Journal 9: S'Cool Tools

Yoder, Maureen.(2009). S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students. Received from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24614&DirectListComboInd=D

The article S'Cool Tools explains 5 great tools to perk up your classroom and engage your students. Maureen Yoder explains a number of different tools and activities for teachers who teach Kindergarten all the way up to high school. All of the tools she lists are easy and supportive, they have the ability to enhance learning, and are innovative new tools. The "toy" I found very interesting is called the WeDo Robotics Construction Set. WeDo includes more than 160 Lego elements, a motor, a tilt sensor, a motion sensor, icon-based software, activities with instructions for 12 models. It also includes teacher notes with curriculum objectives, questions for discussion, and suggestions. Yoder also describes the Smart Table, AVer Pen, New Multiuser Virtual Environments (MUVEs), and Google Aps Education Community.

How could the WeDo robotics set be used in a High School classroom?
Students in a history class can create a model with the Lego's and sensors etc. Some examples in the article include an airplane that plays sounds as you move it, using the tilt sensor. When they are finished they can look online and see what people their age have made all over the world.

How can these "toys" enhance a student's learning?
I believe student's need a break from just doing bookwork and taking notes. If there is an activity involved I believe most student's enjoy the lesson a lot more.

Journal 8: Five Steps to an Accessible Classroom Website

Amundson, Linda. "Five Steps to an Accessible Classroom Website." Learning and Leading with Technology 37.3 (2009): n. pag. Web. 8 Dec 2009. http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=November_No_3_5&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4436&ContentID=24615&DirectListComboInd=D

This article addressed the need for a website that is easy and accessible to all. There are five steps to follow that will make your website open to a wide community of diverse users. When teachers or technology coordinators make a website, they are creating a website that should be available to a diverse group of people. Website should also be easy to navigate for someone with hearing, movement, cognitive, and speech disabilities. There are so many tools that you can use to make website accessible for people with disabilities. Here are the 5 steps:
Step 1: Organize for Easier Navigation
Step 2: Navigation without a Mouse
Step 3: Text Explanations for Images
Step 4: Using Text that makes Sense
Step 5: Web Validators
After you believe you have followed these steps, there is the final check. Try the steps yourself and make sure everything works. Teachers need to make sure for than anyone that their website is accessible and following these steps will ensure that.

What exactly makes the website accessible?
In the article there is a list of things to make sure it is accessible. For example, use headers, doesn't require horizontal scrolling, use appropriate color scheme for background, can be viewed easily in gray scale, provides descriptive texts for links, etc.

Why is it important to be able to navigate without a mouse?
This is important so that people who are visually impaired or someone with a temporary disability can navigate the page with the tab bar.

Journal 6: Trouble with Rubrics

Kohn, A. (2006). The Trouble with Rubrics. English Journal, 95(4), Retrieved December 8, 2009 from http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rubrics.htm

Author Alfie Kohn discusses the setbacks of using rubrics in the classroom. He believe that rubrics are not the best way to go when grading. One of his arguments against rubrics is that teachers use them as quick and easy way to assess student work. He believes that assessing a students work should not be quick and that it should take time and should not be based off of one scale. His next reason for being against rubrics is the fact that students will do their work solely off of them. Kohl states that it will take away from a students creativity and they will think less deeply because of the guideline. He says students are more focused on A's rather than accessing their ideas. Students cannot do an assignment without looking at these rubrics and he feels that if teachers would actually take time in reading their students opinions it could create a much better learning environment.

Based off Kohn's reasoning, can a teacher create a rubric that will bring out a student's true ideas?
I do believe so. I believe that rubrics are made quickly and base off a curriculum. Students know what they need to incorporate but there needs to be some creativity as well. I believe that Kohn has a point when he says some teachers don't take enough time grading their students work. So if they take they time, rubrics can be very beneficial.

If there were no rubrics, what would teachers base their grades off of?
I believe a teacher does not need a rubric to base a grade. It does make it easier but I think all the students need are guidelines. If a teacher takes the time to great students ideas and make sure they meet all the guidelines, I think a student's capacity for creativity will grow.

WIki Page (NETS-T V)

In this assignment I used Web 2.0 which is a website that has a lot of different web tools that you can use in the classroom. The tool I researched on was called QuikMaps. This site lets you create your own maps and is very quick and simple. You can edit your maps and import pictures to personal your map. This assignment meets NETS V by engaging in professional growth and leadership.

iMovie PSA (NETS-T III)

In this assignment I created a short movie using the program iMovie. To create an iMovie I used iMovie software and put together a movie just over a minute which showed the many features of California State University San Marcos. Given a number of clips, I chose the parts of the video I wanted and put them in an order that I thought would display the university the best. I was able to cut out the sound from the video and use a song that would play in the background. I was also able to insert text into each movie clip. This assignment met the NETS III standards by communicating relevant information to students, parents, and peers using digital age media.

Excel (NETS-T III)

Using Microsoft Excel I created an original crossword puzzle using terms that had to do with the sport of baseball. (Go Dodgers!) I was able to create my own background and made it so that if you entered the word wrong it would show up red and if you entered it right it would show up green. This assignment met the NETS III standards by modeling digital age work and learning.

Baseball Crossword

Google Earth (NETS-T I, IV)

By using Google earth I was able to create a map of my own that went from Cal State San Marcos to my house and ending at Dodger stadium. I created this with custom icons and edited my path to the width and color I wanted. This assignment meets the standards for NETS I and IV by inspiring student creativity as well as understanding local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture.

Journal 7: Google Earth

The technology that I researched on Classroom 2.0 was Google Earth. I had heard of it before but had never used it before. Google Earth is a virtual map information program that was originally called Earth Viewer. It uses satellite imagery that maps the Earth and gives aerial photography of the globe. On the website Classroom 2.0 I viewed a discussion that dealt with using Google Earth to teach math lessons. The tool is called Real World Math- Using Google Earth in the Math Curriculum. It provides lessons, activities, and new ideas for math instruction. It also is a way to integrate technology in a middle school or high school setting. Using the satellite imagery makes it possible for math students to think effectively. There are currently 20 lessons but with the help of other educators that number can grow. Another post revolved around using this tool in the math class and one teacher used it for plotting graphs. The teacher used Google Earth to plot recent typhoons that have it their island and the students would use the data for plotting and added a path and image. Students did not even feel like they were doing math and that is what the teacher loved about this lesson. They were creating line graphs and representing values in multiple ways. This lesson also reflected every one of the NETS standards for teaching.
Here is the link to the article I read about Google Earth:
http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/649749:Topic:58381

Copyright (NETS-T IV)

For this assignment I collaborated with two other people to create a document illustrating the website Fair Use Harbor. This website listed the rules for copyrighting and the laws against it for educators. The project met the NETS IV standards by directly advocating, models, and teaches safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.


Copyright Assignment

PowerPoint (NETS-T III)

In this assignment I created a PowerPoint that demonstrated knowledge of the 2007 ISTE NETS-S and the performance indicators for the middle school grades. I included a hyperlink to the ISTE NETS for students on one of the slides. I made it visually pleasing by using colors and graphics. I used transitions between the slides and used custom animation. This assignment promotes digital age work and learning.


Nets

Inspiration (NETS-T III)

The Inspiration assignment required us to go over all of the ISTE Educational Technology Standards for teachers. For each of the five standards we chose two of the four subtopics that define what is expected for proficiency in each standard. Those two topics reflect and explain a project that we have done in class. This project modeled digital age work and learning and met NETS III standards.

Collaborative PowerPoint Rubric (NETS-T I)

For this assignment I collaborated with two other people to create a custom PowerPoint rubric using the website rcampus.com. We created the rubric to evaluate PowerPoint presentations. This assignment facilitated and inspired student learning and creativity by meeting the NETS I standards.

Journal 4: Have you Tweeted today?

Fingal, Diana. (2009). Have you tweeted today?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24192&DirectListComboInd=D

This article talks about the website Twitter and if it has gotten a good or bad rap. It talks about how educators do not get twitter and that they should read a blog titled "A Cocktail Party filled with Educators." Teachers could use constant collaboration through twitter and get instant feedback on lesson plans. Teachers need to become more tech savvy so that it is easier to connect with students. I am very new to twitter but I believe that it could be a great tool for educators and their students.

How can Twitter be useful from teacher to teacher?
In the article it talks about teacher being able to connect with one other and share lesson plans. Constant collaboration could be used and ideas for lesson plans, and share what each teacher learns in conferences.

Why should educators become "tech-savvy"?
Students are more into technology than ever before. If teachers begin to learn about popular things such as Twitter they could use it in the classroom and students would be more engaged and interested.

Journal 3: Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning

Yoder, M.B. (2009). Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2), Retrieved September 22, 2009 from
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24200&DirectListComboInd=D

"Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning" is an article about an Internet-based multiuser virtual environments (MUVEs). I have never heard about this program and I cannot believe that they estimate it to grow to 20 million children by 2011. This is for educators who want to engage their students in a brand new way. This is a sort of creative teaching I like the way that it could be a platform for possible international collaboration. This could be a way to teach students human rights issues going around the global environment. This site could turn into a sort of game for students and I believe it could get them interested in learning because it is not being taught right out of a book. They are virtually learning and kids are so into technology these days I think they would really enjoy it.

How can MUVE's benefit a students learning?
MUVE's are a great way to engage a students learning in a new way. Students in a virtual environment learn social, technical, and practical life skills. This will help students be more engaged to learning and make it more like a game.

What id the Dream It. Do it. Initiative?
The DIDI is a program that aims to teach young people how to lead social change and make an impact on their environment while gaining skills. One world is Teen Second Life and when they register it opens a workshop that addresses social and health issues relating to poverty, food shortages, discrimination, poor housing, and vulnerable populations.

Journal 2: Ground Tech Integration

Harris, Judi, & Hofer Mark (2009). Grounded tech integration. L & L, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24179&DirectListComboInd=D

"Ground Tech Integration" is an article about ways to integrate technology into the K-12 classroom. It states that to first integrate technologies in the classroom we must make teacher familiar with these technologies. This is thought of as a "grounded" approach to technology because it is based on content, pedagogy, and how teachers plan instruction. This article also states that teachers need to access a students learning needs before integrating technology. The authors then talk about the five steps for tech-integrated planning. These in order are choose learning goals, make pedagogical decisions, select activity types to combine, select assessment strategies, and select tools/ resources. The main thing this article is trying to tell teachers is that learner comes first and then technology should come second.

Why is it necessary that teachers go over students needs before integrating technology?
I think that teachers should react to the needs of the students to make sure that they are comfortable with all of the new information. Teachers also need to be comfortable with technology before they try to use it with their students. Educational technologies should be thought of last when thinking of instructional planning.

Why in the "eight corresponding continua" important?
This is a chart that shows whether a lesson is more student centered or teacher centered. This is a way for educators to focus on each individuals learning.

Journal 1: E-learning Programs

Coyle, S., Jones, T., and Pickle,S. (2009). E-learning programs come in all shapes and sizes. L&L, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/SeptemberOctoberNo2/e_Learning_Programs_Come_in_All_Shapes_a.htm

"E-learning programs come in all shapes and sizes" is an article about online learning programs used in school around the nation. The Yukon Koyukuk District in Alaska is the first school district they talked about. I cannot believe that some teachers were teaching five different levels. All had different lesson plans and I cannot even imagine the stress those teachers would be under. To fix it they starting using a sort of virtual learning that made it so the teachers could use video and not physically have to be there. The second talks about public schools in Baltimore that are offering online courses for students who's schedules conflict with class periods. Some of these courses even included AP or Advanced placement classes. This program has been growing every year and has effected the students on a very positive level. The third talks about the Arkansas Department of Education Distance Learning Center. At this center the teachers are located on the main facility and students can watch the video of the class from around the state.

How would online-learning affect school test scores?
In the article it talks about how only two schools have had "non-improvement" using the system in Alaska. For all of the other schools, student test scores are on the rise. The program in Alaska has been improving so much that some classes have been deemed college credible by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.

Do you think students should receive some regular time in the classroom instead of all internet interaction?
I think that it is necessary for students to have some time with a teacher face-to-face. Classes over the internet do not hit the specific needs of each child. I think that students should have one on one time with the teacher so that they could talk about what they are having trouble with and just have someone there that might help them if they are still uncomfortable with being taught over the internet.

Social Bookmarking Journal Entry

Task 1: National Archives
The exhibit I read about was called The Deadly Virus and it was about the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. It is very important to use primary sources in the classroom. There is so much on the internet that is free and available to anyone that wants to look at them. I feel that the National Archives website would be a great tool for any class and I feel that every teacher should know about the resources provided by the internet.

Task 2: National education Association
The students that are experiencing achievement gaps are racial minorities, students whose at home language is not English, boys in early education, students with learning disabilities, children low-income families, and girls in high school that struggle with science and math. "Assess what your school staff perceive as their staff development needs related to providing services to each group." I think that as a teacher you should always know what the rest of the staff is thinking. If everyone is on the same page it will make the transition to cultural educated teacher a lot easier. "Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence." This is the first teaching style that reflects me. I feel that by encouraging school staff to learn about different cultures and diverse backgrounds would benefit not just the students but themselves as well. "Build and use a network of "natural helpers" at school and in the community as well as "experts" who have knowledge of the culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups served by your school." This is another guideline I agree with because by having a group ,in not only the school but the community, will ensure a better knowledge of different ethnic groups.

Task 3: Stop Cyber Bullying
I really enjoyed the "Are you a cyber bully quiz" because I didn't know most of those questions would be considered "bullying". I fell into the cyber risky category so I do not think I'm that bad :) I read the article about Internet Superheroes and I like the statement about how most children never knowing life without the internet. It is the perfect time to teach them about being respectful both in person as well as on the computer and it is something that needs to be taken seriously.

Task 4: Kathy Schrock
At the Kathy Schrock's website I chose the mathematics category under "subject access" and it had a lot of information projects, flashcards, lessons. history of mathematics and much more. You can also break it down even more into lessons for specific math subjects like geometry, algebra, and fractions. Under the "teacher's helpers section I chose to look at Kathy's blog. What I found most interesting were the graphs on how educators goals for the use of twitter for grades K-16. I found it funny how big twitter has grown in just this year alone and how she used it to create a poll for educators. I feel like this website can be very useful when I become an educator because of the fun lesson plans and the great clip art :)

Task 5: Multiple Intelligences
My three top intelligences were not surprising to me at all. The first with 63% was logical/ mathematical, the second with 58% was bodily/ kinesthetic, and my third with 56% was musical. The video I watched was called Multiple Intelligence Leaves No Child Behind. I liked the idea of having "pod" or elective classes to give the students a break from the books and also gives the teachers a chance to teach something that they care strongly about.

Task 6: Teaching Tolerance
The level I chose was grades 6-8 and the subject I chose was math and technology. The article "Holiday Charity: A Math Activity about Poverty" was very inspiring to me because of the way the get a point across as well launch toy and food drives in schools. This activity is made "to help students gain an appreciation for giving." I think any teacher at any level could use this is there classroom because every student needs to have an appreciation for giving.

Task 7: Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz
After taking the Equity and Diversity Awareness quiz I found many of the questions interesting. This first question I found interesting was "According to UNICEF, the wealth of the three richest people in the world is roughly equal to the combined Gross Domestic Product of: the 48 poorest countries." I found it so hard to believe that three men had more money than 48 countries. It is a little disturbing to me as well that some people could be so greedy with their money. The second question is again based on money and it is Based on a 2007 report from the Economic Policy Institute, the annual earnings of the average full time U.S. worker is roughly equal to: the daily earnings of the average CEO in the U.S." This is again a bit ridiculous.

Task 8: Netiquette Guidelines
I got an 80% of the Netiquette quiz. I think it is very important to have Netiquette because just like any other for of communication it is nice to have a nice attitude or etiquette. Spam is one of the things I cannot stand about the internet because I get so many emails that are completely useless and the people sending the emails need to take this quiz :-)

Classroom Newsletter- (NETS-T I, III)

I created a classroom newsletter using Microsoft word to create an interesting letter for students and parents with information about my classroom. I used Word Art, inserted graphics, wrote little articles about my classroom, made custom bullets and gave information on how I would incorporate technology in the classroom. This assignment models digital age work and inspires student learning and creativity.


newsletterMB

Intro Letter of Marly

My name is Marlyssa Barth but I like to go by Marly. I was born in San Francisco, Ca in 1989 about a month before the 1989 earthquake. After the earthquake about half of the apartment building my family lived in had fallen down and my parents believed it was time to move out of San Fransisco. We then took a drive down the coast and moved to Long Beach, Ca where I stayed all the way through high school. I started in a private school at Huntington Elementary which consisted of 50 children grades Kindergarten through sixth. I stayed there until the fourth grade and transferred to Minnie Gant Elementary for fifth grade. In sixth grade I went to Stanford Middle School and then in the ninth grade went to Long Beach Wilson. Now this is my third year at Cal State San Marcos and plan to graduate with a BA in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential.

In high school I took graphic design for four years but I still think my experience with technology is limited. I am a PC person but only because that is all I have ever used. From my experiences with a Mac I kind of like it a lot more. I depend on technology on a daily basis mostly because of school and how much is done online now-a-days. I also rely on my cell phone and i-pod to get me through the day. I use Microsoft Office 07 so I hope the transition to a Mac is not too difficult :)

When I applied to this school it was only because of the softball program. I did not know about the mission statement but after reading it I believe I made the right choice by coming to this school. I really appreciate the idea of creating very talented educators. The part of the Mission Statement that speaks to me is the part about educational equity. I believe everyone should have the opportunity for a higher education and talented teachers will make that happen.