Blog Journal 10

• My Personal Learning Network has grown a lot since the beginning of the semester. At first, I mainly used Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, but now I use them more effectively by following teachers and pages that share helpful classroom tips and lesson ideas. I also started using Reddit to connect with other educators and share experiences, which has added more people to my PLN. For spaces, I have become more comfortable using Padlet and other online tools to organize and share resources. The tools I use have expanded too, and I now know how to search properly when I need help or inspiration. Overall, my PLN has become stronger and much more organized, giving me more ways to learn from and connect with other teachers.

• As a future third-grade teacher, I can see myself using data collection tools to better understand what my students need, especially in math. For example, I could use Qualtrics to create simple surveys that ask students how confident they feel about a topic or which problems they found the hardest. This would help me see patterns in their answers and decide what to review. I could also use word clouds to collect student reflections, where the bigger words show common struggles or ideas. These tools would make it easier for me to track learning trends, adjust my lessons, and make sure every student gets the support they need.

• A technology skill I would like to learn next is how to use Excel. I want to be comfortable with creating charts, organizing data, and using basic formulas. My SMART goal is that by the end of next month, I will learn the basics of Excel by completing at least three beginner tutorials and practicing by creating a sample spreadsheet for class or personal use. To accomplish this, I will set aside a little time to watch videos, practice the tools, and ask for help if I get stuck. Learning Excel will help me stay organized and complete my Microsoft skills.

Blog Journal 9

 • During K–12, I had some experience with distance learning, especially during and after COVID-19. We used online programs like i-Ready, Google Classroom, and Zoom for lessons and assignments. Most of my work was turned in online, and deadlines were usually 11:59 p.m. instead of handing things in during class. I thought tools like Google Classroom were helpful for keeping everything organized, but sitting at a screen all day made it hard to stay focused. I haven’t used newer virtual classroom tools like Nearpod or interactive simulations yet, but I’d like to try them because they seem more engaging and could make online learning feel more active and less repetitive.

• Open Educational Resources, or OER, are free materials that teachers and students can use for learning, teaching, and sharing knowledge. These can include lesson plans, videos, textbooks, worksheets, and even full online courses. I found an article from the University of Maryland Global Campus that explains how OER helps make education more affordable and accessible for everyone by letting teachers adapt and share materials freely. The post also talks about how using OER encourages creativity in the classroom because teachers can edit and mix resources to fit their students’ needs. I think OER is a great idea because it gives everyone a chance to learn without worrying about cost or access. https://libguides.umgc.edu/oer

• After working on Assignment 4: PowerPoint for Information Dissemination, I now learned a lot about PowerPoint and got extremely comfortable to use it for teaching in the future. I learned how to use teacher related templates, add animations, make a new slide and handout in slide master, add my voice recording to my presentation, and so much more. I enjoyed learning these new tools in PowerPoint, however trying to follow along the quick in class instruction was a bit challenging, but I figured it out in the end. Next time, I want to choose a theme that is more cohesive with the lesson. 

Classroom with Bitmoji