NETS 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter

Utilizing various features of Microsoft Word, a word processing software, I created an informative and creative newsletter for a future classroom. One of the features I used was a custom table in order to create a unique masthead with Word Art with line Clip Art to resemble a colorful newspaper heading. In addition, by inserting columns with colorful Word Art titles for each article that explains what will go on in the classroom which creates a document that is visually appealing. By inserting graphics, Clip Art, and drop caps to the articles and using text wrapping, I was able to create an interesting newsletter using a Word document. My informative digital newsletter communicates what is going on in the classroom, which combines subject matter and technology to foster student learning. By creating my newsletter and sharing with my students, I can inspire and teach them to foster their own technological creativity.

Classroom Blog

Online communication with students, parents, and other administrators is useful and necessary for a successful classroom. Utilizing Blogger, a blog creating tool from Google, I created a classroom blog. An blog is an online journal, or web page, that shares information and allows the user to post ideas or information. Following the Youtube “How to Create a Blog” tutorial, I discovered how to colorfully design the web layout, use web templates, create a  personal web page url title, upload photos and assignments, edit posts, and attach Diigo website tags as well as other website addresses. After creating my classroom blog, I learned how to comment on peers blogs as well as receive feedback from my peers, post information about myself, and create a blog list of fellow peer blog members that I wish to follow. I also learned of how to share and publish by embedding the html format of my many different work projects which demonstrates my competency in technology; projects such as journal articles, classroom newsletter, and excel crossword puzzle. Creating a classroom blog models my fluency in current technology, while opening the online door for collaboration and communication between me and my cohorts through commenting and giving each other feedback. Additionally, my classroom blog models and exhibits safe and ethical use of  web based communication and learning, since through my blog, I am demonstrating web-based etiquette and creativity.

NETS-2: Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Crossword Puzzle

Utilizing Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet software, I created an interactive crossword puzzle for students based on the U.S. presidents. In using features of Excel, in particular, conditional formatting which allows the teacher to give clues based on letter input. This allows students to see if the first letter of their guess is correct using the colors red and green. Through use of outlining the last names of various past United States presidents  the student can place letters of their guesses in the outlined box. In addition I made a sheet of clues which give the students facts about the presidents to help them guess which one it might be. The answers and clues can be printed for the students.The  assessment feature gives the student feedback that results in immediate data to inform learning from the teacher in the clues provided.  Creating a crossword puzzle using Excel, allows teachers to customize a personal learning experience for the students.

Prezi and Google Assessment

Through Prezi, an online web based tool for designing presentations, I created a presentation outlining lesson plans coinciding with National Educational Standards for Students specifically made achieving technological standards for 9th-12th grade levels. I created the Prezi from a blank page using frames I drew and incorporating images using the image tool. In addition, I was able to chose an eye-catching font as well as colors to make the presentation interesting. There are many more features of Prezi to learn and use, one in particular is the custom pathways for the presentation to make it visually appealing. Another feature is the ability to add video to the presentation. By using Prezi, I was able to create a valuable resource for possible project lesson plans by incorporating International Society for Technology in Education’s performance indicators for students in addition to providing students the knowledge of being able to use a digital tool. In addition to creativity, Prezi also allows students of varied learning styles to come together in a project of this nature by giving students who learn visually the ability to put together a visual mode of  learning and those who learn by reading the chance to gather material for the presentation.

NETS-3: Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Mind Map

By using Popplet, an online mind-mapping site, I created a mind map outlining the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and how I successfully met all of them using different artifacts I have created. One of the first things I chose in this site was the coloration of the “popple” or the box in which you write your information. The directions of the “popples” can go any way you chose and in addition it can be as large or as small as you wish. I added images of each artifact to the corresponding popple. This tool allows students to map their ideas in an organized way and have the ability to save their work and return to it. By introducing Popplet, students can show creativity and the successful accomplishment of creating something organic engages the student. Popplet also allows teachers to see if students can demonstrate mastery of transfer of current knowledge to new technologies by taking skills of organization and apply them to technological application of those same skills.

Symbaloo webmix

Symbaloo is a online tool that can be used assortment  of tiles that through different tiles host numerous desired sources which can be described as an interactive book marking tool that can be shared with others. By creating a Symbaloo account, I am able to store all of my artifacts for meeting the National Education Technology Standards (NETS)  for teachers in one easy to access place. I created tiles for my webmix by placing a website I visited often or my teaching related blog with many artifacts related to integrating technology into the classroom on it. I placed a tile to link viewers and myself to a published Google Document as well. In addition to using text to label each artifact I also used color coding based on each NETS artifact.. Through creating a Symbaloo account and using it in the classroom students are able to research ideas for projects and keep them in an organized fashion. In addition by using Symbaloo in the classroom for project information and links to sites, I can model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze and use information resources for research needs.

NETS-4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Weebly Collaborative Website

By using Weebly, a free, online, website creation tool, I was able to collaborate with other peers and come up with a cohesive website to inform students about being “cybersafe.” In the creation of the page which included topics such as Social Networking, cyber bullying, identity safety, cyber predators, and inappropriate content. On my page, I created two columns to separate the two sets of information which were piracy and plagiarism that I co-presented with a classmate. I then used bullet points to break down the definition of plagiarism and its dangers. I used HTML code to embed a video example of professional plagiarism.  In three different sections I outline what parents, teachers,  and students can do to combat this issue as well as links to the appropriate sites used for information as well as sites parents, teachers, and students can visit to learn more. By creating this website I am able to spread knowledge to students and their parents as well as other teachers in modeling digital citizenship in a digital context. Through this platform I can model, and teach safe and ethical use of digital information, including respect for copyright, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

Journal 8- Adaptive Technology

Through Internet research, I investigated different adaptive technology tools to aid those students with special needs. For my research I focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication which American Speech-Language Hearing Association terms as anything other than actual speech to assist with communication. I outline both high and low technology devices for students in regards to communication for these students in the classroom, like Speech Buddy which helps form the tongue into the appropriate shape to make difficult sounds like, “CH”. In terms of accessibility the input device is crucial for the students with impairments it is defined as anything that can be used to enter data into the computer for example I researched a keyboard which has individual key to diminish pressing more than one key while typing. In my journal on my blog, I use links within the text for citation purposes and to link the reader to the site I used and I also input images of the devices. This research allowed me to inform myself of tools for these students and the social interactions related to the use of technology and information. In addition to addressing the diverse needs of every learner, I can look for strategies in order to give my students equitable access to appropriate digital tools.

NETS-5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

PLN

Through use of various digital tools like Diigo, Twitter, and Classroom 2.0,  I created a Personal Learning Network, or PLN.  PLNs allow educators to share tools and resources and formulate new ideas.  In the Personal Learning Network, I collected subject specific resources such as the teacher page for the Library of Congress and stored them in Diigo, which is a website that allows you to bookmark your favorite sites and then I am able to share them with anyone in addition to having access to it from any computer. In addition to  Diigo, I used the social media of Twitter to connect to teachers all over the world and be able to discuss tools and differing  methodologies of teaching. In the same genre of Twitter, I joined Classroom 2.0 which is a forum based site that allows only those they deem worthy and am able to discuss issues and successes with teachers also subscribed to the forums. In the formation of the Personal Learning Network I am able to connect with teachers globally and locally to continue to learn how to improve student learning  in the field of technology. Personal Learning Networks contribute to not only the global community but also contribute to effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal to the school by teachers reaching out into the global community and bringing information to the school level and adapting it to their needs.

Reflective Journals

By research of teaching related articles that hold valuable resources and new projects I was able to learn new and interesting ways to integrate technology into my classroom. By becoming a member of International Society for Technology in Education or ISTE, I was able to have access to their electronic publication entitled Learning and Leading with Technology, which has teachers and administrators who submit for the publication. In one article, authored by Swan and Park detailed how students need to be taught how to use the internet effectively as well as responsibly. They suggest a “driver’s license” which is very reasonable and the concept will help to motivate them to learn about things like plagiarism and copyright laws. Another article explained the author Susan Anderson’s experience in integrating a program called Greenleaf through Schoolwires which brings together American and Chinese students through technology in the form of webcams. The program allows the students to learn about the other from each other which is the best way to attain information about a place.  By developing and using my critical thinking skills in completing the journal articles, I was able to reflect and evaluate current research in the field and make my own ideas on how to use it effectively in my classroom. In addition, I am able to modify and exhibit a vision of the ideas presented in the articles in order to infuse technology, like incorporating a plagiarism lesson, that will work best in my classroom.