GAETI2015: DAY 20

It's been a great ride this summer at the GAETI 2015 Institute.  All month long we have been busy learning innovative ways to educate and keep our students engaged by incorporating technology into the classroom.  We learned about google docs, skype, blogging, making computer games, developing our own web page through weebly, and so much more.   We were also equipped with valuable resources such as free sites, free books, and information that we can utilize to become better teachers.  My take away from this institute is the same as when I first started.  I simply want to fain the skills I need to be the best teacher I can be for my students.  As a new teacher, I plan to hit the ground running this upcoming semester.  I want to be great at reaching and teaching all of my students.  This institute was fantastic!  I would highly recommend it to others who are interested in moving in a new instructional direction.

 

GAETI 2015: DAY 18

We covered a lot of information in a small amount of time. I don't know if I can even remember it all. We moved through canvas, weebly, and back to canvas again. Hopefully I can retain this wealth of knowledge that we have been introduced to. I really lost track when we were working in weebly trying to make our canvas page for  our own particular class. Nevertheless, I did complete my art project today, and I was satisfied with the outcome of my project. After we complete this institute I will take it and have it framed.

GAETI 2015: DAY 17

Wow. The days have gone by so fast. We only have a few days left. I am excited and sad at the same time. We started off the day completing the Flat Stanly video.  I was so glad to get that over with.  We were able to go to art today, and we've almost finished our projects. Many of us are only waiting on our glass to be "fired". Once that's done we will be done. Finally we got a chance to work on our lesson plans. We were really over thinking the entire process. Once we got the hang of it, it wasn't to bad. I am learning to use technology better. I am saving things to my jump drive and my google account. I like working with the google programs, because they save all of your work for you!

GAETI 2015: DAY 16

Today was a good day. I actually got a chance to work on writing a lesson plan. It is a lot of information to process, but I think the end result will be well worth it.  We also got a chance to do a Flat Stanley task that took us all around campus, making a video of various places that Stanley had visited. I didn't particularly like this assignment, but I pressed forward in the heat and did my due diligence. We also finished up our training on Camstasia. Its been a long, but eventful day. I look forward to tomorrow.

GAETI 2015: DAY 15

We started off this morning with a very interesting training from the Department of Treasury.  The Dept. of Treasury offers lots of FREE stuff to teachers.  We found how money was made at the mint, as well as how money is shredded when it is in poor condition. We were also informed that Harriet Tubman will likely be placed on our paper currency soon.  We received lots of goodies and websites that offer lesson plans and activities that we can utilize in our classroom. We then had training on constructing a presentation in PREZI. After lunch we attended the best class of the day which was ART.  GO Mrs. Latham!! We learned how to cut glass and how to grind it into the shapes that we need for our final art masterpiece.  # GO BULLDOGS!

GAETI 2015: DAY 14

Again we started off learning about useful technology that we can utilize in our classroom. We continued to work in canvas by building a web quest lesson for our students to use. We also found out various things that we can do with an I(pad in our classroom. The Ipad allows students to use technology and be involved in the daily lessons. The Ipad can also be utilized with our struggling learners by allowing them to work independently on whatever lesson(s) that they are struggling with.  We followed up by attending art and continuing to work on our art projects that will be matted and framed to hand in our classroom for the 2015-2016 school year.

GAETI 2015: DAY 13

The day started out we continued to learn about the numerous things you  could do with the web, including setting up PowerPoint presentations and adding our voice to the presentations.  We then took a wonderful tour of the TK Martin Center on campus.  We learned all about the wonderful things that the employees there do to help children and adults with special needs.  They work hand in hand with the Department of Rehabilitation Services.  The TK Martin center allows individuals to test products before they actually invest in them, as well as apply programs to Ipads, computers, etc. that are catered to help people who have cognitive, and or physical disabilities.  The tour was very interesting, and the lively decoration throughout the center was amazing! We returned after lunch to continue working on our art projects, we wrapped up the day by developing a WebQuest assignment.

GAETI 2015 DAY 12

What a wonderful day at the GAETI 2015 institute.  Today we received a set of Logitech h390 headphones and microphone to record ourselves if we would like to verbally give instructions via blackboard or canvas to our students. We followed with a presentation from one of the librarians on campus regarding copy write laws. It was informative.  We then traveled to the art room with Mrs. Latham (yippee!), where we continued to work on our art projects. We ended the day focusing on the canvas tool. 

GAETI 2015: DAY 11

Today was very informative. We focused on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and 1:1 (each student with their own device).  We touched on the pros and cons of allowing students to bring their own electronic device such as a laptop, cell phone, and or Ipad.  Each student needs to be digitally and technology literate.  In the afternoon we went to our ART class and worked on our projects.  We followed up with an informative session  that focused on implementing 1:1 and BYOD in your district.  The Madison school district has done an excellent job at providing all students with devices.

GAETI DAY 9

Today moved much faster than the day prior. We started off with a full tutorial of all the various ways that we could use our google accounts.  I found her presentation regarding LIVE BINDERS, to be very helpful, and I will likely use it this upcoming school year. After lunch, we had FUN with Dr. Latham making art projects. We wrapped up our day working on our mini lesson plans.

GAETI 2015: DAY 8

Finally, we had an ART DAY today to show our creative side. That was the highlight of the day. We also continued in the afternoon making board games for our students. Earlier this morning we learned about an immediate feedback assessment technique for team based learning. Its been a long day!

DAY 7 GAET I2015

Whew. The time was moving along today. We initially started off with an overview of objectives and a little housekeeping. We then covered how students learn and reviewed lesson plans. We learned how to make computer games and had a show and tell by Mr. Adam (a fellow teacher). We then leaned about Bubbl.us. I can see myself using bubbl.us and the kahoot games that another fellow teacher introduced us to.

GAETI 2015 DAY 6

Wow. Today was GREAT! We initially started off with some information heavy material focusing on standards and lesson plan writing. We touched on DOK levels and Bloom's Verb list for writing educational objectives. After our lunch break, we returned to an afternoon filled with FUN.  The Mississsippi Department of Transportation gave a overview of resources that they offer to educators to implement fun mathematical and science lessons for elementary and secondary schools.  The curriculum is aligned with the Mississippi standards and is totally FREE!!! We had a hands on training, that evolved around math and engineering concepts.  We designed and built  bridges from a light weight wood, and competed to see whose bridge was the strongest design. Guess what? I won!! My bridge held 7- 12 oz bottles of water.  We had a fantastic day at GAETI. Go bulldogs

GAETI2015: DAY 5

Well today we started off with an introduction to 21st Century Learning with Dr. Bracey.  We focused on soft and hard skills, and the impact of technology.  We departed for lunch and when we returned we learned a lot of valuable information about securing educational resources for your class via grant writing and or simple proposals.  Our trainer has secured Ipads, laptops, and magazine subscriptions for her students. Next, Demarco Fomby of the department of transportation gave us a very entertaining presentation about hiway safety and how children and teens think and how alcohol and drugs impair thinking. Overall, it was a very informative day.

GAETI2015: DAY3

Today was fun and full of adventure.  We started off with an great training from MDE personnel regarding lesson plans and the Mississippi CCSS standards.  We followed up by using GPS devices and going on a scavenger hunt using various coordinates tagged to different sites on the MSU campus. It was really fun. Next, we were able to get training regarding finding free game sites, using puzzle makers, etc.  It was a very long day, but the valuable information gained was terrific. Looking forward to tomorrow where will will go on a field trip to Ackerman, Ms to the mines!

GAETI 2015: Day2

Today was very busy. We started off with a review of todays activities. When then moved our classroom to Mitchell Memorial Library to receive in-depth training on Google Earth from Rob McDougald.  It was extremely interesting all of the stuff that you could do via Google Earth! Afterwards, we had the privilege of  viewing the Kinsey Collection at the John Grisham Room at the Library. There was numerous artwork, rare artifacts and important documents that tell part of the untold story of African American achievements. We followed up with a fun outdoor activity that gave us a hands on activity to see how the earth rotates on its axis and how it moves around the sun.  We broke for lunch and returned in high gear to gain some knowledge on Geography and Science. We performed an task that involved us building a timeline in feet/inches from the present to the origin of earth! Needless to say the timeline was very long and we constructed it with receipt roll paper. This would be an interesting activity to incorporate into the classroom.  Next, we were privy to a wonderful power point presentation regarding the Civil Rights Movement. Afterwards we moved back into the computer lab and learned more about maps, geography, charts and data. We also received some goodies which included a inflatable globe and an atlas, which most classroom rarely have nowadays. Great day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 1: Getting Started! GAETI ..Introductions and Tours

GAETI 2015 kicks off in high gear! We were welcomed with open arms to Mississippi State University's ( home of the Bulldogs) IED building by Dr. Bracey and staff. Everyone introduced themselves and we embarked on our learning adventure. We took a beautiful campus tour, reviewed the CCSS standards and ISTE standards.  MSU's Librarian introduced us to the MAGNOLIA Database and showed us all the various ways that MAGNOLIA can be utilized.  We also developed gmail accounts for those who did not have one, and developed our very own Blog!  As a first year teacher, I look forward to embracing all of the valuable information that GAETI has to offer.