Assessing Meaningful Learning With Technology and Inspiration/Kidspiration

The first tool would have to be the rubrics that help you to grade accordingly. The many rubrics are set up to where you can select them by different subjects, such as reading math and etc. This is a website that helps with accessing different lesson according to performance on certain activities. I would defiantly use this in order to help with selecting different important traits that I should be accessing my students on. I believe that the clickers are a great way to communicate with your students, parents and peers. It allows you receive immediate feedback so you can adjust the instructions if necessary. I think this is perfect because it really helps a begging teacher who is in doubt about the instruction she or he may be providing. It can be a good thing or a bad thing based on if the comments are hurtful or really helpful. Over all the teacher should worry if it’s either or, but as longs as the comments allows the teacher to teach the students to their utmost.

I have really learned an abundant of information that I never thought I would learn from taking this class! What I like most is that the work was doable and not based off a book! The work given has allowed me to see it and then take it and apply it to what you may do in your future. I am so excited that I now know a way to have my own website that will be free and allow my students to go and communicate or either see what they may need help with. When entering this class that was really one of my key goals that I was hoping to accomplish during this class. Also I’m actually glad we had a chance to use blogs because it really gave me a lot of ideas on how I could use them and also make them interesting for my students when doing math. My students will have a chance to see how all subjects can be learned together and how it also can be done by using simple technology.

Technology Application Standards

The TEKS that I have decided to use were for math Grade 6. These are some of the TEKS that I could really see a lot of technology being used to make sure they were taught and understood. The TEKS I would use are as follows: Geometry and spatial reasoning the student uses geometric vocabulary to describe angles, polygons, and circles. The student is expected to: (A) use angle measurements to classify angles as acute, obtuse, or right. With these TEKS I can see my students really getting a chance to use geometry sketch pad and actually get a lot of discovery learning while completing their lessons. I would also have them to type up their discoveries including the sketches they were able to create with different examples of how it may be used in the really world and where they may see it. My students will also be required to include the TEKS so they are sure on what they are learning and also can go home and give their parents correct information on what was learned during school.

 Other TEKS that may be used include: (10) Probability and statistics. The student uses statistical representations to analyze data. The student is expected to: (A) select and use an appropriate representation for presenting and displaying different graphical representations of the same data including line plot, line graph, bar graph, and stem and leaf plot; (B) identify mean (using concrete objects and pictorial models), median, mode, and range of a set of data; (C) sketch circle graphs to display data; and (D) solve problems by collecting, organizing, displaying, and interpreting data. With these TEKS the students are able to complete assignment while making graphs using excel and also making tables while doing so. This gives them a chance to make their work neat and also be able to use technology and check their math.  I would implement this kind of technology when my students use graphs and tables. I would also use this TEKS for technology as such as graphing calculators. When using the TEKS I would always post them on the bored and go over them. Once I have given the TEKS to my students I would have them to write them down so after we have went over the lesson they are able to see what they have really learned and how it corresponds with the use of technology.

The most important TEKS would be the following: Number, operation, and quantitative reasoning. The student adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides to solve problems and justify solutions. The student is expected to: (A)  model addition and subtraction situations involving fractions with objects, pictures, words, and numbers;(B)  use addition and subtraction to solve problems involving fractions and decimals;(C)  use multiplication and division of whole numbers to solve problems including situations involving equivalent ratios and rates. The reasons why I believe it to be the most important would be because it out of everything you learn these are the basics to be the fundamental s of math. This TEKS are thing that allow you to be able to complete the harder lesson in math. They also are the TEKS that you are most likely to use in the future. Without these basics there is no way you could live in society. You want your students to be able to do anything that will have them to live day to day productive lives. Those are the things that we really strive for as teachers for our students and with my students being well equipped with the TEKS I know that they will be all right in the future.

Visualizing with Technologies

Visualizing with Technologies is a great way to expand learning. I believe all students should be able to learn as much as possible in as many ways that could be possible given. Being that technology is very important key of today’s living, students should be able to visualize different things with technology. I know as a future teacher to see may students develop different skills while just visualizing will do nothing but make me proud and also help them to realize that there are plenty ways to learn.  I love that Discovery Education Streaming (United Streaming) and Safari Montage are resources that can help teachers with coming up with different lessons and ideas that will allow them to make sure students are learning by visualizing with technology. Being that I will be a mathematics teacher the sketch pad for geometry will help students to actually see different angles and why they may be certain degrees.  It can also help with developing different geometry proofs that really shows that there is a lot of visualizing being done to help with new discoveries. The impact that this skill has on our student’s is that it allows them to be able to make discoveries and also become well equip in concrete thinking. Learning as such helps students to clarify difficult things that may need a understanding and abstract concepts, making them more comprehensible. It also helps visualizes and verbalizers to reason and represent ideas visually without the artistic skills required them to produce original illustrations.

Citation:Cunningham.S.(Unknown).Visualizing Technologies. Retrived on November 12, 2011 from: http://online.tamuc.org/re/DotNextLaunch.asp courseid=5689368&userid=5046800&sessionid

Designing with Technologies

Computer aided design basically is the process of drafting while on the computer. The process includes drafting documentation and manufacturing in form of electronic files. Legos are just blocks that are also used to design different things. These days they actually have it online where you are able to play with them/ design while on a computer. Musical Sketch Pad is the same where it allows you to make music while on the computer. It allows you to compose a piece that will eventually be a great music piece. There are other designing types of technology for example geometry sketch pad allows you to learn and build different geometric shapes while learning different information about what you may have created. They all come to a point to where they are allowing you to design and come up with some type of new discovery. You are learning through your own findings and this is considered to be the best type of learning. This is the best because when you discover something you are more likely not to forget and also have made a difference in the art of designing while learning. I can’t wait to incorporate this type of learning into my lesson. I have always thought this was the best way for children to learn. Designing with technology is not only something allows children to learn but they can also have fun.

CitationCreating your own music.(2011).Creating Music.com. Retrived on October 31, 2011 from: http://creatingmusic.com

Podcasting

I have learned a lot of information about pod cast that I had no clue of. Podcast are shows that are recorded and can be listened to for your enjoyment. You can even go online and listen to shows that have been missed. A majority of the podcast are free and some must be paid for. You do not need a broadcaster or anything to create your own pod cast. All you need is a camcorder computer and a web connection. There are plenty of sites that let you upload them to subscribers for free. Once there online you can listen to them on a computer or even down load them onto an iPod or MP3 player so you can listen to them anywhere. I would use this in my classroom for teaching lessons and putting them online for students to maybe go back and review what was taught. You also can make podcast to show your parents what and how you are teaching your students.

Podcast or similar to web 2.0 applications based on individuals being able to listen to your podcast online just like you can show any of the 2.0 applications to anyone online. Just like voice thread you can view sound to your audience and also have a place where you can get feedback or comments from others. With bookmarking you can place your favorite web URLS in groups in which you want to categorize them. With podcast you can also save them and move them about your page as needed. You also can view any of these applications including the podcast on any computer. You do not have to be on one computer to see any of them but in difference you may be only allowed to download certain podcast on one computer. The difference between the pod cast and the 2.0 applications is you can put the podcast on mp3 and iPods and you can’t do that with any of the other applications.

I am IPod owner and I absolutely love it! I carry it every day with me and listen to music that I have downloaded on it. I also have it to where I can receive videos and podcast. I have never used podcasting because I never knew what it was and I thought it might have been very expensive to use. Now that I know what podcasting is, I will be working on recording lesson for my classroom. Students will be able to down load them for free and go back over information they may not have understood or maybe need a little more help on. That way they can carry school along with them and watch some of the lesson they have learned and review. This is also a way for parents to listen to what their children are learning while in class and also how much it will help when their children need help. They may can listen and learn from the podcast and also be able to help their children with their lessons.

Citations

Ueland, Sig. (2011). 25 Podcasting Tools and Resources. Retrived October 26, 2011 from http://online.tamuc.org/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid=5689368&userid=5046800&sessionid...

Web 2.0 Tools

      For beginners, I never had heard of any of the Web 2.0 applications until today’s lesson.  The wiki is a great site that can be used when completing anything that is done with a group. It’s good for activities in class, and also out of class. I would definitely use it for online classes that require you to complete group assignments. I was thinking of how easy it is because when you send emails back and forth they seem to get lost sometimes. The wiki insures that the group can make adjustments to anything that they do or don’t agree on when completing certain things.

       The social bookmarking is also great when you need to find websites. You can have your the websites needed from any computer you are working on. Also it gives access to others who may be interested in some of your favorite websites. I think this is great for teachers when needing to collaborate on different lesson plans. The voice thread is a great way to conduct online class. You can send your students pictures with the voice on what you may want them to know and learn. I would start an account and have my students to log on to show their parents different notes and homework I may want them to work on. I also would give them a chance to present their different work to me through voice thread. This gives them a chance to use technology and also gain something new for them to use in their future.

Citation

Teaching Effectiveness Program. (2006). Wikis In Education and other tools for Collaborative Writing. Retrieved October 10, 2011 from http://tep.uoregon.edu/shared/blogswikispodcasts/WikisBiblio.pdf

Copyright, Fair Use & Online Safety

I learned a great deal of information from the copyright and fair use policy. First off,  the policy was very easy to read and understand and I really enjoy the way the author of the article displayed the information. The article mentions that if you use material, use it for a small audience and not for the entire neighborhood. Use resources to help with your lessons and don’t exploit them to the entire world. Doing things like this will start a big problem and cause you to really have to get involved in defending yourself from oncoming trouble. You should also make sure you are using a legitimate copy as your source. This means you should not burn or copy any videos etc. that are sold in stores. Up to 10 percent of a copyright musical composition may be reproduced, performed, and displayed as part of a multimedia program produced by an educator or students .Things that can be purchased should be and then used with a small audience. Also materials such as archives have to have the librarian make up to three copies solely for the purpose of replacement of a copy that is damaged deteriorating, lost, or stolen.

                I feel that by reading the article that I have learned a great deal of information. Teachers use so many resources that you would think that it was all right to use whatever is needed. I’m glad that we had a chance to actually see all the different guidelines and also have something to refer to when you are unsure. The basic information that the writer of the article was trying to get across is use your common since when it comes to making decisions. I believe that idea should be use for anything you do but I is extremely helpful when you think about what can be used. I also believe that some of the rules for many of the resources are kind of unfair. Many of the resources are limited to only 10 percent of use by teachers. I believe that for some, the entire item should be use for demonstration.  It’s unfair if the item is not too long and you have to use 10 percent, then you might as well not use it at all. Copyrights can be tricky but I am glad that we do have them because everyone’s hard work should be protected and valued for you would want the same if it was yours.

Citations

Davidson, Hall. (2011). The Educators' Lean and Mean No FAT Guide to Fair Use. http://www.csus.edu/indiv/p/peachj/edte230/copyright/#article

Tecnology and Learning.(1976).Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines. http://dwb.unl.edu/dwb/courses/CURR880/copyright_chart.pdf

Mapping Information Activity

The searching I conducted before the mapping activity is something I would consider to be average. I believe that I knew enough information about searching to find some of the items that might be needed.  Before completing the activity I would have never took time to notice the makeup of URLS. I had no idea that they are made of up based on domain name and extension. The extensions also are compatible to the business in which you are researching. Examples include extensions as such as, “edu”, which means educational organization, “com” which means company, and “org” which means any organization. This information is very important and will also help me to explain to my students that this information can help when searching for various webs sites. I also did not know that there is a website that gives you certain credibility’s as such as the authors of websites. When conducting the siteing of sources it can be very difficult to find all the information needed to complete it.

The searching that I will conduct now after the mapping activity would include being more knowledgeable about the different search engines. Before I would just use google because that was the only one I was knowledgeable about. Now that I know we have more than one way to search, I can now use “Yahoo” which is the web's oldest directory, “Ask Jeeves” which gained fame for using "natural language" search engine that let you search by asking questions and responded with what seemed to be the right answer to everything and, “HotBot” which provides easy access to the web's three major crawler-based search engines: Yahoo, Google and Teoma. With new knowledge of the different web search engines, I now have more resources for finding information that I may need in case one may not offer may exact search. I also learned that the websites history can provide you with great information that can help with your research. Usually when I look try a website, I go by what’s given on the page of where my information is located, but I also noticed that many of those pages don’t give me all the information I need. From now on when looking for certain information, the history of the web page will also be an option to help in my findings.

After learning all this new information about searching I know I will most definitely be making changes on how I search in the future. The information given gave me more options and knowledge on searching for information needed. I learned that the web has lots of meanings and reason for its being. I hope that with the new information I will be able to teach my students new tricks in searching for information. I also plan on always giving a full lesson on searching before have my students to go and research information. My students will not only have the opportunity to learn how to research information for school but also to help them in the future with the endeavors of searching for anything they may want or need for their own personal reasons. I value the opportunity to learn new ways to not only better my future students but also myself. I want to be very literate in technology so I can use all my resources create the best activities for proper learning. I am too excited a being a future teacher and also providing all this new information learned in order to help them.

Citations

Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC.( 2011). Major Search Engines Directories. Retrieved from http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2048976/Major-Search-Engines-and-Directories.

November Learning. (2011). How to Read a Web Address. Retrieved from http://novemberlearning.com/resources/information-literacy-resources/iv-how-to-read-a-web-address/

Me and ETEC!

My name is Terra Brown and I am future middle school math teacher. I am a hardworking, dedicated, individual who spends time reading, studying, working as an event specialist, and also helping young children around my neighborhood.  Currently I am a senior at Texas A&M Commerce and will be entering internship next semester. I will be graduating in fall 2012 and I am more than ecstatic. Right now I am currently pregnant and will be expecting a beautiful baby girl on October 29! She will be name after by my biggest motivator, my grandmother, who keeps me pushing and exceeding all my goals! I am too excited about becoming a mother and has over bought items for her based on my addiction to shopping. I’m afraid when I have my baby shower very soon that most of the items I have will be doubled!

My version of technology in classroom would consist of all the new items invented that can help with enhancing education. As you know, most of today’s world is made up of technology and must of the things that we must use, desire knowledge of them in order to secede in everyday living. It is important that teachers of today are technology inclined so our students won’t fall behind in today society. It is important that we implement technology in some of the lesson that we give. Have your students to go home and think about all the activities we participate in everyday that would not be useable for people who are not inclined in technology. My students would also be able to let me know what different types of technologies that might want to use while learning. These are things such as blogging, videos, music and much more. This makes class and learning fun for your students and also gives the students a chance to continue to like school and the subjects that they are learning.

My goals in this class are to become more knowledge able about technology. I also want to get new ideas that I might be able to add in my classroom. Before this class I never have really create a blog. Overall I Think it is really cool and can have my students to create one and go home or in class, discuss some of the things they have learned, how they can use it, and what they like or dislike about it. This will give them a chance to use the computer and also blog which is something that a lot of them do on their computers. This will give them a chance to get away from the usually pin and paper and also gave them ideas on creative things they may want to do with blogging in the future. I would also like to learn some easier ways of creating a web page that my students can go on and get assignment that we did a class or for parents to get a look at what we are working in the classroom. I created web pages in the past but they are very tedious and require too many steps. Hopefully I can learn a different way of creating one and hopefully my students and parents will appreciate it.