Blog Post #6

               I found a website for the Stevenson School in California that contained many class webpages from teachers in all grade levels and subjects. The grades 7-8 history pages contained information about upcoming homework assignments due, information about a class trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City, a tab containing the current topic that is being discussed in class, and information on a big History Day project coming up. The webpage for a 5^th grade STEM math class included upcoming homework assignments, as well as numerous links to over 30 online math games and practice programs. For the same school, Stevenson, the webpage for Art classes were outstanding. They had different sections for the various art projects they did throughout the year, and the pages displayed the student’s artwork in dozens of different pictures. They had projects for things such as the Japan Relief Project and Dia de los Muertos. 

                The Word Office suite is a good productivity tool, according to the Podcast. Word, a word processor, is a tool that I envision myself using to create engaging worksheets and assignments for my students, and as a productivity tool by using it to create webpages, calendars, newsletters and personal letters to my students’ parents (Lever-Duffy 150). The podcast also talks about how I can use a word processor to write down notes, add hyperlinks to remind myself of places I want to return to later, and so on. I will also use presentation software to be a more effective teacher. Presentation software such as PowerPoint and online programs like Prezi would allow me to immerse my students into the material through audio, video, graphics, and interactive activities. I can also hyperlink other websites or tools to further enhance their knowledge and keep them engaged in the material (Lever-Duffy 159). This would be much more effective than just lecturing for the entire class period. I think that a technology that will help me be more efficient is classroom management software. This includes programs that provide for taking attendance, making seating charts, and inputting assessment results (Lever-Duffy 162). Technology like this will help me save time in the classroom by taking attendance quickly, and I will also be able to easily display a seating chart for my students to see and adhere to. Also, I will be able to efficiently keep track of my student’s grades through spreadsheets, as the podcast discusses, throughout the semester which will be beneficial when it comes time for final grades.

                During the last assignment, I learned how to use PBworks to create a webpage. I found it difficult to create the Evaluation Form on the website and I feel that it would have been easier if created on word and then transferred over. Learning a new website and program was interesting but difficult, so I understand why some teachers who did not grow up with technology would not be keen to using it in the classroom. However, it was good to learn something new that I can use with my students. I liked finding a website to evaluate using the form and think that it would be useful for students to create their own projects. I think that next time I can improve how complex and organized the evaluation form is since I will be more comfortable using the website.