CED0555 Week 2

Last week we looked at examples of various portfolios.  It's quite amazing how many different types of portfolios there are.  This week we are starting the creation process of our portfolios.  We are beginning with the vision and mission statements.  Vision statements were defined as the ultimate destination.  It's a description of a desired outcome that helps create a mental picture of the professional target.   The mission statement is defined as how to get there.  What do I want to accomplish within the next 5 or so years and how I plan to do it.  For me the writing the statements is harder than the actual vision.  Here's a link to my vision and mission statement.  My vision is to continue to grow and incorporate technology in my teaching.    I know that my special needs students left and went to high school proficient in some areas, such as PowerPoint and the use of the Internet.  These skills will only benefit them as they move forward.

In addition to the start of our portfolios, we had to start thinking about our project proposal.  I'm not really sure if I'm on the right track with this so I'm hoping for some feedback.  My project proposal is for my students to take a field trip to the Planetarium and a visitor center.  They will do a scavenger hunt in the visitor center and then pick up a brochure on a place they have never been to and/or heard of in Wisconsin.  They will research their location and create an Animoto to teach us about their place and a Wordle describing it.  Then to link the Planetarium they would create a Voicethread on the solar system or the topic from the Planetarium.  This field trip would be taken to support the Science and Social Studies curriculum.  This would be a "project" for my CDB students.

CED0555 Week 1

The first week of a new class.  This class is about making our portfolios for our graduate program.  This brings me back to my portfolio for my undergraduate degree.  LOTS and LOTS of hours and frustration.  It was good when I was done, but...  Portfolios are not my strong suit, but it will get done and as always I'll do my best.  Right now I've been permanently locked out of Angel and since it is the weekend, I'm stuck and I can't do anything.  I'm hoping their back tomorrow, MLK day.  There's one of the challenges when using technology.

This week we are doing some research for our portfolios.  If I remember the assignment correctly we are searching for and looking at other people's online portfolios.  I enjoy learning from other's.  Looking and seeing what they have done or used, and then incorporating some of their ideas or using it as a starting point to build on or change to meet my needs.  Isn't that learning and teaching at it's best?  My only challenge without Angel is that I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for in details.  Isn't amazing how lost we are without the tools?  I wish I had made a copy of it earlier BEFORE I was permanently locked out, like I normally would have.  That will teach me.