NETS - 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Blog:

Technology has given people a new means in which to communicate as well as access information. Via the use of the website Blogger, a free blogging tool from Google, I was able to create a blog for educational purposes.  A blog as defined by Webster’s dictionary is “a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.”  My blog allows for collaborative learning as my peers and professor are able to offer insight to the information that I provide.  In my blog there is a personal profile that highlights specific aspects about myself; I have included class assignments as journal article reflections which provide my analyses for my colleagues and professor to view. As a user of  Diigo, a social bookmarking website, I was able to place a tagroll of the tags, or keywords, for many educational sites I researched.   My blog has  the capability to be used  as a means of communication with parents, students, and colleagues by allowing them to view and make comments regarding lesson plans, daily assignments, sample problems, etc.   Also, students can creatively utilize blogs to display projects, collaborate ideas, and leave suggestions.

Classroom Newsletter:

As professionals in the education arena, teachers must communicate with their students, parents, administrators and their colleagues about the learning and happenings going on in the classroom.  Using Microsoft Word, I created an exiting and visually pleasing newsletter to share with my students and their parents.  Included in this newsletter are ways teachers incorporate technology in the classroom, interesting technological articles, and useful websites for both teachers and students.  The newsletter format has custom use of bullets to organize ideas and/or lists, scanning student art work, adding a variety of interesting clip art, and creative text format to make the newsletter look interesting, colorful and creative.  The newsletter is also designed to address our English language learners by having it published in both English and Spanish.  My newsletter is used as a creative tool to update my students and their parents about what we are learning and doing in our classroom, and I can host it virtually to promote collaboration.   Furthermore, the use of this newsletter models technological experiences, supports creativity, and engages student learning.

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

Prezi:

Communicating relevant information is vital for  the future of all students.  Via the use of the online presentation software Prezi, I was able to create a  presentation that  effectively communicates the selected content in a technological form.  Utilizing Prezi, I created a presentation illustrating my ideas regarding the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) performance indicators for ages 4-8.  Using text, pictures, a hyperlink, as well as the software’s tools, I was able to demonstrate the information that I provided.  I created frames surrounding each indicator, had titles and text, as well as imported pictures into each frame.  I generated a path that enabled me to set up the order in which the information was presented.  The Prezi software is a way in which students can engage in education by using a form of emerging technology and presents an audience with a visually stimulating presentation.

Crossword Puzzle:

In order to engage students in the learning experience, it is imperative to incorporate educational content with emerging new technologies.  Via the use of Microsoft Excel, a data spreadsheet program, I was able to create an interactive crossword puzzle regarding farm animals.  To create my crossword puzzle, I used Excel’s tools in order to format the size of each cell, and change the colors and fonts of the text.  The color of the text in the boxes changes corresponding to whether the answers are correct or not.  With my modeling, I believe students can utilize Microsoft Excel to create their own crossword puzzles pertaining to any current subject matter. Through the creative use of a spreadsheet software, students will also be applying creativity to their learning.

NETS - 3: Model Digital-Age work and Learning

Inspiration:

With the use of Inspiration, a visual learning software, I was able to create a mind map detailing the information regarding all the NETS-T performance indicators.  Inspiration allowed me to use pictures for each main topic then further elaborate as needed.  The mind map I created depicts each NETS with a related picture, then illustrates each artifact that I have created pertaining to the NETS.  The use of Inspiration allows me to create individualized mind maps or study guides for students that are more visual learners.  Also students can utilize Inspiration to create their own study tools, as it is flexible to the needs of diverse learners.

Imovie:

By utilizing iMovie, a video editing software from Apple, I was able to create a customized public service announcement (PSA) for CSUSM.  The features provided by the iMovie software allowed me to enhance, add effects and transitions, as well as change the audio for each movie clip.  With iMovie I was able to import video footage, modify clips, and add text to the clips as needed.  With iMovie, I am able to demonstrate my effectiveness with technology by creating movies for the custom use of educating students regarding a current topic.  My future students will also be able to use such digital-age tools in their projects as well.

NETS - 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Cyber-Safety Website:

It is imperative to properly model the ethics and responsibility needed in regards to the digital world.  By using Google Sites, a free online website creation tool, I was able to take part in creating a website.  By collaborating with five other colleagues,  we created a website depicting the importance of cybersafety.  We were able to customize the website by changing the colors, fonts, and themes of each page.  The page that I created was regarding the topic of identity safety where I included essential information/tips, pictures, a video, and helpful links for further research.  Other topics on our site include: cyberbullying, piracy and plagiarism, social networks, cyberpredators, and inappropriate content.  This website provides people with information regarding the safety, etiquette, and responsibility needed when using the Internet.  I can use this website to educate parents and students regarding the issues surrounding technology. 

Diigo:

Diigo is a collaborative online social bookmarking tool that can be utilized to communicate and work with colleagues.  I created an account in order for me to bookmark useful sites and information, thus allowing me to build a library of educational links.  Diigo allows for the collaboration with colleagues as well as others for whom I share the same interests. With the use of Diigo, I was able to research websites containing useful information that has been bookmarked by SLPs or other students.  I am also able to bookmark sites, adding them to my tagroll, which enables me to share my research with others.  With Diigo, I am able engage students by communicating useful information in an educational setting.  Also I am able to place a tagroll of tags or keywords for the sites that I researched onto a class/informational blog.

NETS - 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

PLN:

A personal learning network (PLN) is a collaboration/collection of people sharing similar interests and/or goals that exchange useful information online.   In order to create my own PLN, I created both a Diigo and a Twitter account.  In both accounts I added people to follow whose professional interests reflect my own.  With Twitter, I follow SLPs whom provide information regarding up-to-date information for students, professionals, parents and clients; I am also able to participate in chats with others. With Diigo, I am able to share my research as well as see the information taged by others.  I have also become a member of the Educator’s PLN, which is a digital discussion forum (Ning).  My PLN allows me to participate with colleagues as well as others whom will allow me to further my professional growth, thus allowing me to engage students further.  My PLN allows me to learn about new information that can benefit me as a future speech-language pathologist.  This information can then be used as a reference for students, parents, and colleagues as well as allow them to create their own. 

Journals:

The journals on my blog are reflections pertain to various articles in the publication entitled Learning & Leading with Technology. As a member of the International Society for Technology (ISTE), I have the opportunity to view this publication, and can then reflect on the topics that I have read.  Each journal post includes a summary as well as two questions that I answer regarding the article.  These posts demonstrate my understanding and analysis of each article.  Such topics include the use of new technology for educational purposes, technological integration for students with special needs, as well as differentiating between false and factual websites.   Having these journals on my blog is imperative in furthering my knowledge regarding new and upcoming information that can benefit me in my future as a professional.  I can utilize these posts as well as the articles to further engage students and their parents  in the world of emerging technology.