Blog Post #17- Bolgfolio

1.) Introduction Video


 






















In this assignment we had to make an introduction video. In my video I discussed where I was from, and some of my hobbies. This was a little awkward to do because we had to have other class member’s video us. We were only in class a week when we had to do this so we really didn’t know anyone. After we made the video we had to post it to our blog, and include a video description. Getting the video to my blog wasn’t as easy I thought it would be, but after send it to myself through an email and downloading it I was able to upload it to my blog. Although this project was a little awkward I think it will help students in the future to get to know a little bit about their fellow class mates. For me through this project I met two people, and we have become good friends. Also, we have decided to keep in touch after this class, and try to see each other when we can. All in all this was a great opener assignment for the semester.  Many people are really shy so getting to meet at least one person in their class is a good thing.

NETS-T Standard:

 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
    a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools     and resources to promote student learning and creativity


2.) Concept Map

 

For this assignment we had to create a concept map of something to do with education. I chose to do mine of the climates of North America. This was a fun assignment because we got to learn how to make a concept map. I have never made one before so this was interesting to make. Also, I liked that we could change the colors, and fonts on the concept map. I chose this topic because I feel like I could use in my future classroom. This could be good to use because it can help children to see how there are some of the same climates in North America as there are in other parts of the world. This assignment had its challenges because I had to find the correct information for each climate type, and know about them to present it to the class. I was nervous to present my final project to the class because I am not very good at talking in front of crowds, but I made it through. I learned that making a concept map can break things down for people, and maybe useful in the future as I become a teacher. I really enjoyed this assignment.
 

NETS-T Standard:

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

3.) Web Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this assignment we had to create a website that as a teacher I might use. This was a interesting assignment because I have never created a website before. It was fun to learn how to make it, and configure everything on the website. I think that in the future if the school I teach at does not already have a website that I will create one for students, and their parents to look at. I like that I could make this website my own by adding information about myself, and having pictures that I thought where appropriate. Also, I liked that there was a calendar feature so that I could upload a calendar of future classroom, and school events.  I think parents will like this idea because they can keep up with what their child is up to at school, and know about upcoming events where they can help. I think it is important to have contact information on the website so that if parents have questions they can get in contact with you easily. I am not sure if there is a feature, but if there was a way parents could message you on the website that would be a good idea.

NETS-T Standard:

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning 
    b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using       digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation 

4.) My Movie

For this assignment we created a movie. I choice to do how to make a 7up cake because I felt that it was a good step by step process that I could illustrate in pictures. I really enjoyed this assignment because we go to play around with the movie, and really make it our own. Also, we were able to add animations, and music to our video to give it an extra something. I think this will be fun for children to use because they can do a certain subject, and really get into the subject. Also, I think that anyone can use this, and find it fun and easy to use. I hope to use this in my class one day, and that my future students will be able to use it. One interesting thing I learned to do in this movie making process was converting a YouTube video into an mp3 file. I think that was really fun, and I plan on doing that again. This is probably my favorite project we did in the semester. I think I liked it so much because I love making PowerPoints, and this was sort of like making one of those.

NETS-T Standard:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
    c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify            students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative            processes 

5.) Turn it in

For this assignment we had to look up articles that covered social and legal issues in using technology. We first had to find articles then we had to paste the information into a word document, and submit it into turn it in. After we saw how much of the article was plagiarized we started to work on another paper that was our one words. After we finished our paper we resubmitted it into the turn it in page. I think this assignment can be useful when students are first starting to learn about plagiarism. They can do what we did for the first activity, and understand that they cannot copy others words without citing them. This should defiantly be done in a English class, but it should be explained that in any class you cannot plagiarize. Also, this can be used in higher grades to remind students that plagiarism is wrong, and that there are ways teachers know you have plagiarized on any assignment. I will definitely use the turn it in website in my future classrooms. Also, I will make sure students know I use it, and maybe that will be extra encouragement to produce papers that are their own words

NETS-T Standard:
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility    a.advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and
    technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the
    appropriate documentation of sources
6.) Web tools

For this assignment we had to create an online rubric, online quiz, and online bookmarks. This assignment was very confusing, and some of the websites would not work very well. For the online quiz I decided to do it on World War One and I wrote ten questions about it. The website would not let me save the quiz so I had to take pictures of the quiz I made because I wanted to get credit for it. Furthermore, for the online rubric I decided to do it on a puppet shoe because I thought that this would be something fun I could use in the future. The website would not let me save the rubric so I had to copy and paste the rubric to my blog. For the online bookmarks I decided to do mine on technology in a special education classroom. I had a lot of difficulty with this one. First the website would not let me register so I had to use Kelsey Hux log in before I could start. Then after I got in I was about to add my own bookmarks, and finish the assignment. I did not see a way to save the assignment so I posted a link to my blog.

NETS-T Standard:

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
   d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative           assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching

7.) Google Groups

For the last assignment we did we had to get into a google group. My group was group four and it consisted of me, Matthew, Courtney, Jessica, and Brittney. The group appointed me to be the group manager, and to make sure everyone had the assignments in on time. Although at certain times a group member decided to take control when I was the manager we made it through each assignment. The assignment was interesting because we had to work together to get a final project done. I have never done google groups before so all of the tasks where completely new to me. We had to do a google PowerPoint, and document which was easy after I figured out where to do them at. All of this was a learn experience for me, and I think I will use this in my future. Also, I liked that we could see who had a particular task done, and we could edit each other’s work, and add our own work into the same assignment. The group I had worked well together at get each thing done, and helping each other if anyone had a question about the assignment.

NETS-T Standard:
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning   
  b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using      digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

8.) Reflection

From this class I have learned to use technology is ways that I did not know I could. For instance learning about google maps and the array of things that you can use it for. Also, learning that google itself has so much tools you can use such as blogger, documents, and drive. I think that I am strong in my willingness to learn about new technology, and do the best I can to understand it. My weakness is that I am not very good at using technology rather that I do not know what all technology is out there that can benefit me.  I think I am weak in this area because technology does not like me, and I can seem to find a way to mess up a computer very easily. I think that I need more training on dealing with errors, and learning more about the vast resources that are out there.  My future learning goals is to learn as much as I can about technology so that I can be prepared to help my future students. This includes learning about resources that can be beneficial to them. Also, never stop the learning process is key to being a teacher. I feel that you can always learn new things, and new ways to help students learn and grow. I will be diligent to work hard to help my students anyway I can. In my future special education classroom I will have tablets students can use on a daily basis to they can work on projects, and assignments. Also, I will use smart boards to make my classroom more interactive. Students will be able to come, and touch the board to help with different assignments. Also, I will let them use computers so that they can do different learning software to help them learn certain tasks. I think that blogs can be useful in education because teachers can help other teachers. For instance if you are a new teacher, and you find there are not any blogs about the new teacher experience you can create one. Also, if you are an older teacher you can impart your vast wisdom on to a younger generation of teachers. Furthermore, students can use blogs as an online journal to how they are feeling about their time in there life’s. I think that will work for students that are in a creative writing class or just want to let off some steam. Of course we must make sure students know to keep it professional online.

Blog Post #16- Safe Pratice for Life Online

Safe Practices for Life Online (answers)

1. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

2. One article I found online, How to Stop the Bullies by Emily Bazelon, went into much detail about social media and how complaints, etc. are handled. In this article she discusses a case where cyber bullying led to one girls suicide. The three male students involved were not punished in any way by the school because it was something that did not happen on school grounds. I found this to be the case with a lot of reports involving students and social media.  The consequences are determined by the court if a case went far enough for criminal charges, but unless the event taking place happened on school grounds or at a school function- most principals and school boards claim they are unable to punish a student for something that did not directly involve the school. One site states, “There are a variety of different consequences of cyberbullying for the bully, including being suspended from school and being removed from sports teams and school organizations. Depending upon the acts and motives of the bully, there are legal consequences of cyberbullying and charges that may be filed against him or her.” Also, there are no current laws on the books about cyber bullying, although there are a lot of other categories actions can fall under to press criminal charges. When conducting a search for “arrest” “charged” and “disciplined” I found that there have been a lot of arrest made of parents of minors for child abuse and a lot of teens arrested for their associations with bullying that lead to criminal charges- but its all actions taken by parents or the state. Although there were a lot of arrests made, I saw less actual “charges” come up when conducting the search.

3. In my own words, sexting is sending sexually related messages or photos using a cellphone, tablet, or computer. cramming is having to fit a large task or amount of information into a small amount of time before a deadline. Web cookies are text files sent from a server to a browser using the internet. the browser saves the text file and sends it back to the server when searches are done (Web cookies, Vangie Beal, http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/cookie.html). Trojan horse is a program designed to breach security programs and deliver virus into a computing system (Google define). Phishing is impersonating an actual company online in order to gain financial information of account holders (Google define). Spyware is “software that enables a user to obtain covert information about another's computer activities by transmitting data covertly from their hard drive” (Google define).

4. These screen names are poor choices for a couple of reasons. Screen names, such as trashmouth, give an aggressive and inappropriate impression. Accounts and screen names should be appropriate since teachers or future employers could have access to them. By having bad screen names, the students are creating a bad impression.

5. Choosing the wrong screen name can result in bullying. InYoFace and Badboy2U are agressive and will likely lead to trouble. Lookin4Luv and suPaFlirt are names they convey a message that will show others that they can easily take advantage of them. Overall, a screen name can change the way others are treated.

6. Screen names can often reveal too much. Missy-13 is likely revealing her age. A screen name that reveals a persons interest could be bad too. ViolinGurl shows that this girl is interested in music and will likely talk to anyone about it. It is important to not reveal too much personal information in a screen name.

7. After looking at all the screen name I would says they were all poor choices because they will either receive negative responses or they are just not professional. Also some of them were too revealing such as KeKe 1995, Karla-Love-1996.

8. CRK0899@

           KM2R7C@

           W210573@

9. K0357410 Is the password I believe would be hard to crack because it has random numbers and a random letter.

10. The most common reason students’ online accounts are broken into is students give their password to their friends, who then decide to use it or give it to others who use it. The least common reason is others who know personal things about the student guess their password.

11.     This video, I feel, has some extremely good facts about where computer viruses come from. The video also offered several different ways to extract a virus from a computer. Along with showing different ways in which to get a virus off a computer, the video showed how one would be able to tell if a virus is present on his or her computer. Many different applications and programs were mentioned to rid a computer of a virus. I feel that most of these programs will do a good job of getting rid of a virus and is worth the cost. I also think a computer virus can sometimes be easily avoided, but some viruses are there no matter is done on the computer and there is nothing the user can do about it.

        Although I agree with the video’s suggestions as to how to get rid of a computer, I feel that many programs are applications that can be purchased will only infect the computer more. That being said, I also feel that the programs, although sometimes worth the cost, is nothing but the user paying money just to receive another virus on the computer. I do like, however, the different ways that one could find out if he or she has a virus and I learned many things about determining whether or not I have a virus on my computer. After watching this video, I feel the best way to prevent a virus is just to make sure users are visiting safe sites and hopefully a virus will not pop up. The chances of a virus becoming present on a computer reduce dramatically if the user practices “safe sites.”

13. Criminals are targeting internet user more and more everyday. Now the ICCC or the Internet Crime Complaint Center is receiving knowledge that online advertisements are now being targeted. Many criminals will show an ad online showing they have an item for sale and the ad includes a number where they can be reached.  After they have get contacted by an interested buyer they will send a text message that states they must have there email address. Then the criminals send more information, and pictures of the items for sale. The emails are coming from Ebay and customers think they are dealing with an actual seller. Furthermore, after this the customer sends their money through what they think is actually Ebay, but in reality the criminals are taking their money. The main targets for these ads are boats, cars, heavy equipment, and others like these. Also, the article discusses what the FBI recommends that online customers do such as, be cautious when responding to advertisements and special offers.

Blog Post #15- Web tools

QUIZ

 

 

RUBRIC

Puppet Show : Favorite Book Teacher Name: Ms. Downs Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Puppet Manipulation	Puppeteers always manipulated puppets so audience could see them.	Puppeteers usually manipulated puppets so audience could see them.	Puppeteers sometimes manipulated puppets so audience could see them.	Puppeteers rarely manipulated puppets so audience could see them.
Puppet Construction	Puppets were original, creative, and constructed well. No pieces fell off during the performance.	Puppets were original and constructed well. No pieces fell off during the performance.	Puppets were constructed fairly well. No pieces fell off during the performance.	Puppets were not constructed well. Pieces fell off during the performance.
Expression	Puppeteers' voices showed a lot of expression and emotion.	Puppeteers' voices showed some expression and emotion.	Puppeteers' voices showed a little expression and emotion.	Puppeteers' voices were monotone and not expressive.
Staying in Character	Puppeteers stayed in character throughout the performance.	Puppeteers stayed in character through almost all of the performance.	Puppeteers tried to stay in character through some of the performance.	Puppeteers acted silly or showed off.
Scenery	Scenery was creative, added interest to the play, and did not get in the way of the puppets.	Scenery was creative and did not get in the way of the puppets.	Scenery did not get in the way of the puppets.	Scenery got in the way of the puppets OR distracted the audience.
Correct Protrayal of Book	Puppeteers knew the book very well.	Had a limit of 5 notecards per person.	Had each group member in character, and each member stayed in character.	Puppeteers turned in there notecards at the end of class.
Poster of Characters	Puppeteers had a poster of each character.	Poster included each members name and the character they portrayed.	Poster looked organized.	Poster has pictures of characters.

To view information about the Privacy Policies and the Terms of Use, please go to the following web address:

BOOKMARKS

http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/mts/manageTrack.do

Blog Post # 14

The article discussed a guide to technology in the classroom. The main way to help children learn with technology is to convince them they can use there devices for learning. Furthermore, it goes over stages that can guide the technological classroom. Stage one discusses about doing your homework, and preparing as teacher for things that may happen. It goes over lesson planning, leg work, troubleshooting, and take way. Stage two goes over that you should post and discuss learning goals at the beginning. Also, go over what they students will do and what is expected of them in the classroom.  Stage three goes over balancing time with technology, and using other modes of learning. Stage four is about using the various technologies that children love in the classroom.  It goes over how the old days of whiteboards are over, and iPads should be used.

I do like the suggestions that where made in the article, and I am all for using technology in the classroom. I think that even if children do not have technology outside of the classroom they require more stimulus than just paper and colors. I think I would be able to implement these in my future classroom. Hopefully I will work in a school that has access to technology so that I can use it in my classroom.

Blog Post #13

The article is about how the rate of young people being diagnosed with ADHD or Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder.  There is an eleven percent increase in 2011. The reasons for this is changes in how children are being diagnosed and new guidelines for the diagnosing ADHD. Also, different medications and treatment, and the simple awareness of ADHD.  There is an author that has her own view on why the rise in ADHD has occurred, and the article discusses her view. She starts off talking about a mother who called her talking about her six year old son. She discussed how her son would come home from school with a yellow sticker while others had a green one, and how this was effecting the child's view of himself. The author goes on to discuss how there are demands on time, and students are being forced to stay seated for a longer period of time. Also, there recess times are begin cut because of the demand  on education.  Children are not getting enough time to go out and play and explore the world they study about. Hanscon states that children are loosing their strength and balance because of all the sitting they do. She says that recess time needs to be extended so that children can learn.

There is a problem because children are being put under more and more stress at younger ages. Children need to learn effectively and learn all they need to go on to the next stage in there academic career, but there children they need fun. Children need to go outside and play , and run off the bound up energy they carry around. It can be a break from all the learning children must do now a days.  As a future educator I know this is a major problem so I will implement stretching times. So when children are doing activities they have time to stretch and just get there energy flowing rather than to continue to set and get  bored. Also, have reading time and other actives where the children can set on the floor, read and listen. I will just work to make the subjects more interesting to keep the children attention, and have more hands on learning to get them involved so they want care that they are setting down. The major this is to let kids be kids , but make sure they have order while they do it. Make sure children are having fun while learning is the best way I can help them to not focus on the time they are setting down.

Blog Post #12- 6 Videos

The first video I watched was the class room of tomorrow video, and I found it to be really interesting. The video showed all types of technology that would possibly one day be used in the classroom. The most interesting possible technology was where you scanned your phone on the window or wall, and it pulled up whatever you wanted to see and it was really big. I don't think these will be available in every school, but in some schools that have the money it is  plausible to think they may use all of these different technologies. 

The second video I watched was the voice of the active learner, and I thought this was some thing that people really need to consider. Many students are active learners and really need that extra visualization that technology can offer. The narrator of the video stated classrooms isn't enough when you can use technology. They clam that there will be virtual schools, and half of high schools in the future will be using online classes. I hope that one day there isn't complete virtual schools or else I will be out of a job, but I don't think that will happen because it would so much money to make schools completely virtual. 

The third video I watched was the future that starts now, and I really liked this video and the way the Norwegian people seems to think about technology. They use ICT or information and communication technology, and they video wants people to get involved in the process of ICT. The video discuss that the more students learn better that it could motivate students to stay in school and learn. I agree with that because if students are bored they are not going to learn anything so by integrating technology in the classroom that is great way to help them learn. I feel that the author was correct, and her attitudes where very plausible.


The fourth video I watched was designing schools for 21st century learning.  It talked about how environment of the classroom is important.  Also, environment should be where students feel comfortable, and can be themselves. I don't like the idea of  the open classroom it could be very distracting for students. 

The fifth video I watched was tools and resources fro 21st century education.  This video discussed different websites, apps, and programs you can use in the classroom. There where a variety of sources and many of them I have never heard of before. I think the author did a good presentation because the slides where interactive, and there where a range of tools to look at. Some of the tools where you tube, Slide Share, poll everywhere, and social media sites Facebook and twitter. I think these are great tools that can be used in the classroom by the students, and teachers.

The sixth video I watched was a vision of the 21st century teaching. The video was about helping teachers to use technology to help there students learn more effectively.  I liked that one of the poster the people held was alignment with real life which I think some teachers forget to do. I think if you show the real life practicality of subjects that students would be more interested in them. I think the author made very good points, and they very plausible suggestions. Also, I  think that quote at the end was extremely important, and many teachers don't do this enough. " Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." I think this important for any teacher whether you are general education or special education because students need the latest information available on subjects so as a teacher you must learn that information to teach them.

Blog Post #11 My Movie

Blog Post # 10Teacher Website URL

https://sites.google.com/site/msheathersclass2/home

Blog Post #9 - Common Sense Media

I looked at the common sense media app called Kids Media. The app is interesting because it has ratings  of movies and books. Also, this would be useful for both parents and teachers to use in everyday use. For the app their are many different  slots that you can choice to look at. Furthermore, you can search different things or anything you want to look up on this app. I think this is can really help teachers can find resources to help student learn. Also, you can find movies to illustrate the subject you are covering. For parents they can do the same things to help there kids and keep them safe from seeing bad material.  Moreover, there is a blog that anyone can look at to gain more incite into different materials.

I decided to also look at the website. The website has all of the same features as the app does, but it is just more spread out and easier to read. Also, one of the topics that was showing was join in on cyber bullying month and being aware of it. I think both of these tools is very useful to parents, teachers, and students alike. 

Blog Post #8

I  chose an article that isn't your typical cyber bullying news story. This article is about a student having charges against them for bullying a teacher. I though this was different, but it is a growing problem just like cyber bullying  from student to student is. Teachers are people just like students are and they have feelings the same as students do. I think that sometimes teenagers just don't think or care about there teachers or possible ruining there reputation.  Furthermore, teens know right from wrong and they should be punished for embarrassment of a teacher and other students both.

I don't think there will ever be a end to cyber bullying or bullying for that matter, but I don't think there needs to be more restrictions on apps and websites. The app featured in the news article was called streetchat and you post pictures and text about a subject. The app creators need to monitor and put restrictions on the content that can be posted. Also, if they see cyber bullying they need to contact the person and tell them they need to start or charges will be filed. Furthermore, these apps can be used as more than a way to bully someone they can lead to people seriously threatening someone such as, in the recent threats to the USM campus. Also, parents need to step up and monitor there children , and talk to them about bullying. Schools need awareness programs for students to learn about bullying and understand it is a serious thing. Moreover, schools need to have counclers that kids can talk to about being bullied, seeing bullying, or anything else , and action actually happens.




http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/10/teen-arrested-for-harassing-teacher-with-cyberbullying-app-streetchat.html

Blog Post #7 Concept Map- North America Climate

Climate of North America

 

The grade I chose to teach this to is the 6th grade.  The common core standard that I think goes with my topic is" CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.7
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts."

I.       Tropical Climate1

Tropical climate it hot and humid. There are continually high temperatures and considerable perception throughout the year. This climate is also an non- arrid climate. Also, all of the twelve months have temperatures of at least 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

A.    Region

B.    Terrain

II.     Dry Climate

In dry climates there is a serve lack of water. The lack of water effects the growth and development of plants. Also, animal life is effected by the high temperatures, and low water.

A.    Terrain- very dry land with few trees and plants.

B.    Region-  Arizona & Texas

III.    Temperate Climate

There are distinct changes between winter, and summer. Also, there is a moderate spring and fall season. There is very cold winters, and very hot summers. Also,  this is a combination of both tropics and polar regions.

A.    Terrain

B.    Region

IV.    Continental Climate

Continental Climate have warm and cool summers that change throughout the summer. Their is a range of summers can cause spectacular weather phenomenon. Also, there is little rainfall throughout the year and the areas are on the interior of a continent.

A.    Region

1.    States

B.    Terrain

1.  Animal Life- Red squirrel, coyote, or white tail deer.

 

V.     Polar Climate

Polar climates are cold all year round. In polar climate you have polar tundras which has no summer and nine month out of the year have temperature below freezing. Another characteristic of polar climates are polar ice caps. This areas are completely frozen and they have no summers.

A.    Terrain

B.    Region - Northern Alaska & parts of Canada