Evaluation
Before I started this seminar, I thought that I was aware of the most important web tools which might be interesting and helpful for me as a future teacher. But within the first session, however, the class has shown me that this was definitely not the case. I rather had not even a rudimental knowledge of the great diversity on materials, web tools and information the internet offers.
Fieldtrip
I really enjoyed the fieldtrip as we got a good impression of media equipment and its use in schools. Compared to my school where we just had portable TVs, projectors and a computer lap it has already changed a lot. The Martin Luther Schule, equipped with Smartboards, media lockers, laptops and the so-called PW presenter can, compared to my experiences, regarded as a prime example. The variety the MLS already provides as well as the conversation with the guiding teacher has shown, revealed that teachers need to be aware of a proper use of new media in order to explain to their students possible internet risks as well functions of certain web tools and much more.
Obligatory Tasks
Surely, it was a lot of work to do and I was not motivated continuously. But nevertheless I could really deepen my knowledge. I think the e-portfolio is a good way to submit work regularly as well as a good alternative to regular in class hand-ins. Moreover, I like the fact that we were "forced" to work with the new tools immediately. So, we were able to discover it but we should also reflect it and therefore have a really proofed knowledge. While evaluating a teaching idea I learned that there are many aspects to consider. For example that is it really helpful to create class accounts while using a tool at school in order to make sure that students are not forced to type in any personal data.
All in all I think that all obligatory tasks have enhanced my knowledge and I will definitely make use of them in my future career.
All in all I think that all obligatory tasks have enhanced my knowledge and I will definitely make use of them in my future career.
Additional Tasks
I liked the additional tasks since we were allowed to chose and introduce whatever we want to whereupon the main issue was just a media relation. I loved surfing and exploring the internet in order to find adequate web tools. I like Storybird since students have to be creative. I like Wordle since it is easier to understand. You could spend a lot of time on creating a word cloud but you could also be finished within a few minutes. I liked Vokker since students could organize and train their vocabulary. I especially like vokkermobile as today´s students are "addicted" to their mobiles. I could imagine that they would really make use of it more often and thus learn vocabulary regularly. I think the entry on internet safety is really important since students are introduced to the internet already at a young age. Moreover, I think that the 10 rules of a safe internet use help students to surf the internet more wisely. I like the KIM study since it is interesting to see how often children use the internet, when and why they use it and whether they use it for school or as a learning software or for other reasons.
Reflection
Regarding the new media class I can definitely say that I could deepen and enhance my knowledge. I learned many new and useful tools which I will include into my class preparations. Moreover, I really appreciated that the new tools actually helped me to gain a broader knowledge of the various possibilities provided by the internet to make things easier, more organized and more interesting. Now I can say that I feel much more confident in using new media, thus, in explaining new tools and the proper use of the internet adequately to my students.
All in all the new media class was a very good and balanced combination of being introduced to tools and its functions. Both, for a daily personal usage and for the usage as future teacher. Moreover, I think that monotony lessons could be prevented and more variations are ensured. Teachers and students are encouraged to be creative in order to fulfill each other´s expectations.
In my opinion the new media class was really helpful since I get in touch with new web tools which are of great benefit for me as a future teacher. I think that classes that teach media skills are important in order to train future teachers adequately. I wish and I would highly recommend other departments to provide such classes.
All in all the new media class was a very good and balanced combination of being introduced to tools and its functions. Both, for a daily personal usage and for the usage as future teacher. Moreover, I think that monotony lessons could be prevented and more variations are ensured. Teachers and students are encouraged to be creative in order to fulfill each other´s expectations.
In my opinion the new media class was really helpful since I get in touch with new web tools which are of great benefit for me as a future teacher. I think that classes that teach media skills are important in order to train future teachers adequately. I wish and I would highly recommend other departments to provide such classes.