BA#1 MS Templates

I am a firm believer in active learning and can employ a variety of methods to encourage self-directed learning as well as safe and open discussion. One way to accomplish this would be to organize a debate between students in the classroom to support or disagree with a major decision made by a key figure in history. This requires students to actively research facts to gain evidence for their stance and sufficiently explain their opinions. The debate also requires the students to consider facts and opinions that they may not necessarily agree with, with the hope of leading them to the understanding that things in history – and indeed in life – are rarely one-sided or have simple either-or choices. Guided discussion using a computer-based platform is another great tool for fostering in-depth discussion. This method allows the teacher to moderate the discussion without directly interfering and ensures that every student is actively engaged by requiring a minimum number of responses from each person.

I am also a proponent of writing exercises. These can come in the form of one or more required formal essays, but I would also require students to keep a daily writing log. The formal essays require that a student be able to think and organize logically, not only on the essay itself but also while conducting research and compiling information. The research phase also encourages the student to be self-advocates in their education by requiring them to think independently about what sources of information they want to incorporate, where to find them, and why it is pertinent. While the formal essay teaches necessary structured writing techniques, the daily writing log is much less restrictive, allowing students the freedom to express their instinctual thoughts, reactions, and emotions about a given topic. This allows students to think critically and respond honestly without the fear of their responses being criticized; the writing log will only ever be viewed by myself, and only to ensure that the task was completed and adequate thought given to the prompt – never to judge the response itself.

In summary, I am committed to the ideal that students perform best when allowed the opportunity to think for themselves and have an investment in their own education. I believe in inspiring students to not only learn, but inspiring them to be people of great character. Each student is a unique individual and has unique learning styles that should be cultivated and valued. Indeed, I value each student and strive to inspire them to continue learning, never being satisfied with the crop they have, but using the tools they’ve learned in my class to irrigate the next desert in their lives. 

MS Template

ETEC 424: Assessing Meaningful Learning with Technology and Inspiration/Kidspiration

This week there have been assortments of assessment tools to filter through. The three include: Technology Based Rubrics, Clicker Assessment Tools and Inspiration/Kidspiration Software. The first assessment tool located at: http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/assess.html where Kathy Schrock has put together rubrick tools, specific grade level projects with rubrics, plenty of how-to tools, and so many other helpful items for teachers, students, administrators and even parents. 

The second assessment tool is the Clicker Assessment Tools and this is what I first saw used with “Who wants to be a Millionaire” show when Regis Filbin was the host. The contestant had three lifelines and one was “poll the audience”, and this was in relation to a question they weren’t sure of the answer and the audience would give their opinion of the answer. But if I had the opportunity to use the clicker format in my class I would do that. I would find out who read the material for class that day, find out who understands my lecture or not, and play math games or political games with it. I would love having the clicker assessment in my classroom.

The final assessment tool was the Inspiration/Kidspiration Software. I am not too familiar with this software but I know I’d want to have the Inspiration Software if I were teaching high school kids or even college students. Having the use of a smart board gives the teacher so many more teachable moments and tools to add to their daily routine.

What have I learned in this class so far? I found out that I wasn’t as savvy and up-to-date on the latest technologies that students are using today. My knowledge was very limited and now I have discovered interactive power points, wikis, blogs, podcasts, multiple intelligences, Prezi’s, social book markings and voice threads so as to name a few. I believe that incorporating all this emerging technology will not only benefit my students but me as well. I want to incorporate as many tools possible for fun, for a challenge and for life-long learning in every classroom I teach, every administrative meeting I attend or hold or kitchen table I sit at and discuss with family or friend. The heights of knowing what can be accomplished with these Web 2.0 tools my never be known and I will need to catch up on 3.0 tools by then…and who knows what heights technology will go?!!!      

ETEC 424: Technology Application Standards

�126.29. Independent Study in Technology Applications, Grades 10-12
 
 (b) Introduction.

(1) The technology applications curriculum has four strands: foundations, information acquisition, work in solving problems, and communication.

(2) Through the study of technology applications foundations, including technology-related terms, concepts, and data input strategies, students learn to make informed decisions about technologies and their applications. The efficient acquisition of information includes the identification of task requirements; the plan for using search strategies; and the use of technology to access, analyze, and evaluate the acquired information. By using technology as a tool that supports the work of individuals and groups in solving problems, students will select the technology appropriate for the task, synthesize knowledge, create a solution, and evaluate the results. Students communicate information in different formats and to diverse audiences. A variety of technologies will be used. Students will analyze and evaluate the results.

(c) Knowledge and skills.

(1) Foundations. The student demonstrates knowledge and appropriate use of hardware components, software programs, and their connections. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of operating systems, software applications, and communication and networking components;

(B) make decisions regarding the selection, acquisition, and use of software taking under consideration its quality, appropriateness, effectiveness, and efficiency;
(C) delineate and make necessary adjustments regarding compatibility issues including, but not limited to, digital file formats and cross platform connectivity; and

(D) use appropriate technology terminology in the independent study course.

The above info found at: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ch126.html#s1263

In the high school level from grades 9-12 in the newly proposed draft of TEKS for this same area there are six strands rather than 4 and they are: creativity and innovation: communication and collaboration: research and information fluency: critical thinking, problem solving and decision making: digital citizenship: and technology operations and concepts. When students finish this exercise in Independent Study in Technology Applications they’ll be able to handle computers and their operating systems, find the correct software and know how to download it when necessary, digital tools will not be a problem for them and setting up for the formats for various files can be their forte. Now lastly, they will be able to set up different tools and cross connect them for a variety of audiences. My focus in teaching a class would be one similar to what my in now with Integrating Emerging Technology into the Classroom. I want them to know how to use all the digital tools available to them, know the legal aspects of copyrights, know how to stop cyber bullying, know what is the most cost efficient yet most appropriate software for them to use for their computers, and know how to teach these things to others.

The most important TEK listed above to me would be to “use technology to solve problems, select technology appropriate for the task, and regurgitate knowledge so as to create solutions then evaluate the results”. I would want this to be at least a six week course so that the first week I could spend time discussing what kind of problems there were to solve and why. The second week would be on the technology that best suites the problem. The third week would cover analyzing the knowledge they just discovered about technology. The fourth week is over creating and coming up with various solutions to the problems and the many ways there may be to solve these problems. The fifth week would consist of an evaluation of the results  that we have discovered in the previous four weeks and the sixth week I would put it all together and review everything we’ve discussed and have a quiz over that.  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/index.html

ETEC 424: Visualizing with Technologies

The technology field in the area of education is one that may boggle your mind, literally and figuratively. The actual lengths that a teacher can go to today in order to train, teach, mentor, coach and instruct students is seemingly endless. When I study what one can do with the Apple Apps, Safari Montage, Discovery Education Streaming (United Streaming), and all the visualization tools available at our beck and call, my typing could go on for days… But to make that long story short, students are hungry to learn in exciting ways and as teachers we must feed that desire and craving. If a student learns best visually, audibly, kinesthetically, or actual hands-on there is more than enough technology at an instructors disposal, to kindle a fire that will burn in their minds forever.

 If someone is interested in programming apps to their iPhone or iPad, Apple has created a software development application to teach one how to program apps. Teachers have the ability to use digital curriculum presenter and developer through Safari Montage and create and control their classrooms with skill and grace like never before. Instead of having to have a digital recorder, video player, record player, overhead projector and a laptop computer all hooked up to use to present your daily lesson in class, the teacher can utilize what Safari Montage has designed in one site and save all those headaches of fumbling to get to the next point. A student can learn to be an artist no matter what age through a tool called Sketchcast. While you draw a movie is automatically made for you. Students interested in becoming mathematicians can utilize graphing calculators such as the TI-84 Graphing Calculator. One can set-up representations of graphs, and find all the answers of what x and y are in any linear equation. There are digital videos, camera and cell phones today that has an unlimited amount of technology on each that utilizing teaching methods to cover all of the instruments will benefits teachers and students alike for many years to come.

Traditional teaching methods have a place in our classrooms but what a waste it would be to discard and shun all other new technology that has been developed for instructional knowledge and growth. Never stop learning and teaching as a teacher and your students will follow suit.            

ETEC 424: Designing with Technologies (Extra Credit) Week 10

     The CAD system for US First Robotics Program was a very enlightening site to me. I love seeing all the supporters involved for this technology. When you can get over 100,000 volunteers to show up and help your outing happen, you have a great project. There were 5 different categories of programs the listed kids from ages Kindergarten to Adult, so you can have everyone involved in this “Sport for the Mind”. I saw five different aspects this sport taught, working with your mind, developing team camaraderie, building skills, building self-confidence, and finding a career path. Starting from scratch and ending up with a robot that does whatever your team designed it to do was awesome.

      The Lego Universe is a very kid safe site. Parents will enjoy having their children using this site. They have a major concern of safety for kids so they will be able to be creative, have an environment of learning, toys being used are a safety first factor for kids and the virtual playground has the ability to open up minds for lots of new creativity. The focus of this site has 4 major aspects, game cards, membership services from free to full costing up to $90.00 a year. Create and share had galleries-message boards-a network-Lego Design and the Club Magazine. Then finally the game aspect is where everyone plays out their dreams. You will build your hero, collect gear for that hero, and design property using colors, light and movement. I was sad to learn that Lego Universe was closing up on January 31, 2012.

     I really enjoyed visiting the site for CreatingMusic.com, where you design on a musical sketch pad. You can compose music, play with a musical performance concept, play music games and music puzzles then you can go to the creating music store. I think kids and adults could learn and have more fun with these 3 sites. I see a never ending capacity of learning from these 3 emerging technology sites.   

ETEC 424: Podcasting

     Podcasting in the classroom is a very useful and innovative tool. Students are able to copy their teachers class lectures on their IPods from these podcasts and listen to them as they drive or while working out or watching television. Students can utilize podcasts on their computers, MP3 players, or their personal recorders. Just as Direct TV has On-Demand viewing so is Podcasting…or it’s called Personal On Demand broadCASTING. The television station saves particularly favorite shows of their viewers and the subscriber can go and watch the show at their convenience.  So is the advantage the teacher has at their fingertips to put a podcast online for their students and this makes the learning experience very well rounded. Learning about other cultures or following certain topics or people and their podcasts is available now. This Web 2.0 tool may be the hottest instrument available going for classroom and personal use.  You can subscribe to your teacher, another student, topic, culture, or even music and follow it anytime they post a new podcast. How awesome is this tool?!!!

     I still enjoy the face-to-face contact of a classroom setting or visiting with my family and friends eye to eye. Nothing can compare to this communication style of life. Then there are times when you can’t be in a certain class you might need for your degree plan and having the option of an online class is quite the advantage. So often family members have to move out of town or state for a job or spouse and you can’t sit down at the kitchen table with them and talk over coffee. So thank God for podcasts and blogs and voice threads and email and text messaging. We have no excuse for not communicating with all the tools available to us today. Blogs and podcasts are very similar. Both are online for anyone to view or listen to as you see someone else’s view on a certain subject. But they differ in the fact that blogs are what someone has penned and podcasts are what someone has voiced audio wise and we can take this tool “to go” as we download it to our handheld device.      

     My brother has an IPod and uses it every day in his music classes where he has been teaching for 20 years in Mesquite at Rutherford Elementary school. He downloads his daily songs and has recorded his music that he’ll have his kids do for their next concert. My IPod is used right now just to listen to my music and since I have not had it very long I’m still learning how to use it. I think online communication has come a long way with emerging technology and tools used for more effective communication but the most aspect I find is with web classes. When there is a problem or situation where you cannot seek the teacher’s advice or correction immediately, it makes for a very stressful climate until the instructor can get the answer to the student in a timely manner hopefully. I would love to see a better balance of our wonderful emerging technology and our one to one time as we talk to each other.