Friday, March 11, 2011

Merit Week 24

All good things come to an end.  This is true but sad. I just attended my last Saturday MERIT class.  This experience changed me as an educator.  I am just a new teacher but now can't image teaching a class without the use of technology in the classroom.

Just this week I have used my new white board.  I have put notes on them and saved them.  I think I will create a webpage for these files for each subject matter.  That way the students will have them for future studying. (if they can't read their own notes)  I tried going back and forth to my macbook and pc laptop but it was too confusing.  Does anyone have feedback as to what works best with a white board?  I rearranged my classroom so my students can have access to my computers to enter their assignments into Google. It seems to leave more area open in my room.  I would love another table to move the computer so they are more spread out.  With my student population there is too much interaction on the computers.

I found out I was awarded money from MERIT for my grant request.  Yea!  I can't wait to go shopping.  I requested a few more netbooks.  I have a few students who just sit and wait for a computer to be available and then never actually do the assignment.  My class grew from just 8 students to 16. (Remember these are special education students.) There are more students who want to be in my class.  I guess that is a nice problem.

I applied for another grant through the SV Foundation.  This time it had to be a STEM project.  I wanted cameras and flip cameras.  I find when students have to do a voice over of their math project they are really doing a think out loud which really helps with understanding math concepts.  When I do my vocabulary words, the students were having a hard time coming up with visuals that explain their concepts.  With cameras I can have them use a white board, draw their concept and then take a picture of it.  I can download it and email it to them so they can post it on their Google Presentation.

Can anyone help me move all these blog entries into my Google blog?  I would love the help.  MERIT has been intense but highly rewarding. Now I wonder what I will do with all my free time?  I do need to learn how to use my white board.  I always need more time for my IEP's and testing.  I am in graduate school to finish my clear credential. I do want to write some more grants.  Any other ideas?

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