That's all folks!

It is now the end of the semester and finals are approaching. When I look back to the beginning of the semester I had NO CLUE how to use any form of technology with the exception of facebook (How sad). Now, although I am not a pro, I feel like I have made leaps and bounds into the world of technology. I now know more of the technologies available to me as a student AND as a future teacher and cannot wait to keep learning and exploring. I am grateful for this class and especially grateful for Professor Proctor! I look forward to entering the Special Education Program this fall. I CANNOT wait!

Internet Safety Reflection!

The article I chose to read was "Provident Living Guidelines Regarding Internet Safety"
The person I chose to teach and interview was my younger sister. Because we have been raised in the same house with the same parents we agreed about the necessity of internet safety. She basically knew everything that I was teaching, I just expanded on it by giving her specific prophetic counsel. We had a great discussion.

It is so important to be educated on internet safety. Like I've said a million times: Technology is amazing but just like everything else it can be used for good and bad. We need to make sure as parents, teachers, siblings, etc. that we educate and monitor our children and the technologies being used. Here are a few examples:
-I think the most important thing you can do is teach the importance of internet safety and explain why it is necessary.
-My home ward bishop gave a ward fireside a few years back counseling us on "internet safety." He took two full hours teaching the adults as well as the children how to prevent the evils of the world that can come from technology, as well as guidance on what to do if it comes up unintentionally. "Unplug it and RUN AWAY!"
-We have installed a filtering program to my computer so that any unauthorized sites will be blocked.
-In my house, we put our computer in a "high-traffic" area, or in a place where there are people constantly going in and out of. This helps to avoid many bad situations because there are other people around all the time.
-Another big issue is "online chatting." It's important to counsel young children who fool around on MSN Messenger as well as older children and young adults who have facebook, myspace, etc. that giving out personal information to random strangers is NOT OKAY. This has caused many dangerous situations that eventually end in heartbreak.

In my family, we have talked about this many times because we feel that it is a major issue in the world. Because we have talked about it, we feel more comfortable and know exactly what to do in the given situation. I think it is the educates responsibility to teach those who are ignorant in the matter. Lucky for us, there is plenty of prophetic counsel that we can listen to and follow to keep ourselves and our future children safe. Yes, technology has played a huge part in developing and perfecting some of the most fascinating and beneficial inventions of this day and age, but we know that no matter what- we must live in the world not of the world.

Different Technologies in the classroom..

Some of the technologies we explored in class that I can use in my future classrooms are:

Kidspiration:
-What does it help you do?
This technology program or website allows an educator to explore concepts, words, numbers, etc.
-Where can it be found? This technology can be downloaded and found at kidspiration.com. Or I have found it very convenient when accessing it in the TEC lab in the MCKB. In the lab, there are people there to help you understand more efficiently and be able to apply it more effectively.

Digital Microscopes:
-What does it help you do? It allows students to look at microscopic objects magnified or up close, it also allows them to take digital pictures or video when looking at these tiny objects, whatever they may be.
-Where can it be found? Here at BYU they can be checked out from the Tec lab in the MCKB. Other schools, I'm sure the teacher can check them out.

Digital Probes:
-What does it help you do? It allows students to take quick and accurate temperature measurements as well as graph and track the data immediately on a connected laptop. We used this in our Science Project.
-Where can it be found? Once again, here at BYU they can be checked out from the TEC lab in the MCKB.

.. ?.?.? ..

What are some ways you can tell that you have successfully integrated technology into your lesson?
What do you feel technology should accomplish in order to be a legitimate addition to your lesson?
What indicators can tell you whether or not you have chosen an appropriate technology for your lesson?

All of these questions have to do with obtaining the objectives. You can tell if your use of technology was successful by going through the objectives and making sure that although you are trying to make it fun and exciting, you need to make sure that you are hitting all of the requirements or the curriculum. I am there to teach. I am there to change these kids lives for the better. So it is my responsibility to teach them in ways they can understand and keep their attention. Technology is a good aid. Technology is like a portal to the unknown. It's new and exciting and kids like that. So a good indicator of whether or not the technology used was appropriate or effective, or not, is if the technology increased their knowledge and helped the children understand what's going on in the classroom.

TPACK

TPACK

Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge


PK(Pedagogical Knowledge is knowing how to teach.)

CK(Content Knowledge is knowing the facts about a particular subject.)

TK(Technological Knowledge is knowing about different technologies and how to use and apply them.)

The TPACK method uses all three knowledges at once for a dynamic learning experience. By taking IP&T this semester I have learned how to incorporate the many technologies available and implement them into lesson plans. Every teacher can have the same material but the way you teach and help the children understand makes the difference.

Representations of the different technologies include technological, visual, auditory, dynamic, and multimodal. This semester my two favorite dynamic learning technology representations are Google Earth, and iMovie. I am really interested in movies and visual projects and how they are made so it was really fun for me to learn how to use the tool and then be able to use what I made to teach a lesson. And as I have said before, Google Earth is fascinating in all aspects. Its fun and interesting and can help teach about the world around us.

Science Project

Science Project Challenge Lesson Plan

This is our Science Project Challenge Technology lesson plan that we created before we began working on our science project. It helped us determine what would be best for our temperature science project.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AaWhqVaEWBVuZGN0cmNxMm1fNWZ4M3B3dGpq&hl=en

T.e.c.h.n.o.l.o.g.y

The role of technology in creating dynamic experiences for my students is simply to expand their knowledge of what technology is and how to use it. Also, to let them have access to the necessary tools that are used by the rest of the world. Technology or the use of technology is growing more and more each day. In fact, I am more technologically-literate than my parents and even some of my older peers. By giving my students the opportunity to learn and grow with these fun tools my classroom will never be boring. As we've learned in this class, there are many different exciting ways to conquer the curriculum. Using creativity and imagination, the teacher as well as the student can learn, grow and develop through technology.

Because technology is so fascinating, it can actually detract from students learning. For instance, having computers in the classroom for a specific project or assignment is exciting for the students. But not being able to monitor if they are all on task, doing what they should be doing can be rather challenging. The internet has an infinite number of alternative options, so unless the children are under strict supervision they may abuse their privileges.

Some examples of technology that I have used and enjoyed in different projects or presentations is the computer including programs such as powerpoint, iMovie, and google earth. I also really enjoyed being "forced" to take the TSA tests. Although they took time to remember, I really enjoyed brushing up on xcel, powerpoint, word, as well as basic internet searching. These are basic skills that I need in order to build upon my previous knowledge. I guess you could say they are a good foundation for technology.

Virtual Field Trip

Lesson Plan: Virtual Tour

This was our outline before we made the field trip.

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dctrcq2m_4gvzr72df

Pros and cons

This assignment was very fun to learn how Google Earth works. However in order for this to be effective in a classroom it would require a lot of time and energy to explain how it works and what exactly I wanted them to do with it and get out of it. Technology is amazing and should be used as often as possible but when using it we need to realize that some are more tech-savy than others and therefore it requires a lot of working with individuals one on one. Teaching is all about attending the individual but we need to spend our time teaching curriculum and necessary knowledge first. Once they have mastered the basics we can teach them how to use these gifts of technology. But i will say, I am all about teaching in a positive fun atmosphere so by incorporating Google Earth will definitely make the assignment more interesting and exciting.

G o o g l e E a r t h

Google Earth is fascinating. Who woulda thought we would be able to have a program where we can travel the world while staying in the comfort of our own home? You can look up any place in the world and see what it looks like in real life. This tool can be very useful and extremely exciting to use in the classroom. We can learn the tool by having the students look up familiar places such as the school or make it more personal and let them search for their homes. As far as class assignments go, we can use Google Earth to make our project come to life. For example, in my group Google Earth assignment, we chose the topic of the Civil War. We can go visit the actual site where the main events took place and have corresponding activities. With this project we can keep the students interested while teaching the importance of history and what took place, without boring them too much with the standard text book. Although the text book is valuable and necessary, adding the amazing program of Google Earth with only enhance the lesson and increase participation.

Digital Storytelling Challenge

Difficulties of Digital Storytelling

I think one of the most difficult things about implementing a digital storytelling project into the classroom would just be learning how to use the different materials given and the time put into making it look as professional as possible. We chose to record our own voices over pictures and music as well as start and end with a friendly face in front of the camera to make it more personal. Starting out we had some great ideas and in the end we were pleased with the finished project. Even though this was a fun new project that incorporates technology I still love the idea of reading to my children with books, face to face. This took too much time to make and although it is more advanced I think it would be difficult to do several of these things being a teacher.

Digital Storyboard

Storyboard
Names: Lindley, Aubrey, Andrea, Sarah, Janessa, Nikola

Scene Script/Description:

1: Introduction (Image of Hogwarts and Harry Potter)

Catching movie/book introduction. Have the students imagine what they would do if they found out they were a wizard.

“Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy….”

2: Characters: (Pictures of the characters from the actual movie)

Quick intro. Of each character: Hermione, Harry, Ron, Dumbledore, Voldemort.

3: Muggles (A picture of Harry at his aunts house) setting

Introducing how harry is different

4:Wizards/Friends (part of the conflict)…show image of Harry and his friends at Hogwarts)

Introducing the world of wizardry

5:Rising Action: He is a wizard but is a very important wizard (show a picture of harry and his scar)

Describing that events at hogwarts leads up to his identity as a wizard and the power that he holds is critical to relationship

with voldemort.

6:Climax: When Harry finds out about Voldemort and that he is the only hope for defeating him. (voldemort and harry picture)

Describing how all the events led up to this and when he finds out who voldemort is and his power over the evil voldemort.

7: Conflict: Voldemort (sorceror’s stone)

Harry has to get the sorcerer’s stone before Voldemort does.

8: Cliff Hanger (voldemorts face)

Will Harry be able to get to the sorceror’s stone before voldemort does.

Credit Page:
Aubrey Barker
Andrea Smith
Jenessa Choate
Sarah Ure
Lindley Burton
Nikola Clark

**Copyright Laws**

Copyright laws are very important to learn and understand, especially in the world of teaching. There are so many ways to use the different technologies in the classroom, but it is especially important to know the rules of Copyright and Fair Use so you don't abuse the rights of others' work. For example, there are limitations on how much video and audio you can use on a project and every source you use must be cited properly. Knowledge of Copyright laws are a necessity as protection for both you and the original "author."

Why Tokbox?

Tokbox can be a fun tool to use at the very beginning of the year. You can record a "welcome" video of you sharing personal information as a "getting to know you" video as well as stating the expectations of the class. Depending on the age or grade of the students you can make it as detailed or simple as you would like. You can even incorporate this tool into a lesson plan and have all of our students record their own "getting to know you" video. Throughout the year you can have them use Tokbox to give you feedback on their assignments and telling you what they learned from specific lessons as well as their likes and dislikes of the class.

"I love Technology... but not as much as you, you see!" -Napoleon Dynamite

Technology. Do I have experience?

Everyday I realize more and more the importance of technology. It is everywhere and used for everything. Technology is a necessity, whether it be using "Blackboard" to access assignments and figure out your grades for a specific class in school, or emailing a friend that is half way around the world to keep updated on their lives- which allows you to strengthen your relationships when you can't be in their presence. There are programs that allow presentations given in class or at work to become less stressful, more organized, and look more professional. There are even programs that allow you to make your own movies. These new "tools" are very useful in the classroom, but the cool, exciting thing is that they can be used in everyday life: Homemade digital scrapbooks, home movies, etc.

So let me ask myself again, do I have experience with technology? Yes. But, taking this class will be the biggest blessing in my life. Being in this class will help me "expand my horizons" by knowing of more, better forms of technology and actually be able to learn how to use them effectively in a classroom. Technology is fascinating for all ages, so the more knowledge I acquire during this class- the more comfortable I will feel teaching this to my kids in the classroom and the more fun we will have doing it.