should be placed right in the pages.
As a teacher for the new generations, it is very important for me to keep up with the technological trend. Both teaching content and ways of teaching should be updated to meet the students' satisfaction. Though it is a big challenge, I would like to try to conquer it.
The process of creating a website is a big fun, but you have to think about all the factors to make the pages more engaging and user-friendly. As user interface is highly required in current Internet situation, colors, fonts, pictures, texts, and even flash, audio and video clips should be taken into consideration when doing the design. The pages should be resourceful but not overwhelming. The amount of content should be controlled strictly, and the content should be placed right in the pages.
As a teacher for the new generations, it is very important for me to keep up with the technological trend. Both teaching content and ways of teaching should be updated to meet the students' satisfaction. Though it is a big challenge, I would like to try to conquer it.
Reflections on Evaluation Rubrics
Since using the iPads in the classroom is a trend in the educational field, appropriate applications should be selected carefully for assisting teaching and self-learning. The Evaluation Rubric for IPod Apps is quite clear and easy for educators to apply in the evaluation. There are six domains in this rubric. They are Curriculum Connection, Authenticity, Feedback, Differentiation, User Friendliness, Student Motivation, which are essential to be considered. When applying this form, in my opinion, based on the backgrounds of students at different ages and levels, it is not necessary that every application reaches the highest score in each domain, as long as it meets the specific requirements of the students. For instance, if an application cannot provides enough feedback to correctness of student responses, I think it is probably not a problem because students can get feedback from the teachers as well. My point of view is that electronic devices should always be secondary, and should not take place of the existence of real teachers.
In the form of Critical Evaluation of a Content-Based Mobile App, the standards seem more detailed. Four more components (Reporting, Sound, Instructions, and Support page) are added. Moreover, Bloom's Taxonomy is mentioned in this form. I think that it is more helpful for the teachers who are working with regular school students.
From my point of view, higher scores or more yes boxes in the evaluation cannot determine whether an application is appropriate or not. These forms can only be reference but not evidence. The decision relies more on the teachers' judgement and analysis on the current situation about the class and the students.
In the form of Critical Evaluation of a Content-Based Mobile App, the standards seem more detailed. Four more components (Reporting, Sound, Instructions, and Support page) are added. Moreover, Bloom's Taxonomy is mentioned in this form. I think that it is more helpful for the teachers who are working with regular school students.
From my point of view, higher scores or more yes boxes in the evaluation cannot determine whether an application is appropriate or not. These forms can only be reference but not evidence. The decision relies more on the teachers' judgement and analysis on the current situation about the class and the students.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Use of Microsoft Spreasheets
In my opinion, the most interesting part of this week's class is that I have learned how to create crossword puzzles by Microsoft Excel. Additionally, seating charts and timelines can also be created by it. I have never tried these before when learning how to use Excel.
Excel is an excellent office software for calculating students' scores and making records of their progress. Although it is very common to most of people, apparently many of its functions have not been discovered. The teachers cannot only apply equations to calculate, but we can also create handouts for the students. I think that various usages will be found in the future use. Just have fun with it!
Excel is an excellent office software for calculating students' scores and making records of their progress. Although it is very common to most of people, apparently many of its functions have not been discovered. The teachers cannot only apply equations to calculate, but we can also create handouts for the students. I think that various usages will be found in the future use. Just have fun with it!
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