Newsletter Assignment

I used Microsoft Publisher to create this newsletter. I didn't even realize this program was on my computer. It seems like a really nice feature to have at your disposal. It was very easy to simply pick out the template and edit the images and text. I also liked the fact that you can alter the layout and design of the templates to accommodate the structure of your writing. When I create future newsletters, I think I'm going to make them several pages long and have different sections for each subject area.

I think newsletters are a great way for teachers to communicate with parents. This is one of the supplemental tools teachers can utilize to keep parents up to date in regards to the latest happenings in the classroom. It is very important for teachers to maintain open communication with the parents of their students. Communication can provide teachers with useful information that can help provide more individualized instruction for students. Effective communication with parents can also set the tone for successful behavior management. As a teacher, I created a daily progress report template that I use to communicate on a daily basis with each of my student's parents. Thus, the parents of all my students know exactly how their child is doing (academically and behaviorally) every single day their child has been in my classroom. I am a huge proponent of communicating with parents. Most parents recognize the amount of time and effort it takes to complete those daily logs and they really appreciate the feedback. I have also found that because I have such good communication with the parents, students are less likely to misbehave. In addition to having communication logs with parents, I also have them with the school counselor. I also created a template where I can express my academic and behavior concerns with students who receive counseling services. Once the session is completed, the counselor provides me with feedback from the outcome of the session.

One tool that I really want to try to incorporate as a means of communication with parents is through Easy Grade Pro or Gradekeeper. I think this would be a great way to stay in communication with parents. Even though I already do this through the template I created, I think it would be easier for me if I could just post the information on line while subsequently having the information in my grade book. I also want to make a class website or wiki. I want students to be able to review videos, PPT's, and online games we've used in class at home as well in an efficient manner.

Weathering Quiz Update

There must have been something wrong with the website because I see now that my online quiz is working properly! I didn't have to make any adjustments. When I logged onto my blog, it was posted correctly. So now you can compare the two different versions of the quiz that I created.

Reflection: "Create a Quiz" Experience

This was another great online learning experience! I feel that I am learning so much from this course. Although, I was a little overwhelmed at first, things are now getting easier as I am becoming more familiarized with the technology. I really liked creating the online quiz. It was extremely easy to do. I actually created the same quiz on weathering and erosion using both of the sites that you suggested. Both were very easy to use. I used ProProfs.com first. I liked this site because it allows you to create a quiz that is either based on one type of question or you can incorporate multiple types of questions all in one quiz (multiple choice, short answer, or essay). I only saw one possible problem with this site. It was in the grading of different types of questions. The multiple choice questions are pretty clear cut. However, when creating the short answer questions, it became a little more challenging. This is because of the various answer forms you must enter. If you don’t fill in every possible exact answer, the test taker will get the answer wrong. Even if the test taker is off by one word. The system isn’t very flexible in that sense. I would probably just use multiple choice quizzes on this site.

The other site I used was Studiyo. I was really excited about this site because of the cool graphic abilities it allows you to incorporate into your quizzes. You can add your own pictures and video to your quiz. I added pictures to my quiz. However, on this site, you can only pick one format (multiple choice or How X are you) for each quiz you create. I chose the multiple choice format. I wanted to compare how each quiz looked using the two different sites. However, this site did not generate the quiz I created. I posted it on my blog and it’s on my profile on the actual site. Yet, you can’t see the quiz or any of the graphics. I am going to try to repost this quiz again later. Even though I had difficulties with this site, I still plan on using this tool in my classroom with the site I was successful with. I think it’s a great way to vary your instruction with students.

Weathering and Erosion Quiz

Weathering and Erosion Quiz

Weathering and Erosion » Quizes

Password for quiz: erosion1

Engrade Software Critique

I enjoyed this assignment very much. I currently use Easy Grade Pro in addition to my paper and pencil grade book. I like using Easy Grade Pro because it is very easy to enter and calculate grades. It also enables teachers to give parents a print out of their child’s grades very easily. In correlation to this, the Engrade site is very similar to Easy Grade Pro. Teachers can enter grades, categories, category weights, print multigrade spreadsheets, and keep track of attendance. However, each program has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Easy Grade Pro Advantages:
1. Available Off Line. If internet connection is down, you still have access to your grades.
2. Can enter information quick and easily
3. Can be saved easily in different formats (desktop, flash drive, CD)

Easy Grade Pro Disadvantages:
1.To share info with parents you must print out sheets
2.Must pay for the software
3.Can only view formats on computers where Easy Grade Pro has been downloaded onto

Engrade Advantages:
1. Available Online so there is easy access both at home and at school
2. Can enter information quick and easily
3. Easy Access for both parents and students
4. Information is available in a variety of formats (online or can be printed out as a hardcopy)

Engrade Disadvantages:
1. Parents uncomfortable with the internet may not want their child’s grades posted online.
2. Information is not available in Spanish. Therefore, parents who speak/read limited/no English will not benefit from this tool.

Overall, I think Engrade is a great feature for classroom teachers. I think I may even like it a little more than Easy Grade Pro because it provides a way for teachers to have direct contact with both parents and students on daily basis. I think parents would appreciate being able to see how their child is doing in an easy and convenient manner. It also gives students that are absent a way to stay informed of classroom tests and assignments. The only thing I can think of that would improve Engrade would be to offer the site in both English and Spanish since teachers often service a large population of bilingual students. I think I am going to begin using this tool for my own classroom. I plan on testing it out during the next quarter for my personal plan book. If I like, I am then going to invite parents and students to begin using it as well.

Sample Spelling Gradebook Entry