Week 8 - Digital Story Telling

This week we learned about digital storytelling in which images, audio, and videos are used to display a story or reveal something to its audience. It can be used in a multitude of ways from personal enjoyment to professional projects. Digital storytelling is very similar to how we have told stories for all of mankind, but now using the digital technologies that we have discovered. We also read an article about we use these digital tools to make images look imperfect or older as cameras did prior to the turn of the century in order for them to tell a story or make a point. The way digital technologies have evolved allows us to convey stories in an endless amount of ways.

I do not see digital storytelling as a very prominent tool in my field of education. Possibly for Power Point Presentations, but I do not plan to have those often. I would use this kind of technology for personal use more so than for in my classroom to educate my students. One way it would be very beneficial is for student projects in which they utilize this tool. There could be use to it for educators, but I do not plan on using it often in my classroom.

Digital Storytelling - We Didn't Start the Fire
This is a video that coincides with the lyrics from Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire". I did not realize that his lyrics went in chronological order and told a story of America's past like it does. It was really interesting to watch the video with the images and it shows what digital storytelling should look like.

Week 14 - Virtual Schooling

This week we watched two YouTube videos that describe online schooling in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Topics were discussed about the benefits of virtual schools and the critiques about them. Some of the benefits include working at one's own pace, accessibility, more independence, more free time, and a closer relationship with the instructor. This type of schooling has turned out to be very successful and useful in many cases where students are not working well with regular schools or are not able to attend them. Gaming is another tool for virtual education in which students can learn and engulf themselves in, but it would be beneficial. I would not substitute this for full time education, but for a supplement or during the summer it would help students to become familiarized with online education and enjoy it.

Virtual schooling applies to my field because it could be my field one day with teaching online to my students or even having a few who take classes online in addition to being in school. I do not plan on teaching a class online any time, but it might happen someday with the way technology is exponentially growing. It is good to be at least familiar with this type of education so that in the future I can be equipped to help students or adjust to that type of teaching if I needed to. Online education could even be a possibility for me if I decide I would like to further my education.

This map shows what kind of online education is available in the United States and it surprises me some of the states who do have access to this type of education and the ones who do not. New York, for example, has neither, yet Hawaii has both. It shows that virtual school still has a way to go in entering our school systems throughout the United States, but it is pretty widespread to say the least.

Week 15 - Gaming

During this week, we learned the usefulness of gaming in teaching and learning. We learned about different games online, such as Second Life and Mii. These games bring us, most of the time, to virtual worlds, but have an underlying mission, for people to interact and learn. Although, not all sites are secret about their purpose of teaching. Many sites offer that as an incentive for teachers and parents to agree with the site for their students or children to use. Either way, these sites enable students to learn about core subjects and about technology.

I hope to use games in my classroom for educational purposes. I know many teachers who use educational games during reading and math for a center can choose to go to or must go to. Students love it, but they are only participating in learning material. Especially if there are free periods or breaks within the class, gaming for the students would come in handy. It is a great way for students to learn, use technology, and have fun all at that same way and I plan on utilizing that as much as possible in my classroom.

This was a technology I was not even thinking of that is being incorporated into classrooms, but it still proves to be beneficial. I have observed computers in the classroom, but there are usually only a few in which students must take turns, but this would eliminate that hassle and would be easily accessible and portable. This should encourage United States schools to approach this type of technology and utilize it if possible.

Extra Blog Post #3 - Podcasting

EME 2040 - Podcast

Above is the link to my podcast, which is an example of how I would use podcasting in my field. By giving parents an introduction before orientation or meeting them by other means, it will prepare parents for what kind of classroom their students will be in, what the teacher is like, and make them feel welcome. Although not every parent will be able to listen to an introductory podcast, it is definitely a way to reach out to the parents and let them know that the instructor is ready for any questions, concerns, or requests. Podcasting could be used for a multitude of other purposes, including lectures for students who are absent, recall of information for students, and resources for other teachers.

Week 12 - Cloud Computing

This week the topic was cloud computing, which is sharing information by a computer network. You are able to use tools that usually must be downloaded or tied to one computer but otherwise are online or everyone to share, use, and change. One of the most common way people use cloud computing is through Google Documents. It is remarkable to me how multiple people can change a document or a piece of information at the same time, it is a representation of our vastly technologically progressive world. Another resourceful tool we learned about was social bookmarking that allows people to share links with people and label them to make it easy for people to find something specifically pertaining to what they are looking for. As well, it is simpler for you to find much later when you have accumulated many different sites and articles and other resources.

As a teacher, cloud computing would be something that is used on a day-to-day basis to find resources and share documents. I think this would be something that I would use most because I would be searching for information and resources to use in my classroom. It would be great to share documents with teachers around the world and get their inputs in lesson plans and other information that I will relay to my class. This kind of technology allows my classroom to be a more diverse and thought-provoking.





The video above shows the usefulness of cloud computing and how more beneficial it is than using servers. You do not need any hardware other than on your own computer. It is easier to use and much cheaper. As many people as wanted can visit the site and use it and it will never get clogged. I love the way the man in the video explains how it works and I hope more people take advantage of this tool.

Week 11 - Open Source Software

Open Source Software is free software that is open for anyone to download and we explored these this week. I have personally used Open Office before and it is almost simultaneous to Microsoft Word except free. It is very useful, especially for people who use Macintosh computers. Sourceforge also is very helpful in finding software that I would need as a college student and even in the future as a teacher that can aid me in my field, while being convenient and free.

Open Source Software definitely can be beneficial in my field because many times teachers are limited on resources and finances. The kind of software that is offered online can fulfill what I would be missing in my classroom. Sourceforge is a website that I would take advantage of because it is a database of Open Source Software and Programs. Anything from instant messengers to anti-virus software to word processors are available on the website and would all benefit me in communication, safety, and creating documents. Even prior to entering my field of teaching, Open Source Software would all help me as a college student. The fact that the software is free and open to everyone is what makes it worth using.

This picture depicts exactly what I think sometimes. Although Open Source Software is very useful, it is also kind of nerving that other people have access to these same programs and they can create them. This could cause many harms to your computer, even if unintentionally they do. Just like the fish says, it gives me the creeps.

Week 9 - Podcasting

This week I learned about podcasting and different uses for them, especially in education. The articles that I read about podcasting explained what podcasting was, how to retrieve a podcast, and how to create your own. Also, the articles went in depth about the benefits of podcasting, primarily in the classroom, and the issues that arise around podcasting. One article by MacWorld described how to make your own video podcast, also known as a vodcast. It was all very informative and prepared me to make my own podcast which is an activity that I must do for this class, but I will probably use in the future.

Being a teacher, I could see where this could be beneficial. Having extra aid for homework, providing material for students who were absent, and assigning projects that where students have to create their own podcasts are all advantages of podcasts. Although personally I would want more physical, interactive learning with my students, not just listening or new technology to teach the students. For me, the internet can be a distraction at times, and teaching young students the internet could definitely be a distraction. I just believe students learn best with hands-on activities and even interactive videos or activities online. I think podcasts could be beneficial in my classroom, but for limited purposes.

This is what it seems that are classrooms are coming to because of iTunes being such an influence on young people. It is starting to flood over into the classroom and sometimes that is really helpful, but in this depiction it is making fun of it. As the teacher is trying to teach her students, the students are engulfed in the new technologies of this age.

Digital Story Telling

I probably would not use this tool very often in my classroom because I think it would be more personal and to be used to share with family and friends. I could use it to help demonstrate something to the class, but I would probably use PowerPoint where I could take my time and explain a little more in depth the material. I would need a program that I could go at my own pace. Although, at the level I would be teaching (around second grade) I do not think that a presentation would be needed because there would not be a great deal of information that the students would be learning other than still working on the basics of their subjects. Technology could definitely be utilized, but in different ways through different visual aids.

Week 7 - Visual Literacy

This week we learned about Visual Literacy in which we equate visual symbols and signs with words or ideas in our heads. For example, if we see the golden arches of McDonald's, most people probably think of fries. There are other forms of visual literacy though, such as tables, graphs, charts, maps, trees, and graphics. As humans, we have visual literacy because we have the ability to evaluate information in the form of something visual. With our Photoshop project, we use our visual literacy of one image to create a new one.

This relates to my major because most people are visual learners, which would mean that I would need to use images for my students to learn material. Whether it is through a graph or through a funny cartoon, it will usually benefit my students to use visuals. Not only will it help them learn, but it will make them more visually competent and recognize images faster, thus inhibiting faster thinking and recalling of information.

This one frame cartoon just seemed funny to me because that is not what students want, but actually quite the opposite. Although students never can articulate it or stand up and say they want more visuals in the classroom. Half of the time, they do not realize what they are missing in school. Society has put such a large emphasis on media outside of school and schools have put stress on teaching as much hard. raw facts as possible, it is only natural that children desire visual aids in the classroom.

Extra Blog Post 2 - Concept-Map

Week 5

This week we learned about using different types of tools and other software. This included open source software, using Wordle, and using other internet tools. There was also a section in our lesson about learning theories and different ways of thinking and learning. Bloom's Taxonomy is an example of how we develop the skills to think critically. Also, we learned how to make concept-maps in order to organize thoughts, activities, assignments, or just about anything.

Some of these tools will help me, but I do not think that most of it will with the teaching profession. The teaching styles and the ways we think critically would definitely be helpful. The teaching styles give me different ways to educate my students and formulate lesson plans. Plus, showing my students how to think critically and how to approach their work and situations with a critical mind set.

I used this image, Bloom's Taxonomy, because it shows what I hope my students will be able to achieve. That would be going from Lower Order Thinking Skills to Higher Order.

Week 4 - Extra Blog Post - Copyright

I really just like this video, it is simple, short, and to the point. I found it on YouTube when I was just looking at different copyright videos and this one was the most enjoyable and explained upfront the premises of copyright laws. Other videos I watched had montages or tried to explain the law through an example or lesson, instead of listing the points of copyright. I enjoy information and lessons that are straightforward, instead of beating around the bush for an eight minute video just to wrap it all up in thirty seconds at the end. That is why I chose this video and I hope you enjoy it too!

Week 4 - Copyright and Multimedia

In class this week we talked about designing media that is used for instructional means. The PowerPoint presentation about designing media discussed how to make the media that you create attractive, yet effective. As well, we learned about hypermedia and multimedia, including definitions, the difference between the two, and examples of them. There was also a PowerPoint that provided more depth about them and Web Based Resources. An activity that we had to complete this week was about information literacy, which basically means knowing how to find information on a website and determine if it is a legitimate site or not. The last, but probably most significant, thing we talked about was copyright issues and issues surrounding educational technology. This section explains the complications that accompany teaching technology in the classroom.

There is definitely a use for this with my major because when I teach it will be helpful to know how to make a presentation more effective. As our world is growing in technology, we have to teach our children these new technologies. This means it is mostly put on teachers to make sure that students become literate with computers, the internet, and other devices. Plus, teaching students that copyright laws are in place is very important so that students know how to produce a paper without infringing on those laws or plagiarizing. It is also good for teachers to know about technologies in the classroom and how do know what is too much and not enough. This shows that this pertains to my major for sure being an Elementary Education major.

Top Ten Myths About Copyright
I decided to use this website because it was awesome that there were direct quotes that people say about copyright that is not true. Plus, Brad Templeton, who wrote the page, used factual support to back up his answers for the myths. This is a quick way to answer your questions about copyright if you are not sure about what is copyrighted, when to post certain works, and more. I thought it was really useful for me personally.

Week 3 - Web Technology

This week the main focus of class was to talk about the history of the internet and discover the future of where our internet is going. In class, we watched a YouTube video about how the first internet connection was utilized and how we came to where we are today. There were many new terms that were introduced that I personally did not know about. They ranged from the beginning of the internet to the most common terms we use today, but they were taught more in depth than before. There was also this pretty cool video done on Frontline called Growing Up Online, which was really true for generation and a little bit scary how dependent we are on the internet and just electronics in general. I liked the Web 2.0 information that was posted for us to read because it gave insight into the tools that our generation will be using for education, communication, and other various aspects of life.

The future of the web definitely relates to my major because it is good to know where the next generation is going so that I can understand the technology my students are using. Also, many of these tools and programs and new innovations in technology and the internet will most likely end up in the classroom somehow, so I should be comfortable using them and knowing about them. The history aspect is kind of important, but I do not think it will be very vital to what I am teaching. Technology is a tool for students to learn, so I do not really need to harp on tools of the past, but encourage my students to keep learning and looking ahead. The terminology that I learned will help though because it will be good to have a strong vocabulary basis for technology so that my students can learn effectively.

I decided to use this video entitled "1967 Future Predictions - PC" because I thought it was funny how the video correctly portrayed what would happen now. It was a very outdated way of envisioning what would happen, but the online shopping and sending mail from computer to computer was really what has become of the internet and so much more. It was definitely correct on how far the computer would develop by 1999.

"Changing Education Paradigms"

My friend shared this with me and I thought it was really cool being an Education major. It revealed some interesting points and gave insight of the American education system. It is pretty long, but I hope you enjoy :)

Week 2

This week the content we covered was about Macintosh computers and navigating them. There are three different lessons with the first one covering information about the physical components of the Mac, including the mouse and keyboard, as well as the screen interface and the desktop orientation, such as turning the Mac on and off. The second lesson explained how to use files and folders on a Mac and we learned how to take a screen shot on the Mac. The third lesson dealt with learning shortcuts using the keyboard with the command button and even gave equivalents to Windows, which showed that Mac had more shortcuts that Windows does not provide. At the end of the lessons, we took a quiz about all the content noted above.

This lesson relates to my major because the education field is always updating with technology and I will need to use this on the job because Macintosh computers are prevalent in schools now-a-days. As well, it will be useful with helping students who use Macs in my classroom or even outside of the classroom when they need to complete an activity. Plus, if I decide to get a Macintosh computer, it will be helpful for me to already know information about Macs so that it will not be hard to understand how to use one.

I thought this was just a silly picture and that it was the very true at the same time. These are the generalizations people have of Macs and PCs many times. While the PC is used many times by people of the business world and for intellectual use, the Mac seems to be used more for enjoyment and creative exploration.