Prezi:
- Click Link for Prezi Presentation
- **Link to prezi, I had difficulty with the embedded presentation showing up.
Review Questions:
1.) In what ways might your selected tool be a better presentation tool than PowerPoint for student projects?
2.) Were you aware of sites like edX that offer free online courses? What other companies or organizations are you aware of that offer online professional development support (courses, lesson resources, etc) for teachers? List them.
3.) In what ways do you review your learning in your life right now?
4.) What is the last time you discussed with another person some important things you were learning and how to do? What was the nature of the learning (content, concepts, skills, etc.) and who were you discussing your learning with?
- Prezi provides a different means for presentations and breaks away from the traditional boring templates like in Powerpoint. Each template is completely unique and customize able so there are endless options. It's a free resource which is great because who doesn't love free things!? Free resources provide you more of an incentive to try them out because you don't have to spend money, especially when teachers have limited budgets as it is. The simplicity of Prezi also makes it appropriate for all ages. Although it is simple to use presentations can be made more complex by using various tools and inserting pictures, charts, videos, etc. The complexity of the presentation reveals the age or experience of an individual. Another huge benefit is the ability to link text and pictures through movement. This allows students to focus on key concepts and understand their significance.
2.) Were you aware of sites like edX that offer free online courses? What other companies or organizations are you aware of that offer online professional development support (courses, lesson resources, etc) for teachers? List them.
- I was actually unaware the edX even existed and offered professional development courses, however in the past I have referred to other sites for professional development resources. I searched through my emails and I can't find the exact name of the website, but it was done through VCU. The courses were focused for early childhood special education and covered topics such as IEP's, interacting with families and various disabilities such as Autism. I really wish I could find the exact website because it was extremely helpful and I learned a lot of information. We had to complete these modules in order to receive completion in one of my undergraduate courses. Another great website is the VDOE because it provides example lessons aligned to specific SOL's. I frequently refer to this site if I am having difficulty brainstorming how to approach a lesson or if I need an additional resource. Not many people are aware of all the great things the VDOE website offers. The last website I also frequently refer to is teachers pay teachers which is a great compilation of resources created by teachers for teachers.
3.) In what ways do you review your learning in your life right now?
- I have been very fortunate to have received the learning that I have. My courses at during undergraduate and graduate school have provided me with a great supply of resources and skills to implement into my future classroom. I try to implement whatever I can from my own personal experiences in order to promote a better learning environment for students.
4.) What is the last time you discussed with another person some important things you were learning and how to do? What was the nature of the learning (content, concepts, skills, etc.) and who were you discussing your learning with?
- This past week I was discussing with the robot coordinator if I felt comfortable teaching a class of this nature after mentoring. I responded no, because I personally like to have more background knowledge and understanding of these concepts. Although learning through experience is possible, which is what the students were doing and myself it just tends to stress me out because of the time I spend unknowing. I guess this has changed because I used to have more time to play around with things but schedules make that difficult. The nature of this discussion was focused on if this was possible to teach only through your own experiences or should there be more training. I feel that it could go either way, but as I said I am not the type of person who likes to spend additional time.