This was a fun thing to learn! It was great to be able to show students how to use the computer and accomplish a certain skill.
What I chose was showing students how to use the animation tool in their PowerPoint presentations.
I re-did the video 3 times. Jing is very user-friendly. You can re-do things after you review it to make sure you are creating the effect you want and making sure what you are showing is clear to the students.
I really wish I had a microphone on my computer. I wanted to be able to do a video on food webs and I was going to discuss them by using graphics and being able to point to different sections of the graphic.
This is a great tool for the classroom especially if you have students learning from home because they are ill or we have snow days.
Within the SAMR model, it appears that this ability to show a video online of what you are doing on your laptop is a transformation. I would consider it a modification. This is huge, but most students are used to using their own laptops. You are just able to show them your laptop and teach them how to do certain tasks.
Here is my video on animations in PowerPoint presentations:
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Jing Image
This was quite an amazing assignment! The tutorials were extremely helpful.
Her is my screencast image link:
Food Web
For the screencast image, I added the arrow. The texts are easy but you need enough room in the image for the text boxes. I could not figure out what the frame was and how it worked.
I am thinking that Jing is an enhancement technology that augments and improves function. Most images you download cannot be manipulated in any way. This lets you add to the image to a certain degree, but more importantly is how convenient it is to share the image.
I'm not sure if you can consider this a modification tool because the image is modified but the "task" itself is not really. The task in this case is copying an image and sharing it. We were able to do this with other programs. This just makes it easier and allows us to improve the task a bit.
Now I am going to try to embed the image and see if it works.
Her is my screencast image link:
Food Web
For the screencast image, I added the arrow. The texts are easy but you need enough room in the image for the text boxes. I could not figure out what the frame was and how it worked.
I am thinking that Jing is an enhancement technology that augments and improves function. Most images you download cannot be manipulated in any way. This lets you add to the image to a certain degree, but more importantly is how convenient it is to share the image.
I'm not sure if you can consider this a modification tool because the image is modified but the "task" itself is not really. The task in this case is copying an image and sharing it. We were able to do this with other programs. This just makes it easier and allows us to improve the task a bit.
Now I am going to try to embed the image and see if it works.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Numbers 1.2
This exercise was assigning letter grades to students' numerical scores.
The instructions and Excel help were very confusing.
Finally figured it out on my own by using the logical formula tab. It is neat to see it work after you enter the formula in just one cell.
However, I did notice that the grade given was not quite accurate because I did not round off on their numerical scores. One of the students had a score of 82.33. If I had rounded off, the numerical grade would have been 82 and the student would have received a C. Since I had not rounded off the grades, the formula gave the student a B in the class.
So I went back and rounded off their scores. I will try to upload the Spreadsheet on my blog. We'll see if I can do it!
If you click on the link for Numbers 1.1, you will go to my Google Drive. Click on the PhyllisMcBrideGrades2.xls to see the assignment.
The instructions and Excel help were very confusing.
Finally figured it out on my own by using the logical formula tab. It is neat to see it work after you enter the formula in just one cell.
However, I did notice that the grade given was not quite accurate because I did not round off on their numerical scores. One of the students had a score of 82.33. If I had rounded off, the numerical grade would have been 82 and the student would have received a C. Since I had not rounded off the grades, the formula gave the student a B in the class.
So I went back and rounded off their scores. I will try to upload the Spreadsheet on my blog. We'll see if I can do it!
If you click on the link for Numbers 1.1, you will go to my Google Drive. Click on the PhyllisMcBrideGrades2.xls to see the assignment.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Google Docs
I was able to upload my resume on Google Docs. They made it very easy! It was also easy to link it to my blob, but I had to do it twice because I saved it before hitting the link button.
My resume link is Resume Phyllis McBride
Learning to link a document and share it with everyone is pretty amazing. The only way we used to be able to share documents with others was through email and Blackboard. At least on Blackboard, you could allow anyone at Shenandoah to view the documents. But the cloud opens this up to potentially everyone on the planet!
I think this skill relates to standard 3a of the ISTE Nets T. Teachers need to show their knowledge and skills as "innovative professionals" in a global and digital society and also to transfer our current knowledge to new technologies.
E-portfolios for professionals is the future and it's here!
Standard 5 appears to relate to everything we are doing in this course. I am improving myself as a professional, participating in lifelong learning, and plan to promote and demonstrate these new skills to my future students and to their school system administrators.
The cloud idea is amazing really because it can be accessed from anywhere. You cannot take your desktop to a different computer.
This technology also allows you to share, either to a limited number of people or it allows you to allow the public to view your information. I do like the idea that we can open a dialog with others around the world.
My resume link is Resume Phyllis McBride
Learning to link a document and share it with everyone is pretty amazing. The only way we used to be able to share documents with others was through email and Blackboard. At least on Blackboard, you could allow anyone at Shenandoah to view the documents. But the cloud opens this up to potentially everyone on the planet!
I think this skill relates to standard 3a of the ISTE Nets T. Teachers need to show their knowledge and skills as "innovative professionals" in a global and digital society and also to transfer our current knowledge to new technologies.
E-portfolios for professionals is the future and it's here!
Standard 5 appears to relate to everything we are doing in this course. I am improving myself as a professional, participating in lifelong learning, and plan to promote and demonstrate these new skills to my future students and to their school system administrators.
The cloud idea is amazing really because it can be accessed from anywhere. You cannot take your desktop to a different computer.
This technology also allows you to share, either to a limited number of people or it allows you to allow the public to view your information. I do like the idea that we can open a dialog with others around the world.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Diigo
I am going to try to use diigo this weekend to search for information for a middle school science unit I have to do on ecosystems.
I still do not quite understand what the "Diigolet" is...
My browser is Firefox. For searching stuff, I prefer to use google over all the other search engines.
I enjoyed reading the article on using this site for students in the classroom. This would be a great tool to teach students how to research and understand science writings. It would help students going into science, technology, and engineering.
It is important to remember that teachers need to teach students how to have substantial conversations with their peers and this is best done by showing them appropriate examples.
If I were to use Diigo in the classroom, I would need to come up with a Tagging Language. I haven't come up with a tag language for my bookmarks yet.
I also really liked the roles a teacher can assign to the students for bookmarking and for the annotations. My only question would be, do you allow the students to choose who gets those roles by their interests and abilities, or do you rotate them to make sure they all get a taste of what is required in all the roles. It might make sense to do this in middle school and then, by high school, allow the teams to choose their own roles.
Social bookmarking - what a great idea! To be able to share with others your interests and save time in the process! I also love that this is a global idea. Would we be able to have our students share a dialogue with students in another country? If so, that would be eye-opening for them.
I have to work with the site to see if it really is a good way to store and organize my bookmarks. Right now, I have no way of organizing my favorites, so I look forward to being able to do so!
I still do not quite understand what the "Diigolet" is...
My browser is Firefox. For searching stuff, I prefer to use google over all the other search engines.
I enjoyed reading the article on using this site for students in the classroom. This would be a great tool to teach students how to research and understand science writings. It would help students going into science, technology, and engineering.
It is important to remember that teachers need to teach students how to have substantial conversations with their peers and this is best done by showing them appropriate examples.
If I were to use Diigo in the classroom, I would need to come up with a Tagging Language. I haven't come up with a tag language for my bookmarks yet.
I also really liked the roles a teacher can assign to the students for bookmarking and for the annotations. My only question would be, do you allow the students to choose who gets those roles by their interests and abilities, or do you rotate them to make sure they all get a taste of what is required in all the roles. It might make sense to do this in middle school and then, by high school, allow the teams to choose their own roles.
Social bookmarking - what a great idea! To be able to share with others your interests and save time in the process! I also love that this is a global idea. Would we be able to have our students share a dialogue with students in another country? If so, that would be eye-opening for them.
I have to work with the site to see if it really is a good way to store and organize my bookmarks. Right now, I have no way of organizing my favorites, so I look forward to being able to do so!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Numbers 1.1
Wow! I really enjoyed this assignment! The visuals were the most helpful. The exercise made me go through more of the menu options so I learned where a lot of things were.
I used the help button also. Nice to know it is there and I need to get used to this tool and just use it!
I saved it in the shared folder I created on the google drive, but I am not sure if you can access it or not. It's titled PhyllisMcBrideGrades1.
I used the help button also. Nice to know it is there and I need to get used to this tool and just use it!
I saved it in the shared folder I created on the google drive, but I am not sure if you can access it or not. It's titled PhyllisMcBrideGrades1.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Millennial Quiz
My result for the Millennial Quiz was 39. Below is the link to my result:
Millennial Quiz McBride
To tell you the truth, I am not certain what the results mean in relation to my teaching or student learning...tattoos or piercings or age for that matter. Being familiar with available technology and using it effectively to promote student learning should be every teacher's focus. Caring about each student as an individual and guiding them so they learn skills needed to survive in the world is every teacher's responsibility.
As to Frand's 10 characteristics of a millennial, here are my thoughts:
1. Computers aren't technology - meaning that if it's not new, it's not technology. I have to agree that most humans feel this way! I remember when they first came out with video cameras! It was amazing to me that we could record ourselves with sound and that future generations would be able to hear and see their ancestors. But that turned out to not be the case because the tapes did not last forever. Then they came out with CD's that would save the data for a longer period of time. Science Fiction comes alive!
2. Internet better than TV - I have to agree. It is interactive whereas TV is so passive. My mother used to call it the "idiot box". And that was in the 60's!
3. Reality no longer real - I do agree with this statement. We need to teach students to be careful about the information they see and use on the internet. I never would have thought that there would come a day when pictures and videos would no longer be admissible as evidence in a trial!
4. Doing rather than knowing - I see it every day in the working world. We need people that can think and use the knowledge they have or the knowledge they can find to solve problems. We need them to get around any roadblock and come up with a plan B! They will only learn this by doing!
5. Nintendo over logic - I agree that you need a balance between trial and error and "reading the manual." But experience tells me that reading the manual saves time.
6. Multitasking way of life - I saw this in my children's generation (they are in their early 30's) and I used to tell my son and daughter that I felt their multitasking was keeping them from observing the nuances of life. A movie director works painstakingly to get across a message through the performances of the actors. That includes their facial expressions at any given moment. The subtle looks and background information that tell part of the story. My kids would be looking at their computers or texting their friends and tell me they "saw" the movie. They didn't really see it or get it or learn from it because they didn't really FOCUS on it. They miss so much.
7. Typing rather than handwriting - Their are two reasons children need to learn to write. They need to be able to sign their name on legal documents and they need to be able to use a pencil and paper in case we are without electricity for an extended period of time.
8. Staying connected - I have to agree that staying connected with family and friends is a good thing. However, humans need to learn to like being alone with themselves and their own thoughts. They need to learn who they are and be comfortable with, and learn to "know their own mind." We used to call this "stopping to smell the flowers." Humans need to learn this skill, too.
9. Zero tolerance for delays - Humans are always impatient. This is no surprise to me. No matter how fast the internet is, we always expect it to be faster! I volunteer with the American Red Cross in Disaster Services. When a disaster occurs, it can take time to get help where it is needed because the reality is that roads are destroyed and impassable and rescue teams are stretched to the limit. But people think help should arrive as soon as they need it because it looks that way on TV. The real world has its own timeline...
10. Consumer/creator blurring - I see it and I am probably guilty of it. The internet does make us feel that if it's free, it's ours. We need to teach students to pay attention to this detail and give credit where credit is due.
So what is a millennial? We are a global community now and information is fast and accessible. If you are living now, you are a millennial.
My daughter is 32 years old. She took the quiz and got an 86!
Millennial Quiz McBride
To tell you the truth, I am not certain what the results mean in relation to my teaching or student learning...tattoos or piercings or age for that matter. Being familiar with available technology and using it effectively to promote student learning should be every teacher's focus. Caring about each student as an individual and guiding them so they learn skills needed to survive in the world is every teacher's responsibility.
As to Frand's 10 characteristics of a millennial, here are my thoughts:
1. Computers aren't technology - meaning that if it's not new, it's not technology. I have to agree that most humans feel this way! I remember when they first came out with video cameras! It was amazing to me that we could record ourselves with sound and that future generations would be able to hear and see their ancestors. But that turned out to not be the case because the tapes did not last forever. Then they came out with CD's that would save the data for a longer period of time. Science Fiction comes alive!
2. Internet better than TV - I have to agree. It is interactive whereas TV is so passive. My mother used to call it the "idiot box". And that was in the 60's!
3. Reality no longer real - I do agree with this statement. We need to teach students to be careful about the information they see and use on the internet. I never would have thought that there would come a day when pictures and videos would no longer be admissible as evidence in a trial!
4. Doing rather than knowing - I see it every day in the working world. We need people that can think and use the knowledge they have or the knowledge they can find to solve problems. We need them to get around any roadblock and come up with a plan B! They will only learn this by doing!
5. Nintendo over logic - I agree that you need a balance between trial and error and "reading the manual." But experience tells me that reading the manual saves time.
6. Multitasking way of life - I saw this in my children's generation (they are in their early 30's) and I used to tell my son and daughter that I felt their multitasking was keeping them from observing the nuances of life. A movie director works painstakingly to get across a message through the performances of the actors. That includes their facial expressions at any given moment. The subtle looks and background information that tell part of the story. My kids would be looking at their computers or texting their friends and tell me they "saw" the movie. They didn't really see it or get it or learn from it because they didn't really FOCUS on it. They miss so much.
7. Typing rather than handwriting - Their are two reasons children need to learn to write. They need to be able to sign their name on legal documents and they need to be able to use a pencil and paper in case we are without electricity for an extended period of time.
8. Staying connected - I have to agree that staying connected with family and friends is a good thing. However, humans need to learn to like being alone with themselves and their own thoughts. They need to learn who they are and be comfortable with, and learn to "know their own mind." We used to call this "stopping to smell the flowers." Humans need to learn this skill, too.
9. Zero tolerance for delays - Humans are always impatient. This is no surprise to me. No matter how fast the internet is, we always expect it to be faster! I volunteer with the American Red Cross in Disaster Services. When a disaster occurs, it can take time to get help where it is needed because the reality is that roads are destroyed and impassable and rescue teams are stretched to the limit. But people think help should arrive as soon as they need it because it looks that way on TV. The real world has its own timeline...
10. Consumer/creator blurring - I see it and I am probably guilty of it. The internet does make us feel that if it's free, it's ours. We need to teach students to pay attention to this detail and give credit where credit is due.
So what is a millennial? We are a global community now and information is fast and accessible. If you are living now, you are a millennial.
My daughter is 32 years old. She took the quiz and got an 86!
Thursday, January 15, 2015
SAMR model
The SAMR model is one way to look at how a new technology will impact student learning. When you are introduced to a new technology for your classroom, or you are looking at existing technologies but delving deeper into what they have to offer, ask yourself if the technology offers tools that enhance learning or does the technology transform learning.
Technology that enhances learning by replacing old technology but not changing what that technology can do is considered just a substitute technology. But a substitute that adds to what that technology can do is considered an augmentation technology.
Technology that transforms learning by allowing new goals to be attained by redesigning how the technology can be used is considered to be modification technology. But a technology that makes it possible to do things that have never been done before is considered to be redefinition technology.
Definitions:
enhance - to make greater in value or usefulness.
substitute - one that takes the place of another.
augment - to make greater in size or quantity; increase.
transform - to change in appearance or form.
redesign - to invent again.
redefine - to give new meaning to.
Technology that enhances learning by replacing old technology but not changing what that technology can do is considered just a substitute technology. But a substitute that adds to what that technology can do is considered an augmentation technology.
Technology that transforms learning by allowing new goals to be attained by redesigning how the technology can be used is considered to be modification technology. But a technology that makes it possible to do things that have never been done before is considered to be redefinition technology.
Definitions:
enhance - to make greater in value or usefulness.
substitute - one that takes the place of another.
augment - to make greater in size or quantity; increase.
transform - to change in appearance or form.
redesign - to invent again.
redefine - to give new meaning to.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Free Education Websites
I did look over the 50 or so websites that are free to educators but some of them look like they have a fee if you sign up for the year.
The only sites that were familiar to me were twitter, Pinterest, and Weebly. I have never used these myself, but have heard others who have and liked them.
I had signed in to ClassDojo, though I didn't remember doing so, which makes me think it was for one of my previous classes! The site is really for elementary school students.
I will be teaching middle school science so a few of the sites won't be suitable for me.
However, after looking over the list, I think I might use the following sites:
Thinglink - definitely makes the lesson eye-catching and interesting. You can add sounds and videos and notes to sections of a photo. I think it would help to keep the students engaged.
Kidblog - reading and writing in content area is being stressed now in the classroom. Instead of using a journal, a blog would be the way to go for many of these students.
Schoology - might use this. The fee is nominal but it looks very useful for creating lessons for students.
Animoto - would love to introduce this to the students for their projects. It's an online video maker.
Remind101- free text messaging for teachers to contact students and parents. Good idea.
LessonPix - you can search for sounds in words. This is good to know that this site exists, especially if I have a student that needs this resource to help them with vocabulary words.
Canva - this is a graphic design tool. Very important for students to learn - for the business world and for the academic world.
Photopeach - this is a site that creates a slideshow of pictures to music. Though I first thought of it as a personal thing, students might be able to use this in the classroom...
Haiku Deck - again - this is presentation software and an important skill for students to learn.
Read & Write for google would be a good site for students with learning disabilities.
Any of the sites that dealt with quizzes, tests, or exams did not impress me. I thought we were moving away from those types of assessments?
The only sites that were familiar to me were twitter, Pinterest, and Weebly. I have never used these myself, but have heard others who have and liked them.
I had signed in to ClassDojo, though I didn't remember doing so, which makes me think it was for one of my previous classes! The site is really for elementary school students.
I will be teaching middle school science so a few of the sites won't be suitable for me.
However, after looking over the list, I think I might use the following sites:
Thinglink - definitely makes the lesson eye-catching and interesting. You can add sounds and videos and notes to sections of a photo. I think it would help to keep the students engaged.
Kidblog - reading and writing in content area is being stressed now in the classroom. Instead of using a journal, a blog would be the way to go for many of these students.
Schoology - might use this. The fee is nominal but it looks very useful for creating lessons for students.
Animoto - would love to introduce this to the students for their projects. It's an online video maker.
Remind101- free text messaging for teachers to contact students and parents. Good idea.
LessonPix - you can search for sounds in words. This is good to know that this site exists, especially if I have a student that needs this resource to help them with vocabulary words.
Canva - this is a graphic design tool. Very important for students to learn - for the business world and for the academic world.
Photopeach - this is a site that creates a slideshow of pictures to music. Though I first thought of it as a personal thing, students might be able to use this in the classroom...
Haiku Deck - again - this is presentation software and an important skill for students to learn.
Read & Write for google would be a good site for students with learning disabilities.
Any of the sites that dealt with quizzes, tests, or exams did not impress me. I thought we were moving away from those types of assessments?
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
First Post!
This is my first post on my blog. I am not even sure if this is the right way to say it but I look forward to learning more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)