MSUB IT Week 5

I'm disappointed in myself. I didn't give this last project my full attention. Just like in a real classroom, as a virtual group, we faced the usual challenges -- trying to get together, being too democratic rather than decisive in setting a direction and making assignments for work. As usual, we all whined to each other about lack of time. We should have just sat down and made decisions. Every group needs a leader and no one ever stepped forward. I got bogged down when I became frustrated with the MSUB email system and my inability to access this, and let it completely derail me. I should have re-focused sooner. I started the Powerpoint and our "Chat" document, and checked on it a couple of times, but not much progress was made until the last minute. All of this is just like a group meeting in a physical classroom. The technology didn't fail us, we failed to take advantage of the technology. Also, I got frustrated with working in Google docs -- it is good enough to deliver the basics, but frustrating when you want to do more. Couldn't figure out how to upload a video from my desktop to the PP, so I had to link to it on Youtube, which I don't like. Not as clean and, with students, who knows what will show up on the "tease" videos down the right hand side. Used Google images to search for graphics/photos for 1-1 in use; regardless of the search terms I entered, I got computer labs and other desktop PCs, not wireless laptops, which is what 1-1 is all about. I should have taken photos of my class, and others in the school, before I left China, to show examples. Totally didn't think of it. As a group, we did okay, but didn't do our best work.

MSUB Week 4

This project was relatively easy and gave me an opportunity to use PowerPoint in Microsoft Office 2011 for the first time. Vast improvements! Easier to use, create bullet points/numbered lists, and most importantly, format backgrounds and add video. I have a lot to learn, and some of the things I used to do with formatting text aren't the same, or I haven't figured them out yet. Overall, I really like it, something I don't often say about Microsoft upgrades.

Our project was fun to do, and helped me focus on the transition to teaching more often with shorter PowerPoints and projects/assignments related to those topics. I think the graphics and fewer words help our ESL students. Now, time to go catch a plane for Montana!