Final Blog - A Reflection

I loved, loved, loved this class! I came in wondering why I had to take this course since I already took a computer applications course. I now understand why. I learned about so many different things that can help me when I begin to teach. The computer applications course did help me through this course though; especially with the test. J There are sooooo many websites that can assist in basically everything. Most importantly they are….FREE. I also learned how to integrate technology into the classroom by using various programs, such as Google Slides. My eyes were opened to all the different applications that Google has to offer…simply amazing. I still, however, like the Microsoft Suite…at least when it comes to PowerPoint. PowerPoint would have to be my strong point since I’ve used a gazillion times. The Google Docs was interesting though, I liked how I was able to write my add-in and see the other contributions. I could actually see them typing…this is better than email and I could see myself using it down the road. My favorite assignment was the Movie Maker. Hands down. I had fun adding pictures and timing my slides to music. I could use Movie Maker, as a teacher, to create a movie of class activities and then post them to my website for parents to see. Web tools had to have been my second favorite assignment. I especially loved Wordle. I liked how rubistar can help me make a rubric and it was so easy! I’ve started using Quizlet to prepare for tests, and I know I’ll continue using it once I start teaching. There wasn’t anything that I really disliked bout this class. The only thing I was really confused about, was at the beginning, with Kidspiration. It was foreign to me and I was lost. It took me a little bit, but I eventually got it…this was my weak point.  But, once I started, I have to admit it was fun. Through all of the assignments I have learned about: various sites and applications that can help me in the future, assistive technology, how to integrate technology into the classroom, and most importantly…the NETS-T. My future learning goals are to continue looking my websites or applications that can help me integrate technology into the classroom. In the case that it is something like Kidspiration, I can practice and play with it to combat any weakness that I may have. When I become a teacher, I will carry the NETS-T with me and integrate technology into my classroom. Through PowerPoint presentations, concept maps, my classroom website, and various other tools I know it can be done. I am excited to know what I know now, and I cannot wait to apply my knowledge to inspire my students to create and gain knowledge.

Happy Holidays!!! J

Assistive Technology

This past week's assignment was on assistive technology (AT). Students with disabilities have legislative safeguards that protect their right to participate in a general curriculum and their right to obtain services that can help them achieve to the best of their abilities. Assistive technology devices are defined as any item, equipment, or system that can be used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Given appropriate hardware specifics, almost all students with disabilities can access technology. For this assignment, we were to change computer settings in Windows to show various assistive technologies that can help with students with disabilities. To help show these changes, we were to create a PowerPoint. In my PowerPoint, slides 2 and 3 show how a website looks in a normal setting vs. a change in contrast. The change with contrast can help a student with low vision. In slide 4, the magnifier is shown that can also help assist a student with low vision. Slide 5 shows Toggle Keys, which can help a student that has a physical disability. Slide 6 shows visual options that can make the screen flash when the computer sounds an alert; this can help a student with a mild hearing impairment. In slide 7, the onscreen keyboard is shown; which can help a student with a physical impairment and as a result uses a pointer to access the computer. In slides 7 and 8, show pictures, along with the word showing what it is and sound is included as well. This is accessible to both sighted and visual, visually impaired, and hearing impaired students. Slide 9 shows websites where students can find free photo sites and free sound file sites. The final slide shows mouse options that can be useful for students with certain needs.

This assignment showed me how I can help a student with a disability. I knew of some of the features, but there were some that I didn't know of. I am already using what I learned...I changed the contrast on my dad's computer so that he can see the screen. As a teacher, I will be able to know how to make changes to the computer to adjust to any disability. I feel confident in that. I enjoyed this assignment and the knowledge I gained from it. Assistive technology ties in with the NETS-T with standard 4 by addressing diverse needs of all students by using learner-centered strategies and by providing equitable access to appropriate tools and resources.

Click here to view my PowerPoint.

Google Sites

This past week's assignment was to create a teacher website that could be used for our future class by using Google Sites. A teacher's website can be a useful tool for students, as well as the parents. It can inform students and parents of assignments due, a calendar, expectations, newsletters, etc. The possibilities are endless. Creating my website was easy to use through Google Slides, however, it was a little difficult to figure out how to add a "Home" button on a certain page. But, I eventually figured it out. I created my "mock" website as if I were a first grade teacher. I created four different pages: a home page, a course information page, a page about myself and my experiences, and a page with some resources. Google Sites is free to use, and there a many different templates to choose from. Instead of choosing a template, I used a blank one so that I could add things that I wanted on my site. Overall, Google Sites is easy to use and the start-up process is pretty smooth. I could see myself using this again when I begin to teach.

Creating a website ties in with the NETS-T with the third standard: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. By Communicating relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. The teacher's website is a beneficial tool that allows an easy and effective way for parents to communicate with their child's teacher. It can also allow the parents to receive information efficiently and could allow them to see what is going on in their child's classroom.

Click here to view my Google Sites website.

Google Apps

The latest assignment was on Google Apps. I never really knew, but Google has a lot to offer...and it's free. The only downfall with their apps is that it is internet based. So, if you don't have access to the internet then you're out of luck. The main apps that we looked at were Google Docs and Google Slides. This was a two-part assignment, involving both apps. First, we were put in groups and we were to come up with a story in Google Docs. Google Docs allows you to collaborate without being with others. A manager was assigned to each group, and they were in charge of inviting each of us to the document. Each of us wrote a paragraph to add to the story. Google Docs saves automatically, and it allows others to add and/or edit any work. This is better than having to email back and forth...it saves time, and everyone involved can collaborate without missing a beat. Secondly, we were to make a presentation using Google Slides. In my biased opinion, I like PowerPoint better. Google Slides offers the same thing as PowerPoint, but I struggled to find what I wanted to use...perhaps, because I know PowerPoint like the back of my hand. On the positive side, it is easier to add a movie to Google Slides vs. PowerPoint. All I had to do was to add the link and it was there. I have the 2013 version of PowerPoint and adding a movie involves a lot of steps...I recall having to use YouTube to help me figure it out. What I've learned overall: Google can be used for so much more than...well, Googling and G-mail. There is a calendar, their version of Excel (Sheets), their version of Paint (Drawings), and they are the fuel behind this blog. Google has definitely expanded, and their apps will do, if cost is an issue.

As a teacher, Google Docs could be used to collaborate with other teachers, and it could be a fun way to introduce technology, to the students, with a lesson. Google Slides can be used to make slideshows of the class, which can be given to the parents, or shared on the class website. The students can also make their own presentations. Both Google Docs and Google Slides can tie in with the NETS-T with the first three standards. In standard 1 the teachers promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. In standard 2 the teachers design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. In standard 3 the teachers collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support success and innovation.

Below is a link to my Google Slides presentation.

Christopher Columbus - Google Slides

Movie Maker

This past week, we learned about Windows Movie Maker. It's an awesome program that allows you to use pictures and music to make a movie. It's similar to PowerPoint, but with movie making in mind. My assignment was to make a 2-minute movie. I decided to make it on my son, Shaun. I took various pictures of him from birth to now, uploaded them to the program. I added captions to the pictures, then added music, and voila!...a movie was made. Movie Maker is user-friendly, and I didn't come across any issues. The hardest thing was adjusting the timing of the music to the amount of time in the movie. All I had to do was figure out when I wanted my music to start, and then type in the time frame. Overall, great program. This is now my favorite assignment, so far, in IT365.

Movie Maker can be used by teachers to make a movie of class activities, and then it can be given to parents. It could also be added to the class page/website. This could also be used as an enhancement on a lesson. This program ties in with the NETS-T in standard 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. The teacher can customize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities by using digital tools and resources. This program can also tie in with Standard 3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. A teacher can communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers by using different digital-age media and formats.

Below is the movie I made using Movie Maker. 

                                                                      

Web Tools

This past week was about exploring different web tools that assist teachers in the classroom. There are many websites out there that make things a little easier for teachers, and they are mostly free! My assignment was to go to 5 websites and create something from each. The five websites were: ABCTeach, Wordle, RubiStar, Quizlet, and EclipseCrossword. The different web tools would tie into the NETS-T with standard 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. A teacher should provide students with various assignments that is aligned with content and technology standards, and to use the resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

ABCTeach is a site where teachers can print various worksheets for the students, such as coloring pages. Some things are free, but there are some things that you cannot print unless you pay to become a member. Wordle is a site that students may enjoy. I had to type out a list of words, and the program created a word cloud for me...very neat. RubiStar is free, and it helps teachers make a rubric. If not for the simplicity of this program, I would've been lost. The program gives examples and allows teachers to manipulate it, to create a rubric that would be understood by their students. Quizlet is a really great concept created by a young high school student. I created a test using this program, and I can see myself going back to this site...not only as a teacher but as a student. It allows students to prep for tests by making flash cards. It is a free site, and I wish I would've known of it earlier. EclipseCrossword allowed me to create a crossword puzzle. All I had to do was plug in words with definitions, and it was complete. Easy as that. A crossword would be a fun test prep for students, and it's free.

I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It has opened my eyes to different sites that will help assist me in the future. My favorite site was Quizlet. As a teacher, I can create tests and make it with different variables. A study sheet could easily be generated and printed out for the students. Oh, the possibilities!

Below is my word cloud created by Wordle.

Plagiarism and Turnitin

Plagiarism is defined as the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as their own. Credit must be given where credit is due. If one were to use another's idea, then credit must be given to the one that originally did the work and cited correctly. It would be literary theft, and it IS against the law. An original idea is considered to be intellectual property, and copyright laws protect them. Most forms of an original idea are protected by copyright if they are recorded. Plagiarism is a known issue in schools. Why? Reports upon reports are written, as well as, essays...lots of essays. Whew! Students must be held accountable for their work. Their OWN work.

This past week my assignment was about plagiarism and the use of a program called Turnitin; which detects plagiarism. This program compares one's work with other works that have been submitted through the web and then scores it. A high score means that the work is not original, whereas a low score means that it is original. For instance, in class I made a report by copying and pasting material that I found on different websites. I then submitted it through Turnitin and received a score of 98%. Later, I made a report based on my findings, but I used my own words. When I submitted my report, I scored 2%. Huge difference.

Turnitin ties into the NETS-T in the fourth standard; to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. Teachers have the responsibility to advocate, model, and to teach safe, legal, and ethical uses of digital information and technology. Respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources should be taught.

I have previously used Turnitin for submitting essays to my professors. It wasn't used for me as a student to use, to see if my work would be dinged or not. It was used so that my professors knew if my work was original or not. I can see this being used both ways, for a student or a teacher. A student could see where they are wrong, whereas a teacher can see that the student is trying to pass off something as their own. Overall this assignment was easy, and the Turnitin program is simple to use.