IT 365 Reflection

With every class there are things that students like and dislike. With IT 365 for the most part I enjoyed the class.  All the assignments were interesting and helpful. In the class, I learned how technology can add convenience to teachers’ classrooms. I would like to discuss the likes and dislikes of the assignments throughout the semester and how it will help me with my teaching career.

            I would first like to begin with the Concept Map assignment. To make our concept map we used Kidspiration and Inspiration programming. I enjoyed this project very much. It was a creative way to educate children. Teachers can use these programs to set up assignments for children and make visuals, like the concept map, for the students to see.This was a project I really understood and it was a strong point for me. My own project, I can keep and use later as a teacher.

            Second, I would like to discuss the Web tools assignment. I did enjoy how easy this assignment was and it was a strong point for me, but I did not like the Web tools very much. One of the main things I have heard over and over again is to try not to use worksheets and tests and that’s what the web tools was mostly about. I did like the rubric website. Rubrics can be used for just about any kind of project, so this website was very convenient.

            Third, I would like to discuss the Windows Movie Maker assignment. I really loved this assignment. Personally, I love home movies, pictures, and family reunions, so this assignment hit home. On a teaching note, this can be a very good way to document a field trip. Also, Windows Movie Maker could be a very good project used for middle school and high school students. It also could be used as more creative powerpoint.

            I would fourth like to discuss the Google Groups assignment. This assignment was under Google Docs. This assignment was a very good way for students to work together without actually being together. Students can work on projects like essays and slideshows together while not a school. Also, using Google Docs was completely free. Students that are not as well off can have the luxury of the document programs. One down fall is students must have access to the internet.

            Fifth, I would like to discuss the assignment of creating a website. Although setting up the website was aggravating to me, I do think a teacher having a website is a very good idea. I think I just need more practice and more time to explore what I need to do to make a great website. It is a very convenient way to keep parents up to date as a whole compared to sending several letters home, making several phone calls, or sending several emails. Parents can see upcoming assignments, leave messages, and see the teachers personal interests and accomplishments all in one place. This is an overall good idea for teachers to think about doing for their class.

            Sixth, I would like to discuss the Turn It In assignment. I really enjoyed finding out about this website. If I was an upper elementary, middle school, or high school teacher I would most definitely use this. Too often students over look plagiarizing and don’t think it is a big deal. This website can help eliminate that and make students realize how important plagiarizing is.

            Last I would like to discuss the Assistive Technology assignment. The assistive technology that I learned about was very interesting to me. I had no idea that for free on my own computer.  There is assistive technology that can help students see better and hear better that I used on my computer.

            In conclusion, I learned a lot from this class that I would use later in my teaching career. I did have trouble with some of the assignments. I did not always understand what I was suppose to do. I will probably use everything that I learned from this class to better my classroom when I become a teacher. 

Assistive Technology

After using assistive technology.

Before using assistive technology.

There are so many different kinds of assistive technology. Assistive technology relates to the NETs-T standard 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. There are many on your own computer that is free. You can find them by going to start, help and support, and accessibility. I would like to discuss contrast settings, the magnifier, and toggle keys. The 3 assistive technologies discussed will help students with vision problems and mobility disabilities.

            I would first like to discuss the contrast settings.  There are many of times teachers find pictures on a computer or a website pertaining to an activity they are learning. If a student has vision problems where certain colors make it hard to see the content then readjusting the contrast settings to contrast extra large scheme can help this situation.

            Next, I would like to discuss the magnifier. Another vision problem can be nearsightedness. The magnifier can be turned on through accessibility and where ever the cursor is on the screen it magnifies it. Students that have trouble seeing are able to read the content with less difficulty.

            Last, I would like to discuss the toggle keys. In today’s schools computers are used constantly. Some student may have a mobility disability. This may cause them to push important keys accidentally when they should not be pushed. If the toggle keys are turned on through accessibility, it locks those important keys. If they’re pushed the program on the computer will not be messed up.

            In conclusion, assistive technology is software used to help improve learning for students with disabilities. There are many more on your own computer then what was mentioned and tons that can be purchased and downloaded off websites. Assistive technology is a good way to help students with disabilities feel included in the learning environment. 

Turnitin.com

Turn It In

I had the opportunity to use the website TurnItIn. With technology growing, unfortunately plagiarism is growing also. This website detects plagiarism in a paper written. I plagiarized a paper on purpose to see how the website worked. My first paper came up to 96% plagiarized. So I went back and rewrote my paper in my own words and it only came up to be 3% plagiarized. I felt like this website was very accurate.

This website would be very beneficial for teachers to use. This can eliminate plagiarism with students, teachers, workers, etc. Also, the people plagiarizing can understand their consequences because they plagiarized. Turn It In relates to the 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources under the NETs-T standard. This standard states the importance of teaching students to use digital information correctly. Teachers need to be sure that students understand how plagiarism is unethical. Also, students need to understand that plagiarism can have major consequences and that it is illegal. In conclusion, the Turn It In program helps eliminate plagiarism and promotes the NETs-T standard.

Website

Ms. Gray's Kindergarten Classroom

This is my practice website for my classroom. I found this to be a very good resource for teachers. Since internet and technology are constantly growing, teachers making a website is a good and easy way to for teachers to relay important information to students and parents. Teachers can include contact information, class rules, upcoming events, assignments, personal information, and more. As said in the NETs-T standard 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats. Teacher making their own website helps teachers follow that standard. On the website, teachers could set it up as a possible way of communication. Instead of using email or phone, parents could write the teacher a message through the website if set up properly. Also by using a website, it encourages parents and guardians to be more involved with technology. Often the elder generations are not as technology involved as the younger generations. If parents know this technology is to better their child's education they will be more likely to use it. Parents being involved also relates to the same NETs-T standard as previously mentioned.

Google Groups

To make my power point and my groups story we used Google Docs. I really enjoyed using Google Docs. It provided a way for me to create documents like you would in Microsoft Word without having the worry of  paying a big price to get Microsoft Word. Google Docs is completely free. It also lets people work together in a group on one document. By working together I believe this project connects to 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools

and resources to support student success and innovation under the NETs-T standards. Also with Google Docs, you can actually watch another person in your group make the changes right in front of your eyes.

This software would be very useful in the classroom. Not all schools can afford Microsoft Word or other commercial product for their computers. Schools' document products may not always be up to date. Google Docs can solve that problem. All that is needed is the internet. This also helps solve the problem for families of the students that are income restricted. Even if the family does not have a computer, if the student can get access to any computer, they log on to Google Docs and their work will be there. 

Landen's First Birthday

My video is my little boy Landen's first birthday. I chose his birthday because it is very important part of my life and his. I chose the song "Never Gonna Be Alone" by Nickleback. Since Landen was still in my belly that was my song to him. This is always something our family can go back to for great memories, family reunions, graduations, or just to see how our once little boy has grown up so much. 

The software used for this project is Windows Movie Maker. There are several ways that this software could be used in the classroom. For example, if the students are going on a class trip the teacher or parents could take pictures and put them into Windows Movie Maker and make a movie for the students to reflect on later on. Also, teachers could make this a project for older students. I believe this project also relates to 1. Facilitate Student Learning and Creativity a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness under the National Educational Technology for Teachers. This project promotes creativity and individuality through technology. This could be a fancier powerpoint. It could also be used just as a creativity project.

Web tools

I believe all the web tools were very easy to use and a good resource for teachers. I would like to talk about each in more detail and how I would use it in my classroom. These activities relates to the NETs-T standards under 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats.

Rubric

I found this as a very useful tool. This rubric took me about 15 minutes to make and can be a very good resource for the teacher and student. The students can use it as a checklist when doing a project or assignment and also the students will know what to expect in their project. The rubric is a very easy way for teacher to grade project or assignment. All they need to do is go down the rubric list. Also if the students are doing a presentation the teacher can easily go down the list as they are presenting.

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

Quiz

For the assignment I made my quiz on gymnastics, which I will never use that in my class unless I'm teaching a class about gymnastics. Nevertheless, the quiz website allows you make a quiz about anything. You have the option of multiple choice, true/false, and fill in the blank. Of course, the teacher will have to grade the fill in the blank on their own because you can not make an answer key for that. This website was a good resource for if you would like to make a long test or just a small quiz. Also, if you the teacher has their questions in mind it's easy to make a pop quiz a last second, while still having a professional look to your test.

http://www.classmarker.com/

Worksheet

The worksheets website has many worksheets already made for the teacher. The teacher can search the subject she is looking for and topic. It was very good website for a last minute worksheet. The teacher just searches and prints. In my teaching future I will probably use this website for homework and class worksheet activities. Also, if the teacher knows that there will be a substitute this will be an easy way to have the students be busy while your gone.

http://www.abcteach.com

Puzzle

I enjoyed the puzzle maker website probably the most. Puzzles are a fun way to practice spelling words. I made a word find about animals. So this is an easy way to have a worksheet to match thematic units.

http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/

 

Concept Map: Weather

After making the concept map, I found it a very fun and creative project. I like how you can use pictures to describe your topic. You can make your concept map as creative as you want! It gives students a chance to be creative and find out information on a topic at the same time. I think this assignment would work well with a variety of grades and a variety of topics. The higher the grade the more detailed it can be. Also, you can use the kidspiration program, where you make the concept map, for lower grade activities. The concept maps are also good for teachers to use. This way children have a creative way to learn. This project relates to National Education Technology for Teachers. This activity would be under 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity A. a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness and also c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. The concept map is an easy creative way to make a visual aid for students to follow when you are teaching a lesson. In conclusion, in my class I will most likely use kidspiration and concept maps in my lessons.

National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T)

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning

and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter,
teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate
experiences that advance student learning,
creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face
and virtual environments.

a. Promote, support, and model creative
and innovative thinking and inventiveness
Note: I love seeing this! Being creative is overlooked, I think, in the classroom sometimes.
b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues
and solving authentic problems using digital tools
and resources
Note: I think this is good to teach them why they would use technology in the real world.
c. Promote student reflection using collaborative
tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual
understanding and thinking, planning, and
creative processes
d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by
engaging in learning with students, colleagues,
and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning

Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic
learning experiences and assessment incorporating
contemporary tools and resources to maximize content
learning in context and to develop the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that
incorporate digital tools and resources to promote
student learning and creativity
b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments
that enable all students to pursue their individual
curiosities and become active participants in setting
their own educational goals, managing their own
learning, and assessing their own progress
Note: This makes since, they feel like they have control.
c. Customize and personalize learning activities
to address students’ diverse learning styles,
working strategies, and abilities using digital tools
and resources
Note: I like how it becomes personal. It's special for that student.
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative
and summative assessments aligned with content
and technology standards and use resulting data
to inform learning and teaching

3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work
processes representative of an innovative professional
in a global and digital society.

a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the
transfer of current knowledge to new technologies
and situations
b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents,
and community members using digital tools
and resources to support student success
and innovation
Note: Working together to help the students.
c. Communicate relevant information and ideas
effectively to students, parents, and peers using
a variety of digital age media and formats
d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and
emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate,
and use information resources to support research
and learning
Effective teachers model and apply the NETS·S as they design, implement, and
assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich
professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and
the community. All teachers should meet the following standards and performance
indicators.
iste.org/nets

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship

and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal
issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital
culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in
their professional practices.

a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical
use of digital information and technology, including
respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the
appropriate documentation of sources
Note: Very important! Plagiarism is not okay.
b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using
learner-centered strategies providing equitable access
to appropriate digital tools and resources
c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible
social interactions related to the use of technology
and information
d. Develop and model cultural understanding and
global awareness by engaging with colleagues
and students of other cultures using digital age
communication and collaboration tools

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional
practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit
leadership in their school and professional
community by promoting and demonstrating
the effective use of digital tools and resources.

a. Participate in local and global learning communities
to explore creative applications of technology to
improve student learning
Note: I believe this will help with what's new to come.
b. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of
technology infusion, participating in shared decision
making and community building, and developing the
leadership and technology skills of others
c. Evaluate and reflect on current research and
professional practice on a regular basis to make
effective use of existing and emerging digital tools
and resources in support of student learning
d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self renewal
of the teaching profession and of their
school and community

Introduction

My name is Lynsie Gray and I am 22 years old. I have a fiance named J.C. Wolfe and a little boy name Landen Wolfe. My major is in Elementary Education. I hope to get my masters degree to become a gifted teacher. I work at Lanier's Gymnastics. I have been in the gymnastics world since I was 4 and still there today. Coaching is what made me decide to become a teacher. My technology background isn't too broad, a lot of what I know is getting on the computer and exploring. When I was in middle school I took a computer class that taught me how to type and also taught me the basics of Microsoft. In high school, I took a couple of computer classes that followed the same guidelines as the one in middle school. Today, a person needs to know the basics of a lot of technology to just get through the day. Putting technology in the classroom is going to be very beneficial to the school systems. I do not believe a computer should be right in front of them, that's just way too tempting to wonder off of their work. I do believe that software programs and the web can be very beneficial to them.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics
http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/computer-basics.html
http://tech.tln.lib.mi.us/tutor/
http://www.ctdlc.org/remediation/
http://publiclibrary.cc/computerinternettutorial.htm