Inspiration Concept Map (NETS-T 1)

Using the program Inspiration, I created a graphic organizer that illustrates the assignments I completed in the class Education 422 that meet the NETS-T standards. I added text and graphics to make the organizer visually appealing.

Journal 5: Collaboration in a Web 2.0 Environment

I have heard the words "syndication" and "Web 2.0" used, but have never fully comprehended the technological concepts these terms referred to. The article, 'Collaboration in a Web 2.o Environment" by Glen Bull, explains these terms and explores how we as educators can use syndication and collaboration in the classroom. In simple terms, Web 2.0 uses syndication which allows information to come to the user, rather than the user having to search for the information. Bull summarizes this by saying, "Syndicated feeds can be used to follow multiple student postings, facilitate collaborative writing, share images associated with group projects, and track news topics related to a subject area." These are all skills and resources we should use in our classrooms! One of the most available resource is RSS (Real Simple Syndication) where teachers can add live bookmarks and be notified when new content appears. Bull encourages the use of student blogs to submit assignments as well as collaborate with others in their class. In this way, students are using and developing skills that they use outside of the classroom as well. This article makes a lot of sense to me, and has great recommendations for applications to use in the classroom, such asRSS, Writely, TaDa, Flickr, and FeedDigest.

1. Are there any downfalls for using student blogs to submit assignments?
I think one downfall might be that student's writing skills may suffer. If they are submitting assignments on a blog, they may feel like they are writing on their own personal blog, instead of the writing with the formality and techniques associated with homework assignments. However, I do think the "pros" outweigh the "cons" in this instance. Like Bull states, the educational possibilities are unlimited!

2. I know we live in a technology-driven world, but I can't help but question, are the students who do not have unlimited internet access going to fall completely behind those that do?
I know that the internet is widespread and ever-expanding, but I somehow get the feeling that there are families and students that do not have unlimited access to the internet. I fear that these students will be completely lost and left behind their peers. A way to fix this would be to accommodate them with time before or after school, as well as set aside time during the day, for computer access. I hope that as technology grows in the classroom, the education gap does not become further apart.


Bull, Glen (2006, April). Collaboration in a Web 2.0 Environment. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved March, 2009,from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume_33_2006_2005_/April_No_7_/April_2006.htm

Journal 4: Create, Collaborate, Communicate

As a future teacher, I know that it there is a huge responsibility on me to prepare the students that walk into my class for real-life. In today's society, that means preparing students to live in an increasingly technology-driven world. Right now, the skills students learn in school do not match the necessary skills needed in the work place. This article, "Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills," discusses sixteen ideas on how to do just that from HowieDiBlasi . His first tip is to "Hug a Geek!" This may be one of the most awkward experiences of your life if taken literally! However, finding these "geeks" who are knowledgeable and competent in the digital world and asking for help can be the best resource for being on the front lines of teaching technology. I loveDiBlasi's tip about using "project-based learning." The students are the ones who develop the project, research the tools, and carry out the assignment. It is such an interesting way to get students to engage in an assignment and gain practical skills. Other tipsDiBlasi shares emphasize collaboration and communication. We hear a lot about collaboration in schools, but digital collaboration is not something I have ever seen taught. These are essential skills for students to learn; they will continue to use these skills throughout their lives. It is our job as educators to use all resources available to ensure our students are prepared for the future.

1. What does he mean by "if we're going to be competitive"?
As teachers, I don't think we view our field as a competitive industry. However, we have a lot of responsibility for influencing and molding those minds that will be a part of every industry in the future. Teaching is even behind the coal mining industry when it comes to the use of technology. I think he means that we are behind on the times, and it is critical that we catch up because we are shaping the future!

2. How will I use this in my classroom? Can I bring about this change in my classroom?
After reading this article, I definitely feel a weight of responsibility to change how education has implemented technology in the classroom thus far. I can use this article as a resource and reference for how I am using technology in the classroom. Before, I didn't necessarily see myself as a technical teacher, but I know the necessity of implementing most of these ideas. And through this class, computer classes in the future, and "hugging a geek," I hope to continue to learn and explore how to use technology to the fullest in the classroom and teach students these same skills.

Riedel, C. (2009, January). Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills. THE Journal, Retrieved March, 2009, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23872_3

Powerpoint Presentation: NETS for PK-2 Profiles (NETS-T 1, 3)

I created a visually appealing PowerPoint presentation using text, hyperlinks, graphics, and transitions. In this presentation, I explored NETS for ages PK-2 and suggested potential lesson plans to meet these standards.

NETS Powerpoint

View more presentations from erozelle.

Journal 3: "Keep Them Chatting"

Although I have heard of online courses for college, I have never thought about having online course for K-12. The article "Keep Them Chatting" by Jennie Cole is about online discussions for K-12 chats, discussion boards, and wiki topics. She wants to challenge the assumption that students only do the bare minimum on online assignments. Cole believes that there are a couple different techniques that can stimulate online discussion. First, she emphasizes the use of "high-level, open-ended questions." I think these are the basic types of questions that we as teachers should ask all the time, in the classroom or online. Second, she describes the "inquiry method" which requires research and problem solving. This method is also basic for group work. I like that she encourages the use of shared Google documents to collaborate with other students. The "discrepant event inquiry method" is where students view an unexplained event, like a photo, video, or demonstration, then research this topic to make sense of it. This is the one method that I am not as familiar with. I would have loved a more in-depth explanation about this method. Finally, Cole encourages the use of personal examples. As a student myself, I know that the hands-on approach stimulates my own interest. Therefore, allowing students to create research real-life events or objects will create more interest in learning that topic.

1. How will I use this in my classroom?
This is something I honestly have not thought about before, using online chat and discussions. As a future special education teacher, I am interested in how this can work in a critical skills classroom. Even so, I think her discussion techniques for stimulating conversation can also be used in the classroom as well as online.

2. Do these techniques always work?
I think I am skeptical of these techniques. First of all, they are not exactly explained in detail, but only explained by certain examples. Second, I think students are students no matter how old, and most of the time are going to do the minimum required. These techniques are not all that revolutionary to change students completely.

Cole, Jeanie (2009, February). Keep Them Chatting. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved February, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/

Journal 2: Museums in the Classroom

Museums on the web, what a great idea! All students love field trips, but I don't think all students enjoy museums. I know I may have been an odd child, but I absolutely loved going to museums. (It may have prepared, and warned, my parents that I would major in history!) But, especially with this generation of computer savvy, technically literate children, the art of going to a museum may be less appreciated. This article, "Museums in the Classroom," compiles a list of different online museum resources, and there are websites for both students and teachers to use. It gives a Museum Resource website, which contains links to hundreds museums around America. There is also an educator’s guide that can help you best plan a trip to a museum. I also think that supplementing a lesson with research and artifacts from museums allows for a more in depth understanding of the specific subject. Although museums contain facts and figures, they are designed for entertainment, while also informing. The creative and interesting aspects are what draw people to museums. Therefore, cybermuseums will also have a certain entertainment value that will keep kids interested in researching and learning. I think it is a very creative idea to allow kids to create their own museum tours. This allows them to learn in depth about a particular subject that they are able to teach it themselves.

1. Should this take the place of going to museums?
I do think exploring cybermuseums is a great tool for teachers. Realistically you can only take one, maybe two, field trips museums in a school year. I don't think it should take the place of going to museums. But it is a great way explore all the museums you want to take your kids, but don't have the time or money to go!

2. How will I use this resource in the classroom?
I think there are several ways that I will use this resource in the classroom. I think I will mostly use it for Social Studies, but I might be able to use it for Math and English also. I can use the museum sites for my own preparation when researching for lessons. I can use sites to do activities in class. I can use it to prepare for field trips to a certain museum! I can also have the students explore these sites themselves. They can research for a project, or they can create their own museum tour.

Reissman, Rose (2009, February). Museums in the Classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved February, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/