week four blog one

We are so lucky to live in these times and be able to accommodate special needs children the way we do.  There are so many technological advances that not only help the children learn, but also help us teach.  

One of the web 2.0 application websites that I analyzed was called Skype.  Skype is a free service that offers video and audio calls online.  You can chat 1 to 1 or through group video calling.  A key feature that is offered and that is extremely helpful when teaching is the screen sharing option.  With this option I may allow you to view my computer screen so that I can show you how to do something, or show you what I am doing or looking at. The screen sharing option can really help students who may need that extra demonstration that others don't.  I think that using the screen sharing on Skype is actually better then standing over the student and showing them where to click because it forces them to analyze and do it themselves, which will help them remember it.

 Another application that I analyzed and found important and useful for students with special needs was called Bloglines.  Bloglines is one of the largest news and feed aggregators in the world.  With over two million users, this website has so much information.  The tool not only helps you build and develop a blog, but you can then share it with whomever you choose across the Internet.  The program is free so it is very classroom accessible.  I imagine this tool extremely useful for painfully shy students, or students who do not speak English well, or students with a studder or speech impediment.  The students and teacher can link to each others blogs and use them very similar to how we have our discussions in blackboard.  Everyone will have equal access to participate and also since in order to use the website, you need a computer with Internet, you can ask the students harder questions that they may have to do a little research to fully develop an understanding.

The third tool that I thought would be extremely useful in a classroom with students with special needs is 280 slides.  With 280 Slides, teachers can send presentations from one to another.  I found this most interesting because personally, I am only receiving my teaching licensure.  I am not going to get a special education license.  However, I can speak with teachers who already have their special education license and share slideshows via 280 slides to make sure that my work can accommodate my students with special needs.  Also I can view slideshows created just for students with special needs and use them if deemed fit.  This allows me to expand and share with a community of teachers to help better the education for my students. 

week three blog one

After watching the lecture on Web 2.0, I can't say I was too impressed with the information presented.  While there were some good ideas presented, most of the suggestions were dependent upon other aspects of a school.  If you are working in a low income area, then making the busses wireless for students to work on their laptops is never going to happen.  Not to mention that in inner city schools a laptop, cell phone, or expensive piece of technology is easily stolen. 

I do like how David Jakes explained encouraging students to work at non traditional work spaces.  The students meeting up to do calculus homework was a great example of how everyone can do work online..... as long as you have a portable computer.  Many cafe's and fast food places do offer free wi-fi.  This can be such a useful tool for students who may not have good internet connections at home, or a way for group projects to be completed.

Another idea that was presented that I liked was blogs.  Like this class, other classes can require blog posts and comments on others.  The blog post serves many purposes.  It makes you learn a new skill, and how to adapt a skill you already know to another one.  When saying that, I mean that if a student already knows Word, then once they understand the general basics of a blog, the rest will be easy because they already know how to navigate the toolbar and what each symbol means.  The repetitive icons help students learn and adapt to a new technology.  While it is more updated and interpersonal then a word document, it can be used the same. 

The third thought that I thought could be useful for me as a teacher to use in my classroom was moodle.  I had never heard of moodle and after the lecture went to the website to get a better feel of what it was.  I think its such a useful tool for educators.  It is a free service, which is very important for most schools.  It is a good supplement to a regular class.  Since it is an online course setting, it would be great if in the classroom you did work face to face but if all homework was completed on moodle.  I think that blended learning is a positive aspect to teaching that should be implemented into a schools curriculum. 
2. blogs
3. moodle

week one blog two

Post one recommendation per technology on how to have your school “accept with enthusiasm” these new technologies. Envision that you are giving advice to the school administrators/school board/PTA on how to integrate emerging technologies into the school curriculum.

1. Mobile Computing - Most mobile phones come with bluetooth.  With bluetooth it is possible to share files automatically, without Internet connection, to many people in a short period of time.  Bluetooth can then be hooked from a mobile phone and uploaded to a computer.  This is a good way for students to receive assignments.  This connection would be done directly in the classroom so there is no room for email and Internet excuses.

2. Open Content - With open content it is easy to compare lesson plans and requirements between districts and also gain tips and tricks from wealthier communities that can afford to do more research on learning abilities and disabilities. 

3. Electronic Books -  With electronic books available, students will not have to carry around heavy books, preventing Scoliosis.  E-Books are also more affordable when it comes to pricing and can be toted anywhere for homework on the go.

4. Simple Augmented Reality -  Augmented reality has been made much more accessible to students and educators recently and since most people already have smart phones or laptops the shift would not require much effort.

5. Gesture-Based Computing - These devices are excellent for children who play too many video games and sit around all day.  These devices provide some physical activity and exercise that children require.  These can be brought into a classroom on a rainy day when children cannot go outside for recess.  The games also are strong builders for hand eye coordination.

6. Visual Data Analysis - The product itself promises to make it possible for anyone to sift through, display, and understand complex concepts and relationships.  These can very easily become integrated into a Mathematics classroom and help students immensely with problem solving.
 

week one blog one

Write three "learnings/insights” that you will incorporate into your life as an educator.   Write one paragraph per learning by stating the learning, reference/cite what Friedman stated that is important, and then how will you incorporate your learning into your teaching. 

Be specific with at least two examples of how you will incorporate your learnings as an educator into your school environment.
1. I believe it is important to challenge my students.  Without being presented with a somewhat forceful push, students may never realize what they can do.  Art isn't learned, it's a natural ability that can be enhanced with practice.  When students do not have that desire for practice, a challenge must be presented to get them to practice.  In 2007 Friedman stated, America was going to be challenged, but, he insisted, the challenge would be good for America because we are always at our best when we are being challenged.  I firmly believe we are always at our best when being challenged.  As a teacher, I am strongly determined to push my students to their maximum potential and I believe the best way to do that is by challenging them.

2. To get to this point took a lot of new software innovation piled on the shoulders of earlier innovations (Friedman, 2007)  Thinking about this quote really made me realize that technology is an ever evolving thing.  There is no end to it.  What we thought was the top of the line is now a mere foundation for bigger and better things.  Students should learn to evolve with technology so that they can adapt to our new technological world.  Without knowledge of how a calculator works, you can never figure out a computer. If you cannot xerox a flyer, then you will never be able to scan something into a computer and Photoshop it. I realize that since the world as a whole depends on technology so much, it is vital for students to learn how to use it as well. 

3. I enjoy tangible items.  Personally, technology frightens me.  With the internet growing by the minute, books become forgotten.  But there are images, videos, books, even from ages ago, that will now be searchable (Friedman, 2007).  This quote really stuck with me.  It made me realize that the books are not going away, they are just changing location.  It is important for me to bring these things that we could not see before into the classroom.  Through the internet, I can discuss with my students history through art.  Online, it is possible to take virtual tours of museums that my students will never be able to afford to visit.  There are many sources through the internet for me to bring into the classroom.

This is my first post!

this is my first blog post!