CEDO 555 Post Three

This week I have been working hard on finishing up my Culminating experience proposal and artifact portions. The CEP has been a lot of work, but a lot of fun work. It has really made me think a lot about writing good objectives and providing depth and breadth to a huge project that I am undertaking.

The project takes me back to my days in college in which I had to create my e-portfolio. I had to acquire a lot of data and set up a variety of objectives that I needed to address. By doing this again, it refreshes many of the headaches that resulted from the first time, but I am able to make changes to how I went about it the second time.

Another thing this proposal has helped me out with the ability to write proposals within my school. By utilizing the smart objectives, I realized that I can create straight forward objectives based on a business/industry model. The smart objective portion has really helped me with narrowing in on my focus and setting attainable objectives.

Now to complete the actual proposal, that is another thing!!!!!!!

CEDO 555 Post #2

While a long spring break from school and school was very relaxing and needed, tonight I was realizing the amount of information that I put off. When looking through the two assignments for this week, standards and mission/vision, it really made me reflect back on my educational philosophy and reasons for taking this program. For the standards, it was interesting to look at the various NETS that are available for teachers. I found it very interesting to incorporate a variety of digital citizenship and leadership aspects. When I look back at what I am doing currently in my class, it is evident through Blackboard and a program called Sharepoint that I have been providing students leadership and opportunities to experience digital curriculum's. Students have loved using the online programs and I appreciate their reception.

As for the mission/vision, I have found it interesting to reflect back on my teaching and master's experience to hone in on what exactly those would be. Just recently, the last year, have I really realized the power of online education. I currently teach a variety of classes that students utilize online programs. Students are very receptive to the programs, but it comes with a caution. Worrying about students having access to the internet and taking time away from current curriculum to teach how to access the online environment is very problematic. I am hoping the more students that I influence with the online environment will make it easier for me to teach it in the future and students will start to help each other with the Digital Learning Citizenship.

CEDO 555 Blog Entry #1

The first series of this class has been a lot of fun to work on. It was interesting to look at a variety of different portfolio's created by students. I really liked that the portfolios that I found were mostly Instructional Technology portfolios because it provided groundwork for me to start and continue my portfolio. One of the portfolios that I did find was a little lackluster, but it is important to see the lackluster portfolios so I know what not to include in my portfolio.

As for the culminating work piece, it is going to be a lot of work. Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time this week to sit down and look at the work because I recently purchased a house. This means lot of running to get things done and papers to sign. After looking at the documents this weekend, I'm sure I will generate a list of ideas to possibly use for this culminating project.

CEDO 550 Week 6

• I will use what I learned in this course over the next 30 days by . . .

Have kids work on asynchronous discussions through Blackboard and Sharepoint. I am going to give them the chance to lead a discussion and go through the challenges and benefits of working in a form of communication such as asynchronous discussions.

• I will use what I learned in over the next year by . . .

I am going to try and incorporate the idea of synchronous discussions into my classroom through a web development tool. While I know that elluminate would be difficult for the full classroom, I can have students work with different small groups and lead a discussion on a variety of different topics across my curriculum.

• After completing this course I would like to learn more about . . .Program fees for the different types of online class hosting formats. We have worked with a variety of free one's and some paid subscriptions, but we have never really been told the cost of those paid subscriptions.
  

CEDO 550 Week Five

This week was somewhat difficult because of the group facilitation. It was really hard for all of our group members to get together because we had one member who gave birth, another individual who was out of town, and myself who was in the north-woods where I couldn't get internet access. It was interesting to see how groups can work together even though they aren't constantly meeting (through blog postings or emails) but it is more important for groups to work together and solve the answer/assignments that they were assigned.

CEDO 550 Week Four

The activities that we had to complete for this week were fun to complete. First off the synchronous discussion that I did the other night was a great experience. I was able to easily flow through a lesson and incorporate websites into my presentation that added to my presentations. Overall, I feel like the discussion went well and I was happy with my performance.

As for the week's activities, I thought that the student/teacher centered lesson ideas was beneficial insight into how I can change activities I teach in my class to more student focused. I reflected on many of my lessons and I noticed that I do a lot of teacher centered lessons. I will need to go back through my lessons and make changes where needed.

Finally, the differentiation portion was a great experience because it is something that I have always not wanted to participate in. I know differentiation is important, but I don't really know how to approach it. It was a good experience to work through an activity and identify ways that I can reach a variety of different learners in the classroom.

CEDO 550 Week Three

This week was interesting because I really got to work in on honing my skills for an online learning environment. I get to present to the class tonight and am excited to see how the interactive session goes. In all reality, I look at the experience the same as I would look at a discussion in a classroom. I am still going to be calling on people, still assisting with leading questions, and still requiring individuals to record the conversations. I think the experience will be fun and I can't wait to do it more.

I also liked looking at the tips for the week. There were a lot of ideas that I found from individuals that I didn't even think about. It is important to fall back on your peers, sometimes, to collaborate and find tips and ideas that you can implement in your classroom.