NETS-T 1, 2, 3
I created a crossword puzzle that allowed me to navigate through Excel and understand the different tools that it has to offer in my future classroom.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Journal #6
Parr, B. (2011, July 16). Google+: The complete guide. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-guide/
The article, "Google+: The complete Guide" first introduces the reader to what Google+ is and later offers step by step instruction on how to use the neworks tools to your benefit. The article also answers the question, "Why would anyone want to use Google+?" Google+ can be considered a social media rival to Facebook and an improvement from their previous attempts to dip into the social media world: GoogleBuzz and GoogleWave. However, it does have many features that Facebook does not like Sparks, Hangouts, Circles, and Huddles. Some reasons that people seem to favor Google+ in comparison to Facebook is that it has an overall "cleaner" look to it. One reviewer mentioned that distractions like games on Facebook are not available with Google+. Another reviewer thought that it was a more adult way of being involved in Social Networking. Google+ also gives users the opportunity to sync other socail sits to their profile like Twitter, Facebook, Linked, or even a personal website or blog. Another benefit to using Google+ is the amazing privacy features. Photos and videos are automatically private after an upload until the user changes the settings. Circles offer users the opportunity to limit what is being shown to certain people linked to their profile and all profiles are automatically private.
Q: What is a "Circle?"
A: A circle is a feature on Google+ that allows you to separate users into different categories. For example, you may have a family circle, a friend circle, and a business circle. This feature is so important because it allows for the user to limit the content of their page to certain groups of people. You may not want someone from work to see what you may be showing your friends, which allows for more opportunity and less stress in sharing information.
Q: Can you "like" things using Google+ like you can with Facebook?
A: Similar to Facebook, Google+ offer a "+1 button" that they are trying to push. The +1 button gives users the chance to express interest in any subject without actually writing a comment about it.
Brogan, C. (2011, Sept 30). Educators – Google Plus is for you. Retrieved from http://www.chrisbrogan.com/gpluseducators/
The article, "Educators - Google Plus is for you" was very useful as a future educator. Using the circles feature on Google+, an educator may separate their classes, offering specific information to each one. To share class content, you simply click on the "share this circle" button. Using the stream feature, similar to a status update on Facebook, an educator can post lessons for each class that can be easily accessible to students. And a way for teachers to know that their students have read the material is by "checking in" to the assignment. Another way that students can communicate with each other and their teachers better is by engaging in online chats or "hangouts."
Q: How does a "hangout" work?
A: First, you create a "hangout," then type in your name and then simply invite people to join. When the computer notices that someone is talking into the microphone, the attention is then on that person, so everyone involved in the chat can see that person speaking. However, one limitation to these online chats is that it only has a ten person capacity, so it cannot include an entire class. The article also suggested to invite special guests to chats.
Q: How does Google+ help a classroom?
A: Google+ has many features that can benefit a class in different ways. If a student is to miss class, they can simply check into the circle and observe the teachers feed to check for any assignments they missed that day. Students are also connected to each other, so it a good place to create a forum where they can discuss any difficulties or interests they have in class.
The article, "Google+: The complete Guide" first introduces the reader to what Google+ is and later offers step by step instruction on how to use the neworks tools to your benefit. The article also answers the question, "Why would anyone want to use Google+?" Google+ can be considered a social media rival to Facebook and an improvement from their previous attempts to dip into the social media world: GoogleBuzz and GoogleWave. However, it does have many features that Facebook does not like Sparks, Hangouts, Circles, and Huddles. Some reasons that people seem to favor Google+ in comparison to Facebook is that it has an overall "cleaner" look to it. One reviewer mentioned that distractions like games on Facebook are not available with Google+. Another reviewer thought that it was a more adult way of being involved in Social Networking. Google+ also gives users the opportunity to sync other socail sits to their profile like Twitter, Facebook, Linked, or even a personal website or blog. Another benefit to using Google+ is the amazing privacy features. Photos and videos are automatically private after an upload until the user changes the settings. Circles offer users the opportunity to limit what is being shown to certain people linked to their profile and all profiles are automatically private.
Q: What is a "Circle?"
A: A circle is a feature on Google+ that allows you to separate users into different categories. For example, you may have a family circle, a friend circle, and a business circle. This feature is so important because it allows for the user to limit the content of their page to certain groups of people. You may not want someone from work to see what you may be showing your friends, which allows for more opportunity and less stress in sharing information.
Q: Can you "like" things using Google+ like you can with Facebook?
A: Similar to Facebook, Google+ offer a "+1 button" that they are trying to push. The +1 button gives users the chance to express interest in any subject without actually writing a comment about it.
Brogan, C. (2011, Sept 30). Educators – Google Plus is for you. Retrieved from http://www.chrisbrogan.com/gpluseducators/
The article, "Educators - Google Plus is for you" was very useful as a future educator. Using the circles feature on Google+, an educator may separate their classes, offering specific information to each one. To share class content, you simply click on the "share this circle" button. Using the stream feature, similar to a status update on Facebook, an educator can post lessons for each class that can be easily accessible to students. And a way for teachers to know that their students have read the material is by "checking in" to the assignment. Another way that students can communicate with each other and their teachers better is by engaging in online chats or "hangouts."
Q: How does a "hangout" work?
A: First, you create a "hangout," then type in your name and then simply invite people to join. When the computer notices that someone is talking into the microphone, the attention is then on that person, so everyone involved in the chat can see that person speaking. However, one limitation to these online chats is that it only has a ten person capacity, so it cannot include an entire class. The article also suggested to invite special guests to chats.
Q: How does Google+ help a classroom?
A: Google+ has many features that can benefit a class in different ways. If a student is to miss class, they can simply check into the circle and observe the teachers feed to check for any assignments they missed that day. Students are also connected to each other, so it a good place to create a forum where they can discuss any difficulties or interests they have in class.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Journal #7 My Personal Learning Network
A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is an online community of individuals in education trading information and learning together. It can be for specific purposes like a subject, or it can be more of a broad subject like education itself. Some tools that can be used in a PLN would be some social networking sites such as Twitter or Blogs.
As a teacher, creating a PLN can be beneficial when seeking information on how to better one’s classroom or one’s self as an educator. As I observed the chat between Educational Arts Integrators at #artsint on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. EST I uncovered alternative ways that core subjects in school can be taught through art and creativity. I believe that this chat could be beneficial to all teachers, because of the importance in utilizing different forms of teaching. For instance, creative learning could apply the idea Multiple Intelligences, particularly for visual learners. For example, a student that is not very good at math may do well if creativity were incorporated into the lesson plans. One lesson plan that was brought up during the discussion that could exercise these ideas was “dancing to math.” Ultimately, the arts play a huge role in the creation of the mind and in making sense of the world as a student.
One educator that I decided to follow during the Arts Integration chat was Eliza Peterson. I was originally interested in her because she seemed to lead the chat and others “re-tweeted” a lot of her comments. Her bio mentioned that she is a teacher as well as an author, which gave her comments credibility. She is the creator of The Inspired Classroom website, where she writes articles on how to integrate creativity and art into the classroom.
Another educator I decided to follow, along with others was Susan Riley. Susan is a photographer and teacher that is also an advocate of art integration. She is the creator of the website, Education Closet where, like Eliza, writes articles on the benefits of creativity in the classroom. She provides lesson plans, handouts, videos, online classes, and other resources. I also followed some other students and educators.
I used Diigo as a tool while observing the works of a few of the participants in the Art chat. It was beneficial to me because I could easily bookmark websites while following along with the chat. This gives me the opportunity to look over the articles later on, and use them as tools for my future classroom. I added both Eliza and Susan’s webpages to my Diigo as well as an article, “Visual Art as Critical Thinking” and “Sunni Brown’s Graphic Facilitation webpage.”
The Blog Video that I watched on The Educator’s PLN was #Edchat: Join The Movement. The video expresses how the chat evolved from being a small discussion to a large discussion, now involving many educators all over the world. The chat takes place every Tuesday and the discussion topic is voted for on Monday. #Edchat is open is to any educator that desires change. Creating my PLN by engaging in online chat’s using Twitter and Diigo has opened my eyes to the benefits of professional social networking. I am eager to build my PLN and use the resources I connect with in my future classroom!
As a teacher, creating a PLN can be beneficial when seeking information on how to better one’s classroom or one’s self as an educator. As I observed the chat between Educational Arts Integrators at #artsint on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. EST I uncovered alternative ways that core subjects in school can be taught through art and creativity. I believe that this chat could be beneficial to all teachers, because of the importance in utilizing different forms of teaching. For instance, creative learning could apply the idea Multiple Intelligences, particularly for visual learners. For example, a student that is not very good at math may do well if creativity were incorporated into the lesson plans. One lesson plan that was brought up during the discussion that could exercise these ideas was “dancing to math.” Ultimately, the arts play a huge role in the creation of the mind and in making sense of the world as a student.
One educator that I decided to follow during the Arts Integration chat was Eliza Peterson. I was originally interested in her because she seemed to lead the chat and others “re-tweeted” a lot of her comments. Her bio mentioned that she is a teacher as well as an author, which gave her comments credibility. She is the creator of The Inspired Classroom website, where she writes articles on how to integrate creativity and art into the classroom.
Another educator I decided to follow, along with others was Susan Riley. Susan is a photographer and teacher that is also an advocate of art integration. She is the creator of the website, Education Closet where, like Eliza, writes articles on the benefits of creativity in the classroom. She provides lesson plans, handouts, videos, online classes, and other resources. I also followed some other students and educators.
I used Diigo as a tool while observing the works of a few of the participants in the Art chat. It was beneficial to me because I could easily bookmark websites while following along with the chat. This gives me the opportunity to look over the articles later on, and use them as tools for my future classroom. I added both Eliza and Susan’s webpages to my Diigo as well as an article, “Visual Art as Critical Thinking” and “Sunni Brown’s Graphic Facilitation webpage.”
The Blog Video that I watched on The Educator’s PLN was #Edchat: Join The Movement. The video expresses how the chat evolved from being a small discussion to a large discussion, now involving many educators all over the world. The chat takes place every Tuesday and the discussion topic is voted for on Monday. #Edchat is open is to any educator that desires change. Creating my PLN by engaging in online chat’s using Twitter and Diigo has opened my eyes to the benefits of professional social networking. I am eager to build my PLN and use the resources I connect with in my future classroom!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Journal #4
Basham, J. D., Perry, E., & Meyer, H. (2011). It's in the bag. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october-2011.aspx
T
he article, “It’s in the Bag” introduces us to the Digital Backpack, a backpack full of different forms of technology like a laptop, a tablet, etc. for the use of students. The digital backpack is beneficial for students because it includes lesson plans and activities pertaining to class provided for by the teachers. With this technology, teachers can change and modify lessons based on their students needs by just the click of a button. The idea of a “digital backpack” to me seems a bit skeptical. The article included no information as to how schools will receive funding for such a thing. Just one bag would surpass over a thousand dollars! And that is only for ONE student! And what happens when a student damages the products included in the digital backpack? The article included no information pertaining to that either… Do their parents pay for it? Do the taxpayers pay for it?
Q. Have there been any studies with students using the “digital backpack?”
A. Yes, students used their backpacks while on field-trips with their class. Elementary School Students went to the zoo and used pictures and videos where they created presentations. Middle School Students used their backpacks to research fossils and write a paper on it. And high school students created a movie using video cameras.
Q. How many studies have been conducted according to the article? How realistic are they?
A. Three studies had been performed, all three in different areas of schools. An elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Personally, I dont think that the backpack idea is very realistic, because schools arent exactley provided with the adequate amount of funding to begin with, let alone to buy this digital backpack. However, if grants are available, provided by those that believe and are passionate about the idea, funding may be accessable.
he article, “It’s in the Bag” introduces us to the Digital Backpack, a backpack full of different forms of technology like a laptop, a tablet, etc. for the use of students. The digital backpack is beneficial for students because it includes lesson plans and activities pertaining to class provided for by the teachers. With this technology, teachers can change and modify lessons based on their students needs by just the click of a button. The idea of a “digital backpack” to me seems a bit skeptical. The article included no information as to how schools will receive funding for such a thing. Just one bag would surpass over a thousand dollars! And that is only for ONE student! And what happens when a student damages the products included in the digital backpack? The article included no information pertaining to that either… Do their parents pay for it? Do the taxpayers pay for it?
Q. Have there been any studies with students using the “digital backpack?”
A. Yes, students used their backpacks while on field-trips with their class. Elementary School Students went to the zoo and used pictures and videos where they created presentations. Middle School Students used their backpacks to research fossils and write a paper on it. And high school students created a movie using video cameras.
Q. How many studies have been conducted according to the article? How realistic are they?
A. Three studies had been performed, all three in different areas of schools. An elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Personally, I dont think that the backpack idea is very realistic, because schools arent exactley provided with the adequate amount of funding to begin with, let alone to buy this digital backpack. However, if grants are available, provided by those that believe and are passionate about the idea, funding may be accessable.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Journal #3
Morehouse, J. (2011). Students dig up dirt to learn about internet safety. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 34. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/september-2011-learning-connections.sflb.ashx
The article, “Students Dig up Dirt to Learn about Internet Safety” Morehouse discusses a lesson plan he has created in order to teach his students the importance of online safety and the proper precautions that should be made. He starts out by informing readers what can be found through the use of the internet and how that information can affect various parts of one’s life. His lesson plans involves students piecing together information about a specific person using the internet as a tool and then having them presenting their findings. By participating in this assignment, students experience what it means to be safe on the internet and become more aware of the dangers of giving out too much information about themselves.
Q. Why is internet safety so important?
A. Internet safety is important because of sensorship. It is important to sensor information about yourself on the internet for many reasons. Some common risks would be when applying for jobs, elected offices, or schools information about your personal life should not be too available.
Q. What can I do to keep my information more private?
A. You can better sensor yourself by making your personal and social network sites private to only specific viewers. You can also decide to disengage yourself with social networking all-together. And if you do not like that idea, you can simply use social networking for professional uses only.
Journal #2
Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-14. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx
McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance Your Twitter Experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx
The articles, “Join the Flock” and “Enhance Your Twitter Experience” discuss the many educational benefits that Twitter acquires through a Professional Learning Network, or “PLN.” They express the importance of networking with fellow educators. Ferguson talks about the processes of building relationship with colleagues and then slowly learning from them at work, whereas Twitter has the capability of quickly turning strangers into a community of learners and educators. Miller says that without Twitter, she would have never been able to connect with teachers around the world who have helped her with lesson plans. The articles also go in further in depth discussing the steps in creating a Twitter and how to link up with others.
Q: How can I find other educators to follow?
A: One way to find people to follow is by checking out lists that people create and then discover even more Tweeters from there. This will slowly build your PLN. You can also search for key words that will hook you up with many users with similar interests. It can be beneficial to search through more followers of those you are following and read through their short bios.
Q. What is a PLN?
A. I PLN (Professional Learning Network) is an online community of individuals trading information and learning together. It can be for one specific purpose, or it can be more of a broad subject. For instance, you may become a part of an educational PLN, or you can be more specific and become part of a historical educational PLN.
McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance Your Twitter Experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx
The articles, “Join the Flock” and “Enhance Your Twitter Experience” discuss the many educational benefits that Twitter acquires through a Professional Learning Network, or “PLN.” They express the importance of networking with fellow educators. Ferguson talks about the processes of building relationship with colleagues and then slowly learning from them at work, whereas Twitter has the capability of quickly turning strangers into a community of learners and educators. Miller says that without Twitter, she would have never been able to connect with teachers around the world who have helped her with lesson plans. The articles also go in further in depth discussing the steps in creating a Twitter and how to link up with others.
Q: How can I find other educators to follow?
A: One way to find people to follow is by checking out lists that people create and then discover even more Tweeters from there. This will slowly build your PLN. You can also search for key words that will hook you up with many users with similar interests. It can be beneficial to search through more followers of those you are following and read through their short bios.
Q. What is a PLN?
A. I PLN (Professional Learning Network) is an online community of individuals trading information and learning together. It can be for one specific purpose, or it can be more of a broad subject. For instance, you may become a part of an educational PLN, or you can be more specific and become part of a historical educational PLN.
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