CEDO515 - Week Six

We have reviewed many pieces of technology over the past weeks. It is very interesting to see all of the different technology that we have at our disposal, and that we can use on a regular basis. Google offers many of these opportunities, and the site at our school does not run super well, but it is a start. Once we have a better server and wider broadband access, the program will move much more smoothly. I have been familiar with many of the options that Google has to offer, and I think the best piece that I want to take back to my department at the high school was offered by Louis the last class period...SCHOOLOGY! I cannot wait to look at it more closely...so far, it is better than Edmodo, and I have been using that for about the past month. Thank you for another excellent experience!!

CEDO515 - Week Four

The video I viewed was titled Assistive Technology in the Writing Process. Students in this class were using the Internet to research an assigned/teacher-approved topic and then used computer software to create graphic organizers, outlines, and the assistance of word prediction and spell-check software as well. Computer speech capabilities are also used to assist in the proofreading process. Watching this take place was interesting, and I say that for the fact that we have been exploring the use of a guided writing program for student papers from one of our textbook companies. I can see where items like this can be useful. It allows students the opportunity to be creative, and still stick to a template to be successful. My concerns are that sometimes, it is necessary for students to proofread on their own, or read their papers aloud in order to see the value of finding one's own mistakes and making those corrections on one's own. I have mixed feelings about this, and will probably be spending more time exploring such software before I come to a conclusion.

CEDO515 Week Five - Blog

What we are studying, this week in particular, is very important. We are currently trying to build a curriculum for our high school seniors that is online, and differentiating instruction is the one piece where I think we are going to struggle the most. It is necessary as we are teaching a blend-ed course, that we incorporate and work with all learning styles. Having these resources at hand will be helpful in building activities and discussions to take place in class and online for students who need help, scaffolding, or enrichment opportunities.