Website Evaluation

It took me a lot of effort to finish my website. Finally, it is complete. I have definitely enjoyed doing my first website and learned a lot in this class. Please take a look at my website and projects I have made throughout this course. I would love to hear comments from you to make it even better. Thank you for taking your time to evaluate my work.

Please, click here to get to my Educational Technology website. 

Connecticut Research Engine iCONN

I heard of iCONN before, but I did not know what it was exactly and what to do with it.  In class I found out what a great service it is, as it provides access to licensed database for everyone in Connecticut. You can get articles from magazines, newspapers, educational journals, and many more. There is no need to drive to the library or search in Google to find valuable information. No matter how affluent or poor school districts in CT are, qualitative materials are available to all for free through iCONN.

As I will be an elementary school teacher, I looked through “Kids InfoBits” database.  It offers developmentally appropriate and visually appealing materials on different school subjects including art, health, people, history, geography, science, and more that are retrieved from popular magazines and newspapers. It would be so expansive to buy Kids Discovery, Time for Kids, or any other magazine in a bookstore. From “Kids InfoBits” a student can access to free and get up-to-date materials. It also has an Elementary dictionary to look up at unfamiliar words without going to a separate web page. In addition, there are tools for educators to teach how to write a research paper. I will definitely encourage students to use iCONN  to look for reliable and updated materials.

The Computer Delusion

We live in a high-tech world. But must computers be a priority in school? Numerous studies are done and proved that computers improve student learning. But are the results reliable? Now throughout the country, spending on technology increases. Schools cut on teachers and programs such as art, history, physical education and spend millions of dollars on computers. By replacing teachers with computers in a classroom we do more harm than good to our students. I believe there is no either/or solution. Learning computer skills is essential in the twenty first century. I believe computer use improves teaching, makes lessons more engaging. Work with computers brings students valuable connection with teachers, other schools, and students around the world. We just need to make sure to use computers properly and train teachers to enable full use of technology. Technology should be viewed as a facilitator of learning, not a substitute for live instruction. It is not enough to put a computer in front of student, a teacher needs to educate students to use a computer in a way that promotes learning. 

Non-Linear Power Point

In this class I learned that I could do much more with Power Point Presentation than just presenting each slide in order. With non-linear Power Point one can make a more interactive presentations. Non-linear Power Point is a presentation format where the slides can be used in any order. Teachers can make multiple-choice quizzes. Clicking on the answer will bring you to a slide with that answer and tells whether it is correct or not. Non-linear Power Point can be easily done by linking together hyperlinked text or pictures to a slide. I will definitely use this kind of presentation in my teaching, because it makes learning engaging and assessments easy. 

Digital Divide

After having read the article on “digital divide” I remembered the time when I studied at the university in Russia. About seven years ago the technology was not well-developed as it is today. My professors often gave assignments to do on a computer, including writing research papers and presentations. Neither my peers nor I had a personal computer, let alone an access to the Internet. There was a computer laboratory at the university with about thirty outdated computers with slow Internet for more than 300 students. I remember how I felt frustrated to find a computer and have my assignments done on time. That made me feel so helpless. I totally understand how children with fewer opportunities to access technology feel disadvantaged.

            Nowdays it is unfortunate that there are students who still do not have access to technology. Furthermore, even though others have, the quality of access is low. We cannot assume that students who have the Internet at home with good connection to those who get information through cell phone equal.  The issues of the “digital divide” shifted from access problems to kinds of access. What could be done to help disadvantaged students with regard to technology issues? I believe that first of all teachers need to be aware what type of access their students have before assigning any work that has to be done using technology. If a teacher knows that this particular child does not own a computer, and he has to go to the library to use one, than this teacher has to be flexible and take actions together to solve a problem. The article on “digital divide” offers other solutions. Libraries should stay open. Schools can provide access to the labs after school, Comcast can offer low prices to access the Internet. These are some of the ways to solve technology issues, but not all.

            It is also unfortunate to know some urban schools use technology for drilling information rather than as a tool for broader learning. For instance, Hatch Middle School spend millions of dollars to by software programs to prepare students for standardized tests, instead of spending money on hiring high-qualified teachers who could help full use of technology. In contrast, effluent districts consider technology as an aid to support the goal to find information, gain new knowledge. “There is no substitute for quality teaching,” says Susan Patrick, the department director of educational technology. Here “digital equity” takes an essential part. Teachers need to be aware of technology resources, provide contents that are culturally relevant and connected to their community. It is not enough just to put a computer in front of a student, it is vital to take into consideration “digital equity”.   

Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry-based learning is a student-centered learning which is focused on developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, seeking solutions to questions, and reflecting on what students are doing. 

 I had been studied in a traditional school for many years which was based on memorization of facts, listening to teachers, and giving answers that teachers expected from us. Traditional way of learning did not involve a lot of thinking, but knowing concepts well. In college I experienced some inquire-based learning when teachers encouraged us to make observations, ask questions on what we were doing, reflect, and evaluate. That kind of learning required a lot of learning.  

In my future classroom inquire-based learning will definitely be a big part. I will try to incorporate this type of learning in every subject to make connection between various disciplines. Lessons will be based on students’ interests. I will make emphases on collaborative work where students are divided into smaller groups to discover things and search answers to questions on their own. Hands-on activities will be used to make connection to ideas. Technology will be integrated to enhance students’ thinking and creativity. Computers are useful to search information, contact experts, and share their projects with others. All these and many other inquiry learning techniques will be useful to involve students in learning process.

Copyright Issues for Educators

The Internet gives us access to enormous amount of information. However, can we copy them legally? Only after having read the articles on copyright laws and discussing them in class I realized that I cannot just copy videos, music, photos, documents, and books for myself, because the materials have copyright protection. Under “fair use” some materials can be copied if they are used for educational purposes and are part of the curriculum. However, they cannot be posted on blogs and websites. One of the most interesting things I learned in the classroom is that educators can’t show videos or DVDs in class as a reward. It is certainly that I won’t do in my classroom, as it is the violation of the copyright law. There were several cases when teachers were sued, although those teachers had good intentions for their student. There are many tricky limitations under “fair use”, even though materials are used for educational purposes. I will make sure to educate students on copyright issues, explain what is safe to do and what is illegal. It is certainly good to know what copyright law is.

Photoshop

Our digital cameras can provide us with good quality pictures. Using Photoshop (Picnic, Photoshop Online or other programs), however, the quality of these photos can be improved even more to match one’s taste. With Photoshop programs details of the picture can be adjusted. Exposure, brightness, tones of photos can be regulated. Imperfections can be removed as well.  In one of my photos I eliminated red eyes using Photoshop Online.

Photoshop is a great tool if you know how to use it. In our last class we were working with downloaded Photoshop program. That program was very confusing for me as I was not familiar with that program. It was hard for me to make any changes. I chose two pictures: one with a sunflower and another one with a blue butterfly. I wanted to insert a butterfly on the flower. It took me a long time to do such a simple task. I am sure anyone can get better in editing photos with Photoshop by playing around with the tools offered. But at the beginning it is frustrating.

I created a picture with a butterfly on a sunflower and inserted a poem about this insect. I would use this picture in first grade to teach some reading strategies such as matching pictures to words (the picture of a butterfly can help students to read about it in a poem). Fluency is another skill could be taught with this picture. The poem with colorful pictures can encourage children to read which promotes fluency.

UDL and eTips by Dexter

The UDL article and eTips by Dexters are closely interrelated. UDL includes three principles to guide children’s learning such as representation, expression, and engagement. Effective technology integration adds value in teaching and learning. It brings more benefits to children in learning process than one would receive otherwise. All students are different. They perceive and process information according to their learning styles. Classes in American schools are extremely diverse. There are English language learners and students with special needs. They all need individualized approaches. Incorporating technology into the curriculum by taking into the considerations the UDL principles allows meeting the needs of all students. Technology adds value in learning in various ways. It makes learning more successful by providing access to up-to date information, providing learning-by-doing opportunities, helping students to construct meanings through visualization. In addition, it promotes collaborative work with classmates which enhances their expressive skills and increases motivation. For teachers, technology adds value by assisting to develop lessons and assessing children’s knowledge.  

 

The photo on the left is original. To edit the picture on the right I clicked on auto-fix which made the picture bright and colorful.

To edit the picture I cropped the picture. Then I used the colors feature under basic edits to make this photo brighter and chose drop shadow frame to make it look like a post card.

The picture on the left is the original photo. I chose this one, because the picture is dark. I wanted to learn to make it lighter.

This is a changed picture using basics edits. First I clicked on auto-fix which made my picture brighter. With the crop feature I removed the man on the left side of the photo. I added the stickers of children, and framed

The Standard I Chose

I looked through the Common Core of Teaching to identify the standard I want to focus on. It highlights the discipline-based professional teaching standards. From those standards I chose to focus on numeracy at an elementary level. To create meaningful experiences I implement technology into the instructions. The following activities can be used in lessons:

 PowerPoint to teach basic addition or subtraction http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointlessonplans/ig/PowerPoint-Math-Lessons/Addition-Using-PowerPoint.htm

YouTube links with multiplication songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uktAPerDias&feature=BFa&list=PL0BCA317C05D40A58&lf=results_main

Web sites to practice math in a fun way at school and at home engaging parents as well

http://www.firstinmath.com/

Integrating technology in lessons helps children with different learning styles. Both visual and auditory learners benefit from learning math with technology. Children at risk can get important experiences and support through activities using technology.

Innovative Educator Blog by Lisa Neilsen

The Innovative Educator blog by Lisa Warlick is the most interesting for me. As an elementary school teacher, I found out about various ideas and lessons on how and what kind of technology to implement in primary grades. I learned that Mimio Board can be used to make math lessons interactive and enables children understand this subject better. A SmartPen is another technological device that both teachers and children can benefit from. Students can record the lesson and later go back into their notes and hear what was said in class. The pens allow the students to have a visual as well as audio record which they can then use to write. This is a great tool especially for slow learners to eliminate frustration and bring excitement into writing.  Lisa Warlick shares with another idea on how to make and publish books for free. With Flickr program students can make digital books that can be published online or printed for the classroom. This blog is a good source of ideas and lesson plans in terms of technology.

Teddy Bears Go Blogging

 “Teddy Bears Go Blogging” is such an interesting and informational article about using blogs as a writing tool not only by adults and college students, but in primary grades as well. Blogging has various advantages to promote learning in children. It makes writing not only interesting but also promotes awareness and understanding about other cultures. How much children can learn by exchanging a teddy bear with classes, taking him home for sleepovers, traveling, and sharing with their families, and then commenting on their blogs. Bloggers are easy in use. Pictures can be easily attached to postings, audio feature allows students with difficulty in keyboarding to leave a recorded message. Blogging is a great way to motivate students because blogging projects published on the Web give children a sense of ownership. Then parents and relatives can read and leave comments. How exciting is that!! Finally and most importantly it is save for young students. I believe that blogging improves teaching and makes learning effective and motivating.

Response to USA Today article on MP3 Usage

The article “Companies mine growth of MP3 homework” implies a new and interesting way to educate students. I think it is a great idea to study foreign languages using audio books except just reading a book and doing exercises because it is less frustrating and more convenient to learn. The article gives examples of two students Zollos and Whetstone who wear headphones and learn Spanish while doing laundry or shopping for grocery.  I wish my school had audio versions of books, so I could listen to dialogues in a foreign language whenever it was convenient for me.

Another idea I found interesting in the article is that audio textbooks are available at colleges. At Stanford University and University of Wisconsin-Madison professors post lectures that students can receive them for free. Some schools assign listening assignments rather than reading. Students can save so much time listening to audio book while doing their house chores or driving the cars or listening to a professor’s lecture at home. It is changing how people are educated.

I also believe that children with emergent literacy benefit a lot from audio materials. It is known that read aloud activities promote literacy in young children. However, teachers should not solely rely on audio books when children can already read. In my opinion, educational materials in MP3 form are good sources to encourage reading in children later in their lives, but not the main ones. Audio books should not replace regular books. I hope that Taylor is right by saying, “…  new gadgets are unlikely to replace the book as we know it. More people are buying books than ever before”.

My Learning Style

First of all it was my first time to take learning style quizzes. But I always knew I am a visual learner. It is never enough for me just to listen to a lecture because I get distracted easily. I stay focused and remember better with visual aids. I liked “What’s your style” quiz because after taking it I got good tips for visual learners. I found “Learning Style Quiz” helpful for me as a teacher.  Children come with different learning capacities. Information in this test can help me to identify children’s strengths and understand their learning styles. I can create and modify lesson plans according to children’s capacities and intelligence. 

What Do I Want To Learn In This Class

First of all it was my first time to take learning style quizzes. But I always knew I am a visual learner. It is never enough for me just to listen to a lecture because I get distracted easily. I stay focused and remember better with visual aids. I liked “What’s your style” quiz because after taking it I got good tips for visual learners. I found “Learning Style Quiz” helpful for me as a teacher. Children come with different learning capacities. Information in this test can help me to identify children’s strengths and understand their learning styles. I can create and modify lesson plans according to children’s capacities and intelligence.