Journal 7: My Personal Learning Network (PLN)

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My PLN is a variety of resources and tools that I have access to that consists of individuals, articles, videos, blogs, discussions, and wikis. My PLN will help me as a classroom teacher because I will be able to ask questions and find information that will help me to build my curriculum, stay updated, and get advice from mentors.

I am currently exploring Twitter and adding several organizations and people to my network. I followed Education Week Teacher, which is a leading source for K-12 teacher leaders that offers information about instruction, school environment, classroom technology, and curriculum. I also am following Teachers20.com. This is a place I can go and connect with a collection of teachers sharing resources to help us prepare students for the digital age. After exploring Twitter for helpful resources for information for students studying to become future educatiors, I found TES New Teachers. This is a useful resource for advice and support for all new teachers

I participated in the educational chat Ecosys#: Exploring the Future of K-12 Education. The chat took place on Wednesday 5/4/11 at 7pm. The topic focus was the “Next Steps to “Challenges” framework.” My experience was mostly observations. It took me a while to figure out the time difference for other tweeters. I realized that when joining a chat it is very beneficial to go to the front page for the chat group and read the context of the discussions. I was warmly welcomed by several members. I found it challenging to keep my tweets to a minimum letter capacity. One of the topics discussed was related to require reading “classics” that might be fruitless to the learning of the students. I am glad that I had this experience because I am now not afraid of the unknown world of Tweetchat.

I use Diigo as a networking tool. I share important information that I find about schools, teaching, and students with other teacher professionals around the world. I can easily access information on topics that I am researching and implementing in my own classroom through tagging and bookmarking. I tagged three sites PLN. First, Twitter4Teachers is a wiki that has great resources to other professionals in the teaching field and gives users access to great resources for all educators. Second, I tagged the EducatorsPLN, in which I am a member. This is a ning site that focuses on encouraging developed personal learning network for educators! Lastly, I bookmarked an article titled “Personal Learning Network 101.” This resource gives digital users access to information about how to create a Personal Learning Network online. The multiple authors have a variety of experiences in education with great advice.

After I was approved as a member of The Educator's PLN I began exploring this ning site. I watched the video Rhee the reformer, a creative fiction story narrating the current challenges that educators are faced with today. This six minute video highlighted the problems with the school systems emphasis on testing scores. The motto of the story was, “When you live by the Data, you die by it too!”

Cybersafety Website

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I created a page for a collaborative website on Google Sites. I then used Embedit.in to place a preview and linked URL to my blog!

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This is a video that I made using iMovie. I used this software to create a PSA about CSUSM. Enjoy!

Journal #6 NETS-T lll & V

Warlick, D. (2009). Grow your personal learning networks. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6).

The article that described personal learning networks was essential to my understanding about the complexity of PLNs. I believe that it is very important to be up to date on the information and communication technologies. The article detailed the three different types of PLNs. Sychronous PLNs are very traditional network tools. Tools such as iChat or skype can be used to communicate with individuals for work meetings in locations across the world and bridge the gap between different cultures and distance. Semisynchronous PLN’s refer to tools that can be used for communication with various professionals across the world over longer time periods. Google Docs, Twitter, and Blogs are great examples of PLN tools that can be useful to individuals to collect information from many sources. The last type of PLN’s are asynchronous . This was the first time that I was introduced to RSS aggregators. Subscribing to RSS feeds is an easy and effortless way of being linked to information that a digital user is interested in. I have personally seen the benefit of using Diigo to bookmark pages and tagging topics of interest to be sent further information recommended by other professionals.

Q1: How would I utilize asynchronous tools such as Diigo to help me create my class curriculum?

A1: Each summer I would tag topics of interest for the next school year. I would get new ideas and effective teaching strategies from other teachers who find useful information or have past experience with the age groups and topics I will be dealing with in my own classroom

Q2: How could I promote the semisynchronous tool Google Docs in my classroom to support collaborative learning?

A2: For credit points, I would have my students share documents to work on peer reviews of rough drafts for papers.  I would have students leave comments and I would also post feedback for students to improve their clarity and writing skills.

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"Teaching Green” Waters, J. (2011). Teaching green. THE Journal , Retrieved from http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/1105/journal_201104/#/12

            I really enjoyed this article. In my upper division coursework, I took a class on human impacts on environment. This article had some great resources that could be utilized in classrooms for all age groups. I agree with the author that teaching children about environmental issues in grades K-12 is vital to maintaining a healthy living environment. “Teaching Green,” details several websites that are available to teachers and students that are fun and informative. Websites such as “A Walk in the Woods,” give students opportunities to take virtual trips on a computer through woodland areas that usually require field trips and money that many schools today do have funds to support. I was impressed with the PowerUp game that promotes community service and digital user’s collaboration to fix wind turbines or build solar towers to help the planet. Many of the websites that were discussed by the author have teacher lesson plans that cover a variety of topics that encourage US Environmental protection.

Q1: How would I aid in the movement of “Green Schools” alongside the other entire required curriculum?

A1: As extra credit opportunities, I would encourage my students to explore several websites that educate the community about environmental issues. I would have my students use the Diigo artifact to tag five websites and explain how their findings can help preserve the environment!

Q2: How would I incorporate environmental education into a biology class?

A2: I would utilize the Classroom Earth website. I would design a lesson plan that gave students the tools to discuss energy and climate changes around the world. I would have my students navigate pages and websites to gather their information.

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Bogacz, R., & Gordillo, M.G. (2011). Should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?j Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(6), 6-7.

The article centered on cyberbullying is very informative. The author gave two very different opinions related to who should be held responsible for cyberbullying. I truly felt that the supporters of schools taking responsibility for cyberbullying had strong arguments.  Renee Bogacz explained how the whole community needs to come together and fight cyberbullying. School administrators and teachers need to stay informed and enforce consequences. Parents and students need to get involved and report any events of this issue. Miguel Gomez Gordillo strongly argues that the responsibility of cyberbullying needs to fall back on the family. He suggests that if consistent family love and support existed in every home, children would be provided with that “vaccine” against bullying. Gordillo advises schools to work closely with the parents and help them to become their children’s primary educators. If healthy family environments become more prevalent, our society’s overall well-being can be improved and schools can contribute to the cause.

Q1: How would I try to promote parental involvement in a socioeconomically disadvantaged school where I am employed?

A1: I really like the idea of meetings once a month with student’s parents. I would make sure to have an assistant available who was bilingual if I had a large number of ELL students. I would also ask students to take home weekly progress reports to have their parents sign. This would create a closer communication plan that would bridge the gap between teachers and parents.

Q2: How would I as a teacher get my students aware of cyberbullying and how to fight it?

A2: I would probably give my students example videos of cyberbullying. The visuals would help the students understand the “big idea” concepts. Also I would engage my class in an interactive activity that would suggest ideas for fighting against this issue they may encounter on the internet. This role playing game will help my students practice how to be assertive and how to take initiative as a bystander or victim.

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I utilized the Microsoft Office Excel tool to create this artifact that can provide students with a digital-age learning experience.

Inspiration

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The digital tool Inspiration 9.0 was used to clearly depict the artifact that was created. This tool can be used to map out or outline information effectively for the audience.

This artifact was an effective tool for organizing the 5 NETS-T. For each NET I gave two examples and explained how they connected to the NET. I used images and formating in Inspiration. I incorporated a hyperlink and uploaded the image as a JPEG.

Prezi Presenation & Assessment

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This presenation I created with prezi.com and it shows my innovative ideas for the NETS for Student profiles that I can use in my own classroom. I also created an assessment using Google Docs so that peers can give feedback to me on my presentation!!
Click here for results!

Learning technology in middle school on Prezi

Journal#1: Doing Web 2.0 Right (NETS-T: 1, 2,3)

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading With Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

This article focused on how teachers throughout the country use web 2.0 tools in effective ways for students. Research found that when students are communicating together through tools, they are learning and having fun! Repetition was also a key in learning how to use tools regularly. The article also discussed blogs and how they can help spark students interests and curiosity. Blog debates are another way that students who were shy in face-to-face debates could participate by sharing their ideas without pressure. Students desire an amount of privacy about their thoughts because they are sensitive to sharing with certain trusted groups. Teachers must be very cautious about what community is created and what topics are discussed online. Establishing individual student blogs can be important to the student and teacher relationship. Trust can be made in this secure environment and can be a foundation for further sharing using other tools online.

Q1: What is one way that as a teacher you can monitor appropriate behavior?

A1: I would set limitations on the public access of the assignment. The assignment would be private and shared with student in my classroom. I would remain actively involved in conversations and feedback so that students would contain a classroom behavior online.

Q2: What web 2.0 tools would you use to help students to practice their writing skills online?

A2: I would have students create outlines for their papers on an individual blogs. I would then have a classroom blog that helped students access other peers’ blogs. I would have each person comment on another peer’s rough draft with feedback. This would be working smarter not harder and kids who were not at school the day of peer review could partake in the enriching activity.

Journal #4: It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet (NETS-T: 4,5)

Schaffhauser, D. (2010, December 1). It's time to trust teachers with the internet:a conversation with meg ormiston. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en 

I really liked this article because the author addressed an issue about how schools are not integrating modern technology into the classroom. I agree with the author that if administrators can trust teacher’s to educate our future leaders, we must trust the same individuals to have the freedom to both promote and regulate students while on maneuvering across the World Wide Web. Social networking can be vital to our children’s success in their futures. Kids already have full or partial access to the internet in their homes. In the 21^st century, I believe that women like Meg Ormiston proposes an issue that if not addressed could be detrimental to our future education on a national level.  I really like the statement Ormiston shared at the end of her article, “We can’t blanket-block everything because that’s also blocking learning.” This statement supports informing our children about what exists on the internet instead of pretending like it is not present in our society.

Q1: How would I see myself supporting access to social sites and resources in a classroom? I would promote extra credit assignments that encouraged student’s exploration of particular sites. I would request the administration of the school to hire a technology specialist who could educate teachers about current and up and coming materials online.

Q2: How could we inform administrators about the importance of modern technology and the need for teacher’s access to social networking sites? I believe that we should require administrators to attend conferences. Administrators need to not fear the unknown world of the internet and to understand the advantages of employing resources on the internet.

Journal #2: Join the Flock (NETS-T: 1,2,3,5)

Ferguson, H. (210). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Join_the_Flock.aspx 

This article informed the reader of an effective way to build a professional learning network using Twitter. The article progressed from a beginner on Twitter benefitting from resources presented by fellow educators online to becoming an effective communicator and building a resourceful and collaborative digital network. The article educates the reader about several highlights about Twitter that teaches them how to proficiently use this tool. The article highlighted lists and how these can help a user identify who they want to follow. The reader can benefit from the different ideas that the author suggested to enhance your twitter such as TweetDeck. I just recently created a Twitter account and I believe that organization could be my key to success when utilizing this artifact. Creating a digital network can benefit individual educators to learn new ideas and avoid strategies that have been ineffective through trial and error.
Q1: What is a PLN?
A1: A PLN is a community of individuals around the world who are learning together.
Q2: What is a Hashtag and how can using this benefit the user?
A2: A hashtag is another word for the pound sign (#). By utilizing this symbol the post will be seen by a larger amount of people.

Journal #3:

100 Things that make me Happy:)
1. God
2. Tea
3. Antique shops
4. Thrift shops
5. My dog Annie
6. My Boyfriend Brian
7. My ipod
8. My family
9. Shopping
10. Spending time with friends
11. Adoration
12. Leading FOM
13. Listening to instrumental music
14. Old movies
15. Baking chocolate chip cookies
16. Date nights
17. Road trips
18. Biking
19. Hiking
20. Playing soccer
21. Beach volleyball
22. Convertibles
23. Salsa and swing dancing
24. Talking on the phone
25. Going to school
26. Facebook
27. Inspirational quotes
28. Taking pictures
29. Attending church
30. My car
31. My bed
32. Earrings
33. Mask balls
34. Ruffles baked cheese and sour cream chips
35. Fruit snacks
36. Rose gardens
37. Tanning
38. Smart water
39. Lotion
40. Teavana
41. Making fresh lemonade
42. Fresh orange juice popsicles
43. Greek food
44. Slurpees
45. Long drives
46. My blankie
47. Pillows
48. Singles cheese
49. Music boxes
50. Retreats
51. Big comfy sweatshirts
52. Drinking wine
53. Mail
54. Concerts
55. Running
56. Getting my hair cut
57. Monkeys
58. Julian
59. My phone
60. Body spray
61. Candles
62. Bubble baths
63. Massages
64. Lourdes
65. Rings
66. Salmon
67. American Idol
68. Babies
69. So you Think you Can Dance
70. Sara Bareillies
71. Flat iron
72. Red Tea Pots
73. Street Fair
74. San Francisco
75. Strawberries
76. Pedicures
77. Shaving
78. Star gazing
79. Labyrinth
80. My Best Friend’s Wedding
81. Kinect
82. Seaport Village
83. The Brigantine Restaurants
84. European Breakfasts
85. Jacuzzis
86. Girl’s Night
87. Sunrise
88. Sunset
89. Vacations
90. Making Jewelry
91. Chicken Soup for the “X” Soul
92. Shoes
93. Picking flowers
94. Washing and cleaning my car
95. Learning new things
96. Museums
97. Pizza
98. Double Peak Park
99. Cute Jeans
100. Waxing

All About Me Survey

Technology Self-Assessment (School 2.0)

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The reason that I chose this Performance Indicator for Teachers is because I strongly support alternative learning methods. We should stay connected and take advantage of all teachers’ resources and strive to have a more consistent level of academic excellence around the world. The resource that I explored focused on two highlights of this standard.
a. primary-model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.
b. secondary-promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
Rock Our World is a national project for all grade levels that brings students and teachers from around the world together to create an alternative and powerful learning experience for our classrooms. This project shows how children’s desire to learn through fun with interactive games can inspire individuals to work even harder on their performance. Creativity is the key element in this style of teaching. I learned that using common world-wide objects, schools can create and share games with music and movies, and even meet online to talk through video chats sharing ideas.

Introducing...Tassiana Marie

My name is Tassiana (Tassi for short). I am a 23 year old senior at CSUSM getting my BA in HD, specializing in child services in May. I was home schooled until eighth grade and attended a small charter High School afterwards. I went to the notorious Palomar for my General Ed and was a transfer student here. I have a passion to work with children and I am exploring my options in the teaching field!

As far as my technological literacy, I did take three years of computers in High School. It has been a while since I brushed up on the new technology and I am very unfamiliar with Mac computers. I could use all the help I can get!! I am excited for the course, because I would like to have an intimate relationship with my computer.;) If I had it my way, I would not use a lot of technology, but since this is where the rest of society is heading, I refuse to drown in an ocean of technological advancements!

While reading the CSUSM Mission Statement, I liked the part about demonstrating a commitment to collaboration. I believe that it takes many people to figure out the best possible solutions and to get a job done well! I have recently found that when two or more people share their knowledge on a particular subject, educated decision making skills are at its highest peak! Collaboration was not a factor in my decision to apply to CSUSM, rather it was an experience that I learned  while attending this University and it has ignited a further desire to pursue my future endeavors at this location.