Podcasting and Vodcasting

My definition of podcasting is an audio file that can be downloaded and listened to by different people through the web. I think the difference between podcasting and vodcasting is that podcasting involves audio files while vodcasting incorporates images or videos. In my math classes I feel that podcasting would not be as beneficial as vodcasting. Many of the concepts taught in math would be difficult to learn through audio only. I think that vodcasting would help students if I was explaining concepts while demonstrating them visually. I would like to eventually incorportate vodcasts into my classroom website. One thing that I not completely sure of is whether there is a difference between video files and vodcasts.

Web Safety in the 21st Century Classroom

Students in the high school grade level are very proficient in technology. Many students at this level even surpass the abilities of their teachers. At this level students should have advanced keyboarding skills be able to use to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. They should also know how to use the internet to conduct research and communicate with teachers and classmates through email.

I require students in my classroom to log on to Schoolloop to check emails and look at the daily agendas and homework assignments. When students are absent from class they are required to look on my classroom website to see the smartboard lesson that was taught in a PDF form. When a student loses a homework worksheet or classroom handout they are also required to download and print the pages they have lost. Students in my class also have the ability to view the classroom textbook through the textbook website. Many students take advantage of this while they are on vacation or at a friends house and without their book.

In the high school level students should conduct appropriate behavior while on the internet. They should maintain personal safety by keeping thier usernames and passwords private and by not giving out personal information to strangers. Students should download only appropriate information and adhere to all copyright laws. Students should also treat all school property with care and respect.

At this level parents should be aware of what their students are doing on the computer and internet and ensure that they are conducting themselves appropriately. Parents should be aware of the internet sites that their students are visiting and be aware of the television programs they are viewing.

I am hoping to use videos such as the one above to provide additional support for students who were absent from class or for students who need re-teaching while at home. My plan is to post different videos on difficult topics that I generally see students struggling with. I currently post my smartboard lessons on my schoolloop website but I think it would beneficial for some of my students to have videos to watch at home as well.

My Path to Teaching

I am a math teacher at a small charter school in northern California. I feel very fortunate to have started my teaching career at such a wonderful school. I work with excellent teachers who are all masters of their trade and I teach students who are truly motivated to learn. It is currently my third year teaching and I am in the process of becoming a tenured teacher.

In 2007 I graduated from Chico State after completing my degree. I was still unsure of what the immediate future had in store for me. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher but I didn't know how I was going to get there. As many recent graduates do, I moved back in with my parents. I have heard my generation is called the "bomerang" generation because we come back home after college. I was working at a local restaurant while a woman started talking to me about becoming an intern teacher through the county. A week after this discussion I was enrolled in a credential program and got hired to teach high school algebra and geometry. I would starting my first day of school a week later at the ripe age of 22.

The first year of teaching was the most difficult. I was trying to juggle teaching full time and attending school at night to complete my credential. Throughout the year I learned many new strategies and techniques to become a better teacher. The dynamics of classroom procedures and routines definitely took some time to master, but eventually the management of my classroom improved.

Throughout my time as a teacher and while learning from other teachers I have discovered a lot about student learning what works well for different students. As a math teacher, I feel it is very important for students to conceptually understand the material we are learning. This helps give students a basis for the content and standards I am teaching. I try to appeal to a variety of learning styles while differentiating my strategies to keep students engaged through a two hour block schedule.

As a teacher, I believe that it is extremely important to continue to learn. This will help me to give my students the best opportunities and advantages to learning in my classroom.