Everyday Is A New Beginning

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Check Out My Classroom Website

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

This I Believe Project

This I Believe Project-link

Bibliography for This I Believe Project

Learn to Change, Change to Learn Video
http://youtu.be/BHiby3m_RyM
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

Importance of Multimedia Literacy-
George Lucas Video
http://youtu.be/T59DKKNheoU
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

Student Stories (DACC)-A picture of a group of high school students working together using a computer.
http://www.delawareareacc.org/high-school/student-stories
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

Make a Story Book Come to Life in Photoshop (Picture of book)
http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photo-manipulation/make-a-story-book-come-to-life-in-photoshop.html
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

Podcasting Student-Student Tech Photo
of the Week
http://www.schooltechnology.org/2011/02/02/student-tech-photo-of-the-week/
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

21st Century Fluency Project-A picture of an educator with his students using their cell phones.
http://www.21stcenturyfluency.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=422
Date Retrieved: June 6, 2011

Prensky, M. (2008) Turning On the Lights. Educational Leadership. 65 (6) 40-45

Jenkins, H. (2006) Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century [Electronic Version] The MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved 20 May 2011.

Hull, G. A., & Nelson, E. (2005). Locating the Semiotic Power of Multimodality. Written Communication, 22(2), 224-261.

Creating Our Future: Students Speak Up about their Vision for 21st Century Learning. Speak Up 2009. National Findings. K-12 Students & Parents. March 2010. (Retrieved: 3 June 2010).
Nye, D. (2006) Technology Matters. Chapter One: Can we define "technology"? Cambridge : MIT Press. 1-15.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Web 2.0 Blog

Prior to enrolling in this course, I never received any instruction in Web 2.0 applications. In just a few short weeks, I have learned the tremendous value of knowing the multitude of Web 2.0 applications. Web 2.0 applications have the capacity to assist educators in organization, classroom management, time management, etc. Jim Moulton’s article, “The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008” illustrates how students gain an abundant amount of knowledge through technology integration. Efficiency, resources, relevance, connection, access, and experience are key points Mr. Moulton uses to prove that through the use of technology integration, both the students and educator gain the benefits.

As the educator, I need to be able to create a website that is user friendly for both students and parents. An online grade book and an online calendar are two great teaching tools that I can use to stay connected with my students and parents. When students and parents have access to assignments and grades, they have a better opportunity to plan their time and respond to the requirements of the course. Academic performance will increase with the use of these on-line tools. This takes away the excuse, “I did not know that assignment was due December 10^th” or “I did not know I was failing this course.” Also, when a student is absent, he/she can look at the on-line calendar to locate the missed assignment.

Meeting the learning and studying needs of my students is a priority for me. Students need to know how to organize class notes and material. An online calendar is a great way for students to develop organizational skills that will carry with them throughout their lifetime. To assist in organization of class content and learning, I plan to have a category entitled, “study guides” on my classroom website, so students will have access to those study guides when they feel they need additional assistance. This way my student will have an advanced organizer to assist them, and they will not have to wait until I distribute the paper version in class.

The best way to communication with students and parents is through my classroom website and e-mail account. Sometimes it can be difficult to contact a parent by telephone, and needed messages are delayed. An online website is available at all times of the day, so if a parent wants to e-mail me, he or she can do so at anytime. I spoke to a high school counselor last semester and she stated she uses e-mail as a way to defuse a potential hostile situation. She stated when a parent is upset, this professional asks the parent to e-mail her the following day. This gives both parties time to take a step back and look at the situation with a clear mind. This is an excellent way to mediate a situation and share feelings before taking another step.

In order to be a successful educator, one has to incorporate technology into his or her classroom. A successful educator needs to realize that young people enjoy using technology in their daily lives. Educators who want to connect with their students need to use technology that appeals to their interests and needs.

Here are ten Web 2.0 applications that I found to be useful:

www.arcademicskillbuilders.com

www.knowitall.org

Monday, May 30, 2011

Glogster Blog

Here is the glogster application tool I used to react to Professor Jenkin's article, "Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century".

http://genie3033.glogster.com/glog-3721/

Monday, May 23, 2011

Technology As A Tool

Prior to reading David Nye’s article, “Technology Matters” I had only viewed technology in terms of digital technology such as computers, cell phones, televisions, etc. It was in our classroom discussion last Thursday that I realized the term “technology” can be applied to every single item such a pencil, paper, etc. and that can be used as a tool. It was a profound realization that every item can be useful in some manner. This is extremely important because as educators it is our responsibility to use a variety of tools in an effective manner so that students are able to comprehend the given material. Every student learns in a different manner, so it is up to the teacher to have an array of tools and know how to use those tools effectively to able to tell a narrative. As stated in David Nye’s document, “tools cannot merely be considered passive objects”. (Nye, 3)

Human beings have a craving for knowledge and a need to explore and dream. I believe that this drive will direct every individual to continue to probe into the unknown fields and pursuits; technology will therefore, be re-defined and continuously up-graded. Human beings will continuously write new narratives using technology.

I believe that technology will become a greater educational tool than it is today. Every child will need to be technologically literate to compete in a global economy. Teachers will have to continue to embrace technology as a means to assisting every child. If a teacher neglects the value of technology, it is not only hindering their teaching, but also significantly impact the effectiveness of student learning. The narratives presented by technologically illiterate teachers are weak at best.

I believe that technology assists in making learning fun, interesting, and meaningful. Technology assists each child to reach his or her potential. Through the use of technology difficult concepts and materials be explained, illustrated, and reviewed so that every child can learn. For instance a teacher could use the polling website to see how many students are actually reading their textbook.

I believe that every teacher has a responsibility to use technology to assist students in learning the curriculum and enjoying the learning process. It is crucial that every student has the tools to be able to construct and implement their voice and story.

Nye, D. (2006) Technology Matters. Chapter One: Can we define "technology"? Cambridge : MIT Press. 1-15.