iBook Review

The ibook, Engaging Learners with Interactive Whiteboards by Blanche O'Bannon was conveniently accessible for iPad use. The book had 3 easy to read chapters complete with videos, graphics, and mini quizzes in each chapter. The ibook was a good resource for easy access to information, although if you do not own an iPad then the information would not be as easily accessed. The chapters were easy to read and very helpful for using the Activboard as well as creating flipcharts. Some of the features did not work, such as some movies, that was a bit of a downfall for the software.

While working on creating my own flipchart and using the Activboard, the ibook was a great tool. Because I already have an iPad mini, it was very convenient for me to have the ibook rather than adding another textbook to my backpack. It was very nice to have such a short book with so much information, not to mention it was free! The interactive components of the book were nice in getting to see more visual demonstrations on how to do things, sometimes it is easy to become confused when reading directions so the visuals were really helpful. I also like the ability to highlight and add notes, that makes it easy to find important information later.

Engaging Learners with Interactive Whiteboards Chapter 1 Review

Interactive whiteboard systems, or IWB's, are large display boards on the wall connected to a projector and a computer. They are used for educational purposes within a classroom environment during lessons in order to engage students in an interactive way. Chapter 1 breaks down the uses, benefits, and shortcomings of using an IWB inside of the classroom. IWB's are effective for highlighting important content, hiding/revealing pictures of text, importing photos for instructional use, shared readings, using multimedia content, providing feedback, and using a student response system. A student response system is particularly effective to engage students, allow student feedback, and offer ways for students to answer questions who may normally be too shy to answer. 

Chapter 1 also discusses multiple instructional benefits for using IWB's. A few of those benefits include lesson organization, interactivity, active learning, and classroom management. Many strategies can be used with an IWB to enhance student's motivation, participation, and collaboration within the classroom. While teachers who used the IWB's effectively did see positive gains within their classroom, teachers who used the boards only as screens saw no benefits of the board within their classrooms. There was also little effect for students who were on lower achieving levels compared to their peers. Three features that have been proven linked to these gains of student achievement are the student response systems, graphics and videos, and reinforcer properties. Teachers need to know how to use these effectively in order to help their students learn and gain higher achievement.

The book recommended continuous professional development in the area of of using this technology effectively within the classroom. There are many resources for teachers to learn how to use the board as well as all the different features to create lessons that will be the most beneficial to their students. Chapter 1 is a great introduction to what IWB's are and their benefits of use in a classroom.  

Blog Evaluation

Ms. Cassidy's Classroom Blog is for an early childhood education class. URL for the site is: http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/. The classroom resides in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The blogs creativity and content is exemplary because the posts really give the reader an insight into the classroom. There are pictures, videos, and stories about what the children do in the classroom. Pictures are accompanied by a short description of what is going on. The blog contains the link to the classroom website which offers additional resources and information. 

The quality of writing is exemplary, with only one or two found grammatical errors in the writings. The writing provides support and information for both pictures and videos. The writing style is friendly and effective. 

The text layout and the use of graphics and multimedia is exemplary. There are many pictures and videos as well as links to other supporting sites such as the classroom website. There is a twitter bar where tweets from the classroom can be read and a map on the main blog page to show those from around the world who have checked out the blog. 

There are tags for each video and picture that aptly depict the category to find pictures and videos with similar content. Topics are categorized appropriately and easy for finding and viewing. 

This blog is an excellent resource for other teachers of early childhood education. The blog offers not only ideas and resources, but can also be used to expand the classroom and connect with others around the world. 

Website Evaluation

I evaluated the site arcademics.com, which is a site is full of educational learning games for grades 1-6. The website contains games covering skills such as math, language arts, time telling, geography, shapes, and typing skills. The website games are free, but a plus membership can be bought to keep up with game scores and skills.

The process of finding the site was a little harder than I had expected, but I was excited to find this site because it seems to be a good source and I have never seen it before. During the evaluation I was a little confused on some aspects of evaluation, but all the questions really made me dig deep into the website and look at it from more of an academic mindset. The evaluation process for this site helped me feel better prepared for future evaluations and more confident to know looking for an academic site. I feel  more prepared in encouraging my students and helping them know what to look for when searching for educational sites. 

About Me

My name is Amanda Loga and I am a senior at the University of Tennessee in Early Childhood Education, specializing in grades prek-3rd. I am also a student worker at the Early Learning Center on campus and have worked there over 2 years. I have experience with children through babysitting, church programs, and daycare. I want to be a teacher because it is important to me to help children create solid foundations for their future and to help them learn and grow. I would like to teach either prek or kindergarten.

I am married with no children but we do have a big orange tabby cat named Sir Baxter. Things I like to do are cooking/baking, reading, hiking, camping, and writing stories and poems. I also like to rollerblade and swim. I am the social events coordinator for an organization on campus called Advent House and a member of Tau Sigma Honor Society.

My expectations for this course are to learn how to use technology in a way that will help my goal of teaching  the children in my classroom. I am not nor have ever been a mac user, so during this course I hope to learn how to navigate the mac system in order to have the resources on hand for those in my classroom. I know that any computers in my future classroom are going to be mac, so I know it is important for me to learn the system and how to navigate and utilize it efficiently. My expectation for this course is to help me be more prepared for my internship and for my future teaching career in using technology to aid me and my students.