Voice Thread

Link to my Voice Thread

http://voicethread.com/share/5001701/

Response to week 8 Twitter questions

     Twitter was definitely easier to use than what I thought it would be.  I didn't realize how much information could be gained from using it.  It gave me access to so many different things that I wouldn't have known about had I not been on twitter.  A couple examples would be a @AskATechTeacher 12 Tips on Handling Hard to Teach Classes, Renee Miller's youtube playlist for movement videos, and the #kinderchat.

     I mainly followed the students in my class because this is so new to me.  I enjoyed Renee Miller because she is a kindergarten teacher like me.  I really liked her movement playlist from youtube.  I also paid attention to Marsh Brummer because I felt like she knew a lot about technology and she would be a good resource for me to use if I had questions.  For fun I followed The Voice because that is one of my favorite shows and enjoy seeing all the comments that people made.  I never did tweet anything myself but I just might.

     I will keep my twitter account open so that I can use it as a professional resource but I don't think I will use it personally because at times I found it difficult to find things to tweet.  I am grateful for being exposed to this part of technology.  It has opened a door that I wouldn't have opened otherwise.

Response to "Free Technology for Teachers" blog

What a great blog!!  This is a blog that I would use.  I loved the fact that he covered so many different areas and how each different site would lead you to other things.  Most of the things he had on there would be for students older than my kindergartners but I did find some cool videos about science, nature, and animals that they would enjoy.

I had read an article about a kindergarten teacher who used a blog for parents as a way of flipping his classroom.  After seeing this blog I think it would be a great way to communicate with parents what their child did in school.  I could upload any videos we watched and pictures of the things we had done that week.  I would also blog about the concepts we worked on.  It would open up communication between parents and their children and also let the parents know what their child has been learning.

Technology has made so many things possible!!!

Alphabet secrets educational video

Favorite Podcast

EdChat Radio

This is an excellent podcast that has some interesting views about all areas of education.  Enjoy!

Ted Talks video and article on flipping Kindergarten classroom

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html He talks about how creativity is just as important as literacy within our schools and how we don't do anything to cultivate it. Very interesting and worth your time to watch. http://mattbgomez.com/flipping-in-kindergarten-connecting-home-and-school/ This is an interesting article on how a teacher flipped his kindergarten classroom. He did it with the parents.

Screenr for how to log onto and use Education City

You can also get to my screencast on my twitter address @SherriLFreeland

Animoto video

I can see Animoto videos begin used in a variety of ways in the classroom.  I could use it as an introduction to a new unit or as a culminating video of a unit we have finished.  I was so surprised how easy it was to use that I taught my husband how to work with it and he is going to have his 7th graders one of  their history reports using this method.  I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Photo Story for "Meaningful Connections, Using Technology in Primary Classrooms"

My second attempt and the my professor should be reading.

Hello,

     My name is Sherri Freeland and I currently teach Kindergarten in Benkelman, NE.  I graduated from Kearney State College in 1987.  A very long time ago.  I have a few graduate courses under my belt but I have never pursued a Master's Degree until now.

     I have little knowledge of the computer world.  Last year I did make a slide show of my class for their graduation and I used Windows Live Movie Maker but that is the limit to my experience with technology.  I use a PC because that is what our school uses.  I did purchase a new laptop that has Windows 8 on it and I purchased the latest version of Microsoft Office.

     I have been busy teaching school and raising all five of my children.  My son Tyler is going to college this next year and I will have 3 years before my youngest gets into high school so I thought I would take advantage of this time and complete my Master's Degree.  I will be honest and tell you that I almost dropped this class because I feel very inadequate when it comes to computers but I know it is the happening thing and will only make my teaching that much better.  My husband has taken online classes before and he will be a big help when it comes to using the blackboard.  I chose Peru because of the cost and the classes that were being offered.  This degree will obviously give me a pay raise but will also make me more knowledgeable about all the new practices in teaching.

     Thank you for taking the time to read this and getting to know me better.

Sherri