Like so many fellow students I know, test taking is not always my forte in my classes. The idea of grading solely on a test score is frightening and can be quite overwhelming to some. Thankfully, many instructors are incorporating new ways to assess student's knowledge and understanding of concepts discussed. I found the idea of a remote response system to be fascinating. I think it wise for instructors to include the entire class, rather than one student at a time. How often do we secretly pray the instructor doesn't call on us because we are entirely clueless? With resources like Quizdom or AClicks, the student does not need to feel embarrassed or anxious, and the teacher will be able to see what concepts need more explaining. This allows for individuals to see what needs further work on their parts as well. I like that instructors may tailor their lesson plans to the student's needs. Another assessment I found clever was the Inspiration/Kidspiration tools. I was unaware of these options to allow students to visually explore and understand numerous concepts such as math, reading and writing, science, and social studies. After exploring Kidspiration in particular, I found that integrating such technology into young students' education would be very beneficial. This would allow students to feel comfortable with technology at a young age as well as grasp concepts and ideas more rapidly. Kidspiration uses easy to navigate icons with a talking interface. The options are limitless! There are over 3,000 symbols for students to use in their exploring. Another function I found useful is where the visual thoughts are pulled into a writing view for the pupil's further explanation and writing creativity.
Reflecting over this course, I would be lying if I said I didn't learn anything new. There were few things I did feel entirely comfortable with. I feel like the ePortfolio alone was the biggest challenge, as this was something I had never heard of, or explored. My first posting was nerve racking. I felt like I was running in the dark with this project, it was new, different, and I can't say I enjoyed it. However, over the last few weeks, my comfort level has grown. My eyes have been opened to a number of up and coming technological advancements that allows for instructors and students to understand at a new level. Some of my favorite advancements include Voice Threads, Blogger, Social Bookmarking, and Unite Streaming, all of which I plan on incorporating into my future coursework and classrooms.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Visualizing with Technologies
Like many individuals I know, I am a visual learner. I depend heavily on visual aids to stimulate a connection of what is taught and later a recollection of the topic. Some of the lessons that have dwelled with me over the years, or I feel I really learned the most; were those that provided me with outstanding visual aids. An association is made when I have the opportunity to link pictorials with concepts. I recall a math lesson from early middle school in particular. Our instructor allowed us to watch part of a Disney movie, in which the popular children character Donal Duck visits 'Mathmagic Land'. The video aided my learning of basic mathematical concepts and promoted a fun learning environment.
After exploring the video databases, I was highly impressed. Right away, something that caught my eye was that while searching, there are over twenty options as to what is offered. Some of these include math explanation, body atlantas, games, assignments, songs, etc. Rather than searching through endless visual aids to find what is appropriate for your targeted audience; you are also able to filter further. The option to filter by grade levels, subject, and the type of media type (full video, segment, image) is also available. I did a few test searches and found the information available to be relevant and useful. For those individuals that are not as technologically advanced, I found this particular option to be very user friendly.
The second video data base I explored, Safari Montage, was also notable. I did find this site to be a little more advanced than the United Streaming website. However, the vastness offered seems endless. Safari Montage offers an environment for professors to develop multimedia plans, upload their own videos, and utilize media from renowned educational publishers such as Arther, History, National Geographic, Scholastic, and Disney.
These are just two of the many options available to instructors. Visual databases such as United Streaming and Safari Montage is one more step in the direction of superior education for the growing generations. I feel that visual aids in today's education offers an indubitable benefit to students and should be utilized by all instructors.
After exploring the video databases, I was highly impressed. Right away, something that caught my eye was that while searching, there are over twenty options as to what is offered. Some of these include math explanation, body atlantas, games, assignments, songs, etc. Rather than searching through endless visual aids to find what is appropriate for your targeted audience; you are also able to filter further. The option to filter by grade levels, subject, and the type of media type (full video, segment, image) is also available. I did a few test searches and found the information available to be relevant and useful. For those individuals that are not as technologically advanced, I found this particular option to be very user friendly.
The second video data base I explored, Safari Montage, was also notable. I did find this site to be a little more advanced than the United Streaming website. However, the vastness offered seems endless. Safari Montage offers an environment for professors to develop multimedia plans, upload their own videos, and utilize media from renowned educational publishers such as Arther, History, National Geographic, Scholastic, and Disney.
These are just two of the many options available to instructors. Visual databases such as United Streaming and Safari Montage is one more step in the direction of superior education for the growing generations. I feel that visual aids in today's education offers an indubitable benefit to students and should be utilized by all instructors.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Designing With Technologies
I recall entering high school with the option to take advanced courses intertwining technology and creativity; such as drafting, engineering, mechanical CAD, interior design, even wood shop. I did opt to take a few of these in my early high school years to explore my interests. I found that CAD programs, or computer aided design programs, allowed for students to combine math and science with their own creative ideas. I've experienced this first hand over the years. I was able to draw images with mathematical equations. With the click of the mouse, a pattern could be duplicated and something that would normally take hours to draw would emerge in literally minutes.
I enjoyed exploring other outlets that offer the same opportunity for students to learn while they express their ideas with the combination of technology and the education system. Something that had never occurred to me were the use of legos to make learning enjoyable. Who didn't play with legos in their early years? I believe that girls and boys alike enjoyed stacking, building, and exploring new and wondrous lego worlds. However, I did not realize just how powerful legos were as a learning tool. Exploring http://www.usfirst.org/ was eye opening for me. I feel like there has been a secret world for the privileged kids to compete with their own inventions that I never knew about. I love the idea of allowing children to incorporate math, physics, technology, team building, and art into something they can visually see and experience. I believe that the use of legos helps children start learning at a young age.
Lastly, perhaps one of my favorite new discoveries, the Musical Sketch Pad. Allowing children to become composers, express their thoughts and feelings through music is powerful. I believe this advancement has the opportunity to engage children on a higher level, and provide for a more lasting connection with learning.
Overall, the opportunities for the younger generation are flourishing. With the diverse advancements for students and teachers to explore, each student has the chance to combine the power of technology with their creativity and ideas.
I enjoyed exploring other outlets that offer the same opportunity for students to learn while they express their ideas with the combination of technology and the education system. Something that had never occurred to me were the use of legos to make learning enjoyable. Who didn't play with legos in their early years? I believe that girls and boys alike enjoyed stacking, building, and exploring new and wondrous lego worlds. However, I did not realize just how powerful legos were as a learning tool. Exploring http://www.usfirst.org/ was eye opening for me. I feel like there has been a secret world for the privileged kids to compete with their own inventions that I never knew about. I love the idea of allowing children to incorporate math, physics, technology, team building, and art into something they can visually see and experience. I believe that the use of legos helps children start learning at a young age.
Lastly, perhaps one of my favorite new discoveries, the Musical Sketch Pad. Allowing children to become composers, express their thoughts and feelings through music is powerful. I believe this advancement has the opportunity to engage children on a higher level, and provide for a more lasting connection with learning.
Overall, the opportunities for the younger generation are flourishing. With the diverse advancements for students and teachers to explore, each student has the chance to combine the power of technology with their creativity and ideas.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Web 2.0
Who knew there were so many resources to be implemented in the classroom for projects, discussions, and assignments? Prior to investigating wiki, social bookmarking, and voice threads; I would of used standard options offered on many computers. I learned some about what each application can provide.
A wiki is a collaborative work that can be continuously altered by various parties over the course of time. I see the positive and negative of this. I believe that as long as the editors of the wiki are credible, then the work may stay credible. Unfortunately, I see that allowing anyone to edit your body of work causing multiple problems. I fear of the lose of research and credibility of the site.
Social bookmarking is an entirely new concept, as I am one of those with numerous bookmarks assigned to sites. I am very fond of the idea of teachers adopting the concept of creating a social bookmarking account for use of students and other instructors. I learned that it is simple and yet can be so effective. Once creating an account, endless sites may be bookmarked and organized through a tagging tool to your account. This in turn can be viewed by others for assignments, as a resource, and as a reference for lessons or discussions.
The third application that was unfamiliar to myself was the voice thread. What a great idea for students and educators alike! With the ability to compose a body of work with other students through the use of images, documents, and videos; group projects can rise to an entirely new level. I believe that this is a tool for world wide development of ideas and discussion.
Overall, I believe the web 2.0 applications are beneficial for both students and educators today and a use of them should be encouraged.
A wiki is a collaborative work that can be continuously altered by various parties over the course of time. I see the positive and negative of this. I believe that as long as the editors of the wiki are credible, then the work may stay credible. Unfortunately, I see that allowing anyone to edit your body of work causing multiple problems. I fear of the lose of research and credibility of the site.
Social bookmarking is an entirely new concept, as I am one of those with numerous bookmarks assigned to sites. I am very fond of the idea of teachers adopting the concept of creating a social bookmarking account for use of students and other instructors. I learned that it is simple and yet can be so effective. Once creating an account, endless sites may be bookmarked and organized through a tagging tool to your account. This in turn can be viewed by others for assignments, as a resource, and as a reference for lessons or discussions.
The third application that was unfamiliar to myself was the voice thread. What a great idea for students and educators alike! With the ability to compose a body of work with other students through the use of images, documents, and videos; group projects can rise to an entirely new level. I believe that this is a tool for world wide development of ideas and discussion.
Overall, I believe the web 2.0 applications are beneficial for both students and educators today and a use of them should be encouraged.
Copyright
My understanding of teaching future students, as well as applying copyrights and fair use, cyber safety, nettiquete, and cyber bullying awareness in my own life has become more prominent. After viewing the provided materials, I realized there is so much to consider while using technology now and in the future.
I believe that incorporating clips, essays, and multimedia should be allowed to provide students with the education and highest opportunities available. Although, I do believe it is necessary to have some guidelines in place. I found David Hall's guidelines to abiding to the Copyright Act of 1976 helpful. I gained the following overview for inserting other's copyrighted material:
1. Ask yourself if the copy-written material will be widely dispersed, or remain in an environment dedicated to education.
2. Ask yourself if the material is being copied or altered to express a different opinion than the author/producer had previously laid out with the material.
3. Ask yourself if the information is available for purchase for educational use.
The quick reference available in David Hall's essay, The Educators' Lean and Mean No FAT Guide to Fair Use, proved to be helpful due to the vast sources of technology and multimedia copyright concerns there are today.
I find it important for cyber safety to be expressed by adults in all areas of a students life at a young age. With the vast means offered to educators such as; presentations, promotional items, and various classroom materials specific to instructing students on cyber safety; there is no reason this should not be done. I do believe that parents should play a role in this as well, however, instructors have an obligation to do the same, especially when the use of technology is expected in nearly all classes at some point.
With cyber safety comes what is called nettiquete, which is like the 'golden rule' of the online world, "Treat others how you want to be treated". Teaching students what is expected and allowed while using online forums, sites, and during email compositions is important. Respecting others while online, produces respect in return and a smoother running internet community.
I believe that when the lack of respect is shown, cyber bullying may occur. With the constant use of students on the computer and the endless hours spent online, chances are everyone has been the victim or culprit of doing some act of cyber bullying. This needs to be addressed as an action that is not tolerated, nor should be kept secret and through educating students can be.
Overall, with all of the new age growing technologies offered, it is important to be teaching those utilizing it to understand the responsibilities linked to it.
I believe that incorporating clips, essays, and multimedia should be allowed to provide students with the education and highest opportunities available. Although, I do believe it is necessary to have some guidelines in place. I found David Hall's guidelines to abiding to the Copyright Act of 1976 helpful. I gained the following overview for inserting other's copyrighted material:
1. Ask yourself if the copy-written material will be widely dispersed, or remain in an environment dedicated to education.
2. Ask yourself if the material is being copied or altered to express a different opinion than the author/producer had previously laid out with the material.
3. Ask yourself if the information is available for purchase for educational use.
The quick reference available in David Hall's essay, The Educators' Lean and Mean No FAT Guide to Fair Use, proved to be helpful due to the vast sources of technology and multimedia copyright concerns there are today.
I find it important for cyber safety to be expressed by adults in all areas of a students life at a young age. With the vast means offered to educators such as; presentations, promotional items, and various classroom materials specific to instructing students on cyber safety; there is no reason this should not be done. I do believe that parents should play a role in this as well, however, instructors have an obligation to do the same, especially when the use of technology is expected in nearly all classes at some point.
With cyber safety comes what is called nettiquete, which is like the 'golden rule' of the online world, "Treat others how you want to be treated". Teaching students what is expected and allowed while using online forums, sites, and during email compositions is important. Respecting others while online, produces respect in return and a smoother running internet community.
I believe that when the lack of respect is shown, cyber bullying may occur. With the constant use of students on the computer and the endless hours spent online, chances are everyone has been the victim or culprit of doing some act of cyber bullying. This needs to be addressed as an action that is not tolerated, nor should be kept secret and through educating students can be.
Overall, with all of the new age growing technologies offered, it is important to be teaching those utilizing it to understand the responsibilities linked to it.
Introduction
My name is Jordan Betz. I fall as a middle child in the family of five, currently situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have played football and miscellaneous sports since I could walk; and have continued to go onto play football since graduating high school in 2008. I transferred from Snow College, where I met my fiance, to play for TAMU-C in the spring of 2011. I am looking forward to heading back to school in the fall with my new wife and a new season ahead of me.
I have seen first hand how technology implemented in the classroom can improve a student's learning experience. My vision of technology stems from this. I envision our learning modules, simulations, and models continuing to improve. Students will have the opportunity to approach subjects at a whole new level, ultimately providing a better understanding. I believe with technology, our networking will expand. Classrooms will have the opportunity to converse with other students and professors from diverse walks of life. We will be able to raise our discussions and express findings, ideas, and opinions at a new standard. Technology has the power to provide education to all. Individuals without the means or location to learn are able to take in education yet. It is now possible to participate in classes from a classroom states, or even continents away.
My fundamental goal of this class is to understand the various means of implementing technology into the education system. I want to learn numerous new and developing approaches to expressing ideas to those I am teaching. I hope that the difference in learning styles will no longer be a barrier in my classroom.
I have seen first hand how technology implemented in the classroom can improve a student's learning experience. My vision of technology stems from this. I envision our learning modules, simulations, and models continuing to improve. Students will have the opportunity to approach subjects at a whole new level, ultimately providing a better understanding. I believe with technology, our networking will expand. Classrooms will have the opportunity to converse with other students and professors from diverse walks of life. We will be able to raise our discussions and express findings, ideas, and opinions at a new standard. Technology has the power to provide education to all. Individuals without the means or location to learn are able to take in education yet. It is now possible to participate in classes from a classroom states, or even continents away.
My fundamental goal of this class is to understand the various means of implementing technology into the education system. I want to learn numerous new and developing approaches to expressing ideas to those I am teaching. I hope that the difference in learning styles will no longer be a barrier in my classroom.
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