Final Blog

          All along I believed technology was somewhat important in the classroom for certain lessons, ideas and activities, but now that I have a broader view of what all it can be used for, I now believe much more that it isvery important in many more ways.  I believe technology can very much help to enhance students' knowledge and education as well as help them to be more open and interested in the information being taught.  Some of the benefits to having technology in the classroom for me as a teacher, is that I will be able to use it in various was to access information, lesson plans, other lesson plan ideas, and class activities.  If I have a Smartboard available, that will also really enable me to incorporate technology into the lessons and get the students involved.
        Even with all the benefits, with technology there are always challenges as well.  Some of these challenges may include losing data because it had not been saved correctly or at all, the computer system or other technology pieces may not be working, or the ideas for the use of the technology just may not come together as hoped or planned.  Even though technology can be a great addition to many things, there are often times it also causes many headaches and problems.
           All of the information I have learned in the class I find very important but the information I find the most important was learning how to use the Smartboard program and other ways to keep information and lessons organized.  I will certainly use concept maps and Wordle for my own benefit and for many ways to help the students as well.  I very much look forward to using the learning strategies and information I gained in my own classroom in the future.

E-Portfolio

http://hessylj1230.webnode.com/

Post 10

         In one online presentation, I learned that students' technological dedsires are not being met and that they would like to have more of a digitally rich learning adventure.  Even though I have heard this through out this class, and how classes are trying to incorporate more technology into the lessons, it was still interesting to read in the post how dissatisfied students are with how little technology is included in the lessons they are learning.  It does however, make sense that students would desire to have more technology involved in the lessons they are learning, as well as learning how to use the technology, since today's world is becoming more technologically and digitally enhanced.
       Another thing I learned from an online presentation, is that when evaluating what does and does not work with applying technology into the classroom, it is better to evaluate it from a classroom in grades kindergarten through 12th rather than in classes in higher education.  This stems from the idea that students in grades k-12 are mandated by law to attend class, where students in higher education are not.  Here again, it does not really surprise me that this is the case, but just learning it is interesting.  I would also believe that for students in grades k-12, the technology would mean more to them and help hold their attention better anyway, where students in higher education are more used to working with technology and may not be as fascinated by the uses and lessons being taugh from or with the technology.
        The third lesson I learned, is when it is said that technology can be used by anyone and everyone, it is all very true.  I learned that when technology is spoken of, it also includes speech generation devices, computers, and helps make it possible for those who are immoble to be able to participate in the classroom and school activities.  I thought it was very fascinating how even those who are unable to speak, can use technology to generate their ideas and get their point across to participate in class discussions.  Also, for those that may not have arms, are able to record papers on devices instead of having to actually write them.  I am just amazed at the things technology is able to do, especially with the whole idea of a person who is unable to speak, being able to participate in class discussions.  I, as a persone with my own use of technology with the insulin pump, am very glad these typ of technology products have been produced.  With these items, it helps those with different disabilities be able to be less "outcasted" and more included into the classroom, work world, or whatever groups they may be part of.  I think every individual should have a chance to strive for the goals they have in life whether it is to work a certain job or participate in a certain activity or group and with these wonderful technological inventions it helps them reach that point easier.

Portfolio Links

Good Portfolio: http://www.cesa8.k12.wi.us/teares/math/it/samplePort/ANN%20K/index.htm

After searching for quite a while, I was not really able to find an example of a bad portfo but of all the portfolios I viewed, this one seemed to have the least amount of information and was not quite the quality the others displayed.  http://www.cesa8.k12.wi.us/teares/math/it/samplePort/JAMES/Jim's%20Index.htmlio

Glogger

http://hessy1285.glogster.com/glog-8708/

Post 9

For interactive whiteboards, I think they are a great addition to a classroom.  The more I learn about them and have used one a little, the more I think more classrooms should have them.  I like that they are able to connect to a computer and use the computer’s different applications and information to help teach different lessons.  They also, of course, do not cause dust particles as chalkboards do, and they do not always have to be cleaned as chalkboards or regular whiteboards.  I would definitely like one in my classroom and would definitely utilize the different advantages and benefits of the interactive whiteboard, hoping to help keep my students involved and interested in the lessons I am teaching.  As I stated before, the advantages of the interactive whiteboard would be allowing the students to be involved and take part in the lessons, as well as no clean up or dirt/dust to deal with.  Again, I would definitely create lessons to get the students involved and have activities to help them be engaged, hoping for them to better enjoy the information being taught and helping them to retain the information learned.

Post 8

    As far as the video Marlon and I put together, I believe it does have value because cyber bullying and simply just bullying has been a growing classroom issue over the recent past few years.  This can be used to teach the students about the effects of bullying and how seriously dangerous it can be for some students where it may cause them harm to themselves, harm to others, or in some serious cases, commit suicide.  This video could be incorporated possibly in a phys. ed. class, or even in the main classroom during a safety week theme.  Challenges to this topic and video, would be to reach the bullies, not just the bullied students.  While discussing this issue, the teacher wants to really try to be sure the students who are being the bullies understand the damage they do on those they bully and how, in the worst case scenario, could cost a family a member’s life.  As for the outcomes, one would hope that it reaches all students, that those who are being bullied are not afraid to tell and instead of continuing to let it happen, will take a stand and tell an adult right away.  Another hopeful outcome, as mentioned before, is for the bully to realize the effect he/she is really having on their victim and the possibilities and severity of what the outcomes could be like, hopefully stopping them from continuing to be a bully.  For the project, some of the few challenges we had, even after having our storyboard mapped out, was actually getting the ideas to come together and be conducted to actually get the video done.  Once we had everything figured out and got the video recording done, the transition of the video and progression with the music, etc. flowed well and the video turned out well and we were pleased with how it all ended.

Post 7

   Working on the video project with Marlon was fun and interesting.  It was really cool, when thinking about a topic to do the video presentation on, we both had very similar ideas with bullying and the way it has taken effect, especially even cyber bullying.  Once we talked about that idea, we were able to think about the progression of how we wanted the video to go.  With both having similar ideas for the topic and where we wanted it to go, it did not really take very long to put it together and conduct it.  Once the video was recorded and we took it back to the computer lab to put it together, we had fun put the other effects of music, and how the different scenes and information transitioned from one to the next.  Although I have heard about the effects of bullying and the toll is has taken on some students’ lives, the statistics we located on the subject were still somewhat shocking to me.  As a future teacher, even before hearing the statistics and more so now with that information, I will certainly be sure to not ignore any students who may report they are being bullied and I will make sure the situation is taken care of properly.

Post 6

Most of the information presented did not surprise me much, since I am growing up in the same day-in-age, want some of the same things/ideas and understand where the students are coming from.  Having this in mind, most of my expectations were met, I didn’t really have any expectations that were far from what I read, and there were even a few points presented that I wouldn’t have thought of to expect.  Reading some of those points didn’t cause any kind of surprise to me.  As I mentioned previously, the answers and points made didn’t really come as a surprise to me for the generation I am part of/growing up around.  If I was conducting the survey, I would ask questions about what things are most important to students in order to have the information mean the most to them and help them to remember it.  What types of activities, on the computer or by hand, do they enjoy the most, again, to help them understand and remember the information the best?  What subjects are best presented with technology included?

Post 5

I was slightly surprised that even teachers have to be so careful with some of the things for copying that they would use in the classroom.  When I was in grade school, I played in the band and we all got copies of sheet music, so there is a great possibility that copyright laws were violated.  I don’t know for a fact, but I’m sure in presentations or other situations either from the teacher or other students the copyright laws were violated somehow.  Out of schools, people violate the copyright laws all the time with CDs and DVDs being burned/copied.  People may also many times take pictures, information and documents posted by others, from the internet.  I think as a teacher it is important to inform students on what copyright is and in which ways they could get in trouble if they copy certain things.  In order to do this, I will assign certain assignments that students may use certain information or other copyrighted materials and will see how they handle the contents.

Post 4

1.      Social bookmarking is a way for computer network users to save and categorize their collection of bookmarked webpages, as well as share with others.  A user is also able to access and save bookmarked sites from others who share their bookmarks, to save them to their own lists.  Bookmarks are also able to be tagged so they’re easier to find and access.

     As a student, social bookmarking could help me by saving webpages that I would need to access to complete work for my classes.  I could also bookmark the webpages that I regularly access that are specifically for the classes I am taking.

     Once becoming a teacher, social bookmarking can help me by bookmarking sites for lesson plans, sites I would like to share with students as part of a lesson plan, as well as any other suggested/saved (or bookmarked) page by other teachers, that may help me as well.

2.      In the choice whether to switch to Google Docs or continue using Microsoft Word, I believe I would vote to stay with Microsoft Word.  Microsoft Word has word processing online that has auto correct and Google Docs does not, which helps to make Microsoft Word the stronger program.  In all of Microsoft Office’s applications, Microsoft is a step ahead of Google Docs.  It is also my personal preference since I have used Microsoft Word for quite a while now and I know how to use each of the applications and the options that are available for each of them.

Post 3

1.      Students can conduct group projects with Excel, which will enable them each to participate and see the results instantly.  Within the group projects, the students will also be able to graph the results as well as predicting what future results could be.  This can be part of standard number one of creativity and innovation.

2.      After conducting research and collecting data on any given subject, students can locate, organize, analyze and evaluate the information collected.  Once the data is collected, the students can process and report with graphs through Excel, having that as a nice, well organized was to express the findings of the information gathered, satisfying standard number three.

3.      Students can use several Excel work sheets to work through science projects with tracking the different stages of the scientific method.  This can be used to help fill the sixth standard with being able to understand how to use technology to conduct the scientific method with whatever project, completing the Excel worksheets.  They would also be able to troubleshoot any issues they may come across.

                                                 

4.      For a student board committee, Excel spread sheets could be used to present information on class funds, activities, and meeting notes to be able to present to other students or faculty.  Excel could also include a chart to show the progress of how the group may be doing with projects at hand as well as finances for the class or organization.  This can fill most of the points for the second standard.

5.      An activity for younger students, helping them to understand expenses, have the students create a spreadsheet for a situation of something they would like to save their money for.  This activity can help them figure out how long it would take for them to save up the money needed to buy the item they want.  In this activity, the students will be using critical thinking and decision making.  They think about what item they want and research that item to find how much it costs at different stores.  Students also use decision making to narrow down the items they want to one or two things, so they would be able to afford it sooner.  This will incorporate standard number four. 

Post 2

In some respects my perspective is the same and others it is different from those of the students.  I am able to use technology in basic and simple ways, speaking some of the language the students may, but I am not in any way a tech savvy person and many young students today would surpass me in their technological knowledge.  As I said in Post 1, I do however, believe and support the idea of having a mix with technology use as well as teacher/human interaction within the classroom.  I find a good way to integrate the two is to have an online discussion through Wikis, about a topic taught in class.  This would create a read/write web where students ask and answer questions as well as post comments on other classmates' posts.  Such activity will also help the students in their reading and writing.  As mentioned in the EDUCAUSE reading, it is felt by those of the Net Generation and later that understanding technology is necessary for life currently as well as existence in the future, but I somewhat disagree.  In all areas of life (although they seem to be disappearing), people got by just fine without technology.  Therefore, I believe it is possible to survive without a technology based world... with exceptions.  Also seen in the "Appy Trails Finale" video, a majority of college students are conductiong meetings, doing group projects, and making appointments without evening leaving their dorm room, coming to love and appreciate the simplicity of the applications that Google and other web browsers have come to offer.  I personally still enjoy physically meeting and getting a project done that way.  It helps me feel as though I, and the group, are successfully make progress on the project at hand.

Post 1

For each of the Digital Natives, Net Generation and 21st Century learners, they all enjoy having technology incorporated into their education somehow.  Studies have shown that neither of them prefer to have all lecture lessons or all technology based lessons, they each enjoy technology being used along with teacher interaction.  I am a strong supporter and enjoy learning with a mix of teaching and learning tools, some lecture but with some technology and interaction involved.  I tend to be more of a hands on learner with some instruction so the involvement is very important I feel.  I believe these new concepts make a lot of sense since it had been quoted by Mark Prensky that without technology in classrooms, the students are "mind-numbingly bored."  "I'm bored 99 percent of the time" (California), and "My teachers bore me so much I don't pay attention" (Detroit).  Without the mixed interaction and technology, with students becoming bored, it will cause them to lack motivation to go to class and learn anything, and to even drop even more so than before or now.  I can also relate, if a professor just stands at the front of the room and lectures, I also quickly lose interest, especially if it is a subject I am not necessarily interested in.  When a professor has power points, especaially ones I can print ahead of time and add my own notes, it helps me to be more engaged since I do not have to constantly be writing everything down.  Including videos or guest speakers, or other activites, also helps me to be more interested and engaged as well.