NETS = National Education Technology Standards

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter:

Communicating relevant information and ideas to students, parents, and peers is necessary for educators to incorporate in the classroom. Through Microsoft Word I created a personalized newsletter that allows students and parents to connect with class assignments as well as the expectations I have for my students and parent involvement. First I created a Masthead with the newsletter title in Word Art, and creatively included an inspirational quote surrounded by two pieces of line art. I divided the newsletter into two columns of text with specialized drop cap features at the beginning of each of the three articles. To customize the newsletter I included a scanned (hand drawn) picture of myself, images relating to each article, unique bullets to highlight the main points, and finally I converted the Microsoft document into a PDF to finalize the professional newsletter. Creating a Microsoft Word classroom newsletter allowed me to effectively communicate relevant information to students and parents using digital-age media. The newsletter also demonstrates to students that they can be innovative with their own ideas and can create the same type of document to get their points across.

Classroom Blog:

Through Blogger, Google’s free blogging tool, I created a blog, which is a website where users can post information, opinions, ideas, etc. and can be viewed and commented on by the public. My blog showcased my projects and work in one specific place and each project or assignment had its own tab or page, so it was very easy to find my work. I was able to post several reflections on various online journal articles from the International Society For Technology and Education’s online journal, Learning and Leading with Technology.  I was also able to get the HTML embed codes and paste them into my blog for my Diigo, a social bookmarking website, interactive tagroll and others. I was able to effectively collaborate with other classmates by commenting on their posts and reading their responses to my work and reflections. Creating a blog allows me to show the students how to reflect while using collaboration and collaborative tools, such as commenting and clarifying certain ideas with classmates. I also can model creative and innovative thinking by asking the students to reflect on what they learn on their own blog, teaching them how to embed projects and links, as well as changing the format of their blog. Using the blog the students will also explore real-world issues using the digital resources when they read articles and research for their various projects.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Mind mapping:

Mind mapping is important for students to analyze their thought process and start brainstorming for assignments. Through Bubbl.us, a free web-based brainstorming tool, I was able to creatively develop my connections for each of the NETS-T narratives and the assignments I have created in class. Following the Bubbl.us instructions, I learned how to insert various thought bubbles onto one big mind map. From there I began adding each of the NETS-T standards along with the associated assignment we have completed in class to meet this standard. Once all of my bubbles were mapped out I was able to creatively design the layout to my liking (colors, fonts, size, movement, etc. Creating a Bubbl.us mind map allowed me create a digital representation of my thought process. With the help of technology, students can creatively express their thought process and see their thoughts mapped out in front of them digitally! Once I uploaded my mind map onto my personal blog, I was able to clearly assess the assignments I have completed in class and tie them in with my NETS-T standards. My mind map shows my active involvement with a new digital tool, future students of mine can apply this tool to their work as well.

Prezi:

Through Prezi, a web-based multimedia presentation software, I created a project that showcased my ideas to integrate NETS-S standards for 3rd to 5th graders,into my curriculum. Following the Prezi tutorial, I learned the basics of Prezi such as inserting various sized frames, text, pictures, uploaded videos, and how to create a path to each of the main points in the presentation. The pathways help users go from one idea to the next smoothly and also allowing for zooming in and out (to highlight main ideas). Each frame included a NETS-S Standard that I am trying to fulfill in my classroom along with the ideas for how to meet this standard through various classroom assignments. I also made sure to include links to various lesson for helping educators incorporate technology in their classroom.

Creating a Prezi allowed me to digitally express my thoughts of incorporating classroom technology into the curriculum. By teaching students how to design and develop digital-age learning experiences through the help of Prezi the NETS-S will me met. Students will be able to create unique presentations to help support their research and present their ideas in a professional way using technology and digital design. 

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Diigo:

Through Diigo, a web based social bookmarking site, I created a free account and began bookmarking, tagging, and sharing sites that I found to be useful in an education setting. Once I signed up for a free Diigo account and downloaded the easy to use Diigo tool bar, I saved various informative sites about education. When bookmarking a site Diigo allows me to tag each of the sites with keywords or a brief description of the information I have found. Another great feature is the highlight tool which allows users to highlight useful information on the page and quickly find the specific information later. Diigo makes it easy to collaborate with other users and easily find users with common interests and share research/information of importance. Creating a Diigo account allowed me to save and tag information such as sites dedicated to special education, diversity lesson plans, multicultural awareness, and how to incorporate technology into the classroom! Students and educators will be able to digitally share learning experiences and collaborate easily with the functions Diigo has to offer. By sharing my Diigo account in a public manner, my students will be able to see how easy it is to compile research and have it assessable for later use.  Diigo supports my continued learning as a future educator by my activity in bookmarking sites and collaborating with other Diigo users.

iMovie:

Through Apple’s video editing software, iMovie, I was able to create a public service announcement (PSA) for Cal State University San Marcos. For my public service announcement I highlighted CSUSM in a one minute video. I inserted pictures, uploaded video-footage, added music, text, screen effects, transitions, useful facts about the campus that I researched and even a voice over. Once I was satisfied with my iMovie I was able to export it to my computers desktop using Quicktime and then I uploaded it to my blog. Creating an iMovie allowed me to be creative and support the desired learning I had about the campus I attend. I enjoyed creating a video from recorded footage and the editing process (including music, adding voice, and screen effects) made me feel confident that I can teach my students to use this tool as well.   iMovie is a great program to help me model the technology tools I have learned in class and it would be so easy for me to connect this assignment to future lesson plans I prepare in class.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Cybersecurity Website:

During a collaborative assignment, five group members and I created a free website through Google Sites, that allowed us the opportunity to share with parents, students, and fellow educators the seriousness of Internet safety. Some of the topics we made sure to cover were: piracy and plagiarism, cyberpredators, identity safety, cyberbullying, social networks and inappropriate content. For my section of the collaborative website, I defined inappropriate content, discussed the safety/legal issues, and provided tips for educators, students, and parents. Users were also able to connect with an inappropriate content safety video I found on Youtube that I directly embedded on my page and further information could be explored through additional resources I provided. With group effort we created a website that can be used for years to come.By creating an informative website about important issues of cybersafety, I was able to model digital citizenship and responsibility. By collaborating effectively with fellow classmates, we were able to create a website that will provide Internet safety awareness for both students, teachers, parents, and the larger community!

AAC Journal Article:

My AAC blog post, journal 8, required me to research adaptive technology for students with special needs. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a way for students who are non-verbal (or have difficulty expressing themselves) to express themselves through the use of no-tech (sign language), lowtech (pictures/symbols), and high-tech (digital devices) alternatives. The two areas I focused on were low-tech tools and high-tech devices. I as well looked into hardware and software devices educators can incorporate into the classroom. As I researched online I bookmarked specific sites using Diigo. I found some really neat tools such as: GoTalk 9+ from Mayer-Johnson, the Lightwriter SL40, a head mouse, and also word prediction software. On my blog I typed up a description of the tool and how it can be used in the classroom. I also uploaded a picture of each tool into my blog . As a future educator it is imperative that I am aware of diverse needs between students, my research has given me the knowledge to begin to meet this critical need. The strategies I researched would definitely help any student with verbal communication problems. Other educators can view my research on my personal blog and apply the tools I have discovered into their classroom.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Journal Articles:

My membership to ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) allows me access to their online journal L&L (Learning & Leading with Technology). I wrote on a weekly basis reflective journal articles in my own words and made connections to each of the texts assigned. Each of the educational articles provided by ISTE highlight the use of technology in education. Through L&L I chose specific articles assigned to us in class such as: "Join the Flock," by Hadley Ferguson & "Enhance Your Twitter Experience," by Shannon McClintock Miller,  June/July 2010. This was a perfect article for us to read because we were just learning about Twitter and seeing how we could use this as a classroom tool. The article did a great job highlighting how to use Twitter and how current educators use Twitter regularly in the classroom. Once I addressed the key points I wrote two insightful questions with answers such as: how can I incorporate Twitter into my educational curriculum? Weekly journal entry's really helped me connect with research information currently being discussed throughout educational settings. The multiple journal articles I completed as well as my continued research, ensure I am able to advance in professional growth and leadership as a future educator.

PLN:

A personal learning network (PLN) is a way for people to come together and engage in common interests and exchange information electronically.  Having a PLN is beneficial in gathering resources and aid in research. Through various social media and educational networks such as Twitter, Diigo, and Classroom 2.0, I was able to connect and collaborate with other users in the field of education and share information or research findings and begin creating my own PLN. My first step in creating my own personal learning network was to sign up for each of the above free sites. Twitter made it easy for me to find other educators/groups by entering topics of interest (special education, #edchat, #ed422) into the search function. Once I added other members I was able to follow their Twitter activity. Diigo helped me share saved research with other users and collaborate/share ideas surrounding a topic of interest such as technology. Classroom 2.0 allowed me to connect with the educational community and look through threads of specific information and questions relating to my interest. By engaging in educational chats, reading threads, sharing sites, etc... I gain a wealth of knowledge only attainable through collaboration with others. Becoming a member of different social media sites and education networks opens the opportunity for me to meet millions of other educators I can collaborate with. The Internet makes it convenient for me to meet others who share the same interests and can help with professional growth on my behalf. Having my own personal learning network that I can build upon allows me to gain personal growth and leadership and gives me vast amounts of information that will help me as a future educator.