8. How does your current skill set compare to the NETS for teachers?

I believe that I know my subject matter very well; however there is always new stuff to learn. When teaching my students I try and show my students the passion I have for what I am teaching them. I always try and relate what we are doing to real life, and to things that interest my students. I am having my students to assignments using their active video games (wii systems). I have provided my students with websites to help them track and analyze their food intake as well as their physical activity. I am starting to have my classes create blogs for extra credit. I am trying to incorporate as much technology as I can into my class. My students seem to be more engaged and interested when I do include some type of technology into the lesson.

Resources

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx

9. What does research say about using Interactive Whiteboards? What are the pros and cons? Would you want to have one in your classroom?

Pros

Ecological way to teach

Peaks kids interests, keeps students focused

Students respond well to it

Accommodates different learning styles

Can be adapted for different age groups

Accommodates students with limited motor skills

Interactive

User friendly

Lessons are more organized

Cons

Teacher Centered

Not ecological to produce or use

Can get tedious if used all the time, no research showing if students will lose interest over a period of time

No research on student’s long term learning with the board

Setup, too many wires, too much time

Not Mac friendly

Problems with frequent recalibrations of the system

If bumped the accuracy falters and is inaccurate

Shadow interference

Located in the front of the room

I personally would not have one in my classroom. That is because I teach P.E. and do not have a classroom. However, I do have access to one in our Education Center.

Resources

http://www.qualitytime-esl.com/spip.php?article184

http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Electronic_Whiteboards

Educational Games

Tennis Games

Puzzle Maker

Voki

Go Green

Blogging for School

It would be amazing to have my P.E. students blog a few times a week about the physical activity they are doing to stay fit. My students can talk about nutrition, and what exercises or activities they prefer to do for a workout. This would be similar to a workout/nutrition journal. This would be something my students would have to do at home as homework since we do not have access to computers in P.E.