Session 12: Web 2.0 Reflection

Before this class, I had no idea what a Web 2.0 application was. Now, I am armed with so many of them that I can't imagine I will ever be able to use them all! The Web 2.0 presentations have profoundly expanded the possibilities in my (future) classroom - and I can't wait to put them to use.

For teachers, one of my favorite applications that I learned about is Engrade. Yes, this was the application that I researched and presented, but it is truly incredible. Engrade lets you do so much more than keep track of grades - you can administer quizzes and tests, keep seating charts, track attendance, and communicate with parents and students. It really is an amazing application.

For students, I am most excited to implement Voki! I think that students would have a great time using this - especially in the elementary grades. There seem to be a lot of possibilities for this application - my favorite being spell checking - and it would no doubt engage students in the material.

Using Web 2.0 applications in the classroom is definitely going to make teaching easier and more effective!

Session 11: Interactive Whiteboards

Things have really taken off since I was last in the classroom! I've heard a lot about interactive whiteboards, but have never used them - either as a teacher or as a student. All I can say is - WOW! I feel like I say that about everything we learn about in this class, but really, these are NEAT. There are so many ways to use these awesome tools. I think one of my favorite things about these is that students can take tests and quizzes using them - and you are saving tons of paper! Interactive whiteboards make test taking convenient - because the teacher doesn't have to print out a bunch of test papers - AND environmentally friendly. Also, I imagine grading is so much easier because it is done automatically - no red pens needed!

I also really like the way that you can use interactive whiteboards to present materials in an interesting and interactive way. I think students would much rather learn using one of these whiteboards than with a simple chalkboard - the materials presented can be both visual and auditory, as well as interactive. Also, the teacher doesn't have to turn his/her back to the students to write on the board, since the lesson is created ahead of time. Also, children (and adults, really) love touch screens, so I think that using one of these whiteboards in the classroom would be a great way to get students excited to participate. I hope that whatever school I work in has these in their classrooms!