Read web-based readings chapter 8 of Collins and Halverson

Chapter 8 discusses some very interesting points about education and technology in the classroom.  As students’ knowledge of technology grows, so too should the school’s knowledge and in cooperate it into their classrooms.  Developing new curriculum and teaching methods to help reach out to our students is a great way to get students more involved and interested in school.  Using games and other types of software to help teach lessons and get students, thinking about topics or subjects that may have seemed boring to them before is a great idea.   Technology is always evolving and so are students, so we as teachers and educations need to evolve with them and use the tools that they see interest in and get their attention.

 

Resource:

Collins, A., & Halverson, R. (2009). Rethinking education in the age of technology: The digital revolution and schooling in America. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

The chemistry of cookies - Stephanie Warren

This is an awesome video which talks about chemical reactions using cookies as an example.  It describes each step and how different reactions occur during the cooking process.  This would be a great video to show students who are learning about chemical reactions.  You could follow up the lesson with students making cookies and describing the process as they go.  They could then look at other foods they cook and how they are involved in a chemical reaction. 

Resource:

Ted Education: The chemistry of cookies - Stephanie Warren 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6wpNhyreDE&feature=youtube_gdata

U.S. students lag around average on international science, math and reading test

I found this article very interesting and scary.  After reading the article I found that 22 countries had higher science results than the US.  As stated in the article, “While the intentions may have been good, a decade of top-down, test-based schooling created by No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top — focused on hyper-testing students, sanctioning teachers and closing schools — has failed to improve the quality of American public education,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement. (p. 1,  Lyndsey Layton)’’  China has made it to the top and the article stated that this is because, “they have focused on teacher preparation and investing in its most challenging classrooms (p. 1,  Lyndsey Layton).”  This is a scary thought when you think of the US and China as top global powers and leaders and we, the US, are lacking behind not just China but 22 other countries in education.  One of the reasons stated in the article for the poor test scores was due to the US being so diverse and having disadvantages with poverty; however, Vietnam scored better in math and they have 79 percent of students at or below the poverty line.   One hope that the article sees for improving future test scores is the introduction of the Common Core academic standards.  My daughter’s school as incorporated these standards into their classrooms and I have already noticed a difference from my past experiences with the curriculum and how they have really focused on math and science.  Hopefully, this will help improve our future leaders’ knowledge so they can continue to improve our education system and our global world.

 Resource:

U.S. students lag around average on international science, math and reading test

By Lyndsey Layton, Published: December 2 | Updated: Tuesday, December 3, 5:00 AM

Chapter 6 The Social Web

After reading chapter 6 I feel that there are so many social web sites out there that I can see why it could be overwhelming for some people.  I, personal, don’t feel overwhelmed but finding the time is another thing.  I work on a computer all day and after I get done with work the last thing I want to do is go back on a computer and look at the Internet.  I think that is the main reason why I don’t use as many social networking sites since I don’t want to take the time once I am done with work to go back on the internet.  If I had a job that did not involve so much computer and research time, perhaps I would get on Twitter or be more involved in Facebook but for now, it just feels like more work. 

Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Smelly Spots – Rewarding Positive Behavior, KindergartenWorks by Leslie @KindergartenWorks

This is a cute and interesting article about using chap stick to help increase positive good behavior.  When a student does a good task or goes beyond their daily routine to help out, the teacher puts a small spot of chap stick on the top of the student's hand.  It smells good so the student is able to smell the chap stick and remember what they did to earn that smelly spot.  They then can share the smell with other students and tell them about their good deed.  Using the sense of smell to help remind students what they did is a great way to encourage good behavior and allow students to share their experiences with other students.  I think I will try this with my daughters as well, this is right up their alley.

Smelly Spots – Rewarding Positive BehaviorKindergartenWorks by Leslie @KindergartenWorks

7 thins you should know about…Ning

I found this article very interesting since I have never heard of “Ning” before.  It almost sounds like another type of wiki with characteristics of Facebook.   I find it interesting that I have not heard of “Ning” before since it seems like an interesting way to form a social network group that you would find in a university or college type setting.   I think I will do a little more investigation about Ning and ask on the campus if anyone has used it before.

Source:

7 Things You Should Know About Ning, Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Source(s)ELI 7 Things You Should Know, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)

7 Things You Should Know About Wikipedia

It is hard to believe that Wikipedia has been with us for 12 years.  I have to admit that I do go to the site to look up basic information regarding a subject or a question I have.   I mean, when you type in a search for a topic one of the top sites that pops up is Wikipedia.  This is why I believe it is the eight most visited site as stated in the article.  It does house a lot of information and creates a community of people from around the world who can add their knowledge and insights on a topic good or bad.  Along with this freedom people must be aware that not everything is 100% true but I do feel that it can give you a good guide to help direct your research and search for more information on the internet.

Recource:
7 Things You Should Know About Wikipedia

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Source(s)ELI 7 Things You Should Know, EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)

TypeArticles, Briefs, Papers, and Reports

Building Brain Literacy in Elementary Students | Edutopia

Building Brain Literacy in Elementary Students | Edutopia

I found this to be a fun and interesting article about how to get students to start thinking of their brain as a muscle.  It is hard to visualize your brain "growing" but it does help to make sense out of learning.  You need your brain to make connections in order to form new knowledge and concepts and giving students a visual may make the learning process seem more meaningful.  I am going to try it on my daughter as well since she seems to think that some learning is optional.

How Teachers Can Share Their Own Learning | Edutopia

How Teachers Can Share Their Own Learning | Edutopia

I enjoyed reading about how teachers can share their own learning.  After attending a professional development conference or meeting everyone sees to be engineered and ready to put their newly found skills and information to work but after awhile it seems like you slowly start to lose the spark.  Allowing teachers to continually share their experiences and skills gives them that energy year around and also allows them to share that energy with other teachers.  Great way to get ideas following and helping others in the journey towards helping educate students.

Chapter 8 Podcasting, Video and Screencasting, and Live Streaming

After reading chapter 8 it gave me a little more insight into how you would use Podcasting in a classroom, although I still don't think it is a great tool to use. The program that we used to create the Podcast was pretty complex I thought, and took way too much time to use for just an audio file. Especially with younger students, they lose interest so quickly if there is nothing visual to see. I think a short video file would be much for effective and interesting to use.  I like using screencasting and other video tools to help with visual directions, I think they make learning fun and interactive.  When doing the podcast I felt like I was back in the 1940’s listening to an old radio.  I am a very visual learner so just listening to someone talk causes me to lose focus quickly and miss information. Perhaps with more practice and more information I will see the positives to using Podcasting in the classroom.

Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Tour Builder Makes It Easier Than Ever to Create Google Earth Tours

The article on using Tour Builder by Google Earth gave me some fun and creative ideas on how to incorporate it into a classroom and allow students to "tour" different parts of the world.  Again, this is another great way Google is giving students the ability to view the world without every leaving their classroom.  All you need to do is download the application and have a Google Account.   Students can use this feature in a variety of ways and the cost is zero.  You can use this feature to help students visually see what it looks like in another part of the world and describe the similarities and differences they see.  Students can create a visual brochure on a city or country they are studying using the images from Tour Builder.   They can see relatively up-to-date photos of an area and see how the area has changed as new images are updated.  Just another way Google is exploring ways to give all students the opportunity to see the world.

Resource:
Tour Builder Makes It Easier Than Ever to Create Google Earth Tours, Monday, November 11, 2013

Reaction to Chapter 4 Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms

Chapter 4 had a lot of good information about Wikis, and how to use wikis in the classroom.  I do agree that Wikipedia is a very powerful website that offers some of the most up-to-date information but because anyone can edit the website, I do not use it as my only resource.   I had no idea that the word Wiki came from the Hawaiian term “wiki-wiki” meaning quick (Richardson, p. 55).  However, quick does not always mean correct and unless someone is always monitoring what is being writing in the wiki false information could be shown for a period of time.  I have used wiki’s in other courses and they are a good way to collaborate with people in different areas.  I also liked the Wiki Prayer at the end of the chapter, “Please grant me the serenity to accept the pages I cannot edit, the courage to edit the pages I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” (The Wiki Prayer, tinyurl.com/2t8fdf, p. 69).  This is such a true statement and an idea we need to teach our students and children about what is on the web.  Not everything is true and we need to give them the tools in order to know the difference.

 Recourse:

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2010

Reaction to the article: Watch the First Google+ Connected Classrooms Field Trips

I have to say I was really excited to see this article.  Being able to show your students a place were they may not be able to physically visit is just amazing. This really makes learning a hands on experience such as going to an aquarium without every leaving the classroom.  I know we do not have an aquarium near us so this would be a wonderful experience for students in my area.  This also helps with the lack of funds many districts are facing.  The cost is really the technology but most schools do have this already in their classrooms.   I have used the Google Hangouts in my past CMU courses and found it to be a great tool for interacting with colleagues who are not in the area.  This truly is taking the "Virtual  Classroom" to the next step. Well done Google!

Source: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/11/watch-first-google-connected-classrooms.html#.UnkHhfnkt8E

Reaction to the article: Scientists ask questions

This was a real fun and cute article about getting students early on to start asking questions and thinking like a scientists.  I like the idea of getting students early on to start thinking at a higher level of reasoning. My daughter's kindergarten class decided to call themselves the Little Einstein's for their class name and had T-shirts made.  Their teacher is encouraging them to ask questions and think about the processes they use in the classroom.  This gets students out of just asking "Why" but also "How, Who, What, and When."

Source:

Scientists ask questions

by COURTNEY FLOYD on OCTOBER 25, 2013

in MEET EINSTEIN, SCIENCE AND NATURE, SCIENTISTS ASK QUESTIONS

Read more: http://www.teachpreschool.org/2013/10/scientists-ask-questions/#ixzz2j8OfKhg4

Free Technology for Teachers: EDPuzzle - Add Your Voice and Text Questions to Educational Videos

I found this article to be very interesting regarding adding your voice to educational videos.  This would be a great tool to use with younger students learning to read.  A major barrier when using technology with younger students is that they usually need help when reading directions or finding where to go for the next step.  This would allow them to be more independent and it would also help with their reading skills.   You could create a whole reading lesson where student could follow along.

Source: Free Technology for Teachers: EDPuzzle - Add Your Voice and Text Questions to Educational Videos

Reaction to the Video What is a Screencast

I have done a screencast in a previous class and found it very interesting.  I currently work with our international program centers and sometimes it is just easier to do a screencast to show center managers where they need to go on our website.  One of our instructional designers created quite a few screencasts for our new faculty in order to show them how to navigate through Blackboard and their course shells.  We are in the process of setting up more screencast for our international centers and for our domestic students as well.  It is a great tool to use for giving directions and actually showing users what they should or should not see.  I think it is a much more powerful tool then trying to explain something over the phone or in an email.  I think the actual video could have gone into a little more explanation on how and why to use a screencast and where you can go to get the software, such as Jing.

 Source:

YouTube Video: What is a screencast, User: screencastcentral - Added: 2/9/07

Reaction to the Video Twitter in Plain English

I found the video to be interesting since I am not a part of Twitter and really do not have any interest in being a part of it.   I understand that some people love to see what everyone is doing and they love to post what they are doing for their 15 minutes of fame but I really do not care.  Not to sound like a horrible boring person but I just do not have time to see what Jane ate for breakfast or what movie John is seeing tonight. 

 

If I had time to read about someone else life, I would have time for a lot of other more import things that seem to keep slipping by each day because I don’t have time.   I think this is also a reason why we have become more of a closed off society too.  People would rather Tweet or Blog about someone or something rather than calling them and talking about it face to face.   I know some social media is okay, but I think some people get too caught up in it and forget how to have an old fashion conversation. 

 

Source:

YouTube Video: Twitter in Plain,  English User: screencastcentral - Added: 2/9/07

Reaction to Chapter 1 of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classrooms, by Will Richardson

After reading chapter one of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classrooms, by Will Richardson I have to agree with the statement that he quoted from Dan Gillmor, “The people who’ll understand this best are probably just being born” (Gillmor, 2005).  This is so true when I look at my own children who are two and five years of age.  My two year old already knows how to unlock our iPhones and select her app for PBS or Disney.  My five year old knows how to go to the app store and view new apps she wants to download.   When my mom aka “Grammy” is watching the girls and the TV goes off a station or the cable box is turned off, she asks the girls to fix it because she has no idea what to do.   
 
I also agree with the statement by William D. Winn on page 8 that, “…years of computer use results in children who “think differently from us. They develop hypertext minds. They leap around”” (Prensky, 2001a) (Richardson 2010).  I think this is a good/bad thing when looking at how the upcoming generation thinks.  Yes, it is great they are understanding and using technology better than we did at that age but it also creates a generation who thinks in instant gratification.  Patient seems to be a dying virtue with the next generations.  If something takes more, than 30 seconds to download, you have lost their attention and they have moved on to the next thought in their mind.

 Finally, I really enjoyed the section on keeping students safe.  This huge task really needs to the first thought on every educators mind when introducing technology into the class especially with the Internet.  I know when my five year old entered kindergarten we had to sign a letter stating that we gave permission for our daughter to use the computer.  Expanding technology in the class is great, but also being full aware of the potential risks involve is also important.  Overall, I found that this chapter had many great points and referenced some every interesting facts and statements.

 Reference:

 Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classrooms, Will Richardson, 2009, p.1-16

Reaction to the Article: 6 Things We Know for Sure with iPads in School, www.edutopia.org, October 23, 2013

I found the article interesting since the district I am in tried to pass a technology plan to introduce iPads in our district.  The plan was voted down in a landslide decision.  Putting iPads into the hands of teachers or high school students is one thing, but giving a kindergarten a $350.00 piece of equipment that they are responsible for is another thing.  Not to mention the overall equipment and training cost that could be used to help hire staff for our overcrowded classrooms. 

I found the article interesting in that it describes the process of training the teachers but not about training the students.  I don’t doubt that it would take time to train staff on the abilities of an iPad and that students would be able to navigate the iPad faster but do they know how to be responsible for the equipment?  How many cell phones have student gone through because they lost them, dropped them, or went swimming with it on them? 

The concern I have is that students are not taught what the consequences are for having this piece of technology and that the expense/consequence is then placed on the parent.  Yes, technology is great and advancement is great too, but you need to have the knowledge and the maturity to implement it.  

Reference:

6 Things We Know for Sure with iPads in School, www.edutopia.org, October 23, 2013

Reaction to "Creative Commons- Get Creative" YouTube video

I have seen this video before in a different course but it is always good to see something for a second time.  Copyright issues, I feel, has so many gray areas.  I think it is just better to always cite your source for everything.  I think we are still emerging into new issues with the Internet and all the information that is out there. 

 

The situation they cited in the video with the band White Stripes I feel was just a lucky situation.  The band is pretty laid back and was just happy that their music was “getting out there” to the public.  You take that same situation with another band and you could have a whole legal battle regarding the rights and who gets the money.   Copyright laws have always been an issues with teachers and educators and the internet has definitely added to that struggle.     

Reference:
willmed. "Creative Commons- Get Creative." Online video clip.
YouTube. YouTube, 10 Apr. 2007. Web. 21 Oct. 2013.

Gliggy/Mind Mapping

Assignment Title: Gliffy

Jackie Robinson

Uses in the Classroom: You can use concept maps for a variety of assignments and lessons. It allows the student to be more visual and become more involved in the learning process. Concept Maps help student to visually see the connections and how processes/concepts are interrelated.
Issues to Consider: Program availability
Copyright: Jackie Robinson. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 12:09, Feb 20, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813

Photoshop Activities

Assignment Title: Photoshop Activities
Uses in the Office: I would use Photoshop in our Principles of Marketing course.  Students are taught the basic knowledge of marketing and what it takes to make a product standout amongst its competitors.  For this lesson I would have students pick a particular product that has a brand image that they feel could be enhanced to help it sell.  Using Photoshop students would use their knowledge of marketing to enhance the current product’s look or logo to help it standout.  Students would present the new image (perhaps acting out a board meeting) and describe why they choose to enhance the product/image and what this would do for the company and product.  This lesson will get student’s involved in understanding why company’s use specific designs to make their company standout or what should be done differently to get more recognition.
Issues to Consider: Make sure to review Copyright Laws, and how to cite work correctly.  

Infographic

Assignment Title: Infographic
Uses in the Office: I plan on using my infographic for an upcoming meeting with my department.  We are reviewing the degree audit process and this infographic would be a great summary and tool for staff to use when referring to the process and what steps are involved.  We currently do not have anything that refers this process so this would get a great starting point and after the meeting, I could add and/or change the process based on our discussions at the meeting.
Issues to Consider: If the print out cannot be printed in color than I may need to revised some of the color schemes for readability and the size of the graphic.
Copyright: Graphics that were used are from Piktochart Copyright 2012

Online Instructional Video

Assignment Title: Online Instructional Video

Parts of a Flower
Uses in the Classroom: I would use this instructional video for preschool/kindergarten during their plant unit.  Once the video was shown in class “Sunny Sunflower” could stop by for a visit so the whole class could discuss the parts of a plant and what makes a plant grow.
Issues to Consider: The video is uploaded to YouTube which may be blocked by some school’s firewall. 
Copyright: Peter and Ellen Allard, “Sing It! Say It! Stamp It! Sway It!” Vol. 2, Plant A Seed, Copyright 1993.

Assignment Title: Digital Story Telling

Family Introduction

Uses in the Classroom: I would use this digital story telling assignment as an introduction for our international students overseas.  Since we do not see our students in the classroom this would be a nice way to introduce one another and put a face to the emails.
Issues to Consider: Students access to the program overseas.  I would have to make sure that the program is compatible with our international student’s computers.
Copyright: Music was by Dr. Jean Feldman, “Love Grows.”

Assignment Title: Screencasting

NU Blackboard Introduction
Uses in the Classroom: I would use this screencast to help our students in our international program centers log into their Blackboard account. I could send this screencast in an email to our international program center managers to distribute to their students during their orientation.
Issues to Consider: Make sure that you have a high quality microphone so you don’t pick up a lot of static. Currently, our Blackboard for our international students is a little bit different so I may want to look at using an international account so student see the same thing that I am displaying on the screen.
Copyright: Northwood University Blackboard (https://my.northwood.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp)

Talking Photgraph

Assignment: Talking Photo

This is my first blog ever.  I am excited to learn about how to incorporate blogs into the classroom.  Below is my link to my talking photo.
Talking Photo