Video (E Posting)

Today during my Diversity in Education class we watched video clips and viewed websites of different religious groups. The videos and websites were effective in teaching our class, because they showed beliefs that no one in our class had. Showing a live real situation that has been recorded is a realistic way of introducing an idea to the class. The experience that my class had through watching these shocking movies and websites is much more influential than we would experience through reading about it in a textbook. Also, the use of websites and videos captured my class’s attention and made the lesson interesting and fun.

Video (E Posting)

Today during my Diversity in Education class we watched video clips and viewed websites of different religious groups. The videos and websites were effective in teaching our class, because they showed beliefs that no one in our class had. Showing a live real situation that has been recorded is a realistic way of introducing an idea to the class. The experience that my class had through watching these shocking movies and websites is much more influential than we would experience through reading about it in a textbook. Also, the use of websites and videos captured my class’s attention and made the lesson interesting and fun.

“CDs” (B Posting)

Throughout this semester I have been summiting projects on compact discs. Quite a bit of the CD process was new to me. I had to burn files onto the CD first. Then I used a CD labeling kit. I had to put an image, back round, file name, my name, and semester on each of these CDs. Next, I printed the label and attached it to my CD. Lastly, I tried my CD on another computer to make sure it was working correctly.
This activity might seem very easy to many of you, but for me was a new experience. I had never burned a CD, which was the first thing that I learned. I also learned how to make labels. The main challenge for me was buying the right materials. I first bought DVDs and then I bought only CD labels. I overcame this challenge by buying CDs and the Staples labeling kit. I really enjoyed using this kit and even made labels for CDs in other classes. I learned I like to prepare for everything in case something goes wrong in a presentation. I made CDs for my other classes, when I had presentations, instead of just sending my presentation to myself through email. I did this just in case the internet might go down I would still have a back up. This made me feel prepared and I will continue to use CDs.

Movie Maker (E Posting)

In my Introduction to Technology in Education class we watched other students’ or teachers’ movies. I saw one that a girl had made. She had put many different photos of herself and played a song. There were numerous questions and statements to her father such as “You missed a lot.” The movie was very powerful. We have all made presentations throughout our schooling, but I felt these movies can express emotions more clearly.

"iPods In College" (C Posting)

“Professor uses iPod to Teach Heart Basics” by Jennifer Lynch is about how a Professor choose to use iPods to enhance the student’s recognition of heart murmurs. In a traditional learning style classroom students recognized about 30 to 40 percent of heart murmurs and with the use of iPods students were recognizing 40 to 80 percent of heart murmurs. In the past learning the sound of heart murmurs was learned through tapes and this professor starting to use CDs in place of the tapes. He later learned the convenience of iPods and began to use them. Lynch states in this article “After surveying his students at the end of each semester, 95 percent said they preferred this kind of learning, and 90 percent felt they could better recognize heart murmurs because of it.”
Using iPods as part of a college education was interesting to me. I knew iPods are very common amongst college students, but I had never thought of the educational value. This school year I have learned about how people can listen to Podcasts through the iPod which was neat and now I have learned how it can be used to supplement a science course. The value of iPods seems to be endless due to its convenience. I think that iPods are very simple to use which is part of the reason why they are such a valuable tool. I would enjoy using my iPod to help with my education.
Professor uses iPods to teach heart basics

"Three Years Old and Using Technology" (C Posting)

“Never Too Young for Technology” by Mary Hart is an article in The Eagle-Tribune which explains how and why to introduce technology to kids at a very young age. Kids that are three and four years old are capable of logging on to a computer and pulling up an Elmo or Sesame Street game. When kids learn technology at a younger age it will help prepare them for school and even their careers. Shirley Coutu, a computer teacher states that it is important to help young children learn proper terms for technology such as monitor. Computer classes help young children to learn grade level skills using software.
I thought this article was neat, because when I think back to the activities I did when I was three and four, I can realize how things have changed. I remember coloring and playing with Barbie’s and now kids are using websites and technological tools. Since kids are becoming familiarized with these tools at the young age of three that is something that educators need to be aware of. Schools are having computers classes to ensure all the students are progressing with technology at the same speed as their classmates. I think that is important, so that the lesson plans can be used successfully for all students.
Never too young for technology

Online Learning (C Posting)

“Online Learning Earns a Net Gain” by Niesha Lofing is about an English teacher named Dylan Holcomb who has incorporated technology into his lessons. The success in his classroom has helped to spread technology to other teachers throughout the district. He uses internet tools such as Google Earth to enhance lessons. Holcomb feels the internet works well with the students because it is part of their generation. Some of the tools he uses are instant messages for in-class participation for answering homework and Blogs for their homework assignments. Google has taken notice that educators are using their tools to enhance learning and has set up tutorials to teach the tools and products offered through the Google website. The teachers feel that the students are “more reflective and use better problem-solving skills” when technology is present in their educations.
Holcomb class seems like it would be fun for high school students. Using instant messaging to answer homework problems is great so everyone can respond. In one of my math classes at Florida Gulf Coast University we used a clicker that was only used for that class to answer questions. The results to the class’s answers were displayed on an overhead, which calculated the percentage of students that picked each answer. It was fun and kept a large class participating. Google is also a great website with many helpful tools for educators, and I liked that this article gave credit to Google.

Online learning earns a net gain

Digital Yearbooks (C Posting)

The article entitled “Grant Provides for DVD Yearbook” by David E. Malloy introduces the idea that Dawson-Bryant High School had to make digital yearbooks. The school was given a $2500 grant for technology and then after creating this idea received another $1000 from the Ohio South Tech Prep Consortium. This money was used to purchase video equipment including cameras, videocameras, and software. Some of the benefits the article states for making a video yearbook are that it will represent a greater number of people, shows the school off better, and engages students to make learning fun.
I really liked this article. The idea of making a yearbook a video is great. Often at graduation a video is played and it would be nice to see the yearbook at graduation. I had never thought of this idea, but right away when hearing of it I wished my school had done this. It would capture the student’s personalities and enhance memories of the school much better. I think the students that receive a video yearbook will really enjoy this change.
Grant provides for DVD yearbook

Blogs (B Posting)

For my Introduction to Technology in Education class I have been working on blog postings. Each of my postings will contribute to make my blog. There are five different kinds of posting that I need to incorporate into my blog, which is why after my title each blog says (a, b, c, d, or e posting.) For this assignment all of the students in my class are required to create our own blog that focuses on technology in education. We interact with other classmates through our Blogs by reading and making comments on their Blogs.
This project has taught me a lot about Blogs. I had never had a myspace account or any other blog. I didn’t realize that Blogs could be educational. I’ve learned the vast amount of benefits and uses of Blogs and how they can be helpful in and out of the classroom. Students can access course information and communicate with classmates and teachers through Blogs, which I think is very neat and helpful.
The challenges that this activity has had for me are my “A Postings” I had thought of two questions prior to my knowledge of this assignment. The questions are: “What are the most commonly used technologies that help students who are mentally handicapped for example autistic students?” and “What sources are there for teachers to gain funding for technology in their classrooms?” For my “A Posting” I need to answer these questions by using an online database from the university library. I really enjoy using these databases, because I can trust the information. The challenge is that technology in classrooms is a relatively new concept and there is not very much information for me to use to answer my questions. I think I have overcome these issues by discussing the issues behind these questions. I tried not to focus directly and solely on these questions, but instead cover the concept or partially answer the question. This project has taught me that although something can be very unfamiliar to me such as Blogs, I can still learn a new tool. I like feeling that I am discovering something on my own and that is how this project makes me feel.

Funding (A posting)

The article entitled “Florida teachers, students, face new school year” by author Hansen Sinclair discusses the financial obstacles in Florida schools. One of the biggest issues covered in this article refers to Florida being the fourth largest state, but yet not enough money is spent in the schools. Also, that the responsibility falls on the property owners and tax payers. The article goes on to say that Governor Bush tries not to allow extra spending in our schools. As a result, teacher salaries in Florida fall below the nation’s average, which is low enough.
The obstacles that teachers face are increasing every year. Some of these obstacles include low salaries, class size, lack of funding, failing schools, and the FCAT. These obstacles aren’t just present in teachers. The older students have worries including where they will go to college and if they will be able to afford college. The younger students have stress about getting along with their classmates. The article goes on to give a list of tips for parents to help their children on their first day of school. Some of these tips are to prepare early, encourage your child, and to show interest.
I was hoping to find articles on how teachers in Florida can apply for federal funding to support technology in their classrooms. I came across this article which seemed to sum up the reasons that there are not many ways for teachers to receive this funding. The only answer to this problem I can come up with is that Florida needs more money to be spent in their school systems. Florida students are falling behind other students around the country academically and Governor Bush is also trying not to spend excess money in our schools. I think that these two factors most likely connect to each other. In order for Florida students to achieve they need to have the materials necessary and those materials are often technological tools which can cost a lot of money. I feel that money would be money well spent and I hope with time our children will receive the necessary amount of funding for their educations.
Florida teachers, students, face new school year

Audacity (D Posting)

I commented on the blog "Humane Education." The posting that interested me was "On the Audacity." Audacity is a program that is used to record and edit voices and sound. The author of "Humane Education" likes audacity for some of the same reasons I like audacity as well. These reasons are that it is free and to buy a microphone it can cost as little as eight dollars.
I have been having a great deal of problems with audacity when I export audio file. These files run into my itunes. This is frustrating because I am unable to play back what I record to see how well or not well my work is. My music starts to play at the same time as my recorded voice. I went to my house to do my digital Mosaic project because of this problem. On that computer which doesn't have itunes, audacity was great and very helpful. Audacity is a good tool for in the classroom. Also, most classroom computers do not have itunes and they would not run into the same problems I have been having.

Interactive Books (E Posting)

In my Introduction to Technology class today, we went over a project that we have all been working on individually. This project is a picture book that we wrote and illustrated. We also added our voices as animation. I was able to see many other students books and it was great seeing how creative my classmates are. The project challenged us to use our imaginations to create a storybook of our own. My storybook is almost completed and I am excited to see my final work.

Staying Connected to Classmates (C posting)

"Technology Helps Sick Students Stay In Marin Classroom" discusses ways that students with cancer or other sicknesses can avoid falling behind their classmates in school-work. A student in this report is named Laub, was diagnosed with Leukemia. He missed one year of school, but still had confidence. He was home-schooled using ichat, which made him feel as if he was with his classmates and teachers. The elementary school is now having three other children using this technology while they are sick and out of class.
I think it is great for children that are sick and out from class for a long period of time can still connect and interact with their classmates via ichat. I had never heard of this, but feel it is a great way for students to feel connected with their classmates. This is a great option that can enhance home-schooling for students. Technology is starting to have more and more of an influence out of the classroom for students. Also, during a time of sickness for a child they can be very lonely and being able to see their friends and feel a sense of comfort with the school day can be a great aspect this technology brings to a child.
Technology Helps Sick Students Stay In Marin Classroom

“Project Spectrum” (C Posting)

The article entitled “Finding a Link between Digital Technology and Autism” was posted on the European Research Headlines. This article talked a new project called “Project Spectrum” which offers digital technology to help engage students with autism spectrum disorders. This project would engage people with autism by helping them overcome three main obstacles which are social communication, social interaction, and imagination. This software has helped children become more relaxed and focused. The article states that “The children have access to the latest multimedia computer technology in multi-sensory environments, which include a computer, tailor-made software, a projector, a video camera and sound speakers.” With this new system educators will more effectively be able to help place children with special needs into mainstream schools. The projects produced positive results including children’s level of engagement increased and strengthened their performances in mixed ability classes, and became better adjusted to their school routine.
I was happy to see that this connection between learning and autism has been made. Also now that it had been made educators are acting on it by incorporating technology into these children’s’ educations. I think that if students are engaged in their learning better results will show. This is because the level of motivation will be higher. It’s great that they have found a way to engage autistic children in their education.
Finding a link between digital technology and autism/

Podcasting (C Posting)

“Technology Advances Education” by Jennifer Jefferson discusses incorporating Podcasts into the curriculum. This article was written at Florida State University. The Center for Teaching is looking at ways to integrate technology into the education by conducting workshops with employees. They looked at the benefits of multimedia and Facebook.com in these workshops. The article stated that some students do not feel there is a need for textbooks.
After reading this article, I also agree with the idea of incorporating Podcasts into our education. Teachers send out PowerPoint slides after or before a lecture, so that students can study the slides or follow along in class with the slides as their notes. Podcasts could be an effective way to ensure learning is reaching the student outside the classroom. The statement that textbooks are not needed anymore I also agree with. I have bought numerous textbooks for classes and never even had to open them. I feel as technology becomes more and more advanced and people learn to use it effectively the use of textbooks with start to diminish.
Technology advances education

Developmental Psychology (B posting)

For my Developmental Psychology class three classmates and I are required to teach the class about one chapter of the book. The chapter we choose is called “The Family.” This chapter takes us through the transitions of life from infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and lastly to late adulthood. As a group, we planned and organized this project out of class. In order to get a hold of the whole group we used emails. We decided to make a PowerPoint to teach the class. I volunteered to make the PowerPoint and each group member sent me their information to add to it.
By teaching the class we are getting a solid understanding of the chapter. By working out side of class we are learning how to stay informed and become active participants in our project. The main challenge for me, since I am putting together the PowerPoint is to receive everyone’s section of the chapter. People are sending them to me at different times. That makes it difficult to organize the information into a PowerPoint. To overcome these challenges I emailed group members to remind them of the project and to see how much more time they needed. Each member responded to me with their section attached and completed shortly after the email. I learned that I can take on the challenge of putting a group’s information together and making a powerful, clear, and concise PowerPoint. I also learned in a project like this it is helpful to keep all the information organized. I saved all the files to one folder on my desktop, before I tried to convert it into a PowerPoint. This I found helpful and as a result the presentation went great.

"Students Overcoming Obstacles" A posting

The article entitled "DO-IT Program Helps Students Overcome Obstacles" by Laura Amond, opens by introducing a student who is part of the “Who’s Who of American High School Students.” This student’s name is Joel Green and he is a high achiever, which the article goes on listing all of his awards and organizations he belongs to. What makes Green stand out from other students of his status is that he has dyslexia. He has worked through this challenge by the DO-IT, which stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology. Students with dyslexia may have trouble with reading, spelling, speech, math, memory, and concentration. Green stated that he learns differently and used to use audio books to help him learn at first.
The program “DO-IT” helps give the knowledge and skills to high school students, so that they have success in what ever career or educational path they take following high school. Many of the participants use the Internet and other networks as a means of tutoring. Green stated that the “DO-IT” program made him “computer literate” and taught him: “shortcuts, plus they build your computer around your disability. I mostly need help with grammar and spelling, and they have the latest technology for correction of mechanical errors."
I choose this article for a number of reasons. I want to teach students with disabilities, and this article introduced a new organization to help students with disabilities. Even though most of the article talked about Joel Green who is dyslexic, the “DO-IT” program has members with many different disabilities both mental and physical. I also like that this program focuses on technology as a means for student achievement. I was hoping to learn about student software designed to help students with certain learning disabilities and this program assists students individually. By doing this the “DO-IT” program can personalize the participant’s computers with the latest software that will help that student excel.
If you want to read more about this article just click on the following link.
DO-IT Program Helps Students Overcome Obstacles

Video Games at School "A posting"

I read the article called “Teachers Tick the Xbox,” by Micheal Shaw. This article discussed teachers using video games as an educational tool. A study taken in England and Wales reported that a third of teachers use video games as a part of their lesson, even though these teachers are concerned that video games lead to bad behavior. These teachers are using video games as an educational tool, because they feel video games motivate and interest students. Besides the bad behavior as a negative result of video games, teachers are afraid they will lead to anti-social behavior and the teachers feel most games have negative representation of females and foreigners. The website being promoted in this article is called BBC Jam. The website claims to include “a range of games which vary from standard educational activities to those which its creators claim have a more ‘Xbox feel’".
I selected this article to include in my blog, because I hope to teach Elementary Education and video games are popular with students in this age group. I also haven’t seen a video game that has an “Xbox feel” be educational and I am skeptical how they could help educate students. I think some games can be educational that deal with trivia, but I have not witnessed any educational video game. This study took place in England and Wales, and concluded a third of teachers use video games as part of their lesson. I am curious if schools in America are going to move towards including video games in their lessons as well. I was hoping to find out about software that would reach students with mental and physical handicaps. I do not think video games would be good in lesson plans, but at free time or in before and after school programs I think they could be great for these students due to the motivational and hands-on experience.
Teachers Tick The Xbox

12 squares "D posting"

I commented on Yeleni's blog about the 12 square project, because we had some simular problems with the project. We both had difficulties when sizing our images. The project was designed by us to create an interactive story. The student would determine the order of this story as well. This was a fun project, but for both of us to create it seemed very difficult. She says she works better under stress. I don't know if I work well under stress, but I do however get things done in a timely manner when I am stress out.
All and all using this technique in a classroom could be a sucess. If the student is able to complete it, then they truly understand the story. It is a good tool relating to technology and education. I want to teach special needs students and I think this tool would be a success for them. Yeleni would you like to use this tool in your classroom?

"Observation" E posting

This semester I observed classes at the preschool, elementary, and high school level. One thing all these age groups have in common is the use of technology. The preschoolers I observed are autistic, and they were using tapes to help them with their speech. They also used a microphone to make the lesson fun. At the elementary school level, computers were used fairly often. Students practiced for the FCAT, took quizzes, and played games. At the high school level technology was used by the teacher. The lecture was on an overhead. A student asked a question the teacher didn't know and he went on to Google to find the answer. I think this shows how common technology is becoming in classrooms. Soon teachers will be becoming knowledgeable in other computer applications which will alsoenhance learning.

"A close encounter with a fifth grader" "D" posting

I commented on Blpainte's blog that discusses the same project I had done in my Introduction to Technology in Education class. This is also the same project I talked about in my previous blog. She worked with a fifth grader and had a very different experience. She said the child felt bored during the first story. I can understand how that can happen to a child working with ebooks in the fifth grade.
Blpainte blog's says she is hoping to teach upper elementary school level. For this reason, I think it is great that she learned this approach to learning may not be as interesting and captivating for a child in the upper elementary age group. She has focused her teaching toward the social science subject area. Hopefully she will discover a type of technological tool that will engage students in her study. If she is aware of any such tools I would enjoy learning about them.

Ebooks: The new Picture Books "B posting"

I was given a project in my Introduction to Technology in Education class that involved ebooks. Ebooks are picture books that have been placed online with animation, graphics, sound, and many more special features. Ebooks have a great deal of educational value. Anyone who is unaware of eBooks, I suggest doing some research at your local library to find out some capabilities. I observed a five year old boy watching ebooks and reported on my findings.
Watching eBooks reminded me of the fundamentals of storytelling. It’s been years since I was read a picture book and I had forgotten what elements make being read to fun. I learned I need to read slowly, so the child has time to use their imagination. I also learned I need to act out character voices to make the story fun for the child. The challenges I see with using eBooks is that they cannot be used in place of teaching. These a supplemental tools for children and that needs to be remembered when incorporating them into the curriculum. I think these challenges will not be a problem, because teachers and parents embrace children’s’ education and want to take part in helping them learn. When I viewed the eBook with the five year I reported on, I talked with him about different themes and elements seen in the eBook. This needs to be done with the child in order to make eBooks a success. Previous to working with eBooks I was apprehensive and didn’t feel they would be a success with children. I thought they would seem like a movie, but more boring. After this project I learned I was wrong. This project taught me that as a learner I like to see first hand the outcomes of an experience. I now believe in the use of eBooks as a supplemental tool for reading, because the child was having fun and I could see him learning.

Technology in Special Ed. Classrooms "C" Posting

Technology is starting to be used in classrooms of special education students in grade k-12. This works well, because the students are more motivated and excited about their work. Changes needed to occur in teaching in order to achieve common goals in education. The way students are learning has changed and therefore the teaching needs to change as well. I am happy that teachers and schools are turning technology and tools to enhance learning. I think it is crucial to make learning fun for students and that is what technology does.
The article entitled “Technology helps transform special ed. teaching at Mt. Hermon” discuses the integration of technology into a special education classrooms and why that is beneficial. The technologies the school is integrating include smart boards, handheld student keypads, colorful graphics, laptop computers and the latest in electronic technology. The school states that the students feel excited and successful about attending school since the technology has been incorporated. The article states that the teachers were at first hesitant but now feel the technology has surpassed their expectations. The article concludes by saying that the teachers are becoming more excited about education and that excitement rubs off on the students.
to read about this story click on this link
Archives: Story: "Technology helps transform special ed teaching at Mt. HermonThe Daily News"

Learning and teaching with Technology! "B posting"

I have just completed a project called “nine squares.” This project was assigned to my classmates and me for my Introduction to Technology in Education class. For this project we had to convert a story of our own into nine parts. We next had to find nine photos to symbolize the sequence of events in our stories. Once we had our nine photos we made them into squares measuring 150 by 150 pixels. We arranged these photos, out of order, on a table in Microsoft Word. We then recorded the written part of the story into nine audio files. We placed an audio file as a hyperlink matching the picture it belongs to. The final outcome and purpose to this project is for a student to click each picture then listen to the recording and lastly determine the order of the pictures to follow the story.
This was a project I completed and can use when I become a teacher as a way to incorporate technology and engage a student’s interest in a story. My story was written for upper elementary aged children, but this project could easily be made for all different age groups. I learned how to resize an image and add audio files to images on Microsoft word. A challenge that I had in my project was resizing images. I had trouble with Microsoft Office picture manager figuring out how to make each photo 150 by 150 pixels. I learned in order to use that software I needed to first crop the photo so the pixels were equal to each other even if it was 1000 pixels by 1000 pixels, then I could click on resize and type in 150 pixels by 150 pixels. Now that I know how to do this I feel it is very easy and convenient, but previously I had a lot of trouble with it. I learned that I like the trial and error approach to learning. I kept trying different ways to make each photo the right measurements and final all the trials worked.

Giving all Students a Voice "A posting"

The article entitled “Finding a voice in the Classroom; Tips for Good Communication with AAC Users in School,” credited by DynaVox Technologies discusses how students with disabilities affecting their communication can become actively involved and increase their experience at school. The article states that about 400,000 students between 5 and 17 years of age cannot use speech to communicate, because of a disability such as cerebral palsy or autism. An AAC device which stands for Augmentative and Assistive Communications tool can help a student communicate in school. This is a speech-generating tool has many capabilities including it contains the students favorite things, such as candies. With this tool the student can explain their summer vacation and even show digital images. The student can cheer on classmates which increases confidence. The device often has speaker phones and can check in on homework assignments or share something that went on over the weekend. The student can record jokes or anchor a newscast and air it over the school’s system. The student can conduct an interview, order lunch, or sing happy birthday to a classmate. Lastly, this tool can help students to talk and listen, they can respond to more then just yes or no ended questions. They will be able to express their feelings.
I choose this article because I am interested in teaching students with disabilities. Last week I observed an autistic classroom and more then half the students were non-verbal students. A device like this would have been very helpful and encouraging if these students had one. I had heard about speech-generating devices but had never read articles on them and I found this article very interesting. I think an AAC device can help a student to get the most out of their education and experience at school. In the beginning of this semester I had asked the question “What are the most commonly used technologies that help students who are mentally handicapped for example autistic students?” Although this article does not discuss how commonly used this device is, it opens doors to explore the opportunities technology has for students with handicaps. This article also does give an example of a technology that autistic children can use.
If anyone who is reading this posting is interested in reading up on this article I summarized you can access it by this link:

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1094650291&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=8631&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Welcome to my 1st blog!

Hi everyone,
Welcome to my blog. This is my first blog and I'm interested to learn about bloggs. Thanks for stopping by and looking at my blog. I look forward to hearing from you all through out the semester. Thanks! -Cathy