I read my first blog about fear being my motivation.....the same fear as when my parents asked me if I want to go to summer camp. Fear of the unknown. I did not participate in summer camp as a kid, but I can say I participated and enjoyed Summer Camp 2.0.
I left the introduction to Summer Camp 2.0 feeling unsure and overwhelmed. How could "I" ever complete all the assignments! I read other people's blogs and they seemed to be doing "just fine." I was struggling. Then, I completed my first assignment.......maybe I could become a blogger....
The reassurance that I could go to the lab and ask an "expert" increased my confidence. I attended many Wednesday labs and all my questions were answered without judgement.
I started to complete assignments at home......what was happening to my technology disability? The more tools I discovered, the more I became excited. I thought about how I could use Prezi, YouTube, screen casting, study tools, forms, polling and collaboration in my classes.
I could use Zooburst to introduce the concept of heart disease or first aid. I am planning on adding other videos of the units I teach in Physical Education to MY YouTube channel (yes, I have a YouTube channel). I will continue to use Tagxedo for the motivational sayings I have around my classroom (I used MLK's speech in the shape of a dove). The Quizlet vocabulary cards I created, will be located on my teacher webpage. I will encourage my students to use the games/activities that go along with the cards.
As a seventh grade Middle School Health teacher, I already use cloud computing to work on common assessments district-wide. I can see a screencast helping a sub teach a lesson. But I still don't understand how the sub would access the site. Like I said in my blog, I would like the Physical Education Department to use InfoGraphics for the Presidential Physical Fitness scores. I actually think that would be fun to set that up! I found the Form tool to have potential as well.....talk about feedback.
This once "technology newbie" is finding her way. I even helped a couple people with assignments!?!?! Summer Camp 2.0 gave me tools, helped me find tools and gave me time to practice (and fail....and then succeed). Most of all, it gave me some confidence that I can implement some new technology in my classes.....and have fun doing it.
I look forward to a Summer Camp 3.0 next year.......yeah camp! :)
Mary-
ReplyDeleteYou are a rock star in my book and I look forward to camping with you again next summer! You motivate me and support me! I love all of your ideas!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteCongrats. You made it to the end and already committing the next year! That is impressive. I, like you, found it helpful just to increase my technology confidence level. That in itself will help me try new things because most of them were very doable. Great job on your camp projects!
I am super proud of you Mary and loved reading your final reflection! Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteWe did good, Mary! Who would have thought you and I could survive a Summer Technology Camp?
ReplyDeleteAbout using the recording for days when you are absent. . . Last year I would leave recordings for my sub and it worked very well. You can email the recording to the sub if its someone you know, you can leave instructions on how to get to your recording or your YouTube site, or have some nice guy like Jeremy show them how to get there. Once I left my computer on, but I'm not sure that was a good idea.