(NETS-T 3)
Heldman, B. (2011). Not an expert? then go out and find one!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx
I
found this article interesting because the opening quote in the article
goes as follows; "I'm truthful with my students. I tell them I'm
learning new stuff just like you are." That attracted me because I have
been concerned about how to stay up to date all of this emerging
technology. It is overwhelming and can be exhausting. The truth is there
is no way, unless you are specialized in the technology that you can
know everything about emerging technology. Bill Heldman reassures us,
saying that's okay. We do not have to be experts in these areas but we
can utilize experts to our advantage when we are learning how to use a
new tool. He suggests learning these tools along with your students in
class. Experts post how-to videos online all the time. It would be
beneficial to go through these videos with your class. You can pause and
go as you like, until you get the hang of the new program. There are
many resources provided by SME's that teachers can tap into SME stands
for subject matter expert. There are so many tools available to us out
there that we do not need to be know-ed experts in everything. We have
access to such great tools that we can learn and grow as professionals
as we go, and be willing to learn along with our students.
Bill Heldman had some cool suggestions for tutorial
website. For example, he suggests using lynda.com as a tool for SME
tutorials. The website provides a lot of help in areas such as Flash,
HTML, and XHTML. Heldman not only uses this resource in the classroom
but personally as a professional development tool. Oracle Academy is
another site online that provides digital tutorials for students as well
as design competitions. Other useful resources include Digital-Tutors
and 3DBuzz.
Question 1: After reading this article do you think you will use online
resources to continue to learn about technologies available to you and
to pass them on to your students?
Knowing now that SME's have provided such great videos and
tutorials online I think I will be less intimidated to try out new
programs on my computer, and as a result I will be more likely to
explore new technologies and share it with my students should I have
great technology access in my classroom. I am open for new ways to make
lessons fun and engaging.
Question 2: Do you think you will be honest with your students
when you are knowledgeable in technology as Bill Heldman was, or will
you try to hide it from your students and try to act as proficient as
possible?
I like that Bill Heldman was honest with his students and was
able to learn how to use these technologies alongside them. But I think
it is important to try to learn these programs on your own first. If you
go into a class cold without having basic knowledge of a program you
could potentially end up wasting a lot of time trying to figure out a
program that may not be well worth your class time.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Journal 9: AAC devices
(NETS-T 4)
"AAC Device" stands for: Augmentative and alternative communication device. It is used by those who have impaired communicative capabilities. There is a large array of devices that can be used for this purpose, ranging from low/no technology required all the way to high technology required. All of them are effective in helping those who have difficulty communicating to communicate easier than they would otherwise be able to. They are particularly effective with special needs students.
No Tech Device
A no technology AAC device would be a communications board. Used to communicate feelings and desires by those who are unable to speak easily, low/no tech communication boards are a simple way to give them a voice. The picture below is an example of a communication board that can be purchased at websites such as http://www.bindependent.com/ for $14.95. However, if you are on a tight budget communication boards are very simple to make by hand and can be equally as effective. For the low price of $5.00 for poster board and markers teachers and parents can draw out a communication board themselves! Links for further information on this product:- http://students.depaul.edu/~hguendli/AAC/
- http://www.bindependent.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=snc100
High Tech Device
- http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/look2learn-aac/id319600029?mt=8#
Hardware
For individuals with severe disabilities, and are unable to operate mouse and keyboard there are input devices that allow them to use a computer without having to operate a mouse or a keyboard. It is for this reason that the ipad can be so useful to an educator of special needs students. They simply need touch the ipad without much difficulty and are able to communicate. But there are other options, as well. For those who are unable to use a keyboard Tobii devices can be very effective for communication. These devices are eye trackers. A no-hands required device, it will track your eye movement using that capability to allow you to control your tv, dvd, or surf the internet. There are a variety of different devices provided by Tobii. But most are portable and do not require any additional attachments. Links for further info on this product:- http://www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/global/products/hardware/mytobii-p10/
Software
The Broadmarker with Speaking Dynamically Pro v.6 is a computer program that comes with high-quality natural sounding voices. The program is also a resourceful tool for teachers. It allows educators to create interactive activities and printed materials. This program is a fantastic tool to allow special needs students access to the school's core curriculum. Not only does this program help the computer turn into a speech output for individuals it can also be used as a tool for learning.
- http://www.mayer-johnson.com/boardmaker-with-speaking-dynamically-pro-v-6
Journal 8: Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus
(NETS-T 1, 2)
Ferrell, K. (2011). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. Learning and Leading, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx
This article discusses something important that we have all learned at some point or another, and often times, we learned it the hard way. Keith Ferrell talks about how he got his fourth grade students to recognize false information when searching the web. It is much easier to find questionable sources that it is to find reliable ones. He was able to prove this by gathering 'data' his fourth graders found when searching for information on the tree octopus and explorers. The facts that he gathered from the students are a mix of absolutely ridiculous statements on the two topics. Most of the students had gathered their information from the first two links provided by google. Once Ferrell reviewed the data with his students it became apparent to them that the data they found wasn't quite accurate. They were shocked to know that the internet would provide them with false information, especially when the pages appeared to be legitimate.
I know it took me a long time to grasp this truth, and it was long after I was in the fourth grade. The one that I had difficulty reconciling that it was not so legitimate was wikipedia. By all accounts it appears to be an encyclopedia, and I was told encyclopedias are always a legitimate resource. I could not understand why, just because it was online it was not a solid source.I of course was not aware that anyone could enter information and that sometimes people have incorrect information, or purposefully put up false information. But once you realize it, you will forever be skeptical of the articles you find on the web, particularly through google. Ferrell then went through the motions to teach the students how to decipher whether or not a source is legitimate. This is a lesson we all need practice in at some point or another. In my opinion, it is a lesson better learned at a young age, than later on before they find themselves making a big mistake. I think the way Keith Ferrell went about this assignment was rather brilliant. Rather than just tell them "Some websites will not be real" he allowed them to discover for themselves.
Are false sites such as Wikipedia that are edited by the public always bad?
I believe that wikipedia is a good starting point, especially if you are just brushing up on facts for personal knowledge. For example, if you hear your parents discussing Jacques Cousteau and you can't for the life of you remember who that was, Wikipedia is a quick and easy way to remind you. But as far as scholarly research goes, Wikipedia is a good starting point. It's good to give a quick background on a topic, but for solid facts you need to research further and remember to never use Wikipedia as a solid source in a research project.
How can you tell if a source is legitimate or not?
You have to double check to see what main site the article came from. If it came from a government issued website like the Library of Congress, from a well respected newspaper like The New York Times, or from a university database it is most likely legitimate. You have to be careful when the main site is something like google sites or blogger which means anyone could have created it.
Ferrell, K. (2011). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. Learning and Leading, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx
This article discusses something important that we have all learned at some point or another, and often times, we learned it the hard way. Keith Ferrell talks about how he got his fourth grade students to recognize false information when searching the web. It is much easier to find questionable sources that it is to find reliable ones. He was able to prove this by gathering 'data' his fourth graders found when searching for information on the tree octopus and explorers. The facts that he gathered from the students are a mix of absolutely ridiculous statements on the two topics. Most of the students had gathered their information from the first two links provided by google. Once Ferrell reviewed the data with his students it became apparent to them that the data they found wasn't quite accurate. They were shocked to know that the internet would provide them with false information, especially when the pages appeared to be legitimate.
I know it took me a long time to grasp this truth, and it was long after I was in the fourth grade. The one that I had difficulty reconciling that it was not so legitimate was wikipedia. By all accounts it appears to be an encyclopedia, and I was told encyclopedias are always a legitimate resource. I could not understand why, just because it was online it was not a solid source.I of course was not aware that anyone could enter information and that sometimes people have incorrect information, or purposefully put up false information. But once you realize it, you will forever be skeptical of the articles you find on the web, particularly through google. Ferrell then went through the motions to teach the students how to decipher whether or not a source is legitimate. This is a lesson we all need practice in at some point or another. In my opinion, it is a lesson better learned at a young age, than later on before they find themselves making a big mistake. I think the way Keith Ferrell went about this assignment was rather brilliant. Rather than just tell them "Some websites will not be real" he allowed them to discover for themselves.
Are false sites such as Wikipedia that are edited by the public always bad?
I believe that wikipedia is a good starting point, especially if you are just brushing up on facts for personal knowledge. For example, if you hear your parents discussing Jacques Cousteau and you can't for the life of you remember who that was, Wikipedia is a quick and easy way to remind you. But as far as scholarly research goes, Wikipedia is a good starting point. It's good to give a quick background on a topic, but for solid facts you need to research further and remember to never use Wikipedia as a solid source in a research project.
How can you tell if a source is legitimate or not?
You have to double check to see what main site the article came from. If it came from a government issued website like the Library of Congress, from a well respected newspaper like The New York Times, or from a university database it is most likely legitimate. You have to be careful when the main site is something like google sites or blogger which means anyone could have created it.
Journal 6: Student voices for change
(NETS-T 1,2,3,4)
McClintock Miller, S. (2011). Student voices for change. Learning and Leading, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx
McClintock Miller, S. (2011). Student voices for change. Learning and Leading, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx
A revolution is occurring in education in Iowa. It is starting at a school called Van Meter where every student from grade 5-12 is given an individual laptop. This venture has changed how the students at Van Meter are learning and interacting with their own education. It has provided them with countless opportunities to delve into subject matter they are passionate about, create something original, and have conversation with professionals from all over the world. When the school presented their advances at an educational conference in Iowa the most shocking aspect was that the students themselves were presenting their achievements to the audience. Ranging from grades 5-12 each student proudly displayed their individual accomplishments in their schoolwork using the technology now available to them. Each student had something distinct to say say about their accomplishments. One student had created an entire city virtually, in 3D. One student had used skype and facebook to have a conversation with her favorite author. The legislators were blown away by how well-versed the children were in using technology to their educational advantage. One legislator even asked at the end of the presentations: "So what can we do to get out of your way and let you go?" This question shows the impact the presenters had on the educational community. One student even recognized that she is paving the way for future students and that this was a historical moment in the advancement of education. The hope is, of course, that someday in the not-so-distant future, every student will have their own computers in school and be allowed access to all the success that the students at Van Meter have had. As a nation, we've a long way to go from here to reach that goal. But after seeing the successes it has had at an Iowa school, I would say it should be one of our priorities to get every child a computer at school. And slowly but surely, we are moving towards that goal.
If it were so easy, we would give every child in school their own computer tomorrow. But, as we know, it is not that simple. The major hurdle to overcome in this is funding. Where and how can schools find the money to start such a huge financial project?
Money, or lack thereof, is major hurdle for schools in accomplishing anything nowadays. With massive budget cuts, it is making it harder and harder for schools to provide as many programs and resources as they would like to their students. In private schools it is easier to achieve tasks like this because they can simply raise tuition, but in public school, it is much harder. Fundraisers are the easiest way to bring money in to the school. Asking for donations from parents or local businesses is another way to bring in money. The good thing about this investment is that it is basically a one-time fee, once you have the computers the students are all set. And it is an investment that will definitely pay off, because it will greatly benefit the students.
Once students are allowed access to computers in school, are the teachers prepared to guide students through these modern computer programs?
In all honesty, I believe that most of the teachers out there are not currently prepared to take on such tasks. Many older teachers are very oblivious to all the technologies available. And if they are aware of them, I'm sure they have not figured out how to use these programs to educational advantage. Even amongst the younger generations of teachers, I feel that many credential programs do not provide future teachers with the knowledge and skill to operate these programs in their benefit. I know my undergraduate university certainly didn't. It is for this reason that I am thankful to be part of the program at Cal State San Marcos where they recognize the advantage in advancing technologies. But unfortunately, I think overall, teachers coming into the workforce are unprepared to keep up with growing technologies and are unknowledgeable in how to utilize them in the classroom.
If it were so easy, we would give every child in school their own computer tomorrow. But, as we know, it is not that simple. The major hurdle to overcome in this is funding. Where and how can schools find the money to start such a huge financial project?
Money, or lack thereof, is major hurdle for schools in accomplishing anything nowadays. With massive budget cuts, it is making it harder and harder for schools to provide as many programs and resources as they would like to their students. In private schools it is easier to achieve tasks like this because they can simply raise tuition, but in public school, it is much harder. Fundraisers are the easiest way to bring money in to the school. Asking for donations from parents or local businesses is another way to bring in money. The good thing about this investment is that it is basically a one-time fee, once you have the computers the students are all set. And it is an investment that will definitely pay off, because it will greatly benefit the students.
Once students are allowed access to computers in school, are the teachers prepared to guide students through these modern computer programs?
In all honesty, I believe that most of the teachers out there are not currently prepared to take on such tasks. Many older teachers are very oblivious to all the technologies available. And if they are aware of them, I'm sure they have not figured out how to use these programs to educational advantage. Even amongst the younger generations of teachers, I feel that many credential programs do not provide future teachers with the knowledge and skill to operate these programs in their benefit. I know my undergraduate university certainly didn't. It is for this reason that I am thankful to be part of the program at Cal State San Marcos where they recognize the advantage in advancing technologies. But unfortunately, I think overall, teachers coming into the workforce are unprepared to keep up with growing technologies and are unknowledgeable in how to utilize them in the classroom.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Journal 7: My Personal Learning Network
(NETS 3, 4, 5)
A personal learning network (or PLN) is an online community that allows for professionals and students to collaborate, share information and resources, and to discuss the current topics of the day. A personal learning network can be especially beneficial to educators. Through educational PLNs educators from all over the world can share with each other what has worked in their own classrooms.
An easy and effective way to start your PLN is through twitter, through hashtags. Through tagging your posts with hashtags you place your post into a stream on that topic. Through the use of hashtags people can have chats on certain topics. Through this active chat/stream you are able to get access to a lot of useful information. When you do see someone putting out a lot of useful information anda resources, you can choose to follow them on twitter which will always give you access to what they are posting.
Today I chose to participate in an educational chat on twitter at 8pm ET using the hashtag #5thchat standing for 5th grade chat. Today the topic was on bullying which I found interesting because it is a very relevant topic to current events. It was a slightly slow-moving discussion, but there were several active participants in the discussion who provided the chat with a lot of helpful tips in regards to bullying, and a lot of good links to helpful websites. This topic is something that really needs to be adressed in schools and in the districts right now. Bullying right now is an issue in schools that is having disastrous repercussions and therefore should be at the forefront of things that need to be fixed in schools. Some people in the chat provided the group with informations on programs that have been implemented in their schools and/or districts. Others provided us with simple solutions in their own classrooms, such as "rave and rant notebooks" where students were free to write personal issues they were dealing with and was particularly helpful for students who were too shy to speak up themselves. I felt that my contributions to the conversation were limited because I, as I am not yet an educator, I cannot provide the group with examples of what works and what doesn't in my own classroom. My lack of experience made me feel slightly unknowledgeable on the topic so I just asked a few questions to the group. One thing I asked was "What can educators and faculty do about cyberbullying? Should they do anything when it happens outside of school grounds?" I thought this was a good question to ask because I know that is a question educators are asking themselves right now in regards to cyberbullying, specifically. One response I got was that if it affects what goes on in our classroom, it is our duty to do something about it.
Along with Twitter, another useful PLN is Diigo, a social bookmarking website. Here, you can tag websites you found informative that you would like to be able to access later. In addition, you can follow other Diigo users who share the same interests as you to see what sort of websites they themselves are bookmarking in hopes that you will be able to access even more informative websites through the people you follow in your network. After searching for people on Diigo I chose to follow a handful of people who have tagged websites under tags that I would be interested in. Mostly educators, their libraries consist of website in education, technology education and elementary education; all topics that would be useful to me. On Twitter I'm following: saraallen91, marykreul, ncarroll24, flyonthecwall, and msnorthrup. On Diigo I'm following: Wesley Fryer, Ludmilla Smirnova, Jeff Thomas, David Warlickand and Lainie McGann Rowell. I tagged some very interesting articles via Diigo from people in my network. Some of the articles include why or why not students should interact with teachers through text or online, social studies lesson plans, and Sir Ken Robinson.
I aslo joined Classroom 2.0 a PLN specifically designed for educators. What attracted me to this particular PLN is that posts made by members can be sorted based on subject (math, science, etc) and by level (elementary, middle, etc) to make things simple to find. Through searching "elementary" posts I came across an article titled "Dital storytelling for beginners" which as well as being about my target age group, it is also very relevant to this course. Through this article, which was provided to me by a fellow Classroom 2.0 member I was directly connected to two websites that are useful in digital storytelling, that make it very easy for children to use. These websites are Go!Animate and xtranormal. On go!animate users can create a an animated video in minutes complete with music and dialogue, a very fun and interesting way children can learn to tell their stories. Xtranormal is another great website that uses good animation and can incorporate voice recordings to add to the story being told. Within minutes of searching the Classroom 2.0 network I gained access to two great resources that would be fun and beneficial in the classroom.
A personal learning network (or PLN) is an online community that allows for professionals and students to collaborate, share information and resources, and to discuss the current topics of the day. A personal learning network can be especially beneficial to educators. Through educational PLNs educators from all over the world can share with each other what has worked in their own classrooms.
An easy and effective way to start your PLN is through twitter, through hashtags. Through tagging your posts with hashtags you place your post into a stream on that topic. Through the use of hashtags people can have chats on certain topics. Through this active chat/stream you are able to get access to a lot of useful information. When you do see someone putting out a lot of useful information anda resources, you can choose to follow them on twitter which will always give you access to what they are posting.
Today I chose to participate in an educational chat on twitter at 8pm ET using the hashtag #5thchat standing for 5th grade chat. Today the topic was on bullying which I found interesting because it is a very relevant topic to current events. It was a slightly slow-moving discussion, but there were several active participants in the discussion who provided the chat with a lot of helpful tips in regards to bullying, and a lot of good links to helpful websites. This topic is something that really needs to be adressed in schools and in the districts right now. Bullying right now is an issue in schools that is having disastrous repercussions and therefore should be at the forefront of things that need to be fixed in schools. Some people in the chat provided the group with informations on programs that have been implemented in their schools and/or districts. Others provided us with simple solutions in their own classrooms, such as "rave and rant notebooks" where students were free to write personal issues they were dealing with and was particularly helpful for students who were too shy to speak up themselves. I felt that my contributions to the conversation were limited because I, as I am not yet an educator, I cannot provide the group with examples of what works and what doesn't in my own classroom. My lack of experience made me feel slightly unknowledgeable on the topic so I just asked a few questions to the group. One thing I asked was "What can educators and faculty do about cyberbullying? Should they do anything when it happens outside of school grounds?" I thought this was a good question to ask because I know that is a question educators are asking themselves right now in regards to cyberbullying, specifically. One response I got was that if it affects what goes on in our classroom, it is our duty to do something about it.
Along with Twitter, another useful PLN is Diigo, a social bookmarking website. Here, you can tag websites you found informative that you would like to be able to access later. In addition, you can follow other Diigo users who share the same interests as you to see what sort of websites they themselves are bookmarking in hopes that you will be able to access even more informative websites through the people you follow in your network. After searching for people on Diigo I chose to follow a handful of people who have tagged websites under tags that I would be interested in. Mostly educators, their libraries consist of website in education, technology education and elementary education; all topics that would be useful to me. On Twitter I'm following: saraallen91, marykreul, ncarroll24, flyonthecwall, and msnorthrup. On Diigo I'm following: Wesley Fryer, Ludmilla Smirnova, Jeff Thomas, David Warlickand and Lainie McGann Rowell. I tagged some very interesting articles via Diigo from people in my network. Some of the articles include why or why not students should interact with teachers through text or online, social studies lesson plans, and Sir Ken Robinson.
I aslo joined Classroom 2.0 a PLN specifically designed for educators. What attracted me to this particular PLN is that posts made by members can be sorted based on subject (math, science, etc) and by level (elementary, middle, etc) to make things simple to find. Through searching "elementary" posts I came across an article titled "Dital storytelling for beginners" which as well as being about my target age group, it is also very relevant to this course. Through this article, which was provided to me by a fellow Classroom 2.0 member I was directly connected to two websites that are useful in digital storytelling, that make it very easy for children to use. These websites are Go!Animate and xtranormal. On go!animate users can create a an animated video in minutes complete with music and dialogue, a very fun and interesting way children can learn to tell their stories. Xtranormal is another great website that uses good animation and can incorporate voice recordings to add to the story being told. Within minutes of searching the Classroom 2.0 network I gained access to two great resources that would be fun and beneficial in the classroom.
Monday, July 25, 2011
"About Me" Survey
(NETS 2) This is an about me survey I created through google forms vis google docs.
Journal 5: Harness the power of technology (Extra Credit)
(NETS-T 3 & 5)
Duncan, A. (2011). Harness the power of technology. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
The disconnect in today's classrooms in terms of bringing technology into them, is that teachers often view technology as an add-on to a lesson, rather than a means of integration. The number one beneficial factor in bringing technology into the classroom, Duncan says, is because students are easily engaged through it. Students who were unsuccessful in more traditional methods of learning, such as reading, find their academics improve greatly through the integration of technology in their lessons. To move along the improvement of technology education in the classroom The U.S. Department of Education is promoting ARPA-ED which stands for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Education. This agency will be meant to "aggressively pursue" advancements in technology in education and learning throughout the country. Of course, one of the biggest motivators and influence on a student is their teacher. A good teacher combined with technology is a combination which is the best for a child's academic success.
Question 1: Duncan mentioned that there are many schools in rural areas of the country that do not have internet access. Does this mean that the students who attend these schools are behind in academics than students who have ready access to the internet and whose schools have integrated technology readily into many lessons?
I definitely think the students who attend schools who have made it a priority to give the students access to technology in their studies are at a huge advantage. There are many ways a student can grow academically without the use of technology, but it may take more work on the students part. The advantage of having technology available is that it appeals to students, and as a result of the interest, more students will probably be doing better academically. So, my assumption would be that overall, students who attend a technology-savvy school will be more likely to have academic success than students who attend a more traditional school, because they have the tools to do so at their disposal.
Question 2: With technology rapidly growing is it essential for teachers now-a-days to be trained to be technologically savvy to keep up with technology?
I think it is extremely important that teachers are trained using the most recent technologies and resources available to them. Children coming into the education system are often one step ahead in this area than the generation that preceded them. To make full use of this knowledge that children have coming into school, teachers should be trained in that fashion. If children know a lot about something, chances are it will catch their attention. So using this in a classroom as a way of engaging the interest of students would be a very beneficial teaching method.
Duncan, A. (2011). Harness the power of technology. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
The disconnect in today's classrooms in terms of bringing technology into them, is that teachers often view technology as an add-on to a lesson, rather than a means of integration. The number one beneficial factor in bringing technology into the classroom, Duncan says, is because students are easily engaged through it. Students who were unsuccessful in more traditional methods of learning, such as reading, find their academics improve greatly through the integration of technology in their lessons. To move along the improvement of technology education in the classroom The U.S. Department of Education is promoting ARPA-ED which stands for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Education. This agency will be meant to "aggressively pursue" advancements in technology in education and learning throughout the country. Of course, one of the biggest motivators and influence on a student is their teacher. A good teacher combined with technology is a combination which is the best for a child's academic success.
Question 1: Duncan mentioned that there are many schools in rural areas of the country that do not have internet access. Does this mean that the students who attend these schools are behind in academics than students who have ready access to the internet and whose schools have integrated technology readily into many lessons?
I definitely think the students who attend schools who have made it a priority to give the students access to technology in their studies are at a huge advantage. There are many ways a student can grow academically without the use of technology, but it may take more work on the students part. The advantage of having technology available is that it appeals to students, and as a result of the interest, more students will probably be doing better academically. So, my assumption would be that overall, students who attend a technology-savvy school will be more likely to have academic success than students who attend a more traditional school, because they have the tools to do so at their disposal.
Question 2: With technology rapidly growing is it essential for teachers now-a-days to be trained to be technologically savvy to keep up with technology?
I think it is extremely important that teachers are trained using the most recent technologies and resources available to them. Children coming into the education system are often one step ahead in this area than the generation that preceded them. To make full use of this knowledge that children have coming into school, teachers should be trained in that fashion. If children know a lot about something, chances are it will catch their attention. So using this in a classroom as a way of engaging the interest of students would be a very beneficial teaching method.
Journal 4: One Size Never Fits All
(NETS-T 1)
Courduff, J. (2011). One size never fits all. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
In One Size Never Fits All Jennifer Courduff she discusses that using technology in the classroom can be a useful learning tool for children with special needs, that it may indeed cater to individual learning styles of the children. In the Etiwanda School District in California Teachers went through a technology integration program where they were to learn how to use technological tools to their and their students' advantages in the classroom. Such technology provides an avenue for students to succeed at what they struggling with before. Jennifer Courduff provides an example of a fifth grader named Shannon, who in 5th grade, was reading at a prekindergarten level. With this technology Shannon was able to digitally narrate a story which she was not able to do before because her low reading level was a hinderance in her writing ability. Now, she is able to truly express herself and her own creative ingenuity. While it took years for the teachers to fully develop their confidence in using technology as a tool in their classroom, the end result was well worth it because technology is able to address the many and various needs that children have.
Question 1: Lack of time and funding are the biggest reasons that schools lack innovative technology. Do you think it is a valid reason to miss out on these opportunities, and what can be done to help support such programs in schools?
The success stories that came out of Etiwanda, California are so inspiring that it think many schools who can afford it, or who have parental support should try to implement this into their schools. It will take a lot of time for the teachers to become efficient and knowledgable in the technologies but the end result i think is very worth it. The best way to raise funds is to always ask parents for help. If their is not a lot of parental support in the district the next thing to do would be to fundraise. And if the their is enough support from the staff, the teachers can take time out of their evenings, weekends, or summers to begin the training process. The results show that such training can be very beneficial for the student, and that makes it all worth it.
Question 2: Without knowing a lot about Special Needs students, why do you think it is that technology can make them so successful in their learning?
I do not have a lot of personal experience working with special needs students so I cannot specifically identify what it is about technology that allows them to be so successful. I would however venture a guess that it is able to capture their interest. Technology is often very hands on, though virtually so. I think this adds an element of interest for the student. In any case, something that is captivating for the student is likely to stick with them, which in turn will allow them to build upon what have already learned. This would account for why Shannon was able to increase her reading abilities so drastically in such a short period of time.
Courduff, J. (2011). One size never fits all. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
In One Size Never Fits All Jennifer Courduff she discusses that using technology in the classroom can be a useful learning tool for children with special needs, that it may indeed cater to individual learning styles of the children. In the Etiwanda School District in California Teachers went through a technology integration program where they were to learn how to use technological tools to their and their students' advantages in the classroom. Such technology provides an avenue for students to succeed at what they struggling with before. Jennifer Courduff provides an example of a fifth grader named Shannon, who in 5th grade, was reading at a prekindergarten level. With this technology Shannon was able to digitally narrate a story which she was not able to do before because her low reading level was a hinderance in her writing ability. Now, she is able to truly express herself and her own creative ingenuity. While it took years for the teachers to fully develop their confidence in using technology as a tool in their classroom, the end result was well worth it because technology is able to address the many and various needs that children have.
Question 1: Lack of time and funding are the biggest reasons that schools lack innovative technology. Do you think it is a valid reason to miss out on these opportunities, and what can be done to help support such programs in schools?
The success stories that came out of Etiwanda, California are so inspiring that it think many schools who can afford it, or who have parental support should try to implement this into their schools. It will take a lot of time for the teachers to become efficient and knowledgable in the technologies but the end result i think is very worth it. The best way to raise funds is to always ask parents for help. If their is not a lot of parental support in the district the next thing to do would be to fundraise. And if the their is enough support from the staff, the teachers can take time out of their evenings, weekends, or summers to begin the training process. The results show that such training can be very beneficial for the student, and that makes it all worth it.
Question 2: Without knowing a lot about Special Needs students, why do you think it is that technology can make them so successful in their learning?
I do not have a lot of personal experience working with special needs students so I cannot specifically identify what it is about technology that allows them to be so successful. I would however venture a guess that it is able to capture their interest. Technology is often very hands on, though virtually so. I think this adds an element of interest for the student. In any case, something that is captivating for the student is likely to stick with them, which in turn will allow them to build upon what have already learned. This would account for why Shannon was able to increase her reading abilities so drastically in such a short period of time.
Journal 3: Abracadabra: It's Augmented Reality!
(NETS-1 & 2)
Raphael, R. (2011). Learning connections: abracadabra- it's augmented reality!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Abracadabra_-_It_s_Augmented_Reality.aspx
In this article, Raphael Raphael discusses augmented reality as an innovative tool for students to use in learning. We see ways in which augmented reality can be educational on the Getty website where users are able to open drawers of a 17th century cabinet and view what is inside (Raphael, 2011). Students themselves are now able to create using augmented reality. Raphael Raphael provides the example of a storybook that a student creates. Through augmented reality students would be able to create their own narrative, drag and drop things into the story creating a pop-up book of sorts. Raphael mentions that a great tool for such student activity is through Zooburst. Raphael predicts that the abilities through augmented realities are going to exponentially increase in the future, providing endless opportunities for users and for students, especially. Already there exists augmented reality mobile applications available to students for learning. For example, there is one where one can point their mobile phone at the stars and the application will immediately provide a map of the nearby constellations, available for the person to study (Raphael, 2011). Through the world of augmented reality there will be endless educational opportunities for students to creatively explore ways to express what they have learned.
Question 1: While augmented reality will be a fun and inventive way for students to explore learning, might it turn into an invasion of privacy if such applications are created to search the web about strangers standing right in front of you?
Raphael Raphael mentioned that augmented reality technology is developing very quickly and that soon, mobile applications will be able to track people standing right in front of you, and bring up information on them from the internet, such as there Facebook, etc. This at first concerned me, because prior to this it would take someone to have personally met me to even be able to look me up on the internet. Now, that is not the case and it sounds quite dangerous. On the other hand, such an application could be used as a protective tool. If a stranger approaches you, you could pull up information on them before they even speak to you. In ways like this, I think the increasing technology of the future is strange and slightly worrisome.
Question 2: In what ways, as a future educator, could you imagine using augmented reality in your classroom?
For history projects I quite like the idea of being able to open up artifacts, like the ones at the Getty website that Raphael discussed. I think being able to examine artifacts from the past is one way that really brings the subject to life. I also find the pop-up story book an intriguing and fun way to bring creative writing truly to life. For kinesthetic learners this tool would be very useful in mathematics and spelling if the students could virtually move around numbers and letters when studying. The possibilities are truly endless and with a child's imagination and skill, it would be very exciting to see what sort of projects they are able to create with these tools.
Raphael, R. (2011). Learning connections: abracadabra- it's augmented reality!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Abracadabra_-_It_s_Augmented_Reality.aspx
In this article, Raphael Raphael discusses augmented reality as an innovative tool for students to use in learning. We see ways in which augmented reality can be educational on the Getty website where users are able to open drawers of a 17th century cabinet and view what is inside (Raphael, 2011). Students themselves are now able to create using augmented reality. Raphael Raphael provides the example of a storybook that a student creates. Through augmented reality students would be able to create their own narrative, drag and drop things into the story creating a pop-up book of sorts. Raphael mentions that a great tool for such student activity is through Zooburst. Raphael predicts that the abilities through augmented realities are going to exponentially increase in the future, providing endless opportunities for users and for students, especially. Already there exists augmented reality mobile applications available to students for learning. For example, there is one where one can point their mobile phone at the stars and the application will immediately provide a map of the nearby constellations, available for the person to study (Raphael, 2011). Through the world of augmented reality there will be endless educational opportunities for students to creatively explore ways to express what they have learned.
Question 1: While augmented reality will be a fun and inventive way for students to explore learning, might it turn into an invasion of privacy if such applications are created to search the web about strangers standing right in front of you?
Raphael Raphael mentioned that augmented reality technology is developing very quickly and that soon, mobile applications will be able to track people standing right in front of you, and bring up information on them from the internet, such as there Facebook, etc. This at first concerned me, because prior to this it would take someone to have personally met me to even be able to look me up on the internet. Now, that is not the case and it sounds quite dangerous. On the other hand, such an application could be used as a protective tool. If a stranger approaches you, you could pull up information on them before they even speak to you. In ways like this, I think the increasing technology of the future is strange and slightly worrisome.
Question 2: In what ways, as a future educator, could you imagine using augmented reality in your classroom?
For history projects I quite like the idea of being able to open up artifacts, like the ones at the Getty website that Raphael discussed. I think being able to examine artifacts from the past is one way that really brings the subject to life. I also find the pop-up story book an intriguing and fun way to bring creative writing truly to life. For kinesthetic learners this tool would be very useful in mathematics and spelling if the students could virtually move around numbers and letters when studying. The possibilities are truly endless and with a child's imagination and skill, it would be very exciting to see what sort of projects they are able to create with these tools.
Journal 2: Join the Flock
(NETS-T 5)
Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
Hadley Ferguson, in her article Join the Flock, strongly suggests that educators get a twitter account, as it can be a very useful tool for teachers. She wrote step-by-step instructions to creating a PLN. Starting a PLN gives you access to learn what other educators around the world are learning about technology, specifically. A PLN, she explains, is a network of people through the internet who share a common interest and who learn from each other. Most people think of twitter as a purely social network for friends to discuss their daily lives and the media but Ferguson points out the great usefulness of the network. She suggests having multiple accounts for the above reason; one personal account to follow friends and one educational account; to create your PLN. Ferguson emphasizes the importance of retweeting. When you retweet you are essentially re-posting what someone before you has posted so that everyone who is following you has access to that information. Ferguson also encourages people to get into the conversation rather than be a bystander watching what others are posting. Lastly, tagging your posts places your post into a specific stream of information, so people interested in that topic can find the information easily. Hadley Ferguson’s article made it simple to see the usefulness and simplicity of creating a PLN through twitter.
Question 1: If a social network like Twitter can be such a great educational tool, could other such as Facebook or Myspace have the same benefits?
I think what makes Twitter such a great educational and professional tool is simply the hashtags. Through hashtags users are able to create specific streams in which only information on that particular topic are shown. Through hashtags one is able to sift out silly posts by people who post irrelevant or unimportant topics. Facebook does not provide the ability to create streams of information (yet) and neither does Myspace. So, for now, it seems that Facebook and Myspace are simply useful as a social tool rather than educational ones. This is why, as Hadley Ferguson said, it would be beneficial to have more than one twitter account: one professional/education account and one personal account.
Question 2: Is it really necessary to create multiple accounts when using Twitter as a PLN?
I do not think it is necessary to create two twitter accounts. I think it is very important to monitor the kinds of things you post on any network, whether it is professional or personal. Even on your personal account everyone would have access to it, and be able to read what you are saying. I can see having multiple accounts as being beneficial simply to organize groups. But for the “professionalism” aspect, I do not think that should be a reason to have separate accounts, to monitor the things you say. Because if you are posting something that you would not want your grandmother or your boss to see, you should not be posting it at all.
Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx
Hadley Ferguson, in her article Join the Flock, strongly suggests that educators get a twitter account, as it can be a very useful tool for teachers. She wrote step-by-step instructions to creating a PLN. Starting a PLN gives you access to learn what other educators around the world are learning about technology, specifically. A PLN, she explains, is a network of people through the internet who share a common interest and who learn from each other. Most people think of twitter as a purely social network for friends to discuss their daily lives and the media but Ferguson points out the great usefulness of the network. She suggests having multiple accounts for the above reason; one personal account to follow friends and one educational account; to create your PLN. Ferguson emphasizes the importance of retweeting. When you retweet you are essentially re-posting what someone before you has posted so that everyone who is following you has access to that information. Ferguson also encourages people to get into the conversation rather than be a bystander watching what others are posting. Lastly, tagging your posts places your post into a specific stream of information, so people interested in that topic can find the information easily. Hadley Ferguson’s article made it simple to see the usefulness and simplicity of creating a PLN through twitter.
Question 1: If a social network like Twitter can be such a great educational tool, could other such as Facebook or Myspace have the same benefits?
I think what makes Twitter such a great educational and professional tool is simply the hashtags. Through hashtags users are able to create specific streams in which only information on that particular topic are shown. Through hashtags one is able to sift out silly posts by people who post irrelevant or unimportant topics. Facebook does not provide the ability to create streams of information (yet) and neither does Myspace. So, for now, it seems that Facebook and Myspace are simply useful as a social tool rather than educational ones. This is why, as Hadley Ferguson said, it would be beneficial to have more than one twitter account: one professional/education account and one personal account.
Question 2: Is it really necessary to create multiple accounts when using Twitter as a PLN?
I do not think it is necessary to create two twitter accounts. I think it is very important to monitor the kinds of things you post on any network, whether it is professional or personal. Even on your personal account everyone would have access to it, and be able to read what you are saying. I can see having multiple accounts as being beneficial simply to organize groups. But for the “professionalism” aspect, I do not think that should be a reason to have separate accounts, to monitor the things you say. Because if you are posting something that you would not want your grandmother or your boss to see, you should not be posting it at all.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Technology Self Assessment
I took a look at Module 1: Enabling students to use technology to demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes. I chose this section because I truly believe that tapping into students creativity allows students the opportunity to express what they know through a means that they are comfortable with. Not all students succeed in academics, the way that the system is currently set up. As such, it is important to allow all students the opportunity to express their knowledge in different ways.
Here, I viewed a speech by Sir Ken Robinson on creativity. In the video, he discussed that children are born creative. Through our education system, however, creativity gets stamped out. The reason behind this, he says, is that making mistakes in the school system is unacceptable. But it is important to make mistakes if you are ever going to create anything new. The education system today is very harsh towards creativity. Sir Ken Robinson launched into an anecdote about a very successful dancer who struggled in school as a child. She could not concentrate or sit still. At the time, the 1930s, ADHD did not exist. And given a description of her symptoms many today would assume that a child who could not sit still had ADHD. So the mother of the child took her to a specialist where they simply observed her. They saw her moving to the music that was playing and the specialist suggested the mother enroll her in dance classes. The point that this story was meant to convey was that children who do not conform to the educational system are often cast aside or diagnosed with a learning disability. However, if you allow them to tap into their movement or whatever it is that they having a liking towards they will really be able to express themselves and their capabilities.
Creativity is essential to future generations because there is no way to tell what the world will be like sixty years, or even five years from now. It is our duty to prepare the children to face the future, and creativity is the key to that success. According to Sir Ken Robinson dance, music and art are just as important in education as are mathematics and science and should be given the same status. The video was truly inspiring because it allows those of us who are not necessarily gifted in the main subjects in school the opportunity to show our own capabilities and succeed at what we are inherently good at.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Journal 1: My 100 Favorite Things!
1. Laughing
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Boyfriend
5. Puppies
6. Harry Potter Books
7. F.R.I.E.N.D.S
8. Mexican Fruit Salad
9. Traveling
10. World Languages
11. Candles
12. Modern Family
13. LOST
14. Fondue
15. Napa Valley
16. History
17. Learning
18. Tiramisu
19. Mexico
20. Lavender
21. Pictures
22. Yellow
23. Nail Polish
24. Earl Grey
25. Lounge Music
26. H & M
27. Speaking Spanish
28. Swimming
29. Hollywood
30. California Burritos
31. B.P.
32. Organization
33.Thanksgiving
34.Tacos
35. Art
36. San Francisco
37. Vacations
38. Lattes
39. Paletas
40. Spanish Guitar
41. Delta Gamma
42. Sushi
43. Learning French
44. Pink
45. Road Trips
46. Reading
47. Christmas
48. Jacuzzi
49. My Dad's Salad Dressing
50. Harry Potter Movies
51. Italy
52. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
53. Ibiza
54. Sephora
55. Night clubs
56. Movies
57. Family Reunions
58. Edith Piaf
59. London
60. LA Galaxy
61. Vanilla
62. Boots
63. Indian Food
64. School
65. Lake Havasu
66. Horchata
67. Spain
68. Papayas
69. Spa Days
70. Dusk
71. Rain
72. Dinner Dates
73. Cathy Jean Shoes
74. Beach Days
75. Naps
76. 75 Degrees Farenheit
77. Cucumber
78. Happy Hour
79. Gyros
80. Wine
81. Comedy
82. Musicals
83. Coats
84. Pasta
85. Gelato
86. Posole
87. Forever 21
88. Purple
89. TLC
90. Astrud Gilbert
91. House Music
92. Historical Fiction
93. Mango
94. Swimming Pool
95. Amsterdam
96. Picnics
97. Scarves
98. Greek Life
99. Sunsets
100. Home
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Boyfriend
5. Puppies
6. Harry Potter Books
7. F.R.I.E.N.D.S
8. Mexican Fruit Salad
9. Traveling
10. World Languages
11. Candles
12. Modern Family
13. LOST
14. Fondue
15. Napa Valley
16. History
17. Learning
18. Tiramisu
19. Mexico
20. Lavender
21. Pictures
22. Yellow
23. Nail Polish
24. Earl Grey
25. Lounge Music
26. H & M
27. Speaking Spanish
28. Swimming
29. Hollywood
30. California Burritos
31. B.P.
32. Organization
33.Thanksgiving
34.Tacos
35. Art
36. San Francisco
37. Vacations
38. Lattes
39. Paletas
40. Spanish Guitar
41. Delta Gamma
42. Sushi
43. Learning French
44. Pink
45. Road Trips
46. Reading
47. Christmas
48. Jacuzzi
49. My Dad's Salad Dressing
50. Harry Potter Movies
51. Italy
52. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
53. Ibiza
54. Sephora
55. Night clubs
56. Movies
57. Family Reunions
58. Edith Piaf
59. London
60. LA Galaxy
61. Vanilla
62. Boots
63. Indian Food
64. School
65. Lake Havasu
66. Horchata
67. Spain
68. Papayas
69. Spa Days
70. Dusk
71. Rain
72. Dinner Dates
73. Cathy Jean Shoes
74. Beach Days
75. Naps
76. 75 Degrees Farenheit
77. Cucumber
78. Happy Hour
79. Gyros
80. Wine
81. Comedy
82. Musicals
83. Coats
84. Pasta
85. Gelato
86. Posole
87. Forever 21
88. Purple
89. TLC
90. Astrud Gilbert
91. House Music
92. Historical Fiction
93. Mango
94. Swimming Pool
95. Amsterdam
96. Picnics
97. Scarves
98. Greek Life
99. Sunsets
100. Home
Monday, July 11, 2011
Introducing...Nicole!
Hi, everyone! My name is Nicole Locatelli. I was born in San Diego and my family moved to Poway when I was just and infant. In Poway I attended Midland Elementary, Twin Peaks Middle School and I graduated from Poway High in 2006. The idea of "getting away" always appealed to me, so after graduating high school I attended San Jose State University in the Bay Area. There is where I have spent the past 5 years of my life. I began there as a Business major, quickly realized I hated it, and changed my major to Liberal Studies (Teacher Prep). I always thought I would enjoy teaching and would be rather good at it, having volunteered as a TA in a sixth grade classroom while I was still in high school. Once I changed my majored I was able to enjoy my studies much more. I also added on my Spanish minor which has also helped me greatly and given me amazing opportunities. In the summer of 2008 I got the opportunity to study abroad in Burgos, Spain, which was an incredible experience. At San Jose State I was also an active member of my sorority, Delta Gamma. Through my sorority I was able to take up various leadership positions in the organization and in my Greek campus community, which provided me an enormous amount of personal growth. And this past semester I was a founding member of The National Society for Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) an Honors Society that supports student achieve their goals through support from peers and faculty. I graduated just this past May and I will miss my alma mater very much. It was always decided that once I graduated I would move back home to San Diego (more by my parents, than by myself). I never even questioned where I would apply to get my teaching credential--Cal State San Marcos. I have only heard amazing things about the program here and am very excited to get started!Technology is a huge mystery to me and I almost always fail miserably when I attempt to fix something on my computer or even update my iPod. It is a real shame considering I went to college in the Silicon Valley, where I was constantly surrounded by the latest and greatest things in technology. I was often the subject matter of jokes amongst my friends for this reason. In college, I never took an online class partly because I think I learn better in the classroom setting, but also because I had this fear that I would not be able to figure out the site and I would fail to turn something in, which is the greatest fear of all. I have a Toshiba PC that my parents gave to me as a gift when I graduated from high school. I think the reason my computer has lived this long is because I hardly download music or anything, really. I basically just use my computer to write papers, check facebook and my email. I have a Twitter account, but that is only because my best friend made it for me; I hardly use it. I have a lot to learn in this area, but as long as instructions are clear and concise (and so far they have been), I should be pretty proficient by the end of this course, as I hope to be!
Cal State San Marcos's College of Education Mission Statement is one that I truly agree with. Particularly living in California, it is essential that our teachers have the tools and the frame of mind to be able to give every one of their students the help that they need, no matter what social or cultural background they come from. As role-models to children it is crucial to exemplify an eagerness to learn that you would want to see in your students. If a teacher wants to create life-long learners, they themselves have to be life-long learners. This means constantly making yourself open to change and to new experiences, and recognizing that learning does not end with school, but that it continues for the rest of our lives.
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