“If we do not rise to the challenge of our unique capacity to shape our lives, to seek the kinds of growth that we find individually fulfilling, then we can have no security: we will live in a world of sham, in which our selves are determined by the will of others, in which we will be constantly buffeted and increasingly isolated by the changes round us.” -- Nena O'Neil
This quotation spoke directly to me as I gathered my thoughts and my ideas for my tutorial on Google Maps. I saw this assignment as being very challenging and “nerve rocking”. It took me at least three to four days to start my preparation. Some days I cried, some days I was feeling confident and some days I just did not know what to do.
I felt like giving up and “just throwing in the towel”. I did not know that was going to be able to meet the requirements and even the dead line. I was also confused; I did not know what aspects of Google Maps to cover and how well I would be able to deliver a good tutorial to my fellow colleagues.
“Success never falls in the beaten path. You have to blaze through a new track in order to create your destiny”. That is exactly what I did. I decided to unfold a new track in my approach to the assignment in order to allow my creativeness to gleam.
I tried various web sites but was not that successful. Not being a quitter, I decided to try You Tube. I saw so many videos on Google Maps but the one that stood out most most was the video post done by Brandon. He was of great help and was able to give me ideas on how to do the tutorial. Also I got help from my school technology facilitator, Mr. Williams, my fourth grade team, and my cousin Ms. Palmer.
I worked three days nonstop, sleepless nights, over ten attempts to record, you name it. It was not an easy road but I made it. I did my tutorial fighting against all odds.
I have grown to appreciate technology and what it has to offer. WEB 2.0 and WEB TOOLS are in effect and may replace textbooks, whiteboards, notebook papers, and other materials that have no form of technology use. Our classrooms will be transformed to 21st century learning, and technology will be the way to go.
I will always have an open mind and be ready to learn more technology and not only learn, but use technology.
Our students are exposed to various upscale phones, the internet, various web tools, and also web 2.0. As a teacher and a prospective administrator I will definitely stretch my teaching styles in order to gain more knowledge on technology rather than be complacent and watch it pass by. Technology is a fun topic that covers a wide range of interesting areas including the Internet, video games, computers, cell phones, robots and more. These technology facts are perfect for students; the imperturbable information will keep them interested as they learn some important ideas and concepts along the way.
A tutorial is one method of transferring knowledge and may be used as a part of learning. More interactive and specific than a book or a lecture; a tutorial seeks to teach by example and supply the information to complete a certain task. . Tutorials are very informative, visual, manipulative and just pure fun.
I think I would love to do another tutorial for my students. This will help me improve my strengths and work on my weak areas. I enjoyed reading my fellow colleagues’ tutorials and also I really learned from them.
I applaud those schools that are on that technology path to expand learning. With the implementation of technology in schools, (using various web tools and making connections with Web2.0) students will become high achievers and this will be evident in their grades/scores on assessments.
Finally I believe it is very important to give students guidelines, so that they will be able to meet the teachers' expectations. Not all students have internet access, computers at home or the ability to use the web effectively. Therefore guiding these students, will enable them to explore, interact, and overcome the obstacles/ challenges of using the web tools. Also they should be motivated to discover what is web 2.0.
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm
I agree with you. I too had many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to record. Then the screen was too big. Lol. I started thinking what next?
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to use these tech tools to advance the teaching and learning environment. I too am happy that some schools have tried to use technology with the appropriate guidelines for their students.
Challenging indeed. It not only rock my nerve, it rocked my entire being because I was on my own. I too felt like giving up, but I had to continue. I still have a lot to learn too, but as I have said in my reflection, we have to "creep before we can walk" and maybe I am still creeping but I will walk one day. Some persons will walk before others, but we have to help each other regardless of what it takes. Don't mention sleepless nights, because that was the biggest setback for me. I am still feeling the effects of that. You did a great job and there were so many things that I learned from watching your tutorial. Keep on shining.
ReplyDeleteChallenging just measures apart of waht this journey was. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. It also taught me somethings that I had not know before about Google Maps.
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job with you tutorial and I know that you will utilize it along with all the others with the students in your class. I see that you have already mentioned that this is what you plan on doing. I also agree that we should applaud those schools that have taken the initiative to incorporate the various forms of technology into the everyday lives of the students in thier schools.
Excellent job!!
Your tutorial was great to watch and listen to. I learned so much about Google Maps. I thought that its sole purpose was to find directions to places. Hats off to you my friend, your sleepless nights paid off. Remember'Heights reached by great men happened while others were sleeping' You are indeed among the 'great'. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself.
ReplyDeleteYour tutorial on googlemaps is a blessing to me!! I agree with your reflection that hard work really pays because the evidence of your hard work really showed. When you admit to fighting against all odds, you speak for alot of us that experienced alot of difficulties along the way.Great , great job, my friend!! KEEP ON SHINING!
ReplyDeleteI know that this journey was tough...but I also know how much each of you grew through the experience. Not that I harken back to my youth when Bon Jovi sang "Sleep is for the dead"...rather, in many ways the hardest part of this course has now been successfully completed, and you each will approach thinking about technology in your schools with a more seasoned viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteWhich should make each of you dynamite administrators!!!
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