Technology Self-Assesment: School 2.0

 NETs 3 - Model Digital-Age Work and Learning - communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

A assessment of our knowledge of NETs in the classroom and resources to improve. 

One of the links I was given as a resource was google groups. Through this tool as a teacher I would be able regularly collaborate with students, peers, or parents. This could be useful regardless of the age of your students. With older students you would be able to give them access to the google group. With younger students parents could have access to the google group and all of the classroom information. You are able to create multiple google groups and invite students and set up a group that would allow for communication not only with the teacher but also among students. Students and peers would be able to communicate effectively with one another outside of the class room setting. Using this resource with parents would allow for parents to stay connected to their children’s school and class room by using the cloud. The use of the Internet would allow busy parents to have access from anywhere to their child’s educational life. By incorporating Google groups in the class room educators are able to effectively bring more communication to the class room setting.

Journal Four

Nets 3

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&Page=1

In this interview with Meg Ormiston, a woman focused on bringing technology to 21st century learners, she speaks about how Internet use is being restricted and how schools can in a time of change bring new Internet tools to the classroom. Integrating these tools into areas that for so long have been fearful of the them is not an easy task, but once the trust is given, educators will be able to show appropriate use to students who most likely have access to all these materials at home.
Most school districts across the nation block Internet access completely or at the very least social networking web pages. By doing this, Ormiston describes how our professionally trained teachers are being told they are unable to filter what students view. Many teachers have given up trying to fight these blocks but are also later told that they are not incorporating technology in their class room. As all these concerns come up we must educate ourselves and our leaders on the benefits of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.
If the administration of schools were educated on the uses and benefits of Web 2.0 tools they would be more likely to fight to have access to these programs in the schools. Learning appropriate use of these social networking tools is key for students because if not spoken about in the class room they may be unable to navigate them properly on their own accord. As discussed by Ormiston in this interview teachers should be trusted with the Internet and allowed to teach our students how to appropriately learn from these options.

Why isn’t there a larger push for Web 2.0 tools in the classroom?
Without the ability to access these tools or the knowledge of how to do so, educators are becoming discouraged to fight for these rights. Instead they just ignore the technology aspect despite the important role it plays in the classroom.

How if Internet use was previously blocked should we slowly incorporate its use into a school with no previous exposure?
If a school that had previously not had Internet access is being granted access it may be a great idea for teachers to have access prior allowing students the same access. This is a great way to make sure that the newly granted Internet access is used appropriately.

Journal Two

Nets 3 and 5

Ferguson, Hadely. (2010). Join the flock!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx

Twitter has become a leader in social networking. It is often talked about with relation to celebrity use but the world of twitter is also becoming a great tool for educators when creating their own PLNs. PLN, or personal learning network, is a community of individuals around the world who are learning together. Through PLNs educators are able to communicate and collaborate with others who share similar interests and possibly more or different experiences.
Twitter comes into play with PLNs because it allows everyone to bring their personal learning networks together. Through access to websites such as this one, which is also free, it allows you to dedicate a little or a lot of your time to gaining new ideas that you will be able to contribute to your class room experience. The key to using twitter is really quite simple but in order to get the most of the experience you must tailor your profile to you personally. Your PLN is more likely to grow if you include a photo of yourself and include a bio specific to your interests in education. By doing small things such as this you are more likely to come across people that not only you are interested in following but that also may be interested in following you. Twitter is simple to use and can be increased or decreased in participation as seen fit, and a great way to allow your PLN to grow!

Isn’t twitter also used for personal social networking, how do I separate the two?
Twitter is great for both, and you can create separate accounts to not mix your social interactions or celebrity following with your educational ones.

What are the benefits of a personal learning network?
A PLN is a great way to collaborate not only with those locally but also with those with similar interests but in a different part of the world. It is the fastest and easiest way to have communication with so many people and will increase your access to blogs and materials.

Journal One

Nets 1 and 4

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/digital-edition-february-march-2011.aspx

In the article “Do Web 2.0 Right,” the author explains how after studying many uses of web 2.0 in the classroom they have seen what is effective and what is not. Web 2.0 refers to the new digital world that includes wikis and blogs and how it is being incorporated into the classroom. The main purpose of web 2.0 in the classroom is ability to have ongoing conversations that are always “on.” These also allow us to create learning communities. Web 2.0 also allows teachers to have quite a bit of freedom and create their blog to fit their classroom structure best. It can be tailored to audience and appropriateness and can even used more than a means of communication but also as a resource for all things class related. Also although Web 2.0 tools are always ‘on’ it does not mean that they must always be used. They are a great resource than can be used more or less as seen fit by the instructor.

By taking advantage of these free online resources educators are able to bring the class room to a socially relevant point. Although it would include more modern resources, if used properly, could encourage students to be more engaged in the learning process as well as more tuned into what is actually occurring in the class room. Web 2.0 resources allow us a great resource when done right and appropriate for student needs.


What are the three elements for success with Web 2.0?
The three elements required for success are daily practice, a focus on the audience, and appropriate behavior.

Besides using as a public forum for the classroom what is an alternative use of blogs?
These blogs do not have to be public for the entire class, they can be used as a private means for teacher and student to communicate privately.

All About Me Survey

Journal Three

One Hundred Things that Make me Happy!

1. God

2. My parents

3. Spending time with my siblings

4. My roommate

5. Living by the beach

6. Seeing the mountains when in La Quinta, CA.

7. Bubble baths

8. Candles

9. Vanilla scents

10. Smoothies without dairy or bananas.

11. Goldfish – because they always smile back.

12. Nail polish

13. String cheese from Target

14. Not being sick

15. Cousins

16. Grandma

17. Grandma’s Cooking

18. Birthdays

19. Catholic Club

20. Max…My new beetle

21. Facebook

22. Shopping

23. Skirts and dresses

24. Flip flop weather

25. Rain

26. Guadalajara

27. Painting my nails without messing one up.

28. Painting my ring finger nail a different color.

29. A clean apartment

30. When gasoline doesn’t cost so much.

31. Macaroni and cheese from Trader Joes

32. Ice cream

33. Liquid eye liner

34. MAC studio fix

35. My macbook Durazno

36. Michael Buble

37. Friends who trust me to highlight their hair, despite never having done it

38. Lamb chop

39. Sunglasses

40. Headbands with bows

41. Flower dresses

42. Grilled hot dogs

43. Popsicles

44. Live theater

45. Babies

46. Thanksgiving

47. Naming the turkey and ham at Thanksgiving with my cousin

48. Playing spoons

49. Cranium

50. Redbox movie night with the siblings

51. IKEA

52. Baking

53. My smart phone named Dee Dee

54. Sparkly TOMS

55. Sunflowers

56. Caramel Apples

57. Straightening my hair

58. Curling my hair

59. American Idol

60. Bonfires

61. When my contact lenses don’t dry out

62. Taking naps

63. Getting a new haircut

64. Getting my eye brows done

65. Compliments

66. Coffee

67. Coffee shops

68. Studying with my big brother

69. Friends who always interrupt stories

70. Old Town San Diego

71. Running across the street like an idiot with friends

72. Dancing around my kitchen to Celine Dion

73. Singing along to Lion King at 1 am during finals week

74. Fro-yo

75. Going to mass with my friends

76. Being involved on campus

77. The two girls I nanny

78. Skipping through parking structures

79. Singing the bumble bee tuna jingle

80. Avocados

81. Soccer games with friends

82. Having a jacket when it suddenly gets cold.

83. Asiago bagels with cream cheese

84. Cute re-useable shopping bags.

85. Hanging out in Colonia del Mante

86. Bike rides by the beach

87. Street fairs

88. Dancing hobos

89. Boots

90. Olive Garden salads

91. Text messages

92. Pink soccer cleats

93. The color pink

94. The color yellow

95. Coasters

96. My iPod

97. Blankies

98. Chocolate

99. Buy one get one free Chipotle

100. Library books