Technology Assessment

Tools You Can Use

     The following are tools that I have rated from 1-5 stars 5 being great and 1 being no good. Overall the tools I have selected are tools I do encourage everyone to try and I have enjoyed using. Most have just been introduced to me so I am still becoming familiar with some of them and a couple I have used in my daily use of computers. Great tools, great experience, and new ideas. 

1. Moodle:

 Moodle is a tool used by schools for students and teacher. It is great to monitor assignments and class activities. I was given a chance to use this tool twice since I was in school. It has been a great help but I have had to call in for some assistance regarding my account, but overall a good source online. This tool gets 4/5 stars.

 http://moodle.org/

2. Firefox:

Firefox is a web browser which is free to use. I have personally used this browser for a while and have been very happy with it. I have not run into any major problems that were not resolved right away. This source is a great tool and it gets 5/5 stars.
 http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/fx/

 

  

3. Google Apps.:

 This tool has just been thoroughly introduced to me and I become more and more fascinated by using the different things it has to offer. With the experience I do have so far the best part is that it is FREE. You get a calender, email, presentation files, chat, etc. all the tools you need as a STUDENT and a TEACHER. This app. is good 4/5 starts.
http://www.google.com/apps/index1.html

4. Livebinders:

 This tool was just introduced to me this semester and it is pretty good. I like how it can save all your sources in a binder online. NO HASSLE for copies, papers, and space. All in cyberspace. I still need to use the tool a little more but overall it is a nice tool 3/5 stars.
http://www.livebinders.com/

                                                                    

5. Moonfruit:

Moonfruit is a webmaker tool. This semester was my first time creating a web page. It was pretty fun. However I did not experience first hand this great tool. I almost tried all the recommended webmakers before this and little did I know that this was SHORT, SIMPLE, and USER FRIENDLY. I was able to use this site with no problems and enjoy it too. This tool is great 5/5 stars.
http://www.moonfruit.com/

                                                                                  

6. Bookemon:

 Bookemon is a tool to make your own online books. Also very convenient and creative. I was introduced this in another class and it is a great resource. You are your own author of a digital book. Your story, your images, or clipart, and your time and effort into a book you can share with your children, family, and students. I really like this app. this is good 4/5 stars.

http://www.bookemon.com/

7. The Super Hero Squad Show:

This tool is a comic strip tool great for making up stories with the Super Hero Squad characters. It is very fun to use and great for the students in my major which is ECE. I enjoyed this tool and trying it out. It was not too hard and great clipart to pick from. This gets a 4/5 stars.

http://marvelkids.marvel.com/shows/122/the_super_hero_squad_show

8. Wiggio:

    Wiggio was introduced to me in class. This app. is great for groups to communicate other then face to face or text messaging. For our projects we used this tool a couple of times and it helped however it did have some problems. Sometimes the site was not working causing us to not use the tool when we needed to discuss our projects. But overall this was a nice tool to use and it gets 3/5 stars.

     http://wiggio.com/

Sexting & Textual Harassment 

     Working on this project was literally an eye opener. Not only with the group assignment but the topics that were shared in class as well. The information shared was great advice and very important. Now I will keep it in mind since my future profession will be with young students who may not know the information. Personally this assignment was very enjoyable. It was full of new experiences and learning in a fun filled way. Information gathered online has enforced our presentation and what we now know. We found out that sexting is a crime on Guam and there are consequences (Public Law, 2011). There is also a bunch of information directed to educators, students, and parents (Fact Sheet, 2012) to go over so they too are informed with what goes on with their children. I had a chance to also work with great people as well. We all did our parts and added our own touches to the presentation. I really enjoyed trying out the new web maker Moonfruit. It was easy to use and really user friendly. 

    

     The other examples shared were very informative as well. However the phishing and pharming presented in class was very understandable. Since I enjoy presentations I was engaged in the class presentations more. The other examples provided to us are very informative and interesting as well. Since it was not presented reading the information was a bit much. Cyberbulling, copyright, and digital safety are all information that are need to know, but it was a lot information to go over alone. All the presentations had their own uniqueness. If I was able to watch all the presentations I think I would have enjoyed it more. Since we had to review three topics out of five it probably would be best to remove anything repetitive or only keep what was important to share. Most of the information was helpful but i would remove the longer clips and keep shorter ones, take away any information the clips are already sharing and use clips since reading does become boring. 

    

     If I have to introduce these topics to my students it would all depend on the age of the students. Which will determine the activities or lesson overall. Some of the games shared in the presentation may only be used for older students (high school) I would probably have to change some responses if I worked with the age group in my major, which is early childhood. For these students I may have to take a calmer approach and keep it more informative rather than the clips or find something suitable for their age. I can share how we respect each other in person and how we should do the same online. We can discuss how we still need to keep our important information private and not to post it up online. I can play a game asking them what type of information is important and what we can share. Also I can explain that being bullied in person is not fun and that it is just has sad as doing it online. I can take these approaches with my students when talking about some of these topics. 

      

     This assignment required a lot of thinking and depending on what was decided some time. My group did have to meet on other days to complete the assignment most especially since we decided on a clip. We did use other tools to meet like emails, Google docs, Wiggio, and text messaging however it was not as productive as meeting in person. Sometimes our systems were slow or the sites were being worked on. Since we did need to meet in person most of the decision making was done during those meet ups. As of right now I think the best way we communicated was through our phones and emails. Since we all have different schedules being on the computer for hours was really not convenient. Since the assignment was to inform the audience I do not think any changes are necessary. It requires a lot of reading and being organized which was what we had to do. 


Group web page:  http://groupamazing.moonfruit.com/#

Works Cited

(2012). Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.monaro.nsw.gov.au/files/docs/kids/factsheet_text_sext2.pdf

(2011, March) Bill No. 41-31 Retrieved from

http://202.128.4.46/Public_Laws_31st/P.L.%2031-09%20Bill%20No.%2041-31.pdf

  

Assistive Technology

   This video clip was very interesting and is very important to consider when becoming a teacher. When working with many students and all learning at different pastes, techniques, or having different needs to take into account. Keeping technology in mind may be a great benefit not only to the teacher but to all the students you would care for. Now a days everything is progressing at a faster paste. So finding something to fit your classroom needs is possible.

   In the clip "Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams" explains the need for technology for children with special needs. There are students who also express how they would be without their equipment and how successful they are with it. Everyone deserves a chance to do what there heart desires and for these students a little technology goes a long way. Some are starting as young as preschool so they are exposed and get to find out what best works with there special needs. "Life can be extra-challenging... (Sheslow, 2011).

   As a teacher making sure to place accommodations and modifications into my lesson plan will provide my students with special needs a chance to participate and enjoy my class. In the clip (Ellis, 2005) modifications were made to the tools students used such as instruments, wheel chairs, and computer sources. In my classroom when working with students with special needs I would have to  find out what is the best way my student communicates when working on activities. His or her placement in the classroom and providing any additional tools he or she may need to complete the exercise with success. I would also keep in mind the task the student needs to complete. If it is appropriate in age, ability, and cognitively. 

   Personally I have not encountered any close friends or family who have used assistive technology yet. I have encountered wheelchairs that can be pushed. However when I am introduced to someone with the equipment I am more then willing to learn more about their needs and my role in assisting them further their education.

Works Cited

Ellis, A. (2005, February 2). Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video

Sheslow, D. (2011, November) What's life like for a special needs kid? Retrieved from

http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/friend/special_needs.html#

  

Fishy Count Fun

Reflection

Our online educational game targeted preschool age children up to the first grade. The game content was based on math and is called Fishy Count (PrimaryGame, 2000-2012). Working on our online educational game was a great experience. I encountered many positive experiences in this group assignment compared to any other class I have worked in a group with. We did not have too many disagreements and helped each other out when we ran into any difficulties.

We worked together on deciding what game to use. There was a great amount of selection online. Since we agreed on an age group the game choices was a lot easier. As we prepared our rubric I had a harder time figuring out what should be on the rubric. I was not sure if we were going to grade the game or the students who worked on the game. It was cleared after we reviewed the examples and discussed our game. Since that this was my first time making a rubric, working with others provided a better understanding of what should be on a rubric and how the game should be rated.

Since I am in the early childhood field I really have benefited from this project. Working on this game provides me another resource I can introduce into my classroom. I will be able to familiarize my students with both math and the use of technology in my class. Even if there are some difficulties in finding the link I will be able to adjust as necessary depending on how familiar my students are with the computers. Providing the link directly to the game as we did in class will allow easy access. I can also provide students with steps in finding the game.  

Works Cited

PrimaryGame. (2000-2012). Fishy Count. Retrieved March 7, 2012. http://www.primarygames.com/math/fishycount/index.htm

Assure Nutritionsl Lesson

Assure Nutritional Lesson

The Assure Program provided a lesson plan that was more detailed and great to provide a substitute teacher in case of an emergency. Information regarding all my students and their needs were addressed and given explanation if necessary. Steps were clear to understand and easy to follow for both the teacher and students. “The ASSURE model is a six step planning framework used to plan lessons and promote effective pedagogical practice”(Learning Telecollaboratively, 2010) .Preparation of the assignment would also provide a better learning environment for the students. The objectives and outcomes were measurable and could be done on the spot with the assistance of the teacher if necessary. The second grade class I prepared a lesson for had many different responsibilities and class participation necessary for the lesson to be successful. The involvement required computer skills and gathering of information as well as inputting the gathered data to use for the assignment.  

Working on a spreadsheet in a second grade class would require a little more time and discussion to provide all students the opportunity to understand how to gather all the information and make a chart. The step by step directions provided in the lesson will assist the teacher in covering all the necessary steps so each child has a chance of asking questions if needed. Going over the NETS*T standards I have noticed that many of the standards apply to my lesson. However NETS*T standard 5C “apply technology to increase productivity” is directly part of my objective for the class (ISTE, 2000). Instead of using paper and pencils I have introduced the use of the computer and gathering information for my students to engage in technology in class.

The lesson the class is working on is very straight forward. By adding an objective I will be able to raise the bar higher for all my students. For example, students will need to convert percentages on the cereal boxes to whole numbers before inputting data. Adding this step will require math work and more thought to what they need to do before completing the assignment. Working on conversions might require a prior lesson taught with students before gathering data and inputting it into the chart to assure that students know the steps of conversion and are given a chance to ask any questions they might have regarding conversion.

 In my lesson I provided demographics and the needs of my students. I have one student who does need to sit closer to the board because she uses glasses and can’t see from far. As well as another student who uses a wheelchair but loves to participate in class activities. Since my class is equipped with all the required equipment my students just need to be placed in a set location where they are comfortable and easy to reach if they need any assistance. I can also move computers closer to the teacher area if they want to sit closer to me when working on assignments.

This lesson plan was a great experience. I was able to create a detailed lesson as well as accommodate my students with and without special needs. Provide outcomes that are measurable and can be done in class with or without assistance. As well as put out a step by step explanation so each child has a chance at understanding how we get to each step. Using the nutritional labels of something familiar such as cereal also provides the students a chance to think about their own meals and what they consume. The use of the nutritional labels and the computer assisted in having students engage in class while using technology. However delivering the end product of my lesson was the challenge. Looking at what each site maker had to offer was great. Some generators easier than others or offered more backgrounds to chose from. I ended up using one that had a total of thirty-nine background only because the other sites game me problems. The first webpage I used came out great but required a credit card to set my account on public. Another site would not open on my computer. I joined a total of five webpage groups and finished my work using the simplest. All the webpage makers were great but the difficulties were a bit much. After finalizing my final page the outcome was pretty good. A couple more steps then the first webpage I started but still looked pretty good. All the necessary outcomes I wanted turned out.

 Works Cited

(2000). ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved February 15, 2012. http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx
Learning Tellecollaboratively. (2010). Retrieved February 18,2012. http://clifmims.wetpaint.com/page/Lesson+Plan+Models

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