Ms.Teacher's Thoughts

Hello, my name is Moriah Brady and I aspire to be a 7th to 8th grade Social Studies teacher. My 3 main goals as a teacher are 1) to engage my students inside and outside the classroom by creating assignments, lectures, and providing resources that will catch their attention and deliver the information. 2) To integrate technologies into the classroom and my lesson plans. By using iPad and the computer provided in my class students can do research, look listen to lectures, create documents, PowerPoint and work on group projects. Also using Sploder, creative infographics, and utilizing social media for more ideas to keep things interesting period with the Interactive Whiteboard/projector/ DVD/ VCR setup I can deliver lectures, show video/clips pertaining to the lesson and provide visual instructions for assignments. 3) I want my students to come to class and feel comfortable and safe. I feel that having an organized classroom with up-to-date technologies available encourages students to want to learn. By providing monitor time for students while on the computer or iPads, I can make sure they are doing their work and not goofing off. I will develop group assignments that encourage critical thinking and teamwork.

My new drawing of my future classroom has not changed much period in my original drawing, I mirrored a teacher's actual classroom period this teacher is someone I shadowed for 20 hours last semester period when I asked her why she had her room set up like it was, is because for their size it was the best way to utilize the area without making it look like a traditional classroom period by displaying projects, students gain a sense pride, while subconsciously encouraging learning in their fellow peers period I took 2 desk out of my second drawing because I would like it too be a bit smaller class than I previously thought having less students to me, means being able to have more 1 on one time for those who may need extra help period I also added a personal computer for school to my desk so that way I can keep my gradebook and the other students information up-to-date and connect with other teachers in my school, my district and comma and around the country period by using social media platforms like Edmodo, Twitter, Zmoto, and others period I also added educational decorations like posters slash pictures and projects around the classroom to not only educate, but also to show off projects period I am really excited to see what my students will create period I almost forgot, in my current classroom, there is also a small makerspace period in my classroom makerspace I will have different materials, papers (colored/ sizes) pins, markers, colored pencils, glues come on and more.

In conclusion, the setup and design stayed the same, but their content changed. as I begin to teach, I will do things as I was taught, but with time I will make my classroom and teaching style my own and will change and grow. Keeping up with new technologies, styles comma and techniques will also be important for teaching the next generation. Before taking EDLT- integrate technologies with teaching, I tried to use this learning about or using or even knowing about the tech available. There is so much for teachers’ students and even parents to use to learn connect and discuss educational topics.

Edmodo is a networking site made up of teachers, students and many in the education community together in one location. This is a platform that is used to share ideas and tips for everyday classroom use. Not only can the teachers connect with students, but parents are given the opportunity to interact online with teachers and follow their child’s progress. Edmodo was created in 2008 with the purpose of connecting educators and learners to the tools and resources that will eventually shape the future.

After creating an account, which is free I was promptly informed of the free app available on google play (which is what I use). I downloaded it of course, and then started exploring what features were available. The first thing I thought was this new tool was like a combination of Facebook, Twitter, and Google classroom all put into one educational networking platform. There was a news feed where new posts could be made, a messaging option for sending and receiving messages between Edmodo users, and a notification tab that of course allows you to stay up to date on new notifications to your posts or those your following.

The differences though are that instead of the other useless options, like marketing or watch now, there are options that include creating classrooms online where teachers can post assignments, resources, information, and quizzes with students. This also allows for teachers, students, and parents, or guardians, to keep informed of progress for that class. Another option was called “Discovery” where I found a few educational games and some interesting student-based news stories. However, I found this feature to be the only area that was lacking in creativity other that the few games provided.

After a few minutes of checking out all the cool features that Edmodo provides, I started surfing through the news feed and looking at different teachers posts. I typed in Las Cruses in the search bar and found that a there were a lot of teachers in the Las cruces area that were members of Edmodo as well. This was a good sign to me that not only was I going to find resources, tips, information, and ideas from the education community nationwide, but that teachers from the area would be there to provide these same benefits but with a local perspective. Also, knowing that I have a place to connect with other educators in Las Cruces that will face the same issues as me in the future is a little comforting. I was able to reach out and sent requests to a few teachers but have not heard back yet.

Now I can see myself using this new tool I added to my utility belt in my classroom in many ways.one way it can be used is to introduce assignments that can be done at home and with instructions that are easy to follow. If used correctly and with plenty of planning on my part (and a bit of luck) parents, guardians, siblings or other family members, even friends, can interact, engage, and help in a student’s learning. Showing support and positive reinforcement goes along way. I think that this tool could be improved if the creators were to make the discovery link accessible to teachers. So that if I were to create a link on Sploder I could not only upload to the classroom, but I could also upload it so that other teachers could use it in their classroom or as an idea to create something of their own.