NETS I: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter

Using Microsoft Word, I created a newsletter, using skills that I can later integrate into my  classroom curriculum. I changed my formating to accommodate columns, incorporated clip art images into sections of text, added borders and headers within the text, and scanned and inserted an image onto my page. I first came up with the content in my newsletter, came up with creative titles to group the information, inserted an appropriate image into the text, and added dropcaps to start each section. One of my sections was themed around how I would use technology within the classroom to enhance and evaluate student learning. Creating a newsletter helped me to organize information in a visually pleasing manner to foreshadow innovative thinking creatively. I demonstrated how simple features: columns, text preferences, and images, could create a visually pleasing and content-dense document to be passed out in a classroom environment. I can transfer my knowledge to model for my students how innovative technology can support their thinking in the classroom, as well as give them a manner to conceptually organize ideas for their colleagues.

Classroom Blog

Using Google’s web-based blog platform, Blogger, I created and maintained a classroom blog, which reflected multiple examples of my technological proficiency. A blog is a personal journal published on the Internet. I learned how to make my blog accessible to the public by choosing a user friendly name and URL, as well as making sure my blog was easy to read. I used HTML code into my blog to embed examples of my work using technology, such as the classroom newsletter and Excel crossword puzzle. In multiple posts, I inserted pictures that were applicable as well as visually enhancing, and responded to fellow classmates’ blogs to engage in an overall learning experience. Using both blog posts and blog pages, I was able to actively engage myself, my instructor, and my classmates in my learning. My classroom blog enhanced my understanding of the collaborative potential, and is something that I will use to inspire collaboration with my students. I can use my knowledge of blogging and blog-related projects to inspire students to explore, collaborate, and reflect upon the real world and clarify the concepts they are learning.

NETS-II: Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Assessments

Google Docs Survey

Using Google’s free web-based tools, Google Documents, I used the form feature to create both a survey and a data spreadsheet to analyze the data collected. I first came up with my own questions based on my NETS-S Prezi presentation, and then designed questions to be answered in a variety of ways. I included text answers, paragraph answers, multiple choice answers, and scale answers as ways for a student to answer to my survey. After using HTML code to embed the survey onto my blog, I then had students in my class take the survey, and I collected this data on the Google Excel spreadsheet document. Afterwards, I compiled the data alphabetically and analyzed individual student responses. Designing and creating this survey allowed me to assess my peers using digital tools and mediums. I can transfer my learning from this assignment to the classroom by creatively creating polls or online tests, or creating individual, personalized assessments for individual students. 

Excel Crossword

Using Microsoft Excel and online tutorials available on the Internet through Atomic Learning, I created an interactive crossword puzzle. I first came up with the questions and template I wanted to use, based on the theme “about me.” I then joined Atomic Learning as a student. I searched for the video tutorials, and once I found the videos I wanted, I followed each video, pausing the various segments to interactively do what they instructed. After completing the crossword, I created a separate page of clues to accompany the crossword for my fellow peers to use to fill in the crossword. To display my crossword, I embedded it into my personal blog, and now anybody can access my crossword. Designing and creating this crossword allowed me to learn from online video tutorials to complete an educational task. I also came up with a creative means of assessment for my future students, whether it be for a study guide for a test or a team-bonding activity at the beginning of the year. The crossword is also an effective way for students to display their learning on their own, and shows that multiple learning styles and technology could be effectively and creatively integrated into the classroom.

NETS-III: Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Prezi

Using Prezi, a web-based, non-linear presentation software, I created a presentation that connected NETS standards to classroom lesson ideas in order to communicate information visually and creatively. After signing up for a Prezi account, I watched a series of videos and tutorials online on how to use the Prezi software. Upon understanding how to create a Prezi presentation, I researched relevant, curriculum-centered NETS standards, came up with a lesson plan to meet the standard, and put my content into four distinct frame sets centered around the standard. I used prior knowledge of technological processes and applied them to this new software, embedding video, uploading picture images, and inserting links from other sites into my presentation. To connect all this information together and coherently, both physically and conceptually, I created paths to link the slides from set to set. Prezi allowed me the means to demonstrate my fluency with technology and my knowledge with age-specific NETS standards. As aforementioned, I used prior experience and knowledge of technological systems to demonstrate understanding across multiple products I could use in my classroom. I effectively presented information to convey a  particular learning concept to someone else, and now have a way to digitally model material for my future students.

I-Movie

Using I-Movie, Apple’s video editing software, I created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Video about my home university, California State University San Marcos. I uploaded pre-filmed footage into I-Movie, and picked out segments of the footage to in my video. I added music, at least three different transitions, pictures, my own recorded video footage, and researched facts to my video slides. I learned how to decrease background music and include my own music instead. I then exported the video to my computer and embedded it within my blog. Creating this I-Movie afforded me the opportunity to relay information digitally about my university to others, and to learn movie making skills of editing, ducking, and adding a soundtrack to a project. By making this PSA video, I not only showed my involvement in the community, but also my awareness of emerging technological programs. I can transfer my knowledge of filmmaking and editing into the classroom with my students by allowing them to use this free program to display their knowledge of content-related material in a digitalized manner.

NETS-IV: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Cybersafety Website

Using Weebly, a free online website creator, my peers and I created a website page focused on the issues related to cybersafety. I collaborated and worked with fellow classmates to create the site. We used social bookmarking sites to research information related to cybersafety, including the topics piracy and plagiarism, cyberbullying, identity safety, cyber predators, inappropriate content, and social networks. After researching the topics, I properly formatted my web page to creatively and effectively display the information related to the topic, as well as provide both parents and students advice and supportive links to further their knowledge about the topic. Designing a webpage about cybersafety demonstrated my awareness of current global issues, and gave me the platform to inform others about my findings. In creating my part of the website, I modeled for my readers how to be safe and professional online, how to ethically use digital information and technology, and how to protect individual identity and intellectual property. Creating this website enabled me to gather information from a variety of places and resources to effectively communicate my message to a wide range of individuals.

Adaptive Technology

Through searching the Internet, I researched various technological devices that could be used in the classroom to help students with special needs with their communication. I researched AAC devices- Augmentative and Adaptive Communication- and learned these are resources that help students communicate with others nonverbally. I found a high-tech and a low-tech tool, as well as a software and hardware to help foster communication between students and educators. One hardware I found was the Magic Touch Screen, a device that once installed, enables students to touch the computer screen and write or click on various programs. Lastly, I put the resources onto my blog, and commented on my fellow peers’ blogs. By researching these various devices and programs, I reached different groups of students who all have different needs. I recognized that some students need special accommodations to learn, and I found distinct resources that could provide them equal access to digital tools. In recognizing each individual student’s diverse learning styles, I could assure learning across the board for all my students.

NETS V: Engage in Professional Leadership and Growth

PLN

Using Twitter, Diigo, and the Educator’s PLN, I created a PLN (personal learning network), where educators communicate, dialogue, and share information with other fellow educators, laregely over the Internet through various social networking sites.I created a Twitter account, a social network site, that allowed me to share information and educational weblinks instantly and daily with fellow educators; joined Diigo, a social bookmarking tool, to research and collect articles that I could easily identify, access, and share with others; and Classroom 2.0, an online community of educators, to learn how to use technology within the classroom. On Twitter, I participated in weekly chats and discussion about various educational topics, and on Diigo, I found articles from educators both in the States and abroad. Lastly, I read and reflected upon the articles found on the Classroom 2.0 website (as posted in my blog). Joining various online social communities allowed me to participate in both local and global learning communities to consider how to use technology to enhance student learning in the classroom. I can network with educators to reflect upon and actively discuss how to use technology in the classroom environment, and learn what new programs and sites are available for my students. Developing a PLN can allow students to develop leadership skills and proficiency with regards to technological devices and programs.

Journal Articles

In wanting to be an educator in the twenty-first century, it is important to be up to date on technology programs and devices, so that I can support my students in the classroom. I joined ISTE, the International Society for Technology, and as a member, had access to the educational journal Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). I read current articles, summarized them, came up with thought-provoking questions, and reflected on my thoughts after reading the article. I then properly cited each article on my blog, adhering to APA citation standards. One article I reflected upon, More Than Words Can Say: Infographics, discussed how visual representation of concepts and ideas can help students who learn visually to better understand and digest big concepts and ideas. Joining ISTE and having access to the journals allowed me to read up on current technological programs and applications in the classroom, and reflect upon how I would use them in the classroom. I read up on how fellow educators are implementing technology within the classroom, using both existing and emerging digital tools. My ISTE membership and participation allows me to stay current with emerging technology and critically evaluate their usages.