This course started out with feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated, and slowly evolved into feelings of pride and accomplishment. As part of the MD 400 course, we had to create this blog, which includes responses to articles and questions, as well as our projects and reflections of our work.
Even though I know I could have worked extensively on the projects and improved different aspects of it, I am proud of the works I completed. I am also proud for learning how to use and navigate through programs that will be beneficial for myself as an educator and for my students. I didn't realize the numerous programs available and various importances of using technology and software in the classroom.
Please take a look at my digital portfolio, which is a website I created that contains the projects I completed over the period of the course. You will find my WikiSpaces, Photoshop, Inspiration, non-linear Power Point, Photo stories and podcast projects. Any comments you many have are appreciated. Thank you.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Digital Divide
“Digital divide” is a term that has evolved over time. In the past, there was a divide because wealthier families and districts could provide their children with computers at home and a variety of programs at school, while low-income families and poor districts could not.
Now, mostly all school districts are equipped with computers and software. However, it seems as though the low-income districts are depending highly on technology for learning, problem solving skills, and drilling instead of technology being used as a reinforcement and aide in these areas. It’s important that these low-income districts also have highly-qualified teachers that can instruct and teach students the skills they need to know.
Also, there is a digital divide between genders. In McGrath’s article, “Closing the Gender Gap,” she explains the issue of “how” girls are using computers compared to boys. The genders usually have different interests and girls may learn how to use certain softwares (etc) in a different approach.
No matter how advanced technology becomes, it can never replace the value of a teacher. While technology and softwares are a wonderful tool, it should support the teacher. It also can encourage learning, creativity, and reinforce and strengthen skills. However, highly-qualified teachers can do the same. Teachers foster learning, thinking, problem-solving and many other skills. By knowing how to incorporate technology and software into their own lessons, using it as an aide/reinforcer and not to entirely teach a lesson, they will create a highly-qualified learning environment.
Now, mostly all school districts are equipped with computers and software. However, it seems as though the low-income districts are depending highly on technology for learning, problem solving skills, and drilling instead of technology being used as a reinforcement and aide in these areas. It’s important that these low-income districts also have highly-qualified teachers that can instruct and teach students the skills they need to know.
Also, there is a digital divide between genders. In McGrath’s article, “Closing the Gender Gap,” she explains the issue of “how” girls are using computers compared to boys. The genders usually have different interests and girls may learn how to use certain softwares (etc) in a different approach.
No matter how advanced technology becomes, it can never replace the value of a teacher. While technology and softwares are a wonderful tool, it should support the teacher. It also can encourage learning, creativity, and reinforce and strengthen skills. However, highly-qualified teachers can do the same. Teachers foster learning, thinking, problem-solving and many other skills. By knowing how to incorporate technology and software into their own lessons, using it as an aide/reinforcer and not to entirely teach a lesson, they will create a highly-qualified learning environment.
Connecticut Digital Library
IConn is a wonderful resource of databases available to CT residents. IConn insures digital equity because it is free to use for students, educators and residents. Districts that may not have had money for usage of databases such as the ones provided on IConn now have access and the same advantage as other districts. You can search and review books, newspaper articles, magazines, audio files (etc) from subjects such as business, science, history, and much more. It would be wonderful to introduce and use with students of all ages in school. The different databases can be used for lessons, projects, research, and tailored for the age-level of the students. Also, because it is a secured database and part of the Connecticut Education Network, educators and parents don’t have to worry about the information provided being inaccurate or inappropriate.
Kids InfoBits is definitely a database I would use for myself as an educator and introduce to my students. It is tailored towards students K-5 and covers almost any subject you can thing about. The subjects are accompanied with pictures, making it easier for younger kids to navigate through and the dictionary provided is a wonderful tool for students to look up unfamiliar words. At the school I interned at, the second grade classes were learning about research. Kids Info Bit would have been a wonderful database for them to use. They could have found articles, books, images etc about their topic all under one database.
Kids InfoBits is definitely a database I would use for myself as an educator and introduce to my students. It is tailored towards students K-5 and covers almost any subject you can thing about. The subjects are accompanied with pictures, making it easier for younger kids to navigate through and the dictionary provided is a wonderful tool for students to look up unfamiliar words. At the school I interned at, the second grade classes were learning about research. Kids Info Bit would have been a wonderful database for them to use. They could have found articles, books, images etc about their topic all under one database.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Podcast
*Below is a link to the page on my website, where you can find the attachment for the podcast I created.
I thought the Podcast assignment was going to be more challenging than it was. I tend to mispronounce or not enunciate clearly sometimes when publicly speaking. I even caught a few words in the final product of my photo story that I could have enunciated more clearly. If the Podcast project consisted of speaking without a script I would have been nervous. However, luckily, we were able to read from a script.
The podcast is my "Philosophy of Education," which you might have already read on my blog or website. I only had to pause a handful of times to cut out reading errors. After my first two errors, I thought it would be best to pause on recording and practice reading my philosophy of education aloud once through. That seemed to help tremendously. Also, after each mistake, I made sure to reread the sentence aloud before re-recording.
Podcast: Philosophy of Education
I thought the Podcast assignment was going to be more challenging than it was. I tend to mispronounce or not enunciate clearly sometimes when publicly speaking. I even caught a few words in the final product of my photo story that I could have enunciated more clearly. If the Podcast project consisted of speaking without a script I would have been nervous. However, luckily, we were able to read from a script.
The podcast is my "Philosophy of Education," which you might have already read on my blog or website. I only had to pause a handful of times to cut out reading errors. After my first two errors, I thought it would be best to pause on recording and practice reading my philosophy of education aloud once through. That seemed to help tremendously. Also, after each mistake, I made sure to reread the sentence aloud before re-recording.
Podcast: Philosophy of Education
Non-Linear Power Point
*Below is a link to the page on my website, where you can find the attachment for the non-linear Power Point I created.
A non-linear Power Point is definitely something I could use with my students. For the power point I created, I chose to teach a few words in American Sign Language. Not only did I include pictures of how to sign the words, but if you click on the picture, it brings you to a video that demonstrates how to sign it as well. As a teacher, I could create a power point as part of a lesson for my students and include videos to go along with it. Hopefully by including videos, they will be more attentive and interested. Also, the video may be just as useful and informative as the text included on the slides.
Non-linear Power Points have a greater value over traditional PPTs because of the creativity it allows. A few of the examples shown were a Jeopardy-style PPT and the periodic table. Creating non-linear power points such as those can be interactive for the entire class with the use of Smart Boards now. You can use a Jeopardy-style power point to review a unit with all the students together. It will engage the students and can provide them with excitement and fun as they’re learning. If students are more involved and excited with a lesson/assignment/activity then they are more likely to absorb and learn the material.
I really enjoyed making the non-linear power point! My ultimate career goal is to work with students who are deaf/hearing impaired. Non-linear power points can be useful for the parents of my students as well. If I am teaching young children how to sign, there parents will need to learn how to sign as well if they want to communicate with them. I could create a power point, using pictures and videos, demonstrating how to sign the alphabet and the signs I will be teaching their child throughout the year. They wouldn't have to review and learn all the signs included from the beginning; with the capabilities of non-linear PPTs I could include a word list in the beginning that allows them to choose a word and go directly to that page.
Non-Linear Power Point: Sign Language
A non-linear Power Point is definitely something I could use with my students. For the power point I created, I chose to teach a few words in American Sign Language. Not only did I include pictures of how to sign the words, but if you click on the picture, it brings you to a video that demonstrates how to sign it as well. As a teacher, I could create a power point as part of a lesson for my students and include videos to go along with it. Hopefully by including videos, they will be more attentive and interested. Also, the video may be just as useful and informative as the text included on the slides.
Non-linear Power Points have a greater value over traditional PPTs because of the creativity it allows. A few of the examples shown were a Jeopardy-style PPT and the periodic table. Creating non-linear power points such as those can be interactive for the entire class with the use of Smart Boards now. You can use a Jeopardy-style power point to review a unit with all the students together. It will engage the students and can provide them with excitement and fun as they’re learning. If students are more involved and excited with a lesson/assignment/activity then they are more likely to absorb and learn the material.
I really enjoyed making the non-linear power point! My ultimate career goal is to work with students who are deaf/hearing impaired. Non-linear power points can be useful for the parents of my students as well. If I am teaching young children how to sign, there parents will need to learn how to sign as well if they want to communicate with them. I could create a power point, using pictures and videos, demonstrating how to sign the alphabet and the signs I will be teaching their child throughout the year. They wouldn't have to review and learn all the signs included from the beginning; with the capabilities of non-linear PPTs I could include a word list in the beginning that allows them to choose a word and go directly to that page.
Non-Linear Power Point: Sign Language
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Reflections on MD 400
"What have you found useful?"
Truthfully, I have found every assignment to be useful. The programs we learned about and the projects we completed all have educational purposes. I didn’t have experience using any of these programs or creating a website, except for blogger. I’ve found Inspiration and Photo Story to be the most useful. As a future special education teacher, I, my student, and/or both of us working together, can create concept maps to help understand a subject. With Photo Story I could create a social story to introduce or reinforce a social skill for a student.
"What have you found challenging?"
Even though the Inspiration program was not challenging itself to use, I found that assignment to be the most challenging. It was difficult trying to be concise and determine which information to include in the concept map.
"What have you found frustrating?"
The amount of time we had for projects was frustrating. The first two weeks I was overwhelmed, wondering how I would be able to complete all the projects and respond on the blog. However, after much of the class time was devoted to working on projects, I was able to catch up. Also, I had to stop myself from working on projects longer than needed. I could have fine-tuned a few of the projects, such as the Photoshop and Inspiration ones.
"What have you found rewarding?"
Completing all of my projects has been rewarding. I was worried I would have trouble with them or I would be working on some up until the last class. However, I was proud of myself when I had completed the last one a week early. Also, creating my own website has been rewarding.
"Any great "ah-ha" that you might have experienced?"
A great “ah-ha” moment I experienced is when I realized technology isn’t as difficult to use as I thought it would be. Yes many of the programs can become more complex and complicated; however, through research and experimentation you can learn how to use many of the basic tools of the programs.
"Hopes for the remainder of the semester?"
My hopes for the remainder of the semester are to look over my blog and website: clean it up, and/or add other necessary information.
Truthfully, I have found every assignment to be useful. The programs we learned about and the projects we completed all have educational purposes. I didn’t have experience using any of these programs or creating a website, except for blogger. I’ve found Inspiration and Photo Story to be the most useful. As a future special education teacher, I, my student, and/or both of us working together, can create concept maps to help understand a subject. With Photo Story I could create a social story to introduce or reinforce a social skill for a student.
"What have you found challenging?"
Even though the Inspiration program was not challenging itself to use, I found that assignment to be the most challenging. It was difficult trying to be concise and determine which information to include in the concept map.
"What have you found frustrating?"
The amount of time we had for projects was frustrating. The first two weeks I was overwhelmed, wondering how I would be able to complete all the projects and respond on the blog. However, after much of the class time was devoted to working on projects, I was able to catch up. Also, I had to stop myself from working on projects longer than needed. I could have fine-tuned a few of the projects, such as the Photoshop and Inspiration ones.
"What have you found rewarding?"
Completing all of my projects has been rewarding. I was worried I would have trouble with them or I would be working on some up until the last class. However, I was proud of myself when I had completed the last one a week early. Also, creating my own website has been rewarding.
"Any great "ah-ha" that you might have experienced?"
A great “ah-ha” moment I experienced is when I realized technology isn’t as difficult to use as I thought it would be. Yes many of the programs can become more complex and complicated; however, through research and experimentation you can learn how to use many of the basic tools of the programs.
"Hopes for the remainder of the semester?"
My hopes for the remainder of the semester are to look over my blog and website: clean it up, and/or add other necessary information.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Cape Verde: Photo Story
Creating both photo stories has been my favorite assignment. In particular, I enjoyed this one more because of how personal the story is to me. I chose to do one about the islands where my parents were born, Cape Verde. When I speak to people about it, not many know where they are located or have even heard of them. I decided to include information about where it was located, how the islands were acquired, popular cuisine and dances, and the Cape Verdean culture in the United States.
First, I made an outline of the information I wanted to include in my story. Then, I wrote the script and searched for pictures online that went with the information. Once I was ready to put everything together on Photo Story, I had to decide which lines of my script would go with each picture. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t talking too long on any picture. Last, I had to import music into the background. I decided I wanted to include an actual Cape Verdean song to provide a more authentic feeling. I chose an instrumental version of a song I had in my itunes library that I thought would mesh well with the pictures and my narration.
First, I made an outline of the information I wanted to include in my story. Then, I wrote the script and searched for pictures online that went with the information. Once I was ready to put everything together on Photo Story, I had to decide which lines of my script would go with each picture. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t talking too long on any picture. Last, I had to import music into the background. I decided I wanted to include an actual Cape Verdean song to provide a more authentic feeling. I chose an instrumental version of a song I had in my itunes library that I thought would mesh well with the pictures and my narration.
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