Applications

This week the assignment was to check out some free online applications and review them. I wanted to check them all out so I could see what exactly was available. When I tried to do the Picnikhttp://www.picnik.com/ one it said that it was going to be moving and I didn't know what that meant for availability later so I didn't bother with that one. As for the FotoFlexer http://fotoflexer.com/ it wouldn't let me type any text in the photo frame. I'm not sure if anyone else had that issue. I really liked the other two Image Editing sites though. In Phixr http://www.phixr.com/, I was able to edit my photo, add text, change the color, rotate it, use their photos if I wanted to, and I could place the text any where on the photo I wanted to. It was very easy to use and could be used with any age. As for the Sumo Paint http://www.sumopaint.com , this site was my favorite and I spent the most time on this site. It has many options from drawing, to painting, to using shapes and even erasing them. If a mistake is made it is easy to erase the mistake and start over. Pages can be layered to create a new effect, you can also add pictures and paint on those or do effects to your pictures like the other applications. It is really cool to look at what has been created by others too. Being an artist I would love to play with this tool more but I don't know how comfortable I am drawing on the computer I prefer having the tools at hand. I find it a challenge to actually use the computer to develop a project like that. But I want to explore it more because I found it to be very fun. I did find it a little challenging because there were a lot of options so I think this would have to be for a more advanced class or an older class to accomplish something of higher quality. If you don't mind your students accomplishing something of low grade than I think it would be for 4th grade and up. If you were to use it often they could master the skills too, though.

The office Suites applications my absolute favorite is Google Documents https://docs.google.com/ because I think it is easy to use and I love it. I have used it for many projects already. I was able to link a Google document to my Google site without a problem. I have had a few group projects on campus that I used Google projects for, I just learned how to use Google documents this semester but I loved it so much I showed my groups how to use it. It was easy to do a group paper using the document feature, as long as the others participated. One person starts the document and invites the others in the group to be editors and as long as they have Google accounts they can edit the document. The teacher can view the document or comment if you add her to do so too. Then the document tracks everyone who has participated in contributing to the project. It automatically saves itself as you go, this is great for elementary age, but also great for those who are forgetful at saving. Google document also has other features like charts and a drawing area. Plus Google documents can be accessed from anywhere not just a personal computer.

I also checked out Zoho http://www.zoho.com/, it has things that seem like they could come in handy for office and class. It has a calendar that I thought would be great for using in class. If students and the teacher had an account the teacher could e-mail students reminders on assignments that came up. It also has a chart creator that could come in handy for math projects, and an application for making quizzes. It also has a application for detecting bug's that come up in your site. This site can also link you to others giving you resources and keeping you connected to other educators which can really be a great thing.

Google Sites

I am using my google site as an inspiration for teaching. So any kind of inspirations I have for teaching I will put on there, quotes, my own mission statement and lesson plans I develop. I may even find photo's or things like that I may be inspired by. What ever it may be I figured I could easily post it there. Then if I get discouraged by a failure in technology :0) I can go look at an inspiration to pick me back up!I created a link for site but it won't actually link to it, so I put the web-address below just in case so you can go to it anyway.


https://sites.google.com/site/inspirationsforteaching/

Google Documents

Here are some picture's I was able to upload since I couldn't get Jing to work right. It show's the Google chrome search engine,the area where you choose to start a new document, a document I've already started with a couple of people and then there's the area where you can share the document and the different setting's you can actually set the sharing to.

Concept Map

Creative Writing Class

I did my concept map on a lesson plan for a creative writing class or a Language arts class. I would be able to use this as an inspiration for learners because they can see the basic concepts of the projects they are going to be doing. Although I would have liked to included pictures but wasn't able to and I also would have liked to included reading examples of the poetry and the short stories so students can see actual examples of what it is I want them to do I can always do that later in class. I would also like to have an example of a book for them to look at as an example of what I want them to create. Sometimes it is easier for students to have visuals to learn from, I know it is me, so that is what a concept map is good for. But when you can't really add pictures it's hard to have those visuals. Although you can always use main ideas of the projects so they know what they are to do next. Mine is a little more detailed then the main ideal concept. But it doesn't have all the instructions. Students could also use a concept map in a project to set up their own thinking of how they plan to do a research project or do group projects and determine who is going to work on what.

Google Document Jing Video

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I can't get it to work no matter what I do. I was finally able to get Jing to accept my images through a different computer but I wasn't able to post a video. I tried many times it keep saying there wasn't a page for it. And I couldn't get the images to stay in the right order, very frustrating. This is why I think it would be difficult for me to incorporate technology in the classroom with out someone who knows how to actually do this kind of stuff. My instructions were on how to use google documents in the classroom. I went step by step showing how to enter through either internet explorer then search for google or to use google as your main web browser. Then the students would need to create a google account to use google documents. One student would have to be the owner of the account and set up the document. They would click on document which is one of the top search engines with images or news etc. Once they've done that they will come to an area where they will have to click on create so they can create a document, but there will be other options in there too that they can use later on too. Then a blank page will come up and the student can type their paper in the document and it saves automatically in the document and it can be accessed from any where there is internet. There is an option called share at the top right corner that the student can click on and add the other students. But the student most choose to what degree he wants to share this document. Students can be editors, may comment, or just view the document. If they are working on a project together they want to be able to edit it. But a student may want to add their teacher as someone who can comment. Students can also remove anyone any time they want to. Although a student may have many documents saved in google not all can be viewed by thease people. Everything is saved automatically too, which is very handy. My jing video was suppose to show this but I couldn't get it working I will keep trying but I figured I would write about it at least.

Jing

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Podcast

1. It talks about filling in the gaps, so everyone can perform on the same level. By creating partnerships, using the resources available and creating good organizational techniques to help. I think everyone could always improve with the right resources and help available to them. 2. Reading rocket This podcast talks about and some even have classroom examples of ways to improve literacy in the classroom. There are authors and illustrators of children's books that are interviewed on the topic but also professionals in the area of literacy. It was interesting, but did take a long time to load. Special Education Topics I really liked this one, but of course that is my area of study. But it brought up a diverse selection of topics to choose from. Current news about things that have happened in schools because of children with special needs to basic health insurance issues for children with Autism. There were also links to other educational topics on this site.

3. pod casting is a great tool to research any current issues in the news. Students or teachers can also do their own little broadcasting system using pod casting. It could be done based on unit's in a book or set up on one main idea then branched off of there incorporating a bunch of other idea's. It should use many class subjects though. Just another way for the teacher to use PB learning in the classroom to gain student interest and parent involvement by allowing them to watch the pod cast's.

Week 6

One of the most important theories in my mind because they work best for me would be the "situated learning theory". The easiest way to show students how this works is to take them to a store and let them purchases various ounces of miscoulanious products; coke, oil, baby cough syrup (let them add up the right amout of ounces). You could also apply this to gallons or leiters and so on, by putting the students in a situation where they might actually have to use it some day it will help them to remember what they've learned. It does with me! Constructivism is another way students can learn in the classroom. Each student can come up with their own theories on how various sizes and brands of products will compare in science projects. We could test the amount of acid in name brand products and compare it to generic products or products that are in paper containers compared to those in plastic containers. Lerner's can come up with their own conclusions then compare which will encourage multiple perspectives and collaborative work in the end. Behavioral approach students can watch how much their parents are spending on gas, instead of ounce we'll use gallons. Then we can watch as a class for better prices for gas at various gas stations, think of ways to cut back on gas. In this way we will not only be learning to watch the number of gallons we use, we we will also be learning how to take control of developing a better environment.

Nashville TN, just because it's not BC! :0)

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Baby Dancing to Beyonce/ old favorite

The truth about Autism

week 5

 One of the things lacking that could have caused limited effects on instructional practices was the actual lack of instruction using them. Even though text-books and programs were installed on the computers there wasn't any instruction on how to use them. So teachers and students went right along with what they normally do not incorporating the computers. Also the lack of the teacher using it in the classroom to teach with shows students that they don't really need it, it's just a fun thing to play with. If the teacher doesn't know how to use it though she can't really incorporate the use of it in her room. How could either one grow from the use of it if they don't know what their doing.

The teachers resistance to change can affect how it is used too. If the teacher refuses to figure out the products because she just want's to instruct her own way, there won't be any improvement. Or if she does use it and still resists it the instruction being done will be of poor quality. If the teacher doesn't give feedback to the students and give them step by step instructions then they will feel overwhelmed or alone in figuring it out.

Another reason for the lack of effects from using the technology would be not installing updates or fixing the programs. If the program doesn't work effectively than how can it be used properly. There needs to be programs that are working well and are easy to follow for both teachers and students.

Ways to improve student learning with technology would be to set up a social media site so the students and teacher can share their knowledge. If the teacher gives feedback to the students they are more likely to improve too because they know they are being checked on and not alone. Also the students will be able to ask questions and receive answers to things they may be having issues with.

If the teacher were to assign tasks that are authentic, the students will be able to use them outside the classroom, then they will improve. The students will use their knowledge all the time if it is applicable to what they will use. Students could also apply the tasks being done to every day life and not feel like it is meaning less. The programs would have to be updated and easy to navigate too, so the students and teachers could grow in their use of it.

Photo Share

http://photobucket.com/friendpics14 This is some misc pictures of me with friends.       http://photobucket.com/artworkthroughtheyears This is some of my art through-out the years.

I found Photobucket to be easy to use, Flicker keep shutting down on me when I tried to start a site.

CH 1 Definitions on technology and social bookmarking ideas

 I think social bookmarking can be used in many aspects of education. Students can do group research projects and share links or look at others links in the class for ideas. Also Teachers can recommend links to students to check out based on certain subjects they are listed under. Teachers could use this site for a collaboration of many sites they use for lesson plan references and share those sites with other teachers. The administration can refer sites to teachers to use or look over by sharing it with them. Also teachers could have a type of electronic portfolio for students on their site that they can share with parents. The teacher could set up a site and save the projects students have done by having a link to them, that way parents, students, and educators can see what is going on in the classroom. Looking at it in a business perspective employers can have categories based on jobs within the business and have documents they think are important linked to it. But one business can share with another business to on affective employee happiness strategies or training strategies or even sales ideas. For instance GM could have one for all it's Chevrolet dealers, Cadillac dealers, Buick dealers, etc.

  Chapter 1 on the definitions seemed to be a lot of information I don't really need. It talks about how definitions have changed over the years and how one refers to media use and another refers to the overall instruction method of it. The instruction media focuses more on the type of instruction presented to learners. Instructional technology focuses more on the process of instruction, finding problems and solutions. By using these definitions I am able to realize that students learn by instruction where they can explore deeper into the subject, rather than the definition of what types of media are being used. The definitions just seemed to add things and leave some out but basically have the same concept. One thing I learned would be to make a proficient definition the first time so they don't have to keep being adapted by new concepts of that definition.

  One thing that I found surprising was that there were so many different definitions of the same term. One in particular was the 1977 version had 16 statements spread over 7 pages. Then in addition to that is 9 pages of tables showing concepts. I also thought it was interesting that in the 2008 version they added those who are in the profession have to have a high level of professional conduct; be ethical. There is one thing I thought was missing was that it didn't mention data entry directly. When I was in high school the only technology class available was one on entering data to create pages more like codes I think. That would have been instructional technology in one of the terms I would think. One other thing I found interesting was how early they are talking about these terms developing. Although it does mention that visual instruction and Audiovisual instruction were developed in these time periods, older people from earlier generations don't mention the use of technology. So it surprises me that it was being developed before I was born in the 80's.

Social Bookmarking

http://delicious.com/darcyrose Here is my Social Bookmarking site with various topics saved.

Wiki

Wiki Darcy Wellington Jan 26, 2012 10:24 PM 

A Wiki can be used to set up a syllabus for the classroom and the teacher can create links within the syllabus to guide students to other pages. It can also be used in the workplace for bosses to give information on projects they may be working on and everyone could access it at their own convenience. The general workplace could also set up a handbook for their employees by using a blog. Then they could put the basic information on one page and have links that stress the meaning of rules and can give the consequences for breaking those rules. Also if there are separate rules relating to different departments they could create a link to those.
Expanding on the handbook idea to involve learners it could be used as guided rules. Then there could be links within it taking each individual learner to the area they want to learn more about. If a learner already knows one area then they don't have to visit it. Using videos and images inside the Wiki can help with diverse learning. There are many options to helping someone learn, even connecting definitions to challenging words.
I didn't know exactly what a Wiki was before this project but found it to be fun to explore. I think this could be great when someone wants to stress a point to another person and they could link websites to their thoughts that can prove them right. So it would be an informative type of Wiki with proof of what the writer is stating.
My site: http://darcyedtechclass.pbworks.com 

RSS feeds and Blog use

 My first impression of what a blog is used for was that it is something only bored housewives or people who don't have a life do. But I now see that it can be used for educational purposes and I think it could be a great thing in a classroom. If all students were involved in posting on it they could have an assignment to write reflections on what they are learning in class or in a specific subject. The blog could then be accessed by parents and academic advisers to see what their kids and teachers are actually doing.

   Using the RSS reader was very confusing at first but I think I have it figured out now. I had no clue what an RSS reader was before this, so I was pleasantly surprised on what it is. The reader can relate articles for you giving you topics to choose from and then display them all on one site making it a magazine like format is what they say. I think it is nice to be able to access everything on one site.

  The part of the cone that these tools can be related to is the still pictures, radio, media because that section talks about data or experiences then portraying that on devices. Someone could put a picture of a tornado on their blog and then write about their experience with that tornado. They could also use the RSS feed to search tornadoes and read about other's experiences and how it affected the community. The person could then blog about what they read and create links to those sites.

  Siegels computer imagination means taking advantage of the computers strengths to achieve an important goal. The goal could be selling books on amazon, the computer uses the consumers search engine to refer more books to the consumer. This would be different than the physical store because they don't create reference lists for consumers and promote mass selling strategies. 

  Blogs promote a community of users by allowing people to subscribe and share the information so do RSS feeds. They can also disseminate information, which means allowing people to e-mail what they've read. students and teachers can use these tools to share information they find on the web that could relate to their assignments. They can also form groups through blogs to write on one subject but from different perspectives. This can't be done with simple technology because each person would have to write their own thing then they would have to combine them; instead of having it in one spot where everyone could view it.

Reflections On Article Readings

                                                 
In the article "Of Luddites, Learning, and Life" I find it interesting that one can protest technology so much when he knows how to use it. Although he claims not to protest it, it is obvious by his ramblings that he does protest it very much. I can see where he is coming from on some things like children learning from computers and not being able to accomplish things without them. In life there are times when a computer is not available and we need to be able to know how to do things without it. Just like doing math calculations, I don't believe children should be taught with a calculator until they get to more difficult math. During elementary years children should learn to compute problems in their heads or on paper.
I can relate to this man because I have been afraid of new technology but that was because of the unknown of it to me. When I've figured out how to use new technology I feel a great sense of accomplishment; also it makes things so much easier to use diverse technology. In some ways relying only on gadgets does make me afraid because computers crash and so do cell phones. The information that is on those can be lost if not backed up by more technology. But with that said I have gained a lot of information by getting on the web and Google, when I want to know something I just search it.

In the article "Beyond Technology Integration: the Case for Technology Transformation" I agree with the author on the fact that we need to be teaching kids how to use new technology. I was never able to use computers as a kid and rarely used them in high school. Only because they weren't readily available to me, so when I used one to type a paper that's all I did. I didn't realize how great they are until I got into college and was able to get a lap-top and start exploring the Internet. I wish someone had taught me how to use one a lot sooner then I probably wouldn't be so afraid of new technology.
As for the different learning abilities teachers are faced with students and being able to teach to all of them at the same time I think that is where the teacher has to utilize the buddy system. When students are in groups they can hide behind one member or they can grasp the concepts by learning from another. The teacher will be able to help more by doing this because she has many helpers and she can assist those individuals who are struggling. But using a computer and other technology meets the many diverse needs in the learning process. The child will be doing hands on, auditory learning, and it also meets the creative side with visual learning.
I do believe there are lots of people out there still afraid of technology because of their lack of knowledge with it. So by teaching this new generation of kids about diverse technology they can pass that knowledge on to family members. Children are in school to learn and they should be able to learn about how to succeed in the world by having new technology introduced to them.