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