Ms. Knebel - Korina & Dasha
Teacher: Ms.Knebel
Subject: Canadian History, West in the World, SAP, Writer’s Craft
Technology Used: Weebly, Google Docs, Photoshop
Description of the Project:
Ms.Knebel’s main request was to have a functioning website for students by the end of the placement. She did have a website which the IDC students created for her last year, however, there was no way of gaining access to the website. Therefore, we decided to make a new website from scratch.
We proposed two website platforms for Ms.Knebel - Weebly and Google sites. Ms.Knebel took a week to use both platforms and decide which suited her best, ultimately deciding on Weebly. Therefore, we created a layout and a page for each of her courses as an exemplar. She made appropriate changes that best suited her expectations of the website. From there on, during the course of the placement, we taught Ms.Knebel how to use the offered tools to edit her website. At first, we started with the basic tools such as adding text, images and new pages to her website. As she quickly caught up with those basics, we advanced to teach her how to add in videos from YouTube and upload files from her computer. We also taught her how to change the layout of each page as well as the generic images uploaded by weebly. Lastly, we taught her how to change the title of her website as well as use buttons that link to a desired website. At times, we were assigned to download and post several files and links on Ms.Knebel’s website.
As Ms.Knebel became more confident and independent with the basic skills of managing the website, we decided to publish the website. We kept up meetings to reinforce this knowledge until she understood the concepts of the website and how it works. We created the step by step guide as a future reference if she is ever unsure of anything. We are happy to announce that Ms. Knebel is now completely self-sufficient when it comes to managing her website.
Possible uses in other classes/subject areas:
Weebly is a great tool for anyone who is looking to create a simple yet attractive site. It is very user friendly, with each tool on the website clearly displayed and easy to follow. Weebly is a tool that can be used for any course to upload materials for student access. For practically every class, teachers use resources that can simply be uploaded onto the website instead of printing out and photocopying the soon to be lost handouts. It saves time and stress for the teachers as they do not need to constantly provide students with the same material. Students are also forced to take responsibility for missed class work as they do not have a backbone for any excuses. Weebly makes class more convenient for everyone.
Ms. Knebel Portfolio video.
Subject: Canadian History, West in the World, SAP, Writer’s Craft
Technology Used: Weebly, Google Docs, Photoshop
Description of the Project:
Ms.Knebel’s main request was to have a functioning website for students by the end of the placement. She did have a website which the IDC students created for her last year, however, there was no way of gaining access to the website. Therefore, we decided to make a new website from scratch.
We proposed two website platforms for Ms.Knebel - Weebly and Google sites. Ms.Knebel took a week to use both platforms and decide which suited her best, ultimately deciding on Weebly. Therefore, we created a layout and a page for each of her courses as an exemplar. She made appropriate changes that best suited her expectations of the website. From there on, during the course of the placement, we taught Ms.Knebel how to use the offered tools to edit her website. At first, we started with the basic tools such as adding text, images and new pages to her website. As she quickly caught up with those basics, we advanced to teach her how to add in videos from YouTube and upload files from her computer. We also taught her how to change the layout of each page as well as the generic images uploaded by weebly. Lastly, we taught her how to change the title of her website as well as use buttons that link to a desired website. At times, we were assigned to download and post several files and links on Ms.Knebel’s website.
As Ms.Knebel became more confident and independent with the basic skills of managing the website, we decided to publish the website. We kept up meetings to reinforce this knowledge until she understood the concepts of the website and how it works. We created the step by step guide as a future reference if she is ever unsure of anything. We are happy to announce that Ms. Knebel is now completely self-sufficient when it comes to managing her website.
Possible uses in other classes/subject areas:
Weebly is a great tool for anyone who is looking to create a simple yet attractive site. It is very user friendly, with each tool on the website clearly displayed and easy to follow. Weebly is a tool that can be used for any course to upload materials for student access. For practically every class, teachers use resources that can simply be uploaded onto the website instead of printing out and photocopying the soon to be lost handouts. It saves time and stress for the teachers as they do not need to constantly provide students with the same material. Students are also forced to take responsibility for missed class work as they do not have a backbone for any excuses. Weebly makes class more convenient for everyone.
Ms. Knebel Portfolio video.
Weebly Step-By-Step Tutorial | |
File Size: | 1823 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Mrs.Extavour - Teacher Profile.
For our teacher profile assignment, we decided to interview Mrs. Extavour, a teacher in the science department who continually incorporates technology into all her courses. Technology has become a useful tool in education, allowing teachers to make their lessons more interactive. Mrs. Extavour uses technology for notes and demonstrations in class, with powerpoints provide the basis for the lesson. Handouts are provided while the students annotate as they go, allowing students to follow along without constantly copying notes. Especially with science courses, technology is capable of providing lessons with simulations, videos, and examples of complex systems in order to add to the foundation of the material. Technology is basically seen as a tool that allows for students to focus more on the concepts being taught and practice them rather than focusing all their time and energy on taking notes. It helps students focus on what is important; the lesson. Many students are found spending the entire lesson copying notes, not realizing what they are writing down, and teaching themselves at home. As well, having a record of the lessons allows absent students to catch up on their own with ease. If students need a further understanding of the material, they have all the resources they could ever ask for at home at their fingertips. There are countless number of teachers and resources they could access on the internet, one of the most famous being Khan Academy, a teacher who makes videos explaining different concepts. Students are able to take initiative and explore different resources when there is no one there to help them, and then clarify the next day. These online resources are able to provide a different perspective on the material that can further their understanding.
There aren’t often many difficulties when using technology, but when there are, all the solutions you could ask for are on the internet. As well, don’t be afraid to ask students for help. Students are constantly surrounded by technology, chances are, they are capable of helping you with any problems.
Technology has been a successful tool in Mrs. Extavour’s classroom, and her advice to other teachers is don’t be afraid of it; try new things. The difference between the older generation and the younger generation of teachers, is that the older generation is scared of breaking technology while the younger generation is willing to try everything until it works. You have to be open to technology. Let students take ownership of it and let them lead you in the technology. It all starts with taking baby steps; start by having students use technology in their assignments and presentations, then asking IDC students for help and trying different basic technologies as you go. It’s all about seeing what works and fits for you. It’s all about taking a chance and being open to new things.
When asked about any success stories that have come out of the use of technology in the classroom, Mrs. Extavour said that the biggest thing that technology has provided her with is the ability to observe how students understand class material in alternative ways. Each student learns differently, but technology provides so many different platforms to learn different concepts that there is bound to be one that suits every student. Teachers are provided the ability to explore different methods in order to choose one that best suits their class, ultimately aiding in the success of each student.
Along with class material, Mrs. Extavour also maintains a course website that provides students with class material. For the students, this is very important as they now always have a backup for lost or missed class material without having to rely on the teacher or other students. Students missing material would also refrain from annoying their teacher and peers and that provides a much better atmosphere in the classroom. Of course, the class material that Mrs.Extavour posts is basic, therefore, students must be in class to understand concepts fully by writing in additional notes. Plus, the fact that Mrs. Extavour updates her website only a couple of times a week, puts on a little more responsibility on students to actually attend class and listen. This is not only regarding the posting of class material, but also announcements such as due dates and test dates.
Mrs. Extavour incorporates a variety of tech tools in her lessons, such as PowerPoints, Prezi, Smartboard, simulations, gizmos and videos. The fact that she uses different tools to teach is very important as they do not become old and boring to students. Individual students may even have a favorite tech tool out of the ones she uses, which makes them excited for a lesson that incorporates that tool. The use of only one technology tool loses its power of capturing students’ attention and becomes the equivalent of chalkboard teaching, to the students.
As with anything in life, there are always advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages to Mrs.Extavour, as a teacher, is the quick and easy correction method that is possible with any technological tool. This of course saves time at the moment. Time is also saved in the long run as the material only needs to be created once and can be reused for numerous years. This increases the time teachers can spend marking and meeting students for extra help. Extra help that students may actually need because having handouts for class material creates a sense of false understanding. Visually appealing notes look a lot shorter and with fewer words, which allows a student to think that he/she knows that information, when in reality, they aren’t forgetting to look over important information. But then again, the student listened in class, which is powerful because it easily sticks in memory, it simply needs to be reviewed. One of the other disadvantages Mrs. Extavour mentioned, is that technology takes away spontaneous teaching. This is kind of important to some teachers, one of them being Mrs.Extavour, because technology takes away the art of teaching; teaching on the spot. Some teachers really enjoy that part of their job and technology takes that away by having pre-made lessons. Of course with technology there are ways to still hold on to that spontaneity by writing on a smartboard for certain parts of the lesson and then posting the note online.
When asked to rank her dependability on technology, Mrs.Extavour said 8 out of 10. That’s not surprising at all considering that she easily collaborates with colleagues, saves energy and time by using technology. We would imagine that most of today’s population in Canada is around 8 out of 10 as technology serves as a personal convenience. It’s popular, modern and around us everywhere so Mrs.Extavour’s answer is understandable. It is also important that Mrs.Extavour knows that technology is simply a tool and she is very certain she can do without it just fine.
Mrs.Extavour also recommends the use of technology in classrooms to other teachers. That’s definitely important because she is speaking from experience and if she, as a user, is satisfied to the point of recommending it, then other teachers should give it a go. Plus, they really don’t have anything to lose, but everything to gain when it comes to trying out technology in classrooms.
There aren’t often many difficulties when using technology, but when there are, all the solutions you could ask for are on the internet. As well, don’t be afraid to ask students for help. Students are constantly surrounded by technology, chances are, they are capable of helping you with any problems.
Technology has been a successful tool in Mrs. Extavour’s classroom, and her advice to other teachers is don’t be afraid of it; try new things. The difference between the older generation and the younger generation of teachers, is that the older generation is scared of breaking technology while the younger generation is willing to try everything until it works. You have to be open to technology. Let students take ownership of it and let them lead you in the technology. It all starts with taking baby steps; start by having students use technology in their assignments and presentations, then asking IDC students for help and trying different basic technologies as you go. It’s all about seeing what works and fits for you. It’s all about taking a chance and being open to new things.
When asked about any success stories that have come out of the use of technology in the classroom, Mrs. Extavour said that the biggest thing that technology has provided her with is the ability to observe how students understand class material in alternative ways. Each student learns differently, but technology provides so many different platforms to learn different concepts that there is bound to be one that suits every student. Teachers are provided the ability to explore different methods in order to choose one that best suits their class, ultimately aiding in the success of each student.
Along with class material, Mrs. Extavour also maintains a course website that provides students with class material. For the students, this is very important as they now always have a backup for lost or missed class material without having to rely on the teacher or other students. Students missing material would also refrain from annoying their teacher and peers and that provides a much better atmosphere in the classroom. Of course, the class material that Mrs.Extavour posts is basic, therefore, students must be in class to understand concepts fully by writing in additional notes. Plus, the fact that Mrs. Extavour updates her website only a couple of times a week, puts on a little more responsibility on students to actually attend class and listen. This is not only regarding the posting of class material, but also announcements such as due dates and test dates.
Mrs. Extavour incorporates a variety of tech tools in her lessons, such as PowerPoints, Prezi, Smartboard, simulations, gizmos and videos. The fact that she uses different tools to teach is very important as they do not become old and boring to students. Individual students may even have a favorite tech tool out of the ones she uses, which makes them excited for a lesson that incorporates that tool. The use of only one technology tool loses its power of capturing students’ attention and becomes the equivalent of chalkboard teaching, to the students.
As with anything in life, there are always advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages to Mrs.Extavour, as a teacher, is the quick and easy correction method that is possible with any technological tool. This of course saves time at the moment. Time is also saved in the long run as the material only needs to be created once and can be reused for numerous years. This increases the time teachers can spend marking and meeting students for extra help. Extra help that students may actually need because having handouts for class material creates a sense of false understanding. Visually appealing notes look a lot shorter and with fewer words, which allows a student to think that he/she knows that information, when in reality, they aren’t forgetting to look over important information. But then again, the student listened in class, which is powerful because it easily sticks in memory, it simply needs to be reviewed. One of the other disadvantages Mrs. Extavour mentioned, is that technology takes away spontaneous teaching. This is kind of important to some teachers, one of them being Mrs.Extavour, because technology takes away the art of teaching; teaching on the spot. Some teachers really enjoy that part of their job and technology takes that away by having pre-made lessons. Of course with technology there are ways to still hold on to that spontaneity by writing on a smartboard for certain parts of the lesson and then posting the note online.
When asked to rank her dependability on technology, Mrs.Extavour said 8 out of 10. That’s not surprising at all considering that she easily collaborates with colleagues, saves energy and time by using technology. We would imagine that most of today’s population in Canada is around 8 out of 10 as technology serves as a personal convenience. It’s popular, modern and around us everywhere so Mrs.Extavour’s answer is understandable. It is also important that Mrs.Extavour knows that technology is simply a tool and she is very certain she can do without it just fine.
Mrs.Extavour also recommends the use of technology in classrooms to other teachers. That’s definitely important because she is speaking from experience and if she, as a user, is satisfied to the point of recommending it, then other teachers should give it a go. Plus, they really don’t have anything to lose, but everything to gain when it comes to trying out technology in classrooms.
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