Friday's class was... interesting. I came in a little late, but was able to catch up to what the class was doing within about five minutes. While weebly is a neat site, I can not realistically see myself using it. When I get a job, it will be because I was recommended for it by UM, or because my colleagues told me about an opening. I'll be hired because of my interview and resume, bot because of weebly. Also, I don't feel all that comfortable putting up information for or about my class on a site that anyone can see.
I found Jeff's lecture very interesting. As a language major, I was very hyped about deciphering the coded message. That was all about students being exposed to something new and not knowing quite how to deal with it. However, my partner Jack and I didn't have much trouble with it once we realized that the message wasn't written in a strange font, but was actually more of a picture message.
The guest lecture by the math teacher was innovative. I had never thought of using Angry Birds in classroom, but it was an ingenious application. I don't think I could use that sort of teaching tool in my future Latin classroom, but it's nice to think about.
I also found the decoding project very interesting. I looked at it from a mathematics perspective and related it to ways in which one might decode a mathematical proof or problem. It's interesting to think how all disciplines have their own languages that students need to learn to decode. I agree that the Angry Birds application was very interesting and novel. Do you know of any other popular games that might be able to relate specifically to your content area? How might you develop a lesson around one of those games?
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean when you question using weebly to post things for class or for an employer; however, I wonder what you think about the possibilities this website offers if you ever consider something like opening your own business? I know we are all training to be teachers, but the possibility still remains that we might do something in addition to teaching (for example, I always wanted to open my own coffee shop). I could see weebly being useful for developing an online presence for a small-scale business. Even if you do not use weebly for class or for a personal profile, do you think you could ever use it for other applications?
Hi, Dylan. You missed the start of today's class when I talked a bit about Weebly and the negative feedback from folks like you.
ReplyDeleteWhile we are delighted that you feel your UM recommendation will be what gets you a job, I would urge you to think again about overreeliance on this. (Just look at the competition within MAC for jobs in your teachable major and minor!)
I remember how quickly you caught up when you got to class. Just remember that class is more than demonstration, so while you caught up on the steps, there is other content being covered at the time.
Of course, issues of privacy are yours to decide, and you always have the right to disagree with us. I wonder if you missed the part of class when I mentioned how web portfolios can make the difference when administrators are deciding between two novice teachers. It was only a few years ago that I was job-hunting in K-12, and online portfolios mattered even "back then." I will never bring a tool to class that I don't feel enhances you as a professional or holds the possibility to enhance the kinds of learning your students engage in.
I hope that clarifies things from my point of view.
I actually think I will keep my Weebly, but of course upgrade to a paid site when it comes time for job hunting. I'll put the URL on my resume and principals can look at my site or not, whatever. Maybe they'll be curious and check it out. If they do, I want it to look good. People are easily influenced by visuals - if I let them click around on my site and see examples of my work, they might choose to call me in for an interview over someone with similar qualifications but no website. I'm sure I sound like a jerk, but it's about marketing ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI don't disagree with you Asha. However, there aren't a lot of Latin teachers out there and we're fairly well known for having our faces buried in books not in computers. While I understand that in a year's time I will basically become a product for sale, I do truly believe that my undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Michigan will be a bit more influential than Weebly.
DeleteHi Dylan! I completely understand why you are apprehensive about Weebly. I think, in general, people are posting WAY too much personal information on the web. I do, however, believe that an online portfolio is a good idea. It is a way for possible employers to see your teaching in action and I believe that it could make one applicant stand out over another. Its all about comfort level though and I don't think anyone can fault you for deciding not to share something with the world.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the coding activity, too. I found it very interesting that everyone was able to relate the activity back to their own subject. For students seeing any material for the first time, it is going to look like a foreign language. We will hopefully be well equipped to help them navigate the material with little stress and confusion.