Week 16: 14/06/2016

While reading through my WordPress reader, I came across Chloe’s blog post on “The Wonderful, Magnificent Google Earth!” She talks about using Google Earth in her Geography lesson. During my Professional Experience with Year 3, I started teaching their first Geography unit, and we were doing something similar to exploring the location and characteristics of places around the world. However, I wish that I had thought of using Google Earth, as the students would have loved it and it would have engaged the students and helped them gain an understanding of the different characteristics of place. Oh well, there is always next PRAC!!

 

Week 15: 13/06/2016

While scrolling through my WordPress reader, I came across Chloe’s blog post on “QR Codes”. This sounded familiar to me as I am sure I have heard it somewhere maybe, during one of the lectures. However, I have not seen it in action or know how it works within the classroom. Based on Chloe’s use with the QR Codes it looks like it was successful and the students seemed to enjoy using them. After searching QR Codes, I came across this website which gave me an insight into how it is used within the classroom. I also found this interesting YouTube video which demonstrates the use of the QR Codes within the classroom.

This program reminds me of the program “Plickers” which I used on Professional Experience if you have not yet heard of the program click HERE it is a great resource I will be sure to use it again on my upcoming PRACS!!!.

Week 15: 10/06/2016

During my Professional Experience in a Year 3 classroom, I came across this ICT program called “Scratch” not sure if anyone already knows or have heard about this program. I found out that ‘Scratch” is an ICT program which allows students to create stories, games, and animations. Although, while exploring this program I found it quite tricky and needed my Year 3 students to explain it all to me. If you are interested in learning more about this program visit the site HERE or watch a short demonstration video which is found HERE.

Overall, I believe that this program would be fun and engaging (I know my Year 3 students found this absolutely fun!).

 

 

Week 15: 10/06/2016

While scrolling through my WordPress Reader, I came across Ashley’s blog post on “Assignment 3“. I so glad that I am not the only one that still has so much to do on this assignment!!! Like Ashley I too hope I can finish this assignment soon as I also have an exam to study for which is due on the same day :((( Not sure about anyone else but I can counting down the days until I can finally relax and have my social life back :).

Anyways, I should probably go work on this assignment. Good luck to those people still smashing out this assignment!

 

Week 15: 10/06/2016

While scrolling through my WordPress Reader trying to look for some inspiration for my final blog posts, I came across Ashley’s blog post on “Class Dojo“. My initial thoughts were ‘What is a class dojo?’This sparked my curiosity to find out what this app was and what it could do. Moreover, I found that this app was used as a behaviour management tool for the classroom. Each student has a profile, complete with their own avatar, to which the teacher can assign positive and negative points (or “Dojos”) throughout the lesson (Buchanan, 2013).

For more information click HERE or watch this video which is found HERE.

Overall, I would be really interested to see how this app works in the classroom to control the behaviour difficulties. (The best part is that this app is FREE!!!)

 

 

 

(Bunchanan, S. (2013). An apprehensive teacher’s guide to … ClassDojo. Retrieved June 10, 2016, from  http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/nov/28/teacher-guide-classdojo-behaviour-management )

 

 

Week 14: 4/06/2016

While I was on Professional Experience, I decided to try out this cool ICT app called ‘Plickers’ I heard about this app from a fellow EDC3100 student. Plickers is a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices. For those of you who would like to find out more information click HERE, I found this app so fun and the kids just absolutely loved it!! Even my two mentor teachers found it impressive, and they have already said that they will continue to use this app in the classroom. Overall, I love this ICT app, and I can’t wait to try it out on upcoming PRACS.
(Everyone should check it out!! It is easy to use and guess what it is FREE)

Week 14: 4/06/2016

While reading through my WordPress Reader (Looking for inspiration) I came across Gabrielle’s blog post called ‘ICT Boo-Hoo.’ While reading through her post, I noticed that she too had some problems with ICTs while on Professional Experience. I can totally relate as I was also faced with some ICT problems during my planned lesson. Which was due to my mentor teacher leaving before my Geography lesson this meant that I couldn’t use her laptop for the internet. The only other option was to improvise and wing the lesson, but I must say the lesson went pretty good. However, I do agree with Gabrielle it is important to have a backup plan if ICTs fail.

Week 14: 4/06/2016

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am glad PRAC is over. It was a good experience. However, I felt that I was stressed throughout the three weeks due to the fact that I have three assignments due and an exam. I wish they wouldn’t give us assignments to work on during PRAC because it sucks and affects the overall experience of PRAC. I honestly have had no time to work on my assignments due to planning full day lessons and being exhausted after a whole day in a classroom. After reading Ashley’s blog post ‘Prac 1, 2016 done and dusted!’ I can totally agree with her I can’t wait until these assignments are done so that I could just relax and catch up with some of my friends (I need my social life back!!).

Good luck to everyone trying to smash out these assignments during this weekend.

Week 8: 26/04/2016

As I was scrolling through my WordPress reader Jane’s blog post on “Maths Rockx!!!!” caught my attention, as I love collecting resources based around Maths. I continued reading her post and discovered that she found this cool maths app called ‘Maths Rockx’ which is actually a musical app which teaches students their times table by singing them to a range of popular songs that we hear every day on the radio. For those of you who would like to learn more about this app here is a YouTube video I found. I absolutely love this resource!! Which I can’t wait to try in my own classroom.

Week 8: 26/04/2016

I am so glad I came across Zoe’s and Mr Clancy’s blogs, in particular on the study tips. Like Zoe, I found myself always procrastinating even though I am well aware of my Assignment dates looming. (Which leads me to stress big time and over thinking everything I was writing). I realized that the strategy of writing 300 words a day for five days is such a great idea (It will make me feel like I am progressing)!! I have decided to try this strategy from today and hopefully have Assignment 2 done before the due date (Fingers crossed). For those of you who would like more information on some study tips here is a link.