My Brain is Full of "Things" (Thing 22)

I have finally reached the end of this semester.  I wrapping up all the final details of my courses and I'm feeling pretty good about the progress I'm making as a technology facilitator.  I really enjoyed learning about Internet tools.  There were some things I was already pretty familiar with, but I also got experience in a lot of new things as well. 

This was also the first online course that I've taken.  I found the experience to be positive.  You definitely have to be disciplined to take an online course though!  I liked the way the course was set up though and I benefitted from getting to explore the tools on my own instead of learning about the tools through a lecture.

My favorite tools so far are definitely VoiceThread and screencasting.  I plan to use these tools again and again.  The tool I'm probably still least comfortable with is podcasting.  I'm not sure why, but it just doesn't sit well with me.

Overall, I'm excited about what I learned this semester and I'm also excited to see what's to come!

Newsletter Design

Description: This field experience consisted of designing and creating a weekly team newsletter that is sent home to all fourth grade parents.  The newsletter were created using technology and following design principles.  The newsletters also included tips and websites that parents would help parents incorporate technology at home.

Standards: TF-V.C (Productivity and Professional Practice)

Semester: Spring 2011

Hours:  5+ Hours (Ranging from January 2011 to Present)

Population: Created for Fourth Grade Teachers (General and Special Ed.), Parents of Fourth Graders, and Fourth Grade Students

Reflection: As I started taking my web design class, I asked my team how they would feel about a weekly newsletter.  I decided to apply some of the design principles that I had been learning in creation of the newsletter.  Also, to include another key technology element, I decided to put links and tools on the newsletter that could help parents better implement technology at home.  This field experience allowed me to hone in on designing and it allowed me to use advanced word processing skills.  As the newsletter became more detailed and included more multimedia, I was also able to apply the guidelines for fair copyright use within the newsletter.

Weekly Smartboard Lesson Development and Implementation (For Team Use)

Weekly SmartBoard Lesson Development and Implementation (for Team Use)

Description: This field experience consisted of creating and implementing writing and math lessons and supplementary activities using SmartBoard Notebook software that could be used to guide and support the team’s instruction in their own classroom.  SmartBoard files were created and accessible to all teachers on the fourth grade team.  Lessons included interactive activities, links to video clips and games, and charts for students to reference.  All materials were standards-based. 

Standards: TF-II.A – F (Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experience); TF-III.A – E (Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum)

Semester: Spring 2011

Hours: 10+ Hours (Ranging from January 2011 to Present)

Population: 4^th Grade Team Teachers (General Ed. and Special Ed./4^th Grade Students (Diverse – Including Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners)

Reflection: This field experience allowed me to gain deeper knowledge in creating content-based Smartboard files.  It also encouraged and supported technology use through out the fourth grade classrooms.  This helped me gain leadership experience, because I was modeling and guiding implementation of the lessons.  Standards for writing and math were determined in a curriculum mapping team meeting; therefore, I based the Smartboard files on our previous discussions.  Ultimately, technology resources were available for the use of the teachers in the 3rd and 4th quarters of the school year.  Reflecting back on the standards, this experience not only allowed me to design and plan technology-enhanced lessons, but I also got to implement the plans and strategies in my own classroom with my students.  The impact of the students was great as they were motivated to participate in mini-lessons and activities and they were involved in technology use.

Data Analysis Team Lead

Data Analysis Team Lead

Description: This field experience consisted of the following roles: preparation of data analysis sheets and assessments using available technology, collection, analysis , and interpretation of team wide data, facilitation of team discussions and meetings about data and strategies, collaboration with administration in regards to team data, and reflection through meeting minutes.

Standards: TF-IV.A, TF-IV.B (Assessment and Evaluation)

Semester: Spring 2011

Hours: 10+ Hours (Ranging from January 2011 to Present)

Population: 4^th Grade Team Teachers (General Ed. and Special Ed.)

Reflection: This field experience gave me the opportunity to take a leadership role on my fourth grade team.  At our school, each grade level collaborates on Data Teams.  During Data Teams, the teachers determine what area the students did not master in previously taught standards.  We choose one area to focus on and improve in a three to six week range.  As the Data Analysis Team Lead, I facilitated the Data Team meetings as well as created collected, analyzed, and interpreted data results.  This was done using technology resources available at the school.  This opportunity directly aligns with the Assessment and Evaluation Technology Facilitation Standards.  By completing this field experience, I was able to develop the necessary skills to guide a team of teachers through data and assessment analysis.  I learned that, as the lead for the team, it is important to maintain an enthusiastic attitude while also being very supportive.  For some teachers, item analysis, grade wide averages, and excel sheets can be overwhelming.  Some teachers need flexibility as well as patience as they might not be as comfortable with technology use and data analysis as others.  The student impact is evident.  Our team chose to focus on dividing 3-digit by 2-digit numbers and fractions.  As the students were very level from the results of the initial pre-test, there has been monumental growth through the strategies that we developed and discussed during Data Team meetings.

VoiceThread Demonstration

Description: This field experience consisted of using the technology tool VoiceThread in my own classroom to gain experience using the tool in the classroom.  Then, I shared the lesson I created with my team and demonstrated the use of VoiceThread in the classroom.  This field experience allowed me to gain knowledge in technology leadership and further my expertise in a technology tool.

Standards: TF-1.A, TF-1.B (Technology Operations and Concepts), TF-II.A - E (Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences), TF-III.A – E (Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum), TF-IV.A (Assessment and Evaluation)

Semester: Spring 2011

Hours:  1 Hour

Population: Fourth Grade Teachers (General and Special Ed.)

Reflection: I created a VoiceThread lesson for my students, because I found the experience to be enjoyable for myself and I wanted to see how my students could use VoiceThread to further their understanding.  I also wanted to develop a lesson so I could test it out in my classroom.  Then, share my experiences with other teachers so they too would want to use the Internet tool with their students.  After implementing the lesson, my students were very excited.  They really enjoyed using VoiceThread and I knew that other teachers would be on board after they saw the enthusiasm from my students.  I shared the tool with my team at a team meeting.  I explained how to create a sign in for VoiceThread and took them through the steps of creating their own discussions that students could comment on.  I answered any questions and concerns they had as well as showed them the example from my class so they could see what the end result may look like.

Wrapping Things Up

This has definitely been a hectic semester for me.  Between work, grad school, and the little one that I have on the way (on top of everything else), I have been busy, busy, busy!  I have to say that I have definitely learned a lot this semester.  I enjoyed getting to jump into web design.  I feel like I've had huge growth in this area. 

Before this class, I had never truly created a website before - not counting the dinky high school web design class I took (let alone thought about the importance of design, color scheme, and the use of media within the site).  I got the opportunity to learn how to use Google Sites and Wix.com.  While I found creating a website frustrating at times, I've learned that the more experience I have with those sites, the more comfortable that I feel.

I also enjoyed learning how to use Audacity.  Audacity is something that I had heard about before, but I had never really got the opportunity to try out.  I really benefitted from getting the time in class to explore Audacity.  Editing audio turned out to be a lot simplier than I thought it would be.

As I continue to move forward in my grad school program, I really feel that I am taking the steps to becoming a technology facilitator within my school.  My students are also really benefitting from all of the things that I am learning (I can't wait to complete my WebQuest that I created with my students in a few weeks.  Eventually, I hope to be able to share my new knowledge with my coworkers so we can all benefit the kids!

Multimedia Design Project: A Month Later

About a month ago, I was still in the early stages of developing my multimedia design project (see post from 3/4 for more information).  At that time, I was still really overwhelmed with all of the elements and parts of the project.  I decided to focus on a social studies concept because that tends to be an area of weakness for my students.  I'm really excited about the final product that the students will be creating: an artifact and a "diary" that represents their historical figure.  I plan on completing this project with my students in May so I'm really looking forward to see what they will come up.

So far, I have been working on the website for my webquest.  I have found this to be a lot easier than I thought.  I had already determined where my information should go so all I really have to do is put it in my website where I want to it to go.

The hardest part for me is the actual creation of the media to go in the project.  I have to create audio clips and a video file to upload into the webquest.  I know what I'm going to do for these elements of my project, but I haven't done the actual recording for either part.  After talking about audio and video in class, I definitely feel more comfortable so hopefully within the next few weeks I will be able to tie down those last pieces to my project.

Finally, my next concern is I'm using a source that is new to me for the creation of my website.  It is called Wix.com.  I really like the look of the templates they have available and the site is easy to use.  I'm worried that I may hit a glitch when I need to upload my video and audio.  Sites that allow you to create websites for free are often limited in the the amount of space that is offered.  Worst case scenario, I may end up having to buy the upgrade from the site to allow for more space.  I guess I will find out soon what will happen!

Sharing is Caring (Thing 21)

Slideshare is a great resource that I have never heard about, but I feel like I've been missing out!  I am often on the hunt for good PowerPoint presentations to help teach my student different concepts.  Sometimes, I feel like I search forever without really finding what I'm looking for (making me think it would have just been quicker to make the presentation in the first place).  I love that Slideshare has a million different presentations all in one place.  The search option is really convenient as well.  I was able to find presentations on a lot of the topics I am currently teaching.  I also really like how you can use Slideshare to embed presentations on blogs or on websites.  This is a great feature especially if you're not sure that everyone has a PowerPoint viewer.

I'm sure I will be using Slideshare on a regular basis in my classroom.  It is a great resource for finding presentations on different topics and it will allow me to turn my own presentations into slideshares.  I love that I can use the PowerPoints I've already created and upload them into Slideshare.  Also, I feel really comfortable using PowerPoint so using SlideShare feels like a breeze.

Here is a quick and simple Slideshare I created on the site BeFunky.  You may remember me talking about using BeFunky in a previous blog.

BeFunky!

View more presentations from jenaparish.

Capturing the Moment (Thing 20)

Screencasting can be a very useful tool especially for showing someone how to do something.  The website Jing allows you to create screencast that you can save or share online.  To access Jing, you have to download it from the website.  The program allows you to capture a screen or record a video.  You can choose to include audio or not.  I had a hard time at first figuring it out.  I couldn't seem to get the take right and, without an editing option, that meant I had to start over a few times.  Once I figured it out, I found it to be pretty simple.  It really helped when I wrote down a script with some guidelines that I wanted to cover.

Jing has a lot of room to be used in the classroom.  Screencast could be created for students who need additional support when researching or using computer programs.  Also, screencasts could be created for accessing blogs or using online resources to share with parents at PTA.  This would help to avoid those internet issues that sometimes occur when you try to share something live.  Ultimately, I think it would be amazing to have students creating screencasts to show their understanding.

The only issue that I see occurring is the block that my county has on downloading programs on your classroom computers or laptop.  Right now, Jing is something that I can use on my home computer, but would be a little trickier at work.  I would probably have to go through the steps of getting permission and, then, get tech support to download the program for me.  Overall, the end result would probably be worth it!

Check out the screencast I created about finding images and content that is licensed for reuse:
Creative Commons Screencast

Interactive English/Language Arts Enrichment (For Team Use)

Description: This field experience involved creating and implementing technology-driven English/Language Arts lessons to best prepare students for statewide assessments that were coming up.  The lessons were to be taught over a three week time frame and should implement technology to improve student learning and test scores.  The lessons were created using SmartBoard Notebook software as well as internet tools, resources, websites, and computer games.  Materials were all standards based and available for use by the fourth grade teachers.

Standards: TF-II.A – F (Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experience); TF-III.A – E (Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum)

Semester: Spring 2011

Hours: 10+ Hours (Ranging from March 2011 to April 2011)

Population: Lessons created for Fourth Grade Teachers and Students

Reflection: Research states that students who are engaged in learning will yield the best results.  As English/Language Arts can be a weaker area for many of our students, I decided to created a series of lessons that would review standards from the year and engage students.  The lessons were planned to be taught over a three week period; therefore, they needed to pack a punch.  I chose to focus on technology as a means to engage the students.  I planned interactive activities using a wide range of strategies and tools.  Students were exposed to different concepts using SmartBoard Files, PowerPoint Presentation, videosharing, BrainPop, and online games.  Since there were many standards to cover, it was important that the students remained focused and engaged.  Overall, the lessons were effective.  To include a technology facilitation element to this field experience, I provided the lessons and materials to all fourth grade teachers.  At team meetings, we discussed using the different resources with students and I answered any questions at that time.