LA Conference

During the LA conference my I presented with my ED640 graduate class. Our presentation was about Developmental Stages of Spelling. Our presentation introduced the stages that children go through when dealing with spelling. The topic we chose was unique because everyone that would attend it would be able to relate to the topic because they would have kids or are teachers.
It was such a whirl wind and exciting. I have never presented in front of many people. We were only suppose to accept 20 people but we ended up having 51 people attend the our presentation. There was not enough folders and handouts. The biggest problem was that there was not enough time to expand on our presentation. I believe that everyone who attended really enjoyed our presentation. From our evaluation feedback we were able to conclude that we needed more time so that they could really be active in learning about the developmental stages of spelling.

Where is the technology revolution in education?

Today technology is making an impact in all sectors of the community. Micheal Rusell talks about how technology has impacted the business world and he also talks about the impediments that have limited the use of technology in today's schools. Today the use of technology in our world has doubled in the recent years. Schools on the other hand is still in the process. Despite the increases of computer uses, education has been largely unaffected by computer-based technologies. Most teachers still stand and deliver a curriculum. Micheal Russell depicts the impact that technology can make in education. Resources could be limitless, community could be reached, and communication could be enhanced through technology. The education sector must push and push to to catch the technology trend of today so that our students can learning Basic Life skills.

Another article by Micheal Russell that you might be interested:
http://escholarship.bc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=intasc

Presentation

During class we chose to do Google Docs and Famundo. As a class we will work on EduTEch wiki to create a wiki article on each internet site. As a group we broke our work into sections. As a class we will collaborate on the information that will be published in EduTech wiki. It is a collaborative activity. In terms of the presentation I would really like to present on Google Docs. Its sounds like an interesting site that could be useful to learn. It could be useful for teachers who want to integrate the internet into their lessons or use the internet as a tool to enhance learning. I am really interested in the Google Docs because you could actually work in the site.

Internet Resource #2

I reviewed Famundo and compared to the others it seems to be a creative and engaging tool for Families. It allows users to create a family hub(hang out)so that families are able interact with each other online. This is especially good for families who live far apart or in different villages. I helps you manage your family schedules and to do lists. It is a site that allows users to control their daily life and be stress free I guess. The site allows you to share events with families and friends almost like a personalized website but its private only to family members. Famundo also allows you to use its site as a teacher. Keeping a teacher organized with their students, calendar schedules, and updates. Looks like a great tool.

Internet Resources #1

I reviewed Engrade and I am really thinking of using it. It is a free online gradebook that allows teachers to manage their classes online as well as post grades, assignments, attendance, and upcoming homework online for students and parents to see. Engrade is free and easy to use. The best part about it is that students and parents can become engaged in their learning and parents can be involved in their childs learning. The Engrade offers:
*Free Online Gradebook Automatically calculates grades, custom grading scales, weighted assignments
*Free Online Attendance Book Easily records attendance, automatically emails parents of absentees
*Free Online Homework Calendar Quickly posts upcoming homework for parents and students to see
*Free Online Student Reports Real-time access to grades, attendance, and homework
It is a free grading tool because it is supported by educational sponsors, it is completely free for all users all you need is a free online account

21st Century Learning

Sheryl believes, we are in a place where computing in the classroom is really going to take off. We are living in a century where technology is taking over many aspects of our lives. It not surprising that it would be the same in the field of education. As educators it is our responsibility to figure out how to access the tools of the web and help students to learn to use them in a safe environment.
Sadly, I agree with one of her statements. Sheryl stated that, "The students of today don't have a choice as to whether or not they will master the skills of the read/write web (and being collaborative and self-driven)--if they don't, they will be left behind in the work world." This is a major issue in the field of education. As an educator I have seen students who have no skills in dealing with technology and the web. It would be wonderful if I could just wish for a computer and the Internet and it will just show up. Being skilled in the concept of read/write web is important within this era and the next. Technology and the web is all around us now especially children. Students need the skills to stay on track with the world that is quickly relying on the web because who knows what the next era will present. Her statement in dealing with poverty says it all. "If we don't empower these children with the same technologies that the affluent child will get at home, then we are trapping them in their poverty."

Learning Management System

Learning Management Systems is an excellent assistive technology tool that can be used for students with learning disabilities. It is a software tool that delivers educational materials over the web. The great thing is that it serves the purpose of a teacher as well. It is a software teacher that manages users or my case students by assigning roles to users. It also allows students to begin within their level and assign groups. It provides a calendar so that students can practice being organize and prepared and generate scores based on a grading system. I guess teachers can integrate it within their lessons or as a homework incentive. Students also have ownership over lessons and sources in various media formats. LMS can be accessed by open source (downloaded for free) or purchased.
The only problem is that there are not many free sources for our students except maybe Moodle. Also the problem that many also faces is access to computers and the Internet. Hopefully in the next 5 or 10 years this wouldn't be a problem but the idea is 1 step ahead of nothing.

Google Earth

One idea that I have for Using Google Earth involves endangered species. My students will research in the net on one endangered species from each continent. On their own they would decide on which endangered species to research on. They would gather information about each endangered species. After they gathered information for each, my students would create an endangered mark for each continent containing information for each. What I would see are markings for each endangered species that exist within each continent. They would research what and how they became endangered.
Another idea that I have is to research on power usage in Guam. Identify how much power each village uses, the population, and other facts that determine the power usage. When done gathering information’s students would start create Google Earth power usage information on Guam.

Wiki's in a Classroom

My idea of using wikis in a classroom involves the writing process. If I was to integrate wikis within my curriculum I would use it as a tool that involves the research and writing process.
My students would pick a topic that was already done on a Wiki's site. When the topic is chosen, the class as a whole would discuss the topic. We would discuss on its organization, facts, grammar usage, and whether or not its comprehensable. When we find that there are certain facts that are missing or that the information is inaccurate, we would revise it. This is where research starts. We would research on the topic and see what areas of the wiki's topic is missing. As a class we would then break into parts which would consist of the revisions, language usage, and editing group.
After all the revisions and facts are done, we would then replace the inaccurate wiki with our final product. This allows my students to have ownership over a part of the wiki encyclopedia. Giving them pride in being able to revise an incomplete work.

Wiki

Wiki sounds interesting. There are positive aspects to using wiki's. It allows world wide base dedication and cooperation. It presents a community dedicated to facts in which they contribute facts and information. The information is available and free to anyone. It is simple and easy. It is a constant changing tool that evolves because it is a collaborative tool. It is a very useful tool in which language and organizational content is user friendly. In terms of education, wiki spaces allow students to publish expository papers that they have done in their classes. It also allows students to evaluate, question, synthesize and edit certain information in wiki's. The best part is that is presents an exploratory opportunity. Students are able evaluate and edit facts in where they research whether the information in the space is accurately correct. This allows the students to go through certain writing processes such accuracy of information, editing and publishing.
There are negative aspects to wiki spaces as well. It may be that some of the information posted may be vandalized. Students and teachers must be sure of the information presented on a wiki space, so research must be done when gathering and reading information from wiki's. It is a wonderful collaborative tool but in terms of using resources from it for research papers one must be careful with what information is gathered. The information can be published and changed by anyone. This means that it is assessable to falsified information.
Teachers and students must evaluate what they are going to do with wiki spaces. I think that before teachers use wiki's, research must be done first for its purpose and uses. Other than that, it is a useful and user friendly tool.

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podcast:Will Richardson

Will Richardson is a wonderful teacher, in my opinion. He has such wonderful ideas for his students. I believe that his ideas paved a way for students to become integrated in learning within the World Wide Web community and through themselves. Students are able to be engaged and be involved the interaction of the writing and reading. They have choices in their learning process. Students are able to explore and understand new things that they can’t really do in a classroom because of limitations. They begin to explore new perspective of things or ideas that classroom teachers can’t provide.
Out of everything that the Internet presents the best part is that students become teachers at some point of their learning. They become really connected in the network of learning and engaging in ideas. Since we are on an island that is disconnected geographically from other states, we are limited in terms of communication. With blog students are constantly expanding their learning through outside sources and places.

Media Smarts Video

Being a SPED teacher, I believe that media literacy is an important aspect of my students lives. Students are so easily influenced by some form of media because of their lack of skills to interpret or analyze the information being presented. The video (Media Smarts) conveys that "the average American young person spends more than 6 1/2 hours around some sort of screen each day. Surfing the Web, watching T.V, or playing games." I believe that this is also true for our kids today. Media surrounds our generation today, whether it is through the computer, games, movies or the television.
When we focus so much on the written form as a means of learning, we only present one form of expression or learning. Our students become accustomed to one form of learning that when presented with a different form they become passive or non responsive in terms of communication, critical thinking, or expression. Different forms of learning should be incorporated within a classroom. By doing this we give our students the opportunity to become a well rounded learner and an active participant in their everyday lives.
When we incorporate media-literacy skills in our students learning, they themselves are reinforcing what was learned. Students become equipped to think critically and are able to express themselves through the media that is around them everyday. They are reinforcing these aspects when he/she goes home. He/she practices the skills taught through their computers, televisions, DVDs, or games. They are actively using the skills when they are out of the classroom and this is what every teacher wants to install into their students. "Learn, Practice, and Use!"