Videolicious

Videolicious is an app that we used on the iPad where we created a one minute commercial, in groups, to cover information on Creative Commons. I thought it was a fun assignment because it was a creative aspect to incorporate what we learned about Creative Commons. There were no restrictions so the video could be however we wanted. My group and I made a video where we had 6 or 7 images that flashed across the screen as we narrated facts that went along with the pictures. Although I was not able to upload the video to YouTube like my professor wanted, I was still able to email it to myself and show the class that way. That was my only frustration with the project because I was not able to upload it that way, but now it will always be in my email if I ever want to refer back to it.

Edmodo

There are a lot of new tools and uses of technology I cannot wait to incorporate into my classroom when I begin teaching. I think Edmodo is a great idea of how students can turn in their work and get instant feedback on the web. It is easy for the teacher to comment on their work right then and there. Most students like to know how they did on assignments right away because the anticipation can be a burden at times. Edmodo allows students and teachers to grade assignments right away and allow students to see where they did well and what needs improvement for next time.

Gamification

At first, I was all about the Gamification within the classroom; however, there are some downfalls to the idea. When using Gamification in the classroom, it is important for all of the students to understand all aspects of the game and how the entire thing works. I had no idea what Gamification was until this class so I had no background with it and was a bit confused at first. I do not think this kind of activity should be done as a group because I feel like it is more individual based and it allows the students to work at their pace. When a group is designed to complete certain activities and levels it may be hard because one or more group members might not be at the same activity yet and I think it makes it difficult. I do like it for individual work though and I think it is great to get students thinking on their own.

Pinterest

So at the end of class on October 1, we were assigned into groups to do a presentation. The group I was assigned to was given Pinterest as the topic to research and discuss. Before this, I had never gone onto Pinterest and knew little about it. However, after researching and finding YouTube videos on it, I think I may make an account. My sister-in-law tells me all the time how she uses it and finds a lot of neat ideas to use in her classroom. Also the teacher I am observing said she uses Pinterest often to find ideas and things to use. She even said this is where she found her discipline action. It is a chart that hangs on the wall and each student has a clothes pin they move up and down throughout the day. There are different labels: one is good choice, great choice, outstanding choice, warning, letter to parent. Every time a student is behaving and doing what they are supposed to she allows the student to go up and move their pin. I think this is a great idea to use within the classroom and it is little things like this that Pinterest allows teachers to create and share with one another!