ICT in Education Course Overview

I thoroughly enjoyed this class and the instruction from it.  Mike was a fantastic instructor who got us all involved and allowed us to have fun while learning, which it what it's all about.  I learned tons about educational internet sites, making a website, apps on the internet, apps for apple and android, blogging and using smart-boards just to name some of the neat stuff most of us didn't know about headed in.

In regards to myself moving forward I plan on using technology in my future lessons.  This course showed me so much that is out on the web that I have not heard of whatsoever.  I can't describe all the cool stuff I learned in one post but i'll go through some highlights.  I really enjoyed using weebly the website creator.  It was so easy to use and I had never made a website before so that was extremely beneficial.  I made both an eportfolio and potential classroom webpage off of weebly.  The eportfolio is going to be great when looking for jobs going forward.  I just hope more principals look at them.  I also hope to use a classroom webpage if I do indeed get that full time teaching job.  The final project we did I also had a good time doing.  My group conducted a podcast.  I enjoy listening to different sports podcasts but never have had made one.  It was pretty general and was focussed on making podcasts and what they could be useful for.  We used audacity to record our presentation.  We had to battle through a bit of a learning curve but produced a pretty solid 13 minute podcast.  Going forward I would like to figure out that program a bit more or use apple's garageband since I own a macbook.  There were also some presentation websites we used like prezi and haiku-deck which are like online power points.  We learned about different apps not only from Mike but other students final group presentations.  I learned about this app called team shake which splits up teams by entering names and shaking the device.  I want to be a physical education teacher so this along with some other useful apps with be useful.  Finally I learned about phonto and keynote which I downloaded and have played around with.  Phonto is for adding caption to pictures where keynote is a useful app for recording notes by voice, type or picture.  It can be helpful in class and to do day to day tasks.

There is one big section we talked about that I want to know well that I didn't get much of a chance to use first hand.  Smartboards are extremely helpful in today's classroom and can help keep students motivated.  One of the groups presented some general activities you can do to help kids learn on the smartboard and I was intrigued.  I plan to take some professional development to better my knowledge and learn some new techniques regarding smartboards.  They are cool and in many of today's classrooms.

Social Media in Sports

Hey there,

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram make it easy to get into the life of a professional athlete.  Twitter especially is a tool used as a link from athlete to fan.  Usually it is used in a correct manner but it can also lead to some controversy.  As we know once it is out there it can be up for debate.  Some athletes go overboard with posts that can lead to fines and even suspensions.  Many of this relates to what happened in game because of a poor call, fight, slur, etc.  But this aside it's cool that a fan can check out for these athletes do on day to day basis.  It is good to connect also with teams, sports stations, community sport groups and clubs.  It is a powerful tool for any type of sports team, athlete or fan to voice their opinions and updates.  I use it to talk about how some of my teams are doing, updates on games and for fantasy leagues.  Twitter is a useful thing for everyone but has grow rapidly in the sporting world.

Thanks for stopping by, Rod.

Powerpoint, Is it the new overhead projector?

Welcome back.

Before I left to student teach in Portage we as an ICT class went over the common errors or misuses of powerpoint.  I find powerpoint to be useful in presentations to my fellow classmates or students.  I found out that there are many things that I need to avoid when developing a engaging powerpoint presentation.  Things like: paragraph use, the overuse of; bullets, animations, images, sounds, over informing using too many slides, poor colour scheme and so on.  It can make what you the presenter feels to be a well developed presentation into a lackluster one.

Tips to a good powerpoint or Apple's version called; Keynote are as follows:

1. Write a script beforehand.

2. Use one thing at a time.

3. Don't use paragraphs.

4. Good design.

5. Use images only when needed.

6. Ask Questions.

These are just a few things to think about when you want to make an engaging presentation.  You want keep the audience focused and lively in your presentation.  Hopefully using these tips and avoiding some of the errors you will have a successful presentation.  

Fun, Cool, Unique and Very Useful Apps

Hello and welcome,

I'm an Apple guy; I have a Macbook and an iPhone.  Both of which I use quite often.  I have many useful apps for each but always strive to gain more useful ones.  I find that I use a variety of apps I'm interested in for sports, social media and music.  Since being in ICT for education Mike Nantais and other guest speakers have introduced me to many useful apps for picture editing, notes and other interesting educational ones.  The iPad, which I do not own also opens up countless possibilities for educational apps.  This includes games, presentation types, music, etc.  I hope to get an iPad in the future and further explore some productive apps and build a strong technological future in education.

Technology seen at Portage Collegiate Institute

Over the last 5 weeks I student taught at Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.  I found it to be a productive and enjoyable experience as I was back in my hometown, at my old school, with familiar teachers and new students.  The familiarity was awesome to have but there have been some changes not only physically but technological wise to the high school since I graduated in 2010.  

I was with two of my former physical education teachers.  The department of physical education got a grant to purchase iPad's for the staff not long ago.  They use them for mark books, attendance, music and personal use so that is nice to see the staff getting a useful device.  The football field had just build a score booth that was made by BCT students and staff from the school which is awesome.  It features their score clock and they have plans to hook up sound in the near future as well.  Both gymnasiums have new $6000 sounds systems that are top of the line.  They are locked up but feature an auxiliary cord to plug in MP3's or phones for use.  From my standpoint I didn't really see anything else that stood out.  The computer labs featured updated computers but were in the same spot.  I saw newer projectors but was surprised of the lack of smart boards.  Going forward I think PCI is at or past where other schools are technology wise and it will be interesting to see what is next for the school.

Until next week, I'm back and I'm Rod.

Using Music Technology in Phys Ed

In today's technological world students younger than ever have music with them on the go.  Music is such an intriguingly mobile thing because most mobile phones include a music/mp3 option.  In physical education there is a push not only by students but other staff and often parents to allow students free use of music in physical activity.  I myself have no problem letting a student listen to music in any class for that matter as long as they stay on task and work is completed.  In my warmup's to lessons in the gym I will definitely be using a music influence and the lessons themselves for that matter once it gets established.  Apps like Songza help for choosing playlists that fit a classes wants or needs.  I figure the days of playing what the teacher likes are over and I will adjust to the needs of the students.  It may be easier for me than others because I am still young and may have the same interest in music as the students in for example high school have today.  As long as the music is used correctly and if out loud free from inappropriate lyrics I find music to be a useful tool especially in phys ed moving forward.

Social Media's Influence on Education Today

Hello and Welcome,

Social Media, how important is it?  Personally I use social media in my everyday life with my favourites being twitter, facebook and instagram in that order.  I believe there are many more positives than negatives with social media but in that regard it is important to remain cautious.  Everything that you do put out onto the internet is now out there and open to public and opinion be it positive or negative can and will be formed.  So with that said I have become aware and careful for what I post whether it be a comment, status or picture.  My professors have been good in letting us know what an employer works for and I plan to pay it forward and warn students of what they put out there without discouraging them to use the sites and apps.

In the classroom I don't feel I will be using more than a website in day to day lessons but obviously I'm open to change.  I may set up links to media sites like facebook for educational games and an ever growing educational aide seems to be pintrest.  I think as I get into student teaching and my career pintrest will be a very helpful tool for lesson planning.  To close I like and will continue to always use social media.  It has been the largest growing connection to the world and helps link all students, teachers and other educational contributors.  

How a website is Beneficial in a Teaching Career

Thanks for stopping by,

In today's technological world everyone in some capacity is connected.  We all have our favourite websites we like to visit whether it is for business or pleasure.  Having and making your own personal website is very easy and inexpensive.  I found out personally lately how easy it is and I look forward to implementing a website into my classroom.  

A website can be a multitasking tool.  I would use it to present my personal background, education, interests, course guide, curriculum, expectations, grades and many other things to help myself, students, staff and parents.  It can also be used as a tool for an online portfolio.  This is key because it is the easiest way for an employer to look at your history and that is beneficial for both sides.  I don't know a lot about having your own website at the moment but I want to continue to learn more and plan to use one in my future career.  

Until next time I'm Rod McLeod.

Using Skills acquired from a Conference

Hello there and welcome.

I have just got back to Brandon from a very unique and absolutely fulfilling expierence at the PHE Canada student leadership conference around Ottawa, Ontario.  I learned so much, met some amazing people and got information that is going to help my career moving forward.  This camps aim was leadership and I want to touch briefly on some mentors and a specific touchstone who use technology in their classroom and has seemed to engage and benefit students using it.

I had two specific mentors and I got the best of both worlds in this regard.  Jacki Nylen the PHE President has been through the trenches and taught 37 years in Manitoba.  The other was a younger fellow by the name of Justin Oliver from Nova Scotia and he is starting his 6th year and he is whom I want to speak about.  Justin finds that using modern methods and involving some type of technology engages todays student.  In his pe classes he uses music technology and smartboard to help get students heads in gear.  Dance class can flow easier using itunes and newer, up to date music.  The smartboard can get students involved in discussions of health related topics.

The touchstone speaker was an older gentlemen by the name of Colin.  He comes with a wealth of experience and engaged all of us from the beginning not only with his knowledge in physical education but in technology.  He said and I quote "If you spent 15 mins a day and work with the new technology you will always be up to speed and will never fall behind."  He was a very interesting and tech savvy individual.  His background is very in depth and at one point was one of the most knowledgable in the world in the paraolympic wheel chair racing.  He is newly retired and taught 35 years at Memorial University in Newfoundland.  He had came there from the UK on a 2 year term and ended up making it his home.  He has taken many risks over the years and has gotten involved in many projects with no regrets.  His presentation and in talking to him personally was truly amazing.  A very smart and fun loving man with a heart of gold and a mind geared around new technology.

What a Summer 2013 was!

Hello folks and welcome to my first blog.

Like most of us I am excited to be starting a new year of school and even that more excited to be entering a new program that being education.  Before this gets going I'd like to share and review some of my highlights from the summer.

Let's start off from the beginning.  I got a full-time position when I finished my phys ed degree as a route sales rep delivering chips for Frito Lay Canada.  Now what I like to say is I slinged chippies out to the open market for people taking summer holidays.  I was all over western Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.  I spent a lot of time living my weeks out of a hotel and my weekends consisted of social events all over from Portage, Brandon, Clear Lake, Winnnipeg and Morden.  Although I didn't travel far I still had one of the most memorable summers of my young life.

My Top Five Highlights:

Two weddings one in Brandon and one just outside Portage at Delta Beach
Two Slo-pitch tourney's May long in Treherne and Morden
Senior Baseball for the Portage Padres winning our first playoff series in our 3 year history
Every Weekend at Clear Lake
Country Fest

I'm not going to get in too much detail on those events, just let it be known it was all memorable.

Anyways, Until Next Time, I'm Rod and this is my blog.