Journal # 6 Microblogging-NETS 3, 4

When following two threaded discussions on the Classroom 2.0 website I learned many things about microblogging. In the first discussion followed by 46 members I learned that microblogging is a networking service technology tool used among Internet users and cell phone users. It helps individuals and groups communicate with each other by publishing or receiving frequent updates. Text messages or Internet messages are uploaded to a microblogging service and then it is received by group members of a specific website service. Some microblogging sercives are Twitter, Pownce, Jaiku and Blogger. I learned that Pownce is used mostly as an “email replacement” to talk to a group share files, links and events. All members that participate in microblogging are notified before of the microblog and they give permission to follow a microblog. Members then are able to know about one another’s activities, questions or discussions. Microblogging can be public reaching many people around the world if they decide to microblog. Microblogging is used for many purposes including education, business, social networking and many other reasons. I also learned in the other discussion that I followed was that in education, students, parents and staff can benefit. Teachers can keep in contact with parents about the school’s current events, announcements or learning expectations. Both students and teachers can keep in contact with each other about school activities, assigned assignments, projects and even for after school programs. The advantage of microblogging is that it is a quick tool used for management. Some members of the Classroom 2.0 believe that microblogging can be used in many way with students including “advance learning, higher order thinking skill, critical thinking skills, communication skills and creativity skills.”

I commented on: Rosalinda's StoryMash, Christina's Gaming and Elizabeth's Wiki

PowerPoint on NETS (K-2)-NETS 3,5

This Powerpoint was created to gather effective lesson plans to meet the NETS Performance Standard for Students K-2. I have include 4 out of 10 performance indicators in my PowerPoint Presentation. This presentation was created by the use of the PowerPoint technology tool.NETS-BM

NETS Collaborative PowerPoint Rubric-NETS 2

This was a collaborative PowerPoint Rubric created
by my technology education 422 classmates. 
This PowerPoint Rubric was used to evaluate
our peer PowerPoint presentation on meeting
the NETSPerformance Standards for Students.

Journal #4 NETS 1,4, 5

Finding students who learn with media. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(5),

Retrieved on March 4, from 

http://www.iste.org/A/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25255&DirectListComboInd=D

Summary: In the article, “Finding Students Who Learn with Media” by Glen Bull, Curby Alexander and Bill Ferster, the authors discuss the benefits of a “student-created media” in the classroom.  According to the authors, students are engaged in their learning in classes where they can use web-based tools like “primary access.”  PrimaryAcesss is a moviemaker application, which is accessed online that allows students to create their own short documentary films about any social issue or study.  The students use their own text, primary source images and audio narration when creating the documentary film.  The website also provides primary source documents.  The authors also mention the storyboard tool provided on the PrimaryAccess website.  The storyboard is used to create a “visual historical narrative”, which also allows students to engage in their learning.  According to the authors teaching students to use these web tools are not time consuming.  The authors believe that providing these web tools to students can in return help teachers “provide instruction and assign task that best meet students individual needs.”  The authors believe that using an application like PrimaryAcesss in a classroom can help the teacher gather data about a student’s performance.

Question 1:  What occurs when students are not engaged in the moviemaker or storyboard activity? Not all students are engaged in media online tools. Differentiating instruction is always important.  Other students might want to write traditional essays or might need additional scaffolding to increase “content mastery and task management.”

 Question 2: How will I incorporate this into my classroom? The primary access tool is a wonderful tool that all teachers should incorporate in their classrooms.  I would probably use this tool when teaching something historic in my classroom like the Civil Rights Movement. I believe that it is a good experience when students are able to search and use their own primary sources to create their own documentary.

Journal #3 Keeping the Peace NETS 3,4, 5

Levinson, M. (2010). Keeping the peace. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved on March 4 from,

http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfmSection=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25237&DirectListComboInd=D

 Summary:

In the article “Keeping the Peace” by Matt Levinson, the author talks about the benefits of integrating a “laptop program” in schools to introduce technology to students. The author talked about a school called Nueva School whose students, teachers and parents were divided on the issue of the appropriate use of instant messaging and video chatting at school and at home.  The school allowed students to iChat, but it soon became a problem because instant messaging had become a social network even during school hours.  Many parents felt betrayed by the schools because they felt the school had taken their rights as parents to give permission to their children to use instant messaging.  On the other hand, there were other parents who did not oppose to the use of instant messaging because they felt that it was a new opportunity that their children should experience.  After the controversy the school decided to implement a “laptop program” and a “boot-up camp”, which helped students, teachers and parents learn about the appropriate use of technology. The school also used new guidelines which included: a “partnership with Common Sense Media”, a signed policy before using laptops, an IM program for use at school with teacher permission and limited use, and informational workshops for parents. 

Question 1: What could have Nueva School done to prevent the controversy about Instant Messaging? I believe that all parents have rights over their child’s education.  I believe that the school should have asked for the parent’s permission before letting the students Ichat during school hours.  The school should have educated their students before letting the Ichat.

Question 2: How can teachers educate their students about Ichat?  There is many ways teachers can educate their students about Ichat. There is many websites that can help teachers teach introduction to technology.  The important issue is to educate students about Ichat safety.  Students should also be educated with time management when it comes to technology. 

Journal #2"Using Podcasts to Develop a Global Perspective"-NETS 1,4, 5

Maguth, B.M., & Elliott, J. . (2010). Using Podcasts to develop a global perspective. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(5),

Retrieved on March 4, 

from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25244&DirectListComboInd=D

 Summary:

In the article “Using Podcasts to Develop a Global Perspective” by Brad M. Maguth and Jeff Elliott, the authors talk about the benefits of using podcasts in the classroom.  According to the authors podcasting can allow students to reach a wider audience online to address global challenges or even other important issues.  Podcasting also allows students to “collaborate with diverse global populations.”  Podcasting are being used in classrooms to help students learn about other cultures.  According to the authors another benefit of podcasting is that it allows students to interact with digital technology.  The authors strongly feel that podcasting can help students be more engaged while learning.   Podcasting also helps students communicate with their peers about global challenges.  According to the authors podcasting does involve a lot of hard work, which include, planning, researching, writing and editing.  Podcasting also allows students to create scripts, embed background music and even allows students to record debates.  The authors feel that an assignment that uses podcasts can help students experience a deeper depth of study in an issues like global warming and it can help students know about multiple perspectives about an issues and gives students the opportunity to discuss about global issues.

Question 1:  How would I incorporate podcasting in my classroom? There are many materials that can be covered and discussed with the help of podcasting.  Global challenges, current debates, and cultural diversity are some materials that students can discuss by using podcast.  I will definitely integrate podcasting in my classrooms because it lets students collaborate and create creative, and informational data.

Question 2: What educational technology standards for teachers does podcasting meet?

The educational technology standard for teacher that podcasting meets is the standard “model digital-age work and learning” because teachers are able to “exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of innovative professional in a global and digital society”

Journal #1 Computing in the Clouds-NETS 3, 5

Johnson, D. (2009). Computing in the clouds. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(4). Retrieved on March 4, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/DecemberJanuaryNo4/Computing_in_the_Clouds.htm

Summary:

This article discusses "cloud computing" which is the use of web services to help maintain data and applications.  In this article, author Johnson believes that integrating "cloud computing" in the classroom will be beneficial for both the students and teachers. Johnson also believes that cloud computing can be inexpensive for schools that are spending more money on other services that are not as effective as the online approach of "cloud computing." Johnson believes that web services are beneficial for school-specific tasks, photo storage and editing, word processing, presentation and much more.   Johnson is also an advocate of netbooks because according to him they are "inexpensive, reliable, lightweight, and easily maintained, with a long battery life and a high degree of functionality” for kids and teachers. The author made me think about the benefits about cloud computing because schools would definitely benefit financially from this approach.  I believe that it will take practice and time for teachers to become experts. It also makes me think about the students benefits the students will gain. 

Question 1: How will incorporate “cloud computing” into my classroom?  Since cloud computing is web services that helps maintain data and application, I can help store gradebook and reporting information.  I would also help my students develop the technological skills to learn how to use these web services.

Question 2: What educational technology standards for teachers does “cloud computing” meet? I believe that the standard that “cloud computing” meets is the model digital-age work and learning because the “teacher demonstrates fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.