Journal post #5

Chapter 5: Teaching information literacy and digital citizenship.

Focus Question:
What are search engines and how do they work?
A search engine is a computer program that looks up documents though the internet. For example you type in a specific word or phrase and it will provide you with many online information on the subject linking you to web pages on the specific topic.search engines is a top reason why people use the internet to locate information i have to admit i use google quit a lot.Some search engines that are frequently used are google,bing,and yahoo of course there is more but those three are the most popular.

credit to: http://www.realtrafficproductions.com

Tech Tool: 
photos and audio resources on the web 
Flickr is a website in which photos of different subjects and different themes are shared by people that like photography in an artistic aspect or just because. In high school we were made to make an account and post photos, which was an interesting way to use technology in our art class. Flickr can be used as a visual learning tool in a classroom setting. Flickr organizes its photos by subject and themes which is a great way to look up a photo that can be used by both teachers and students in different ways for example in presentations.

Summary and connection:

In chapter five it discusses the internet and the different things that you can do when searching for information.Search engines were explained such as google and wikipedia.Also topics such as plagiarism, creditability on the website, and cyberbullying were discussed. For me this chapter was helpful because it is nerve racking when doing a research paper because A. your looking up information B.you need to check if its creditable information that you found and C.you need to be careful and word the information in your own words and cite when needed.It also goes more into digital citizenship which just means that people use information for the right reasons and gives credit to who ever gave the information/ deservers it .This chapter was one of the most I've enjoyed reading by far.

Journal post #4

Chapter 4 designing lessons and developing curriculum with technology

Focus question:

How can teachers evaluate and assess students learning?
There are many ways that teachers can evaluate and assess their students such as some that include test assessments, standard based assessments, and performance approach.Many teachers use tests and performance assessments to get an understanding of how much a student knows before a particular lesson and how much they learn afterwords. Another approach that is being used is technology because teachers can incorporate them by testing students , giving them quizzes, and also giving them writing assignments.I remember back in middle school how everyone in 8th grade had to take a comprehension test before the school year , in the middle of the school year, and at the end of the school year to see how much we learned that particular year. I believe the criterion assessments are better to do as an educator because the students that are taking part in this testing are being evaluated by their personal performance. The assessment can be the creation of the teacher which means questions will include what the students have learned during classes.I prefer this assessment because you can see were the students are and in what area they need particular help.


Connections & possibilities:
Thinkinity: online lesson development resources 
Before teachers would ask them selves "what do i teach on monday morning?" Teachers would have to do their own little research reviewing the school curriculum, gathering materials for a lesson plan at the library reading books professionally done. Will now Teachers have options such as going online and trying to find detailed lessons to develop their own. Thinkfinity is a website which contains an enormous amount of standards-based curriculum ideas and lesson plans. Thinkfinity is organized also by grade level ,learning materials, and the subject.

summary and connection:
In chapter four you get an insight of how lesson plans are planned out and made. lesson plans are made focused on trying to engage the students while they learn a particular subject. Also it explained how now there are particular websites you can use to develop a lesson plan and other tools to make a lesson plan more effective. I feel that it is an easier way then how it was done before when there was no technology.teachers would have to of done double the work.

                                     



Resources:
Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013).Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.   

Journal post #3 
 chapter 3: Transforming learning with unique,powerful learning.

Focus question:
How does computer technology promote unique powerful and transformative learning for students and teachers?

     Technology promotes unique powerful and transformative learning for both students and teachers by engaging them in a lesson.Students now in days seem more entertained when teachers use technology in a lesson. Problem solving and critical thinking are some of the things that technology uniquely has to offer. Online learning from educational games and interactive simulations improves and develops problem solving and critical thinking . I believe students learn more with technology other than non electronics in some cases because they are in the competitive mood wanting those points and winning.  Technology is Transforming how teachers are teaching instead of how they used to do things for example handing out quizzes,textbook reading,writing down notes on the board for students to write down and completing work sheets.Now you see teachers hand out the notes, give quizzes online, assign students to read an ebook which is books online you can read. As a result  students learn in ways that make education more fun and they can easy engage with what is being taught.

Tech tool:
 3.2 web resources and apps for developing digital literacies 

   discusses a few web resources one can look into for specific topics which can come in forms of apps. Also it discusses ebooks which can give you an active reading experience including pictures that are animated and a narrator that can read to you if preferred by a touch of  a finger. ebooks and apps are a great resource for those who are beginning to read to those who are active readers its a great way to be entertained while learning.

summary and connection:

Chapter three discusses how teachers are incorporating technology into lesson plans and how students are engaging in learning by using technology. Technology is being used in classrooms to engage students to learn problem solving and promote their critical thinking skills. Also i think its a great way for students to know how to use technology in there learning environment because it helps the students build digital citizenship which refers to the ability to participate in an online society.

Resources:  
Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. 

Journal Post #2

Journal Post #2

Sunday 26th, 2014

Chapter 2 understanding educational technology issues and trends.

Focus question:
What are the major issues, developments, and trends in the field of educational technology?

     A major issue is that there is a lot of digital divides and participation gaps between the students. A lot of these students come from low-income and nonwhite homes and because of this students do not have access to computers or even the internet. If these students continue to not have access to computers or to the newest technologies they would be left behind in an academic gap, which means students from high-income families would be able to achieve the academic standards than the lower-income students. In my opinion a way to help lower-income students is to provide technology in the classrooms. If students are able to have technology in the classrooms they will be more literate in technology and help students with their academics. I think some of the trends in the field of educational technology is that teachers are using online videos, podcasts, and other forms of media, so students can go back to review or maybe get motived to do academic work. As an educator you want to see students succeed and it is a great way to create a different learning experience. Technology helps students excel in problem solving and critical thinking by doing online research, electronic worksheets, and doing online tutoring programs.

Credit: Canopy Oaks Elementary website

Connection possibilities:

     Ted talks are video presentations that can include project ideas, musical performances, poetry, and including so much more. In my perspective it is a good tool to be used by educators to have another way to each students about different subjects and ideals. It is also a fun way for students to learn by using computer graphics and animations.

Summary and connection:

     Chapter 2 discusses how technologies are engaging students in learning and how technology can also become a barrier for a students academic success. The reason is because of the different technology teachers are now using. Growing up for me was so different from how students are growing up in the present. From an early age students are learning how to use computers for either doing presentations on powerpoints or doing online classes. And when I was young all my presentations were on poster boards and online classes were unknown.

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park 

     (2013).Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson 

     Education, Inc.

Journal Post #1
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Chapter 1 – Becoming a 21^st Century Teacher
Focus Question: What are 21^st Century skills and 21^st Century technologies?  
   What are 21^st century skills you ask? Well 21^st century skills represent the knowledge and understandings that students need to have in order to understand the developed technological society we have now in days. These Skills include making informed judgments, and the ability to think critically for reasons including and not limited to communicate and collaborate with others and using technology in a creative way. To Find and discover the information they need and use them in innovative ways.       
 21^st century technologies have a huge range from computers, smartphones, and tablets.  Technology today has the potential to do many things from transforming media to creating them. With the technology today anything is possible for example sharing networking, social Network teaming, social bookmarking sites.21^st Technology and 21st-century skills are directly connected by using computers which has access to the Internet leading to  endless outcomes. These outcomes offer inspiring ways for students to live by thinking critically on a problem and resolving them. 

                                                    picture by Stanley Rutkowski on coetail


Text tool :Tablets, smartphones, and laptops are just some of the most used technologies today. All devices which are something I find really useful, little computers you can carry around with you. Laptops can run multiple windows and have substantial battery life. Laptops come in different forms which include ultra portable, thin and light and including mid-size. Ultraportable are the smallest computers you can find of course they have smaller screen and keyboard they can be touch screens and stylus typing ones.Thin and light is the best combination of both ultraportable and midsize models it files storage with good speed and is a little more expensive than ultraportable it has a midsize screen and weighs heavier. Midsize laptops have high resolution screens and have an okay battery life and enough power to store multiple files. Just like the one I have which I believe is the best to use for school work. Tablets are touch screen computers they are small flat screen and also provide Internet access through any network companies that include Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. The best-selling and a personal favorite would be apples iPad its Lightweight easy to carry around and the best of all. I can complete schoolwork on it. There are now tablets that you can put Microsoft programs in it so and have CD slots in them and it’s even more convenient. Smartphones are mobile telephones that can perform a great range of things smart phones have voice communication, text messaging and video viewing.You can access the Internet which can be very useful for example I use one myself when Stores have coupons but not only that also I submit schoolwork from my smart phone when I'm busy.  

Photo credit to elcique on Flickr

Summary & Connection The first chapter gave so much information .The chapter discussed how computers, social media,internet and how other new technologies are being used among students as well as how it affects them.Also it described ways teachers can use 21^st Century technologies to teach 21^st Century skills to the classroom.Along the chapter it explained how to organize and begin building your own digital identity as a technology using teacher.which makes me a little scared and excited. I am scared of  technology and media because of of the fact that there is so many out there.There is an enormous variety of technology out there and new technology is invented every now and then, But I'm looking forward to learning all about it and expanding my knowledge in technology using.



Resources: 
Textbook - Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.