Wordle

Here's my completed Wordle:

I wanted to not only include what technology we can use (wikis, presentations, software, etc.) but also what students gain from it (learning, discussion, engaging in information).  I also included things like "tweet" and "social media" because I firmly believe that we as teachers need to recognize these outlets and find ways to appropriately incorporate them into our classroom learning experiences. 

Back to School!

This is the first August in four years that I will be returning to the classroom not as a teacher, but as a student.  I'm really excited to get back into classes again, and I guess that's part of what makes me a teacher - not only do I love to teach, but I love to learn.  I'm taking four online courses through BGSU towards my Master's in Curriculum and Teaching this semester, which is going to be a lot to take on, especially since I'm going from not taking any classes in four years to suddenly taking four at once!  I'm excited, though, and I know that I'm on the right path to getting my New York certification so I can once again teach in my own high school classroom.  All those boxes of teaching supplies in the garage that are going unused are starting to get lonely...

I'll be using this blog as a means to discuss the ups and downs of my semester, as well as meet my requirements for my EDTL 6820 class that focuses on technology in the classroom.  Technology has changed so much since I graduated high school back in 2004 and I know that in order to effectively engage my students, I need to be able to utilize technology as more than a way to find information, type papers, and demonstrate presentations.  Our first assignment (besides creating this blog) is to create a Wordle.  I love Wordle, and I'm excited that it's been incorporated into this class.  I used it at the charter high school I taught at in Ohio, and the kids thought it was a pretty cool way to present ideas and information.  It was a great tool for understanding theme, as well; I had the students come up with words to describe a story or poem that we read and place them into the Wordle.  Then, they had to summarize what all those words were about, thus identifying the theme.  It worked great, and I think it's an awesome tool for students to visualize concepts and ideas.  I'll be creating my Wordle and posting it here this week!