I decided to make an Edmodo account for a Kindergarten classroom. Edmodo is a technology tool to connect K-12 teachers with parents. The website is great source to distribute exercises and assignments, and to contact all the parents and students in your class.
I love the concept of Edmodo and I would definitely recommend it to any teacher! It has so many features and is really easy to navigate. It works like facebook where you have a group that accumulates posts on the main page, and it also gives the teacher notifications. I have the ability to make normal posts, assignments, quizzes, and polls. I wouldn't use the quiz feature for my Kindergarten class because it would mostly be conversation between parents and myself, but I love the poll option. I also found it really neat that I had a library where I could upload papers that were given in class or that I wanted parents to see, and I could even connect my google drive.
Check out my independent learning project through the link below!
www.edmodo.com/karissah/referral
Here is the group code you will need to view the project!
xasx8m
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
10 Lots of Powerpoint
Making a family feud powerpoint was really fun! I learned how to edit an existing powerpoint. I learned how to change the layering of different parts of each slide. I learned how to create a countdown. There were so many new aspects that I was interested in that it didn't even feel like a task. There was one difficult part of the powerpoint where I couldn't hide the answers to one of the questions, and then I couldn't get the answers to show. Next time I would definitely have to work that kink out. In the future, I can definitely create games to review with my students in an playful way.
After a semester of looking at everyone else's blogs, my favorite posts were probably the videos for creating better powerpoints. I honestly would rather watch a video or look at pictures and see what the person who posted it thought, than to read paragraph after paragraph of plain black font. The videos were also very useful to look back on, and convenient.
I think it would be really neat to learn how to use a photo editor app. In the powerpoint skill check I had a really hard time finding the pictures I imagined as I read the story. If I was able to edit photos, I could create the images I needed, and my powerpoint would have turned out a lot nicer.
I would like to continue working on blogs and powerpoint after this class. I really have enjoyed working on these this semester. In the future, I would like to make effective powerpoints for my students, and maybe even test the flipped classroom. In the future I will have more time to create the powerpoint and make them look exactly how I would like.
After a semester of looking at everyone else's blogs, my favorite posts were probably the videos for creating better powerpoints. I honestly would rather watch a video or look at pictures and see what the person who posted it thought, than to read paragraph after paragraph of plain black font. The videos were also very useful to look back on, and convenient.
I think it would be really neat to learn how to use a photo editor app. In the powerpoint skill check I had a really hard time finding the pictures I imagined as I read the story. If I was able to edit photos, I could create the images I needed, and my powerpoint would have turned out a lot nicer.
I would like to continue working on blogs and powerpoint after this class. I really have enjoyed working on these this semester. In the future, I would like to make effective powerpoints for my students, and maybe even test the flipped classroom. In the future I will have more time to create the powerpoint and make them look exactly how I would like.
Monday, November 9, 2015
9 Approaching education in a new way
The flipped classroom is spoken about a lot, but rarely practiced. Basically the teacher posts a video of the lesson for the students to watch before class. Then in class, the students are ready with questions and the teacher has time to work with the students and apply the knowledge. This idea is directed for more of an independent learning classroom style so that everyone can work at their own pace. It will definitely help the classroom by allowing students time to learn, but it could also set students back if they forget to watch the video or choose not to. This link is an awesome example to show how a flipped classroom works! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQWvc6qhTds
After looking through a few websites on professional development, I came across one site that looked very organized and useful. The website was Edutopia. It brought up a bunch of topics we have used in class like twitter and blogs. It also had an area for building a professional learning network. This is very important because teachers need to stay connected. I also liked how at the bottom of the page it had more links to different topics that you may be wondering about. For example, Do Educators Really Need Blog Posts. The site is easy to navigate and definitely worth checking out! This is the link to the website! http://www.edutopia.org/diy-professional-development-resources
Working on the powerpoint this past week was interesting. It was not too hard but there were a lot of requirements that we had to make sure we included. It was cool being able to add in different effects. I really like working on powerpoint because you can really do anything with it. You can make lessons for your students. You can have your students make projects. You can even just use it for yourself to keep information organized. I really like how you can download any template from the internet because there are so many options and its a lot easier than working from scratch. The only thing I found difficult was downloading a template to my online version of powerpoint.
After looking through a few websites on professional development, I came across one site that looked very organized and useful. The website was Edutopia. It brought up a bunch of topics we have used in class like twitter and blogs. It also had an area for building a professional learning network. This is very important because teachers need to stay connected. I also liked how at the bottom of the page it had more links to different topics that you may be wondering about. For example, Do Educators Really Need Blog Posts. The site is easy to navigate and definitely worth checking out! This is the link to the website! http://www.edutopia.org/diy-professional-development-resources
Working on the powerpoint this past week was interesting. It was not too hard but there were a lot of requirements that we had to make sure we included. It was cool being able to add in different effects. I really like working on powerpoint because you can really do anything with it. You can make lessons for your students. You can have your students make projects. You can even just use it for yourself to keep information organized. I really like how you can download any template from the internet because there are so many options and its a lot easier than working from scratch. The only thing I found difficult was downloading a template to my online version of powerpoint.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
ILP "Participation" -- Gaggle Webcast
Recently I tuned in for a webinar about making online student safety a priority. I was able to listen in to the webinar through the phone while most people tuned in on the computer. We all heard from Diana, Cathy, Lance, and Rob. I learned a lot about the statistics of teens using social media, and the amount exposed to bad content. We also heard ideas on how to reduce cyber bullying. What really shocked me about this webinar is when Cathy was talking about sexting. I would never have guessed 6th graders are involved in sexting, and in a few cases, 4th graders. Schools are monitoring what is happening on their devices, and cracking down to keep their students safe online.
Friday, October 30, 2015
8 Technology in the Classroom
Technology is constantly improving and surprising us. Gamification is brought up in the text and I believe it would have a big impact on the class. Kids are using technology at a younger and younger age. When I used to babysit a 4 year old he used to always ask for my phone so he could play games. Since kids are always wanting to play games anyways, it makes sense that we make them educational.
One future technology not discussed in the book that sounds really interesting to me is eye tracking. With this kind of technology teachers will be able to see how students absorb and understand the learning content. Also where the eye is directed throughout the documents. Another aspect of eye tracking is that disabled students can use it to control keys, generate speech and more. With this kind of technology, the education students receive will enhance.
Digital divide is a term used to discuss the gap between people with and without access to technology. I am on the digital side. I have my own laptop which I use for all my work. I also have access to two libraries and a computer room in the college of education which I am in at least once a week. In my classroom I do expect there to be a digital divide. Even though technology is becoming more and more available, I can not expect every student to have access. Students who do have technology and internet access at home have a greater advantage of educational success. To address this, I will send out an email to all the parents so i can see exactly who is divided from technology access. I will also incorporate lab days in my course were I take the class to a computer room so everyone can see how to correctly use the internet, and how to work it on their own when necessary.
One future technology not discussed in the book that sounds really interesting to me is eye tracking. With this kind of technology teachers will be able to see how students absorb and understand the learning content. Also where the eye is directed throughout the documents. Another aspect of eye tracking is that disabled students can use it to control keys, generate speech and more. With this kind of technology, the education students receive will enhance.
Digital divide is a term used to discuss the gap between people with and without access to technology. I am on the digital side. I have my own laptop which I use for all my work. I also have access to two libraries and a computer room in the college of education which I am in at least once a week. In my classroom I do expect there to be a digital divide. Even though technology is becoming more and more available, I can not expect every student to have access. Students who do have technology and internet access at home have a greater advantage of educational success. To address this, I will send out an email to all the parents so i can see exactly who is divided from technology access. I will also incorporate lab days in my course were I take the class to a computer room so everyone can see how to correctly use the internet, and how to work it on their own when necessary.
Monday, October 26, 2015
7 Adaptive technologies
I recently learned what
Bloom's taxonomy is. Bloom's taxonomy helps distinguish fundamental questions
in the education system. The
levels are create, evaluate, analyze, apply, understand, and remember. An
awesome strategy to show students this information
could be in a power point. With each slide I could demonstrate each level while
teaching my students.
Adaptive technologies can be used to enhance learning of students with physical and learning disabilities. Students may not be able to type, or read. So to assist them, they could use a voice recognition software instead of typing. Students who have trouble reading a computer screen may have special magnified screen. Students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia can use a spell checker to help them learn. These are just a couple of examples adaptive technologies provide to help students. Personally I use spell check, and when I took French in high school, I had an app that would read words to me so I could pronounce them correctly. The only challenges I see about using these adaptive technologies in the classroom is, finding the right tools to fit each students need, not having the resources to provide for everyone, and the students getting to used to the tools and relying on them instead of learning and growing from them. Overall with the proper help, they can be a great asset to the classroom.
I have made a website on wix before, but working on weebly was completely new to me. I learned how to create a calendar and actually post it on my website! It is really neat because the viewer of my website can see the calendar in three different formats. I can also add, edit, and delete any events if I need to. I thought it was a bit harder to work on weebly than wix, and it was difficult to add color other than pictures.On the other hand, I did think the tools offered made it a lot better. Next time I can try to add more tabs of information and I can use it for actual classes that I teach to keep my students and their parents involved. Here is one of the pages of my website!
Photography in presentations
Photography is a great way to attract more viewers to your presentation!
Monday, October 19, 2015
6 Technology in Education
I visited The walker School website. I found a webpage for Mrs. Wood's classroom at https://sites.google.com/a/thewalkerschool.org/first-grade/home/what-s-new-in-mrs-wood-s-classroom. She teaches a 1st grade social studies class. I see lots of pictures of her students. I see what they have been learning in class, and it is even asking the parents to ask students about specific things they learned to keep their brains fresh with information.
I envision myself using technology like web 2.0 with my students. I hope to give projects where they can make a power point presentation. I would make it a requirement to add clip art or pictures. They would have to add hyperlinks, and even audio or video. With these tools from chapter 7, the use of technology in the classroom would be done efficiently and effectively.
After working on the web resource evaluation I feel more comfortable when choosing sources to site. I know have a complete checklist to help me cut out all bad websites. I liked working in groups for this project because we each got to use the evaluation form on our own site, but we could see how the process worked for each of us. I could definitely use an evaluation sheet like the one we made in class to review sites to show my students, or even for my students to review sites of their own.
I envision myself using technology like web 2.0 with my students. I hope to give projects where they can make a power point presentation. I would make it a requirement to add clip art or pictures. They would have to add hyperlinks, and even audio or video. With these tools from chapter 7, the use of technology in the classroom would be done efficiently and effectively.
After working on the web resource evaluation I feel more comfortable when choosing sources to site. I know have a complete checklist to help me cut out all bad websites. I liked working in groups for this project because we each got to use the evaluation form on our own site, but we could see how the process worked for each of us. I could definitely use an evaluation sheet like the one we made in class to review sites to show my students, or even for my students to review sites of their own.
Monday, October 12, 2015
5 Advancements in the web
Web 2.0 tools are definitely making there way through classrooms. It is important to teach your students how to use them and provide examples in the class to encourage the students to use them. I believe any class could incorporate blogs, and YouTube videos, even a twitter. It is difficult if students do not have a cell phone that allows them to join a classroom twitter page, but if there is a library with computers in the school, it is possible for everyone to be involved! As stated in the podcast, their are always concerns about letting student use the internet, but there are sites like common classroom that allow the teacher to control what the students can see so there is nothing inappropriate.
One web 2.0 tool I find useful is Diigo which can be found at https://www.diigo.com/. Diigo is a tool used for personal management. With it you are able to organize and share your information, mark up text with digital highlighters and sticky notes, and build your library by saving webpages to go back and look at later.
I would definitely use Diigo in the classroom. I would show my students the website so they could use it for studying and learning on their own time, as well as using it myself. I am constantly keeping tons of tabs open in my browser. I am always scared my computer will update or shut off and I'll lose my websites but with Diigo I can make a bookmark to easily find it whenever needed. It would also be useful when students turned in assignments through the internet. I could highlight and add comments to help them improve their work. Diigo is an awesome web 2.0 tool that can help teachers and students work together.
The concept map activity was interesting. I really liked how there were templates you could choose from to make it easier. They were very organized as well, stating subjects that were more oriented for certain concept maps. I learned how to organize the map so it was easy to read, and also how to divide the slides. I had never done a concept map online before, only with pen and paper. I would definitely incorporate this in the classroom. I think it is a great approach for students and can also be used as a study guide.
Monday, October 5, 2015
4 Internet Credibility
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewStandard/Preview/5293
In the past I have used a tool called easybib to make sure a cite is credible. There are also a couple other tips that can be used to tell if you can trust a site. One tip is to look at the URL. If it ends in .edu, .org, or .gov, the source can be trusted. Another tip would be to look for citation. If the author of the cite you are looking at has cited more places that the information was found at, it can usually be trusted. Websites like Wiki are less reliable because people can go in and change facts. After listening to the podcast I realized even ads can be unreliable. It is important to check the credibility of something as simple as an ad if you want to use it as a resource.
- Standard: MAFS.K.OA.1.2 "Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.
- Educational games: http://www.fun4thebrain.com/addition.html
- This website would offer a fun way for my students to learn addition and subtraction. I would show my students how to use the website in class so they could use the tool at home fore extra practice. Playing educational games is a great way to pick up the material because it attracts the kids attention and they will be more excited to learn!
- This would be an example of the academic software for educational games as stated in chapter 8. The mathematical games are formatted to engage the students.
The internet is a great resource for students. Most of the time when I am assigned homework, I have to research a bit. The first place I go is google. It is very convenient for most people and way easier than searching through an encyclopedia. Using the internet is the most efficient way to find facts fast. Sometimes the internet isn't always the answer. If you want to hear your students opinions, research on the internet probably is not going to help. Using the internet in this situation can lead to plagiarism or a biased opinion.
In the past I have used a tool called easybib to make sure a cite is credible. There are also a couple other tips that can be used to tell if you can trust a site. One tip is to look at the URL. If it ends in .edu, .org, or .gov, the source can be trusted. Another tip would be to look for citation. If the author of the cite you are looking at has cited more places that the information was found at, it can usually be trusted. Websites like Wiki are less reliable because people can go in and change facts. After listening to the podcast I realized even ads can be unreliable. It is important to check the credibility of something as simple as an ad if you want to use it as a resource.
The web hunt assignment started out a little slow, but once I got in the groove it was pretty interesting! I used skills like (...) to search for an article between a certain time period. For some of the questions I actually already knew a website to go to, but I still had to type in a description in google to complete the document.
Here are a couple other web hunt challenges you should try!
Here are a couple other web hunt challenges you should try!
- Find a website that provides spelling games for elementary students.
- Find a website that shows the live film of a country abroad.
Monday, September 28, 2015
3 Always Learning
Within this past week I was introduced to the website www.edmodo.com. The website is very similar to Facebook but intended for teachers. I think Edmodo is a great site. With it, I can set up a private page for each class I teach. With a password, each of my students parents will be able to see the page and feel safe about their child's privacy and protection. On the site I can post pictures of my students, updates for the parents, and anything else related to the classroom. I can even put up assignments. I can definitely see myself using this tool, I haven't found a negative about it yet!
While reading Teaching, Learning and the web, I came across a Blog section. I thought this was a great tool to use in the classroom with my students. At first when I came across this I figured the students I want to teach would be to young for a blog, but as I read the section I learned there are blogging sites like, Kidblog and Edublogs that are designed for elementary age students. I would have to go have a lesson about etiquette, protection, and maybe even set up a time where I could take all of my students to the school library so everyone has the tools needed to blog. It would be neat for elementary students to create this and be able to go back when they are older to see their work from youth.
Making a newsletter on Word is not as easy as it would seem. Dividing the page into columns, adding word art, pictures, everything I did to the newsletter somehow messed up the layout of the page. It was a fun learning assignment, just very finicky. Although it took a lot longer than I thought, I did gain some useful skills. I figured out how to divide the page into columns, and make a banner span the top of the page that faded color. This assignment will definitely come into use when I have my own classroom.
While reading Teaching, Learning and the web, I came across a Blog section. I thought this was a great tool to use in the classroom with my students. At first when I came across this I figured the students I want to teach would be to young for a blog, but as I read the section I learned there are blogging sites like, Kidblog and Edublogs that are designed for elementary age students. I would have to go have a lesson about etiquette, protection, and maybe even set up a time where I could take all of my students to the school library so everyone has the tools needed to blog. It would be neat for elementary students to create this and be able to go back when they are older to see their work from youth.
Making a newsletter on Word is not as easy as it would seem. Dividing the page into columns, adding word art, pictures, everything I did to the newsletter somehow messed up the layout of the page. It was a fun learning assignment, just very finicky. Although it took a lot longer than I thought, I did gain some useful skills. I figured out how to divide the page into columns, and make a banner span the top of the page that faded color. This assignment will definitely come into use when I have my own classroom.
Monday, September 14, 2015
2 Twitter for Teaching
I have had to use Microsoft office ever since about 4th grade. All throughout Middle and High school I was expected to turn in hard copies of papers. I even used Microsoft in art classes when I was asked to print out pictures for inspiration on projects. My teachers would use Microsoft to print out assignments and worksheets for the class, and make PowerPoints for lectures. When I finally become a teacher I will be using Microsoft for similar uses, like making a syllabus and worksheets.
When I was in elementary school I was terrified of accidentally plagiarizing in projects, but it didn't even cross my mind that using a picture off of google fell into that. I just thought people uploaded pictures to the internet and google for other people to enjoy and use.As a teacher I will make sure all of the information I use does not cross the boundaries, and I will make sure my students do the same.
I have been using social media for years and so I already had a twitter account before this assignment, but twitter is a great resource for networking and keeping up with the news. Depending on who you follow, the tweets you see will vary from current events, to hilarious videos, to just hearing about friends' days. Twitter can even be useful when I become a teacher. I can make a page for parents to follow me so I can post pictures of their kids, and even give them classroom updates! I know leaving the little ones for their first day of school can be hard for a new parent so this would be a great way to make them feel more comfortable!
When I was in elementary school I was terrified of accidentally plagiarizing in projects, but it didn't even cross my mind that using a picture off of google fell into that. I just thought people uploaded pictures to the internet and google for other people to enjoy and use.As a teacher I will make sure all of the information I use does not cross the boundaries, and I will make sure my students do the same.
I have been using social media for years and so I already had a twitter account before this assignment, but twitter is a great resource for networking and keeping up with the news. Depending on who you follow, the tweets you see will vary from current events, to hilarious videos, to just hearing about friends' days. Twitter can even be useful when I become a teacher. I can make a page for parents to follow me so I can post pictures of their kids, and even give them classroom updates! I know leaving the little ones for their first day of school can be hard for a new parent so this would be a great way to make them feel more comfortable!
Monday, August 31, 2015
1 The Advances of Technology
Computers are an important part of the educational experience. It would be boring to sit in a class and get lectures all day. Especially for younger classrooms. Kids in first and second grade need to be entertained or they will lose focus. In order for a successful learning environment, there must be a balance. There should still be class discussions, and activities, but I think it's important to incorporate technology into the lesson as well.
I plan to incorporate technology into many of my lesson plans when I become a teacher. I would like to be a kindergarten teacher, and I think it is important for children to learn from, and work with technology at a young age. Last year I was able to observe a sixth grade classroom. The teacher used the website Kahoot, that we also used in class today. It was a fun game for the kids, and also a great review of the lesson without the pressure of being quizzed. I will definitely be using Kahoot when I have my own classroom.
A digital native is someone who was raised in the age of technology. I am a digital native. I have technology in my house, my friends house, my classrooms. I have been surrounded by technology my entire life. I use technology every day, for social media, to talk to my friends and family, and to work on assignments. Most of my teachers would be known as digital immigrants meaning they didn't grow up with technology, they had to adapt to it. I think it is easier for digital natives because we don't know life before technology so it is basically in our nature to know how to use it. I also believe the next generation is going to have it even easier. The technology they use will be even more advanced than what we have now. Technology is changing every day, and if you don't keep up with the advances, you will get lost in the past.
I plan to incorporate technology into many of my lesson plans when I become a teacher. I would like to be a kindergarten teacher, and I think it is important for children to learn from, and work with technology at a young age. Last year I was able to observe a sixth grade classroom. The teacher used the website Kahoot, that we also used in class today. It was a fun game for the kids, and also a great review of the lesson without the pressure of being quizzed. I will definitely be using Kahoot when I have my own classroom.
A digital native is someone who was raised in the age of technology. I am a digital native. I have technology in my house, my friends house, my classrooms. I have been surrounded by technology my entire life. I use technology every day, for social media, to talk to my friends and family, and to work on assignments. Most of my teachers would be known as digital immigrants meaning they didn't grow up with technology, they had to adapt to it. I think it is easier for digital natives because we don't know life before technology so it is basically in our nature to know how to use it. I also believe the next generation is going to have it even easier. The technology they use will be even more advanced than what we have now. Technology is changing every day, and if you don't keep up with the advances, you will get lost in the past.
Monday, August 24, 2015
0 Technology Today
Technology and myself are like oil and water, we don't mix. In one of my previous English classes I was expected to create blogs, and change files, and it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. If I knew the tricks to working a computer it would have been much easier.
After taking this class I hope to be able to navigate a computer. I want to be able to understand the basic functions so I can use it in future classes I take, and when teaching my own classes in the future.
Today I discovered my learning style is definitely visual, and that I am relatively mutual in the other categories. I need to work on learning verbally to become a more effective learner.
After taking this class I hope to be able to navigate a computer. I want to be able to understand the basic functions so I can use it in future classes I take, and when teaching my own classes in the future.
Today I discovered my learning style is definitely visual, and that I am relatively mutual in the other categories. I need to work on learning verbally to become a more effective learner.
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