Final Reflections

What did I know? -  I understood that using technology in a classroom setting was important and that the students I teach are very comfortable with technology.  They all have cell phones, computers, and are very familiar with many of the current software programs.   I also understood how much time they spend on Facebook or other social networking sites.  

My students (and I would say most students) have their technology very close to them.  Their cell phones are next to them on the desk, their I-pods are in their lap.  I am asked many times in my class  "can we listen to music?".  I am lucky in that my school district does allow Ipods in the class, as long as the teacher has approved it.  After I am presenting I allow my students to listen to their music while they are working.  I have to say it is amazing just how focused they are as they listen to music.

What I didn't know? -  I that students of today need to learn on their turf.  This turf includes technology.  When I was in school my turf was paper/pens.. Today is so different. I realized it was different, but I guess I did not see how different and how important it was for teachers to really, really understand technology and find as many ways as possible for our students to have it available to them.

How will I use what I learned in this course? -  Wow...I will use so much.  Blogging, podcasting, moodle, skype....I will use it all.  I feel this is a win-win situation.  The students get to use technology and so do I.  It is way easier for me to post an article up to a Moodle, and have the students post their reflections.  I wont have to make photo copies, I wont have to collect any papers, I wont have to bring papers home, I wont have to make additional photo copies because someone lost it. 

The student will never have to worry that they don't have ink in their printer to print out their reflections, they wont have to keep track of the paper to turn in during class, they wont have to worry what they missed in class if  they could not attend, and they have the opportunity to read other students reflections on the same article.

Like I said  "win-win"

This has been a great class and I wish everyone a wonderful 2011-2012 school year.

Week Eight - Chapter 5

hmm.  this was an interesting chapter.  It  starts out talking about the federal government putting in place the "National Educational Technology Plan" . ok,  I do not mean to be sarcastic but...you do need technology in all classrooms....right? Not just the one or two computer labs that many schools have.  The chapter goes on to talk about the typical professional development programs that are usually offered after school, or on an early release day.

The chapter does continue on and talks about supporting teachers' development of extended social networks and technology literacy training.  It states that many sates require their new and practicing educators to demonstrate basic competencies with technology.  O.K.  This all looks good in black and white, but what happens to many teachers is that they are dealing with old software, old computers, not enough computers or have students who are pretty much locked out of the Internet.

I know a few school districts that give each student (high school)  a new laptop when they start as a freshman.  It is loaded with software, and they can use it for four years.  I believe after the four years they return it to the school.   I feel this is the way to go. But, I think it should start at a younger age.

I also think the professional development that teachers receive should be set up like this class we are in.  A good eight weeks, plenty of opportunities to try new technology, learn about what is available and work together as a class.

I think if teachers had this type of professional development and their students had laptops, you would see more and more teachers increasing technology in the classroom.  I realize that someday this is what schools will be like.  That will be an amazing day.

Week Eight - Professional Learning Network

Ok,  If this class has taught me anything, and it has taught me so much,  I needed a PLN.  It is crazy just how much information is on the Internet that educators can use.  The only trouble is trying to keep up with it all. Having a PLN will help with that.

Trying to teach in a way that students of today work within their world can be both   tricky and easy.  The easy part  is that there are tons of computer software and programs  available.  The tricky part is finding the time to learn how to use them.  In most cases it is not hard, just a bit time consuming. Time is something we all never seem to have enough of. 

Because we all never seem to have enough time, the best way to keep up is develop some sort of plan.  Five easy steps to developing your networking strategy.  It is important that we keep up to date with what is out on the Internet and available.   My goal is to start with www.digio.com and build from that site.  I have never used this site before this class, and I am sure I will be using all school year.

Week Seven - Brian Crosby

This was a great video.  Just listening to him, you can hear his passion for his students. He is so excited to be teaching and working with his class.  It was really refreshing to hear.  He mentioned that he has been a teacher for over 30 years.  Wow..He still seems to be "shaking it up" and developing new ideas. That is so great.

I love how he has created lessons that not only allow students hands on experience, but allow them to extend the experience with writing, teaching and creativity.  Blogging allows the students a chance to reflect on what they are learning.  Hmmm you could do this with almost any area of education.  When they skyped another class and helped to teach the lesson to that class, that really helps the information to stick.  It also builds self-esteem in the child who is teaching.  Way cool.

By allowing the student with cancer to still be part of the classroom, teaches compassion.  The classroom really seemed to be connected to their classmate who had to stay home because she was sick.  This is really a win-win situation, the girl who has the cancer gets the chance to connect with peers and have friends.  How wonderful is that?

This was a very refreshing video, and I loved it.

Week 7 - Webinar

I watched a Webinar on Larry Ferlazzo book called " How to motivate your students".  Steven Hargadon interviewed Larry on writing his book.   This webinar was recored on June 14, 2011.  I was not able to ask any questions, but I did enjoy this first experience of listening to this recording.

Larry speaks of the importance of helping students develop their social/emotional learning skills.  He decided to write this book because of some of the issues he had in his teaching career. He feels that  by having these skills, students can have a greater success in their own academic achievement.

He starts the school year out with having the students interview their parents and learn about how their parents experience in  school. The students learn  that their own parents may have struggled in some of their classes, or maybe did not make athletic teams  ect.  This helps kids to see how their parents overcame some of their problems.

In class he brainstorms with  students on how to see a problem as an opportunity.  He feels that the teachers relationship with the students is the key to the success of motivating them.  The students need to feel that they are in a classroom that is supporting them, they need to feel "comfortable" with the teacher.

He also reminds us that not all students will develop these skills at the same point in their academic career.  For some students it takes longer for them to develop personal responsibility.  He also reminds us to respond to students with statements like  " Wow... you worked so hard on that".  These types of statements validate the work students put into their projects.

All and all it was a good experience.  I look forward to listening to other webinars.

Week 7 - Video - Bill Strickland

This was a great video.  It is truly amazing how just one person can provide change to a community.  I am amazed at how he built such a beautiful school.  I loved that he added fountains, flowers, beautiful furniture and tons of windows for sun light.  As I watched this video, I was thinking "who wouldn't want to go to that school?".

It is interesting that this all started because of one of his high school teachers.  One teacher, gave him an opportunity to be successful.  Wow....What if his high school art teacher never gave him the chance to learn pottery?  What if that teacher told him "sorry, my class is full"?   Would Bill Strickland ever build his schools?  Would he ever have the chance to change so  many lives?

I teach high school, and I have heard many times students complaining about their teachers.  The usual complaint is that they are "mean".  Or that the student feels that the teacher does not like them.  Thinking about this video, we may not be able to change the school we work in.  We may not be able to add windows, or have flowers in the hallways, but we can smile and treat our students with respect.

Just greeting the students as they come into the classroom  and wishing them a nice day as they leave can make a world of difference to a student.   I found this article on Classroom Management.
It gives ideas on how to build relationships in your classroom.  I am sure many of these ideas we have all heard before.  But, do we act on them?  Do we take the time, to really get to know our students?  We need to remember that we might be the one person that makes a difference in our students lives.

Week 7 - Final Project

I have attached a link to my final project to this blog.
This is the Glogster I created for my lesson

http://macmoe.glogster.com/Glog-2595

This is the Podcast I created for my lesson

http://podcast1789860133.podomatic.com

This is my lesson - (not sure how I attach a link to a file on my desktop.  If anyone has that info and wants to share...I would be sooo happy! ;)

Maureen’s Marketing Lesson Plan for identifying your customer using Podcasting and Glogster

Link to Glogster – Glog - 2595

http://macmoe.glogster.com/Glog-2595/

Summary:   

This unit presents marketing concepts to students in grades 9-12.  They will be able to define a market, suggest ways to identify a business’s potential customers, market products to these customers and construct a customer’s profile.  Students will be introduced to Podcasting and Glogster, and will use this technology during this lesson.

Essential Questions:

Can you tell me the difference between a customer and a consumer?

What are the different ways a business can segment its market?

Why are geographics and demographics important in the selection of a location for a business?

What do we know about podcasting/glogster?

How can we use podcasting to reach our customers?

How can we create a visual presentation using glogster?

Materials:

Marketing Essentials Textbook, Computer with Garage band and Internet access, paper and pens.

Objectives:

After students complete this section they will be able to:

Define what constitutes a market.

Suggest two basic ways to identify a business’s potential customers.

Describe some of the ways a market can be segmented.

Use Garage band to create a podcast

Use Globster to create a visual presentation

ISTE Standards Addressed:

Teachers –

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

Students –

1. Creativity and Innovation  

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

3. Research and Information Fluency  

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making  

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

5. Digital Citizenship  

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts  

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Competencies:

Given information on consumers and their behavior, the student will examine the characteristics, motivation, and behaviors of consumers.

Given examples, the student will cite specific products/services and their target markets.

Given a marketing setting, the student will assess marketing problems by using the rational decision-making process.

Terms to Know:

Market

Mass-Marketing

Market Segmentation

Geographics

Demographics

Psychographics

Customer profile

Podcasting

Step One – Review of vocabulary words, and check for understanding.    Ask students to name their favorite automobiles.  Write their answers on the chalkboard, do the same with the students’ favorite brands of jeans.  Have students decide if they are included in the market of these products.  (Most students will agree they are included in the market for the jeans).  Many students may not be included in the market for the automobiles. 

Step Two – Ask students to name five products that are specifically targeted to people their age.  Then ask them to name five products that target children, and five more that target people over 50.   Use the answers from the students to introduce the concept of “target marketing”.  Explore the reasons why it was so easy for students to identify those products.  (In most cases it will be because the products, prices, promotions, and places to buy those products are designed to meet the needs of those age groups or target markets).

Step Three - Assign a marketing challenge.  Only 27% of all children aged 6-12 eat yogurt.  The marketing challenge for yogurt makers is how to increase that percentage.  Yoplait has Trix yogurt for children and Dannon has Sprinklins.  Describe the marketing mix you would use for a new yogurt for children.  Remember to develop an appeal for both the consumers and the customers of your new product.   

Step Four – Students will write out their marketing challenge in Google document.  The instructor will review the document and provide feedback.

Step Five – Students will create a Podcast for their yogurt using Garage Band.  The students will first write out their podcast in a Google document. The instructor will review the document and provide feedback.

Step Six – Students will use Garage Band to create the audio of their podcast.  The podcast will include background music.  An overview of how to use Garage Band will be provided by the instructor.

Step Seven – Students will create a visual presentation of their marketing challenge using Glogster.  The instructor will provide an overview of how to use Glogster and what type of information to include in the presentation.

Step Eight – Sharing – Students will have the opportunity to present their Glogster and Podcast to the class. 

Extensions - Video can be added to the podcast to extend the lesson if needed. 

Reflection -   I plan to use this lesson this coming school year in my Marketing class.  I will be teaching this lesson in the first month of school.  I have Garage Band on my computers in my classroom and this will be the first time I will use the program with my students.  It may be possible to have the students complete another podcast later in the semester as they build on their marketing skills.