Module+2+Week+3+Reflection


 * Description**: This week I began laying out the framework for the posters for my basketball players. I also coached the girls' team earlier this year and the boys are actually jealous with all of the posters the girls had in the gym. So with the little time I have I am attempting to create a posters using PowerPoint and my Sketchbook Pro Software Programs to create snapshots of the guys. I am taking a digital photograph of each player in different poses and I am creating a background that will be uniform for everyone. Although I am finishing the task in the coming week it should be nice because we are playing so many road games currently so it will be nice to have a chance to have our home floor decorated. I also used PowerPoint to display my curriculum, which is typically the norm. I use a great deal of direct instruction in my classroom and PowerPoint really is a nice alternative to providing information to my students. I also was able to use my Mimio software to create a map of the United States and my students were able to help fill in the missing information. My students abilities when it comes to identifying geographic locations on a map is sad, very sad.


 * Impact:** Originally, I had no intentions of making posters for the boys basketball team because I really thought they did not want them. However, I think this will be great for their moral. It seems like they really felt left out, like they were not as important as the girls team. So hopefully this will be a fun little side project that they can talk about and laugh about. I recently purchased some new software that allows me to have up to 300 different backgrounds for PowerPoint which will make my presentations even more eye catching. I like to insert bizarre little pictures in my presentation to keep the students interested and I think more backgrounds and an ever increasing animation scheme makes a real difference for my students. Lastly, I have the old wall maps in my classroom, but the Mimio Software makes it so easy to create, find, and write on. I can have my students get involved and still learn something in the process.


 * Intent:** My intent is continue getting my students involved. I like to guide instruction with technology but as I progress I am looking at adding student led assignments using the technology we have in the classroom to guide them in their learning. Although we have some great tools for teachers to lead the large amounts for all my students to use is very much a limitation at this time. I will have to use some of the web technologies available and Microsoft Office and maybe Google Docs to create the assignments I desire from the students. Hopefully they will enjoy these technologies and enjoy a chance to do something different in the classroom.