1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Sharing classroom information in a personalized way is essential for parents and students to reflect on previous activities and remind of upcoming events. Using Microsoft Word, a word processing software, I created a weekly classroom newsletter in order to communicate information and classroom news to students and parents. I was able to make a masthead for the newsletter by using a table, word-art, and line-art. For the content of the newsletter, I was able to organize into two columns including three different articles. Within these articles, I was able to personalize them by adding drop capped letters, word-art titles, integrating pictures and customized bullet points, and enclosing it all with a page border. Creating a personalized classroom newsletter allowed me to communicate information to parents and teachers and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. The newsletter helped me to better understand technology software tools and also allowed me to utilize innovative thinking and artistic abilities.

Using Blogger, a free blog publishing tool from Google, I was able to share and communicate ideas, thoughts and information with the rest of my peers by creating a blog. A blog is a type of web-log or website maintained by an individual with regular entries about desired topic.  I was  able to post reflections of educational journal articles that included citing articles in APA style and connecting them to the NETS-T standards. With each post I created I was able to insert text, images, and videos adding emphasis to my post that communicated significant information, also to customize and design templates and layouts within my blogs and to create new pages within my blog.  Other features like adding link columns or gadgets were also available. Blogger also allowed me to obtain HTML embed codes and paste them into my blog from Prezi, a web-based, multi-media presentation software, as well as multiple other examples of my work utilizing technology. Creating my innovative blog facilitated my collaboration with the rest of my peers and allowed me to interact with them in a virtual environment by providing feed back on each others blogs. Blogger also serVed as a component of my creativity and allowed me to showcase my ideas and thoughts as I embedded samples of my work. I was able to model innovative thinking by posting blogs that allowed me to reflect on relevant educational issues, which not only promoted my virtual and technological growth but also supported my inventiveness.

NETS-T II

Using Microsoft Excel, an electronic spreadsheet program used for storing, organizing and manipulating data, I was able to create an original crossword puzzle about my life that students can complete virtually or manually. I was able to create this crossword puzzle by following Atomic Learning, a step by step tutorial on how to construct a crossword puzzle using Microsoft Excel. In creating this crossword puzzle, not only was I capable of customizing the background of my puzzle by filling in cells, but I was also allowed to format cells, as well as arrange the size of cells by formatting height and width. Also to input clues by adding a comment to a certain cell, this would later allow the clue to appear by placing the cursor of the mouse over the cell. Creating an original crossword puzzle about my life developed my knowledge and skill in the contemporary digital tool, Microsoft Excel, giving me with the opportunity to promote student learning and creativity by teaching my students how to create one, allowing them be active participants and pursuing their individual curiosities through the process.

Using GoogleForms, one of various features of GoogleDocs, a web-based office suite and data storage service offered by Google, I was able to create an assessment that would allow my peers to evaluate a Prezi presentation I created about the NETS-S. Through this feature I designed and developed an assessment that included the name of the person taking the assessment as well as different styles of questions utilizing the various options within GoogleForms such as choosing from a list, paragraph text, multiple choice, scale, checkboxes and grid, all related to content and technical aspect of the presentation. This tool also allowed me to copy-paste the embed code and post the assessment on my blog, which was how my peers were able to access my assessment, as well as obtaining a link of the results which were put together as a spreadsheet. By designing and developing an assessment through GoogleForms I was able to provide my peers with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments incorporating contemporary tools, aligned with content and technology standards that were included in my questions about the NETS-S presentation. I can now use Google Forms to create assessments that meet the needs of my students with diverse learning styles and working strategies.

NETS-T III

Using Prezi, a cloud-based presentation software for sharing ideas upon a virtual canvas I was able to create a virtual presentation that demonstrates my knowledge of the 2007 ISTE NETS-S and the performance indicators for Technologically Literate students, and how I would incorporate them within my classroom of pre-kindergarten to second grade. With the help of a tutorial I learned how to create my Prezi presentation, how to insert text, videos, and pictures into sized frames; also how to create a path from start to finish that explained my knowledge of the 2007 ISTE NETS-S in a chronological manner. I made four frame sets, one per NETS Student Profile and discussed how I might be capable of accomplishing that inside my classroom. With each frame I was able to move, scale and rotate text, as well as zoom in and out creating emphasis on the important information within my presentation. Each frame included at least two relevant graphic images, along with a hyperlink or text address to ISTE or NETS-S. This innovative program, Prezi allowed me to transfer my current knowledge about the NETS-S and the performance indicators for Technologically Literate student and communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to my peers using a variety of digital media and formats. I can now model and facilitate effective use of this emerging digital tool to support the research and learning of students.In addition,I can now teach my students on how to use this tool and enhance their learning experience by applying what they know to new technologies.

Using a free web-based mind mapping tool, Dabbleboard, I created a mind map that illustrates how I have met the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). I created my personalized mind map from a clean white board and worked my way through. First, I inserted figures that varied in shape, size and color from the shape-toolkit and drew freely using the “Freehand” feature. After inserting text in relation to the NETS-T, I was allowed to draw attention to relevant information by using the options buttons on the corners of each shape or text that allowed me to move, replicate, or scale any desired illustration. I also placed custom-made arrows that described the relationship among the illustrated concepts. At the end my mind map was available to be easily shared and download as a PNG file, which I then embedded on my blog. Creating my personalized mind map demonstrates my fluency in this specific technology system in the way I was able to model my understanding of how I have met the NETS-T. I can now model another way to communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students.

NETS-T IV

Using GoogleSites, a free web-page creation tool offered by Google that enables you to design and share webpages on the Internet, I was able to create a collaborative CyberSafety resource for educators. Working with a group of six, we learned how to use Google Sites as a collaborative tool to address six topics in regards to cybersafety. Google Sites allowed us to work in our individual pages as well as help each other via Internet by logging into our Google Sites account without necessarily having to be in the same room. The topic my page addresses is social networks, other topics included: cyber predators, piracy and plagiarism, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and identity safety.  We were able to create a main page that described our project. Each page included relevant information that was researched about each topic, also embedded pictures and videos that emphasized the importance of cyber safety as well as our individual topic, resource links were  included too.  Our collaborative website served as an model for safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology. I can now model the ability to socially interact with my peers using technology in a collaborative manner. The cybersafety website also is a great way to keep students and parents aware of the dangers of these types of issues on the Internet.

Opening an account with Diigo, a collaborative social bookmarking website, enabled me to share bookmarks, tag websites and search bookmarked sites for areas that interest me. Furthermore, I was able to begin developing my personal learning network (PLN) by following people around the world that may have same interest in regards to education by making them part of my social network. After following a tutorial on how to use Diigo, I obtained the Diigo Toolbar which allowed me to have access to the various bookmarking possibilities. I then researched and bookmarked sites, added tags and left reflections in relation to topics such as education, PLN, tolerance, cyberbullying. The summary reflection discussed societal issues and multicultural awareness. All this subsequently creates a Library of my entire bookmarked site within Diigo that I’m always able to refer back to. I was then able to share my research with a Diigo Tagroll that I posted on my blog page. Using the digital-age collaboration tool Diigo, I was able to engage with colleagues and students of other cultures and develop an understanding about significant educational issues. Bookmarking as well as summary reflections educated me in regards to cultural understanding and global awareness.

NETS-T V

A Personal Learning Network (PLN), consists of learners from different parts of the world who interact with each other by sharing knowledge such as significant information or ideas that consequently contribute to one’s professional development. I developed my PLN as an assignment that was later posted as a journal entry on my blog. The virtual educational tools that have helped me create my PLN are Twitter, an online social networking and micro blogging service, that allowed me to be part of an educational chat with educators around the globe. Diigo, a social bookmarking website that allows users to bookmark and tag websites, enabled me to engage with colleagues and students as well as to develop an understanding about significant educational issues. Google+, a social networking,  and Ning, an online platform for individuals and organizations to create custom social networks. My PLN will help me as a future teacher by allowing me to continuously improve my professional practice by obtaining access to relevant information that will facilitate my goal of providing my students with educational and innovative ways to learn. In addition, the ongoing nature of my PLN contributes to the effectiveness and vitality not only of the teaching  profession but also of schools and communities.

As teachers, it is important to stay current on relevant information that deals with education. As part of a classroom assignment I subscribed and became a member of ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education where I obtained access to education articles from a monthly educational publication, Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). After reading each article I developed a journal reflection upon them on my blog. With each journal I included an APA citation of the scholarly article, the NETS-T standard number for the content of the article, a summary/ analysis of the article, and two relevant questions that pertain to the article which I answered too. Some topics the articles discussed were, improvement of student learning, education, technology, PLN, etc. Through these journal entries I was able to evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice. On the other hand, Becoming a member of ISTE allows me to participate in local and global learning communities that will help me once I become a teacher.