If I were to rate this Technology in Education class on a scale of 1-10, 1 being learning nothing new, and 10 being overwhelmed with new and engaging material, I would without a doubt rate it as a 10. Overwhelmed, in some classes, might be a bad thing, but this is not the case of Tech in Ed. One of the things that we talked about last night is that this class prepared us with a plethora of resources, and not only the resources themselves, but the skills and the confidence to take the initiative and go learn about new programs to see if they would beneficial to one day integrate into the class.
I think one thing that this class has helped me with is confidence in approaching technology. Learning new technology can be very intimidating, but this class helped me to realize all of the awesome resources available (a lot of them for free) and if I'm interested in the program to just go for it: mess around with the tools, see what it can do, etc. It was really cool to see everyone's final presentations and all of the different tools and programs that they presented. I want to go back to many of those sites and mess around with them over the summer (so thank you Professor Sorenson for reading my mind creating a blog where we can access all of these!) As one of my fellow students said last night, this class has helped to make us aware about the need for technology integration into classes, the benefit it can have in engaging students, the accessibility of many of the resources for teachers, and the simplicity of the programs, all to result in giving us teachers a desire to search out the technological and educational world. Technology can be integrated in such creative manners that can make classes more engaging and relevant to the students of toady, and I am glad that I have been made aware and prepared to take advantage of this.
As I reflected on my NETS, I laughed as I naively and foolishly set a goal to make a few different powerpoints over the semester with no relation to any other classes than I'm taking. While I didn't fulfill this goal, I think that I learned something that will be more valuable to me as a teacher and a person who desires to have a life outside of school too: Beg, Borrow, and Steal! Why reinvent the wheel? There are a multitude of outstanding resources available. Now here is where the NETS standards come in. When I find these resources that I want to use in my class, the NETS standards are good to use to evaluate how effective this resource actually is. The NETS standards are very practical and are a good way to keep yourself in check as a teacher to help integrate technology into education for your students as effectively and as beneficially as possible.
Thank you so much Professor Sorenson for an engaging semester that helped me to grow as a future teacher and helped to open my eyes to the benefits and necessities to the TechEd world!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Reflection # 12
What: Developing an Online Personality
So What: When interacting with people online, it is easy, and even tempting, to present oneself in a manner that is slightly different than how someone would encounter you in person. I think most people have a tendency to do this at some level, although not always to an extreme measure. For example, I think just about everybody participates in this one: Posting facebook pictures. People love to put pictures of themselves doing interesting activities or in intruiging places. People also love to put ONLY the good pictures of themselves online. Why do we do this? Because we want to put our best selves forward and show people that we are beautiful and interesting people. Some people even go to extremes and create completely different alternative egos. Is all of this wrong? Or are some things okay to do in some situations but not others? Or should people be free to do whatever they want? This video is a funny song by Brad Paisley that addresses this topic, and even though it is country (for all you haters) it is a funny presentation on this real issue. ***There might be some things that might be offensive to some, a little bit of language, and some content that is relevant to the online alter-ego dilemma, but i don't think it's enough to take away from the message, so if you want to check it out click the youtube link below***:
READ ***ABOVE*** BEFORE CLICKING LINK!
Online by Brad Paisley
Now What: This concept is important for each person to consider because we all interact with people or present oursevles in the online community. It's important to figure out morally about how far we are willing to let our creativity and imagination affect our online personalities, and when it is important to present ourselves as accurately and truthfully to our actual personalities as possible.
So What: When interacting with people online, it is easy, and even tempting, to present oneself in a manner that is slightly different than how someone would encounter you in person. I think most people have a tendency to do this at some level, although not always to an extreme measure. For example, I think just about everybody participates in this one: Posting facebook pictures. People love to put pictures of themselves doing interesting activities or in intruiging places. People also love to put ONLY the good pictures of themselves online. Why do we do this? Because we want to put our best selves forward and show people that we are beautiful and interesting people. Some people even go to extremes and create completely different alternative egos. Is all of this wrong? Or are some things okay to do in some situations but not others? Or should people be free to do whatever they want? This video is a funny song by Brad Paisley that addresses this topic, and even though it is country (for all you haters) it is a funny presentation on this real issue. ***There might be some things that might be offensive to some, a little bit of language, and some content that is relevant to the online alter-ego dilemma, but i don't think it's enough to take away from the message, so if you want to check it out click the youtube link below***:
READ ***ABOVE*** BEFORE CLICKING LINK!
Online by Brad Paisley
Now What: This concept is important for each person to consider because we all interact with people or present oursevles in the online community. It's important to figure out morally about how far we are willing to let our creativity and imagination affect our online personalities, and when it is important to present ourselves as accurately and truthfully to our actual personalities as possible.
Reflection #11
What: When technology fails you
So What: Technology can be a tremendous help in a person's every day life. But what happens when the technology that we are depending on fails to come through? Should there be a balance on how dependent we become on technology? Just last week in class, my laptop went on the fritz and started making noises similar to a fire alarm at volumes that I didn't even know were possible for a laptop. Not to mention that this happened the last week of classes before finals. Fortunately this semester, the only real need that I have to access documents and projects on my laptop is for my tech in ed class, which is where I was keeping my final project. Finally, I was able to get my project off my laptop as well, even though my computer is still far from okay.
Now What: It is important to have a couple different strategies in the back of one's mind for occasions like this when our technology goes haywire. First, it is important to back up everything on your hard drive to an external source. This could save a lot of work from being lost in case your computer crashes. It's also good to know how long your warranty lasts on your computer or even purchase an extended warranty for your computer for service from the pros. Also, have back up plans available, especially when preparing to teach, in case a technological device that you planned on using doesn't pull through. This way, the lesson can still be saved and won't go down as a flop. Finally, thank you Professor Sorenson for being understanding of my tech problems = )
So What: Technology can be a tremendous help in a person's every day life. But what happens when the technology that we are depending on fails to come through? Should there be a balance on how dependent we become on technology? Just last week in class, my laptop went on the fritz and started making noises similar to a fire alarm at volumes that I didn't even know were possible for a laptop. Not to mention that this happened the last week of classes before finals. Fortunately this semester, the only real need that I have to access documents and projects on my laptop is for my tech in ed class, which is where I was keeping my final project. Finally, I was able to get my project off my laptop as well, even though my computer is still far from okay.
Now What: It is important to have a couple different strategies in the back of one's mind for occasions like this when our technology goes haywire. First, it is important to back up everything on your hard drive to an external source. This could save a lot of work from being lost in case your computer crashes. It's also good to know how long your warranty lasts on your computer or even purchase an extended warranty for your computer for service from the pros. Also, have back up plans available, especially when preparing to teach, in case a technological device that you planned on using doesn't pull through. This way, the lesson can still be saved and won't go down as a flop. Finally, thank you Professor Sorenson for being understanding of my tech problems = )
Monday, April 26, 2010
Assignment #4-Technology Project
Welcome to Biology Intro Video:
Delicious Page
List of Features:
-Delicious Website
-Storing and Organizing websites that I want to come back to
-Flip Video
-Record Videos
-Upload to Computer
-Edit Clip -Use Magic Moviemaker to create video
-Set song to background
Issues:
-Delicious: Fairly straightforward and easy to use, didn't know how to bundle categories
-Flip Video: Initially I had trouble charging the flip video, but after I finally got it to once, there wasn't an issue after that. The battery life is fairly good, but still dies relatively quickly, and ONLY charges via USB port. Downloading the Flip Video program was fine and straight forward, but for some reason, the program always closes when I try to add a title to my video, so I forfeited adding a title, which isn't a huge deal, but is a nice touch. I also wish that there was a way to record audio with the program to add to the video. There is probably a way around this such as recording your audio bit and uploading it to itunes, and then playing the audio bit as your music background, but this would likely be pretty difficult to get the timing right, and you wouldn't be able to use music at all, unless you recorded it in your audio at the same time.
Importance of Project:
This project was very beneficial in learning how to use the flip video. If given the opportunity in the future, I would definitely incorporate flip videos into my curriculum, helping to bring the real outside world into the classroom, to make lessons more relevant and engaging to students. How I would specifically use this project is to use the Delicious account to help me stay organized in all of my teacher resources and research. I would use the flip video that I made to open up the first day of school, as an introductory attention getter. This video and Delicious combination would also be an example of a project that I would assign to my students later in the semester (if applicable, depending on availability of flip videos). Students would use Delicious accounts to collect and organize research on various topics of biology. They would then choose one area and use the research in order to aid them in making a flip video on the topic to share with the class.
NETS Standards:
This project touches on many of the NETS Standards for both teachers and students (because this project will serve as an example of a project that I will assign my studets during the semester). For the Teachers standards, this project hits on:
1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Creativity
2)Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
3)Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
4)Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
On the Students' side, this project would meet the following NETS Standards:
1) Creativity and Innovation
2) Communication and Collaboration
3) Research and Information Fluency
4) Critical Thinking, Problem Soving, and Decision Making
5) Digital Citizenship
6) Technology Operations and Concepts
Students will work together in groups for this project (NETS standard #2). They will each create a Delicious account where they will store links to information that they research on the group topic online (NETS Standards #3 and #6). Students will use the research that they have conducted to make a video to present the information in an interesting and engaging way (NETS Standards #1, #4, #5, and #6) which they will then present to the class.
Delicious Page
List of Features:
-Delicious Website
-Storing and Organizing websites that I want to come back to
-Flip Video
-Record Videos
-Upload to Computer
-Edit Clip -Use Magic Moviemaker to create video
-Set song to background
Issues:
-Delicious: Fairly straightforward and easy to use, didn't know how to bundle categories
-Flip Video: Initially I had trouble charging the flip video, but after I finally got it to once, there wasn't an issue after that. The battery life is fairly good, but still dies relatively quickly, and ONLY charges via USB port. Downloading the Flip Video program was fine and straight forward, but for some reason, the program always closes when I try to add a title to my video, so I forfeited adding a title, which isn't a huge deal, but is a nice touch. I also wish that there was a way to record audio with the program to add to the video. There is probably a way around this such as recording your audio bit and uploading it to itunes, and then playing the audio bit as your music background, but this would likely be pretty difficult to get the timing right, and you wouldn't be able to use music at all, unless you recorded it in your audio at the same time.
Importance of Project:
This project was very beneficial in learning how to use the flip video. If given the opportunity in the future, I would definitely incorporate flip videos into my curriculum, helping to bring the real outside world into the classroom, to make lessons more relevant and engaging to students. How I would specifically use this project is to use the Delicious account to help me stay organized in all of my teacher resources and research. I would use the flip video that I made to open up the first day of school, as an introductory attention getter. This video and Delicious combination would also be an example of a project that I would assign to my students later in the semester (if applicable, depending on availability of flip videos). Students would use Delicious accounts to collect and organize research on various topics of biology. They would then choose one area and use the research in order to aid them in making a flip video on the topic to share with the class.
NETS Standards:
This project touches on many of the NETS Standards for both teachers and students (because this project will serve as an example of a project that I will assign my studets during the semester). For the Teachers standards, this project hits on:
1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Creativity
2)Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
3)Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
4)Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
On the Students' side, this project would meet the following NETS Standards:
1) Creativity and Innovation
2) Communication and Collaboration
3) Research and Information Fluency
4) Critical Thinking, Problem Soving, and Decision Making
5) Digital Citizenship
6) Technology Operations and Concepts
Students will work together in groups for this project (NETS standard #2). They will each create a Delicious account where they will store links to information that they research on the group topic online (NETS Standards #3 and #6). Students will use the research that they have conducted to make a video to present the information in an interesting and engaging way (NETS Standards #1, #4, #5, and #6) which they will then present to the class.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Reflection #10
What: The iPad (inspired by Dr. Kowalski's presentation in class Tuesday)
So What: The iPad is an extremely cool gadget that Dr. Kowalski presented in class. It has great storage capabilities and applications that can be downloaded to serve any person's interests/needs. Not to mention it's extreme ability to download quickly and move from one thing to the next in a speed that is quick enough to keep up with anybody's downloading or search needs provides not only a cool personal gadget, but a great tool to use for teaching and lecturing. Notes, textbooks, regular books, documents, papers, etc can easily be stored on the iPad, you can even access the screen to your own computer! This an extremely helpful tool for teaching and learning, and is easily transportable as well.
Now What: I want one! I've been considering getting a new lap top for a little bit, but after Dr. Kowalski's presentation, I might just save up for the iPad instead. My old laptop is still good for writing papers, but it is a pain to tote around, and the majority of the time, not quick enough for things I want to do. The iPad would be a great addition to my personal belongings because I could use it to "consume" information, take notes in class, etc, and still have my good old lap top to write papers and do more "creating". Time to start saving = )
So What: The iPad is an extremely cool gadget that Dr. Kowalski presented in class. It has great storage capabilities and applications that can be downloaded to serve any person's interests/needs. Not to mention it's extreme ability to download quickly and move from one thing to the next in a speed that is quick enough to keep up with anybody's downloading or search needs provides not only a cool personal gadget, but a great tool to use for teaching and lecturing. Notes, textbooks, regular books, documents, papers, etc can easily be stored on the iPad, you can even access the screen to your own computer! This an extremely helpful tool for teaching and learning, and is easily transportable as well.
Now What: I want one! I've been considering getting a new lap top for a little bit, but after Dr. Kowalski's presentation, I might just save up for the iPad instead. My old laptop is still good for writing papers, but it is a pain to tote around, and the majority of the time, not quick enough for things I want to do. The iPad would be a great addition to my personal belongings because I could use it to "consume" information, take notes in class, etc, and still have my good old lap top to write papers and do more "creating". Time to start saving = )
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Reflection # 9
What: So this is concerning something Professor Sorenson said in class today about the probability that all of us will someday teach an online course.
So What: I would be fine with teaching an online course or two in the future. However, I would have to think long and hard about teaching if all education transitioned into online courses. With online classes, the personal connections and relationships are somewhat lost over the internet. While there are some really cool things that can be done with online education, part of my desire to go into teaching is having that interactive-ness with students.
Now What: The deciding factor of this dilemma, should education one day totally transition into online learning/classes, would be for me to actually experience an online course. Perhaps it wouldn't be as distant as I imagine, and I'm sure that the classroom relationship expereince would depend on how I the teacher set up the online course. Overall, it will be interesting to see where online schooling goes in the future.
So What: I would be fine with teaching an online course or two in the future. However, I would have to think long and hard about teaching if all education transitioned into online courses. With online classes, the personal connections and relationships are somewhat lost over the internet. While there are some really cool things that can be done with online education, part of my desire to go into teaching is having that interactive-ness with students.
Now What: The deciding factor of this dilemma, should education one day totally transition into online learning/classes, would be for me to actually experience an online course. Perhaps it wouldn't be as distant as I imagine, and I'm sure that the classroom relationship expereince would depend on how I the teacher set up the online course. Overall, it will be interesting to see where online schooling goes in the future.
Reflection #8
This reflection is kind of piggy backed off of one of Bethany's reflections. It's something that I've thought about before, and reading Bethany's blog reminded me of it, so here is my idea. It may apply more at the college level, but perhaps could be used in pre-collegiate education as well.
What: Having a company that runs a website in collaboration with text book companies so that students can download books, even chapters of books rather than buying a whole book that the student doesn't need.
So What: This could be a revolutionary idea that saves students money as well as helps to make managing all the books that students will have easier. Students can focus on chapters that will be covered in class without having to purchase material that they will never look at.
Now What: I think the tricky thing with this idea would be to get text book companies to join in with this type of program, because I think that they would not be making as much money as they do now, but maybe there would be some companies that see the benefit for students.
What: Having a company that runs a website in collaboration with text book companies so that students can download books, even chapters of books rather than buying a whole book that the student doesn't need.
So What: This could be a revolutionary idea that saves students money as well as helps to make managing all the books that students will have easier. Students can focus on chapters that will be covered in class without having to purchase material that they will never look at.
Now What: I think the tricky thing with this idea would be to get text book companies to join in with this type of program, because I think that they would not be making as much money as they do now, but maybe there would be some companies that see the benefit for students.
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