Week 14 [Prezi]

The use of technology in the K-8 Science Curriculum on Prezi

We chose to base our presentation on integrating technology inthe K-8 curriculum, and created it using Prezi, linking our project to our blog. Our project had multiple images of people of all ages using technology as well as images of tablets (as they are the newest and most popular technology today). We also had a video clip where middle school children used different kinds of technolgy and medical equipment in order to expose them to technology and hands-on activities. We chose Prezi because it allowed us to create a project unique to our liking. I would rate our project with a 10, because we worked hard on finding the right images, designing it artfully, and making it both knowledgeable and pleasing to the eye. If I were to do it again, I would experiment more with the effects and designs I could create; while I am happy with what I did, I think I could make it better. I liked how technologically advanced the resulting project seemed and how easy it was to control. Prezi was fairly easy to use and I would highly recommend the website. I would definitely use the website again, perhaps I will start using it in place of my powerpoint presentations. Sometimes using Prezi was challenging; it would freeze on me, but exiting the frozen program did no harm to our project (thank God). It was just a little aggravating. Other than that, using Prezi was a breeze.

Week 13 [Weebly]

     Our assignment was to create an online portfolio that includes our personal experience, education, skills and awards, hobbies and interests, references, and a link to our blogger page.  The benefits of having an online portfolio are that prospective employers may have easy access to your vital information (regarding employment) from any computer, any time, before actually contacting you.

     The features I liked about to weebly site were the different editing features; it was easy to customize a design template, link a blog, and personalize tabs.  The challenge with using weebly was that there was no tutorial of any sort to get me started out, so I had to use the trial and error technique to gain an understanding of how the website works.  Nevertheless, it was really simple after.  

     I would use weebly in my future classroom as a place for students to share about themselves professionally, or in an academic manner (similar to a resume but not quite).  

Week 10 [iMovie]

Our assignment was to create a commercial to promote a technological invention.  To do so, we were given access to a flip camera and the iMovie program (from the Mac).  As a group, we discussed the details of our product (the name, sale price, ect.) and its functions. 

            I wrote the script, including both dialogue and camera angles and we proceeded to film the clips and written in the script.  Finally, we imported the clips and edited them, adding text introduction.

We used many features, including increasing volume, changing voice pitch, adding an echo, text effects, and transitions, such as fading and rippling.

What I liked about imovie was that the effects and transitions were so clean and advanced.  What I did not like was that it was not that user friendly.  I am adept at using moviemaker which is very simple to use and makes managing video clips (like shortening/ lengthening them and muting audio) very easy.   I would use it in my classroom by assigning them projects like commercials and adapted-filmed plays to reinforce lessons in the areas of literature, writing, or science.

I loved using the flip camera because they were light and portable, and had great audio.  I rate the assignment with a 9.5, because I was so busy with other assignments that I could not edit as much as I wanted to.

Week 8 [iMovie in the making]

We began editing our video clips for our commercial.

Week 7 [quiz & Commercial]

We created an online quiz and began filming our commercial.

Week 6 [Pixton Comic]

My partner and I first planned to create a comic with six panels; three depicting scenarios before certain technological advances were made (the “before”) and three portraying scenes with the use of technology (the “after”).  However, we ended up creating four panels instead of six due to the shortage of time and complications with the website.  For our two scenarios, we decided to show how technology (devices like laptops, iPads/tablets, and projectors) has revolutionized researching and presentations.  Our comic aids in the understanding of how technology has modified education in general. 

            I liked that the website had so many different options and choices, from characters and poses/positions to backgrounds and props.  It allowed us to create neat panels. What I didn’t like was that the website wasn’t as user friendly as it makes you think it is.  When I first started, I was amazed at all the possibilities our comic had, but as we progressed, I found it difficult to move, resize, and edit the rights things (as in I always ended up making mistakes).  Furthermore, undoing an action proved difficult. 

Week 5 Feb. 16-22 [WebQuest]

My partner and I wanted to choose a topic that wasn’t too complex to be broken down efficiently, but not so simple that it would be boring.  In the end, we chose the digestive system as the topic for our web quest.  We thought that using the digestive system as our topic would allow us to come up with creative and enjoyable activities/assignments.  In addition, we decided that our web quest would greatly benefit the students, as they can do more to take care of their bodies if they understand them more. Moreover, the students will gain much because the activities are diverse and enjoyable.

The most important lesson I learned from this activity is that learning has been revolutionized by technology, so that students can enjoy learning no matter what the topic; it all depends on the teacher.  I liked that the web-quests were simple to create, and easy for students to access and understand. The web quests were what you made of them; if it were boring, that’s because you made it so.  The only thing I didn’t like was some of the other web quests; they included PowerPoint activities and I don’t think that’s appropriate for grades 3-5.  Next time I use Zunal, I would include videos from YouTube, because there are some great educational videos from there; the only reason I didn’t do so was because I thought YouTube was an inappropriate site to use as a resource.  I thought the activity required more professionalism.