Presentation Reflection: Looking in the Mirror Isn't Always Fun

I recorded myself giving a powerpoint presentation of my Crow Creek Road Conserver project, without really practicing the delivery part. I knew the content of the presentation, but hadn't practiced presenting it before recording it so, I knew I was going to see myself in my rawest, unrefined form. This is good though, "I will see ALL of my vices as a presenter", I thought. I surely did. But before I go into the "Janice Bashing"

I would like to highlight my strengths.
--I have great voice projection and an ability to keep talking while I am thinking and keep the momentum going.
--I spoke in a controlled pace and not too fast most of the time.
--I emphasize my words with higher tone and pauses as I change topics.
--I am relaxed and comfortable speaking and used gestures well.

I have much to work on and the video has made me aware of some of those things.
--I noticed I did "umm" a lot. I could have reduced some of that by practicing.
--I played with my hands a too much and swayed back and forth where I was standing.
--As I got into the data of my research project I should have used more of the '4B's' to emphasize my main points.
--I put too much of my data on a couple slides and should have given more results, it got a little wordy.
--I would have liked to have had a remote to change slides with.
--The pace of speech was a little fast and I could have emphasized points better.

I am going to video tape myself more next semester.

Here is a link to the video of my stand & deliver powerpoint presentation.

My Educational Philosophy: Be True!

-Sustainability
-Relevance
-Diversity
-Variety
-Quality

A link to a copy of my written Educational philosophy at Google Docs.

Check out a video I made of My Educational Philosophy.

Article Assessment of "Tools for the Mind" by Mary Burns

"Tools for the Mind" by Mary Burns explores some of the ways schools are using and not using technology. She believes that schools and teachers are not utilizing technology to the greatest of it's potential. She presents the question "Why are schools using computers primarily to teach low-level skills when technology has the potential to deepen student learning?".

Some points raised in the article:

--When technology was first introduced into the educational setting it was accompanied by hope and promise of the possibilities and potential to improving student learning.

--It was believed that technology would help build higher-order thinking skills.

--Budget cuts (proposed and actual), NCLB mandates, lack of supporting research for technology improving learning and as a tool for higher-order thinking and has lead to a decline in optimism and utilization of technology in the classroom.

--The majority of technology use in the classroom today is to teach lower-level skill in the form of word processing and 'show and tell' programs like powerpoint.

--Power points have reduced content to "sight bites" that don't promote quality and thorough research and presentation of knowledge.

--"Students and teachers must become creators of information and ideas, not simply users of technology of the higher-order thinking is to be achieved with the use of technology."

--teachers should teach critical thinking skills first and technology later.

--Teachers should focus on curriculum, instruction and assessment

--teachers should be provided with trainings on how to use technology in the classroom to promote higher order thinking not just trainings on simply how to use the technology.

As an aspiring teacher I would like to learn ways to promote higher order thinking with the use of technology. I would think that publishing works on the web or in the schools would be a way to do this. I think that in order for us to get our students to use higher order thinking with technology we need to use it more ourselves. I am still not convinced that technology can be a tool for higher order thinking.