Scavenger Hunt Presentation

Digital Collection

Lesson Plans...

I enjoyed creating the lesson plans... I just wasn't thrilled about using Google Docs. I think the templates and rubrics we had to follow were very helpful. I will definitely use them again in the future.

Google Docs...

Ok so... I'm really not a fan of Google Docs. I have had lots of trouble with uploading documents from Word. I completely believe that Google Docs would be very useful for originating and compiling the first thoughts of a group project... especially if everyone's schedules were hindering them from being able to meet at the same place at the same time. But once you try to start actually typing the paper... I wholeheartedly believe that Word is a much better option.

Maybe eventually Google Docs will get all the kinks worked out and it will be one of the best and most useful tools on the internet. I can't wait to see!!!

Webquests...

Webquests...

I'm not really sure how I feel about webquests just yet. I've only gotten my toes wet, and I'm not sure I completely understand everything about them yet. I believe they can probably be helpful when giving assignments to the class. I'm interested in learning more about them as we go along!

Reflection on Website Evaluations...

I chose the website "Social Studies for Kids" as my experimental evaluation. I have never really sat down at evaluated the "reliability and usability" of a website. I feel that it is definitely a good habit to have when in a teaching position... of even in a student position. Out of all the classes I've taken and all the papers I've written, I've never, not even once, thought about using a checklist/criteria page to evaluate a website reference. I hope to use this new tool in the rest of my educational endeavors as a student and in the future as a teacher.

Website Evaluation Forms

The website evaluation I chose was very well laid out and had great guidelines for evaluating and assessing any website. I believe that teachers and students a like can use this form when checking out a website for further use. There is tons of information from criteria to checklist to rubrics, and it is all easy to navigate.

Portfolios

Portfolios can help you in many ways, but if you're not careful they can also harm you.

Positives:
*They're an excellent form of alternative assessment and they help with organization of works and achievements.
*They can help you when interviewing and job searching.
*They can help parents to keep up with their child's work and progress in the classroom.

Negatives:
*Portfolios can be impersonal and/or generic if you're not careful.
*They can sometimes cause you a headache if you don't keep up with them.

Then there is the argument about digital versus hard/paper copy. Some feel the digital is the only way: it is environment friendly and it saves filing cabinet space. But then others feel that it's easier to use paper because you never know if the other party will be able to open your digital portfolio. I'm sort of caught in between because I love having something real to hold in my hand, but I also love using less paper and having less to keep up with.

I hope to learn more about Portfolios in general, but especially which I prefer: paper or computer?!?!

My Learning Goals for TPTE 486...

In this class I hope to become more confident in my usage of all things "technical" and web-related. I use social-networking sites, check my email surf very few websites, use my cell phone (for calling and texting only) and my Ipod/Itunes. I'm not very web savvy and I don't use much technology. I can usually hook things up in the proper fashion, but only if the colors are red, yellow, and white! :o) I hope to be able to understand and facilitate the use of technology not only in a classroom setting, but in my everyday life. I feel the usage of the internet and technology is the future of our society. People who do not understand or who can't function with technical products are going to be left behind. I personally do not want to be one of those people. I plan to work hard and focus so I can catch up with the trends and hopefully never get behind again. :o)

Introduction to the Class

Informal Introduction to Class
I am from Lenoir City, Tennessee, which is about 25 minutes (depending on traffic) Southwest of campus. I went to Lenoir City High School and I graduated in 2002. I would like to become a teacher because I have been teaching dance to all ages since 2001 and I absolutely love it. I want to teach Social Studies to the middle grades (4-8). I have a limited background with technology, but I feel that I adapt and “catch-on” quickly. I have worked in several office/desk jobs and have learned multiple accounting and office managing programs. I have been dancing 18 years and I absolutely love it. When I’m not dancing or studying, I love to spend time with my Husband, Daniel, and our Basset Hound, Trooper. Daniel is in the Navy Seabees and I love being a Navy wife.