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)

 NETS-T l

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.