EDEL 3250 Instructional Media

I Am What I Learn-Jordan (video)

2010-04-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

What?

This video was brilliantly clever. I loved the message it sent without even saying words with the setting and the staging. Having Jordan start out as a would-be movie director in his garage and then advance through his yard which was his movied lot, and finally go home only yards away was terrific. It showed his dreams played out in a small scale with his big dreams pinned on getting his education. His narration was the driving message, but I couldn't help being drawn into the video set up.

So What?

As a student learning technology, I realized that Jordan is right in that I need an education and especially an education in technology. Jordan has used his knowledge of technology to send a message all over the world. Technology is an effective way to communicate. I am using technology know to communicate to my professors my assignments and knowledge. This video topic was an appropriate message for me.

What Now?

I thought how creative a 16 year old can be! What can 3rd and 6th graders do with their writing and acting abilities to convey their knowledge and dreams? This young man used his knowledge of technology as a vehicle to hopefully get his dream job. Technology is the key to many future jobs. I think my students should use it and begin the spirit of discovery!

Digital Story 3

2010-04-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

What?

Tyler and I are matching the images with the music and brief narration we have chosen to form our dramatic question and send our inspirational message. I'm still unsure how the Mac software does this process since Tyler is adding in most of what I send him by email. However, I'm having fun on the Photostory I installed on my home computer.

So What?

The topic we chose of the flag has great interest to me now as the country seems to be divided in a political party fued. I'm hoping that the viewer will remember what the flag stands for--one nation, indivisible. Life in America should not be without contradiction and readjustment; however, I wish people could focus on the policies and not the political parties. The digital stories are a good way to use imagery and sound to provoke critical thinking.

What Now?

The digital story we created should be helpful to me as a teacher because it reviews in photos the history of America's significant events. The pictures will create questions for students who have not seen the picture or are not familiar with the events. For others, the pictures may cause the viewer to reflect on those pictures and take pause. Since much of the social studies core in 5th grade includes American history, this would be appropriate for them to view.

I Am What I Learn-Renee (video)

2010-04-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

What?
This digital story was a great example of using all the elements of text, sound, and visuals to send a dramatic message. Her script was written in text along the bottom of the screen to help the viewer to understand the message and to emphasize the message. (Did she do that texting on the bottom of the screen? She must have had great timing to get the sound and text matched up so well.) I felt her passion as she talked about passion. I felt emotion as she used personal experience to inspire me to create the person I want to be no matter my situation.

So What?
As a student, this message is powerful because enduring to graduation can seem daunting. But no matter the situation, I need to take control of my life and finish. After graduation, I'm sure a new dawn of choosing to succeed will begin. It was nice to see the video as an example of a great digital story. Although her body language and background will appeal to a different generation than mine, the message is timeless. I liked her ideas for script, transitions and emotional appeal.

What Now?
I could use her message to motivate older students. Powerful digital stories like this one can be used as resources in teaching topics in the core. I'm excited to find more of them and add them to my tool box. I need more time . . . There are so many fun things to do!

Digital Story 2

2010-04-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

What?
Today in class we worked with Photostory learning how to add images, sound, and text to make a digital story. I was impressed with the effectiveness of panning, zooming, and transitioning made easy. The motion made it feel like a movie. I enjoyed the musical sound options built into the software. I thought it was fun to play with. The idea of using power point slides for text was insightful.

So What?
I'm excited to try this out. I think I will download microstory3 (is that what it was called?) on my home computer to have some fun with my own pictures. Tyler has a Macbook and, of course, he wants to do everything on his laptop. So I think our digital story will be done in IMovie or something whatever Mac computers use that is similar. We have worked on the script and sound together and picture ideas. Tyler wants to download the pictures all on his computer; so I'm not sure what they will be for certain until we meet again. However, I'm excited to try out Photostory with some of our pictures to get the hang of it.

What Now?
This idea is wonderful for engaging students in school projects. Besides the purpose we are making digital stories--to teach a topic or address an issue--digital stories could help in skill procedures and in perhaps unit reviews. For example, I think students would love to hear their own voices in a movie or see familiar pictures. I think taking pictures of hands-on learning or showing student successes would be a great unit review using digital stories. The story could begin with the essential question of the unit like: What was the cause of the Civil War? Then brief podcast interviews could be recorded of student's understanding or their answers to the essential question. Then pictures taken of different assessments that they are willing to share with the class could be added to the story. It would make a great review mixed in with teacher review and slides. Mmm. . . my brain is thinking how versatile this tool could be if I have time to use the creative juices as a teacher!

Field Blog #4 - Spring Break

2010-04-10T09:01:00.001-07:00

Having a nice break - THANK YOU!

Cyber Summit on 21st Century Skills (Video)

2010-04-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

What?
This video presents the Kansas Technology Rich Classroom used in 3rd to 5th grades. Four teachers and a part-time facilitator use technology to help students experience the virtual world of knowledge. These students were allowed to use their own speed and learning style to achieve through technology.

So What?
As a student doing my curriculum hours I have seen technology used in the classroom by my cooperating teacher and have used technology in my lesson plans. My cooperating teacher used her interactive board to teach measuring area in math. She was able to project a grid on the board and use the tools to drag elastics to the grid to form shapes. Then she could highlight different shapes with colors, inside or outside the shape. This visual enhanced students' learning by allowing them to count the squares inside the shapes in order to check their computations. This format of teaching explained why the formulas for area work. Technology moved the ideas from abstract to a more concrete nature.

What Now?
As a teacher, I feel technology-enriched classrooms will be beneficial for my students. I liked the comments of the students in the video who said it allowed them to go at their own speed and achieve in a non-traditional way. My students will have access to real and virtual experiences like those who explored and reported the world through technology. I liked the ideas put forth that rich technology helped "explode" student achievement scores, produced leadership skills, and new relationships. I would love to see my students have that kind of success!

Field Blog #3

2010-04-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

What?
This week we used media clips and power points in our lesson plans. Two effective clips were used in teaching the Gettysburg Address. PBS.org made available an introductory clip of the Gettysburg Address showing the original picture of Lincoln at the time he gave the Address and narrative with a small reflection from former President Bill Clinton. The second clip we showed was a reading of the Gettysburg Address document by actor Jeff Daniels with text on screen for read-along purposes.

So What?
Our technology was an effective teaching tools for our students. Our lesson plan put the media information in the middle of our presentation, which brought our students to focus with the dramatic music, the primary sources, and the use of audio and visual representations together. The students were reverenced by the tone of the video clips and the reading of the document. This technology was helpful and powerful in leading into our assessment to have the students write a journal entry regarding the message of the Gettysburg Address. The students were able to connect why this document was still important to us today. They felt patriotic when we talked about a nation still being "tried."

What Now?

As a future teacher, I can see how technology can make life easier and effective for me with resources. Creative people have graciously made available excellent teaching resources. The students love to watch the past be re-enacted or retold on screen. They are engaged easily by media creations. I would love to have an interactive board available in my classroom. I hope to understand how to work on an Apple computer works as well. My cooperating teacher said that everything in the districts was Apple. I'm used to PC and windows. Here's to the spirit of discovery!

Field Blog 2

2010-03-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

What?
This week my cooperating teacher used her smartboard to show a clip about volcanos from the internet. She used the audio/video portion of the clip to help the students differentiate the volcano types, which I thought was interesting. Then she reviewed the clip pausing as the narrator instructed on the characteristics of a shield volcano and a cone volcano.

So What?
As a student I was more captivated hearing the sounds of the volcano and seeing the volcano as it erupted. I might not have noticed this if the teacher had not pointed this out to me and then reviewed the clip again. I like how she was able to stop the clip on points of interest and cue the students to listen for important bits of information.

What Now?
I believe as a teacher using scientific data in short video/audio clips reinforces the material being taught. Technology leaves an impression on the mind because it takes the student on a virtual trip to a volcano. As a teacher I can't take a field trip to a volcano most likely, but I can show my students through the internet a video clip of someone who has been there. Through this person's story, a student can get a sense of a volcano. The information being taught can be retained longer.

What is Next Generation Learning? (Video)

2010-03-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

What?
This video shows the fantastic technology in today's schools. The learning of the next generation involves more than sitting on chairs and writing on chalkboards. Interactive white boards allow students to use physical activities that increase brain training. These interactive whiteboards can be used a writing surface and also as a computer.

So What?
As a student I would love to bring my projects to life with accessibility to digital cameras and current software in laptops that were accessible for checkout. The 24/7 communication allowed through the internet allows me to manage my homework responsibilities around my personal needs. Turning in assignments via the internet frees up time and printing expense. I would love to learn now as a college student how to use an interactive whiteboard because I think this is the wave of technology in the classroom.

Now What?
I would love to use technology in every lesson plan. I've seen students strain to see the normal white boards from every corner of the room where they are seated. The interactive white boards project the material bigger and are easier to erase and start over. Since they can be programmed like a computer students love the touch effect in playing concept games or doing math problems. Of course, a document projector would be great for showing book illustrations to an entire class. Technology is trying to keep up with the next generation's education, and I want to be a part of it.

Do You Teach or Do you Educate? (video)

2010-03-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

What?
I watched the video called Do You Teach or Do You Educate? The essential question was given at the onset of the video to help focus on the idea explored. The video compared teaching and being an educator. Teachers give information, explain, cause understanding. An educator gives students personal experiences that motivate them to greatness. I like the quote that read something about . . . "those who are educated are easy to lead and impossible to enslave." That's an interesting thought.

So What?
As a student preparing to make a digital story, I noticed the effective use of music in this video. It started out a bit eerie causing me to be curious. The music coordinated with the empty chairs, the stark picture of the fire extinguisher sign. However, as words centered about being an educator the music changed. It became a little more fast paced and less eerie. The new sound seemed to fit with words like illuminate, impower, moral, mentor. I also noticed that the author used fading and panning to create the motion and pace of the video. I especially like how the author was able to fade from color to black and white on the student desk and chair. That was effective.
What Now?
The message of the video was appropriate as I prepare to be a teacher. Will I just give facts, explanations, inferences, and processes without motivating my students to do and be something with the knowledge they have? Will I kindle the flame in my students as they learn? As a mentor I should empower my students with the skills to be active with their education, to value their education, to use it to reason their own moral situations. As a teacher I can have a wonderful influence on my students--I need to seek the ideal in my preparations to "educate."

Field Blog 1

2010-03-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

What?
This week my co-hort and I enjoyed seeing all the media available in our cooperating classroom. Mrs. Conrad's fifth grade has a smartboard directly installed in their room! We watched as Mrs. Conrad used the internet to show animated maps for social studies and to show video clips on weathering for science.

So What?
We are excited to use our technological skills in our lesson preparation. We have asked Mrs. Conrad to give us a tutorial briefly. She said next week she would show us how to connect the classroom laptops (which have wireless internet) in order to show video and sound clips for our social studies lessons. We are planning to use part of the Gettysburg Address through a website that has famous people narrating the text as it is read. We are also going to use a website for the music to "Follow the Drinking Gourd" since there is not a piano in the room. The website accompaniament will make it easier to learn the tune and play the associated activity.

What Now?
Having this opportunity to see how technology enhances the learning process with variety and visual representations has helped me get excited to learn more for my future classroom experience. If my classroom has a smartboard, I can show student productions and share their creativity with their peers. I can use the smartboard to help students during guided participation such as math and science experiments. What great field trips we can take simply using the smartboard!

Nasa Digital Story

2010-03-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

What?

I enjoyed watching the digital story about Nasa. This digital story gave the history of America in space while asking a good dramatic question. At what cost is the space program? Immediately cost is equated with money; however, this video considered the value of human lives lost in our reach to discover the mysteries of space.

So What?

I found myself listening to the content of the video, but looking for techniques the student used to produce the quality video. I liked how he was able to narrate with music in the background? Will we be able to do that with storyboard or did this student use another format to make his digital story. I would like to do the same thing with our audio for the digital story, and we are planning to use storyboard. I was educated with the narration and moved by the visuals. Putting faces with events reminds me that all things come down to a personal level.

What Now?

As a teacher I hope digital stories will have the same effect on my students as this video did on me. My students will be moved by the emotion of the music and educated by the content. Students will be motivated to new content by the dramatic questions brought out in each video. I think digital stories will be helpful for differentiated learning in the classroom.

Podcast/Vidcast and Digital Stories

2010-03-13T05:50:00.000-08:00

What?
A podcast is audio recorded material that can be uploaded to the internet for others to use. It is created through I-tunes or another program into mp3 format. A vidcast is similar in purpose and access as the podcast, but the vidcast contains visual as well as audio recording. It is also created in mp3 format and can be publicly viewed on You Tube. A digital story is a story created to also view on-line. It includes a variety of multi-media material--images, music, narration.
So What?
I am excited to try out all these forms of media. I have no experience with recording anything and hosting it through a public website. I have filmed home movies and enjoy watching them, but to create something with a message will be awesome. Our vidcast and podcast topics are still a bit sketchy, but we think they will work. Hopefully, when we record it we'll still like them. Picking the topic for our digital story was the most challenging because there are so many subjects to choose from in education. We finally decided to go with social studies since that was our area of focus in field. Although Tyler and I have different cooperating teachers, we both will be teaching Civil War. We started with war and ended up with a form of patriotism using the United States flag throughout history as the main focus. We're anxious to see where it leads us.
What Now?
As a teacher, digital stories will be a creative and varied way of introducing topics and summarizing topics. The digital story example created by Dr. Cox's daughter regarding the brain was a summary of neuron function. A digital story on student level shows assessment and creativity. This type of media enhances higher order thinking skills, gives students a visual image that will help them retain the information longer, and should create questions for further study. The information students remember will have a greater chance of retention with a digital story if the story evokes emotion or conflict. These personal experiences help encode the material for long term storage. I am a visual learner, and they say teach like you like to be taught. I would love to teach and learn by digital story.

Why Let Our Students Blog?

2010-03-06T15:07:00.000-08:00

What?
This video was great in that it "blogged" about blogging--however, not in blogger format. Interestingly enough, I just watched the video movie "Julie & Julia" on the couch last night to give myself a break. Talk about blogging! Got a laugh and more from Julie's blog!

So What?
As a student, a blog seems to be synonymous with reflection. I review what I've learned in my mind and process it by writing it down. Writing is a way of teaching what I've learned to someone else. Writing, or blogging in this case, communicates something I've learned or know. As a student it also prepares me for that global, digital world I live in. The most interesting piece in the video to me was "open 24/7". My blog is due at midnight Sunday. Technology makes deadlines available anytime, not just at 5:00 pm or end of work day.

What Now?
Students today like the anonymity of writing into cyberspace and yet knowing they have an audience. That can be motivating. That might allow my students the freedom to be more creative. As a teacher, this avenue might be helpful to some students. I remember in the movie "Freedom Writers" her students were given notebooks that allowed them to write and were kept secure in a safe place. Now those writings are published. Blogging would allow my students to engage in technology and feel personal participation. Technology seems to just fit! I sure hope the money is there to make technology a part of my classroom experience.

WebQuest Reflection

2010-03-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

What?
This blog will be a self evaluation of my personal performance, professional goals, and ability to work on a team. I will measure these three personal areas according the time I spent creating my WebQuest on Alaska.

So What?
My personal performance was two-fold: research/writing/technology and creative collaboration. With my cohort we picked a topic in 5th grade social studies according to the curriculum standards. We have both lived in Alaska and enjoyed our time there. We directed our research towards westward expansion due to the 1896 gold rush in the Klondike area. I helped find the links as my cohort drew up a layout for our website. According to his preference for a certain font, we put our final picks on his laptop, while I copied to my jump drive. Because my home computer has Microsoft 2003, my slides were not always compatible with the final layout. I would write text and my cohort would convert for conformity. We worked together on what we wanted the students to learn: What were the people like? Why did they come? How did they come? What did it look like when they got there? How do these events affect us today? We came up with the idea of a newspaper reporter to answer these questions, but they were disguised in the format of newspaper articles and pages the student must write (top story, lifestyles, map, and photography). I practiced learning the technology of linking and navigation on my own jump drive version of the WebQuest so that I would know how to do the process for future WebQuest creations. My cohort created the actual navigations for our final WebQuest. We are both strong personalities which gave us great ideas and also times of disagreement. However, it was refreshing to have someone want to lead out. We would feel awesome as the project began to emerge into a direction we both favored. Our time management made it difficult to finish all the little things involved to perfect it, but this is the spirit of discovery. We felt we had done our best. As a professional, I want to be able to give and take with my co-workers and superiors. I will show integrity. I will honor their ideas and school codes. I will have a voice as I grow in my competence and ability to serve as a professional teacher. I will respect them as people in my field and friends in my world.

What Now?
The steps I will take now and as a teacher are:
1. Continue to learn and build on my ability to serve as an educator and co-worker.
2. Honor the school rules established and support the staff where I am employed.
3. Respect people in my world by learning to collaborate through PCP.
4. Show integrity in my work by following through and doing my own work to the best of my ability.

WebQuest 3

2010-02-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

What?
We covered quite a bit in the short hour of discussion in class this week. Creative Commons is a resource used to help creators share information with levels of agreement. The first level allows creators to share, but borrowers may not change the information given. The second level allows creators to share and borrowers may change and use information for free. The third level allows creators to share, but borrowers may not make money from the information shared yet may change the information. We also discussed how to prepare WebQuests into proper format to put into our tools and file cabinents for storage. Finally, a peer evaluation is simply a form to help cohorts review areas of performance and contribution in research, productivity, and working together.

So What?
As a student, I will select a level of creative commons license with my cohort for our WebQuest to offer as a digital artifact for the University library.
We will be preparing my Webquest for final submission by placing the WebQuest on our classroom website. To do this we make our final document into a presentation (PPT) and publish as a Google site. Then we put a copy in our file cabinent on our classroom site. We also put a copy of the Webquest in PPS format into the file cabinent. After we make a text box with pretty link on the tool box menu, we copy link location of the PPS format from the file cabinent to the tools text box for key assignment purposes. I hope this is right. That is why I am blogging this out. Maybe you can make a quick comment if I'm wrong?
As a student, peer evaluations will be helpfu to me. I would like to know as soon as possible how difficult or amiable I am to work with. This information will guide me in my employment skills.

What Now?
As a teacher I want to give back for all that I have learned and will learn through education. I think sharing is a great idea. Recycling never goes out of style. I hope to collaborate with my co-workers in lesson plans. I would like to use the creative commons license idea to ensure that the legal system will support and not endanger the sharing possibilities. I'm grateful this licensure option is free. I would also like my students to learn about peer evaluations. Technology makes evaluating anonymous, and it gives students great power. Students can be honest without fear of being recognized; however, some students may also use the system unfairly as in cyber bullying. I would like to teach my students the power of positive praise as appropriate to encourage each other. Peer evaluations can be helpful with that.

Video - School House Rock

2010-02-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

What?
This video was a clever, musical definition of a noun. The last two lines were almost like a jingle because it was repeated at the end of every verse: "I find it quite interesting; a noun's a person, place, or thing. " I like as the song completed each verse, then narration emphasized each noun while it appeared in the box created on screen. The video reviewed briefly each noun as the chorus was sung in finality. Music helps put learning into long term memory.
So What?
Because School House Rock is from my generation, I enjoy it's familiarity. As a student in my creative arts class we are integrating music into the curriculum in our lesson plans currently. School House Rock has shown me how technology can add another dimension to this integration. How delightful that technology can be a part of the mix! Technology allows me to find resources that I didn't know existed and generate ideas from those resources.
So What?
I plan to use technology in music integration because iPods and other technology allow "free-hands" accompaniment, which helps me stay on pitch. Technology also adds variety to learning. I don't know how to make my own creations or stories like School House Rock did with nouns, but that would be cool to use in my lesson plan. What a hook that would make! So, for now I plan to use technology and find great resources like School House Rock.

WebQuest (Holiday)

2010-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

What?
Tyler and I made progress this week on our WebQuest by thinking backwards. We tried to envision the items we wanted in the rubric for the task we wanted the students to accomplish. That helped us stay focused on the core standard and objective we wanted the students to achieve. Then we moved forward trying to pick website resources that were appropriate for students and for our topic. We still have much to do, but we're on our way.

So What?
Using the rubric you provided as a guide for our WebQuest was a great aid in our planning and in designing our own rubric. As a student, I find rubrics are useful to help me know what a teacher will be looking for or what learning possibilities are in the material given. Looking for the links for the WebQuest was more challenging than I thought it would be. It was easy to find links through google, but I wasn't sure if they were appropriate for the student level or if the language was appropriate (i.e., quoted a sassy gold miner with a choice word). Some videos were too lengthy, and I thought the students would lose interest. I did do a thorough review of what is on the Pioneer Website as I searched. That was fun, and I got distracted from my purpose finding other interesting education items. I realized that being prepared to teach well will take much effort. Collaborating has been great. Tyler and I are both strong leaders, and this week I felt like we found some synergy.

Now What?
As a teacher I hope I can use this WebQuest in my class or at least some of the ideas we have found. It's true what they say, "you learn it twice if you teach it. " I feel more knowledgeable about Alaska in 1896 as I've prepared to teach it on-line. As a teacher I hope to show my students how WebQuests can involve them in a teaching process as they complete the tasks given on the WebQuests. The students can share the products they make during the tasks or share with the class what they experienced on the WebQuest. I've enjoyed sharing the process with Tyler.

Engaged Learning Video

2010-02-21T05:28:00.000-08:00

What?
I loved the quote by the high school student, "I'm not attention deficit I'm just not listening." With all students can listen to (i.e. the iPod with 15,000 songs) and the millions of people (as demonstrated by the graphics) around the world they can chat with via technology, students are more likely to lose interest in school without some type of interaction. Our world has changed the way it communicates and learns. The world is in our classroom.

So What?
The skills that were listed as most important for students of the 21st century are all directed towards interaction. I had a lightbulb moment as to why we are collaborating in nearly all of our assignments this semester. Collaboration requires the skills the video listed such as group interaction, communication, planning, self direction, proactivity, creative thinking, desigining, personal expression, ethical behavior, decision making, judgement, goal setting, and prudent risk taking. This semester is good preparation.

What Now?
I plan to use cooperative learning lesson plans in my classroom. Technology is the medium of communication and collaboration today and in the future. I plan to use technology to help my students be creative thinkers, make decisions, plan, and collaborate. They already text and facebook. The information age will bring them into the world audience. I would be interested to see how China has used technology in their classrooms to educate such a vast amount of children. Wow! What a learning opportunity to collaborate with the world!

WebQuest II

2010-02-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

What?
Today I learned about setting up a power point to include the side bar information and then hyperlinking each page for easy access throughout the power point. Action buttons or linking symbols can also navigate the person through the quest. Using two text boxes on each slide creates a side bar where the elements of the WebQuest are listed for easy access. Then the elements are linked to the page where they begin. With the click of the mouse anyone can navigate through the quest from any point in the quest. The arrow buttons allowed students to retrieve or go back as needed.

So What?
This tidbit of navigating information was like magic for me. I often use the back and forward arrows when searching through the internet. I take advantage of the links when I'm on a website and open new tabs to seek new pathways. As a student this information will help me understand the process of distributing my research through WebQuest.

What Now?
I'm excited to see how WebQuest works in the classroom. Using the sidebar for navigation is an idea that students of today are familiar with, however, maybe in somewhat a different fashion. They guide fantastical characters through imaginary paths to unbelievable victories without a hitch. Finding their way through technology links will be a piece of cake. I will victory as a teacher as I see my students engaged in the tasks provided by the links and arrows.

Twitter In The Classroom

2010-02-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

What?
Minneapolis Roosevelt High School is a good example of how media is changing the classroom and the world. Chalkboard and pencils are out; media is in. Teachers are using social sites such as Twitter and Facebook to engage students in the formal communication process. Teachers at this high school use "Dig Me," short for digital media as a tool to promote student participation in language arts skills via technology.

So What?
As a student I use these social networking sites to communicate with my cohorts on upcoming assignments. I collaborate using technology such as instant messaging. Understanding the immediate communication of Ttwitter will allow current and updated information for critical feedback.

What Now?
I like the idea of using Twitter and other social networking sites as a tool to engage students. It will be a part of technology that they are generally familiar with and want to be a part. Social networking creates a sense of teamwork and belonging. As mentioned in the video, working with the current technology of today prepares students to communicate in the media language environment they will work in. It will at least give them a schema to build on for the media language of tomorrow.

Video Reflection "How Not To Use Power Point"

2010-02-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Note: I tried to view the video Surface Computing at home but I could not open the MP4 file on my home computer. I could open it at the school library, but I did not have access to an audio computer, so I watched it in silence. The video portion was fascinating, and I'd like to learn more about the process. From what I saw they were manipulating technology with their hands on a surface screen to access information and to create. However, for this reflection I went with the option of choosing another educational video.

What?
This video reviewed in humorous fashion common mistakes made in preparing power point presentations such as bad color schemes and writing out too much information on the slides.
So What?
As a student, power point presentations are an effective way to show my work and what I have learned. Using elements in my slide presentations that are pleasing to the eye and that focus attention on my message will enhance my work. I liked his ideas in using bullets sparingly and as a guide to my own narrative, not writing out everything I would say. He also pointed out that although colors are fun, they can be hard to read or even hard on the eyes.
What Now?
As a teacher, I will need to be aware of these points when evaluating and educating my students. As they experiment in making slide presentations, I should coach them in making readable graphics and using appropriate fonts. Student power points can be used effectively with the techniques implemented in the video.

Web Quest I

2010-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

What?

WebQuest is an interactive learning tool that can be used in the classroom. WebQuests can be created by teachers for students to help them meet the core curriculum objectives.

So What?

As a parent, WebQuests are an excellent way to help my kids stay fresh over the summer with homework projects or even just fun projects. WebQuests review technology skills and invite fun learning opportunities.

WebQuests are helpful to me as a student. I can google "best WebQuests" and site providers have search engines that allow me to find WebQuests under topics that interest me. I can recommend favorite WebQuests on my blog and request them from my colleagues. I can use WebQuests to gain new skills as in math or new knowledge about geography, religion, or technology--whatever. I will retain knowledge longer by choosing this interactive learning tool to learn because it integrates various types of learning processes.

Now What?

I truly hope I have the technology in my future classroom to take advantage of WebQuest in my classroom. This is an excellent way for my future students to use their higher order thinking skills. By using the five elements of a web quest, my students will analyze and process new information using technology as their guide and resource. They can be challenged independently by moving at their own pace. 1) The introduction helps students become interested in the subject (the hook). 2) Completing the task aids students in applying what they know to something tangible or connecting the topic to their personal lives. 3) The process allows students to understand how the topic develops and provides a structure or scaffolding to the learning process. 4) The evaluation includes a rubric to help students analyze their success. 5) The conclusion allows the students to celebrate their mastery of the web quest. By including the credits of all resources used to create the web quest, students may extend their learning.

This is all new information to my schema. It feels good to process what I've learned by writing it down (blogging)!

My Beliefs

2010-02-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Technology Today

Students of today have no fear of technology. I believe they welcome it. Some prefer doing everything by "screen" from socializing to being entertained. So, why wouldn't they love learning through technology? I loved the reasoning in the article "The New WWW: Whatever, Whenever, Wherever," explaining that students "who are stressed or bored frequently choose distraction over real life." The reasoning being that technology should not be used as a distraction but as a tool to simulate real life thinking. Technology can allow students to learn for themselves and teachers to be the facilitators. The children of the millenia seem to be born for this type of education. The millenia generation talked of high technology living in the video. Some of their examples were: fingerprint access, no identity theft, and gesture recognition. They are not afraid of tomorrow's technology.

Teaching With Technology

I believe technology is an effective scaffolding tool for advanced learning. Technology can boost reading comprehension, math skills, and science interest. I believe virtual field trips can peak involvement in geography and social studies. I also believe that student safety should be a primary concern when using technology in the public school system. As pointed out in the "New WWW" article, following the school district policy on computer is essential, especially considering the use of student names and images. I am in favor of students learning formal writing skills despite the use of "shorthand" writing in social networking. Habits learned if only for personal use can creep over into other areas of student performance. I believe the art of formal writing should be taught and preserved despite the push for common use of technology. I believe technology is vital to the employment success of every student, and as a teacher I should integrate it into my classroom.

Lessons Learned

2010-02-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

The world of technology is changing constantly; and therefore, so is the world I live in. Information is becoming more versatile and more compact. In fact, mobility is the genius of technology. Every technological device encourages wireless capability and the ability to be compatible with other add-on features. Going paperless is environmentally friendly in one aspect--go technology! Lunch money will be paid by wireless code; homework will be turned in by email; and students will require a security clearance (fingerprint or otherwise) for testing and grades. The information I've studied has only made me aware of the variety of technology availabale to try and to discover. It's incredibly exciting! I've learned that using technology is a must if I am to stay "ahead of the class."

What I learned about my future students:

Teaching technology to today's youth should be energizing and challenging. Students love trying out new technology. Their confidence should be contagious. They have great hopes for the future. Technology only expands that attitude. They also love immediate gratification. I love the idea of giving students technology tools to find their own means to immediate gratification. Searching the internet and applying the resources in cyberspace could take a lifetime. With guided direction, students could collaborate in the learning experience. A teacher could become a true facilitator to the students as they manipulate technology to meet their desired goals.

Strengths & Weaknesses

2010-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

UNI and Nets Surveys

As I reviewed the results of the NETS evaluations, I am strong in

demonstrating continual growth as I continue to receive formal education.
planning for management of technology centered learning as I take media courses.
identifying authentic and ethical technology resources.

I am weak in

applying and designing current technology for my students.
facilitating technology strategies to address content standards.
using technology to enhance productivity.
applying multiple methods of assessment to evaluate students' appropriate use of technology.

The UNI surveys show that I am at apprentice level in most areas of basic technology equipment operations and concepts. With technology resources and tools for information literacy I was again at apprentice level for all categories except four.

I am strong (practioner) in databases and audio/visual resources. I am weak (novice and pre-novice) in video conferencing and spreadsheets.

I am strong (practioner) in multi-media systems, software, programs, files, etc. I am weak (novice) in trouble shooting and disclipline-specific equipment.

My Technology Goals and Workshops:

I would like to improve in my weak areas before I begin as a new teacher. I believe my classroom management skills would be enhanced by learning to use a spreadsheet for grading purposes and keeping track of assignments. I could also teach my students to use this tool for their student resonsibilities depending on their grade level. I found a website that offers free instruction on Excel 2007 in differing formats such as video tutorial, PDF, and even You Tube video lessons. Here is the link. I'd better get started: http://www.learnmicrosoftexcel.com/free_tutorials/free_tutorials_with_video.htm?gclid=CNqm_riM1Z8CFSgFagodRUTPZQ

My second goal would be to learn more about specific technology. I scored low in the discipline-specific equipment area on the UNI competency evaluation. I believe if I used technology more frequently on a daily basis, I would be more competent with specific equipment. The iPhone has three gadgets in one with the cell phone, ipod, and web features. I've never even held an iPhone. I have a cell phone but I usually use it like a regular phone. I do not have text. I do store my contact numbers, but I have all the important numbers memorized anyway so I hardly ever use the menu pad. I think having the internet in the classroom would be a handy tool. I watch my cohorts get instant definitions, spellings, and resources by using their iPhones. I'd like to see how it would improve my lesson planning when I suddenly had a brain storm while I was waiting for an appointment. First I need to learn how to use it. This knowledge would increase my productivity and hopefully my students' productivity. I looked up some news reports on-line and the following links will get me started.
The iPhone: "A Closer Look at the iPhone" CBS News on the Web http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk
Slide show presentation, "How People Really Use the iPhone," Slideshare.net http://www.slideshare.net/createwithcontext/how-people-really-use-the-iphone-presentation.

Google II

2010-01-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

All I Need Is A URL

Understanding what a Google site is, what it offers, and how to make it work for me is eye opening. The website I created allows me to publish and store information for a classroom. Yet, there are other uses for creating a website with Google. All I need is a URL.

My Google Site Today

As a student currently, I have been amazed at the technology at my fingertips as long as I have the internet and a good laptop. Google has made it possible for me to communicate and store material in cyberspace. I have many resourceful projects I am working on now that I would like to use in the future. Storing portfolio work here is a great idea. Having a website that stores my information and some of my current school projects, makes these resources available forever (I hope). I'm excited to put some of my nuggets of wisdom into the site. I love being able to put my personal design into the project.

I also enjoy seeing the projects my cohorts complete. They have wonderful, original ideas that I hope to incorporate.

What Is the Possibility With Google In The Future?

As a future teacher, my website allows easy access for my students and their families to "read all about it." They can read about me, homework, upcoming school events, tools that will be helpful in classwork, and about important dates on our classroom calendar. Students will have access to internet tools and interactive websites. They can do "extra credit" work by watching videos on the classroom website and blogging their thoughts. They can send me updates or messages on their current school work. Having access to my colleagues' classroom websites will allow us to collaborate in team assignments and ensure calendaring accuracy. Technology can make me a very public figure with only a touch of the keyboard.

I try to imagine what new gizmos Google and the internet have in store. Updates are always being advertized--what fun! I'll be curious to see the success of my website when used by my first students.

Sir Ken Robinson

2010-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Peter Pan Had Something

Sir Ken taught me that we grow out of being creative. During childhood we are not afraid to be vulnerable and try something new. However, life teaches us that mistakes are not tolerated, and we learn are left to mainstream instructed. Differentiated learning allows creativity.

I do believe being a child should be more fun. As a student today, the workload is so fast paced in order to keep up with the infusion of new technology and new ways to think. There is hardly time to enjoy the journey; indeed, I feel rushed to stay ahead and keep ahead. I know I appreciate learning more as an adult, but life seems to run not walk by. My creativity (original ideas of value-Sir Ken) would increase if I had more time.

I do hope I will learn the art of balancing my time as a teacher. I would like to use interactive ideas, differentiated learning ideas, and intelligence techniques as suggested by Sir Ken. If my students do stay young at heart, school will be more enjoyable. With this attitude, they are more likely to retain and seek new knowledge. I don't want my students to feel left behind or squelched in their efforts to succeed. I hope I can manage my curriculum time and still allow my students to use their creativity.

Obama's Speech To Children

2010-01-16T14:06:00.000-08:00

I wasn't disappointed
I first heard this speech sitting with the students at Barnett Elementary School when they originally heard it. After much controversy among the districts on how to present the speech, I didn't know what to expect. I remember thinking when I was a child as the President of the United States spoke we were all proud to listen because he represented our country. I couldn't understand why anyone would question the President's motives for speaking to children. However, beyond all the rhetoric of the press, this speech did not let me down. I felt his speech would motivate students to stay in school and make the most of their education.
The value of education
President Obama's speech means to students that he values education. Yet, as he pointed out, no matter how important teachers, parents, and even he desire that students receive a good education--what matters is that the students desire a good education. Students have a responsibility to themselves. He guaranteed that no matter what they want to be, students will need a good education to do it. His comments tell me that teachers are important. He said, "What students learn in school will depend on what America will have to meet its needs in the future." That puts a large responsibility on teachers to give future Americans the educational tools for the future.
President Obama echoes some thoughts I hope to infuse into my students. "There are no excuses for a bad attitude at school. . . not trying. Where you are right now does not determine where you will end up. Right here in America, you write your own destiny." If my students have the right attitude, I believe they will succeed in their personal goals.
That's why I succeed
Michael Jordan said, "That's why I succeed." President Obama used Michael and J.K. Rowling as examples of people who failed many times before they succeeded. They didn't quit. It is interesting that there are not troublemakers in the President's opinion, just people who need to try again. Americans are people that just try harder. The President expects great things in education this year. What is expected of me as a teacher? I hope my contribution will be helping students find their contribution to America.

This Week: Google I

2010-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

Google What?
This week Googledocs, Google Calendar, and igoogle were introduced. Googledocs is used to make documents and presentations that can be shared with one or more collaborators via the internet and edited and published by participating parties. Google Calendar offers free of charge interactive calendars that help me create events and even receive reminders by text. iGoogle is a personal homepage that links me to other Google gadgets. I can personalize this homepage to my liking.
Google Today
Using Googledocs has already been useful with my colleagues in collaborating on classroom assignments. Due to time constraints and different lifestyles, communicating by internet and being able to instantly view the ideas of my colleagues as been a unique resource. The feature in Googledocs that enables me to message a collaborator straight from the document is handy to explain changes or suggestions to the document or to simply give an exuberant thumbs up! Google Calendar is an excellent time manager because it links to other technology such as email and cell phones providing current communication. I have been using iGoogle as my homepage because my of my homework deals with Google accounts, and I can access them all easily from iGoogle. The bookmarking feature is indeed a time saver.
Google Tomorrow
I can use Googledocs technology in my classroom by allowing students to collaborate on documents if they decide to write a story together or share in typing an assignment. It is interesting to me that the policy used to be “do your own work,” and now collaboration is valued. Storing my documents in cyberspace is one more file cabinet to ensure their safety, and they are always at my fingertips. I won’t need to worry that I left that lesson plan at home or misplaced it in a drawer at school.
Google Calendar in the classroom will be great for parents because it can be easily updated and accessed. Parents also have easy access to email through Google Calendar to set up appointments, sign up for field trips or make suggestions. I do not use text on my cell phone at this time, but using the texting feature for classroom time management is something I am going to look into.
The bookmarking feature of iGoogle will be great for use with students. I will be able to readily access all bookmarks through the managing tabs gadget. The many excellent websites now available are terrific resources for teachers and students.

Dalton Sherman Video

2010-01-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

"Because you believe in me . . . I can become anything." My first impression was that every time Dalton said, "Do you believe?" it reminded me of Polar Express and my favorite Josh Groban song, "Believe."

Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
You have everything you need
If you just . . . believe.

Dalton is a dynamic public speaker! I believe! I'll give him an "Amen!"

The Ideal Classroom

2010-01-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

Classroom physical description and layout:

The figure to the right shows a simple layout of my classroom with exceptions. I would like a place for backpacks and outerwear away from the desks. I would like desks that all face forward in two lines; one row of eight and the other of seven. My ideal classroom would only have 15 students so that I might have time for each child to plan wonderful hands-on activities. I like this layout because the computers are in the back so as not to distract other students that are working at their desks, yet I can see all students and screens from my desk and throughout the room. I like having a discussion area/group area. My favorite area would be the resource area or library as I would call it. I love books, and would like the students to have access to as many books in the classroom as possible. My ideal classroom would be cheery with decor to include seasonal themes, literature fun favorites, classical literature and modern literature made popular through the media, and curriculum fun facts.

My students:

I would like to teach second grade. My students would come from diverse backgrounds economically, culturally, and academically. I believe that is the best way to learn inclusion and to partake of each other's gifts. My students will practice integrity with their peers and in their work. My students will be kind. They will trust me and feel comfortable communicating with me. They will enjoy coming to class. They will be excited about learning and feel the "spirit of discovery."

Their parents:

Parents of my students will communicate with me with concerns and progress via internet, and I will respond in a timely manner. They all will have access to the internet and check it daily for class postings. They will be interested in their children's activities and support their student's homework and projects at school. They will want to be present at school when opportunties arise and volunteer when possible. Positive parent input will be valued.

My colleagues:

My colleagues and I will work as a team. We will know each other's students, and collaborate on ideas that work well according to the curriculum. My colleagues will be kind and forgiving. My colleagues will be professional. My colleagues will have family values that are evident in the way they live. My colleagues will be excellent mentors for me.

Favored teaching techniques, technologies, and content:

I would like to use techniques that involve the tactile learner. I love activities that require movement such as games, puppetry, poetry, dance, music, drama, choral readings. I love story telling for the auditory learner. Technology is popular today, and I'm a visual learner. I would love to use a smart board, a document camera, personal computers. I would love to have instant web connection to show You Tube videos as appropriate and share all the awesome website information on a big screen. The content in my classroom would be curriculum provided: sense of self; student's relationship to family and others; student's relationship to the environment. The content will relate to what it means to each second grade student; how it applies to him or her.

My goals and hopes:

Ideally, I hope my students will love their teacher. I hope to make a difference for one year in their lives if not forever. My goal is that they will be better young people. They will walk morally strong, will be confident in the future, and will seek the resources to make anything they wish come true.