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.