Prezi Presentation (NETS-T 3)

(NETS-T 3)Model Digital-Age Work and Learning:
Through the use of Prezi, an online presentation software tool, I was able to create an effective presentation. Prezi allowed me to create a non-linear presentation, where I was able to zoom in and out of a visual map. In here, I demonstrated knowledge of the 2007 ISTE NETS-S and the performance indicators for technologically literate students for a specific grade range.

Technology Activities for High School Students on Prezi

iMovie PSA (NETS-T #2 & 3)

For this assignment I used iMovie, an application, created by Apple Computer that allows users to edit their own home movies. By using iMovie, I was able to take the raw footage from a CD and load it onto the Mac. I learned how to edit the video. For example, I added music and photos. Also, I learned to put screen effects, record my voice and put it in my video too. In fact, I learned to add titles, and put effect such as fade-in, fade-out, reverse fast/slow motion, etc. I really liked this assignment.

Digital Discussion Forums(Ning)

Visit Classroom 2.0

Inspiration (NETS-T 3)

(NETS-T 3)Model Digital-Age Work and Learning:
For this assignment, I had to use Inspiration, an essential visual thinking and learning tool. By using Inspiration I was able to create a graphic organizer to help me to visualize, think, organize and learn better the relationship between my work in EDUC 422 and the NETS-T. In this assignment, I had to use appropriate pictures for each of the standards and assignments that would meet that standard.

Journal #10

Journal #10

List 100 things that make you happy:

 1. A California Burrito             2.  The sky

 3. Trees                            4.  Life

 5. Sunset                           6.  Working out

 7. An i-pod                         8. My birthday

 9. dogs                            10.    watch TV

11.    My parents                     12.    Listen to music

13.    Read books                     14.    Owls

15.    Eat pizza                      16.    Beds

17.    Flowers                        18.    Singing

19.    Friends                        20.    Freedom

21.    Movies                         22.    Tamales

23.    Cars                           24.    Parks

25.    New Year’s Eve                 26.    College

27.    Party                          28.    Laptop

29.    Helping others                 30.    Water polo

31.    Sugar                          32.    YouTube

33.    Tacos                          34.    Men

35.    Gift cards                     36.    Earth

37.    Children                       38.    Air

39.    Subway                         40.    Shopping

41.    Water parks                    42.    Phone

43.    Discounts                      44.    Rainy days

45.    The sun                        46.    The water

47.    Wal-Mart                       48.    To take pictures

49.    Drink Milk                     50.    Look at the stars

51.    The moon                       52.    Sunrise

53.    To do homework                 54.    New clothes

55.    My parents                     56.    Christmas

57.    Thanksgiving                   58.    Driving

59.    Laughing                       60.    The pool

61.    Play video-games               62.    To cook

63.    Traveling                      64.    Chocolates

65.    The beach                      66.    Halloween

67.    Cosmetics                      68.    Go to the spa

69.    Success                        70.    Snow

71.    My boyfriend                   72.    Sleep

73.    Big house                      74.    Swimming

75.    Vacations                      76.    My job

77.    Technology                     78.    Go to Mexico

79.    To recycle                     80.    To wash my clothes

81.    To study                       82.    The son

83.    Christmas’ lights              84.    Running

85.    Valentine’s Day                86.    To be a teacher

87.    Learn new things               88.    To be a lone

89.    Thunderstorms                  90.    Good humor

91.    Getting back in touch          92.    Echoes
     with lost friends                   

93.    The Spring                     95.    Handwriting

94.    Coincidences                   97.    Trivia games

96.    Frozen orange juice            99.    Volunteer

98.    To receive kisses              100.  The world

Journal #9 NETS-T (2 & 4)

Journal #9 

Is It Time to Switch to Digital Textbooks by Meg Griffin and Michael Cady.

APA Citation:

Griffin, M., & Cady, M. Is it time to switch to digital textbooks?. (2010, November). Learning & Leading with Technology, 38, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx

Summary/Reflection:

The main argument about this article is about considering the option of switching to digital textbooks. This article comments about how this issue has raised so many concerns between educators. For example, some people think that schools need to make that change to prepare students for today’s world. Also, supporters say that using a text that is more interactive and up to date it can definitely be more appealing for students than a dusty old tome. However, the opposing side says that using digital textbooks can be more expensive for students and many won’t be willing to pay that much.

Question #1:

Describe your opinion about this topic: is it time to switch to digital textbooks?

I would say maybe not now, but it could be very soon. In my opinion, I would not like to switch to digital textbooks because I like to read more hard cover textbooks than digital textbooks. When I read big online articles, I tend to lose my focus, however if I read and have a textbook in my hands I put more attention to what I am reading. For me it is easier to read something that I am actually touching, than just visually seeing it online because I can comprehend it better.  

In addition, we are not in a time to switch to digital textbooks because we have to consider some things such as, that digital textbooks require batteries or Wi-Fi; not all students have the advantage of having a computer at home; and that it is hard for schools to fund these types of learning tools. Therefore, I believe that textbooks should be enhanced by online resources and digital technology; however, I do not believe that paper textbooks should be substituted for digital textbooks. We don’t need to make learning more complicated or completely inaccessible; instead, we have to make it easier and affordable.

Question #2:

Why do you think so many people agree that it is time to switch to digital textbooks?

Many people agree to this new change because most educators believe that students would be highly motivated to read if it involves technology so that’s why they want to embrace it. Also, because students would have the opportunity to have their textbooks with them wherever they go, this would make it easier for them. Likewise, people agree that a digital text can easily allow for pronunciation guides or/and vocabulary support for students who are reading below grade level. Therefore, they think that digital textbooks will enhance more students learning opportunities.

Journal #8 NETS-T (1&5)

Journal #8 

Save the World with Web 2.0 by Lauren Cifuentes, Zahira Merchant, and Omer Faruk Vural

APA Citation:

Cifuentes, Lauren; Merchant, Zahira & Vural, Faruk Omer. Save the world with web 2.0. (2010, November). Learning & Leading with Technology, 38, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx

Summary/Reflection:

This article talks about how Web 2.0 tools not only have become an innovative way to inspire students learning, but it can also help them learn better. Teachers can do so many amazing activity lessons using Web 2.0 tools with students that they cannot even imagine. For example, professors can use these tools to engage students in exploring real-world issues.

Question #1:

Why should teachers need to engage students in using social tools to participate as global citizens?

Now days, it is extremely important to engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources because it prepares students for global citizenship. In addition, it also helps them learn how to use technology to produce, communicate, and solve real world problems. The most important part is that they learn to contribute to human welfare. When students engage in these kinds of projects, they learn values such as sharing, generosity, community, etc. They grow intellectually, technologically, and emotionally.

Question #2:

Explain one example in which professors can use Web 2.0 tools?

Web 2.0 tools can be applied across the curriculum in any subject. Most importantly is that Web 2.0 sites is a way in which students have the free choice to interact or collaborate with each other. Some examples of Web 2.0 tools include social-networking sites, blogs, wikis, video-sharing sites, etc. Therefore, a Spanish teacher can find several Web 2.0 sites to support language learning. According to the article, at Learning Language Advisor, students can post language reviews, language learning tips, and share experiences of learning a foreign language. Using this kind of websites such as wikis or any other web learning tool really benefits the students to keep them interested about learning in class.

Journal #7: PLN (NETS-T 5)

(NETS-T 5)Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership:
For this assignment, I had to begin my own personal learning network for educators (PLN). So, I had to accomplish a few tasks using some specific web 2.0 tools such as Twitter, Delicious, Forums, etc. For these tools I had to add at least 5 members to my network; bookmark and tag 5 sites about PLN; join Forums; and at the end discuss my use of these tools. Overall, these tools are great to communicate with peers and learn from educators all over the world.

1.  Explain what your personal learning network is and how it will help you as a classroom teacher.

My personal learning network includes tools such as Twitter, Delicious, discussion forums, Blogs, Wikis, etc. Building my personal learning network is really important for me in order to communicate with peers and learn from educators, students all over the world. In addition, because it can provide me with useful information that I will need later on. So, after all I have learned in this class, I know that a personal learning network is my most powerful and educational learning tool no matter what the subject is.

Therefore, a PLN will help me as a classroom teacher to discover new things. It can help me to discover learning resources which can help me to know different ways to help my students learn better in the classroom. A personal learning network not only will provide me with useful information, but it will also help others in the network learn. It can help me to meet people which are in the same situation as me. In other words, it will help me to sort through all the data to discover the information that will be most constructive to me. Most importantly, since the value of knowledge increases when I share it with others, I will be able to share my knowledge and work collaboratively with other people as well.

2. Discuss your use of Twitter, including who is in your network and why, and your participation in an educational chat (list the topic discussed and what you learned)

For twitter, I decided to add people who would help me be a better teacher. I added people such as Melody Velasco whose is on the path of becoming a credentialed teacher; Deven Black, an NYC MS SS teacher;  Steven W. Anderson, Educator, Speaker, Blogger, #Edchat Co-Creator, #140Conf Character, ASCD Conference Scholar; among others. Since they seem to be very dedicated to the world of education, these people can help me to learn more about education.

For my educational chat, I decided to participate in the #spedchat, which is held at 8:30pm EST. In here people do weekly discussions of important issues concerning the learning issues of all students and all teachers. Since it was the first time to join an educational chat, at first, I was scared to participate, but as I started to talk with Deven Black, an NYC MS SS teacher, it became easier to participate in the conversation, he helped to feel included in the discussion.  It was a good experience. Fortunately, it was an open forum so everyone could bring in any topics.  For example, somebody brought up the question about how one could go paperless. She asked for suggestions on going paperless and some people talked about start using Google docs to wean from paper. I was happy to hear this topic, because I already knew what Google docs were and how amazing the tool was to help students and teachers collaborate.

3. Discuss your use of Delicious, your Delicious and describe what you tagged "PLN" and why.

I really like my Delicious account because it gives me the opportunity to sort through different data to discover the information that will be most constructive to me. So, the websites I tagged as “PLN” were very interesting because it helped me understand a little better about what the personal learning network really was. It provided me with examples, information, and different resources I can use to make my teaching experience easier. In delicious, I can find and tag articles as I find them. It is a good search engine

4. Discuss which digital discussion forum you joined, and reflect on the blog post, video, or article you exp

In the classroom 2.0 website, I found a great discussion about the philosophy on homework. I joined this discussion and read some articles about it. The main discussion came from a math teacher, feeling that homework was necessary for students to master the skill being taught and a good way to instill a good work ethic in students. However, her argument was that homework needed to be seen as meaningful to the students and not just busy work. After doing a little of research I found that some schools are actually instituting a no homework policy. In my opinion, I agree that students need some type of homework or class work to reinforce what they have learned. It is needed so they can master the skill being taught. Also, I think it depends on the subject, because some subjects require more practice than others. Sometimes, the problem comes because kids don’t see the value of homework and it is always a burden that they usually rush through without any thought, analysis or reflection. Sometimes they do it for the sake of doing it, which is wrong. After all, I think teachers should give homework to students so they can reiterate the information learned. I think the best way to motivate students to do the homework is to make it meaningful in their world. Teachers need to give students assignments that relate to their lives.