Monday, May 23, 2016
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Becoming a Pro...
I'm back! Well, it has been over SEVEN months since my last post. Time sure does fly by! I am currently wrapping up my fourth semester as an Instructional Technology graduate student. This may have been my most challenging semester so far. Grad School + Full Time Job + New Baby + Husband + Housework + Everything Else = One Big Disaster. I am actually very proud to say that I have survived it all!
This semester, I have been learning about facilitating professional development. Teaching professional development to my colleagues is definitely out of my box. I do NOT like to get in front of a crowd. I know that this is an issue that I will have to overcome if I ever plan on being a technology facilitator for a school district. I think I'm making some progress!
As I think back to my assignments for this semester, there were definitely positive and negative experiences, but, in hindsight, I find that every experience has been a learning opportunity. As I tried to determine the current reality at my school, I took the time to interview the new principal at my school. This was enlightening because I was able to see his stance on technology use. I was excited to learn that he is definitely for it - he even recently purchased iPads for the teachers to use with their students. I completed a Professional Learning GAPSS Review based on our interview and I learned that my school is mostly performing at an emergent and operational level. I was actually impressed with the professional learning communities that were already developed at my school, but I wanted to see what areas were really lacking. As a future technology facilitator (hopefully one day), I was interested to see how I could develop a professional development session based on technology implementation. While technology is widely available at my school, technology training is scarce.
Through my own research, I've discovered that teachers need, and want, the time to learn about new technology tools. I completed a schoolwide survey about technology and professional development and I learned that my colleagues really wanted to learn more in iRespond. I jumped into developmenting my professional learning plan, my teaching sessions, and my evaluation plan but I hit several roadblocks. I realized that developing a professional learning session would require me to be fluid and flexible to some extent. I ended up teaching my colleagues about "assessing using technology." We decided to look at iRespondNow and Google Forms. At the end of the training session, I was able to pass out an evaluation to the attendees, and I determined what the next steps should be. I am hoping to continue some trainings in these areas for my capstone project I am completing.
Overall, I do think that I am growing as a technology facilitator. I've learned about some new technology tools that I never used before - Prezi and Google Forms Flubaroo. I am becoming more comfortable with presenting in front of my colleagues. I also think I understand a more about the process of developing professional learning. It is definitely a thought out, complicated process, but, if done the right way, the end result can be great!
This semester, I have been learning about facilitating professional development. Teaching professional development to my colleagues is definitely out of my box. I do NOT like to get in front of a crowd. I know that this is an issue that I will have to overcome if I ever plan on being a technology facilitator for a school district. I think I'm making some progress!
As I think back to my assignments for this semester, there were definitely positive and negative experiences, but, in hindsight, I find that every experience has been a learning opportunity. As I tried to determine the current reality at my school, I took the time to interview the new principal at my school. This was enlightening because I was able to see his stance on technology use. I was excited to learn that he is definitely for it - he even recently purchased iPads for the teachers to use with their students. I completed a Professional Learning GAPSS Review based on our interview and I learned that my school is mostly performing at an emergent and operational level. I was actually impressed with the professional learning communities that were already developed at my school, but I wanted to see what areas were really lacking. As a future technology facilitator (hopefully one day), I was interested to see how I could develop a professional development session based on technology implementation. While technology is widely available at my school, technology training is scarce.
Through my own research, I've discovered that teachers need, and want, the time to learn about new technology tools. I completed a schoolwide survey about technology and professional development and I learned that my colleagues really wanted to learn more in iRespond. I jumped into developmenting my professional learning plan, my teaching sessions, and my evaluation plan but I hit several roadblocks. I realized that developing a professional learning session would require me to be fluid and flexible to some extent. I ended up teaching my colleagues about "assessing using technology." We decided to look at iRespondNow and Google Forms. At the end of the training session, I was able to pass out an evaluation to the attendees, and I determined what the next steps should be. I am hoping to continue some trainings in these areas for my capstone project I am completing.
Overall, I do think that I am growing as a technology facilitator. I've learned about some new technology tools that I never used before - Prezi and Google Forms Flubaroo. I am becoming more comfortable with presenting in front of my colleagues. I also think I understand a more about the process of developing professional learning. It is definitely a thought out, complicated process, but, if done the right way, the end result can be great!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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: 4th Grade Team Teachers (General Ed. and Special Ed./4th 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: 4th 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.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, April 4, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
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
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
Friday, April 1, 2011
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.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
One Stop Shop for Docs (Thing 19)
Apparently Google just does it all. Search engine, blogs, reader, docs! The list could go on and on. This semester is the first time I've used Google Docs before. My first experience using Google Docs was signing up for a topic for a class assignment. I had never used Google Docs. The collaborative element of using Google Docs was different, but really simple! I really like how there can be several editors and contributors for one document.
After exploring Google Docs for a little bit, I found it pretty simple to use...very similar to Microsoft Word. There were some features that Word has that Google Docs doesn't. I found that to be a little frustrating. I could easily create my document in Word and then upload it to Google Docs if necessary. Also, I noticed, when I uploaded some documents into Google Docs, they didn't look exactly the same.
There are several ways that Google Docs could be for classroom learning and professional productivity. The first thing that came to mind was the team newsletter. Each week, I create a parent newsletter for the use of the entire grade level. Sometimes, I have to send out a team e-mail asking for ideas for the newsletters or dates to include. It would be simple to create the newsletter in GoogleDocs. Then, invite the rest of the team to contribute to the newsletter. It would also help with fixing simple typos and errors.
I also like the idea of using Google Docs as a "flash drive on the move." I recently had a flash drive break that held important documents. My flash drive still doesn't work, but luckily I had backed up some of the documents on my computer. Google Docs is a great place to store your documents. Not only are they easy to access from anywhere, but there is a comfort in knowing that they are in a safe place.
The form feature of Google Docs could have a lot of great uses. It would be a great way to survey parents. You could easily post the link of the form on your blog or school website. Then, parents could access the form through the link. It would probably be an easy way to collect parent contact information during Sneak A Peak as well. I found the form feature to be a little tricky to use, but, if I had a little more time, I think it would be very easy to use.
Google Docs can also be a great way to share resources. Here is a simple worksheet I created to help my students practice adding and subtracting mixed numbers. It is pretty basic, but other teachers could find it beneficial. Other teachers can edit the problems to best meet the needs of their students.
Adding/Subtracting Mixed Numbers Worksheet
After exploring Google Docs for a little bit, I found it pretty simple to use...very similar to Microsoft Word. There were some features that Word has that Google Docs doesn't. I found that to be a little frustrating. I could easily create my document in Word and then upload it to Google Docs if necessary. Also, I noticed, when I uploaded some documents into Google Docs, they didn't look exactly the same.
There are several ways that Google Docs could be for classroom learning and professional productivity. The first thing that came to mind was the team newsletter. Each week, I create a parent newsletter for the use of the entire grade level. Sometimes, I have to send out a team e-mail asking for ideas for the newsletters or dates to include. It would be simple to create the newsletter in GoogleDocs. Then, invite the rest of the team to contribute to the newsletter. It would also help with fixing simple typos and errors.
I also like the idea of using Google Docs as a "flash drive on the move." I recently had a flash drive break that held important documents. My flash drive still doesn't work, but luckily I had backed up some of the documents on my computer. Google Docs is a great place to store your documents. Not only are they easy to access from anywhere, but there is a comfort in knowing that they are in a safe place.
The form feature of Google Docs could have a lot of great uses. It would be a great way to survey parents. You could easily post the link of the form on your blog or school website. Then, parents could access the form through the link. It would probably be an easy way to collect parent contact information during Sneak A Peak as well. I found the form feature to be a little tricky to use, but, if I had a little more time, I think it would be very easy to use.
Google Docs can also be a great way to share resources. Here is a simple worksheet I created to help my students practice adding and subtracting mixed numbers. It is pretty basic, but other teachers could find it beneficial. Other teachers can edit the problems to best meet the needs of their students.
Adding/Subtracting Mixed Numbers Worksheet
When One of Us Gets Smarter, We All Do (Thing 18)
Social networking is definitely a hot item right now. At this point, most people have either heard about Facebook or are members of Facebook. Social networking (specifically Facebook) is something that I've used personally for the past five years or so. Unlike some of the other Web 2.0 tools I've used this semester, I feel like I have a lot of background knowledge in this area. The difference between my personal use of Facebook and how I'm learning about social networking in this class is that students are involved! I have made very strict rules for myself on Facebook. Pictures must be appropriate. Interaction with coworkers on Facebook remains professional. Profile remains as private as the settings will allow. No students and students' parents on my friend list. I guess you could say that I've made a point to view social networking as strictly a non-school zone. Well, that is all changing now.
While I still won't use my Facebook profile as a way to communicate with students or parents, I am learning that their are other social networking resources that can be used in the classroom. I have never used Ning before, and I must admit that I'm disappointed that it costs money (I'm too broke to purchase subscriptions to every new tool I learn about). Ning allows anyone to create a social networking space. I got the opportunity to view and join a social network that was created on Ning. It is called Classroom 2.0 and I think I'm hooked already.
Classroom 2.0 is a social network specifically for teachers who are interested in technology and using Web 2.0 tools. I have never used social networking in a professional capacity, but I think I'm going to find it very useful. There are several features that I like about Classroom 2.0. There are a lot of discussion forums. Member can post and respond to questions. As I scrolled through the site, I found several discussions that I was interested in. I also like the groups feature on the site. This will help me zone and find other teachers that may have similiar interests, ideas, or needs as myself. Really, the site is a lot like Facebook, but it focuses in on educational practices.
I like the idea that social networking does not have just for general use (like Facebook, but instead can hone in on the interests of a specific group of people. I really liked this quote from the reading I did today for my class: "Network learning is based on the belief that when one of us gets smarter, we all do." I really think that sums up the importance of social networking. It is a great way to learn from one another and collaborate!
While I still won't use my Facebook profile as a way to communicate with students or parents, I am learning that their are other social networking resources that can be used in the classroom. I have never used Ning before, and I must admit that I'm disappointed that it costs money (I'm too broke to purchase subscriptions to every new tool I learn about). Ning allows anyone to create a social networking space. I got the opportunity to view and join a social network that was created on Ning. It is called Classroom 2.0 and I think I'm hooked already.
Classroom 2.0 is a social network specifically for teachers who are interested in technology and using Web 2.0 tools. I have never used social networking in a professional capacity, but I think I'm going to find it very useful. There are several features that I like about Classroom 2.0. There are a lot of discussion forums. Member can post and respond to questions. As I scrolled through the site, I found several discussions that I was interested in. I also like the groups feature on the site. This will help me zone and find other teachers that may have similiar interests, ideas, or needs as myself. Really, the site is a lot like Facebook, but it focuses in on educational practices.
I like the idea that social networking does not have just for general use (like Facebook, but instead can hone in on the interests of a specific group of people. I really liked this quote from the reading I did today for my class: "Network learning is based on the belief that when one of us gets smarter, we all do." I really think that sums up the importance of social networking. It is a great way to learn from one another and collaborate!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Importance of Video Sharing (Thing 17)
YouTube has opened everybody up to a whole new world. From hilarious viral videos to learning how to do something step-by-step, YouTube has a little something for everybody. The most frustrating thing about YouTube is that it is blocked by most school systems. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad that can come with the good. I have found that using sites like Zamzar can keep this from being a huge issue. Also, there are sites out there like TeacherTube and SchoolTube. I feel much more comfortable using these sites with my students. I love to encorporate music and song into my lessons.
My students seem to really respond to that so I often go on videosharing sites to see if there is a song or rap that can be used to teach a specific concept. Often times, those videos have been previously created by students and then posted to the videosharing site. It is great for my students to see videos produced by other students, and to use those videos for learning. I have found one particular video that my students love! It is about the order of operations. For some background information, the creator of the video/song is a middle school teacher who also sells music to teach math concepts. The video is available on TeacherTube, but you can also view it below:
My students seem to really respond to that so I often go on videosharing sites to see if there is a song or rap that can be used to teach a specific concept. Often times, those videos have been previously created by students and then posted to the videosharing site. It is great for my students to see videos produced by other students, and to use those videos for learning. I have found one particular video that my students love! It is about the order of operations. For some background information, the creator of the video/song is a middle school teacher who also sells music to teach math concepts. The video is available on TeacherTube, but you can also view it below:
Podcasting Scares Me... (Thing 15)
Well, it did scare me until I got the opportunity to really check it out. I read about podcasting in my class text and I was thoroughly overwhelmed! There seemed to be a lot of steps and a lot of things mentioned that I didn't know about, but I think that was just my initial reaction.
After getting on iTunes, determined to calm my fears and get some understanding, I'm feeling a lot better. I guess I should be a little embarrassed that I'm in graduate school getting an Instructional TECHNOLOGY degree and I have never listened to a podcast before. I don't know why I haven't. I use iTunes. I always saw the section about podcasts, but I never took my own initiative to take it any further than that. Thank goodness I was forced to check out podcasting for class, or I may have never learned about it!
First things first, there are A LOT of podcasts out there! On a personal level, I can easily find podcasts to listen to (I'm an entertainment news junkie), but, on a professional level, I found it a little harder to find something meaningful. Definitely not impossible, just a little more difficult. I found the Education Podcast Network to be really helpful in finding podcasts that related specifically to my field or the subject I wanted to focus on. You will not believe the excitement I had when I found a podcast that focuses on Teaching with SmartBoard. I have a SmartBoard in my classroom and I am always looking for ways to extend my knowledge in that area. You can find the podcast here: Teaching with Smartboard. I also followed the NPR News Education Podcast. I thought that would just be a great way to stay on top of education news in general. Overall, finding podcasts on iTunes was really simple to do. I'm already an iTunes user so I felt comfortable with it. I'm looking forward to seeing my podcasts on my iPhone the next time I sync up.
Now that I've taken a little time to figure it all out, I'm not so scared. I feel like I get it! Podcasting is a little bit like my DVR. It allows me to listen to what I want to, when I want to.
After getting on iTunes, determined to calm my fears and get some understanding, I'm feeling a lot better. I guess I should be a little embarrassed that I'm in graduate school getting an Instructional TECHNOLOGY degree and I have never listened to a podcast before. I don't know why I haven't. I use iTunes. I always saw the section about podcasts, but I never took my own initiative to take it any further than that. Thank goodness I was forced to check out podcasting for class, or I may have never learned about it!
First things first, there are A LOT of podcasts out there! On a personal level, I can easily find podcasts to listen to (I'm an entertainment news junkie), but, on a professional level, I found it a little harder to find something meaningful. Definitely not impossible, just a little more difficult. I found the Education Podcast Network to be really helpful in finding podcasts that related specifically to my field or the subject I wanted to focus on. You will not believe the excitement I had when I found a podcast that focuses on Teaching with SmartBoard. I have a SmartBoard in my classroom and I am always looking for ways to extend my knowledge in that area. You can find the podcast here: Teaching with Smartboard. I also followed the NPR News Education Podcast. I thought that would just be a great way to stay on top of education news in general. Overall, finding podcasts on iTunes was really simple to do. I'm already an iTunes user so I felt comfortable with it. I'm looking forward to seeing my podcasts on my iPhone the next time I sync up.
Now that I've taken a little time to figure it all out, I'm not so scared. I feel like I get it! Podcasting is a little bit like my DVR. It allows me to listen to what I want to, when I want to.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Delicious! (Thing 14)
Delicious is a great bookmarking tool that has been around. It is something I always knew about, but I never took the time to actually sign up and start using it. Well, I finally took the opportunity to get set up and I'm glad I did! Delicious is great for a few reasons:
1) It puts all your favorite links and URLs in one safe place
2) You can access your Delicious account from any computer
3) You don't have to worry about losing your favorites if your computer crashes or is reimaged
4) It has a lot of features so you can find what other people are bookmarking for a particular topic
I didn't realize that Delicious is actually social bookmarking. I always just thought of it as a place to store all of the links to the sites I regularly use. It didn't occur to me how useful it could be to search what others are bookmarking. I really like the tagging aspect of Delicious. My lists of favorites on my Internet Explorer can be overwhelming. Half of the links are put in folders when I started to organize, but the rest are just in a long list that has no rhyme or reason. Tagging makes organization simple. You can view everything you bookmarked at once or you can choose a tag and narrow things down.
From an educator's standpoint, Delicious is a great way to keep your life a little more organized. There are so many great resources that I find online, but there is no way I could keep up with all of them on my own. Delicious allows me to have a one-stop shop to put all the URLs I use in, and it's great for personal and professional use!'
Check out my Delicious links: http://www.delicious.com/jenaparish
1) It puts all your favorite links and URLs in one safe place
2) You can access your Delicious account from any computer
3) You don't have to worry about losing your favorites if your computer crashes or is reimaged
4) It has a lot of features so you can find what other people are bookmarking for a particular topic
I didn't realize that Delicious is actually social bookmarking. I always just thought of it as a place to store all of the links to the sites I regularly use. It didn't occur to me how useful it could be to search what others are bookmarking. I really like the tagging aspect of Delicious. My lists of favorites on my Internet Explorer can be overwhelming. Half of the links are put in folders when I started to organize, but the rest are just in a long list that has no rhyme or reason. Tagging makes organization simple. You can view everything you bookmarked at once or you can choose a tag and narrow things down.
From an educator's standpoint, Delicious is a great way to keep your life a little more organized. There are so many great resources that I find online, but there is no way I could keep up with all of them on my own. Delicious allows me to have a one-stop shop to put all the URLs I use in, and it's great for personal and professional use!'
Check out my Delicious links: http://www.delicious.com/jenaparish
Friday, March 4, 2011
Multimedia Design Project
For my Multimedia Design Project, I am focusing on a fourth grade social studies standard. The standard focuses on the main ideas of the abolitionist and suffrage movements. Specifically, I want the students to choose one of the following historical figures to research: Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, or Sojourner Truth. The storyline is as follows:
"An American Hero tragedy has occurred. The National Museum of American History has been robbed! The diaries and belongings of three key American figures have gone missing: Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth. These artifacts were very old and it isn’t believed that the diaries will be recovered. How will the American people ever get the opportunity to truly know these significant figures from our history?"
I plan on introducing the storyline to the students through a newscast style video (as if the story was being presented on the evening news). Ultimately, my students will complete the following task: creating a replica diary and an artifact that represents one of the historical figures to "donate" to the National Museum of American History. Students will complete their own research using the links and information provided in the WebQuest. For the final presentation, students will complete a museum walk through to showcase their work.
Overall, I am excited about the premise of my project. I think my students will enjoy learning these social studies standards this way. I chose to focus on social studies because it is generally the weakest area across all grade levels. My biggest concerns right now are including the media in my WebQuest. I have very basic knowledge about video editing and audio editing. I really want my project to run smoothly as I'm hoping this is a WebQuest I can use in my classroom for years to come (as long as the information and standards are still relevant of course).
I'm sure questions and confusion will come along the way, but, right now, I feel pretty good about my pre-plan and where things are headed.
"An American Hero tragedy has occurred. The National Museum of American History has been robbed! The diaries and belongings of three key American figures have gone missing: Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth. These artifacts were very old and it isn’t believed that the diaries will be recovered. How will the American people ever get the opportunity to truly know these significant figures from our history?"
I plan on introducing the storyline to the students through a newscast style video (as if the story was being presented on the evening news). Ultimately, my students will complete the following task: creating a replica diary and an artifact that represents one of the historical figures to "donate" to the National Museum of American History. Students will complete their own research using the links and information provided in the WebQuest. For the final presentation, students will complete a museum walk through to showcase their work.
Overall, I am excited about the premise of my project. I think my students will enjoy learning these social studies standards this way. I chose to focus on social studies because it is generally the weakest area across all grade levels. My biggest concerns right now are including the media in my WebQuest. I have very basic knowledge about video editing and audio editing. I really want my project to run smoothly as I'm hoping this is a WebQuest I can use in my classroom for years to come (as long as the information and standards are still relevant of course).
I'm sure questions and confusion will come along the way, but, right now, I feel pretty good about my pre-plan and where things are headed.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Exploring New Things (Thing Twelve)
As I started exploring some new tools that I haven't used before, I was drawn to Be Funky. I'll be honest...I thought the name sounded interesting. This website is great for photo editing. It has an endless amount of photo editing features. These features go beyond the basic cropping and changing your picture into black and white. You can add frames, text, and graphics to an uploaded picture. There are also different effects that you can choose from. The site is incredibly easy to use. I don't think it could be any easier. The most challenging thing about this website is you could spend hours just clicking on the different features and effects to change your picture. This is definitely something I will use on a regular basis for my personal use. For classroom use, the students would enjoy using this site. They would probably have a lot of fun editing pictures especially since many of my young students may not have ever done this before. The most monitoring that would be required is making sure that students have uploaded an appropriate picture. As long as the original picture was appropriate, they probably could freely use the features of the site without worrying about them running into trouble. I think the students could show me their understanding of a topic by using the text feature of the site. I could upload a picture that reflects a standard and they could label the picture with the appropriate text. Also, I like the imaginative and creative element of this site. Students don't get to tap into their creative sides very often so I think this site could remedy that. Overall, I think this is a really fun website! Check out my before and after picture below of my beloved dog Jules that I edited using Be Funky.
Before:
After:
After I had explored Be Funky, I decided to check out another website based on a recommendation. I went to Glogster EDU. This is something that students could really take ownership of and show their understanding. Glogster is a site that allows you to create digital posters. Above and beyond that, there are many great social features to the website. Tags can be added to your glog and your glog can placed into a subject category that allows others to view your digital poster. Glogs can be shared digitally or they can be printed. Glogster would have a lot of uses in the classroom (for productivity and for students). As a teacher, I could create a plethora of posters that I could use in my classroom or on my classroom blogs. They could be content-related or related to the rituals and routines of my classroom. Also, students can create posters using the site. This site isn't quite as user-friendly as Be Funky, but it is still easy to use. Again, this site would allow students to be creative. It could really take the old "poster report project" to the next level.
Friday, February 25, 2011
iRespond Training
Description: This field experience consisted of attended two iRespond training sessions. The trainings consisted of ways to use iRespond in the classroom and for productivity. This field experience allowed me to further implement iRespond in the classroom and with students as well as help my colleagues and coworkers through their iRespond questions.
Standards: TF-I.A, TF-I.B (Technology Operations and Concepts), TF-V.A-C (Productivity and Professional Practice)
Semester: Spring 2011
Hours: 2 Hours (February 17 and February 24)
Population: Elementary School Teachers (General and Special Ed.)
Reflection: This field experience allowed me to gain deeper understanding in using iRespond Response Systems. This is important because I can implement the use of iRespond in my classroom with my students and help my coworkers develop a deeper understanding as well. Professional learning opportunities allow me to grow stronger as a technology facilitator and leader in my school as they give me an opportunity to teach others what I have learned. Also, they are allowing me to become an expert in the field I plan I getting in to.
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