Get Creative with Scrapblog!

I just completed my final Internet Curriculum Project today! I chose the topic of Scrapblog, an online website where you can make your own scrapbook. But instead of the regular pen and paper way of constructing a scrapbook, you can make your own online by uploading digital pictures, using online stickers, and adding audio sound. You can even share it with people you know! It's a great program.



After completing the project, I reflected on the experience and the lesson I had created to teach my classmates all about Scrapblog. I posted my lesson plan on my personal website, under course assignments. You can also view the PowerPoint I made, giving step-by -step instructions about how to use Scrapblog on Slideshare. Here is my reflection:



From completing this assignment, I learned that there are still so many technological tools and websites that exist that I am unaware of. Prior to completing this assignment, I had never heard of Scrapblog. I must admit that I am a Scrapbook fanatic and enjoy putting scrapbooks together to document and hold onto precious memories. I think it’s great that there is a virtual version of a scrapbook because it really opens up the amount of possibilities there are available. You can make a Scrapblog for yourself and post it to show and share with other people, or you can even create a Scrapblog for someone to give as a thoughtful gift. Not only is Scrapblog great for personal use, but it can also be used with students in school as well!

Scrapblog can be used in a variety of ways into any content area- especially literacy. Students can use Scrapblog to illustrate a story that they have written. For instance, they could use Scrapblog to illustrate a personal narrative about themselves. Using their own personal digital pictures, students can include pictures of important people, places, or things in their lives. Students can then present the class their stories and their Scrapblogs to the class or even to their parents during Open House night at their school. Scrapblog can also be used to document books that students have read throughout the school year. Students can include pictures of the books, of them working on projects related to the books, and then write a reflective paragraph talking about how their reading has evolved, skills they’ve improved on, and favorite books and authors. Scrapblog could also be used in conjunction with a how-to paragraph. After students wrote a how-to paragraph explaining how to perform a task, the student could take pictures with a digital camera and add them to Scrapblog to make a how-to scrapbook to complement their paragraph.

If I could do the lesson over again, I would change parts of my guided practice. For instance, I would give students in the class a theme or a specific topic for their practice run with Scrapblog. I think it may have been difficult with such a time constraint for students to brainstorm and find pictures for their Scrapblog. It would have been interesting if students had been able to make a Scrapblog page about their experience in this class using pictures of their assignments that they completed and maybe some snapshots of them hard at work using technology. I also wonder if there would have been any added benefits to having students work in their groups rather than independently. I may have tried that if I had the opportunity to do the lesson over again, because students may have learned more from one another by sharing ideas and experiencing Scrapblog as a group.

I’m really glad that I got the chance to work with the Scrapblog program. It has inspired me to think of many great ideas for my students, as well as for me to use personally. I hope the students in class gained a lot from the lesson and see the value of Scrapblog to incorporate it into their own classrooms.

The End is Near....

As I sit here and reflect on my experience in class, I am overcome with all of the knowledge I have acquired. I feel like I have broadened my technological horizons. As corny as that may seem to say, if someone were to ask me what I learned in this class, I would have so much to say. Not only was I introduced to, and had the opportunity to work with many new programs and websites, I was able to think of how these technologies could be incorporated into my classroom. I have a list of ideas that I can't wait to share with my colleagues and students.

I think back on my first experiences with the class. I was very overwhelmed and thought that there was no way that I would be able to handle all of this new technological information. But after diving right in and creating my own website, blog, and wiki, I was so impressed with my capabilities and was surprised at how much fun it could be. I thought to myself, "If I think this is great, imagine what my students would feel?" And my explorations continued, working with programs like Excel to make a crossword puzzle and Jumpcut to make an educational video. Watching videos on how technology can be integrated into the classroom and seeing why it is so beneficial because today's students are a new generation of learners, really helped me understand where my students are coming from and why traditional lectures are no longer effective. I need to use technology to motivate and engage them. This is also where the ISTE/NET Standards come into play so I make sure I use technology effectively to build collaborative and critical thinking learners. I must admit that I did not even know these standards existed before taking this class, but now that I know they are around, I will try to align my teaching with them to better the outcomes for students. I also became familiar with technological lingo, such as Web 2.0 and learned the capabilities and how it was different from Web 1.0. I learned all about bookmaring through del.icio.us and the benefits it can have as opposed to just saving websites to your "favorites."

I am so much more aware now of not only technology that exists, but of how these technologies can be incorporated into the classroom to enhance learning outcomes. I look at my own experience using Moodle chatrooms and Elluminate to help deepen my understandings of the topics introduced in this class. It was the discussions held using Moodle and Elluminate, as well as working first hand with new programs, that helped me see where the technologies and course readings could be fit into my own classroom and curriculum, helping me to deepen my own understanding and allowing for reflection.

I believe that I am different today than I was prior to taking this course. I had always known that technology had existed, but often felt overwhelmed or frustrated with it. I thought that I had waited too long to really get involved, so I would just stick with what I knew (Microsoft Word and PowerPoint) and hopefully that would work out. But now I feel more technologically literate! (Did I just make up my own word?) Now I see that technology is all around us. And its not going anywhere. It is the new standard. I feel now that I have a responsibility to educate my students on what technology is and to show them what exists so they can become literate with technology as well. I feel more empowered as I get ready to end this course that I have been equipped with the tools to properly use (and teach) these technologies with confidence.

I am so anxious to get into my classroom for the upcoming year and start integrating technology into my curriculum more than ever before. I also can't wait to see how my students react to this and how it impacts their learning. It is my hope that just because the class is over, I will not become any less tech savy and continue to use and stay current on new technological developments. It sure has been a great ride- one that I will never forget!

My, My How Things Have Changed

After watching the video TwT: In Action, it is apparent that teaching and reaching students has changed dramatically. In the past, technology was virtually unheard of in class or it was used very minimally. Today, technology is leading the way in education.

It is amazing the new heights that technology can take students to. I loved how, in the video, technology was used in a wide range of situations. For instance, using a distance learning technique when there were not enough students enrolled in class as way to bring more students in, without them having to actually be in the classroom. Virtual classrooms are also an inexpensive option for taking your class on an adventure that is sure to be exciting and educational.

Technology can also enhance reading. Students can use the picture book on PowerPoint to make an ABC book, which can be great for primary aged students learning letters and sounds. This is just the tip of the iceburg too. Think of all the other ways that PowerPoints can be used in the classroom- from reports to test review, the possibilities are endless!

It's great to see all of the many ways in which technology is being integrated into schools. Sometimes, looking back on my experience with technology in the school i teach in today, it is often disheartening to see my students not have the opportunity to be exposed to many of the available technologies today. But it is my hope, now that i have a better understanding of technology, to help make these resources more readily available.

Starfall saves the day...

I love the website Starfall! I think it is a great resource for students, especially those just learning to read. I love how there are even different holiday themes that can be incorporated into the curriculum.
I like how the website focuses on letter-sound correspondence, phonemic awareness, and even alphabet sign language! The online books are also amazing and each story focuses on a different skill or letter sound. They even feature tongue twisters and poetry.
I could see myself using Starfall with primary grade students that are starting out in their journey of reading and writing. After focusing on letters and their sounds, students could log onto the website and participate in a story featuring the sound and letters. I like how students could read a long with the story and hear it outloud incase they get stuck on a word. They could do this during center time or just visit the site at any point during the day if they finish their work early. The poetry section could be used to model poetry so students can write their own. I like how it is read aloud so students can hear rhyming words and flow. Great for teaching and reinforcing phonemic awareness skills. Finally, the I'm Reading section can be used for students to read independently or for them to be read to. These stories would be great to use for beginning comprehension. After reading or hearing the stories, students could answer comprehension questions to see what is being absorbed from the story.
Not only is Starfall educational, but it is fun! I can see students having a blast exploring the options and looking forward to using the many resources available. I already added it to my Wiki, for recommended literacy sites. I can't wait to find more like it!

Second Language Learner Resources

I was initially attracted to the Second Life English website because I know that I will have several ESL students in my classroom next year. These students primarly speak English. Since I am not familiar with English and have limited expeirence with ESL students, I thought this website would be a great resource to utilize in my room.

After reviewing the resources available, I found some very valueable tools. For instance, the forum where teachers can post information on lesson plans and courses that can be useful for teachers and students learning a language. There is also a translation forum where translators can offer their translating services to teachers and students.

I also found the Launchrooms very interesting. These launch rooms can be utilized in a traditional classroom manner or for groups. They come equipped with 1 whiteboard, 12 hand-show chairs, 1 scripted filing cabinet and an LMS-integrated quiz/survey/assessment tool. Students and teachers can launch themselves into virtual space to learn more.

I thought this site was very user friendly. I was also fond of the fact that they offer support from teachers. It seemed like a great community where teachers and learners can go to learn more about language learner.

Vivacious Videos!

Well I had a great time making my video for Assignment 7. I used the program Photo Story 3. It took me a little while to get started and become familiar witht he program, but after I started exploring, things got easier. I thought making a video would be more difficult, but it was surprisingly easy and user friendly.
I decided to do an educational video using digital photos from my recent vacation to Florida. I focused on parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I used various pictures from the beach that I had taken. I started out with a brief description of nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and then asked students what were some nouns, verb, and adjectives they saw in the pictures. I decided to focus on these parts of speech because a lot of my students still forget the differences between them. I thought this video could be a good review lesson, especially in the beginning of the year.
While I was making my video with the Photo Story 3 software, I thought it would be very useful for my students to use. It could be used to make a video for any subject area and topic and it allows for creativity on the student's behalf. I think it is a great alternative to PowerPoint presentations, which often get overused in today's curriculum.

Engrade gets an A!

I absolutely love engrade grading program! I signed up as a user and I think it is the most wonderful and convenient program. I think it beats the traditional pen and gradebook system. And the best part is that you don't have to worry about losing your gradebook because your grades are saved on this website!

I really like how you have options on how you can set up your gradebook. You can choose if you want points or percents. It's very flexible and doesn't force you to use just one format. I also especially liked how after you entered the grades, that it gave you the entire class average so you can gain a better understanding of your students' performances. I also thought it was great that you could give students their own personal ID number so they can sign on and see how they did on an assignment or test. This is a great way to keep parents informed of their student's progress! One thing that I think would make engrade better would be to have the option, for each assignment, to be able to enter a percent in points and a letter grade because often times students see a percent and ask what grade it translates into. Other than that, I am pleased with engrade's performance.

I think this is so useful for classroom teachers. It's so easy to use and as I mentioned before is so much more convenient that traditional gradebooks. I remember when I was student teaching and my cooperating teacher lost her gradebook. She was in such a panic and had to "estimate" the grades for the ones she lost. It was terrible! But with this software, everything is saved and in one place. I am definetly going to use this in my classroom for grades this upcoming year.

I think students and teachers would be on board for use of this software in the classroom. Students would be able to use their personal ID to log on to access their grades and would not have to hassle the teacher for their grade. Parents could also access their child's grades without having to worry that their child is not telling them their grades and without the hassle of calling the teacher to find out the results. I think engrade is the next generation of grading!

Week 4-Still Flying High!

Week 4 was a very productive one for the High Fliers! While we did encounter some technical difficulties with Internet Connections at first, we engaged in meaningful conversations about Authentic Assessments, our chapter 6 PowerPoint project, WebQuest, and how Web2.0 tools can enhance education and engage students.


Authentic Assessments

We agreed that authentic assessments allow students to be assessed using their strengths, by performing a meaningful task. Since a lot of students are comfortable using technology and technology is important for students to be familiar with, a lot of authentic assessments involve the use of technology. We also analyzed traditional assessments and came to the realization that they do not embrace all learning styles and therefore authentic assessments are more appealing to students today. However with legislature such as No Child Left Behind, traditional assessments will not be going away anytime soon so we must learn to integrate authentic assessments into the curriculum whenever possible to make learning enjoyable.

“Any sufficiently advanced technology
is indistinguishable from magic.” ~ Arthur C. Clarke

Chapter 6
In our final preparations for our presentation, our group members briefly discussed our PowerPoint for our assigned chapter. We reviewed our slides and determined what still needed to be worked on. It was decided that we would post any additional comments on our group’s wiki, as well as our decisions on how to present our project to the class on Wednesday.

WebQuest
Our group was almost ready to submit our WebQuest project. We were reviewing some of the files that were attached to our wiki. Our last task was to review Birgul’s lesson plan and provide any feedback we had. Then after giving one last review of the project, we will upload it onto the discussion forum.

Web 2.0
Web 2.0 has so many engaging tools for students. Our group discussed how students are so used to having access to technology that traditional lectures in classrooms are boring and mundane. Therefore, it is so important to incorporate the many aspects of Web 2.0 into the classroom. Ruby shared a website she had found that included interactive games that focused on a variety of skills such as fine motor and comprehension that would be excellent for special education students. We also touched on how technology can really appeal to special education students because sometimes traditional textbooks or assignments can appear overwhelming. However because students are familiar with technology, this can help ease their fears about completing assignments with the use of technology.
We also discussed the downside to students relying so much on technology. We brought up personal examples of young children we knew not having an imagination or participating in creative play because technology is always there to entertain them. And when it is gone, students are lost.
As always, our group worked very well together. It has been such a pleasure to work with the High Fliers. It was mentioned during the meeting that the collaboration among the group will be missed when the class is over. I look forward to continuing my work with the group to grow and become more familiar with technology.

Inquiry Based Learning Tools

WebQuests, Web Bits, and Web Inquiry Projects are all inquiry based learning tools that allow students to use higher level thinking skills to complete a task in one of the content areas. They involve students using the Internet to gather facts and information about a topic.
WebQuests are when some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet, sometimes supplemented with video conferencing. Web Bits are short learning activities in which students use the Internet for gathering information. They require a variety of different responses and higher levels of thinking. Web Inquiry Projects also use technology to help promote student learning. Web Inquiry Projects involve students scaffolding their inquiries and require a hook, questions, procdures, data investigation, analysis, and findings.
I think all three of these inquiry based learning tools are great alternatives to regular pen and paper research reports and projects. They get students involved and can really show what a student knows. I also love the fact that they are inquiry based and require the use of higher level thinking skills. I've noticed in the past that my students only use basic level thinking skills and are often times challenged when asked to use these higher level thinking skills. And I love the fact that you can use them with any subject or content area.
I can definetly see myself using these IPM and SIM tools to add inquiry based learning into my classroom. I could use a Web Bit to further discuss a country we are learning about in Social Studies or I could have students perform a webquest about a famous author that we studied during an author study.

Making Sense of Educational Strategies

Well after doing some readings and some discussion from last night's class, I think I realized why the Behavioral Model (Direct Instruction) is widely used and can sometimes considered to be overused. After listening to some classmates' discussion last nite in Elluminate, I think the BM is used because of time constraints and curriculum content that needs to be covered, especially with high school students. As students get older, the curriculum becomes more intense and students are expected to take more rigorous state tests, such as the Regents. Because there is so much focus on student test achievement, teachers need to get through the most curriculum content and in the quickest way possible- Direct Instruction. There is often no time to allow students to explore and ask questions that can guide their learning. Teachers feel the pressure of teaching to the test that they use Direct Instruction because they know this will be the quickest way to cover content and move on.
I also think another reason why Direct Instruction is used so often is because teacher's are often nervous about introducing Information Processing and Social Interactive because they may not be aware of what technology exists. Therefore, using this would be outside of their comfort zone. I often times see newer teachers attempting to integrate technology into their classrooms. Older teachers however, are not comfortable with this technology and therefore rely on Direct Instruction as the primary instructional strategy in their classroom.
I think the new Web 2.0 tools really help support Information Processing and Social Interactive learning. These tools allow students to get more involved in their learning and to be social and share what they have learned. I thought about how using this blog has helped me illustrate what I have learned and share it with others in class and those just stopping by to browse. I think the use of the Web 2.0 tools really has helped me gain a better understanding of course content, while becoming more familiar with technology. If this has worked for me, why not try it with students?!

High Fliers' Continued Success!

As usual, I am very happy to be a part of group 5- High Fliers! I am so impressed with our abilities to collaboroate with one another. When organizing our webquest project and our chapter project, it was great to see how flexible everyone was and how willing we were to get the work done in a timely manner.
I always look forward to meeting with my group because I know that we have a support system in place. I know that if I don't understand something, I can count on one of the other members to clarify for me. I am never intimidated to ask for help. This weekend, since I have a wedding to attend in Florida, I have been feverishly working to get all of my assignments completed before I leave. I have tried to get as much work of the group work done so my group would not be left stranded. I will be checking my e-mail and Moodle while I am away, but I am always haunted by the slight possibility that there will be no Internet connection or that there will be other technological complications.
This week, we developed our group wiki for posting and editing our projects. At first I was nervous about using a wiki for such a purpose, but after trying it, I realized that it was not bad at all. In fact, I like it better than e-mailing back and forth because it is less confusing to keep track of documents. We also have divided up the parts for the PowerPoint Presentation, as well as the webquest. I have to say that I was very impressed with the quality of discussion that went on in our group meeting about the course's week objectives, especially about e-textbooks. After spending more and more time together getting to know one another and being able to voice our opinions and viewpoints, I am learning so much that can be applied into my own classroom.
I think that the High Fliers work very well together. Together, we are a very strong entity that is slowy yet surely learning to fly with our newly gained technological wings. I am very impressed with Ruby's organization and wisdom. Birgul always brings a new perspective to the table, which allows me to think of things in a way that I would not have done so before. Meghan is very supportive and always moving us along in the right path. And Lauren is always willing to go above and beyond to better the group's performance. I know that our webquest assignment and chapter PowerPoint are going to be excellent because of the hard work and collaboration we have put forth. As always, I have really enjoyed my time with the High Fliers.

5E and Inquiry

The 5 E lesson plan design is aligned with the inquiry process because it encourages students to explore subject matter. With inquiry based learning, students' learning is guided by their questions and curiosities. Students use their knowledge that was constructed during inquiry-based learning and apply it widely in and out of schools. Inquiry in the classroom does not simply mean finding the "right'' answer but finding appropriate answers to questions.
The 5 E lesson plan designs is similar because students are constantly engaged in their learning and are making connections between past and present learning experiences. For example, students may ask a question and seek the means to answer this question as a way to get them engaged in an activity. It also involves students exploring and explaining their thinking as well as reflecting on their experience with the learning.
In both the 5 e lesson plan and inquiry processes, the teacher acts as a "guide" rather than the one that stands in front of the room spitting out facts for students to memorize. Also, communities of learners are to be created to help share the learning experience and to make it more meaningful for students. A major part of this is the idea that students develop and use their critical thinking and higher level thinking skills to help create a deeper meaning of the content.
If i were principal of a school, I would definetly encourage my teachers to use this form of teaching. Not only is it research based, but it is proven to help students create and retain content better than with just direct instruction alone. It allows students to get involved in their learning by guiding the direction of their understanding using their questions. I think using this form of education helps hold students more accountable for their education and serves as an engaging approach to teaching that will benefit many students.

E-Learning in depth

The Instructional Systems Design Model (ISDM) is a step-by-step systems approach to technology. First, it determines the level of students' needs and takes this into account when developing training materials, which are turned into programs . It also figures out how to assess the training to see if it has met the needs of the students. It is a generally flexible program that is not very time consuming to implement.
Because the ISDM assesses students to determine their needs, it therefore informs and leads the instruction of the teacher. Students' learning styles and the constraints of technology in the school are taken into account in the development of the program, which helps to enhance instruction. It is also important to take into account subject matter that will help to engage students to assist in the creative process of learning.
Since the program and student work and abilities are assessed based on what students have accomplished, this also helps to lead instruction because it helps to see what students learned and what they still need assistance with. The evaluation typically looks at what the students responded well to, the effectiveness of the learning activities, and how well the activities were implemented using the school's technology.

Cross Word Craziness!

I love using crossword puzzles in my classroom! Up until now, I had only had experience with creating puzzles using online puzzle maker websites. For this assignment, I made my crossword puzzle at http://www.theteacherscorner.net/. It is a great website that had a lot of useful resources such as sample worksheets and other puzzle generators.
In contrast to Excel, I thought this website was a lot easier to use. Excel was not necessarily difficult (the directions were simple to follow), and the program is easy to use, it was just time consuming. In the real world, teachers do not have time to go on excel and create a crossword puzzle from scratch. Instead, they would ideally use a program like this already set up. However, it was interesting to see how Excel could be used, because in the past I had only used it for organizing and making charts and tallies.
In order to get students more familiar with the capabilities of Excel, I may try to have them produce an assignment similar to this to complement a unit of study. It would be great to use for vocabulary to review before a big unit test, or even to have as an extra assignment on hand for a substitute in your room to use. Software like Excel should be used in the classroom, not just separately in the computer lab. These tools have the abilities to really complement any lesson in the classroom. They should be integrated into the curriculum and by doing so, students will become more familiar because they are using them more frequently and on a daily basis rather than once a week in computer class.
Next time I did this assignment or tried it with my students, I would try to get a little fancier and maybe try to integrate some pictures or icons into the crossword. I think I would also try using more words too to see what challenges there were and how I could get around them. I always enjoy a challenge!

Stay Updated with Newsletters!

Well I had so much fun creating my newsletter. Click here to see it! I chose to use a blog to keep parents and guardians updated on the happenings in my classroom. Communication between parents and teachers is so important. Teachers need to keep parents and guardians aware of what is going on in the classroom, not only so they know what their child is learning about, but also so they can implement activities at home to help support the learning that is going on in school. Communication is also important to keep parents informed about student progress, achievements, areas of concern, and what the parent/guardian can do at home to help their child overcome these obstacles.

I love the ideas of newsletters to keep parents informed, as I use them in my classroom presently. However, I like the idea of using a Web 2.0 tool (such as a blog) better because it reduces the use of paper and because it allows parents to stay informed whenever it is convenient for them. For this project, I used Blogger to create a newsletter. I chose it because it was pretty simple to navigate to first start out. Next time, I will try to get more creative and explore further. I think it would be fun to try a program like Scrapblog, where I could actually include pictures with my updates. That would really allow parents to gain deeper insight into classroom activities. I think students would also get very excited about the use of this as well and this would maybe help students remind their parents to check the newsletter.



I think the use of technology adds to the appeal and effectiveness of the newsletter as well. I think I will try to use a blog or even a website to communicate with my parents in the upcoming academic year. I also try to send home notes to inform parents of any positive behavior or concerns that I have. However, sometimes these letters do not make it home or get lost in transit. I am going to make an effort to e-mail parents rather than send notes home.

Week 2 comes to a close….

Well I can’t believe I made it through week 2! I have to say that in only 2 short weeks, I have learned so much about technology and that I can use a lot of the programs that I never thought I could! I already have some favorites that I can’t wait to bring into the classroom (del.icio.us and slideshare!)
While I always knew how important it was to be safe on the Internet, I think talking about safety issues in my group really helped shed light on the fact that some students really put themselves at risk when they use technology, especially the Internet. It opened my eyes to the fact that while the Internet should be used, it can never hurt to review some safety procedures and why students should be aware of the risks out in cyberspace.
I’m also very glad that I became more aware of the National Technology Standards. After viewing them and their purposes, I think its great to use them as a reference guide to ensure technology instruction is helping students become critical thinkers that are involved in collaborative group processes. It’s so important to not forget about technology and that standards do exist.
I’m looking forward to week 3 and all of the challenges that lie ahead. I can’t wait to see what other new technologies are available that I can use for not only personal use, but more importantly in my classroom. I’m very interested in seeing my students’ reaction to integrating these new tools into my classroom to create a more balanced learning experience.

More Web Resources for my Toolbox

Well I have to say that I have had a great experience today exploring del.icio.us, diigo, slideshare, and mind-mapping tools. I really love the concept of del.icio.us and public bookmarking. I am now done with saving all of my favorite places in Internet Explorer. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve saved something in my favorites on my laptop and then been on the computer at school, and I couldn’t retrieve the site. Nothing is more frustrating, especially when you have found a great site. I will definitely be using (and adding to) my favorites on del.icio.us in the near future to use in school to share with not only other teachers, but to encourage my students to use it as well to share their own resources. I love it!
I was not really impressed with diigo however. It seemed so time consuming to highlight webpages. I’m always so busy when I’m surfing websites that I don’t have time to highlight certain passages, I just hit the favorites button and go back to the page later on if needed. I can see where diigo could be useful, if you are prone to forgetting what part of an article you wanted to use, but it just did not seem practical for me.
Slideshare is a program that I am familiar with, as I have used it before. I think slideshare is a great way to share photos and information with those important to us. This could be used with both family, friends, and in the classroom. Slideshare could also be used to present projects and presentations by students in the classroom and I’m definitely looking into incorporating it into the classroom with my own students. I think they would welcome it as a more entertaining alternative to oral presentations. Finally, I had so much fun with the mind-mapping tools. I thought this was so useful to me, and would be an absolutely great tool for students to use when organizing their thoughts for brainstorming for a project or writing an essay. It was so easy to use and would be a great addition for students.

Meeting the Standards

The 2007 National Education Technology Standards for Students are:

· Creativity and Innovation
· Communication and Collaboration
· Research and Information Fluency
· Critical thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
· Digital Citizenship
· Technology Operations and Concepts
Looking at these National Standards (which I have to admit that I did not know existed prior to this class), it amazes me how much these standards are NOT evident in my school! It is such a shame because after learning about the evolution Web 2.0, as well as the benefits that technology can have on education, why wouldn’t these standards be a part of any school?! In my school, the extent of a lot of our technology is to have students produce a PowerPoint presentation rather than write it down on paper. That is all good and well, however technology in the schools needs to be taken a step farther and driven by students’ interest in technology.
These standards hold students accountable for their work in the classroom, as well as guiding them to be part of a collaborative team that has a vast knowledge of digital and technological media and can use them responsibly. The benefits of using and implementing these standards in the classroom can yield students that are not only creative, but have the means to think critically and problem solve.
I am very, very excited to implement these standards into my classroom. I feel that I am ready, as this class has prepared me with a step in the right direction. I also think that it may take time for these standards to be effectively taught and used in the classroom, just like with anything new. But I can say that I will put my best foot forward, and put to use my newfound knowledge of technology, to have these standards lead the way in technology integration and use in my classroom.

Safety First!!

The Internet has provided many benefits for students and their education. It has opened up the windows of communication and has broadened the horizons of educational topics. However, there are some safety issues that teachers, parents, and students should be aware of while assessing the Internet.

Many students today are members of social websites such as MySpace and Facebook. Members generally enter and post information, ranging from general to specific. There are also options to post pictures of themselves as well. The problem with this and young students using websites such as this is that they often will give out too much personal information, which puts them at risk to people who would take advantage of them. While it's not say that students should avoid socializing, they should be reminded to socialize in a smart manner. Students should be encouraged to not give out too much personal information about themselves.

Students also need to be respectful and considerate when having assess to technology such as Instant Messenger and cell phones. There is an increase in bullying among children in schools today. The technologic tools that students have access give students an outlet to harass other students and potentially threaten their safety. Threatening and demeaning messages can be sent via e-mail, text messages, and instant messages. Students that do receive threats should know it that it is o.k. to tell someone about it so their safety is not in jeopardy.
It should be up to parents and teachers to monitor what children are looking at and using on the Internet. There are software that can be purchased to block students from visiting and assessing that may be harmful. It is also recommended to buy software that protect from viruses and hackers, which can also pose a problem to young students that do not have experience with the Internet.

Bookmarking 1.0 vs. 2.0

Bookmarking has changed with the evolution of Web 2.o. Web 2.0 is more user-based input version of the Internet. It is a new way of doing things on the Internet that involves peer to peer sharing and a new world of communication.

Bookmarking with Web 2.o makes saving your favorite websites more public and assessible to share with peers and students. With website such as del.icio.us, it makes it easy to to assess your favorite websites from any computer, not just your own. In web 1.0, you would traditionally save your valueable or favorite website to the favorites file in Internet Explorer. But with Web 2.0, you can add it to a webpage so you're always connected. Other people, such as friends or colleagues, can also assess and view your favorites that you have posted. It is a way to collaborate with professionals and share resources. Bookmarking with Web 2.0 can also be beneficial in the classroom to use with students. Students can use websites like del.icio.us to bookmark websites that they used for research or websites that found interesting and would like their students to be aware of.

Bookmarking with Web 2.0 makes assessing and sharing resources more convenient. It also allows for more collaboration not only with professionals, but with parents as well. I can't wait to try using Bookmarking in my classroom with my students!

The Times are Changing (1.0 to 2.0)

The shift from Classroom 1.0 to 2.0 has had many impacts on teaching and learning. The students of today are always moving and involved. Classroom 2.0 has students that are aware of the many technologies that are available to them and use them daily.
Students in todays classroom 2.0 are interactive. Gone are the days of students sitting independently working with strictly pen and paper. Students today are blogging, posting podcasts, and playing video games. They are always collaborating with peers and using their knowledge of interactive medias to help their understanding of curriculum material. Student centered learning is the focus, where the teacher merely helps students find a way to understand the material that best suites them. It is also important to mention that students in classroom 2.0 are multi-taskers and are able to handle multiple forms of information at the same time. With this being said, teachers need to support this new generation of learners and support these cultural and social changes.
It is evident that students are different today than they were even when I went to school. With this new and exciting change come shifts in teaching and learning that need to be embraced and supported. Technology is here to stay and will only get more advanced as time goes by, which means that is not unreasonable to think that paradigms will continue to change in the classroom.

My mindmap!

Today I created my mind map on mind42.com. It was a great experience and I could definetly see my students using this website to organize their thoughts when writing. Check it out!

Quality Websites for Educators and Students

I thought this experience of evaluating websites was very beneficial to me as a
user of the Internet and as an educator. With the Internet and other technologies
becoming increasingly popular, it is the teacher’s responsibility to make students aware
of the technologies, but also to inform students of the risks of using technologies and
what to be aware of when using them. I thought the websites that I had found were all
very educational in their own ways, especially www.EducationWorld.com. I thought this
website had so much to offer educators in the form of resources and the latest teaching
tools that work. The National Geographic Virtual Tour of the Underground Railroad was
fascinating to me so I can only imagine what it would be like for young students to
experience. www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/index.html is where you can find this
stimulating and thought provoking tour of not only important people, but important
places of the Underground Railroad. Finally, www.kidsturncentral.com/index.htm is
where students can go to find a variety of resources at their fingertips. From sports to
important topics such as bullying, Kids Turn Central is the place to go for homework help
or to take a break and enjoy a game. I can’t wait to bookmark these sites and share them
with my peers and colleagues!

The New Age of Students

Digital students today are different from students of the past. Students today rely on the Internet for entertainment and education. In the past, students and their teachers relied on worksheets and traditional pen and paper to do the majority of their learning. However today, students are now involved with podcasts, MySpace, PowerPoint, and other tech-savy programs. It is so true that these technology based programs enhance not only the quality of education, but the level of engagements of students. It seems that technology is changing so fast and because our students today are constantly using technology, they are aware of the changes and can therefore adapt to these changes.

Due to these changes teachers are seeing in students, it is their responsibility to stay on top of and become familiar with technological developments. Teachers are also going to have to find ways to incorporate technology into different subject areas in the classroom. They need to move past photocopying worksheets and need to create authentic, learning tasks where students can use technology to generate their assignments with. Not only does technology enhance education and make it more memorable, but it also raises the level of engagement on behalf of the student. It should also be up to the teacher to make technology accessible in the classroom and allow students ample opportunities to have access to computers whether it be to play an education game or to construct a project to be submitted for a grade. Some teachers are very hesitatnt to incorporate this technology, but its benefits can be seen. It may take some time for teachers to become familiar with all that exists, but with constant exposure and use it becomes far less of an overwhelming task.

Engaging Our Learners with Technology

I really connected to the videoes The Voice of the Net Generation and Redefining Literacy. Today, the Internet is a very popular media in which learning can take place. Paper is also primarily used, however there is a strong shift towards the Internet. Many teachers are not incorporating technology into the classroom, which is doing a great disservice to students today. I see it in my school everyday. Teachers are using traditional pen and paper methods to teach students which is boring for young learners. It is not interactive nor engaging for students that are used to having access to technology. Students can't wait to go home where they can use technology because they view school as a boring place where technology is not accessible.
With technology becoming more popular and powerful, it is so important for teachers to begin teaching students the basics of technology as early as possible. Teachers may say that their students are not engaged in learning, however it is because they are teaching students in a way that is not meaningful to them. They are used to using the Internet, text messaging, and ipods. Therefore, we need to move toward teaching technologic literacy because it is becoming more and more popular and it is important that students learn the basics so they can be successful in their technological endeavors.

My Teaching with Technology Philosophy

With the recent influx and prevalence of technology and its importance in the educational world, it is imperative that students be made aware of the possibilities that technology can offer and the value it can have on their education. Technology can significantly enhance the quality of teaching and learning. Because each student has differing educational needs, technology can help to individualize education by allowing students to experiment with different programs to find what works best for them. By incorporating hands-on and activity based projects involoving technology will help shape students experiences in the classroom to make them authentic and memorable.
Schools and teachers should help prepare students for the challenges and realities that students can face in the real world. Therefore, teachers should make students aware of the benefits that technology can have not only on students' education in the classroom, but so they are aware of how technology can benefit them in the real world as well.

Technologic Adventures

So far, I have really enjoyed the class and going through many adventures with technology. I have had opportunities to create a website, blog, and wiki, which I have never done before. After this experience, I see the technological and academic advantages these can have and I am definetly looking forward to integrating either a website or blog into my classroom next year.
I think the most memorable experience so far was getting the class together in the Tapped In and Illuminate websites. While some experienced difficulties, I thought it was great how the class banded together and helped each other out. This is a learning experience for all of us and its great that we can offer support to one another to help with the learning process. I also think it was great how some of us were able to integrate other forms of technology into our learning in the chat rooms with microphones. It really helped with the learning process and brought education closer to home by making it feel like we were in the classroom.
While I have learned a lot and enjoyed learning and reading about all of the resourcs posted on Moodle, my favorite activity was creating my website. I really enjoyed adding pictures, blurbs about me, and learning about the capabilities of the website by experiencing it.

Learning to Change and Changing to Learn

While watching the video, "Learning to Change and Changing to Learn", it was clear that technology is very prevalent in our society today. Children are getting cell phones and learning to use computers younger and younger everyday. Technology enriches and engages students outside of school with features such as text messaging, Instant Messenger, Facebook. However most of these are banned from schools. These tools of technology can help make education more memorable and authentic. Technology is a change that must be embraced because it is here to stay and will only evolve as time goes on. It is up to teachers to bring technology into our classrooms because it is what students will have to face in the real world so it is up to us expose them to it as early as possible.

I have to say that creating this blog was not as difficult as I thought. My experience with technology is limited to Microsoft Word, AIM, powerpoint, and some basic knowledge about smartboards. I really like the concept of blogging and look forward to using it in the future.

Welcome!

My name is Jennifer D'Antoni. I am a graduate student at Mount Saint Mary College. I am pursuing my 2nd Masters degree in Literacy (birth-grade 6). I am going to be teaching 6th grade next year in the Bronx.