Monday, November 28, 2016

ILP “Design” – Edmodo

The Independent Learning Project I completed was creating an Edmodo learning environment. I added a couple of posts as well as a description of what the Edmodo would be used for. If I currently was a teacher I would use it to notify parents and students about homework assignments, classroom news, and other important daily events. I believe Edmodo is a simpler way to collaborate with parents and students. I can also post polls to gather the opinion of parents and students. If I thought upper grades I can send out a virtual quiz assignment that my students would need to complete in their own time.

https://edmodo.com/public/eme-2040-ilp/group_id/23544597
Group code:  
s6rhy8

OR 




Sunday, November 20, 2016

Blog Post #10

As an elementary school teacher I will mainly use data collection tools as an exit survey. I will ask my students to reflect on the lesson that we reviewed. I can also use it to check my student's understanding on the topics reviewed. I can also send a survey out to parents if we are having a classroom party or need feedback on a specific activity.

When I reviewed my classmates blogs, I found the prompts containing their work most interesting. For example, I enjoyed reading about their experience with creating a classroom webpage. I also liked to compare our answers for specific prompts like web 2.0 tools used. Since many of us have different ILP's, I learned what other tools can be used in a classroom beneficial to students.

I would like to learn more about I-clickers and how they can be used in an elementary level classroom. I believe that I-clickers create student-teacher collaboration and will allow me as a teacher test my students during a lesson. Students may also find these engaging and will be a good classroom management tool. To learn more about I-clickers I will search on Google for PLN's or tutorials about them.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Blog Post #9

A paragraph about “The Flipped Classroom.” Explain this instructional design by referring to chapter 10 and link to a source of educational videos.

The Flipped Classroom is a "pedagogical design" where students view educational videos about their lectures at home before classroom instruction. The lecture instead consists of analyzation and discussion about the video lesson viewed. The lessons are often prerecorded by the teacher before instruction. Classroom lectures are mostly held online allowing the teacher and students to communicate and discuss more effectively during class time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDJ7lqxBBXo


Open content means open to educational resources and uses. It is resources that can be used in the classroom for free. This ties in with copyright because you do not need a copy right to use in your classroom. It is accessible for all students and teachers for educational use.

The PowerPoint assignment allowed me to learn about different features ppt offers. For example, I used to not know how teachers used to hide terms throughout a presentation. The assignment allowed me to use animations to hide and introduce terms as the slide show is played. I learned how to "think like a teacher" through the notes on every slide. I liked how I was able to apply what I learned in class to the assignment. I didn't like how tedious PowerPoint could be but next time I will Google things I do not know. As a teacher I will have to use PowerPoints for lessons. My PowerPoints need to be engaging and interactive and this assignment allowed me to do so.


Sunday, October 30, 2016

Blog Post #8

The Sports Psych Lab is very interesting because there are many technologies beneficial for all types of people. For example, if you are a new teacher or veteran teacher looking to see how to improve your teaching, the cameras installed in that room are great because they detect motion and move as you teach. It will demonstrate how you manage your classroom and will allow you to improve on classroom management.

I might use PowerPoint to support student learning in for example a math lesson to improve learning with Bloom's Taxonomy. The first level of the pyramid is remember, I could have a slide with a rhyme or song to help my students remember the concept. I can use second level - understand by explaining the concept a different way than the first time with an example. I can use apply to allow the students to use the concept in a problem. I can use analyze to allow the students to see how their answer was correct or incorrect. If their answer was incorrect I would have them evaluate the steps that went wrong by displaying the steps on a slide. For the last slide, I would allow my students to create their own problem using the concept while I display instructions on the slide.


http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/



Sunday, October 23, 2016

Blog post #7

Assistive technologies are technologies that emphasize and challenge a child's strengths not weaknesses. It helps a child work around their weaknesses. They enhance and allow the child to use technology in an easier way. Some examples are an alternate keyboard or apps like Duolingo for ELL. I do not know anyone who has used these apps but malfunctions are challenges to adaptive technologies. Also you must be adept before allowing your students to use it in the case of incorrect use.


I learned how to make graphics as well as organizing a website using CRAP elements. I liked how user friendly Weebly was. I did not like how we were limited in themes for the website. I also didn't like how you can only change the font size using (+) (-) symbols. I can improve it next time by using more graphics and changing the font at the same time since the symbols make it hard for all to be the same size. I can use a similar website in my future classroom to keep parents and students updated and informed all types of information. I will also be able to connect more efficiently with my students.


From Diigo, I learned how to annotate online. I also learned how to take notes, tag, and bookmark pages. This application can be useful if I teach upper elementary and higher grades to introduce annotation using technology. I can create a forum discussion with my students about different topics or what they have read. It can be useful with team members and individually for professional development. We can share articles and discuss about new advancements or philosophies in teaching.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Blog Post #6

I visited Mrs. Miguelez's 4th grade class page. She is a teacher at Pinecrest Academy South Campus in Miami, FL. She is currently teaching 4th grade reading. She publicly has her biography, a brief introduction, and important dates to remember. She also has links for resources, her wishlist, and her email.



I can use technology to accomplish my professional responsibilities in many different ways. I can create a class website to keep both parents and students informed about classroom news. I can use interactive whiteboards to engage the way I teach and create greater effective lesson plans for my students. I can also use software on my computer to accomplish my responsibilities effectively.

A Promethean Board is useful in all grade levels. Specifically, I am majoring in Elementary Education and in a primary classroom it is used as a resource for teachers and students. Teachers can use it to enhance their lesson plans and create interactive activities. A teacher can also project a storybook while doing circle time. This way the storybook can be seen by all students. A teacher can also use it to project different activities for their students.

ILP “Design” – Glogster

Glogster is a tool where educators and students can share visual multimedia posters online. It is an innovative platform that changes the way projects are completed and shared. I created a Glogster about our beautiful Tallahassee community. I have shared my project with a brief description, few pictures, and Florida State introduction video.

Follow the link to view my multimedia Glogster.

http://dvv155803e50f1db04.edu.glogster.com/the-world-around-us


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Blog Post #5

I think Web 2.0 tools such as Twitter, Blogger, and Storybird are some that are useful. The non-useful ones I think are platforms such as Skype and Podcasts. Skype is not useful unless you are video chatting as a virtual field trip with someone like an astronaut. Podcasts are a dying art in my opinion, individuals prefer videos over audio recordings.

Storia is an interesting web tool because it is an extensive e-book library. When reading to a class of 20 small children, they are easily distracted when reading from a small story book. Storia allows you to project it in your classroom. It is also a good tool for small groups as well as individual support.

https://www.storiaschool.com/#/students/login

I believe cloud sharing and storing would be the biggest promise to education. Many times educators fret when their documents aren't stored properly. After correctly learning how to use the cloud, teachers can store documents and share with their students. Students and parents can then access documents at their own comfort. This will allow for faster document sharing and storing. Also, you may then access documents anywhere you have access to internet.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Blog Post #4

Twitter has been an interesting experience thus far. I have my own personal twitter but rarely will tweet. Even having this as an assignment for class demonstrated that I have difficulties maintaining avid readers since I often forget to tweet. I followed Elementary Education teacher accounts as well as Edtech and other educational publications. Following these accounts is beneficial to gain ideas and insight on my future career path.

The digital divide shows how some individuals may not have access to technology or older generations do not know how to properly use it. It also claims that older generations may not understand how to use software creatively or successfully. This might mend student success because many of these softwares are useful to enhance a student's learning experience. For example, software such as Activ Inspire, Microsoft Programs, Adobe, etc. are all useful in a classroom but not everyone is equipped to teach with them or about them or may me socioeconomically challenged.

When evaluating websites you should always keep in mind of the currency, authority, accuracy, and objectivity. Many websites have their recently updated date on the bottom showing the currency of the information. If links do not work that shows that a website is not current. The more disclosure and information given to the reader is better. For authority is the information of who writes the things on the site such as a contact page, the domain, or the credentials listed. Referencing where they receive their information is a good way to see if it is accurate or not. Also when evaluating websites, one must see the objectivity. This is all important to make sure you are receiving the right information when searching the internet.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Blog Post #3

I believe that I am most prepared to teach - W/WHST.6 “Use Technology." This is because I am able to use technology and the internet effectively enough to be able to demonstrate to students how to correctly complete the skills stated. I believe I need more preparation with - SL.5 “Use Digital Media." I need more preparation because Digital media is different than using technology. Digital Media goes more in depth with different skills specifically.


Based on Chapter 9, a paragraph about the technology software/applications would you like to use with your students and the digital citizenship concepts will you need to address. Identify the age range of your students to situate the appropriateness of content and application. ·
With my students I would like to use technology to enhance their learning experience. I would use applications such as Storia for example, to provide supplemental literacy support in a creative way. I would also use apps such as Spelling City in Language Arts or IXL for math. These three apps are suitable for K-3. I would educate my students on their digital rights and why they are allowed to access them free of charge. I would also review what plagiarism is and the different ways it can be classified.


Throughout the Newsletter Design assignment, I learned how to apply a column break to highlighted text. However, I did not like applying columns to my document because it was tedious and difficult. Next time I will insert a table and hide the borders to create to columns as that is easier. I liked that it was entertaining to make and designing my banner was the best part. I can use this in my future Elementary School classroom to keep the parents and students updated on class/school events. A newsletter is necessary in a Primary classroom.

Here is an example of my first Newsletter:


Sunday, September 18, 2016

Blog Post #1



Computers are an important part of the education experience because they enhance the way students are able to learn. Teachers should use computers as supplemental support and not to teach their students instead. Students should use technology as an educational experience and engage with it for educational support.

I agree with the issues raised in these chapters. Not all students may have access to technology depending on their location or socioeconomic status. ISTE standards are beneficial for teachers because they provide a guideline on how we should implement technology in our classroom and what objectives we should reach. The ISTE standard 1a. "Promote, support, and model innovative thinking and inventiveness is a standard that i like and can implement. There are many ways to implement technology creatively while creating a positive learning experience for my students. The ISTE standard 3a. "Demonstrate fluency in technology systems..." is one that would be harder for me to implement in my classroom since I am not fluent in all areas of technology. I would not be a novice when modeling different technology so I am looking forward to learning different skill sets.

I do not agree with the term "digital native." I disagree because many individuals may be socioeconomically challenged and are unable to have access to technology making the term broad and un representative to everyone. A digital native means being born with the era of technology and understanding how to properly use technology. Yes, as a "digital native" I am able to understand how a computer works and how to make it work when it does not function properly. Teachers at times do not know how to use technology and use it as an excuse to not incorporate it into their classrooms. When teachers do not use technology, it burdens the educational experience and limits the opportunities to learn. I anticipate that i'll be able to have great learning experiences for my students using technology.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Blog Post #2


MS Word is beneficial to any classroom. There are many things you can do with this software. For example, as a student I have written many papers using MS Word. I have also used it to print out letters for any project I may have. Teacher's use it to make exams or write letters to students and parents. Teachers also may use it to project notes from there.

When finishing a project, there are many times when I need images to put the project together. However, there are times when picture on Google may be copyrighted and are not allowed to be distributed. There was a time when I really needed a graphic so I had to purchase a license in order to complete my assignment. As a teacher, if needed I would pay for the copyright to make sure that I am giving credit when due. As a teacher I must teach my students to not plagiarize or copy graphics and texts that are copyrighted. I must teach them to always check before redistributing it. Fair use allows me to benefit my classroom with copyrighted materials and assignments. As a teacher, I must remember to cite the images or text I use from the web. I must also teach my students to do the same.

Twitter and personal learning networks may be beneficial in any classroom. Using technology and spaces like these allows individuals to be connected in different platforms. PLNs can keep my classroom and parents updated and connected with things happening in the classroom. Twitter is a easy and fast way to connect with parents or high school students. PLNs allow me to build personal relationships in the future as a teacher with other teachers, administration, students, and parents.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Blog 0 - First Post

Although we are in the age of technology, I am not super tech savvy. In the past I began to write a blog however, I had trouble with it and often found my self becoming frustrated with the fact it wouldn't turn out the way I liked it, or was just too difficult. I am on various social media platforms and find myself easily navigating across them. I also have learned how to navigate and use different Microsoft programs being most proficient in Word and PowerPoint. I have learned how to use excel, however may have trouble with it as well. Since Elementary School I have been introduced to Promethean Boards (Smart Boards) so I am able to work and use them efficiently.

In this course I hope to become proficient in different platforms that I do not know how to use efficiently. I also hope to gain a better understanding on technology and how I can efficiently use it in my future classroom. I also hope to learn different skills and tricks to make technology easier and useful. In this course I hope to learn different things that will allow my future classroom to grow and advance.

Before I took the learning styles quiz, I knew that I was a visual learner. However, this quiz allowed to learn and see what my different styles of learning are and how much broader they are than just being a visual learner. I learned that I am an active learner and must be constantly trying new things and discovering different ways to do things in order to learn efficiently. I also learned that I am a global learner and need to see the big picture to truly understand the subjects I am learning. I learned that I am pretty balanced between being a sensing and intuitive learner. This quiz will help me in the future in my future courses as well as this one.