Gateway to technology response "If I had one phone call to make before I die..."

I was given two options: 1. Write about what I was doing during 9-11 ( I don't remember) or 2. Discuss who I would call if I was in the same situation as those who passed during the 9-11 attack.

I choose: "If I had one phone call to make before I die; who would I call..."

I would call my beautiful and brilliant daughter. As a single parent I had no problems deciding who I would call. The hard part I found was trying to figure out what I would say (mind you this is not the thing you would want to think about in a class full of people (sniff sniff) especially if you soft hearted like me, but because I have a billion and one things to do when I get home I am writing about it now).

I would tell her… do you remember when papa passed and you were worried that you will never see him again and your heart hurt so bad, but sometimes you have those moments that you feel him by your side. And he’s always there with you because you carry him around in your heart always. Well if ever I am gone I will always be by side your side, I will always believe in you, have faith  in you, and love you.

 

We remember

Gateway - After Class: I can do this

Gateway - After Class: I can do this: I haven't been fond of computers since I last worked on dial-up internet service in 2001. Computers were just a tool to compose a syllabus o...

I never thought I'd be blogging. In fact, I never thought I'd be doing anything with the computer other than simple wordprocessing and changing fonts and colors. With this class, just learning the basics, I realize many of the projects I needed to complete had been in my computer and at my fingertips the whole time. I started this class with the intent to apply the basics and some spreadsheets since my family also does spreadsheets. Now I can do my own spreadsheets and make my own charts. I thought I'd have to hire my former students for life(!) just to do spreadsheets. What's more: I have a project with 3 other people who have hectic schedules, as well. Now we can edit each other's work in real time rather than attempt to meet to complete the project. Many thanks!

I can do this

I haven't been fond of computers since I last worked on dial-up internet service in 2001. Computers were just a tool to compose a syllabus or worksheets on Microsoft Word. Honestly, before taking this course, I almost wanted to back out. I'm glad I didn't. Part of the ESLRs at my school that motivates me to learn about computer technology is 'adapt to changing times'. After over a decade of teaching, I realize that it is no longer a choice to becoming computer literate. Each year students are becoming more tech savvy. As a teacher, you must stay ahead or at least be on top of things- this is one of those things. This course is a blessing because it provides me the foundation I can build upon to be a more confident computer technology consumer/user. Anyhow, I think for thirty days I would like to create a website/webpage that students, parents, and the local community at least can open and somehow interact on the latest fine art development at my school. It would be cool to skype to other middleschool art classes locally and abroad to share ideas and such. Wow! This is my first blog. Thank you.

World of Technology

I have never been adventurous when it comes to technology. I stick to basics to get the job done and I don't explore further for I somewhat fear that if I try things out that I was new at, I might just break the computer. My last Saturday classes really impressed me for there are just so many things in the wonderful world of technology waiting to be discovered and used. I know that technology offers so much to everyone, it is just the matter of learning how to use the tools. What we learn in class will make things so much easier for teachers and also will grasp the attention of the students. We live in the world of Technology and we have to learn all we can so we can apply the knowledge to our students as well as keep up with the times. I'm looking forward to learning more and by practice it will make me better at using the tools.

Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

The Wonders of Spreadsheets

For the next thirty days I would like to try and use spreadsheet across the curriculum. Before I took this class I associated spreadsheet to numerical use only. Therefore, I thought spreadheet can only be used in math. But I was surprised to learn how versatile is spreadsheet as a computer program. It is perfect for spelling, science, social studies and other content. My students will enjoy organizing data in a flash. Oh my the wonders of technology.

Learn and have fun using technology

I started using technology by enjoying the social networking such as Facebook, it's amazing meeting  or communicating with friends and relatives for  10, 20, or 30 years ago that I didn't hear of...It's also my motivation to learn more and open doors to learn how to use Microsoft  word and finally Excel..Gateway to Technology class introduced me to Excel or more knowledge/information that I really need to learn to meet the needs of my students and myself in this advance world of technology.I'm looking forward for every  Saturday class and sometimes I can't really catch up with my limited knowledge but more practice everyday helps a lot.I find it exciting and fun if I learned new things  especially when I was able to use it in the classroom. Now I promise myself to spend more time to practice and review the things I learn in your class everyday I'm sure in  30 days I may not be an expert but I will surely learned some necessary skills that I can independently move on.Thank you...

Going Green and Digital in 30 Days

For the next 30 days, I would like to put together a tech program that will enable my parents and students to access our lessons through a website where they could review what we learned for the day, watch videos that explain concepts we are learning in class, access e-worksheets,and  play interactive games that allow them to practice skills we are currently focusing on.  To do this, I will devote every single day (for the next 30 days) to search for links in the world wide web -- videos, worksheets, interactive games, journals, reading materials etc... all of which I will make accessible through a class webpage that my parents and students can visit. Using what we learned in word processing, spreadsheets and communications,  I will store ALL my lessons (lesson plans, resources, worksheets, grade books) in a digital format, so instead of carrying bulky books around, I can have it all stored in an external hard drive or a thumb drive ready to be used, updated and uploaded to our class website. My paper worksheets and homework assignments can be stored in thumb drives to be given to my students at the beginning of the school year.  To turn in their class/home work, they turn in their thumb drives or upload through our webpage.  No more reams of paper to burn and shred at the end of the school year.

Too much to do in 30 days?  Well that's a total of 720 hours... seems like a lot of time to me.

30 Days

I am going to challenge myself for the next 30 days to spend at least 45 min/day organizing info into spreadsheets/charts and to find more resources online to supplement teaching material. I have hopes that one day I'll have computers in the classroom for students to use, and that I will be having them do surveys and assignments.....and be able to have results once they click "submit". Before then, I need to start with something simple for my first 30 days, then eventually build up to something like creating a web page for the class or online lessons/homework.

The New Me In 30 Days

As a classroom teacher, I would like to challenge myself on how to use the little knowledge I learned in my Gateway Technology course. Honestly I'm still emergent but I'm willing to try my best to make a difference instead of being dependent to my husband doing my report always. I'm going to incorporate technology when I teach my lesson and be able to share my knowledge in technology with my students in order to make the lesson more interesting and worth remembering.