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 assessments and learning experiences

Google Assessment Forms

Through the forms feature of Google Docs, a web-based tool from Google that can be used to create forms and surveys, I created an assessment form for a previously completed presentation. I came up with five separate questions and question types (multiple choice, short answer, etc.)  that appropriately assessed different aspects of my presentation. Next, I chose a layout that matched my blog’s theme to maintain visual continuity and using HTML code, embedded my form into a page on my blog. Lastly, I made the results of this assessment accessible to the user with a link to the results page. Creating a Google Assessment allowed me to incorporate free, web-based digital age tools into a relevant learning experience and provide a summative assessment of the assignment. The ability to easily see and analyze results in a spreadsheet allows my students to actively manage and assess their own progress by allowing them to create their own forms that address their different learning goals.

Excel Crossword

Using Microsoft Excel, I created an interactive crossword that students could complete on the computer and actively see results or print at home to complete at a later date. First, I created a template by formatting the cells on the page to specific standards set by the online tutorial and I typed in the answers to the clues in corresponding cells. I conditionally formatted the first letter in each word to change color if the answer is correct or not as well as filled in the surrounding empty cells with a color and a texture. I created a second page with clues that matched the crossword answers. Lastly, I embedded the entire document to my blog for other to see. Creating an crossword using Excel allowed me to address students’ diverse learning styles by creating a personalized learning activity that reinforced previously known material. Basing my crossword clues on a concept the students are familiar with allowed me to adapt relevant learning experiences and lessons into a digital age activity that promoted student learning and, should they create their own, creativity.

NETS III: Model digital-age work and learning

iMoviePSA

Using Apple’s free movie editing software, iMovie, I created a one-minute public service announcement advertising California State University, San Marcos. I downloaded a set of stock movie clips, examples, and music to my computer and imported these items into iMovie; I also took some video myself using my iPhone and imported those videos into iMovie as well. I selected 3-4 second clips from the stock footage and arranged them into a sequence, adding text titles to each clip, inserting interesting information about the campus into the PSA, as well as transitions to ease the change from clip to clip. Lastly, I detached the audio from the clips I had chosen, and I inserted a song that I had previously imported that best fit the feel of my PSA, editing the selection to fit the one-minute time limit, and fading the song out during the credits roll. My iMovie PSA allowed me to communicate relevant information to my peers, particularly those considering attending my college, through a short movie containing clips and information about my college. I modeled the effective use of emerging digital age tools by creating the PSA, downloading it to my computer, and uploading the PSA to my blog for others to watch, which allowed me to communicate,and analyze concepts and personal experiences of being a CSUSM student.

Prezi

Using Prezi, a free online presentation software, I created a unique, interactive presentation focusing on integrating NETS for students into my classroom. After registering for a free Prezi account, I began adding material to my presentation, taking time to understand the new tools and abilities of the presentation software. I added text to my presentation, identifying four aspects of technology and learning, as well as embedding video and pictures to my presentation. Lastly, I added a digital path to my presentation by clicking on each individual frame I would want my viewers to see, and that allowed my viewers to click through my presentation logically and focus in on specific concepts. My use of the web-based presentation software, Prezi, to engage my audience in an interactive and informative presentation demonstrated my fluency in learning new technologies and my ability to transfer current knowledge to new technologies and situations. Learning to use Prezi to its full extent, which includes an ability to embed the presentation on my blog for others to watch, also allowed me to collaborate with my peers as we worked together to support individual success and innovation.

NETS IV: Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

CyberSafety Website

Through Weebly, a free “drag & drop” website builder, I collaborated with five of my classmates to build a website promoting cybersafety that can teach students and parents how to use the Internet safely. First, we came together as a group and collaborated on a website title as well as individual assignments on which webpage to create. My webpage was on cyber predators; other topics included: identity safety, cyber bullying, piracy and plagiarism, inappropriate content, and social networks. I wrote an introductory paragraph, explaining what cyber predators were, as well as researched three tips each for parents, students, and teachers; I dragged different text boxes and arranged them logically, then I added the information I had written. Lastly, I added a picture I had found on Wylio, a source of free pictures for bloggers, and embedded a video I had found through Youtube that reinforced the message of my webpage. Through the multiple resources on my collaborative website, I advocated and taught safe and legal use of digital information and technology. Through my individual webpage on cyber predators, I promoted responsible and safe interactions through the use of technology, specifically the Internet.

Diigo

Using Diigo, a social bookmarking tool and digital library, I archived several important websites that would help my later in my teaching career as well as sites that would help now as a student. I downloaded the Diigo toolbar to both my home computer and computer in class, which would allow me to bookmark websites, as well as highlight and annotate the sites, will all appear when I logged onto the Diigo website. I bookmarked several sites, including a site which donates free rice to hungry countries for every correct answer the student selects and a national archive site which the students could use to research topics they find interesting, tagging (labeling with keywords so they can be sorted through) them with appropriate keywords so whoever searched through the Diigo library could find and use the sites. I also created a Diigo tagroll, an ongoing list of tags I had accumulated through bookmarking, and embedded the tagroll on my blog that my peers could click on and access my personal Diigo library. Creating a Diigo bookmark library allowed me to address the diverse needs of all students by providing equitable access to digital resources; for instance, one site allowed students measure their intelligence styles which could guide how they learn best. By using Diigo’s social bookmarking tools, which allow me access articles posted by people all over the world and to follow users who post particularly helpful articles, I developed and modeled global awareness by engaging colleagues and students of other cultures through digital age tools.

NETS V: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Personal Learning Network

Through Twitter, Diigo, and the Educator’s PLN (personal learning network), a digital discussion forum for educators, I created a network of education professionals that could valuable resources for my teaching career. Using Twitter, a social networking site, I followed five recommended professionals whom could provide information pertaining to technology and teaching; I also participated in a Twitter chat, a chat consisting of updated tweets about a particular topic. Using Diigo, a social bookmarking/digital library, I followed five active users who post articles pertaining to education; I also searched for articles relating to education and technology and added them to my library. Lastly, joining the Educator’s PLN (digital discussion forum), I read and reflected on a blog about cell phone use in the classroom. As a member of the global community, my PLN allowed me to participate in a global learning network and explore creative applications of technology. By participating in on a few Twitter chats and sharing resources on my timeline, I was able to exhibit leadership by developing the technology skills of others as well as myself.

Journal Articles

Using Google’s free blogging site, Blogger, I read and reflected on several journal articles from the International Society for Technology in Education’s journal Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). After signing up for a subscription to the ISTE website, which gave me access to L&L online, I read multiple educational articles; one article I reflected on was how to use Twitter as a part of my educational personal learning network. I cited the journal reflections in APA format and wrote a short summary about what the article was trying to convey. Lastly, I posed two questions about the article and the use of technology in the class, and answered the questions to the best of my knowledge. Reflecting on these journal articles allowed me to contribute to the self-renewal of the teaching profession by posting the reflections in a digital space for other educators to read. These articles reflections also allowed me to evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice by introducing me to new concepts of integrating technology into the classroom and giving me the chance to ask questions to further my understanding of the article.