Course Website: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZjg4YjgyNTEtM2UxZS00MjI5LWFmMjQtMjQwNjczYzhlNzVk&hl=en">
ListServ: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUNTg2YWM3NzQtMmZjZi00ZTMxLWIyMjMtZTJkNjlkZGIxNDU4&hl=en
Above, are the links to my listserv as well as my website I created. These two projects were something that I was newly introduced to. I was totally unsure how to create a Listserv, however I can see how it is beneficial. Creating a listserv is a good way to keep up and separate business and personal contacts. I could definitely use this feature for work or school contacts.
Creating the website was new to me but was fun. I have always wondered how people create websites. I did not realize that there were templates available to create websites on the internet. I enjoyed this assignment and will be creating websites for my classroom one day.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
IT 645 Reflection
I learned several aspects of technology that I did not realize were available, especially on the computer throughout the course of IT 645. Throughout my reading of the e-textbook, I realized that technology has become much more useful in the classroom for teachers and students than I ever thought it could be. It has also become increasingly important for schools to make sure they keep up-to-date technology in the schools so that the students will be able to be technologically competitive when they get older.
The class was challenging to me because I am a visual learner. There were podcasts, power points, and other helpful resources available to the class however, I am a hands-on type of person that has a difficult time not being shown how to properly handle certain projects that were due throughout the course of the semester. I would definitely benefit from a face-to-face instruction in IT 645. Nonetheless, I still learned a great deal from this class about different ways in which I can use my own personal computer. I am now going to go through the learning tools used in the class and explain how I feel about each one.
Creating a blog was different to me in the sense that I have never had a blog before. The only “blog” type network that I use on a regular basis is Facebook. The comments on the blogs were useful to me to tell me whether or not I explained what I was blogging about correctly. I do not feel like we did much threaded discussion for this class because we used our blogs to communicate and did not really have a need for the threaded discussion.
The listserv was a unique tool that I had never used before. A listserv would be useful for work, academic and social clubs, as well as maybe communication between family members. It is a way in which you can keep certain people in certain groups in order to separate different people in which you communicate each day.
I found that the podcast clips were helpful to me because they were the closest thing to actually being inside the classroom listening to lecture on how to do certain things for class. As I mentioned earlier, I really could have benefitted being able to sit in a classroom and work with the teacher one-on-one on doing similar assignments as the projects that we turned in.
The video clips were useful to me because they were tools that helped me gain a better understanding of the topic being worked on at the time during the course. I enjoy hearing experiences from real teachers and students in classrooms all over the country. In my future teaching career, I plan to use video clips to help the students gain more understanding of the topic at hand.
I enjoyed the more creative projects that we did during the course such as creating a flyer. I have always been decent at doing creative stuff such as this. All throughout high school, I had to create flyers, posters, etc because of different clubs and organizations in which I was a part of. I know that teachers and administrators must be able to know how to create a professional and appealing flyer to communicate with the parents at some point.
Creating the progress chart was more difficult for me because I was unaware of how to create a graph in Excel. At this point, I could have used some assistance, but the closest thing I got to that I believe was my fiancée and my brother who neither was really much help. However, I finally figured it out after tinkering with it for a while. The progress chart is definitely a useful tool for teachers to stay organized inside the classroom.
I thoroughly enjoyed creating the quiz in PowerPoint. I enjoy using PowerPoint because it is easy to use and I have had several instances in which I have used it for class presentations. Creating the quiz in PowerPoint reminded me of my 10th grade Chemistry class. She used to give us weekly quizzes this way.
Along with several other projects in which I completed throughout this class, the web tools assignments were enjoyable to me. It was nice to see that there are websites out there that can make creating rubrics, puzzles, and tests simple for teachers so that they can use them on a regular basis to facilitate learning in the classroom. If a teacher had to create those items without assistance, it would take a lot more time and the teacher would most likely not use those tools.
The project that I enjoyed the least in the class was probably the making of my own movie. This probably did not have much to do with the assignment itself, but the events that were taking place around the couple of weeks in which this assignment was due that led me to now have much to sit down and really play with and understand how to make the movie. Unfortunately, my own computer did not already have the Windows Movie Maker application so I tried to download the version that was compatible with my computer. This version was not the same version that the examples Dr. Wang gave us were in. In her podcast, I believe she had the Windows XP version which was totally different from the version for my computer that I had to download. Luckily, after messing around with the version now on my computer, I realized my brother still had Windows XP and the Movie Maker program was already included in the applications on his computer. After realizing this, I did my project on his computer and it was pretty simple from there on.
I enjoyed learning about Trackstar. This is a good tool to use to keep up with the websites in which information can be taken to facilitate learning in the classroom. It is user-friendly and it keeps organization.
The web evaluation assignment enabled me to look at different websites to critique them on whether or not they were good to use in the classroom. Web evaluation is a good way in which teachers can choose the websites that are used inside their classroom.
One project that I really did enjoy was the website creation tool. I never knew how people created a website. I have always been interested to see what it takes to create websites and now I have somewhat of an idea of this. Creating a class website is a great way for teacher, students, parents, and administrators to communicate on the progress of the course. This also gives parents a chance to keep up with the progress of the course and on what their child is learning at different times of the years.
The electronic portfolio is a great way to organize and view everything that was learned in a course. It also gives you an organized way to show potential employers samples of your work in order to show them your capabilities.
Throughout the course of this class I realized that I do not know as much about computers and technology that I thought I knew. Half of my life has been spent on working with computers for school, work, and pleasure, however, I realized that I had never heard of about 45% of the assignments that we completed in this class. Because of my lack of knowledge in computers and technology, I felt behind throughout the class. It was more difficult for me to complete most of the tasks because I could have benefitted from face-to-face instruction on several aspects of the assignments. Nonetheless I completed everything best I could and learned a great deal about what exactly is out there to assist people technologically in everyday life at their jobs or whatever it is they may be doing.
I also want to add that I think this class as a hybrid course could benefit some students who are not so technologically savvy such as me. A hybrid course would benefit them because one-on-one instruction would be available where we could go through the steps of completing some of the assignments but there would also be times where we could strictly work on them alone and come back with questions during the next class.
In the future, I hope to secure a position on the secondary level as a Biology or Health teacher. This is where my background is and I would love nothing more than to share my knowledge with students. I now know the technology that is available to assist me in my future career as a teacher and I will definitely be using it to my advantage.
The class was challenging to me because I am a visual learner. There were podcasts, power points, and other helpful resources available to the class however, I am a hands-on type of person that has a difficult time not being shown how to properly handle certain projects that were due throughout the course of the semester. I would definitely benefit from a face-to-face instruction in IT 645. Nonetheless, I still learned a great deal from this class about different ways in which I can use my own personal computer. I am now going to go through the learning tools used in the class and explain how I feel about each one.
Creating a blog was different to me in the sense that I have never had a blog before. The only “blog” type network that I use on a regular basis is Facebook. The comments on the blogs were useful to me to tell me whether or not I explained what I was blogging about correctly. I do not feel like we did much threaded discussion for this class because we used our blogs to communicate and did not really have a need for the threaded discussion.
The listserv was a unique tool that I had never used before. A listserv would be useful for work, academic and social clubs, as well as maybe communication between family members. It is a way in which you can keep certain people in certain groups in order to separate different people in which you communicate each day.
I found that the podcast clips were helpful to me because they were the closest thing to actually being inside the classroom listening to lecture on how to do certain things for class. As I mentioned earlier, I really could have benefitted being able to sit in a classroom and work with the teacher one-on-one on doing similar assignments as the projects that we turned in.
The video clips were useful to me because they were tools that helped me gain a better understanding of the topic being worked on at the time during the course. I enjoy hearing experiences from real teachers and students in classrooms all over the country. In my future teaching career, I plan to use video clips to help the students gain more understanding of the topic at hand.
I enjoyed the more creative projects that we did during the course such as creating a flyer. I have always been decent at doing creative stuff such as this. All throughout high school, I had to create flyers, posters, etc because of different clubs and organizations in which I was a part of. I know that teachers and administrators must be able to know how to create a professional and appealing flyer to communicate with the parents at some point.
Creating the progress chart was more difficult for me because I was unaware of how to create a graph in Excel. At this point, I could have used some assistance, but the closest thing I got to that I believe was my fiancée and my brother who neither was really much help. However, I finally figured it out after tinkering with it for a while. The progress chart is definitely a useful tool for teachers to stay organized inside the classroom.
I thoroughly enjoyed creating the quiz in PowerPoint. I enjoy using PowerPoint because it is easy to use and I have had several instances in which I have used it for class presentations. Creating the quiz in PowerPoint reminded me of my 10th grade Chemistry class. She used to give us weekly quizzes this way.
Along with several other projects in which I completed throughout this class, the web tools assignments were enjoyable to me. It was nice to see that there are websites out there that can make creating rubrics, puzzles, and tests simple for teachers so that they can use them on a regular basis to facilitate learning in the classroom. If a teacher had to create those items without assistance, it would take a lot more time and the teacher would most likely not use those tools.
The project that I enjoyed the least in the class was probably the making of my own movie. This probably did not have much to do with the assignment itself, but the events that were taking place around the couple of weeks in which this assignment was due that led me to now have much to sit down and really play with and understand how to make the movie. Unfortunately, my own computer did not already have the Windows Movie Maker application so I tried to download the version that was compatible with my computer. This version was not the same version that the examples Dr. Wang gave us were in. In her podcast, I believe she had the Windows XP version which was totally different from the version for my computer that I had to download. Luckily, after messing around with the version now on my computer, I realized my brother still had Windows XP and the Movie Maker program was already included in the applications on his computer. After realizing this, I did my project on his computer and it was pretty simple from there on.
I enjoyed learning about Trackstar. This is a good tool to use to keep up with the websites in which information can be taken to facilitate learning in the classroom. It is user-friendly and it keeps organization.
The web evaluation assignment enabled me to look at different websites to critique them on whether or not they were good to use in the classroom. Web evaluation is a good way in which teachers can choose the websites that are used inside their classroom.
One project that I really did enjoy was the website creation tool. I never knew how people created a website. I have always been interested to see what it takes to create websites and now I have somewhat of an idea of this. Creating a class website is a great way for teacher, students, parents, and administrators to communicate on the progress of the course. This also gives parents a chance to keep up with the progress of the course and on what their child is learning at different times of the years.
The electronic portfolio is a great way to organize and view everything that was learned in a course. It also gives you an organized way to show potential employers samples of your work in order to show them your capabilities.
Throughout the course of this class I realized that I do not know as much about computers and technology that I thought I knew. Half of my life has been spent on working with computers for school, work, and pleasure, however, I realized that I had never heard of about 45% of the assignments that we completed in this class. Because of my lack of knowledge in computers and technology, I felt behind throughout the class. It was more difficult for me to complete most of the tasks because I could have benefitted from face-to-face instruction on several aspects of the assignments. Nonetheless I completed everything best I could and learned a great deal about what exactly is out there to assist people technologically in everyday life at their jobs or whatever it is they may be doing.
I also want to add that I think this class as a hybrid course could benefit some students who are not so technologically savvy such as me. A hybrid course would benefit them because one-on-one instruction would be available where we could go through the steps of completing some of the assignments but there would also be times where we could strictly work on them alone and come back with questions during the next class.
In the future, I hope to secure a position on the secondary level as a Biology or Health teacher. This is where my background is and I would love nothing more than to share my knowledge with students. I now know the technology that is available to assist me in my future career as a teacher and I will definitely be using it to my advantage.
Compilation of All Projects Completed in IT 645
IT Flyer: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfNWdrN3N2dmM1&hl=en
Grade Chart: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvM91xrNQnOUdEx4NllNMUxMbEl2RWE1eHhncDJwb3c&hl=en
IT Quiz: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUYjBkMTMxNTgtMzg4MS00Zjc4LTg0NDctNmVkMzE0NjJhZmFl&hl=en
IT Rubric: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUYzEzNzMyYmYtYjU3My00YTBkLWIwZDItYTMyMGY4MjI5NmZl&hl=en
IT Puzzle: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfNmNmeHRuOGRu&hl=en
IT Test: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZmJkOGRkODktODU4Yi00MzFiLWI5ODgtOGE1YThmNWQ2ZGU0&hl=en
IT Test Answer Sheet: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfOGRuN3Q3Z2Ri&hl=en
TrackStar: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUOTdmYTAyYWUtNjI2OS00MDA0LTk3ZDEtNTgyNDkxYzMxZTg0&hl=en
Website Evaluation: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfN2N3OHBkYmZu&hl=en
Course Website: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZjg4YjgyNTEtM2UxZS00MjI5LWFmMjQtMjQwNjczYzhlNzVk&hl=en">
ListServ: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUNTg2YWM3NzQtMmZjZi00ZTMxLWIyMjMtZTJkNjlkZGIxNDU4&hl=en
Movie: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUNDJmMjlkMWEtMTg1ZS00NGMwLWE5M2MtMWUyM2EwN2FmZDlh&hl=en
Grade Chart: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvM91xrNQnOUdEx4NllNMUxMbEl2RWE1eHhncDJwb3c&hl=en
IT Quiz: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUYjBkMTMxNTgtMzg4MS00Zjc4LTg0NDctNmVkMzE0NjJhZmFl&hl=en
IT Rubric: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUYzEzNzMyYmYtYjU3My00YTBkLWIwZDItYTMyMGY4MjI5NmZl&hl=en
IT Puzzle: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfNmNmeHRuOGRu&hl=en
IT Test: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZmJkOGRkODktODU4Yi00MzFiLWI5ODgtOGE1YThmNWQ2ZGU0&hl=en
IT Test Answer Sheet: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfOGRuN3Q3Z2Ri&hl=en
TrackStar: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUOTdmYTAyYWUtNjI2OS00MDA0LTk3ZDEtNTgyNDkxYzMxZTg0&hl=en
Website Evaluation: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfN2N3OHBkYmZu&hl=en
Course Website: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZjg4YjgyNTEtM2UxZS00MjI5LWFmMjQtMjQwNjczYzhlNzVk&hl=en">
ListServ: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUNTg2YWM3NzQtMmZjZi00ZTMxLWIyMjMtZTJkNjlkZGIxNDU4&hl=en
Movie: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUNDJmMjlkMWEtMTg1ZS00NGMwLWE5M2MtMWUyM2EwN2FmZDlh&hl=en
Friday, April 16, 2010
Chapter Eleven & Twelve, Question 1
What are the legal, social, and ethical issues arising in the Digital Age? Summarize each.
The legal issues arising in the Digital Age include:
- Copyright & Fair Use which includes teachers and students trying to decide what they should be using for lessons, projects, ect that is another person's. This can sometimes be questionable because it can be unclear, especially on the internet what is for free use and what is not.
- Privacy. Technology has made the sharing of information over the internet so easy and simple that it is fairly easy for one to lose their own privacy. For instance, Google not has an application where if you press a button you can be located by anyone, anywhere who is looking for you. Privacy can be very easily lost through the internet.
- Acceptable use. The internet should be used appropriately. It is so easy to search and find certain things that are not ethically or morally acceptable. Especially in schools, this is one area where teachers and administrators should keep a close eye on the students.
- Software piracy, copying software that is already purchased is unacceptable but is fairly easy to do over the internet.
Social Issues in the Digital Age:
Equity and accessibility of technology are the most pressing and critical. Inequity of technology can mean some children will leap in technological skills and readiness than other children. The children with access are left with a greater advantage than those without.
Ethical Issues in the Digital Age:
The largest concern is freedom of speech and the internet. The question is whether or not society should censor some views expressed on the internet. Teachers need to be aware that such things are accessible on the internet that are not appropriate. Proper use of the internet is key in its success in broadening the knowledge of the student.
The legal issues arising in the Digital Age include:
- Copyright & Fair Use which includes teachers and students trying to decide what they should be using for lessons, projects, ect that is another person's. This can sometimes be questionable because it can be unclear, especially on the internet what is for free use and what is not.
- Privacy. Technology has made the sharing of information over the internet so easy and simple that it is fairly easy for one to lose their own privacy. For instance, Google not has an application where if you press a button you can be located by anyone, anywhere who is looking for you. Privacy can be very easily lost through the internet.
- Acceptable use. The internet should be used appropriately. It is so easy to search and find certain things that are not ethically or morally acceptable. Especially in schools, this is one area where teachers and administrators should keep a close eye on the students.
- Software piracy, copying software that is already purchased is unacceptable but is fairly easy to do over the internet.
Social Issues in the Digital Age:
Equity and accessibility of technology are the most pressing and critical. Inequity of technology can mean some children will leap in technological skills and readiness than other children. The children with access are left with a greater advantage than those without.
Ethical Issues in the Digital Age:
The largest concern is freedom of speech and the internet. The question is whether or not society should censor some views expressed on the internet. Teachers need to be aware that such things are accessible on the internet that are not appropriate. Proper use of the internet is key in its success in broadening the knowledge of the student.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Week Eleven (Chapter 9 & 10), Question 3
What is distance education? What types of support are critical to the success of distance education? Why?
Distance education is designed to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site" in a traditional classroom. The supports that are critical to the success of distance education are teachers that stay on top of the needs of the students in the class, a well-thought out and designed course of study, internet access, and a computer. These supports are critical because without these, it will be very difficult, if not impossible for the student to succeed.
Distance education is designed to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site" in a traditional classroom. The supports that are critical to the success of distance education are teachers that stay on top of the needs of the students in the class, a well-thought out and designed course of study, internet access, and a computer. These supports are critical because without these, it will be very difficult, if not impossible for the student to succeed.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Reflection of Project 2
I enjoyed this piece of the project because I was able to create puzzles, tests, and rubrics. It let me get a taste of how teachers put these types of activities together for their students more efficiently than if they just made up everything and had to format it by themselves.
The website we used for creating a rubric made the process very simple and easy that involved very few steps.
The website used in creating a puzzle as an activity for the students also involved very little effort on the part of the teacher. All I had to do to complete the task was to plug in words to inclulde in the puzzle.
Creating the test also involved very little effort as well. The teacher simply makes up the questions and the answer options and the website formats the test. This leaves the teacher with the job to print the test.
Here are links to my projects:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZjE2MGExNjItNjUwZS00NzgwLWFmYTktNjI5NzFjYmFkZDlj&hl=en
Puzzle:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfMmdwaGI2NWcz&hl=en
Test:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUODQ5ODM1ZDctM2VmMi00M2IyLWI5NWQtNjllZWVmNTdhYzlm&hl=en
Trackstar:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUODIzMTVlNzItNDdiMy00ODA3LTljYTUtMmVjMDY5YzcxN2I2&hl=en
Web Evaluation:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfM2hndDY2OWN6&hl=en
The website we used for creating a rubric made the process very simple and easy that involved very few steps.
The website used in creating a puzzle as an activity for the students also involved very little effort on the part of the teacher. All I had to do to complete the task was to plug in words to inclulde in the puzzle.
Creating the test also involved very little effort as well. The teacher simply makes up the questions and the answer options and the website formats the test. This leaves the teacher with the job to print the test.
Here are links to my projects:
Rubric:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUZjE2MGExNjItNjUwZS00NzgwLWFmYTktNjI5NzFjYmFkZDlj&hl=en
Puzzle:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfMmdwaGI2NWcz&hl=en
Test:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUODQ5ODM1ZDctM2VmMi00M2IyLWI5NWQtNjllZWVmNTdhYzlm&hl=en
Trackstar:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUODIzMTVlNzItNDdiMy00ODA3LTljYTUtMmVjMDY5YzcxN2I2&hl=en
Web Evaluation:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfM2hndDY2OWN6&hl=en
Monday, March 1, 2010
Week 7, Ch. 7&8, Question 2
What is the difference between asynchronous and synchronous communication? Name and describe the Internet communication tools that fall into each category.
Synchronous communication and asynchronous communication are exact opposites of each other. Synchronous communication involves direct communication where all parties are involved at the same time. An example of synchronous communication would be the telephone. While on the telephone, one is having direct contact with another person at the same time. This does not include leaving a voicemail on another person's line because that would not be having direct contact at the same time with the other person. An example of synchronous communication on the internet would be a chat room. In a chat room, people are actively communicating at the same time. They are asking questions, making statements, and responding all at the same time. Asynchronous communication does not involved all parties being involved at the same time. An example of asynchronous communication would be E-mail. Through e-mail, one leaves another a message and cannot expect the receiver to get the message right away. Not all parties are involved at the same time when dealing with asynchronous communication.
Synchronous communication and asynchronous communication are exact opposites of each other. Synchronous communication involves direct communication where all parties are involved at the same time. An example of synchronous communication would be the telephone. While on the telephone, one is having direct contact with another person at the same time. This does not include leaving a voicemail on another person's line because that would not be having direct contact at the same time with the other person. An example of synchronous communication on the internet would be a chat room. In a chat room, people are actively communicating at the same time. They are asking questions, making statements, and responding all at the same time. Asynchronous communication does not involved all parties being involved at the same time. An example of asynchronous communication would be E-mail. Through e-mail, one leaves another a message and cannot expect the receiver to get the message right away. Not all parties are involved at the same time when dealing with asynchronous communication.
Flyer, Grade Sheet, PPT Quiz
IT Flyer Link
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUOGE5OTY0YjUtNDNhNS00MWMzLTkyZGMtZDZmODc0YTZiNThm&sort=name&layout=list&num=50
IT Grade Sheet Link
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvM91xrNQnOUdEx4NllNMUxMbEl2RWE1eHhncDJwb3c&hl=en
IT PPT Quiz Link
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfMWhqcWh6M3pt&hl=en
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_M91xrNQnOUOGE5OTY0YjUtNDNhNS00MWMzLTkyZGMtZDZmODc0YTZiNThm&sort=name&layout=list&num=50
IT Grade Sheet Link
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AvM91xrNQnOUdEx4NllNMUxMbEl2RWE1eHhncDJwb3c&hl=en
IT PPT Quiz Link
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfM91xrNQnOUZGM5dzJzeHRfMWhqcWh6M3pt&hl=en
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Flyer, Class Assignment, PPT Quiz Reflection
I personally enjoyed the assignment because I enjoy putting presentations together and using creativity over plain knowledge every once in a while. It took me a while to find a flyer template that I liked, and I really do not like the one I chose that much but I figured I was wasting time so I just chose one. The powerpoint presentation was the most fun for me because you can play with animation, sound, and pictures to make the presentation appropriate for the audience, which in our case, was a class of 6th graders. While doing my undergraduate coursework, I had to put together several powerpoint presentations together and was not able to make them fun because they were supposed to be "professional" and serious since most of my presenations consisted of scientific research such as studies of certain nutrients and their relationship with cancer.
The only problem that I ran into during this portion of the assignment was creating a chart from the data that I plugged into Excel. I spend a great deal of time trying to figure this out. I tried to look at tutorials through MyLabSchool.com and did not even figure out how to work the website. I also went on google and tried to find a tutorial that way. In the end, what I ended up doing was I went into Excel and ended up playing around to figure it out. It probably still did not turn out quite like it was supposed to, but at least I ended up with two charts and I know how to explain them if I were in a meeting with a parent.
Overall, this assignment was fun and definitely incorporated the technology that I will be using in the classroom as a teacher.
The only problem that I ran into during this portion of the assignment was creating a chart from the data that I plugged into Excel. I spend a great deal of time trying to figure this out. I tried to look at tutorials through MyLabSchool.com and did not even figure out how to work the website. I also went on google and tried to find a tutorial that way. In the end, what I ended up doing was I went into Excel and ended up playing around to figure it out. It probably still did not turn out quite like it was supposed to, but at least I ended up with two charts and I know how to explain them if I were in a meeting with a parent.
Overall, this assignment was fun and definitely incorporated the technology that I will be using in the classroom as a teacher.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Week 5, Ch. 5 & 6, Question 1
What is productivity software? How can it be adapted to benefit teaching and learning? What are the advantages and features of electronic spreadsheets? How do you see them as a benefit in an educational environment?
Productivity software is typically generic business-application software that educators can use and adapt for the administrative and professional tasks they must address. The four major types of productivity software found in most business environments are word processors, electronic spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation software. This software is easy to use, with each application performing a specific function for the user.
Productivity software can be adapted to benefit teaching and learning in a sense that they enable educators to do their jobs more effectively productively. Some examples of how this software can be used are listed below.
- Word Processing: transparencies used for lecture, activity sheets, posters, study guides, and class notes are a few of the things that can be produced through word processing.
- Electronic Spreadsheets: Provide students with a method for tracking and analyzing data and creating charts from it; support student research such as tracking stock market data
- Database Management Systems: Organize and provide easy access to lists of academic resources or extract and report targeted summaries of content or resources to address student needs
- Presentation Software: Class lecture support, audio and visual elements with special effects; produce transparency masters; create student worksheets to accompany class lectures
The advantages and features of electronic spreadsheets include: Providing students with a method for tracking and analyzing data and creating charts from it; it can also be used to support student research such as tracking stock market data.
I see productivity software as an advantage in the educational environment because it makes research more accessible. This type of software also enables people to be able to finish projects more quickly and exact than they would if this software was not available. I have used this type of software ever since I can remember doing homework and projects. It makes researching and putting together work or a project so much easier.
Productivity software is typically generic business-application software that educators can use and adapt for the administrative and professional tasks they must address. The four major types of productivity software found in most business environments are word processors, electronic spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation software. This software is easy to use, with each application performing a specific function for the user.
Productivity software can be adapted to benefit teaching and learning in a sense that they enable educators to do their jobs more effectively productively. Some examples of how this software can be used are listed below.
- Word Processing: transparencies used for lecture, activity sheets, posters, study guides, and class notes are a few of the things that can be produced through word processing.
- Electronic Spreadsheets: Provide students with a method for tracking and analyzing data and creating charts from it; support student research such as tracking stock market data
- Database Management Systems: Organize and provide easy access to lists of academic resources or extract and report targeted summaries of content or resources to address student needs
- Presentation Software: Class lecture support, audio and visual elements with special effects; produce transparency masters; create student worksheets to accompany class lectures
The advantages and features of electronic spreadsheets include: Providing students with a method for tracking and analyzing data and creating charts from it; it can also be used to support student research such as tracking stock market data.
I see productivity software as an advantage in the educational environment because it makes research more accessible. This type of software also enables people to be able to finish projects more quickly and exact than they would if this software was not available. I have used this type of software ever since I can remember doing homework and projects. It makes researching and putting together work or a project so much easier.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Week 4, Ch. 3 & 4, Question 3
How do increasing computer power, decreasing size, and wireless communications make technology-enhanced classrooms more flexible? What is a virtual environment? What potential does it hold for education?
Increasing computer power, decreasing size, and wireless communications make technology-enhanced classrooms more flexible. With more powerful technology such as Wi-Fi, a student and/or teacher can access the internet inside or outside throughout the campus. This means the student or teacher can have internet access on his/her computer in any building on the campus grounds as well as the outside area. With a size decrease of a student/teacher's computer, the device in which internet access is available is more portable and can be carried easily throughout the campus.
A virtual environment involves a combination of hardware and software to create a digital environment with which you can interact. Virtual reality software can be used for class projects, classroom tours, virtual fieldtrips and more.
The potential a virtual environment holds so much potential for the classroom. As I mentioned earlier, the class can take virtual fieldtrips without ever having to leave the room, take classroom tours, explore visual museums. With virtual reality software, there is no limit to what the teacher can allow the student to explore.
Increasing computer power, decreasing size, and wireless communications make technology-enhanced classrooms more flexible. With more powerful technology such as Wi-Fi, a student and/or teacher can access the internet inside or outside throughout the campus. This means the student or teacher can have internet access on his/her computer in any building on the campus grounds as well as the outside area. With a size decrease of a student/teacher's computer, the device in which internet access is available is more portable and can be carried easily throughout the campus.
A virtual environment involves a combination of hardware and software to create a digital environment with which you can interact. Virtual reality software can be used for class projects, classroom tours, virtual fieldtrips and more.
The potential a virtual environment holds so much potential for the classroom. As I mentioned earlier, the class can take virtual fieldtrips without ever having to leave the room, take classroom tours, explore visual museums. With virtual reality software, there is no limit to what the teacher can allow the student to explore.
Week 3, Chapter 2, Reflection Question 2
What is the difference between formative feedback and summative feedback?
Formative feedback occurs during an event or process. This feedback is given continuously during the event or process so to ensure that everything can run smoothly and a continuous flow of information takes place. For example, say you were a Biology teacher teaching a lesson on cells. To ensure that the students are learning what you are teaching, a teacher may do various things to check for understanding. He or she may ask the students verbally during the process of teaching a lesson if they have any specific questions on the function of an organelle in the cell, hand out a short answer worksheet to check for specific things that he or she should recap on during the next lecture, etc... Within the DID model, formative feedback is gathered while the process unfolds so that midcourse corrections can be made.
Summative feedback is built into the DID process and occurs at the end of a process. The summative feedback is a way to review the process after the event has already occurred. This basically means the summative feedback is a final check after all of the steps of the process are completed.
Formative feedback occurs during an event or process. This feedback is given continuously during the event or process so to ensure that everything can run smoothly and a continuous flow of information takes place. For example, say you were a Biology teacher teaching a lesson on cells. To ensure that the students are learning what you are teaching, a teacher may do various things to check for understanding. He or she may ask the students verbally during the process of teaching a lesson if they have any specific questions on the function of an organelle in the cell, hand out a short answer worksheet to check for specific things that he or she should recap on during the next lecture, etc... Within the DID model, formative feedback is gathered while the process unfolds so that midcourse corrections can be made.
Summative feedback is built into the DID process and occurs at the end of a process. The summative feedback is a way to review the process after the event has already occurred. This basically means the summative feedback is a final check after all of the steps of the process are completed.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Blog Reflection Week 2, Chapter 1
Educational technology is basically all media that can be used for instruction in the classroom. It is any technology used by educators in support of the teaching and learning process. Educational technology's relationship with the teaching and learning process is crucial today. Students today are being brought up in a technological world and they use technology in their everyday lives to communicate, play games, investigate what is going on in the world they live in, etc... Due to the numerous forms of technology available to teachers and students, most student's learning styles are compatible with one form or another of technology that can be used in the classroom. For instance, a visual learner may benefit from a PowerPoint presentation or video used to demonstrate a lesson being taught. A hands on learner may benefit from a lesson in the form of a computer. Since students today are already familiar with several forms of technology, using this technology in the classroom may be a better form of engagement for the students.
Knowing the learning styles of the students in your classroom can be a key factor in the success of these students. Say you notice that one student in particular is struggling greatly throughout the school year. By simply talking to the student and finding out the best way in which they learn can be key in the success of that particular student. Some students learn best by listening. Therefore, lectures should be used. Others may learn best through visual learning. With these students, demonstrating a concept may allow them to learn best. Hands on learning is also the way many students learn best. With these students, projects and computers would be a possibility in allowing these students to succeed. As a teacher, touching on each style of learning will guarantee success in students' perfomance.
I definitely believe that being technology savvy is important in the success of a teacher. This comes fairly easy for new teachers going into the field today, but may be a challenge for those who have been teaching for several years. I believe technology makes touching on all different learning styles easier for a teacher.
Knowing the learning styles of the students in your classroom can be a key factor in the success of these students. Say you notice that one student in particular is struggling greatly throughout the school year. By simply talking to the student and finding out the best way in which they learn can be key in the success of that particular student. Some students learn best by listening. Therefore, lectures should be used. Others may learn best through visual learning. With these students, demonstrating a concept may allow them to learn best. Hands on learning is also the way many students learn best. With these students, projects and computers would be a possibility in allowing these students to succeed. As a teacher, touching on each style of learning will guarantee success in students' perfomance.
I definitely believe that being technology savvy is important in the success of a teacher. This comes fairly easy for new teachers going into the field today, but may be a challenge for those who have been teaching for several years. I believe technology makes touching on all different learning styles easier for a teacher.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Introduction
Hi-
My name is Whitney Salley and I am a Master of Arts in Teaching student. I am 22 years old and got my BS in Nutrition in May of 2009. I decided to take what I learned in the course of my undergraduate degree and put it to use as a high school or middle school Science (Biology, Anatomy & Physiology) or Math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra) teacher.
I work at a boutique here in Hattiesburg and am currently engaged and getting married in May 2010. We are in the process of building a house and planning a wedding. This is a very exciting time for us! I am excited to continue my coursework in the MAT program here at USM.
Now that I have read all of the direction to the first blog I can finish what I was supposed to write about.
I have taken several classes online and am very familiar with Blackboard. I enjoy the freedom of online classes as compared with those that meet face-to-face because I feel like people have such hectic schedules these days that it is difficult to get on a schefule that allows you to block out the same amount of time daily for class. I say this because my schedule is all over the place.
I am familiar with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access somewhat. During my undergraduate coursework we developed several presentations which makes me familiar with the above software. However, I am not too familiar with blogging and podcasts. I am a facebook user, which is a form of blogging I suppose, but I have never participated in any other forms of blogging.
I have good expectations of my performance in this class because I enjoy learning about technology since it has become the primary form of communication in today's busy world.
My name is Whitney Salley and I am a Master of Arts in Teaching student. I am 22 years old and got my BS in Nutrition in May of 2009. I decided to take what I learned in the course of my undergraduate degree and put it to use as a high school or middle school Science (Biology, Anatomy & Physiology) or Math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra) teacher.
I work at a boutique here in Hattiesburg and am currently engaged and getting married in May 2010. We are in the process of building a house and planning a wedding. This is a very exciting time for us! I am excited to continue my coursework in the MAT program here at USM.
Now that I have read all of the direction to the first blog I can finish what I was supposed to write about.
I have taken several classes online and am very familiar with Blackboard. I enjoy the freedom of online classes as compared with those that meet face-to-face because I feel like people have such hectic schedules these days that it is difficult to get on a schefule that allows you to block out the same amount of time daily for class. I say this because my schedule is all over the place.
I am familiar with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access somewhat. During my undergraduate coursework we developed several presentations which makes me familiar with the above software. However, I am not too familiar with blogging and podcasts. I am a facebook user, which is a form of blogging I suppose, but I have never participated in any other forms of blogging.
I have good expectations of my performance in this class because I enjoy learning about technology since it has become the primary form of communication in today's busy world.
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