Using a web-based word processing tool, Google Docs, I was able to collaborate with another class member to create this document. Using Google Docs enabled me to summarize the information I leard about copyright rules into this document. I could edit it at home and my partner could also add and edit her own information into the document. Using this Google Doc tool is a simple and easy way to collaborate on a single project. The finished product/document of our collaborative effort is a great tool that outlines the rules of copyrighted material.
Copyright
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Journal 8: "Have You Tweeted Today?"-NETS V
Fingal, D. (2009). Have you Tweeted Today?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2). Retrieved from
http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20090910/?pg=40&pm=2&u1=friend
I found all three of these resources very informational and concluded that the case for joining social networks is much stronger than the case for avoiding them. While I agree with John Ridley that people value their privacy, I think that joining social networks does not hinder your right to privacy at all, but does in fact keep people better connected to valuable information. In using social networking sites, like Twitter, some educators have been utilizing the internet and find it beneficial for sharing information. They can get lesson plan ideas, have their questions asked quickly, share what has been learned at conferences, and get instant information. In participating in social networks educators can learn from their colleagues and can connect with and learn from other educators across the nation. In the article Are we Too Connected Beth Still said that she was able to sit at her desk in Nebraska and participate in a conference that was 3000 miles away. Beth Still commented that by following a specific educator’s tweets, she knew that he would be streaming some live sessions. She then was able to watch this educator’s stream and chat live with others that were viewing this same stream. Many educators like Beth are using social networks to continue to be life-long learners. Using sites like Twitter keep educators active in the education community.
Why is it important for teachers to use social networking sites?
Teachers need to be life-long learns and in using social networks, educators are able to learn from each other. In addition to being life-long learners, educators need to be using the same technology that their students are utilizing. Educators are better connected to their communities when they are using the same tools that their students are using. Also, students can provide information to their teachers when their teachers themselves don’t understand things. All around, there are many benefits in using social networks.
If someone isn’t currently involved in social networking sites is it hard to start?
Joining social networking sites is very easy and convenient. You can do it from your home computer and most sites are free. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Classroom 2.0 make it very easy for the user to navigate around and gain information. All one has to do is post a question or comment after creating their own account and will be able to access endless amounts of information.
Additional Resources:
Nebraska Change Agent, “Are We Too Connected?” : http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/02/28/are-we-too-connected
NPR Morning Edition, “Keep Your Tweets to Yourself” : www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104033836
Webblogged, “A cocktail Party Filled with Educators” : http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/a-cocktail-party-filled-with-educators
http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20090910/?pg=40&pm=2&u1=friend
I found all three of these resources very informational and concluded that the case for joining social networks is much stronger than the case for avoiding them. While I agree with John Ridley that people value their privacy, I think that joining social networks does not hinder your right to privacy at all, but does in fact keep people better connected to valuable information. In using social networking sites, like Twitter, some educators have been utilizing the internet and find it beneficial for sharing information. They can get lesson plan ideas, have their questions asked quickly, share what has been learned at conferences, and get instant information. In participating in social networks educators can learn from their colleagues and can connect with and learn from other educators across the nation. In the article Are we Too Connected Beth Still said that she was able to sit at her desk in Nebraska and participate in a conference that was 3000 miles away. Beth Still commented that by following a specific educator’s tweets, she knew that he would be streaming some live sessions. She then was able to watch this educator’s stream and chat live with others that were viewing this same stream. Many educators like Beth are using social networks to continue to be life-long learners. Using sites like Twitter keep educators active in the education community.
Why is it important for teachers to use social networking sites?
Teachers need to be life-long learns and in using social networks, educators are able to learn from each other. In addition to being life-long learners, educators need to be using the same technology that their students are utilizing. Educators are better connected to their communities when they are using the same tools that their students are using. Also, students can provide information to their teachers when their teachers themselves don’t understand things. All around, there are many benefits in using social networks.
If someone isn’t currently involved in social networking sites is it hard to start?
Joining social networking sites is very easy and convenient. You can do it from your home computer and most sites are free. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Classroom 2.0 make it very easy for the user to navigate around and gain information. All one has to do is post a question or comment after creating their own account and will be able to access endless amounts of information.
Additional Resources:
Nebraska Change Agent, “Are We Too Connected?” : http://bethstill.edublogs.org/2009/02/28/are-we-too-connected
NPR Morning Edition, “Keep Your Tweets to Yourself” : www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104033836
Webblogged, “A cocktail Party Filled with Educators” : http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/a-cocktail-party-filled-with-educators
Inspiration- NETS III
Using Inspiration, I created a graphic organizer to demonstrate that various assignments I have completed meet the NETS-T requirements. The finished product consists of many graphics and descriptions of each assignment that meets the standard. I feel that this standard meets the NETS-III requirement because it is communicating relevant information into a specific format.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Journal 7: Podcasting- NETS V
Having no idea what podcasting is, I followed some links to learn about it and to try to better understand it. I also wanted to learn how a teacher could use it in the classroom. In order to learn about podcasting I followed these three links: Great Post-100 ways to use podcasting for learning & studying, Podcasting daily lessons, and Teachers’ use of podcasts as a teaching tool! After reading through all of these links it seems that a podcast can be defined as a digital media file that is posted on the web. This file can be audio or video and is delivered to listeners over the internet via a subscription service, such as an RSS feed.
These links suggested that creating a podcast is fairly easy to do. All one really needs is a microphone, video camera, or Bluetooth, cheap software, and a location on the web for the finished file. The creator of the podcast will record themselves using the microphone or video camera and then edit it on either a Mac or a PC. The finished product can then be uploaded to a blog or website, and once the file is on the web, it is easy for followers/listeners to use any computer that is equipped with a sound card to tune into the audio file. Podcasting a digital file makes it very easy for followers to view the material when it is most convenient for them.
In reading this article I learned that teachers are creating podcasts to post their daily lessons. By using podcasts, a teacher can post demonstrations of a science project, instructions for assignments, and PowerPoint lessons in all subjects. Podcasting lessons make learning convenient for both teachers and students. Students are able to view the demonstrations at their own pace and can even view these podcasts while at home or through using their iPods. Podcasts have become a great teaching tool because they are enabling students to learn more effectively. I believe that podcasting can be a great teaching tool employed in all classrooms and I am excited to see if more teachers across all grade levels will begin to use them on a more regular basis.
These links suggested that creating a podcast is fairly easy to do. All one really needs is a microphone, video camera, or Bluetooth, cheap software, and a location on the web for the finished file. The creator of the podcast will record themselves using the microphone or video camera and then edit it on either a Mac or a PC. The finished product can then be uploaded to a blog or website, and once the file is on the web, it is easy for followers/listeners to use any computer that is equipped with a sound card to tune into the audio file. Podcasting a digital file makes it very easy for followers to view the material when it is most convenient for them.
In reading this article I learned that teachers are creating podcasts to post their daily lessons. By using podcasts, a teacher can post demonstrations of a science project, instructions for assignments, and PowerPoint lessons in all subjects. Podcasting lessons make learning convenient for both teachers and students. Students are able to view the demonstrations at their own pace and can even view these podcasts while at home or through using their iPods. Podcasts have become a great teaching tool because they are enabling students to learn more effectively. I believe that podcasting can be a great teaching tool employed in all classrooms and I am excited to see if more teachers across all grade levels will begin to use them on a more regular basis.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
PowerPoint- NETS II, III
This is a PowerPoint I created that demonstrates the necessary skills needed to create a visually pleasing presentation. Each slide of the presentation contains some graphics and some slides have a hyperlink. Throughout the presentation various types of transitions were used to transition from one slide to the next. Text boxes, font, colors, and bullet points were employed to make the presentation more visually appealing.
Collaborative PowerPoint Rubric- NETS II, III
In small groups we worked together in creating a rubric to use to evaluate other class members PowerPoint presentations. This rubric was made through using an online web source. As a collaborative group we assigned a point value based on how many different criteria were met. This rubric outlines all of the components that are required for full credit on the PowerPoint presentation.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Journal 6: The Trouble with Rubrics- NETS V
Kohn, A. (2006). The Trouble with Rubrics. English Journal, 95(4), Retrieved October 6, 2009 from
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rubrics.htm
Alfie Kohn provides many reasons why he feels that rubrics are not the best ways to assess student progress and achievement. First, one of the many reasons he gives for not being a fan of rubrics is that teachers see them as being a quick and efficient way to assess student work. Kohn feels that grading shouldn’t be quick and efficient and that it is not something to just get done. If a teacher is assessing a student’s quality of learning that teacher should not be concerned about getting it done in the fastest and easiest way possible. He states that student’s progress and work cannot fit neatly into a nice little rubric box. He also stated that teachers shouldn’t feel like they need to use a rubric to justify to parents why they gave their student a particular grade. Next, he feels that if students are completing their assignments based off of a rubric that student is not truly learning or getting any value from the assignment. The student will do the assignment according to the rubric and will not force him or herself to think critically or to take risks. The student will only be concerned with the grade or assessment and not with the value of the assignment at hand. Finally, he states that in using a rubric, or standardized assessment, he feels that not only is the value of teaching compromised, but also that the value of learning is compromised as well. Even though he has a lot of reservations about using rubrics, he does state that using a rubric can be beneficial if it is one of many sources used to assess student learning, as long as it isn’t the only standard used. He feels that teachers need to come up with better ways to access student learning.
Can rubrics be beneficial?
I think that rubrics can be beneficial in the fact that it gives students a foundation to work off from. A student can know what is expected of them through using a rubric. A student can assess their own work as they go. I do agree with Kohn that a rubric can prohibit risk taking and creativity but I feel that students also need to know what is required of them.
How can I use rubrics in my own classroom?
I can use rubrics as a guideline for assessing student achievement. After reading this article I realize that I shouldn’t base the entire grade off of one grading assessment but I think that it can be a beneficial tool. I also think that students can use rubrics in a very limited way to assess their own work.
http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rubrics.htm
Alfie Kohn provides many reasons why he feels that rubrics are not the best ways to assess student progress and achievement. First, one of the many reasons he gives for not being a fan of rubrics is that teachers see them as being a quick and efficient way to assess student work. Kohn feels that grading shouldn’t be quick and efficient and that it is not something to just get done. If a teacher is assessing a student’s quality of learning that teacher should not be concerned about getting it done in the fastest and easiest way possible. He states that student’s progress and work cannot fit neatly into a nice little rubric box. He also stated that teachers shouldn’t feel like they need to use a rubric to justify to parents why they gave their student a particular grade. Next, he feels that if students are completing their assignments based off of a rubric that student is not truly learning or getting any value from the assignment. The student will do the assignment according to the rubric and will not force him or herself to think critically or to take risks. The student will only be concerned with the grade or assessment and not with the value of the assignment at hand. Finally, he states that in using a rubric, or standardized assessment, he feels that not only is the value of teaching compromised, but also that the value of learning is compromised as well. Even though he has a lot of reservations about using rubrics, he does state that using a rubric can be beneficial if it is one of many sources used to assess student learning, as long as it isn’t the only standard used. He feels that teachers need to come up with better ways to access student learning.
Can rubrics be beneficial?
I think that rubrics can be beneficial in the fact that it gives students a foundation to work off from. A student can know what is expected of them through using a rubric. A student can assess their own work as they go. I do agree with Kohn that a rubric can prohibit risk taking and creativity but I feel that students also need to know what is required of them.
How can I use rubrics in my own classroom?
I can use rubrics as a guideline for assessing student achievement. After reading this article I realize that I shouldn’t base the entire grade off of one grading assessment but I think that it can be a beneficial tool. I also think that students can use rubrics in a very limited way to assess their own work.
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