Blog Journal 9

What I appreciate most about the classroom environment is the opportunity for interactive learning, where discussions and group activities assist with team working capabilities. However, sometimes the pace of the course feels rushed, leaving little time for in-depth exploration of topics. As a future teacher, I believe incorporating more project-based learning activities and providing ample time for reflection could enhance the classroom experience, allowing students to engage more deeply with the material.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are educational materials freely available online for anyone to use, adapt, and share. These resources include textbooks, lesson plans, videos, and more, often released under licenses that permit their free use and modification. One excellent example of OER is the "OpenStax" initiative, which provides high-quality, peer-reviewed textbooks across various subjects. OpenStax textbooks are free to access and are continually updated to ensure relevance and accuracy. For more information about OER and its impact, you can visit this page: https://openstax.org/

 From working on Assignment 4: PowerPoint for Information Dissemination, I've acquired several new skills, including creating visually engaging presentations and effectively organizing information for maximum impact. I appreciate the hands-on approach of this assignment, as it allows me to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. However, one aspect I find challenging is striking the right balance between visuals and textual content. To improve this assignment next time, I could provide more guidance on effective design principles and encourage students to focus on conveying key messages concisely.

 Blog Journal #7

I chose to look into the content provided for Panther Run Elementary School. On the website, there’s a variety of information provided regarding lesson plans, and how the school environment is designed. Overall, I find these recourses to be especially useful to parents as they provide an outline for their child’s learning experience. This in hand showcases the teacher’s academic skills and puts parents at ease. https://www.palmbeachschools.org/Page/1309 

In terms of using technology to enhance my professional responsibilities, I envision leveraging tools like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, or Canvas to streamline communication, assignments, grading, and collaboration with students. These platforms allow for seamless integration of various resources, facilitate timely feedback, and enable interactive engagement with students both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, I would utilize productivity tools such as Google Drive for document management, Trello for task organization, and communication apps like Slack or Remind to keep in touch with students and colleagues efficiently.

Regarding Assignment 2 using Canvas group, I appreciated the ease of collaboration and communication within the group. It was convenient to share files, discuss ideas, and coordinate tasks effectively. However, I found the interface slightly overwhelming at times, especially when trying to navigate between different sections or modules. If I were to recommend an alternative tool, I might suggest using platforms like Asana or Basecamp for project management, as they offer intuitive interfaces and robust features for organizing tasks, deadlines, and team communication.