My Access!

I had the honor to work with My Access in class the other day...I must say the program was absolutely awesome and so unique. I really like the fact that the students could see the different errors as far as punctuations and it explains exactly what should be there and why it is placed in the spot. It was very informative and acted as a guide so that students can learn while doing their essays how they can improve their styles of writing...I also found the grading report once the essays are submitted is very informative and allow students to see their weaknesses as well as their strengths...the My Access is a very helpful program not only to students but to teachers as well...not every teacher can be perfect and give each and every student the feedback they deserve this program allows students to get this feedback to help improve their writing skills and make them better essay writers the only downfall with this program that I can possibly think of is that students make take advantage of the tips they provide...and instead of reading and understanding them they may just correct their work without knowing what they did wrong and how it is supposed to be otherwise this program will help the students with future essay writing and I feel this program is really awesome and I will def. try to have this in my classroom or bring it up to my school district!

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is an important aspect of a student's education. Throughout your lifetime you will be judged by the vocabulary you use and it plays an important role in many job interviews...as well as other social events throughout your lifetime. I liked the story a fellow classmate told us about in class the other mentioning that her teacher use to make the students pick two words they didn't know from the New York Times. After words they would review the words the students had picked and would be tested on them later on. Ultimately covering alot of words throughout the school year...this seems like a really good idea and if I would be allowed to do such an activity I would most def. use this teaching technique. This is a great way to allow the students to read something of their choice and use a word they have encountered. Vocabulary is something that can be boring straight from workbooks so this is a lively way to keep students intrigued and learn. Afterall this subject area is a struggle with some children and through a stronger vocabulary we can achieve the success of better readers

Smartboard!

I recently have been introduced to the smartboard in my one teaching class and I must say that I love it...each class period we learn alittle more or something cool you can do with the smartboard and how it can be applied to the classroom! In my old highschool I experienced the smartboard at the end of the senior year and it was only in one classroom fo science. The teacher actually seemed very very excited about it and for one class she introduced it to us and showed us some neat things you are able to do with this piece of technology...I definately hope that when I get a teaching job this is offered to me and I am able to use this in my classroom...I feel like it makes things alittle more interesting and fun rather then just writing on the chalkboard or lecturing from a text...I would def. get my students involved and show them some activities we could do with the smartboard!