Podcast

I have learned many things through this class, but I especially liked learning how to produce a podcast. After reading the directions many times, I produced a script of my lesson that I am using for my podcast. I chose to do a lesson on the Solar System. After producing the script and the lesson plan, I created this podcast.
This assignment correlates with the ISTE NETS*T standards 2 and 5, using digital-age technology to teach a lesson. I think it could be very useful in creating lessons that students can listen to while at home. Also, a podcast could be put on the teacher's Edline page and students and parents could access it to keep updated on the class.

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Assessments Form

This assignment asked us to create an online quiz using Google Documents. The YouTube video gave clear instructions on how to create this online document. I followed the video and created my own version of an online quiz. I liked this activity and could see me using an online quiz someday. This correlates with ISTE NETS*T standards #2 and #5 by using digital-age technology to perform student assessment and also teacher use of technology to improve their students understanding.

Assessments Rubistar

This assignment asked us to create a rubric using the Rubistar website. I checked out the website and discovered many different rubric templates, corresponding to a variety of subject areas. I chose to create a rubric for the English/Language Arts class in which I collaborate. In this class, we ask our students to write various essays. This gives them practice for the writing assessment that they take later in the year. The assessment is graded according to a rubric, so when they practice we like to provide a rubric to help them make sure they cover all areas. In the Rubistar website, I chose to use a persuasive writing rubric. I liked the website as it had a pull-down menu with many areas that you may want to grade on the essay. In addition, after you chose an area, it provided different choices for each point total from 4 through 0. I chose several areas to grade and completed the rubric. I will use this during the school year for my students to practice writing. This correlates with ISTE NETS*T standard #2 that uses digital-age technology to assess students. It also uses #5 in that it uses a digital tool in support of student learning.

Windows Movie Maker

This assignment asked us to convert slides from our powerpoint presentation into a windows movie maker presentation. I had never used windows movie maker before, so I had to experiment with it for awhile before becoming more familiar with it. This program is useful in creating presentations for a classroom lesson and also being able to view the presentation on the web. I created a TeacherTube account and uploaded my presentation on it. Students would enjoy being able to view their lessons on the web and it also allows students who missed the presentation to go back and view it. This assignment correlates with the ISTE NETS*T standard #2 which uses digital age technology to teach a lesson and also to help assess the lesson.

Presentation Games

This assignment asked us to practice using powerpoint quiz show to create question and answers on slide. I liked this assignment as it taught a variety of ways to create a quiz show presentation. This correlates with ISTE NETS*T standard #2 which uses digital age learning experiences and assessment for students.

Pecha Kucha & Ignite Presentation Styles

The Solar System

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I chose to do my presentation on the planets. The fifth grade science class that I collaborate in always does a unit on this topic. I will be able to incorporate this slideshare presentation into a lesson on planets. I found the slideshare website to be easy to use and was able to quickly upload the presentation.

This assignment correlates with the ISTE NETS*T standard numbers two and three in which the teacher demonstrates digital-age technology to help promote student learning and creativity.

Photostory

This is a photostory that I created for our latest assignment. It tells the story of a recent trip to Virginia Beach. I created this by using by using Microsoft Photostory. I found the program relatively simple to use and I experimented with different effects to add creativity to the story. When I finished, I saved the program as a .wmv file and was able to embed it into my blog.

This program would definitely interest my students and it could be used by them to create their own story and demonstrate some creativity and originality. It would meet several of the ISTE NETS*T standards such as facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity bu using digital-age technology. In addition, a teacher could use this resource to tell students a story which wold incorporate another standard of teacher use of technology to model digital-age learning.

One way I think this program could be integrated into the classroom would be for an educational field trip. Many students have their own cameras and could bring them on a field trip. They could take relevant photos of whatever they were studying and then integrate them into a story by using photostory. The students would enjoy this activity and keep the final project as a memory of the school year.

PowerPoint/Google Presentation

I chose to do a presentation on Order of Operations, an area that I often teach or review during math class. I kept the presentation simple because I want the students to focus on the material and I included some examples for each. This activity includes many of the ISTE NETS*T standards, including teachers using digital-age technology to creatively present material. It uses technology to help students learn creatively.

Jackson Pollock

This activity asks us to create a picture using a web site in the style of Jackson Pollock. Using the mouse, the web site creates pictures such as the one above. This activity incorporates the use of the print screen utility to be able to transfer the picture onto the blog. This is a useful tool that can be used in school for creativity as well as being able to save and transfer the image to another web site.
This activity incorporates the ISTE NETS #1 and #2. It inspires student creativity by promoting innovative thinking and inventiveness. It also uses a digital age learning experience to help promote student learning and creativity.

Self-Portrait

This activity asks us to create a self-portrait using a program called Mr. Picassohead. I played around with its features for a little while and then created a very raw self-portrait. The creativity that is called for in this activity incorporates the ISTE NETS #2 that uses a digital-age learning experience to promote student learning and creativity.

Photoshop Express

This activity asked us to digitally edit a picture. I signed up for a photoshop account, which was very easy, and then chose an image from my picasa photo album to edit. I chose a picture of a bear taken on a visit to the zoo a few weeks ago. I went through various options, changing the color and hue and also changing the contrast and brightness. The result can be seen above. I enjoyed this assignment and I think it will be useful to be able to edit photos that can be used in classroom presentations.
This activity incorporates the ISTE NETS #3 which states that a teacher demonstrates fluency in technology. The ability to digitally edit a picture would show students how a teacher incorporates technology in the classroom.

Web Album

This assignment asked us to create a web based photo album. I chose to use the picasa program found on google. Because I already had an email account, it was easy to get started. I chose to upload some pictures, mostly taken from a visit to the zoo a few weeks ago. The process was easy and I am glad that I have found a quick and reliable way to archive pictures that I can use for personal and professional uses. Check out my pictures.

Kids Zone

This activity asked us to use a graphing tool such as what is available at Kids Zone to create a graph comparing NAEP scores from 2003 - 2007 for West Virginia versus the national average. I am somewhat familiar with Kids Zone from using it for other classes but it was beneficial to revisit the site and remember the many tools that are available there.

The first graph compares West Virginia's NAEP reading scores for fourth grade to the national average for the years 2003, 2005, and 2007. This chart indicates the need for West Virginia to improve their reading education program. As indicated in 2003, West Virginia was above the national average in testing that measured their fourth graders' reading proficiency. In the subsequent years of 2005 and 2007, West Virginia's scores were below the national average. This drop-off of test scores is cause for concern for the state of West Virginia and needs to be addressed. One area that could help would be the addition of reading programs in elementary schools to help improve our students' reading proficiency. Of course this would require additional funding but it would be well worth it in improving West Virginia's reading proficiency against the national average.

The second graph compares West Virginia's NAEP reading scores for eighth grade to the national average for the years 2003, 2005, and 2007. This chart indicates the gradual reduction of West Virginia's 8th grade reading scores compared to the national average. In 2003, West Virginia was only one point beneath the national average in reading proficiency. In 2005, West Virginia slipped to five points below the national average. In 2007, the state was six points below the average. This is a major cause of concern and indicates that there is a need to look at how statewide funds are being used for reading programs. The state needs to re-evaluate the effectiveness of their reading programs and find ways to improve upon our students' reading ability. The state should look at programs that they were using leading up to 2003 when our test scores were consistent with the national average.

The source of this data was from the NAEP website.

Crappy Graphics

I really liked this website. It made making a line graph or venn diagram very easy. I practiced for a little while on creating graphs and then decided to create a venn diagram of a problem that our fifth grade students had during the school year. It involved the number of students taking various elective classes.

Image Capture

I was surprised that I could actually save a webpage and open it in Paint. This looks like it could be very useful in the classroom. Teachers could save pages and add details to it and then show it to their class.

The image capture I chose to use was an image from the D-Day invasion in 1944. I chose this because it was 65 years ago tomorrow that this world-changing event happened. I used the printscreen button and then pasted the page into Paint. I added a title and some arrows to the picture. I saved it as a jpg file (82kb) and created a link, D-Day.

Desktop Graphic

The desktop graphic assignment calls for a graphic to be created that could be used in a class that we teach. Because I teach Special Education, I am in many different classes. I did some brainstorming and though of a math and a reading graphic. I experimented with Windows Paint and became somewhat frustrated by not getting the rresults I wanted. Then I tried Microsoft Word, using the tools that are available for graphics. Although I had never used the graphic features on there before, I found them easy to use. It did not take near as long to develop a graphic as when I was using Paint. I chose to a reading graphic that we often use in class when reading stories. It helps the students organize the book that they are reading and helps with a summary. We call them graphic organizers in class. When you double-click on the file, it opens in Google Documents.

Reading #1 TPACK

Teaching in the twenty-first century requires the integration of new electronic technologies into the classroom. Teachers’ knowledge must include many areas that are crucial in helping students learn in today’s world. One critical area is subject matter content knowledge.
I teach special education and my restricted content area endorsement will be math. The major theme of math includes using problem solving strategies to determine the answer to a particular problem. Any mathematical problem may be solved by employing the steps of a problem solving strategy to systematically discover the answer.
My content area relies on specific processes in developing its key themes. The specific processes include using real world models to help students solve problems. As math is taught in a real world context, the problem solving steps that are used to develop answers become very important. The thought process that is used to discover answers becomes the basis to become proficient at mathematics.
Math is very dependent on the way you learn the subject. There is often different ways to come to the same conclusion, but the way that the teacher learned the material the best is often the way it is taught. I have realized that not all students learn the same way, so I have been working on ways to differentiate instruction. I can now see that the way the material is presented is often the difference between whether students understand or not. It is important to not give up and try to find new ways to meet the diverse learning needs of the class.
I think in terms of math as an integrated whole. The culmination of different mathematical problems all come together to solve even bigger, more complex problems. In addition, math can be tied into other content areas such as reading skills which are required in solving word problems.
My knowledge of mathematics represents an integration of problem solving ability along with being able to differentiate instruction to offer additional ways to look at a problem. Through learning the material myself, I am able to anticipate potential roadblocks that students may face when learning. Through this experience, I am able to integrate additional concepts into the material to help alleviate problems.

Resume Assignment

Hello Everyone,

I just completed Friday's assignment, check out my resume. This will definitely be useful in having my resume accessible through the web for any job hunting in the future.

Get A Blog

Hello everyone. This is my first posting for EDUC 6305. I am a second year special education teacher at Union Educational Complex in Mt. Storm, WV. I am working towards my Master's Degree in Special Education. I think I will enjoy this class because I am interested in computers and like to learn how to use new programs that will help me in teaching.