SimpleBooklet

Rubric Builder

The rubric below was created with Rubric Builder for a computer literacy class. Although easy and effective, this application is not free. The image is a screenshot of a demo I was able to create for evaluation of the software.

Animoto

Make your own slide show at Animoto.

I thought that using a tool like Animoto, took making a presentation to a whole new level. As I was uploading photos and thinking about what text I could use, I saw that the outcome could very well be an advanced version of a PowerPoint. However, the time it takes to create such a great presentation would have taken hours in PowerPoint, whereas it only took several minutes in Animoto. I like this particularly because it made my simple slide show look like a mini-directed video, complete with graphics and music to fit the theme of the photos or what the message was. The file size to create and share something like this in PowerPoint would have been enormous. This is the advantage I see in distance education is the ability to share this file via URL or embedded html without disturbing the quality. Although other presentations with media can be uploaded to youtube, it does take a significant amount of time and the quality can be distorted in the conversion.

Part III Reflection

In part III of “Leading 21^st Century Schools,” Schrum and Levin discuss tying all the tools for 21st Century Learners together. With every Web 2.0 tool implemented we build a network of learning and communication that enhances our learning communities. The implementation of these tools, however, comes with responsibilities. The privacy and protection of information should always be at the forefront of communication standards, especially when students are involved. To ensure these standards are visible and accessible, they should be shared on the school's intranet, public website, and shared with students and parents at the start of the school year. This should increase awareness and uphold the responsibility of students, teachers, and parents to inform and be informed.

The last responsibility we have is to lessen and minimize any digital and gender divides. The problems we typically face when we implement new technology tools in the classroom, or even society, are inaccessibility and lack of resources. When we plan to advance in our technology tools, we also need to plan to ensure no individual is left behind. When we consider certain tools, we need to ensure they are suitable for all end-users. Schrum and Levin mention, "Girls are not computer-phobic but rather are more interested in collaborative activities than in playing games that are designed for competition and that focus on death and destruction. They were more interested in games that feature stimulation, employ extensive strategies, and focus on interaction." If we take this piece of knowledge and distribute it in the way we market technology to students, while making the necessary resources available, we are one step closer to closing any digital divides.

Eclipse Crossword

I think using crosswords are an effective tool to engage students in learning terms. Instead of the old brick-and-mortar way of listing terms and matching them to the correct definitions, crosswords require that a student uses his/her knowledge to come up with the correct term. This allows the use of an elimination process by which the student must use the existing elements to summon the appropriate term.

I used Eclipse Crossword because it makes creating a crossword as simple as cut and paste. It provides a dynamic way to create and share your puzzle through a customized tile setting and gives you the option to print your puzzle or save it as a web file, Windows Media File, and a variety of other options. I saved mine as an html file and simply copied the source code into a blog page so I could share it online. The only downside is that the program has to be downloaded onto your computer first, but it only takes a minute so it is not inconvenient at all.

This crossword program can be effective in distance education because it is a familiar tool, yet it is being used in a non-traditional way. With the ability to customize the puzzle, it can directly apply to your curriculum and requires students to think a little more strategically in order to solve. With the capability to share the puzzle online or in person, it is easily accessible.

Computer Literacy

AprilMarieA

This interactive crossword puzzle requires JavaScript and any recent web browser, including Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari. If you have disabled web page scripting, please re-enable it and refresh the page. If this web page is saved on your computer, you may need to click the yellow Information Bar at the top or bottom of the page to allow the puzzle to load.

--> -->

EclipseCrossword © 2000-2011

Welcome!

Click a word in the puzzle to get started.

 

Congratulations!

You have completed this crossword puzzle. If you would like to be able to create interactive crosswords like this yourself, get EclipseCrossword from Green Eclipse—it's free!

--> -->

Bubbl.us

Concept Map created using Bubbl.us from the content of Learning to Think Things Through: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum by Gerald M. Nosich.

Wordle

Word cloud created using Wordle with the article, "COMPUTER LITERACY: WHAT IT MEANS AND DO TODAY'S COLLEGE STUDENTS NEED A FORMAL COURSE IN IT?" by a panel of educators.

FlockDraw

In a digital classroom, the use of an interactive white board is a great tool, especially for visual learning. When a class is entirely online, the absence of a chalkboard or whiteboard can limit the way a student shares their understanding because they seemingly only have communication through text. In subjects such as math or science, a visual tool is usually a must. There are various online interactive white boards available, one of which is FlockDraw. This tool not only enables a student to draw or map out a problem, but it also allows them to share their board with anyone they choose via online link or embedded code. I think this is also a great tool for collaboration because anyone who has access to the board can add their own comments or drawing and communicate with others with access to the board via chat. It does not require any logging in or creating an account so it is very convenient.

This tool would be great for distance education primarily because it has the capability for a good amount of collaboration and it allows a student to express their ideas visually. I see this being used mainly for brainstorming with a group or for showing math work and understanding. The problem that FlockDraw presents is the ability to edit after the original whiteboard has been closed. This means that the collaboration has to be completed in real time but the result can be saved as an image.

Although a FlockDraw board can be embedded, it does not currently allow resizing to fit a blog. Here is my example: ALGEBRA

Computer Literacy Microsoft Office Concept Map

Part II Reflection

There were so many Web 2.0 tools that were discussed in part II of Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement, it's exhilarating to know that if ever I do venture into elementary or high school level teaching, these tools are there to help inspire, inform and engage our digital natives. At the moment, I primarily work with digital immigrants so it's hard to dive right into the core of online learning and teaching. But I looked at these tools in a way that made me think about how I could get my non-technological students on the level of being able to use these tools efficiently. Considering all the tools mentioned, I do have a select few that I think my students would greatly benefit from.

One of the tools is a WebQuest. I think this can be a great tool for any level of computer and Internet users. For beginners, it can teach the fundamentals of basic Internet usage (i.e. search engines, research resources, accuracy of data) and for other levels, it can optimize and hone the skills that they've already acquired. It also helps that there are ready-made WebQuests available for teachers to pick from instead of having to create these from scratch.

The other tools I thought appropriate for my students were for writing. I think that when students are able to write about their discoveries, how it makes them feel, what excited them about class or the content, and have them share this with the Internet community, it develops a self-awareness of their experience and progress. This self-awareness can serve as the spark that ignites their interest in online learning. Sharing these experiences can be done with blogs, which are my personal favorite, microblogs such as Twitter, or the tool I was not aware of, electronic pen pals. Whatever the tool, collaboration, communication and creation are among the skills that are constantly being instilled in our students today, so we must continue to feed into the ever-evolving society of  our digital natives.

Penzu: An Online Journal

I chose to explore online journaling. I came upon Penzu, which I really enjoyed! I wrote my reflection within the journal and embedded my public journal entry link below. If you would like to go directly to the link, it is https://penzu.com/p/3dadf55f.

Google SketchUp

As an Adult Education and Computer Literacy Instructor, I have students of all levels and backgrounds and typically teach students ranging from the ages of 16 to 70+. This involves a lot of high-risk teenagers, individuals who recently got out of prison, and many parents who dropped out of high school to raise their children.

My ideal classroom would include a SMART board, laptops, desktops, and a very capable printer. I positioned my desk in the center so I am able to see what the students are up to on the computers. In my experience, many of the students waste time on the computers when the facilitator is not looking. Time in my classroom is always logged and critical in regard to Adult Education, especially if they are on track to earn their GED. A certain score on the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) is needed in order for the student to qualify for GED testing, and regulations are set forth which only allow a TABE to be administered after 40 hours of studying have been completed. The majority of this studying is completed at the computer so if I am able to see what the students are up to, I can ensure they are not logging non-studious hours. On the other hand, a lot of studying goes on that does not involve the computer which is why there is one long table in the center. The SMART board would be used to get students math, social studies, and science skills up to par.

Google Sketchup was magnificent in helping me structure the perfect classroom. I could definitely see this software incorporated in a subject such as science or as an advanced skill in my computer literacy classes. In science, I imagine this could be used in terms of measurements (i.e. volume). After exploring this software a bit more, I saw that this pretty much has limitless possibilities. A city can be built, buildings developed, and interior design and landscaping can be illustrated, to name a few. New components are also continuously being developed in the 3D Warehouse. For my computer literacy students, I know that having them experience building something as easy as a backyard may engage and inspire them to learn more about computer careers.

Part I Reflection

After reading part 1 of Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement, I was introduced to the steps being taken in getting teachers, students, and administrators skilled for the 21st century. As we leave behind Web 1.0 and move towards Web 2.0, we enter a digital age where customization, communication, and collaboration are incorporated in day to day tasks. The skills required of students, teachers, and administrators had changed significantly over the last decade. In order to prepare students to be able to adapt to the rapid changes in technology, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills initiative suggests infusing information literacy, critical media literacy, and information, communication, and technology (ICT) literacy into every subject. It's comforting to know that there are now National Education Technology Standards for students, teachers, and administrators.

As a fairly new teacher with little experience designing and implementing curriculum, I found part 1 helpful. It gave me an understanding of where we are now in regard to digital citizenship and where we hope to be. With the upcoming class of Gen Zers, having been wholly immersed in the digital lifestyle, we as teachers and administrators definitely have to keep up with technology standards.

Prezi

Creative Media on Prezi

Prezi is a tool that functions like a PowerPoint that zooms. I really like this tool because it gives the impression of a sophisticated, high-tech presentation-- but it is easy to put together. The above presentation is a portfolio I put together of my latest digital media creations. In a distance learning environment, this tool would be helpful in presenting information. It does not require any uploading to servers, which is convenient when trying to share the presentation. It is easily embeddable in any blog, with the exception of Wordpress, as it does not allow embedding. In that scenario, Prezi provides a link to the presentation. In my computer literacy classes, I would definitely have students use this tool to present all the documents or projects they created. As an instructor, I think using Prezi to break down the basic components and uses of a computer would keep students interested with the zoom in and zoom out features.

Google Forms

Google Forms is an excellent tool to gather data you're interested in. The multifunctional capabilities can definitely foster the creativity and critical thinking of students. When gathering data, it is important to know what you will use the data for so that you can set the correct parameters. Take the above survey for example, before creating the form, I wanted to know how many people actually care about what they look like in regard to style. There can be varying levels so the parameter is based on a scale from 1-5 or pajamas to diva/divo. When there are choices available to students in how they want to gather information or display it, there has to be a little bit more thought that goes into their planning. I can imagine a forms/survey tool being used in my computer literacy classes in gathering the comfort levels and progress of my students, perhaps even introducing them to the survey/form tool for their own personal use.

Mathomatic

Visual Learning

In the previous two posts, visual learning tools were used to communicate in different ways. I think that these are wonderful tools to incorporate in the classroom because they stray from the norm.

The speaking avatar creates this new dimension in learning and would be seemingly appropriate to grab the attention of children. Given a specific topic and grade level, the avatar can be altered to present information in an applicable setting and form. In my classroom, I would use the avatar to add a little life to a simple speech. An example is to use a snippet of history retold by Abraham Lincoln but personalize it to hold their attention.

I liked the visual learning poster because I can see endless possibilities of its use. With the capability to easily add images, voice, video, text and effects, this tool is unlike any I’ve encountered thus far. In an education environment, not only would I use it to present information, but I would really love to have students present projects through this. When given the same platform and tools, students’ creative and unique minds create distinguishing and innovative results. As a technology buff, there’s nothing more I would look forward to seeing than a new outcome every time.

Microsoft Excel

Turtle Talks Open Source

Intro to PowerPoint

Survey

For question #1, I asked how often the survey taker depended on spell check. With technology integration in classes and spell check included as a standard element in almost every software, the basic principles of spelling and vocabulary can be deemed almost redundant. The results of the survey showed that spell check is used not every day, but once in a while by 100% of all survey takers.

For question #2, I asked if the survey taker thought there could be such a thing as too much technology in a classroom. As we move towards technology integration, I wondered if there may be a point in which technology takes precedence over most, if not all, subjects, and what the repercussions could be. The results showed 25% answered yes, 25% answered no, and 50% answered maybe.

For question #3, I asked at which grade level the survey taker felt technology should be introduced to students. With the popularity and availability of smart phones, Ipods, and Ipads, it is not uncommon to see a toddler accessing and using applications on a mobile device. I wondered if this had more of a positive or negative effect on child development. Results of the survey showed that the introduction of technology should happen early on from kindergarten to first grade.

For question #4, I asked what main skill or characteristic is needed in order to feel comfortable with technology. As a computer literacy instructor, I find that typically people can be hesitant about learning new technology so it made me wonder what skills need to be instilled in order to get past that barrier. The results showed that the main characteristics that would be helpful are basic computer knowledge and awareness, common sense, willingness to try new things, and not being afraid to learn.

For question #5, I asked what subjects the survey taker wished his/her teacher had incorporated technology into. Results revealed that at the beginning of their education, Math, Science and Language Arts were subjects where technology was desirable.

Google Sharing

As a society that thrives on connectedness to our personal and impersonal world, we look towards the World Wide Web to remain updated, maintain communication and share and obtain knowledge to the point where we have created one, if not many, digital identities based on this. Google is ever present in the management of these digital lifestyles. As educators, it is imperative to stay on top of trends and harness communication tools that can make learning and sharing as easy as possible for students.

In an educational environment, Google Docs is ideal as a collaboration tool. One of its distinguishing features is allowing more than one person to edit files simultaneously. Below is a presentation that each individual in my class contributed one slide to in regard to education software.



This tool provides a remarkably easy way to manage projects whether it is a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel document. Instead of different copies of one document floating around, there is one central location where the document is accessed and any changes thereafter are saved to. I currently teach Adult Basic Education and Computer Literacy classes, and the way I see Google Docs being implemented in my classroom is as continuous building of resources. I have non-traditional students with skill levels typically varying from 2nd to 6th grade. Based on initial assessments, I would place students in groups and have them add something new they learned each week, thereby sharing with peers at their own level. This not only helps them learn from each other but empowers them to teach each other.

Standard: Communication and Collaboration

Education is here

One of the things I've learned in my years of having a digital lifestyle is that the World Wide Web allows you access to exactly that, the world. Before it was so easily accessible, how did we share our experiences with someone we've never met thousands of miles away? We really didn't. Now, it's done a million times over every second. Blogging allows the opportunity to share things with others who have the same interests as you and in doing so, a common learning ground is established.

In the educational arena, teaching methods are always evolving to meet the needs and abilities of present day students. For teachers, this means we can't be scared of the ever evolving technology trends. A blog I stumbled upon is Durff's Blog. The introductory quote, "The next best thing to be wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are- CS Lewis". That's exactly what intuitive blogging can be: we share, we learn, we implement. There never is harm in exploring.

STEM Me Up!

This video resonates all too well with me and my ideals in regard to education, so I thought it would be the perfect kick-start to my virtual journey of technology and teaching. I am an enthusiastic supporter of education in STEM fields, having been a self-proclaimed technology geek after building my first computer in Junior High School. I attribute all my interest in technology to that invaluable Junior High School experience. It was definitely the spark that led me to graduate with several college degrees in various aspects of the Computer Technology field.

I realized early on that I was:

1. Part of that small percentage of STEM interested students;
2. Part of an even smaller percentage being female; and
3. Part of an even smaller percentage being Native American

I know that many students are not so fortunate and leave high school with hardly an idea of what they would like to do in the future. The discrepancies in technology use and careers of certain socioeconomic groups, gender, and ethnicity that account for the digital divide was something I can say I overcame. I share my story and this video with the hope that it creates yet another spark.