High 5 on Tech Tools

The eight technology tools that I am evaluating with scores 1 to 5, 1 being not as great and I may not use the tool nor recommend it; 5 is high and most definitely I love the tool.

Moodle: http://moodle.com/
Score - 5
I love my Moodle site, using this tool is a great thing. This is an easy way to get information in regards to our class schedule and assignments. I will always remember your words “it’s on the Moodle”. I find your class really going green and I appreciate it because it turns out, it saved my pocket too. Most definitely I will recommend for any instructor to use this tool.

Mozilla FireFox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
Score - 5
I love my Firefox browser. After learning about this browser, I signed up for it and what a difference. It is a lot faster and easier to use; I will recommend everyone to use it as well. I no longer use internet explorer.

Delicious: http://delicious.com/
Score - 5
I love my Delicious bookmarks page. This is a tool that I feel will help me in my future classes and classroom. I will definitely continue to use this tool for marking everything that I may find interesting from researching. I like how it's user friendly and that I am able to open up the bookmark right away.

Google Applications: http://docs.google.com/
Score - 5
So far I love to use the blog after learning it from this web, and I am happy to have it after having only Hotmail for the longest time. I've learned to save all my passwords; it is a good thing because I do rely on that folder on a daily basis. Blogger is another one I am getting comfortable with. I'm slowly getting there but I will continue to explore. One thing I've enjoyed was the group presentation because it was the first time I ever worked simultaneously with a group on-line. I am still in awe on what I can work with.

Skype: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/
Score - 4
I like to use Skype for my personal communication with friends and families. I love that it is free and easy to use. One thing I treasure about Skype is that it allows the usage of webcams and be able to see our love ones. Though you can only contact people that are on-line, or had signed up, I'll recommend that people use this because it saves us from calling long distance and be charged for it.

Prezi: http://prezi.com/#
Score - 5
This tool makes presentations much more interesting because of what it can do, and not only that, the white board makes a difference. As I learn more about Prezi and become better at it, I will take that step to share with others. This is a good tool for everyone that do presentations, a difference from the Microsoft Powerpoint that many people are so comfortable with. The features for Prezi are amazing.

Weebly: http://www.weebly.com/
Score - 4
As I continue to practice creating my website, Weebly is a a great tool. After reading and listening to the information, it was easy to use. I am deciding to present my last assignment with Weebly in class. I recommend others to check this tool out, it's free and user friendly.

Dimdim: http://www.dimdim.com/
Score - 4
First time I used this website, I was happy and disappointed. As per our discussions in class in regards to Dimdim and the communications because of where we are located, I'm not sure if this will be something I will recommend. Anyway, I won't put it away just yet, I will continue to fiddle with it and perhaps it has something to do with just the user, but good-luck to me.

A Positive Outlook

Lesson plan #2 was just as tough for me as the first one, but with a little less anxiety. I’ll tell you what, I’ve come a long way in this class and I long for more knowledge on technology. I will not deny, busy schedules has kept me from deeply exploring, but my summer is approaching and I will take it upon my will to venture out and go beyond what we’ve learned, since there will be more time on my hands. I’ll take the advice of Dr. Cyrus "to challenge myself and expand my knowledge". The thousands of tools being offered on technology are our benefits to provide bigger and better for our children in the school system, as well as for the teachers. I can admit that lesson plans are easier to prepare because the ASSURE model (The six steps of the ASSURE Model 2003)plan is the guide that can be easily followed. I know that I will continue to use this model because like the lesson plan article states “needed for effective learning”. The NET*S standard applicable to my lesson would be 2A "Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: Teachers design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity" (NET*S).

I chose this lesson plan so students are able to incorporate a home activity involving parental/guardian guidance because it was a way where parents would be motivated to obtain knowledge of the modern technology tools. What a better way than to bring it home and include them. One important aspect of this lesson is that parents might go beyond their comfort zone as well,and the probability of students using other digital tools for their learning environment will let parents/guardians realize that technology is much more than just what the children are adapted to. (WE games, etc...) This is a positive outlook. Especially on Guam, most parents and other people access the computer with limitations such as e-mail and basic internet usage. With all this technology available, I know that it should have some kind of impact sooner for our education system in regards to the problems that is currently going on. Applicable for this lesson, the NETS*T standard 3B "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative on an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation"(NET*S 1997-2010).

In closing, I would like to say that I’ve learned a great deal on not just creating a lesson plan following the ASSURE model but technology tools to be incorporated with the lesson. I brag to my family members that prior to taking Audio Visual class, I had and knew one thing to do on the computer and that was to check my email on hotmail. Now, I have a whole bunch of technology tools to work with (of course I’m just getting my feet wet) and thank goodness I learned to use google applications because the folder on my documents was very useful. Currently, I am continuing to explore many websites of your suggestions as well as from my fellow classmates in ED451. To date, my technology knowledge has become a positive outlook over-all.

References:
National Educational Technology Standards (1997-2010). NETS FOR Teachers 2008.
Retrieved April 23, 2010 from the International Society for Technology in Education Website: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Nelson,J.,DeGroff,S.,Williams,D.Learning Telecollaboratively: Lesson Plan Models. Retrieved April 18, 2010. Website:http://clifmims.wetpaint.com/page/Lesson+Plan+Models

Voicethread (2007-2010). What's a Voicetread anyway?. Retrieved April14, 2010. Websites: http://voicethread.com/#home; http://voicethread.com/?#q

A Nutty Lesson

ASSURE MODEL LESSON PLAN

ANALYZE LEARNERS: My students are 5^th graders with the age group of 10 & 11. They are a mixture in ethnic group with 9 Chamorros, 6 Filipinos, 4 Chukese and 1 Palauan. I also have 1 student that is autistic but he is not given a one to one aide because his IEP (Individualized Education Program) affirms that he is a high functioning student. The genders of the students are 11 males and 10 females.

Prior knowledge: All students were trained to access the computer for researching. Students practiced utilizing the video recorder in class. Website for Voicetread has been introduced for purposes of this activity. Those students that did not have access to video recorders or computers, other alternate avenues have been assigned to complete the project.

LEARNING STYLES:

• Visual
  

• Verbal
  

• Lecture
  

• Hands-on participation
  

OBJECTIVES: Parental/Family involvement is needed for this Home project- Technology application during activity

STUDENTS WILL:

Prepare and cook a coconut dish of their choice, they may research information on internet for recipes; guided by parents or guardians. They may also choose & share their family's recipe.

Operate a video camera first to introduce their team, show all ingredients to be used for dish, cooking area/materials. And second they will video/ record while prepping and cooking dish.

Use Voice Thread to download their video and present their work of art (cooked dish) and share their thoughts including the team's input.

SELECT METHODS, MEDIA, AND MATERIALS:

Media:

Computer

Digital Camera/Recorder

Materials:

pencils & notebooks

ingredients and supplies for cooking dish

Methods:

In class demonstration : Cooking

Group practice

Small tips for SAFETY while cooking

Parental involvement for Home project

Usage of: Internet, Video camera/recorder & Voice Thread

UTILIZING:

MEDIA - computer will be used first to research for a coconut recipe: this is a collaborated selection from parent/guardian and student. Next the computer will be used for downloading their recordings from the digital camera to the Voice Thread to share their work of art and thoughts of the process of cooking. The Voicetread is a presentation tool that allows annotations for video recordings.

Materials - students will be taking notes during the in class demonstration; students will be writing family recipes and or ingredients to be used, internet info (if no printer), or questions that they may have in regards to the activity.

Methods -

1. Teacher will explain short safety tips involving cooking, and also on cleanliness.
2. Teacher will share a simple coconut candy recipe by a cooking demonstration.
   
3. Parental or guardian involvement must be adhered to for this project to be completed; video camera will show total process of activity.
4. Voice Thread presentation sample of teacher’s work of art.

REQUIRE LEARNER PARTICIPATION:

Teacher and students will be discussing and answering questions about the safety tips on both cooking and cleanliness before they go home to start the project; information must be reviewed with parent or guardian.

After teacher demonstrates simple cooking, groups of 3 will demonstrate the same dish (coconut candy) guided by teacher for their practice; video recorder/camera also in usage.

Students will apply their prior knowledge on researching from the internet for a coconut dish – (Home Work)

In class sharing of information regarding their coconut dish:

1. Name of dish, a family recipe or did you select one from internet.

2. A brief summary of what will entail as far as the cooking process.

3. Some ingredients they will be utilizing.

EVALUATE AND REVISE:

Students will be graded on the following:

1. Was the coconut ingredient used for their dish?
2. Were all requirements met for the video/digital recording: Team members, cooking area & materials viewed, and if whole cooking process recorded with parental/guardian involvement throughout the duration of activity?

3. Was assignment completed using Voicethread to present their work.

Adopt and Adapt the New World

The new way of learning through technology would definitely be something that Guam Department of Education may see an enormous difference as far as SAT scores and the performance of the students will improve in all content areas. The transformation of GDOE students in their learning style if given the opportunity would be astounding. Daily lesson plans are written for students that can see or hear, but the blind or hearing impaired students do not have the technology tools to work with, and the only way these people take part of the lesson is through their one to one aides being their eyes and ears. I feel they are robbed from their education. If lesson plans include how all students will achieve the lesson and AAT is in place than disabled students will in turn adapt to the learning system and be able to participate in one way or another. They too will get the sense of inclusion amongst his/her peers and it will stimulate their learning capabilities. The video “enabling dreams” is so inspiring. The wonderful world of technology can make the difference. After watching the clip, I thought of the students in our local school system and I can’t help myself to be so upset and to ask Why? Why can’t things be the same for our students? How can we get to that direction, and who can help us? All of these questions makes me want to abandon my profession so that I can seek assistance or research on ways to provide our kids with their needs for education. I’m disturbed because our children deserve the best and yet we’re so far behind. Not enough is being done and I feel it is time for the change to adopt and adapt to the new way of learning. We must face reality and know that technology is the only direction we are dealing with.

The high number of students in our school system who need the assistive adaptive technology is evidence that their dreams can also exist. Disabled students can do so many things like reading the same book or just being in sync with their peers but from the computer. They will be able to play on-line educational game activities for their recess since they are limited to go out to the playgrounds. Science projects can be researched or just practicing their writing skills; just about anything to enhance their learning capabilities through the AAT. When mainstream students are provided with lesson plans that are effective and technology tools are provided, the learning environment for them is limitless. So, if lesson plans fit the needs of disabled students, then we make the dreams of both worlds successful in life. Parents will be contented of the school system that their children are provided with the best education.

In closing, I feel that all areas of the community should be involved and contribute one way or another to help schools get up to par by providing any and all AAT devices for all students so that it is used in the classrooms regularly. Teachers, parents, administrators, education officials, should all be aggressive in seeking the assistance from the local and federal government to provide students the possibility of changing their learning ways in the classroom. They must continue to inquire and acquire on getting the edcuation system top notch because it is their territory.

Forces of Typhoons

Content: Science

Analyze Learners: General Characteristics:
Grade Level: 3rd
Age Group: 8 - 9 Years old
Ethnic group: 9 Chamorros, 6 Filipinos, 4 Chukese, & 1 Palauan
Gender: 10 Males & 10 Females
Learning Styles:

• Visual


• Verbal


• Lectures


• Hands on

State Objective: Students will

1. Identify the Miles Per Hour wind speed for typhoon strengths.


2. Record typhoons strengths and other data from Internet research.


3. Input data collected from research on a MS excel table (such as name given for typhoons, the year the typhoon occurred, & the mph wind speed).

Graphs of the wind speed and other related inserts should be included.

Select Methods, Media, and Materials:

1. Notebooks


2. Pencils/Pens


3. Natural Air, electric fan, air con, & commercial industrial fan


4. Computer/Internet/MS EXCEL

Utlize Media and Materials:

Discussions of the different forces of the wind or air by experiencing the natural air, the highest air speed of a regular fan; the coldest temperature of an air condition, and the force of a commerical industrial fan with the fastest speed.

Introduction on internet researching.

Students will view video clips of typhoons, hurricanes, or tornadoes via YOUTUBE.com or other media available.

Demonstrate the usage of the microsoft excel - function and keys.

Students will research information on typhoon strengths through internet.

Notebooks will be utilized for notes and other findings of information about typhoons to be recorded on the digitial spread sheet.

Require learner participation:

• Teacher will share the experience of Super Typhoon Pamela and the temporary kind of life lived.


• Video clips sharing and /or stories of typhoon experiences.


• Illustrate a complete copy of a digital spreadsheet for their review.


• Open discussion on students experience of the entire project; from their readings and research about typhoons and its strengths, watching the video clips, and their usage of the microsoft excel.

Evaluate and Revise:

Teachers review:

1. Were the objectives met?

2. Did the students find the research on typhoons informative?

3. Were students able to access the internet at home?

Students:

Rubric evaluation based on end product of students spreadsheet.

Technology Anxiety

Lesson plan number #1 made me reflect whether I should continue this class or withdraw. Lesson plan #1 was a challenge, but I dared myself to finish the project. The anxiety from this experience made me frustrated, exited, lost, hated my age, just about everything, it did it. I did not want to give up because I finally realized that I'm learning technology. That is TECHNOLOGY, way more than hotmail.com, Microsoft Word, and the comfort zone that I had, which wasn't much. The innovative system of education; if I continue to explore and apply; work planning will be so much exciting and magnificent. Technology....Technology....Technology...It's bigger than I thought. I do have a lot more to learn, and yes I am interested. The opportunities of this planning lesson activities via multimedia, opened up my mind and with the new information just learned, I am energized to do more lesson plans. Some of the technology tools I applied to this lesson plan were the bookmarks, control tab, and all those I learned thus far,. Deciding to become better and better in the usage of the technology world, determines me to bring it into the classroom. Although, it may be challenging for the CHamorro program but I'll learn to be creative and aggressive. The NETS*T standard that my lesson plan would be aligned with would be Standards 1c and 2b as stated with the following:

Teacher standards 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
Teacher use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

c. Teachers promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

Teacher standards 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and assessments.
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS*S.

b. Teachers develop technology - enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosites and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

Furthermore, as students learn the real technology world, it would be much more educational than their current usage of electronic devices of games, something that I think of as nowhere near a learning environment. The NETS*T standards that my lesson plan would align with for executing the project would be as follows:

Teacher standard 1a & b: Technology Operations and Concepts.
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:

a. Demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students).

b. Demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

Teacher standard 2a: Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences.
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:

a. Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.

I like to close by saying; as I take on the rest of the challenges for this technology course, I am hopeful to overcome my anxiety feelings and be able to absorb all the knowledge possible. In this way I can further explore to be comfortable enough for learners to have the opportunity in enhancing their learning styles as well. The real world is technology and the local education system lacks and limits the usage of it, but I will do my best to change it. The requirement of taking this course is excellent, and no matter how much anxiety I have, I will remain positive and expand my knowledge of the multimedia usage.

References:

Iste- International Society for Technology in Education (1997-2010). NETS*T For Teachers 2008.

http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS for Teachers 2008.htm.

Iste-International Society for Technology in Education (1997-2010). NETS*T For Teachers 2000.

http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2000Stanards/NETS for Teachers 2000.htm.

Jennifer Nelson, Shari DeGroff, Donna Williams Lesson Plan Models: ASSURE MODEL, written by: Jennifer Nelson; Developed by Sharon E. Smaldino, James D. Russell, Robert Heinich, and Michael Molenda

Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning by Heinich, Molenda, Russell, Smaldino, 1999 http://clifmims.wetpaint.com/page/Lesson+Plan+Models