Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Ideas?
If there is one goal I would like to achieve in my classroom, it would have to be... student involved with technology both inside and outside of the classroom. Although most schools lack the tools to meet every teacher's dream.... COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM, there is one thing that peaks my interest and i hope to experiment with. I would really like to create a webpage of some sort to have parents and students check-in whenever they want. Parents can have a certain code to view their child's grades or get a copy of any assignments their child may have missed. Students can safely interact with eachother or get their assignments/worksheets online and possibly send them online. The webpage can display class photos, students' artwork, student of the month, and any other achievements. I would like a webpage that requires parents and students to log in so that it is kept private and secure. However, I wonder if there is such a thing where their log in codes expire at the end of the school year that way i don't need to create so much webpages and what not. I'm not sure how to go about this. So if anyone has any websites that allow me to create a safe student/parent-friendly environment and is FREE, please feel free to drop a link. Another thing, anyone know of user-friendly (i mean... REALLY EASY to understand and manage AND FREE) grading system/portfolio online that i can use for my class? This is all new to me, and i'd like to learn more about it.
Thank God for Google Docs
1. A lot more trees will be safer this year now that all of us at my grade level now that we know how to use Google Docs.
2. I will now just use one computer at a time. Some days I use three at a time (second hand laptops which are slow, slower, slowest.) Google Docs will tether my digital needs in one place.
3. I plan to use Text to Voice and Sketch Up in my class. My only problem is getting a multimedia projector for classroom use. My school has one, but I think this year it will be in much demand. I understand there is a cord I can purchase for less than $20 at Micropac to connect my laptop to a TV screen. Voila! A multimedia projection.
I used Engrade, a web-based grading system, last year. I was surprised how many parents were engaged in the process - checking grades, emailing questions, etc. Computers are great for busy teachers- some years I'd trained my students to type in their attendance, and also type in their grade after a test. If Powerschool is down or not available, I think these can be done through Google Docs.
Question for Mr. Petra: Do you use Google Analytics? Check out EZanalyze. Great teacher tool to find out if your instruction is effective. (I was going to upload a video of training I did on analyzing pre and post tests using EZ analyze, but the file is in my other laptop. See what I mean?)
2. I will now just use one computer at a time. Some days I use three at a time (second hand laptops which are slow, slower, slowest.) Google Docs will tether my digital needs in one place.
3. I plan to use Text to Voice and Sketch Up in my class. My only problem is getting a multimedia projector for classroom use. My school has one, but I think this year it will be in much demand. I understand there is a cord I can purchase for less than $20 at Micropac to connect my laptop to a TV screen. Voila! A multimedia projection.
I used Engrade, a web-based grading system, last year. I was surprised how many parents were engaged in the process - checking grades, emailing questions, etc. Computers are great for busy teachers- some years I'd trained my students to type in their attendance, and also type in their grade after a test. If Powerschool is down or not available, I think these can be done through Google Docs.
Question for Mr. Petra: Do you use Google Analytics? Check out EZanalyze. Great teacher tool to find out if your instruction is effective. (I was going to upload a video of training I did on analyzing pre and post tests using EZ analyze, but the file is in my other laptop. See what I mean?)
UOG Moodle
Last year was my first experience with using the UOG Moodle program.
I was hesitant to use the program. I thought that there was absolutely no way "learning" could happen without being in an actual classroom enviroment interacting with my professor and my classmates. But of course, I was absolutely wrong about that!
Of course, with all the demands of school and "home" life, it was really a relief that I could log on from home at any time to complete assignments. Many times I would log on really late in the evening after I was done juggling my daily school and personal issues.
Being surrounded with all the comforts from home , I felt that I was motivated to do so well. I felt less intimated replying to posts without having to worry about seeing immediate reactions of classmates. I was totally surprised that I actually actively joined in many "
online debates" . I know I would've never been "brave" enough to do that in class "face to face". But, of course when we did meet in class it was interesting that I was actually confident enough to defend my views of certain issues.
Of course, with gas prices on the rise , it was a relief I did not have to drive from Santa Rita to Mangilao each day just for class.
I was hesitant to use the program. I thought that there was absolutely no way "learning" could happen without being in an actual classroom enviroment interacting with my professor and my classmates. But of course, I was absolutely wrong about that!
Of course, with all the demands of school and "home" life, it was really a relief that I could log on from home at any time to complete assignments. Many times I would log on really late in the evening after I was done juggling my daily school and personal issues.
Being surrounded with all the comforts from home , I felt that I was motivated to do so well. I felt less intimated replying to posts without having to worry about seeing immediate reactions of classmates. I was totally surprised that I actually actively joined in many "
online debates" . I know I would've never been "brave" enough to do that in class "face to face". But, of course when we did meet in class it was interesting that I was actually confident enough to defend my views of certain issues.
Of course, with gas prices on the rise , it was a relief I did not have to drive from Santa Rita to Mangilao each day just for class.
Technology and Me
I've always feared using the computer... I don't know why! Although I'm not savvy, I've learned some. I just want to be able to feel comfortable at doing so.
Technology has recently opened many doors in my life. I've been able to communicate with others, search the web, make payments and do work to assist me in my classroom.
Today's lesson has provided me with ideas and ways to help me with my profession. I just hope to remember all that I've learned and put them to good use. I know with more practice, I'll be able to gain more confidence.
Keeping in Touch through Technology
Recently, we had our first family grand reunion in the Philippines. It was last June 12, 2011, but the planning started since a year a go. It was a challenge to keep every members of the family informed about any updates of our said reunion due to some members of the family are residing in various parts of the world such as Hong Kong, Italy, Dubai, Guam, parts of the mainland USA as well as various areas in the Philippines. We owe the success of our first family reunion to the Facebook. With the help of such technology, we were able to plan the event and kept connected with our families all over the world. Even up to now, we still use the social network to check on each other which we seldom do before due to communication challenges because of the high cost of phone calls, long wait for mails to come in the mailbox to name some of the challenges we had.
I hoped though that I knew much of the google docs at that time which I could had used to update our family listing/family tree without going to the hassle of emailing everyone and asking them to update their list. We could had work with the listing together as how we did the M&M Activity in class today.
Thank you technology for keeping me connected to my family.
I hoped though that I knew much of the google docs at that time which I could had used to update our family listing/family tree without going to the hassle of emailing everyone and asking them to update their list. We could had work with the listing together as how we did the M&M Activity in class today.
Thank you technology for keeping me connected to my family.
Technology solution #96
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeSometimes we don't realize we have a problem until we see the solution. I've found this is normally the case with technology, only we don't call it a solution. We call it a resource. One resource I've come across lately is a free web application called About.me. About.me is like a virtual business card that you share with others electronically. The set up is so simple it's brilliant. You enter your name and the contact information that you want to include. Add one of their backgrounds or choose a photo of your own. The end result is a clean looking page with the links to what you want to share.
The problem I've had was that I have a variety of things available on the Web and I wanted to communicate specific information to different people. With About.me I was able to customize my contact information and summarize it for my different purposes. I have a personal one and one for my website. About.me also lets you keep track of how many times your page is visited and who is viewing it. This is particularly helpful if you're trying to promote yourself. Ironically, I just had a couple of paper business cards made. This virtual form will last longer and stick with people more easily. Wish I thought of this.
Super-Tech... to the rescue!!
Technology has posed as a 'Superhero' for many things in my personal and professional life. When times get tough and I feel I have no one to unwind to or sometimes telling someone just isn't enough, I turn to writing to express myself. I'm sure many will agree with me when I say that typing IS MUCH faster than writing (not to mention the stress on your hand isn't as bad!)
I have to say Technology has definitely made life during high school, college and NOW my profession, VERY easy! From typing out letters/notifications/newsletters, lesson planning, gathering resources, creating worksheets, computing data, or simply getting ideas, I'd have to say, Technology is pretty Awesome! Luckily for me, during high school and college I loved to explore the different programs and the World Wide Web, doing so has made me quite proficient with technology and creating more easily what I envision a document to be!
Something I'd like to challenge myself with this year (crossing my fingers for before the school year, yikes!) would be to create my very own class webpage! I feel it will be yet another way to communicate with my parents and update them, as well as a new skill I can add into my bag of tricks!!
With all that said, Technology you are definitely the OMEGA, the Superhero of Superhero's, My Hero!
.... BUT when technical difficulties occur with internal technology components, then that's a different story!
Later.
I have to say Technology has definitely made life during high school, college and NOW my profession, VERY easy! From typing out letters/notifications/newsletters, lesson planning, gathering resources, creating worksheets, computing data, or simply getting ideas, I'd have to say, Technology is pretty Awesome! Luckily for me, during high school and college I loved to explore the different programs and the World Wide Web, doing so has made me quite proficient with technology and creating more easily what I envision a document to be!
Something I'd like to challenge myself with this year (crossing my fingers for before the school year, yikes!) would be to create my very own class webpage! I feel it will be yet another way to communicate with my parents and update them, as well as a new skill I can add into my bag of tricks!!
With all that said, Technology you are definitely the OMEGA, the Superhero of Superhero's, My Hero!
.... BUT when technical difficulties occur with internal technology components, then that's a different story!
Later.
Past Problem with Technology you'd like to solve
One of the problems that's I've faced is creating a webpage for my class. I teach 5th grade and would like my students and their parents to have a class website to use as reference for assignments and post or publish student work. Also, what is GDOE's policy on publishing students pictures and work. Is there a waiver or permission form that is given to schools for students to participate?
Technology has helped me
One of the problems I have had before that technology has helped me with is keeping in contact with people..Technology (social networking/emails) has helped keep me in touch with many friends, family, and students all over the world as well as people on-island..It helps me relay messages to certain people as well as spread out news fast to a large group of people with less hassle..
Friday, July 22, 2011
Communication 4.0
Image via WikipediaI've recently joined Google's new social network Google+, and so far it seems to have distinguished itself from its competitors. Whether you choose Facebook, Twitter, or some other service, the ability to find and share ideas with others is a blessing you shouldn't overlook.I've mentioned before that Web 2.0 signifies a time when the Internet changed from being a one-way deliverer of information to a two-way exchange of ideas, creations, and services. Web 3.0 can describe the refinement of the internet into a more personalized experience; for instance, suggestions being offered to you based on your previous browsing history. Google+ is a social network tailored to give you greater control over who and what you share with others. Instead of sharing posts or photos publicly or to a set of followers, Google+ allows you to place your social contacts into different circles of specific interests. For example, you may have a circle for your family and one for teachers; each could have their own content tailored to what you want.
An interesting thing happened as I was following a post in one of my edtech circles. A person was sharing an article that warned of this narrowing or personalization of communication. The argument was that our social networks should expand our views rather than limit us to like-minded people. And then, after several comments on the article were exchanged, Paula posted her view - in Portuguese. None of us knew what she was saying so I shared an online application called Google Translate with the others. We were then able to transfer her text from Portuguese to English and continue the conversation with her. Google Translate has its limitations, but I was able to send messages in Portuguese to Paula and she was able to understand what I meant. Truly amazing to think that I can communicate with someone in Brazil in her own tongue.
So as the Web continues to develop, keep in mind the next generation of communication that is on its way. Communication 4.0 will be when we can socialize with the World in any language. We won't have to limit ourselves to a particular circle, country, or language. I don't know if that's edutopia, but it sounds pretty good.
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