22 April - Field (art) Reflection

I had an amazing time during my 3 week field experience in the 4th grade at Ridgeline Elementary. My field partner was Jessica Rose. We worked very well together. Prior to beginning our 3 weeks we had the opportunity to play get to know you games with the 4th grade students and meet our cooperating teacher, Mrs. Patti Ratliff. We did this activity the first day in art class. We sat in a circle and stated our name, an emotion, and a gesture with our hands. It took a lot longer with 4th graders than college students, but did help us learn their names!

From the first time I entered Ridgeline I was astounded by the cleanliness, friendliness and the feel of learning taking place in the atmosphere. When we entered the classroom Mrs. Ratliff put us to work right away. Her interest was for us to interact with the students as much as possible. We observed her teaching math, language arts, and science. Jessica and I would take turns reading The Candy Shoppe Wars after lunch each day. Mrs. Ratliff supplied the special reading hat, such a cute idea I’ll be implementing in my classroom.

I enjoyed my time spent in the 4th grade with Patti Ratliff. It is no secret that she loves to teach. She was a great example to me in how to teach with enthusiasm, making it fun with songs (she had many on math, Utah, rock cycle, classical, upbeat), and building students up constantly. We loved it so much we often stayed more than our required time.

The lessons we taught were on supply and demand, producers and consumers, and about Utah’s economy. We made them fun, engaging, the students listened, participated, and stayed in control most of the time! The lesson we had our career interviews in was cut short so they only had about 5 minutes. It would have been better if I'd printed interview questions to ask instead of writing them on the board. Our lesson with visual art was successful although it was quite noisy. It was the Friday before Spring Break and the kids were quite distracted. We should've explained our expectations on the noise level. Most of the students did their best on their brochures, with a few that didn't try stating they weren't good at art.

I can understand how teachers get attached to their students. You want them to do great, you want them to succeed, and you want the best for every aspect of their lives. In the short 3 weeks we were there, I experienced these feelings toward the students. After being in the school atmosphere and experiencing teaching, I know I was meant to be a teacher. There is nothing I desire more in life than to make a positive difference in children. I am excited to gain more knowledge and master techniques to become the best teacher I can be.

20 April - Lessons Learned

I am amazed at how far technology has advanced since I was in highschool (14 years ago). We didn't even have access to the internet. The computer class that I took at Provo High was as basic as they come, teaching us how to type and use a basic software programs. When my younger brother introduced me to the World Wide Web I thought I would never, ever use it. Boy was I wrong. You can only hide from the technology world for so long, it will come looking for you if you don't come looking for it!

I enjoyed all of the sites and videos. I even saved a few of them to my "favorites" tab. The eschool news was informational and will be a site I frequently visit. The one that struck me most by surprise was the globalization; did you know, you tube video. I find some of the facts hard to believe. It seems crazy that the top 10 jobs in 2010 didn't exist in 2004. I am curious to know what jobs those are. Also, the fact that we are preparing students for jobs that don't exist with technology that isn't invented. I believe some of the jobs don't exist but we are still going to have a need of scientists, doctors, nurses, factory/store workers, teachers, etc.

The most important 2 things that I learned from these sources are that: (1) I will have to be open to change and (2) I must embrace technology and make it my best friend. I have many things to still learn. I know I must use the best tools that will engage my students. I can do this by incorporating technology into my lesson plans.

20 April - My Beliefs

Using technology in the classroom is mandatory. Teachers that fail to do so are failing their students. This is a technology generation. There are more visual learners than ever. You can incorporate technology by interactive games, webquests, online field trips, etc. There are no excuses why teachers aren't using technology. We expect our students to learn, therefore, we as teachers need to be the example and learn how to integrate technology in our lessons, assesssments, professional development, etc.

By using technology in the classroom you are doing yourself, as the teacher, a favor. Students will be easier to manage when they are tuned in to a technology rich lesson, whether it is a digital story, power point, podcast, vidcast, etc. Why not let them have hands on experience? Let them create their own power point, vidcast, podcast, whatever. Give them the opportunity to shine academically using technology. Students that don't normally perform as well as the rest of the class, may be the student that rises above everyone with their technology rich assignment.

It is our jobs to prepare children for the future. Embrace the learning that will occur naturally from technology. Use technology as a motivating tool to help you increase student's test scores! It is our responsibility.

20 April - Strengths and Weaknesses

Although I've had to get out of my comfort zone, one strength with technology is that I enjoy learning new things. I can operate a computer and it's software, send emails, open and save programs, create a google site, digital story, upload and download files, and create power points.

I am clearly not an expert on anything so I can improve in every aspect of the NET standards and UNI survey. I am weak in incorporating technology in my lesson plans, as well as using technology as an assessment tool. My other weakness is troubleshooting. Eeeks. When something goes wrong with a program, I immediately need an anxiety pill. No, not really, but it does cause me stress. Usually it is something very minimal and then I am A-OK!

I would like to attend a technology conference this summer. I could also take online classes on specific software programs. (I've been meaning to ask you what conference you would recommend.) As far as online tutorials, I really like Kathy Schrock's website. on She has useful ways of incorporating technology into your lesson plans. By attending technology workshops and learning effective ways of implementing technology into teaching and assessing my students, I can improve my weaknesses. In turn, I'll also raise my teacher self-efficacy, being more confident and prepared to teach children.

Utah Digital Story