My AHA moments

This course has really opened my eyes to the rapidly changing world of technology.  There are so many different opportunities in implementing technology into the classrooms and the world of education!  I know I don't know everything there is to know, but this class definitely inspires me to learn more.  I want to learn more about the technologies I have learned in this class, such as Wiki's, blogs, creating an ePortfolio and programs like JING and what else technology has to offer.  It also encourages me to take more technology courses to learn what I can from them.  It seems easier to me to learn from a course like this one, than to go sit through a professional development class through our district.

Google was probably my biggest Aha.  I had no idea how much Google had to offer!  I was so impressed that I will be switching my browser page over to Google.  It just seems more organized and offers more options than Yahoo, which is what I use now.  I am familiar with Google earth, but really had no idea of all the others.  Very exciting!!  I have started out in technology with PowerPoint's, web searching, making videos, and emailing.  Much of the basics, but I really am excited about learning much more and incorporating more into my classes as a teacher.  Technology has always been important but I haven't always used it like I should and plan to incorporate a lot more into my career as a teacher and future librarian and in my personal life.  Thank you for such a great class with lots of inspiring ideas!

What to change?

    After reading this article, It seems crazy that our lives evolve so much around technology.  Our kids know more about technology than we sometimes do.  My 22 month old daughter, knows how to navigate through my iPhone with few mistakes.  If you grow up surrounded by technology you just "get it" and learn from it more than not.  It is scary at times to think how our world is rapidly and radically changing.  But some change is good....
     I think we should find that "happy medium" in which we include both the virtual and physical spaces in education.  I think we should integrate technology into our lessons enhancing our students learning.  Students already know how to blog and face book, so incorporating these into our classrooms as instructional tools may be of benefit to our students learning environment.  On the flip side I do think we should limit how much time is spent in doing so.  I still feel that the physical aspects of learning such as how to write, read a book, do hands on experiments etc. are still very important.  Technology is changing our lives so we need to stay on top of the inevitable. 

Reflection #4

Are you more comfortable composing documents online than longhand?

I guess I'm a little of both.  I like to write my ideas down maybe even a rough draft.  This makes me more comfortable to start composing my final draft on the computer. 

Have you turned your "remembering" (phone numbers, meetings, and so on) over to a technology device?

I have only stored phone numbers on my iPhone, but other than that I haven't stored anything anywhere else.  Is there a good computer program that will store everything for you??  I am unable to keep up with birthdays and such!  I probably don't use my iPhone to its full potential!

Do you go to meetings with your laptop or PDA?

At my previous school I did because they issued us a laptop.  I have switched jobs this year so I don't have my laptop anymore :( I need to get a new laptop!  Any suggestions on what kind!?

Are you constantly connected? Is the Internet always on whether you are at home or work? Is your cell phone always with you?

Yes!  I just got mu iPhone last year and now I don't know how I lived without it!  It really is sad sometimes to think we are SOO attached to our smart phones!  Two years ago I didn't even know what an APP was!! Today I feel lost, naked and confused when I don't have it with me. 

How many different activities can you effectively engage in at one time?

Maybe three if my kids aren't distracting me.  I guess it would be safe to say two, successfully!

Do you play video or computer games?

I used to play some computer games, now I am way too busy so I don't have the time.

I fall under the Digital literate/Generation X catagory

I was born between 1965-1983

I feel comfortable using most technology, but still don't know all there is to know.

I like to multitask, although I'm not sure I'm good at it :)

Technology difficulties :(

For some strange reason I have not been able to get on to the class wiki for ETEC 524.  So I am posting my URL's for my Wiki I'm creating for school and the eportfolio URL:

My wiki: http://eaglessixgradescience.pbworks.com/

My eportfolio: https://sites.google.com/site/stefaniefleming08

both are a work in progress... I'm very new to creating these so be patient I hope to get some great ideas from you all and from this class! ;)

Electronic portfolios

After reading the article "Electronic Portfolios as Digital Stories of Deep Learning" by Helen C. Barrett I believe that all Assessments for Learning are important principles that guide classroom reinforcement and practice.  I would have to say that the one that stood out to me was "The AFL should recognize the full range of achievements of all learners."  Educators have such a wide variety of learners and achievement levels.  It goes back to my educational philosophy in that I say that "I will learn about each child and teach to each child on an individual basis using different methods of learning.  I think that each child has a different learning style and I plan to meet each need by using manipulative's, visuals, auditory, ELL, and special education modifications." Students learn and achieve at different levels therefore educators should recognize that need and design a plan for the individual student to become successful in learning.

I do think their is a benefit to keeping a portfolio and assessing the work embedded in it, but not necessarily on the cosmetics of it or how its set up.  I think it would work great for storing all of your personal bests therefore having all your best work together then you can direct one to view all your accomplishments and philosophies on your educational methodologies.

Keeping an electronic portfolio will help we to become even more organized. It will allow me a place to arrange and store all my personal best work,beliefs, etc to have to look back on.  I can use it in my resume when and if I switch positions in education.  Our society is becoming more and more digital so having a portfolio that is electronic will be another added benefit for administrators easy access of viewing your portfolio.  And there is no paper files to keep up with.  Electronic portfolios are not something I have thought of doing before, but see now that they are a great way to tell a story about your life and all the challenges that you have overcome.  I can see my successes and greatness in the hard work I have put forth to accomplish a goal by keeping an electronic portfolio.

eLearning tools

I will implement these eLearning tools such as Wikis not only in my department amongst educators but also in the classroom.  I want to at least introduce it in the beginning of the year to my computer students and gradually build upon it throughout the year.  I will also try it in my Science classes.  I want to set up an assignment and place students in groups and have them develop a Wiki on a concept taught in class.  I will incorporate Delicious into my classes and have students go to my websites already pulled and organized for them.  I also LOVE blogging so I plan to start that as well for my team and my classes.  I will have a blog for each class and set up assignments and such for them to explore and become comfortable using a blog.  Very excited to learn some great eLearning tools and how to implement them into my classes and lessons.

Wikis

When creating my Wiki I am focusing on my 6th grade Science and Social Studies team.  I am the new team leader for this department and really want to utilize these wonderful tools.  I have emailed members in my group before and haven't gotten responses back in time or miss an email and really want to try and see if using a Wiki will be better.  I plan to use it for meeting agendas, I can have a list in place and if anyone thinks we need to add to the agenda they can do so.  I can use it for checking to see if we have resources for labs and what we still need.  There are many things I feel I can use it for and can't wait to try it out with the group. We also will have common assessments this year and it will be a great way to showcase those and members edit and make changes to them, and all can take ownership in doing so. 

Advantages of organizing websites

There are a lot of advantages to using a "Delicious" account or "Google reader" account to store and organize information and websites.  Teachers can have websites already available for students to have access too and never have to consider the reliability of them because they will already be checked and approved for their classes.  Educators can have their students set up an account for their class and upon doing research have the names of the websites or lists of the specific websites students need to go to.  Teachers and students can get valuable information, ideas and websites from other members.  Members can "tag" their information with a certain title to make searching easier.  I see this as a tool I will use more of in the future for my classes and students.

MAPping activity

Wow, After taking the Information literacy quiz I feel completely illiterate when it comes to information literacy! I fell in the Moderately savvy range and don't know how I did that :)  There is so much more information to know than I thought there was and I am glad to gain more knowledge on the topic!  I had never really thought to examine the structure of the URL address.  I am sure I have gone to sites that have been less than reputable and didn't even realize it.  I didn't know how to check the author of the site and viewing the websites history.  It takes some time, but I think after dissecting the websites using the MAPping information over and over, I will become faster and know exactly what to look for and it will be easier to find the "bugs" in the websites.  For example, I will use quotation marks in phrases to find information.  I have known about this, but I forget to do it. Although it saves time and eliminates garbage you don't need. 

I'm not so sure about all the websites I've been to in the past.  Now that I know what to look for I will definitely check in the future!  I will be teaching a computer class next year and will be teaching this to my students.  If we fail to do so we also set them up for failure.  They will never know that there are websites out there that are not good resources and not reliable and will be mislead.  If we teach them the skills they can then take them and use them at home or anywhere they are conducting research.  At home it will be more risky due to the firewalls the school has put in place, but hopefully if they are taught the proper skills they will be successful in researching websites no matter where they are.

Class expectations

I hope to take away more ways to integrate technology into the classroom.  I also look forward to learning new things.  I am teaching a computer class next year so I am also excited to get some great tips and ideas to use in there as well. 

Digital Concept Map

(unfortunately I couldn't get this bigger and had MANY issues getting it on here so hope you all can see it!)

Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning

In this article "Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning" The one that stood out to me most was number two.  The title alone "Coming Attraction: Live Video Cameras in Every Classroom" spurred my interest right away.  This can be a great thing and a stressful thing.  Teachers standards would be higher, although they should be anyway, having a live camera watching you at all times would make teachers work even harder.  Like the article says, teachers would be evaluating what their doing at all times as well as the rest of the world.  This would push teachers to collaborate with each other and help them to work smarter rather than harder.  One thought I had was for the students that are out because they are sick.  They could then watch the lesson online at home and stay caught up on all assignments and new objectives.

Educational Blogging

Blogging can be used for teachers to communicate with students.  Students to communicate with other students.  Ideas and knowledge can be shared amongst members.  Teachers can have students post their assignments and reflections to their class blog.  Their is many ways to use a blog within the classroom.  This is just another fabulous method of incorporating technology into your classroom and engages students in the learning process. 

I feel one problem with not blogging is lack of knowledge from the educators on using a blog.  This can be with anything.  Some people aren't comfortable using it or lack the experience, so don't utilize it.  Others think of it as a challenge and strive to learn all about it.  Another issue could be lack of resources and computers.  I definitely do not feel we have met our potential in blogging.  At my school alone I know of not one person that implements blogging in the classroom. 

Educational Philosophy statement

Education should challenge students to learn new skills, prepare them for the real world, teach students to become more disciplined and learn responsibility and give students positive and fun learning experiences.   

The learners should be willing to accept new challenges and work collaboratively with other students.  They must have a positive attitude and endure the challenges set forth by their educators.

As a teacher, I plan to be very respectful, honest and fair. I will learn about each child and teach to each child on an individual basis using different methods of learning.  I think that each child has a different learning style and I plan to meet each need by using manipulative's, visuals, auditory, ELL, and special education modifications.

 I have a more constructivist philosophy.  I will promote cooperative learning and integrate different subject matter into the classroom.  In teaching my students I want them to view more than one representation of an idea or concept.  I want students to think more for themselves, using higher order thinking skills, thus creating their own opinions and views on reality and the real world.  Classes will be student centered with myself acting as a facilitator giving immediate feedback when needed. I will have technology incorporated into my lessons most of the time motivating and encouraging students in the learning process and making it fun.  I will learn and research constantly finding better ways to improve upon not only the subject matter but the best practices of teaching it.

I have very high expectations for my students and have steps in place to make sure all students are successful.

*Having this philosophy down on paper will be useful in reminding me of all the great values, goals and experiences I have and have set for myself and my learners that I feel are of great importance to help me keep my focus on whats important.