NETS I

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter

Using Microsoft Word I created an inventive classroom newsletter. With this newsletter I provided information about myself and ideas how I will incorporate technology in my classroom. I  I first used Word Art to create a colorful and fun title to begin my newsletter. By inserting a table on Microsoft Word, I was able to organize and create a custom masthead.  I then inserted two columns into my newsletter that contain three topics where the title of each topic was created with wordart and the body of each topic starts with a customized drop cap.  In each topic of the newsletter I inserted an image that had the text wrapped around it and one of the topic had custom bullets used in the body.  Lastly, Once the newsletter was completed I converted the Word document to a PDF.  With this newsletter I modeled the creative use of Word by inserting my own pictures relevant to my topic and to promote advanced thinking. This newsletter also models for students how they can use Microsoft Word to be creative and informative in their own work.  

Classroom Blog

Using Blogger, a free web-based blogging tool from Google, I created my own personal blog to share and collaborate with peers in an online environment.  A blog is a type of website where I can display creative examples of reflections and artifacts, and can include external links to different pages.  On my blog, I was able to post  informative journals & reflections, share resources, thoughts, links and examples of my own work, publicly.  When designing my blog I learned how to how to create different page links that include the use HTML codes to embed my work, such as a classroom newsletter, Excel crosswords, and a Prezi presentation along with a survey form.  Working with different templates and layouts I was able to personalize my blog’s format, font colors, include badges and external links, making my blog visually pleasing.  I was able to connect to other peers’ blogs online, allowing me to access their resources, and I am able to share and comment my ideas with them.  Blogger is a great and easy way to virtually and creatively connect and share ideas, by collaborating with others allowing you to comment and engage with peers. By changing the visual elements of my blog in a creative way I am able to promote my ideas and allow others to view my work in a visually creative manner.

NETS II

Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment.

Mind Map

I created a mind map using Popplet, a free online program for making organizers, in order to display my artifacts I used to meet each of the NETS-T.  Through Popplet I was able to simply start with the center main idea, then branch out from there breaking down each NETS-T examples I have created in class. By connecting from the main idea bubble, I was able to drag out lines connecting to images and subtopics of each NETS-T. To make my Popplet easy to follow, I color coated each NETS-T outline, matching with the right image, artifact and subtopic. Once I had finished my layout of all five NETS-T, I was able to share from Popplet and embed with the HTML code of my map for my blog. My mind map help me visually assess the assignments I was able to demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. By using a digital tool I was able to creatively design a learning environment where students can learn and brainstorm.

Google Forms

By using the Forms a tool within Google drive, a free web based office suite provided by Google, I created an online assessment for those who viewed my Prezi presentation. The assessment I created has various types of questions, also the results of the assessment are automatically transmitted to a spreadsheet online, visually displaying my results. I started by creating a Google account, which gives me access to their office editing tools. To make my survey I was able to format the assessment different ways to form different types of questions: true and false, multiple choice, rate scales, checklist and comment boxes. To make the form visually pleasing I was able to choose a theme for the background, such as clouds. For my survey to be accessed I embedded it on my blog along with my presentation, that way right after viewing the presentation, one could easily take the survey. Learning how to creatively make assessments with instant organized feedback, I will be able to collect data in my future classroom. Google Forms allows me to quickly put together a way to hear back from my students, for me to asses, making it easy to access and share the results.

NETS III

Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Prezi

Using a web-based eye catching presentation software known as Prezi, I was able to make a presentation that displayed different lesson plans that meet the National Education Technology Standards (NETS-S) for grades 3-5. Prezi taught me, with tutorials, each step to creating my presentation, starting anywhere on the blank canvas or template. I learned how to size frames and insert text, images, videos, charts and how to connect them all by a custom path. For my presentation I included four different frames for each NETS-S with the lesson plan and an image. By making each frame a different size on the canvas, the overall presentation path moves from topic to topic in a visually interesting way. Using the path tool, I was able to create my own path choosing where my presentation zooms by each click of the mouse.  By creating a Prezi to share information I am able to show current knowledge in a visually pleasing way. Prezi has supplied me with a new way to display a presentation in my future classroom, and by uploading I can keep students and parents updated with details.

iMovie

Through Apple's iMovie, a video editing software, I created a public service announcement (PSA), to inform future students about San Marcos University. I then  uploaded my PSA to my blog, by converting it to Quicktime, making it easy for others to view. I started by taking video clips from around the campus, and imported the clips to iMovie, which provided me with all I needed to put together a movie.  Using the raw clips, I edited and cut each clip making scenes that would fit my project better. I then added textual information facts into the movie, audio voice over, and transitions effects to help make the movie. Finally, I added a selected music clip of my choosing to the movie, and then used QuickTime to format the movie and upload it to my blog for others to view.   By using raw clips and making a PSA through iMovie I was able to demonstrate my ability to work with digital tools. My PSA shows that I can use different media tools to communicate with students and parents.  

NETS IV

Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Journal

I researched and explored using the Internet how modern technology is able to help students with special needs communicate more effectively in the classroom and life. Narrowing it down, I looked into augmentative and alternative communication (ACC), which are devices that can help students with limited abilities communicate with the help of non-verbal means.  First off I searched the Internet and online journals to become knowledgeable about the specific needs of students who had limited-to-no verbal abilities.  I researched both Low-tech, and High-tech solutions, along different hardware and software applications that are currently available out there to assess these students in everyday life. Once I became knowledgeable on the topic I made a post on my blog publicly, informing others on the definition of AAC and explaining my findings of the tools out there to help students. Along with the information on my blog I included pictures of different tools and also embedded a video, using its HTML code. By researching and creating this online blog post I was able to learn about AAc tools and their benefits for students with special needs.ts. It also helped me see solutions and different tools out there to solve problems with communication in the classroom environment.

Cybersafety Website

Using Weebly, an online website creation tool, I was able to collaboratively work with classmates to create and publish a website that informs students, parents, and teachers about Internet safety.  We each were able to each work on our own topics at our own time, building an informative safety site in the end.  We started by creating a Weebly account shared with each of us, chose a site name, and each chose a different topic to research and share. Topics on our website included; cyberbullying, cyber predators, identity theft, piracy and plagiarism, and inappropriate content, and social networks, I focused on identify theft.  My web page defines identity theft and includes the legal issues known that go along with it. I then go into safety tips to know for  students, teachers and parents, keeping everyone informed. To add to my webpage I insert images and a video found on Youtube that shows the dangers of identity theft, then together we published the site.  By using Weebly to build a website collaboratively, my classmates and I were able to inform students parents and teachers about the dangers of the Internet, and how to avoid them. 

NETS V

 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Educational Journals

By signing up and becoming a member of International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), I was able to access journal articles from Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). T remain current, I read issues of L&L, and posted my reflections of the articles on my blog. Through ISTE’s website I was able to access their journals and become informed with new teaching trends and topics, along with ways to use technology in my classroom. For example, the article for L&L “Upside Down, and Inside Out: Flip Your Classroom to Improve Student Learning.”  I was able to learn how schools put a spin on homework and change how it is viewed. On my blog I reflected and purposed questions dealing with each article, helping my understanding and letting me make my own connections that will help me in my future.  Reading and reflecting on journals based on technology and education helps me with ways to incorporate current events in my classroom. With the effort of researching these articles and staying informed, I am improving and inspired to build my students success in my classroom.

Personal Learning Network (PLN)

By creating my own personal learning network (PLN), a network of people with common interest and resources,  I am able to learn from and connect with fellow teachers through the Internet. My PLN is an ongoing network I was able to archive and reflect about on my blog. To build my PLN I branched out on different social media sites such as Diigo, Twitter and Educator's PLN which are all sites that allow you to connect and follow others, and participate in chats dealing with different educational topics. Diigo and Twitter allow me to find and add people to my network by looking up common  interest using tags of keywords. Joining Educator's PLN I am able to see stories and learn from teachers who have been there. By building my PLN I have access to constant updated information that I can also contribute to.  Having my own personal learning network I provide myself with resources to improve my ways of teaching and learning. I am able to lead in the future with my own experiences and resources, always having access to other colleagues in my network to share and collaborate with.