EME 2040 has helped me advance my knowledge in technology, I have really enjoyed taking this course. I love all the new sites and technologies I have learned to use in my future classroom. Being a technology oriented person, I really appreciated all the things that Professor Coleman has taught us. My favorite parts of the course were the projects. I was happy that this class was interactive and project based, rather than assignments, quizzes, and tests. I had a few issues with some of the sites for the projects but, referring to Professor Coleman solved those issues, its refreshing to have a professor that was so involved in the class and the projects. Professor Coleman was welcoming and made the class very fun. I enjoyed creating the bitstrips, and being able to have our freedom with our projects, and blogs. We had some issues with communication, not sure if it was my fault or if the email just didn't work well, but other than that I had no issues in the course. I was surprised at some of the things I learned in the class such as the virtual field trips, some of the super cool sites I found such as Brainpop. Brainpop is one of my favorite findings in this course. The site has personalized lessons, fun learning games, and relevant videos. My second favorite thing in the course when we had our introduction post and we had the option of creating a bitstrip to portray ourselves, this was mine.

 

 

The blogs were another one of my favorites, we had a lot of freedom with them and were able to personalize them. I liked how we got to choose what we wanted to write about it, and able to do our own research and add our own videos and images. I also loved how Professor Coleman provided the technology tools to enhance our blogs. I really enjoy creating things in Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and some of the tools the professor provided for us related to those programs, so that was especially fun for me. All in all I really loved this class, I enjoyed all the projects, and the tools and sites that were provided for us.

Digital Blog Post #F

Chapters six and twelve in the Transforming Learning with New Technologies textbook were rather interesting. Chapter six was about Fostering Online Learning with Educational Websites and Apps, and Chapter twelve was about Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders. Three things that I really enjoyed learning about in these chapters are, Taking Virtual Field Trips, Types of Educational Websites, and One-to-One Laptop Computing.

To begin with, Taking Virtual Field Trips, seriously how fun does that sound? I never knew that this was available online until reading this chapter, and I was extremely impressed. This is such an amazing idea when teaching about something that is on the other side of the world, or somewhere you cannot visit in person, this allows you to take your children "there". The book suggests using Scholastic, Google Earth, and also tells you that many museums, science centers, and historic places around the world have created virtual field trips and online tours on their sites. I did some research to see if I could find any actual sites that fellow teachers or aspiring teachers could use, and I struck gold! This site provides ten different sites for teachers to use, all of which are very cool. I truly believe that these would be great things to include in a lesson plan, because letting the children experience these new and beautiful places, can inspire them to travel, or to aspire to do something big in their lives. As teachers that should be our ultimate goal, to inspire our students for their futures.

Another section that I really enjoyed in the book was Educational Websites, this section provides a multitude of sites for teachers to use in the classroom. I love how this book maps things out for teachers, and includes so many resources for you to go off of. I learned that there are six different types of educational websites for teachers and students. These six include:

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Lastly, there is a section in Chapter 12 that I knew about and really think is an amazing idea but also believe it can bring up some issues, One-to-One Laptop Computing. This program basically means that each student has their own individual computing device to use in school. I think that this is a really great idea, each student has their personal computer that they can keep all their things on. I believe this will help with students losing their homework, and keeping them on track with schoolwork. This also gives teachers the chance to regularly check their laptops to be sure the students are doing their work. I do believe that this can bring problems as well though, due to personal experience. My general manager at my job has a granddaughter and she lives with him, she goes to middle school here, and her school has these laptops. Specifically, they use the chrome books. She had an issue with a  few girls in her class, and they were bullying her, they got access to her computer and wrote very inappropriate things on her work. This clearly is not acceptable, so if I were to use these in my classroom, I would really crackdown on being sure that only the student has access to their device.

I included a video here that discusses some things to consider when implementing one-to-one computing into lesson plans.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this chapters and learned many new things, and found so many amazing sites to help in my future in teaching!

Resources:
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O'Loughlin, R.-E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Richard Smith. (2013, June 7). Implementing K-12 One-to-One Computing - Technology and Education Today. Retrieved 2016, April 24, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55TytMS7-3Y.

 

Digital Blog Post #E

After reading chapters four and nine in the text, I decided on three topics that I really enjoyed reading about and would like to share. Including Enhancing a lesson plan with technology, Student Performance Assessments, and Streaming Video Sources for Teachers.

 

Designing and developing a lesson plan can be a hard task, after our last project in class I gained a new respect for teachers and all the planning they have to do in order to have a successful day. There are three things that go into making a lesson plan, and that includes:

•  Academic Content (What to teach)
•  Teaching goals, methods, and procedures (How to teach)
•  Learning Assessments (How to know what students have learned)

 

The book provided a diagram that I liked, so I have recreated it online:

 

The academic content portion is basically about what goes into the lesson plan such as, facts, concepts, ideas, skills, and certain understandings the children should have. I like how the book explained how the lesson plan needs to be connected to the local curriculum, it also talks about the importance of digital content and technology in the lesson plan. The text provided a list of things for teaching goals, methods, and procedures. A few of my favorite were Presentation software, Web-based diagrams, Threaded discussions, and Interactive software. My favorite has to be the threaded discussions, we do this in our classes here at FSW and I really like the way it allows you to communicate on topics with your teacher and peers. It allows further explanation of what you’re teaching and what the students are learning. Lastly, in a lesson plan there has to be some sort of assessment and the best one the book gives is using Digital Portfolios. I like the idea of the students being assessed on their actual work rather than a test on the background knowledge and what not. I think it’s also better because it helps the students who are not very successful test takers.

 

Students Performance Assessments are assessments that measure what someone actually does in a certain activity, assessing performance within the context of that activity (Maloy, Verock-O'Loughlin, Edwards, & Woolf, 2013). Personally, I like these assessments more than the standard assessments, it helps with students who are not successful test takers, and students who can’t concentrate on these types of tests. Performance assessments can include educational activities, evaluations on portfolios or blogs. These types of assessments are evaluating the student’s performance rather than the book knowledge.

I have included a video of a student who explains her take on performance based assessments and how they better prepare students for college:

 

Lastly, the book included a small article of Streaming Video Sources for Teachers. I believe these are extremely important because they are an easy way to integrate technology into the classroom, and I believe they better engage students and keep them interested for longer. Students respond positively to visual learning and these sites provided allow the teacher to find a video on basically anything that is being taught. I strongly stand by using videos in the classroom, simply because I remember being in school and being so bored just listening to some teachers talk on and on. Having videos or visual representations allow the students to learn different things from different people, they engage them in their learning, and a lot of the time the videos make learning fun.

Some of the sites the book recommended include: 

• PBS Learning Media
• YouTube for Schools
• YouTube Creative Commons Search
• TeacherTube
• The Futures Channel
• SnagLearning
• Common Craft

I have included a video that includes tips for using video to improve teaching: 

 

 

Resources:

 

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O'Loughlin, R.-E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Standford Scope. (2015, February 1). A Student's View: Meaningful Learning through Performance Assessment. Retrieved 2016, April 3, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHzjlYVdojM.

Teaching Channel. (2013 March). Using Video to Improve Practice: Video 101. Retrieved 2016, April 3, from https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/videotaping-tips-for-teachers#video-sidebar_tab_video-guide-tab

Digital Badge #C

While reading chapters five and seven in Transforming Learning with New Technologies, I decided I liked some of the concepts in chapter seven best. To begin with, my favorite concept in this chapter is the section on page 164, Problem-Solving and Inquiry-Learning software. This section includes information on Composing and Calculating Software, Building, Inventing, and Creating Software, and Visual-Thinking and Concept-Mapping Software. I love the idea of the children being able to use different technologies to create things, organize their ideas online, and being able to use digital writing. The book discusses how children can use the computer to create things they want to build or invent digitally. I remember being in middle school and my teacher introduced me to Adobe and the multitude of programs that they make. I fell in love with PhotoShop and DreamWeaver. High school helped me become even more advanced in these programs. I have received all my Adobe Certifications, and still use the programs to this day to create different things. I used to love being able to work in these programs because it lets you slip away into your own world, and you can create anything and everything you can imagine. I think kids using these in the classroom can help them express themselves, and reach out to other students. I created a Tackk to help portray my thinking on this topic, and include some references that teachers could use in their classrooms., I also included a video on how to teach kids programming.

View full version on Tackk
Create your own customized Tackk page

Another concept I enjoyed in this chapter, is the idea of using games in the classroom. There are so many sites that include educational games to help students learn and understand things better. I think games are a great idea in the classroom, and can provide a very great outlet for learning. I recently came across a website called Brainpop.com, and was I amazed! This site is an educational site that includes pages for each topic, the topics include Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts and Music, Health, and Engineering & Tech. When the topic is chosen, you can then choose a subtopic that are related to the original topics. They are like their own individual lessons that include a movie, quiz, Make-A-Map, FYI, and activities. There is also an option for teachers to teach this topic, and it provides lesson ideas and to create a quiz. I think sites like this one, are great ideas in the classroom, because it can help the teacher plan out activities to keep the children engaged in their learning.

Lastly, I liked how the book gave readers a section on Online Software Selection Resources for Teachers. Not everybody knows what site to use, and how to use it, or what site is appropriate for students. The book includes information on Edudemic Directory, Entertainment Software RatingBoard, EvaluTech, and StopBadware.org. I like that the book included this information because it helps teachers distinguish between good and bad sites to use in their classroom. The section I liked most, is the Entertainment Software Rating Board, because this is an evaluation group that analyzes new software every year and determines the age group it is appropriate for and it rates the sites for the teachers. I think that this is a great resource for teachers, because although the site may seem good for the grade you teach, it may be too advanced or below level for your students. This can help us educators know what is appropriate for our students.

References:


Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Matte, C. (2016, January 22). Make Your Own Video Games and Software. Retrieved from aboutparenting: http://familyinternet.about.com/od/resources/tp/programmingforkids.htm

Thomas, C. (2016, February 21). Problem-Solving and . Retrieved from Tackk: https://tackk.com/ene6zb

Briccetti, D. (2009, July 13). Teaching Programming to Kids Overview. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swh9VI8LlCQ 

Digital Badge #B

Chapter 2 offered many new concepts that all contribute a ton of information about understanding educational technology, and the issues that are brought up when using technology in the classroom.
A concept in this chapter that I enjoyed researching, was the idea of conducting surveys and having high school students fill them out. This gives us the opportunity to know how the student feels and their prospective on things in the classroom. Project Tomorrow conducted a survey among many participants, and they were questioning how many teachers are using technology to do their lesson plans and use this to engage the students. The survey results concluded that "technology is a powerful way to motivate and engage students" (Maloy, 2013). The surveys that are being conducted are trying to determine the level of boredom these kids are reaching, they are determining that classes with just paper, pencil, and reading from a book detaches them from school and they are disengaged. Another survey by Indiana University is actually an ongoing survey of High School Student Engagement, and their results are showing a consistent pattern of students losing interest in school. I used Piktochart to convey the results of their survey.




Technology can be used to enhance teaching in many ways, Chapter 2 gives us many examples as to how we can use this to help our students. Two biggest points are Instructional practices and Administrative activities. Instructional activities specifically are when the teacher is working with students directly, and helping them hands on. Some ways the book encourages teachers to do this includes using the web for class discussions, using presentations and simulations, and having students use handheld devices. I agree with all of these methods, I believe with the right restrictions on something's we can keep control of what they're doing on the devices, and it can promote their learning. I wonder how other teachers feel about this, I believe it could make one feel uncomfortable if we aren't able to control what the students are doing with the devices. I do think it is possible to have them use these devices in a productive way, the children want freedom in their learning and I think its best for them to find themselves while recognizing what type of learning is best for them. I also agree strongly with the Administrative practices, the book describes these as the "behind the scenes tasks". This is extremely important in my eyes, because I think its just as important for the teachers to be practicing technology with their grading, attendance, and lesson planning. This helps keep the teachers up to date with the tech world.

I found this video about teachers using LearnersCloud to help teach in their classes, I found this very interesting because I have never heard of the site before. After doing some research on it and the site seems like it would be very beneficial to teachers and their lesson plans.

There are many barriers brought up in this chapter that could hinder the use of technology but one really stuck out to me, and that was Digital Disconnect. Digital Disconnect if basically the way students see themselves compared to the way they see teachers. Students see themselves as tech-savvy, up to date, tech users while they see the teachers as disconnected, and know very little about technology. The book gives some ideas about how to break this disconnection, and my favorite is the idea of using the internet as a virtual textbook and a study group. I love the idea of using an online library, there is so much information available to you in one place rather than checking out a ton of books to study. Study groups are also an awesome idea that I have actually never thought about before, but now that I am thinking, they could be super helpful. Students that are having trouble at home with something going on in the class can go online and ask the class a question and the teacher could even join in and help as well. This represents and promotes teamwork and ways to work together to come up with a solution.



Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

http://piktochart.com/resources/tutorials-create-piktochart-infographic/

LearnersCloud (2013, April 30). Teacher Case Study: Using Video Tutorials in Class. Retrieved February 6, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVg4fTLX42k

Digital Blog Post #A - Chapter 1

There is no doubt about it that kids lives these days are controlled by technology, I am just as guilty of being on my electronic device a majority of the time, just as anyone else. There is no escaping the fact that technology rules our world, and helps us in more ways than one. Chapter one begins by explaining the statistics of how many children are using technology today compared to before the 90's. We must ask ourselves though, is that really such a bad thing? I know many teachers are hesitant when it comes to including new technology into their plans, but in reality technology will only help better things in the classroom. One concept I enjoyed reading about is the Technology-Based Library, I have included a link to Florida Southwestern State College's online library as an example of how helpful this can be. Personally I have been to our online library more than I have to the one on campus, you have all the resources you could imagine at the click of a button! I would definitely incorporate using an online library in my classroom, simply because it is easier to help the kids find things, it is easier for them to access, and it eliminates the issue of a shortage of books, or the child losing a book.

Secondly, while I was reading the chapter, a certain sentence caught my eye, and really made me think about things. "In today's digital age, teachers have much more to teach than just the basics of reading, writing, math, and science" (Pg.9). This could not be any more true, because many careers in the world today require you to have experience in technology. Our world today is technology based and they will need this knowledge to be successful in the future. If we start children out early in technology, I believe it will make their lives easier in the future. I think teachers need to incorporate the use of blogs, digital medias, information sharing sites, social networking, and interactive technologies into their lessons. Children will begin to lose interest, they will get bored just sitting in the class, reading a paper book, and writing on paper. We as educators should be striving to keep them interested and excited to learn, so I do believe the corporation of these technologies in the class will keep them interested. I came across this video online and it includes a teacher and representation of a classroom where the kids and teachers are demanding a high tech classroom. The teacher explains that she could just stand up and tell them answers, but with technology they have the ability to find them and discover the answers on their own. They are more involved and care more about learning when they are able to use technology. (Note this video is from 2012 so imagine the demand for technology in the classroom today.)

Lastly, I came across a section about building your digital identity as a teacher. I believe that this is extremely important as a teacher, you should create a digital resume and a teacher should learn how to use these tools. As a teacher you are a role model for your kids, and you should show that you know what you're doing and you are interested in the kids lives. When I become an educator, I plan to create personal pages for my resumes, websites, podcasts, and many other things to show my kids that I am up to date with the world and that I know what I am doing. I want them to believe in me, and trust that I can help them learn these tools so they can then succeed in the digital world.

In conclusion, I firmly stand by integrating technology in classrooms. It shows better results in children and their learning outcomes, they show more interest in the class, they are able to discover and learn on their own, and it makes things easier and simpler in the classroom. Technology is taking over the world, and it should be taking over the classrooms too. The children need this in their future, and they should be able to have access to technology. Digital learning has become a new standard in school along with reading, writing, math, and science.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

http://fsw.edu/library

WLWT (2012, February 1). Students Say Technology Helps In Classroom. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAgvw7tj6SM