Week 7

The essential question to tonights class is what does it mean to be a digital citizen? As educators how do we model for students the rules and responsibilities digital citizenship entails. I think as educators it is our responsibility to model and scaffold for students how to present ourselves online. We have to guide students through the potential pitfalls of the online world. The good, the bad, and the ugly of the digital world. Students need to know how to protect themselves from online predators. What to do if they are being cyber bullied? What is pictures and videos are appropriate to post? Students need to learn the appropriate steps to evaluating online information. Site online sources and to be aware of copyright. All of these matters have to be addressed. It is important that we make the time to address these issues not assume students will figure it out on their own.

We also examined sqool tools a blackboard type site used by the Parkway school district. I liked how it "extends the walls of the classroom." Students can continue classroom discussions, submit class work, and access helpful resources. We discussed how much time it takes to create but in the long run it is worth the effort. I think this digital tool will definitely expand in the coming years as a norm.

Week 6

Well tonight we discussed Web 2.0 in depth and we also explored several "tool site". Some of my favorites I can't wait to use are Jing, linkIN, and flickr just to name a few. We also shared our Web 2.0 wiki project. I chose to create a page about LibraryThing.com. I really find this a great site for librarians and book lovers. It took a little time figuring out how to create my page. I find it a fun experience. All of the Web 2.0 websites other students covered I had never heard before, so it was a great class. So many digital tools that would be great to use for future classroom projects.

We also had a guest speaker Drew Mcallister from the Parkway District. He discussed more indepth Web 2.0. and it's role in education. He used the website Prezi to present presentation which is similiar to Google Docs. I thought some of his points we very interesting. Web 2.0 sites our like an interactive playground for adults and students. They are great collaborative centers. We users can be apart of an online community, share ideas, create, and collaborate with others around the world.

The future in education is using these digital tools to enhance the learning experience. Creating, sharing, collaborating, chatting, videos, and mashing media all ways to expression ideas. What does mean for teachers? Well to keep up a lot of professional development and a passion for creating a new learning environment.

Week 5

The NETS standard we focused on tonight was engaging in professional growth and development. I think as teachers this class has really taught me a lot about technology. I think to grow and develop professionally you have to take the initiative. I think you also have to be a reflective practitioner and accept that you may need improvement. The impact of technology assignment was a real I eye opener for me.

Tonight we shared our group presentations with the class. Some example topics were Inquiry based learning, Howard Gardeners's MI, and Constructivism. All the groups used various digital tools to convey information. I was familiar with all the topics discussed but I did enjoy the innovative methods groups used to convey their information. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties we were unable to watch videos groups had incorporated into their presentation but everyone adjusted. I am sure not many of us a few weeks ago would have used these digital tools in a presentation. That my friends is a perfect example of growth :)

the youtube experience

This weeks class was held online. I am currently working on the group presentation project due next week. Our group has to present the Constructivism teaching method. In order to complete my part for our collaborative presentation, I decide to search youtube for the first time. I was so excited what I stumbled upon. I found so many video options that showcase Constructivism which surprised me. The site was very user friendly and it was relatively easy to upload video into Google Docs.

I like the Google Docs collaborative component. It's nice to see all the pieces of our group presentation come together. There are so many creative pieces that make the presentation appealing to all types of learners.

I also join Twitter for Week 4 PLN assignment. That also surprised me the resources available to get updates. We had several options to choose from but I have been curious about Twitter for some time now. I was surprised to find how many media outlets a user can follow. I am also following several book publishers to keep up to date on new materials being released. I really think Twitter is a convient way to keep in contact with others. It has a lot of potential for being used in education. Teachers can follow other professionals in the field or message information to parents and students.

573 Reflect Week Three

The Impact of Technology Reflection was really eye opening to me. I fell in the middle of the bar in most of the categories. I really am lacking the knowledge to utilize technology properly in the classroom. I am learning a lot of great resources and sites to use in the future.

I am starting to really love GOOGLE! Google docs has a lot of potential for classroom collaboration. In class we are working on a group project due in a few weeks. We will be using Google Docs Presentation software as our format. I am really excited about all the things we have learned about so far. I never knew these resources are available. I can see why students love technology, you can be so creative adding video and graphics.

We defined and discussed Web 2.0 resources. I am mildly familiar with Web 2.0 from a previous class I took last semester. I never really understood Web 2.0 educational significance until tonights class. I think it is amazing to log onto a site and be instantly connected to other people with your similar likes and interests. People you would not have collaborated with otherwise because they might live in a different country. I like how on these sites you can create, share, and discuss your thoughts. I really feel it is important that we teach kids how to protect themselves online. They definitely need to be cognizant on what they post and share with others.

573 Reflect Week Two

We discussed in class tonight the The NETS Standards for Teachers and Students. We specifically touched up the NETS 2: Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment. I think one of the important lessons of this class is not to be afraid of being outside the box. The collaboration options we discussed in class would be great, all you need is a little creativity and internet access. I feel as an educator teachers need to outline specific rules for using this type of technology. You really need to think through the pros and cons. The etherpad option would be a great tool for exit slips or maybe questions and comments about projects.

I think the Google Docs options are a great way for students and teachers to collaborate with one another and across the globe. For example; students working together to create a project presentation with each group member working on a specific goal and adding their own personal creativity. A teacher can monitor the whole process.

One of the main points I have learned so far is new technology opens the door to experience authentic collaborative education. Teachers, parents, and students are sharing, developing, and creating together through digital media.

573 Reflect Week One

My thoughts about this class vary from feeling totally terrified to extremely excited. The last time I took an official technology class was in 2001. I know a lot has changed since then. I am by no means a digital native. I am mainly self-taught on computer technology. In my teaching experience, computer technology was nonexistent. Resources were very limited. I am sure most of the class has experienced difficulties using computers and just decided it was safer not to try. It is definitely a management nightmare when your carefully planned technology lesson falls apart because equipment doesn’t work properly.

During class I have already learned several things. First, I had never heard of the Delicious Bookmark website. I can see it being a vital resource for me in the future. I have lost all of my bookmarks before when my old computer crashed. It took me months to remember all the sites I had bookmarked. I have also never constructed a website before and am looking forward to the challenge.The other account we set up tonight was with Google. I had no idea Google had document tools. I can't wait to explore Google Docs.

Overall I feel like this is going to be a great class. I am hopeful to leave in the end expanding my knowledge of technology. I truly feel this class is very important to my future success in the educational field. I have to find a way to adapt to new technology. So I am really excited about this class and hopefully it will give me guidance in using technology in a library capacity. I want to be able to use new technology confidently with my future students.