Education in Techonolgy Reflection
My opinion of technology in education has changed greatly. I knew there were new tech tools but I never imagined there would be so many. The only tools I knew about coming into my technology in education class were the basic Microsoft tools. My eyes have been opened to a whole new “cool tool” world. I have already shared what I have learned with other teachers I know and I can’t wait to use it in my future classroom.
I feel that I am ready to teach 21st century learners. My professor has such a passion for technology in education there is no reason for my not to be. She introduced me to each new tool in a way that they all seem so easy to use. We used some of them in the course of the semester. Using them for the first time in class made it easier because we had Professor Zumpano there to help us along. I am ready to share what I have learned with my future students and coworkers.
I really enjoyed learning about all the web 2.0 cool tools. I have many favorite “cool tools”; Blabberize, Glogster, Prezi, Quizlet, and BibMe. Wordle by far is my absolute favorite. I feel it can be used for so many things, and ice breaker, study guide (tool), introduction to a lesson, research, and more. I like how the words can appear in different sizes depending on how many times you enter them in. I feel like this could help students distinguish which words are most important. The only downside to Wordle is that you are not able to choose your own colors of the words or backgrounds; there are just templates you can pick from.
I feel that technology is very important in education today. Not only is it the way of our future but it is one of the only things some kids will respond to. Some students will fail or refuse to do something with paper and pen (the old way) but love and ace the same assignment that allows them to use technology. The trick is going to be getting them to realize both are actually important, as well as staying on top of the new technology so that as the teacher I am not behind the students.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tech in Ed Presentation
This Prezi on Moblie Learning Device was created for my Technology in Education class in November 2012.
Digital Story - November 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
PLN Reflection
In mid-September I was asked to open a Twitter account as a PLN (personal learning network) assignment for my graduate tech in ed class. I was very hesitant as this is something I have been avoiding for a few years now. I have always found Twitter to be super confusing. As I scrolled through the tweets this past few weeks it hasn’t gotten any less confusing. I am definitely a Facebook person. I can’t go one day without it.
On October 21st I came across an article that was posted on the edudemic page which is titled, “It’s Official: Using Twitter Makes Students More Engaged.” This article discusses a study done by a professor at Michigan State University. It reports how college students are more engaged in class, professors and fellow classmates as well as receiving higher grades when parts of their classes are on Twitter. The professor also found that there are 200 million active users Twitter who post more than 175 million tweets a day.
I picked this tweet to reflection on because I am not sure how student’s grades could benefit from using Twitter. I thought as teachers and future teachers we are trying to keep the student so of these types of sites at school. The schools I have been in have blocked all of these kinds of sites. I guess this leaves me with one question. If this is the way of our future how will people, like me who don’t understand exactly how to use Twitter be able to integrate it into our curriculum?
Michelle's Twitter
In mid-September I was asked to open a Twitter account as a PLN (personal learning network) assignment for my graduate tech in ed class. I was very hesitant as this is something I have been avoiding for a few years now. I have always found Twitter to be super confusing. As I scrolled through the tweets this past few weeks it hasn’t gotten any less confusing. I am definitely a Facebook person. I can’t go one day without it.
On October 21st I came across an article that was posted on the edudemic page which is titled, “It’s Official: Using Twitter Makes Students More Engaged.” This article discusses a study done by a professor at Michigan State University. It reports how college students are more engaged in class, professors and fellow classmates as well as receiving higher grades when parts of their classes are on Twitter. The professor also found that there are 200 million active users Twitter who post more than 175 million tweets a day.
I picked this tweet to reflection on because I am not sure how student’s grades could benefit from using Twitter. I thought as teachers and future teachers we are trying to keep the student so of these types of sites at school. The schools I have been in have blocked all of these kinds of sites. I guess this leaves me with one question. If this is the way of our future how will people, like me who don’t understand exactly how to use Twitter be able to integrate it into our curriculum?
Michelle's Twitter
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Tech-Tac-Toe Assignment 3
Algebra Worksheet QRCodes
This is a QRCode worksheet that could be used as review after lessons on how to solve for x. The students would need to solve for x in all 18 problems and then would be given an iPod to check their answers by scanning the QRCodes.
QCcodes can be made on many sites. I used http://www.qrstuff.com/. I found this website to be very easy to use. You just type in the box what you want the QRCode to read when scanned (it can be answers like this worksheet or it can be a link to a website) and then hit download QRCode. After downloading it you can copy and paste it into a word document like the worksheet above. This site also gives you the option of making them colorful. This could be exciting for the students. This website does not require you to create an account to use it. As for student use with this website I believe that students of all ages could use it as the process is very easy, but I would personally only use it with older students (middle school and up) because I feel they would truly understand what they mean and how to use them. QR codes can be used for many things like the worksheet above, a treasure hunt in the classroom, on a syllabus for parent information, etc.
This is a QRCode worksheet that could be used as review after lessons on how to solve for x. The students would need to solve for x in all 18 problems and then would be given an iPod to check their answers by scanning the QRCodes.
QCcodes can be made on many sites. I used http://www.qrstuff.com/. I found this website to be very easy to use. You just type in the box what you want the QRCode to read when scanned (it can be answers like this worksheet or it can be a link to a website) and then hit download QRCode. After downloading it you can copy and paste it into a word document like the worksheet above. This site also gives you the option of making them colorful. This could be exciting for the students. This website does not require you to create an account to use it. As for student use with this website I believe that students of all ages could use it as the process is very easy, but I would personally only use it with older students (middle school and up) because I feel they would truly understand what they mean and how to use them. QR codes can be used for many things like the worksheet above, a treasure hunt in the classroom, on a syllabus for parent information, etc.
Tech-Tac-Toe Assignment 2
This assignment would use gloster.com. Glogster is a web tool in which students can create posters. For this assignment students would research a mathematician and then create an "all about” poster on their mathematician. Glogster could be used for fourth grade and up. As for the primary students blabberize.com could be used. This is a web tool in which the students would still research a mathematician but instead of making a poster they would create a recording to tell about what they learned in their research.
Glogster is a web 2.0 tool that is free to everyone but you do need to create an account. This online tool allows you to create an online poster about anything. It could be for a research project, book report, history timeline, family tree, just to name a few. You can add text and pictures (from glogster or uploaded) in any arrangement you want. There are many themed backgrounds that you can build on. I found glogster user friendly and had not problems using it. When you are finished with your glogster you can choose whether to keep it private or make it public for everyone to see. I feel that this tool would be easy for students in 4th grade and up to use. It is just like creating traditional poster just online. You can find it at www.gloster.com.
Tech-Tac-Toe Assignment 1
Algebra Definitions
1.
Absolute Value-the distance between
the number and 0 on the number line.
2.
Base-the number or expression that
is used as a factor in a repeated multiplication.
3.
Constant- a term that is a number.
4.
Difference-an answer to a
subtraction problem.
5.
Domain-the set of all first
coordinates of a relation.
6.
Equation-a statement that two
expressions are equal.
7.
Expression-a mathematical sentence.
8.
Exponent-a number or a variable that
represents the number of times a base is used as a factor in a repeated
multiplication.
9.
Integer-consisted of negative and
positive whole numbers, including 0.
10.
Median-the middle score or the mean
of two middle scores of an ordered set of data.
11.
Ordered Pair-a pair of numbers that
can be used to locate a pint in a coordinate plane. First number is the
x-coordinate, and the second in the y-coordinate
12.
Origin-the point (0,0) where the
x-axis and the y-axis intersect in a coordinate plane.
13.
Parallel Lines- Coplanar lines with
equal slopes. The lines do not intersect.
14.
Power-made up of an exponent or base
15.
Quadrants-four regions into which a
coordinate plane is divided by the x-axis and the y-axis.
16.
Scatter Plot-the graph of a collection
of ordered pairs (x,y)
17.
Term-the number or an expression
that is added to a sum.
18.
Variable-a letter that represents
one or more numbers.
19.
X-axis-the horizontal number line in
a coordinate plane.
20.
Y-axis-the vertical number line in a
coordinate plane.
This assignment could be used as a study guide for the end of the year final. The students would be asked to compile a list of 100 vocabulary words from throughout the year. First they would create a wordle with the list of 100 words then the students would need to pick 20 of those words to define. As the teacher I would then take the definitions from all the students and create a list of all the words they should know for the test. The students can then use the wordle to read off the names and the definitions. The students’ goal would be to recite the definitions using the wordle without using the definition sheet.
Wordle is a free web 2.0 tool in
which students, teachers and more can create a word cloud using any list of
words. Wordle is very easy to use, one types their list into the box provided
on the wordle site. When finished and word cloud is created the words appear in
all directions and can be different sizes. The size of the word depends on the
number of times you type that word in the box. For example if you type the word
"algebra" ten times, the word "add" six times and the work
"multiply" twice, the work "algebra" would be the largest
then "add" and then "multiply". The color scheme can also
be changed. You cannot choose specific colors just different predetermined
combinations. Wordle is definitely a tool students of all ages can use easily. This
web 2.0 tool could be used for many things, study guide, an all about me,
summer vacation, etc. Wordle does not require you to create and account in
order to use the site. You can find wordle at http://www.wordle.net.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Technology Stages....Which am I?
Which stage are you at now (personally or professionally)?
Personally I feel that I am in stage 2: adoption. Until recently my main use of technology has been for personal reasons, such as Facebook, email, banking and word processing for youth group lessons. As a future professional I see my self at stage3: adaptation. I am ready to try integrating technology in to my curriculum as I see this is necessary to keep the students focus. I see myself having the students write things out and all working on the same thing in the lab. Not rushing to much with the some what over whelming amount of technology. On the other hand I am also excited to learn more about all the "cool tools" to help me branch out and reach the other stages in order for my students to have the best learning experience.
Is there one stage that you found to be particularly easy and/or difficult?
I think that stage 3: adaptation could potentially be difficult because you are trying your best to integrate technology into your curriculum but you are completely confident with it yourself. You want to use it but it stressed you out and you give up. This could become a viscous circle causing you try again and again.
Do you agree with the stages as they are listed, or is something missing?
I agree with the stages as they are. I feel that technology is something one is either willing and anxious to learn or wants almost nothing to do with it.
Do you know of an instance with a colleague that easily fit in one of the listed stages?
In the school where I volunteer I definitely have seen teachers in these different stages. The one I work with most often is definitely stage3: adaptation falling back to stage 2: adoption at times. She is not a fan of technology and at times is still having a hard time with it. There are also teachers in stage 4: appropriation who can't get enough technology and use it everyday with their students. I have also seen stage 5: innovation where the teacher know just how much technology to use to help their students succeed. In a different setting I see this at work as well. Some of my coworkers do not like using the register since it is computer based. They usually try and avoid training and panic if asked to ring. (stage 1: entry)
Personally I feel that I am in stage 2: adoption. Until recently my main use of technology has been for personal reasons, such as Facebook, email, banking and word processing for youth group lessons. As a future professional I see my self at stage3: adaptation. I am ready to try integrating technology in to my curriculum as I see this is necessary to keep the students focus. I see myself having the students write things out and all working on the same thing in the lab. Not rushing to much with the some what over whelming amount of technology. On the other hand I am also excited to learn more about all the "cool tools" to help me branch out and reach the other stages in order for my students to have the best learning experience.
Is there one stage that you found to be particularly easy and/or difficult?
I think that stage 3: adaptation could potentially be difficult because you are trying your best to integrate technology into your curriculum but you are completely confident with it yourself. You want to use it but it stressed you out and you give up. This could become a viscous circle causing you try again and again.
Do you agree with the stages as they are listed, or is something missing?
I agree with the stages as they are. I feel that technology is something one is either willing and anxious to learn or wants almost nothing to do with it.
Do you know of an instance with a colleague that easily fit in one of the listed stages?
In the school where I volunteer I definitely have seen teachers in these different stages. The one I work with most often is definitely stage3: adaptation falling back to stage 2: adoption at times. She is not a fan of technology and at times is still having a hard time with it. There are also teachers in stage 4: appropriation who can't get enough technology and use it everyday with their students. I have also seen stage 5: innovation where the teacher know just how much technology to use to help their students succeed. In a different setting I see this at work as well. Some of my coworkers do not like using the register since it is computer based. They usually try and avoid training and panic if asked to ring. (stage 1: entry)
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Research Reflection
What stood out?
The amount of time children spend using technology stood out to me. Although I do see this in my everyday life just seeing the numbers shocked me a little. Especially when children are "media multitasking", spending seven and a half actual hours but in reality its ten hours and forty-five minutes.
Were you surprised by anything you saw?
Yes, I was surprised by the statics associated with various ethnic and racial groups. I never realized this could be a factor in the amount of media used by a student. It seems like most families have some kind of media whether its a TV, computer, smart phone, or video games. I am just shocked that certain ethnic/racial group would use it almost double the time of another. I was also surprised by the fact that the TV is still the most popular form of media with students. I honestly thought it would be the computer.
Do you think having information such as this available to you will help you reach your students on a greater level?
Yes, I believe it will be helpful to me as a future educator. The research done by the Kaiser Family puts into perspective just how much I will need to integrate technology in to my lessons to keep the students focused and wanting to learn. Classrooms are definitely not completely lecture based anymore. In some ways I think it will be a little difficult to integrate technology into a math curriculum but I am up for the challenge.
Should we be cautious about the research findings or take them at their word?
I think we can take them at there word but also realized that the amount of time spend daily using media will always be raising. This research has confirmed what I see in my everyday life; at home, at work and at the school I volunteer at. Children of all ages need "screens". Sometimes its hard to get them to do anything without some screen time.
Do you thing students were portrayed positively or negatively by the findings?
I feel that the students were portrayed positively. Positively in that this is how they are and they do see a problem with it because this is how they grew up. With all of these "new medias" at their finger tips. Therefore they don't really know any better. The future generations will have so many cool media devises that us teachers might even be replaced with robots or computers ourselves.
The amount of time children spend using technology stood out to me. Although I do see this in my everyday life just seeing the numbers shocked me a little. Especially when children are "media multitasking", spending seven and a half actual hours but in reality its ten hours and forty-five minutes.
Were you surprised by anything you saw?
Yes, I was surprised by the statics associated with various ethnic and racial groups. I never realized this could be a factor in the amount of media used by a student. It seems like most families have some kind of media whether its a TV, computer, smart phone, or video games. I am just shocked that certain ethnic/racial group would use it almost double the time of another. I was also surprised by the fact that the TV is still the most popular form of media with students. I honestly thought it would be the computer.
Do you think having information such as this available to you will help you reach your students on a greater level?
Yes, I believe it will be helpful to me as a future educator. The research done by the Kaiser Family puts into perspective just how much I will need to integrate technology in to my lessons to keep the students focused and wanting to learn. Classrooms are definitely not completely lecture based anymore. In some ways I think it will be a little difficult to integrate technology into a math curriculum but I am up for the challenge.
Should we be cautious about the research findings or take them at their word?
I think we can take them at there word but also realized that the amount of time spend daily using media will always be raising. This research has confirmed what I see in my everyday life; at home, at work and at the school I volunteer at. Children of all ages need "screens". Sometimes its hard to get them to do anything without some screen time.
Do you thing students were portrayed positively or negatively by the findings?
I feel that the students were portrayed positively. Positively in that this is how they are and they do see a problem with it because this is how they grew up. With all of these "new medias" at their finger tips. Therefore they don't really know any better. The future generations will have so many cool media devises that us teachers might even be replaced with robots or computers ourselves.
 |
| *Some of the children in my life and their many "screens"!* |
Friday, August 31, 2012
Welcome
Hi, I am Michelle.
I am the youngest of three girls. I grew up and still live in Oak Park, IL. I live with my mom, two sisters and 12 year old niece. I also have many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. I love spending time with my family and friends! We have done so many memorable things together. I wouldn't be where I am today without all of them!!
One of my favorite things to do is volunteer at a school in my community. At least once a week I go in and work with one of the fourth grade classes. I work with small groups in math, reading and spelling. I also work with students one-on-one when its needed. At lunch time I help with study hall. Making sure the students get caught up in their classes. I also help the teachers by copying, changing bulletin boards and assisting in the PBIS presentations. Another thing I love to do is scrapbook. I could spend hours cutting, matting and labeling pictures. I love being creative while preserving all of our memories. Recently I have learned to knit. This is definitely a work in progress.
Last school year I also started subbing at Walther Lutheran Academy. Here I worked with students from pre-k through fourth grade. Although I was incredibly nervous the first few times this was an amazing experience I hope to continue this year. I have also been tutoring students of all ages for about eight years in math.
As you can see I love to help children learn!! Which has brought me back to Dominican University for grad school. This fall I started my two year "journey" (as I like to call it) to finally become the teacher I have always wanted to be. As an undergrad at Dominican I studied math. My passion for math and my love of helping children learn has brought me to my ultimate goal of becoming an algebra teacher!!
In closing, I would like to dedicate this blog and all of my hard work past, present and future to my father who passed away unexpectedly in May 2006. I was and will always be a daddy's girl. I know he is watching over and extremely proud of me!! Love you dad!!
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