Using iMovie, I created a 60 second public service announcement promoting Cal State San Marcos.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Journal 6
McHugh, J (2005). Synching up with the ikid: connecting to the twenty-first-century student. Edutopia, Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner
This article helped me realize that my students knowledge about technology and my own will be vastly different. Children today have grown up using technology more than I have. They are being described as “digital learners” meaning that electronics and digital tools speak their language. I was actually really surprised to read that the average kid is using tech tools (computers, cell phones, gaming devices) 6 hours a day! We are just barley staying ahead of the curve here. I’m not sure if I’m ready to allow students to use their iPhones for assignments like the article suggests, but it really did help open my eyes to the fact that technology is being integrated into education whether we are ready for it or not. As educators we really need to keep on it so we may offer our students new and innovative ways to learn and communicate that will keep them engaged in the classroom.
How can educators continue to engage the “media generation”?
By integrating as much technology in to the classroom as possible and continuing their own tech knowledge/education. Creating class websites, student blogs and letting them use a variety of media tools in the classroom.
Do students really learn differently due to their technology exposure?
I’d say yes. It’s how they are used to receiving most of their information. They have grown up with the instant gratification of the Internet. I myself use Google to look up most things now too!
This article helped me realize that my students knowledge about technology and my own will be vastly different. Children today have grown up using technology more than I have. They are being described as “digital learners” meaning that electronics and digital tools speak their language. I was actually really surprised to read that the average kid is using tech tools (computers, cell phones, gaming devices) 6 hours a day! We are just barley staying ahead of the curve here. I’m not sure if I’m ready to allow students to use their iPhones for assignments like the article suggests, but it really did help open my eyes to the fact that technology is being integrated into education whether we are ready for it or not. As educators we really need to keep on it so we may offer our students new and innovative ways to learn and communicate that will keep them engaged in the classroom.
How can educators continue to engage the “media generation”?
By integrating as much technology in to the classroom as possible and continuing their own tech knowledge/education. Creating class websites, student blogs and letting them use a variety of media tools in the classroom.
Do students really learn differently due to their technology exposure?
I’d say yes. It’s how they are used to receiving most of their information. They have grown up with the instant gratification of the Internet. I myself use Google to look up most things now too!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Journal 5
Student videos spark dramatic increase in student achievement. Retrieved July 30, 2008, from Apple Web site: http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/escondido/index2.html
Under Project Live, Escondido Union School District students are being given the opportunity to work on video projects. These projects are based on specific subject areas where they are struggling. Kath Shirley, the EUSD technology coordinator, says the program has helped increase understanding of subject areas for students and is helping them make connections to other concepts as they participate in hands on learning. Students who have participated in Project Live have shown a point increase of 10 to 30 in their standardized testing. The program is making it’s biggest impact with students who are other wise traditionally marginalized, such as second language learners, those who have special needs and who come from low income families. Jennifer Walters, the EUSD superintendent, says that Project Live along with Apple have given Escondido students educational tools to help them receive the best possible education.
How does film making help reinforce subject areas?
I think that the process is engaging for students. It’s very hands on and creative. Also, students are coming up with their own ideas, ways of representing and ways of teaching key concepts. Going through the process of brainstorming, storyboarding, filming, and editing, students are exposed to the key concepts repetitively.
What else can students learn from filmmaking?
The filmmaking process mirrors the writing process. Brainstorming, organizing your ideas, revising etc. Film making also encourages problem solving and teamwork.
Under Project Live, Escondido Union School District students are being given the opportunity to work on video projects. These projects are based on specific subject areas where they are struggling. Kath Shirley, the EUSD technology coordinator, says the program has helped increase understanding of subject areas for students and is helping them make connections to other concepts as they participate in hands on learning. Students who have participated in Project Live have shown a point increase of 10 to 30 in their standardized testing. The program is making it’s biggest impact with students who are other wise traditionally marginalized, such as second language learners, those who have special needs and who come from low income families. Jennifer Walters, the EUSD superintendent, says that Project Live along with Apple have given Escondido students educational tools to help them receive the best possible education.
How does film making help reinforce subject areas?
I think that the process is engaging for students. It’s very hands on and creative. Also, students are coming up with their own ideas, ways of representing and ways of teaching key concepts. Going through the process of brainstorming, storyboarding, filming, and editing, students are exposed to the key concepts repetitively.
What else can students learn from filmmaking?
The filmmaking process mirrors the writing process. Brainstorming, organizing your ideas, revising etc. Film making also encourages problem solving and teamwork.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Journal 4: micro-blogging
I chose the discussion, Let’s Get Networked on Twitter Too!, to follow mainly because I’ve never heard of microblogging or Twitter and I want to laugh every time I say the name!
Micro-blogging is a form of blogging where users write brief updates, up to 140 words, to publish. This can be done by text, im, email, MP3 or online.
Twitter is a free micro-blogging/ social-networking site. Users add updates or “tweets” which are received by other members who have subscribed to them.
The member who started the discussion says that Twitter is useful for networking with other educations, sharing ideas, and engaging students. All of the Web 2.0 members responding to this discussion seemed equally excited about using Twitter and ready to network with each other. I learned that there are apparently some “VERY” entertaining videos on Twitter from someone named Sage Lewis and that members seem to think it’s a pretty great online resource, both professionally and socially. After looking at the Twitter site and what classroom 2.0 members had to say mico-blogging does seem like an interesting online tool to use. It enables teachers to communicate and collaborate with educators all over the world. What I like about it is that with posts no longer than 140 words you can really get to the point with “quick and frequent answers”. The Twitter site has some cute graphics too!
Inspiration Graphic Organizer
This graphic organizer is a visual representaion of the work I have completed to meet the NETS-T technology standards for teachers.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Power Point
Using Power Point I created a presentation on how I would implement the National Education Technology Standards for Students in Kindergarten.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Journal 3
Richard Villa
“Reconstructing for a Caring and Effective Education”
Richard Villa gave a compelling and inspiring presentation about the future of education. He spoke of need for all of our students to gain independence, generosity, belonging and mastery. He spoke about how schools should belong to everyone not just teachers or administrators, but to the students and community as well. I particularly liked his statement about needing to educating students to be humane individuals over students who are just proficient in academics. The last group of students to be desegregated into our schools has been students with special needs. He stressed the need to create a “Culture of Artistry” in our schools where students are encouraged to use their hands, head, heart and soul.
I was already looking forward to attending the credential program here because of the COE’s commitment to social justice, multiculturalism and the high caliber of instructors I have encountered thus far. After Richard Villa’s speech, I am even more confident in my decision to work with the special education program. Their philosophy about education is very much inline with my own in regards to the need to work with the whole student and foster positive growth physically, emotionally, and socially before any academic growth can be accomplished.
What is the goal of education?
My answer to this question was for us as teachers to guide our students in becoming happy, healthy and successful individuals.
How do we create a culture of Care and Artistry in our schools?
I feel this can be accomplished by making sure we are meeting all of our students needs and by not focusing just on academics. We need to focus on the student as a whole person. Striking a balance between mastery, generosity, independence, belonging and by always respecting our students and their needs.
“Reconstructing for a Caring and Effective Education”
Richard Villa gave a compelling and inspiring presentation about the future of education. He spoke of need for all of our students to gain independence, generosity, belonging and mastery. He spoke about how schools should belong to everyone not just teachers or administrators, but to the students and community as well. I particularly liked his statement about needing to educating students to be humane individuals over students who are just proficient in academics. The last group of students to be desegregated into our schools has been students with special needs. He stressed the need to create a “Culture of Artistry” in our schools where students are encouraged to use their hands, head, heart and soul.
I was already looking forward to attending the credential program here because of the COE’s commitment to social justice, multiculturalism and the high caliber of instructors I have encountered thus far. After Richard Villa’s speech, I am even more confident in my decision to work with the special education program. Their philosophy about education is very much inline with my own in regards to the need to work with the whole student and foster positive growth physically, emotionally, and socially before any academic growth can be accomplished.
What is the goal of education?
My answer to this question was for us as teachers to guide our students in becoming happy, healthy and successful individuals.
How do we create a culture of Care and Artistry in our schools?
I feel this can be accomplished by making sure we are meeting all of our students needs and by not focusing just on academics. We need to focus on the student as a whole person. Striking a balance between mastery, generosity, independence, belonging and by always respecting our students and their needs.
Journal 2
McFarlane, S. H. (2008). The laptops are coming! the laptops are coming!. Rethinking Schools Online, 22,
Retrieved July 22, 2008, from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/22_04/lapt224.shtml
This article addresses the issues of integrating technology into the school/curriculum/class culture. At first, all the students having laptops was a welcomed addition. The use of technology in the classroom introduced a new approach to doing things that was accessible to all student s regardless of their first language, skill level etc.
Eventually the infiltration of and reliance on technology in daily life became more of a distraction and nuisance than a blessing. Technology trainings and complications took over the campus and lessened the “face to face” interactions between students and staff.
Does integrating technology into the classroom add to or detract from instruction?
I think the key here is moderation. Students should not be using laptops and technology for every assignment in every subject. There still needs to be “paper and pencil” activities, “face to face” discussions, and projects that are hands on and improve verbal communication.
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
I feel that regular access to technology can improve and build upon lessons while giving students alternative avenues for self-expression and communication. However, you can’t live your life on a computer. Again, the key is moderation or balance between hanging out in cyberspace and kickin’ it old school.
Retrieved July 22, 2008, from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/22_04/lapt224.shtml
This article addresses the issues of integrating technology into the school/curriculum/class culture. At first, all the students having laptops was a welcomed addition. The use of technology in the classroom introduced a new approach to doing things that was accessible to all student s regardless of their first language, skill level etc.
Eventually the infiltration of and reliance on technology in daily life became more of a distraction and nuisance than a blessing. Technology trainings and complications took over the campus and lessened the “face to face” interactions between students and staff.
Does integrating technology into the classroom add to or detract from instruction?
I think the key here is moderation. Students should not be using laptops and technology for every assignment in every subject. There still needs to be “paper and pencil” activities, “face to face” discussions, and projects that are hands on and improve verbal communication.
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
I feel that regular access to technology can improve and build upon lessons while giving students alternative avenues for self-expression and communication. However, you can’t live your life on a computer. Again, the key is moderation or balance between hanging out in cyberspace and kickin’ it old school.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Journal 1
Shifflet, R, & Toledo, Cheri (2008). Extreme Makeover: Updating Class. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 15, 2008, from http://jheil65.googlepages.com/Journal1.pdf.
This article was about using technology in the classroom to revamp your lesson plans. It gave an over view of different online tools that can be very useful. These include collaborative writing tools, blogs, social bookmarking, photo sharing and building reference resources. While I feel this technology is amazing and very useful for students to use, I’m not sure how much of it I will really use in my classroom as I intend to teach special education students. However, I will most likely continue using the bog and social bookmaking to collaborate with my future colleagues.
How much of this could I use with special education students?
Well, it depends on what population I work with. I would like to teach a preschool SDC class, but I could very well end up with older students. I know that no matter what grade I have my students will be using the class computers frequently. Using the collaborative writing tools and blogs would be a great way to keep older students engaged and interested in writing assignments. It would also help them to feel connected to each other and hopefully foster friendships out side of the classroom.
Mader, J, & Smith, B (2008). Blogging right along. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 15, 2008, from http://jheil65.googlepages.com/Journal1.pdf.
Blogging right along focuses on having students use a class blog to keep up on class events and topics. Some of the advantages to this are that students can access important information easily and it chronicles class events. It also allows student s to collaborate and share ideas. Homework assignments, directions and examples can be posted on a class blog and students can work together on the assignment. Again, I feel this really has a place with older students maybe middle school and up. I would really love to try a class blog for my students though, one that parents would access too! How great would it be to start an online community for parents to network and share resources. Maybe there could be class volunteer sign up sheet online and the parents could organize class events!
How could I get my room parents involved in something like this?
I would introduce the blog and how to use it during back to school night. I think this would be a great way to get the parents involved in the class and school! There could be some difficulties though. Some of my families might not have computers at home, speak different languages or be busy single parents. That would be one great thing about having it online though. There are several different translation databases where parents or myself could translate posts and having it online would mean it was always accessible to busy parents. I could also make sure to inform parents with out computers at home where to find public access, maybe there would be one in the parent volunteer center?
This article was about using technology in the classroom to revamp your lesson plans. It gave an over view of different online tools that can be very useful. These include collaborative writing tools, blogs, social bookmarking, photo sharing and building reference resources. While I feel this technology is amazing and very useful for students to use, I’m not sure how much of it I will really use in my classroom as I intend to teach special education students. However, I will most likely continue using the bog and social bookmaking to collaborate with my future colleagues.
How much of this could I use with special education students?
Well, it depends on what population I work with. I would like to teach a preschool SDC class, but I could very well end up with older students. I know that no matter what grade I have my students will be using the class computers frequently. Using the collaborative writing tools and blogs would be a great way to keep older students engaged and interested in writing assignments. It would also help them to feel connected to each other and hopefully foster friendships out side of the classroom.
Mader, J, & Smith, B (2008). Blogging right along. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 15, 2008, from http://jheil65.googlepages.com/Journal1.pdf.
Blogging right along focuses on having students use a class blog to keep up on class events and topics. Some of the advantages to this are that students can access important information easily and it chronicles class events. It also allows student s to collaborate and share ideas. Homework assignments, directions and examples can be posted on a class blog and students can work together on the assignment. Again, I feel this really has a place with older students maybe middle school and up. I would really love to try a class blog for my students though, one that parents would access too! How great would it be to start an online community for parents to network and share resources. Maybe there could be class volunteer sign up sheet online and the parents could organize class events!
How could I get my room parents involved in something like this?
I would introduce the blog and how to use it during back to school night. I think this would be a great way to get the parents involved in the class and school! There could be some difficulties though. Some of my families might not have computers at home, speak different languages or be busy single parents. That would be one great thing about having it online though. There are several different translation databases where parents or myself could translate posts and having it online would mean it was always accessible to busy parents. I could also make sure to inform parents with out computers at home where to find public access, maybe there would be one in the parent volunteer center?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Introduction Letter
I grew up in Escondido, CA. I went to Oak Hill, Hidden Valley MS and Orange Glen HS. After high school I attened Palomar for several years and tried to figure out what I wanted to do. While I was there, I worked as a tutor for AmeriCorps and realized that whatever I did, I wanted to work with kids in some way. I am currently an undergrad at Cal State San Marcos, majoring in Human Development with and emphasis in counseling. After working as an instructional assistant in special ed. for the past four years the thought of going into education/teaching has really grown on me. I hope to start the credential program next summer and get my special education credential. One part of the COE mission statement that speaks the most to me is the commitment " to diversity, educational equity, and social justice" I feel that anyone wanting to be a teacher needs to be committed to these things and really be an adovacte for children.
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