Technology+Reflection

=__NEATO Lab__= ====Unfortunately I was unable to experience this but from what I heard it was a great example of in-class technology that would enable and enhance learning. *note to self: missing class to "catch-up" is a terrible idea.*==== =__Podcast__= ====Overall both the public podcast critique and the class project have been a valuable introduction into what making a podcast includes. Learning to use a free tool like Audacity has been a valuable lesson. As far as using this tool in the classroom I personally gravitate more toward making videos but I can see where an audio podcast might be easier for students. Podcast homework instead of just textbook reading? That sounds much more exciting.==== =__Smart Board__= ====I actually enjoyed working with the smart board much more than I expected. I have used smart boards in the past and have never been impressed with them. The in-class instruction and free tools available within the Notebook program are really cool. I did find it difficult to find free, quality lesson plans online. I'm sure they are out there but I would need help finding them. I like the Smart Board but to justify the cost for administrators to buy one for my classroom would require more practice. This experience gives me a good start.====

=__Guest Speakers: Classroom Technology__= It was was a great experience to hear first hand from the teachers. It was very interesting to see the contrast between teachers. Jodie Cook being elementary ed at Norman and Robin Robertson being secondary science. Jodie was bubbling with things to say and technology to show off while Robin was much more verbal and less flashy about her technology use. Their separation in content was compounded by factors of experience and their school district. Robin grew up before Smartboards, before technology was integrated into learning and teaching. Jodie had actually taken EIPT 3043 at OU and was much younger (and less experienced) than Robin. Robin's use of technology was much less integrated than Jodie's but it felt like it was for many reasons. I felt like a large part of it was her rural school district but I also felt like it was her feelings about the purpose of technology in the classroom. Jodie was entirely dependent on technology for daily lesson content while Robin was still using it as a resource or "tool" as she worded it to supplement learning. This was very interesting to observe first-hand; it is the progression of learning away from books and chalkboards. Robin had a Smartboard and used it daily but it was still just a "tool" not a primary source. Jodie had a moodle, a wiki, and an entire spreadsheet of websites she used weekly to teach, interact, and assess her students.

It was good to hear about professional development of teachers and how different school districts handle it. I also took some great notes about more good websites, but I did feel like many of them were subscription only leaving me with no way to explore them.

Safari Montage was what got me excited the most. It was a massive database of short video lessons. They were all sorted in such a way that you could quickly search for exactly what you wanted including content standards and grade level. Want to know about Alexander the Great? Excellent, which grade level? It seemed like an excellent resource to catch those moments of curiosity in students. Overall, excellent. I think Robin wanted to talk more than she had time for and may have been annoyed with all Jodie's bells and whistles.