There was such an abundance of resources available at our fingertips in the Web 2.0 tools, I had a hard time picking just two. Of the many resources that I located, two of my favorite Web 2.0 sites were http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ and http://www.wix.com. These were favorites because of the free resources and the wealth of instructional information available for classroom use. The freetech4teachers site is a great score, especially for teachers that encourage the use of technology in their classrooms. The infographic information is a powerful widget. Teachers can use the infographic widget in a Wiki space page or in a podcast made available for students. This Blog was packed with educational content that is useful to educators. I found content that exceeded my expectations. There was information that explained data storage device terms such as byte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terabyte. These seem like terms that one should already be familiar with, but the infographic widget helps visual learners remember the meaning of the terms. A post for using Google Maps for instructional purposes is available, as well as information for clipping and sharing parts of websites, which could be used in a classroom setting when saved and presented as part of a lesson, especially when you’re not necessarily on the web this source is available. The website was easily accessed from my iPad. It was easy to use, full of purposeful content, and I felt that the design and organization was appealing to teachers. I was able to navigate to each post and subscribe to the blog for further content discussion. I highly recommend that teachers check out this site if you need free, new, and innovative ideas for the classroom
At the wix.com site, teachers can easily create a website for classroom use such as posting assignments, school calendars, links to podcasts, Wiki space links, and the numerous activities that a school has happening at any given time. I created an account and was able to choose a template design and layout. The content was good, but not an abundance of templates for educators. As we all know, teachers are masters at modifying to meet their needs, so yes, the site comes highly recommended. I found that scrolling over the templates allows you to determine the template uses (i.e. photography, promotions, education, etc.), template style (i.e. simple, medium, or difficult), Creating an actual websites was only minutes from becoming an actuality because the designer made it simple to select a layout, then begin to edit your site. With Wix Editor, the site creator can crop photos which can be taken from your own or selected from a library provided by Wix, you can add links, animation, effects, add video, change settings, font, and customize the site according to your needs. Wix allows you to add pages to your web design, change, update, and add contact information before and after publishing. I recommend this site because it is user friendly, well designed, and organized. I look forward to reading about the new Web 2.0 tools that each of you can share with me. There are some outstanding tools available, so please continue to share your findings with me and others in the field of education.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Week 4
This blog will discuss 2 examples of multimedia and how I would incorporate them into my classroom.
One of my favorite examples of multimedia is video production and editing. I was super excited with the purchase of my FlipCam Video. I taught Digital Photography and Drama as an enrichment class for several years and was quite content with the use of a regular camcorder, but once I used the FlipCam and was able to edit the video, send it as an email, embed it in a presentation, upload it to social network pages and store it all in one location, I felt I had hit the technology lottery. I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge in the field of technology and am feeling much more confident about my stance in video production. As I have notice in a lot of schools, the use of closed circuit T.V. is being used and I have found that I am much more apt to use this tool to produce and edit our school morning announcements with a great deal of confidence. These video announcements will be student created, but edited by myself. Students can include our daily school menu, weather predictions, the morning pledge, and any other necessary announcements. Because of my online education courses, I have found that teaching ones self is one of the best sources of learning technology. Editing will be a chore, but it's one that I'm excited to take on. If anyone has any ideas that will make my school video web announcements a soaring success, please let me know your ideas.
Another favorite example of multimedia that I could use in my classroom is the Web 2.0 authoring tools. These tools are readily available to anyone with Internet service and most are free and safe to use. Web 2.0 tools are plentiful and the sources are growing daily. I have begun using blogs in the classroom. The blogs contain useful links that students can access at home or school. Wikis were completely new to me, but since the creation of my first wiki site, my students are now asking if they can log on to the wikispace page. It brings a whole new element of technology into the classroom because the children are interacting with the site and with each other. Our superintendent has visioned the classroom where every student has his/her own computer and that is a plan that is completely supported by me and many other teachers in our county. I have and will continue to use the wikispace as a page to encourage higher level thinking and collaboration between students. I have challenged my students to create their own wikispace pages with Internet safety and netiquette as a topic. The podcast is another source that I am ready to explore as soon as there is time to publish it properly. I would like to use the podcast to explore science experiments, and the "how to" with math problems. I don't really explore the social networking with students, because of the implications involved with student/teacher professional networking systems. My county provided webpage is sufficient for posting assignments, projects, tests, and other dates of importance. I look forward to reading about what others are doing with technology in their classrooms.
One of my favorite examples of multimedia is video production and editing. I was super excited with the purchase of my FlipCam Video. I taught Digital Photography and Drama as an enrichment class for several years and was quite content with the use of a regular camcorder, but once I used the FlipCam and was able to edit the video, send it as an email, embed it in a presentation, upload it to social network pages and store it all in one location, I felt I had hit the technology lottery. I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge in the field of technology and am feeling much more confident about my stance in video production. As I have notice in a lot of schools, the use of closed circuit T.V. is being used and I have found that I am much more apt to use this tool to produce and edit our school morning announcements with a great deal of confidence. These video announcements will be student created, but edited by myself. Students can include our daily school menu, weather predictions, the morning pledge, and any other necessary announcements. Because of my online education courses, I have found that teaching ones self is one of the best sources of learning technology. Editing will be a chore, but it's one that I'm excited to take on. If anyone has any ideas that will make my school video web announcements a soaring success, please let me know your ideas.
Another favorite example of multimedia that I could use in my classroom is the Web 2.0 authoring tools. These tools are readily available to anyone with Internet service and most are free and safe to use. Web 2.0 tools are plentiful and the sources are growing daily. I have begun using blogs in the classroom. The blogs contain useful links that students can access at home or school. Wikis were completely new to me, but since the creation of my first wiki site, my students are now asking if they can log on to the wikispace page. It brings a whole new element of technology into the classroom because the children are interacting with the site and with each other. Our superintendent has visioned the classroom where every student has his/her own computer and that is a plan that is completely supported by me and many other teachers in our county. I have and will continue to use the wikispace as a page to encourage higher level thinking and collaboration between students. I have challenged my students to create their own wikispace pages with Internet safety and netiquette as a topic. The podcast is another source that I am ready to explore as soon as there is time to publish it properly. I would like to use the podcast to explore science experiments, and the "how to" with math problems. I don't really explore the social networking with students, because of the implications involved with student/teacher professional networking systems. My county provided webpage is sufficient for posting assignments, projects, tests, and other dates of importance. I look forward to reading about what others are doing with technology in their classrooms.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Week 3
Week 3
Examples of Instructional Software
Some examples of different types of instructional software include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, problem solving, and integrated learning systems
Drill and practice is a type of software which students use to practice a concept such as math, spelling, or reading skills. In drill and practice software, students receive immediate feedback and in many instances they are given learning paths or visual cues to assist them in retaining the information presented in the drills. Many teachers use drill and practice software to teach multiplication. One of my favorite drill and practice software programs is V-Math. Students are drilled on multiplication, division, adding and subtracting. Once mastery is achieved on one level the student can advance to a more difficult level. The software has a feature which allows students to compete in timed drills against students in other schools, states, as well as other countries. Ticket to Read is a drill and practice program in which students read a short passage and answer questions based on grade level reading skills. The reward for mastery is points in which students can use to decorate a clubhouse in the program. To achieve a high level in V-math, students are allowed to create their own avitars. By receiving immediate feedback students are motivated to excel on a continuous basis. Due to the economy, we are limited to a certain number of copies in school and the drill and practice software has eliminated the need for excessive amounts of paper.
Tutorial software includes programs in which students are provided with step-by-step instruction and activities that enhance learner progress on "how to" projects. This type of program delivers information to the learner as it teaches a skill. An example of tutorial software would be a program called "K to the 8th." K to the 8th provides step-by-step instruction on creating power points, documents in Excel, MS Word,how to locate adjectives in a sentence, or even how to make and embed video in presentations or web pages. An abundance of tutorial software can be located on Teacher Tube and YouTube. Tutorial software provides explanations, step-by-step instruction, practice, as well as feedback. It also has the positive element of creating student confidence. Tutorial software allows the student to be interactive and self-assessors.
Simulation software gives the student the feeling of real scenarios, such as in a Driver's Education Class. Simulation software creates a model of the real thing. These types of programs can be used to teach students in two ways; About a concept and how to do concept. The simulation software that many teachers rave most about is the drunk driving simulator in high schools. Students wear goggle that make them feel the same effects that a drunk driver might feel (even the nausea). This type of simulation has been known to deter drinking and driving in many high schools, the students are highly involved, safe, and gaining knowledge.
Instructional Game Software provides a challenge to students as they learn. This type of software comes in a variety of appealing formats for children of all ages. The instructional game software should be clearly instructional, but the characters involved should be ones that the children can relate to. They should avoid any violence, and should be entertaining. Game software is highly motivating to students. One of my favorite software programs can be located on the web at www.starfall.com.
Children are exposed to reading skills, math, seasonal activities, as well as social studies issues in which they are competitive as well as problem solvers.
Problem solving software can be utilized quite well for content area skills. It keeps kids motivated, utilizing higher order thinking skills. Problem solving software must be used to assist students in applying prior knowledge. This type of software works well in the content areas and is helpful when students are working on skill development. I would most likely use problem solving software as a group activity. Students can make concept maps and as a larger group, they can apply those higher order thinking skills.
The Integrated Learning Systems Software is becoming more and more popular within the school systems. Many systems are spending money to purchase this software because it supports classroom instruction and software developers are now catering to the needs of individual state standards. The software developers are allowing for the use of very detailed reports that are used to diagnose student weaknesses and strengths. I am an educator in a data-driven school and Integrated Learning Systems Software summarizes the data by class, gender, school, race, skill deficiencies, and numerous other subcategories. This software is normally networked and provides some really detailed student information. Our school system uses the Compass Learning Software. I use Fall, Winter, and Spring Benchmark Tests to determine student growth or decline. The Integrated Learning Systems Software combines a portion of all of the above programs and it is widely used to stay compliant with the NCLB Act, by helping teachers monitor success, failure, tutoring needs, assist in drill and practice, and exploration of the element of problem solving. This software helps me to determine student learning needs.
Computer software has come a long way since the 1970's and its growth is exponential. There is software out there to fit every need, and as teachers. we must keep ourselves educated on the latest and greatest technology available to meet the needs of the diverse populations of students that we teach daily.
Examples of Instructional Software
Some examples of different types of instructional software include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, problem solving, and integrated learning systems
Drill and practice is a type of software which students use to practice a concept such as math, spelling, or reading skills. In drill and practice software, students receive immediate feedback and in many instances they are given learning paths or visual cues to assist them in retaining the information presented in the drills. Many teachers use drill and practice software to teach multiplication. One of my favorite drill and practice software programs is V-Math. Students are drilled on multiplication, division, adding and subtracting. Once mastery is achieved on one level the student can advance to a more difficult level. The software has a feature which allows students to compete in timed drills against students in other schools, states, as well as other countries. Ticket to Read is a drill and practice program in which students read a short passage and answer questions based on grade level reading skills. The reward for mastery is points in which students can use to decorate a clubhouse in the program. To achieve a high level in V-math, students are allowed to create their own avitars. By receiving immediate feedback students are motivated to excel on a continuous basis. Due to the economy, we are limited to a certain number of copies in school and the drill and practice software has eliminated the need for excessive amounts of paper.
Tutorial software includes programs in which students are provided with step-by-step instruction and activities that enhance learner progress on "how to" projects. This type of program delivers information to the learner as it teaches a skill. An example of tutorial software would be a program called "K to the 8th." K to the 8th provides step-by-step instruction on creating power points, documents in Excel, MS Word,how to locate adjectives in a sentence, or even how to make and embed video in presentations or web pages. An abundance of tutorial software can be located on Teacher Tube and YouTube. Tutorial software provides explanations, step-by-step instruction, practice, as well as feedback. It also has the positive element of creating student confidence. Tutorial software allows the student to be interactive and self-assessors.
Simulation software gives the student the feeling of real scenarios, such as in a Driver's Education Class. Simulation software creates a model of the real thing. These types of programs can be used to teach students in two ways; About a concept and how to do concept. The simulation software that many teachers rave most about is the drunk driving simulator in high schools. Students wear goggle that make them feel the same effects that a drunk driver might feel (even the nausea). This type of simulation has been known to deter drinking and driving in many high schools, the students are highly involved, safe, and gaining knowledge.
Instructional Game Software provides a challenge to students as they learn. This type of software comes in a variety of appealing formats for children of all ages. The instructional game software should be clearly instructional, but the characters involved should be ones that the children can relate to. They should avoid any violence, and should be entertaining. Game software is highly motivating to students. One of my favorite software programs can be located on the web at www.starfall.com.
Children are exposed to reading skills, math, seasonal activities, as well as social studies issues in which they are competitive as well as problem solvers.
Problem solving software can be utilized quite well for content area skills. It keeps kids motivated, utilizing higher order thinking skills. Problem solving software must be used to assist students in applying prior knowledge. This type of software works well in the content areas and is helpful when students are working on skill development. I would most likely use problem solving software as a group activity. Students can make concept maps and as a larger group, they can apply those higher order thinking skills.
The Integrated Learning Systems Software is becoming more and more popular within the school systems. Many systems are spending money to purchase this software because it supports classroom instruction and software developers are now catering to the needs of individual state standards. The software developers are allowing for the use of very detailed reports that are used to diagnose student weaknesses and strengths. I am an educator in a data-driven school and Integrated Learning Systems Software summarizes the data by class, gender, school, race, skill deficiencies, and numerous other subcategories. This software is normally networked and provides some really detailed student information. Our school system uses the Compass Learning Software. I use Fall, Winter, and Spring Benchmark Tests to determine student growth or decline. The Integrated Learning Systems Software combines a portion of all of the above programs and it is widely used to stay compliant with the NCLB Act, by helping teachers monitor success, failure, tutoring needs, assist in drill and practice, and exploration of the element of problem solving. This software helps me to determine student learning needs.
Computer software has come a long way since the 1970's and its growth is exponential. There is software out there to fit every need, and as teachers. we must keep ourselves educated on the latest and greatest technology available to meet the needs of the diverse populations of students that we teach daily.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Week 2
Three of the issues shaping the role of technology in education are: Illegal downloads, privacy/safety, and viruses/hacking. Illegal downloads/software piracy has grown at an alarming rate over the past few years. Teens, adults, and even younger adolescents have all been guilty of thinking that they could get music, movies,and software for free on the World Wide Web. Due to the growth of this illegal act, many media companies have begun tracing and prosecuting Internet offenders for this crime. Because Americans are such a social group of people, safety and privacy has become one of the major issues faced by technology users today. With the ever growing popularity of social networks, comes the ever growing problem of predators and online scam artists. Children of all ages are creating MySpace and Facebook accounts, even though the age requirement is 18, that does not deter this activity. In the beginning of each school year, all students and parents in our county are required to sign an Authorized Use Policy. This policy is provided as a means of protecting the privacy of our students. School servers have been equipped with elaborate filters that protect the school's network as well as the students' privacy.
Viruses and hacking are both equally unethical and illegal. Viruses on ones computer, does damage to files, hard drives, and the lives of many people. Various virus protection software and firewalls are in place in schools to protect the network and computers from damage that could ultimately cost school districts billions of taxpayer dollars. Hackers cause irreparable damage to people's lives daily, by breaking into systems to gain illegal access to files and other personal data. Identity theft, as illegal and unethical as any of the above issues, is one of the terrible ways a hacker can be responsible for the financial and mental shattering of anyone involved.
Three things that I have learned from the history of educational technology that can shape today's uses are: Teachers will always be more important than technology, things change faster than teachers can keep up, and that older technology can be useful.
The concept that "things changing faster than teachers can keep up has been proven to be true, especially in my case. Teachers struggle to keep up with the most innovative, cutting edge technology because of a lack of time to devote to purposeful learning of program software ins and outs, professional development in which the new, updated technology can be either be used in our clssrooms or in our everyday life to make things easier.
Teachers will always be more important than technology because we're the human interactionthat students need to be successful. The teacher is the one person that a child remembers for most all of his/her life not some form of software. Computers are not student-centered, but teachers are, for the most part. Now, I agree that teachers need to understand the role that technology plays in society and stay up-to-date on current trends in technology, but as far as replacing a teacher with technology, that should not even be an issue. As our book states, "we need more teachers who are both technology savvy and child centered"(Roblyer, 2010).
Older technology can be useful because what has not worked in the past can be updated to work even better for the future. We began working with big old clunker IBM computers in the past, and have moved to small compact tablets and notebooks, which are convenient, easy to use, and provide numerous application software that make our lives so much easier.
For example, when a new gadget comes out and it or the software has kinks or problems, the developers take what they've previously created improve on it to make a more modern updated version that is more appealing to consumers. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it should never be a consideration as a replacement for a teacher. Even though teachers are not as up-to-date on technology as we would like to be, we still enjoy utilizing and emplementing technology into our curriculum as a way of enhancing education.
Viruses and hacking are both equally unethical and illegal. Viruses on ones computer, does damage to files, hard drives, and the lives of many people. Various virus protection software and firewalls are in place in schools to protect the network and computers from damage that could ultimately cost school districts billions of taxpayer dollars. Hackers cause irreparable damage to people's lives daily, by breaking into systems to gain illegal access to files and other personal data. Identity theft, as illegal and unethical as any of the above issues, is one of the terrible ways a hacker can be responsible for the financial and mental shattering of anyone involved.
Three things that I have learned from the history of educational technology that can shape today's uses are: Teachers will always be more important than technology, things change faster than teachers can keep up, and that older technology can be useful.
The concept that "things changing faster than teachers can keep up has been proven to be true, especially in my case. Teachers struggle to keep up with the most innovative, cutting edge technology because of a lack of time to devote to purposeful learning of program software ins and outs, professional development in which the new, updated technology can be either be used in our clssrooms or in our everyday life to make things easier.
Teachers will always be more important than technology because we're the human interactionthat students need to be successful. The teacher is the one person that a child remembers for most all of his/her life not some form of software. Computers are not student-centered, but teachers are, for the most part. Now, I agree that teachers need to understand the role that technology plays in society and stay up-to-date on current trends in technology, but as far as replacing a teacher with technology, that should not even be an issue. As our book states, "we need more teachers who are both technology savvy and child centered"(Roblyer, 2010).
Older technology can be useful because what has not worked in the past can be updated to work even better for the future. We began working with big old clunker IBM computers in the past, and have moved to small compact tablets and notebooks, which are convenient, easy to use, and provide numerous application software that make our lives so much easier.
For example, when a new gadget comes out and it or the software has kinks or problems, the developers take what they've previously created improve on it to make a more modern updated version that is more appealing to consumers. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it should never be a consideration as a replacement for a teacher. Even though teachers are not as up-to-date on technology as we would like to be, we still enjoy utilizing and emplementing technology into our curriculum as a way of enhancing education.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Week 1 Introduction
My name is Merlyne Kittrell. I live in Spanish Fort, AL. I have lived in Baldwin County for 9 years and I feel that I live in one of the most fabulous places in America. The gulf beaches are absolutely beautiful, even though we are overcoming such a tragic oil spill. The community in which I live is full of fascinating, friendly people and I feel very fortunate to be a member of the faculty at Bay Minette Intermediate School, in Bay Minette, AL. I have taught 6th grade for five years, 5th grade for two years, and 4th grade for two years at the same school.
The goals which I have set for obtaining an online degree are simple. I want to expand my knowledge base in early childhood education because my original certification is in middle grades. I expect to become more proficient in the area of technology, and I want to become a more efficient, accomplished teacher. I hope to gain valuable insight in order to better serve the population of students enrolled in public schools in my area.
I can not say that there is a favorite in as far as technology, but I am thoroughly excited about any and all new gadgets that I can get my hands on. Lately, my favorite gadget is my iPad. I enjoy portable technology gadgets, and I am eager to explore all the possibilities available right at my fingertips. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I see how fast technology is advancing, but with the proper training, I know that I will be successful and will be able to enhance the lives of others.
I have been married for 25 years and I have three wonderful children, all of whom are very supportive and they keep me motivated. I am very excited about this course, and I look forward to reading about and interacting with my colleagues during this semester.
Best Wishes to each of you!!
The goals which I have set for obtaining an online degree are simple. I want to expand my knowledge base in early childhood education because my original certification is in middle grades. I expect to become more proficient in the area of technology, and I want to become a more efficient, accomplished teacher. I hope to gain valuable insight in order to better serve the population of students enrolled in public schools in my area.
I can not say that there is a favorite in as far as technology, but I am thoroughly excited about any and all new gadgets that I can get my hands on. Lately, my favorite gadget is my iPad. I enjoy portable technology gadgets, and I am eager to explore all the possibilities available right at my fingertips. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I see how fast technology is advancing, but with the proper training, I know that I will be successful and will be able to enhance the lives of others.
I have been married for 25 years and I have three wonderful children, all of whom are very supportive and they keep me motivated. I am very excited about this course, and I look forward to reading about and interacting with my colleagues during this semester.
Best Wishes to each of you!!
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