I got through week 4 just fine considering that we had five bomb threats in six days. I got to see technology in use by everyone. Administration on the radios, teachers and students alike on their cell phones communicating with the community.
I took out my iPod touch and answered trivia with other teachers. Some students played their mp3 players while others surfed the net to try to get information about what was going on.
I can just imagine the amount of e-mails that were transmitted to family and loved ones. I was very happy to have technology with me on those days!
Oh! I needed to add that I am exploring my smart board with great success.
-Ingrid
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Emerging Technologies Post
The technologies that I see on a daily basis are not limited to the ones that are approved for classroom use. In the classroom, I use a laptop, LCD projector, student response systems (clickers) and a Promethean smart board. I have integrated this technology for the delivery of my instruction. My lessons are on Powerpoint and are projected unto the smart board. Students respond/interact using their remotes. The laptop is also used for housekeeping purposes – e-mail, taking attendance, inputting grades as well as consulting the internet for resources. The sound system in my classroom is used for microphones to project my voice during teaching. Additionally, the sound system is used in connection with the projector when viewing teaching clips. Of course the classroom phone is used to place and receive calls.
Other technologies are also very visible outside the classroom. The ever present phones with multimedia capabilities are widely used for texting, recording (video and sound), internet browsing and file sharing and storage. The flash drive (thumb drive, usb drive) is another piece of technology used for the purpose storage. Students use portable media players mainly to watch video clips and listen to music. School administrators use PDAs during classroom visits as well as radios for security purposes.
Upon reflection, it seems that just about every tool that I use to enhance teaching/learning is technological. I then ask how effective I would be without technology? It seems that once you start using technology there is no turning back; you keep looking for more technology to improve student learning.
-Ingrid
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Weekly Blog
This week started off very smoothly. Today, I realizes that the tip of pen to my new Smart board was broken. I just started playing around with the board and was really looking forward to using the pen as a writing/drawing tool while teaching my geometry class. I tried to use the pen as is and discovered some other functions/control of the pen. Tomorrow I get a new pen and will be able to do much more because of my little "accident".
I read though the Emerging Technologies material and I find it very interesting; the assignments seem pretty straightforward or I should say that I do not envision any major problems. I really appreciate the exposure to the information on the emerging technologies. Here's my confession for the week: I find myself day dreaming about the exciting ways in which I can try these technologies in my classroom.
Well, I leave to dive into the assignments. Until my next installment.
-Ingrid
I read though the Emerging Technologies material and I find it very interesting; the assignments seem pretty straightforward or I should say that I do not envision any major problems. I really appreciate the exposure to the information on the emerging technologies. Here's my confession for the week: I find myself day dreaming about the exciting ways in which I can try these technologies in my classroom.
Well, I leave to dive into the assignments. Until my next installment.
-Ingrid
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Troubleshooting Reflection
Last summer I decided to “bite the bullet” and purchase an immediate response system (clickers) for my classroom. The software that accompanied the system was very easy to download and install on my personal computer. I did a few successful practice runs with some remotes and was ready to implement this system in my classroom.
I tried installing the software on the school laptop but only two of the three components were installed. I closed all programs, checked the available disk space, installed an updated driver for the system and use a different version of the software before I made several unsuccessful attempts. I deduced that I did not have enough administrator privileges (permission) to install the software. The technology facilitator gave me access to an account that would allow for me to install the software. I had a few lessons and then the software stopped acquiring student responses. I noticed many USB port conflicts that got worse the more I disconnected the system and restarted or rebooted the laptop (just in the event that the software was not responding). The software recorded student responses during a practice but fail to do so during class time. This time nothing I did would work.
I resorted to the company support. I was walked through several scenarios and I managed to solve the USB conflicts. The software stopped working after two lessons. I tried the previous solution before calling for support again. After spending time troubleshooting with the software developer, it was discovered that the USB conflicts resulted because the acquisition module cannot function simultaneously with another module. The solution was to load the operating module that “activates” the remotes; close this module and then open the acquisition module. Consulting support earlier would have really spared me the frustration and wasted time. I learned that being technically inclined can be a obstacle in trouble shooting because we tend to believe we can solve it all. Friendly help is out there; use it!
-Ingrid
I tried installing the software on the school laptop but only two of the three components were installed. I closed all programs, checked the available disk space, installed an updated driver for the system and use a different version of the software before I made several unsuccessful attempts. I deduced that I did not have enough administrator privileges (permission) to install the software. The technology facilitator gave me access to an account that would allow for me to install the software. I had a few lessons and then the software stopped acquiring student responses. I noticed many USB port conflicts that got worse the more I disconnected the system and restarted or rebooted the laptop (just in the event that the software was not responding). The software recorded student responses during a practice but fail to do so during class time. This time nothing I did would work.
I resorted to the company support. I was walked through several scenarios and I managed to solve the USB conflicts. The software stopped working after two lessons. I tried the previous solution before calling for support again. After spending time troubleshooting with the software developer, it was discovered that the USB conflicts resulted because the acquisition module cannot function simultaneously with another module. The solution was to load the operating module that “activates” the remotes; close this module and then open the acquisition module. Consulting support earlier would have really spared me the frustration and wasted time. I learned that being technically inclined can be a obstacle in trouble shooting because we tend to believe we can solve it all. Friendly help is out there; use it!
-Ingrid
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Just a little bit about me...
I am a high school math teacher in Hollywood, Florida and I am in my sixth year of teaching. I was captivated by the Instructional Technology program because of the potential in my classroom and opportunities that may arise in the private sector/industry. My engineering background gives me an added appreciation for this particular use of technology. I will be completing the M.A. in Instructional Technology this fall.
It's been a long week getting back to teaching as well as giving exams and preparing for new students in a few days. The assignments for this course have been manageable so far and believe that they will continue to be. The material presented is of great interest to me and I look forward to acquiring a few much needed and desired skills.
I am grateful to be a part of this great group!
-Ingrid
I am a high school math teacher in Hollywood, Florida and I am in my sixth year of teaching. I was captivated by the Instructional Technology program because of the potential in my classroom and opportunities that may arise in the private sector/industry. My engineering background gives me an added appreciation for this particular use of technology. I will be completing the M.A. in Instructional Technology this fall.
It's been a long week getting back to teaching as well as giving exams and preparing for new students in a few days. The assignments for this course have been manageable so far and believe that they will continue to be. The material presented is of great interest to me and I look forward to acquiring a few much needed and desired skills.
I am grateful to be a part of this great group!
-Ingrid
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