iMovie (NETS T-3)

NETS T-3
This is a public service announcement (PSA) about CSUSM I created using iMovie.
I retrieved my information from http://www.csusm.edu/about/

Inspiration NETS for Teachers (NETS T-3)

NETS T-3
This is a diagram I created using the Inspiration program. The diagram shows the NETS for teachers standards. I connected each standard to an artifact I have created or used in EDUC 422 class.

Journal 10: I Can See Me: Webcams in the Classroom (Nets T-1,2)

I can see me: webcams in the classroom. (2010). Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx 

Educators are starting to implement webcams into the classroom to help students improve their reading skills and confidence. It captures student's attention, engage them in learning, and enhance the curriculum. Since it is an inexpensive technology it is easy to incorporate it into the classroom. For one student named Sam they used a webcam during reading. He struggled with reading throughout his school career, always trying to avoid reading aloud in class. After trying different tactics, they decided to try the webcam to reflect. Sam was able to see his own errors and try to fix them. Because of the webcam Sam and his teacher were able to see improvement in his reading and a boost in his confidence. Students see themselves on the screen and are readily excited to participate, while they see ongoing improvement.

How does it work?

Students record themselves reading and then reviews it independently. This helps the student to build skills in self-correction and self-monitoring. The teacher then reviews the video with the student to provide guidance and possible suggestions. Students then work on the areas of improvement while constantly recording themselves during reading aloud. It becomes a repeated process till the student has a near perfect reading sample.

What are some of the benefits of webcam in the classroom?

Students build self-confidence, self-monitoring, and self-correction over time. They improve their fluency and increase the words per minute with fewer amounts of errors during a reading period. Students are able to self correct their reading errors.  It is important for the teacher to continue to work with the student to help with guidance and further develop these skills.

Journal 9: Is It Time To Make Mathematics More Fun? (Nets T-1,2)

Is it time to make mathematics more fun?. (2011). Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2011.aspx 

   Math can be tedious, boring, and complicated. There is always long drawn out steps to follow in order to just find a simple answer to a math problem. Dave Moursund is urging teachers to let computers to do the computing. Computers free students of having to write out formulas and solve problems. Moursund teaches educators in his blogs and videos on how to incorporate computers into the classroom, letting the computers do all the computing. 

Moursund writes, "We now have the computer hardware and software availability that can be used to inexpensively and widely implement the ideas that have I have been advocating. We can change math education by letting facilities do what they do best in math, educating students so their brains can do what they do best in math, and producing a curriculum that is fun and interesting." Math helps us build trains, design homes, balance our budget, run a business, lose weight, etc. But we are not taught math like this but with a heavy algorithmic process which can make math boring. This is why students become disconnected with math and view it is irrelevant. Studies show, students learn math better when taught in a game-like manner. 

Being that you are an aspiring math educator, what will you take from this article and apply in your class?

The fact that math and technology both intertwine together. One is useful with the other. I can use the computer to host my website as well as math games, being that students learn the material better when it is applied in a game-like manner. I can try to find ways to make math more fun and interesting by using mock real world examples.

What are the negatives with using algorithmic process to solve math problems?

They are long and tedious, sometimes boring or complicated. Students do not necessarily learn math this way and tend to go about the steps without really understanding what they are doing. When using algorithmic students are learning to do it quick but do not understand anything.

Journal 8: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying (Nets T-4)

Should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying. (2011). Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2011.aspx 

 Yes Schools Need to be Held Responsible

Bullying occurs on and off the school playground. It greatly affects the school environment. Therefore, it should not be ignored. Everyone including the community needs to take a proactive stance against cyber-bullying. It is important to never assume that such behaviors of students are typical. Administrators need to establish clear consequences. Parents, administrators, and teachers needs to enforce the consequences and be willing to contact the law enforcement. Parents need to be involved in what their children are doing online and on the cell phones. Students need to have a voice and be willing to tell a teacher, parent or administrator about the victims who are being targeted. 
-Renee Bogacz

No Schools Do Not Need to Be Held Responsible

Not everything can be solved in the classroom. This is the fault of society and the home environment where students come from. Children who come from a loving home have the vaccine against cyber-bullying, but those who are bullying others lack the love and support in their home. Cyber-bullying can be reduced if they received the basic support at home. Parents are the first educators of the children. What the school can do is establish a close relationship with the parents to get a basic understanding of the child. Schools can help parents recover their role as primary educators. A healthy family is the basis for a healthy society, and schools can only support that role.

-Miguel Gomes

Should schools be held responsible for cyber bullying?

It is understandable that the home is the primary educator but schools, parents, and the community need to be held responsible for cyber bullying. Students are born with technology all around them which only means more opportunities for kids to fall into easy trap of harassing or bullying.  We as educators need to also be responsible for educating students on cyber-bullying and its consequences. We need to teach students to speak up for those who are being victimized. Teachers need to learn to monitor sites on school grounds and be aware of the signs of bullying. Teachers need to be the filter which using computers in the classroom.

Why is it so important to monitor kids when on their phones or the computers?

A student at a high school posted “push a student day” on facebook. Students who pushed others earned points depending on how hard the push was, or if the victim fell to the floor. If the student pushed the janitors they received double points. By the end of the day the facebook post received over 300 students who wanted to partake in the act. A parent, who happened to monitor their child’s internet activity, called the principal warning them of what was to occur the next day at school.

Because the parent was actively monitoring their child’s technology use they were able to help stop bullying on campus. It is important for all to be aware of what their children or students are getting involved in because it could save someone’s life.

Journal 7: My Personal Learning Network (Nets T-5)

1.   Johnson , S (Producer). (2009). Digital Footprints: Your New First Impression [Web]. Available from http://edupln.com/video/digital-footprints-your-new

  
  My Personal Learning Network, PLN, consist of Twitter (social networking site), Diigo (bookmarking website), blogs, and Educator's PLN (a personal learning network for educators). My PLN will help me as an educator to have a connection to a wide variety of resources to use in my classroom. I am also able to connect with a network of people who share similar interest. With my PLN, I am able to ask questions and receive different perspectives from educators in similar fields. 

With the use of Twitter I am able to follow my classmates and Professor Heil. I also follow other math educators. With Twitter, I have the ability to participate in educational chats to include #ed422, #mathchat, #ntchat, and #PHDchat.  I participated in a math chat on Thursday around 4:00-5:00 p.m. I simply lurked the chat only because I was wanting to observe for my first experience. But after spending 40-45 minutes in the chat I realized how useful this tool is to my future classroom. One teacher asked for fraction game websites for her students and people were filling her inbox with different websites. One teacher shared how students only care about getting an answer whether it was right or wrong. He stated how most teachers want students to give them the right answers but he wanted them to give him the wrong answers. This way he has the ability to work with the student and see where they are struggling. Some people asked for help tweeting, "anyone in math chat that wants to review first chapter of my algebra book" with a provided link. Some people talked about their own techniques in their classroom, how they used music to introduce fractions. There were problems posted as well as statements in regards to math. I was just amazed in how teachers help teachers regardless of the question. It is comforting knowing that I am not alone, and how there are teachers who are so willing to help.

In Diigo, a bookmarking tool, I tagged top 40 podcast for teachers, how building a PLN can help my students, 50 best education technology blogs, Classroom 2.0, Educator’s PLN, and personal learning networks 101. I tagged these websites because I believe they are useful tools to help me become a better educator. I am able to view blogs that only deal with technology and education in the classroom. I can gain a better understanding of how my PLN can help my students. My bookmarks discuss current events in education and how to use technology in the classroom.

I joined the Educator's PLN: The personal learning network for educators. I watched a video on digital footprints, your new first impression. It discusses the use of social networking sites used by employers to screen potential candidates. Our digital footprints are our new first impression for employers. It tells others where we have been and where we are going. This is why it is important to know what I am leaving behind because I never know who is watching. In 2008, 22% of employers reported using social networking sites to research job candidates.¹ Each year the number increased. Some of the content that discouraged employers from hiring a candidate include: posting provocative or inappropriate photographs or information, pictures or information about them drinking or using drugs, bad mouthing a previous employer, co-workers, or clients, showing poor communication skills and falsifying qualifications¹. Content that encouraged employers to hire a candidate: profile provided a good feel for candidates personality and fit within the organization, profile supported candidates professional qualifications, candidate was creative, and showed solid communication skills, they were well rounded, other people posted good references about candidate, and they received awards and accolades¹. This is why it is important to keep it clean when publishing blogs, pictures, or information. I must try to collaborate and contribute in meaningful ways.

Journal 6: Grow Your Personal Learning Network (Nets T-5)

Warlick, D. (2009). Grow your personal learning network. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2009.aspx 

PLN, Personal Learning Network, is a way that educators can tap into connected communities to find information on suggested lesson plans, current events and trends, opportunities and resources. PLN's open the door of possibilities. The people in your network offer expertise and perspectives and are in a position to help you do your job. It helps us as educators to roam beyond our normal geographical reach. With PLN's you can enhance communication with the use of twitter, face chat, Skype, etc.  The only difference, you can hold a conversation in the comfort of your own home without the traditional barriers of traveling, language, and culture. On PLNs tools such as twitter or blogs, people are also able to communicate when they have the time or when it best fits their schedule. It is important to maintain your responsibility when involved in a PLN network. A word of the wise, start small and devote some of your time. This is why we must cultivate networks that challenge our thinking and frame of reference. So our students can learn to teach themselves and are constantly challenging themselves.

A list of PLN's tools: Diigo, Delicious, Twitter, Skype. Second Life, Google Reader, Ning, Mailing Lists, Google Talks, wikis, and blogs.

 1. What are some tips to help create and grow a PLN network for individuals new to the concept.

Start small with the number of networks to subscribe to. Make sure to keep everything organized. Learn to use Diigo or delicious, this is a bookmark site that keeps tags of websites you bookmarked and is available on any computer. Invest some time but also give make sure to have time for yourself. Remember people might follow your bookmarks or blogs so maintain your responsibility.

  2. How can I benefit from this as an educator?

I can benefit from PLNs because I am able to create my own network where I can follow people who share similar interest. I am able to ask for advice and receive expert opinions as well as different perspectives. I have the ability to research lesson plans used by fellow educators and try my own twist in my classroom.