Story Bird: "Grandfather's Eyeglasses"

Here is the link to the story...

http://goo.gl/6weqgj

WebQuest

Below is the link to my WebQuest

What Would Happen If Everyone Recycled?

WebQuest: Efficiency Expert

WebQuest about WebQuests Worksheet

Your Role

ü Efficiency Expert

___Affiliator

___Altitudinist

___Technophile

Your Impressions

WebQuest	Strengths	Weaknesses
Grow School Greens	I really don’t see any strengths in this project. It is very time consuming consuming, and what will the children get out of it? I just feel that if a teacher wants them to know more about what vegetables to grow and when, that this would be good to be given as a take-home assignment/experiment.	This project would take a lot of time out of instructional classroom time. I don’t feel that the students would need to grow enough vegetables for the whole school, and that just a few plants would be less time consuming if being done as an experiment. This would be too much work for an elementary school classroom.
Where is My Hero?	This would be a very eye opening project that could teach young children a lot. Each child would be able to hear other children’s presentations as to who their hero is and why they chose them. Although this project might take some time to get though, I feel that it would be very beneficial to them.	Although this is a very good project for younger students, it is still a lot of work. Taking out Step 4 would probably be very beneficial for them just because of how much work it would be
Underground Railroad	This would be a good project because although it would be very time consuming, it would teach children about what used to go on. They would a deep understanding about the topic of slavery by doing this project.	The only weakness that this project would uphold is maybe that it is a little to mature for younger aged students. It would also take a great deal of time to get through this project; however, it would be very beneficial to them. I really don’t see that many weaknesses in this project.
Ice Cream	This project wouldn’t take that long and it would give children time to be creative and have fun. This activity is small and would teach students a small lesson on how ice cream is made.	This activity doesn’t really teach a whole lot, however, that is good for the Efficiency Expert teacher. I just think that this would be more of a waste of time rather than being more beneficial to the student.
Ancient Egypt	This project would teach children about making brochures and how to navigate from one website to another. That is something that they will need to know how to do later on, and by teaching them this now, it will same time down the road.	I don’t really see any weaknesses to this project. By looking at the conclusion, everything that is stated is something that the students will need to know how to do. However, the only thing that I can see is that, do elementary school students really need to know how to everything on that list? Some of those things I feel would be a waste of time to teach how to do.

Google Apps for Education and the ISTE NETS-S

Standard 1: (Robert)

The first ISTE NETS-T standard focuses greatly on the idea of collaboration advance creativity and the ability to solve problems. “Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.” The educational app Edmodo provides a safe and easy way for students and teachers to collaborate and receive the help they need to solve whatever issues they may be having. "Scoot & Doodle" is a similar application that allows individuals to collaborate and stretch their creativity to come up with ideas and solve problems.

Standard 2: (Bethany)
The “Quizlet” app goes with standard two, because it allows the students and teachers to customize it to the content area that is needed. As standard two says, “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.” On this app, teachers can design their own quiz on here with anything that pertains to their teaching at that particular time, and allows the use of contemporary tools/resources (as stated in standard two) in order to maximize learning.

The “Flashcard” app is very similar to the “Quizlet” app, in a way that students and teachers can customize the questions to their liking. As stated previously, this app goes with standard two because it is using contemporary methods to help teach students and to help them learn in a new and exciting manner. I believe that this app will help students learn more efficiently because it’s different than looking at a piece of paper and trying to memorize the content that is on there. I personally like this app because although students are used to writing on index cards and using those as flashcards, writing everything down is very time consuming whereas this app will save students time because it’s a whole lot quicker to type the questions out then to write them all on index cards.














Standard 3: (Robert)

The ability for teachers to use technology and media effectively is the main objective of the third ISTE NETS-T standard. “Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.” The app "OER" Commons is full of various resources for educators to use to effectively engage their students in an easy to use program. Likewise the app "Teacher Tube" gives teachers access to thousands of videos on different content standards that help keep students engaged.

Standard 4: (Bethany)
The “Alternative Geography” app goes with standard four, because it allows students to learn about different cultures and become more known with them. Standard four states, “Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools;” this app allows students to play world geography games that can help them learn more about other countries and cultures, students can watch videos about other cultures, and they can also read blogs that have been posted about different countries. This app is very diverse, and I feel as though it will help students learn and be more engaged when learning about different countries and cultures.

The "Typing Games" app also coincides with standard four, because it allows for the individual to go at his/her own pace. Typing is an essential part of today's world due to the popularity of technology and computers. Standard four also addresses "the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources." This typing app leads you to a variety of games where the student can find the game that is best suitable for them. I feel that those who do not know how to type are one step behind, and that it is very import to have the knowledge and typing skills that are required in a lot of fields today.

Standard 5: (Both of us)
Standard five states, "Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources." That is why the "ThinkWave Educator" app goes with standard five. This app is an online grade book that that help keep teachers organized and can be used for all levels. Technology is a huge part of today, and this online grade book would be a great way for teachers to keep up with the use of digital age. This would be a great resource for teachers to look into using for their classroom. This app has more features such as attendance tools,  progress reports, and grades. I feel as though this would upgrade their "professional practice."

Teaching students to efficiently use existing and future technology is supported in the fifth standard. The app "Easy Bib" helps teachers provide students with the information necessary to use internet sources effectively.

Prezi: 4th Grade Science

Rookie Mistake

Rookie Mistake by Bethany Thomas on GoAnimate
Since I'm going to be teaching elementary school aged children, I feel that animation would be a good way to have them express themselves. I could even use this website to convey a message that I need to in a fun and interesting manner. I think that the children would enjoy watching a fun animation rather than listening to me talk all the time, so I feel as though it would be very beneficial to use in the classroom. I will definitely have to add this into my curriculum, and let the children just have fun and explore with the animation.

Same Answer

Same Answer by Bethany Thomas on GoAnimate

Educational Game: Math Lines

Math Lines

The game of Math Lines would be a good tool to use to help lower level math students (mainly elementary school) how to add simple math. In this game there are lines of balls with numbers on them. You can shoot the ball that's in the center and add it to the line; when the number beside it adds up to 10, the balls will be destroyed. You can also use the center ball to destroy a group of same numbered balls. The balls are moving around a track, and if the balls fall in a hole before you get them all destroyed, then that level was failed. Using technology and the computer would be more fun than using paper and pencil. I believe that this game can get kids engaged into what their doing without it seeming like they're doing math. The quote, "Media Literacy is a 21st century approach to education. It provides a framework to access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate with messages in a variety of forms — from print to video to the Internet. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy" describes that the media is the newest approach to teaching/learning and comes in many forms. 

Math Lines goes with Content Standard One in the ISTE Standards for Teachers because this game is a fun and creative way to get the children thinking, and is a 21st Century problem solver. Described below is Standard One that I feel is most appropriate.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
       a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
       b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
       c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative process.
       d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

The link below will take you to a website that offers all kinds of projects for math students of all ages. Click on the "projects by age group" over on the left hand side and select a grade level. Then a list of all the projects for that grade level will come up.

Link --> Math Projects 

RA 3: Seven-Power Lens

Quote:

"He wears blue, a color that photographs well and is often worn by television anchors (Harris, n.d.), and red, an attention-getting color associated in Western culture with power (Lester, 2000). Together, these colors suggest patriotism to American readers, an association that is reinforced by the U.S. flag at his right hand and on his lapel."

Reaction:

I thought of this quote as being very interest. I never thought about how much time and effort is spent in picking out what the president is going to wear, however, it does make sense for him to wear these colors. Not only does blue photograph well, but it is also a color of patriotism to the American citizens, and same with the red. Red draws your attention to the person, but according to the text it is also a color that represents power. After reading about this, my eyes have been opened to why the presidents wear the same colors all the time. I thought this was very interesting. 

Magazine Cover

Think Aloud

ISTE- Nets Standard

Standard 2: Design and Develop Digital Age Learning 

"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.
a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b.Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address student's diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching."

I believe that being able to use iPads in schools most closely relates to Standard 2 (as described above). With using iPads in schools, the children and the teachers can be more creative in learning and teaching. With all the apps out there, teachers could find fun and interesting ways to teach that would draw the students in. The Think Aloud project will definitely help me integrate technology into my classroom later on down the road because this project helped me in many ways. It helped show the relationship between websites, and by looking at mine, it draws your attention to the most important aspects of the website. The Think Aloud project can be used for all ages and with all kinds of subject matters. Doing a project like this in class can help students, as stated above, in helping them with learning experience as well as to promote student creativity by incorporating digital tools into the mix. 

Website Analysis

Although the website that I used on School Shooting's came from Wikipedia, I believe that this article was very credible. There is no author that I could find, because just anybody can go into Wikipedia and change things, however, there were outside links that led me to believe that the things being said were true. Wikipedia isn't always a good and credible source for every subject matter, but I feel that it was okay to use for this subject. Basically, it was opinions about why teachers should not be armed along with quotes from actual teachers.

Should Teachers Be Armed?

Teachers should NOT be armed.

Teachers should not be armed in classrooms due to many reasons. As stated in the article, some teachers feel that if they were armed, that it could cause more danger. One teacher stated that although she is pro-gun, she felt that she wouldn't be able to maintain gun safety in school. People also have concerns about teachers leaving the guns around in reach of students. Bigger and stronger students could also over power a teacher to take over the gun. A research report published by the Center for Homicide Research stated that having armed classrooms can have "weapons affect' - the phenomenon of being in the presence of a fire arm can cause feelings of aggression. There are many reasons why teachers should NOT be armed, and I personally feel that arming teachers could potentially cause more harm than good. 

Code of Best Practice

Answers: 

1. Media Literacy Education is used to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate messages in different forms. It may occur in separate programs, but is often embedded in other subject areas, including literature, history, sociology, etc . “Media Literacy Education helps people of all ages to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens.” Media in Education is always being used. Teachers are including audiovisual and digital material to convey facts and information. Schools often times show films as a way to reward students for their hard work and high achievements. These activities are examples of using Media in Education (mediaeducationlab.com).

2. That bargain is explained as: Society gives limited property rights to creators to inspire them to produce culture; we also give other creators the chance to use the same copyrighted material, without permission, in some circumstances. If there wasn't the second half of the bargain, we could lose all important new cultural work (mediaeducationlab.com).

3. Fair use keeps copyright from violating the First Amendment. Also, since licenses to incorporate copyrighted material are harder to obtain, Fair Use is that much more important today as a result (mediaeducationlab.com).

4. The two questions judges use to determine Fair Use are: “Did the unlicensed use ‘transform’ the material taken from the copyrighted work by using it for a different purpose that that of the original, or did it just repeat the work for the same intent and values as the original?” and “Was the material appropriate in kind and amount, considering the nature of the copyrighted work, and of the use (mediaeducationlab.com).

5. The use of The Lion King to reflect on stereotypes would be considered Fair Use due to the fact that it is being used for educational purposes and the original version isn’t being changed in any way.

6. Principal four is most closely related to My Photo Story that I created because it is the use of copyright material in the academic and creative work of the student.

7. There really isn't a set number of photos or a set length of music and videos that can be used in a multimedia project as long as the content is relevant to what is being taught as well as there not being too much media being used to get the point across.

8. Requesting permission from the original creator is not necessary, as long as the copyrighted material meets the criteria of Fair Use.

9. Of course educations should try to change the policies in their school if they are not in line with the Fair Use doctrine because the only way to get full advantage is to spread the word along.

10. The myth about Fair Use that surprised me the most was “Fair Use can get me sued.”

Retrieved from:
<http://mediaeducationlab.com/sites/mediaeducationlab.com/files/CodeofBestPracticesinFairUse_0.pdf

My Photo Story

The Beach 

My Photo Story can be accessed on YouTube by using the link below:

I love the beach. How about you?

Comic Strip

RA 1: Digital Media

Are Digital Media Changing Language

Quote:
"For example, in a study I did of college students' instant messaging conversations, out of 11,718 words, only 31 were "online lingo" abbreviations, and only 90 were acronyms (of which 76 were LOL). In a study of college students' text messaging, my colleague Rich Ling and I found a few more lexical shortenings; yet the grand total of clear abbreviations was only 47 out of 1,473 words, which is hardly overwhelming."

Reaction:
I found the above quote very interesting because you always here from educators that "texting lingo" is destroying the English language and causing a lot of misspellings in papers, documents, etc. However, this study proves that the amount of abbreviations and acronyms really aren't as common as everyone seems to think. It's actually rather surprising that out of 11,718 word, only 31 were abbreviations and only 90 words were acronyms with 76 of them being LOL, therefor there were only 14 other acronyms besides the every so popular LOL. Those statistics are actually shocking, but in a good way. I figured that those numbers would have been way higher, however, I'm sure there are a lot of people out there like me who have to spell every word out correctly in a text. The only acronym I use is LOL, but everything else is spelled out.

Quote:
“Whatever the benefits of digital media, it is destroying the ability of young people to construct the basic unit of the English Language...the sentence."

Reaction:
I feel that this quote is untrue. As brought up in an article that I recently read, children and teens have the capability to "code-switch" as the author put it. What she meant by "code-switch" is that students have the ability to switch from different standards of communication when communicating with different people or different forms of media. One girl stated that texting lingo is only used when she is talking to friends, and does not interfere with her ability to write whatsoever (Dunnewind). The English language is always changing and evolving just like everything else. Using abbreviations and acronyms are used to save time, not because those who use it don't know how to spell or write out a sentence.

References:
Dunnewind, Stephanie.  “’Generation Text’: Teens’ IM lingo evolving into a hybrid language.”  The Seattle Times: 12 April 2003.  4 September 2013.
Retrieved from <http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030412&slug=immain12>.

Related Article:
As I was searching online, I found an article that was titled "Is Technology Ruining the English Language?" This article was very relevant and outlined how although times are changing with all the media out now, that of course "online lingo" is going to be popular, however, it does not affect the English language in a structured environment such as the classroom. 

Wordle

What is your favorite food?

Wordle would be very helpful in a math class by helping the students visualize frequency. For example, if the students pull M&M's out of a bag and record the frequency of the colors that were chosen, the information could then be put into Wordle to give a nice visual aid for the results.

Poll Everywhere

This is the link to my poll

Learning Style

Learning Style 

Results:

Through taking this survey, I have learned that I learn best visually, aurally, and by reading/writing. However, Kinesthetic learning isn't far behind the others. I learn visually by looking at graphs and charts that professors and presenters give. I am also an aural learner by attending class everyday and just listening to the instructor; I tend to be able to absorb a lot of information. I can also learn by reading/writing. For me, it really depends on what class I am in, or what project I am doing as to what learning style is best for me at that particular time. I do feel that this test is accurate because I have taken similar tests like this before, and I have had a tie for all three. 

1. PowerPoints can be used in order to show graphs for the visual learner.

2. Audio recorders can be used for the aural learner.

3. Typing up notes on a computer can be used for the reading/writing learner.