Personal Learning Network also known as a (PLN) is a collection of
information and contacts that can be used to expand and help a young
teacher’s methods. There are many different ways a PLN can be built.
Some of the technology incorporated in my PLN were found on such web
sites named; Twitter, Diigo, The Educator's PLN, and Classroom 2.0. As a
teacher I will benefit from having a PLN because these tools will allow
me to access helpful information from more experienced teaching
professionals. My PLN will also allow me to share my work or useful
resources that I come across with other teachers.
1. Twitter
People I follow:
Deaf
Action @DeafAction they (are a deaf-led registered charity established
in 1835, we provide services to deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of
hearing and to those who work with them.) I am following them because I
want to incorporate American Sing Langue into my classes.
Special
Education @Education_IEP they are(Special Education resources for SPED
teachers and parents of special needs children with learning
disabilities like ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, Dyslexia etc.) I am following
them because I want to be a special ed. teacher and they have good
advice and support systems that are easy to follow.
Jeffery
Heil @jheil65 (Tech resource teacher for SDCOE & adjunct professor @
CSUSM. I have a passion for technology integration in schools,
reflective teaching & educational equity!) I follow him not only
because I need to but because he has many great post and information and
he sends out tweets on the regular.
The Good Men
Project @GoodMenProject (We're starting a conversation about what it
means to be a good man. Want to join us?) I am following this group
because they give out great information on many different topics that
include technology to teachers.
Teacher Tools
@teachtools (We tweet about innovative new teacher tools. Be sure to
message us suggestions!) I am following them because I they posted about
how teachers can use Pinterest in the classroom. I personally love
Pinterest and they come up with fun activities for students.
ED Chat:
The
chat that I followed was for kindergarten teachers. It was called
#Kinderchat the topic for April 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm was "Creating
Environments that Encourage Imaginative Play". The first 30 minutes of
the chat was everyone saying hi and introduced each other and talking
about spring break. Once the chat began the topic of how much free times
is given in class for free play was discussed. Also, the topic of guns,
wrestling and, creativity was discussed. I did not join in the
conversations however one teacher shard how in her class no one plays
with pretend guns or wrestles because they all know the rules. I found
this hard to believe and I was surprised that this did not spark a
confection. In fact, it seems that the teachers just ignored the comment
and kept on chatting. It was interesting and I think if I was in a
better chat this could be a helpful tool in the future.
2. Diigo
One
-This website not only shows class projects that you can do but
also shows research, store locator and, saves your own projects.
Two
-This website is great it will even save your own Lesson plans
that you make. It also gives you other teachers lesson plans and will
give you info about how much the students like or disliked the project
or activity. It also has a wide range of age groups so it can be used
for all teachers.
Three
-This website gives you tools on how to use audio, images,
drawing, graphing, mapping and, research tools that will be helpful in
the classroom.
Four
-This video tells about how schools need to change in the same ways that society has changed.
Five
-This is great for all teachers it gives thousands of free
lessons plans for all grade leaves and subject areas. It also shows
projects and jobs.
3. Digital Discussion Forums(Ning)
The World Has Change…Have Our Schools?
Josh Stumpenhorst @stumpteacher, stumpteacher@gmail.com
In
this Video Josh gives not only information to teachers about how to use
technology in the classroom he also gives examples of why classrooms
need to changes and technology needs to be used. Josh shares what
student motivations are and what works for example, video games,
smartphones, working together (Hole in the Wall), relationship building
and, choice. He also shares how students become unmotivated by
punishment, unfair companion in the classroom and, grades. In this
video Josh explains how different technologies have helped him forum his
class into what it is today. He used examples such as Prize, Smart
board, word cloud, Iste, twitter, Skyp, blogging and social media should
have a place in the classroom.
New Blogger 422
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Journal 8: Adaptive Technology
Journal 8: Adaptive Technology
What is AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication, known as (AAC), are devices that are used by people that have disabilities related to speaking. These are very effective tools that are used by many people with any severity of disabilities. These devices range from high tech to very basic technology, these devices allow people to communicate what their needs, feelings or ideas are. These devices can be used in everyday life or just in a classroom setting.
Low end AID: carbon paper for note takers. This will help in the classroom for students who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, or physical disabilities that lowers ones ability to use their hands. Carbon paper is a cheap and easy way for these students to receive notes in the classroom. This method works because people who take longer to processes things will not have to feel stressed because the teachers are moving too fast or erasing the board with the student not being done. The paper is two colors and one student in the class that does not have a disability and has clear hand writing will take notes and then the student then gets a copy of the notes. This would best be used in middle, high school, and college.
High end AID: Nuance is a company that has a voice recognition program that allows people to be hands free and still type out any words the user says on their phone or computer. Nuance produced the Dragon program which is a speech recognition software tool that is geared for students with learning and physical disabilities. It must be used at a computer and the program can be found in a computer lab or classrooms across the country. Speech recognition software is becoming an increasingly popular type of tool for students of all disabilities. “Dragon speech recognition software makes it easier for anyone to use a computer. You talk, and it types. Use your voice to create and edit documents or emails, launch applications, open files, control your mouse, and more.”
What Dragon does
- Improve core skills for students of all abilities
- Provide greater independence for students with physical disabilities
- Level the playing field for students with learning disabilities
- Improve writing fluency for students learning English
What is an input device?
An Input Device is a piece of equipment that is used by a computer that sends commanded signals to the receiving parts of the computer. When people and students have special needs such as a learning disability, physical disabilities, or visual or motor skill deficiencies, alternative input devices can help aid these people.
Switch-Adapted Mouse devices (SAM) – Trackball: is a device that allows people with little hand mobility to control a computer. The mouse is color coordinated with a large rotating ball that is easy to move. With this device you can download programs or simply plug it in to a computer to provide people with special needs with help.
The Intel Reader: allows a person to take a digital picture of text which then processes the texts and reads it out loud. This Intel Reader is a mobile handheld tool that allows people to have independence. This tool is best used for people who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, or have low vision or blindness, or anyone who struggles with reading standard print. This device could be used for students at home when doing homework or in the classroom when tests are being taken and the child with special needs cannot read the questions.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Journal 9
Journal 9: "How to do More with Less, " by Liz
Page, Tracy Sheehan, and Colleen Worrell March/April 2012 issue of L&L.
Page, L., Sheehan, T., Worrell, C. (2012). How to do more
with less. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(6), 18-20. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learningandleading.
This seemed to be about how to distinguish the way of
teaching can be altered in order to incorporate free digital programs into the
teaching in order to better educate the students while staying on a very low
budget that most schools are accustomed to.
The two techniques of how these applications are being
applied are the blended technique and the flipped technique. The blended
technique aims to combine both regular teaching techniques with digital online
programs in order to better educate the students and get them familiar with
technology, since that is how the world seems to be changing towards. The
flipped technique is that instead of homework, you have more of a system where
the students learn the material on their own at home, and have active discussions
in class and hands on projects to confirm their knowledge.
The article gave many popular examples of free programs that
are used by teachers and can be implemented by any educator.
Question One) What do
you feel is more effective with students, a classroom that focuses on new
popular online programs to help learn, or that focuses on normal education
techniques?
Answer One) I
feel that technology is becoming more and more common and children are becoming
more and more fluent in understanding this technology as time goes on. I think
that new technology will engage the students better and keep budgets down since
there is no need for any materials other than the internet.
Question Two) Of the
technology available, what type do you feel is more enticing, social media
based programs or more traditional educational focused programs?
Answer Two) I feel
that every student use social media on a daily bases such as facebook and twitter.
Therefore, if teachers use these tools
that the children already know and love then they can truly get more out of lessons
that are thought in school. I think that the best way to use these would be for
homework assignments. Parents could even see what their children are doing and
if a student has a question other students or the teacher will be able to
answer even if its late at night.
Journal 6
Journal 6: "Foster in Creativity and Innovation Through
Technology, " by Sheena Vaidyanathan, March/April 2012 issue of L&L.
Vaidyanathan, S. (2012). Foster in creativity and innovation
through technology. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), 24-27.
Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learningandleading.
This article talked about how creativity can be “taught”. It
was not talking specifically of the idea of students being creative, but rather
how they should use technology to inspire students to be creative. Through the
use of art programs and similar graphic design tools, students are easily able
to create projects and edit them with ease, being as creative as they can be.
Question One) Do you
feel that simply letting a child loose on a graphics based program would be
unproductive at certain ages?
Answer One) I do
feel that this is the case, however I feel that if they can teach the students
what to expect to do in the program and keep them on track, I feel it can be a
very effective tool. As long as there is
teachers there to help guide the children.
Question Two) Do you
feel that this type of graphic design skill building is doing more for the
child than just allowing them to be creative?
Answer Two) I also
feel that this is doing more, not only is it bringing out their creative side,
but it is also teaching them valuable skills on the computer, which will be
vital in their life as they pursue careers which will inevitably be based on
computers.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Technology Self-Assessment: School 2.0
By emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information to support research and learning NETS III was used.
Module 1:
Reflection results for NETS-T Module: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
looking at number One: 1. I enable students to use technology to demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes.
Reflection results for NETS-T Module: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
looking at number One: 1. I enable students to use technology to demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes.
NETS 1; Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I watched a TED video:http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
In this video Ken Robinson gave a 20 minute speech about how schools are failing because they are killing creativity in children. Our schools are so focused on Math, Science, Reading and Writing, that they often spend little to no time allowing the children to express themselves. Ken explains the importance of having creativity in school and how it is affecting our society.
I think that Ken Robinson was not only inspirational but also correct as well, I am not that great at school but found my creativity in our art classes and after school programs. Sadly, I have given up on my art passion of ceramics in order to have time for school and work. My hope is that one day soon I will be able to reconnect to my creative side.
Journal 4: If You Give a Kid a Video Camera
"If You Give a Kid a Video Camera"
"If You Give a Kid a Video Camera . . .;" by Laurie O.
Campbell from Learning and Leading with Technology, February 2012. Campbell, L. (2012). If you give a kid a video camera.
Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(5),
30-33. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-
leading/February-2012.aspx.
Laurie Campbell believes that one of the best tools for
students to use in school is a video camera; with proper lesson planning students
can use video cameras in all subjects such as language arts, history, mathematics
and science. This article tells about different ideas that teachers can use to
make a successful and fun learning experience.
One of the examples that Campbell shares would to have students in a history
class make a documentary dealing with now current social problem and how they
are resolved. Students could discuss how they would have solved the problem and
even interview people who were involved in the incident.
Question (1):
Have I ever used a camera in school? If so how and in what subject?
Answer (1): Yes, my senior year of high school I used video
cameras in two separate classes; one in a film as literary class and the other
a U.S. government class. Each video was
very different; in the film as literary class we used a video to give a review
of a film. We were asked to act out the basic plot of the movie and then give a
critical review of the movie we saw on camera. I had a great group and had a
lot of fun doing this project. There were only a few guidelines so we were able
to be as creative as we wanted to be. In the U.S. government class we got into
small groups and picked a president and we did small campaigns using video
cameras that we showed to the class. We were supposed to show what we stood for
and try to get people to vote for us. Again, I had a great time doing this
project and also learned that it’s hard making a political campaign. These
projects stuck out to me simply because they were fun and interesting and they
have still stuck with me to this day.
Question (2):
how would you involve a camera in an earth science class?
Answer (2): I think a great project would be for the
students to do a documentary on the BP oil spill that took place in the Gulf of
Mexico. It made the students do research on how the oil spilled happened
and could even have the students try to
come up with ways to solve the problem. I would also ask the students to look
at the people, animals, and environmental effects the oil spill had on the planet. I would ask the students to clip together
news clips and interviews to back up their findings.
Journal 3: Infographics More than Words Can Say
"Infographics more than words can say"
Krauss, J. (2012). Infographics more than words can say. Learning
and Leading with Technology,
39(5), 10-11. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February
2012.aspx
In this article it discussed how students can use technology
to enhance their learning experience by using infographics. infographics are a
new way of collecting data and showing it in a variety of ways. Traditionally
in schools we see they are more reliant on reading and writing skills to show
and explain data. However, if students use infograohics to show their results
there are endless possibilities of showing the data. “Infographics represent
data and ideas visually, in pictures, engaging more parts of the brain to look
at a problem from more than one angle.” In this article it gives examples how
teachers can use this as a tool to organize a class project. By students using
infographics they will not only understand more about the topic they chose but
learn that the way the data is collected is just as important as the results.
Infographics are not only a good lesson plan but also a creative way for
children to express themselves thought their school work, in hopes for them to
have fun while learning.
Question (1): Have I
ever used an infographics before?
Answer (1): No, I did not even
know that infographics existed. In fact the only way I thought you could show
data collected was through using a pie chart, bar graph, line graph or a Venn
diagram. These graphs show the data in a correct way, however, the user has no
creative ability to change the graphs except for picking the colors of the
information shown. Now that I learned about an infographics I am excited to use
it and incorporate it into my lesson plans for when I become a teacher.
Question (2): What kind of infographics would you have your
class do?
Answer (2): I think it would be
interesting for the students to collect data on television commercials. First I would ask the class how many
commercials they see per day and what are they about. For homework I would ask
the children to write down all the commercials they see and what they are
about. After a week we would pull all of our data together and then the
children would need to create their own infographics chat showing the result. I
think that focusing on television will show children how marketing is used in
the real world and who it’s geared towards.
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