Google Calendar

My course calendar with all future assignments posted.


I decided to embed the code rather than just paste a link that way you can view the rest of the course one month at a time. Are we there yet? One month down and one more to go!

I think that this calendar could be used for a multitude of applications in regards to teaching. Time always seems to be an issue in the field of teaching (there is never enough of it). Also, if we are collaborative teachers we could place our lesson plans into a calendar and share with our co-teacher (II-E). We could use the lesson plan calendar to collaborate in a real time environment from two different rooms or, if needed, even from home (V-D). I believe that the calendar will "roll over" into the next year (V-C) giving us a basis to start with for the following year's lesson plans. In other words, we would only need to adjust the pacing and build on the activities that did or didn't work last year. We could then add new and more innovative activities without starting from scratch on the pacing and content helping us become more focused on the individual learners every year:)

Google Forms

I created an introductory activity to be used at the beginning of the year to get to know my students and gather the contact information I may need during the course of the school year. This would allow me to access the information at anytime and/or update it without keeping a file of index cards on my desk (ISTE, V-C). It would also give me access to the information at home since the form is published on the web and the results are placed in a spreadsheet that I can view from any computer by accessing the file in google docs. I can view the form in a summary context or the actual answers placed in a spreadsheet (ISTE, V-D). This allows me to sort the information which ever way the context of the answer allows. In other words, text can be alphabetized and numbers can be analyzed (ISTE, IV-B) for statistical purposes (although this is not my intention for the form I created). I have a google docs place created and I access the form through this site. However you may be able create it and then e-mail it to yourself so I am not sure if google docs is required or just easier. I also placed the survey below. I had to change the code in order to fit the image into my post (one of the problems I encountered on the Jing assignment) and not have it cover the entire screen.

Tiny cc/Bitly

I decided on the website tiny url for this assignment. I then tried it out by going to amazon and finding a product I wanted to possibly buy or just thought was cool:) I pasted the link to this item into the page and shortened it by clicking on the "Make TinyURL!". See below ( I used the snipping tool!):

The site then creates a unique "tiny" url to use that is much easier to distribute to anyone else who might be interested in purchasing the same item.

This is an extremely useful tool in general but even better when you need to give your students an address to type in order to access a particular site, image, etc. for an assignment. The ISTE standards most closely related to this activity would be III-D since it would help to manage student learning activities.

Reading Week 4

I created a word document to explain why I chose the five learning principles from the article provided. The link to my document is here.

The ISTE standards most closely related to this assignment are II-A & III-B. Information related to these learning principles would assist teachers with planning learning activities and use technology to support learner-centered strategies.

Online Graphing Tools

First, I went to the website for the testing scores. I had to view three different year's scores in order to make a comparison, 2005, 2007 and 2009 since the scores were listed by testing years.

Next, I created a document comparing the 4th grade reading scores for West Virginia students to the national average with a bar graph to illustrate the summary comparison included in my document.

Finally, the 8th grade reading scores for West Virginia students were compared to the national average with two pie charts to illustrate the summary comparison included in my second document.

All of the graphs were created using Kids Zone graphing tools.

The ISTE standards modeled in this activity would be V-A&B since this activity is more for the professional development of the teacher and could be used to reflect on professional practices. Although the national testing and evaluation practices may not be under our control the results could be used as a small part of  the much bigger picture in regards to our evaluation of professional practices.

Reading Week 3

I read the next three pages of the assigned article and addressed the prompts given for the second reading assignment.

The ISTE standards most closely related to this assignment are II-B (current research), III-C (higher order thinking/creativity), VI-B (special ed students).

Blog Poll Gadget

As you can see I placed a poll onto my Blog regarding Obama's health care reform. I hope that everyone keeps a sense of humor when you read the possible responses.

Polls would be beneficial for collecting and analyzing data in order to interpret results to improve instructional practices and hopefully move toward maximizing student learning (IV-B).

Web Survey - Zoomerang

I went onto the Zoomerang website and created a short survey. I then created a link to my survey and included it here.

There are many potential uses for this type of application. For example, we could customize these surveys for use as quizzes, tests, self-evaluations (such as the self assessments in this course), etc. The most applicable of the ISTE standards is IV-A if we use this app in the mentioned forum. We could also design a survey for the students to evaluate a particular project or activity, maybe even evaluate us so that we may self-evaluate, which would relate to standards IV-B and II-E.

Word Cloud

Philosophy of Teaching
Cheryl G

I decided to use my philosophy of teaching for my word cloud. I also provided the directions on how I completed this assignment using the Jing video assignment.

I believe that my students would really enjoy this activity. It is simple and fun :) and could be used in a multitude of applications. This culminating activity could be used for assessment and evaluation, therefore the standards most closely related would be IV-A,C. Students could place a product for anything into this program and have some fun before they submit it.

Jing Screencast

Here is a link to my video on how to create a word cloud.

This was the toughest assignment so far. I think that I spent 3-4 hours on just the video.


The answer to the questions are below:
The file types that come out of Jing are .png (images) and .swf (videos). We can save these files to our computer and to the internet. They are stored in the windows photo gallery and the video folder on your computer and on the world wide web (URL). They can also be stored in a personal  library account if you choose. You can link to a screencast by simply using the provided url. The Jing objects are automatically saved in your history and you can retrieve them by simply clicking on the history bubble and choosing the file. The file type for our Jing screencast is a .swf file because we did not get the Pro version. No we cannot convert the images and videos unless we upgrade to the pro version of Jing.

Both standards that applied to the Jing Image could also be applied here along with III-C because potentially you could have students create a video therefore, develop their higher order thinking skills and foster creativity.

Jing Image

Here is my Jing Graphic for a flow chart

used in my Chemistry class to explain how to determine what type of chemical reaction is taking place.

The ISTE most closely related to this assignment is V-C since this application would apply technology to increase productivity. It could also be used to communicate and collaborate with peers so V-D could also be applied here.

Self Portrait

I had fun making the self portrait. I am not sure that it looks very much like me but...


I had very few problems with the creation of the portrait. The only minor problem I encountered was that I wanted to add color and I thought that I would do this last. However, when I went to select things to color I had trouble clicking on the correct spot to color the item I wanted since everything was in layers. I did not want to start over because I liked my image so I settled for a few colored items. It turned out better this way :)


I then saved the image in the gallery and e-mailed a copy to myself. It took me awhile to figure out that I needed to use the snipping tool to get the image into my blog. At first I spent some time looking for the code in order to put the image into my blog post. I soon realized that this was an adobe file and that the only way to display it would be to "scan" it into the computer.


The site I used to create this artifact is included here.


The ISTE NETS for this assignment would be the same as for the Snipping Tool assignment since it utilized the same technology.

Snipping Tool

I first created a shortcut on my desktop to the snipping tool by following the directions provided in this assignment. I then wanted to get an image of the Microsoft excel toolbar since some of my students have never seen this program used. I opened the excel program then clicked on the snipping tool shortcut and created a new image by dragging the rectangular window to "capture" the parts of the toolbar I wanted to include.

The reason I chose this image is that I thought that I could include it in the typed directions that I usually provide for my students when we use this program. This would give them a visual of the toolbar and I could also circle things mentioned in the directions. When they enter the program they could then look for the images of the icons that are described in the written directions.

The ISTE NETS standards that apply to this assignment are many. The three major ones are: II-A since using excel helps to support the diverse needs of learners; III-D since this tool provides a way to manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment; and VI-E since the improved directions would facilitate equitable access to technology resources.

Reading Week 2

I read the first eight pages of the provided article and created a document in google docs to answer the two questions posed in the assignment.

I am not sure whether I need to connect this assignment with the ISTE NETS or not but... I believe this assignment would address II-E because it helps us to plan strategies that manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment. Also, II-B because the article provides information used to plan learning environments based on research; V-B since it helps us to evaluate ourselves in regards to whether technology will support student learning by helping us make informed decisions regarding what type of technology to use in certain situations or to teach specific objectives; and finally, VI-C the information assists us in identifying and using technology resources that affirm diversity. How does this information do this? Click here to find out more.

Diigo Assignment

What is a browser add on? Give an example and explain why useful.
I believe that a browser add on is a chunk of software connected to more complex software, browser, to enhance its features, improve experiences on a website by providing multimedia or interactive content. Two common examples are extra toolbars that provide easy access to e-mail, galleries, links, etc. and pop-up blockers which stop all the annoying advertisements and/or block other programs access to your computer.

Which add-ons have you used or are you currently using? What is your experience with add-ons? Did installations work smoothly?
The only add-ons I have used and are currently using are the extra toolbars that came with my antivirus software and my past or current browser. I did, however, have an add on called forecast fox weather when my primary browser was Mozilla, but now I am using Google Chrome and I do not use any add-ons right now. In fact, I haven't even customized my home page much. The installation of the one add-on I did purposefully use went very smoothly since my son did it for me and he downloaded it directly from Mozilla. Any other add-ons I may currently be using had to have been automatically downloaded with my browser.

I guess in a nutshell my experience with add-ons is very, very limited:(

The ISTE NETS standards that most closely match this activity would be for the most part I-A and I-B since I was not very familiar with add-ons and have now learned a little more. Additionally, II-C may apply as well since I did locate and identify resources and evaluate them for suitability.

Philosophy

I first created the answers to the two provided questions in Microsoft Word,changing the wording and sentence structure of my paragraphs until the Flesch-Kinkaid reading level was as high as I could get it (22.7). Finally, I uploaded the document to google docs. and posted my philosophy to the web.

I then created an avatar using the voki link on the assignment page.

The ISTE NETS standards, I feel, used in this assignment are I-B, III-B, IV-B, and V-C. Since this activity provided a demonstration of growth in technology for myself, it supports learner-centered strategies by addressing the diverse needs of the students (reading levels), improves instructional practices by assisting the teacher with preparing activities appropriate for all reading levels, and finally, increasing teacher productivity when students "get it" the first time when the assignment is on-level with their reading abilities.

Test Questions- Learning Styles

The learning styles are visual (spatial), aural (auditory-musical), physical (kinesthetic), logical (mathematical), social (interpersonal) and solitary (intrapersonal). Knowing the learning styles of your students and even yourself can assist students with retaining information. The more areas of the brain involved in an activity the better since research has shown that this improves that speed and quality of learning. If you know your own learning style you can better assess your teaching methods to see if you are favoring one type of learning. In other words, do you pick activities related to your own type of learning style(s) or do you encompass all learning styles in your teaching methods?

I believe that it does matter, especially in special education since these students all struggle with education for different reasons. Knowing the learning styles of your students helps you to work through some of the issues each individual student may have with learning the material you are presenting. It teaches them a thought process rather than basic facts.

Introduction of Me

I am married with two young-adult children whom are both currently attending college at WVU. My husband and I just celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary on the 20th of May. I entered the teaching profession as a second career in 2000. I currently co-teach Biology and Chemistry at the high school level to both special education and regular education students. I am taking this course to finish my Master's Degree in Education. I look forward to learning all that I can about helping students succeed in the classroom and prepare each of them for their futures in society which will, of course, involve technology.

Browser Wars Test Questions

I learned that a Browser is a software app used to retrieve, present and traverse information on the world wide web. Also, according to the linked website provided in this course, as of April 2011 Firefox is number one with 42.9% of the market and Chrome is second at 25.6%, Internet Explorer is third at 24.3% and Safari is fourth at 4.1%. Personally, I currently use Google Chrome. I just recently (within the last 3 months or so) switched from Firefox although I still have Firefox loaded onto my computer.
A browser war is just that a war between companies to control the market and remain on top by producing better and better features to meet the needs of a diverse population that includes many different world cultures. It's all about the money. This is what drives the war. If a company can remain on top then they can market their software to more and more companies making compatible games, software, etc.

Just my thoughts:)

Post my Resume

I have uploaded my resume to google docs and I am placing a link to access it now in order to receive credit for the assignment.