Google Sites and Pay Attention video clip

"Google Sites"
I really enjoyed learning about Google sites this week. Google sites is a wonderful place where teachers can direct their students to go for information they need to know about their classes. I am excited to use this tool for my future classroom. Students seem to always be on the computer and if I can get them to go to the site they will be able to keep up on what is going on in the class, even if they didn’t pay attention in class or just as a reminder. Not only this, but their parents can go on the site and see what is going on in the class.

The announcement tab is a fabulous way to inform students about upcoming events. Since I will be teaching Drama I am excited to have a place to announce auditions for upcoming plays and Drama Club activities and other things like that. Students are always wondering about when auditions are and this will be a handy way to inform them in advance.

The homework and calendar tabs are helpful to the students and parents alike. I can keep it updated and they can look and see what is due and what was covered in class. It may be helpful to the students if they are sick or have to miss class for some reason to go on the site and find out what they missed and keep up with the class work.

I really like the tools page too. I had fun finding links to put on this page. This will be helpful for the students to find good websites for their assignments. I can upload video clips from YouTube of their recent performances and I bet the students would really enjoy watching themselves on the site. I am excited to make a real one for the classroom I will have someday in the near future.


Video clip "Pay Attention"
I really enjoyed this week’s video. It made me think about how I can use technology in teaching theatre. While it was talking about pod casting I thought this would be a perfect opportunity for students to learn and practice their voice-over skills. They could also use the pod cast to recording their monologues or scenes and then listen to how they sound and improve and even help them memorize. Students can also use cameras to make movies or film their plays they are working on. They could make commercials for the plays that are coming out and show them to the school during assemblies. This video made me think a lot more about how important the media tools are to students because they are so familiar with them and enjoy using them.