In week 13, we learned about distance education. There are many different websites that allow you get educated and receive your degree all from your home. In class we discussed many different sites and how beneficial this is to many people who would like to go back to school but have other obligations such as a job, family, etc. Many of the websites are legitimate; however, we viewed a website in class that allowed anyone to earn a degree as long as they paid money. Therefore, when employers are interviewing people who have earned their degrees online, they will always be a little skeptical. This is annoying to those who actually did all of the work, just didn't have the time to take the courses at an actual college campus.
Distance education is very valuable to teachers because many teachers like to go back to school so that they can become certified in many different areas. For example, an elementary school teacher might like to take classes online while they are teaching, so that they can become certified in guidance. As a teacher it is also important to know about distance education so that they can provide their students with different options upon graduation. However, I will definitely be warning my students that they cannot trust every website. This is a perfect way to show them that many things online are scams.
Below is a video that show what it will be like to be a distance education student at a specific university.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Blog Entry 11: Creating a Professional Web Presence
In week 12, we learned how to create a professional web presence. There are many different sites that can be used to create one. In class, there was a demonstration using Google Sites. Although this sounds very difficult, I ultimately found out that Google Sites was very easy to use. One of our projects this semester was to create our own professional web presence. Required in our web presence was a home page, a personal information page, a portfolio page, and a vita page. This was a very useful project because once I am looking for a job my future employer will be able to view this when deciding whether to hire me or not. I plan to keep it up to date because we learned that a professional web presence is definitely a great thing to have when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you are professional and it also helps them to have a better look at you as a person. It is definitely better than just simply handing in a resume.
Having a professional web presence will be very useful to me as a teacher. It will help me to communicate with the parents of my students. The parents will be able to see my previous experience and also see sample lesson plans I have created. This will help them to trust me in educating their children. I also plan to post pictures of the classroom and different activities the students will be working on in class. This will help the parents become involved in the classroom even if they are working all day long. In addition, I plan to teach my students how to create their own professional web presence. I believe it will be my job as a teacher to help my students succeed. Having a professional web presence will be very helpful to them once they are looking for jobs.
Below is an article that describes how to create a high quality professional web presence.
http://tools.devshed.com/c/a/Website-Marketing/Create-a-Cohesive-Web-Presence/
Having a professional web presence will be very useful to me as a teacher. It will help me to communicate with the parents of my students. The parents will be able to see my previous experience and also see sample lesson plans I have created. This will help them to trust me in educating their children. I also plan to post pictures of the classroom and different activities the students will be working on in class. This will help the parents become involved in the classroom even if they are working all day long. In addition, I plan to teach my students how to create their own professional web presence. I believe it will be my job as a teacher to help my students succeed. Having a professional web presence will be very helpful to them once they are looking for jobs.
Below is an article that describes how to create a high quality professional web presence.
http://tools.devshed.com/c/a/Website-Marketing/Create-a-Cohesive-Web-Presence/
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Blog Entry 10: Open Source Software
In week 11, we learned about open source software. This was a very valuable lesson because it showed me that there are other options to programs that can be very expensive such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office. We learned about Gimp and OpenOffice which offer most of the same features as the other programs. They are free and easy to download. Open source software is helping many people because it allows those who can not afford expensive computer programs to experience the same opportunities as those who can afford them. It allows many people to learn different computer programs without having to spend the money. For example, I enjoyed using Photoshop during this class very much. I would like to continue to use it and become a more advanced user. However, I am not willing to pay for it since I am just using it for fun. Therefore, Gimp is a great alternative for me.
Since I am becoming a teacher, it is definitely important to understand open source software. I believe that open source software is the way of the future and therefore I must begin to use it, since many of my students will be using it. Many of my students will not be able to afford expensive programs at home. Open source software will be a great way for my students to practice when they are not in the classroom. I will definitely have my students use these varying programs for various assignments.
Below is a video about open source software. It provides many alternatives to expensive programs.
Since I am becoming a teacher, it is definitely important to understand open source software. I believe that open source software is the way of the future and therefore I must begin to use it, since many of my students will be using it. Many of my students will not be able to afford expensive programs at home. Open source software will be a great way for my students to practice when they are not in the classroom. I will definitely have my students use these varying programs for various assignments.
Below is a video about open source software. It provides many alternatives to expensive programs.
Blog Entry 9: Tech Tools for Critical Thinking
In week 10, we learned about different mind-mapping applications and examples that can be used to organize one's thoughts. Applications that we were showed in class included Webspiration, Bubbl.us and Gliffy. Each of these applications allows users to create concept maps for free very easily. Our homework was to create a concept map about social networking using one of these applications. I chose to use Bubbl.us. Bubbl.us made creating a concept map very simple and it also made it easy to share with others. The post below this includes the concept map I created. I am usually not very good with technology, but Bubbl.us allowed me to embed the concept map without any difficulties.
In the field of education, mind-mapping applications will be very useful. I had previously used concept maps when I was a student. My private school provided students with free access to Inspiration, which is an application that is not accessible online. I always thought these concept maps were very valuable when I was studying for a test. Therefore, when I become a teacher I will definitely have my students use these applications. I feel it will be very beneficial to my students to create concept maps in order to help them brainstorm, organize their thoughts, and use as a study tool.
Below is an article that describes the value of mind-mapping applications in the field of education.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech164.shtml
In the field of education, mind-mapping applications will be very useful. I had previously used concept maps when I was a student. My private school provided students with free access to Inspiration, which is an application that is not accessible online. I always thought these concept maps were very valuable when I was studying for a test. Therefore, when I become a teacher I will definitely have my students use these applications. I feel it will be very beneficial to my students to create concept maps in order to help them brainstorm, organize their thoughts, and use as a study tool.
Below is an article that describes the value of mind-mapping applications in the field of education.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech164.shtml
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Blog Entry 8: Social Bookmarking
In week 9, we also learned about another example of cloud computing, which is social bookmarking. Social bookmarking is an easy way for users to save links to web pages that they want to remember or share with others. Descriptions can accompany these bookmarks, which allows users to see what the site offers, without having to download it. The descriptions include text, votes favoring or against its quality, and tags. Social bookmarking allows one to stay organized, for one can organize their bookmarks in a way that best suits their purposes. These ways include organizing the bookmarks chronologically, by tags, or by search engines. One of our major projects for this class was to create our own Delicious account. This project was the first time I was exposed to social bookmarking. I think I will definitely be using it when working on projects in college and I need to remember a bunch of different websites.
In the field of education, social bookmarking is extremely useful. It allows teachers to share resources with teachers all over the world. Also, it helps teachers to stay organized and remember all the different sites they would like to share with their students. In addition, if each school or each department within a school has its own account, it will allow teachers to provide websites they think the other teachers could also use in their classrooms. It will be very helpful when working with students because it allows teachers to share bookmarks with the children when working on research topics. I will definitely be using social bookmarking very often when I become a teacher!
Below is a video that explains how to use the social bookmarking site Delicious.
In the field of education, social bookmarking is extremely useful. It allows teachers to share resources with teachers all over the world. Also, it helps teachers to stay organized and remember all the different sites they would like to share with their students. In addition, if each school or each department within a school has its own account, it will allow teachers to provide websites they think the other teachers could also use in their classrooms. It will be very helpful when working with students because it allows teachers to share bookmarks with the children when working on research topics. I will definitely be using social bookmarking very often when I become a teacher!
Below is a video that explains how to use the social bookmarking site Delicious.
Blog Entry 7: Google Docs
In week 9, we learned about Google Docs, which is an example of cloud computing. Google Docs is a free service offered by Google that allows users to create documents, spreadsheets, forms, and presentations while collaborating with other users. Different users can edit documents at the same time and each individual will be notified of changes made via email. Open documents and such are automatically saved and are tagged so a person is easily able to stay organized. Our assignment in week 9 was to create our own Google Doc. I thought this would be very difficult, for I had never heard of Google Docs before this class. However, this service was self-explanatory and very easy to use. Google Docs is useful since it is a server-based application. Therefore, when using this service a person does not have to use a certain type of computer.
Google Docs will be very useful in the field of education. It will allow me to create a lesson plan and share it with my fellow colleagues and the administration of the school. It makes it very easy for these people to make changes they deem necessary for my lesson plan. Google Docs also will allow me to create presentations that are accessible to my students. In addition, I plan to encourage my students to use Google Docs, so that it will make it very easy for them to collaborate with others when working on a group project.
Below is a video that explains why Google Docs are so useful in the field of education.
Google Docs will be very useful in the field of education. It will allow me to create a lesson plan and share it with my fellow colleagues and the administration of the school. It makes it very easy for these people to make changes they deem necessary for my lesson plan. Google Docs also will allow me to create presentations that are accessible to my students. In addition, I plan to encourage my students to use Google Docs, so that it will make it very easy for them to collaborate with others when working on a group project.
Below is a video that explains why Google Docs are so useful in the field of education.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Blog Entry 6: The Sound of...Podcasting
In week 8 of this course we learned about podcasts and how easy they are to create. Podcasting allows the general public to download audio files from different podcasting websites to listen to on their computers. There are also various podcasting websites that allows people to upload their own personal audio files that they have created themselves. I believed it would be very difficult to create a podcast; however, in class we were taught how simple it can be. Using Apple's Garage Band I was able to create my own sound file. This program allows one to record voices and music and include various jingles and pictures within the podcast. This program was user-friendly and I would definitely recommend it to people I know.
Podcasting will definitely be very useful in a classroom setting. As a teacher I will be able to find various podcast episodes pertaining to the lesson plan of the day for my students to listen to or watch. This will be very beneficial to students who are auditory learners. There are also different podcasting websites that contain recordings explaining different concepts in the areas of math, writing, grammar, etc. I will definitely be recommending these sites to students I feel can use a little extra help in certain subjects. Also, having students create their own podcasts can have a very positive effect. Knowing a real audience exists can increase a student's motivation to try hard and create something they are proud to call their own.
Below is a website that contains podcasts explaining different mathematical concepts. I thought this was really cool and I will definitely be having my students use it!
http://www.mathgrad.com/
Podcasting will definitely be very useful in a classroom setting. As a teacher I will be able to find various podcast episodes pertaining to the lesson plan of the day for my students to listen to or watch. This will be very beneficial to students who are auditory learners. There are also different podcasting websites that contain recordings explaining different concepts in the areas of math, writing, grammar, etc. I will definitely be recommending these sites to students I feel can use a little extra help in certain subjects. Also, having students create their own podcasts can have a very positive effect. Knowing a real audience exists can increase a student's motivation to try hard and create something they are proud to call their own.
Below is a website that contains podcasts explaining different mathematical concepts. I thought this was really cool and I will definitely be having my students use it!
http://www.mathgrad.com/
Blog Entry 5: Digital Storytelling
In week 7 we learned about the usefulness of digital storytelling. Digital stories usually focus on specific subjects and contain one or more of the following: text, images, audio recordings, music, and video clips. Throughout my life, I have watched many digital stories such as You Tube videos and never thought about their creation. We were assigned to create our own digital story and I used a website called animoto. I made a thirty second slide show which included pictures of my friends and I and background music. I very much enjoyed creating my own digital story. In class we were introduced to other outlets we could use to create digital stories such as iMovie, PowerPoint, and other websites such as GoAnimate.
In the field of education, digital storytelling will be very useful! Many students are visual learners, and digital storytelling will allow them to view the material being taught to them, rather than just listening to lectures. I believe that digital storytelling will help make each lesson plan more exciting and will help to gain the students' attention. Each of these different venues for digital storytelling make it very easy to stay organized, which is very important when working with children.
Below is a video that describes the usefulness of digital storytelling within education and how it can greatly benefit students.
In the field of education, digital storytelling will be very useful! Many students are visual learners, and digital storytelling will allow them to view the material being taught to them, rather than just listening to lectures. I believe that digital storytelling will help make each lesson plan more exciting and will help to gain the students' attention. Each of these different venues for digital storytelling make it very easy to stay organized, which is very important when working with children.
Below is a video that describes the usefulness of digital storytelling within education and how it can greatly benefit students.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Blog Entry 4: Visual Literacy
In week 5, we learned about the importance of visual literacy. If someone were to take away our visual literacy, it would be very hard to recognize many of our favorite things such as restaurants and sports teams. Photographs are also a very important part of learning. It is necessary for students to study photographs, for they help emphasize past events. Last week in class we saw many known photographs and then saw how each of them was edited in order to change the way people would view the photograph. It is important for students to study photographs because it increases their observational skills and promotes critical thinking.
As a teacher, it is important to have students study history through photographs. However, the students must be taught that these photographs are edited by people who have certain opinions about the world. Teachers must let students know that what you is not always what you get. Also, as children are growing up their outside appearance becomes very important to them. They look in magazines and see the beautiful movie stars, and wish to look like them. These students do not realize that these pictures have been significantly edited and that these people do not actually look like that in real life. It is important for teachers to convey this point to their students. Self-esteem is very important for success and it is a teacher's job to help his or her students transform into confident adults.
Below is an article that further explains visual literacy and how it relates to students.
Visual Literacy and the Classroom
As a teacher, it is important to have students study history through photographs. However, the students must be taught that these photographs are edited by people who have certain opinions about the world. Teachers must let students know that what you is not always what you get. Also, as children are growing up their outside appearance becomes very important to them. They look in magazines and see the beautiful movie stars, and wish to look like them. These students do not realize that these pictures have been significantly edited and that these people do not actually look like that in real life. It is important for teachers to convey this point to their students. Self-esteem is very important for success and it is a teacher's job to help his or her students transform into confident adults.
Below is an article that further explains visual literacy and how it relates to students.
Visual Literacy and the Classroom
Blog Entry 3: Web Resources, Multi-Media, and Hypermedia
In week 4 we learned about web resources, multi-media, and hypermedia. These three tools are very useful in the classroom. Web resources are instructional activities that can be accessed through the internet. They provide students with further instruction and are great because they cost the school no additional money. An example is Brain Pop, which provides web tutorials and instructional games. Multi-media is a program that contains a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, or video. Hypermedia is a program in which graphics, audio, video, plain text, and hyperlinks intertwine allowing a person to navigate through information in a non-linear fashion.
These tools will be very useful in the field of education. Web resources help teachers to provide information to students without having to continuously give oral instruction. Multi-media is very useful, for it caters to many different learning styles and promotes creative thinking amongst the students. Hypermedia has been shown to motivate students and help improve their writing skills. Since, I am going to be a teacher; I will certainly be using these educational tools in my classroom.
I had never truly understood hypermedia and multi-media. I am very excited that I now understand both and will be able to use them in my classroom when I become a teacher. Below is a video further explaining multi-media.
These tools will be very useful in the field of education. Web resources help teachers to provide information to students without having to continuously give oral instruction. Multi-media is very useful, for it caters to many different learning styles and promotes creative thinking amongst the students. Hypermedia has been shown to motivate students and help improve their writing skills. Since, I am going to be a teacher; I will certainly be using these educational tools in my classroom.
I had never truly understood hypermedia and multi-media. I am very excited that I now understand both and will be able to use them in my classroom when I become a teacher. Below is a video further explaining multi-media.
Blog Entry 2: Web 2.0
In week 3 we learned about web 2.0, which allows users to interact and exchange information with other users. Examples include blogs, wikis, social-networking sites, and video-sharing sites. Web 2.0 is the next phase of Web 1.0, which can be described as the time when the internet only allowed for the passive viewing of information. Web 2.0 helps many more people to become interactive by allowing people to post their own information. Posting information on the web used to be a very difficult task because it required one to know how to use complicated publishing tools. However, with the emergence of these easy-to-use websites anyone is able to share what they want with others.
Web 2.0 is very important in the field of education. I believe that interaction with one another is a great way for students to learn. Web 2.0 promotes group activities because it allows students to collaborate with one another even when not in the same place at the same time. I also like that my students will be able to communicate with each other easily, so that if any of the students are having difficulty with the course material, there will always be someone they can get in touch with to ask for help. Web 2.0 also offers websites that provide educational games. Students always enjoy learning more when they are having fun; therefore, this is definitely a tool I will be using when I become a teacher.
Below is a video explaining web 2.0 and how teachers can incorporate it into their classrooms.
Web 2.0 is very important in the field of education. I believe that interaction with one another is a great way for students to learn. Web 2.0 promotes group activities because it allows students to collaborate with one another even when not in the same place at the same time. I also like that my students will be able to communicate with each other easily, so that if any of the students are having difficulty with the course material, there will always be someone they can get in touch with to ask for help. Web 2.0 also offers websites that provide educational games. Students always enjoy learning more when they are having fun; therefore, this is definitely a tool I will be using when I become a teacher.
Below is a video explaining web 2.0 and how teachers can incorporate it into their classrooms.
Blog Entry 1: Educational Technology
In week 2 we learned about educational technology. There is no exact definition for educational technology because there are a variety of meanings for it. The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) stated "Educational Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and the evolution of processes and resources for learning." Educational technology has changed significantly over the years. In the past it consisted of tape recorders and video cassette players. It provides students with job skills for the work place and is transforming traditional classrooms into blended environments, e.g. EME2040. There are many advantages to educational technology such as easy to access course materials. Educational technology is evolving every day and it is important to stay up to date with the new advances.
I am an education major and therefore educational technology will obviously be very important within my field of work. When I begin to teach, technology is going to be of even greater importance than it is today because there will be so many new developments. As a teacher, I am going to have to make sure that I stay up to date with every technological advance so I do not fall behind my students. Educational technology will be a major part of the classroom, for research suggests achievement is positively linked to technology use and increases student motivation.
I think it is really cool how much educational technology has changed. Below is a video that shows the evolution of educational technology over the past 100 years.
I am an education major and therefore educational technology will obviously be very important within my field of work. When I begin to teach, technology is going to be of even greater importance than it is today because there will be so many new developments. As a teacher, I am going to have to make sure that I stay up to date with every technological advance so I do not fall behind my students. Educational technology will be a major part of the classroom, for research suggests achievement is positively linked to technology use and increases student motivation.
I think it is really cool how much educational technology has changed. Below is a video that shows the evolution of educational technology over the past 100 years.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Copyright Law
Below is a video that explains copyright law and the fair use exemption. Copyright law gives rights to the creators of works so that nobody else can use it or reproduce it. The fair use exemption allows for copyrighted work to be used for educational purposes.
Within the field of education copyright law is less strict because of the fair use exemption. Teachers are allowed to use small segments of copyrighted material in order to help their students better understand certain topics. Copyright law is not nearly as big of a deal in the field of education as it is in other fields such as journalism and advertising. However, because the internet easily allows teachers access to so much information many tend to forget what is and is not legal. Therefore, teachers need to start being more careful. As a teacher, one is supposed to set an example for his or her students. No teacher would ever want a student to cheat, so each teacher should be aware of what is legal to use in the classroom.
Within the field of education copyright law is less strict because of the fair use exemption. Teachers are allowed to use small segments of copyrighted material in order to help their students better understand certain topics. Copyright law is not nearly as big of a deal in the field of education as it is in other fields such as journalism and advertising. However, because the internet easily allows teachers access to so much information many tend to forget what is and is not legal. Therefore, teachers need to start being more careful. As a teacher, one is supposed to set an example for his or her students. No teacher would ever want a student to cheat, so each teacher should be aware of what is legal to use in the classroom.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
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