Spreadsheet Assignment

I believe there are somethings that spreadsheet is useful for but I dont think I will use it much in my classroom.  I suppose because you only have to enter in the formula one time and it will do the work for you it is better than a calculator because when using a calculator you have to press in the formula every time.  I have a hard time letting technology take control, personally, so I would rather have to manually figure out the answer every time. Teachers use spreadsheets to record data, create assignments and take attendance.  I like the idea of using speadsheets to take attendance and record data but I am not so sure about creating assignments.  I think maybe I am just not comfortable with the technology enough yet to create assignments with it.  I am excited to learn more about it though! Hopefully I can use it in my classroom at some point.

Inspiration Assignment for Etec 424

     After viewing the website I found that the Inspiration software has multiple tools that could help me in the classroom.  As a theatre teacher, I am always looking for fun ways for the students to learn and process the information of a lesson.  In theatre we take a play and basically break it down completely and to have an organized chart or diagram would be ideal.  There is so much information to process when going through a play that these diagrams will help the students organize their thoughts and study material.
     After reading chapters four and five in the textbook I am excited to use writing, oral presentations , and research in my classroom.  I think these options are the best for a theatre classroom. The students can read a play and write about the message they got out of it or what it means to them.  Oral presentations are an obvious choice for a theatre classroom, given that speaking in front of others is a huge part of theatre.  Research can be used as a helpful tool when students are needing to find information on characters and time periods and things of that nature.  Having the students help each other on assignments is really important in a theatre classroom because theatre is such a group effort.  A play can not be put on by one person only. Having students help eachother brainstorm and help put thoughts together will be a successful tool in the classroom.  I remember when I taught my first theatre lesson, I went into it thinking I knew exactly how it would go but by the end I had completely changed my thoughts on how to teach it.  Afterwards I don't think I knew more about the subject as much as I knew more about how the students would react to the subject.
     In conclusion, the website and textbook helped motivate me to think about different ways to help my students process the information I will be teaching them.  I am excited to use these tools in teh classroom!

Classroom assignment for ETEC 424

What do you think about using blogs? What and how do you think blogs would be useful for education? Some people think using blogs in classrooms is a waste of students’ time. How would you respond?

 I think blogs are fine to use.  I don't know that I would use them in my classroom but that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be used.  If I were to use blogs in my classroom I would use it as a way for the students to express their options freely.  I wouldn't say that blogs are a waste of students' time.  I think I would consider blogs something students do in their free time, to discuss and share with others about what happened in school that day or a topic that made them start thinking.  Blogs are not what I am used to in the classroom though, as an assignment.

 What are some ways that you could use he technology ideas in Chapter 6 to support your curriculum and student learners?

   I honestly don't know enough about the technology ideas in Chapter 6 to use them in my classroom. For me to use it in my classroom I would have to be 100% confident with the technology.  I am not confident with anything other than basic computer technologies.  I am learning and my goal is to be more familiar with other technologies so that I can use them in my classroom but right now I am far from that. 

Introduction

Hello! My name is Elizabeth Linkous! I am 22 years old and currently a Senior at Texas A&M University at Commerce. I am a Theatre major getting my Teaching Certification.  I love watching and playing sports. Volleyball is my favorite sport to play and Football is my favorite to watch! I have a wonderful family that supports me! I live with my mom and her partner and they are two of the best people I know! I grew up in Princeton WV. I am dating Chris Smith, who makes my life worth living! <3 We are in a long distance relationship right now and it is really tough but he is worth it! I work at the Greenville YMCA as the site Director for the after school program.

Elizabeth Linkous