Well here  we are.....the Grand Finale!!!

It has been a short but jammed packed 6 weeks.  Packed full of educational challenges, failures and successes.  I have learned my weaknesses and my strengths.  It has definitely been an eye opener.  To anyone that intends on taking this class I would suggest a full term , not a summer term and if possible not on-line.  I would have much rather had a classroom setting especially with the collaboration projects.  Sometimes it is hard to get people motivated when working as a team.  I feel that if these individuals had been face to face they could not have avoided or dragged their feet without some more accountability.  All in all though we made it through it.  They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, in this case I would have to agree.  I was very intimidated at times with some of the assignments.  I felt lost, did not know where to begin.  It made me dive in with both feet and charge forward.  Now I know I have some new skills to add to my arsenal for teaching, and there are those I will need to work a little harder on.  It's a start though.  I am looking forward to utilizing some of these new skills in my future classroom.

Lets take a look back at the lessons and accomplishments I have had through this course.

Week One:
Chapter 1 : Becoming a 21st Century Teacher
This chapter was an introduction to technology and teaching.  Technology is all around us.  Everyone is using it, why not take that knowledge and put it to good use.  Children today are into using technology; computers, iPads, smartphones, video games, internet and so much more.  It only makes sense to use the tools that they are so accustomed to and incorporate them into learning.  What better way to get their attention! I guess being an older student myself I never approached it in that way, but it makes perfect sense.  It is as if we are meeting them on their turf.  Make them want to learn, engage them with the use of their tools.
Chapter 2: Understanding Educational Technology Issues and Trends
This chapter was geared towards using the technology to teach.  Basically, how to do this and the skills required by the teacher to be able to pull it off.  Obviously, you can't teach someone if you have no idea how to use the tool yourself.  It also talks about the barriers of using technology.  For example; limited access to tools, or internet.  School constraints, budget issues and even social economic issues.  Not all students have access at home.  This gives a student with the means an advantage over that child that does not.  How do we address this?  How do we even the playing field?  These are only some of the issues we face when using technology in the classroom.
Week one also included my first blog assignment.  That was scary.  I had no idea what a blog was.  I went through each example from Mrs. Coleman, then I had to get my feet wet.  It was challenging, cause I had no idea what I was doing.  I did find that as I kept trying it got easier.  Also, I did find it was more interesting to complete the blog to show what you got from the chapter reading rather than a quiz.  It gave you an opportunity to be creative.



Week Two:
Chapter 3: Transforming Learning with Unique, Powerful Technology
This chapter introduced us to Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism and Constructionism learning theories.  I had seen them before but didn't really pay much attention to them.  These theories are interesting.  I can see how you could favor one over another.  I personally lean towards constructionism.  I can listen to instructions but then I have to put my hands on it before the instructor moves on to make sure I understand what is expected of me.  Doing is the best type of learning for me.  This chapter is full of many important concepts such as critically thinking, problem solving and so on.
Chapter 5: Teaching Information Literacy and Digital Citizenship
This chapter talked about resources on the internet.  It made us look at the importance of evaluating the resources you take from the web.  I honestly never thought about this.  In the past I have just taken the information off the web and took it as valuable.  I never thought about bias, or misleading due to paid advertising. Plus I didn't even know that some information is just posted out there by anyone.  Just because it is on the internet doesn't make it true.
Our next big assignment was to evaluate 3 websites.  To come up with a rubric to grade these sites and then to actually complete the rubric for each.  It was a real learning experience for me.  Glad I had to do this one. 

 

Week 3:
Chapter 7: Exploring Problem Solving with Software, Apps, and Games
Chapter 7 talked about an area I was already familiar with.  I had the opportunity to being introduced to some of these learning game software programs through the Elementary school my daughter attends.  She uses a few of these sites almost daily, even at home.  The nice part is that she chooses to go onto them.  She has fun, while learning.  To me this is a win win situation!  There are no losers here.  The kids love their games and as teachers and parents we love the fact that they are learning.  There does have to be a balance though.  Everything can't be a video game. Students need to be able to learn from text books too.  A balance between them both is a great thing.
Chapter 8: Communicating and Collaborating with Social Media
This was an introduction to communication between teacher and student using blogs, websites, email, wikis and other online discussion tools.  Interesting stuff, many of which I was unaware of.  Wikis was a real surprise to me.  Never heard of it before.  A wiki was on top of the list.  Our big assignment this week was a collaborative wiki with a group of 4-5 class mates.  It proved to be a bit of a challenge at first.  The easy part was the fact that we each had a page of the wiki in which we were solely responsible for, the resource page and home/introduction page was the collaborative part of the assignment.  This proved to be a little harder but once we got the ball rolling it all came together.  I learned a lot from this project.  Also, it is good to work in a group at times due to the fact that you need to learn to work together and the end result can be great if you work on each others strengths.

Week 4:
Chapter 6: Fostering Online Learning with Educational Websites and Apps
This chapter talked about bookmarking websites.  This really makes it easier to access your favorite websites in a much easier way.  I really like the idea of an on-line bookmarking account.  So many times I am at another computer and I don't have my favorites saved to that computer.  I have to look them up and search and then sign on to them,  If I had an on-line bookmarking account I'd always have my favorites at my fingertips.  We also learned about WebQuests.  Never heard of this before this assignment.  What a challenge.
Chapter 10:Promoting Success for All Students through Technology
This chapter talks about technology reaching all students, no mater their background or culture.  Use technology to cross the cultures and communities to promote learning for all.  Talked about differentiated instruction, which is promoting instructional teaching to reach all students while meeting all of their needs to be successful.  Introduced some assistive technology, very interesting. 
Creating this week's major project was one of my favorite.  It was a great challenge but I enjoyed it.  I hit some hurdles but was able to work my way through them.  I look forward to being able to adapt a webquest for my future classroom.  It was fun to create and I believe it can be a fun learning tool.


My webquest


Week 5:
Chapter 4: Designing Lessons and Developing Curriculum with Technology
This chapter talked about designing lesson plans using technology.  Using technology to enhance and engage the student and their learning.  Great concept, not always easy to do.  I do see the value in this, and hope that I am able to accomplish this in my classroom.  Students really respond to using the computer and the internet.  As a teacher you need to use this desire to the benefit of learning.  You also need to keep them on track.  One thing I did learn about was on-line assessment programs.  I like this concept.  I am interested in looking into this subject some more.  As part of my discussion pages I talked about response clickers where the students could answer questions on the presentation.  This data could be recorded both together as a whole and individually to the student.  I liked this concept.  It seemed like it could really add to lectures and presentations.
Chapter 9: Expressing Creativity with Multimedia Technologies
This chapter presented technologies such as interactive whiteboards, computers with internet access, software programs, digital projectors, cameras and voice recorders.  Just to name a few items.
Also, went through each and the value they add to the classroom and the teaching/learning opportunities.  I have been experienced with powerpoint, but never thought about using a digital camera or video recorder to complete a presentation, interesting concept.  Here is where I was first introduced to virtual tours or field trips. This intrigued me.  In fact, it made such an impact on me that I suggested a virtual tour for our collaborative lesson plan.  This week's major project proved to be a great challenge.  Again, this was a collaborative project.  Getting the team together just to begin was a major hurdle for me.  It took persistence on my part, but finally someone responded.  I found this part of the project a huge frustration.  I like to have my work done and handed in early.  So it took a great deal for me to be patient.  Then to actually get working on something took a couple of days.  By Thursday, we were off and running.  In the end most of the team did a great deal of work and great team work together.  Unfortunately, we had one member that had waited to the last minute to join in, by that time we had already completed the project.  Overall, it was a great learning opportunity.  I got to work with some really creative and smart people.  I had some frustration with the process but in the end I learned I need to have patience and to value everyone's skills and creativity.

Week 6:
Chapter 11: Engaging Students in Performance Assessment and Reflective Learning
Here is where I was introduced to the teaching portfolio.  What a great thing to have.  I also like the idea of adapting it to the student to make a portfolio of learning.  Great tool to show them all the things they have learned through the year.  Also, nice to share with the parents.  Allows the creator to be very creative and show their skills.
Chapter 12: Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders
The stages of integrating technology in the classroom was reviewed here.  Talked about the possible issues you can encounter when doing this. Examples; not have access for all, limitations of school budgeting. Talked about bringing in your own devise.  The issues that present when you do this, such as the student that can't bring in a device, then fact that you can't put spy wear programs on their devices.  Cooperative or collaborative learning is discussed.  Sometimes difficult to get started but a great learning opportunity for all.  Good teamwork is key for this to work.
Our last major project this week was to put together a teacher portfolio.  I found this to be fun and very educational.  I spent many hours completing this project but I was happy with the end result.  It turned out to be a neat way to present my capabilities and learning to others.  I will definitely use this in the future.

My weebly.

In addition to all of the above listed assignments, every week we also completed a discussion board on set topics. This proved to be a great opportunity to share your knowledge, research and ideas on different topics with the class.  I enjoyed reading things posted by my fellow class mates.  Also, I liked to see their comments on my posts.  This is a great learning tool.

As you can see this class is definitely jammed packed with information and learning opportunities.  My advice is to be ready to put some major time and hard work in, but the end result is worth every minute because you will learn some value ideas, tools and education!  The only suggestion I would make is on the collaborative lesson plan, have a set plan for communication of the team and check point times for accountability.  I understand the idea is that we are all suppose to be teachers.  Teachers who will be completing lesson plans and teaching, who need to be self starters and self motivating.  Unfortunately, I don't think everyone is in that mind set yet.

I am looking forward to the next challenge around the corner.  I am sure there will be many more as I start the bachelor program for Elementary Education in the fall.  I am thankful for being pushed so hard in this class.  It has shown me some really neat things that I am eager to use again.  Thank you.

 

Resources:

Edwards, Sharon A., Maloy, Robert W., Verock-O’Loughlin, Ruth-Ellen., and Woolf, Beverly Park. Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. 2014.

grand finale free clip art. http://www.bing.com/images

Me & Technology cartoon strip created by L.Davis. www.toondoo.com. 6/22/2015.

stick figure pulling hair out: public domain clip art http://www.bing.com/images

Blog F: Chapter 11 Engaging Students in Performance Assessment and Reflective Learning and
             Chapter 12: Integrating Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders

Digital portfolios can be used in various teaching tools.  Teachers can use a digital portfolio to share with potential employers.  They can also be used as an introduction to the teacher and his/her classroom to the students and parents.  Also, students can use digital portfolios to put together all of the work they completed all year.  This would be a " learning portfolio" in a sense.  There are pros and cons of students using a digital portfolio.  Pros include more practice and use of the computer and technology, resulting in the student becoming more proficient in its use.  Students tend to be more engaged in working on the computer rather than with pen and paper.  The computer also allows them to become creative with all of the web tools available.  Some cons can be the fact that not everyone is that knowledgeable on using the computer, therefore they may need more teacher assistance than planned for.  Also, some students may become more involved in building the fashion and look of their portfolio rather than the concentrating on the content of their portfolio.


Another subject that caught my eye in Chapter 11 is from page 288, "Reasons for Teaching with Clickers".  This heading refers to teaching with student response systems.  This system looks like it would engage the student.  Instead of listening to the teacher give a lecture and then have the traditional hand raise and call on an individual to answer, the clickers give each and every student a "voice" to answer each and every question.  The software can then also track each student individually as well as a whole.  The software also has the capability to prepare charts of the results of the answers.  In my opinion this is a win situation, students are active learners, and are involved, and you have real-time feedback.  According to Jeff Miller the author of  "Pick and Click: Interactive Assessment Goes to School" in the journal Edutopia, the classroom response system can also be used to evaluate individual students, therefore you can record test scores from this system.  This in turn can save the school money by not printing those multiple choice assessments teachers normally use in the classroom.  The data is captured and recorded from the clicker through the software onto the computer.  What an advantage to cutting some costs in the classroom.  Along with cutting down paperwork.  I would be interested to see how this works.

Last, Cooperative Learning and Group work stood out for me in chapter 12.  There are real advantages for students to work in groups.  First, they learn to work together as a team.  Each team member must take on the responsibility of performing their part for the success of not only themselves but also for their team.  It is not always easy to do due to the fact that some individuals do not take their role as a team member seriously.  Sometimes people believe they can rely on the rest of the team to pick up their slack.  Aside from individual responsibility, there are some more advantages.  Students learn from one another.  Students get the opportunity to take on a leader role.  In a group someone usually needs to take on that lead role and take control to make sure everything is completed and each member takes on an active role.  Cooperative learning gives students opportunities to learn not only from the instructor but also from each other. Plus most lessons of this nature allows them to be creative.


In conclusion, As a teacher I plan on using a digital portfolio in my classroom.  I think it would be really interesting and engaging to have students prepare a portfolio as a "learning portfolio" to show all they have completed throughout the year.  It would be a great thing for them to see how they progressed through the year but also a nice thing for their parents to see.  Next, I would like to try the student response system.  It really seems like it would be fun to use and keep the students engaged in learning.  Plus I like the idea of the software not only tracking as a whole but also individual students.  It could really make learning interesting.  Last, cooperative learning, or group work.  I have not always been a big advocate for group projects due to the fact that I like to take charge and complete assignments on my own.  I don't mind working in a group, but I don't like having to depend on other people.  I have not always had great success with it, but I do see the benefit in working with others.  I know you learn from others.  It is also good to get different perspectives on things from your team.  Plus you can have personal growth from working with a team.  I will have group work in my classroom.  It is important to be able to work with others.  I just want to make sure everyone is held accountable for their contributions.

Resources

Edwards, Sharon A., Maloy, Robert W., Verock-O’Loughlin, Ruth-Ellen., and Woolf, Beverly Park. Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. 2014.

Miller, Jeff. Pick and Click: Interactive Assessment Goes to School. Edutopia. 12-19-07. http://www.edutopia.org/assessment-classroom-response-systems

you tube video. Student response system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUIy1TzHSNQ

Blog E Post

Chapter 4: Designing Lessons and Developing Curriculum with Technology and Chapter 9: Expressing Creativity with Multimedia Technologies 

GLOGSTER
One tool that really caught my eye in Chapter 9 is the Glogster.  The reason it caught my eye is the fact that it reminds me of a scrapbook page.  I like how you can incorporate your entire presentation into a poster type page.  There are some really neat features on this site.

• various backgrounds
• text boxes of various sizes, you can also scroll so that you do not have to enlarge your box to fit the entire text
• video boxes: you can add videos from your computer or internet
• image boxes: again you can add images from your computer or the internet
•  you can also link audio

According to the article, Teaching with Glogster in the Classroom, the glogster is a virtual poster.  It is a great teaching tool.  The colors and various eye catching graphics and effects, along with video, pictures, text and audio grabs the attention of the student.  This is not only a great tool for the teacher to use to present data.  It is also an easy way for the students to design a presentation for an assignment.  Plus you do not have to worry about content due to the fact that there is a glogster designed for education.  ( edu.glogster.com) 

 
 DIGITAL STORYTELLING
With the wide use of smart phones and digital video cameras most everyone has taken some type of video, such as, a dog playing, or our child performing, a special event and so on.  The technology we have now at our fingertips make video taping relatively easy.  Also, due to the fact that the video is no longer recorder onto film it is easy to edit and delete as often as we want.  This also gives a great learning tool to be used in the classroom.  What a great way to engage your students, by requiring them to work collaboratively on a video presentation. Digital storytelling is a great tool for social studies/history and language arts.  This is a real opportunity for the students to be creative.  The College of Education at the University of Houston maintains a digital storytelling site that gives examples of tools, evaluation criteria and links for more creative resources.

ASSESSING AND EVALUATING STUDENTS
According to our text, Transforming Learning with New Technologies, many times teachers spend  hours preparing and prepping lesson plans, and choosing engaging activities.  Often there is not much thought or preparation for assessing and evaluation during and after the lesson.  There are 3 factors that influence how teachers think about assessment:

1. Personal experiences. Teachers tend to teach the way they were taught, and assess as they were assessed.
2. Standardized testing. With so many "Must take" standardized tests some teachers tend to believe that this is the only assessment they must keep.
3. Teacher tests.  Due to the testing teaches themselves must pass in order to teach professionally, some teachers may tend to believe that standardized testing is the one and only true valid assessment format. 

No one way of assessment and evaluation is the ultimate way to go.  A combination of variety of assessments and evaluations will give you the most accurate picture of where your student measures up.  As much as everyone is against standardized testing, I still see value in it.  It is important to see where our education measures up with other areas.  We need to see where we fall short and need improvement.  In the same token it is good to see where we excel against others. I just don't think the tests should take hours day after day.  Plus when you tell a student...this one test will determine whether you advance to the next grade or not puts extreme pressure on that student.  Believe me, after taking the General Knowledge Test recently, I never want to feel that kind of stress again.  I have taken huge final exams before but nothing compares to the stress of that test.  So much rides on the outcome of that test! I know....I will have the pleasure of having that stress again....when I go for my teaching certification.  (Trying not to think about that right now)

http://www.toondoo.com/public/s/h/y/shysmom5807/toons/thumb_9043010.jpg

CONCLUSION
I really like the idea of using a glogster in my classroom.  I really think this will engage the students and they will even be eager to learn to create one on their own.  As for the digit storytelling, we all video tape things almost daily, so this would not be too challenging to do for an assignment.  I believe the hardest thing would be to limit the length of your story and to have it relevant to assigned content expectations.  Finally, my last topic is assessments and testing.  As I stated earlier, I know testing is important.  We all must be evaluated in some form from time to time.  As a teacher I would like to use different types of assessments in my classroom.  During a lesson I would add an oral piece of assessing where my students are.  Treat it as a question & answer session, but I would be asking them the questions.  Then I would use essay writing, presentations and or projects in order to assess where my students are, rather than always using the traditional multiple choice or fill in the blank type of test.  These different avenues would give my students different ways to excel.  Plus it would show me a thorough assessment of their understanding of the subject matter.  

RESOURCES
Davis,L. (2015, June 7th) Testing. Created using www.toondoo.com  

 Maloy,R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf,B.(2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA:Pearson Education Inc.

TeachersFirst. GlogsterEDU- classroom resources.  http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=4733

Youtube video. Glogster in 90 seconds.  <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MvC47fUANLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Blog D : Chapter 6 Fostering Online Learning with Educational
Websites and Apps and Chapter 10 Promoting Success for All
Students through Technology

Multicultural education is is any form of education or teachings that incorporates history, texts, values, beliefs and perspectives of people pf may different cultural backgrounds. (Multicultural Education, 2013)  All children regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or social class are entitled to an equal opportunity education.  In order to have a diverse classroom the educator needs to teach from a variety of cultural perspectives.  The good thing about this is the fact that America is just that....DIVERSE!  This country is built on the diversity of our citizens.    Technology helps the educator support a multicultural education in their classroom.  How?  With the Web the instructor can incorporate virtual tours of museums or other countries.  The Computer opens a gateway to explore the world through the world wide web.  The student can go around the world right from their desk in the classroom.  The possibilities are endless.  Also, as the instructor it is important to embrace the diversity in their very own classroom.  They need to be sure to be aware of the student's cultural background.  First, to be sure to embrace their cultural differences. Second, to promote learning amongst the students.

This brings us to Differentiated Instruction. Differentiated Instruction is a way of teaching.  The instructor takes into account the different ways each student learns.  It has to do with doing whatever it takes to ensure the student learns the material being presented to him/her.  The activities or lessons are designed around the student and not around the content.  Students learn in many different ways,  As a professional instructor it is your responsibility to learn how each of your students learn best.  Some students may be visual, meaning they respond to the material visually, by seeing slides or notes on presentations.  Another group may respond to auditory, or hearing lectures and discussion of the  materials.  Another may need to write notes.  Yet another can be hands on, they may have to work through problems or issues to retain the material.  By presenting lessons in different or differentiated instruction this will result in more students being reached.  More of the students will learn and your lesson will be successful.

Finally, this brings me to Online learning and Virtual Schools.  With the many advances of technology, online learning and virtual schools are the logical next step in learning.  Online learning can be done from a classroom and it can be done from a remote location, such as home.  Online learning can be incorporated in the daily classroom at a physical school location or it can be accomplished from a remote location not at school, like home.  Virtual Schools are schools completely maintained on the computer.  There is no physical school location for the student to attend.  The student is to sign onto the given website and they link into a virtual classroom with an instructor. The student does this from their home.  Then there is blended learning or hybrid learning which is a combination of online learning and face to face learning.  Personally, this is the type of learning I feel comfortable with.  I like to use the computer but for me there is nothing like having the instructor face to face.  There are debates over virtual schools, there has been a push for virtual schools in the last few years.  With budget constraints and cuts virtual schools are appealing in this way.  Some families like the idea of being able to access learning from anywhere, they like the convenience of the virtual school.  The student can learn at their pace and are flexible with their schedules.  Critics of virtual schools cite the lack of full time teachers, isolation, no classroom interaction for the student with peers and teachers.  Also, according to the textbook, Transforming Learning with New Technologies, chapter 6, students in virtual schools are not performing as well on standardized tests as those students that physically attend school.

In conclusion, I am all for a diverse classroom.  This gives us all great learning opportunities.  As we get to know each other in the classroom, we will get to learn about each other, our cultures and backgrounds.  Which can lead into great teaching opportunities.  We can incorporate some virtual tours and or field trips to different countries and states.  It would be fun to visit the different places each student comes from.  This leads me to differentiated learning.  Different ways of learning appeals to each of us.  I know, me personally, I am both visual and hands on.  I like to see what I am suppose to do and then I have to get my hands into it to get a complete understanding.  Each student has their way to learn, in fact most students have more than one way they learn.  This is why it is ideal to teach in many different ways.  Use the computer, lecture, use audio, visual aids,, group assignments and so forth.  But incorporating many different ways of learning you are sure to appeal to most of your students. As for virtual schooling and online teaching, I like the idea of using online teaching along with the traditional face to face teaching in school.  I am not a big fan for just online or virtual schooling.  I feel one on one interaction with students, teachers and peers is important and valuable to education.  This is where students learn to deal with different people and different personalities.  How will students learn this without interacting in person.  The "book learning" I am sure is fine, it is the rest of the school day the students miss out on. 

                                              http://www.bitstrips.com                                                        



Resources

Davis, Laurie.Created with Bitstrips. http://www.bitstrips.com/user/1GRMGS/read.php?comic_id=6FF93&subsection=1

Miller Sadker, Davis and Zittleman, Karen R. Teachers, Schools, and Society. Tenth Edition. pg. 368-369. McGraw Hill.

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013) Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Robb, Laura. What is Differentiates Instruction., Scholatic. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/what-differentiated-instruction