How can Literacy and Technology enhance my content area?

Technology and literacy is an integral part of any and every subject.
If technology is used, especially by the students themselves, they are motivated and inspired to learn the content. Technology also provides easy access to information: students can obtain information from the internet, emailing, online conferences with other students or experts in the field of study. Students can also access information from places that would be dangerous or impossible for them to visit. Instruction time and teacher's time is also used more efficiently because of technology. For example, there are many software program that makes test preparation more efficient.

It is important that science students are literate. The more literate they are, the more successful they will be. Science is a body of knowledge that students need to read and understand. If they are not literate they will not be able to accomplish this; and they will become frustrated and or bored. There is also the need for students to evaluate (is it accurate, is it relevant...), analyze and synthesize information. Students also need to b able to communicate information (orally and written) in science. This skill is needed when, for example, they are reporting the findings of an investigation.

In retrospect, I am very happy I took ESC 529 so soon in my Masters program because I have learned some techniques and skills that I will definite incorporate in my lessons next semester. The only challenge I envision is accessing the hardware when needed.
ESC 529 was a quick, crammed, but wonderful experience. When I look at my products, I am elated.

The story on my digital story

I showed Gersh my digital story or what remained of it and then I realized that it was not saved as a movie; I could beat myself. All that work down the drain. The beauty is I feel like a pro now in using movie maker.
I will sit tonight and and redo it. Wish me luck.
The course is over, but I am not over with it as yet. But no problem; by the time I am finish with this project I will be very comfortable to the point where I can teach my students this new skill and have them use it to enhance their literacy, technology and science skills.
I can envision them enjoying a project like this.

I viewed the digital stories of the other teachers in the course and they were "awesome".
Everyone did a great job.
I hope we all get A's.

just blogging

My head is full right now. I still haven't figure out why I cannot see my images in my digital story that I did using movie maker. The professor thinks it because the computers I used weren't equipped with a relevant media player. I hope that isn't the case. I am really nervous now.
What could have been the problem; what caused my thing to crash?
I hope by the time Prof looks at it she will weave her magic and make it work.

My digital story

I am feeling very depressed right now. I was able to finish my digital story on Sunday (it took me almost the entire day),but in the end I loved the finished product so I was feeling good .
My computer is over-heating, so I had to come on campus and finish all my other assignments
yesterday. I did. I even viewed my digital story and saw that everything was ok.
I tried to look at my story this morning again and realize that the pictures were not coming up. Where the pictures were, there are big red x's on those slides. I tried what I could, along with Harold, but we were unable to figure out the problem and fix it. Right now, I one of the most distraught person on the planet. Just thinking of doing the whole thing over is not a good prospect; but even worse is the fact that it is due today. That is what is killing me.
If only I reverse everything.
Boy, this is a big mess.

"THE BIG SCARE"

Today was an eventful day. I was able to start narration for my digital story, which is wonderful. I am really loving this digital story thing. I also did some tremendous work on my web page. I found pictures representing chinese students under different situations which were just adorable. The scary moment was when I was trying to format my page and thought I had lost it. But one of my group member was able to help me locate my file. I gave a big sigh. It just goes to show the value of team work. Tonight is one of those time that I truly appreciate team work. I looked at my other partner work and realize that she had done a wonderful job. It inspired me to edit my work and to ensure that I was up to par with her work. I am looking forward to our final product.
Tonight was a good night. I enjoyed every minute of it.

thoughts on moviemaker/digital story

This is something that I know for sure that my students will love(digital story).
It's a good way to get them to share their ideas and simultaneously learn the technology.
I think I love doing the stories using moviemaker. I will use it. I got to run,

Session 7

It's crunch time.Our Webquests are due on Wednesday. It has caught me by surprise. I was under the impression that we were going to get extra time to work on them. Luckily, I was collecting resources for my project, so all I am doing right now is putting everything together. Things are slowly falling into place. Hopefully, I will be able to put something together that would really be worthwhile for my students. I would really love to experiment with Webquests next semester in my classes. The technology specialist told me that they are trying to set up a new lab for next semester, so hopefully I will be able to use more technology in my lessons.

Session 5 reflections

Professor Gersh just made my night by telling the class that the written assignment is due on Monday. I am about quarter-way through it and I know it would have been "tight" to get it done tonight; I will try anyways.
Today we were working on getting resources for our culture quest project and already I am excited about it. I was looking at the education system and realize that the education system there is very similar to the system back home in Jamaica. Students compete for limited spaces in institutes of higher learning and also students must pass examinations to get into high schools.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why students there do much better than students in the US.
I am hoping that I will learn more about education in China and that I will use the information obtained to create an interesting and informative website for people to visit. Also, I am hoping that this experience will help me engage my students in more meaningful activities in my lessons so they walk away with more from the lessons.

Trying to keep abreast of my assignments

We have already met for four sessions, sixteen hours to be specific and I know time is "ruuning out". I have my webquest to work on, I need to start writing my script for my digital story, and there is the written assignment to finish. Its a lot to accomplish.

I am enjoying all the activities we are engaged in for each sessions; I wish we had more time. I am not giving up on anything though. I have gotten use to abandoning my family for periods of time to finish assignments; I am not complaining.

I am plaaning on teaching my sons some of the activities we are learning to enrich their literacy. I love the fact that we are given links where we can find resources for our children and our "children".

When I reflect on my powerpoint presentation, which was Monday, I am still amazed at how simply powerpoint is. But as I work through the program, I more appreciate the need for everyone, including our students, to be information literate.
With the basisc that Gersh taught us, I was able to expand on that and create a powerpoint presentation.
I am definitely planning on using this tool in my classes in September.
I would love to teach my students how to create their own powerpoint to present their findings when they do investigations, or to use it to make an oral presentation about something new they have learned.

My biggest challenge so far is the Webquest. I know the topic I will be using, but Iam still trying to put all the ideas in my head and come-up with the process.