Kelly Monaghan 11/24/08

EDU 506 Self Reflection Report

EDU 506: Overall, I felt that this course was very beneficial. As technology is becoming such an integral part of people’s daily lives, it is imperative that we as teachers are able to incorporate that technology into our classrooms. In this course we learned how to incorporate Microsoft World, Excel, Powerpoint, and Front Page into our classroom. At first I was a little skeptical of the course because I already knew how to use several of the programs. However, even though I already knew how to use the first three programs, I learned something new with each of them. Throughout the course I learned how to text-wrap in Microsoft Word, how to incorporate formulas into cells in Microsoft Excel, and how to put animations on a master slide in Microsoft Powerpoint. In addition to all of that, I also learned how to use Microsoft Front Page, a program that before this class I had never used. Each of these four programs offers different tools that are wonderful resources within the classroom. I will continue to use all four of these programs in my teaching career.

Title: Microsoft Word/Who Built the Pyramid Lesson Plan

Description: This lesson plan revolving around pyramid building in Ancient Egypt is designed for a ninth grade Global History course. After learning about the Ancient Egyptians and pyramids in general, the students will engage in a critical thinking activity in order to analyze the process of pyramid building and the numerous people and tasks required to undertake such an endeavor. The lesson plan, created through Microsoft Word, outlines the various steps included in this process, such as students brainstorming the people necessary to build a pyramid, the reading of the picture book “Who Built the Pyramid,” and the subsequent discussion of the various roles required in the building process. The lesson plan also includes several graphics relating to Egypt and the pyramids in order to enliven the lesson plan. The lesson plan then ends with the suggestion of having the students take out a half sheet of paper at the end of class so that they may write down who they believe had the most important role in building the pyramid and why they believe that role to be the most important.

Reflection: At first I felt that this assignment was a little redundant as I have used Microsoft Word hundreds of times and written lesson plans many times as well. I have to say though, that I have never inserted and used pictures within my lesson plans. Learning how to insert these computer graphics and text-wrapping the type around them was truly beneficial. The graphics give the lesson plan a more professional look to them and in a job interview I believe that it would be impressive to a potential employer. While other people may just have lesson plans with text on them, I now have the ability and foresight to be able to insert graphics, borders, Word Art, and text-wrapping within the text used in the document. It is a beneficial skill to have.

Link: Please click here to view my lesson plan.

Title: Microsoft Excel/How Well Do You Know Your World Results

Description: This assignment using Microsoft Excel shows the results of an exercise regarding how well students know world geography through using both charts and graphs. It could be used at either the middle school or high school level. In the exercise ten students were given a blank map of the world and a list of twenty countries to correctly place on that map. Throughout the year these same ten students completed this activity three times and each time, the number of correctly labeled countries was recorded for each student. The results are shown in the chart produced in Microsoft Excel. Then formulas were used within the chart in order to calculate each student’s average number of correct country’s placements as well as a class average for each attempt. Finally, a bar graph was made from the chart in order to show each student’s individual results for the three trials.

Reflection: When first being given options for this assignment, it was suggested that we use Microsoft Excel in order to create a gradebook for ourselves. I chose not to do that particular exercise because I feel that it is outdated. Most schools that I know of today use some sort of web-based program or particular computer grading program that is required of all teachers. I do not know of any teachers who use Microsoft Excel as their gradebook. I do however, believe that Excel has some other wonderful attributes. I think that it is a great way to showcase student results on a given activity, as in the way that I used Excel in this assignment. It is also quite advantageous to know how to incorporate formulas into the cells so that individuals do not have to spend the time making calculations themselves. Especially for social studies, the charts and graphs that can be made within Microsoft Excel are a great way to showcase data such as population, cost of living, casualties in a war, etc. It makes a great visual tool for the students.

Link: Please click here to view my spreadsheet project.

Title: Microsoft Powerpoint/Renaissance

Description: This powerpoint was a cross-curricula presentation incorporating both Global History and Art. It is intended for a high school audience. The powerpoint begins by giving a basic overview of the Renaissance and explaining some of its main values of the time. The powerpoint then goes on to explain the art of the time and incorporates how the values important at the time were reflected through the artwork of the time. Each of these slides incorporating the values and art include discussion questions in order to stimulate students’ thinking and begin discussion within the classroom. The presentation ends with an assignment for the students in which they have to create their own portrait and include within the portrait, the values and ideals of the Renaissance time period.

Reflection: I really enjoyed being able to create a cross-curricula project. Being in the high school and everyone so focused on Regents exams, I rarely am able to do that. So having that opportunity was great. I have made many powerpoints before this project, but I had never known how to put animations on a master slide. That is such a valuable tool to have and will save me much time in the future. It was also great to be able to work with other people and see how they would design a layout for a slide and be able to put all of our ideas together to create a project.

Link: Please click here to view my powerpoint.

Title: Webquest/Protestant Reformation Webquest

Description: This assignment used Front Page in order to create a Webquest regarding the Protestant Reformation. This assignment is intended for a ninth grade Global History course. In this Webquest, students have to research five different aspects of the Protestant Reformation. Each aspect was outlined in the Webquest and research links were provided. Once the research had been completed, students were then required to create a newspaper reporting on each of the five aspects of the Reformation. Each student was required to write an article and include at least one picture together with his or her article. As a group, the students also had to include two advertisements regarding some aspect of the Reformation. A rubric was provided within the Webquest to show how the students would be evaluated.

Reflection: The Webquest assignment was probably my favorite assignment out of all of the ones we completed this semester. It was the only program that I had never used before and was a new challenge for me. I believe that Webquests are invaluable tools. Students are constantly on the internet in today’s society and so why not use the internet as a valuable teaching tool. While the process of creating a Webquest is quite time consuming, I believe the end result would be quite worth it. Since a Webquest is so different from traditional classroom learning, I feel that the students would be fully engaged and quite enthusiastic about being able to do something different. I would love to be able to complete my Protestant Reformation Webquest with my students this year.

Link: Please click here to view my Webquest.