1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Educational Blog
A working portfolio can be a useful tool for students to reflect and get feedback on their work. Using Google’s free blog publishing service, Blogger, I created a blog which served as my portfolio. A blog is a personal website in which information is usually presented in the order it was added. I regularly added journal entries and displayed my work assignments visually, by embedding them on additional pages as tabs on my blog. The work could be viewed by other students, who could then provide feedback by commenting on the blog. I also customized the theme and layout of my blog, added a page to describe my background and opinions about technology, added links to other resources and to my Twitter account, and included a widget to display the geographic location of visitors to my site in the sidebar. The structure and creativity I used throughout the blog required I think and plan to most efficiently display my portfolio. Additionally, the virtual environment I created through my blog promoted collaboration by encouraging others to view and comment on my work.
Classroom Newsletter
A classroom newsletter is a way for me to communicate with my students and their parents to inform them about the expectations in my class. I created a newsletter using Microsoft Word. It also outlines my expectations not only for the semester but also for the whole year. I used the table feature to create and customize the masthead with Word Art for titles and custom line art for an artistic touch. I used formatting to create colorful titles, two columns, and included a drop cap to the first word of each article . I also integrated graphics and images to make my newsletter colorful using the text wrapping feature. By sharing my newsletter and expectations with my students and their parents, I am able to communicate with them effectively. The way I used Word in an innovative manner to create the newsletter will benefit the students by modeling ways that help facilitate their learning.
2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessment
Crossword Puzzle
The crossword puzzle is a program that help students assess their knowledge of subject matter. I used the excel crossword puzzle maker to create the puzzle. I started by choosing different terms and inserting them in different rows. I also have to coordinate the terms for across and down. I viewed the tutorials over and over on Atomic Learning to make sure that I get it right. Following The tutorials in Atomic Learning, I created a crossword puzzle about me. I came up with all the terms about where I grew up, the school I attended, the street name, etc. I then used conditional formatting to create answers and clues to the terms. I color coded the first letter of each word green. If they click on the letter and the letter is the correct one, it will turn green. I then formatted the wrong answer red so they will know that the first letter is wrong. Creating the crossword puzzle gives me the chance to incorporate internet learning activities to help my students. The crossword puzzle is something they are familiar with and love to do. Also, incorporating the crossword puzzle helps with assessing their needs.
Prezi Presentation
Using the free online version of Prezi, I created a presentation that incorporates the Nets standards for my World History class. The Prezi is a free web-based software for creating presentations where one can zoom in or out depending on what you want to highlight. You start by using the toolbar to create a text, add an image or a movie. You can also design the color and fonts, insert video clips, or add music. I created four frames for the four of the ten standards we had to discuss. For each of the frames I also incorporate specific examples to show how each standard is related to what my students are learning. I gained a love for the program and the potential it created for me to help my students achieve. The use of this new presentation has helped me in demonstrating that I can create something that not only I but that my students can use to assess their learning. Understanding the use of prezi allows me to share my knowledge with my students and help facilitate their learning using multi-media tools.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
iMovie PSA
Using the video editing software, I created a personal service announcement (PSA) to help prospective students learn more about Cal State San Marcos. I created an imovie using quicktime format and uploaded it to my blog. I did this by taking video clips and photos from the professor’s cashe and imported it to my project. I also chose music from the ones provided and embedded it to my movie. I accomplished this by taking all the video clips and music and incorporate them within the time frame allotted. I started the movie with a public service announcement and end with textual acknowledgements. In learning to use imovie, I was able to communicate using internet software available to me. This project demonstrated that I am able to use digital tools available to communicate effectively with students and their parents.
Mind Mapping
Using Webspiration, an online mind mapping tool, I created a mind map connecting the Nets-T standards with artifacts that matches with each standard. The mind map is an internet tool that helps teachers organize the materials for their students. I created a free account on webspiration and then followed the tutorials in creating this. Following the directions I created boxes for each of the five standards that I had chosen. I also created sub points and how it’s relevant to what I’m doing creating a hierachy that links from the main point to the sub point. In creating a mind map, I can easily show the students how to organize information in order of importance. Using the mind map help students visualize the correlation between information and practicing over the internet will enhance their love of using internet tools.
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility.
Cybersafety Website
As part of a collaborative assignment, I was able to use Weebly to create a website to inform parents, students, and the public about the safety procedures to follow when using the internet. This was a collaborative assignment with each member of the group creating a website on one of the following: copyright laws, cyber predators, identity theft, piracy, cyberbullying, piracy, and plagiarism. My group leader created an account on Weebly with different sections for each member of the group. Each of us researched on the above mentioned topics and all the sections were posted on the collaborative website. I created the identity theft part of the project and shared what I discovered with the group. My main focus was on how teachers, students, and administrators can protect students from having their identity stolen and how to protect it. Collaborating with members of the class in this assignment helped me teach my students how to be safe while surfing the internet. Identity theft has cost us in terms of careers and finances, sometimes even cost us with our lives. It is important to share such information so the public can be protected.
Educational Journal Posts
I published posts on my blog in response to assignments found on educational technology publication ISTE. Reading the educational journals helped informed me on the current issues about technology and education. Each assignment tackles a different topic of concern about education and the use of technology. The first paragraph of each post is a summary of the articles that I had read. The second paragraph is my reflection on the article. I subscribed to the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) and got the online version only. From here I read the assigned articles and then comment on them. One of the article, “How to enhance your Twitter Experience” talked about how creating and using twitter connected people from around the globe who are looking or following the same topic. My participation in these journal readings and reflections helped me stay engaged and connected with the current discussion on educational technologies. In doing so, I am able to help my students know how to navigate the internet in a safe manner.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Google Docs
Using google drive, a free web based office suite program, I was able to create my documents and save them in the cloud. Google docs is a writing program that allows the writer and the reader to collaborate on an assignment without even using one piece of paper. Each student needs to create a google account in order to communicate with the teacher. Using google docs allows the user and the teacher to share what they have created online. Comments and editing are all done online. The reader can give feedback in real time and the writer can edit and respond in a matter of seconds. By using google docs, students will learn to create a google account and how to write an assignment online without having to use one sheet of paper. The feedback online is an amazing way students and teachers can communicate and edit student work without having to waste any paper. Students can see what the teachers have commented on and make their corrections faster and easier.
Classroom Blog
Through Blogger, a blog-publishing service hosted by Google, I created a blog of my class work that I published on the internet. A blog is a virtual tool where one can share his/her work with anyone around the globe. I chose the name for my blog (Petia’s World Blog), design, and the background for my blog. I incorporated tabs and links so it will be easily viewed by all. I created an online blog for all my work done during the summer. Embedded on the blog are all my assignments that are easily accessible through the use of tabs. Below each post is a comment box in which all who view my blog can leave a comment. In choosing blogger, I had ventured into new trends and tools using virtual communication to share what I created with my students and the rest of the world. In understanding blogger, I will be able to help my students think, create, and share what they learned with virtually the whole world.