A Final Reflection
Posted onJune 22, 2009
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- What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
I have learned that it is important to work with the technology to problem solve BEFORE you “let your students loose” with the technology. In addition, it is important to use the a proven method, such as deductive, inductive, or collaborative learning to drive home the point you are getting at.
- How did integrating web-based technologies help you think about and evaluate uses of technology?
It really made me think, “Is this useful, or just something cool?” in addition, I have really started to focus on how I was evaluating my students (it was rather traditional). This class has caused me to take a more collaborative approach when it comes to summative assessments.
- How have you met your own personal goals for learning about technology integration?
Since I didn’t have any specific goals about technology integration, I feel that I have met my goals. I feel much more knowledgeable about the topic. I still have work to do however, as I need to finish the implementation of my website for my students.
- Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?
I do have new goals, the major new goal that I have is to create a list-serve or e-mail group for parents and students. I plan to weekly “blast” them with reminders about pertinent information in class. My long term goal will be to continue to evolve as a leader in my building when it comes to technology. Specifically, I want to better utilize the interactive whiteboards that were just installed; especially when paired with the voting mechanisms. I also plan to keep up with my classroom website.
Project Evaluation: Techquest
Posted onJune 19, 2009
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There are definitely some things that I would change, if I could go back in time. The biggest thing would have been to start earlier. This was a bad time of year to try and implement a new website. If I were to do this techquest or any similar project again, I would try to be much less reactive. I felt like I was “wondering around” literally trying to figure out how to get things done. In the future, I would sit down and map out a plan. What do I already have in place? What do I need to set up? What are the items that I have NO IDEA on what to do? I fell like a bit more planning at the beginning would have saved a great deal of time and frustration throughout the project.
A word to the wise, just because something is a struggle doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. I would recommend two things to anyone implementing a new form a technology. First, pick something that is meaningful to you and your classroom, you’ll get more out of it if you do this. This project in particular and the online classes in general are not designed to be hooping jumping experiences. (Although you may need to jump through one or two J) They are designed for you to take the knowledge and experience you gain from the readings, lectures, group interactions, etc… and apply that knowledge. Second, I would recommend that you to stick with it. In the real world there are complex problems that can’t be solved with a three step process, as was the case with my techquest. I am sure that you will find a similar scenario as you implement your own technology into the classroom.
In what ways will you endeavor to do the same project again, and what will you change or not do?
I would ABSOLUTELY do this project again. In fact, I will continue on with this project year after year, astThere will always be maintenance and upkeep on my website. I will continue finding new links and other web 2.0 applications to add to the site. I do not really know what I would change or not do, as I haven’t fully implemented the project. I’ll have more conclusive results in December 2009.
Google Scholar: A Review
Posted onJune 8, 2009
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We decided that we wanted to look into some of the Google applicatons. I chose to look at Google Scholar. I have heard quite a bit about it, but wasn’t really sure. Here’s what I came up with:
It is a subset of Google that focuses in on Journals, books, and other full text medium.
Its strength lies in journal research in the sciences.
It has revolutionized the library world.
Often times you are led to an abstract, not the actual article. From there you are asked to pay to read the full document.
The search engine has some difficulty separating advanced searches (which is weird, becuase Google itself does a fairly good job with this.)
It is fast, free, and easy to use.
It is a great way to direct your research, in particular if you haven’t narrowed your topic.
Sometimes, one must type in their topic and “hope for the best”.
To sum it all up, Google Scholar is free database much like ERIC. It is imperfect, but accessible for students to use. In addition, while it claims to be free (much like ERIC), you just might be directed to an abstract and ask to subscribe to read the document.
Here is a link to one of the websites I visited:
http://www.against-the-grain.com/TOCFiles/v20-2_Julie_Arendt.pdf
Internet Research: Techquest
Posted onJune 1, 2009
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I started my quest by trying to find other Techquests that had focused on my topic: using websites/pages to aid in communication. I used google, dogpile, and yahoo search engines to aid in my quest to find a techquest. Here is a sample of what I typed into the search bar:
msu techquest webpage
msu techquest electronic communication
msu techquest parent communication
“msu techquest”
While I found many on podcasts, blogs, etc… I was unable to locate any on my topic. From there I did an Eric search. I came across an interesting case study based on what I am in the process of implementing:
The Effects of a Teacher Created Web Page… by Elizabeth Nelms
The case study detailed how the teacher came to using a web-page. In addition, the study showed an increase in parent involvement as well as student achievement. This assured me that I was choosing to do something of value for my students and their parents.
I also checked out blackboard.com, as this is one of the largest sites pertaining to my topic, and lends itself nicely to where I am headed. Keep in mind that my techquest is just as much for student communication, as we pull from nine different school districts.
Finally I checked out ratings of different software pages that aid in website design. I discovered that my CEP 811 teacher knows what she is talking about when she recommended that I purchase Dreamweaver for my website. It is consistently talked about in the “techie” forums that I visited as being one of the best products out there. In addition, I went to consumerresearch.com, where they rated it second behind Windows Expression Web, stating that while Dreamweaver was more powerful, Expression Web was more user friendly.
In addition, you cannot discount the human element. I KNOW that I will need the help of one of our technology teachers as I go through the process of updating my site on a weekly basis. Also, our technology help desk has already been helpful in guiding me in the right direction. (My page was listed under a different teacher, so I wasn’t able to change the page.) I know that I can pick up the phone and dial “11111″ for help at any time.
I didn’t really have many issues with finding information about my techquest. In the future, I would research more scholarly articles, in particular if I was struggling to see whether my idea was effective.
My major dilemma right now is in figuring out how to work out how to obtain server space from my district, so that I can use Dreamweaver. Currently, I am using a prescribed template from another staff member.
Pocast: Implementation of Techquest
Posted onMay 31, 2009
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Here students are logging on to get to my homepage
A Matter of Ethics: Lesson Plan on Copying and Fair Use
Posted onMay 25, 2009
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TARGET LEARNERS: 9thgrade students at the Macomb Mathematics Science and Technology Center
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Students will have an increased knowledge of copyrights and its use in an educations setting. They will discover or be reminded of acceptable usage of copyrighted versus non-copyrighted material.
MICHIAGAN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS & EXPECTATIONS ( i.e. Standards):
SOCIAL, ETHICAL, AND HUMAN ISSUES
1. identify legal and ethical issues related to use of information and communication technology
2. analyze current trends in information and communication technology and assess the potential of emerging technologies for ethical and unethical uses
5. identify ways that individuals can protect their technology systems from unethical or unscrupulous users
7. explain the differences between freeware, shareware, and commercial software
8. adhere to fair use and copyright guidelines
10. adhere to the district acceptable use policy as well as state and federal laws
TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DECISION-MAKING TOOLS
1. use a variety of technology resources (e.g., educational software, simulations, models) for problem solving and independent learning.
ASSESSMENT: Online quiz & reflection paper
DECSCRIPTION OF TEACHING STRATEGIES:
· Whole group discussion of copyright and fair usage policy based on a survey
· Small group activity: “Find the problem…” Here students will get into groups of four. They will get an anonymous paper turned in from a former student that has at least one copyright or fair usage issue. They must find each error and a solution that explains how to correct the error.
· Internet based individual activity using Web 2.0 activities that further reinforces copyright laws.
TIME & RESOURCES:
Time: 110 minutes (two class periods)
Resources: CD of music, survey, Elmo, anonymous student work, student computers for internet activity…
URLs used:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhBHPEsyW54 A video created by a student they goes over copyright and copyright infrindgement.
http://illegal-art.org/audio/historic.html A website that focuses on court cases over music.
http://www.copyrightkids.org/quizframes.htm A quiz that reinforces all that students have learned about copyright and fair use.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
1. Begin class by playing a mix CD. Play a few seconds of each song, then ask students “Who wants a copy?” Use this as a way to begin a whole class discussion on copyright and fair usage of multimedia materials. Personalize the experience for students… ask them if they have ever had any of their original work “stolen” or if they have ever “given it away”. Continue classroom discussion.
2. Pass out True/False about copyright and fair use to see what students already know and what they need to know.
3. Get students into groups of four. Pass out former student work. Have each group find the copyright or fair usage issue with the paper. Send students to the Elmo to present their findings.
4. Send students to the back of the room (to the computers) have them explore the URLS listed above. Here they need to listen to a student’s voice on copyrights; see consequences for breaking copyright policies; and then take an online quiz. Results of the online quiz will be turned into the teacher.
5. Students will culminate the lesson by writing a short paper (minimum of 5 paragraphs) to demonstrate their knowledge of appropriate ways to use (and not use) multimedia from the internet. Students will be guided by a rubric to help them write their reflection paper.
Techquest Session 2 Blog Entry
Posted onMay 10, 2009
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Problem: I work in a school that pull students from 9 different school districts. Frequently, students are gone due to events at their home school. I would like to find a way for students (and their parents) to be kept abreast of what is going on in class… lessons, assignments, etc…
To adress this issue, I plan on using the multipage website that we are creating in this course as a reference source, as every student in my school is online. This will be valuable as students can get started on their assignments and keep caught up in the class while they are out, rather than waiting until the get back to get their make-up work. In addition, there is no cost to the district. In fact, I have my own area on our school’s website to link this information.
Research shows that easy to access course materials allows students to study at a time and location that they prefer (Technology’s Impact on Learning). Obtaining materials quickly helps in student motivation. In fact, according to James Kulik, who studies effectiveness of computers used for instruction, students usually learn more in less time.
For the future, I would also like to add a link for blogging, so that students may dialogue about activities and problems they encounter for homework. I still need to figure out the best way to make sure that “appropriate blogging” is the norm. I also need to think about how to encourage and monitor the blog site, without spending hours a week on it. Also, I will need to develop a plan for consequences of improper usage.
The plan is fairly simple. Take the ideas that I am using here (webpages and blogs) and link them to my school’s website (http://www.wcs.k12.mi.us/mmstc/) under my teacher area.
This plan addresses the four common places of education:
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Someone teaching: this will make life better for me, as I will spend less class time directing students to their makeup work, and more time towards the activities of the day .
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Someone learning: this also make make life better for my students, as they can stay “caught up”. In addition, if for some reason they forgot the assignment the can look it up. Further, parents can use this tool so that rather than asking, “Do you have homework tonight?” They can go to the webpage and look it up.
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Some subject matter: Clearly, I this IS what I am addressing. In particular, the schedule that is followed in the classroom.
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In some setting: Online for each and every class that I teach.
Let me know what you think of my ideas… I’d love to hear them!
Scot Acre
Webquests
Posted onJuly 20, 2008
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I was sifting through the webquests and found that there weren’t really that many that appealed to me… they were either designed for the wrong grade level or didn’t pertain to the classes that I teach.
A few that I did like were:
Geometry- An Introduction to the Pythagorean Theorem
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nelehita/Geometry%20Project/
The Truth About Logarithms
http://coe.nevada.edu/kblock1/logswebquest2.html
Can You Solve It With Logic?
http://www.msu.edu/~reethskr/myweb/gwq/cover_page.htm
Computer Based Instruction
Posted onJuly 20, 2008
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Thus far, I have found it more difficult than anticipated to integrate technology based learning into the classroom. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for it. Currently, I have a classroom set of TI 84 silver edition pluses, which we use daily. I have found this to be the best technology given the current state standards. In addition, I got a grant for a classroom set of TI Navigators… these have been difficult to work with… I spent the first 2 days struggling to get kids logged on, then I couldn’t see some of the screens, finally some of the calculators kept losing their links for no apparent reason. Needless to say I found it frustrating.
Next, I have spent hours sifting through web-based technology that will work with the concept of the day. We some difficulty I sign up for the laptop lab our school has… I set everything up… OOPS! only half the class can log onto the site. So I go to the computer lab the next day… six computers are broken, the media specialist say to dial the help desk as it isn’t her responsibility… then I walk around the room… two kids are writing papers for another class, one is google imaging a shirtless Usher, two more are checking their emails… the moral of the story is that technology isn’t as great as people claim it is when used spurradicly. I have found the best technology is what the textbook offers as it is easy for the student to follow along with. Further, unless I want to stay after school until 8PM it is VERY difficult create lessons based on web based activities.
Now that I am half way done with my second masters class on integrating technology into the classroom, I am even more certain that techology is a tricky proposition to use in an efficient manner. Further it is very time consuming. So far, I feel as if I am scaling a very large mountain… right now the mountain is winning.
GROUP 1 – TED 811 INTRO
Posted onJuly 4, 2008
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Hello everyone! Hope this ends up working out okay
