Monday, October 12, 2015
Web 2.0 Tools
Web 2.0 technologies that are useful in classroom include Youtube and classroom blogs. Youtube allows teachers to access videos related to the content and blogs allows interaction outside the classroom to take place. In order to effectively use these tools, teachers need equipment that can keep their students safe while engaging with them. For example, a classroom set-up that links the teacher's monitor with all the computer monitors of the students should be beneficial. The teacher would be able to observe the sites and webpages each student is accessing while using these tools.
Diigo is a Web 2.0 tool that can be very useful in the classroom setting. Diigo allows multiple users to directly annotate webpages as they simultaneously browse the page. Such a tool would prove to exceptional in a reading class. Students would have the opportunity to read text together while making notes and viewing notes made by others. This technology would promote and enhance the learning experience.
With Diigo you can archive pages, save your own personal library, and place sticky notes on any of your saved web pages. Such technology is what newer generations look to gravitate to, so putting this inside the classroom would be completely beneficial. Diigo comes with a free version that all students can access with no cost to them. There are more advanced versions of Diigo, however, they are more expensive. https://www.diigo.com/
After completing the Concept Map assignment, I have gained familiarity with the Inspiration program. Prior to the assignment, I had no knowledge of Inspiration, however, I now know to use it. I liked that I was able create any type of concept map I felt would best fit the information presented. This gave me freedom in the placement of certain information on the concept map. I could have added more features to the design aspect of the map to add to its aesthetic value.
Diigo is a Web 2.0 tool that can be very useful in the classroom setting. Diigo allows multiple users to directly annotate webpages as they simultaneously browse the page. Such a tool would prove to exceptional in a reading class. Students would have the opportunity to read text together while making notes and viewing notes made by others. This technology would promote and enhance the learning experience.
With Diigo you can archive pages, save your own personal library, and place sticky notes on any of your saved web pages. Such technology is what newer generations look to gravitate to, so putting this inside the classroom would be completely beneficial. Diigo comes with a free version that all students can access with no cost to them. There are more advanced versions of Diigo, however, they are more expensive. https://www.diigo.com/
After completing the Concept Map assignment, I have gained familiarity with the Inspiration program. Prior to the assignment, I had no knowledge of Inspiration, however, I now know to use it. I liked that I was able create any type of concept map I felt would best fit the information presented. This gave me freedom in the placement of certain information on the concept map. I could have added more features to the design aspect of the map to add to its aesthetic value.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Web Hunt Challenges
- Locate a picture of a hot air balloon that is available for public use
- Find a website that can help develop your students typing skills
Blog Post 4
SS.912.G.1:Understand how to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technology to report information. The tool I will use to help my students understand this standard is http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/maps. This tool will enable me to pull up various types maps of the world that represent specific information that the students must report. After practicing with this online tool for some time, my students will come to the mastery of ss.912.G.1.
The Internet is extremely useful when it supporting student research. It allows students to access information from times past to present from all over the world. However, information found on the Internet is only useful if it is coming from a credible source. Using information from sources that have no established credibility is dangerous because their information could be totally incorrect or overwhelmingly biased. Therefore, it is important to look for the writers of your potential sources to be sure they are experts in their field.
In past, I typically just typed in the topic I was writing on in the Google search engine, and simply clicked the first result I got and used it as a source. Furthermore, I rarely evaluated the validity of the source, because I was never taught to do so. Now, I aware that I can use Google Scholar to search for scholarly articles that tend to be more credible. From the Podcast, I learned that I should make sure the site I plan to use as a source is visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and current. These are things I never previously did, however, now I will.
After completing the Web Hunt assignment I feel I am better equipped to search the web more effectively. Learning the roles of (-) and (+) really helps in finding exactly what I am looking for using Google. The most surprising aspect of the assignment was probably how easy it was to find an article using Google Scholar. Navigating the Internet with all the shortcuts and precision tools I have learned will make my Google searches even faster than they already are.
The Internet is extremely useful when it supporting student research. It allows students to access information from times past to present from all over the world. However, information found on the Internet is only useful if it is coming from a credible source. Using information from sources that have no established credibility is dangerous because their information could be totally incorrect or overwhelmingly biased. Therefore, it is important to look for the writers of your potential sources to be sure they are experts in their field.
In past, I typically just typed in the topic I was writing on in the Google search engine, and simply clicked the first result I got and used it as a source. Furthermore, I rarely evaluated the validity of the source, because I was never taught to do so. Now, I aware that I can use Google Scholar to search for scholarly articles that tend to be more credible. From the Podcast, I learned that I should make sure the site I plan to use as a source is visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and current. These are things I never previously did, however, now I will.
After completing the Web Hunt assignment I feel I am better equipped to search the web more effectively. Learning the roles of (-) and (+) really helps in finding exactly what I am looking for using Google. The most surprising aspect of the assignment was probably how easy it was to find an article using Google Scholar. Navigating the Internet with all the shortcuts and precision tools I have learned will make my Google searches even faster than they already are.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Visual Critique, Digital Citizenship, Newsletter
In this post, I get to critique one of my favorite websites of all time, nationalgeographic.com. At first look, the website seems like a collage of articles, pictures, and videos. To some extent this is true, however, the website is a lot more user-friendly than it might seem. Tabs located directly at the top of the home screen make it easy to find specific categories. I appreciate the fact that the website is not as striking as it could be, considering it deals with national geography. Instead, it is highlighted by pictures of animals presented on a neutral, yet aesthetically pleasing background. If I could change anything about this website, I would consider to decrease the amount of media held within the site. Such an enormous amount of media makes it difficult for each page to load quickly. I cannot be too upset with the amount of media encompassed in the website because I understand that it is national geography, and perhaps a large amount is necessary.
Once I enter the classroom, I plan to incorporate the use of Microsoft PowerPoint and Youtube on a daily basis(or every other day) if possible. As a teacher, I will look to limit the necessity of some forms of technology outside of the classroom because I understand that not all individuals have access to the same technologies. Therefore, my students will not need to be concerned about the issues of digital communication or digital commerce for example. Perhaps the only concept of digital citizenship I will need to address is digital literacy. Teaching them how to use different programs and software will be vital to their future success. I plan on teaching high school students(older teenagers) therefore, they should have the capacity to learn how to operate Youtube and PowerPoint, especially in today's age.
After completing the Newsletter Design assignment, I feel I have become more creative in using Microsoft Word. I used to believe Word was just a basic word processor, however, I learned that it has more advanced functions thought I had no knowledge of. I liked that we were required to shade at least one section. Shading can provide a little color to a basic, boring document. I cannot identify a specific aspect of the assignment that I did not like.
Once I enter the classroom, I plan to incorporate the use of Microsoft PowerPoint and Youtube on a daily basis(or every other day) if possible. As a teacher, I will look to limit the necessity of some forms of technology outside of the classroom because I understand that not all individuals have access to the same technologies. Therefore, my students will not need to be concerned about the issues of digital communication or digital commerce for example. Perhaps the only concept of digital citizenship I will need to address is digital literacy. Teaching them how to use different programs and software will be vital to their future success. I plan on teaching high school students(older teenagers) therefore, they should have the capacity to learn how to operate Youtube and PowerPoint, especially in today's age.
After completing the Newsletter Design assignment, I feel I have become more creative in using Microsoft Word. I used to believe Word was just a basic word processor, however, I learned that it has more advanced functions thought I had no knowledge of. I liked that we were required to shade at least one section. Shading can provide a little color to a basic, boring document. I cannot identify a specific aspect of the assignment that I did not like.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Technology in the Classroom
In today's era of technology, it is essential that computers are incorporated into the classroom. Computers enable users to quickly gather information through all kinds of mediums(articles, podcasts, etc), a useful ability that should be adapted into classrooms. In addition, computers offer an alternative source of knowledge outside a teacher's expertise. Although computers bring large advantages to classrooms, not all schools have access to this resource. Every educational institution have priorities that are affected by economic resources, and technology is one of them. Perhaps the most critical aspect of the incorporation of technology in classroom is its economic cost because it directly affects budget, a priority some officials hold higher than education itself.
The most prevalent way I plan to use technology in my classroom is as a teaching aid. Instead of catering only to auditory learners through spoken lecture, I plan to use PowerPoint Presentations to accompany my lecture. This form of lecture will allow me to accommodate visual and auditory learners. I hope to learn how to include all or most learning styles in my methods of teaching, especially with the aid of technology.
According to the podcast, a digital native is "a person who has grown up knowing technology", a definition I am comfortable agreeing with. In the past, I have experienced differences in how my past teachers(digital immigrants) and I(digital native) use technology, or do not use it. Just two years ago, my history teacher gave all her students a forewarning on the first day of class. She informed us that she would not be using PowerPoint or any technological aids in the classroom, just her voice and notes sufficient for lecture. This made learning in her class difficult for students who were not primarily auditory learners. When I become a teacher, I do feel that there will be differences with my students on how to use technology. Technology comes with its innate duty to change and progress, and not growing up with new technologies makes it difficult to put them in use.
The most prevalent way I plan to use technology in my classroom is as a teaching aid. Instead of catering only to auditory learners through spoken lecture, I plan to use PowerPoint Presentations to accompany my lecture. This form of lecture will allow me to accommodate visual and auditory learners. I hope to learn how to include all or most learning styles in my methods of teaching, especially with the aid of technology.
According to the podcast, a digital native is "a person who has grown up knowing technology", a definition I am comfortable agreeing with. In the past, I have experienced differences in how my past teachers(digital immigrants) and I(digital native) use technology, or do not use it. Just two years ago, my history teacher gave all her students a forewarning on the first day of class. She informed us that she would not be using PowerPoint or any technological aids in the classroom, just her voice and notes sufficient for lecture. This made learning in her class difficult for students who were not primarily auditory learners. When I become a teacher, I do feel that there will be differences with my students on how to use technology. Technology comes with its innate duty to change and progress, and not growing up with new technologies makes it difficult to put them in use.
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