1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge and skills to communicate student learning, creativity, and innovation in order to achieve academic success. Using Microsoft Word, a word-processing software, I created an interesting and informative classroom newsletter. I used WordArt to create an appropriate masthead and used a table to set up the basic information in regards to what my newsletter would be about. I used columns, drop caps, and images which wrapped around the text. I incorporated technological subject matter, as well as standard classroom information and activities. Custom bullets, borders, and related graphics were also used before I converted my original newsletter into a PDF file to post onto my blog. Through the creation of my newsletter, I demonstrated key aspects of technology that can be used in my future classroom to engage my students in creative processing such as choosing page layouts, formatting options and image selections. This project allowed me to display my innovative thinking by converting my file to PDF, selecting bold and creative colors and fonts, as well as an understanding of how students can use this tool to create innovative projects of their own.
Student reflection is an important aspect in long term retention of knowledge and technology is a tool that can showcase this process. I used Blogger, a free blog creation tool from Google, to create a class blog that my peers can view and leave feedback to demonstrate a collaborative tool that can be used in any classroom. Through creating my personal blog I learned how to embed pictures and link information from external sites. In addition, I learned how to post presentations that my peers can leave feedback through a self-created survey. My blog also communicates my personal ideas about educational material that includes links to references and pictures or screenshots if applicable. Through creating a class blog, I have learned how useful a blog can be as a way to collaborate with peers and students. The multitude of options regarding page layout, font, background images, and gadgets, allow each student to express their creativity while communicating their conceptual understanding of related class material.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
b. - Excell crossword puzzle
Teachers can utilize various technology tools to help students learn a specific subject. I used Microsoft Excell, a data spreadsheet program, to create an interactive crossword puzzle that allows students to input their answers online. I used notes within the program to include clues, formatted the spreadsheet to look like a crossword puzzle and added “conditional statements” that made a correct letter green while an incorrect letter would be red. Through creating a themed crossword puzzle in Excel, I learned how I can use the program to create an interactive activity based on a central theme or subject and how to embed the puzzle in my blog. Through learning how to create an interactive crossword puzzle, I have demonstrated how I can creatively promote student learning based on relevant learning experiences or a central theme. In addition, by utilizing the crossword format I have learned how to use this digital tool so that students can interact with the subject matter independently.
a. - Diigo
As an educator, it is important to be constantly learning new ways to effectively teach and how to promote student learning. I learned how to use Diigo, an online social bookmarking program to communicate with other educators and share relevant educational information and methods that I discover online. Social bookmarking allows others to view websites that I bookmark because of their relevance to education. When I find an informational article or website, I can bookmark it using the Diigo toolbar while tagging the item with the specific category, or keyword, of the resource. I embedded a tag roll on my blog so that others can see what I have bookmarks and can further research any subject easily. In addition, I communicate with other educators so that we can learn from each other. One example of a site I bookmarked is The Digital Camera in Education site by Dr. Terence Cavanaugh which addresses many ways that the digital camera can be used in support of curriculum. The site is very extensive and even includes a section on how to use a camera to demonstrate math concepts. I also bookmarked the website Artswork.edu, a site that has many different lessons for students within each core subject ,all of which involve art. This website exemplifies creative lessons created by other educators for students which can be seen by the people who follow me on Diigo. Through utilizing Diigo to network with other educators, I can have access to their resources that promotes student learning and creativity.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
b. Google Docs
Understanding how to use different technologies to collaborate with students, peers and parents is an important use of technology in the classroom. I learned how to use Google Docs, an online word processor, to communicate and collaborate with my peers for my NETS 1 narrative. After creating a Gmail account, I created a document that I shared with a peer as well as my professor. I was able to read my peers writing and leave comments for her to read. Each comment I posted was sent to her as an email so she could revise. Then, I could read her corrections and resolve the comment. If we were editing the document at the same time, we could chat with each other to make collaboration more simple. After learning about this function of Google Docs, I understand how I can use this tool to communicate with my students and their parents. For instance, I could set up a class newsletter that I can share with parents and students so that they could leave comments for me to read. I could also suggest that students upload essays to Google docs so I can help them edit their papers and they can make progress on their learning outside the classroom. By learning how to use Google Docs as a collaborative tool, I can use this digital tool to support student success.
c. Prezi
As a teacher, presentations can be a good way to communicate ideas to students. I learned how to use Prezi, an online presentation tool to display a lesson about Earth Science based on the NETS-S standards for grades three through five. After creating an account and watching various tutorials, I learned how to make my own unique presentation filled with frames in which I could manipulate to have various effects. In the presentation, I learned how to embed a YouTube video, add my own pictures, text and how to create various custom paths by which the presentation is viewed. In the presentation, I included four different frames that correspond to the NETS-S standards and relevant lessons for students between grades three and five. Using Prezi in my classroom will help me communicate information and ideas to students and parents because my presentations can be viewed online in addition to the classroom. I can also allow students to edit the Prezi so that it can be a collaborative presentation. My use of Prezi in the classroom will make it so that peers can work together on presentations that can communicate relevant information within their curriculum that can also be viewed by parents.
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
b. AAC Journal
Being able to address the needs of all students is highly important as an educator. On my blog, I published a journal in which I researched various Augmentive and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and resources designed for disabled students. I outlined digital tools like Gus, which is a multimedia speech system that allows speech impaired students to communicate words and phrases. I also wrote about the communication software ProloQuo2go and the Magic Wand Keyboard that allows physically disabled people to type. In addition, I bookmarked these tools on Diigo and added them to a group based on educational tools for disabled students. Through researching AAC resources and sharing my research, I have learned that it is possible to provide and share knowledge about equitable access to digital tools and resources. I have also learned that even students who could not previously communicate with peers or teachers can benefit from these tools that have been designed for equitable learning.
c. Cyber Safety
The Internet can be a dangerous place, especially for children, therefore teaching various methods of safe use is very important. A few of my peers and I created a cybersafety website via Google sites that contained various pages addressing online dangers such as cyberbullying, piracy and plagiarism, inappropriate content, safe relations with others online, social networks, identity safety and cyber predators. The collaborative project was done on Google sites, a web based site generator, where each person created a specific page. I created a page about identity safety online with three tips for parents, teachers and students. I also embedded a video about identity theft online and several resources that address the problem. Our cybersafety site has information on how to protect yourself from predators online and how to protect your identity so that it can’t be used maliciously. Through learning how to create a website that informs the community on how to use the Internet for responsible social interactions, I realize that as a teacher I can be a model for proper digital etiquette.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
c. PLN
As an educator, it is important to reflect on current research about education on a regular basis. I have learned how to utilize various social networks to establish my own Personal Learning Network (PLN) through tools such as Twitter, Diigo and Classroom 2.0. A Personal Learning Network is the community that one can establish by utilizing various technological tools or social networks to share ideas among others within that community who have a common interest or goal. Through communicating with my PLN, I discover educational news and tools I can use in my classroom. I use Twitter to follow other educators interested in elementary school education and participate in the educational chat #elemchat to communicate with other educators who share useful information. I also follow people on Diigo so I can see what they bookmark based on specific tags or interests that I have. In addition, I participate on the digital forum in Classroom 2.0 so that other educators can respond to any questions or comments I have about education. All of these digital tools have allowed me to chat with other experienced educators from around the country. From the information, tools and websites that I have discovered from being in contact with my Personal Learning Network, 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 gaining knowledge from my PLN.
d. Journals
As a teacher, reading and reflecting on scholarly articles aids in effective teaching. I became a member of ISTE so that I can have access to digital copies of various articles in their publication, Learning and Leading with Technology. I wrote and published several journals on my class blog in which I reflect on the content of various articles within L&L such as Annette Lamb’s "Reading Redefined for a Transmedia Universe." which is based on the increasing popularity of the digital format of reading. As a member of ISTE, I am able to access digital copies of Learning and Leading articles that address advanced uses of technology in teaching and learning through writing these journal reflections. After reading an article, I summarize it then pose a question and answer that apply the article to my teaching. The act of writing journal reflections based on these academic articles contributes to my personal effectiveness as a teacher while informing the school and community. I will look back on my reflections of Learning and Leading articles in these journals on my blog so that I can understand how to better myself within the teaching profession.