- First Week of School: ... was amazing. For the first time, I feel 100% comfortable in the classroom. I am FINALLY teaching something for the second time. In my first three years, I taught Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Algebra II, Geometry, PreCalculus, Tech Math II and SAT Prep (the math section). It is so nice to have found my niche in Algebra II. Truth be told, I hated Algebra II in my first year of teaching ... now I think it's wonderful! :) I have fabulous classes of extremely studious students. I'm at the point when I assign homework, they have no questions ... it's wierd. I walk and walk and walk and nothing ... wierd, but fullilling. I am excited that our school is smaller (another high school opened in the county and took our students & teachers), easier to walk around, filled with great teachers and great administrators. I am blessed to be in my school where integrating technology is becoming a must and is well supported.
- LinksForEducators.com: If you follow me on Twitter (@msgregson) and don't live under a rock, you recently saw me debut my summer project: Links for Educators. It is a searchable database of education-related websites. There are still many things that we would like to incorporate and I already have a list of about 100 websites that I need to add to it, but it's there and has about 200 great websites already. We've been using Google Analytics to track visitors and I've been shocked at the different countries that people have visited from. I guess that's the power of the Twitter PLN! :) We also decided to add Google AdSense to the website. We've embedded Google Ads into the website and for each click on an ad, we receive money! It's like magic! We make money by visitors clicking links. It's unheard of! We've had a slow start making money, but I have no doubt it'll pick up. We broke even, so that's all I can ask for right now! I keep saying we, I know. We includes my boyfriend - the computer programmer. Without him, this website would not exist. My programming skills are there, but not where they need to be to do something like this. He's a genius! There will be a Version 2.0 of L4E coming soon. If there's anything you'd like to see, just let us know!
- Twitter: Where do I even begin? I have met so many amazing people on Twitter. I have expanded my network, I have great conversations, I pose questions and get answers, I get to help other teachers. I mean, it's an amazing resource. I don't think I've ever thought THIS much about my classroom. But, my fellow Twitterers have helped me to do so and make me think of things I wouldn't normally think of! Thank you to my PLN. Life is wonderful with you! I am still learning how to balance school and twitter, but it's a great resource!
- Technology In The Classroom: I have to say, I'm overwhelmed. I sit at my desk during planning and after school trying to wrap my head around all the technology I'm using. Making sure it's linked, relevant and great. I feel like I'm using too much, but then again, it's all working. I'm introducing a class study guide wiki tomorrow, nervous about that. I am introducing the Glogster Project for my Algebra II class next week. We're going to be using Google Docs this week. Lots of new things and I'm nervous it'll blow up in my face. But, we'll make it work. I love our new iLab. Teachers aren't using it yet - which leaves it for me whenever I want! Maybe they'll never realize it's power and I can use it all the time! :) Hahaha ... no no, I want them in there too! My projector for my SMARTBoard went down last week, so I've been whiteboarding it up lately. I know I did it for two whole years, but man, I don't like it! :) But, we make do with what we've got!
Monday, August 31, 2009
A Hodge Podge of Things ...
I'm long overdue on a blog post and there are so many things I could write about. So, I am just going to touch briefly on several different things ...
Friday, August 21, 2009
Prezi (the NEW powerpoint!)
It's Friday afternoon ... I'm sitting in my classroom on this teacher workday working away. I'm working the concession stand at the first football game of the season tonight, so I'm waiting to head down to the field. While I am waiting, I started to reflect on the past three workdays and the one we have left before students arrive on Tuesday.
I love my school. I love the people around me. I love math. I love teaching. I love my job. It is so wonderful. My life has turned to technology this past summer and everyone in this school is so supportive of technology and its use in the classroom.
I want to share my newest love. It's called Prezi. It is the NEW powerpoint. It is so interactive. It created a giant map of your information and you create a path through it. It is so innovative and it really helps your thought process. It doesn't have to be a linear presentation like powerpoint, very broken up. It moves and flows and I'm in love. While it is about near impossible to type math into, I have been using it in SAT Prep, where less math and more words. I could never use it, in its current version, to teach Algebra II or any other core math class. But, for words and information, it's amazing. You can imbed videos, images, etc. It's web-based, so no software! Your presentations store online and can be accessed online. They even have a way to download it to be used offline. It's great! Check out my presentations for the first four days in SAT Prep.
Intro
Real Numbers, Fractions & Decimals
Percents & Proportions
Factors, Multiples, Remainders and Divisibility
Sequences
I hope you enjoy Prezi as much as I do and find ways to incorporate it into the classroom. I'm looking forward to Tuesday and seeing what the kids think of it.
I love my school. I love the people around me. I love math. I love teaching. I love my job. It is so wonderful. My life has turned to technology this past summer and everyone in this school is so supportive of technology and its use in the classroom.
I want to share my newest love. It's called Prezi. It is the NEW powerpoint. It is so interactive. It created a giant map of your information and you create a path through it. It is so innovative and it really helps your thought process. It doesn't have to be a linear presentation like powerpoint, very broken up. It moves and flows and I'm in love. While it is about near impossible to type math into, I have been using it in SAT Prep, where less math and more words. I could never use it, in its current version, to teach Algebra II or any other core math class. But, for words and information, it's amazing. You can imbed videos, images, etc. It's web-based, so no software! Your presentations store online and can be accessed online. They even have a way to download it to be used offline. It's great! Check out my presentations for the first four days in SAT Prep.
Intro
Real Numbers, Fractions & Decimals
Percents & Proportions
Factors, Multiples, Remainders and Divisibility
Sequences
I hope you enjoy Prezi as much as I do and find ways to incorporate it into the classroom. I'm looking forward to Tuesday and seeing what the kids think of it.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
the past and present ... and future!
Whew, it's been a long time since my last post. But, I don't think I have that many followers, so I don't think anyone was really missing out.
I've been busy planning away for the start of the school year, now just two weeks away. I've already incorporated so many new (for me) things into my classroom. I've got a classroom wiki (http://msgregson.wikispaces.com/) now with information for students and parents. It is so much easier to use and update than our School Center sites, so I hope it works. I've embedded a Google Calendar in it to post section numbers, homework assignments, quiz/text dates, etc. So, hopefully that will keep me (and my students) more organized. I can update it from MY gmail account, which is easy access for me. I have been creating away Google Docs ... using them in lieu of student information sheets and for a new parent survey (student: http://bit.ly/12JPZh, parent: http://bit.ly/2JsSjQ). I've created weekend assignments (http://bit.ly/15cdZf) and presentations via Google Docs. I'm investigating the power of a Ning in a classroom, but not sold on it for a MATH classroom. (It looks GREAT for English & History discussions.) I'm planning uses for the iPod. We've incorporated a wiki (http://nchsbeta.wikispaces.com/) as a way for our BETA Club students to sign up for service projects. And, I've created a SAT Prep wiki for reference for my SAT Prep class as well as all students at my school. (http://satprepatnchs.wikispaces.com).
I have (just this week) found some amazing math people on Twitter and my world has opened up. I found a guy who created an Algebra II Google Group and an Algebra II box.net folder where people have posted ALL their Algebra II stuff. It excites me greatly to look through what others do in their classroom. I just found a gal who is teaching Honors Algebra II with laptops in the classroom. I've gotten in Twitter discussions about homework, bell ringers, technology - anything, you name it. I am so glad to have found these math people. While I was valuing all the technology talk, I was lacking the math talk ... until now.
I sat in on a Second Life session (via @ejulez and @mohax) at my school and while I didn't learn a whole lot of new stuff myself, it was equally enlightening to watch new teachers become SL newbies and see it's power. I had forgotten about that newbie feeling. It was great to relive that.
I recently posed the thought that I am not motivated to plan because I don't have a planner. The obvious response from my PLN was that I don't need a planner because of google docs and google calendars. I agree and have been using those, but I still love the paper and pencil planner. It can sit on my desk, I can reference it whenever I want too and I don't have to stare at a computer screen to know my agenda for the day.
Also in my research, I am finding so many lessons by teachers that are videos. Powerpoint slides, etc in a video format. And, it got me to thinking ... is technology going to replace teachers eventually? It's a scary thought that already teachers are just showing videos to teach instead of the teacher-student interaction method of teaching. I love my students, I love getting to know them, I love the back and forth in the classroom ... I hope we never lose that. @jimwysocki had a good point: "if people were able to self-motivate regularly, yes. until then, there is no replacing a motivating teacher." @mctownsley came back and said "the answer to that question might depend on whether or not you believe quality education involved not only rigor, but also relationships." and, lastly, @jmiscavish said "somebody will have to run the technology ... but yes, soon enough, i'll be obsolete." I love technology, don't get me wrong. But, I hope that technology will NEVER EVER replace teachers. We are too important. For some kids, we are their only role model, the only positive adult in their life. Students need to learn how to talk to adults and learn from them. Teachers need to be there to motivate, push and show. I sure hope I never live in (or my kids or grandkids or great-grandkids) live in a world where technology has REPLACED teachers. I only hope to live in a world where technology works right along with teachers to enhance learning.
Alright, I think I've vented enough for the day.
I've been busy planning away for the start of the school year, now just two weeks away. I've already incorporated so many new (for me) things into my classroom. I've got a classroom wiki (http://msgregson.wikispaces.com/) now with information for students and parents. It is so much easier to use and update than our School Center sites, so I hope it works. I've embedded a Google Calendar in it to post section numbers, homework assignments, quiz/text dates, etc. So, hopefully that will keep me (and my students) more organized. I can update it from MY gmail account, which is easy access for me. I have been creating away Google Docs ... using them in lieu of student information sheets and for a new parent survey (student: http://bit.ly/12JPZh, parent: http://bit.ly/2JsSjQ). I've created weekend assignments (http://bit.ly/15cdZf) and presentations via Google Docs. I'm investigating the power of a Ning in a classroom, but not sold on it for a MATH classroom. (It looks GREAT for English & History discussions.) I'm planning uses for the iPod. We've incorporated a wiki (http://nchsbeta.wikispaces.com/) as a way for our BETA Club students to sign up for service projects. And, I've created a SAT Prep wiki for reference for my SAT Prep class as well as all students at my school. (http://satprepatnchs.wikispaces.com).
I have (just this week) found some amazing math people on Twitter and my world has opened up. I found a guy who created an Algebra II Google Group and an Algebra II box.net folder where people have posted ALL their Algebra II stuff. It excites me greatly to look through what others do in their classroom. I just found a gal who is teaching Honors Algebra II with laptops in the classroom. I've gotten in Twitter discussions about homework, bell ringers, technology - anything, you name it. I am so glad to have found these math people. While I was valuing all the technology talk, I was lacking the math talk ... until now.
I sat in on a Second Life session (via @ejulez and @mohax) at my school and while I didn't learn a whole lot of new stuff myself, it was equally enlightening to watch new teachers become SL newbies and see it's power. I had forgotten about that newbie feeling. It was great to relive that.
I recently posed the thought that I am not motivated to plan because I don't have a planner. The obvious response from my PLN was that I don't need a planner because of google docs and google calendars. I agree and have been using those, but I still love the paper and pencil planner. It can sit on my desk, I can reference it whenever I want too and I don't have to stare at a computer screen to know my agenda for the day.
Also in my research, I am finding so many lessons by teachers that are videos. Powerpoint slides, etc in a video format. And, it got me to thinking ... is technology going to replace teachers eventually? It's a scary thought that already teachers are just showing videos to teach instead of the teacher-student interaction method of teaching. I love my students, I love getting to know them, I love the back and forth in the classroom ... I hope we never lose that. @jimwysocki had a good point: "if people were able to self-motivate regularly, yes. until then, there is no replacing a motivating teacher." @mctownsley came back and said "the answer to that question might depend on whether or not you believe quality education involved not only rigor, but also relationships." and, lastly, @jmiscavish said "somebody will have to run the technology ... but yes, soon enough, i'll be obsolete." I love technology, don't get me wrong. But, I hope that technology will NEVER EVER replace teachers. We are too important. For some kids, we are their only role model, the only positive adult in their life. Students need to learn how to talk to adults and learn from them. Teachers need to be there to motivate, push and show. I sure hope I never live in (or my kids or grandkids or great-grandkids) live in a world where technology has REPLACED teachers. I only hope to live in a world where technology works right along with teachers to enhance learning.
Alright, I think I've vented enough for the day.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I'm Sold!
So, I have to admit. I never thought I would twitter. My technology facilitator, Julie (Julie Sugarplum or @mrslachance, depending on your world) told me that I just had to join and see it's power. I was quite skeptical, but joined anyway. I couldn't comprehend how everyone else's answer to "What are you doing?" in 140 characters or less could change my life. But, I logged on and still, didn't understand it. Julie's answer? I was following the wrong people. So, I finally found a core to follow and have been absolutely amazed by it's power.
Every night, I sit down and review the day's tweets (unless I've been following them all day) and my diigo account has grown exponentially (yep, math passion there!) since I started tweeting. I have 109 bookmarks in there already. I open up a link, bookmark it and move on. (Man, that makes me think - I really need to go organize those!) I also saw it's power during NECC09. I wasn't at NECC09, but I really felt like I was from everyone's tweets. People were tweeting from all their speakers and sessions and I feel like I got all the links they got and I was 8 hours away. I saw the conversations between people, I saw the dinner plans and I saw the fun. It was amazing to see the connection between these people 8 hours away from me. I felt like I was at NECC09. It was unreal.
This summer has been a different one for me. I'm more attached to my computer. I'm more attached to the web, twitter, facebook and other web 2.0 tools than I've ever been. I've created wikis for clubs and classes for when we return in August. I am searching iPOD apps to use in my classroom when we return. I started my grad school classes after all and have been overwhelmed by technology, instruction and all the work behind it.
I have to step back though for just a second and thank Julie for all of this. While I am overwhelmed by all of it, Julie has shown me my new passion. Math and swimming have always been my passions and now I have a new one on my list: technology. It is inspiring to see her introduce new technology and continually find new technology to help us teachers in our classrooms. I know there is a constant battle with "old" teachers and technology integration, but she doesn't let that get her down. She never stops researching. Her twitter page is evidence of that. I am so glad that she came to Northwest and I'm so glad that she has helped show me technology's power.
Now, the problem: while, I am so excited for all that I have found and all that I want to implement into my classroom but at the same time it scares me. How can I balance all this technology and still make sure my students get all they need to pass the EOC? I don't teach to the test. I never have and never will. But, I also don't teach whatever I want. I have to teach all that Algebra II so my students will do well on the EOC and move on. How can I get through the crammed material (10 chapters in 90 days) and still integrate all this awesome technology? I truly believe this technology will re-engage and re-focus them and hopefully instill the math passion that I have, but will I have time?
It's a never-ending battle and I hope I'm ready to take it on.
Every night, I sit down and review the day's tweets (unless I've been following them all day) and my diigo account has grown exponentially (yep, math passion there!) since I started tweeting. I have 109 bookmarks in there already. I open up a link, bookmark it and move on. (Man, that makes me think - I really need to go organize those!) I also saw it's power during NECC09. I wasn't at NECC09, but I really felt like I was from everyone's tweets. People were tweeting from all their speakers and sessions and I feel like I got all the links they got and I was 8 hours away. I saw the conversations between people, I saw the dinner plans and I saw the fun. It was amazing to see the connection between these people 8 hours away from me. I felt like I was at NECC09. It was unreal.
This summer has been a different one for me. I'm more attached to my computer. I'm more attached to the web, twitter, facebook and other web 2.0 tools than I've ever been. I've created wikis for clubs and classes for when we return in August. I am searching iPOD apps to use in my classroom when we return. I started my grad school classes after all and have been overwhelmed by technology, instruction and all the work behind it.
I have to step back though for just a second and thank Julie for all of this. While I am overwhelmed by all of it, Julie has shown me my new passion. Math and swimming have always been my passions and now I have a new one on my list: technology. It is inspiring to see her introduce new technology and continually find new technology to help us teachers in our classrooms. I know there is a constant battle with "old" teachers and technology integration, but she doesn't let that get her down. She never stops researching. Her twitter page is evidence of that. I am so glad that she came to Northwest and I'm so glad that she has helped show me technology's power.
Now, the problem: while, I am so excited for all that I have found and all that I want to implement into my classroom but at the same time it scares me. How can I balance all this technology and still make sure my students get all they need to pass the EOC? I don't teach to the test. I never have and never will. But, I also don't teach whatever I want. I have to teach all that Algebra II so my students will do well on the EOC and move on. How can I get through the crammed material (10 chapters in 90 days) and still integrate all this awesome technology? I truly believe this technology will re-engage and re-focus them and hopefully instill the math passion that I have, but will I have time?
It's a never-ending battle and I hope I'm ready to take it on.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Web 2.0
So, I've dedicated my free afternoons to research. I've been researching lesson plan ideas, new technology and post importantly Web 2.0 tools. I'm already using facebook, twitter (@msgregson) and Ning (http://sltrojans.ning.com/). I've become an avid explorer of Second Life. My newest research is how I can use the school's new iPod Touch in the classroom. I'm focusing that research on the SAT Prep class that I teach. But, in my research, I've found many Web 2.0 tools that could become beneficial in the classroom. Here's my list so far:
- http://www.glogster.com ("poster yourself")
- http://www.whenisgood.net (pass around the calendar to see when is good for a meeting)
- http://www.groupcard.com (pass around a card for all to sign, then print and deliver!)
- http://www.elgg.org (social environment)
- http://www.wordle.net (great to find trends in web pages or papers)
- http://www.chalksite.com (central point for communication and notes for teachers)
- http://www.jotspot.com (wiki for sharing of documents, etc)
- http://www.thegroupvine.com (great way for classes/clubs to stay up to date)
- http://www.e-tutor.com/et2/graphing/ (graphing calculator)
- http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ (online graph creater)
- http://www.calcoolate.com/ (online calculator)
- http://notemesh.com (shares and combines notes into a unified version)
- http://www.diigo.com/ (online bookmarking website, can highlight pages and share)
- http://delicious.com/ (online bookmarking website, social network for sharing)
- http://ottobib.com/ (bibliography help)
- http://www.newsvine.com/ (news source for students)
- http://www.youtube.com (search engine for videos)
- http://fickr.com (upload and share photos)
- http://www.eyespot.com (create video mixes and share)
- http://video.google.com (search engine for videos)
Obviously this is not every Web 2.0 tool - just fun ones that I've found so far. I'll keep updating as I go. Feel free to let me know of new ones you find. And, now apparently, researching Web 2.0 is on the out and researching Web 3.0 is on the in. I'm going to finish Web 2.0 first before I move into the new uncharted territory.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Back to being a Newbie
I've never blogged before. I always read other people's blogs, but never done one myself. But, I'm at a turning point in my life right now where my job is on a new path, I have lots of ideas floating in my head and decided this might be the place to organize them!
In July, I am starting my Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. This mere step has opened my eyes to using technology in my math classroom. I am exploring Second Life, IPODs in the classroom, Google Docs and other classroom resources that will re-engage my students into loving math.
Students hate math. They hate coming to my classroom. They hate learning the new material. But, my goal is to get them focused and engaged to hopefully change the world's idea of math, one student at a time.
I hope to document what I do through this blog as I embark on my next step - Graduate School and see how it impacts my math classroom.
I hope you'll go for the ride with me and help me with new ideas. Keep checking back. I'm gonna give this a try!
In July, I am starting my Masters Degree in Instructional Technology. This mere step has opened my eyes to using technology in my math classroom. I am exploring Second Life, IPODs in the classroom, Google Docs and other classroom resources that will re-engage my students into loving math.
Students hate math. They hate coming to my classroom. They hate learning the new material. But, my goal is to get them focused and engaged to hopefully change the world's idea of math, one student at a time.
I hope to document what I do through this blog as I embark on my next step - Graduate School and see how it impacts my math classroom.
I hope you'll go for the ride with me and help me with new ideas. Keep checking back. I'm gonna give this a try!
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