Aaaargh!

For the most part I have really enjoyed this class and everything has been pretty useful. There are a lot of new that that I think that I really can use in my classroom once I take the time to really learn how to use them efficiently. One of those things is Prezi. At this point, I've been sitting on my computer for about 5 hours on my Sunday trying to do all of my LMS stuff for this week. I started doing my Prezi presentation and everything was going well, flipping pictures, writing stuff upside down, blah, blah, blah. Then I tried making a path to show the presentation. As soon as I started doing that it was like my computer was trying to run through wet cement with 20 pounds weights on its personified feet. I don't know if it was Prezi or my computer or a combination of both but it didn't make me happy or make me want to finish my Prezi tonight.

Anyway, now that I've got that out, it's hard to believe that we only have one more internet class then one more in-person class left, but I'm looking forward to it. I think that all of the stuff that we've been given and all of the programs we've been taught how to use have been very valuable. The only thing is, I feel like I have had no time to try to master them, which is kind of annoying. It's like when you go out and buy 3 CDs, or download 3 albums at a time now, and you really like the first one you listen to so you keep listening to it and you never ever get to listen to the other 2. That's how I kind of feel like this class is shaping up with all of the things that I've learned. Hopefully I can take some time this summer and go back and really do something useful with each of these programs so that I don't forget them. Then by this time next year I'll know what I'm doing with those and I'll go out and look for 10 brand new things that are awesome that I could use but won't feel like learning.

Something that I have been learning about the Presentation Zen approach of making presentations for my classes, it seems like it should be harder to make a presentation because there are all of these rules, techniques, and principles to follow but, when you actually get into making a presentation, it's a heck of a lot easier and more fun than the old way. You don't have to sit down and read through the textbook and pick out which definitions or points you're going to put in there. You basically just come up with pictures and a title, and it's really quite fun! I used to really like making presentations so that they were fun for the students and fun for me using sarcastic quotes, funny but relevant pictures, etc., but now it's even more fun putting myself into the presentation, and hopefully that will get across to students.

For example, I was making a presentation for a class about technology that I teach. Instead of talking about the different things that go into technology, I was able to represent them with pictures. I used a speaker system that all of my students could relate to for the "systems" slide. I used a picture of bright, fiber optic cable to demonstrate communication. Then I gave them the handout as well and they were able to follow along and kind of be part of the presentation by reading definitions and examples.

I really like the www.everystockphoto.com and the other websites for finding pictures. This makes me feel like a better person because this way I know that I am not breaking any copyright laws. The only problem is that sometimes it can be really hard to find a good picture of what I'm looking for. This just helps me to be patient and to tell myself that, "Hey, not every one of your presentations can be done or redone overnight to blow people's socks off. It's going to take time; years." It also helps me to remember that no presentation is static and I should always be working to make the presentation that I gave last year better.

Digital Storytelling Week 2

I've been thinking about how I can use digital stories for what I do since we started this class. Actually it was even before that when I received Presentation Zen over winter break and started paging through it. I am a history teacher right now. I am getting my LMS certification, but only because it allowed me to get my full-time teaching job. As a history teacher, this book and this class have completely changed my outlook on what I want to be doing in my classroom. All that history is, in the end, is a collection of stories. Even if it is just data, that data can be turned into stories. I am making it my unofficial goal, and I'm thinking about making it my official goal in my PDP, to become more of a storyteller in my presentations. I believe that I should be able to have at least one good story with a presentation per unit. I know that as I teach the same class longer I can started building up my stockpile of stories. What I would like to do at this point is just start some brainstorming away from the computer and finding great stories about and from people that have lived throughout history.

I loved Voicethread. Once I got in there and started messing with it, it just got easier and easier. I can't wait to find a way to use this in my class.

Week 1 reflection

I greatly enjoyed this first lesson. I believe that this class has the potential to be the most worthwhile college class that I have ever taken - I hope that it truly lives up to this. I remember back in high school when I would think I would have this great story to tell my friends about something hilarious that happened to me or that I witnessed. I would get into it, but my story would fizzle out real fast and my friends would laugh and I'd laugh because my story sucked so bad, even though what happened was really awesome. We weren't laughing for the reason that I wanted them to laugh. Slowly, I started listening to people who I thought were good story tellers. When I was sucked into listening to somebody I would ask myself, "Why do I like the way this person is talking?" So I started copying those things and now I consider myself a better story teller.

Something that I've learned is that I believe that I can really get into a story and draw people in now. I am excited to use digital media to both assist and tell my stories. I think that this will be a huge benefit for me as a history teacher, because all that history is is a collection of stories. I am hoping that this class will make me fluent in creating all kinds of digital stories using all kinds of digital media.

First class

First night of CED 531 - here I am in class! I am always somewhat weary of learning new technology because there are soooo many new programs all the time that do so many neat things. Then I start learning how to do those new things and they are awesome, I just need to find time to really learn how to use all of them with proficiency. Hopefully, this class will start to help me do that.