Blog Journal 7

It has been quite enjoyable over the past week to learn about websites, how they should be designed, and how schools and teachers can use them. I chose to evaluate an elementary class website from Hubbard Elementary School. The actual website I found is a school district website, but it has links to the middle school, high school, and elementary school class pages. After being directed to a page with the links to all of the Hubbard Elementary School class pages, I began to search and click on a few. All of the teachers were really creative when they created their pages! I especially loved looking at one of the kindergarten teacher's pages: Mrs. Libeg. I enjoyed looking at how each of them put their personal touch on their site. Publically, I was able to view all of the information from these sites. Some of the information that is included in these pages is what the class is learning, the class newsletter, homework, schedules, and important information. There are separate tabs a person can click on to view what they need to. The designs are very streamlined, easy to follow, and pleasant to the eye. I love that this Ohio elementary school has chosen to require their teachers to have class pages. In this way, people can view all of the important information they need to in one place and get updates when necessary.

link to the elementary website: https://www.hubbard.k12.oh.us/elementar

link to a class page example: https://sites.google.com/hubbard.k12.oh.us/libega/home

Screenshots:

I envision myself using technology in multiple ways as a teacher. I want to use technology so that I can stay organized and accomplish my teaching responsibilities as quickly and effectively as possible. I could definitely see myself creating a class page where I put all of my lesson plans, homework for the class, and important information. I love this idea because it puts all information in one, easy to access space, so that my classroom will stay organized, parents will stay organized, and so will I. Rather than getting stressed out from losing important papers, I would like everything to be digitized so that I will always know exactly where to find everything. Another use of technology I would like to take part in is using certain software that are made specifically for teachers. Many of these resources have already made lesson plans and activities so that all I would need to do is click on one and teach it! There are also some other softwares that provide a space for teachers to organize their thoughts and all important documents. Some of these softwares are Gradekeeper and TestCommander. 

My field trip to Technology Sandbox was incredible! I learned so much, saw some cool gadgets, and have already started brainstorming how I would use some of the technology we saw within my own classroom. One specific thing that jumped out at me during the field trip was the 3D pen. A 3D pen is a gadget that gets filled with plastic filament, heats up, and then can be drawn with to create 3D masterpieces.I had so much fun playing with the 3D pen, learning how to use it, and making some hilarious creations. After thinking about how I could use something like this, I decided that it could probably be used really well to teach kindergartners their letters or to teach other elementary school students how to spell words. The students could each be given one of the pens and then told a letter or word to draw with the pen. An added bonus is that the child can keep the letters they make and reuse them when they are done! I believe that I will utilize 3D pens when I have a classroom, because they are an easy, interactive way to engage students and allow them to enjoy what they are learning. Although I did not take photos of my experience at Tech Sandbox, I know I will be back, and I will never forget what I saw and learned.  

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