Reflective Blog 8

This semester I have gained a wealth of knowledge when it comes to using technology in the classroom. This class has impacted my life so much I had to share what I learned with others educators. The wiks and blogs is definitely something I will use as a future educator as well as in my personal leisure time. I actually have teamed up with my twin sister and have created a blog.
(www.helpingeducateothers.com).

My sister has a reading specialist certification and where going to use a blogs to share strategies that worked for her teaching 5th grade ELA and Social Studies. Also we will use the blog to promote our tutoring business. Since I have share this information with my sister she also plans to use wiks when planning her team lead meeting for the 5th grade team at her school. I have share the ideas of the wiks with others family members about using it to plan a family reunion or vacation. Professor Wickersham thanks for sharing great information with us this semester and providing awesome feedback.

Educational Technology Philosophy Revisited

Reflective Blog 7

I decided to do a social studies lesson using an interactive smart board. The lesson was on the Civil War. I tried to incorporate other subjects into the lesson. The only other technology that was included was the internet. Students had to use the internet to find pictures from the Civil War. As, I watched the below videos, the younger children had a hungry or desire for technology. They wanted a fun and engaging learning environment in the classroom. Using technology in the classroom for the older college student’s maybe a distraction. Social Media is the new thing and consuming a lot of individual time. We can improve learning by making learning fun, visual, and engaging. Technology can enhance learning. .As a future educator, I just have to make sure there is need for the technology and the students know how to use it. Therefore, I have to continue to read, go to training, staff development and more to stay equip with the necessary tools to improve students’ learning.

Blog Reflection #6 Podcast

Blog Reflection #6

The purpose of my podcast was to share my story on my journey of become an entrepreneur I’m learning as an entrepreneur that your income seldom increases your personal development quote Jim Rohn. This state to means that you have to be a lifelong learner in what every field you are in. The podcast can be a powerful tool because it can involve visual learning. I was able to come up with the content of my podcast. I used the Cinch site to facilitate my podcast recording.  After watching the video, it was really simple to record the podcast.  I look forward to using podcast to enhance learning in my life as well as the classroom.

Reflective Week Five

The MAPping information activity was a great exercise. I learned how to filter through websites and use different search terms and quotation to minimize search results. I did a search on the California vector site. I notice when I used the different search engines the same warning sign came up. This site contains fictacus information.  When I use the www.easywhois.com, I notice the site was not registered. This was a red flag that this may be a personal website because it contained the forward slash.  In viewing the www.archive.org, I notice the website was linked to several sites within the last ten years. 

Now that I have some tools and resource I am now more comfortable when looking up information on the website.  As a future educator, I have to make sure students are equipped with these skills and tools to make sure they are retrieving valuable information or research from the web.  Teachers may have to get parents involved when having students use technology and research outside of the classroom to ensure they are obtaining the right information.

The social bookmarking is a tool and resource I will definitely use. This is a great way to organize bookmarks and categories them.  I am in the process of become an entrepreneur and starting my own business. I know personal development and networking are key parts of having your own business. I would use the bookmarking site to share video of some favorite speakers such as Jim Rohn and john Maxwell.   I would also bookmarks some there quotes and books.

http://delicious.com/sford1913/

Reflective Blog 4

I’m not currently teaching in the classroom, so I can only relate to my own personal experiences when I was in school. After reading the article I can relate to assessment for learning should recognize the full range of achievement of all learns. Growing up, I can attest that when I was in school my assessment was of learning. My teacher asses us to make sure we had the basic skills to pass the state required test. This article made me realize as a future educator when assessing your students it should be a for learning experience. Allow students as young as Kindergarten have an active role in their learning and communicating in small group discussion at an early age. Teachers should have an active participant in your students learning connecting their interests and learning needs that are developmentally appropriate for their grade level.

I have a different outlook on this e portfolio. At first I was only doing it because it was a class requirement.  Now I can see the benefit of it. I can share my learning story digital or by writing a blog.  The creation of the E- portfolio for this class has really opened my eyes to create one on my journey of becoming an Entrepreneur. I will continue to research and read more about portfolios and assessments

Reflective Blog 3

When I read the article 7 things you should know about Wikis, there were many ways I felt I could use it.  I’m involved in many groups and organization. I thought this would be a great way of communication for my step team, book club or Committee member to use Wikis to minimize emails, especially when we are planning meeting agenda and Calendar for the year. This would be a great planning tool. I choose to create a Wiki for our book club members.  The advantage of using the Wikis is the editing and collaborative features.  The Wiki would be a great opportunity for digital natives and digital immigrant on a school camp to interact and share ideas. This will show digital immigrant another outlet to engage students in learning and technology through cooperative groups.  I believe many students are technology savvy or Digital natives as the article states and would really enjoy using wikis. Web 2.0 can consist of Google docs, Wikis, Facebook, blogging and twitter to name a few. They allow users to share information worldwide.  User can join groups, share information and collaborative ideas in a social networking environment using the Internet and technology.   The social site LinkedIn was something that I explored throughout my Web. 2.0 search.  This something I will further explore.

Reflective Blog #2

I chose International Society of Performance improvement (ISPI) http://ispi.org, and lastly International Technology Education Association (ITEA)www.iteaconnect.org. These two Organizations in Educational Technology are in line with my philosophy of education. Although I’m not an educator, yet I do work in Corporate America and the ISPI is in line with what I believe as future educator as well. Improving performance, processing improvement and productivity in the work place is always good for teachers. They sponsor conferences and workshops and have information on employment for professional seeking employment through educational technology. Their mission and goals advocate for proficiency of using Human Performance Technology. In my philosophy of education one thing I value is improving the performance of students through assessment. ITEA is focus on enhancing education through experiences in elementary and secondary education. They too offer conferences and professional development workshops. They are embracing a society where all students and teachers can be technology literate. They also focus on technology innovation and design. They focus on STEM and I desire to obtain and certification in 4-8th grade Mathematics.

Educational Technology can be defined as a way to present instruction to learners. This can be a creating and engaging environment using technological resources. Educational Technology can consist of training and workshops that can help teacher facilitate learning and improve student performance. My definition on Educational technology is in line with my philosophy because it touches on change, creativeness, and implementation. Students engaged in learning. Teachers can find a balance for all students no matter what level they are on. Classroom management and the environment is also important part of my educational philosophy where the teacher is always walking around the classroom, facilitating learning, but able to work with small groups for struggling students.

My concept map consist of my educational philosophy in bold all cap letters and my definition for educational technology is in lower case letters. Today’s learners are technology savvy and exposed to it. There may be a digital divide with educator and using technology. We cannot forget that all students may not have access to technology at home. Therefore the classroom is a great way to introduction technology to your students, while it helps enhance the learning experience.

Digital Concept Mapping

© 2011 Jonathan Feinberg Terms of Use subscribe

Reflective Blog #1

 Blogging seems to be a fun way for students to express what they are learning by using technology. Also it seems like a way to get parents involve in students learning. The article did justify some concerns I would have as a teacher with copyright laws and privacy for the students. Many schools would have to rule or procedures in place for blogging especially with what is appropriate and inappropriate to write. Blogging is definitely something I would like to try to incorporate in my classroom.

After reading November article “Creating a new culture of teaching and learning “section one stood out to me. It’s important when having students using the Internet for research that they know how to find quality information on the Internet because everything you read on the Internet is not always true.  As a future educator, I would have to show students how to validate the information they find on the Internet. This article provided a great example that teachers could share with their students before giving them a research project involving the Internet.

I expect to learning more about technology in education.  Technology is ever changing and I’m excited every time I learn something new about it. The philosophy of education activities really opened my eyes to dig deep within myself about learning and teaching. This class will help me focus on why I decided to become a teacher and start the alternative certification program.

Educational Technology Philosophy

My educational technology philosophy would consist of being a constructivism and existentialism, where learning is fun, hand-ons and engaging in a visual learning environment.  I think students retain more information in a visual learning environment. I believe that each student is a unique individual who needs a caring and motivating classroom environment in which they can grow and mature.

You have to have a passion and love for teaching because it is important to be a lifelong learner for yourself and your students.  The passion comes with expectations for yourself.  Planning ahead and catering to the individual needs of your students learning styles. Not all students learn the same way. Cooperative learning and social interactive group will be a key part in facilitating students learning.  

Students should have the opportunity to discover and learn from each other. The role of the teacher is the facilitator.  When the teacher is the facilitator it allows students to make a stronger connection of the concept or curriculum being taught using their own ideas. When it comes to technology in the classroom, I believe there should always be a relative advantage when considering using technology. You should ask the question, is the technology enhancing the students learning?