Journal #9- Science + Technology=Creativity (and Fun!)

Mader, Jared and Ben Smith. (Aug 2009). Science + Technology=Creativity (and Fun!). Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved Aug 3, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200908/

"Students need opportunities to use the tools of scientific and creative inquiry. So get out the microphones, digital cameras, camcorders, and probeware." (30). This article discusses the importance of technology for students. There are so many tools that can enhance their education. The article provides a three step process that will aid students to be creative. The first step is to give them tools, provide lesson plans that incorporate technological tools. The student will learn about both the digital tools and the lesson plan's content. Student will begin to acknowledge that the tools they are using are there to support and enhance their learning. As students get more and more familiar with digital tools, they will be able to choose the tools necessary to complete their assignments. The second step is to give them the time, students need the time to explore the new tool that they are using. Once students are given the opportunity to get familiar with the tool, then the will become more efficient and faster. The last step is to be vague, don't provide the student with too much detail while giving instructions on the assignment. By being vague students are given more freedom to explore and be creative with their final product. Because there are not very many guidelines provided, there will be a variety of end products not just another cookie cutter assignment.

Will I implement these three steps in my classroom?
Absolutely, I think that the last step in particular is very beneficial to the student. It allows the student to be creative and come up with something new and different. I agree with these steps, it makes sense to gives students time to explore something new and provide them the tools to do so. Many students don't have some of these digital tools at home, so it may be the first time they are using or seeing one of those tools.

Although I like the third step, does it have any cons?
Being vague isn't beneficial to all students. Some students need more direction and structure. I'm sure that there is a medium, we just have to take into consideration each student's learning styles.

Journal #8- Choosing the perfect tools for one on one

B. Bouterse, J.O.Corn, B.O.Halstead, (August 2009). Choosing the perfect tools for one-to-one, 6 Questions to consider before implementing a portable learning initiative at your school or district. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/AugustNo1/37115t.pdf

This article discusses how to select appropriate devices for schooling purposes. While selecting devices you must consider the needs of the teachers and students. It is important to do so because we do not want to select a device that doesn't provide the student potential. The article suggests that you consider two things when selecting a device. Consider the implementation strategies and the project outcomes. The implementation strategies are the hardware/software, technical infrastructure, and professional development. The project outcomes are the changes in teaching and learning. There should be six critical questions that schools and districts should consider:

*Will the computing device be used for single purpose or as a multipurpose machine ready to accept new software, content, or Internet capability?
*What operating system do you have the resources to support? (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux)
*Do you want to install local applications, use Web applications, or both?
*Do you install local content onto the device's hard drive, use Web content, or both?
*Will you be using peripheral equipment, such as probes, microscopes, GPS units, digital cameras, printers, or projectors?
*What can you do to project the computing device from the regular wear and tear of everyday use by students and staff?

It is crucial that before purchasing a device for schools, what is best for the students and the school be considered. Using these six questions really helps to break it down and make sure you are getting the right device for your uses.

What can be done as a future educator do provide the best device for my school?
I can make sure that my district and school read this article and consider the student's needs.

What computing device would I recommend to my school?
I would recommend that any school consider Mac OS X, I think that it is an easy to use computer. Many schools use Windows, so we don't get to see all that a Mac computer can provide for students.

Journal #7- Beyond Social Networking: Building Toward Learning Communities

Reynard, Ruth (15 July, 2009). Beyond social networking: building toward learning communities. The Journal: Transforming Education Through Technology, Retrieved July 29, 2009, from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/07/15/Beyond-Social-Networking-Building-Toward-Learning-Communities.aspx?Page=1

Ruth Reynard discusses the use of social networking among young crowds, she adds that older groups of people are developing technological skills. We see more and more people using social networking, not just young people. Reynard gives us information on how social networking can help students but also how it doesn't. She bring up that "if educators only integrate the ability of students to connect and socialize, deeper points of learning will be missed." Being a good teacher or a good students heavily depends on 'effective relationships' with an effective learning community. The relationship that are formed will continue to grow, and help students interact and exchange ideas. Younger generations are the ones who are changing the way things are done, by incorporating technology. Technology enhances the learning and teaching process in the classroom. Reynard mentions that in a regular classroom a teacher would have to plan ahead, group and pair students, and give them instruction. Why would we want to do all that when we could make it happen immediately, using social networking. These are some suggestions that Reynard gives in the article in order to help accomplish an effective social networking system. 1. Maintain a constant presence, understand student's views on social networking. 2. Use a variety of different tools to process information. 3. Actively synthesize broadly scoped ideas into workable focus areas. 4. Continue to engage students.

How can teachers do to keep up the growing technology?
I think that it may be hard for many teachers to keep up with the newest technology. There is so much out there and it continues to expand. Teachers need to attend tutorials and workshops in order to keep themselves informed and provide the best schooling for their students. Because we all know we have had one or two professors that call a student up to help with the projector or the computer. Not that its a big deal but I think it is important as an educator to provide students with information on technology. Technology is a big part of society!

Does social networking provide more learning styles for students?
I think that students who don't participate much in class, will be more incline to participating. Shy students will get the opportunity to express their opinions or raise any questions they may have without feeling embarassed. This will create more participation and active learning!

Wiki Page

Excel Crossword Puzzle

Excel crossword puzzle is digital and interactive. This crossword puzzle follows the NETS 2C: customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources

Inspiration- NETS for Teachers

Inspiration follows NETS 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.

Participation and Attendance

Reflect on your favorite assignment from the course...

I found all the assignments to be fun and interesting! I learned something new throughout this entire class. I wish I would have taken the semester long class, in order to get more out of the class. My all time favorite assignment was the tool I am using now, the blog! It was my favorite because I learned to create a page and upload my assignments. Using a blog for educational purposes is fantastic. I find that it is helpful for students to use blogs, and give their opinion on any topic. Shy students, will tend to be more quiet in the classroom setting and the blog allows them to express themselves through writing. This way students are able to participate, using the learning style that is best for them. A blog is a great tool to show case all of your assignments.

NETS For Students PowerPoint

This PowerPoint displays lesson plans that follow NETS for Students. PowerPoint as an assignment follows NETS 3D:
model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.
Nets S

View more presentations from clizgal.

Copyright Assignment

The copyright assignment follows the NETS 4A: advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

The following document describes the copyright guidelines found on http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/cid/copyrightbay/fairuse.htm.

Copyright Assignment

Newsletter

Newsletter

This newsletter was created to sample an assignment that can be used in the classroom with students. The newsletter falls under the NETS 1A that can promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.

iMovie

This video was created for prospecting students of California State University of San Marcos. It follows NETS 2A, it can design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

Journal #6- Don't Feed the Trolls

Richardson, Karen W. (May 2008). Don’t feed the trolls: using blogs to teach civil discourse. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved August 7, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume_35_2007_2008_/MayNo7/L_L_May_2008.htm

Karen Richardson discusses guidelines of civil discourse and the what 'trolls' are. Civil discourse guidelines "vary to some extent, they all share an essential message: personal attacks are never acceptable as part of public discourse in which the goal is to discuss ideas rather than people." (Richardson 13). Richardson goes on to define trolls, who are people that are rude and make offensive comments on the Internet. Trolls are usually found in online discussion forums, their main goal is to disrupt the peace by upsetting people. Timothy Campbell recommends that the best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them. The article also introduces MOOse Crossing, which “is an online interactive learning environment for kids ages 9 to 13, designed to help them learn creative writing and programming skills.” (14). Educators have to incorporate learning tools such the MOOse Crossing, in order to avoid misuse of the internet and the tools it has to offer. As educators, we must be an example to our students with all that we do whether it is online or offline. According to Richardson, using blogs is effective when teachers are teaching about civil discourse. The reason they are more effective is because everything that is written down is available for “review and reflection” which makes the student think more about what they will post onto their blogs.

What lesson plans can be done to help implement guidelines for civil discourse?

Educators can create lesson plans based around the guideline so that students fully understand civil discourse. One of the lesson plans can be grouping students together and having them work on one particular guideline. With each guideline students can provide an example of what is acceptable and what is not, and present it to their peers. Make sure that students follow the guidelines, and have them posted somewhere in the classroom.

How is MOOse Crossing effective in the classroom?

This interactive system gives students the confidence and knowledge on how to be an effective and proper writer. All the guidelines and information students need to know are placed in a fun interactive program that students are more interested in. The MOOse crossing code of conduct encourages students to end all their reflections by saying "If you think maybe you shouldn't do something, you probably shouldn't."

Journal #4- Google Earth

I chose to read about Google Earth, because I had always heard about it but never really gone on the site to see what it can do or what it was about. Once I read the post titled Cross-Cultural uses of Google Earth by Thomas Petra, it gave me a better understanding of the uses and benefits on education. Google Earth is a interactive online tool that allows anyone to "visualize, explore, and understand information on a fully interactive 3D globe or 2D browser based maps."(Google Website). Once on Google Earth you can go anywhere in the world or the universe! It is a great tool to use with younger grades, because it give them the opportunity to act as if they were actually there. You are able to explore anywhere in the world, which is a great learning tool for research projects on Geography.

This tool allows students to learn and enjoy a lesson plan. As Petra mentioned in his post there are many ways of using Google Earth. He chose to use it for his math class and developed several lesson plans around it. While working on one of his math lesson plans, his students asked, "What does this have to do with math?". He loved that comment, as do I, because students are enjoying what they are doing without knowing that they are doing math. I personally was never good at math, just because I didn't understand it. But with a tool like this it makes it fun and interesting for a student. The benefit from doing math on an interactive online tool is that the student is learning math and also learning to navigate online while using online resources.

Thomas Petra ended his post by asking if anybody had any ideas that he could use in the classroom with math or any subject. A guy replied that students could run numbers on a population and generate an example using Goggle Earth of what that population would look like 10 or 20 years from now. Thomas liked the ideas and decided that he could have students do something similar, but instead of population use contagious outbreaks. Somebody else said they didn't use math but they did use science. Thomas suggested that something could be done with his lesson plan about tracking typhoons, the science department can add a new perspective to it!

Journal #3- Assessment Made Easy

Zucker, Andrew A. (Jun/Jul 2009). Assessment made easy. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 22, 2009, from

http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_July.htm

The article talks about the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST). "It was the first public charter high school in Denver to become a one-to-one laptop school, thanks to a $1 million gift from Hewlett-Packard." They have a lottery system to accepts students into their school, they also accept forty percent of students from low income families. Their tests scores are the highest the state and most of their senior students are accepted to a college or university. I feel that the main purpose of this article is to inform on the importance of computers in school and the effects they have on students' learning. Part of the mission statement for DSST states that it "aims to create a community of learners and a school culture that fosters both academic and personal success for its students." I liked their mission statement and their goals for the students.

When it comes time for assessment, it becomes much easier for teachers and beneficial for the students. Teachers aren't spending to much time assessing assignments and have more time to tutor their students. Students get better and faster results, which gives them and idea of how they are doing in class. I think this is a plus for the one-to-one laptop program. This also allows a more efficient way of learning and teaching. Students and teachers also benefit from sending copies of essays, which save paper. As well as teachers not having to figure out illegible writing. I really liked the Moddle website that allowed students to post and hold discussions. The article mentions that it is especially beneficial to students who are usually shy in the classroom. One thing that was pointed out was that a weak school will not become a strong one just by adopting the one-to-one laptop program. But having a high quality staff, like the teachers and administrators, as well as an effective curriculum.

Question #1

Would I use Moddle in the classroom?

I love the idea of Moddle, because it mentions that you get more participation and feedback from students who are shy. I personally have always been quiet in the classroom, but I found that I am able to participate and discuss my ideas through writing or an online class.

Question #2

Are there any cons to the one-to-one laptop program?

Journal #2- How Teenagers Consume Media: the report that shook the city

Robson, Matthew (13 July, 2009). How teenagers consume media: the report that shook the city. Guardian, Retrieved July 20, 2009, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/13/teenage-media-habits-morgan-stanley

This article was fun to read because I could relate to it somewhat and see that my brother does some of those things as well. How Teenagers Consume Media: the report that shook the city discusses how teenagers use the media. I found it interesting that teenagers find ways to watch movies, and listen to music without having to pay for it. They know plenty of ways to take advantage of the Internet and its resources. It is easier for teens not to be big consumers of the media, because they don’t have the money to use things like the picture mail, video messaging, and video calling. The article goes on to mention that teenagers don’t watch much television, unless it is during football season or during a show’s season. The article states that teenagers watch an estimated 5 hours of television in a week’s time. I thought that it would have been more, but now there are game consoles and computers it brings down the average hours of television watched. Which I guess a day would consist of a bit of everything. “99% of teenagers have a mobile phone and most are quite capable phones.” (Robson 5). Wow! Mostly all teenagers have a cell-phone. I didn’t think that it would be such a high number, but now cell phones are much more accessible and the prices aren’t too high. There are a variety of cell phones and each has its different features to fit the needs of the individual.

Question #1

In what ways can we incorporate the media into education?

Question #2

Does the media affect or influence the learning of students?

Journal #1- Do Your Teachers Need a Personal Trainer?

Owens, Aileen M. (June/July 2009). Do Your Teachers Need a Personal Trainer? Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 20, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_July.htm

This article discusses the benefits of an elementary school working closely with university students, in order to incorporate better technology in the classroom. One thing that stood out to me in this article was the fact that the elementary school students were using computer and Microsoft programs in second grade. It is surprising to me because I think of when I was in grade school; I didn’t even know how to use a computer. However, I think that it is great to start children on technology at an early age. Before this school began working with the Duquesne University, teachers were spending more time with an instructional technology coordinator. The students at the university were already creating integrated technology lesson plans. So, David Carbonara and Aileen Owens thought to match students to teacher needs. Allowing both the teacher and the student to learn from each other. The university students while helping the classroom teachers they were “learning the ropes” to classroom teaching. Rather than learning about it in a university classroom, they had the opportunity to experience it first hand in a classroom.

Some of the things that they taught were Word, netTrekker, Power Point, pod casts, and etc. As I mention earlier I think that both parties were able to benefit from this. The teachers learned more from having a student there to help them every step of the way, than with one instructional coordinator for the entire school. And as for the Duquesne University students, they gained experience and had integrated technology lesson plans to include in their portfolios.

Question #1

What are some of the lesson plans that can be done with interactive whiteboards?

Question #2

Would this program be beneficial to implement in all credential programs?

Social Bookmarking

National Archives

I looked at the American Women! online exhibit. The site listed the top 11 most unforgettable women, I read about Jackie Kennedy. There were many reasons why the public loved her it was her style, grace, elegance, but also the courage and dignity she showed in the wake of John F. Kennedy's assassination. It was very interesting and fun to see how women's roles have changes over the years. "A "woman's place" has been transformed from a world controlled completely by men to a place where she can lead boardroom meetings or reach for the stars." I thought this was a very inspirational quote for women, especially young girls in school. The use of this website would give students an opportunity to read and view historical images. It is very important to provide students with the correct resources in the classroom, as well as encourage them to use a website such as this at home.

NEA

The National Education Association gives us the different groups of students that experience achievement gaps. Achievement gaps are the differences between test scores, etc. found in student groups. Many say that the achievement gap is mainly seen most in race and class. "NEA is committed to improving achievement for all students and closing the achievement gaps, particularly for low-income and minority students." The article Students Affected by Achievement Gaps, mentions that the groups affected are racial and ethnic minorities, English language learners, students with disabilities, boys/girls, and students from low-income families. Some of the minorities affected are American Indians, Asian Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics. Aside from the minorities and low-income groups the achievement gap also affects the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender students.

"Becoming a Culturally Competent Educator"

*Determine the diverse groups served by your school. Consider cultural, linguistic, racial, and ethnic diversity. Find out the degree to which families and students in these groups are accessing available school services.

I think that it is important for teachers to get to know who their students are. Part of getting to know their students is through their families. I know of schools that do home visits and I love that idea. One teacher told me that the students love it, they are so excited to have there teachers come over and interact with their families. I think that it helps to get a better understanding of who the student is and why the student is the way they are.

*Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence.

I think that communication between a school staff is important in order to create an effective school. Many times teachers, including myself, carry biases about students. Once these biases are acknowledged we can work on getting rid of them.

*Create a cultural competence committee or task force include administrators, teachers, education support, professionals, students, family, and community representatives. The committee can serve as the primary governing body for planning, implementing, and evaluating organizational cultural competence.

Creating a committee or task force is a great way of uniting the school staff, community members, and family members. By involving the family it creates the opportunity for more detailed and accurate activities concerning students' culture.

Cyberbullying

I want to teach third grade, so I chose ages 7-10. When I took the cyber bullying quiz and got a score of 3. I am a Cyber Saint. I don't use the internet to tease or embarrass people, nor do I do it in person. I read about the Teenangels, I love this idea. They are teen volunteers who deliver presentations about internet safety to parents and children. I learned about the 5Ps: privacy, predators, pornography, pop-ups and piracy. Not only are there Teenangels but also Tweenangels, which is a younger groups of kids between the ages of 10-13. I found that it would be great to implement something like this for the classroom, and educate children about the internet and the what the proper uses are.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators

I chose the Holiday and Celebrations link from the Subject Access area. I looked at the Diversity Calendar. It breaks down the months of the year and list the different celebrations there are according to culture. I liked this a lot because it is able to give students opportunity to identify and learn about their culture. For the Teacher Helpers area I looked at the Digital Cameras in Education. And I thought to myself "How does a digital camera affect a child's education?". But it says you can use it to insert photos of students and send to their penpals, or a school newspaper/newsletter.

Multiple Intelligences

After taking the Multiple Intelligences Quiz, I learned that I am a Intrapersonal learner. Intrapersonal learners "has been said to be the road to achievement, learning, and personal satisfaction." I thought it was interesting that teaching was the career that Intrapersonal learners would be best at. My top three intelligences were Intrapersonal (69%), Musical (50%), and Interpersonal/Logical-Mathematical (44%). The video I saw was the Multiple Intelligences Thrive in Smartville. It suggests that not all people are the same, therefore they don't learn the same. One thing that caught my attention was what they said "Education which treats everybody the same is actually the most unfair education." It is so true because we don't teach according to everyone's needs.

Teaching Tolerance

I chose third grade, creative arts, with the topic of immigration and migration. The lesson plan that I liked was Crocodile and Ghost Bat have a Hullabaloo. It is works along with a tolerance tale. You first read the book, and follow up with questions for the students. Talk about name-calling, gossip, peacemaking, diverse communities, and cliques. The lesson plan suggests to develop a No Name-Calling contract. Once the contract was complete students can sign the document and it will be posted up in the classroom, where everyone can see it. I loved this lesson plan and would definitely use it in the classroom with young children. This age is where name-calling begins and children don't know how hurtful words can be.

EdChange

Compared with White women, how likely are African American women in the U.S. to die during childbirth due to a lack of access to prenatal care, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality? African American women are four times as likely to die during childbirth. I found that to be remarkable. I guessed two times higher but it was not even close. Another question I chose was the one where it asks about the three wealthiest people in the world and how many countries it equals to. I guess that it equaled to 28 countries, but it is 48 countries!!

Netiquette Guidelines

I received a 90% on the quiz. I missed one question, which was "what is the golden rule?". The Golden rule is remember the human. Which means remember that the person on the other end is human, and has feelings that may be hurt. Netiquette would provide students with knowledge on what is proper, with knowing netiquette you can avoid cyberbullying : D. Many times it is easier to say things while not face to face with a person because you are actually seeing their reactions.

Introduction Letter

Hello everyone! My name is Cindy Galindo. I was born in Brawley, CA and was raised in El Centro, CA. Both towns are located in the Imperial Valley, where it is HOT!!! The summer heat is no joke, the highest maybe 120. I did all my K-12 schooling in El Centro. I graduated high school from Central Union High School. Where I met my boyfriend, Armando, who I have been with for six years now. We are high school sweethearts. Right after I moved out to San Marcos and began college, here at Cal State San Marcos. The shift from a small town to a big city (San Diego) was definitely different, but fun experience. I am a senior and hope to graduate in December with my BA in Liberal Arts and walk May of next year. I am also planning on applying for the credential program for the Spring semester. I want to become a elementary school teacher, and teach at a school that has a dual-immersion program.

I have recently become a Mac person! I had worked with Mac computers before, but didn't have one of my own. Until about three weeks ago, I got my Macbook. I love it! It is more practical for school use, and definitely fun to use. I was not sad to see my PC go. I depend on my laptop and technology in general heavily on a daily basis. I am currently taking an online class, one of my first, and am attached to my laptop keeping up with posting all the time. I also work as a bank teller, so a computer is crucial to helping my customers. I often think how dependent we are on a computer and the internet to do banking transactions, that when our system goes down we are helpless. It has happened often when our system crashes and we can't do anything for hours until our system comes back up. It's is definitely an example of how dependent anyone is to technology. The new version of Microsoft was difficult to get used to at first. I didn't have the update on my personal laptop so when I used the computers at school it was very confusing. I was so used to the older version. Now, that I have used it more it makes more sense to have it set up that way. I like it!

The mission statement is definitely a determiner of why I chose Cal State San Marcos. One of the things that I liked the most is that it states "committed to diversity, educational equity, and social justice, exemplified through reflective teaching, life-long learning, innovative research, and ongoing service." I agree with it completely, it shows educational growth. CSUSM is addressing many of the issues that many other schools ignore. Diversity is huge, students are different in several ways. It affects social justice and educational equity. I love that the Mission Statement for the CoE includes community involvement. There goal is to create effective and professional educators through diversity.