Assignment #4

Technology Project,
I had a lot of fun being creative with this technology project.  I did come across some challenges, but was able to resolve them.
I had to create a class blog, and I had to make a student blog.
My class blog: Ms. Buhler's 10th Grade English Class
My student blog: Student Project
I learned how to make additional pages this allowed my blog to not be cluttered but easily accessible.  Some things I found difficult, I wanted to have different people leave comments on my "Teacher" blog, and my "student" blog.  If I made a student blog and attached it to this blog, all the information would still link to "Ashley Buhler's" profile.  I had to create an entirely different account with a different email to create a new student account.  Then when posting comments all posts would not say "Ashley Buhler"
I think students would like this project because they will be able to create their own blog.  I remember when I was in high school everyone had Myspace, and you could design your background and personalize everything.  It will encourage students to be excited and proud of their work.  Each group will have their own individual blog in which they can personalize and all upload and update their project.  Also, the teacher can continually check on the students' progress with every post.  Students can post feedback and comment on other students' blogs.  The teacher can comment and provide input, advice and feedback on their posts.

Students will integrate their ideas using technology, their blogs, to collaborate and provide feedback and communication with each other. They also will be investigating and researching for ads with biases and post their findings, including a picture, as well as an explanation and analysis of the bias and ad, which follows component 1.3 of the NETS.


NETS:

2.3: Select and Use Applications: Use productivity tools and common applications effectively and constructively.

2.4: Adapt to Change (Technology Fluency): Transfer current knowledge to new and emerging technologies. (Grades 6-12 only)

EALR 1 — INTEGRATION

Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate and solve problems.

Component 1.3   Investigate and Think Critically

Research, manage and evaluate information and solve problems using digital tools and resources.

End of Semester Reflection

This class has taught me many valuable resources.  Not only can I use a blog and SmartBoard effectively, but I have several tools that I can depend upon when teaching.  I found out not all Education majors at Northwest U. have to take this class, but I think that is tragic.  There are some required classes that do not need to be required, but this is one that every future teacher should take.  The computer and technology skills are invaluable, especially since the world is becoming exponentially, not just increasingly, but exponentially more technologically advanced every day. Children are being raised on technology, using computers and technological software will be as easy and breathing in and out for children.  It is important that teachers have an edge in this industry.

Also, it helps the teacher.  I can create an interactive presentation in minutes, and not have to worry about spending hours on creating a bulletin board that students will get bored with the next day.  Not only is the SmartBoard useful, but one time when preparing for a lesson I had writer's block, or teacher's block, I just could not think of ideas.  I went on my teacher tool box and started browsing websites, seeing examples from other classes, from other teachers.  Once I had seen all these ideas my mind started making all these connections and adaptations I had thought of a lesson plan. I can't imagine having to teach everyday, and have six or seven lesson plans for all my classes and having to brainstorm and create every single idea and worksheet and so on from nothing. There are so many resource based web sites specifically for teachers, we should use them.

Technology is not all about making things look "cool" to students, or new, bigger, flashier, ways to entertain them.  It is also about helping the teacher, either with being more organized--online gradebook-- or giving ideas/lesson plans, or making parent teacher contact more accessible--either through email or blogs.

Technology is a resource and should not be feared by those who are not technology literate.

Comments:

Alison's blog 
Ariel's blog
Yajaira's blog
Kayli's blog
Alison's blog
Yajaira's blog

Reflection #12

When researching articles for the future of education and technology, I found a very interesting article.  I was familiar with wireless internet, communication alerts (although confused how it works, what are the complexities, etc) and interactive white boards.  All those topics I had previously learned about or knew of.  I did not realize that there are many more brands of interactive boards than I had realized. Smart Board is only one type of interactive white boards.  I had heard about Promethean Boards, but this article discussed eBeam by Luidia, eInstruction and lastly, In Focus.  All of those are brands of interactive white boards.  All of those are possibly software that I may have to learn to use and be advanced in my classroom, and I have never heard of those brands.

The concept that I had never actually heard about was cloud computing. Honestly, I had to Google it to find the definition. I discovered that I had heard of schools using systems similar, but I never knew the term was in deed called cloud computing.  Basically it is a system of internet based computing, where resources, information, files, software and so on can be shared through different computers.  This is very similar to Northwest's Discovery.  Professors can post documents or link, students can submit assignments/projects electronically, students can check grades, professors can post feedback on assignments.  It is definitely a system that is cloud computing technology.  My high school did not have this, we had an online grading system, but if we needed notes or a copy of a handout, are teacher could not simply "upload it to Discovery" he or she had to make a printed copy.  A lot of paper is wasted.  

week # 13 Future of Education and Technology

I found a very relative article titled "Technology: Making Your Schools Future Proof" by Alan Desshoff.  Basically the article is about ways to upgrade your schools technology in an effective way, so that in the future, the technology will be obsolete and the mass amounts of money spent on technology will have been wasted.

The main pullout quote at the top of the article states: Administrators plan ahead by implementing flexible technology now to prevent major overhauls later.
It is a practical concern for school administrations to fear money being spent on technology that made not be effective or long lasting.  However, if a school spends money on the right kinds of technology that will last into the future, essentially you are making your school "future proof."
"'A future-proof facility is “the escort to a probable future,' adds Frank Locker, president of Frank Locker Educational Planning, a consulting firm in Dover, N.H. He defines it as 'inherently a flexible building that can be used as appropriate today but allows future reinterpretation and reassignment of programs and functions,' anticipating and supporting change without expensive remodeling" (Desshoff, 2).

Some overall tips:
#1 • UPGRADES—How easy or realistic is it to upgrade?
#2 • LIFE CYCLE—How long will it be before your technology is obsolete? What happens then?
#3 • INFRASTRUCTURE—Do you have the wiring, network, and facilities to support an expansion
of your technology fi ve years from now?
And lastly #4 • SUPPORT—Do you have the tech support for such an expansion?

The main points/ideas Desshoff stated in this article is:
First of all, making your school wireless.  This reduces the amount of cables that are needed to go throughout the campus/classrooms.  Anyone can hook up to wireless as long as they are in the system and have the password.
Second, Communication Alerts.  These are essential for a school, instead of having a loud intercom dictating what drill will be done, there can be a specific message sent to every individual on campus, sometimes cell phones, email, etc.  I know Northwest has Campus Alerts, and they are sent to student's cell phones.  When school was cancelled because of snow, I got a text message.
Third, Interactive Whiteboards.  They provided a list of at least five different interactive whiteboards, and I had only heard of Promethean Board.  I use Smart Board, that was in my high school.  The future is Interactive whiteboards, a SmartBoard is standard for schools.  Projectors are becoming more advanced as well, they don't have to hang from the ceiling anymore, there are becoming more precise.  The plan is to have every school using interactive whiteboards, and this is something schools want to invest in, and it will be worth the money spent on this technology.  eBeam Edge for Education is a cheap and reliable interactive white board for schools.
Fourth, "Into the Cloud" or other wise known as Cloud computing which is basically internet based sharing of resources, files, information and software that can be accessed by many computers.  At Northwest we had Discovery, in which information can be shared and documents can be exchanged and accessed by anyone with a username and password. 

reflection # 11

I am taking Instructional Design at NU, and all my classmates that are in Technology and Education are also in Instructional Design.  However, there are students who are in Inst. Design, who are not required and have not taken Technology and Education.  It is obvious who has not taken Tech and Ed. because their lessons do not require use of SMART Board, document camera, etc.  I feel it is a disadvantage to those students, for the five of us who are in Tech, it is very easy to use Smart Notebook and create a Notebook presentation and make it very visually appealing.  We all have it on our personal laptops, and so the night before a lesson is due we can make a presentation wherever, and not have to go into the actual classroom to make the presentation.  It is very convenient.  Regardless of knowing where you might end up as a teacher, it is important to understand basic technological operations.  The other day Alison and I were discussing how it was easy for us to adapt to Notebook, because we have used PowerPoint our whole lives.  And Prof. Adair said it was easy to transition from Activ Board to a Smart Board because the programs were so similar.  By the time I start teaching in my own classroom, who knows what the latest technological savvy program will be, but at least I will be proficient in  these types of programs that the switch will be easily made.
People who do not take Tech and Ed are really missing out on valuable teaching tools.  After making the Teacher Toolkit, I had to prepare a lesson for another class, so I went on here and clicked links into some of the sites I had posted or other people had posted and found lots of templates and great ideas for my lesson plan.

reflection # 10

Professor Adair said in her third grade class a few months ago, fairness and being right is not the same.  She explained her kids are always saying "That's not fair" but it is what people need.  That is a huge statement, the traditional statement of fairness is everyone being treated equally, however this new definition is giving everyone what they need instead.
A teacher on the panel we had a few weeks back in class described the discussion she had with her class, she asked if one girl needed a shot, would it be equal for everyone to get a shot, yes, but it wouldn't be fair, because not everyone needs a shot.
In my Special Needs class at NU, there was a definition that was on a handout, fairness is giving people what they need.  And he described it as students who have learning disabilities NEED different things that normal students. Teachers say "that's not fair" to give little Billy a copy of the assignment on the board because he can't see, while the other students have to look off the board.  But it is what little Billy needs.  If someone had a heart attack, we wouldn't say, well since not everyone can get revived using the defibrillator, then we shouldn't use it on that person who's dying.
This makes me think of all the resources teachers can use with technology, especially for those students with learning disabilities.  Students who have a hard time understanding math, or English, can use computers and play an educational program that is geared to tutor and help the struggling students master their disability.  Or using graphics to illustrate something, or sounds. Using innovative and different ways to teach conventional ideas and concepts.

Small groups would also be a good idea.  Having the students pair off into groups according to skill level and providing various "stations" or activities for the students to do while the teacher meets with a small group and teaches to their learning level.

reflection #9

In my instructional design class, we had to make a "family plan" which was a letter or some form of communication to the parents/guardians of my students.  For younger students (elementary), making an updated weekly letter would be a good idea, but also a waste of paper.  For high school students, who usually don't show parents any form of paper or letters, an electronic "letter" to parents would be ideal. Parents who want to stay involved and connected to their child's life and schoolwork can check a blog. Type in the address and look at the assignments, and see any updates or notifications that I may need to tell the parents.  In Inst. Design, my "class" read a graphic/shocking poem "Barbie Doll" and my professor suggested that it is important to notify parents/guardians of graphic material or subject matter that will be discussed, seen, or read in class.  That would be really important to notify parents, and doing it on a blog would be an effective way.

week #11

As an English teacher, my prospective students will be using Microsoft works very often.
Microsoft Word: write an essay, and use correct MLA format.
PowerPoint: create a presentation of a poet to show to class
Excel: create a spreadsheet documenting the results of a survey taken for a project, create a graph and pie chart.

reflection #8

Last class I really enjoyed looking through other classmates' toolboxes.  I found a lot of interesting sites.  However, being a secondary education major, most of those sites, albeit really "cool" would not work for high school students.  However, I found some good sites that would apply to me.  Those sites, such as http://teachershare.scholastic.com/ helped me when I needed ideas for a lesson plan that I was supposed to prepare for another class.  I browsed websites to get ideas, and tweaked and changed things to create a lesson. I just learned my first CASE lesson (copy and steal everything).  Not everything on these sites will be helpful, but... I can get ideas, and change them to fit the needs of my classroom/lesson plan, etc. 

#12 Plagiarism and the Internet

After reading Klausman's article titled, "Teaching About Plagiarism in the Age of the Internet" I thought about my own education, and what I defined as plagiarism.  Klausman pointed out that currently, students no longer use paper forms of media/sources, but mostly electronic sources.  It is very popular to "Google" or "Bing" a subject and find information, and use that information.  However, I find that students, at least at college level are smart enough to know how to cite the author's work.  I learned before high school what a works cited or bibliography was.  I also learned that Wikipedia is not a reliable source, and should NEVER be cited in an academic paper.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. Always a major subject in school.  This subject was on every syllabus, and the teacher or professor warned students that if there was any plagiarism or academic dishonesty then the result would be a failed grade in the class.  I remember this always struck fear inside of me when I would research, for fear I would commit plagiarism and not realize it.  I could not understand why teachers encouraged students to research, but terrified them of committing plagiarism.  Are we not supposed to share what we have found? Yes, but a student cannot claim the findings as his or her own, but must cite or accredit or attribute to someone or some cite.  Usually, after a quote, it should be properly cited. If students cite their work, there should be no problem.

Klausman stated that there are three types of plagiarism:

1. direct plagiarism: which is the classic idea of plagiarism, copying word for word what an author wrote
2. paraphrased plagiarism in which a student changes some of the words of a quote 
3. patchwork plagiarism in which uses author's original words, and mix with student's original words

My question is, so what is correct? If we cite everything, and put quotations around every direct quote, and attribute and give credit to any idea or phrase that is not our own, is it still plagiarism?
For example:
According to SOME PUBLISHED JOURNAL, "Blah blah... so and so... means this, then this means that" which means.... such and such (AUTHOR DATE). 

Is that plagiarism? if you quote it? Klausman seemed as though any work that is put into your paper is plagiarism. I understand his concepts, and how easy it is to copy words from a text online, but if we cite and quote from the text, can we still use it without failing the class and committing the forbidden, "ACADEMIC DISHONESTY"? 

Teacher Toolbox Assignment three

One of my college professors had this acronym for teachers: CASE meaning copy and steal everything.  As teachers, we have busy lives, and cannot reinvent the wheel everyday for our class.  Therefore, it is important to have and utilize resources.

Top Three Favorite Tools/Resources

• http://teachershare.scholastic.com/ Sponsored by SCHOLASTIC, this allows teachers to share lesson plans, and submit feedback.  And share classroom resources.
• Google Maps  When studying about a specific area in class, I can type in the location and bring an actual visual/photo of the location. For example if my students are studying Russian Literature, I can type in Moscow, and bring up pictures of the buildings and streets in Moscow, this allows students to connect to the literature on a new level.
• Noodletools This site shows how students can correctly cite their work.  This cite has MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, and so on.  Citing work can be hard for students to figure out.  This tool guides students how to correctly format their bibliography or works cited.  Simply click on the NoodleBib Express, and it will ask questions about the source you are citing. And guide the student through a correctly formatted works cited. 

Week #10 Educational Blog

I was looking for some high school blogs on edublog, the blog for students and teachers.  I was looking for some high school blogs, and I found this one, The Geeks From Down the Street  What I found interesting about this blog is it is for Mr. Borges, and his classroom.  The blog is visually appealing.  It has a light blue color, and one single background image.  Everything is neatly organized.  He has the posts (either from him or students) on the left on the page, then three additional columns:

• Pages-- This includes his About Mr. Borges and this page, photos of classroom, podcasting, social responsibility, Podcasts, Assignments, Discussion, Online Literature, Online Drama, Online English, with various subcategories, Online Mathematics, Online Media Studies, and lastly, he has a small list of "What a Teach Finds Interesting Online" which includes "Super Mario Awesomeness" and "Star Wars T-Shirt Logo Spacebook."  He definitely is very organized. Has everything his students might need to succeed in his class, as well as things they might find entertaining (at the bottom though)
• Who's Reading? and has a map of every location in the world that has read or viewed this blog. And a blog roll that has a list of blogs and links that connect with his blog, other class blogs, teachers from around the world, different schools, etc.
  -He also has links for Parents and Educators
  -And an archive to find older blog entries
• Lastly, he has a contact page, which includes ways to register or sign in, and comment on his blog, his Twitter account, and various links to charities, and why it is a social responsibility to help others

If I was a student, I would be greatly interested in his blog.  I like how organized his blog is, and how he included various resources for his students.  He definitely appeals to students by using funny things that are popular, such as zombies, Star Wars, and Super Mario.  I really appreciate his column dedicated to charities. His title is Social Responsibility (psst... these aren't ads, they're a way of life!) and provides numerous images and links to different charities.  It encourages high schoolers to become involved with their world, socially aware, and responsible citizens.

I want my class blogs to be visually stimulating, but not cluttered.  And to be organized would be a great skill. To learn how to add pages, and links without making the page too long or extremely cluttered.  His page is very organized. If I need something it is clearly marked, and I can click on the link that leads to another page.

Technology Project Introduction

Welcome Miss Buhler's Junior AP Literature Class!
Here is a podcast of the Technology Project for this year:


This podcast has the complete description of your Technology Project for this quarter. Students will be working in groups for a mass media project focusing on biases found in mass media. Students will create a blog reporting their findings.  At the end of the project students will present a multimedia presentation.

Here is a written version of the podcast:

Students will participate in a mass media project locating and analyzing biases in mass media forms, such as fashion magazines, advertisements, newspaper, online forms of media, and other forms of mass media.

Students will be working in groups of two to three students each, and will create a blog per group.  This blog will document research, and allow access for the teacher, and other students to comment and add input to project.

Students will write a “Predictions Post” before starting project about what they anticipate to learn in this lesson.

Students will be required to post their progress weekly, in updates, reflections, and research findings. I encourage students to post feedback and input on other group projects in the class.  The class blog will have a link to every group’s blog.

After four weeks of research, students will design a presentation using a multimedia form, (PowerPoint, SMART Board presentation, video, podcast, etc).

Reflection #7

How do we use Freecorder 4? I downloaded it and am completely confused. Does anyone know how to use it? I need more information on what it is and how it works, and how I can use it for my project.

Technology Project Plan pt. 1

I plan to teach high school English.
The ideas I have for this Technology Project are using video recording for students to record each other acting out their interpretation of a text, for example a difficult poem, or a short story, or a section of a play.

How can the students make this interesting and engaging to other students?
What would they need? Some sort of recording device, such as the Flip video cameras, or an iphone.

I really like the idea of finding biases in media, and using images from different media sources like fashion magazines or advirtisements.   Students could use a document camera to project images on the board and analyze them in a presentation in front of the class.

I am sort of confused by this whole Technology Project, it seems very vague and broad. But these are my ideas so far on the project.

NU Educators Panel Questions

1. How has technology changed over the course of your teaching career? How do you utilize and incorporate these changes in the classroom?

2. How has technology changed the way students interact in the classroom? How has it changed how they complete assignments?

3. What is the best advice you could give to a teacher in their first year of teaching? What is the worst moment of teaching, and what is the best moment of teaching, in your experience?

"Caught on Video"

After reading Rob Spankle's blog "Caught on Video" this opens up many possibilities teachers can have in the classroom.  Also, this helps with parent and teacher interaction and connection.  A teacher can video tape what happened in class, something significant, such as a presentation or class discussion and post it on a blog or website that allows the parents at home or work to view it.  The parent can be proud of the child, and know that the teacher is being an effective teacher. 

I also see the possibility in English classes.  I am going to teach high school English, and I remember when I was in high school how entertaining it was for a group of students to act out a scene and film it and show the video in class.  This opens the door for students to work in group projects and easily submit a video with their work.  Give the class a half hour to summarize the text of what they have either, read or discussed into their own words and film it.  This could be a sitcom, a drama, a dialogue, it could be anything that the students capture on film.  Not only does it allow for an effective way to assess student knowledge it is fun and engaging for students.

Week #7

I found these websites helpful in figuring out how to use a Promethean Board.  I have realized that I do not have access to a Promethean Board, but I can learn about the skills through online tutorials, and advice on how to use basic skills.  Until I am a teacher, employed by a school and placed in a classroom I won't know exactly what technology I will be using, but it is convenient and helpful to have general knowledge about the board. 

I learned management tools of the board, for instance:

• how to calibrate the board
• how to use AcivPen, which is basically your mouse to the board
• how to use ActivInspire Toolbar
• how to make flip charts

I found these websites useful: http://www.dillon2.k12.sc.us/technology/integration/prometheanboards.asp and http://www.prometheanplanet.com/ and http://nlvm.usu.edu/

Some questions I have: Why is the ActivBoard more expensive than a SMARTBoard? What are the differences? Why isn't the ActivBoard touch screen? What do you use both pens for?

Week #6

After reading the article Generation IM, I see how I grew up in a generation very similar to Generation IM.  I remember my sixth grade teacher told us that when she was younger, she had to look up all her research in books and enclyclopedias.  Even in sixth grade that seemed odd to me.  I had done all my projects on the internet, the difference was I had not discovered Google. Or even more importantly, Google Image.  I would scour the internet to find images, copy them and use them in my project.  Now it seems as though kids just know how to find pictures, type in key words, effectively use search engines.  The statement that kids ten years ago were using books and encyclopedias is wrong, because even at fifth and sixth grade we knew how to use the internet. 

Some things I found  to be surprising in this article is that being on the internet, and social networking devices, and creating things is different from watching television because the child is engaging.  Another thing that surprised me is that children no longer have to memorize information to be good students. Information on any subject is easily accessible, instead the developing skills are analysis and critical thinking of the information they discover.

The last thing that is crucial to educating Generation IM is that teachers need to teach to this generation, and not try to utitilize the tools they used as children.

Some questions I have
How do I use podcasts? Some questions on how to use and operate the differet technologies presented?

Reflection #6

I LOVE WORDLE.  Thank you Prof. Monica Adair for introducing me to Wordle.  I absolutely love it.  I could be going Wordle crazy.  I am making a ton.  But I love the creativity and the design, it is so simple and I have always wanted something made with that sort of design.  I am going to Wordle like no one's business for the next few weeks, and I have already been showing a lot of people Wordle too.

I think it is pretty Amazing.

Reflection #5

Reading my article for my Technology Literacy paper, I had an epiphany.



(Me Thinking.)

I am reading "Multimedia Technologies and Familiar Spaces: 21^st-Century Teaching for 21^st-Century Learners” by Judy Lambert and Cuper Pru. 


 The article talks about how students need technology, because their generation has grown up immersed in technology. However, they need to process the mass amount of information they have received in your classroom.  They need to analyze and reflect what they have learned and use critical thinking.  One of the examples was a blog.  Students can use blogs to analyze and reflect what they have learned in class.

BAM! My Epiphany, I am a student, in a technology class, and we write reflections.  Unconsciously I have been writing reflections in order to process the information I have learned in class.  I have been analyzing and reflecting in all these entries titled “Reflections.”  I had already followed the article’s advice for teachers to make student learning more experiential based, but I was a student.  I intended reading this article as a “Teacher” perspective, and yet I found myself the student, in a technology class, blogging about my reflections on what I have learned in Technology in Education.  I am analyzing, reflecting, and critically thinking. It just all seems so surreal. Like a weird cycle. Teacher becomes the Student, Student becomes the teacher…
I feel very… reflective.

reflection #4

I have learned how to make SMART Board presentations to make my lessons enteractive.
I really like the "Area Capture" because it is like copying anything, I like using it for classes, or capturing notes on a smart board notebook.
One thing I am confused on is the NETS, in every lesson are we supposed to have those standards in all classes?
CONFUSED... yes.

Assignment #1

Ashley Buhler

Prof. Monica Adair

Technology in Education

5 October 2010

Technology Literacy Paper

                The article I chose is titled, “Multimedia Technologies and Familiar Spaces: 21^st-Century Teaching for 21^st-Century Learners” by Judy Lambert and Cuper Pru.  Students in this new generation have grown up constantly immersed in technology, cell phones, internet, social networking, images, media, everything technologically advanced.  Therefore, teachers must adapt their teaching methods to meet up with this digitally charged generation.

                Not only do teachers need to use multimedia technology in the classroom but they need to teach students how to process the information they receive through multimedia devices.  “Reflection and critical thinking enable students to learn from their experiences; therefore, time must be built into classroom instruction for both processes to occur” (2).  Students are given so much information through technology it is a mass amount of communication, thus teachers need to assist students dissect, reflect and analyze what they learn.  “They must learn to apply technology tools appropriately in order to process multiple perspectives on real-world problems and formulate solutions to these problems” (2).

                Lambert and Pru explain in detail how important and challenging it is for teachers to seek new ways to “integrate 21-st century skills, nonlinear thinking skills, and digital-age reflections into coursework” (2).  They references updates for the NETS for Students, and NETS for teachers and how important that is for teachers to use communication skills in ways that utilize all available technologies.

                One thing I thought was cool to see in the paper was they brought up Blogging, and in this class we have been blogging.  The article said, “Blogging offers an online world of journaling where people share their thoughts, experiences, and sometimes pictures and audio files” (8).  We have been blogging in Technology in Education, but this article explained it more as another outlet that can be used for your students.  I thought that would be beneficial for my students in a high school setting to use a blog to communicate with other students about their homework or certain assignments.   It does not just have to be an update of information about myself, events and assignments for students, parents, and administration.  They included a quote from a student, interested in becoming a teacher, who used blogging, “I want to use blogs so my students have a means of expressing themselves as well as becoming more familiar with emerging technology” (8).  I thought it was funny that another prospective teacher said “I think I will use blogging in my classroom because it gets rid of some paper work that you have to deal with; it gets the students more involved; and, most importantly, it helps out with communication” (8). It was funny to me that this person thought of using blogs to eliminate paper work you have to deal with.  That is true.  But it is also a way to engage students.  Now it seems that every student, with some exceptions, has some access to a computer and internet, whether it is in a public library, a computer lounge provided by school, or a home or personal computer.  This expands the possibility of educational tools.  I know personally from how many hours I spend each day on the internet, not committing to study purposes, but Social Networking or other entertainment sites, I can just think how much more my prospective students like to spend time on the internet.  I think it would be huge to get them involved into doing something they like, but having it relate to school.  Also, blogging is a way to reflect and analyze what the student has learned or seen.  They can analyze what I have shown them in class.  Have every student make a personal blog, and they can interact with each other by posting forums, and if I show an engaging media clip, then have each student write a reflection online.  I feel it is so important to engage students in what they like to do, but make it educational.  

Works Cited

Lambert, Judy, and Pru Cuper. "Multimedia Technologies and Familiar Spaces: 21st-Century Teaching for 21st-Century Learners." Contemporary Issues in Technology & Teacher Education 8.3 (2008): 264-276. Education Research Complete. EBSCO. Web. 5 Oct. 2010.

NETS for teachers:  I like the second standard:
Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
b. Develop technology-enriches learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning and assessing their own progress.

This made me think about my article I read that wanted teachers to incorporate not only multimedia technologies but also experiences and analyzing and reflecting what students have learned.  I feel this in critical for students to take in and internalize concepts taught in class.  It also reminds me of blogging, how students can become “active participants” by expressing how they feel about what they have learned and sharing that with others, which is a form of assessment, student voice.

NETS for Students

4. Critical thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions

I thought this was important because it relates back to my article to have students think about what they have learned in order for them to relate it back to world issues.  I like the idea of analyzing data to make decisions or come up with solutions to problems they might have. Students could research a global issue after watching a video and come up with solutions, such as the BP Oil Spill, or Child abductions in Uganda.   They would come up with a solution to a world issue, and make plans as to how they would achieve that solution. They could make a multimedia project to convince classmates to help support their cause.  Students afterwards would blog about their individual reflections towards their own projects, and if they thought they were convincing or persuasive enough.

Reflection #3

Looking over numerous education blogs, websites, etc. I have realized the importance of design and whether something is aesthetically pleasing.  If a parents or student is going to be engaged in my blog it needs to look nice.  Pictures help connect the person to the school and to the classroom, it engages their attention.

Allison brought up a good point in one of her blogs, about an education blog she looked at but it was cluttered and confusing to navigate through.  I noticed on a lot of blogs I wanted to know where to look up specific information, overall, it needs to be user friendly.  Whether it is someone very computer savvy looking at my blog, or the most computer illiterate Grandma trying to find poor Nicky's assignment.  I want to make things clear.  Also, I want it to look nice and modern.  Constantly updating and modifying my blog would be very important.  This may be my only contact with some of the parents, and lots of people will reference it for their school work, either students or parents.  I began realizing, at my school in California there was no way to contact teachers, it was mostly come before or after school if you have questions.  Never gave out phone numbers or email.  At my school in Southern Washington, all the teachers emailed and would accept assignments via email and would answer questions via email.  Now at Northwest, whenever I need to look up an assignment I always go to Discovery, and if I have a question I always email my professor and usually within the day he or she will get back to me with an appropriate response.  So basically, my students will be even more technologically reliant for communication.  It is easier to email a question rather than ask in person in front of the entire class. 

Concluding thoughts to this reflection: My blog needs to look good, be constantly updated, pictures are good, and easy to navigate for all users.

Week #5 Blogs

I looked up Newtown High School Blog and since I am going to teach Secondary English at a high school, I figured looking up a high school blog would be most beneficial more me as a future educator.

Some things I liked about this blog:

• Regular postings (a post once a day or more)
• great innovative design
• Postings about upcoming events
• Posts about random things (such as a picture of the empty swimming pool during the summer)
• Had graphics for every event
• Pictures for every post that were well captured and aesthetically pleasing

I liked all the pictures of students and activities, it made the school real.  It was not some random website about a school, I could visualize how the campus looked, what kind of students made up the school, I made a personal connection looking through the photos. It made it real for me.

They had postings about events happening at school, in the community, or relevant to students or faculty.  They had a post for new teachers they were introducing to the school.  And a post for their talent show.  It was easy to access for each day, and it was constantly being updated.  Information about all events going on at the high school could be located on the blog.  I liked that it was aesthetically pleasing, it was modern, innovative and carefully designed.  The pictures were well placed and thought through.  My old high school, Kelso High School has an atrocious website, big bulky fonts, unrelated graphics, really heavy on hideous yellow and bright blue.  Take a look for yourself, it is just awful, Kelso Website.

I want a blog that is easily accessible for my students, parents, faculty and administration and easy to navigate.  I want a good design that draws people in.  Constantly updating to keep people informed about current events.  Also, vibrant pictures that capture the moment allow for real connection to take place. They can see inside the classroom, see what my class is all about.

Reflection #2

Tonight we had our SMART Board presentations.  I felt unsure about my presentation.  I do not want to bore my students.  I need to find a way to make literature, reading, writing and grammar interesting to disengaged students.  Some possible ideas:
-Interactive Media
-Movie clips
-Documentary clips
-Pictures
Some other ways to engage students is to create fun games, act out a story or chapter from a book, etc.

Some things I need to work on, utilizing full features of SMART Board, making lessons more interactive or "flashy."

How can we as teachers make every student feel included and engaged on the SMART Board?
-Management of the board
-Taking turns
-Changing ativities
-Having flow in the lesson
-Transitioning between slides
-Calling on people to answer questions
-Having each student take notes on everythng during lesson

Features I liked using: Pens and Hi lighters, especially in english class, involves a lot of writing, can clearly hi light portions of the text that are important.

Assignment 2

My lesson is about poetry, how a student can analyze a poem by looking at the following literary elements: subject, theme, emotional impact, form, sound elements, visual elements, imagery and figurative language, and practice analyzing poems, using the above literary elements.

I am incorporating two classic poems from British literature: "Death Be Not Proud" by John Donne and "The Chimney Sweeper" by William Blake.  Students will use a hilighter to point out different literary elements.
I will be using the hilighter feature and the pen feature of the SMART Board in this lesson.

I am following the Grade 10 for Reading State standards
In my lesson we will analyze literature, expand vocabulary, and read a variety of genres, such as poetry from a different era.  We will analyze author’s use of language, style, purpose, and perspective in literary and informational text, especially when analyzing the Blake's poem.

The 2007 Student NETS that will be incorporated in this lesson are:

2. Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

The ways students will interact and collaborate is coming up to the SMART Board and analyzing a poem and dissecting the poem using tools on the SMART Board, such as hilighters and pens. 

The Teacher 2008 NETS that will be incorporated in this lesson are:

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

The interactive white board is very helpful when analyzing poetry because the text can be seen clearly for all students.  Also, students can hi light portions of the text and write commentary on the actual board about what they are analyzing.  This allows visual learners to see the poem and learn, active learners to write on the board, and we can discuss the poems aloud for the auditory learners.

The original lesson from the SMART Exchange can be found here

Reflection # 1

Today's lesson using the SMART Board reminded me of my senior year in High School taking Mrs. Droke's Physics class.  Everyday she used the SMART Board.  For review we would play jeopardy right before a test and break into teams.  We would break up into small groups of teams, and compete against each team.  She kept track of points, and each question would be a physics question, usually involving math using a type of formula.  We all got so excited to win points to win the game, but we learned the formulas so much easier than just studying them.  Without the SMART Board we would not be able to play jeopardy the same way if it was on some other form of media, it would just be more complicated.  We used the SMART Board in every class session in Physics.  When we would come in and had problems with homework she would work them out on the SMART Board, then email the notes to us, or she would print them out and give it to us to study.  When I was in Foundations of Education and had to observe different classes I ended up going back to her class, and she used the SMART Board in a math class.  The one thing I was amazed at was she had a program on the board that was a graphing calculator on the computer.  She could use the calculator like she would use a regular actual calculator, but this was massive and touch screen.  The class was an AP Calculus class, so if students had problems using the calculator, she would put the SMART Board calculator on the screen and was able to walk the students step by step in a large way that the whole class could follow. 

More and more I realize the younger generations are becoming more and more technologically advanced.  Their attention is media focused, what can grab their attention, captivate it and hold it, long enough to learn a lesson.  It is critical to have these resources in the classroom.  I am going to be an English teacher, when analyzing a poem my students can write on the text on the SMART Board and circle and hilight and analyze the entire poem and I can email it to all my students or print it out for their use. 

Beginning of Semester Reflection

Finding out I was taking Technology in Education, I thought, I will now be tech savvy. I will conquer the SMART board, and all other technological adversaries. I want to know more about the technology I am using than my future students will, or at least have a competitive edge. Also, when interviewing for future schools I can put on my resume tech savvy and know how to work and effectively use a SMART board, to enhance my teaching ability.

Why am I at Northwest? Why do I want to be a teacher?

Passion. I am passionate about education. Education is our future. In elementary school in California, the entire student body had to learn the cheesy song "Knowledge is Power" and know the outrageous dance moves. However, this song, although cheesy, is undeniably true. One of the lyrics, "the more you know, the farther you'll go," has proved correct in my life. The better education one has the better job opportunities, the better lifestyles, and so on. I grew up in Sacramento, CA, the schools I attended were very ethnically diverse, and had very limited funding. In high school, our football field was basically dirt and dust surrounded by pitiful bleachers. One class I was enrolled in had 34 students, but only 27 desks, and we all had to race to class to get a desk, while the other students sat on top of a table in the back row. My classes were ethnically diverse and overcrowded, not good textbooks or supplies, and definitely nothing technologically advance. I moved halfway through my junior year to Kelso, WA. The first time I saw my AP US history teacher use a SMART Board, it was as if she preformed magic in front of my eyes. She highlighted text on the screen, with a marker; I looked around to see if anyone else was in shock. Then I realized a SMART Board was in every room of every class I had. Who knew Washington had superior technology?

I loved both schools. I had a more diverse outlook on cultures and prejudices in California, but I definitely had a better school and better resources in Kelso, WA. They were different educations. Both valued, but both significantly different. My academic quality of school immensely increased when attending Kelso High school. I wish all students had equal opportunity to thrive in the classroom, especially those who can benefit so much from an education. I do not know where I plan to teach, but I do know I want to teach Secondary, Public High School English. I want to teach in an environment where students can partially achieve equal opportunity and be given a chance to thrive in whatever area they want.

Thanks,

Miss Buhler