Tool Review

In the TPACK model, you have three main domains the CK, PK and PCK and all other four are these that include technology. It is important to understand what each of these mean. In order to be a successful teacher, you have to have all these qualities about you that are represented in the TPACK model. Quizziz is a new tool I have just become acquainted with and it's super cool for the students and makes it easier on the teachers for assessments. This is a website that you can have up on your SmartBoard in your classroom. You can create different types of assessments for students. This would be a good website to use for elementary students. Each student would have their own iPad or Chromebook and be able to take the assessment and have the results in front of them after each question. Look into this, super cool. Another great tool for the classroom is SMART Boards. These combine multimedia functions with internet access and offer educational, interactive programs for teachers and students.

What is 21st Century teaching and learning?

I think 21st Century teaching is all about being very versatile when teaching the young minds of today. Our schools this day and time are multicultural and multilingual. We as teachers have to teach on an individual basis because there isn’t just one way of teaching. All teachers teach differently and some students learn differently. There’s not a cookie-cutter way of teaching. In the majority of elementary classes you, will encounter students who speak English as their second language. It’s important for you to learn about their culture so you can get to know all of your students. You must have a close relationship with all of your students so you will be able to distinguish their strengths and weaknesses. For teachers today, you have to be very technical savvy because that’s all this generation is used to. You as a teacher no longer tell the students to get their books out and answer the chapter questions. This technique should be history. In every subject today, there should be multiple ways of teaching it. It’s very important to have your students relate to the subject matter so their understanding is enhanced. Teachers today have to be very passionate about what they do because it isn’t an easy job. There are tons of responsibilities for teachers to uphold throughout every school year. Some students will have IEPs and 504s with benchmarks that you as a teacher have to make sure you are meeting these criteria. 

Essential Question

Part I - Essential Question

What is 21st Century teaching and learning?

I think 21st Century teaching is all about being very versatile when teaching the young minds of today. Our schools this day and time are multicultural and multilingual. We as teachers have to teach on an individual basis because there isn’t just one way of teaching. All teachers teach differently and some students learn differently. There’s not a cookie-cutter way of teaching. In a majority of elementary classes, you will encounter students who speak English as their second language. It’s important for you to learn about their culture so you can get to know all of your students. You must have a close relationship with all of your students so you will be able to distinguish their strengths and weaknesses. For teachers today, you have to be very technical savvy because that’s all this generation is used to. You as a teacher no longer tell the students to get their books out and answer the chapter questions. This technique should be history. In every subject today, there should be multiple ways of teaching it. It’s very important to have your students relate to the subject matter so their understanding is enhanced. Teachers today have to be very passionate about what they do because it isn’t an easy job. There are tons of responsibilities for teachers to uphold throughout every school year. Some students will have IEPs and 504s with benchmarks that you as a teacher have to make sure they are meeting.

Evernote Strategy

Part II - Evernote Strategy

Evernote impacted my learning because it shows teachers and students and easier way of taking notes.  This app. gave me a new way of getting notes together swiftly for class on a daily basis.  It’s also a very interesting way to show your students how to take quality notes during class.  If you teach at a middle or high school they might even let you use your phone and it will automatically be on your laptop when you get home too.  This helps you share notes with other teachers too.  This is to ensure that all teachers are teaching the most important and crucial information to their students.  The website and app. are very user-friendly.  It gives you options to take notes or take a photo of the text that you want to save in your notebook on Evernote.

Evernote was very interesting.  This was the first time using the app. and I found it very useful.  You are able to have all of your important notes at your fingertips instead of writing and typing what information is important for you to use on a response.  For your classroom, you are able to share important information through Evernote easily.  Just snap a photo of important information and you will have it in a specific notebook readily available at your fingertips.  It is so much quicker to go through the text and choose only the most imperative things to go over with your class.  I’m glad we were introduced to the new app. because I had never heard of it.  This will save teachers a lot of time getting notes together for class every day.

Introduction

Hello all!!!  My name is Megan Hester and I grew up in Calera, AL.  I am married and have a very loving and energetic daughter named Aubri Lane.  She is my world.  Currently, I am getting my Master’s in elementary education. I graduated from UAB in 2013 with a BS in Physical Education.  I have the honor to work at Centre Elementary as the physical education teacher.  I have been there for almost three years and love it!  I love teaching my kids.  My career aspirations are to give my students a positive experience in my classroom, be a positive role model, encourage their little minds, and always continue learning.  I’m interested in learning new technology to bring in my classroom. I do have a twitter account only because I had to set one up while at UAB.  I really don’t know a lot about twitter but the upcoming assignment should put things into perspective for me.  I do have Facebook to keep up with my friends and family.  I would like to learn about Smart Boards because I know that classroom teachers really enjoy them.  I do use technology in my classroom (the gym).  I have a projector and 15x15 screen that allows me to show my students anything I need to from my computer.  We are able to play the Wii fit, dance to videos, listen to music, or show them instructional videos.  I have a MacBook Pro and love it.  I also have an iPad, iPad mini for my daughter, and an iPhone.  I’m excited about this semester!  Good luck everyone!