Blogfolio

           Before beginning this course, I truly did not know what to expect about what I would be learning. However, I gained so much valuable knowledge that I will be sure to incorporate into my future classroom. Not only did this class teach me new technological information, but it also taught me to look at older technology differently to use in my future classroom. For instance, I always viewed Twitter as only another social media site. Now I see how to use Twitter in my class as a collaboration or research tool. Throughout the course, I completed several beneficial assignments.

            My first completed assignment was to post an introduction video of myself. I had never actually uploaded a video, yet it was surprisingly easy to do. This assignment follows the NETS-T standard 2a of the designing or adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity because it allowed us express ourselves through a video. Most teachers follow the common format of having students stand up and tell about themselves or write an introduction paper about themselves. However, by allowing me to video myself it gave me an alternate way to express about myself. I could incorporate this in my classroom as an interactive icebreaker and have the student ask each other questions and film the interviews. I truly like this assignment because it shows students that technology can be easily used.

            My second assignment was to create a concept map with inspiration software. This assignment followed the NETS-T standard 1a of promoting, supporting, and modeling creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness because it is a creative way to have student’s brainstorm topics or present information to the class. I could use this in my future classroom by having students teach their peers about certain topics. It would allow the students to be innovative in their thinking process. I believe that students would benefit from using technological concept maps rather than using common concept maps because it allows them to connect more information such as hyperlinks and photos. I really liked this assignment because it allowed me to display my knowledge of sea animals in an innovative way.

            My third assignment completed was making a movie. This assignment followed the NETS-T standard 2b because it incorporates allowing all students to seek their individual curiosities in technology-enriched learning environments. I could use this assignment in my future classroom by using it to increase a student’s engagement in the writing process. I would allow the students to choose a topic of interest and write a story about the topic. Then, the students would be able to see their stories come to life as they made a movie about their stories. I did like this assignment a lot because it was fun to be creative and create something personal.

            My fourth assignment to complete was to create a voki. I was probably the most unfamiliar with this form of technology because I had never even heard of it before. Vokis follow the NETS-T standard 3c to communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media. It followed this standard because the voki was used to introduce ourselves to our students through an interactive format. I could use this in my future classroom as an engagement tool. The students will be more interested in listening to my information if I changed up the format continually. The students will be interested in watching the voki rather than listen to me lecture. Although I liked this assignment, it is probably the least likely to be used often. It took a long time to create the voki and there was a limit on how much it could actually talk. I just do not believe it will be as beneficial as the other assignments.

             My final assignment was to create my teacher’s web page. Personally, I believe this assignment will help me the most in the future because it taught me how to set up a web page that could easily be accessed by parents or students. This assignment followed the NETS-T standard 4b of addressing the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. Creating a web page followed this standard because it allowed me to organize resources for parents and students in my classroom. Once I formally become a teacher, it will be vital to the success in my classroom to have a web page for parents to keep up with current events in my class. I really liked this assignment because it prepared me to set my classroom web page in the future.

            I honestly believe that I will greatly benefit from this course in the future. It taught me to appreciate technology and how vital it is to use in my future classroom. I now believe that I am equipped to teacher my students about using technology. Additionally, I enjoyed this course and will greatly appreciate the benefits I gained from it.

Web 2.0 tools: MentorMob and Mixbook

     After a few days of exploring MentorMob and Mixbook as web 2.0 tools in the classroom, I believe they both would be wonderful supplements to the classroom. Luckily for teachers, both sites are free to use in their classrooms. MentorMob is designed to link webpages and videos together to create a community of learners. It eliminates the overwhelming amount of information to be found simply by goggling a topic. MentorMob would be ideal for teachers to use to guide student's research or to create lessons for students to view as supplements to their lessons. Also, Mixbook is used to create interactive photo books, e cards, or calenders. Teachers could use Mixbook in their classroom by creating storybooks for their classroom or engage their students in the writing process. By using students writing, the child could create their own unique story and overtime proofread, then ultimately create and order their personal book.
     One of my personal favorites about MentorMob and Mixbook is that they are both completely customizable. Any teacher can incorporate the design of both sites to increase their student's technology usage. Additionally, both sites could be used as tools for student engagement. It allows students to view content is a different manner. Also, it gives students freedom to express their own thoughts differently. I believe that every student could benefit for using MentorMob and Mixbook in their educational careers.

Ali Carr-Chellman: Gaming to reengage boys in Learning

     By exposing multiple needs for the engagement of boys in the classroom, Ali Carr-Chellman discussed why boys are lacking in the educational process. More boys are expelled  or in special education programs than girls. Since each student is unique, there has to be a reasoning for this dramatic range of boys to girls. Carr-Chellman believes zero tolerance, fewer male teachers, and unrealistic expectations are to blame for boys falling behind. Schools expect boys to come to class, sit quietly, and not express their aggressive nature. Clearly this not fair because these expectations are set more easily for girls. Ultimately, we are basically setting up males to fail in the educational process.
     However, since educators are the main problem in boys falling behind, educators could also be the solution. First of all,we must meet boys in their zones. Allow them to express their ideas and not control their thinking process. I believe that people create the best ideas when they are being unique to themselves, so I can only expect the same for my future male students. Instead of trying to redirect boy's interest in gaming, we should embrace this passion. By creating education games, boys would feel more connected with learning. If the process of avoiding aggressiveness and gaming is not working, then maybe the opposite attitude will improve a boy's education.

At a University Archive, Yesterday's Cutting-Edge Video Games Play On

     At the University of Texas in Austin, a video game archive is being put into place. Although the video game industry is only thirty years old, developers are beginning to realize the importance of preserving the video gaming history. Video games have transformed immensely since the 80's and it is important to be able to display to younger generations how video games have evolved. The University of Texas is not only collecting the gaming consoles and games; they also want any sketches of developing games. They do not want people to simply throw away old games or outdated systems. The archive group wants to make people aware of the gaming industry's rich history.   
     I believe this archive is a wonderful movement for the gaming industry. By preserving the history now, it will help students in the future gain a deeper respect for gaming. I also believe it would be great to teach about gaming history to my future students. Students today are so focused on video games that it would be quite easy to get them interested in the history of technology. Students need to be aware of the gaming industry's history in order to fully appreciate games today. Additionally, it could also help students gain an interest in developing their own line of games for future generations.

Why Flipped Classrooms are Here to Stay

     Flipped classrooms is a term used to describe a transformation of the traditional idea of a classroom. In this model, classroom time is spent completing scientific experiments, answering students questions, and gaining a deeper understanding of the content. The lecture from the teacher is given to students through a usb drive or dvd and the students are responsible for reviewing the lecture. This makes the students responsible for their own learning. By having their own time for lectures, students are able to learn at their personalized speeds. Additionally, it causes for students to use the actual class time for more research to clarify ideas.
     I believe this model would be wonderful for a high-school level student because it would lay the responsibility for learning on the student and ultimately help the student be more prepared for college. Also, I believe the flipped classroom would make the students more involved in the class time because they would not be expected to sit quietly during a lecture. On the other hand, there are a few possible problems of implementing this in my future classroom. I would have to be aware if the students were mature enough to monitor their own learning. Some students might not truly watch the lecture videos and fall behind the other student's learning. I would continually have to be aware of the student's motivation to watch the videos on their free time. Although there might be some issues with the flipped classroom model, I believe if implemented properly that the students would greatly benefit from this method of education.

Educator's Guide to Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats

     In the recent years, Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats have increased immensely. This increase is a direct parallel of new technology and easier access to technology. Today's generation of teenagers and children have a deep understanding of how to use technology. However, they are not all using technology for beneficial purposes. In this educator's guide, it described multiple forms of cyberbullying and cyberthreats. It also discussed why students view the internet as an easy source to bully other people. By not being face-to-face with the other person, the bully often displays more strength because they are not directly speaking in front of the victim. The educator's guide also discussed the importance of educating students about cyberbullying. Some students do not realize there can be legal consequences of cyberbullying and that a simple, threatening text can be an example of a cyberthreat. Educators must be aware of the presence of potential bullying. 
     I believe that all educators should review a copy of this guide because it really displayed multiple cyberbullying situations as well as response plans. It made me realize how I would educate my future students about cyberbullying to hopefully prevent them from becoming a bully or victim. This guide also made me aware of my role as a teacher because I must instruct my students on proper procedures of the internet.

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