Meaningful Learning

A technology based rubrics is a great way to look at how a rubrics is broken down and a teacher can change out some of the areas to validate the lesson they have assigned.  Using the rubrics has been very beneficial in most of my classes.  The rubrics allow the student to understand their grade for each assignment.  There is no mistaking how a student is graded; look over what work needed to be completed, how much the student had done and there is the score.  Most likely, I will be using it in some way or another but it will depend on if I am teaching in a classroom, resource room, life skills room/setting or sharing a class as the special education teacher.

Now the clicker assessment tools are an amazing fun, interactive way to teach students.  The instant feedback is great for students to reaffirm they understand the lesson.  Using the handheld device either one-on-one or in a group setting, introduces students not only to technology but they can ask for assistance discreetly and work at their own pace.  This is something I would enjoy using in the classroom with students.  The flexibility it gives students as well as the instant right/wrong answers can help builds confidence for a student to ask for assistance and/or share their accomplishments right away.

There have been so many times I have had to brainstorm or build off of a subject or idea, the Inspiration/Kinspiration software is a great way for students to map out their ideas using the computer.  The Kidspiration of course is great for younger grades and makes learning fun.  Any time students can “play” on the computer they will want to and when using the Kidspiration software, learning is fun and lessons can be played out as games.  With older students, Inspiration software takes the pressure off of mapping out idea/subjects.  It assists students with creating an easy way to input ideas in which can create an outline and essentially a report, project, presentation or other lesson/activity.  I hope to be able to use this software when I am teaching.  If I am working in a life skills setting, this software will be fantastic.  The lesson plan can start off with point “A” and the student can build off of point “A” with a variety of choices and still build from there.  This software is also very beneficial to visual learners.

Inspiration Software, Inc. (2011). Retrieved April 19, 2011, from Inspriation Softward, Inc.: http://www.inspiration.com

Quizdom, Inc. (2011). Retrieved April 17, 2011, from Quizdom, Inc: http://www.quizdom.com/

Rubric, Rubrics, What is a Rubric? (2011). Retrieved April 17, 2011, from CivilPass: http://www.rubrician.com

 

Visualizing w/Technology

Digital storytelling is a way for students to work in a group on a project not just using technology but using their creativity first.  The process of digital storytelling starts with gathering idea and creating a story; working through the steps of telling the story.  Putting thoughts onto the storyboard then positioning them in an order to show the beginning, middle and the end.  Once the story is laid out the students can work on taking video for the story.  The students will work together directing, editing and preparing video to fit into their story.  Technology will assist the students when preparing their video into their story; they can put audio with music or narration.  Using digital storytelling in the classroom will work great as part of an English class but also incorporate any other subject matter as well as teaching students to work together and learn from one another.

The tools that were discussed in the textbook refer to using visual tools since mathematics is such an abstract field of study.  There are various sites mentioned in the textbook Wolfram is a great website not only for higher education but also from lower grades. 

I believe it is possible to learn from TV.  El Paso Community College has a cable channel and they will do math lessons TV; they take phone calls and email request with various math questions.  The instructors teach step by step how to perform the various math problems.  It is a great way to go over homework as well as just review for students.   My college professor use to teach on the TV classroom show and we asked her if her students in her high school class viewed her show.  She said they did and they also had a set schedule for reviews on the TV before testing.  It is a very unique way for students to get even more assistance.

Podcasting

Podcasting is not something new to me.  A few of my friends have told me about podcasting used for classes.  I have not participated in creating a podcast nor subscribed/listened to any.  Podcasting would be beneficially for a special education class.  This would be a good way for a teacher to go over class material, explain the homework/assignment and give examples.  The students could assess the podcast giving them the chance to rehear the assignments and go over material.  Also, podcasting would be a great way for students that have a hard time writing or speaking in front of the class to be able to give their presentation/assignment in a creative way.

          Podcasting is similar to other Web 2.0 applications in that it is a great means of getting/gathering information for free on the internet.  It is unique in that you are creating an audio and/or video informational system rather than just words.  Voicethread does use audio but it is not available to be downloaded to a portable device such as Podcasting.  Web 2.0 applications are giving educators and students opportunities to create interesting and exciting ways to learn and gather information.

          I do own an iPod and have to be honest and say that I have not updated my music on it since I moved from North Carolina to El Paso, Texas 2 ½ years ago.  I have 2 ½ year old pictures on my iPod but nothing updated.  Most of the time I would use my iPod to listen to music while bicycle riding or in my car.  I would consider using podcasting in my classroom if I found it would be beneficial to my students.  The advantages would be giving the students access to information they have already learned in class and being able to go over this information again as needed.  The only disadvantage is if there are students that do not do well with focusing on audio versions of class work.  Not all students learn the same way and I would incorporate podcasting as a way to benefit those that might need more of an audio/visual aid but not penalize those that did not do well with it.  It would not be required but only be an added benefit for those needing it.

Wikis, Socialbookmarking and Voice Thread

Since I have not yet taught in a classroom nor do I know what type of class I will have it is hard to say exactly how I will use wikis and blogs or even technology in my classroom.  My goal is to work in either a resource room setting, with child that have severe learning disabilities or even in a life skill/vocational setting.  I may explore wikis with my students in order for them to learn how to build onto a subject together as a class and not only work on a subject individually.  This may teach them to listen and respond to another student’s ideas and thoughts.  This would be a great way to teach team building and working together.  Blogging has many different possibilities.  It may be a great what to have student’s journal.  They do not have to be too personal but it would be a great form of expression.  Simple blog questions could be; what did you do this weekend for fun, did you like the rain storm on Wednesday evening, or even ask was the subject matter hard to learn in class today.  This can open up doors for students to express themselves and may even remove some of the emotional tension that can occur.

Socialbookmarking will be very useful for me as a teacher.  This will give me the availability to bookmark and access it from any computer.  Now as far as using it for a class, yes this would be good for them as well..it would be great for the class to be able to assist each other with sites they have found and share them.  VoiceThread is interesting.  I think it can be used many different ways for various activities and to teach using different skill set depending on the student.  It can be used for student to add voice to a project or for me to read along for a book assignment.

Again, I am not sure of the setting I will have for my class nor the severity of a disability I may be working with but I know I will adapt my lessons for the students and utilize as much technology as I can.
I have looked over Tapped In a little but have not yet explored enough.  I think that it would be very beneficial to speak with other teachers from all over.  There are so many new techniques to explore in teaching and being able to share successful ideas would be terrific.  Sometimes school districts have one set idea of how a lesson plan should go but being able to explore new ideas outside of your area creates a whole new approach on teaching.  Also, students can work with others students from all over on various topics.  It can be a very beneficial site to use once I am teaching

D. Jonasses, J. Howland, R. Marra & D. Crismond. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Assessment and E-portfolio

Assessment activities are a way to find out what a student has learned.  This is an assessment of how they can either answer questions such as with a standardized test related to the lesson or actually be able to put together a task directly related to what they learned.  Many teachers/instructors use a grading system or rubric to assess/grade learner/student.  This can be a better way of giving feedback to the learner/student by incorporating a grading system breaking down and identifying important parts of the lesson and performance.  The student can see areas of their performance that may have been lacking and may need some additional information/study in order to better understand what they should have taken away from the lesson.

An electronic portfolio or e-portfolio is a way for students to keep a digitized file/artifact of their work which can be a progressive performance profile, a demonstration of works, or just a collection of work performed by the student to show their abilities and/or progress.  It is a good way for the teacher and/or student to maintain a collection of their work and be able to review their work and self reflect.  Computer-based tests are testing assessment taking by students on the computer using either a bubble sheet or scan sheet.  This testing has a good grade turnaround time for teachers but it does not necessarily stimulate the students.  The students answer questions by choosing an answer and not giving a lot of feedback.  Students need to be stimulated and their assessments used to make modifications in needed in certain areas.

Assessments are important for both students and teachers in order to see how well the lessons/information is being learned and processed by students.  It also allows the teacher to assess how their lesson plans are educating the students.  Maintaining an e-portfolio is a great tool for students to maintain a digital record of their learning growth over time.

D. Jonasses, J. Howland, R. Marra & D. Crismond. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Keeping up

So how is everyone keeping up?  I started to review next weeks assignment and I have to admit CK really is keeping up on top of technology.  It is a bit intimidating but I am doing my very best to keep up.  It would have been nice to be closer to take CK's class in a classroom or at least be able to meet up with others to work together. 

To be honest, I am finding myself playing around out of my norm exploring the Internet, my blog page and learning all I can about what new technology is out there.  Whew there sure is a lot.

Anyone ever make an ePortfolio before......this is going to be a bit challenging but hey I am up for it.

Copy right laws now that certainly was not a light hearted read for many of us.

As a teacher in Texas, we must be proactive and teach our students right from wrong especially with copy right laws regarding types of publications, movies, internet, books, articles and so forth.  Students are always told not to copy but when online it may feel as if it isn’t copying but just using what is out in free space.  Utilizing the various websites with the copy right laws was very informative to me and would be very beneficially to educating a class.  No one wants to work hard and have someone accept/take the credit, simply said but it would make sense to many students.  Exploring the internet with students and working on how to cite online information is a great way to teach students.   Hands on, active approach is an important teaching method especially when working online, with just a click of a mouse information changes before our eyes but the laws will remain.

Online safety is making sure there are certain safety guidelines that you want students to use.  Students should not access sites that are restricted to over 18, they should not give out personal information such as their full name, school name, address or even their town.  If someone contacts them and makes them feel uncomfortable with questions about where they live and/or likes, asking too much personal information than they should alert their teacher, parents or another responsible adult.   Cyberbullying is bullying but using technology such as the internet, cell phones and email.  This can be when someone posts comments on a social network which can be humiliating, embarrassing and upsetting to another; cyberbullying is not easily taken back.  Once on the web it is out there for all to see.  If someone is being cyberbullied it is best to not acknowledge nor respond to the bullying but to report it.  As a teacher, we must be aware of our students and monitor while they are on the computers at school but also listen to what they are talking about.  Sometimes it is the lack of conversation that can speak loudest to us; sometimes it is when those who use to speak no longer do that can be a warning that something isn’t quite right. 

There is a lot of great information out there online.  As I opened up each website, I found myself connecting to another link or searching for additional information building off of what I was initially given.  I will keep these new websites about copy right laws saved for future use.  The Nets Smart Website I will be using with my current job.  There were some great tips that I will be passing onto my families as well as some of my coworkers to use in their programs.  Bullying has become a very serious problem and Cyberbullying is worse because it isn’t just a few people that see you being bullied it is a snowball effect which can destroy a young person’s self esteem in just a few minutes. 

This might get very interesting

This is all new to me.  I have been on MySpace and Facebook but never had my own blog page.  Where does one begin to blog?  What do you blog about?  Do I really what to spill every thought out over the internet for all to see?