12/4/14
RIP3 Reflection
Remember 
When we were first assigned our final project I have to admit I was a little nervous. I had no idea what I was going to choose for the topic of my project. I immediately began researching different technologies that I could potentially use. I searched various websites, mostly compiled lists of popular websites/technologies for teaching. One that was extremely helpful was www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-websites/2014. This was where I came across the technology that I used for this project, Powtoon. I read through the Powtoon website and thought it seemed like a great tool. Powtoon is a free presentational software that allows you to create animated video "explainers". What ultimately cemented my decision to use Powtoon was me actually physically using it. I started clicking around and eventually made an entire video without really even realizing it, it was a lot of fun! For this specific project I chose to create a sample book report over the best novel ever, "To Kill a Mockingbird", using a Powtoon video explainer/video. I thought doing a book report would be the perfect use of powtoon software because It allows your students to create something more visual and entertaining; things I don't believe you really get when you use a standard powerpoint.
Identify the Important Part 
The most important part of this project was learning not only about my own technology but other classmates' technology as well. Before this class I would have described myself as totally out of touch with technology. I don't even have Microsoft word on my laptop or powerpoint! The last time I made a powerpoint was for a group project freshman year of college. But after this class and this project specifically I feel up to date with the technology that's out there. Now I know about wordle, story bird, edmodo, near pod the list goes on and on! Before this class I was barely familiar with prezi. I also feel more confident in my ability to use that technology and incorporate it into a lesson. I was able to make an animated book report video, the old me would be extremely shocked to hear this!
Put it Together 
This project connected with a lot of other things we did this semester, like our app reviews and other articles we read. By doing this project were able to envision using this certain technology in our own classrooms and basing a lesson,unit etc. around it. This has been the entire theme of this class, it is called teaching and learning in a digital environment :) This project also reminds me of anytime I tried something new. Like a different food or meeting a new person. It's nerve wrecking at first but once your comfortable it can be a really rewarding and positive experience.
Pick it Apart 
Through this experience I learned technology doesn't have to be this ominous intimidating thing. I can not only use technology but incorporate it into my classroom successfully. This course as a whole has given me so much more confidence in regards to my ability to use technology. I am no longer scared to try different technology tools,  I am actually eager to use them in the future! I also learned that not every iPad app or technology tool is going to work well for your classroom. What may work for one teacher may not work for you. Or may not work for your particular group of students. It is all about testing it out and determining what works for your specific situation.
Plan to Use 
I plan to use the things I learned in this class in the future; I will do my best to incorporate technology in the classroom. One of the main determiners if I do this or not is the school district that I will be teaching in. I just finished my first practicum with Omaha public schools at North high school, since it is a technology magnet you would think that they would have an abundance of technology resources for every classroom.... this is not true (we all know public schools are under funded unfortunately) The English classroom I was in had one outdated computer and that was all. So using some of these technology tools would be next to impossible in this specific classroom in this specific district. In other districts like district 66 where every student is provided with their own mac laptop, these technology tools would be more realistic to use. All I can say is that I will do my best to incorporate technology into my classroom but I really won't know to what extent until I get my first teaching job and see what situation I'm working with.