iMovie PSA

Using NETS-T I,II

This movie was edited to create a PSA for  CSUSM.

~Journal # 9 (NETS-T I,II,V): Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Go Paperless?~

Smith, V, & Evans, E. (2011). Learning and Leading with Technology. Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Go Paperless?, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Go_Paperless.aspx

Going paperless can prove to be helpful as well as destructive. There are 2 ways to manage the world and even though we live in a world full of technology; we still manage to produce more paper then when computers hadn't existed. It's funny to think that we have created more of a nuisance with printing and money wasting then we have before with just handwriting. Computers can become important because we have a source of digitally transferring knowledge and saving on natural resources in our environment. On the other hand, how does it affect students,teachers and others if we allow the computer to do all our work and we lose our natural ability to write free-hand? There are benefits and losses to choosing either style of preservation. We are evolving at such a fast pace we forget that we may lose some abilities along the way while gaining other abilities. Maybe we will all become computer savvy but lack in writing letters and spelling because of the integration of computers in managing our information. If we think deeper in to the matter, paper can always be recycled and no matter what method we choose; we ultimately, will be paying money on one end or the other. There will always be that fear of "if technology fails us and crashes; what else can we depend on?" Our writing is important to keep documents and information that we feel safe with that we can take care of and can predict, but what if a fire hits and destroys all documents? What do we do then? Ultimately, our personal fears of technology should be just as prominent as a fire hitting our house which chances can be slimmer or greater depending on how we take care of our resource tools.

Q1: Do we produce more paper now then we did before when computers did not exist?

A1: Unfortunately, we do produce and waste more paper now then we used to when computers did not exist. With printing in circulation and etc. we are more inclined to waste paper. It is getting easier over time as things become digitally accepted or passed around but it does not stop our need to have something physical within our hands.

Q2: What is the greatest fear most people have about technology replacing paper copies?

A2: The fear of having nothing to look at or keep safe can be daunting for most people. If there isn't a copy we have to depend on technology which is likely to crash, get viruses or alter our data/information. People are more inclined to trust their own written work they can physically hold then to look at a screen at watch it possibley disappear.

~Journal # 8 (NETS-S III,V) Learning Connections: Get outside with GPS!~

Diehl, C. (2011). Learning connections: get outside with gps!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Get_outside_with_GPS.aspx 

Geocaching is a unique way to go about treasure hunting while using the essential devices; such as, a GPS and computer. This happens to be a new age activity that many people have taken up to get out in the world while challenging their minds to a hunting game. A Geocache is stashed somewhere around the world with the exact coordinates. Once the coordinates are obtained using a computer helps to find the general location of the item: whereas, the GPS finds the exact location while you're out in nature searching for it. At times the Geocaches are small enough to write down the date and who found it; while other times there are little trinkets left behind for you to take as long as you put a trinket in the Geocache in return. Geocaches can offer a lot to classrooms if set up as a lesson plan for the day. It gets the students out and exploring the world around them instead of being so confined to their seats. It can also expand other areas of knowledge by allowing the students time to learn about geography,numbers and science within nature. It's an adventure for students to enjoy and something new that can be brought into the education system that activates technological knowledge and use; as well as, physical activity time. I remember being in a 7th grade science class that set up a Geocache assignment for the day and was overall successful and fun for the students.

Q1: What is Geocaching?

A1: Geocaching is an activity which involves a GPS to find items hidden by other people from around the world. Geocaching can be a hobby or a school activity. 

Q2: What else can Geocaching contribute to a person's knowledge?

A2: Geocaching can teach a person about geography, numbers, nature and etc. Different classrooms can set up lesson plans that activate other knowledge that can be used in Geocaching. By using questions and answers as coordinate numbers then it becomes a completely different learning experience.

~Journal 7: NETS (III, V) Creating My PLN~

A PLN is a Personal Learning Network to assist us in the way we think,teach and use our resources. It is a great way to gather outside information and pull it together in one location that is useful to you. I plan on accessing my PLN to help me teach and gather more information to use within the classroom environment. We all know there may not be enough time and money to grab all the information in one location; well PLN's assist us in these times of economic crisis. For example, some social media tools to create PLN's are Twitter, Facebook, Diigo and other networking tools. These resources are useful because it comes from different perspectives and is a collective place for information to flow into which helps give us seek out valid sources for our database.

1. Twitter

One particularly useful PLN is Twitter. A pool of information that many can add more information too. I specifically chose 5 student peers to follow within my Twitter to give me a better sense of direction. Being at the same stage of life, the student peers are eager to gather information much like I am. This will help me obtain a wealth of information that I may not of looked into before. It gives different perspectives, ideas and links of informational resources that may not just be art or history which I enjoy. I had also followed some educators who specialize in Elementary technology as well as history since they are some of the various things I follow. It helps to gain assistance throughout the professional world and keep connections going to obtain the information that's out in the world.

I had followed one particular Twitter chat by the #artsed group. This was based upon the education of art and its importance within the school system. They hold their sessions on Thursdays at 7:30pm EST. I found it intriguing the various questions they brought to the table questioning the system and its lack of role in supporting art educators. I, myself, find art essential to our imaginative minds. It broadens our perspectives and helps us to think abstractly. What was an important topic was the question of what kind of ideas we can incorporate to art to make it essential to the school system because we all know the arts are the first to be cut when their is an economic crisis.

2. Diigo

Diigo is another resourceful tool to gather information and resources. Much of what I was searching for was based around history. I tagged 3 different history related sites such as Art History Resources on the Web, History is Elementary and Teaching History. I tagged these sites due to my teaching profession in the teaching field. Having these sites at my fingertips helps me to surf for information. I followed 5 history buffs that enjoyed the ongoing teachings of history. I managed to follow 2 teachers and 1 coordinator of History and Sciences within Massachusetts. I feel it will help me excel in gathering appropriate information as well as lesson plans to set up for a middle school classroom. I feel Diigo is a fun and easy way to grab information compared to Twitter. Its like a search engine that reaches out to follow relevant information and resources without dealing with the annoyances of advertisements and random information.

3.Digital Discussion Forums

On the website, Classroom 2.0 I found a very informational forum which dealt with technology or gaming within a classroom environment to forward education. It was intriguing how technology was used to create games which involves art, mathematics and imagination to construct a world which can be economically beneficial if that is the profession someone chooses. It assists in not only learning but also a career path that can be taken which is increasing as technology becomes more integrated into society. It was exciting to read into and with the links,information and differing opinions; I was able to get some valid incite on how gaming can work in a classroom.

All About Me Survey

~Journal 6: (NETS-T III,V) PLN's~

Warlick, David. (2009). Grow your personal learning network. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2009.aspx 

It's fascinating how not to long ago; we, as a community, used each other as sources for information and transferring information around the globe whether it be by telephone, television or face-to-face. Today, internet is our key source to distributing information and setting up a basis  of information about ourselves. We do this to either get jobs, reach out to friends, share information or so much more. There are just so many possibilities; it is difficult not to access all kinds of information which is accessible to the technological world. Facebook is a huge tool which is accessible to friends and family-alike. It is more limited then Twitter but sometimes we need that sense of safety to protect our identity from other unwanted people. Sometimes, these tools can be useful to get ideas from outside sources of lesson plans or get advice from people of all different styles of any particular field of work. A perfect quote from David Warlick's article is, "Technology has inspired a shift from hunting-and-gathering information economy to the domestication of the information landscape".

Q1:What was our first source that helped us to reach out and share information with others?

A1: Our first source of spreading information was communication from person to person. As time went on it shifted to mail then to telephone and then television. Finally, the computer and other similar technologies have helped us to spread information.

Q2: What’s a great way to share information and how may sharing this information help us?

A2: We can share information through Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and etc. This helps us to establish information to obtain jobs or information needed to help us progress.

~Journal 5 (NETS-T I, IV, V): Cyberbullying~

Bogacz, R, & Gordillo, M. (2011). Iste: learning and leading in technology. Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying?, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx 

 

Bullying is prominent in all forms and internet is slowly becoming a key source and easily accessible to continue bullying. It is important that we acknowledge this source of bullying as educators.  We can either acknowledge that bullying is going to happen and that we must take responsibility for it or take the greater of two evils and just simply ignore it. We have to educate ourselves in how to protect our students and build an outlet for them to express themselves and freely talk about any issues or concerns. We can either be the mediator or the cause of low self-esteem in our students. We are their supports, their guides, their protectors and as such, we need to build up the defenses to make a safe environment for our students. We have to lend our helping hands to the students that need it. The ones that don’t seek help but need it. Just like regular bullying; cyber-bullying is no different and we must treat them the same and deal with them in the same way.

Q1: Who all can help stop cyber bullying and in what ways?

A1: Cyber-bullying can be stopped by teachers, parents, students and administrators. We can stop this by educating ourselves about it and seeking help if we are victims of it. There should be no reason we cannot stop cyber bullying if we learn how dangerous it can be to lives and our self-esteem.

Q2: Why may a school not be responsible for protecting from cyber-bullying?

A2: Educators and administrators cannot always be responsible for what happens out of school. Much of the cyber bullying remains outside of the school grounds. Much of what causes cyber bullying is an inadequate feeling of love or self-esteem that stems from home and the social life outside of the school. If there are plenty of preventatives at school then it stems from outside of just school and needs to be taken care of by peers at home.