Journal #6

     To get an idea of what a good teacher website should look like, I look at 3 different second grade classroom pages on the Florida State University Schools website. Most teachers were consistent in having there website open to a very minimally decorated welcome page. Each teacher used one graphic to make the page interesting, but the formatting didn't look entirely professional. All of the teachers similarly had an "about the teacher page," and then typically a page for newsletters or class schedules. Some stopped here, but others also included pages mapping the curriculum, and addition pages on events or field trips. The sites that were organized with more links would be more helpful to parents because of the easy navigability. On all pages I was able to view all of this information without a login. Although the only person information given was the teachers, there were dates on the site for when the students would be visiting places on field trips. This could potentially be problematic if the wrong person were in search for this information. Overall the web pages followed a very simple format and had few difference between different teachers sites.

https://www.fsus.school/Domain/44

     As a teacher I hope I can effectively run a classroom by keeping all of my information and work organized. I know the best way to do this is to utilize online resources since anything just don't on pen and paper can get lost. In the past I have used programs like Google keep in order to mange an quick notes or thoughts I might have. Buy writing down notes digitally though online source like this, or even just by using the sticky note feature on PC, thoughts are less likely to get lost. Another tool similar to this is an online cloud. Like the notes on Google keep, anything stored in the cloud can be accessed anywhere. As a teacher is would be good to utilize this to make sure no file with important lessons plans or test files were left at home or saved on the wrong flash drive. This online storage makes access to files much more stream-line and convenient. Another way to avoid lost papers with important information would be to digitally interact with students parent's. Just as the teachers sites on FSUS website did, its important to give parents easy access to newsletters so that no key dates or deadlines are lost to the trashcan. Not only this, but for more student specific goals it is now essential to send an email to ensure good communication. This way there is no student as a middle man delivering important notices.
     On Florida State University campus, the Technology sandbox offers so many cool resources for students. One of my favorites was the 3D pen which enabled its users to draw in 3D. Although the tool might be too complex for an elementary school student, there are many ways it could be used in upper level classes. as early as middle school the pen could help students learn concepts of physics. The pen, although for 3D purposes, has some dimensional restrictions. When building upwards only short straight lines must be done at one time, and the student must manage turning the pen off and allowing the structure enough time to dry before the structure can stand on its own. If a student doesn't understand gravity's effect then they will be surely disappointed in their results. In high school drafting or engineering classes the pen would help students understand the importance of a support structure in a design. With the pen another restriction is the need for a good base to support top heavy designs. This would help students grasp a similar idea of importance in other designs. This tool is not only fun to use, but challenging in a way that is beneficial to students.