Now I am Done!

Finished with my EDCI 505 class! I am excited to be done since I am leaving for Holden Beach for two weeks tomorrow night! This really was a very valuable class, and there are so many practical things I learned for my classroom. I do not feel intimidated by using technology in the classroom anymore! I feel that I now have several different new, interesting ideas and ways I can make my classroom more accessible to students with technology. I can make assignments and expectations easier, I can provide more information and help promote them to explore new ideas on their own, and make the class more fun. I am excited to take these tools into my classroom, and I am also excited about how my use of technology will help my students be better prepared for the real world.

The final projects were to make a website. One part of the website was a WebQuest, which is where the students are given an assignment, and then the tools they need to complete the assignment are there for them to explore. I made a free site with Google. I included pictures, videos, links to do research, multiple pages, documents, rubrics, and so many things. I am very proud of the website, I feel like it is very well done.

On the WebQuest website there is also a section devoted to my electronic portfolio. I made a separate section, and then a page within that section for each of the assignments I have completed for the class. Each page has photos of the assignment, or links to it or a downloadable content section so the material is very accessible. I love the website, and the portfolio! If you want, you can check them out here: https://sites.google.com/site/justinnewsomeswebquest/

Almost Done...

So I started my Ashland class about 9 days ago. I am not working over the summer, I am just taking classes. This has enabled me to get done with the course work in my EDCI 505 class pretty quickly, but I have been spending hours working everyday. Yesterday, I finished the last assignment, I created my own web page. I must say I am very proud of it. The assignment was to create a WebQuest, which is where you give students an assignment on the internet, and then you give them the tools they need to complete the assignment, all through your website. If you want to check it out, here is the link: https://sites.google.com/site/justinnewsomeswebquest/.

I never thought I would make a website, but here I have done it! I feel like I have really accomplished something, and this class have given me so many practical tools to use in the classroom. Having my own website as a teacher would be great for my students. I can post assignments with downloadable links, class updates, discussions, so many things. This really is a great tool to know how to use in the classroom. I was also shocked that you can make a website for free! It is pretty cool that Google has that service.

EDCI 505 At Ashland University

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share some thoughts on the class I am taking right now at Ashland University. The class has been about using new technology skills in the classroom to make things easier for teachers and better and more fun for students. At first I was very apprehensive, as the class is online. I have taken one online class before at Columbus State and it was terrible. There was no communication with the teacher, and it was hard to remember deadlines. This class is different though. There are instructional videos, clear guidelines, and the course is broken into manageable pieces.

I am surprised that I have been finding this course to be helpful so far. I am finished with the first four modules (out of 11) now, and the activities I have done will be very helpful in the classroom. For one module, I had to make a teacher page at a website called page flakes. It is a teacher web portal. This would be something that would be great to have for students. I can post assignments, and keep students updated on the class. You can check it out here http://teacher.pageflakes.com/newsome.51/

The other assignment was to make a word processing document using advanced text wrapping, tables, and pictures. I made a handout for students on Ernest Hemingway. There are pictures, details about his life, and some of his most famous works listed. I am excited because I will actually be able to use it in the classroom!