Final Project: Blogfolio

1.      Introduction

The NETS-T standard that I think our Introduction assignment met was 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. This standard states that you use technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments which I feel that this assignment did. On the first day our first assignment was an Introduction on our blogs. We had to make a video of ourselves stating where we were from, what were our goals in life, and anything else we would like the class and our blog know about us. I learned from this assignment that you cannot be scared to record yourself; you have to do things like this for your class all the time. Also, I learned that you have to be careful what you say on the internet. You do not want to give away too much information about yourself and once you post it, it is there pretty much forever. Some problems I encountered with this `introduction blog were that I was a little camera shy. I need to learn to not be afraid of public speaking, being that I am going to talk in front of people all day. Also, I had just a little trouble reaching the time limit. I solved these problems by putting my nerves to the side and just going with the flow. I plan to integrate this knowledge in my future teaching by using videos such as this is my classroom and teaching kids you will always at some point have to talk in front of a crowd and to not stress it. Also students need to be careful putting any kind of video or picture of you online.

2. TED

The NETS-T standard that I think our TED blog assignment met was 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. This standard engages students in exploring real world issues and solving problems using digital tools and resources. I learned a lot from watching the TED videos. There are real world issues out there, and having access to videos with people sharing their experiences is really helpful. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by implementing what I learn from the videos into my classrooms.

 

3. Concept Map

The NETS-T standard that I think our Concept Map assignment met was 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. This standard talks about designing and adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. I think that this blog does allow teachers to use digital tools such as Inspiration to create something that helps students learn. The Concept Map was one of my favorite blogs that we did in class. I learned a lot from this assignment including how to use Inspiration on the computer. I learned how to organize all my information in an orderly fashion so that it will be in a readable format and one that is easy to follow. The problems I encountered while doing this blog was saving things. Sometimes I would think that I saved something but then it would change. I solved this problem by making sure I knew what I was doing and know exactly where to put it and how to save it properly. I will integrate this knowledge in my future teaching by making concept maps for my class to follow or maybe even allow my students to make and present their own concept maps.

 

 

4. Do Not Track Me

The NETS-T standard that I think our Do Not Track Me assignment met was 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. This standard talks about being respectful to the digital world. Students should learn they have to be careful what they put online and how to protect themselves from predators.  Do Not Track Me taught me that there are many trackers and hackers on many common websites. After downloading this onto my computer I realized how vulnerable my computer and identity really is. The only problem I encountered with this assignment was that it made me a little frightened at just how easy it is to get hacked or tracked by unknown people. I solved this problem just by realizing that once I downloaded Do Not Track Me onto my computer I am now protected. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by using this on all of my computers including ones at school. Also to teach my students about Do Not Track Me and the dangers of online hackers.

 

5. Augmented Reality

The NETS-T standard that I think our Augmented Reality blog met was 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. This standard talks about improving professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in schools and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. The blog about Augmented Reality taught me that education is changing more and more as we grow older. There are so many different concepts and applications coming into education it are almost overwhelming. The concept of Augmented Reality is to allow students to get an enriched, deeper learning then just skimming through a subject. The only problem I encountered with this concept would be that teachers would have to make sure that they could get students to catch on to this new concept. It was a little hard for me to understand. I finally understood the concept of this new application and it helped me get a better understanding of the article. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by using this concept of a more enriched, deeper learning with my students.  

 

6. Voki

The NETS-T standard that I think this blog met was 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. Through Voki, teachers are using a new model to be creative and teach students to be innovative in both face-to-face and virtual experiences.  Voki was a good learning experience because we got to design ourselves as teachers and use a new, different application. We got to write as if we were talking to our students and also to their parents. It taught me to use a new application and how I need to address my new class. There were not many problems with this blog. The only thing I can think of would be the different voices of the characters were a little difficult to understand. But I solved this problem by choosing a voki with a voice that was the most understandable. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by using the skills I learned through my voki and what I got it to say to my class. Also by using my new, learned technology for my class.

 

7. Web 2.0 Sites

The NETS-T standard I think our Web 2.0 sites assignment met was 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. This standard states that teachers demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. So basically it is saying teachers use their knowledge of new and advanced technology and use it in the classroom to help students learn in a new, effective way. Web 2.0 sites helped me learn a lot about different websites that I did not even know about. I not only learned about the website but also I learned how to use it and how to navigate the different websites. The problems I encountered with this assignment was some of the websites did not do as much as others. I looked over these problems because some of those websites are not as good as others and you can always find your way around a problem on a website. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by using some of these new found websites in my classroom and to help students learn new things with these websites.

 

8. Website Created

 The NETS-T standard I think our Website assignment met was 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. In this standard, it states that teachers design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. Teachers are doing just that using the Google Sites tool. One of our assignments was to create a website to teach children about online safety. Building this website, I learned a couple things myself. I learned a lot about the precautions you need to take when doing anything on the internet. I also learned how to build a website on Google Sites. It is very easy for anyone to build a website on anything that they would like to share with the world. They only problems I encountered with this assignment were saving certain steps on the pages. I would think I had something done then when I went back on the page it was gone. I solved this problem by making sure after every time I did something new on a page I went to the top of the page and it save. I will integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by showing students that they can create websites to share certain knowledge with the world. Also I could create a website to share with my students.

9. My Movie

The NETS-T standard I think our Movie assignment met was 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. This standard talks about developing technology-enriched learning environments that enables all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. This assignment would allow students to be active participants and show their personalities through their movies. Our last, and my most favorite, assignment was to make a movie using MovieMaker. I learned how to use the MovieMaker application, as well as a lot about my classmates and their lives through their movies. Before doing this project I did not know that you could make a movie on the internet. I had no problems with this application. It was super easy to use and you could add pretty much any effect that you wanted. I would integrate this knowledge into my future teaching by building movies with some of my lesson plans. I also could let my students make movies on certain lesson plans; this would be a fun learning experience for children.

 

Course Reflection

I have learned a lot from this course. It has taught me that computers are advancing more and more every day, especially in education. I did not know anything about the Common Core Standard until we started reviewing articles it. Other standards that I learned about were the NETS-T. All of these new standards are being implemented into education, which is far different than when I was in school. Before this class I had no idea about websites or how to build them. Within this class I learned not only about website but how to build one on Google Sites. I feel like everything I learned I can definitely take that with me and implement into my classroom and future teaching. I had some strong and weak points within the course. My strong points would be my creativity. When getting to design our websites, concept maps, Vokis, and movies I feel I was able to add good effects, colors, and schemes to make all my projects look nice and presentable. I am also very organized, which I think comes in handy since we had to keep our blogs together and numbered. I think these points are strong because I have always been good at being creative and organized so it just comes natural when implying them to projects on the computer.  My weak points would definitely know all the more internal things about computers. I have never been real tech savvy; I only use the computer for the basics such as homework, social media, and browsing. As much as technology is growing in education I know that I will need to know all I can, which this class has prepared me for a lot. These are weak points because they hold me back in some ways but I am always improving when it comes to technology. I plan on using a lot of the things I have learned in this course, into my classroom. I really liked the smartboard we got to use is class. I feel like it makes the lesson you are teaching more hands on and the students will pay more attention if you are using new technology. The concept map is another thing I would like to use in my classroom. It is great from organizing your ideas for the classroom. I liked the idea of using Blogger.com instead of just normal Blackboard. It gave us an opportunity to learn about something new. I had no idea how to “blog” before this class. It allows not only the teacher to see your work but the whole world pretty much. I thoroughly enjoyed this class. It was not only fun but a great learning experience.

 

 

 

29. SAMR, LMS, Whiteboard, BYOD

This article talks about the different models in teaching and learning. Just by reading this article I would not be able to tell you what SAMR stands for but with further research I learned that it stands for Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition. This model is to help teacher have a certain order when it comes to teaching. I think that this model is a good idea for teachers who are not as tech savvy. It is easy to use and would be very helpful for teachers to make their lesson plans. The article talks about how some tools are just thrown at teachers without them really being taught how to integrate these tools into their lesson plans. I think that a model such as the SAMR, should change this. With further research I found out that LMS stands for Learning Management System. The LMS is used for teachers to post assignments, announcements, or anything else they would like to share with the class. In my opinion, I think that LMS favors Blackboard. But since Blackboard is so complicated sometimes even for college students I don't see this being useful for young children. This article also talks about Whiteboards. I love this idea and I think they are wonderful for any age group of kids. We never had them in my school growing up but I have been in contact with a few in my college career. I would love to have one of these in my class room in the future. The last thing mentioned in this article is BYOD, Bring Your Own Device. I'm not real sure how I feel about this idea. Students could have games or others things downloaded on to their device that might not be school appropriate. Also there may be children who are less fortunate who do not have anything to bring. It might be a good idea though in the idea that the school will not have to spend so much money on computers if students can bring their own.

28. "A Conversation with a Bad Teacher"

This article is about Hana Maruyama interviewing John Owens, a former teacher and author of Confessions of a Bad Teacher about his book and experiences teaching high-school in the New York City School District. He uses his sarcasm to talk about how his former administrator called him a "bad teacher" because he went against what he was directed to do and tended to disagree with what they thought. The article consists of Maruyama and Owens going back and forth answering questions like why Owens became a teacher, why he quit, and why he wrote his book. In this interview he admits that the one year he was a teacher it was the hardest job he's ever had. He states that other teachers were not really encouraging, but more pressuring on getting the students to pass. He believes schools can improve by not worrying so much on getting the best test scores and more focusing on the student's self.
I really enjoyed reading this article. Some schools are just worried about getting the highest state scores rather than really getting to know their students and making school a fun and enjoyable place to learn. With administrations like this it does not only put pressures on the teachers but on the students as well. John Owens book hopefully influences a lot of administrations to change their ways and focus more on the child than on state scores. Yes teachers should want their students to pass, but students will be more willing to learn and come to school if their teachers want to be there as well and lessons aren't just drilled into their heads.

27. Kids Can't Compute And That's A Problem

This article "Kids Can't Compute and That's a Problem" is by Mike Elgan. He states is beliefs that kids these days are tech savvy, "digital natives" pretty much computer geniuses, even though they really do not have any idea what is going on beyond what it is on the surface. He talks about the differences of the way people use computers now compared to how they use to. He then talks about his experiences with computers before this era. Elgan states reasons why this new generation will become problems due to their unknowing of how to use the details of computers.
I can agree and disagree with Mike Elgan on this article. I agree because I had no idea what he was talking about at the beginning of his article, when talking about his old computers. I disagree with him in the fact that I don't think that everybody needs to know all the ups and downs and ins and outs of a computer. Nowadays computers pretty much do everything for you. All I ever use my computer for is to do homework and browse the internet anyway.

26. Beyond MOOCS

This article is all about MOOCS. After reading the article I still didn't really understand what the true definition of MOOCS was so I looked it up on the internet. After looking on the internet I found that MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course. It is an online course set at unlimited participation and open access on the web. In addition to traditional course materials such as videos and readings, MOOCs provides interactive user forums that help build a community for the students, professors, and teaching assistants. MOOCs are a recent development in distance education. Overall, this is suppose to be cheaper than taking an online class at a university or even a community college. The is one set teacher that posts the assignment and anywhere from hundreds to thousands of students.
I think there are pros and cons of this idea. Its a good idea because more people can get an education for a reasonable price, so I think that will make more people strive to get degrees. But on the down side of it, I think a lot of teachers at universities would start losing there jobs due to lack of students coming and paying tuition at higher priced schools.

25. Common Core in Action

This article talks about two different teachers trying to implement science into Common Core Standards. The author talks about how math and English teachers are more directly tied to the standards. Now the standards want all teachers to implement all subjects into their main subject of teaching. The teachers talk about a struggle with this because they were use to just their main subject of teaching and how they had to teach themselves more on the other subjects to better help their students. I think for teachers who have been teaching for years, this could be a problem. They have been doing the same thing for years and obviously what works for them and their students and now they have to change their whole way of thinking and teaching. But on the other hand students like myself are being brought up in this new Common Core Standard so it gives us a better opportunity to learn from the get go how to teach using these standards.

24. Evolving Classroom Education

This article talks about the upcoming change in technology in today's classrooms. The authors name is Matthew Lynch. Matthew discusses all the different types of technology that appear in today's classrooms. Not only provided technologies but technologies that students bring on their own to class with the Bring Your Own Device plan. In this article he states three different policies or ideas that will probably come to place in then near future. The first is BYOD, which is known as Bring Your Own Device, it's pretty self explanatory. The second is Natural User Interface, which is the same technology used in Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect, and Siri. The third is Personal Learning Environment, if used correctly, could allow students to create their own learning. He then goes on to talk about the only way these technologies can talk place is if public education puts aside its limits to allow these policies in classrooms to help students learn. I think these policies are good ideas in some way. I could see the BYOD being a small problem just because on their own devices they may have different security setting and can access more than the teacher wants. The Natural User Interface I feel will help out with students with disabilities. Personal Learning Environment is a very useful idea in the classroom. Students creating their own learning and environments will hopefully make learning more fun and enjoyable for students.