Journal 7 Personal Learning Network NETS-T 5

The five people in my network are; Michael Werner, Jessica Garcia, Lisa Dabbs, Steven W. Anderson, and Parentella. I am following Michael Werner because he looks like someone that can give me useful information about education. From reading the Tweets that he has posted on his page I find that I can use some of the free web based software applications, such s Prezi, that he has shared with his followers in my own future classroom. I chose to follow my EDUC 422 classmate Jessica Garcia because she has been in the ICP program here at Cal State San Marcos for the past two years. I recently have been accepted into the ICP program. By following Jessica I can attain some tips and retweet her tweets whenever I feel that I can relate to them in regards to the ICP program. I am following Lisa Dabbs because she seems to be an encouraging and motivating educator coach and supporter. From reading the tweets on Lisa’s page I had found that a lot of her followers had wrote nothing but kind and thankful praises and words. I find that fellow teachers need this kind of support from a knowledgeable coach and supporter to help them realize that they are making a positive difference in their student’s lives. I chose to follow Steven W. Anderson because some of the Retweets on his page provided useful links to educational Wikis and linked information to social media networks that will help educators to collaborate with school administrators from around the world. I am following Parentella because as a future teacher I can help encourage my student’s parents to collaborate and share ideas and opinions with other parents from across the world. By working together they can share and find tips on how they can help their children study. Also, while reading the Retweets on this page I had found some useful information that I could take into consideration when I am a teacher. Take for instance the Retweet of the link of the ten top reasons why students prefer to learn online, I would most likely take these explanations into consideration once I am a teacher.

      I participated in #ed chat. The topic discussed was, make parents part of the digital citizenship education. They need to learn too! By participating in this ed chat I learned that many parents who at times are considered to be the “unconnected,” find that digital media social networking sites and other means of digital media is a waste of time. I find that children who are over the age of thirteen show their parents how to use some of the digital media tools and social networking sites that we are provided with today, but their parents may say that they do not have time to use it or they simply do not have an interest in learning how to use these social networking tools. On the other hand, I learned a few suggestions on how educators can help their student’s parents become a part of the digital citizenship of education. For instance, at parent teacher conferences or during open house, teachers can suggest to their students parent’s that by creating and signing up for free social networking and collaborative wiki sites, such as; Facebook or Memiary they can communicate and collaborate amongst themselves on these sites.  Also, educators can inform parents that through the use of these digital media tools they can ask questions, they can request for their children’s progress report cards, and by being apart of the digital citizenship of education they are given the opportunity to be an active member in the Twenty First Century, in regards to technology.

My use of Delicious is strictly used for the purpose of networking with people who have an interest in education.  I chose to bookmark the websites, wikis and people on my Delicious network because I find that they will be useful to use in my future classroom. In addition, instead of scrambling to find these people and websites, I can refer back to them in an efficient and organized way. I decided to network with these five people because I find that I can refer to the information that they provide, and I can also leave comments on their pages and collaborate with them on a daily basis. I tagged 5 websites, in which include Wikis, as PLN.  I tagged; Twitter4teachers/Elementary Teachers, Teacher Reboot Camp, Gazette – “50 Web Applications for Teachers,” Bullying Has Little Resonance With Teenagers, and 4^th Grade Steele – Math. Twitter4teachers/Elementary Teachers provides links to K-12 educators on Twitter, (in which is a collaborative social media network site). I chose to tag this site PLN because I find it to be useful and also I will most likely refer to it in my future preparations in designing my lesson plans and curriculum. Teacher Reboot Camp is a digital discussion forum implemented through the use of Twitter. In this digital discussion forum teachers from around the world can work together to discuss strategies to successfully engage students through the use of instructional methods and technology. I chose to tag this site as PLN because whenever I am in doubt or need some ideas and suggestions on how to implement technology and other instructional methods to engage my future students in my lessons I can refer to the provided information that has been shared within the forum. Gazette – “50 Web Applications for Teachers, “consists of a variety of websites ranging from; educational bloggers, digital discussion forums, and educational wikis. I chose to tag this site as PLN because I will most likely be using it to find strategies and web tools to share with my students and to as well as implement some of the provided web applications into lessons and activities. Bullying Has Little Resonance With Teenagers is another digital discussion forum. In this forum one can comment or reply to the authors posts in regards to making connections to a specific topic (in which in this case, the topic is about bullying) that has not been properly addressed. I chose to tag this site as PLN because I believe relevant and self evident topics such as bullying should be addressed in the classroom. By bookmarking this site I can refer to it to help me find some ideas on how to address topics such as bullying so that I can be prepared to answer any questions that my future students may have in regards to such topics. Fourth Grade Steele – Math is an educational wiki. This site consists of many manipulatives and/or activities for children to work on their math,,…and….skills through the implementation of technology. I chose to tag this site as PLN because I can see myself using this wiki in my future classes. While I was exploring through the site I found most of the manipulatives and activities to be up to date and engaging. I find that my students will have fun learning about math through the use of this wiki.  

The digital discussion forum that I joined is a blog post titled, “Losing Quality Teachers (Part 1 and 2).” I learned that half of new U.S. teachers are most likely to quit their profession within the first five years of their employment. The reasons why so many educators are calling it quits is because of the long hours, little pay, and the frustrations that come along with the challenging yet rewarding profession of teaching. However, what I found most interesting in this article is that it mentioned that the increasing numbers of disruptive students who make it difficult for one teach the class as whole is one of the main contributing factors to why these educators are leaving the profession of teaching.

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Inspiration NETS-T 3

 

I didn't know where to begin so I asked a classmate for their help and I used the Atomic Learning to view some tutorials.  To create this assignment I downloaded the 30 day free trial for Inspiration.  I began with my main idea and from there I linked the 5 NETS T Standards and my subtopics. I then added a hyperlink to the ISTE website. I also used some clip art images from Inspiration and for the rest of my images I was able to cut and paste them onto my template. Then I gave a title for each artifact.  Then I changed the font sizes and colors.  I also added arrows to link each artifact. Finally, I saved this assignment as a JPG and used posted it on my blog.  

Journal #6 - "Change Agent" NETS-T 5

Journal #6: “Change Agent” NETS-T 5

Rebora, A. (2010, October 11). Change agent. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2010/10/12/01richardson.h04.html?cmp=clp-edweek&intc=bs&sms_ss=delicious&at_xt=4cb7dc75d0303b73,0

Summary:

This interview was taken in part with Will Richardson. He is a former high school Journalism and English teacher who is now an educational-technology consultant and co-founder of Powerful Learning Practice. He is a huge advocate for technology, to the extent that he believes technology is essential for student growth and effective learning. He strongly emphasizes the significance for educators and as well as educators to implement Web 2.0 technology in class lessons. In other words, he wishes and/or argues for educators to work with the digital tools that we currently have and to show students the vast variety of technology resources and opportunities that are available in the Twenty First Century as well.

Questions:

Q1: Do you believe that it is important for educators to implement Web 2.0 technology into class lessons?

A: Yes, I think it is great idea to implement web tool technology into the classroom. I find that teacher's who use such technology are helping their students become more active in our technological society. We have an extremely wide range of various different web tools that are made readily available for us to use. In other words, if we are provided with such web tools, then educators should definetly implement web 2.0 technology into the classroom.

Q2: Do you believe that technology is essential for student growth and effective learning?

A2: I find that technology can be essentially useful for developing student growth and effective learning. I say this because the implementation of technology in class assignments (i.e.: chapter summaries and oral presentations) can inspire children to want to actively participate in class. In other words, with engaging and visually pleasing web tools such as, Prezi, I find that children will actually have fun and will be focused on assignments. Also, for some students their grades may reach higher levels due to the implementation of technology in the classroom.

Journal #9: "Lessons from New Zealand; Developing Student Voices With Technology" NETS-T 1, 2, and 5

Journal #9: “Lessons From New Zealand; Developing Student Voices with Technology” NETS-T 1, 2, and 5

Charles, M., Burt, D., & Williams, M.K. (2010). Lessons from New Zealand; developing student voices. Learning and Leading With Technology , 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201012#pg24.

Summary:

This article is about Thirteen member of ISTE's Special Interest Group for Teacher Educators (SIGTE) who embarked on an adventure to Auckland, Rotorua, and Christchurch, New Zealand. While here they visited seven schools. In these schools they observed how technology was used to develop student voices in the classroom, in the community, and across the world. They also observed students that were engaged in peer listening and sharing activities and teacher student cooperative practices. In which valued the student's as co-researchers and developers. In their observations they recorded, when students learn something important from their lessons, they illustrate and write about what they are learning so that they can share it with a broader audience. They SIGTE mentions that Pt. England as well as the other schools that they observed in New Zealand describe this as a quality teaching of the traditional concepts of literacy. They also mentioned that the staff there believe that technology makes a contribution to the literacy cycle. In other words, technology-facilitated activities create interest and enthusiasm in students, so they can participate in class. In their observation they also mentioned that the students learn to efficiently read and write better by using this type of process. For instance, the students worked on drawings on the paint program KidPix and animated drawings on the multimedia authoring program HyperStudio. They also added titles and voice overs using a video editor (iMovie). Once they were done they shared their mulitmedia stories with their teacher, classmates, and also with the world through the use of their class blogs on Blogger. The main purpose of sharing their multimedia stories with the world is to ensure their development of student voice is reinforced by an authentic audience. In other words, the educators believe that by having their students leave open for the world to comment on will partially help their students view themselves as; confident, connected, and actively involved lifelong learners.

Questions:

Q1: In regards to different learning styles, do you think that all students will benefit from using the technology-facilitated activities?

A1: Yes, I think that students of all learning styles will benefit from using the technology-facilitated activities. I believe this to be so because the technology-facilitated activities will be visually presented. In addition, there are several quick start guides for those students who do not know how to use a web tool efficiently.

Q2: As a future teacher that lives in the U.S., do you find the quality teaching of the traditional concepts of literacy to be effective?

A2: Yes, I find that the quality teaching of the traditional concepts of literacy can be effective in some cases. However, in my classroom I would not use this method. I say this because I find that some people do not know the rules of proper netequitte. That said, I would not be open in wanting my future students to allow their class blogs to be readily open for the world to comment on. I still have some doubts about this concept, and I am not sold on this idea.

Journal #8: "Create a Web 2.0 Toolbox for Your District" NETS-T 2

Journal #8: “Create a Web 2.0 Toolbox for Your District” NETS-T 2

Schad, L. (2010). Creating a web 2.0 toolbox for your district. Learning and Leading With Technology , 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201012#pg1.

Summary:

This article was about how the Katy Independent School District (KISD) had its Instructional Technology Division create a web 2.0 toolbox. The web 2.0 toolbox consisted of the best suited internet-based tools for its students. Also, after the creation and evaluation of the toolbox the IT Division made it accessible to every member of the KISD District. The use of the toolbox provides self-starters with just enough information to allow one one to incorporate web resources into classrooms. This information includes; help desks, training, instructional technology groups, an overview of each web0tools purpose, information on account creation, and quick-start guides. Some of the web 2.0 tools that the IT Division had placed in the KISD's toolbox were; Prezi, Webspiration, Wordle, etc). However, the main goal and expectation for the use of the toolbox was for teachers to choose one or two tools to use with their students. The article also provided several ways on how students in the KISD used the tools. For instance, an Eight Grader had used Glogster to present a chapter summary for his Social Studies class by using animated, interactive, and digital posters. Also, a Sixth Grader has used Museum Box to capture items to help him describe Aphrodite.

Q1: Do you think that school-age children would find the tools that are in their Web 2.0 toolbox's to be useful?

A1: Yes, I find that school-age children will find tools such as, Prezi and Glogster to be useful. This way whenever they need to create a visual aide for their oral presentations they can use Prezi to help make their presentations more visually pleasing. In addition, web tools such as Glogster will also help assigned tasks (i.e.: chapter summaries) to look more engaging and visually stimulating.

Q2: Do you think that the use of a Web 2.0 Toolbox would be beneficial to have in any school district? 

A2: Yes, I believe that the use of a Web 2.0 Toolbox would be beneficial to have in any school district. I say this because I would find that it would be useful and would save me time from having to search for web tools to implement into my future lessons. By having a tool box with provided overviews of each of the web tools purposes and training tools I find that I would have an easier time with finding and learning how to use each tool.

iMovie PSA NETS-T 3

I was extremely pleased with my finished product of the iMovie PSA assignment. For this assignment I created a video using iMovie Software. I included at least 10 clips. I did some editing to make my iMovie more visually pleasing. I added in and took out audio in some of my clips. I even made the music fade in and out and switch to another song. I included screen transitions and I also included a voice over in my introduction.

CyberSafety Site/NETS-T IV

For this assignment I collaborated with two other people in the class to create a website that is dedicated to CyberSafety. Together we created a web page using Google Sites. What I found to be great about Google Sites is that we were all able to collaborate from our homes. We were all able to view each others' site and make corrections or comments when needed. I researched the topics Piracy and Plagiarism & Cyber Predators. I was able to identify the the concerns and legal issues about each topic. I also included tips for educators and students to help them be aware of the dangers that creep around the internet. I also included three resource links for those who wish to seek for additional information about Internet Safety. More over, I embeded a video for each topic about the dangers of Piracy and Plagiarism and Cyber Predators.

Journal #5

Journal #5: “Ten Ways to Learn In 2010” – (NETS-T #: 1 and 2)

Malamed, C. (2010). Ten ways to learn in 2010. The eLearning Coach; Tips, advice and reviews for online learning, 1, Retrieved from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/10-ways-to-learn-in-2010/

Summary:
This article describes in detail the many ways that one can learn online with various types of tools. For instance, learning can be fostered online through; visual search engines. Here one can go on the website Spezify. On this site one can type in a word in the search engine, and then it will select content from a variety of sites (such as; YouTube, or a page from a blog) that will then display your results in a sort of collage design. Word clouds are used as a learning tool to help one write poems, studying another language, and they are also used for comparing two pages of information at one time. That said if one is searching for a website, and are given a number of websites, but is not sure what type of information will be on the site. One can use a word cloud as an index to find particular key words within an unknown website. One can also use word clouds as the foundation for writing a poem, for studying another language and for comparing two pages of information. One can also learn online by asking a question on Q&A websites such as; Amazon.com’s Askville, Yahoo Answers, GottaMentor, and Linkedln. That said, one can ask a question on these websites and then an expertise such as a professor will answer the question. Creating visual presentations online via Powerpoint and Prezi can also help one gain a new perspective on learning how to organize ideas and to present them in an engaging and innovative way. Another way that one can learn online is through the use of free lecture websites such as; UC Berkeley Webcasts, OpenLearn and Learning Space. This way one can expand their knowledge by viewing and listening to these lectures for free, and without having to go to go to a class. Documentaries that are available online are also a great way for one to learn through the internet. Websites such as; Get Docued and Free Online Documentaries are great sources for one to visually learn events that have happened in the past, and as well as those that are occurring in the future. Social media networking sites, such as Twitter, online debating websites can also help one learn online. Through these social media networking sites one can debate and/or share ideas about their educational philosophies.

Q1: Which of the following types of tools would you use to learn online?
A: I would use Spezify to expand my search engine results. This way instead of receiving articles, I can be given an array of results to choose from. I would also use Q&A websites. That said if I have a question that I cannot answer myself I can ask a professor, and thus he will give me an answer in return. In addition,

Q2: As a reader were you aware of all of the ways that you could learn online?
A: Not entirely, I have used Prezi and Powerpoint in the past to enhance my presentations. However, I did not know that one use social media networking sites, such as Twitter to share and collaborate with other in regards to education. I always thought that Twitter was just another networking site that everyone used to waste time (such as Facebook or Myspace). However, I find that Twitter has many benefits in teacher collaboration.

Journal #4

Journal 4: “Computing In The Clouds” (NETS-T # II and III)

Johnson, D. (2009-2010). Computing in the clouds. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-december-janruary-2009-2010.aspx

Summary:
In this article the authors describe the use of “cloud computing.” That said, cloud computing consists of web based applications and/or programs that are basically free. These cloud computing programs consist of Google Docs and Wiki. These programs also offer a variety of uses for one to use for their assignments and/or to help educators them organize their lessons and or schedules. For instance, Google Docs allows one to create spreadsheets, presentations, and surveys. In regards, to cloud computing being more affordable and less costly than other programs, such as Microsoft Word, cloud computing can be a beneficial asset in schools. In other words, cloud computing programs are designed to serve as a way for schools to save money and to thus improve efficiencies within school systems. In addition, the authors of the article describe several advantages that cloud computing offers. Some of these benefits and/or advantages include; ones hard drive will not have to store as much on its hard drive, as a result, the computer will run faster. Also, one can work on a project and/or assignment on any computer anywhere and at anytime. In addition, through the use of Google docs and Wiki one can edit their projects and/or assignments collaboratively with others on the same exact project. In addition, cloud computing allows one to use netbooks as opposed to Macs. In other words, cloud computing can make ones spending budget reasonable. Instead of buying an expensive computer that has the latest applications and/or programs one can use a netbook and use basic free web-based programs and/or applications that are provided on the Internet. Furthermore, the article describes and explains the benefits and … of the use of cloud computing web based applications and/or programs. In addition, as a future teacher I find that I will use some of the web based applications in my class assignments and as well as in my lesson plans.

Q1: As a future teacher and in regards to the fact that cloud computing web based applications are basically free and affordable, do you think that some of these cloud computing school children may view themselves as poor and less fortunate as compared to other children who go to schools that are more wealthy and have higher incomes? In your answer explain how you think they may feel.
A: Yes, I believe that some of the children may compare themselves as poor and less fortunate as compared to other children who are enrolled in schools that are wealthier and have higher incomes. That said I find that these children may realize this and will develop a low self-esteem. In other words, I find that some of the wealthy kid’s may mock the other students for being poor, in regards to their computer applications being a cheaper version of the real application. In addition, if ones students are young and do not understand the value of money, the children may wonder why they do not use programs and/or applications such as, Microsoft Word, Photoshop, Photobooth, etc. As a result, some of the children may develop a low self-esteem.

Q2: As future teachers do you see yourself using cloud computing in your curriculum?
A: Yes, I do see myself applying cloud computing in my future curriculums and/or lessons. That said, after reading this article, I find that cloud computing is an efficient digital tool that is inexpensive and easy to use. If I were to use these web based applications in my lessons to show my students that they can use word processors, presentation, and spreadsheet applications for free. As a result of me doing so, I find that the children will benefit from using these applications. In addition, I find that most of their parents and as well as the school will appreciate the fact that I am having my students use free web based applications.

Journal #3

Journal #3: “Bring the World Into Your Classroom” (NETS-T #II and V)

McDermon, L. (2010, Septmeber/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october.aspx

Summary:
This article describes how teachers can effectively implement technology by using video conferencing into their lessons to help enhance their curriculum and/or lessons to be more meaningful and as well as to introduce the children to the new advanced technology that is used today in the Twenty First Century. That said, the author of the article describes two types of video conferencing programs. For instance, Megaconference Jr. allows ones students to participate in a live conference and/or webcam with other students from around the world in a twelve-hour time span. In other words, the children can communicate and collaborate with other children from across the globe from the time 7Am to 7PM. On the other hand, the other video conference program is designed to allow ones students to interact and to share their readings with another class via Wikis. Furthermore, the goal of implementing these digital media tools into ones curriculum and/or lessons is to help ones students become familiar with using such technology. These technology tools include the use of Wikis and Social media network websites (i.e.: Skype, Megaconference Jr,, etc). By an educator showing and as well as demonstrating to their students how these video conferencing websites work, the children will have more of a technologic understanding of these particular social media network websites. As result, the children will have a greater sense of knowledge about some of the technology media tools that are provided to us to use in the Twenty First Century. Furthermore, after reading this article I find that it is important for teachers to effectively demonstrate and implement technology into their lessons to help enhance their curriculum to be more meaningful. By doing this one can introduce their students to some of the new technology that exists today in the Twenty First Century.

Q1: With implementing the use of video conferencing programs in ones classroom, do you think that these programs will help enhance curriculum topics to be more meaningful and interesting to children? Why?
A: Yes, because the children will be able to share their projects by communicating via video conference with other children who are in another country. I find that this will motivate the children to want to do a good job on their projects. That said, perhaps some of the children may take this opportunity as a challenge to see if they can out do the other children who live another part of the world. Or perhaps some of the children will be interested and/or curious to see what other children from across the world had came up with, in regards to their projects.

Q2: In the article the author mentions some of the benefits that the technology programs provide for children. That said, what are some of these benefits?
A: By teachers implementing these technology programs into their lessons and/or programs the children will benefit from and as well as learn how to collaborate with their peers and as well as other children from across the world through; E-mails, websites, wikis and videoconferencing.

Journal #2

Journal 2: “Join The Flock! And Enhance Your Twitter Experience” (NETS-T # 1 and 2)

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2010.aspx

Miller, S.M. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(8). Retrieved from http://iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2010.aspx

Summary:
These articles tend to talk about the variety of ways that Twitter can benefit educators inside and outside of the classroom through social networking. In addition, these articles describe some other ways that can benefit ones experience on Twitter. That said Twitter is beneficial in many ways. For instance, in regards to teachers, teachers can use Tweeter to network with other teachers from around the world. That said, one can communicate through; copying and pasting links to articles, blogs, or videos, and even to websites that one uses regularly to help them plan lessons in their classrooms. If an educator finds that they really enjoyed and found a tweet to be interesting and effective, one can leave a comment such as, “great idea” and then retweet the post so that others can view it as well. In addition, one can organize and/or manage their accounts by using TweetDeck or HootSuite. That said, both of these tools are designed to allow one to freely manage their friends, hashtagged tweets, and they also make it easier for on e to send; tweets, replies, and direct messages.

Q1: How would I see myself using this social networking site to communicate with other educators, even to those who live on the other side of the globe?
A: Well, I can see myself using Twitter to communicate with other educators by following others, retweeting on their posts, and creating and sharing blogs/videos. I find that for those who use Twitter to collaborate with other teachers can provide a great opportunity to share ideas, opinions, and education philosophies, in regards to the education field.

Q2: If I sign up for a Twitter account do I have to constantly retweet and tag my tweets everyday, or can I just simply read and follow others without really having to deal with these tasks?
A: I found in this article, that I can just read the tweets that my other. The level of my participation is mainly up to me. However, I read that there is a benefit to retweeting others tweets. As a result retweeting, I will have more people that will want to follow me. However, as I stated before it is up to the writer to decide how much I want to participate in this particular networking site.

Journal #1

Journal #1: “Taking Laptops Worldwide: A Professional Learning Community Approach” (NETS-T #: III)

Green, T., Donovan, L., & Bass, k. (2010). Taking Laptops Schoolwide: A Professional Learning Community Approach. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(1), Retrieved from http://iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2010.aspx

Summary:
This article talks about the increase of laptop use in the classroom. In addition, the authors sought to find out why some classes and/or schools within the same school district integrated the use of laptops into their classroom for educational purposes and why some did not use laptops at all. That said for the teachers who were to implement the use of laptops into their lessons and/or curriculums had a well thought out plan for accomplishing this task, and also the teachers collaborated with their colleagues to come up with even more effective and innovative ideas for their lessons. For instance, instead of using the same lessons year after year, the teachers work together to make sure that their students are prepared to enter the next grade level with the skills and knowledge that they have previously gained from the last grade level that they were just in. In other words, ones students will learn how to use basic programs and/or applications throughout first and fifth grades, then they can use the knowledge that they have acquired from these programs and thus adapt them and build on to more complex applications. In addition, the authors discuss the PLC approach to planning. In the article the PLC approach is described as a focus on learning rather than teaching, working collaboratively, and holding one’s self-accountable for results. That said teacher collaboration is once again an important component of this approach. Some of the ways that teachers use the PLC approach is by teachers meet weekly with their same grade level colleagues to share a number of things. For instance, they meet every week to share student data, reflect on their student’s progress, and plan learning experiences. In addition, some teachers meet weekly with their colleagues to decide how they can improve their students learning and instruction. As a result of these collaborating PLC approaches the teachers set up schedules to make sure that they stay on track and as well as to make sure that they stay up to date with their students needs when it comes to technology with laptops. In addition, to these PLC approaches, the authors of the article explain in detail how an educator can start a collaborative program by considering four factors. That said, these four factors include ones; school climate, communication, collaboration, and progression of use.

Q1: As a future teacher how would you go about learning how to start a PLC group and/or approaches with your colleagues that teach the same grade level? Also, what is the significance of joining a PLC group?
A: As a future teacher I would start a PLC group and/or approaches with my colleagues by considering my schools climate, communication, collaboration efforts, and progression of use of laptops in classrooms. By doing this, I would be able to meet up with my colleagues every week to discuss and share my student’s progress and/or data, also during this time we can work together to map out new lesson plans. That said, the significance of joining a PLC group is that one will have the chance to collaborate with their colleagues every week to determine what teaching methods work for their students and which that do not work as well with their students. Furthermore, I find the PLC approach to be effective and beneficial in which the teachers can work as a team to discover what exactly their education philosophies are.

Q2: As a future teacher, do you see yourself using the PLC method and/or approach?
A: As I future teacher I find that I would use the PLC approach and/or method. I say this because I believe that it is important to work collaboratively with ones colleagues. This way, in regards to teaching approaches in the classroom, educators can work as a team to determine which methods they have recently used were successful and which ones were not. Furthermore, I would definitely use the PLC approach. In other words, I believe that in order for one to successfully advance in ones position in educating children teachers must learn that by collaborating among colleagues on a weekly basis is vital to ones success. Thus by one adopting the PLC approach educators can achieve this task.

CSUSM Web 2.0 Tools for Educators Wiki NETS-3

I created this classroom wiki page individually. The information I provided was based from a graphing tool that I had explored and tried out. I created a sample to show my peers what exactly they can create on Gizmo Charts, and how they can possibly use it in their future classrooms.

Test Survery - All About Me

Delicious Social Bookmarks

http://www.delicious.com/smagan87

School 2.0 Reflection Tool NETS-T 4

For this project I went to the School 2.0 website. I used the reflection tool to self-assess my current technology skill level. Then, I cut and paste my results and posted them onto my blog. I also reflected on one of the articles from my results page.

I chose Nets-T #3 “Model Digital-Age Work and Learning”

I chose this standard because I would like to learn how I can implement the most relevant, up to date, and most effective media inside and outside of my future classroom. That said by implementing effective media (i.e.: blogs, and other social networking websites) inside and outside of the classroom I can facilitate and as well as communicate specific ideas with and to my future students, peers, and parents. I find that if teachers who put forth the effort of using relevant and updated information and thus incorporates the latest media tools into the subjects that they teach (i.e.: science, technology, math, etc) their students will be more engaged in the lessons that they are being taught. This way, the students can have a visual, (i.e.: pictures and interactive tools such as blogs) in regards to what they are learning. In addition, I find that if I had a teacher who used such media tools in their lessons I would be even more engaged into the subjects that I am learning. In other words, I find that by communicating with my teachers and peers through commenting on their blogs and vice versa, we can work and collaborate with one another on one central topic.

The resource that I investigated was called, “Blogging Right Along.” In this resource I learned that blogs can be a helpful resource for subjects such as; math, history, and especially science. This way ones students can share their own understanding of the concepts that are being taught to them, and as well as interacting with one another. That said, in the past I have had an experience in creating blogs and I have also communicated with my peers through commenting on their own blogs. That said, I find that blogs are a successful way in helping students to stay connected with their peers and as well as their teachers. In addition, while I was reading this resource, I learned and came into an agreement that blogging can help and allow ones students to share and or communicate their own understanding of the concepts that they are being taught with one another as a class. Thus, our Professor Jeff Heil has us write blog entries so that we can communicate and connect with each other in regards to the concepts that are being taught. In fact, as I share my own understanding of our assignment, we are completing this task right now.  

Samantha Magana - Incoming Transferring (Junior) Student and Technology

Hello my name is Samantha Magana. I have recently transferred from Mira Costa College. I am a Junior who is majoring in Liberal Studies (teaching). I have lived in Southern California for all of my life. I was born and raised in Southern California. I attended Elementary School at Alamosa Park Elementary School, for Middle School I went to Roosevelt, and for high school I went to Vista High.

Well in regards to technology, I can be considered to have a basic knowledge in some of the programs that we have today. These programs consist of Microsoft Word, Paint, Skype, etc. However, I am not as proficient in other programs as I could be. In other words, I guess you can say that I am not that computer savvy. Furthermore, I would like to know more about how to set-up and or use programs such as; Power Point, Spreadsheets, school-appropriate mulitmedia tools, etc. This is one of the main reasons for why I am taking this course. I for one am a fan of the whole computer thing. If I had the money I would spend a great deal of it on computer products, especially on Apple products. I find it amazing to see what new programs and or new technological advances (i.e.: iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc.), that we have made over the years. That said, I am more of a PC user than compared to a Mac user. However, everytime that I use a Mac I am always amazed to see what new features are added to each of the latest Mac models. Furthermore, I am a fan of the whole technology and or computer thing.

The CSUSM/COE Mission Statement  states, "the mission of the College of Education Community is to collaborativelly transform public education by preparting thoughtful educators and advancing professional practices." That said, this statement was indeed a factor in my decision to apply to CSUSM. Well, I guess I could say that applying to CSUSM was my first impulse in doing so. I wanted to go to a college that would help me with becoming a thoughtful educator through reflective teaching, life-long learning, innovative and or technological research, and ongoing service (i.e.: community volunteering). In addition, the CSUSM/COE Mission Statement states, "at CSUSM the College of Education Community is committed to; student-centered education, diversity, collaboration, professionalism, and shared governance." Due to this statement pertaining to me as an incoming transferring Junior who is about to start her first semester at a Cal State University I found this statement to be appealing and once again  a major factor in my decision to apply to CSUSM. In addition, these words "stuck out" to me as if they were flashing head lights on a car.
That said, both of these statements had helped me decide that CSUSM was where I wanted to obtain my major and teaching credentials.