1.    Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Blog

It’s important in today’s society to facilitate and inspire student learning with regards to technology in the modern world. Through Blogger a free tool provided by Google, the Internet’s leading search engine, I was able to create a web log (blog) to collaborate with my peers and reflect on the use of technology in education. A blog is a personalized website that can be updated with information, assignments and other class topics allowing the students another means to keep updated on class discussion. My blog showcases both what I’ve learned and what I’ve created as well as providing access to each of the projects that I was assigned in one convenient location. By embedding html codes into individual pages, I’ve organized my blog to showcase some of the work I’ve created such as the classroom newsletter, Prezi-NETS presentation and Diigo Tagroll (social bookmarking tool). I have also written many journal responses reflecting on articles for the ISTE journal, Learning and Leading with Technology. Constructing a blog has allowed me to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity by modelling how students can take the opportunity to complete assignments online through the use of technology. My journal posts, and the comment area under each, can also promote student reflection and collaboration through exploration on real-world issues. By incorporating the use of blogs into my classroom, I will enhance student learning using digital tools in an online classroom.

Classroom Newsletter

Through Microsoft Word, a full-featured word processing program from Microsoft, I created a newsletter to inform both students and parents about events and classroom expectations. On my newsletter I incorporated a scanned image, used word art for titles and used tables to create a custom masthead. I also wrapped text around clip art graphics, inserted pictures and borders as well as used drop caps in order to make it look like an official newsletter. In each step in making my newsletter, I kept the focus on creativity and clarity in order to make it more visually appealing. In creating my newsletter in Word I proved that I could facilitate and improve students creativity and learning by teaching them different aspects of the program. In addition, I can now use this tool in my speech pathology work in order to enhance students reflections using collaborative tools such as word as well as using a creative tool to express the subject matter to the students and parents.

2.    Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

 Prezi

As an educator, presentations are an excellent way to communicate ideas with students. I learned how to used Prezi, which is a free, cloud-based presentation software tool in which I created a presentation of lesson ideas based on the NETS-S standards for grades nine through twelve. After creating an account and watching a few tutorials, I created my own presentation using different visual effects. I learned how to embed a YouTube video, as well as how to add my own pictures and text. I included four different frames that correspond to the NETS-S standards for students grades nine through twelve, and I connected the information, images and video using a pathway that leads the viewer through the presentation, zooming in and out on the different slides, focusing and showcasing one idea at a time. Using Prezi in my classroom will help me communicate information and different ideas to both students and parents as my presentations can be seen online in addition to the classroom. Students can also create their own presentation collaboratively with their peers, which promotes both student learning and creativity.   

Excel

Microsoft excel is software program which allows users to organize, format and calculate date into a spreadsheet system broken up by rows and columns. Using Atomic Learning, an online educational resource,  I watched the tutorial and learned how to create a crossword puzzle, which I was able to embed in my blog. My puzzle which is showcased on my blog would be used as a review of states and capitals. The creation of this crossword puzzle was fairly easy to do when following the directions that Atomic Learning provided.  I used conditional formatting  so that if students typed in the wrong letter in a space the letter would show red, if it was the correct letter, the letter would show green.  I loaded the words I wanted to be in the puzzle letter by letter and then created a list of clues and Excel was able to create the puzzle from this.  Through learning how to create this interactive crossword puzzle, I have demonstrated how I can creatively promote student learning based on relevant learning experiences. Additionally, by utilizing the crossword puzzle format, I have learned how to use this digital tool so that students can interact and learn the subject matter independently.

3.    Model Digital Age Work and Learning

iMovie

Using Apple’s iMovie program, Apple’s video editing software, I created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about Cal State San Marcos with the intent to recruit them to the university.  I incorporated titles, music, and visual effects into stock footage, and edited this into its final product which is showcased on my blog. To create my video, I edited select portions of video clips in the order that I wanted, and I learned how to create a still
frame, import audio, input a voice over, and transition each clip with a different effect all the while providing information about CSUSM. I was then able to share my video on my blog by exporting my video by converting it as a QuickTime file. Creating this Public Service Announcement using iMovie has allowed me to communicate information about CSUSM effectively to students, parents and my peers. My future students will use iMovie to explore their own personal learning styles by creating video projects showcasing what they learned, allowing them to show proficiency in a new medium. Students may even work collaboratively with each other in order to create a movie that contains material that supports student success and innovation while also fostering creativity.

 Diigo

Using Diigo, a web based social bookmarking website, I was able to create a free account where I bookmarked, highlighted, tagged and stored web pages for future reference. I explored and researched several educational websites pertaining to cyber safety, education and new and trending educational ideas/topics. Diigo can also be used for collaborative work within small groups where members have access to the research done by other members by following their book markings.  I used a gadget called the Diigo toolbar, which allowed me to highlight and save paragraphs and phrases that I found important on a website. Social bookmarking allowed me to tag certain websites with keywords that I felt related to the website for future use as well as anyone else trying to find information on certain topics. I bookmarked and tagged a handful of articles on topics such as cyber bullying, multiple intelligences, and a multicultural awareness quiz. Diigo allows for a fluency in the use of technology by allowing the user to access many websites at one time and use a new tool to compare and contrast materials using the highlighting and tagging tools.  It also allows easy access to shared communication between peers, students, parents and the community by easily connecting them to the information, promoting a collaborative online learning environment.

4.    Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Collaborative Website

Working with my group, I was able to create a website using Weebly, a free widget-based website created powered by Google. Collaboratively, my group and I created a Cybersafety wesite covering identity safety, cyber-bullying, cyber-predators, piracy and plagiarism, inappropriate content and social networks. For my topic on social networking, I worked with my group on the initial formatting of our website, and together we established what we wanted our website to look like. On my page, I defined what social networks are and how to go about safely navigating them. I also provided information and tips about how to be cyber safe to educators, parents and students. This website promotes and models digital etiquette and responsible social interactions by advocating the importance of your digital footprint and its lasting impact on future endeavors. I will be able to share my knowledge of this tool with my future students, parents and even the whole school community. Allowing the student the freedom to  edit and share their research and analyses on internet safety with their peers.

Adaptive Technology

By researching and writing a journal post about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools on to my blog, I was able to provide educational and relevant material to an online community for students with disabilities. By accessing a couple of educational forums, which are similar to a chat rooms, I was able to research and exchange different low-tech and high-tech tools and ideas with other members. On my journal post, I discussed what tools were available to assist special needs students and their teachers such as the low-tech talking watch, or a higher-technology tool, Apple’s iPad. I bookmarked these tools using Diigo
and added them to a group dealing with educational tools for disabled students. I also incorporated different images into my post, providing a visual aid and alternative links and resources to these items. Through my research I was able to share my findings with parents, students, and other educators. Students with disabilities are better able to fully participate in their own education as a result of these technological advances. I am addressing the needs of all learners by evaluating specific tools to fit the individual needs of those with disabilities.

5.    Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

 Journals

Learning & Leading with Technology (L&L) is a magazine that accompanies my membership to International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). On my blog I have written numerous journal posts analyzing and summarizing articles published in L&L. I read and reflected on articles pertaining to Twitter, and its potential uses in the classroom. I also wrote about Public Learning Networks (PLN) and how important it is to stay connected to a bigger online educational community.  I published my thoughts on the scholarly articles and posed thoughtful questions about the relevancy of the articles and their subject matter.  This has a twofold effect as I am able to share with my readers that which I have learned and I can also gain perspective from the answers my readers share with me. By continually researching new and relevant information provided on L&L and other educational journals, I can evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice in both the classroom and on my blog. By sharing what I’ve learned in an online manner, I can connect with educators who can be effectively connected to my research on innovating and emerging digital tools. 

 PLN

As a prospective teacher it is imperative that, in the current job market, stay connected to and current in the professional and educational community.  To that end I have established a Personal Learning Network (PLN) which consists of a group of individuals who meet online to exchange and share ideas and information.  I became a member of Diigo, an online social bookmarking site where I am able to utilize easily accessible and relevant websites, online communities and journal articles for research and book-marking.  I created a Twitter account which is an online social networking site where I participated in educational chats pertaining to history education using the #historyteacher where I read many posts and participated in educational chats with a number of professional educators.  I published my reflection on the creation of my PLN where I reported that I now have access to the educational community and the tools to find the information and ideas I need to grow as an educator. Through this online community and connection with both local and global educators, I can explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. By using the tools and information provided by the educators on these websites and forums, I can reflect and evaluate the most current educational information in a professional environment. As a teacher, I will continue to support student learning through the knowledge I’ve gained from my PLN.