Reflective Blog

       Education is very important and I believe that each child is a unique person who needs to grow and mature socially, physically, intellectually, and emotionally.  I also believe that my teacher Mrs. Coleman has allowed us to do just that, which is why she is such an inspiration to me.  Even though I am a grown adult, I feel as though she helped me become more socially mature, and more emotionally stable with my assignments, especially, when I when two of her classes; i felt  so behind. She gave me the chance to catch up in class and allowed me to think for myself. It's a good strategy, because in the long run no one's going to do the work for you, only you. 

      
       My experience in the classroom was great because it was all about technology and completing assignments in class that was fun and very time consuming. She made the effort by always giving us a tutorial on how to do certain projects. I had so much fun being able to learn about technology because this class made me realizes how much of it I had been missing out on. I learned that if you’re going to be an educator, you have to educate yourself in technology. Technology is never looking back, it’s always moving forward and we all have to grab on and go with it too or else we’ll be behind completely. Since I want to be an elementary school teacher, I learned how to make my own digital story, and I was also able to create my own website and call it Marly's Kinder Class.  I want to be able to use these resources for my future classroom! Marly's Kinder Class website has all of my assignments and projects i did for the class.  I never thought I was able to create so many things from technology.

       I learned how to use my blogger as a way to do my homework and communicate. Mentioning communication,  I believe a future teacher, communicating electronically might be good for engaging and creating productive activities. Technology is also a good way to socially network. I cannot believe that amount of students who use it for social networking and meeting new friends. I learned so many good things about technology that it really opened my eyes to a whole new level of teaching. I like the fact that im learning how to use technology so that in the future, I'll be able to teach my students about technology and give them the best experience in that classroom; perhaps they'll teach me too. 

      Here are several of my thoughts and experiences in the classroom and within the projects as well. First, the Wiki Project with my group was good. Everyone did their own assignment, but I belive because of time issues, not everyone in the group go to make their wiki page ellaborate. Very few of us in my group communicated through the wiki and even though there was barely any communication, everyone learned the new technology on their own; which was very good. Another thing I really enjoyed in the class was the assignments. Being able to create a webpage or even a story was so much fun; there was no text book, just technology.  Although, time was crucial, all the assignments were very helpful and motivational because it allowed me to think about all of the things i can do for myself through the assignements. Prof. Coleman opened a new window for me and I very grateful. All the of projects, whether it was the Collaboration Lesson Plan or the Instructional Wiki, I had a great experience. I don't recall any negative experiences, because everyone, I believe did their own part and were responsible enough to do it. All of the projects seemed very positive and I had so much fun working with my teams.  

       Technology just keeps growing and I can't believe how far we've come and in my opinion, a great teacher should always a how the importance of fun and in life. I love having fun and being able to include that in learning is why i would enjoy teaching, especially about technology; it's all the kids know! As a future teacher I want to show my students that i can have fun while getting work done. Having an ipad in the classroom or keeping them engaged in other forms of technology helps them become multitaskers and learn to stay focused. We all have to start somewhere and having these positive attributes and many more, I know will help me become a good teacher in the future. Just because this class is going to be over does not mean i am going to stop learning about technology. Im going to school for special education and I want to learn about all the technologies and new assisstive technologies coming out so that I may be able to make my students' life easier. 

     I remember coming into the classroom and starting off on a bad note, but I caught up quite quickly and Im very glad I did. This class was definitely a challenging one, but I believe the hard classes are better because they make you do more for yourself; it's a place where you earn your grade, it's just not given. Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn and focus on matters that are truly important. "Good teachers are costly, but bad teacher cost more"- Bob Talbert. This quote made me think on the importance of a good teacher, and having a positive outlook everyday in the classroom.  

                            Since technology is growing everyday, here's a cool video app below for kids using the ipad. 

Resources: 
Delicious

Youtube- Nick Jr. Draw and Play

Chapter 11 'The Final Chapter'

FOCUS QUESTION:  How can teachers and students use digital portfolios as tools for learning?
* According to Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 327 *

• A digital portfolio for a teacher is an individually prepared collection of work that communicates who a teacher is and what that teacher knows and is able to do in academic subjects
• A standards-based digital portfolio serves as a way for new teacher candidates to connect lesson plans, teaching evaluations, and other work done in the classroom to the specific professional teaching standards they are required to meet in order to earn a teacher license. 
• The advntages of digital portfolios include easy access, ready-made portability, creative information displays, experience in developing technology skills, and sharing of information with a wider educational community.
• The disadvantages of digital portfolios include the need for technical knowledge and skill, ongoing support, computer access, and time, as well as the possibility that style will override substance in the presentation of information. 

~This is very interesting information because teachers can actually design their teaching portfolios  in many different and creative ways. Having an e-portfolio will eliminate stress and a lot of paper work. Here's a fun video on what having an e-portfolio really means and how it can help you! and me:) 

                                                    

                                                               For E-Portfolio Starters:

TECH TOOL LINK:  W I X

This website is so amazing! All you have to do is sign up and based on what you're interested in doing, even if it's just for fun, you can create your own website absolutely free! There are so many pages and themes to choose from! Since Im going into teaching, I created my own teacher portfolio online. There are also many features and wix is completely google friendly and very easy to customize. I would recommend this website for anyone who's trying to learn about the digital world to check this website out. As I was doing my reseach, I came upon this website as well called Teacher Tap, it talks about technology and electronic portfolios and even gives you some examples so you can start your own. It's a very interesting website, check this one out too!


SUMMARY & CONNECTION:

The final chapter to this book, really reflects on all the teaching styles and creative ways to use technology. It's engaging teachers and students in learning and self- reflection that really matters. As long as we're all trying our best to understand technology, we cannot go wrong. I believe learning about technology is about exploring and not being afraid of trying something new, especially when you have to do it:) Technology is carefree and easy to be with, as long as it's not giving you a hard time. This chapter talks a lot about teachers and students on how to be active participants in evaluating and assessing their own development as learners using todays future technolog! As a future teacher I know the importance of having technology now, because our whole world is based on technology!  I know i'll have to create professional- based portfolios, presentations, and even publications so that my students can see me as role-model in learning new technology. Using technology will allow myself to participate and promote student invovelment in many ways than ever before! In my world, technology is my progression and my purpose for living an organized life.

Chapter 10

Focus Question: What are differentiated instruction (DI) and universal design for learning (UDL)?

According to "Transforming Learning with New Technologies"

• every student benefits from a wide and varied range of educational experiences that can activate his or her talents and potentials as a learner. 
• Teachers are crucial gatekeepers in how learning proceeds in schools and classrooms. They either mover students forward with lively and demanding instruction or they separate students according to perceived needs and talents.
• Differentiated instruction (DI) and universal design for learning (UDL) involve changing institutional practices and classroom structures to promote learning success for every student.   

UDL Model          

Since not all students are the same, I really find it important that the differentiated instuction theory can vary and be adapted to every diverse student in the classroom. Very child should experience a sense of success in the classroom. The purpose of universal design in school is "full participation and access for students with disabilities while providing individualized options for all" (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg 279) and (Hehir, 2005, p.99). UDL applies recent advances in the understanding of how the brain processes information to the design of curriculum that can accommodate broad student needs (Tranforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 278) and (Rose & Meyer, 2002, 2006) 

According to the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) in the Transforming Learning with New Technologies Book, has defined UDL in the following terms:

• Multiple means of representation, to give learner various ways of aquiring information and knowledge
• Multiple means of expression, to provide learners alternatives for demonstrating what they know
• Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners' interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase motivation. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 279) and ( Center for Applied Special Technology, 2006) 

Tech Tool Link: CAST- Teaching Every Student  (Click on "watch a video" and then click on "Principles of Universal Design for Learning)

At Cast.org researchers  have developed an organization that helps all students further their education by expanding their learning opportunites, especially for those through the Universal Design for Learning. This website is dedicated to pure education learning for every child, because they believe that every child has capability to succeed in the classroom; no child is left behind. CAST explains who they are, what they do, and what they offer. I recommend this website because it offers services and support to all learners.

Summary and Connection:
It's amazing how Transforming Learning with New Technologies Book has many links to great resources, such as CAST. Chapter 10 promotes success through experience in the classroom, to also promoting success for all students through technology ( Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 274) It also examines how the computer technologies expand the experience of every student in the classroom and expand their opportunites for teacher to meet the learning needs of all students. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 275). I know it's going to be a challenge for me as a future teacher in finding the time, resources, and the many tools out their necessary to engage the multiple learning styles. Im sure that each of one of my students will be able to adapt to new learning styles of their own and experience life breaking technology in the classroom!

Chapter 9

Focus Question: What is multimedia technology and how can teachers use it to effectively create and share visual information dynamically in their teaching? 

     Multimedia technology applies to interactive computer elements, such as graphics, text, video, sound and animation, to deliver a message, and to communicate information through learning. Schools have shown the importance of not using non-interactive learning because they feel like mutlimedia has drawn us away from the true way of learning (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg.271). We've become so used to multimedia helping us in various ways and feels like it's another way of perhaps being lazy. Multimedia classrooms however, integrates multiple  technologies for teaching and learning (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 271). Multimedia is not so bad actually; here's a link that explains how multimedia helps us remember things a lot faster, it's called the Cognitive Load Theory. 'Everything' is fast-paced, we rely on technology so much! and 'everyone' is required to know technology, because technology is the way of the future. 

Tech Tool link: Have Fun Teaching

     This website is full of FUN activities for students of all ages! Not only does this promote students to become interactive, but it's a great resource for teachers who need help on having multimedia in the classroom. Students can click on the eight choice Have Fun Teaching has to offer, such as worksheets, coloring, flash cards (on almost anything), activities, and so much more! Students will have a great time on this website; it's not intimidating! When I become a teacher, I will definitely use this website as a resource! Multimedia is so important as well as non-interactive learning, so i believe the use of both learning styles is very important in the classroom. 

     Here's an example of one of the videos from the Have Fun Teaching website. Have fun with the counting down from twenty song! 

Summary & Connection:

Chapter 9 focuses on creating and sharing information with multimedia technologies (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 240). This chapter transforms your learning from boring to absolute fun! It's all about how important it is to use multimedia in the classroom, because technology includes all the technology used to view pictures, games, interactive websites, and so much more! Multimedia technology also promotes learning and creativity, and the sharing of information thru communication. This chapter also calls for students to learn ways to interact and work together electronically (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 241).  

Chapter 8

Focus Question: How can teachers use a website or blog to improve teaching and learning?

     Teachers can use a website or blog to improve teaching and learning by allowing the students to do their homework by accessing the website or blog the teacher provided for them. Websites and blogs are becoming apparent as one of the most important things a teacher can allow their students to use. It allows teacher to communicate with their students, families, and colleagues. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg 236) Three basic types of education-related blogs: 1.) "official face" blogs, 2.) single-purpose blogs, and 3.) active learning blogs. Plus, teachers have the option of creating their own website or even their own classblog. There are three options a teacher has to keep in mind: 1.) a do-it-yourself option, 2.) a commercially available option, or 3.) an open source option (according to Transforming Learning with New Technology book, pg 236).        


Tech Tool link: Fact Monster

     There is a lot of great information on fact monster! Many teachers can use this website to create an imaginative virtual experience for students who are having trouble with a certain subject. There's even a homework center where students can click on any subject, and a skills section where the studetns can acquire better listening skills, studying skills, writing, and researching skills. This website has a reference desk which includes a dictionar, an almanac, an atlas, and more! It's an amazing resource! Talking about technology and how we can go to websites to help students further their academic goals, there's also blogs! Blogs are liek journal enteries, students can record homework and research which is a good way for teachers to know if their students are actually doing their work. Teachers can go to Kidblog where they can create a blog for their class! for free! Teachers can access kidblog to view their class anywhere. Thank man for technology! Here's a small tutorial on Mr. Bellow's kidblog,  showing you how to create a class blog, and the many things 'Kidblog' has to offer.

Summary & Connection:

     Chapter 8 is a chapter that points out the importance of communicating and networking with websites, blogs, wikis, and more! This chapter explains the many ways a teacher can use technology to contact students, by using computers and other technologies to share ideas and information in classrooms. Teacher can also communicate via the internet by having classroom blogs. These are 'home grown' by teachers and students working together. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 207) It's a great chapter for those of you who don't know much about creating webites or blogs. Technology is emerging everyday with new and bright ideas, so let's make sure we're all in the 'know'.

Chapter 7

Focus Question:
What are intelligent tutoring systems and how can students and teachers use them successfully?

      Intelligent tutors are basically computer teachers that track a student's performance in getting the correct answers. The intelligent tutors modify their teaching style based on how well or how poorly the student does and of course, on their learning needs. The tutors use a story line with characters and request feedback which should promote inquiry learning and problem solving. This system was bulit on the need to help the student become a better academic learner. It is said, that the intelligent tutor would be similar to having one teacher for very one to three students (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 197) This system is effective and has shown improvement in student learning. I feel as though one day, our teachers really will be computers- it's a crazy thought, but look at how amazingly far we've come in technology. Intelligent tutoring systems is only the beginning. 











Photo credited by Chris Daly from Learning Solutions Magazine


Summary & Connection:

      This Chapter focuses on problem solving and using technology as a tool for learning. With so many software and web tools, we can create a dynamic form of learning that takes learning to a whole new level, especially, with the Intelligent Tutoring System, a new software program where students learn through computer responses to student actions! (Transforming Learning with New Technology, pg. 197) Children tend to have a natural attraction to things that stand out and are totally unique for them. This chapter sticks to the NETS-T Standard 1, part b where teachers "engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems" (Transforming Learning with New Technolgies pg.175) This is a cool chapter and I really enjoyed it. 

Chapter 6

Focus Question: What are WebQuests and virtual field trips?

      WebQuests is information that bring alive the language, drama, comedy, and history of Shakespeare- as well as hundreds of other playwrights, poets, and authors( Transforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 153, 2012). WebQuests are very innovative and take on Web-based teaching methods that can help all grde levels. WebQuests allow th students to visit groups of preselected websites to learn about academic topics by pictures, audio, video, and even online digital text. The virtual field trips are also innovative and quite interesting because the students are taken virtuallly to places all over the world without leaving the classroom, as part of their academic studies.

Tech Tool link: The Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc

The Interactive online field trip of The Cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc shows some of fthe earlier painting. It goes on explaining how early humans inhabited the cave some 31,000 years ago. There's a map of the whole entire cave with buttons linking to that particular spot, that actually presents pictures. A lot of these paintings inspire students to draw their own paintings, drawings, even writings. This also inpires students to visit a local history museum and find out about other past civilizations. I recommend this site for those who have never heard about this cave. It's a very beautiful discovery. This video shows a little bit of the cave and what to expect when you go to the website itself. 

Summary and Connection:

This whole chapter is about teaching with educational websites and other online resources. It presents new way of educating students by showing WebQuest and virtual field trips. This chapter also talks about bookmarking and information alerts that help teachers organize and prepare lesson plans. I enjoyed this chapter because it focused on educational websites and different ways to teach children online at home or in class. I wonder where technology is going to take us next time...? 

Chapter 5

Focus Question: What is the meaning of Information literacy for teacher and students?

     Information literacy should be a learning goal and should be the need for current, interesting, and revelent information that's constant. Information is instantly available on the internet and it's constantly changing the work of teachers who have the need to teach students how to access and assess all of the materials and resources on the web.  Teaching students how to do internet research is very important to literacy and involves how to recogniz and use such high quality electronic information. All of the information on literacy and the information online creates curiousity and enable students to be active readers and thoughtful researcher in a web-based enviornment.

Tech Tool link: LibriVox 
This is a pretty cool website; It's very multi-cultural because it has language options on the page. It has the lastest news on LibriVox world tour and the community podcast, new releases on books, and even provides free autobooks. I recommend anyone who wants to read online to try this website out. It looks boring but it has so much to offer. Here's a tutorial video that shows you exactly what LibriVox is all about. Click it:)

Summary & Connection

This chapter is all about researching and evaluating internet information. The internet where you go to learn, teach, and experience the power of technology through search engines and interactive materials and resources. It's a very important chapter because it lets us know how crucial and how exciting it is to have the internet right at our finger tips. If you're going to become a new teacher, this chapter is really helpful because you learn about search engines, plagiarism, and the Florida Sunhine Standards. I'm really looking forward to learning more about them and you should too! 

Marly's A-Bio

Marly's BIO*

     My life began on September 11, 1986 in Medellin, Colombia. From what I remember, my early years were peaceful and happily spent with my family and close friends. When I was three, my family moved to Florida in search of a better life and a higher degree of economic stability. My dad was the first to come to America and my mother and I followed two long years after. You can imagine how wonderful a reunion it was to have my mom, my dad, and myself all back under one roof again.

     I mention the above to convey how influential my family's immigration has been to the shaping of my life. I feel very fortunate to now live in the United States while also having my extended Colombian family nearby. This has provided me an amazing opportunity to grow up in a bi-cultural environment.    

     Now that my family is firmly rooted in the United States, we have the opportunity to take advantage of the liberties afforded to the citizens of this country. My dad obtained his full citizenship and my mother and I have Green Cards. Although a Green Card might not sound like freedom, to me it really is. One of my greatest passions in life is travel and had I never left Colombia, I would not at this moment have the chance to travel. Over the next few years I plan to take full advantage of this freedom. As you can see, I included a picture of the Eiffel Tower - a symbol of one of my favorite cities in the world.

Photo credit to Moyan Brenn on Flickr

Chapter 4

Focus Question: How does technology promote educational change?

     Change is something that we all have to accept at point in our lives and also accept that the use of technology is growing everyday. All of us have to stay on top of technology in order for us to evolve in a better future. Change is not with the hardware, it's not in the computer; Change is within the person who wants to influence, guide, and decide that technology impacts many lives everyday. Change helps us decide who we are, and technology is a powerful tool to help raise our belief level on education. Technology reasures us of a secure education for all who wants to learn it. Technology makes our situations become very simple, including classrooms. The potential change of technology helps guide teachers and students with the needs and the imagination to realize their dreams and goals, especially, their main priorities. There are educational tools for teachers to help them choose one technology tool over another, such as "automate" and "infomate", "type 1 and type 11 technology apps", and "Learning from, about, and with computers."

Tech Tool link: Edutopia
     This website is so cool! I love how this site makes available all of the resouces you need to have an amazing classroom experiecnce. So many ideas and so many activities to talk about. Edutopia provides video of the week with educational advice and information, group discussions, education news, opinions, and school freebies. You can even "discover successful schools and strategies across the country- using their best practices, training materials, and rubrics! This is awesome, it makes a new teacher's life a bit easier. It puts me at ease."I highly recommend this site.
Source: http://www.edutopia.org/

Summary and Connection:
     This chapter on Integrating Technology and Creating Change is overwhelming- considering that almost all the issues relate to change and using technology in many different ways in the classroom. So many interesting links and tools about technology i have never even heard about. How the chapter talks about the digital pen, a wrtiting device that records what someone has written or spoken so it can be accessed on a computer that converts content into typed text to be copied, emailed, printed, and edited. (Tranforming Learning with New Technologies, pg. 103) The expections to learn technology in the classroom are so high, that im very exitied about this new change in education and hoping it will help us grow for the better.

Chapter 3

Focus Question: What are the "student learning obejectives" and "understanding by design" (backward design) models of lesson planning?
The "student learning objectives" are  1.) tell who  2.) is going to do what  3.) when  4.) how much or how often and  5.) how it will be measured or evaluated. 
Student learning objectives are the intended or planned outcomes of the educators instructional activities - not the activities themseleves. It has many planning, assessment, and instructional methods in the framework of lesson development. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, p. 64)
The "understanding by design" a.k.a backward design is an approach to curricular development. It has three main components:
Stage 1- Identify desired results  to provide a frame for student  exploration of a topic, the teacher Identifies the lesson's enduring understandings and essential questions. These statements and questions are the big ideas to the information that students will always remember.
Stage 2- Determine accepctable evidence (assessment strategies). Teacher decides what kinds of evidence will show that students have learned the material and can give out ideas and information based on what was taught through understandings and questions.
Stage 3- Plan learning experiences and instruction (obejectives and methods). The teacher chooses learning objectives, identifies teaching methods, and crafts a plan of how a lesson will be conducted. (Transforming Learning with New Technologies, p. 64-65)

Tech Tool link: www.Thinkfinity.org
Here's an online resource page that engages motivated educators who advocate technology through creative use, and inspires us to be actively involved. This site shares resources and shares the best practices for teaching and learning today.

Summary and Connection
This chapter includes a lot of helpful resources to help educators and students reach their goals by interactively learning about technology. With assessments to standards-based assessment using technology to further the students execptations they are able to accurately define a problem, design a strategy for solving problems, how they plan and how well they were able to explain their conclusions.  Supporting students is so important to their growth, that we are very fortunate to have accessable data and resources to help us further their education and ours. 

Chapter 2

Focus Question: How do students use technology for visual learning?

           Students use technology for visual learning in many ways that promote visual literacy and data visualization. 

           As as educators, we are able to use technology to help students use visual learning by giving students the skills need to read language, math, science, and even color. Images can definitely teach students on how to communicate ideas and basic information through visual learning, because any image can be shared from personal experiences thus, allowing them to grow further.

           Data visualization- any graphic which organizes meaningful information in multidimensional spatial form. Having visual display of information such as graphs, data, images increases instructional direction for both the student and the educator. 

           Technology is so useful today and so helpful in the classroom. It makes teaching a challenge and enables us to acquire meaningful information that we would not have been able to use years ago. People are visual learners at heart, because if we're able to see what is being taught, then we will be able to remember a lot faster.  

Tech tool link: http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/starthere.html
This website is really interesting! It shows a lot of plant videos to help you learn as they grow and develop. You can see many plants go through:

• Germination
• Photomorphogenesis
• Tropisms
• Nastic Movements
• Circadian Responses
• General Growth
• Flowers
• Cellular Responses

It's so educational and it makes watching plants grow actually fun and interesting. It enhances your visual learning through technology by allowing you see vivid color, shapes, and forms. I would highly recommend this educational website.

Summary & Connection 

This chapter is really interesting, because it talks about how technology is transforming learning with unique and powerful technology. How it advances our visual learning and visual literacy through empowering tech tools. We are able to explore many multiple dimensions and multimedia allowing the the graphics and images look in real time. Technology helps with communication, collaboration, and groupwork. Visual learning through technology makes me look forward to learning more about in the future, where it takes me and what I can do with it as well... i have yet to see. 

Chapter 1

Focus Question: How do new technologies create new opportunities for teaching and learning?
Technology expands every year and we're constantly learning about them every year. Keeping up with technology is so important to learn becasue this world is changing every day and technology makes life really simple. Everyone can engage and participate with computer technology and promote the high levels of social networking and just becoming social in general.

Tech Tool link: http://computer.howstuffworks.com
This website is definitely mind blowing and very useful if you don't know how to use something or know how it works. I would recommend this website to others, but it does contain a lot of advertisments which could distract you. Overall, it's a good website for general knowledge, it shows a lot advancements on technology. Here's a link for you to check out and make your own judgements. Have fun:)

Summary and Connection
I can't believe technology has made it this far and i can't imagaine what it's going to be like in ten or twenty years from now. Technology is scaring me as well as many others because we want to be able to use our brains and think things through. I believe Technology should be used as a tool to further education, it shouldn't be the main thing people go to all the time. Knowledge is key and yes, technology can help you expand your knowledge but not take advantage of that. There are so many levels of Education and learning about Technology is a very exciting topic and Im looking foward to see how far we can go with it.