Blog Post 7

     Bloom's taxonomy follows a hierarchy of evaluation, synthesis, analysis, application, comprehension and knowledge. With the help of powerpoint, each of these points can be met in a comprehensive way to further the learning process. In my example, I will describe Bloom's taxonomy in reference to an English literature powerpoint. In order to use evaluation in a lesson, my powerpoint  would compare the ideas and outcomes present in two different novels. Synthesis can be present in a powerpoint presentation as the slides can spark discussion that forces students to make inferences and predictions based on the novels they would have read in my class. Powerpoints create cues of analysis, as they drive discussion. In my case, I would use terms that would force students to think about different ways they could look at literature. As students meet the application requirement of Bloom's taxonomy, they use problem solving methods to learn more about the subjects they are studying. In my lit powerpoint, students will have to think about the different ways novels can be presented, and what this means in relation to its overall meaning. Comprehension requires that students understand what is going on in the lesson they are being taught, and nothing can provide a clear explanation better than a powerpoint. In my powerpoint the compilation of all the elements of the lesson and Bloom's taxonomy will allow students to comprehend what I am trying to teach them. The most basic part of Bloom's taxonomy is knowledge. Without it, I could not use my powerpoint to give my students information, just as my students would not be able to comprehend the material.
     As the podcast said, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) broke the ground for new assistive technologies to become available in the classroom. These technologies have since made the lives of people with physical, mental, and learning disabilities much easier. Some of the technologies described in chapter 4 that make the learning process easier for those with any type of disability are modified keyboards, visually adaptive monitors, braille printers, and voice input tools. These tools can help learners with either impediments properly access the tools they need to learn to their full potential. Though the list of actual adaptive technologies is exhaustive, I found these to be among the most useful. Growing up, my grandfather was blind. Because of this, I have seen the revolutions in technologies for the visually impaired in real time. As technology advances, more and more tools become available to those who need it the most. I have seen my grandfather use modified keyboards and voice input devices to communicate with his loved ones. The only problem I see stemming from adaptive technology in the classroom is the costs associated with it. In order for these technologies to be as effective as possible, they must remain up to date. With the constant budget cuts education faces, the cost of modernity may pose a problem for assistive technologies.
     I had a surprising amount of fun working on my web design. I came into the project nervous that I would not understand how to use the technology at all, but I was met with a shockingly simple approach to creating websites. I loved that I had so much creative freedom with the design of the websites. I really enjoy working with aesthetics, so this was a fun project for me. This knowledge of how to create a website is going to be so important in my future as an educator, as I will have the ability to connect with my students in a much more streamlined way. With proper design skills, I can earn the respect of my students and their parents. The only part of the project I did not like were the website generators that were not Weebly. I found the design process of these other sites to be over complicated, and I would recommend omitting them in future assignments.

My Website

Blog Post 6

     At my high school, teachers had the option of whether or not they kept class websites. In the English department at my school, most of the teachers chose to keep their students informed through the use of a blog. I am focusing on the senior English classes at Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida. In these websites, the teachers posted different tools to keep students on track as they tried to complete assignments outside of class. Every teacher that had a website, and posted their syllabus on it. Specific directions for upcoming assignments were updated in conjunction with the syllabus. Some teachers opted to post their lesson plans for the year in addition to their syllabus for the class. A couple of the teachers chose to include a brief autobiography about themselves in their websites. Contact information was provided by each teacher. Student work could be accessed through a google classroom that some teachers had a link to on their websites, but not everyone could access this information as it infringed on the privacy of students. The websites are some of the most useful ways for students to collect information from their teachers. Pictured below is an example of one of my past teacher's classroom blogs and the website where you could access classroom blogs.

     Technology use in the classroom is the best way to ensure that my responsibilities as a professional are met efficiently and effectively. According to the podcast, the Microsoft Office Suite is one of, if not the most important tools a teacher can use to manage their classroom. Word and Powerpoint would allow me to save my work and lecture notes for years, rather than have to recreate a lesson each time a topic is brought up. If I use a word processor such as ever note to save my lesson plans, I can save any information I may need for my classes. This process of saving my plans digitally would save me time and keep my resources together as I taught similar material in the future. Chapter 7 gave me the idea of using GoDocs on a mobile device. This would make my work more efficient as I could always access and edit something that I was working on, if i deemed it necessary. Technology offers a streamlined approach to education that allows teachers to work from their old ideas rather than creating entirely new plans for every situation. I think these tools will become the most important tools I use in my future career as an educator. 

     In the Web Evaluation assignment, I learned a way to do group work without having to meet with other members in person. Wikis allowed my group to work on our project on our own time and at our own pace, which is so important for making sure our work gets done in spite of our busy schedules. I liked the Wiki project because it allowed me to interact with my first online group project in a low stress environment. We all got to grow together with this new information, rather than us being thrown into a project with more experienced people. The only part of the project I did not like was the fact that the instructions for our Wiki were confusing at first. Even this small problem was resolved as I got more involved with the project, and the directions became far more clear. The directions are the only part of the assignment that need to be improved, in my opinion. I can use the tools I learned in this project in my future endeavors as an educator in two very important ways. I can show my future students an easy way to accomplish group work, and I can collaborate with other instructors on lesson plans and teaching tools. 

Blog Post 5

     As web technology continues to develop, I find that YouTube is the best way to integrate Web 2.0 into a classroom environment. Before listening to the podcast, I did not realize that YouTube was categorized as a source of "Web 2.0". According to the podcast, to be classified as Web 2.0, a site must allow for user interaction beyond just giving and receiving information. This creates a network of people commenting on media and sharing their opinions with others. This is an important addition to the classroom. Youtube epitomizes this, as scholastic channels could hold examples of both appropriate and inappropriate comments on information. Social networks such as Twitter and Facebook are other examples of Web 2.0 tools that hold great opportunity for use in the classroom. These networks allow students to connect with their teacher and with each other to make learning outside of the classroom a reality. Some social media, such as Vine and Instagram would have a much harder time being adapted to the classroom. These Web 2.0 networks, in my opinion, would be much harder to use in a scholastic setting because they provide less room for information to be taught, and allow more distracting content to be available to students. Any computer with internet access can make the use of my aforementioned Web 2.0 networks an interesting, simple process. Both wireless and wired networks allow students to access these website, but WiFi is the most common network used, as the network continues to expand and become more secure. WiFi, according to the textbook, can offer schools a cheaper internet access as it becomes more affordable and eliminates the need to change building structures to support wired connections. Though no periphery equipment is absolutely necessary to incorporate these websites and apps into the classroom, external devices such as headphones may make for a better user experience. 

     Tumblr is one of the most popular blogging networks online today. It offers information, generally written by college aged students, that can be shared among millions of people. The expanse of the website ensures that nearly every conceivable topic has been discussed on the website. While the creator of the post writes the original content, comments by other Tumblr users fuel sometimes heated debate that spreads light on different sides to every argument. This type of interaction embodies the meaning of Web 2.0. Tumblr is a platform for all types of media, including gifs, pictures, videos, links, articles, and mp3s. This melting pot of different resources makes Tumblr the perfect blog to host multi-media interactions with students. I would use Tumblr in my classroom by creating a blog for myself and for each of my students. We would then follow each other so we created a network that can comment, post, and learn together. The different platforms available from Tumblr would ensure that every student can at least find one thing interesting on the website. 

     One of Tumblr's greatest strengths doubles as its greatest weakness: the variety of its content. Because Tumblr is a blog open to anyone, inappropriate media floods the website. To be successfully used in my classroom, I would have to critically analyze any blog a student followed, reblogged, or posted. Something as innocent as an AP review for literature could turn into a graphic image accompanied by foul language. Tumblr also has the limitation of not always being the most accurate source for anything. No citations are required to post anything on the website, so users must be cautious as they try to separate fact from fiction on the blogging network. Despite its problems with accuracy and appropriateness, Tumblr remains a helpful tool in the classroom if it is properly monitored. Using Tumblr does not guarantee inappropriate media will show up on a student's computer monitor, but it is an important risk to keep in mind as teachers use Tumblr in an educational setting. 

     With the concept mapping assignment, I not only learned how to create Smart Art, I learned how to format my notes in a more efficient way. I liked that the assignment allowed for my own creative freedom as I made my concept maps. This let me be free to really experiment with the different graphics available with Word, and find ways to use them to my advantage. The only problem I had with the assignment was that the information was still in paragraph form when I had to map it. Though I would have preferred to map a set of bullet points, I understand that information is generally not presented in this format, so it was nice to be able to learn how to break down text into what I needed. Next time, I can improve my concept maps by experimenting more with colors, font, and inserting pictures into my work. In my career as a professor, I can use concept mapping to make notes easier to comprehend for my students.

 

Blog Post 4

• Lesson plans should be written with the intention to integrate technology into the classroom. For example, a teacher covering a standard focusing on WWI could use an educational game to make learning about the subject more interesting for the students. Generally, adventure games are the best ones to use in history classes.
• In a science class, a teacher could apply the Dynamic Instructional Design (DID) to their lesson plans for classes on any given week or month of class. This allows for complex plans to  be created surrounding a brief outline of steps. If a dissection week was to be planned out for several class periods, the teacher could use a frog dissection simulation to intrude their students to the lesson. This would be a seamless integration of lesson planning and applications of tech tools. 
• When creating a lesson plan using the DID model, the fourth step of this process focuses on selecting supportive technologies for the lesson plan. This step in the model provides teachers with easier opportunities to integrate the use of educational software into their classrooms. For example, 3D programs can be brought into a science teacher's classrooms to show students diagrams of planets (or anything, really) that they can manipulate and learn from. 

             For my use of technology in the classroom, I am choosing standard SC.2.E.6.1: "Recognize that earth is made up of rocks. Rocks come in many shapes and sizes." I would use the resource on http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/rockssoils.html to teach my students about the different elements of rocks. This tool is classified as an educational game, and would present the new information to the kids in a fun way. In playing the game my students would not only learn that some rocks float, while others do not, they would gain the knowledge that many differences between types of rocks exist. 

            The internet is generally a great tool for students to use in their research endeavors. Internet access allows students to find information that they would previously have had a hard time locating. The internet has revolutionized the way people can access information, and without it modern research would be far more time consuming and tedious than it is. Software has further improved the way the internet has shaped the future of research. When learning information to further research, students have the capability to access new tools as they research subjects they are unfamiliar with. The internet can become a hindrance to the educational process when students abuse the information they find on the internet. Problems with plagiarism arise from students' growing dependence on the internet for research. It is extremely easy to copy and paste another person's work and pass it off as your own. When students do this, they take away from the educational opportunities their work provides. Despite the problems that can arise from plagiarism, the internet provideed the greatest revolutions of research of all time. 

Before my experiences in EME2040, I never evaluated sources properly. I would simply Google whatever I was looking for, then choose one of the first links that showed up. I knew I probably should have been more careful with what sources I was selecting, but I did not know what tools to find better sources with. In the lessons in class, I learned that Google Scholar was a resource that existed to help students conducting research find the information they needed to be successful. When evaluating resources, they must be scaled by ABCDT, according to the evaluating internet resources podcast. The A stands for author, in which I am supposed to check the credibility of the author of the resource. The B stands for bias, as any bias present within the source must be taken into account when using it to learn or back up research. The C stands for content, as content for the resource must remain appropriate for its intended use. The D stands for design, in which the general website may need to be aesthetically pleasing and clear to be a valid source for use. Finally, the T stands for technical elements which determines how well the source works and is accessible. Generally, better resources have better technical elements. I am grateful to this podcast for giving me a scale in which I can evaluate my internet resources, as before I was simply gliding by on my "gut feelings" about the credibility of a source. 

As I worked on the web hunt assignment, I learned how to make my Google searches more precise. One of the tools I was most excited about was the fact that using brackets and periods, I could get Google to limit my search to a certain time period. I go to practice this technique on the question where I had to search for a Common Core article that was past 2010. One of the other elements of Google I used was the “-” feature that removes any unwanted results from the search.  I used this feature when I was searching for a website to create concept maps with other than inspiration. Google Scholar is one of the most useful tools provided by the search engine, as it provides peer-reviewed articles with credible sources to aid in research. There were a few surprises in the assignment as I learned some of the cool tools that Google has to offer. I found the Google print option extremely interesting and useful as it allows you to access newspapers from various dates throughout history. The unit converter and lyric finder in Google are equally useful as they provide quick and accurate ways to compare units of measure and learn the words to songs. For my "Web Hunt", I challenge everyone to:

1. Find a newspaper article from the New York Times on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.
2. Translate "I love you" from Russian to Finnish.
3. Find a street view image of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. 

Blog Post 3

    In my search for a history of Florida State University, I came across an article on wikipedia. I decided to evaluate this website using the concepts I learned in class. Following the ABCDTs, I have the capability of determining the credibility of the source. The first credential the website needed to meet was A- authors. Because Wikipedia is an open access site, there is no singular author for the site. Because of a lack of a credible author and the lack of ways to contact the author, Wikipedia does not meet the A of the ABCDTs for a trustworthy source. Though the wikipedia seems to offer an objective view of the university, the website cannot meet the requirements of B- bias (and the lack thereof) because it focuses exclusively on the positive aspects of the university. Though I enjoy seeing my college in a positive light, I fear that the lack of any mention of controversy surrounding the university is the direct result of positive bias towards FSU. The C- content of the wikipedia article appears to be current, based on its up to date facts and figures, but because of the lack of author credibility, the "current" content of the article cannot be confirmed to be correct. The D- design of the Wikipedia article I am reviewing has a very functional design, although it is not the most aesthetically pleasing website. Wikipedia's simplistic, yet effective design adds to its credibility. The T- technical elements of Wikipedia are wonderful. With an almost instant loading time, useful links and windows, as well as seamlessly operating links to outside sources give Wikipedia its most credible element. Overall, Wikipedia is not a credible source. Its lack of a respectable author and potential biases make the website inappropriate for use in a situation where research is required. Though Wikipedia is not a credible source, it is a wonderful portal for other websites that are credible. Here's a link to the article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_University. 
Attached to the bottom of this post are screenshots of the Wikipedia article. 
     Based on chapter 9, some of the applications of technology I would like to include in my classroom are discussion groups, the internet, and video conferencing. The first application of technology I would use within my classroom is a discussion board. Should I pursue education for a career, I would like to be a high school English teacher. With this in mind, I think a discussion board would be a great way for students to communicate with one another at home about any readings that would be assigned in class. This could be a great way for interclass communication to occur, as students from all of my classes could comment on the same discussion board. This new interface of communication would make learning about literature far more interesting and comprehensible. My use of the internet in my classroom would be crucial to my integration of different types of media into the classroom. Though I would limit student access to the internet during class time for security reasons, it would be a vital tool for finding videos, information, and audio clips pertinent to what we were learning in class. Video conferencing in my classroom would be an immeasurably great tool, as I could bring my students into contact with people we would otherwise never get to have a discussion with. For example, if we were reading a book written by an lesser known author in class, I could potentially contact that author and have a video conference between them and my students. Even if I could not contact the author of whatever work we were reading in class, I am positive that I could come into contact with a person well versed in the subject that could make an excellent contribution to my classes through a video conference. Because I would be integrating technology into my classroom, I would need to have a discussion with my students about maintaining an appropriate digital citizenship. For example, I would need to influence strict regulations as to what is and what is not appropriate for discussion boards in my class. I would need to address the issues of privacy and protection of student's identities before engaging in any sort of technological endeavor. Other issues I would need to address with my students would include copyright laws, participation in appropriate ways, teaching them to write with academic language, and exercise a certain level of caution in any online activity. Because my students would be in their late teens, they should already have a grasp on what is and what is not appropriate on the web. Teenagers have the intellectual capacity to be exposed to more information than a younger child, but I would still need to exercise extreme caution with technology in my classroom.
     While working on the newsletter assignment, I developed new skills in graphic design. I have always struggled with formatting documents, but with a lot of effort put into the assignment, I was able to produce a well-formatted newsletter. Though I got frustrated with Word several times as I made my newsletter, I pressed forward on my endeavors to create my document. I would get frustrated when I would try to add more text to a part oft the newsletter and it wouldn't fit within my margins, columns, text boxes, etcetera.  In my opinion, my newsletter turned out great...especially coming from someone as technologically challenged as myself. I really enjoyed this assignment because it gave me an opportunity to develop skills I had previously never even thought to use. The only part of the assignment I did not like was the lack of clarity in some of the instructions. For example, when the assignment asked for three stories in the newsletter, I was a little confused on what to write about. I did the best I could though, with the instructions I was given. 

Blog Post 2

     As a student, I've had a great deal of experience using Microsoft Word. From typing research papers to making pamphlets for clubs I've been involved with, I have become quite acquainted with the program. My teachers have made use of Microsoft Word through the means of typing up syllabi, creating lesson outlines, and by using the program to create flyers to hand out for after school programs. The textbook gave me the idea of using Microsoft Word to create tests, puzzles, and develop organizational tools for my classroom management. As a teacher, I plan to use Microsoft Word as an aid that can help students realize their full potential within the realm of writing and creating professional documents. Fun activities such as creating a newsletter for a pretend city give students the opportunity to explore the more technical aspects of word processors, and I intend to bring activities like this into my classroom environment. Beyond assigning fun projects, I plan to show students that Microsoft Word can be used for more than just writing papers. Resumes, flyers, cover letters, and agendas are just some of the useful compositions that can be created using the word processor.

     In my educational career, I've seen nearly all of my teachers take advantage of Fair Use to present media in the classroom. Without any sort of influence from the work of others, a progression of knowledge cannot take place. This being said, it would be unethical for teachers (or anyone else) to steal the work of others without permission. Fair Use creates a vague grant of permission that allows educators to ethically use the work of others to supplement the educational process. For example, one of my teachers used to quote small portions of a textbook my school did not own. Though we technically did not one the book, because only a small portion was being used for an educational purpose, all was well. As a teacher, I would make sure I understood the guidelines of Fair Use to make sure I did not cross the boundaries of Fair Use and accidentally infringe upon copyright. I would make sure that I, and my students, did not profit from copyrighted material, made sure to make any works our own, only use a small portion of the works copied, and give credit to the original creator, among following other precautions. In creating lesson plans, I would integrate media into my presentations, allow my students to watch educational videos in class, and use images to better represent concepts I teach. I would likewise encourage students to integrate media into their own projects for any assignments I should give them. 

     Over the past couple of weeks, I've learned how important of an educational tool twitter can be. From promoting discussion outside of class, to giving students better opportunities to contact their professors, social media (Twitter especially) creates a nearly constant source for students resources. If you are following accredited accounts, Twitter and other personal learning networks can provide the latest news for any field you may be studying. Before this class, I never thought of Twitter as an educational tool. With this new knowledge, I hope that social media is further integrated into classrooms across the world. In my future as a possible educator, I will work to maintain that all my students have access to me through the means of social media and personal learning networks. Though social media is constantly changing, technology's use in the educational field will not. 

Blog Post 1

     Computers have been revolutionizing the world since their introduction to society. To withhold such an important tool from a classroom would be a disservice to students everywhere. When students use computers in the classroom, they have access to an instant catalogue of nearly every sort of information available in this world. Beyond search engines, computers allow students to have a place where they can communicate with other people through email, writing documents, and even utilizing social media as an educational tool. Through the means of meeting IFS standards, students are given the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of technology in a secure place. Teachers can use computers in the classroom to create lesson plans, find ideas on how to better present a topic to students, and find reputable sources for any information they pass along to their students. Computer technology allows teachers to connect with students in a previously unfathomable way. Some critical concerns I have with the integration of computers into the classroom is the age at which students are exposed to the technology. If children are taught to rely solely on computers, motor skills, hand writing, and communication skills could be at risk. Beyond the cognitive risks involved with exposing children to technology at too early of an age, explicit content could make its way onto the screen of an innocent child's computer. Chapters one and two of the text center on how computers in the classroom are an important way to progress the institution of education. Though I strongly agree that technology is an important tool that must stay present in the modern education system, I think that the extent of the incorporation of technology should be limited to an age appropriate extent. 

     Though I am not certain I am going into the educational field, I would strive to become as technologically advanced as possible should I become a teacher. One of the most important ways I find that tech can be incorporated into a classroom is through the use of social media.  The use of social media in the classroom provides a way for students to stay connected with their students and peers in a non-threatening way. Whether live-tweeting a class discussion, sharing notes on a blog, or even planning a classroom event on Facebook, social media in a classroom environment provides a way for everyone's voice to have an equal weight in a discussion. Providing students with interesting videos related to a topic make learning more enjoyable, so that would be another medium for me to expose my potential students to technology in a fun and engaging way. To make my life easier, I would use a computer to plan my lessons, presentations, and make the burden of meticulously organizing as simple as pressing a few keys. In our class, I hope to learn new skills with word processors, email tools, and organizational programs to make my professional career easier. 

     I agree with the label "digital native" to a certain extent. I think that it is important to recognize that different generations have different exposure to technology, but it should not be used as an umbrella term to describe the entirety of the younger generations. Different socioeconomic factors can hinder certain people's exposure to technology, and it would be unfair to label someone a "digital native" if they had not had the advantages of growing up with technology. To me, a digital native is simply someone who cannot remember a time in their lives when modern technology was not influential. As a recent high school graduate, I saw differences in the way that my teachers handles technology. I found that their status as "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" did not necessarily affect their fluidity with technology. I had young teachers who struggled to properly operate an iPad, while I had older teachers who despite their status as a "digital immigrant" could use any form of technology with ease. I think individual digital skill depends more on a person's individual experience with technology rather than the time in their life when they were exposed to said technology. The teachers who struggled with technology did not have an extreme impact on my learning experience, as there was always a tech-savy student to correct any issues the teacher was having. I hope there are relatively few differences between the way I use technology and the way my potential students will use technology. Though they will likely have had more exposure to technology than me, I will work hard to ensure that I stay up to date with my endeavors in technology.