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.