Final Project

For the final assignment I chose to use the online tool called Wordle. I had two students use Wordle for three weeks to practice typing their spelling words. After typing they then were able to rearrange the words, change the color, and the font. Wordle made it fun for the kids to practice reading, spelling, and typing their weekly spelling words. When they were finished creating their personal collage I had them print two copies. One copy was for classroom display and the other was to take home.

Diigo

This assignment was the most challenging for me. It took some time to figure out all of the different steps. After creating a Diigo account I then had to 'join the group'. Once all that was through I searched the web for websites on Web 2.0 and 21st century skills. It was hard to find good material to post to the site. The process of posting a bookmark was easy, it was just hard to find anything good to post. I could see this type of site being useful for high school and college students working on research papers or group projects.

VoiceThread

I enjoyed browsing the different voicethreads. I found interesting threads on special education. Some I viewed were on assistive technology, case studies, and methods. The thread I really enjoyed was a case study on a boy with reading disabilities at an alternative school. My voicethread was on AASWD. I could use VoiceThread to collaborate with other teachers on alternate assessments and special education trends. My students could use voice thread to help them with science and social studies.

podcast

I first viewed/listened to the podcasts on http://webcast.mariemontschools.org/tBrowse.asp?varPath=\DP\POD_CAST. I found several examples of podcasts. One thing I did notice that the sound on some was better than others. I assume this is due to the mic postion and student/teacher voice quality. So I kept that in mind when creating my own. I found it relatively easy to create the podcast. My podcast was voice only. I didn't explore and make it elaborate.

Bloom's Digital Taxonomy

I encourage students to use higher order thinking skills (HOTS) by editing work, use advanced searches, collaborating with others, designing and publishing. A way I can encourage students to focus less on lower order thinking skills (LOTS) is to avoid simple google searching. This would involve a better focus on implementing advanced searches. Also, a way to use HOTS in the classroom is to have student buddies around the world the students communicate with via Skyping vs. email.

Digital Storytelling

I used Movie Maker to create my movie.

To create my movie I used pictures that were on my computer at school. The step-by-step process was easy to follow. I added credits, sound, and visual effects to create some interest to the movie. (It is not a great movie, but I did familiarize myself with the program.)
Some of my students have used Movie Maker during science class. They were able to select what method to display their presentations and several chose Movie Maker. They enjoyed creating the movies and showing them to their classmates.

Digital Storytelling: Link to Movie

http://webcast.mariemontschools.org/tPlay.asp?varPath=\ME\21st century assignment\Movie_0001.wmv
The movie is also posted to the Public Drive: WEBCAST, ME

"Other" Tools

Tools that I found:
1. Graphing and Charting Tools
a. ChartGizmo- free and can be used to make charts for websites, blogs, and network files http://ChartGizmo.com
b. Class Tools- crates Venn Diagrams
http://classtools.net/education-games-php/venn_intro/
c. Createagraph- can create a bar, area, line pie,
or an XY graph http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/

2. Quiz and Poll Tools
a. eQuizzer- free web based quizzing program, manage, monitor and create quizzes http://www.equizzer.com/
b. Yacapaca- free, can use already created quizzes or make your own http://yacapaca.com/
c. Mystudiyo- interactive, can have feedback for each question completed http://mystudiyo.com/

3. Mapping Tools
a. CommunityWalk- at this website your can create personal, community, and professional maps, show the map on a website or blog, and add photos, videos, comments http://www.communitywalk.com/
b. OpenStreetMap- free, editable map of the whole world, it allows you to view, edit and use geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on Earth http://www.openstreetmap.org/
c. Scribble Maps- google maps, you can draw and customize your own map http://scribblemaps.com/#lat=42.314111&lng=-83.036825&z=3&t=Map&y=0&p=0

Wiki

I created a Wiki! The most frustrating part was coming up with a name for my Wiki because every single name I came up with was already in use. Once I was in it was a user friendly program. The help button was actually 'helpful' and well organized. I'm not sure but I think that Wikispaces and Google Docs were pretty much the same service. I could see myself using Google Docs more just because it is part of google.

Wordle Assignment

We have used Wordle in the classroom for spelling words and for our lunch group Circle of Friends. Using Wordle for spelling helps students practice typing the words in and then also having them printed to read and review. We used Wordle in Circle of Friends by typing the expectations of our lunch group. Wordle is a fun way for students to display creatively.

Google Reader

This assignment was really cool. I liked how I could browse and select news feeds to add to the google reader. Out of the 5 that I found, NASET News Alerts was the best. It had very good information and news stories. I picked it because it was an education based news feed.

I Tunes

Apple is a true technology pioneer.
I think that Apple has reinvented themselves in the past few years. I remember when I was in grade school Apple was the newest and best. We had all kinds of Mac computers in our computer labs. Then I believe the trend became if you were in computer graphics or any art field of that sort Apple was the computer for you and the rest of the population leaned towards the PC.
Now, Apple is back. The IPhone, IPod, IPod touch, Nano, ITunes, and now the IPad. I have an IPod and an IPod touch. (I just had to have the movies for the airplane flight to Hawaii.)
I think the coolest features that I use from the Itunes store are the downloads of movies, music, and audio books. You are able to preview before you purchase and then buy. It is a secure site that allows you to search and find popular artists and the unpopular 'new' artists.

Google Docs

I have now created and explored the user friendly Google Docs. I created a document for oganizing all the upcoming meetings and needed tasks for each child with a 504 or IEP on my case load. This is nice because I can access it from home and I was able to invite others who are involved in the process, such a special services or case managers. Another option that is nice is the calendar. With this everyone can see the dates on the calendar and be notified of time. Pretty cool!

Skype

I have signed up, down loaded software, and Skyped for the first time. I was able to add a friend to my contact list and call her. She lives in Alabama so it was nice to be able to see and talk to her.
The only way I know to find colleagues is to search their name and varify their location.
I found this to be a great free service to stay in touch with friends and family.

Scriblink and Etherpad Assignment

As I played around with Scriblink I learned that it is a free digital whiteboard that can be shared with several users at the same time. It has several tools such as math symbols, uploading images, typing and drawing tools. I liked the ability to upload images because the user then can draw, edit, or use it in examples.
The Scriblink could be best used in the educational field for tutoring or homework help from home. For example, if you upload worksheets or problems students are assigned they then could ask specific questions and you could demonstrate steps or give explanation via writing. It also has the ability to do voice conferencing.
As I explored the site I also found that this free service could be purchased and used for personal websites.

I also explored Ether Pad. This is also a web-based tool but is different because it has the word processor format instead of a whiteboard. This service also allows multiple users to use it at the same time in real-time. The other users signed on are shown on the right side. The individual user can select a desired color to represent their contributions to the word document. This way all users contributions are noted and displayed.
I see that this web-based word processor could be used for students who are working on a group project but couldn't all meet at the same place. The students can log on and collaborate via Ether Pad. It can also be used in team meetings and for drafting notes for an up coming conference or meeting.
I find that limitations for both collaboration tools is that all users must have access to a computer, be on simultaneously, and or understand and have ability to use the site.

K-12 Online Conference

I viewed the archive of Diego Leal’s “Kicking it up a notch” to “Bridge the Divide” video. Diego is from South America and was the first Spanish key note for K-12 online. Diego discussed three specific divides for technology: 1. Finding and conveying a broader meaning in out education 2. The need to communicate to a wider audience 3. The limitations of access and language of a larger proportion of the population and the barriers to participate in online spaces. He followed by giving solutions to the divides: 1. “Handing over the keys” as a symbol of giving more autonomy and involve more people in the projects we are doing in classrooms around the world 2. Modeling new practices: Edu Camp 3. Translations to build bridges where none exist: example- videos with subtitles (such as the presentation).
This has been my first online experience with a video conference. To top it off it was my first and it wasn’t in my own first language. Viewing the conference video with the Spanish language in the background, changing video screen, and focusing on and reading the subtitles was challenging. I found it much easier to focus when I turned off the sound. I did find that this was a convenient way to conference and a way to communicate with a wider audience. I don’t feel that every conference needs to be in person however, there are benefits and situations where in person conferencing is necessary.