Articles

Journal #4 NETS-T (3).

Computing in the Clouds by Doug Johnson

APA Citation:
Johnson, D. (2009 - 10, Dec/ Jan). Computing in the clouds. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(4), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleadingdigital.com/learning_leading/200912?pg=18&pm=2&fs=1#pg1

Summary/ Reflection:

Computing in the Clouds is a great article to understand what does the term cloud computing means. This article introduces the idea about leaving most software programs such as Microsoft behind and start using web programs. The main point is to show teachers how easy they can start using free internet sources. "The cloud" is understood as the idea of free web based resources where people can save a thousand of files without taking space out of their hard drive.

Question #1:
Explain, what are the advantages of using cloud computing in schools?
-The greatest advantage of computing in the clouds is that people can save thousands of files and programs without saving it to their local computer hard drive. The good news is that all these files are stored somewhere out in the technology world and everything just floats there until you call it back to your computer. Therefore, the hard drive can run faster and can be smaller.
-Another advantage is that teachers can work on any project, anywhere, no matter what computer they are using. They can work anywhere without worrying about saving their work to a flash drive.
-And the most exciting advantage of computing in the clouds is that people can easily share and collaboratively edit each other files in a cloud- based application such as Google Docs.

Question #2:
Have you ever used a Web-based e-mail program?
Yes, I have used Google Doc and I have to admit this was an exciting adventure, since it was my first time using a web program like this. Now, that I know I can use Google Doc instead of Microsoft office, I want to say that I will love to start using it more often. I will be able to work anywhere and save my files easily. Computing in the clouds has become a great education resource.

Journal #3 NETS-T (5).

Bring the World into Your Classroom by Linda McDermon.

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

Summary/ Reflection:

“Bring the world into your classroom” is a very interesting article because it discusses how efficient and cost effective is to use video conference at schools. We are in the 21th century; therefore, technology has become a great tool to work collaboratively. If teachers implement videoconferencing programs such as Read Around the Planet and Mega conference Jr. then, students will have the benefits of sharing valuable information with another classrooms around the world. Video Conference is a great program to expand students’ knowledge. One could never imagine before taking field trips without leaving campus, now everyone can do it. Video conferences is a new way in which teachers can incorporate technology, teachers could use video conferences in their classes without having to step out of their classroom.

Question #1:
Explain, how can teachers use video conference in their classrooms?
- One way in which teachers can have video conferences is if they use a video camera and free software with a computer and data projector using H. 323 technology.
- Also, they can use a desktop camera connected to a data projector.
- Another way is to use commercial videoconferencing equipment, such as Polycom or Tandberg.

Question #2:
Would you, as a teacher, be willing to use video conferences as a new interactive way to help students learn?
Yes, I think that having video conferences in my classroom would be a useful collaborative approach to make my students interact with other classrooms around the world.
With video conferencing programs such as Read Around the Planet and Megaconference Jr., my students can learn about anything and they will have the benefits of sharing valuable information with other classrooms. Perhaps, it gives teachers and students the great opportunity to visit museums, parks, etc, without getting out of the classroom. It is extremely beneficial for students, especially, if students attend a low-income school where the school does not have the necessary funds to make field trips.

Journal #2 NETS-T (3).

Join the Flock by Hadley Ferguson
Enhance Your Twitter Experience by Shannon McClintock Miller

APA Citation:
Ferguson, H. (2010, June/July). Join the flock. Learning and Leading With Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607/#pg16

McClintock, S. (2010, June/July). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning and Leading With Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607/#pg16

Summary/ Reflection:

“Enhance your Twitter Experience” and “Join the Flock” are two great articles to expand our knowledge about Twitter, a website that without doubt it has become a great technology tool for students and teachers. “Enhance your Twitter Experience” talked more about the twitter twerminology and the resources people can use, such as to add a twitter organizer to make technology life easier. In “Join the Flock,” it explained in detail how although it takes time and a little of effort, a person can start building his/her virtual community.
By reading these two articles about twitter, it fascinated me how this technology tool has become a new way where students and teachers can learn without steeping out of their house. Therefore, I learned that by using twitter, a virtual meeting place, I could use a professional learning network (PLN) to learn almost about everything. I think it is really cool to be able to built my community, and communicate and collaborate with other people in order to learn more about education.

Twitter can improve student learning and instruction.

Question #1:
Once you set up an account, why is it important to expose yourself?
Everyone should be aware that: when an individual is setting up his/her account, he/she has to make sure to include in his/her bio what he/she is interested in. This is really important as people who are deciding whether to follow him/her will look at that to get a sense of what he/she care about.

Question #2:
What is a PLN? In which ways it can help you as a teacher?
The PLN stands for personal learning network, and this is a community of individuals from around the world who are learning together. Therefore, this PLN can help you as a teacher to learn from others. For example, you can get ideas, resources, feedback, and many other things, which benefit you as a teacher to serve your students. In addition, a PLN can help you to extend your learning base and stay engaged in education. Overall, a PLN helps teachers to grow professionally.

Journal #1 NETS-T (1).

Taking Laptops Schoolwide: A Professional Learning Community Approach by Tim Green, Loretta Donovan, and Kim Bass.

APA Citation:
Green, T, Donovan, L, & Bass, K. (2010). Taking laptops school wide: a professional learning community approach. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(1), Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3820102011/August_No_1_3/L_L_August_2010.htm

Summary/ Reflection:

The article “Taking Laptops Schoolwide: A Professional Learning Community Approach” has two great main ideas. The first idea talks about how among schools in the same districts, some schools integrated laptops for students learning, but others did not. Those schools that actually integrated laptops, students did better on homework and class assignments vs. those schools that did not implement the new technology change.

What got my attention are those schools where the program was implemented, because it was found that teacher collaboration played an important role in the successful implementation at the district level. Thus, it is here where the second idea comes into play. If a teacher wants to implement a new idea into the classroom or wants to share something they are doing in the classroom, what she or he can do is to consider using a collaborative approach.

Therefore, using a professional learning community (PLC) approach would help teachers extend learning from the classroom to the home and beyond. Now, I noticed how important is for teachers to work collaboratively with other teachers. In order to improve students’ learning and instruction, we must take this approach. We need to be supportive and involved in our school.

Question #1:
In order to start a collaborative approach, what four factors do teachers have to consider at their school?
The first factor teachers need to consider is school climate. Teachers need to be aware if other teachers are supportive with new ideas. Second, communication is another factor that plays a big role in this collaborative approach. So, in order for other teachers to be supportive and engaged in the idea or program, they need to be informed about what is going on with this new idea or program. Third, teachers need to aware of the type of collaboration is currently happening at the school. Since according to the article, the most successful schools had administrators and parents who were supportive and involved. And the forth factor is progression of use. Teachers have to consider this factor to provide structure and serve as a communication tool between teachers.

Question #2:
What would you do, if you had a great idea and nobody would want to take the risk of implementing that idea?
By reading this article, I learned that by using a professional learning community approach students would greatly benefit their learning experience. If I were the only teacher in the whole school that wanted to implement the idea, I would be willing to take this risk. I would take this risk because my students are worth it, and I know that I would have the support from many other colleagues around the world. I would be networking with other teachers, sharing my ideas and hearing theirs to improve my program.