Reflection on Learning Process and Integration of Technology

Taking this class online was quite a challenge for me but I survived. Logging on to the course was difficult for me at first. There were a few times I almost threw my lap top out. I'm glad I took the class though I learned a lot about digital camera, camcorder and other modern technologies that go with them to make videos. My lap top is my best friend now, it help me a lot through this class. I never bother with lap top before because I know what it takes to get on and clicking on all sorts of links.
Blackboard Learning System was quite an experience for me. I heard about classes online but I never thought I would be the one to take classes online. Blackboard is use to provide service for all educational facilities. Logging on was the hardest for me, I usually try several times before it lets me in. Just when I got the hang of it, the six weeks is over.
Elluminate Live is where I get into class with other participants; it promotes active learning, collaboration, and brings us together to share our ideas and our project. We have courage each other through the chat boxes and our microphones. I learned a lot just by listening to some ideas presented by my colleagues and viewing their projects how it was put together using the modern technologies. You have to be fully literate in computer skills to do that. I think I’m getting there and I am going to keep on practicing what I have learned.
The way I plan to integrate digital camera and camcorder into my classroom curriculum would be in the content of Social Studies, Science and math. Students will be able to explain how scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies by analyzing how technologies have been responsible for advances in our lives. Students will be able to recognize and identify the parts of cameras and use the two modern technologies to take some pictures, to describe them and type in Microsoft Office to present it to the whole class.
Integrating Social Studies, Science, math, and Dine' culture in this thematic instruction, my students will use technologies to collect pictures, make videos, and document their learning. The strategies I will be using are thematic instruction and cooperative grouping to strengthen their knowledge in digital video media.
I will choose a theme that would matter to the students, like how to start a foundation to build a Hogan. The theme will be “Hogan’s Foundation”. This will help the students understand why our Hogan's are sturdy, cool inside in the summer, warm inside during the winter, what perfect circle means to us with the four basic directions, and how we believe in and depend on natural resources to build our Hogan's.
This assignment will call for a field trip to a nearby neighborhood, close to the school, to check out the Hogan that we are going to use for our project. Students will be in groups of three to help each other with problem-solving and cooperation. Our materials will be digital cameras and camcorder to catch some pictures using the measuring tapes or yard sticks to measure the circumference of the Hogan. One student will operate a camera, next one will measure, and the third one will do recording. The cooperative Grouping will teach each group how to take care of materials, organize documents, and interact with each other effectively to foster the smooth processes needed to finish the projects.
For hands-on activity, each group will make a model of a Hogan using craft sticks and glue on a card board and also practice applying essential math concepts and skills in measurement by analyzing the circumference of the Hogan. Each group will use graphing software to model and how to make changes in size, use word processing software to document, plan and write reports, and use spreadsheets to track measurement and make calculations.
At the end of the project, each group will do a show and tell about their “Hogan’s Foundation”. Each group will comment on the project.
I enjoyed taking this class, at first I was so overwhelmed because I did not know anything about the computer and we were two weeks behind with no text book. Tomorrow evening is our last class and I haven’t got my book yet.
I calmed myself down after I found out you were a nice teacher, so calm and full of patience. I really enjoyed your class and learned so much about internet and all the links that goes with it.

Thank You,
Irene Jackson