1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Blog

Creative and innovative thinking is an important part of making the learning process more interesting and entertaining. A blog is a website containing the writer’s own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often contains images and links to other websites. By creating a blog through Blogger, a free web-based publishing tool from Google, I learned how to make an informative classroom blog that is not only informative, but visually appealing.  I am able to share my work with others who follow my blog by embedding my work with Hyper Text Markup Language (html). Examples of the work I share on my blog include: a classroom newsletter, a NETS Prezi presentation, a crossword puzzle made with Microsoft Excel, a research project on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a project explaining how I created my personal learning network (PLN), and my blog also contains links to a technology self-assessment, my Diigo tagroll, a survey created with a Google Docs spreadsheet, and a mind mapping project involving the NETS. Creating this blog has allowed me to collaborate with others by posting my own opinions, thoughts, ideas, comprehensions, and understandings about a specific topic, and then exploring my peers’ blogs to compare their insights with my own. Creating a blog has enhanced my own creative and innovative thinking by having control over what my blog looks like and what information I allow to be presented in my blog. It has also provided a virtual environment for collaborative learning because I can compare my own observations to my colleagues’ by exploring their blogs and reading about their personal understanding of any given topic.

Classroom Newsletter

Effective communication is crucial among students and parents to ensure that parents are involved and updated with the classroom happenings.  Through Microsoft Word, I created a newsletter that gives information about different classroom activities, projects, and various reminders.  The newsletter gives parents instructions on the at-home projects and updates about on-campus events.  It’s a great way to keep everyone updated and on the same page.  Microsoft Word made it easy to customize my newsletter and format it to create the visual replica of an actual newspaper.  I created columns and increased the font size of the sectional headings to make them stand out.  A custom masthead was created using a table.  I added text in the different rows to give information about the volume and edition numbers, and changed the table border to a design that was colorful.  Relevant pictures were added to each section and were formatted so that surrounding text “wrapped” around the graphic.  Creating an innovative classroom newsletter promotes creative thinking and allows me to model how my students can use Microsoft Word in their work. 

2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

iMovie Public Service Announcement

Using iMovie, a movie making software tool from Apple, I created a video about the campus of California State University San Marcos. This program allowed me to add clips and images with music and sounds in order to provide information about the school to my viewers. I imported video footage and still pictures, modified these clips so the movie would flow together, and added screen effects to make the video look vintage. I added an introduction and a title where I provided a voiceover of my own voice introducing the viewers to the video and to the campus of CSUSM, and also included text on each screen to provide more information. I also used clips from two songs to play in the background of my public service announcement. I could use iMovie in my own classroom by encouraging students to create a movie on a particular topic and add music, still frames, and video clips to provide information to their viewers. This type of project would promote the students’ learning and creativity, and encourage students to pursue their individual curiosities.

Google Forms

Using Google Forms, a feature of Google Docs, I created a survey document to receive feedback about a Prezi presentation that I made. Once my document was created, I shared it with my peers and professor so that the viewers could participate and take the assessment. I created a survey about a Prezi presentation I made describing the NETS student standards to receive feedback on how effective my presentation was. I was able to change the type of question depending on what information I was seeking out: text, multiple choice, paragraph text, scale, choose from a list, and check boxes. I was able to embed both of the surveys onto my blog so I could receive feedback and information from as many people as possible, and then I included a link where anyone could view the results of the surveys. Utilizing Google Forms to assess projects and assignments will provide me with the ability to collect data and information about my class in a creative and organized manner. I will be able to easily share information and collaborate with students, parents, and other faculty through the use of this digital tool.

3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Prezi

I created a presentation using Prezi, a web-based presentation software that uses a single canvas rather than multiple slides. My presentation showcased how I would integrate the NETS student standards into my own future classroom, including text to describe specific sample assignments, and images and videos to provide examples. I included images, videos, and text information on an infinite canvas, and grouped frames together to allow for easier reading and comprehension. I created a unique path for my presentation to flow on, and all of the information was created on a specific background picture that was not fully seen until the very end of the presentation. After I created this presentation, I embedded it into my blog so everyone viewing my blog can view it and provide me with feedback. Through the creation of a Prezi, I was able to take my current knowledge and transfer it to a new type of technology by using digital age media. My use of this software shows how I will be able to creatively and effectively present information to students, and encourage my students to use Prezi as a communication tool as well.

MindMap

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, or other items that are linked to and revolved around a central key point. I used the tool called Bubbl.us to create a mindmap to show how I have met the five differents NETS for teachers through various projects and assignments I have completed. I color coordinated the mind map so it was easy to follow, and I organized the page so the NETS-T (the focal point) was in the middle, with each of the five standards extending from the center towards the edge of the page. From that point, I created another branch that led to two examples of projects I have completed that met the standard, and then in the fourth branch I connected my assignment directly to a specific part of the standard. By creating a mind map, I have shown that I can use current and emerging digital tools in order to display my knowledge in an innovative manner. Mindmapping is a tool that both my students and I can use to support research and learning by collecting ideas, and organizing them in a creative way.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

CyberSafety Website

Through use of Weebly, a free and easy to use website creator, I collaboratively made a website with five other people to provide students, teachers, peers, and parents with information and tips on Cyber Safety. We provide our viewers with information on identity safety, cyber bullying, cyber predators, inappropriate content, social networks, and piracy and plagiarism. Each person in the group was assigned a specific topic, mine was identity safety, and we created our own page which provided the title, three tips for teachers, three tips for students, and three tips for parents, included statistics and outside resources, and embedded video clips and graphics. Working together, we made a main page which introduced our topic and ideas, and then we color coordinated the entire website to ensure it was visually appealing to the viewers. By creating a website to promote cyber safety, I am advocating and teaching the safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology. This tool can also be used in the classroom by students to research and identify their own knowledge on cyber safety and their ability to use digital tools and resources.

AAC (Journal 8)

I used the Internet as a research tool to discover adaptive technology devices that could be used in a classroom to assist students with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC is a non-verbal way of communicating with people who have special needs and cannot rely on speech. In this assignment, I researched and discovered one no technology tool (American Sign Language), and one high technology tool (ChooseIt Literacy) in order to aid students within the classroom setting so the individuals can receive the best education possible. I also researched one hardware option (loop mouse), and one software option (Click-n-Type virtual keyboard) in order to assist students with a physical disability. I provided links on my blog to other resources with information regarding the same topic so the reader can learn more about Augmentative and Alternative Communication and students with physical disabilities. Through my research, discoveries, and creation of a journal, I have addressed the diverse needs of all learners, and even found several resources to aid these students to reach their full potential. I have developed and portrayed a cultural understanding that all students have different learning processes, and often, outside resources must be integrated into the classroom.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

PLN

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a way to connect with other people to learn from, connect with, and share ideas with. I created my own PLN by seeking out people who are involved with education, particularly high school English, and made connections through online sources such as Diigo, Blogspot, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. I created by PLN in several different technical ways: I have done research and made tags on the Diigo website so that I can follow others and they can follow me; I have created an educational blog where I post my work and am followed by many of my peers and I follow them; I signed up for Twitter and currently follow several educators that I can learn from; and I am part of the Educator's PLN digital discussion forum where I can communicate with other current and future educators. Through use of these social networking websites, I have made connections with other individuals who are on the same career path as I am, to whom I can ask questions or seek advice from. By becoming part of these communities, I am able to explore creative applications of technology to improve my own learning and broaden my knowledge about the teaching profession and education. I have the opportunity to develop further leadership and technology skills by participating in shared decision making and community discussions about current educational topics.

Educational Journals

As a member of International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), I was able to gain access to and read several online articles through the journal Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). After reading many articles that pertained to education and my future career, I posted analytical explications onto my blog so I could collaborate with other students and teachers. After reading specific articles, I provide a summary and then relate the journal posting to my future classroom and state how I would implement some of the ideas in the article into my classroom. The articles that I posted about included topics such as: using Twitter in an educational manner, integrating cameras into the classroom, how to remain an effective teacher with budget cuts, and using digital design within the classroom. Since my reflections are publicly posted on my blog, others can read my postings and provide some of their own insight, ideas, or other commentary. I regularly read and post about current articles in the L&L journal which allows me to reflect on research and contribute to the effectiveness of the teaching profession. I have connected with others and built a community with my peers and other educators to learn from and grow with.