Blog Post #10

As a teacher, I think data collection can be helpful to gather information from parents. A Qualtrics link could be sent out to each parent to fill in information about their home address and email as well as any things I should know about their student. Because I am able to export the data as an Excel file, this would save paper and make it easy for parents to give me important information. This could be used for any class and grade level because it is something every teacher needs. Aside from gathering basic information, I can also use data collection for parents to sign up for classroom duties as volunteers.

The topics I found most interesting from viewing my classmates blogs were PowerPoint and assistive technologies. I also read a blog on AR/VR that had some cool ideas on how this can be used in the classroom. It was fun to read how my classmates plan to use technology in their classrooms. We have big dreams! There is a general consensus that we learned new features from programs we have been using for years. Especially the nonlinear PowerPoint project.

Next, I would like to learn about Smart Tables. I had not heard of them until class today. I think Smart Tables would be best for elementary school students to interact with technology. I can see how academic games can be used on them. I can also see how they are good for multiple students to use at the same time. As of now, I don't have access to a Smart Table, but I can research them! I would like to know how they work and testimonials from school that use them.

ILP #2 - Participation

For my final ILP, I interviewed a teacher who has been in the education system since 1990. She has taught at two schools, each in a different time period for education. This ILP allowed me to learn how technology in the classroom has changed over time. Since this teacher experienced two different eras of technology in schools, she was able to tell me her opinion of each. I think interviews are one of the best ways to develop a PLN!

Here is a link to my voicethread: https://voicethread.com/share/12392533/

Blog Post #9

For Blog Post #9, we were tasked with creating a Flipgrid with our opinion on the Flipped Classroom. The Flipped Classroom is an instructional method that sends class lectures and materials outside of the classroom, often online. Students teach and learn at home, and then come to class to complete assignments and/or homework. I like this idea, but I do have concerns with its implementation. Often students need help learning the material AND then completing assignments. I think students would be frustrated having to teach themselves online. 

Open Education Resources are those that are free to use and share. Often, students don't perform as well or end up dropping a class because they cannot afford the textbooks. Textbooks today are so expensive! As a student, I can vouch for this. Have you ever had to pay $150 for an access code? It's ridiculous! Here is an article that lists sites with OERs. These are super helpful for students and educators!

https://library.educause.edu/topics/teaching-and-learning/open-educational-resources-oer

For the PowerPoint assignments, I really enjoyed the second assignment where we had to create a game. The first assignment was helpful in that it taught us how to create a lecture. However, I liked the second assignment better because I had never learned how to create a nonlinear interactive PowerPoint. Below are screenshot of the first assignment lecture and then the second assignment game. For improvement in the future, I would like to do more with the lecture. I think there are opportunities to make it more engaging for students.

Blog Post #8

              Diigo has taught me how to share resources quickly with others. In a previous blog post, I wrote that I didn’t like this resource. I still feel this way, but not as strongly because I have better earned how to use it. By sharing to a specific group, you can comment on what others share. This makes it easy for teachers to save and share information and see what others have to say about it. In a classroom setting, teachers can teach students how to use it for group projects. I can especially see how it can be useful for research projects. On my own, Diigo can be used to save and annotate websites I find useful for schoolwork or for personal research.

             Bloom's Taxonomy is a tool teachers can use to prepare lessons to teach students and prepare assessments, activities, and so on. There are different goals at each level, from Knowledge to Evaluation. I find it similar to the common "students will be able to..." goals. With PowerPoint, I can use PowerPoint to teach and then evaluate a student's abilities. For the basic level of Knowledge, I can given them information to remember. For a higher level, like Synthesis, I can have them create their own PowerPoint project to teach a section of a textbook chapter. For example, for a lesson on American history, I could assign in groups a certain section of the book. Each group would then have to synthesize the information in the book into a presentation to the class.

              It is important for teachers to be aware of technology advancements. The classroom is where most students learn how to work with computers and other technology resources. Because of this, teachers need to be aware of advancements and changes so they can pass this information along to students. Teachers being aware of these things increases professional development. Below is a screenshot of an article from Forbes that tells of updates on technology trends to expect in 2019. Forbes frequently posts articles like this one.Teachers can use this website and articles like it to stay on top of what is new in the technology field.

Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/01/07/5-technology-trends-that-will-make-or-break-many-careers-in-2019/#52e9011f60aa

Blog Post #7

I have used Twitter to post updates on what we are doing in the class. I have also completed a few of the FSU 2040 challenges. When we respond to posts of others, I have learned that twitter can be great as a discussion platform. You are able to quickly read and respond to other users. From seeing updates from conferences, I have found that Twitter is also good for allowing users to remotely attend events. Pictures and links make this accessible for people who are unable to travel. The only thing I don't like is that I can't figure out how to edit a tweet. If I find a typo, I have to delete the tweet to fix it.

I have used Webs to create websites before, but never Weebly. I like that Weebly is very user-friendly. At times, it was hard to figure out how to format text boxes and spacing, but after a few minutes of troubleshooting I was able to figure it out. For pictures, the high quality images were available to purchase, so finding free images that related to what I wanted to be on my website was a little challenging. I would recommend taking your own photos to make this process quicker. If I go into teaching, I can definitely see me using this in my future career. Although frustrating to format at times, I think a class website makes it really easy for parents to stay on top of what is going on in their child's class. I especially love being able to connect a Google calendar onto the site.

Here is a screenshot and the link to my fake teacher website.

https://emilyf2040.weebly.com/

Assistive technologies are used to help students who have a disability that could prohibit them from learning. For example, for those who are blind there are assistive technologies to help them navigate the learning process. When I was in elementary school, my class had a student with a hearing disability. He was given a speaker at his desk and the teacher wore a microphone to help him hear better. In a classroom, challenges of other students wanting to use the technology but not needing it could be a problem when it needs to be reserved only for the students who need it. As a teacher, learning how to troubleshoot these technologies could also be a problem. But overall, they are great resources!

ILP "Design" - Prezi

For the first ILP project, I decided to create a Prezi! Below you will find a link to my Prezi as well as a link to a VoiceThread describing what Prezi is and how to use it!

Prezi is a presentation tool that can be used to make sharing content more interesting. It is similar to PowerPoint, but it uses animation and motion to make presentations more visually interesting. For my Prezi, I did a presentation on the history of the American Flag. I was able to add photos, change the layout, and decide how many slides I wanted to add. It is relatively user friendly! I would recommend it to teachers who wanted to make their lectures more interesting, and I would recommend it to students who want to make their projects stand out.


VoiceThread: https://voicethread.com/share/12214926/

Prezi: https://prezi.com/view/5uNkHUA3PGaEsoC1YWuV/

Blog Post #6

Last semester I had to observe at Florida High School. In my EDF1005 class, there was an assignment where we had to evaluate the school website. While I was doing that, I found teacher pages on the site. For the teacher I was observing, I found his teacher page and his class website. On his teacher page was his photo, a link to his class website, contact information, and a few links to different forms, like a field trip form. I also found his class syllabus. He teaches a 9th-10th grade Civics class as well as World History.

Here is the link to his webpage: https://www.fsus.school/Page/927#calendar3639/20190228/month

Here are two screenshots of the site:

I plan to use technology to keep an updated resume. I have found helpful templates online that can be transferred to Microsoft Word. Currently, I keep my resume saved to my laptop and update it as needed. I also envision myself using technology professionally to share resources with others. If I go into the therapy field, there are many technology resources available for different kinds of therapy. These resources can help me find the best solution for each patient.

This week I had to opportunity to visit the Tech Sandbox in the education building. We got to play with robots, VR/AR devices, 3D printers and pens, and smart boards. One of my favorite devices for the classroom was the iPad that reflected the camera onto the table. It allowed students to play with the arrangement of blocks. The iPad would tell them if the arrangement was correct based on the camera sensing the placement. I can see this being used in the classroom to teach spatial principles and even art!

Blog Post #5

Personally, I do not enjoy using Diigo. I think it has good intention, but I do not find it user friendly. It is confusing trying to figure out how to make comments and make them shareable with the group. I like that the bookmarks are able to be shared with others, but I do see the program needing improvements. It has potential to be a great resource with a few improvements!

I have a personal blog as well as this one. With my personal blog, I like that I have the freedom to write about topics that I choose. However, I do like how these blog posts are guided with specific questions. These questions provide direction for what I can write about. I think it's helpful that we can read what our other classmates are learning as we read their blogs too. Twitter also provides us with access to share what we are learning. But with blogging, I appreciate how there is no character limit.

Kahoot is a Web 2.0 tool that I might use when teaching. It is a quiz website where teachers can create quizzes, and with a special access code, the whole class can participate. It makes reviewing test materials fun because it is like a game. My high school teachers frequently used Kahoot to review for tests and quizzes. In college, I have also used Kahoot in my classes. I like how there is not an age limit on this tool. 

Here is a link! https://kahoot.com/

Blog Post #4

For this journal, we were tasked with creating a voicethread! Below is a link to access my voicethread presentation.

https://voicethread.com/share/12122034/

Blog Post #3

I feel prepared as a teacher to introduce a variety of technology options in my classroom. Growing up, I had access to projectors, computers, laptops, and smart boards in elementary school. In kindergarten, students should be acquainted with multiple options. In addition to introducing new technology, I feel prepared to teach students how to use this technology. It might take some training on my part, but I feel like I can meet both of these ELA standards for elementary school students. 

The CPALMS website is very user friendly. On the toolkit page for first grade, there are resources for teachers on various subjects to meet the educational needs of this age group.  Under the Social Studies tab, there are activities on character building that teachers can use to teach character development in students. I think this is a great resource to use in the classroom! These activities encourage students to work together to solve conflicts.

On the Newsletter Design assignment, I learned how to use functions of Microsoft Word that I had never used before. I have only ever used this program to write essays. Making something creative was a new experience for me. I learned how to add borders, insert images in columns, and add color to a document. It was challenging and frustrating at times to format, but I am proud that I learned how to do this. In my future career, I can se these skills to create handouts for my business. To improve next time, I would update the headings to draw more attention to the text boxes. Below is my Newsletter Design.

Blog Post #2

Of all the available Microsoft programs, I have used Microsoft Word the most. This program is what I use to write essays, take notes, and draft ideas. Teachers I have had have used it to develop tests and quizzes, display outlines, and create newsletters to go home to parents. I consider it the most useful Microsoft application. It is relatively simple to figure out how to function the settings.

As for copyrighted materials, I have always been taught to cite sources. I first encountered this problem in middle school when I had to complete a History Fair project. If we used ideas and pictures from our research, we had to create a citation for the work we referenced. As a potential future teacher, I would handle copyrighted materials with my students much like how it was handled with me as a student. If students took ideas from another work and wanted to use it to advance their own work, I would require a citation. When developing my own instructional materials, if I used another source to create my own, I would practice what I was teaching my students and cite my sources as well. I would teach my students the importance of crediting others for their work.

POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

1. Academic Honesty - To curb dishonesty in the classroom, I would teach my students about intellectual property. I would explain that we can learn from others and this is important, but we must credit them if we want to use their work. I would emphasize doing your own work so that you get the full benefit of the learning process.
2. Privacy - In a world where there are online predators, knowledge of privacy is critical. Personally, I always read the privacy policy before I download an app or sign up for a website so I know how my information is stored and used. In my classroom, I could go through an example of a "good" and "bad" privacy policy to analyze whether my students understand the difference. I would also teach online safety.
3. Cyber bullying - This is an issue close to home for me. A friend of mine suffered from cyber bullying but never told anyone in the moment. These kind of bullying is especially hurtful because it is much easier to say hateful things when you can't see the other person's face. In my classroom, I would do everything in my power to foster positive character traits so that cyber bullying is never an issue. Severe consequences would occur if I found out a student was cyber bullying another student.




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Blog Post #1

Technology has the capacity to enhance the classroom. Students can interact with each other and with the instructor in dynamic ways. Smart boards and clickers give teachers the ability to assess student understanding of the material instantly. It is because of these advantages that teachers are influenced to utilize technology in the classroom. In my personal experience, the use of technology engages the students more than simply pen and paper. 

The ISTE Standards for students lists goals students should reach with technology in order to be successful. Not all of these goals have to be met to be proficient with technology, but they do help assess one's capabilities with its use. Of the ISTE standards for students, one that resonates with me if the second standard on being a "Digital Citizen." I have always been cautious with technology because it can be a problem if it is not used responsibly. I always read the privacy policy and judge if the platform is safe based on how information is shared and stored. Most people ignore these, but I find them crucial. Of the ISTE standards that I am not comfortable with, that would have to be number five, being a "Computational Thinker." I have never been too interested in learning to code or write algorithms, but I do understand the importance of this. It can be a helpful skill to have! However, I have never been presented with an opportunity to be acquainted with this skill set. 

I think that the label "Digital Native" is fitting for today's youth. We grew up in a generation that doesn't know a time when advanced technology wasn't available. I have always had access to a computer since I began elementary school. To be a digital native means to not know a time when technology wasn't accessible. As for "Digital Immigrants," -- like my parents who grew up without the advanced technology of this generation but became acquainted with it in their later years -- I do see a difference in the way they use technology. My mom and step dad are slower to adjust to software updates because it is harder for them to navigate technological changes. They are also slower to invest in new smartphones or computers because by the time they get comfortable with their current device, so many changes have occurred with the new devices. There is a fear of adjustment. Teachers I have had also possess this level of discomfort. They are slower to learn and adapt than their digital native students. In terms of the next generation of students, I expect the gap to close in the level of discomfort. When the digital natives become educators, both the students and the teachers will not have known a time without advanced technology.

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Blog Post #0

Introduction

About Me

Hello! My name is Emily and I am a sophomore at Florida State. I am taking this technology class to fulfill a requirement for my Education minor. I love FSU and am involved in many extracurriculars here. My freshman year I joined both the Circus and Alpha Gamma Delta. This year, I gained some leadership positions within these communities and I am excited for where these will take me.

Prior Experience Using Technology in an Educational Setting

Growing up, SMART boards were introduced into my elementary school when I was in third grade. Before this, we had used slide projectors in the classroom. In middle school, electronic response systems were used in collaboration with the SMART boards. These two technologies were also used in my high school, where there was a traveling cart of laptops for each student to use if the teacher requested them for the day.

What I hope to learn in the class

I hope to get a better understanding of how technology is used in the classroom through this class. Last semester, I took an introductory education course and we touched on the importance of technology but did not go in depth into its importance. Through this class, I hope learn more about the pros and cons of technology in the classroom. I would also like to gain a better understanding of how to use Microsoft Excel.

 
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