I am currently in the class called Teaching With Technology. Wow, there has been a ton of information that has been provided. This week we learned about the UDL site and how to create our own UDL lesson. UDL stands for Universal Design of Learning. I found that the UDL lesson idea is much like any other lesson plan that might be created, but it focuses more on the fact that teachers need to continually be differentiating instruction. Teachers are continually being asked to provide more documentation and meeting the needs of every learner. What I really enjoyed about the UDL site is that not only did it provide a template for their lessons, but it also provided examples. Not only were there example lesson plans, but it also pointed out why and how the lesson could be changed for different needs of the students.
I think overall the UDL site has much to offer. I look forward to sharing my new found information and knowledge with other educators. I plan to spend more time on this during the holiday break.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Adoption Option
I know, I know.. I haven't written in forever. Well, I have written but they have been writing for my masters classes. Yes, the masters classes are still going. I just finished up multimedia and video. The class that just started is all over School Law. The first three weeks are over IEP's and special education, I am hoping that I will kind of excel in this area. Now, back to the real topic.
William and I are so ready to start a family! If you haven't gathered that from previous posts or the fact that you know me. We have decided that the natural way is just not going to happen. Well, it could but I just don't want to go through any more shots, medicines, or doctors appointments. The cost of all of this is also huge! Not that having a baby is not expensive and adoption is expensive too, but we are ready. So, tomorrow night William and I will be going to an informative meeting on adoption. I am excited and so is William. I will keep you guys up to date.
Keep up is your thoughts :)
William and I are so ready to start a family! If you haven't gathered that from previous posts or the fact that you know me. We have decided that the natural way is just not going to happen. Well, it could but I just don't want to go through any more shots, medicines, or doctors appointments. The cost of all of this is also huge! Not that having a baby is not expensive and adoption is expensive too, but we are ready. So, tomorrow night William and I will be going to an informative meeting on adoption. I am excited and so is William. I will keep you guys up to date.
Keep up is your thoughts :)
Monday, July 6, 2009
PSA Reflections
Recently I had a chance to be a part of a collaborative team to create a PSA announcement. Our group, that consisted of Carey Weaver, Susan Wells, Andrea Keller, Marie Grigsby, and Glen Harrision, chose the topic of cyberbullying. This team was created due to the assignment for our latest Lamar University course over Multimedia and Video Technology.
Our group was very good at communicating in various different forms. We had several different chats using the google chat application.
June 16, 2009
June 28, 2009
These two links are just a couple of examples how our group stayed in touch. We also used www.mediafire.com to upload photos, videos, and audio. I found this free file sharing website through my PLN.
Our group chose to host the video on a youtube page. The video was created using the pinnacle program. We all had a chance to collaborate on the video.
The biggest obstacle our group faced was that of time. Our topic has so much important information to share it was hard to put it in just one minute. Our group was able to work together and cut down the video to what was the most important we wanted to share.
Another obstacle our group faced was that of copyright issues. Glen composed a letter and was able to get in contact with the companies that licensed the music.
Each member of the group had a specific role and were able to bounce ideas off each other. Because of our collaboration and dedication we were able to create our a PSA over cyberbullying that met the requirements for the class. I also learned valuable lessons over group work that will help me in my career as a teacher and eventually Instructional Technology Specialist.
Our group was very good at communicating in various different forms. We had several different chats using the google chat application.
June 16, 2009
June 28, 2009
These two links are just a couple of examples how our group stayed in touch. We also used www.mediafire.com to upload photos, videos, and audio. I found this free file sharing website through my PLN.
Our group chose to host the video on a youtube page. The video was created using the pinnacle program. We all had a chance to collaborate on the video.
The biggest obstacle our group faced was that of time. Our topic has so much important information to share it was hard to put it in just one minute. Our group was able to work together and cut down the video to what was the most important we wanted to share.
Another obstacle our group faced was that of copyright issues. Glen composed a letter and was able to get in contact with the companies that licensed the music.
Each member of the group had a specific role and were able to bounce ideas off each other. Because of our collaboration and dedication we were able to create our a PSA over cyberbullying that met the requirements for the class. I also learned valuable lessons over group work that will help me in my career as a teacher and eventually Instructional Technology Specialist.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Web Video Conferencing Pilot
I have recently started using different video conferencing platforms to perform video conferencing. I have thoroughly enjoyed conferencing with people that are not in my immediate area. I find this very useful to learn new information and meet new people.
I have used the free adobe software to video conference, and was very impressed. I enjoyed video conferencing for this class, as I am able to meet people that are interested in the same topic.
The two times that I have video conferenced through the Lamar program, however, I have had issues. I do not know if it is my personal connection, or if it is the program itself. I also found it hard to follow the first time because we did not have a topic to focus on. Because of this, our conversation was somewhat sporadic and hard to follow.
I think as we all use this tool we will realize the importance of it. My students love to video conference. They love seeing themselves on the screen. As my courses progress, I hope to learn more and more about the ins and outs.
I have used the free adobe software to video conference, and was very impressed. I enjoyed video conferencing for this class, as I am able to meet people that are interested in the same topic.
The two times that I have video conferenced through the Lamar program, however, I have had issues. I do not know if it is my personal connection, or if it is the program itself. I also found it hard to follow the first time because we did not have a topic to focus on. Because of this, our conversation was somewhat sporadic and hard to follow.
I think as we all use this tool we will realize the importance of it. My students love to video conference. They love seeing themselves on the screen. As my courses progress, I hope to learn more and more about the ins and outs.
Windows Movie Maker
For my week 2 project I used Windows Movie Maker. This program is not new to me, but I always enjoy trying new aspects of it. I did find it very hard to find make a video that was only 1 minute long.
Through Irving ISD every teacher is equipped with a laptop. The laptop already has both windows movie maker and photo story on it. Not until this year, however, did I realize that movie maker can splice movie clips together. I have had some issues with movie maker. There are times if I do not save in between large clips it will freeze. I have trained myself to save often. I do this with most programs as it is.
As my need to make movies increase I will look into purchasing a program. As of right now, these two programs suit my needs.
Through Irving ISD every teacher is equipped with a laptop. The laptop already has both windows movie maker and photo story on it. Not until this year, however, did I realize that movie maker can splice movie clips together. I have had some issues with movie maker. There are times if I do not save in between large clips it will freeze. I have trained myself to save often. I do this with most programs as it is.
As my need to make movies increase I will look into purchasing a program. As of right now, these two programs suit my needs.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
My Podstock Story
For my current masters class I am required to make a personal digital photostory. Easy enough, right? I use photostory at least once a week. This year I have taught myself how to do easy animation using photostory. I have taught myself how to make my own movies using movie maker. I recently purchased a flip video to increase my ongoing nerdiness. I have become a "Digital Jaywalker" as a fellow plurker calls himself. When I got this first assignment, I didn't even know where to start. I then realized I have made a podstock movie, but I have yet to tell my story. This class gave me the perfect opportunity.
The required reading of the "Digital Storytelling Cookbook" gave great suggestions on what kind of personal digital story to tell.
www.youtube.com/ilovechefwilliam to find my Podstock Story
The required reading of the "Digital Storytelling Cookbook" gave great suggestions on what kind of personal digital story to tell.
www.youtube.com/ilovechefwilliam to find my Podstock Story
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