Post # 11

For me, Excel spreadsheets have always made sense. I always wanted to know what can Excel do for me to make my life easier. I learned about the IF function in this assignment and was pretty successful executing the formulas and necessary functions needed for the assignment. The attention to detail can be improved. The formatting could use some work but other than making it pretty, I believe that I did very well in the assignment. The grade book was very helpful and I intend to use a similar format to the one in the skill Check.

A website called biovisons caught my attention on a blog I was reading about earlier. It is run by Harvard and has videos of different biological processes that occur. This is helpful to biology teachers because it is a visual of what they are trying to teach students. Textbooks help explain what is happening but to actually see how everything is put together makes it much easier for students to understand. I would definitely use this resource with my class if I were teaching Biology. Another resource is Commtechlabs which gives many ideas about what to do when teaching upper level middle school and high school classes. The courses range from public speaking to civics. It is definitely a resource that would be useful in any school setting because there is so much offered on this one website.

My goal is to use technology in a way that is exciting and relevant to my students. Using an overhead is not relevant and would not be useful to me or my students. I want to use a social media platform that all my students are able to access regardless of their socioeconomic status. Being mindful of the technology gap between students I will try to incorporate as much technology in the classroom and try to require the least amount outside of the classroom. Introducing students to technologies that are relevant to them would also align with my goal. I want my students to become competent and comfortable with technology that can help them in my class as well as other classes they might not have thought of. In this day and age technology is being used more and more it is my responsibility as a teacher to prepare my students to be the best they can be. One of the ways I can do this is to make sure that they know how to utilize technologies that are available to them.

Post # 10

Integration of peripherals is something I have rarely thought about. One peripheral that I would encourage my students to use would be the cameras on their phones. Almost every student will have a phone and most now have cameras. In science lessons it would be an awesome way to integrate not only the photos but perhaps even a twitter account where they could post their pictures of what they did during the experiment. They would then have a data base of what they did during the year which could remind them what they did and what they learned as well. Scavenger Hunts could be made where the students would have to find real life examples of what they learned in class and take a picture of it and tweet it.

One web based resource that I would like to use is http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/. This website is where authors read their writings. I would use this to get my students to think about writing as a modern craft. This website definitely exposes people to the culture of writing for publications and modern writings as opposed to Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost. I would want my students to find a podcast that they enjoyed and write what it was about and what they found interesting. Perhaps make it a blogging assignment and have one blog about a new podcast due every other week.

The cool thing about this website is that there is something for everyone. Also I love that it isn’t someone else reading a dead poet’s poem, rather it is the writer themselves who read the piece as it should be read. There is something very powerful about that, which gets lost when reading Faulkner or Frost because we cannot hear how they meant it to sound.

To be completely honest Excel to me is a very useful tool in which every student should learn how to navigate with some level of competency. It is however associated with science and math which many people are wary of. Throw in the use of technology and people may not want to use it because of their feelings of inadequacy when trying to manipulate data on a computer. The task is daunting, but when one figures out how to use Excel properly it becomes very interesting. Statistics is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Excel. I think I would use Excel with high-school students and make them log their grades in a spread sheet. This for one, would introduce them to Excel and make it personal. This will also minimize the questions about ‘how many point do I need to get an A’. They can finally figure that out themselves. If you slowly integrate Excel throughout the semester it should be easier to teach. I think once most students are comfortable you then can ask them to do a project  in which they make graphs.

I thought that the Power Point assignment with the non-linear Presentation took much longer than I expected it too. I think I need to work on the formatting and perhaps allocate more time if I plan to use this in my classroom.

Post # 9

We have all grown up with PowerPoint Presentations. We know that using too many animations is tacky, we also know that changing the slide transitions for every slide is just simply distracting and annoying. We know that the slides should be simple and clear and that we should never just read off the PowerPoint, because ‘your audience can read’.  For some of us however when the screen rolls down and the lights dim, 32 slides makes for great napping time or a chance to catch up on social medias that have been blowing up our phones since we woke up. PowerPoints are great when used correctly but can be the end of any motivation for a monotone professor who reads the slide, clicks and repeats as necessary. Using PowerPoint is a great way to present information that is crucial to student learning. Every student is able to see the same information and the teacher is able to discuss in greater detail what is on each slide. The problem becomes attention and lack of interest. Too many times the Panic of the 1800’s was trumped by the latest tweets or Instagram posts that were waiting to be favorited or liked. Engagement it key when using PowerPoint, forcing students to add information to the PowerPoint focuses them on what the teacher is saying and engages them in the lesson.

As with most advancements in technology, those with money or access to such technologies will be at an advantage when compared to those who lack the resources to buy or access the same technologies. I would say I have been fortunate enough to have a laptop and home computer for the majority of my schooling career. Having a laptop has certainly been crucial to my college experience and not having a laptop would have made it much harder to accomplish the tasks I normally do on a day to day basis. My parents however have limited the amount of technology in the house hold to those that are only absolutely necessary in their eyes. All other technologies are considered frivolous and the expenses for those technologies comes straight out of my pocket as opposed to theirs. The people I normally socialize with are in the same or higher position in the Technology gap as I am. I do not feel that I have any significant advantage over any student here on campus except when having a laptop comes in handy and is convenient. I honestly think that there will always be a technological divide but that gap is closing more and more now. Being conscientious of those who may not have access to the expected technology is important but the gap in technology should not be detrimental to classrooms in the future.

We say that each child should have equal opportunity to learn and to be educated in the same way as their neighbor. Yet how can we say that we believe this when many schools are being funded according to their average test scores on high stakes examinations? Those schools which do worse may not have the technology that could help them achieve higher test scores. Due to their low test scores however they are not given the financial aid needed to update their school’s technology and therefore are doomed to suffer again in the next year. Conversely, those schools which are comprised of students whose demographics represent the more affluent population of the county, are able to have access to technologies which helps students achieve high test scores. Due to their high test scores they are allowed to buy even better technologies which will help them in the next year. While the top rises even more, the bottom will fall as the new standard will rise each year. This cycle should be broken if we are to reach the goal of equity in education.

Post # 8

I believe that PowerPoint is a useful tool to have in the classroom. Transitions help the PowerPoint flow and adds a creative element to the presentation. Flow charts access the Factual Knowledge dimension of learning. Using different colors highlights information that is most relevant which touches upon the Conceptual Knowledge dimension.

Adaptive Technology helps those with disabilities to more effectively use computers. There are some programs that read out the interface of a website for those who are blind. This program allows the blind to use computers and browse the internet. I have not known anyone who needed to use this kind of technology, but I think that the idea is really a good thing.

The WebQuest was really interesting to do. The only problem were all the requirements. I thought it was really cool that we made an entire website by ourselves. This would never have happened had it not been for this class. I would definitely consider using this as a lesson for my future students. I think my WebQuest was the most elementary of all formats. I think I could improve it by mastering the more advanced processes that are required for a more in depth WebQuest.

Post # 7

I would like to maintain a course Web site because it not only allows students to access their work online but also allows parents to be updated on what their child is learning. So many children have access to the Internet that it would be beneficial to those who have it but not detrimental to those who cannot access the internet. The website would completely optional and just there for additional support.

Slideshare is really neat and should be given more credit in schools. This is a great way to share presentations especially if you plan to do group presentations. It also allows you as a teacher to post your own PowerPoint to share with the class.

Here is the Link http://www.slideshare.net/

I think that in this day and age any web based application or tool will be helpful to education. More and more children are using the Internet. It will soon become a part of society. Allowing children to work with environments or elements that they are comfortable with should allow them to explore more within the topics that are being taught. For example a Non-Chemistry student may not be able to explore the material as well as a Chemistry student because the non-chemistry student does not know how use the equipment in the lab as well as the Chemistry major.

Fantastic Video

Post #6

There is nothing more terrible than having a teacher who cannot use technology. Scratch that, there is nothing more terrible than being a teacher who cannot use technology. In this day and age students have been exposed to different technologies and can adapt much quicker than older generations to the rapid changes. It is imperative that teachers keep up with the changing technologies so that they do not fall behind and hinder their students learning. Education is a changing entity; methods that were once used are no longer relevant, replaced with more innovative methods. Using twitter and blogging as a way to engage students in their learning is a great example of how technology can be used to advance the students learning. Although, there is nothing, in my opinion, wrong with the good old fashioned composition book, the typed, printed, and stapled essay, or the paper back version of The Awakening. Sure, it is necessary to be able to use these sites and technologies, but using them is a completely different topic. Moderate usage of technology can be healthy and effective in the classroom for both the student and the teacher.

Most of us have had to do research online for school, the most common link however is the phrase “Wikipedia is not a viable source”. We have heard it time and time again, but why can we not use Wikipedia? Believe it or not it is not to make our lives harder. The rule is there to ensure some accuracy in the research that is being done. Accuracy is key in research online. If a source is not accurate the paper’s value dwindles with each inaccuracy present. If a paper were to describe the sky as pink and the grass as red, most people would have a hard time believing any of the content within the paper, regardless of it accuracy on everything else.

The web hunt was longer than I anticipated. The goal of the assignment was clear, after the first half of the assignment. It was good review and made me think that I would be an excellent FBI agent who could look anything up. It also made me aware of just how easy it is to find things on the Internet. I liked that it was not limited on time and that I could finish it anytime I wanted. I would do a similar activity with my students if I got the chance.

https://rachelsinclair4.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/blog-6/comment-page-1/#comment-16

https://klh13e.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/blog-post-6/

Post #5

Web-based resources can help tremendously in the teaching profession. I would consider TED Talks to be a web-based resource that is extremely helpful. TED Talks exposes students to other views of the world. The Talks may even be on topics that are related to what is being learned in the classroom at the time. TED Talks gives unique perspectives on the world in which our students are learning about. The program teaches students to look at all issues in different ways. The videos teach appreciation of other’s thoughts and ideas. The best thing about web-based resources is their accessibility. Students are not limited to just school to access these resources which allows the students to explore on their own.

By 2006 some dictionaries included Google as a verb. Born in 1995, I have come to think of Google not as a noun but as a verb as well. This mentality reflects the paradigm of my, and future, generations. It therefore does not surprise me that we are learning about web-based research in a course titled Introduction to Educational Technology. I would claim that it is merely impossible to avoid Google in schools these days. The problem with Google is also its strength. Look up the year John Lennon died, or perhaps what is in the drug DMT and its effects on the user, look up when Galileo died or who painted the Sistine Chapel. Google offers so much information it is often hard to sift through the articles, webpages and pictures that distract us from the original goal. Web-based research can be exciting, but also time consuming if it is not focused. Evaluation of sources is crucial because often time’s sources can be misleading.

My history teacher did a wonderful job teaching us about the evaluation of sources. He taught us an acronym OPVL which stands for Origin, Purpose, Values, and Limitations. Following OPVL, we first had to see where the source came from, was it a historian writing about an event that happened 200 years ago? Or was it a first hand account of the conditions the soldiers faced during World War Two? We then discussed why the document was made, was it made to educate or to politically slander? Based on the first two parts we were to evaluate the source’s value and limitations. For example, Anne Frank’s diary is valuable because it is a first hand account of what actually happened during the Holocuast. It is limited because we cannot see any other perspective other than Anne’s. Also the age of the writer may limit the amount of information that can be assessed accurately. This method was very helpful and helped us to see which sources were the best sources for our papers.

Inspiration software makes organizing ideas easier. It is best to have a plan before you use the software to get the most out of it and to be the most efficient with your time.

Post #4

I have chosen to visually critique TED talks website. For those of you who do not know about TED, TED brings together innovative ideas from, perhaps, the world’s greatest minds, in order to share ‘ideas worth spreading’. TED talks are exactly what they are named, they are talks from people who have lucrative ideas, ideas to ponder, food for thought and more. Visually the website is simple and elegant. The colors come from the snapshots of Talks that are featured on the front page. The design makes you interested in the content the website provides. It is easy to search for topics of interest, but equally as easy to explore the world of TED as well. The website does a great job in focusing on the content that the audience will be looking for. The simple background and minimal text allows the audience to focus primarily on the videos. The idea of TED is phenomenal and will change the world. I say this because TED incorporates what we are learning about this week. The TED Talks use pictures, graphics and charts to convey ideas that are profound and interesting. They use video and technology to spread innovative ideas to the whole world. I believe that students learn best when they are able to visualize what is being taught.

Credit should be given when credit is due. One must realize that posting anything online is essentially giving the information to anyone with the knowledge or power to access it. Whether it is right or wrong to reproduce the content found online is irrelevant. Open source and open content is important for education. It allows us to share ideas and knowledge that otherwise would not be accessible to educators and the public. I would like to contribute to both because without this a lot would be lost.

Concept maps are helpful to some and not as helpful to others. I think they are most helpful for students to organize their thoughts and even notes for class. For example, a student could take notes using the outline function and then switch to the diagram and have a visual already made. This would be a useful study tool because it would organize the information that the student has already written and simply needs to review.

Post # 3

In the past Microsoft Word has been my friend. He was there at 3am on Tuesday as I wrote my essay due that same morning. He was there when I needed to create a resume, had a cool story idea, and even there when I needed to write a letter to another friend. He also helped me take notes during and organize them neatly. I have also had fights with Microsoft. He got angry with me and shut down before I got to save my work. I was indeed mad at him for doing that. He also likes to change the font back to Calibri every once and a while just to push my buttons. Don’t get me started with multiple columns. But I digress, Microsoft word really helped me with writing essays and doing reports for school. Without him, I don’t know how I could have done it. My teachers also know Microsoft Word, he helps them create tests, worksheets and handouts. I have just found out that is much more useful than he seems. For example I had no idea he knew how to format a newsletter so nicely. He really is full of surprises.

I have not had much experience with copy right and fair use of material in and educational environment. Citing sources seems to be many teachers’ mantras, yet I still have to look up the proper citation format for many of my essays and projects that I complete. It will take some getting used to, I do not immediately think I have to cite when I come up with an idea with the help of online sources. I think the best rule of thumb is, if you print or replicate an idea you should put the source you got the print from just to be safe. In the classroom I would emphasize the importance of giving credit where credit is due. I believe that plagiarism is the result of a kid not wanting to admit they got help when coming up with an idea. I think we scare students into thinking that they can only come up with ideas on their own or plagiarize. We have put this concept in black and white and I think it goes beyond simply plagiarizing and not plagiarizing. If you present an essay that was not written by you but represent it in such a way that would make the reader believe it was your own work that is called lying. Forget plagiarism or copyrights for a moment and examine the real issue here. Submitting a paper under the false pretense that the paper was written by an author other than the original without changing anything is simply wrong.

learned a lot from creating a newsletter. I thought it was a really cool idea and actually created another one about my life in Tallahassee and sent it to my parents at home for them to read. That was really cool because it kept them up to date with a technology I would never have used had it not be introduced in this class.

NewsletterI