Carla's Digital Portfolio

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Photostory

My favorite assignment thus far has been the Photostory we created with some of our classmates. Initially, I was apprehensive about recording my voice and wondered how three different voices on one video would mesh together.

The poem we recorded was "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,". by Robert Frost. Kristen, Kathleen and I read the lyrics carefully and discussed what kinds of photos we wanted to go along with the words. After searching online and choosing ten photos, we organized the photos to match the lyrics. Then we decided how we should breakdown the lyrics for each photo, as well as divide the poem among the three of us.

Once we delved into the project, starting uploading the photos, and recording the lyrics I became very interested. It’s a wonderful program and as you move along, you realize you can do so with ease. We discussed how as an educator (two of us from special education backgrounds), we could use Photostory to create social stories for our students. We could actually incorporate photos we take ourselves, of people and everyday objects, the students are familiar with seeing to demonstrate specific social skills. Also, teachers can create Photostories to show a step-by-step process or a how-to-guide for a project.

Philosophy of Education

As a teacher, I would like to see my students succeed in all areas as much as possible. Specifically, as a special education teacher, I will be working with students who will have many different needs, goals, and challenges. Technology provides me with a tool to assist these students in many aspects of their learning. I want to discover an abundance of strategies and various technological tools that not only works for all students in general, but I can use when working individually with one student. All students do not learn in the same manner. It's important that I individualize instruction towards the learning styles of my students.

I want to see progression and I want to see a difference in my students Better yet, I want to make a difference. I want to be involved with the success students achieve and for them to feel good about themselves and their accomplishments. School shouldn't become a place they dread, but an environment they are a part of and know the significance of. Technology allows both the teacher and student with an opportunity to enhance, modify, and individualize learning. Also, it can make learning interactive, creative and exciting. My hopes are that with the use of technology, the students are not only more involved, but they want to participate, which will enhance their educational experience and how they think about school and learning.

When deciding how my students learn best or which tools will best assist them, I’ll decide directly from them. It is important that I notice and analyze what is most beneficial for each student. I will need to know their strengths, weaknesses, the best strategies, etc. The great thing about technology is it can be used to assist a student in an area of weakness, or it can be used to enhance one of their strengths. In either case, technology can increase students’ confidence on their abilities and capabilities. If students have confidence, it may eliminate stress that affects their performance. I will praise them for any success they achieve. It may be something as simple as completing an assignment, or something more profound as in finally grasping a concept we've been teaching for weeks.

First, it is important that educators are aware of technology they can use and have access to. I can do research or ask other educators. Also, I should know about the different types of programs available. Students evolve throughout the year and I will receive new students yearly, thus I will work with many different types of learners throughout my career. If I know about different programs, it allows me to decide with one may work best with a specific student. Second, I should familiarize myself with the tools and programs available. In depth knowledge of the program isn't required, but knowing the basics and how to navigate will make it easier when I actually have to use the program or technology with a student.

The greatest pleasure I could receive as a teacher would be to see my students succeed. Thus, I will use various technologies, materials, tools, and teaching styles to assist my students in their academics and success.

Inspiration

*The information for the concept map created in this assignment, refers to the Universal Design for Learning.

Similar to photoshop, the inspiration project was one in which I could have worked on for quite some time, tinkering with the layout or the information I wanted to include. The program is easy to use, whether you choose to use the outline or graphic layout, to create the concept map. What I found most difficult was choosing the right amount of information to include. For this particular assignment, there was a lot of information, thus the original notes I had taken down made the graphic appear too busy and extensive. I chose to “clean it up,” making the information concise and keeping what I believed to be significant/pertinent.

Inspiration is a wonderful educational tool. As a teacher or student, you can use the program to create graphic organizers or concept maps as part of a lesson, study guide, project, etc. As a teacher, you could create one for the students and provide them with it as a means of breaking down a lesson and easily understanding the information. This may be especially beneficial to students who are visual learners. You could become creative and create ones with blank spaces, having the students complete it as an assignment. Also, as a group or individually, you could have the students create their own to demonstrate their understanding of the unit (etc). Allowing the students to create and work on their own concept maps, teaches them how to be concise and to include what it is most relevant and important.

Inquiry-Based Learning

Have you used inquiry-based learning as a teacher or as a student? What place would inquiry-based learning and/or historical thinking have in your classroom?


As a student, I’ve mostly used inquiry-based learning during higher education. Some of my professors provided the class with limited knowledge, and either as a group activity, individual activity, or homework assignment, we had to interpret the information given, analyze it, construct questions, and/or provide possible solutions. Then, usually as a class, we would discuss our findings and reasonings for it. Sometimes lengthy discussions would ensue, and some times we would see how others arrived at similar solutions using slightly different problem-solving skills.

It’s important to incorporate inquiry-based learning into the classroom because inquiring is a skill that not only applies to learning material in the classroom, but to real-world situations as well. It can be used throughout one’s life in many different situations. When in a dilemma (etc), one can apply their inquiry skills for problem-solving. This approach/style allows students to think about and figure out answers on their own, as opposed to hearing it directly from the teacher and memorizing the information. Individuals will constantly find themselves in situations in which they have to make decisions, come up with solutions, etc. There will be no teachers on their shoulder giving them the answers and information they need. Also, if students are involved with figuring out the solutions, they are more apt to learn and remember the material.

What are the implications of copyright issues for educators?

Educators need to be fully aware of copyright laws. The laws have become complex and depending on the material being used and the manner in which you wish to use it, it can differ from situation-to-situation. Teachers should understand the qualifications for fair use. Many works/material can be educational and beneficial to students, but teachers must know the limitations and restrictions. Teachers should be able to take advantage of the educational value of a work and of technology, without worrying about violating any laws.

Photoshop Project

Once I learned how to use certain tools in Photoshop, I became more comfortable and quite interested in this project. I had a a little difficulty at first with deleting the background on the different objects I wanted to layer onto the original photo.

The beach scene used is a photo I took last summer while staying at a beach house. I tried to think of different objects I could layer onto the original photo. The possibilities are endless; I could probably tinker and edit the photo throughout the course, noticing the changes in appearance and overall quality as my skills advanced.

As an educator, you can use photoshop in many different lessons. For science, you could have students create a habitat/environment, adding various animals, shelters, etc to demonstrate their knowledge of different habitats. Also, students can use their imagination and creativity to create scenes from stories, poems, or other works they have read. It is a great program to use for both a student and an educator.

Wiki Assignment

We had to choose a Web 2.0 resource, research it, and then create a Wiki page explaining the purpose of the website, as well as the educational value behind it. Below are the links to the WikiSpace I created and the actual Delicious website:

My Del.ici.ous. WikiSpace
Del.ici.ous. Website

Tableau Vivant

I was actually familiar with this technique. During undergad, I took an English course entitled “Dramatic Enactment.” It was a prerequisite for students entering the Education program and focused on using movement and different interactive activities for lessons in the classroom. A few times during the course, as a group, we had to work together to convey a popular image/scene.

During the first few courses, many students were shy, felt uncomfortable or thought the activities were silly. (I’m sure many in our classroom felt the same about this assignment at first). Not only did working together so closely on different assignments and activities make us become friends, but because we became fast friends we were more comfortable and willing to participate in class.

Using this technique in the classroom can help facilitate cooperation, creativity, imagination, etc. Also, it’s significant for comprehension. As a teacher, you can see how your students understand a topic/lesson. As a student, not only may you see how your fellow peers have a different perspective about the subject (etc), but you may see the different ways in which to express or convey it as well.

MP3: Used for Learning

In response to the article, "Companies mine growth of MP3 homework."

This is a wonderful tool for students! Having MP3 players available to students allows for yet another learning approach and opportunity. This generation has the wonderful advantage of technology; it is forever evolving. I am familiar with the many popular devices used today, however, it was my first time hearing about MP3 players used for homework. My initial thought and reaction was how this will benefit students. The two teenagers first mentioned in the article were able to listen to their Spanish homework while doing tasks...how convenient!

Also, this is extremely beneficial for auditory learners. As an auditory learner myself, this would have been beneficial to me in high school. In English courses, I had to memorize poems and in my theatre courses I had to memorize monologues and scripts. It would have been wonderful to have the poems, monologues, and scripts available to me on an MP3 player. Also, I would have been able to memorize a poem while doing my daily chores...allowing more time for other homework or getting to bed at a reasonable hour!

Learning Styles

I wasn’t surprised with my learning style. The results stated I am mostly an auditory learner. When looking over notes or studying, I often use flashcards and read the definitions aloud. Also, when I’m studying aloud, I try to speak in a sing-song rhythm because it helps me to easily remember the information.

There was only a 10% difference between auditory and visual. This didn’t surprise me. While I’m mostly auditory, I do rely on visual as well. I like to use charts or graphs if possible to help remember things. Also, in undergrad, I often found that by closing my eyes and picturing my notes in my head I could visualize certain information/words and it would help me during tests, etc.

What’s wonderful about technology is that you can include it into lessons, incorporating all of the learning styles. For auditory learners, you can use audio devices to recite certain information for students. Creating graphs, charts, or a powerpoint presentation may be great for visual learners, and an interactive lesson where the student is personally using the SmartBoard may be best for tactile learners.

What do you want to learn in this class?

I have never created my own website. I think it will be interesting to learn and a great skill to have as a teacher.

I would like to learn about the SmartBoard as well; I do not have any experience using one. One of the resource rooms in the school I intern at has one, but the Special Education teacher doesn’t utilize it. As a future sped teacher, I would like to become familiar with it and learn about programs that will benefit my students.