Last Blog.........

This is the last blog for my technology class and I must say, I have mixed feelings. I will miss the actual act of blogging. But with this also being the last class I need in order to complete the MAT program, I cannot help but scream YEAH ME!!!!!! This week’s learning centered in on computer viruses and “netiquette”. I have never heard of the term “netiquette” prior to this lesson. I realize why such a term was created. It is so easy for miscommunication to occur in the age of emailing and texting. I have had a couple of “run-ins” with computer viruses. Luckily, the most serious problem was losing technology use for a couple of days. I only have my computer and one other classroom computer in my classroom. Our district has a very strict policy in place. We are not allowed to access sites that could put our computers at risk. Most sites are blocked. There are many YouTube videos that are educational that I would like to use in class, but I am afraid of losing my job! We are told over and over again that it we are found accessing a site such as eBay, or facebook, or another email account, our job is at risk. We are not allowed to stream in any video or music. Our new email system even has chat available, and we are NOT allowed to use that either. I am not sure what kind of security is in place for our district, but I guess it is a good thing that they are so strict with usage. Otherwise, there would probably be viruses infecting our systems daily. For my personal laptop, I use Microsoft Security Essentials. It scans my computer daily and gets rid of any risks that may be lurking. It is difficult many times to identify a virus. Many times, they look just like your security scan popping up to identify viruses. Clicking on the wrong button can cause serious damage, even causing computers to crash. This is an area of concern for me because many times I get so busy doing whatever it is that I am doing, I do not pay attention when a window pops up. So, I just click, trying to get rid of it so I can go back to doing what I was previously doing. I have learned to be more careful with this to protect my computer. I hope that if this happens, my security will catch it before it is too late!

The internet and World Wide Web have had a huge impact not only on society, but on education as well. The web offers many resources for teaching and learning. Software programs are also available for educators. These programs are created to perform specific functions or to accomplish specific tasks. These programs are sets of instructions that control the operations of a computer. Without software, computers would not function. Programming language is used by publishers and manufacturers to design software. There are two types of software: application and support systems. Spreadsheets, databases, web browsers, and word processing programs are examples of application software. Support software provides the computer with general commands. Examples of operating systems are Windows XP, or Vista. Utility programs are those that allow for defragmenting and formatting discs or fixing printer problems. Software that is available for download from the internet is called Shareware. Most shareware is available free for a limited time, and then when the time is passed, the users must pay a fee or no longer use the program. Freeware is software found on the internet that can be downloaded free of charge. Vendors give freeware in order to persuade users to “upgrade” for a price. Educational software can be used in the classroom for educational purposes. Types of educational software include drill and practice, problem solving, creative/critical thinking, tutorials, simulations, image editing and draw/paint.
Immediate feedback is given with drill practice, but new concepts are not taught. Problem solving software challenges students to solve problems based on a prior knowledge. Hints are given and guesses on how to solve problems. Creative/critical thinking software encourages students to explore communications between related ideas. Tutorial programs provide training and practice. Simulation software allows students to experience situations that they may not be able to otherwise experience, due to cost or danger. Image software is used to create, edit, or enhance digital images. Draw/paint software allows users to modify graphics from other sources to create new images. Software should be chosen based on relevance, meeting instructional goals, ease of use, and hardware requirements.
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This past week was our first week of school. A Power Point was used to welcome students to the middle school, and to inform them of school and classroom expectations. The Power Point also included consequences to behavior violations. The presentation was very well received by the students. The major challenge I faced in showing the power point was that computers were down the first couple of days, and when they decided to work again, internet service in my room was down. I had emailed the PPT to my school email to open up and use in the classroom. I had to make arrangements and do something else on the day I planned using this because I had forgotten to bring the flash drive that contained the power point. Always be prepared, because as great as technology is, you never know when there might be a glitch!

Summary of learning for Week 6

Learning this week centers in on the Internet and the WebQuest. Internet users exceed 1.7 billion people around the world and are continuously growing. In order for computers in one location to connect to the internet, telecommunication technologies are needed. These are electronic communication between computers over distance. Modems are translating devices. They are needed whether using telephone cable or satellite to carry a signal between a computer and the internet. They translate digital and analog signals back and forth. Digital subscribers lines (DSLs) are a high-speed option for users at home because they provide speeds faster than a phone line. DSL offers voice and digital communications on a single line. Internet service providers (ISPs) are special networks that have been created to provide home and business computers a way to connect to the Internet. An ISP is necessary to connect a home computer to the Internet. Email is a communication tool primarily used on networks and on the internet. Email is similar to post offices boxes. URLs (uniform resources locators) are designations for specific locations on the World Wide Web. Computer discussion is an asynchronous communication tool that allows users a way to communicate with numerous others. An electronic mailing list is another asynchronous communication tool that automatically delivers email to those who wish to subscribe to the service. Chats are very useful in education as they offer real-time interaction. Instant messaging (IM) is another form of chat that is a one to one that can be started when users are online simultaneously. Videoconferencing software allows users at either end of a synchronous connection to hear and see.
There is often confusion between the Internet and the World Wide Web. These terms are NOT the same. The Web is the most popular of the services available on the internet. It is not a separate network. Web pages and Web sites can be created. These provide information to the user. Web pages are written by using a language called HTML (hypertext markup language). This special program translates the language in which a web page is written into an image on the screen. Pictures and visual images add interest. To use graphics on the web, GIF (graphic interchange format) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) are needed. Audio streaming sends audio in a continuous stream or flow and streaming video allows the user to view video clips. VR (Virtual Reality) provides a three-dimensional graphic environment that can be accessed on the Web. Search engines are programs designed to find web sites and pages based on key words that you enter.
The internet has great potential inside the classroom for both teachers and students. Many services and tools can be used to enhance the learning process. A WebQuest is an online tool developed in 1995 that is hosted online and guides students through the learning process by breaking a large project into smaller pieces. A WebQuest can be developed by anyone. Many models exist for different subject and age levels. WebQuests require higher order thinking skills such as synthesis, analysis, problem solving, creativity, and judgment. The format of a WebQuest is as follows: introduction, task, process, evaluation, conclusion, credits, and teacher page. These individual sections guide students and encourage them to work on problems as they would in the real world. WebQuests help foster collaboration among students. This increases motivation in the classroom because students feel challenged and encouraged. WebQuests also work as a structure for scaffolding learning, which increases success designing a WebQuest requires time and planning, but the result is worth the effort.
The WebQuest I created concerns recycling. To Go Green, or not to Go Green? That is the question is the title of my WebQuest. The WebQuest asks students to create a Power Point, a pamphlet, or a Public Service Announcement to convince the community to recycle. My WebQuest can be found at:
http://questgarden.com/107/90/3/100804200952/

Online Communication Tools

This week’s reading discussed academic software and online communication tools. Both of these can be huge assets in the classroom. Academic software is a wide variety of software packages that are used to enrich the teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students. Many different types and choices can be used to reinforce concepts. These include Power Points, graphics software, reference software, tutorials, educational games, simulations, authoring systems, and special needs software.PowerPoint presentations can be used to create visually communicate concepts to students. Graphics software can be used to create newsletters and fliers,and to create, edit, or enhance digital images. Reference software contains dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases as electronic sources. Tutorials and drill practice software allow for one on one interactive review that engages learners. Simulations give students the opportunity to interact with a model environment that promotes discovery learning. Authoring systems help teachers create their own hypermedia tutorials and web pages to support curriculum. Special needs software assists in many ways from reading screens to enlarging pointers.
These tools, along with online communication tools that are used by professionals are easily adapted to the classroom. Online communication tools may be either synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous allows real time communication. It connects people at a single point in time at the same time. The drawback to synchronous communication is that same time participation can be difficult with conflicting schedules and differing time zones. These are also very costly. Asynchronous allows communication to take place over a period of time at a different time and place. It allows people to connect together at each person’s own convenience and own schedule.
Online communication tools enable us to make connections with others around the world, develop a public voice and to compare ideas with those of our peers. These tools create opportunities for students to learn away from the school setting. Anytime communication helps make students available to teachers when needed. This allows teachers to be able to manage classroom activities outside of the classroom by providing time sensitive information about assignments. It also allows teachers to reach more than one student at a time.
Blogs, VoIP, wikis, and chat are a few types of online communication tools that can be used in the classroom, if the supporting school district allows for it. Blogs provide a way to have conversations with people who have similar interests. VoIP is a new communication tool that allows internet users to make phone calls. Modems allow computers to use telephone lines to communicate. Wikis are a collaborative writing space on the internet. They can be either public or private. Each wiki is created on a specific topic. The information available to users grows with the contributions from the wiki users.
Many of these online communication tools are new to me. I plan to incorporate as many as I can into my classroom. The only online communication tool I have used thus far is email and this is discouraged at my school. Any contact with parent or student is to be made face to face in a meeting, or by phone. I would love to be able to blog and use it as a review for the day, or week. I think this would be a great way to post the daily or weekly agenda for your class. If students are absent, all they have to do to see what they missed is visit the blog.

Ed Tech Week 4 PowerPoint Presentations!

Power Point Presentations are designed to create support material for oral presentations. They began in the business world, and have moved into the education front. They have replaced overhead projectors, chalk and dry erase boards as a way to communicate information. PowerPoint Presentations are great tools to use when teaching. Power Points add another dimension to learning by allowing teachers to explain abstract concepts as well as accommodate ALL learning styles. There are many types of learners in the classroom and PowerPoint Presentations allow educators to effectively communicate information to each of them. The types of learners in a classroom include: linguistic, logical mathematical, bodily kinesthetic, spatial, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Linguistic involves verbal and written language such as reading, and telling stories. Logical mathematical learners are good with patterns and numbers. These are the two mostly emphasized learners in standardized tests. The problem is that not all learners fit into these categories. Bodily Kinesthetic learners use the whole body to solve problems, such as dance, hands on activities, and athletic events. Spatial learners have the ability to form and use images while learning. Musical involves songs and rhythm. Interpersonal learners understand others and work cooperatively with them. Intrapersonal learners work better alone. When teachers provide information orally, accompanied by a PowerPoint Presentation, the visual element comes into play which appeals to spatial learners, and adding sound or music includes the musical learner. In conclusion, PowerPoint Presentations are not just fun to watch. A higher percentage of students are engaged during PowerPoint Presentations, and they allow teachers to accommodate multiple learning needs.
I created a PowerPoint to use during the first few days of school to introduce the incoming sixth grade students to the middle school and to discuss proper classroom procedures and expectations. I think it is a good overview of what is expected of the students. To make it better, I would add sound and better fitting clip art and better animations. My 12 year old watched the PowerPoint. She made a few positive comments, and also helped me tweak it to make it more visually appealing to her.

Ed Tech Week 3

Today's classroom is filled with students from many different aspects of life including culture and socioeconomic status. Students also differ in multiple intelligence, learning styles, and learning preferences. All of these differences must be taken into account when planning instruction in order for successful learning to occur. The effective use of technology can assist teachers in meeting the needs of all students. Special education students can benefit from technology in many ways. Technology allows for special needs students to increase their independence and classroom participation in classroom activities. It can assist those who need help in writing, as well as those who can not speak or hear. Technology can also help gifted and talented students by providing them with challenges. The writing process also receives benefit from technology. For those who need help with reading, writing, or organizing ideas, word processing programs are helpful. It also makes it less tedious. Brainstorming, creating first draft, editing, proofreading, and then creating final draft can leave students feeling overwhelmed.Word processing programs allow students to print, then proofread and edit by using spell check, cut and paste, insert, delete to create final product. These programs eliminate unnecessary writing, which tires students physically and emotionally thus having a negative affect on the final product. Desktop publishing software is also an asset to students and teachers by providing avenues for creativity when producing documents. Assistive technology, hardware and software, is available to help meet the needs of students with exceptionalities. This past year, I was fortunate enough to work with a hearing impared student in my classroom. The student wore a hearing aid, and I wore a microphone. This allowed my speech to be directly sent to the hearing aid to assist ithe student in hearing. There are many technological programs available for meeting the needs of all students. However, problems may arise during the implementation process.Three issues must be addressed when implementing technology:
1) Determining which technological solution will better meet the need of the particular student. This can be done with input from professionals and family members familiar with the student.
2) Training. Students must be taught how to use the technology along with any teachers or adults who work with the student.
3) Collaboration between AT (assistive technology) and IT (informational technology). AT and IT share the responsibility of providing students with special needs the tools they need to be successful by providing appropriate technology and technical support.
In conclusion, technology must be used effectively in today's classroom because of student diversity. If successful learning is to occur for ALL students, teachers must become technologically literate!!! I have not created anything to send home to students, or parents. Our team leader creates these for the team. What does make newsletters, or fliers visually appealing is an eyecatcher, such as a picture that visually describes the context and then the message, short and sweet, with specifics, such as who, what, when, and where. Follow the link to see the back to school newsletter for my classroom: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/47442871/newsletter

Week 2

In today's world, technology must be incorporated into the classroom to engage learners and to ensure success in learning. There are many different tools teachers can use in the classroom to incorporate technology. These tools include, but are not limited to, both database and spreadsheets. Prior to receiving the information included in this lesson, I was hesitant to incorporate these tools into my regular classroom routine. The term database refers to collections of information organized and stored electronically. It allows for information to be searched and displayed quickly. Creating a database requires critical thinking from the very beginning. Maintaining the database requires students to revisit initial levels of thought and move to a higher level of thinking. Database can be text based, hypermedia or multimedia. Examples of using a database in the classroom is that students can use this program to keep and maintain a journal to reflect on events and information they acquired that day. This allows them to discuss information that was presented and to use it for future lessons. Spreadsheets also require higher levels of thinking by requiring students to analyze and synthesize data. Projecting the spreadsheets to the smart board allows for engaging situations for students to practice skills of organizing data and creating graphs. These examples are a few ways educators are using the advancing technology to promote learning in the classroom. I have used both database and spreadsheets previously for grades and lesson plans, but have not implemented the use of them in actual student learning. I plan on using these tools with my students now that I have a better understanding of uses and applications of the programs. One of the many questions students frequently ask refers to the grade I "gave" them on a particular assignment or report card. Allowing them to create their own spreadsheet to keep track of their own grades gives students ownership of their grades. They will be able to check at any time and see the grades they "earned". I am also going to use spreadsheets in teaching concepts such as collecting and analyzing data and graphing.The website www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/databases/enhance discusses ways that a database can be used to enhance learning. I found this website very useful. I would not have thought previously to this lesson to have students create databases and use them during the year for units. I also found the discussion on using Excel helpful. Students must be able to collect data and interpret its meaning. In order to function in the corporate world, it is imperative to quickly organize, analyze, and graphically display data. Therefore, educators must teach students at a young age how to effectively use programs such as these.

Ed Tech

This is a first for me. I've never even thought about having a "blog". I am very excited about becoming technologically literate!!!!