Journal 10

Data Collection Surveys: 

As a teacher date collection survey and Excel can be incorporated into the classroom setting. Using Excel can enhance understanding through graphic representations of information. Additionally, Excel reduces the difficulty of plotting data but rather makes it easier to analyze data. Excel is a very dynamic program and in the classroom can be used as a deviation from standard educational strategies as it offers students easier ways to understand information in a more organized manner. 

Classmates Blogs:

Reviewing my classmates blogs offered great insight into the world of education. Through viewing others blogs I was able to understand multiple perspectives and mechanisms for thinking. I was quite shocked how different peoples blogs were but I think the diversity is what made it so interesting. My favorite part of viewing others blogs was that I was able to see how people did assignments differently as displayed on the blog. From seeing everyones assignments I was able to critique my own assignments and what I did well and what can be improved from other peoples inspiration.

Technology Skill: 

I would be interested in learning how to work Adobe Photoshop more effectively. I took a multimedia class in high school where I learned the basics of Photoshop but I am very eager to have a broader understanding of this software. To achieve this goal I think the best thing to do is experiment with the software. I plan on looking online for different tasks that can be executed on Photoshop and generate a schedule for myself and explore these tasks. I hope that through doing this I learn more about the broad range of technological resources available both in and outside the classroom setting. 

ILP #2 Edmodo

ILP #2 Edmodo 

Below is the link to my second independent learning project developed through the teacher sharing platform of Edmodo. I have described the steps I used to create my own personal Edmodo and how it applies to teachers, students, and parents. 

https://voicethread.com/share/13198784

Journal 8

Diigo Skills 

Through the process of using Diigo I have learned many new things in regards to online learning. I think the most important thing that I have learned is how to look for the key concepts in material being read. That is, how to find the facts and separate the opinions to create an overall better textual reading. In the classroom this can be used as a tool to teach students research gathering skills and how to overall obtain the right information. With team members Diigo can teach collaboration which can lead to an overall better understanding of material being presented. In the professional workforce this online program not only teachers how to build collaborative skills but enforces the act of gathering researchable information for projects and different tasks. 

Bloom's Taxonomy 

Bloom's taxonomy is used to classify educational learning objectives and can be supported through the use of PowerPoint. First, PowerPoint can be used as a design element allowing students to create their own sort of reality through presentations. Secondly, students can evaluate their work through peer review of PowerPoint presentations and offer feedback to their peers in regards to one each others work. Then, the presentations can be analyzed where students can draw connections among different works and learn how to improve while also applying this new information gained into the real world and varying situations. From these steps, students will be able to understand a wide variety of perspectives, explain these ideas to others, and remember what was learned, the ultimate goal of education.  

Professional Development 

In society today, technology is selected and incorporated into classroom to support goals of the teachers for the classroom. So, it is essential that the right technology is being used with each grade level as that supports teacher's professional appearance. As technology is evolving, teachers must look for ways to incorporate a wide range of technologies into the classroom to aid the students in their learning. Yet, it is not always that simple as technology has its downsides in the classroom atmosphere. Shown below is a website which will allow teachers of all ages to be in the swing of different tech trends. 

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/tech-trends.html

This website serves as a guide to todays most popular trends in technology, viewing trends essential for innovation and growth. This tool can be used for teachers to identify what technology may of may not be useful in their classroom. 

 

Journal 7

Twitter 

Twitter has been an engaging tool that I have developed stronger communication skills through. I think Twitter has actively engaged me with the world of technology. Yet, Twitter also has offered me an outlet to communicate with my classmates and become educated as to what they are feeling about the Twitter process as well. Currently, I am experiencing a slight issue of finding my classmates to communicate with because all that I see on my feed is the EME teacher perspective. Yet, I am still familiarizing myself with the tool so I think with time I will be able to communicate with my classmates directly. 

Web Design

I loved the Web Design Assignment! I was able to initially struggle with finding the right tools to use and how to do so but through working the problem out myself I developed stronger problem solving skills and developed my own unique website. In my future career I see both this website design and the newsletter done previously to be beneficial. This website could realistically be used as a tool to communicate with the parents on a regular basis and keep them in the swing of things happening with their children. Below is a link and a quick glimpse of my individual website. 

http://bridgiddavis.weebly.com

Assistive-Adaptive Tech 

Assistive and adaptive technologies help people with disabilities to perform tasks with greater ease and offer assistance or adapt the technology related to the task so it becomes easier to complete a task. Personally I have not seen these technologies in my experience. Yet, I can see this tech being used for people who have take tests online with a specific format due to their mental processing. Challenges in the classroom with this tech could result from not all individuals needing this support, causing the teacher to deviate from the majority of the class and instead focus on one specific student. However, most teachers going into the profession will already be familiar with these types of students and should know how to approach this issue. 

Journal 6

Teacher Pages 

I accessed the class page of a high school English teacher in the Peters Township School District. Observing the page I see first the contact information for the teacher and the academic schedule, so the students are able to know where and when the teacher is if assistance is ever needed. Then, I have noticed that a syllabus is attached to the page detailing what the class curriculum will cover throughout the course of the year. Also available on the page are MLA guidelines and readings for each English class. This class page is a perfect organizational tool for both the teacher and the students to acquire information in a organized fashion. 

https://barefootk.weebly.com

Tech in the Classroom 

As a teacher I see myself using technology very minimally as I plan to teach in a Kindergarten classroom. As a K teacher young children will not be as up to date and willing to use different technologies because they are so young. However, I do plan to implement the Smart Board technology in the classroom when I am teaching in front of the class. I would also consider doing some interactive games via the Smart Board whether that be math, english, or science games. Yet, my ultimate goal as a K teacher would be to mildly expose my children to technology as I value interpersonal classroom connections for the students towards me and other children. 

Technology Sandbox 

The trip to the technology sandbox was so interesting! I found the interactive Smart Board to be the best choice for me as a teacher. I have been previously exposed to this technology as my dad used to be a teacher and I would go to his classroom occasionally. I think the Smart Board shows the perfect balance of technology in the classroom. I could show a wide variety of things on the board whether that be games for the children, information regarding the lesson, or videos to support learning. It is a great tool for young children as they will be engaged in the lesson through interactive means. Below is an image of the technology I saw at the sandbox! 

Journal 5

Diigo

When being first introduced to Diigo I will admit I had a difficult time wrapping my mind around this odd tool. I found it interesting that Diigo is used as a social bookmarking website and can be used to bookmark or tag certain websites. I like that you are able to highlight and annotate as that is really time efficient on the educational front. However, I still find the software quite obscure and at this point I do not fully know how this tool would be of use in the classroom. Is it for teachers? Students? Faculty? Both? I hope to learn more about Diigo as the school year progresses so these questions I have become answered. 

Blogging Experience 

I have enjoyed the blogging process so far. I like how you can write in an informal tone that is relatable to by peers. Although this process has not always been enjoyable as we are given a topic to blog about, I found it very effective. I can see myself writing a blog without having to worry about adhering to a specific prompt. I think blogging allows creativity to flow and I am able to communicate my thoughts in a clear manner without having to worry about using professional language.

Web 2.0 Tools 

Web 2.0 tools are very applicable in the classroom setting as they offer different means of interaction between the teacher and students. An example of a web 2.0 tool that I discovered is WordPress. Wordpress is a content management system supporting a wide variety of content. With this tool the user is given the option to blog, build a fan base, or design a portfolio. In the classroom this can be effective for the teacher to create their own portfolio with a resume and detailed experience history while the students can learn to blog and share their ideas in a different way beyond academic writing. See the link below for more detail!

https://wordpress.com/

ILP #1 Design Google Classroom

Click the link below to access my Google Classroom which I have developed as a classroom tool for teachers. I chose math as the subject area and have posted quizzes, assignments, and announcements that can be viewed on the dashboard!

https://voicethread.com/share/13078419/