Following is the table of critical assessments for my Ed Tech class with support data and links that demonstrate I have met all the critical assessment criteria.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Photo Story 3 Multimedia Project
Come paint with me and Dee Boyles. I recreated a favorite day in Photo Story 3 with narration and music to boot! It is free to sign up and all I needed to add was to download Microsoft Media Player 10. Photo Story 3 was very user friendly and tons of fun.
I will use Photo Story 3 in teaching my art students by having them document different stages in their artworks. It is powerful for students to see and remember all the under layers and the metamorphosis that occurs during the process of creation. I love how it shows and encourages experimentation in the spirit of play!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Analyzing Student Data in a Spreadsheet
This was an exercise to learn Google Sheets. We were to practice altering data from a spreadsheet and create a graph from the specified data. The data in this particular spreadsheet reflects the test scores of 12 students whose scores were below the class average of 191.92, for tests 6 through 10 of the grading period.
As one notices in the Growth Trend chart below the spreadsheet, improvement is made by all. Even though a few students relapsed temporarily, they eventually rejoined the group's overall progress. This graphic and colorful charting capability will be a wonderful visual for those students and teachers wanting to quickly assess their own progress.
Here is the full data sheet.
Google Sheets reflects any updates instantly, which is of course a tremendous time saver in the world of data entry. By establishing the initial data spreadsheet, all I had to do to create a chart from that data was simply click a few times, and voila!, all the data was translated into the chart of my choice immediately. The documents you can generate; tables, charts, and graphs will surely bring any presentation to life. Having a visually graphic and colorful representation is a great reinforcer for student's learning. The fact that data reflects real life variables in useful and relevant applications is an asset in constructing engaging lessons for optimal learning plans.
Since I have no prior computer content knowledge in Excel, perhaps this will be easier than unlearning a program. I would like to think so. Yet another enticing tool to explore.
Link:
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Web 2.0 Tool Demo
Cory Strasser and I researched the useful bookmarking capabilities of Delicious.com.
We explored some applications and present multiple examples for the classroom found
in our demonstration below.Enjoy!
And now for anotherWeb 2.0 Tool, Skype.
Okay.. so I finally was able to set up my personal Skype account. I found it a little vague
in finding how to maneuver about. Soo weird to see myself on video, lovely, but i did enjoy the echo-lady's voice and wanted to keep talking like her all day. Just waiting to find a friend to skype the day away with...hmmm.....ta ta for now. Hey, the phone just rang, and it was Cory's smart wife. We "skyped" on our first meeting. Imagine that! Cool.
As far as applications for this tool, Skype, first of all it is great that it does not tie up the phone line. I could see it being used in the classroom, if a student or myself were sick, we could connect on skype and clarify any directions, questions, or show examples of physical work. For example, the teacher could use the computer itself like a video camera. The teacher could point the camera toward the chalkboard and work through a math problem with an absent student watching. Also, it would be very supportive for student conferences, when a parent is unable to make it physically to school. I value face to face conferences, to impress advocacy for a student and their learning, with all being present and the student having a voice. Having the elements of Skype being both visual and audio/verbal are very powerful elements for student's learning and reinforcing new knowledge. Also, that it is a friendly technological language that they understand and are comfortable with, which again supports their learning. Of course for personal applications Skype would be used for family and friends for hours upon hours. It is soo fun! Now this is my most favorite tool. What a wonderful way to connect!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
My Favorite Web 2.0 Tools
Web 2.0, is a product by Google that is a web based platform for computer applications ,services, software, and tools . It is web based, which means that the information is from a website. It is not physically in your computer; like a program such as PowerPoint that has been physically downloaded. It can be viewed universally on all types of computers because it is non-proprietary. Web 2.0 is organizational, it is social in networking, and the applications are updated constantly so there is no need for downloading, nor updates to waste the user's time. A user can create, audio, video, images, word processing, and spread sheets, just to name a few applications. Web 2.o is referred to as "cloud computing". My interpretation of this coined phrase is the idea that there are all these little clouds of information, applications and services, floating all around waiting to be accessed, and all you need to do is pull them out of the sky and their yours, for free. Anything from anywhere is possible, right at your fingertips!. The sky's the limit. Go Google!
As an educator, these tools will be invaluable both for me and my students. They will empower us all and provide a creative language to use in developing and uniting our academic goals. I shall insist that anything they learn they need to teach me; since they will undoubtedly be learning at warp speed.This of course insures them a good grade-Ha! There are so many cool applications that we can play with. I was especially excited about "Wordle" and "Tokbox."
"Wordle " scrambles chosen words into a word/letter collage. I enjoy the graphic, colorful elements that are very easy to use. I see that as a wonderful tool for listing vocabulary words, or to be used as a graphic representation in a report where the student selects prominent key word that relate to their projects. It is a wonderful way to visually reinforce and connect content learning. It seems very friendly, playful and again, simple for elementary age students to adult.
"Tokbox" is an audio/video recording application. It would be a wonderful tool for students to present a speech, or a team research project on the computer. It would provide an alternative style of learning, a fun one, and a break from traditional writing. The students would have the benefit of editing it before presenting and have full ownership of their unique creation. It would literally give them a voice which they might layer with music or play with other cool effects. How fun to combine audio and visual together; creating a stronger, more memorable message for the viewer and student alike. It would also be a way that a student could turn in a project if they were home sick to prove they did an assignment. Or, if the teacher knew that they personally were going to be absent and needed to have a substitute, the classroom teacher could leave an instructive video for their students with a more in depth set of directions thereby, creating a more clear and personal interface. The substitute teacher would be appreciative of this as well by eliminating questions they couldn't answer, and in helping the class keep on task, staying out of trouble?, and continue their learning until the teacher returns. For a few more minutes anyway!
As an educator, these tools will be invaluable both for me and my students. They will empower us all and provide a creative language to use in developing and uniting our academic goals. I shall insist that anything they learn they need to teach me; since they will undoubtedly be learning at warp speed.This of course insures them a good grade-Ha! There are so many cool applications that we can play with. I was especially excited about "Wordle" and "Tokbox."
"Wordle " scrambles chosen words into a word/letter collage. I enjoy the graphic, colorful elements that are very easy to use. I see that as a wonderful tool for listing vocabulary words, or to be used as a graphic representation in a report where the student selects prominent key word that relate to their projects. It is a wonderful way to visually reinforce and connect content learning. It seems very friendly, playful and again, simple for elementary age students to adult.
"Tokbox" is an audio/video recording application. It would be a wonderful tool for students to present a speech, or a team research project on the computer. It would provide an alternative style of learning, a fun one, and a break from traditional writing. The students would have the benefit of editing it before presenting and have full ownership of their unique creation. It would literally give them a voice which they might layer with music or play with other cool effects. How fun to combine audio and visual together; creating a stronger, more memorable message for the viewer and student alike. It would also be a way that a student could turn in a project if they were home sick to prove they did an assignment. Or, if the teacher knew that they personally were going to be absent and needed to have a substitute, the classroom teacher could leave an instructive video for their students with a more in depth set of directions thereby, creating a more clear and personal interface. The substitute teacher would be appreciative of this as well by eliminating questions they couldn't answer, and in helping the class keep on task, staying out of trouble?, and continue their learning until the teacher returns. For a few more minutes anyway!
Friday, October 9, 2009
OTEN Conference
I attended the OTEN Conference at Pacific University in Forest Grove on Saturday, September, 26th,2009. It was a wonderful eye-opener presenting a myriad of technological uses and options to be using in education today. It stressed the responsibility of the educators to know and use technology as a tool for teaching and learning. Computers and these technologies are almost a necessity for reaching and relating to the students in their own language of computer, if we as educators want them to even begin learning and caring about a subject.
Myself and my cohorts attended three sessions in the half day conference; The first session was presented to all and the other two other were our personal choice. Dr. Mike Charles was the presenter of the first session; " Technology and Learning: Putting Together the Total Package in your Classroom." The two other sessions I elected were; "Personal Learning Environments" presented by Anita Z. Boudreau, and the other session was "Social Networking and Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom" presented by Becky Tengs.
It was time worth spent and aside from feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the areas to assimilate, it is all so darn exciting! I am glad I had the opportunity to attend.
Myself and my cohorts attended three sessions in the half day conference; The first session was presented to all and the other two other were our personal choice. Dr. Mike Charles was the presenter of the first session; " Technology and Learning: Putting Together the Total Package in your Classroom." The two other sessions I elected were; "Personal Learning Environments" presented by Anita Z. Boudreau, and the other session was "Social Networking and Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom" presented by Becky Tengs.
It was time worth spent and aside from feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the areas to assimilate, it is all so darn exciting! I am glad I had the opportunity to attend.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Future Teaching Blog /Yodio Applications
How fun will this be to use! Hmmmm..........
1. A student could photograph their artwork in progress, showing all the underlying layers that helped create the end result. It would be a wonderful reference to see how they did something, expecially, if it were very experimental, and they were trying to remember how they got there.
2. A diary. Who? What? When? Where? Why? To record their reflections on things in their lives, or things they ran into during the day, or a sculpture,a song, a bird, a smell, a gumwrapper, or something someone said...that inspired them in their present work.
3. Visual/Audio fieldtrip. It would enable them to catalogue and comment about what the student saw, felt,.. while on a fieldtrip. Individually or in groups. Like going to the Art Museum following a certain artist, or an era...similarities, dissimilarities,etc...
4. I could create a scavenger hunt for them.... planting the clues, and when they discover them they could record their finding. Were they right on? Who's still hunting? Oh, I like this one!
5.Storytelling. They could just make something up, like a skit, or...
6. A private conversation. A place to expresss their problems.A way to connect with the student, neutrally.
7.
1. A student could photograph their artwork in progress, showing all the underlying layers that helped create the end result. It would be a wonderful reference to see how they did something, expecially, if it were very experimental, and they were trying to remember how they got there.
2. A diary. Who? What? When? Where? Why? To record their reflections on things in their lives, or things they ran into during the day, or a sculpture,a song, a bird, a smell, a gumwrapper, or something someone said...that inspired them in their present work.
3. Visual/Audio fieldtrip. It would enable them to catalogue and comment about what the student saw, felt,.. while on a fieldtrip. Individually or in groups. Like going to the Art Museum following a certain artist, or an era...similarities, dissimilarities,etc...
4. I could create a scavenger hunt for them.... planting the clues, and when they discover them they could record their finding. Were they right on? Who's still hunting? Oh, I like this one!
5.Storytelling. They could just make something up, like a skit, or...
6. A private conversation. A place to expresss their problems.A way to connect with the student, neutrally.
7.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Biography
I live in a small farming community with my husband and two sons. Where our neighbors farm green beans, peaches, and berries, we farm and grow trees. We live in a wide open space where our sons and dog can run wild with the wind. And they do! We enjoy growing our family garden, full of vegetables, fruit trees, weeds, and flowers; My favorite being the forty dahlias. They are also our dog's favorite, since she likes to dig up the tubers which are planted with bonemeal . "How many will you leave us this year, Anya?"
I have been a full time mom just shy of fourteen years, volunteering all of those at our son's schools. I have always enjoyed children, and having the direct classroom experiences has only confirmed my desire to become a teacher myself. As I explained to one of my son's one morning recently , "As a parent your arms get longer, so you can make a bigger circle to hug and care for more children."
I am artist. I have a BFA in my undergraduate work from the Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California. I worked as a graphic designer for several years in California and in Oregon. I am now working toward my MAT with a focus in Art. At the moment I am undecided on the grade levels where I envision teaching. I believe that through the opportunity of observing classrooms this year I will have a better feel on where I need to be. I feel very strongly about empowering and supporting a child's voice; creating a safe environment for them to explore, and play!,whereby guiding them in discovering tools for their personal expression, and to help foster a healthy outlet which they may trust and carry with them throughout their lives.
I am a oil painter, and paint on a weekly basis with a group .
I am a student of Yoga, and Tai chi. After I graduate, I would like to continue learning Spanish.
I enjoy cooking (especially soup). I also love any reason to travel and explore new lands and vistas with camera in hand, as my eyes are always seeing new colors with which to paint!
As a family we love to go fishing. Or should I say, my boys especially love to go fishing since Grandpa started a family traditon; They have to eat alot of Snicker candybars for the fish to bite!?* We had an amazing opportunity about 3 summers ago to fish in Alaska. It is a very powerful place of giant beauty that we look forward to returning to some day. This summer we enjoyed exploring more fishing holes around Oregon and Washington. Have you ever been to Banks Lake, near the Grand Coulee Dam? What an area! Aside from baiting a hook, reeling one in,and losing track of chocolates, for me, being lulled on the waves is a wonderfully dreamy space to read.
I am passionate about learning. I am goofy. I am Jennifer. And yes, I snort when I laugh.
I have been a full time mom just shy of fourteen years, volunteering all of those at our son's schools. I have always enjoyed children, and having the direct classroom experiences has only confirmed my desire to become a teacher myself. As I explained to one of my son's one morning recently , "As a parent your arms get longer, so you can make a bigger circle to hug and care for more children."
I am artist. I have a BFA in my undergraduate work from the Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California. I worked as a graphic designer for several years in California and in Oregon. I am now working toward my MAT with a focus in Art. At the moment I am undecided on the grade levels where I envision teaching. I believe that through the opportunity of observing classrooms this year I will have a better feel on where I need to be. I feel very strongly about empowering and supporting a child's voice; creating a safe environment for them to explore, and play!,whereby guiding them in discovering tools for their personal expression, and to help foster a healthy outlet which they may trust and carry with them throughout their lives.
I am a oil painter, and paint on a weekly basis with a group .
I am a student of Yoga, and Tai chi. After I graduate, I would like to continue learning Spanish.
I enjoy cooking (especially soup). I also love any reason to travel and explore new lands and vistas with camera in hand, as my eyes are always seeing new colors with which to paint!
As a family we love to go fishing. Or should I say, my boys especially love to go fishing since Grandpa started a family traditon; They have to eat alot of Snicker candybars for the fish to bite!?* We had an amazing opportunity about 3 summers ago to fish in Alaska. It is a very powerful place of giant beauty that we look forward to returning to some day. This summer we enjoyed exploring more fishing holes around Oregon and Washington. Have you ever been to Banks Lake, near the Grand Coulee Dam? What an area! Aside from baiting a hook, reeling one in,and losing track of chocolates, for me, being lulled on the waves is a wonderfully dreamy space to read.
I am passionate about learning. I am goofy. I am Jennifer. And yes, I snort when I laugh.
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