Thursday, April 29, 2010

Excel Month Crossword (NETS 3)



This unique excel crossword was made on excel. The instructions for how to make the crossword puzzle were given in a instructional video off the Atomic Learning site. I used the instructions but created my own original cross word puzzle which is show above.

Wiki Textorizer Page (NETS 5)



My wiki page was made using Wet Paint. I found the tool off the cool tools for school website. Through reading through the information on the site I was able to answer the response questions and make and example to show for those who went on the site on wiki for the textorizer tool.

Inspiration NETS for Teachers (NETS 1)




This organizational flow chart was made using the Inspiration software. This chart helped me to plan ahead and organize my artifacts so that I could write the remaining Task Stream Narratives.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Hate Crime Public Service Announcement (NETS 3)

This PSA was created using I-movie software and was in response to the hate crimes that had occured on the CSUSM campus.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Internet Safety (NETS 4)

JCCS Internet Safety

This collaboration artifact was put together on google docs amongst myself and 5 other peers.  We visited the JCCS internet site and did one of the weekly assignments which are shown and reflected upon above.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Journal 9: Playing with Skype (NETS 5)

Weller. T. (2010). Playing with Skype. L&L Publications, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd=
This article was focused on a particular way that this author found Skype being used. A group of music teachers were trying to find how they could best educate not only their own students on the background of the composers but also the audience at their performances. They used Skype and conference directly with the composers of each of the songs that they were learning and going to perform. This helped the students become more educated around why and how the composer composed this song. Many of the people they mentioned in the article said that the Skype program was very easy to install and use for those who have had no previous knowledge on how to use it. Overall they found success incorporating this program into their music programs and were able to find money to easily fund its continuation.

What other ways could Skype is used in other subject areas in the classroom? Some of the ideas that I came up with were using Skype possibly in a language learning subject class such as Spanish. The children could web chat with other kids their age in Spain and get hands on interaction with the language. I also thought of possibly using Skype in the science class in which the students could see live web experiments as it pertains to the science lessons they are learning.

Do you think Skype is a good idea to use in the classroom especially during these tight budget times? Yes, I believe that Skype would actually save more money in the long run. For example instead of spending money to send the music students to a museum or an arts student to a show they could get a live web feed of the information and venue without all the cost of fees and transportation.

Journal 8: Navigate the Digital Rapids (NETS 4)

Lindsey. J., & Davis., V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. L&L Publications, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm
This article main theme was to show how important it is that teachers and schools know how to not only properly understand copyrighting information but also how to properly use the new technologies that have developed. Teachers need to know how these new programs work and why they are important so that they can use them to best connect the students to the technologies main purpose. The author refers to “flat classroom projects” as projects in which schools teachers are able to monitor students use of these new technologies. This monitoring teaches them not just how to use these technologies but also the rules and guidelines that surrounds these new tools. One example the author’s using is teaching them to show students how to use appropriate language and images when using online digital tools. The main program these projects are focused on our social networking and collaboration tools. The author uses the analogy of navigating rapids to show that although the journey might be rocky and difficult in the end the final reward will be so worth it.

Why are programs likes “flat classroom projects” so important to schools trying to incorporate these new tools? These programs are important because they help not only properly educate the teachers of online digital citizenship and etiquette but also help promote safe and right use for students. I also think that this programs will be beneficial because not only are the teachers allowed to hold students accountable for mis use of the programs but their own peers can also point them out to them.

Would it also be beneficial to promote programs like these among faculty and teachers? I think that projects like the one mentioned in this article might also help teachers and faculty be held accountable for their online citizenship and how they portray themselves online. This might help also promote a sense of check and balance among the entire school campus.

Journal 7: Beginners guide to interactive Virtual Field Trips (NETS 2)

Zanetis. J. (2010). Beginners guide to interacting virtual field trips. L&L Publications, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
This article was centered on the process and idea of interactive virtual field trips. During this article the author discussed the different forms of virtual field trips as well as how someone could find them and access them. The two types of virtual field trips discussed were interactive and Asynchronous. Asynchronous virtual field trips are not live feeds but contain videos and sites where you can see videos and tours of the museums and so forth. One of the sites listed was efieldtrips.org. Interactive virtual field trips on the other hand are real time life feeds. These virtual field trips usually take place over video conferencing technology and can be connected to museums, offices and a variety of other places. This allows students to have a firsthand look and tour of these educational places and allows them to ask questions to the coordinators if they arise, thus allowing them to interact one on one with the tour guide. The author recommends the best way to get started is to find out if your school has video conferencing capabilities then simply find what educational institutions and museums offer such video virtual tours.

How can this be used in the classroom? This can be used in the classroom in a variety of ways. A teacher can do virtual tours of a museum to learn about history or even see a scientist do an experiment if the resources are not readily available at that school. Using these virtual tools one won’t have to find transportation, time, and money sending the children to these actual venues. With cuts in budgets this seems to be a very beneficial alternative idea.

How could these virtual field trips be transformed to work with all abilities of students? One idea that I thought of is trying to see what venues could do hearing impaired virtual tours possibly in sign language. This would help those students who were hearing impaired or special needs. Other transformations and add on to the technology might also help those who might have sight or learning disabilities.