Sunday, April 18, 2010

Journal #3 "Keeping The Peace" NETS IV & V

Levinson, M. (2010). Keeping the peace. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25237&DirectListComboInd=D


By Matt Levinson


In 2007 it was brought to attention that technology was no longer only for information and communication, but also for entertainment and socializing. When an instant messaging program was installed into the computers at school it brought up the topic of what was the appropriate use of technology at school. This controversial issue had well thought out reasons for both sides. One side which consisted of some faculty and parents, argued that exploration is a good learning method, while the other side which also consisted of some staff and parents argued that it isn’t safe and can be a distraction for some students. The decision was finally made to block ichat from the computers and the public did not hold their opinions. A year later a technology program was put into place to teach about technology and its benefits. A “boot camp” was put into place, so that every year the students participate in activities to learn about physical care, appropriate use, and ethics.

Two questions that arose in my mind were:

1. Were there different guidelines for the various stages of middle school?

I think that this issue should have been brought up. Sixth graders do not have the same maturity level as eight graders, so eight graders should have been allowed more freedom. I can see how a parent of a sixth grader would be concerned with their child chatting with an older student.

2. Would their ichats be monitored?

If a staff member was with the students after school and monitoring them, I doubt that they would risk getting caught using the program inappropriately. It was after school and the students did have access to the computers, but just because it is after hours does not mean that they can do as they please on the computers because they are still on campus and using a public computer.

Journal #2 “Using Podcasts to Develop a Global Perspective” NETS I, VI, &V

Maguth , BM, & Elliott, J. (2010). Using Podcasts to develop a global perspective . Learning and Leading with Technology, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25244&DirectListComboInd=D


By: Brad M. Maguth and Jeff Elliot.


In a science and math class at a Columbus, Ohio high school they are using digital technologies such as podcasting to engage students. Podcasting allows students to interact with digital technologies and to apply what they know and reach a wider, even global audience. There students had been given the task to research a global issue from different perspectives and record their findings in a journal. Podcasting involves a lot of planning, researching, writing, and editing and all this is before the students could use the podcasting software. After the research phase students predicted how global experts and actors would respond to their debate questions, and then they would write a script. Once all of this is done the students created effective and well-aligned scripts then began recording their debates. They used the software in postproduction to edit out mistakes and to incorporate features, such as background music. By adding music they gained the skills to lower volume levels and rearrange audio clips. The final phase of the project was for the students to showcase their work on the internet.

Two questions that came to me while reading this article were:

1. Is postcasting only used to record debated subjects?

No. Anyone could podcast as long as they have the software. It can be audio only or audio with graphics.

2. Since podcasting is through Apple, does someone need a Mac in order to get the software?

Yes. They can play on your computer or audio player if it has video capabilities.

Journal #1 Computing In The Clouds NETS I & V

Johnson, D. (2010, December). Keeping the peace. Learning and Leading with Technology, 4, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/

 By: Doug Johnson


Cloud computing is when you can compute from many different computers, without using emails or flash drives. Nothing is saved onto your hard drive, meaning more storage for other things and your computer can run faster. A huge benefit from this is that you do not need a word processor on your computer, and we all know that these can be pricy. Basically the article is suggesting that schools switch over to using Netbooks because they are lightweight, small, they have static memory, smaller keyboards, wireless internet, webcams, microphones, speakers, they contain USB ports and memory card slots, and you can purchase one for under 400 dollars.

A downside is that if students are using these then that suggest that the teachers know how to work with them also. Educators would have to be trained not only with the device itself but also on how to teach using this device.

Two questions that came to mind while reading this article were:

1. Would there be some type of financial aid available for those that can’t accord it?

If this reached a national level I would assume that FAFSA would drop and be available to non-college students as well. Although 400 dollars doesn’t seem like much money to some people, it is a lot of money for families that struggle just to put food on the table.

2. Who would be responsible for a lost or stolen Netbook?

If schools are encouraging students to bring these to school, they should provide some sort of safe keeping for them. As adults we can be held accountable for our actions and held responsible for our belongings, but younger students should not be held full responsibility. I suggest that the schools provide lockers and some sort of contract that holds both the school and the student liable.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Inspiration NETS III

Using the program Inspiration I was able to make this web diagram. This web diagram helped me organize my thoughts and ideas for my taskstream narratives. I linked two artifacts with each of the NETS standards.



Thursday, March 18, 2010

Nets Powerpoint NETS I & III

I created this PowerPoint using Microsoft PowerPoint. This slide show contains lesson plans according to the NETS standards for the grades that I want to teach. When I had my finished project I presented it to my peers and received feedback.


Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

NETS Collaborative Powerpoint Rubric NETS I & III

As I class we were able to collaboratively develop this rubric. We used a website named rcampus.com. The rubric was based on the standards that we felt were appropriate for our powerpoints to be graded on. We then posted our rubric so that others may use it and we printed it out so that we could grade each others powerpoints.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Social Bookmarkings through Delicious.com NETS I & V

As a class assignment I had to visit a number of different websites, add them to a favorite on delicious.com, tag them, and complete a brief assignment on each of them. I was required to visit several websites and bookmark them using the social bookmarking website, delicious.com. I now have these great resources bookmarked so that I can access them at ant time and from any computer.

1. National Archives-
I looked up the achievements of eleven American women. My favorite was on Marilyn Monroe :) The site gave a biography on her and some of her belongings that are still around today.
Archives are important and should be used in the classroom because they are a primary source. They have reliable information from a creditable source. Archives are complete for the most part, so that when doing research one can pull all or most of the information needed from one source instead of pulling pieces from a plethora of sources that may not even be reliable.


2. National Education Association-
The student groups that experience achievement gaps are as followed: racial and ethnic minorities, English language learners, students with disabilities, and boys and girls.
Three of the area that I feel will fit in my teaching styles are:
*Network with parent, family, minority community, and faith-based organizations concerned with the needs of diverse students. Solicit their involvement and input in the design and implementation of initiatives for culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups.
*Gather and organize resource materials related to culturally diverse groups for use by school staff.
*Determine the diverse groups served by your school. Consider cultural, linguistic, racial, and ethnic diversity. Find out the degree to which families and students in these groups are accessing available school services.
-- Groups provide a great comfort level because there is a common base for that relates everyone. When people are comfortable, it is the perfect environment to learn. When parents and community members come together it usually brings a very diverse group and it can provide many ideas and input for cultural backgrounds and traditions. If enough parents or community members don't step forward it would be of benefit to communicate with other schools in the area because they might have vital information on the backgrounds of the local students. I take home survey will provide useful information. If parents or guardians answer personal history questions you can get to know where your students are coming from and use it to help them learn. With everyone’s ideas put together they can be used to incorporate with lesson plans and teaching styles to meet all the needs of the students.


3. Stop Cyberbullying
I took the cyberbullying test and I had done four of the items listed. The category I fell under was,
0 – 5 Points: Cyber Saint
Congratulations! You’re a cyber saint! Your online behavior is exemplary! Keep up the good work!
I now feel embarrassed for the four that I have done, but I feel like since I have experienced them, I now know how I can address them in a more effective way in the classroom. I am always on the Internet but I like to think that I have great social etiquette.
I learned that "mean girls" are the most immature of all cyberbullies. They bully for entertainment and to ego boost. This type usually occurs in groups and it can occur anywhere. There is usually a target in mind and once they are bored with that person, they move on. The duration of this type can fade quickly.


4. Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators
Under "Subject Access" I chose 'Holidays and Celebrations.' There were many great ideas and tips on how to incorporate these in the classroom. I really liked the idea of having a classroom calendar posted. The calendar will have the class holidays on it and it will be presented monthly. This will help the students learn the dates of the holidays and to get to know what they are. The grade level of the students will determine the depth that they will learn about each holiday.
Under "Teacher Helpers" I chose to read more about 'Critical Evaluation Information.' I learned that the ABC's of the Internet are: authority, bias, and citation. Authority is basically being able to evaluate a site and usually critical thinking be able to tell if it's a reliable source. Bias is being able to see if the site is trying to sway you in a certain way. This usually happens if they are sponsoring something.


5. Multiple Intelligences
I took the multiple intelligences test and my top three scoring categories were: Musical-94%, Interpersonal-88%, Intrapersonal-88%. I think this is really me. I thought some of the questions were kind of weird, but I believe that I was evaluated properly. The video I watched was, "Multiple Intelligences Leave No Child Left Behind". After watching this it was apparent to me that the students didn't get to express themselves in nearly enough subjects. I placed high in all the areas that the curriculum falls short in. Yes, there is creativity in arts and crafts but what about in the other subjects? I highly believe that we have incorporate imagination and creativity in more areas so that the students can express themselves more, and get to know themselves.


6. Teaching Tolerance
The activity I chose was:
A Song for Anti-Bullying
Level:Pre K to KGrades 1 to 2
Subject:Social Studies
I absolutely love this lesson. I would use this in my class during the beginning of the year. I am going to set my classroom environment early with class rules and discussions. Being kind is a concept that I want my students to grasp from the start. Teasing and bullying will not be tolerated. I will go over what bullying is and how it is not okay. I will go over how it is good to tell an adult if you are being bullied, so that that person can get help for you. Once it is apparent that all the students comprehend, we will then go into this lesson plan with the song.


7. Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz
This quiz surprised me in so many ways. It was so devastating. The first question to surprise me was number two, the question was, "Compared with White women, how likely are African American women in the U.S. to die during childbirth due to a lack of access to prenatal care, according to the Agency for Health care Research and Quality?" The answer was four times as likely. It's unbelievable but at the same time it's not. Another question that saddened and surprised me was, "According to a study by the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights, what percentage of physicians report witnessing a colleague giving reduced care or refusing care to lesbian, gay, or bisexual patients?" The answer was five times less likely. Both these questions and answers make me think how one teaches children about how cruel the world can be. I think if elementary teachers truly teach for the passion of it and believe in helping children, then future generations will look brighter.


8. Netiquette Guidelines
I took the Netiquette quiz and received a 60% on it. I thought I knew the Internet very well, but I guess not. I wonder how quickly the Internet norms change. Since the Internet world is so ambiguous it's hard to even put rules to it. For example, when writing in all caps, it can mean a lot of different things. It is so easy to mistake something or take something the wrong way. It is very important to teach children about Internet presence, also rules and regulations. Staying safe and protecting yourself on the Internet is a big topic and it is becoming more and more of a reality every day. Teaching children about the Internet will help them stay safe and use the Internet effectively. :^D