The Perks of PowerPoint

The perks of power point in a classroom are never ending. I admit, as substitute teacher, I would have thought that one might not use a power point as much in an elementary level. Unfortunately, I see usually the seasoned teachers not using technology as often compared to the less experienced teachers. In researching and viewing different information materials, I see that it would be a great benefit to use power point at all grade levels

All students need to be familiar with power point at an early grade. Anything with technology usually engages the students for a longer period of time. After several power points are shown to introduce a lesson plan; I would assign a power point and the students could show the class through technology how to wash their hands, about a recent vacation, or a presentation on the outcome of their spreadsheets. Students need to be exposed early on, because they will be using more technology year- after -year.

They main reason I would start them out early is for them to learn how to develop a presentation. Students need to start to get an eye for design principles. This is hard to do, but the more you practice the easier and more comfortable you are in developing a power point. Students will also realize they need to have a goal in mind and they need to keep to the main topic. They will learn how to develop each slide, number slides, add sounds, develop an organized sequence, and gain experience with word processing. Also, play around with color and shapes.

An example power point that I tested out on my son was Helping Others (A citizenship project). I first thought of ways to help others. World Vision is something that came in mind. Second, I organized my thoughts with Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. After doing some research, I developed a power point to show John why World Vision is important, the great things that are accomplished, and how to get involved.
  

I was most proud of the color and design. Hence, the interior designer in me, but I was mostly impressed with the research that was added to the power point. The reality that 15,000 kids die each day from starvation is unbelievable.  I can’t even think about that as I set here with my tummy full from lunch. I would add more pictures.  I just showed pictures of children, but having a picture of them receiving  the food or services from World Vision would have been more appealing.

John was moved with the information and he suggested that I put sound in the power point. Good point, sound is that interesting element that students might not expect.  I told him that I showed him this to give him an idea of what he might want to select as his project. The power point was also designed to also give him ideas of what to put in his presentation and about how many pages to use.

Is the teacher still being terriorized with technology?

 I have learned many things with lesson three. I did not know that there was a difference between Word Processing and Desktop Publishing. Actually, I thought they were both the same thing. Technology is somewhat new to me. My technology has consisted of Facebook, email, typing papers, and surfing the web. However, the later one has been used the least. Within the last year, I have really exposed myself to the computer and am so impressed with how a computer can make someone’s life much easier.

I enjoyed watching the videos. I am also taking a special education class and watching videos in that class as well. Both classes have opened my eyes to what a computer can do for a teacher and their students. Example, the videos showed the students using the computer by developing graphs and listening to their lessons online. I substitute in a district and I don’t see that as often. However, to defend the district, the teacher might not be leaving me lesson plans that have students to develop a graph. I think the thought of a student making a graph to keep up with their progress is an excellent idea. This lesson can be started at an earlier elementary level.

While I was at Asbury, I had a Human Growth class. I had to do a research project and along with my project, I had to produce a handout. My project was about Electronic Whiteboards and Terrorizing Teachers with Technology, hence, my title above. While I was conducting my research paper, I found that teachers are overwhelmed with electronic whiteboards. I can see that you might feel intimated by this new technology equipment; however, electronic whiteboards are the way of the future for our classrooms. As teachers need to be taught how to use the equipment wisely, but it is up to the teachers to dive in, learn, and use! The last one is important. USE, we have to use what technology we have in our rooms.

The following is my handout I used for my research project. I think it is visually appealing. The look of the frantic woman is a look of terrorized. However, I would not someone to look at the picture of my frantic woman and become scared and not use an electronic whiteboard. Part of my presentation was that you can let technology terrorize you. It is not the technology’s fault, we just have to dig in and learn and use. I think my handout says it best.

Welcome to the Age of Electronic Whiteboards and Terrorizing Teachers with Technology

A SMART board was the first interactive whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications.

A negative- Many teachers don’t know how to use a SMART board and it would take many hours of training.

A positive-Cognitive & Social Developments and Multiple Intelligences are enhanced. Academic improvement

Children are making sense of the world through technology and it is time teachers dive in.

Spreadsheets and Database for elementary students, sure!

Bet you might be thinking that spreadsheets and database information is for corporate American. Well, even as a student, I learned about pie charts and other database information charts. Spreadsheets are something that I did not think about elementary students using or why would they need too? After viewing web sites and reading my textbook and other information, I have come to the conclusion that spreadsheets are also just as important.

As I was surfing the web to find information to help me with ideas on integrating spreadsheets, I located http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html. I found this site to be helpful. One idea the site suggested was to show graphs often. That is part of the puzzle to help students to retain the idea of graphs.

I must say that I am surprised that students in the elementary levels would be using spreadsheets. I can see as a teacher that I would have a spreadsheet to list my student’s name, address, parent’s name, phone numbers, allergies, siblings, and other important information that as a teacher I would need. However, my brain is just spinning with ideas on how a first grade classroom could use a spreadsheet. One idea is to have the children to list their name, favorite color, song, book, toy, and holiday. This would a great get-to-know the class lesson. I would also list my favorites as well.

The more I use spreadsheets in my classroom, the easier it will be for the students to learn how to input their information.  I would show them by using the projector from my computer. They could see me as I type in the information and the more they see this, it will become easier as I keep introducing.

A couple of weeks ago, I was subbing in a third grade class. The aid in the room said that graphing information was just introduced the day before.  We discussed many different ways to graphs and we watched a BrainPop video.  I finished the lesson with about five minutes left and thought I would have the students come to the board and graph what their favorite pizza topping.  I discovered that once they physically came up and selected only one topping, they started to understand the concept. They had a lot of fun doing this exercise. I talked to the classroom teacher and she said they were doing great with graphing.

 We never know which of our students will go on to work in corporate American and they just might think back to when they first were introduced to spreadsheets or database charts. I hope they remember Mrs. Perkins. I look forward to using them in my classroom and I hope you do too.

Terriorizing Teacher or a Terrific Teacher of Tech. What am I going to be?

Terrorizing teachers with technology is happening a lot in school districts. As a parent, I can’t just assume that my kids are going to open up a textbook, take a test only on paper, maybe view a few lessons from a projector, and watch School House Rock on the television. WAIT…you mean my kids have more technology offered in their classrooms? Yes, they do and as a substitute teacher, I see many teachers who are terrorized at the technology in their room. I see some unopened boxes that are stored with equipment just waiting to come out of the box to enhance the student’s lessons.  

I have learned many things from my lesson one this week. First of all, I was not aware of all the standards for the students and teachers. This is my first graduate class and maybe I should not be expected to know all of the standards now, but I am not sure that all of our teachers know them or implementing them in their classrooms. I have never participated in a Professional Development class, but I would hope that the school’s tech staff would be helping their teachers in learning how to fully use the equipment to their best ability.

As a teacher, I might be overwhelmed at first with all that is expected of me, but I will start with technology in my lesson plans. It will be up to me, as a quality teacher, to develop lesson plans and use the tools that I will have on hand. One obstacle might be that my room is not equipped with what I need to successful produce and execute a lesson. It will be up to me to ask assistance from the Media Specialist or the computer teacher in my school.

Students are all about technology. Most have available to them a computer, IPod, email accounts, CDs and DVDs, internet, or other contemporary tools at home. If not, I would pay attention to those that do not have internet access outside of the classroom and may offer them extra time at school to work on projects.

I was very surprised to read about human growth in our technology book. Each one of my students will meet one of the areas of Multiple Intelligences. I have viewed Howard Gardner talking about Multiple Intelligences. I took a survey and I was the Interpersonal. Understanding people is hard, but one area I feel confident in. However, my teenager trumps this. Another area for me is Bodily-Kinesthetic. I am very expressive as a person. As an Interior Designer, expressing my self is what I do best. I will use technology in my classroom taking pictures, using graph, posters, spreadsheets, and I can see me also implementing a blog for my students to participate and comment back and forth. This is a great way to express your thoughts and try to get that student that is not expressive and has very few words to open up.

I look forward to the challenges and celebrations that await me as a teacher. For now, I work hard as a substitute and learn all I can as I am in a classroom. That way, I won’t be a Terrorized Teacher from Technology and will be a Terrific Teacher of Technology.

I shall practice blogging!

Practice and more practice. Now I am going to see if it worked. Stay tuned...looks like next week I will have a lot of things to talk about.