Wikis Lab

We all know what Wikipedia is so I will not bore us with details on an explanation. I recently added my first contribution to Wikipedia, creating a page for my school district, Camden-Frontier Schools. I found in my research that the only one school in my county has a Wikipedia entry, so after today it makes two! I need to get some exact numbers and facts from my school to add to the page to make it complete. 

Through completion of the Wiki Lab for CEP 811, I found that Wikis can be very useful in the classroom. I was introduced to Wikis earlier in the semester but did not explore all the options nor fully understand the use a Wiki. I cannot wait to share this knowledge with my colleagues. Wikis allow you to create a functional website that is easily updated within a matter of minutes. Wiki-spaces would be a great way to create departmental pages for schools where students could find general information on a specific department, yet teachers could create individual pages for each class, where students could find more specific information. The wiki could also be easily used for online communication with students and educators. I created a wiki-space for the art department at Camden-Frontier, where I teach. I am the only teacher in the department, but I plan to create a page for each course as well as one for the after school art club, V.A.C. ( Visual Artists Society) I am using the main page as a welcome page in which you can find important dates and events pertaining to the art department. Here is the link to my Wiki-space.

UDL Checklist

With completion the UDL checklist, using the lesson plan that can be seen here, I realized that I could adjust my lesson to further reach all my learners. I feel that the presentation of the information could be adjusted and implement more learning styles. The auditory learners would benefit from other resources of information, as well as the visual wirh text supplements to the teacher lecture. The digital design project to showcase the learned information could be altered to provide students will more options of how they express the information was learned. I think students will be engaged but minimizing threats could still  increase success. 

Personal Learning Reflection

When asking students to submit typed papers or essays, should we limit our students’ creativity and expression by not allowing students to use other technological tools to communicate their message, probably just as well or even more successfully? No. I know in some cases, it is important for students to write formal papers, but what about the other cases? Our students know how to use computers and technology; they probably use it more frequently than educators. The CEP 810: Teaching for Understanding with Computers course has further emphasized the fact that students are ready to learn in the digital world, where Podcasts and YouTube videos are integrated into lessons, communication is done through social networks, and assignments are done with Wiki, PowerPoint, Google Docs and more!

I know some people are hesitant to rely on technology; they are comfortable with their pencil and paper. They like the feeling on something concrete in front of them, but we need to remember as teachers, who are we here for? The students. During this course I have become more comfortable about integrating internet based applications and programs into the classroom. As we discussed in class it is important to teach students about their digital footprints, and to be aware of the dangers of the internet.

I really enjoyed the SIG group projects which allowed us to collaborate with others as well as use a variety of resources on the internet. Bookmarking, social networks, internet based research, and presentation applications were all part of the experience. I think this project really exemplifies good teaching with technology. Students have independent work, group work and integration of multiple programs.

            In my personal growth plan I stated that I wanted to become more comfortable using technology for educational purposes before implementing it into my classroom as well as assist my students in becoming better prepared for a digital world. I feel that with the completion of CEP 810 I have began progress towards this goal. My goal by the end of the educational technology program at MSU is to be a confident educational technology resource for my classroom and school. I am slowly integrating more technology into my classroom and sharing resources with my co-workers. 

Evaluating Resources on Merlot

Art Explorer from The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Explorer website from the Art Institute of Chicago is an excellent resource for art educators. The site provides accurate information on the museums Impressionist and Postimpressionist collection as well as great visuals. Art Explorer offers images, videos, biographies, timelines, as well as online games to deliver the concepts and information to the viewer. The website could be used for the explanation or description stage in the learning cycle. Students would be able to identify key concepts of the Impressionist and Postimpressionist art movement.

The interactive presentation of the information would increase engagement of the students’ attention. The website could easily be integrated into any current art curriculum addressing multiple learning styles with the visuals, audio and hands on activities. Art Explorer is easy to navigate. The user is not easily lost, and can navigate the site with ease. The main banner is displayed on each page allowing easy access back to the homepage. Students should be able to successfully navigate their way through the program with little to no difficulties.