Goolge Site

I had never created a website before and after looking around at what Google sites has to offer, I like the idea a lot.  My husband had created a website for himself, as he is a part-time real estate agent and it has the homes he has listed for sale on it.  I had never thought of creating a website for myself, but after exploring Goolge sites I am all for the idea especially when I become a teacher.  What a neat way to share information with your students, their parents and even other educators.  I feel that having the website will be very helpful in my career as a teacher.  

With Goolge Sites you can create pages, share links from other websites and also share your Goolge Documents by providing the link for the person to click on.  

By creating this website and sharing other links and documents, it follows a lot of NSTE guidelines: Inspire and facilitate student learning and creativity, modeling digital age work, promoting and modeling digital responsibility and engaging in professional growth.

For a link to my website Click Here

Rubrics

Until doing this activity for myself, I didn't have a complete grasp on the concept of a rubric.  For a couple of my step-daughters homework assignments last year she would have a rubric to go along with the assignment, which I didn't completely understand.  Just what is a rubric?  It is a way that teachers can communicate their expectations for a particular assignment, provide feedback on a work in progress, and will show how the final grade will be determined.  A rubric isn't just used as a grading tool, but as a teaching and self-evaluation guide.  Now that I understand a rubric, I feel that it will better allow me to help my step-daughter with her homework and also will benefit me in my career as a teacher.  

You can create a rubric using the Mircosoft Excel program (if you are feeling creative, lol) or with the assistance of RubiStar which is a FREE tool for one to create rubrics on the web.  After your rubric is created and you are ready to share it with others you can print it off, save it to their website, save it on your pc and then share it with others through your GoogleDocs, by making it public, and giving access to the people who have the link to view the document.

To view the Rubric I created Click Here

ISTE Standard

2d.  By creating and using rubrics you are using digital age learning experiences and assessments that provides the students with a certain form and standard for completing their work which the results are used to inform them of how they are doing, what they need to work on more or what they have mastered and to use as a teaching guide individually.

3c.  Creating the rubric and sharing it online with parents, enables you to communicate relevant information so they can be more involved of their child's work and grades and see exactly how the student is being assessed, so they are not surprised at the end result.

Google Earth

After I installed Google Earth, I played around with it.  I was able to locate my house, the picture was low resolution compared when looking at the Taj Mahal, the images were higher resolution and when zoomed in there was more detail and image was more clear compared to that of my home.

The map I created for my field trip to Washington, D.C. with Google Maps was able to be uploaded to Google Earth by uploading it as a KML (Keyhole Markup Language).  This is a file format that is used for storing and modeling geographic features and also models for display in Google Earth.  One can port information to Google Earth from Google Maps with use of KML file.  KML files can be displayed in both Google Earth and Google Maps.  One would want to display the information from Maps to Earth for a more detailed viewing experience.  Instead of just being able to see a plot of a point of interest on a map, Google Earth gives you a 3-D viewing experience of a landmark or from the original space view.  If you would like to see a place in 3-D that you probably won't get the opportunity to see in person, see it for yourself in a
3-D experience in Google Earth.

Click Here to view the map for the field trip to Washington, D.C.

Click Here to view a sample lesson plan for this field trip.

Google Maps

I have decided to take my class on a tour of Washington, D.C. Click on the link below to access a list of the places we will visit as well as a map with the points of interest.
Map of Washington D.C. Tour

This activity follows the NETS T Standard 3b and 3a.  By creating an itinerary and including a map of the location of the places, it allows for collaboration with parents and a way to communicate important information and ideas to them by using a variety of digital technology, formats, and tool.s

Jing Screencast

How to access Google Docs (Jing Video)


By using Jing I was able to create a digital movie without using a digital camera, which before this activity I never knew how to do.  After clicking capture to initiate the capture process, you can specify the area by clicking and dragging the mouse.  Once the area is highlighted the size can be adjusted by clicking and dragging the borders of the capture area.  Hold the Ctrl key or Shift key as you drag to snap to standard dimensions.  There are two options for saving a screen capture, one saves it the Jing clipboard and can be accessed in the Jing history and the second is you can customize where you want your screen capture saved whether it be on the desktop or a different location on your computer.  The screen capture is located
Your screen cast can be pushed to the internet by clicking the Share via Screencast.com button, the content is then uploaded to your account on screencast.com and once your upload it you will receive a link your capture.  The Jing Screen cast video is a Shockwave Flash Object.  Snagit creates the video inMPEG-4 format.  The Jing Sun has 3 prongs: 1st prong is to capture, 2nd prong accesses your history and the third prong is for the settings.

BatchGeo Part 1

By making a spreadsheet on Excel and entering address information then using BatchGeo a map was created showing everyone's location.

View BatchGeo Map in a full screen map


To view the full-version of my BatchGeo Map click here

 This activity and other activities that I have done thus far in this class, enables and prepares me to become a 21st Century Educator.  I will have the ability to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, design and develop modern/digital age learning experiences and assessments, I can exhibit my knowledge and skills through digital age work and learning, promote responsibility, develop and model cultural understanding by engaging with other cultures and by promoting and demonstrating effective use of digital tools and resources.
    With teaching Elementary Education I would be able to use program to have the students list where their parent(s) were born and then I could put the information into a spreadsheet and let them see on the map where everyone's parent(s) were from.  I'm sure I could find/think of other ideas to be able to create a map as a visual aid teaching aid for my more visual learners.


NETS-T Standard
2c:  I have the ability to customize this learning activity to address the different learning styles of the children within the classroom.
3a: This activity shows the ability to transfer current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

Jing Image

With Jing you are given the ability to capture screen shots and record video and share them with anyone-instantly.  With this program you can mark up your screenshot with text box, arrow, highlight or picture caption.    Jing also allows you to make a video with the screen cast and will show everything from mouse movements to a complete tutorial with audio and visual.

I chose to the snipping tool for my screenshot.





To access my screencast image, click here.


NETS-T Standard
2a
With Jing, it gives you the ability to design/adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.  You have the ability to create a tutorial with a video or go through the process as a screenshot, live in front of the students and can share it they can access it and the parents can access it as well.

Self Assessment #1

These first few weeks have been slightly challenging for me in the way that most of the activities presented were brand new concepts for me and even though I consider myself to be pretty comfortable with using the computer and the web there is a lot I didn't know I was able to do. The challenges I encountered was with initially placing links within my blog post when I wanted the click here feature enabled, but I was able to work through it and figure it out.  The activity that has thus far been the greatest challenge is using the Diigo, I am having a hard time with the tagging and how to use it and organize my information.  With spending more time working with it, I am sure that I will become more comfortable with using it.  As I conquer these challenges the reward will be worth it.
Another challenge I am faced with is making sure I get my activities done on time, which is at times hard for me to do because I'm still working full-time while taking classes.  The shift that I work is 6pm-3:30am, I only work 3-4 days a week so on my days off I try to get as much done as possible and keep on track.  And of course I have to also make sure I don't put things off until the last minute, because if I place myself on a time limit it won't be very beneficial to me.  I will just become frustrated and learn/take away anything from doing the activity.
However with that said,  I have learned a lot of new information, which is not only beneficial to me personally, but will be useful for bringing technology in the classroom and providing students with new ways to learn and share information.

Diigo

Getting started with Diigo I was very nervous and unsure about using it. After clicking around the page and exploring it, I realized it wasn't bad at all and could be beneficial.  I have never heard of nor experienced social bookmarking.  I use bookmarks but of course they are just limited to my computer, I don't share them socially nor have I thought about doing it.  The use of web 2.0 gives you the ability to do more such as bookmark and place/share your information in one place.

With the use of Diigo web browser add-on gives you the ability to highlight important parts of the web page with more than one color choice and save them to your account.  You can tag web pages, add to a list and share them with numerous people.  Sticky notes can also be added to the page.  Lastly gives you the ability to share with social networks such as Twitter and Facebook as well as share through e-mail. 

Just to get more familiar with the web browser add-on feature, because before this assignment I hadn't had much experience with them I searched Google for web browser add-ons that I could use with Google Chrome, the web browser I use.  A browser add-on is a program that is integrated with the web browser you have that provides additional functionality to your browser.  An example of an add-on would be the Google Dictionary, lets say while you are reading a web page you come across a word that you don't know, with the Goolge Dictionary add-on you can copy the word and paste it into the selection box then it will give you the definition in the corner of the screen.  I searched Google for other web browser add-ons and found one that works for Pandora this is beneficial to me because when I am studying or browsing the web, I enjoy listening to music.

When reflecting on the NETS-T Standards I feel that Standard 3d, the ability to model and facilitate the use of current and emerging digital technologies effectively, to locate, analyze, evaluate and use information resources that support research and learning.  The reason that this standard most closely matches this activity is with the social bookmarking, one can share and highlight key items in a webpage that another person may be researching or interested in, which this supports the use of technology to research and learn something new or expand on something one may already be knowledgeable about or have an interest.

Self Portrait

I used the PicassoHead program to create a self portrait of myself.


 


When creating my self-portrait I needed to find a way to add a few freckles to my face, which I was able to do using the eye that was just a circle and scaling it down to where it looked like a dot. I am almost always smiling and the eyes that I used is a reflection that I am thinking about something important. I have a tendency to question and second guess myself at times, which lead to the eyes appearing curious.

 Click Here to view the link with my self portrait.


This activity enables one to utilize their creative sense.  NETS-T Standard 1- Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
                                                      a.  Promote, support, and model creative and original thinking            
                                                     and discovery.  By letting a student create how they perceive either themselves or someone else, will give you an insight to how they are thinking and seeing themselves or something else through their eyes/perspective.  One must encourage and reassure them that no one is "better than them," at creating this portrait/self portrait.

Revisit Resume

First resume score from  RezScore:

After reading the tips the site gave me I was able to revise my resume and improve my score. My resume score is now a B- To view my revised resume click here

With this free resume evaluation tool, it allows for the facilitation and inspiration of student learning and creativity.  By allowing the teacher to still provide their knowledge of the subject matter and the technology of this website that facilitate experiences to advance student learning and creativity.  This follows the NETS-T Standards 1 a-d.  I feel that this is a very useful tool and I am sure there are more out there that would be useful in the same aspect.

Snipping Tool

I didn't know the snipping tool existed until doing this assignment and I really like it! I feel it will be very beneficial to me in future assignments and also with my teaching career. It will be nice to just "snip" what I want to be able to demonstrate to the children in the classroom or when I am creating a document or handout for parents, teachers and/or co-workers.

I "snipped" the picture of the 5 NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) as created by the International Society for Technology in Education. This tool applies to standard 2a., that I was able to snip just the standards allow me to show/utilize the tool and the resource to promote learning and creativity. The standard 4b. is utilized as well, by using the visual concept I'm able to address the visual learners. I provided them with the access of seeing the standards again using the snipping tool. Which can be found under Start menu, Computer then in search box type snipping tool.

Google Docs

By using Google Docs I was able to take my resume from last year and upload it to my Google Docs. Google Docs is very user friendly and allowed me to update my resume to reflect my current accomplishments. Looking at the NETS-T Standards this activity relates to a few of them. Model Digital Age Work and Learning: b. Google Docs would allow you to be able to collaborate with students, peers, parents and other community members to support student success. c. Google Docs gives you the ability to share publicly or keep private. For example if a student has misplaced the paper or it the child's parents are separated or whatever the situation may be, they are still able to access the paper without you having to reprint another one. Plus if it is the weekend or a long break there is no excuse for them not to be able to access it. Cloud computing refers to the use of the internet to store, manage, process and share data. Some advantages to this are: more mobile, able to access it from anywhere using a web browser, unlimited storage, no updates for the software and gives the ability for more storage space. With advantages comes disadvantages which are the security and privacy issues. To view my resume click here

Millennial/Web Survery

      A millennial refers to someone born after 1980, from the generation that was brought up using digital technology and mass media. I feel that my Millennial score of 82 which for myself is accurate. I was born in 1984, have witnessed the evolution of technology and I am comfortable with the technology and willing to learn more about it as it continues to evolve even more. However, I can refer back to times before technology became so digital. I can still write letters to communicate with family and friends and not just post on a social networking site, although I do use one of those sites. 

     According to Jason L. Frand who published The Information-Age Mindset, there are 10 characteristics: Four related to change “Computers Aren’t Technology” “Internet Better Than TV” “Reality No Longer Real” “Doing Rather Than Knowing”  

Three that address how people do things "Nintendo Over Logic" "Multitasking Way of Life" "Typing Rather Than Handwriting" Last three are subliminal needs conditioned by the cyber-age “Staying Connected” “Zero Tolerance for Delays” “Consumer/Creator Blurring”       

      My thoughts on each of the characteristics are as follows: I feel that computers are technology and even if they wouldn't have been around when I was born I would still consider them as technology, as they are used as technology. Is internet better than tv? According to the article since the internet has came about and evolved the number of tv viewers has declined due to the internet being more interactive to which I understand this point. The article also talks about the validity of information when you search for it on the internet that has more unvalidated and passed off facts versus that of written facts that are on the television. The aspect that reality is no longer real, having the knowledge that something is original is hard for us to do now. As the article refers to the data manipulation technology that is now used it is hard to distinguish what is real and what isn't real. An example that is used in the article is when you receive an e-mail message from someone is it "real?" In the sense that the person sending it is who they claim to be and is the content accurate. I agree with this statement that it is hard to determine what really is reality with the advancements of the digital age. The last characteristic that is related to broad observation of change is "doing rather than knowing." With the world we live where digital technologies have altered time, so that now events occur in real time the effects are now immediate and the reaction times are cut short. The ability of people to deal with complex information will be more important than knowing the facts. With the information-age of today when given something new instead of looking at the manual first they take it and try to figure it out through trial and error and doing it constantly until it is figured out, just like a Nintendo game. According to the article the repetitive trial and error experiment shouldn't be the only approach to figuring something out, that there are times when using logic and reading the manual first is the best approach, which I do agree with. According to the article many of today's young people are able to do multiple tasks all at once and don't just concentrate on one activity at at time. I myself multitask, my job requires me to multitask and while I am at home I multitask as well. School-aged children also multitask in the aspect where they need to listen to the teacher lecture and be able to take notes. For one to focus on only one task for a period of time is a luxury. I agree with this article in the way that most jobs require one to have the ability to multitask and it is nice when you have the time to only focus on one aspect of your job instead of all 4 or 5. Is typing preferred over hand-writing? For people of the information-age mindset typing is the preferred method, as it is easier to proof read and it will always be legible. By using the word processor when you put down an idea it can be expanded, taken apart and reassembled in a more meaningful way. Also, with the use of spreadsheet applications we are enabled to create models to evaluate situations and solve problems. I too feel that it is more personable when you hand-write a thank you note instead of typing one up. In the school system, I can see that the times have changed from when I was in school there was more time spent on handwriting than there is now within the schools. As technology has developed myself and I am sure other people have a "Zero tolerance for delays." With the way that information is readily available and e-mails can be received on phones, everyone, including myself don't want to have to wait for a response. We feel that it should be available to us in a very timely fashion. The last characteristic Frand listed is "Consumer/Creator Blurring," which enables the consumer to have an input in to the product, so that the product may have a better outcome. Reflecting on the ISTE.NETS-T standard, teachers will need to develop, design and evaluate original learning experiences and assessment (2 a,b,c,d). The educators will be faced with a new challenge, of incorporating the information-age mindset of the the learners into the educational programs so that they continue to learn. Teacher's must make it their goal/priority to make the use of technology inside the classroom match the content, teacher's style and the way the student(s) learn. To determine your Millennial profile click here

Self Intro.

 I have created a self introduction as well as an avatar character to do my introduction and I have provided a link to my typed self introduction.  Click here to see my online public Google document.

The tools I used in this post were: for the avatar click here and typed self introduction which I was able to upload on to my Google documents click here using my Google account log-in.

I have applied the standard of 1d, to be able to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity I able to do this by creating an avatar to present my introduction allowing me to be able to engage in a virtual and face-to-face experience. With the standard 2a, I was able to employ this standard by using online resources, creating a blog, making an avatar and typing a self introduction to upload and share on my blog. These resources would encourage other students to do the same. For my reflection on this post I used the ISTE NETS T website click here

Introduction

I have created my first blog using Blogger. 
My name is Ashley Keith, I am a brand new college student, again.  When I graduated from high school, 10 years ago I attended Alderson-Broaddus College to pursue a degree in the health care field.  Now after almost 10 years of working on ambulances and in the emergency room the long hours have finally gotten to me.  Spring of this year I decided it was time for a change and to do that I needed to go back to school.  Spending time with my step-daughter who is in the 3rd grade, helping her with homework, I realized what I wanted to do.  Watching her from day to day learning new information and seeing the smile on her face as she is and increasing her knowledge made me realize that I would like to be more of a part of this experience in other children's lives.  That is the main reason I have chosen to pursue a degree in Elementary Education.

Blogging is completely new to me, I am not intimidated by it because I use technology every day in my personal and professional life.  I look forward to learning about this and other tools that will assist me in being a great teacher.