My Summer Image Collection

Here in my Image Collection:


I did my Image Collection with a "Summer" theme. I decided to do the the summer theme for a couple reasons. One, its my favorite season, two my birthday is in July, three it's the season we are in, and finally its a fun season with good images. For my own personal digital picture I chose a picture from my cruise on spring break this March 2010. When at the beach I have a weird thing about loving to take pictures of feet in the sand (weird, I know). So I chose this image first, and I also chose it to be my album cover! Second, I found this pretty, tropical picture of a rocky beach with waves crashing on it. It really couldn't get anymore "summery". Thirdly, for my free web-based image I searched "summer" on Google Images. This picture of a sunflower with a beautiful blue sky came up and I really loved it. Next, I for my screen shot I found a icon image collage entitled "summertime". I took a quick screen shot of it and felt it was an OK image. And finally, I used a fun image I wrote/drew of the word "summer".

This was a fun project, seriously, I actually did like it. I think that I liked it for a couple reasons, 1 because we got to select our own theme and 2 because I enjoy pictures and scrapbooking and this is kind of like scrapbooking. What do I not like? I hate having to resize and change resolutions of pictures. I see why its better to have a selection of pictures that are all about the same size. But I'm not very good at it so it kind of takes a while! Overall, fun/interesting project.

Collaboration

Lately I have been thinking about the importance of collaboration, yes for our students but specifically for us teachers as well. What sparked this thought about collaboration is when we were working on our guide sheet actually. Amanda and I created a guide sheet and we both (or maybe just me) thought it was perfect and didn't need anymore editing! But then Jennifer looked at our guide sheet and made some comments that made perfect sense to me after reading them. What this sparked for me is the thought that it is probably very important that I don't become a teacher that doesn't work with my colleagues, talk with my colleagues, and essentially team teach together! I realized that sometimes when you work on something yourself, your brain only sees it that one way. But if you share it with others a fresh point of view it can be very helpful for your lesson or whatever you're creating. I have noticed that peer/colleague/teacher editing can give your work a real boost!

Webquests

After Tuesday's exploration with Webquests, as for me the jury is still out (the jury being me). I can see how they might be effective, and possibly even fun for the class. But I also see how many of them aren't very good! I think that there are uses for Webquests. But personally I don't see a lot of place for them in my classroom, or for myself as a teacher. What I do like about Webquests are the activities. I think they are some really cool, engaging, informational, and interesting activities out there. But there are some so-so ones. Overall picture - if someone is going to use a Webquest they should DO IT THEMSELVES first! Ok that's just my opinion.

Week 1 of TPTE 486!

This week was the first full week of TPTE and I think this week was good for me because I became acquainted with MAC and just with the numerous sites we will be using for the remainder of the course. This week we did a lot of account setting up and getting used it. This was beneficial for me because I am not previously a gmail account/email/reader/blogger etc. user. Also, I was nervous about the WIKI so it was nice to be able to play around with that. So, in reflection, I was thankful for this week of previewing and setting up. Another thing I enjoyed from this week is being separated into our licensure areas. I am used to working with elementary people and it is nice to be working with people you have things in common with, such as area of study. I think that this week was a good beginning.

The Innovative Technology Center at Diversity of Tennessee has created a web evaluation website that is fun and interactive. The IT Module: Evaluating Websites makes learning how to evaluate a website less dry and more enjoyable.

Welcome!

Good evening, I am new to blogging, but I feel like I will enjoy this experience. I have created this blog for TPTE 486, a class about integrating technology into the classroom. I am a future teacher and I think that in this day and age (that makes me sound older than I am) that we need to utilize all the resources, technical resources included, we can in the classroom. I am not exactly "tech savvy" but I'm not "technologically disadvantaged" either. Therefore, my goals of this class are to improve upon what technical skills I do have, learn about interesting and useful tools for the classroom, and become comfortable with running a classroom website. I am sure that my goals will grow as I learn throughout the class. I am strong at quickly picking up tech skills, when I am prompted to do something on the computer I can usually figure out how to complete it rather rapidly. Although I am weak in using MAC software and knowing the nitty gritty details of how technology works. I am looking forward to learning a lot by the end of the term. Thanks for reading!