ETEC 524 Reflection 6: Can you hear me now?

Podcasting

The purpose of my podcast was to introduce instructions for a computer lesson over energy resources to my science classes. The use of computers is challenging within a window of only forty-two minutes so I developed this podcast of instruction in order to free my hands so I could be more helpful trouble shooting any problems which may arise with logging into the software and/or getting started.  I actually recorded this and used it for a class assignment over creating an energy saving newsletter to submit to our local paper.  Each class loved the delivered podcast and even clapped at the end, which I thought was amusing. They mentioned they would rather record themselves than write an article; we will do this soon. So does it enhance learning? Yes, most definitely, in areas of creativity, motivation and attitudes towards assignments both in the classroom and in their own time.  


I used Jing for the creation of my podcast, mostly because I have used it previously in my own graduate level course work. I have been utilizing podcasting for instruction since my first podcast and I have found this process enhances my lessons and aids in the attention span of my students. It is a fun and imaginative way to present any piece of information and I plan to continue incorporating podcast in many areas in the future.

Classroom Instructional Podcast-Energy Saving- Newsletter

ETEC 524 Reflection #5

MAPping Information

My results from the Information Literacy Quiz labeled me as ‘somewhat savvy’. However, I feel that is a stretch in the areas of MAPping.  I have struggled in the classroom to find good resources of information to guide my students with their research topics.  The tutorial and activity that I selected on the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus helped me visualize a lesson to show my students the structure of websites; in hopes of giving direction to the questions of how they are created, what makes the information valid, and even, what is the best search engine for the research?  Some curriculum only provides minimal support and examples for learning the topic at hand.  Often times, I find that it is necessary to do my own research to provide extra, yet credible information to the students so they are able to grasp the ‘whole picture’.  Thinking back on all my past searches, I fear some information I have presented to be false and not credible.  After rummaging through the course notes and becoming more familiar with learning where and how to find credible sources, my confidence has grown as a researcher.  I believe with these learned tools I will be able to provide assistance with helpful links and concrete facts to my students in the future. 

I think it is a disservice to society not to teach our students the skills necessary to recognize a credible Internet source.  My current students peck at the computer and have trouble maneuvering through results of a search. Even the term ‘search engine’ is foreign to them.  As educators, we are already falling behind in technology and I think we are losing ground in the areas of reading, writing and arithmetic.  Comprehension is the key to success with MAPping.  The student or individual needs the skill to interpret what is real and what is not from the results provided.  I would compare Meta-Web Information with phonemic awareness.  Beginning readers need to learn how to decode by associating letters to sounds.  Simply stated, beginning global learners need to learn how to decode information by associating the structure to fact or fiction.

My Delicious Account: http://delicious.com/klperry

I see many advantages to organizing my information with Delicious, as well as the other suggested social bookmarking applications.  I watched the startup video for Stumble Upon and it seemed very easy to use. I have also tested out the Google Reader since recently joining google plus and linking all the technology created from this course. The main advantages to each is having all my regularly visited sites in one central location and having access to those sites just by an Internet account. Also, I have had a bit of time to search through stacks of other individuals and start following their bookmarks. It was interesting to see how many like-minded users shared the same links I had already bookmarked for myself. I see great opportunity for new ideas, research topics, discussion boards and general searching of all types of needed information.  In the reading it stated that social bookmarking was just another place to mainstream information; however it is exactly what I was looking for to complete my organizational needs.  I hope to be able to mainstream the curriculum research I find for each unit in science so I can incorporate the information into my lessons from anywhere at any time.  This Web 2.0 site is great for organizers!

ETEC 524 Reflection #4- Assessment

After reviewing the assigned article, finding a journal prompt related to assessment for learning and writing my review, I placed my focus on the 8th principal: develops learners’ capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing.  I truly spend the majority of my teaching day wondering if my students are interpreting my lessons. I spend countless hours grading worksheets, projects, creative tasks, and group presentations. I record my own reflections and have open-ended communication of my overall satisfaction of the completed work to the students, but I can see now how I am not providing an atmosphere to use assessment for learning. In other words, I have led us both into a downword spiral. I feel in order to change my perception and most likely the students lack of perception, I will need to work very hard to implement both self and peer reflection and assessment. If done correctly, this process will fill the gap between content and performance and it will promote understanding across subjects, topics, and grade levels.

I see a great potential for portfolio assessment in many relms of education. Just off the top of my head, I think it could potentially be a guide for the new standardized testing in secondary education.  If each student will be expected to pass an exit exam for content learned throughout the year, what better more unique way to assess the progression of the student than by a portfolio.  I see the ability for a deeper understanding of concepts and performance and the posibility of a stronger suport system between the teacher and student.

I plan to move beyond just the requirements of my ETEC major and  implement my ePortfolio into my classroom and personal growth.  I am intrigued by the fact that I can present who I am and my accomplishments all in one location.  The portfolio is an organized method to share my life experiences to my family and friends, my students and their families, and my employers.  I believe the development will be ongoing and ever-changing based on my own personal growth and experience in education and technology.  I see it as a way to keep myself from getting stagnant; to promote new ideas in hopes of both giving and receiving purpose to my educational focus.

ETEC 524 Reflection #3 - Wiki Week!

This week, you explored the concept of wikis and created a wiki for a specific purpose. What purpose did you have in mind when developing your wiki and have you started to implement your ideas yet?

I based the creation of my Wiki as an online tool for my students to not only see upcoming assignments and events, but also to create an interactive bulletin board for science projects and reflections. I am driven to promote technology into my lessons; however, I struggle between the amount of time I have in class to provide the topic and lesson and the lack of time given to deal with troubleshooting multiple technology issues. I realize that formatting on my part and time spent training with new technology tools is key to maintaining good classroom management. I have been intrigued with creating my classroom Wiki, and I am very pleased to have this technology tool as a work in progress. I have set a classroom goal to have my Wiki up and running for the interactive portion by the first of May, this year, in hopes of using my most advanced class as test subjects, mainly due to the fact they all have internet access in their home environment. At the end of every year in science, the students create a cell project, both plant and animal.  I plan to incorporate this project completely online with my test subjects and use the Wiki for their initial project proposal, discussion questions and feedback, and posting of the final design project and grades.  I am also the lead of our science department and there has been discussion at meetings to promote and create an all-grade level science fair by the end of the year. I am considering creating a Wiki for my department and administration to organize this event.
The world of Wiki's is open to so many ideas and creative avenues-I love it! 

What advantages do you see in utilizing wikis? What disadvantages do you see? Think back to the digital natives reading. How do wikis have the potential for engaging them?
The advantages of using a Wiki are tremendous. The options of effective organizing, planning, development and creation of any idea is limitless. The fact that this tool is based solely on the internet allows any individual with access the opportunity to participate and provide their expertise on their own time.  The disadvantages I see, relies on the creator and the editor to maintain a positive online environment and the carefulness of all members to not wipe out data submitted by other group members.

After thinking back to the Digital Natives article, I can see the potential a Wiki would have on engaging the right student.  It is simple, yet challenging enough to allow for creation and feedback while presenting the atmosphere in a virtual classroom. The only challenge I see for my digital native students is their digital immigrant parents/providers.  At the sixth grade level, student rely on their parents for assistance and feedback.  I can see where questions will be raised more on the provider level if the students experience any set back due to confusion of the Wiki or even the project presented.

In exploring the eLearning Tools Wiki, what other web 2.0 technologies did you uncover that you want to explore further?

• Animation:  I would really like to create a Voki or some type of animation into my lessons. I read over Animoto for enhancing lessons with video presentations and I really liked the information given.  
• Concept Mapping:  I know we have had experience with concept mapping in this class; however, I am convinced that my students would be more inclined to learn content vocabulary and develop holistic concepts if one of the Web 2.0 technologies was utilized.  
• Vlogging:  If I have the opportunity to start blogging within the classroom, incorporating the Vlogging would be a great concept to advance the technology within the technology. 

Whew-there are so many Web 2.0 to chose from! 

ETEC 524 Reflection #2

After exploring the different examples of the meaning or definition of educational technology I found two organizations that I felt supported my personal vision and educational technology philosophy.  The organizations and their details are listed below:

Center for Applied Special Technology:   http://www.cast.org/

• Description: Nonprofit organization that provides educational research and developmental support and improvement to expand opportunities to learners with disabilities.
• Definition: To expand learning opportunities for all individuals by using a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals equal opportunities to learn. It is a one-size-fits-all solution for creating instructional goals and materials that can be modified to fit the needs of the learner.
• Mission: "One mission, many innovations."
• Purpose: "Transforming Education through Universal Design for Learning"

I chose this organization partially because it focuses on learning with disabilities. I have a sister with Autism and I am aware of the daily challenges and obstacles that she has faced throughout her public education. My vision and philosophy focuses on how to use technology to enhance curriculum.  This organizations' focus will give a positive outlook to typical classroom inclusion.  I personally support an organization that aims it's focus to support and enhance learning of individuals with disabilities within the school system.  The members pride themselves on creating and implementing new technology software as it relates to content area.

SRI Center for Technology in Learning:     http://ctl.sri.com/

• Description: This is an organization whose policy division researches economic success by testing social, economic and technological changes. Their vision is, "to be the premier independent source of high-value innovations and solutions."
• Definition: to provide passion to make a difference, freedom to create and invent.
• Mission: "Improve learning and teaching through innovation and inquiry."
• Purpose: "Provide research to contribute to the knowledge base on effective learning and teaching, and embody research insights in the innovative design, use, and assessment of interactive learning environments."

This organization seems to elaborate on my philosophical stance.  I had the opportunity to read and review up and coming educational improvements supported by this organization. Of the few, each concentrated their efforts to use technology to enhance core curriculum such as Math, Science and Technology. Again, this directly aligns to my vision of educational technology.

Many people view educational technology differently. As an educator, I would define educational technology as any media capable of enhancing the quality of teaching and learning into curriculum as a means to not only maintain, but also improve techniques for communication and development by challenging the average classroom learner in order for the learner to be successful in today's school environment.  This definition directly states what I strive to incorporate and achieve in my classroom and aligns with my philosophy goals found in the previous posting.  Please enjoy the Wordle I created based on my views of my own definition of educational technology.

ETEC 524: Reflection #1

ETEC PHILOSOPHY

My philosophy:  to create a classroom environment where curriculum enhances technology allowing creativity and individuality.

       As I reflect back to my favorite teachers and my not so favorite teachers, I have realized that no matter the situation they provided me with the building blocks to be a successful teacher.  If you asked me why I am a teacher and trainer and in the profession that I’m currently in and what motivated me to select this career path of technology education, I will answer you by simply stating that it is what comes naturally to me.  I am a public speaker and trainer at heart. I have traveled down different career paths and found myself playing the educator/trainer role in several different environments.  Gaining this knowledge of myself gave me the passion and motivation to become an educator, an advisor, a mentor, a lecturer, and trainer in the public school system. 

       In my limited experience trial and error is the best way to see if something will work for you in the classroom or not.  I am only in my second year of teaching science and I meet challenges daily with my students and colleagues; challenges that critique my personal educational technology philosophy.  I have the ability to recognize the positive aspects of successful educators/trainers and I try to mold my teaching strategies based on the success of others. 

      From this, I have determined that my role as a teacher is to be a positive influence to my students and peers, proficient in my content area with the ability to provide a learner-centered environment structured by the capability of apply technology methods to standardized curriculum.

      My vision of what the learner should gain while in my classroom is the freedom to relate the lessons to life experiences in order to develop a well-rounded understanding of all concepts.  The learner’s progression should be focused not only on the standard curriculum but how to produce reflections and projects of this curriculum into technology related applications.  After reading over the different schools of thought I believe my vision closely conveys ideals associated with the existentialism concepts and methods.

       I do not see technology as overwhelming; I see it as a constructive method that is necessary for success in society today.  My educational technology philosophy is founded on my life experiences as a student, an employee and now as an educator/trainer.  My philosophy not only helps me meet my educational and career goals, it also adds purpose when establishing my career path and outcomes for my classroom.  

EDUCATIONAL BLOGGING by Stephen Downes

       This article took me all the way back to 2003, when I started my first blog. At that point in time, I did not even realize that I was creating a blog; to me it was an online journal.  I signed into LiveJournal due to a friend's persuasion and just starting typing a diary.  I actually turned on my old computer after reading the article to try and find my link to see if the site was still active. (It is really old and still loading... TBD)
       On a personal note, this is my first blog since college and I really enjoy the time spent writing my thoughts and opinions.  I see a great potential for the young generation to develop their writing and typing skills on this form of technology. Pencil to paper is so out dated in today's world.  In my experience at the middle school level, I feel the use of a blog could be developed among each core curriculum and be successful.  Have we met this potential? I would say no. As school districts we tend to purchase programs for increasing our test scores, instead of using a free online tools, such as blogging, to increase vocabulary and writing skills. I know I'm bold when I say this but the students I teach are most likely not capable of writing one single reflection on a science topic because they only associate writing with their English/Language Arts classes.  It is hard to teach to a content test and still have time to make an impact on the student's reading and writing skills throughout all curriculums.  In a perfect situation, blogging seems to be the most efficient and cost effective way to engage these specific skills across the board.

Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning by Alan November

        I thought the article as a whole was impressive and each section gave me a new outlook.  If I had to choose, section six over 'collegiality is what's needed' caught my attention. Currently my daily schedule allows for a fifty-minute team meeting. In this meeting we usually discuss behavior concerns and improvements, cross curriculum ideas and other planning needs. However, this meeting does have a tendency to turn into a discussion based on the quote in the article, 'these are my students in my classroom', this is the way "I" do it in my classroom.  Even though it is a struggle to stay on task, I think I can speak for my team and say we are blessed to have this time to meet, educate each other and plan for the future success of our students.  
       In the same section, November mentions that we should not train our teachers without the kids. It was almost like a slap in the face. We do peer tutoring with reading, writing, and vocabulary to say the least, so why are we not developing skills with technology in this manner as well?  This needs to change. In one of my previous ETEC classes I read an article over technology training of educators prior to actual classroom experience and the use of technology after a year of classroom experience.  Many teachers noted after their training was complete they were given basic technology training to use in the classroom but never any actual hands on training within their fields. So the trained educator left the technology behind and used other hands on experience to begin their teaching careers.  This aligns with November's statement, "If you train teachers in technology, they tend to go back and do what they always did---they will automate."

ETEC 524 Expectations

        This will be my third ETEC graduate level course and I am truly enjoying being able to integrate what I have learned into my teaching. My expectations for this course is to simply complete the puzzle. I feel that other courses have focused on one technology only. After reading the syllabus I can see how ETEC 524 will fill in the gaps. I appreciate the focus on current trends and issues concerning technology growth and opportunity, and I hope to increase my knowledge and skill to become an Informator. 

ETEC 524: Introduction to Educational Technology

Week 1: About Me
Hi everyone,
            I'm Korey and I currently work for Celina ISD as a 6th grade science teacher. I know... I have the crazy age group!! I decided last Fall to obtain a Master's in ETEC and have really enjoyed the course work so far. It has been a blast adopting new technology into my curriculum. The kids love it and are amazed by the simplest forms of technology.
           I can honestly say there were many reasons to make the decision to obtain a higher degree. One, I simply need the challenge. I easily tire of the same routine. Two, I was in the sales and marketing industry prior to education and I see a lack of technology skill in the school system on a daily basis.  I have the knack for teaching my teammates simple technology tricks to make their days move faster, so I figured, why not do this for a living!! And three, I know that at some point I will want to change things up even more and move away from the classroom and into the role of training or educating other educators like myself.
             On a personal note, I have two blue-merle Australian shepherds that are a little over a year old, and an adopted golden retriever mix.  I also have a very loving and supportive family, who completely adhere to my hectic lifestyle and enjoy listening to me vent on a regular basis. (Their jobs are not as eventful as mine). I love to read, however the storyline must capture my attention in the first chapter or it's pretty much a sinker. I received the kindle fire for Christmas and I haven't put it down yet.... however, "I have read the course syllabus carefully and understand the policies and procedures set forth in this class" and I'm afraid between this course and the new STAAR testing, the semester may be over before I get to open my kindle fire again. YIKES!
Happy Spring Semester and Good Luck to ALL!

Ms. Perry

PS. I attached a photo of my first catch, while fishing with my boyfriend. He was so proud of me!!!