The First Podcast I Have Ever Made

Totally exciting...my first podcast...listen if you want!

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As the years have passed, I have thought long and hard about various lesson plans and projects that I could in my future classroom. One specifically comes to mind, but the use of various technologies will be crucial. This lesson plan will teach help my students understand the basics of a short story. They will demonstrate this by partnering up and making up a short story and illustrate the story using power point. I will present the introduction to the lesson with an example of one that I did using power point. Then I will hand out an instruction sheet that I made using MS Word. This paper will explain what the requirements as well as the grading system. They will brainstorm ideas using the program Inspiration (we will learn about that program in a few weeks). They will need to print out their webs and write a story. They will need to print a hard copy of the story using MS Word. Once I approve the story and ensure that all of the elements that are required are in the story, they can create their power point illustrations. When the projects are due, each group will present their stories in front of the class. To do this project, technology is extremely important.

After I receive my degree and become certified, the plan is to begin teaching middle school level English. Technology will be an important part of my curriculum, but I do have some concerns when it comes to monitoring the students using the technologies. My biggest concern is the Internet. I plan to use the Internet and its vast resources to spice up my lesson plans. With today's society, illegal sites, including porn and other harmful sites, may pop up on my students' screens either accidentally or intentionally. Luckily there are programs that block those sites, but there are always loop holes that students try to find.

There are many tools on the Internet that can help our students to learn in a more creative manner. I found a site that has various word games that I will allow mys students to play during free or spare time. The site is http://www.theproblemsite.com/word_games.asp. Vocabulary, grammar, and spelling are three vital components to my curriculum. Therefore, these games will give my students the knowledge they need, but have fun while acquiring it.

My Best Friend in the World of Computer Software #2

Endless papers....I remember in high school and middle school having to write several papers on all sorts of subjects. From the economy in the depression to the revolution of fashion. I do not think I would have ever had them all written if I had to do them by paper and pencil. Microsoft Word was one of the best of my computer software friends...still is actually. As and English Education major, I know I will be doing a lot of writing.

Looking back at how my teachers used Word, I realize it is a program they relied on very much as well. All tests were created using Word, as well as, vocabulary sheets, class notes, letters, worksheets, tests....you name it, and they probably used Word to create it.

While reading the Chapter 9 in the textbooks, I came across an example of creatively using MS Word...a newspaper. This is a marvelous idea because while the students are learning how to use word by experimenting with font and form, they are also allowing their creativity to flow while maintaining an academic edge. The students are given a topic in which they must research. Then they take their findings and twist them into a various "newspaper articles". By doing so, the learn how to take the information they gathered and be creative about how they present it. MS Word will then aid the students with displaying their researched "articles" in a neat and logical way. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn not only how to navigate Word, but how to research, document the information, and then use it in a manor that best fits the assignment they are completing.

While thinking about the newspaper project, I couldn't help but recall some of the information I was taught last class about Word. To be honest, I have already changed my background color on Word from that boring blue to a soothing and sophisticated black. I have also experimented with the changing the bullet pictures. I know simple act of creativity could make an assignment with multiple steps look a bit less frightening for my future students. Also, learning the various shortcuts like adjusting the ribbon to what I want it to be and the key board shortcuts will really save me time when making tests, quizzes, and handouts in the future. I look forward to advancing my skills further.

Thanks for reading, Ariel