Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Tweet Your Butt Off: A Brief Reflection on Using Twitter

"We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher's hand, because it is the pen and paper of our time, and it is the lens through which we experience much of our world." 

-David Warlick

Technology has become the world’s most advanced way of communication and education. Since being enrolled in this education course, I have learned some of the ins and outs of how technology is used in our generation's education system. From the use of SMART boards to Animoto to Blogger to even Glogger; they are all very useful tools to creating a very successful classroom. One of the assignments I felt to be most unique and relevant to our growing generations was the Twitter assignment. 

Twitter is one of our generations most widely known social media sites. While social media usage in the classroom was very much frowned back in my days as a student; with the new and improved technology we have now teachers look to social media as a way to better interact with our students. Twitter is based on much more than keeping connected with friends. I learned that Twitter can connect you to educators all over the world. Through my "tweeting", I was able to see many different educators and their various teaching methods. One fellow tweeter I found very inspiring was a SMART Exemplary educator and Certified Trainer from Greensboro,NC named Kelly Hines. I found many of her tweets to be very instructional and empowering for students. She believed in challenging students so that they could learn at their highest ability.


Another educator  that motivated me to further my technology skills was a Tech Professional Development Trainer from Manhattan, KS named Cyndi Danner-Kuhn. Cyndi tweets was one of many that caught my eye at first glimpse. Her Twitter was consumed with embedded  links, videos, and photos. She was very passionate with her Technology and Key posts. From teaching her followers how to manage iPad videos to her Pinterest pins; she made the love for technology and education KNOWN!



Public City Schools teacher Crista Anderson was another educator/tweeter who caught my attention over the course of this class. Focusing on collaboration and challenging students, her posts really made me realize that it is important to incorporate student on student work. I really took a lot at her methods and have applied them to my classroom; for example having a central website for the class and parents to go to, to see what we are working on and for students to hold discussions on. She also inspire most of my reasoning behind my mobile technology blog.



I also found the ED 5O5 Facebook page and Twitter hash-tag very useful when working my way through this course. Being out of school so long, I was incredibly lost when I read how technology based this class was going to be. The Facebook page gave me the chance to really see my peers and get the help I needed. As an educator, we all know that sometimes the best way to learn is from our peers. HAHA! The Twitter hash-tag gave me  the chance to see what my peers thought about each blog without having to read each and every classmates blog. It also gave them the opportunity to see my point of view of each blog. Every blog required a Twitter post embedded at the end of it. Two of my favorite tweets were:

and 


I can defiantly see myself using my new found knowledge of Twitter in my classroom. I love the concept of the hash-tag. My assignment for the course of the upcoming year is to have students create a separate Twitter account where they can tweet about my classes and assignments they are having trouble with. It will give me a personal way to help them learn as well as interact with them. The #ED505UWARAY hash-tag was absolutely the most useful hash-tag I have used this semester. Mostly because it kept me so highly aware of what was going on within the class. That is what I want to give my students in my future classes.


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Monday, July 15, 2013

Assistive Technology: Meeting the Needs of Learners With Disabilities


Not so much to do with assistive technology but definitely assistive...

Assistive technology has historically been thought of as the technology for individuals with disabilities. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400) In recent years the definition has slowly changed and become much more widely distinguished. From cognitive problems to physical impairments, assistive technology (or better known as AT) is available to help individuals with many different forms of disabilities. While most only think of computers and software when referring to AT; assistive technology can also include mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and even keyboards.

With such widely ranging accommodations for learners with disabilities, its good to say a majority of teachers use this form of teaching. Below are various types of disabilities and gifts, I have dept with as a teacher for the past 15 years or so. Along with suggested websites or software; I will also include some pieces of hardware I found that enhanced learning for each type of disability.
  • Mild Disabilities - Mild disabilities are considered to be the most prevalent type of disability. They include everything from learning disabilities to serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation. There are many characteristics for mild disabilities; some such as cognitive, academic, and social-emotional. Individuals dealing with this typically struggle the most with reading, writing, retention, and memory. Software products such as JumpStart Kindergarten or Renaissance Learning's NEO Writer are both very good products to use when trying to enhance their learning. Text-to-speech software products that help with communication includes the Apple iPhone app Speak It.
  • Moderate and Severe Disabilities - People with these types of disabilities need to focus on putting an incredible amount of effort into learning daily living skills. While doing some things like shopping, using public transportation, or maintaining personal hygiene may seem incredibly simple to us; it is a major accomplishment for people with this disabilities. A good software to use to help teach important functional skills is the Time, Money, and Fractions On-Track iPad app. An excellent hardware for these students to use is alternative keyboards, such as the Intellikeys keyboards. Alternative keyboards can be used to create customized keyboards. Keyboard keys can be enlarged, unimportant keys can be removed, and functions like printing, saving, and deleting can have their very own key. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 408) 
  • Physical Disabilities - Physical disabilities can hinder a person's mobility and agility. Individuals can struggle with some of the slightest of movements. While there are not many software to be used to help with this disability; there are many different types of hardware for a person with a physical disability to use. For example: joysticks and switches. Assistive technology involves a team of specialist when dealing with physical disabilities. 
  • Sensory Disabilities - These types of disabilities involve impairments associated with the loss of hearing and seeing. If a person losses his or her vision completely, they are classified as blind. Being blind does cause for a slight modification of technology being that the person cannot see what they are doing but with the invention of Braille; it has become much easier. Typically students use tools to convert printed information called, an optical character recognition (OCR) software. Being deaf also falls under sensory disabilities. Being deaf does not affect your brain and learning as much as other disabilities. In fact, deaf people typically do not have to modify their technology. An great hardware they use are an auditory feedback system.      
  • At-Risk Behaviors/Situations - Students at risk for school failure are not considered disabled in the sense of the federal requirements of disabilities. However, with their lack of success in school, they typically fall at the same levels of someone suffering from a disability.   
  • Gifts and Talents - The federal definition of gifted students was developed in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, and has since been modified several times. Students with special gifts and talents typically fall into using the five Pyryt P's. The P's stand for pace, process, passion, products, and peers. Two good websites to go to that focuses in on passion is http://lt.umn.edu/geothentic and http://alienrescue.edb.utexas.edu. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram are excellent sites to build peer relationships; which can sometimes be tough for gifted students. I have discovered that podcasts to multimedia products to documenting dramatization with technology can be a very good hardware for students to use as well.
Chapter 15 of Roblyer and Doering's book basically introduced its readers to the learning process of technology for special need individuals. When talking about special education the first thing that comes to mind are the various types of disabilities. What's classified as a disability? What is considered an impairment? Both of these terms have very distinct meanings. An impairment involves an abnormality or loss of function in a physical, anatomical, or psychological structure; while having a disability is the point when an impairment limits an individuals from performing an activity in a manner that would normally be expected of a human being. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 398) While it is highly recommended to encourage AT within the classroom setting, the school system was not always that supportive. The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities, was passed in 1988 in efforts to provide statewide funding for both systems and services to provide assistive technology devices. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 400)With things like American Sign Language and Universal Design coming into play, AT has not only found its way into inclusive classrooms but also the homes of many disabled individuals. 
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Glog Your Way Through Literature: Web 2.0 Resources

"Most of us cannot remember a time when cell phones and text messaging were not the norm; when we couldn't "Google" something we did not understand; or a time when emailing was not a daily activity." -Roblyer and Doering


Technology is forever changing and growing over time. What's new and creative today will "old-fashion" to our grand kids. Haha! That's exactly what Roblyer and Doering discussed in chapters 7 and 8. The two individuals discussed the history of education and how technology is also causing it to evolve with great exceptions. The Internet as a whole has become much more broader over the course of the past decades. You can basically personalize anything you like now.

Although the term Web 2.0, an Internet trend that puts the authorship of online content into the hands of a websites' users,has become very common in educational circles. (Roblyer & Doering pg.225) Social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Blogger) are all based upon building communities around individually designed web pages. These pages consist of personal profiles, blogs, photo slideshows, music, videos, and various links to other social profiles and comments. While reading chapter 6, 7, and 8; I became fascinated with the entire concept of Web 2.0 and all the possible contributions it could bring to my classroom.

I found that Glogster is a very useful tool when creating a lesson plan or assignment web page for students. Glogster EDU is an online website where teachers can go in and create student freely assignments. These assignment pages can be as personalized and detailed as possible. Typically, they include step by step instructions, a detail description of the assignment, photos, and videos.The background layout can also be chosen by the instructor. Chapter 6 supported my thoughts about letting children create presentations themselves. There are plenty instructional software out there to help show individuals how to work things such as blogs and etc. I have found tutorials to be extremely handy. Tutorials can describe and explain how a task works. (Roblyer &Doering pg.174) 





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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

There's an App For That: Grab Your Technology and GO!

Technology is forever evolving! As the upcoming generations become more active, technology becomes more and more of an "on-the-go" source of connection. There has become a need to be able to connect to a wireless connection everywhere you go. 

One of the most widely evolved source of technology is the Apple Company. Founded April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The first creation made by Apple was the Apple I personal computer kit. The wooden-like kits was primarily hand-built by Wozniak himself. The product was placed on shelves for sale in July of 1976 (only three months after the company was established). The standard market price was $666.66. 
That wooden computer was only the start of something amazing. By 1998, Apple had fully evolved, and the iPod and iPhone was developed. Over the course of the century, Apple has always stayed ahead of the game; creating some of the most advanced technology. From iPhones to iPads to MacBooks to now iPod Capsules and I Watches, the world of Apple has become an obsession of the universe. Below is a short video depicting Apple's announcement of their new product, iBooks.



When it comes down to technology, such as iBooks being added into the classroom, we will take a very pro stand. In my opinion, technology is one of the best methods to learning. While we do encourage traditional based learning to ensure students learn the proper way to communicate; we also put excellent emphasis on the involvement of technology in the workplace. Employment is centered around how technology friendly individuals are these days. It is important for teachers to inform and instruct students on how to properly use it. I make sure various forms of technology is included in my classroom. From Smart Boards to iPads to clickers to even virtual flashcards; I make sure every student's style of learning is tended to.

With the launch of the iBook app, I feel as if students will have no excuse on why they did not read or do their homework. Apps are becoming technology's newest companion to connecting smartphones to the world. App is an abbreviation for application, and normally has an extension of .app on the file. (Roblyer &Doering) While the Apple brand of products have apps ranging from healthy and beauty to workout; they also have educational apps. Students have access to apps such as:
  • Mathematics and Science Apps - Typically math apps are in the form of flashcards for the younger learners. As they move up they start to process in to multiple choice and "type the answer". Same goes with science apps. iPads and other Apple products have great science article based apps for students of all ages to use in the classroom. With STEM becoming so heavily involved in the school systems, its important to encourage students to use the STEM apps properly as well. Most come along with virtual projects. The Mathematics Handbook app is very good for showing students the process to working out problems the correct way. 
  • Social Studies Apps - Social Studies is never important within the school system. Everyone has heard the phrase, "If you don't know your past, how can you plan for your future." When teaching social studies there are a few useful apps out there. GED flashcards are a good app for older individuals, while younger students tend to use apps such as: World Book, US History Timeline, and The Presidency app when learning all the past and present presidents. People tend to suggest using the Praxis II app for college students when studying for that version of the tests.
  • Music and Art Apps - It's no secret that traditional education is extremely important, but its also very essential that we include music and art into our lessons. Some examples of good music and art apps includes: the drawing pad, which typically is better on iPads or tablets, and Discover Musical Instruments where you can learn to play everything from the piano to the guitar. There are even apps that can take you on virtual field trips of museums, create movies, and editing music together.   
  • English and Language Arts Apps - Proper grammar and punctuation is one of the important factors when teaching a child; partly because you use it the most in everyday life. You must know how to hold a proper conversation and write a paper. I found that the Spelling Word app and Words With Friends, are two good apps to help kids build vocabulary and their spelling abilities. Sentence Builder is very good for helping with grammar and punctuation. 


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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Do You Have A SMART Classroom?


Imagine you are sitting in your classroom right now. It's summer and you are working on your classroom management plan for the upcoming Fall semester. What do you want to teach? How do you want to teach it? Should you teach traditionally? Or should you included technology? 

You properly evaluate each student and come up with the best IEPs and lesson plans; and finally come to the conclusion that you want to involve technology. Why not? All your students are capable of using it. But, what software and technology is best for your classroom?

This is a question I asked myself my first time incorporating technology into my classroom. Over the course of my 13 years in the education system, I have used different types of software in my classroom. As you will  read on, you will see I am no stranger to trying new methods when it comes to teaching my children. Children are all unique so you must try everything to see what fits best. While I may use one specific software for one child and another for someone else, I make sure that I keep track of what works and what does not. With that being said, here is a glimpse into how I run my classroom. 

  • Drill-and-Practice Teaching Functions
    • Software functions providing exercises in which students work example items at one time. Typically students receive feedback on their correctness when using these type of software.(Roblyer &Doering pg.81) I usually use this type of software for my lower functioning students. When using Drill-and-Practice Teaching functions in my classroom, I use flash card and chart fill-in activities. Each activity level is based upon the child's individual strengths. This helps students prepare for high-stakes tests. By using the software entitled, Quizlet. I can create  personal flashcards for each of my students to study. I typically make the cards based on each child's individual goals.
  • Tutorial Teaching Functions
    • This brings me to my next software. Tutorial Teaching is often confused with drill activities because good tutorials typically need one or more practice sequences to properly check each student's comprehension of the the activity, (a quality typically related to drill-and-practice functions) and because of the confusion between the feedback provided by the activity. (Roblyer &Doering pg.87) Regardless to the confusion between the two, I still incorporate tutorial teaching within my classroom plan.Tutorial is much more of a self-contained instructional unit and is one of the least used software. Some students are what we call "do-ers". They like to sit down alone and work. While we as teachers encourage collaboration; it is good to embrace students natural learning ways. I typically use this software with my fairly good readers. I usually encourage my students that are taking foreign languages to use the Rosetta Stone software. Sometimes, students need a break from verbally practicing learning a different language. This software gives them the chance to sit down by themselves and learn, without people judging them. This software is good for outside practice. 
  • Instructional Game Teaching Functions 
    • Instructional game teaching is technology based games that are used to bridge the world of gaming and entertainment with education. (Roblyer &Doering pg.94) This software takes more of a fun attempt to teaching students. I typically use this form of technology in my classroom as a learning treat. If students finish their work correctly and promptly, I usually allow them to play games such as Jeopardy. With the addition to iPads being added into the classroom, I introduced a new integrated learning game for my students. I have noticed that the game, Word With Friends has greatly improved my students vocabulary. If the student(s) fit all the requirements I mentioned earlier, I will allow them to check an iPad out and play against each other.
  • Collaborative Learning Software
    • One software I found extremely useful throughout my teaching career has to be collaborative learning software. While education is the primary goal for students in school, teaching students how to collaborate with each other is also very important. It is very important for students to know how to work with others. A software I found very handy is the SMART Sync Classroom Management Software. Out of all the software I have used, this has seemed to be the best. The software gives students the chance to work individually, in groups, as well as; with you personally. When the software is opened, the teacher has full access to each students computer, who is working on whatever, and if any one is off track. The software can be used to also take the pressure off teachers. No more constant getting up and walking around, trying to check each students internet activity. I can simply look at each icon to see what they are doing. The software also gives the teacher the privilege to block certain websites and internet activities. I can personally message my students, as they can to me. While I can assign individual work, I can also design group activities. Students can interact between each other for projects, discussion board questions, and observations. SMART Sync Classroom Management Software has made it much easier for me to manage my classroom, it prevents less distractions. Which allow them to become engaged in my lessons. With the incorporation of  SMART boards and software, it allows a much more relaxed learning environment. 

Below is a video I found that depicts exactly how the SMART board is used in today's educational system. It shows the importance of collaboration in youth's learning process. Rather, its interacting online through the computer or being up front at the SMART board doing hands on activity; collaboration must be used in the classroom (regular or inclusive).




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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Are You Smarter Than A Fourth Grader?: Laptops vs Traditional Style Learning

"Will fourth grade students that participated in a one-to-one laptop program have more successful test scores than those participating in the traditional learning program?”

I want you all to think about that question... Do you think that schools should begin the integrating of technology at such a young age, ( 9 or 10 years old) or enforce the forms of traditional learning? While, I think it is essential for a child to learn how to write his or her own name and work out a math problem; I think that lack of proper technology exposure can make or break a child. Below are the answers to the questions from the article critique along with my personal opinion.

1.    Provide the complete article title and author

The article title for this article is, "Laptops and Fourth-Grade Literacy: Assisting the Jump over the Fourth-Grade Slump". It was written by Mr. Kurt A. Suhr, David A. Hernandez, Douglas Grimes, & Mark Warschauer
2. State the intended audience. (What is empirical research and how does it help the classroom?)         
The intended audience for this article could possibly range from someone as simple as a parent of a fourth grader to the teacher of a fourth grade class to possibly even a Language Arts teacher. After greatly examining the article and its material, I was highly impressed with the number of potential audiences. Even principals of elementary schools would benefit from this article and its research. The empirical research was very evident when reading the article. Empirical research is defined as research based on an observation. An by looking at the research in this article I discovered that school districts were still struggling to see how exactly they could integrate technology into the classroom without waiting to late on in a child's life. Technology is the building block to a successful life and career, so why not expose children to it early on? By exposing younger students to technology (laptop instructional  education planning students stand a much better chance at being both visual and auditory learners.
3. What is/are the research question/questions or hypothesis/hypotheses?
After carefully reading this article I came to the conclusion that the hypotheses question was that of, “Will those fourth grade students that participated in the one-to-one laptop program have more successful test scores than those participating in the traditional learning program?”
4.   Describe the subject (participants) and the procedures (methods) used by the researcher(s)?
 There were 106 fourth grade participants broken down evenly into two groups: treatment group and the control group. Each group was eventually reduced to 54 students each. Both groups were comprised of different classes with a different set of teachers each year. Once the groups and plans were set, the researchers began to focus in on the procedures (methods) of the experiment. The controlled group (laptop) were supplied with personal laptop on a daily bases at school. They were granted varying degrees of computer access. This not only included the personal laptop, but in-class desktop computers, computer labs, and mobile laptop carts. As the students aged, the amount of access increased slightly due to greater availability of mobile carts, and etc. In no class, did students in the control group have regular individual access to computers for more than the standard six hours per week, which was an incredibility different from the computer access for the treatment group. Then studying of the groups went from there.
5.  What were the conclusions of the researchers? Do you agree or disagree with the conclusions? Support your position.
  The conclusion of the researchers was that laptop students outperformed non-laptop student. The   areas that the students did the best in were writing strategies and literary response and analysis. As a promoter of technology in the classroom, I most certainly agree with these conclusions. When it comes down to writing and reading, computers can be one of the greatest tools to help improve these areas. To properly use a computer you must know how to read, and to properly type on a computer you must know how to write.

6.  What suggestions for further research do the authors suggest? What other suggestions for future research would you suggest?
I would suggest that in the future, researchers should maybe prolong this study. Maybe start each group off in the fourth grade and go all the way up until senior year, then study the scoring difference in ACT results. I would also suggest maybe doing this in a public school setting; although the article did not say exactly if the experiment was done in a public or private setting. I just think the environment might make a difference in the results. Because of course; students from higher income families have a better chance of being exposed to technology outside of the classroom. 
After reading this article it got me thinking a lot about one-on-one computing. Both the topics within the article and one-on-one computing tied in so well together. One-on-one computing is considered to be allocating a school computer for each student. (Roblyer & Doering pg. 17) Chapter 1 discussed how they felt like it was pushing schools into decreased funding and less money for other areas. When enforcing one-on-one computing a school must be well aware of the cost. Technology has never been cheap and the cost is steadily rising. Chapter 1 also mentioned, the fact that some educators are fighting back against the subject. Claiming that the teaching and learning relationship has not been clearly established between teachers students yet.(Roblyer & Doering pg.25) 
As educators I want you all to take a moment and think...while technology use is very essential to the new generations education and career, how can you get that career if you cannot hold a respectful conversation with your employer? While I am a strong advocate for technology, I believe if we do not take a step back and find other ways for students to learn, we will lose the simple things in life. Like being able to hold a proper and interesting conversation. Below is a link that explains why some schools are looking for other options besides one-on-one computing. While this article did highlight the pros of one-on-one computing there are always cons to every good thing.  
Why Schools Must Move Beyond One-On-One Computing


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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Digital Citizenship - Who Will You Be?


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