Classroom Newsletter
Modeling creative thinking in my classroom will guide students to explore real-world issues in their own creative way. Using Microsoft Word, a word processing program from Microsoft, I created a newsletter that would be better help the students and parents to understand who I am and what we will be doing in class. In the newsletter I used the table feature of Word to create a custom masthead adding a title and also used a border to separate the title from the columns. I used two separate columns, which made the newsletter more personalized and organized for my articles. I inserted graphics such as borders and pictures, which let me incorporate visual and structured points to help students better see what I am indicating in my articles. Through my creative use of formatting elements in Word, my newsletter helps me promote creative thinking and inventiveness. In addition, by modeling this tool I will be able to help my students analyze and evaluate information through thinking, planning, and creative processes.
Classroom Blog
Using technology in the classroom will further students knowledge to familiarize themselves with advancing technologies in future classrooms. A blog is a publishing journal that allows private or multi-users to view updates and information between people with time-stamped entries. Through a blog service called Blogger I was able to create my own blog that allowed me to communicate ideas and opinions with the rest of the class. By familiarizing myself with blogging, I was able to collaborate with peers and my instructor by giving and receiving input in the form of posts and comments. First I used the design feature to add posts, pages, and gadgets to my blog to create my own information for others to view and respond. Next, I wrote multiple journal reflections from ISTE’s publication of Learning and Leading with Technology. I also embedded examples of technology onto my blog by using HTML codes to post videos, images, or links of my work using technology. Using a class blog as a component of my personal learning network helps students reference materials to evaluate information in a innovative and collaborative manner. In addition, this will help my students engage in class discussion and content creation in a virtual setting by using tools that help students conceptual understanding and improve their peer communication.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Excel Crossword
Using Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet tool, I created a crossword puzzle as a history lesson that could either be completed on paper or the computer. The puzzle can be used as a lesson or it can be useful for students to make their own with a topic of their choice. From watching tutorials on the Atomic Learning website, which is a good resource for both teachers and students, I used words on the crossword puzzle that had stand out on a custom shaded green background. I added clues for each word by adding a comment to the cell containing the first letter of each word, which lets the students easily figure out the clues that appear in a small text box by placing their mouse over the cell. Through the use of conditional formatting, the letters will turn red when they are typed in incorrectly and will turn green when they are typed in correctly. By using the crossword puzzle I was able to incorporate contemporary tools to maximize content learning because it mixes both the learning of history and the use of digital tools. My crossword puzzle is an example of how students can display their own creativity by creating their template with a color scheme, font, and learning content that they choose themselves. Giving students the tools necessary to make a crossword puzzle allows them to be active participants in their learning experiences.
iMovie PSA
Using Apple’s iMovie video editing software, I created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for future students coming to California State University San Marcos. I selected ten video clips from stock footage, which then lead me to create transitions between each slide, and add several screen effects with text on each slide that included music, which faded in and out. I also used a recorded voiceover, which allows me to use my own voice to welcome students to CSUSM. I also converted my video into YouTube and embedded it into my blog so that I could share it with everyone. Using iMovie in my own class as a way to incorporate digital tools and resources helps me creatively share information to my students. I can have them film their own video clips, edit their project in iMovie in their own projects. I would be promoting student learning and creativity by having students be in control of the information they choose to include and how they present it in a new digital way.
Prezi
Prezi is a web based software tool that lets students creatively incorporate information onto a virtual canvas. By using Prezi I was able to share information about a lesson plan I found that would engage 5th grade students, I also incorporated the NETS standards in the presentation. Following the Prezi tutorial, I learned how to insert videos, pictures, and texts into multiple sized frames, and was able to create effective paths that communicate relevant information. I also uploaded the Prezi to my blog, which allows me to share the information to everyone. Creating a Prezi to present information to my peers allowed me to facilitate the communication of relevant information, NETS-S performance indicators, and web-based lesson ideas, to students and peers using digital-age media. By using Prezi I will be able to teach my students new digital age media by using their own presentations that both analyze and evaluate information through and innovative program.
Mind Map
Using the website bubbl.us I created a mind-map of ideas for writing my narratives for ISTE’s National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers. A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, facts, or other items that are linked to and revolved around a central key point. I color coordinated my mind map so it was easy to follow, organized the standards around the central key the NETS-T, which is located in the middle, and arranged each of the five NETS coming out from the center. I then created another branch from the standard that demonstrated to two examples of projects or assignments I have completed that met the standard, and then in the last set of branches I connected my assignment directly to part of a standard. By creating and using the mind map as a communicative information tool, my students can understand the importance of brainstorming in a writing process. I Utilized information with this user-friendly and free program as a way to transfer current information and NETS-T standards by brainstorming digitally.
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Cyber Safety Website
Using Weebly, I collaborated with a group of my colleagues to build a Cybersaftey website that helps create awareness by modeling safety concerns, ethical practices and legal issues that continuously arise in the use of new technology and as a teacher. Weebly is a free tool that enables you to design your own website, collaborate with others, and publish it on the Internet. We were able to work separately on the website as well as engage with each other in the formation of ideas and tools to create a website. Topics on our site include: cyber predators, piracy & plagiarism, inappropriate content, identity safety, and social networks. My web page was based on inappropriate content, which provided tips for students, educators, and parents that they can utilize to help keep safe web surfing. Through the use YouTube, I embedded a video clip that helps to visually present material to keep a safe Internet environment. Our Cybersaftey website allows educators to teach safe, ethical and legal Internet usage, while teaching respectful digital etiquette to their students.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Journal
Augmentative and alternative communication AAC is considered all forms of communication that excludes oral speech.It is a way to communicate the feelings of a person who either is hearing or oral speech impaired. A few examples of AAC are writing, facial expressions, drawing pictures, or communication aid tools. In this assignment I researched one no technology tool (BIGmack) and one high technology tool (Chat PC 4) that will better aid students in the classroom setting so that they can receive the most effective education possible. I also researched one hardware option (braille keyboard), and one software option (Proloquo2go) that will help assist students with a physical disability. On my blog, I described the tools and placed a picture to represent that tool, this allows me to share the devices with other educators and how they can provide a suitable learning environment for their students as well. Researching and writing this informative journal article featuring adaptive technology tools helped me learn how to address the diverse needs of all learners. By researching and sharing devices that will assist children with communication difficulties in the classroom, I demonstrated my ability to find solutions for the classroom that provide a suitable learning environment for every student.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Professional Learning Network (PLN)
A PLN is a personal learning network, which is a collection of resources and contacts through the Internet to help gain knowledge in a certain area. My PLN consists of relationships with other educators through Twitter, a useful online social networking site; Diigo, a collaborative online social bookmarking tool; and Classroom 2.0, a online community of educators promoting the use of technology in the classroom. Joining into these networks and adding individuals to my network that are interested in education helps form a community that gives support and insight to current teacher issues. I am also a part of the Educator’s PLN digital discussion forum where I can communicate with other current and future educators. I used Twitter to participate in a discussion held weekly with educators from around the world, and through my interaction was given more informative resources that I bookmarked for future reference through Diigo. My PLN allows me to participate within the global learning community in order to obtain the newest educational resources, ideas, and tools. I have the opportunity to broaden my resources as well as participating in shared decision making about current educational topics. In my PLN I created an informative educational awareness that allows me to participate within the global learning community in order to obtain the newest educational resources, ideas, and tools.
Educational Journals
As a part of my growth and leadership as an educator, I subscribed to Learning & Leading with Technology (L&L), a journal obtained through my membership in the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).I have regularly read current and past issues on L&L, as well as educational publications, and reflected the material onto my blog. In the blog entries I explain what I think about the topics as well as my thoughts and opinions about the topic. These articles have provided me with emerging digital tools that can be incorporated into the classroom to enhance student learning. For example, I read an article about “How to do more with less,” in this article it talks about how to use free technology tool is the classroom while also using the blending or face-to-face time with teachers and students. This article relates to our class right now because it brings up all the useful tools to use in a classroom and online so to help each other on research or questions that a student needs or has. Through this continuous effort to improve my professional practice, I can support student learning by incorporating current research within the classroom. From frequent examination and written reflections of journals centered on technology and education, I can support student learning by incorporating current research within the classroom.