EEND 680: Reflection

Overall I appreciated this course very much!  I liked having to be pushed outside my comfort zone and create a classroom story (via video). I do not think I would have done such a task without it have been assigned to us. However, when my students and I completed the assignment, I realized how much fun we had, and how I can utilize classroom videos and Spark Adobe more often in the classroom.  I also like that we had to create PD and design better building meetings. I think so often we can get into the habit of complaining, but never bringing a solution to the table. I believe that these assignments forced us to create some solutions to the frustrations we experience. I hope if I am ever in charge of PD or a building meeting, that people are not zoned out daydreaming about the weekend, and are able to actively participate in conversation and learning.

I plan on continuing this Technology Specialist Course with St. Francis, as I have discovered many new tools to utilize with my students and ways to really bring the classroom to life, whether it be through Classroom Stories, designing Professional Development, and/or creating better Building Meetings.  The process and journey thus far has been transformative in my classroom. Additionally, I have deeply respected and appreciated my adjuncts. It is refreshing to learn from other teachers who also come to our cohort sharing their own experiences, trials and tribulations, and their successes. We are consistently learning from one another and authentically learning from our adjuncts.

I have deeply appreciated Ms. Morgan’s knowledge and expertise in this course. I also like that she actively participates in our classroom discussions, brining different perspectives to the table. Everyone may not always agree with one another on perspective and opinion, but it is nice to have respectful and professional debates on our own personal philosophies.

Design a Better Building Meeting

Purpose:  The purpose of this assignment was to reflect upon meetings that are currently conducted in our buildings, and find a way to make them better. The purpose was to create and design a building meeting that was not as torturous as current meetings, and that people found to be more meaningful and not so meaningless.

Challenge:  Everyone can complain about the things they dislike, and want to be changed, but it is often more difficult to bring solutions to the table. I messaged about fifteen of my colleagues asking them this exact question. How can we make our building meetings better. I knew my answer, but I was curious of others, and wanted to get a dynamic perspective of how most perceive our building meetings.  Most people responded with their complaints, but only few were able to have some sort of insight on how to make it better.

How it was use in the classroom:  This has not been used in the classroom because this assignment was given over the summer. Making it impossible to implement. HOWEVER, next year I will be entering my Masters in Educational Leadership program, and part of my responsibilities will be leading PD.  Talk about intimidating! Eeek!

Reflection & growth:  I really liked this activity because it forced me to think about how I would attempt to solve issues that teachers have with building meetings. I feel that most of our meetings we are talked and spoke to, and not necessarily invited to be part of the meeting. Just as we are expected to teach children, I feel it is the responsibility of the person leading PD to make it more interactive, otherwise, most of us are checked out and not listening. Which in turn, makes the building meeting a monumental waste of time. We need to find more ways to be productive with our time, so we as a school community can become stronger and more effective and efficient.

Classroom Story (Video)

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment was to create a classroom story via video.  The tool that I chose to use was called Spark Adobe. I chose this platform because it was simple to use and very user friendly.  My students and I decided to create a commercial for our incoming 5th grade students for next year. We discussed what kids should expect from their learning and their teacher.

Challenge:  The challenge was creating a video that was organic in nature… we still have yet to reach that goal.  Because my students and I are not completely comfortable with video recordings, it was an awkward (but fun) experience for us all.  I also wish there were better FREE programs out there that offered more than what Spark Adobe offers. I was grateful to have stumbled upon it, however, I wish there were more aspects offered for editing the video. Alas, all things we want does cost money.

How it was use in the classroom:  I used this digital tool in my classroom to record a commercial for incoming 5th Graders next year.  

Reflection & growth:  In reflection, I thought that this was a fun assignment. I am fortunate that I was able to implement this assignment before the end of the school year. It was a great way to spend time with my students, as the end of year chaos amped up.  I really hope to utilize classroom videos and/or project videos with my students in upcoming years. I just hope that eventually I can find a product that is free, just as user friendly, but offers a little more dynamic aspects than Spark Adobe.