A final blog...

Here is the screen cast of my final Blog for Teaching with Technology.  I created the screencast video using the Jing software.  I have said this a few times through the course, but I really like the Jing software for capturing screen shots and making the videos.  I hope you enjoy the video.

Furthuring my digital footprint

I created a website using Weebly.  It was interesting and challenging.  The interesting part was choosing and creating a style for the site.  I choose something that not only did I feel fit the website, but also fit me.

The challenging part was narrowing down and choosing my creative touches.  I enjoyed the choices that Weebly gave me.

My website is titled Technology Resources for the High School Teacher.  The reason I choose the name is because I plan on continuing the website.  I plan to put the Web2.0 resources I find in the future on it. I hope you will check it out.

Digital Footprint

My digital foot print has grown since I started this course. I have used the web mostly to search for information about a topic, or for shopping. I have used different websites that I have not been required to create an account.  Also, I had the same email account since I was 16 years old.

It is very important to keep in mind what is put on the website. Including the number of times a credit card is used on the web.  It is also vital that a person social security number is only given on certain websites that are highly secure, such as federal and state websites.  Also, keeping track of the information you put on the website and social networking sites.  Picture a person put on a website can go viral. This can effect future positions and relationships.

True or Not?

How do you know what you read on line is true?  What effect can words have?  Is it stealing to use other people's words they have written on the internet?

These questions and more were addressed during this weeks reading.  The amount of information available on the internet is increasing every day. Knowing evaluate the information is key.  Google offers a "Digital Literacy Tour" to guide adults and children to answer the validity and reliability questions of the information.  I particularly liked this site because it includes videos on having safe online practices.

This year, there was a physical fight in a classroom that started because of a social networking site.  There used to be a saying "sticks and stone may break my bones, but names will never hurt me".  This statement has been out dated.  A person could go to their own personal space in the past, away from the bully.  Now, with cyber bullying, there is no safe place.  The bullying occurs at school, at home, or where ever the student may have an electronic device attached to the internet.  Common Sense Media offers an on line curriculum that touches on these topics.  I was impressed with the topics on the included.

One video we watched this week included a statement from the Spiderman Comics, "With great power, comes great responsibility".  I find this to be quite fitting when speaking of digital literacy, digital citizenship and digital identity.  Children, as well as parents and other adults, have to have an idea of how the digital footprint they create today will effect their future.  Back when words were said and not permanently written on a social networking site or text, it was easier to overcome the words.  Now the words typed are forever imprinted.  Back when a "bad" picture was taken, you could get rid of the film before someone saw it. Now, if you share that digital picture with one other person, it could be spread to thousands of people in a minute.  As a society, we have to protect our children from making these types of mistakes.  We have to show them how their words and actions on the internet can change how people view them, good or bad.  We have to teach them to responsible.

Finally, teaching students the difference between stealing words and using words is critical.  It is easy to copy text and past using a word document.  Students are going to have to be reminded that they have to cite the sources.

Engrade!!! Still here! - Engrade software cretique

I first found Engrade back in 2008. I used it the first school year I was teaching.  A fellow math teacher had mentioned that it was a good program. I examined it, and found it was easier for me to keep than a written grade book.

Re-examining Engrade, I find that I wish I could use this program instead of the current system I am using.  First, Engrade's gradebook is easy to use. The ability to categorize assignments according a standard is wonderful.  As the teacher, I would have a clear indication of the standards the student(s) struggles with.  The ability to give and relay messages through Engrade is also a nice touch.  Another positive aspect is having students register for Engrade for their class.   Students and parents/guardians have access to their current grades.  I believe that parents will like this this feature because they will have up-to-date information about their students progress.  Also, parents will be able to access this site from all most anywhere.

The categories under the "more"are also easy to use, and are quite handy.  The only difficult part of the categories under more is that it is difficult to scroll down the screen and keep the "more" options open.  The categories under the more are interesting and informative.

Engrade also has a quiz tool.   The only downfall to the quizzes is the quizzes are only multiple choice.  While handy, the quiz tool is limited.

Below is a snapshot of an imaginary class I made to be able to use and explore Engrade.  This software is useful for classroom teachers.  I would strongly recommend this software to anyone.

Live Binders & Browser Based Mind Mapping

Two other types of tools we examined this week.

Live Binders is a web based program that held would hold resources teachers find.  When I began teaching, my colleagues all had three ring binders containing worksheets and lessons they use in the classroom.  The teachers had to make copies, and dispense these to their students.  With Live Binders, teachers can give their students and their colleagues to access.

The Browser Based Mind Mapping tools are online concept mapping capabilities.  Many student benefit from a graphic organizer.  The Venn Diagram on this site clearly indicates the tools that are free and the ones that cost.  Teachers often spend their own money on materials for their classroom. This becomes expensive. This year alone I have spent over $1,000 of my own money for materials for my classroom.  The idea of not providing pencils, notebooks and erasers for each student in my class is enticing.

Overwhlemed....

Sugata Gupta 's video explains his experiment in different areas around the world.  The overall theme in all the countries is presenting a foreign idea to young students.  He offers the students a computer to find the information.  In each case, the student do find the information.  Interestingly, the students were able to find the information on the computer without the direction  of an adult teacher or facilitator.  Another point of interest, the students were able to retain the information.

So, why when faced with the sheer amount of tools and application of the tools available in the web2.0  do I feel completely overwhelmed.  Is it because they think differently? This is possibly the reason.  During the course, we have been asked to examine and learn about various web2.0 tools.  I struggle with the innate need to find out the all the information about each tool and every application.  I have found this to be an impossibility.  The other frustrating part learning about the tools is the life span of the tools.  The amount of time the tool is available is not set in stone.

Even looking at the tool Prezi, a presentation model, there are at minimum 17 ways of using this tool in the classroom.  While I was able to find some ideas I would like to try in the classroom, I had a struggle with the 9 other tools we examined.  I struggled because I was overwhelmed withe sheer amount of information available.

I believe the key to keeping sanity when examining the uses of technology in the classroom is to find a small way to initially use the technology in the classroom and become proficient at it.  Following this, move on to another technology.  Do not try to use multiple tools in multiple ways at once.  While we are teaching the students of the future, we still learn as students in the past.  We have to learn to be proficient in technology without giving up.

Technology in teaching reading.

The teacher in this video is on an LoTi level probably higher than a 4.  The students are well versed in the terminology and functions of the technology.  The students are able to give a self evaluation of their own reading and learning.  The students appear to be engaged in the video and actively reading.  Students are learning to actively engaged in critiquing their own reading.  

In Ken Robinson video, he states that we all have an interest in education.  I believe this is true.  I believe that we do have an underlying hierarchy of education.  From his context, he believes that this is not they way it should be.  Students should be taught arts including dance.  He is considering "schools kill creativity".

While I understand his point, I have some difficulty understand the practicality of what he is suggesting.  I believe that his comments are idealistic and realistic. Can you life without the arts?  It would be quite a dull and boring life.  Can you live and function in society without reading?  I do not think this is possible anymore.  Farm and labor jobs are increasing in scarcity. Funds for education have consistently been cut for the past 4 years.  What programs do we keep?  What is more important?

There are some fundamental skills all people need.  People need to learn how to read.  It is quite difficult to use a computer for research if you cannot understand the text that is on the screen. You cannot tell a computer to find a video, website or anything else on the computer if you cannot type it in the computer.  Learning how to think in different and new ways is also a skill that all people need to acquire.  Problem solving is taught through the math and science content. 

Week 3 readings

Two items struck me as I was went through the reading this week. 

The first was the need for a mentor when beginning to implement technology in the classroom.  The sheer amount of tools that are available for all teachers can be daunting. Each content area has specific needs and ideas. 

The second item was the instructional design models.  Instructional Design Central describe instructional design as a "systematic development of instruction".  Each model for the instructional design was represented as a circle.  Each model includes a place for students to practice and demonstrate what they have learned in real life models.

Voki - Another new tool

Voki can be used in a variety of creative ways in the classroom.  Teachers can create lessons were the Voki character does the voice for the lesson while the teacher is able to provide the individual instruction needed in the classroom. Students can use the Voki characters to take verbal exams and presentation.

Voki.com is also creating new easy to use and inexpensive application available on line from their website.

One enjoyable part of using the Voki characters is creating a unique character.  Your personality comes through the characters you create.

Video and some other thoughts

This week in teaching with technology has taken me farther than I would have anticipated.  I created an avatar of myself and a video conversation with robot characters.  Together with my group, we attempted to create our first video using Xtranormal.com.  Not quite as sophisticated as I would have liked, but it was fun trying to make it.

Prior to making our video, we had to work through some confusion about the assignment.  We examined constructivist theory. Constructivist theory, when applied correctly in education is thought to help build students a deeper understanding of the material.  The Miami Museum of Science describes the 5 E's.  The 5 E's according to the site is to "engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate".  Teachers of the science curriculum have often used a constructivist approach in their labs.  They are given an idea.  They then experiment and explore by testing the hypothesis.  The students are then engaged in a discussion on their results.

This is a video of a math lesson using some of the constructivist ides.

One of the key foundations of constructivist approach to learning is about how learning occurs. People learn by building on previous learning.  This practice is in many types of learning activities.  Teachers often engage students and activate the students prior knowledge.  Teachers build upon what they know to further their education.

As students in our grad class, we had to go back to where we began.  We attempted a second video.  The video included the same statements; however, the movements improved.  The second video's voices were also improved.  The second video was the one we decided to submit.  The second video was titled the Theory of Constructivism.

iGoogle experience

This week I created an iGoogle homepage. At first, I thought that iGoogle was webpage, not a place to set preferences that would make a place for me to find webpages easier.  I did have some difficulty finding iGoogle.

I typically use Firefox as a search engine.  I had looked for the icons the iGoogle tutorial stated to look for.  I was not able to find the icon.  I had to log into my gmail account. Then, I had to perform a search for iGoogle.  Once I was in the right place, I found it easy to create a home page. I frequently go back to use. I would advice anyone to use it.

Personal growth & learning

This week has been active and insightful.  I have used more technology in my classroom then my SmartBoard, graphing calculator and the typical word document. It is often difficult to keep students engaged in the guided practice and independent practice.  There is a place for integrated technology inside the math classroom. 

I had a misconception that using an online program would not give students the opportunity to engage in the needed practice of skills to gain fluency.  I have learned this week that not only is it possible, but can be a wonderful tool inside the classroom.  I have also seen students begin to ask if it would be possible to complete the assignment a second time.

I am also able to add to my resume programs that I am able to use. I have used Skype, Jing, Googledocs, iGoogle, and Prezi. I have experimented with Glogster as well. I look forward to learning about more programs I can integrate in my classroom.

A new fun tool!

I was asked to examine a Web2.0 tool during class this week. I examined a few different website that dealt with creating interactive on line quizzes and polls for my students that my students could access on line at home.  One particular difficulty I have with my students is attendance issues.  Often, a significant percentage of my students miss at least one class during the week.  Another difficulty is keeping the needed drill and practice in the math content area entertaining enough to keep students engaged. 

Kubbu.com offered a solution to both situations. They offer a few levels of memberships.  One level is free to teachers and students.  Teachers are able to create and assign practice activities and quizzes that students are able to access on any computer at any time.  The students would have to log in.  I created an activity in which students had to match an equation with the correct solution.  The students did not realize they were actually reviewing one major skill they needed for their final.  My students who find it difficult to solve 10 linear equation solved 16 equations.  The students stated that they enjoyed the activity and would like to use them again. 

As a teacher, I found it easy to use. I was able to quickly create an assignment and give my students access to the assignment. I will continue to use this website for the res of the year.  The one drawback for secondary math teachers is the difficulty creating exponents.

Confusion.....???

Where to begin?  That is the questions that I have asked myself when beginning my experiments with technology.  I was asked to find a picture that best represented myself for my teaching with technology course.  Each week I begin slightly confused.  By the end of the week, I have learned something new.  My goal for next year is to incorporate some of what I have learned during this course with my student next year.

Gaining literacy

Introduction & Some comments on  the new meaning of literacy - 

                  When most people hear to the word literacy, they begin thinking of books they read when learning how to read. They think of the literature they either loved or hated during their English class.  People rarely think of literacy in terms of technology.  The need for informational literacy on the web is increasing.  Many rely on the "web" to find information on diseases, laws, news, research, and other information.  Often, people do have not gained informational literacy.  Many conversations I have had with students, parents and colleagues about what they have read or seen on the internet.  Occasionally, some forget to examine the website they gained the information.  Mathematician and statisticians are taught to examine research statistics by who published and found the information.  Website have to be examined in much the same way.  

                How do people determine what is fact and what is fiction on the internet?  Luckily, I had a college professor who instructed us on evaluating a website (more years ago than I would like to remember).  My professor instructed the class to examine the author, the publisher, as well as the information included on the website and the article.  While I will strive to write well informed blogs and impart knowledge and insights I have gained through various sources, I realize my blogs are not entirely researched based. I will include my opinion, as I believe that is the intention of this blog.

                As ever, I am working to increase my information literacy and increase my knowledge of technology.   Please read, comment and follow my evolution in technology literacy.  Hopefully you will enjoy my banter, insights and ideas founded in research and experience as a teacher, wife, and mother.

(please note, above I have included a hyperlink to Merrium-Webster on-line dictionary,

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2012 )