Wiki Walk Through

    How do you wiki? I have never realized how useful wikis can be in any setting with anybody, until I really learned more about them and how beneficial they can be. I just did the Wiki Walk Through and learned so many ways that I can implement wikis in my future classroom and how useful they really are.

http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/

    Wikis, and blogs, are such an open way for communication for anyone that is in need of it. However, by doing the Wiki Walk Through I learned that blogs are different in the way that posts or comments can be openly seen, but not openly edited compared to wikis. Wikis can be open to the public or specified users and edited, or seen by those users as a way to create an interactive environment. Wikis are interesting in the way that they can be used for any reason and by any one person. Wikis are a good way of interaction not only from teacher to student, but for teacher to parent, student to student, and teacher to teacher. A wiki is a way to engage in activity with fellow colleagues or peers in an academic, or casual, environment. Wikis are so useful, because it is open to anyone and can be shared with people all across the World; all one needs is an electronic device and an Internet connection.

     In my years of technology, I have never really known a lot about wikis except when I was told they are not a reliable research source. Since wikis can be changed by the public, teachers would always say "don't use that Wikipedia for your research paper!" Now that I know their purpose and how they could potentially be used, I think they are a valuable resource to use in classrooms and when trying to interact with others. It is a fast way to relay information and engage in web activities with others. I look forward to utilizing wikis in my future classroom and allowing my students to be educated in them, so they understand their use and why they are important.

Website Evaluation

      After completing my first website evaluation I feel more comfortable when choosing sites when using them in a classroom or as a useful tool to teach. I definitely know now that I need to pay more attention to things before deciding if the website is valid or not. I knew before doing this activity that when working on papers and using scholarly articles it is important to notice the authority, their credibility, and the date it was written, but I had no idea the amount of things that need to be considered for all websites. The website I evaluated ended up being somewhat useful, but not necessarily valid. I really liked this activity and what I got out of doing the activity. Honestly I feel like an evaluation should be done for all websites when it comes to using them as learning tools and with other people, such as students. Websites should be useful and able to give valuable information to everyone that uses them.

http://www.uen.org/k12student/interactives.shtml

   The website I evaluated was based out of Utah and ended up being a useful site in a classroom, however did not meet some of the criteria that is required to be a reliable site. The website actually ended up being based out of the Utah Education Network, which means it is not based on Tennessee academics, but the activities are provided by different sites, so they are public for the viewers. The website in my opinion, would be highly recommended in a classroom to enhance engagement and whole class participation. However, the website was not necessarily backed up by a lot of information. I really enjoyed this activity, because it made me very well known about sites and what to look for when evaluating their validity and reliability.

Blog About a Blog

The blog I found is written by a Special Educator, who has worked with elementary and preschool students for years. Her blog is a useful tool for implementing activities and practices for younger students with with disabilities, specifically students in the 1st through 3rd grade. The teacher includes everything in this blog from playful classroom interactions like, "Nacho Karoke," which includes students literally eating nachos in the classroom while singing karoke together to classroom management exercises, like setting classroom rules and understanding the difference between fair and same.

http://michellespecialeducation.blogspot.com/

 This teacher's blog is enlightening to present and future special educators alike. She explains this blog to obtain her "bag of tricks" that has been accumulated over the years and through her experience. It includes activities and practices that are noticed to work and not work when educating student with disabilities. The blogger has great advice about read alouds and what books seem to be the most effective in her class, granite all classrooms are different and all students are different and like different things, but still when your a teacher it helps to have a basis and some idea of what usually is effective with students and what is not. I think this blog is well- written and easily understood by all its readers and a good source for reliable tips for teaching different students and different types of learners. I really like how the writer has made each example have a detailed explanation with pictures and step by step outlines so that each activity can be repeated or used in another classroom. This blog can be found through an internet search as well, which makes it convenient and easily accessible to all educators that are wanting to find interactive exercises or activities that can be used in a classroom.

Link to blog:
http://michellespecialeducation.blogspot.com/

Course Expectations

I am a senior, majoring in Special Education: Modified and Comprehensive. I will participate in my internship next year, 2015, and I'm excited to take TPTE 486 to enhance my teaching ability with the use of technology. All my life, technology has never been an important aspect in my family's household. We never had the newest technology devices, and my parents have always been old fashion when it comes to computers, tvs, and cell phones. My dad thinks the less we depend on technology the better, and my mom just does the bare minimum when it comes to computers. That being said, knowledge of technology or its uses is not vast in my household. During this course I am wanting to learn more about technology that is available today, so that I can utilize it in my future classroom. I believe technology has advanced in so many beneficial ways for students and teachers. Every student is different and technology is able to fill gaps in achievement for students who learn in different ways. I have faith that this class will allow me to increase my technology potential. I have already learned about many useful databases that will assist in communication with my future students and parents, just in two classes! This class will be valuable for my professionalism and dependability as a teacher. Technology has become a major part in the teaching process, so I am wishful that I learn as much as I possibly can so I can utilize my knowledge in my classroom for my students' sake and achievement. I am hoping that this class will gradually increase my ability with technology, but am also hoping that I do not get behind considering I am not up to date with the newest technology.