I. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter

Using Microsoft Word, I created a newsletter for my social studies class by utilizing many new and innovative features.  My newsletter is intended to be given out to incoming students and their parents.  It features useful information and is presented within a neatly compiled document.  It contains a title, date, issue and volume number, a quote, and three sections outlining: a welcome to the class, how technology will be implemented in the classroom, and something about myself.  Within the document, I used the formatting feature to create two columns and integrated interesting graphics into the articles using the text wrap function.  To present the text in an appealing manner, I utilized Word Art to colorfully display titles and used drop caps for the first letter of each article.  To keep the final document in its intended format, I saved it as a PDF so that it can be accessed from any computer and appear the same.  My innovative use of Word allows me to give information to students and parents in a newsletter facilitates creativity within the classroom and a thorough means of presentation.   The newsletter showcases my proficiency in using computer-based technology in a real world setting as I utilized many of the features within a computer program to create an informative guideline for class distribution.  Using Microsoft Word in an innovative manner, I created a neatly fashioned Newsletter which has the potential to capture and keep the attention of my future students.

Personal Blog

Using Blogger, a free web-based blog creation tool provided by Google, I was able to create and continually build a class blog.  My blog is a personalized running journal  published on the Internet used to reflect my thinking and reactions to various topics on technology. I learned how to make my blog accessible to the public by choosing a  creative name and custom URL and by providing easy to read content. I used HTML code to embed visual  examples of my work, such as my Prezi presentation and classroom newsletter, as tabbed pages on my blog.   I inserted pictures to provide visual support for my journal reflection posts.   I  customized and modified my layout and template using the provided website tools to design the website to reflect my personal preference of professional interest and I added gadgets on my sidebar from the setting to add links to my Diigo tagroll, Twitter page and other web-sites. This blog demonstrates how I am able to successfully utilize technology as a tool for innovative collaboration because I can write and share  my ideas and resources through my blog and personal creativity because I can use a variety of web based tools to add design and content profiles to make the blog unique.  My experience in building the blog and becoming proficient in the technological aspects, means that I will be able to provide my students with the opportunity to use technology as a learning tool that inspires and allows for creativity and to facilitate student collaboration.

II. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Prezi Presentation

 Prezi is a non-linear option for developing multi-media presentations.  Utilizing the  free web-based tool Prezi, I was able to create a visual presentation highlighting four of the ten  National Education Technology Standards for Students(NETS-S ) for grades 6-8 and included a brief lesson plan idea for implementing each of the four.  Using the main tool bar located in the left hand side of the screen I was able to add text, insert images, zoom in and out on images to manipulate text and images for size and variety and added a pathway which provided the direction and order in which the information and visuals would appear for the finished work.  I provided a text heading for each of the four proficiency standards.  Using the text box, I could change the text alignment, font and font color for each heading to create variety.  I was able to use the zooming feature to make the text larger or smaller in order to insert images within the text.  In addition to the master tool bar, when I double clicked on a finished text a feature would appear that allowed me to further manipulate the size of images and text as well as to move the text to different angles.  I also utilized outside images by using the tool bar, insert image icon, and added a visuals which connected to my lesson ideas. My Prezi presentation is a creative digital learning tool that allows me to make connections to relevant learning experiences through the use of a non-linear multi-media tool.  The options in Prezi mean that my students could all design a presentation as an assignment based on a specific skill set or standard, but maintain and express their own learning style, comprehension and expression.

Google Docs

Using the the free web based office suite Google program Goolge Docs, I was able to create and maintain documents including my NETS narratives.  My NETS narratives document was first created by pressing on the create button.  My first document was a collaborative effort so I used the share icon and then chose peers to participate in live chat composing and editing documents with me.  We could then both receive and provide feedback to the documents.  I used the feedback to edit my document.  I provided feedback to my peers to help them with the editing of their work.  The changes made to the document are automatically saved within the program.  I created a folder to organize my work.  Using Google Docs technology to create my narratives provided a way for me to assess my own progress by allowing me  the ability to interact with other peers in the writing process.  The learning environment was enhanced because I was responsible, not only for my own document, but to provide beneficial revision suggestions to my peers.  Google Docs technology will benefit my students because I can assign an essay and then they will be able  to  to interact with one another and maintain their individual curiosities while creating goals and assessing their own progress along the way.  

III. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

PSA iMovie

Using Apple’s iMovie video editing software, I was able to create a one minute Public Service Announcement ( PSA)  used to feature the California State University San Marcos ( CSUSM).   I imported to the computer, video footage filmed from an iPhone camera and music from an iTunes playlist.  I was able to locate the Event Library and then select desired clips and enter them into the timeline.  I used the Inspector to apply screen effects, text box to create titles, text and credits and the transition icon to create different transition effects between clips.  I edited audio using the Inspector icon to detach audio and create a fade in and out for the movie. I was able to open itunes and then drag a selected song choice into the movie clip timeline to add music.  I used QuickTime conversion to download my movie  into a file and then to  upload and embed it into my blog.  My iMovie PSA, demonstrates how I am able to utilize a digital tool to share information and ideas.  The iMovie was a creative way to share factual information to peers, parents or potential students considering CSUSM.  I can use my iMovie in the classroom as a model  for students to view and then assign them to create their own iMovie based on their own research and learning of a historical figure, literary character or themselves, using it to communicate relevant information and reflections about their topic to others.

Diigo

I am a member of the free online social bookmarking site, Diigo which allows me to network and follow other users to share research and collaborate.  I accessed the Diigo website and created a Diigo account.  I was able then to use the Diigo tool to bookmark items of interest that I found while researching the web.  Once I bookmarked the page a text box appeared where I also entered in a brief description of the site gave it a tag name based on the general topic as well as two other descriptor words.  My Diigo tags were then sent to my library.  Tags serve as a way to organize as well as identify my information.  My bookmarks can be accessed by other people on the Diigo based on the tag roll identification.  I used the search engine to find communities and networks of people of interest to help expand my Diigo network of resources.  One site I bookmarked was the educational website for The National Archives.  I found lesson plans and photographic resources that I would like use in the future.  I bookmarked the site, wrote a brief description, tagged it so that others could find and utilize the site as well.  Using Diigo provides me a way to gather and share information with colleagues and students.  By identifying key topic information by first bookmarking and then connecting a tag to the site, I am able to organize my resources as well as provide that resource to countless others using Diigo.  Diigo is an excellent way to locate and evaluate informational resources that are posted on the web.  My students will benefit from the use of Diigo because it is an easy way to conduct and support research and to develop different perspectives and understandings of current events without having to leave their classroom.  

IV. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Collaborative Cyber Safety Website

Working in collaboration with six of my colleagues, I designed and published an informative web-site on the topic of Cyber Safety, utilizing the free online website building tool Weebly.  In my collaborative group, we first met and discussed overall design and theme of our site and created the home page and title together.  Next, we each took responsibility for creating one page of the site based on one of six topics revolving around Cyber Safety: Cyber Predators, Piracy and Plagiarism, Inappropriate Content, Social Networking, Cyber Bullying and Identity Safety.  I produced the Social Networking page.  I provided a brief overview on the legal and safety issues which was based on research I read and analyzed. I also added additional resources links. I created three different sections of the site on tips for teachers, students and parents.  I added an image to each heading to provide visual support as well as embedding a brief informational video.  Building the site in collaboration with other colleagues meant that I had to be responsible in doing my part of the work.  The Cyber Safety website helps to promote the practice of responsible website use and advocacy by being informative and highlighting major points of concern that students should be aware of when using the computer.  As an educator it is not only my job to use digital tools to support the growth of my students 20th Century skills, but I must also ensure that I embed efforts to for them to develop appropriate safe digital communication and collaborative skills.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)  Journal 

I wrote and published an informative blog post on  Assistive Technology focused on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Accessibility.  Using the Internet as a research tool, I looked for high and low tech devices and equipment used to support people whose speech is impacted by their disability.  I also incorporated my own experiences.  I chose to profile a speech device that is controlled by the users eye gaze, and a switch system that can promote responses by a general touch of a button by the user.  In researching accessibility, I chose to profile one piece of hardware  a lite pad that allows students to write directly on a computer screen and then transforms it into typed text and one piece of software Zoomtext enables people to create larger more readable text.  I inserted images of all the assistive tools into the blog as well as a link to a blog site written by the mother of a son who has profound disabilities.  My work in researching and developing an informative blog post on two types of assistive technology, demonstrates that I am both; able to access resources for students who may need assistive technology support as well as provide information and support for others. Digital citizenship and responsibility means that all my students will be able to feel that they can communicate and access the classroom with success and independence at any level.  

V. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Journal Posts

Published onto my blog are several journal articles that are reflective response to various professional readings I did on the subject of educational technology.  To provide me with access to current and effective information, I became a member of the The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).  one of the publications that I was able to access through my membership to ISTE was a monthly educational technology publication “Learning and Leading with Technology.” My journals include a response to two informational texts on the value and navigation of Twitter, and response to an alternative teaching approach called “flipping the classroom.”  I also participated in the Classroom 2.0 technology assessment which helped me to pinpoint my own strengths and weaknesses, the assessment results also provided me with resources to help support my educational technology growth.  My journal reflects my responses to how I will implement these resources in my teaching.  My journals demonstrate that I am continuing to build on my knowledge of best practices in educational technology by my efforts to join professional organizations in the subject, read current literature and reflect upon how that literature can be of benefit for myself and my students.  I will also model the behavior of professional engagement for my students so that they can recognize and utilize the benefit of participating in discussions on technology growth and leadership. 

Professional Learning Network (PLN)

I built and maintain my own Professional Learning Network ( PLN) which provides me access to multitudes of people, resources and professional development in the educational fields of my interest, using social networking sites.  To develop my PLN, I utilized three social networking sites: Twitter, Diigo and The Educator’s PLN.  I created a profile of myself for each site which included a brief professional bio, photo and a few small personal interest details.  I utilized the different tags specific to each site, to help me identify topics and people of interest whom I would like to follow.  I read postings and responded to those that I found interest in.  I moved information along to other colleagues who may have been interested.  I participated in an #Edchat discussion, which as an online ongoing discussion on selected topic, using Twitter communication( Tweets/Re-Tweets).   I used this time to gather information on other people, professional’s or resources of interest and then built them into my “followings” on both Twitter and Diigo.  I was able to tag and organize my connections by topic in Diigo.  The activity in my PLN provides me with the opportunity to engage in professional growth and collaboration, on a global scale and I can continually build upon my network by my continual participation in beneficial social networking.  My PLN also allows me to reach out to others to share my thoughts and ideas as well.  For my students’ I see vast opportunities in teaching them to create and participate in their own PLN’s.   PLN’s provide access to so many resources and experiences that some students might not otherwise have the chance to access.  It also helps them to initiate connections and skills in communication vital to their future success.