Google Groups

This particular assignment was on creating a group in which students can discuss and post information. I thought it was quite neat because you could choose who you wanted to allow into your group and who you did not. Also, you can moderate the chats and limit basically whatever you would like. The people that were in the groups had to post five websites that would be helpful to teachers. I think that this is a great idea because you can always add or take away various opinions, websites, or materials. Also when we get into the teaching field, we can go back and look at these websites to help us with teaching. Since each person added five websites, there are numerous ones to choose from to use in the classroom. Also we had to post a question for the other students to answer and that helped inform me of all the topics throughout the chapter. Once you finished posting the answers to the other students’ questions, we had a better overall understanding. I think that the Google groups can be a very successful tool in the work place if used correctly. You can communicate with others effectively and conduct meetings, conferences, etc. People from different areas can log on and share information with each other. The NETS that best follows this lesson is standard number two, which is communication and collaboration. It fits this standard because as future teachers we are working together to promote better classroom planning. We are giving information that helps make subject material easier for the students to understand.

To see my group click here

Web Tools I.e. Rubrics, Tests, and Websites

During the process of the assignment, I learned a great deal about rubrics. I always remembered receiving them in school but never was quite sure why we got them. It really cleared up many questions as to why we do things. The website that we used in class to make the rubric was extremely helpful and easy to use. I have already recommended it to many fellow teachers to use when making their lesson plans. The website that we used to make the tests was my favorite! You can make various types of tests for students such as true/false, multiple choice, etc. I liked this option because it puts the tests into many different kinds of formats that can be incredibly resourceful for teachers. I know that I will definitely use it when I start teaching and begin giving tests to my students. The last part of the project was “track star” and this was used to give students resources (websites) to do projects with and teacher approved. The teacher can assign work using this tool and feel completely comfortable in knowing that the websites are appropriate. Parents are also reassured because they can access the websites as well and know what their children are viewing. The standard that the web tools assigned went along with the most was standard 3 which states “Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society”. It goes with this standard the best because it is enhancing the teachers’ skills in our digital society.

To see my rubric click here
To see my tests click here
To see my Websites click here

Intro to My Life

Hi There!
My name is Kaycee King and I am a student at the University of Southern Mississippi. In May 2010, I transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where I received my associates degree. I am enrolled in the Elementary Education program and plan on teaching anywhere from K-6th grade. I am very excited to be in education classes and learning more about becoming a teacher. I am at that half way point and now I am basically reading to be a teacher. I just need that extra training, which is why you have to go to school for so long. I have had very little experience in the classroom but at the same time very excited to get to that point. I have tried to put myself in various school settings to familiarize myself with what to expect in the classroom. I have worked in a school for three years and that is where I decided that teaching is what I want to do. I have also interned for an organization called TeachUp! where I was trained to help incorporate technology into the classroom. I have also taught numerous classes at my church with children of all ages. So, like I said, I have had some experiences as far as teaching goes but still have a long way to go. As I learn more about teaching, I will post it throughout this blog. I hope to learn as much as possible, in hopes that I will be a successful teacher and make an impact on my students, no matter how big or small. An impact is still an impact and students never forget those teachers who make the difference!