Portfolios

How would you use a portfolio?

Currently the I have two portfolios.  One was required to graduate high school which is now stored in a box in the basement with other high school tokens.  The other portfolio was required for my undergrad at the University of Toledo.  Both are in 3 ring binders full of different achievements from my high school and college careers.  

While teaching I created a classroom portfolio/scrapbook to display at parent/teacher conferences.  This portfolio would give the parents a chance to see different activities that took place during that trimester.  

Once my digital portfolio is complete, I hope to use to get a teaching job.  I think adding it to my resume might be a nice touch.   

What would you include in your portfolio?

I think any achievements would be a great to include in a portfolio.  I was nominated Charter School Teacher of the Year and I put that letter and award in my portfolio.  For a portfolio that is going to be used to get a job or a new position, I think sample lessons plans, pictures of students working (with their parents permission), letters of recommendation, and any evaluations would be a great addition to a portfolio.  

A portfolio in my mind shows the best of you on paper or the web.  You want to include items that show off your strengths as an educator.  

How do your students use portfolios?

My first and second graders kept a portfolio of work to show their parents at conferences.  I also added important pieces of work to their portfolios.  The school I worked at required that we keep a running active portfolio for the year and then at the end of the year pass the portfolio on to the next teacher.  Since my students were younger, I pick most of the work that was collected for the portfolio.  I tried to show writing for every month of the school year, to show growth.  I also tried to put something from different subject areas such as mathematics, social studies and science in their portfolio, not just writing. 

I know that the middle and high school art teacher was helping her art students create an art portfolio to display their finished works.  These portfolios included both original artwork and pictures of different pieces that were too large to fit in the portfolio.  

Web site software

How do you use self created Web sites Software?

I have only created websites for my college classes. When I was teaching (seven years ago), I didn't have the knowledge or resources to create a classroom website. We had a couple of teachers in our school that did have websites but I wasn't one of them. 

How do your students use Web Authoring tools?

My students never created websites or used the internet to create.  I know see were I was lacking but the school I was teaching at didn't have the resources to help teach these techniques. 

What else would you like to do? 

The first thing I plan on doing when I return to teaching is to make a classroom website. I hope to update the website weekly adding spelling words, what we are learning in the classroom, and other fun and interactive information for parents and students. 

Depending on the grade I teach, I might have the students create their own blogs and have them post on a regular basis about what we are doing in the classroom. 

Technology has changed in the amount of time I have been away from teaching and I am excited to rejoin the teaching world and explore all the different forms of technology. 

Classroom Tools Software

How do I use Classroom Tools Software?

Since my classroom was very limited in the amount of technology available I was unable use classroom tools software with my students. I would create charts or graphs ahead of time.  I would either print one for each student or create one on the overhead projector.  Some days I would even just draw a bigger chart or diagram on chart paper.
I used story webbing a bunch with my 1st and 2nd grades. We would read a story and they would have to create webs about the character in the story. We also used webbing in Science when learning about different animals and their habitats. They would also create a story web for the brainstorming part of their creative writing activities.

I was a long term substitute teacher for 6 months for a second grade class.  On of the first day of that long term subbing job I created with the class a Venn Diagram comparing myself to their teacher. I wanted the students to understand everything wouldn't be done the same but not everything is going to change. They understood and seemed to have fun with the activity.

How do my students use Classroom Tools Software?

My students really didn't have access to classroom tools software, we would however create different charts and diagrams on paper together. 

They understood how to use a  KWL (Know, What to know, Learn) Chart.

We used webbing in both reading and science.  

I would try to give them a classroom tool as much as I could. I felt doing this allowed them to be involved in the learning and teaching. 

What else would I like to do with Classroom Tools?

I would like to create interactive webbing assignments for the students to complete. I think of it as fill in the blank activities. The students would be given the template and they would create the information to fill in the blanks.  

I think I might need a classroom before I could do this. :) 

I am sure there are many Classroom Tools, that I have forgotten or never really used. If you have a favorite please share.  

Presentation Software

How do I use Multimedia or Presentation Software?

To be honest, I really didn't utilize Multimedia Software.  The school I was teaching at was struggling with technology in each classroom. I was lucky to have an overhead projector. I did not have a Smartboard and only the last six months of being in the classroom was I given an ELMO to work with.  I do however feel every comfortable creating PowerPoint presentation if needed. I have created different Jeopardy like games for review with my students using PowerPoint. 

I did use books on CD during reading centers and also a music CD to get the blood moving in those cold winter months. I know this isn't software but it is a different form of media. 

How did my students use Multimedia or Presentation Software?

My students did not use Multimedia software in my classroom. I wasn't equipped with the technology needed to meet the requirements.  I do believe they created mini PowerPoint presentation in their technology class. I know the older grades would create pictures books using PowerPoint and the younger grades would come and view the stories.  

What else would I like to do with Multimedia Software?

I would like to create Digital stories. From reading in the book they sound like a great way to introduce a new subject. I could see using them in Social Studies to talk about different people and how they lived during different times in history.  

Spreadsheets

How do I use Spreadsheet?

 When I was teaching I was required to use Spreadsheet to record MLPP (Michigan Literacy Progress Profile) and DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) three times a year.  We were also required to create two different forms. One form would show the whole class and the other would show the individual student.  At the end of each year the individual form would enter the students record to better help their teacher next year place them in the correct reading group.  I had no problem completing this task using Spreadsheet.  

I also used Spreadsheet to keep track of funds for the student council.  I would record the amount of money we made at the different sporting events and also subtract the money we spent on dances and other events for the school.  By doing this I knew how much money we had in our account without asking the accountants. 

Before my school starting using Powerschool, I would use Spreadsheet to keep take of grades to better help fill out report cards when it came time to handwriting each one.  Boy, am I glad the school starting using Powerschool and cut report card making time in half!
We also used Spreadsheet to complete our lesson plans that were in full details with standards attached.  The school charter was going to expire so we had to keep detailed records of what we taught and when. 

How do my students use Spreadsheet?

I didn't use Spreadsheet a ton with my students. We manly used it for creating simple charts or graphs for math lessons.We would record different simple surveys and the student would work together to create bar graphs.  It was very basic and simple use of Spreadsheet. 

What else would I like to do with Spreadsheet?

Overall, I find Spreadsheet to be very intimidating.  I understand the basics. I know how to merge cells, how to create a basic chart or graphs and a couple other basic features. I would like to better understand writing functions. I remember in high school and one college class writing functions in Spreadsheet but I no longer remember how to write them. I guess I haven't needed them so why remember how to do it.  For my student council spreadsheet, I did have addition and subtraction functions in place otherwise I am at a loss!

Database Software

How do I use Database Software?

I have to admit I didn't use database software such as Access while I was teaching. When I had to create tables and charts I would use Excel.  The school required us to use Excel when reporting Michigan Literacy Progress Profile (MLPP) and Development Reading Assessment (DRA) three times a year.  

In my personal life I have created and used databases for my mail merging for Christmas cards. The database allows me to print and create address labels for each different address. I have to tell you, I created it all in Excel. I didn't even realize I was using a database until I had to edit an address.   

How do my students use Database Software?

I taught first and second grade and I don't think we ever talked about database software. My students might of learned about the program in their Technology class, but I don't recall ever hearing about it.  I don't think that my classroom computer even had any database software on the computer for the students to use. 

What else would I like to do with Database Software?

I think the answer to this question should be a long list. I would like to do a lot more than I have been doing with the software.  I like how the book talked about students researching and comparing data with the software.  My class was required to complete a report on an animal and its habit every year. I could  have the students enter different fields for their discovers about the animals. After the whole class has presented and enter their data we could use the data to compare and contrast different parts of the animals and their habits.  

I also think having a student database with emergency information is a great idea. I had a stack of forms parents filled out at the beginning on the year. Having it on the computer would free up space and also lessen the chance of me loosing the forms. 

My school used Powerschool as their grading software.  Powerschool had some information about the students, however if I created my own database, I could add the information I thought was important to have on hand.  
Another use for a database would be to catalog all the student books in the classroom.  I had bins of books, having a record might make it easier for me to locate and know what I have in the classroom or in the many storage bins. It would take a while to record all the books but it would be worth it in the long run.  

Word Processing software

How do you use Word Processing software?

I would have to say out of all the Microsoft Office software that we use as teachers, I like Word Processing (WP) the best! I feel it is the easiest to operate and it allows for a variety of different templates to be used or the user can create their own work.  
I used Word Processing on a daily basis in my classroom. I would create a weekly classroom newsletter with three columns to keep families informed on everything going on in our classroom. The letter would include weekly spelling words, the subject we were covering in each core subject, important dates to remember, upcoming birthdays in the classroom and always my email and phone number to reach me at the school.  I would also type a list of spelling words using WP and attach it to the students planners.  Doing this I would hope that one copy of the weekly words would make it home with the students.  
I would also create different activities for the students, such as ABC order, word sorts, fill in the blank sentences, beginning of paragraphs and much more. My WP was a key tool in teaching and I was happy to have it and a classroom printer in my class. 

How do my students use Word Processing software?

I taught first and second grade where my students attended a computer class once a week for an hour. When they were using WP in my room they were practicing typing and writing stories we had already edited together. Each student would be in charge of typing a couple of sentences for our class books.  We also used WP to write letters to other teachers and parents.  I have to admit, I didn't create many lesson that required the students to use WP since we only had access to a computer lab once a week, plus while they were in the lab the computer teacher had standards and goals she needed to cover. 

What else would you like to do with Word Processing?

I feel this is a tricky question to answer. I am not sure what else I could do with Word Processing, currently it offers everything I think I need to be an effective teacher.  I have seen where teachers have used WP to create comic strips and have their students create comic strips, maybe that would be something I would like to do with Word Processing.

What are you doing with Word Processing that you think I might enjoy doing?