Journal 9

As an educator, it is important to focus on all student's needs. I focused on the areas of communication and accessibility, and researched both high tech and low tech options for assistance in communication as well as one hardware and one software option for accessibility. There were many things that I found, which I will discuss in this journal entry.

AAC is a term used to describe a tool which assists in communication. It is a way to assist people who have no voice or have lost the ability to speak to communicate either via pictures, or electronically through words. There are various no tech or low tech AAC devices which allow for people to communicate effectively. Some of these items include the "Easy push  Talking Pocket Carrier" which is a device with large easy to push plates which accommodate graphics which allow for  a voice recording to go along with the corresponding graphic. Someone voice records a message for the individual in need of communication assistance and that person now has a voice. They correlate the picture on the easy to push button with what they want to say, and they can now communicate their thoughts to others. This is a simple and easy tool that can be used in a classroom to allow a student to not only communicate with their teachers, but also with their fellow students. A student with a disability that prevents them from communicating might feel left out but with the use of something such as the talking pocket carrier they can feel like they are just as included as the other students.

Something on the higher technology end of the spectrum that can be used for communication is something such the Dynavox "Eye Max" system. This product is very high tech and functions by tracking the eye movement and eye focus of the user. The user focuses on the letters on the screen in front of them and the Eye Max then speaks for them. This technology is one that allows people with disabilities to speak freely, just as something like the easy push talking carrier, but takes it to another level. The user is able to communicate any thought or desire, not just ones that are previously recorded. The use of this in a classroom is one that I can see being highly beneficial. The student using the system would be able to partake in class discussions, ask and answer questions among many other things that would help to further their education. It would allow them to the fully functioning student that they have every right to be.

Communication and accessibility are things that can directly relate to each other, as many students may not have the access to be able to communicate as discussed above. One way that students can gain accessibility is through input devices. An input device is any piece of computer hardware that allows for the input of data into a computer such as a mouse, or a keyboard. For many students the use of such input devices is not an option. Thankfully there are options which allow for students with special needs to still use input devices. Hardware such as the headmouse extreme, which allows for students without the ability use a standard to mouse to navigate a computer and its programs such as an on screen keyboard are a great advancement in technology. It works by tracking the movement of either the users forehead or glasses. When paired with a program such as the previously mentioned on screen keyboard software, it can completely replace the need of a traditional keyboard.

This brings me to my next tool related to accessibility. For any hardware, there is an accompanying software system allowing it to function to its best ability. A software program such as SoftType creates an on screen keyboard that the student using the Headmouse can use to type, make selections, print things, play computer games etc. With the pairing of this hardware and software combination, a student is able to use a computer just as anyone else would, opening up their potential skillset and technological ability. Obviously this is a great candidate for use in the classroom with endless beneficial possibilities for its user.

NETS-T Inspiration Mindmapping

NETS-T 2, Design and develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and assessments  d) Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assignments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.




By using Inspiration, a tool that allowed me to create a map like diagram, I created a map which links together NETS-T standards with things that meet the standards. Each standard has to artifacts which stand as examples and are accompanied by an explanation of which part of each standard they meet.

Journal 8

Ferrel, K. (2011, August). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. Learning and Leading, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Find_the_truth_about_the_Pacific_tree_octopus.aspx

In a world where "factual" information is just a google search away, Ferrel decides to challenge this and discuss his ideas and findings in his article "Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus." He gave his fourth grade class two topics to research using google and had them share their findings with the class. He lists some of the erroneous claims made by the websites retrieved by google such as the "facts" that tree octopuses have eye sight comparable to humans, or that Bill gates had a hand in financing Magellan's expedition. After the class shared more of their findings, many of the students started to realize that some of the information that they had found did not seem to make much sense. Ferrel points out how he discussed with the students the importance of paying attention to certain things on a website such as if the website is .gov, .edu, etc by using the five w's, who,what, when, where, and why. He also brings up the point that many students didn't understand the idea that a real website with pictures and other things that made it seem reliable, could in actuality be completely unreliable. This is a very important lesson and Ferrel was able to execute it in a way that modern children can understand and appreciate.

1) As an educator would I use a similar method to teach the importance of knowing a reliable, primary source?

I can definitely see myself taking Ferrel's idea and adapting it to a lesson in my future classroom. Just as Ferrel pointed out, many kids trust that what they find on the internet is truth, especially if it is one of the first results provided by google. As technology becomes more common place, it will also likely result in more false or non reliable information being put out on the internet. This is just one of many reasons that not only I, but every teacher should reference Ferrel's findings and apply it to a lesson in their classroom.

2)Are the five W's a good way to determine a websites reliability?

While nothing is a perfect system, I feel that using the 5 w's provide students with a good outline of things to look for. Perhaps pairing the use of the 5 w's with a lesson where students have to list what the 5 w's of multiple sites they look at will help them to not only engrain the idea of its use into their mind but will also help them differentiate between a reliable websites 5 w's and one with false information.

Journal 6

McClintok, S. (2011, June/Jully). Student voices for change. Learning And Leading, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-august-2011.aspx

In McClintok's article "Student Voices for Change", she discusses and provides examples on the importance of both technology in the classroom, and what students have to say about it. She gives examples of student's sharing how technology has helped them to become better students. Specifically, McClintok discusses how technology in education has influenced students at Van Meter community school in Iowa. This school has a one to one laptop to student initiative in place for grades 6-12. The teachers of this school have been given many chances to discuss educational transformation and edtech, but believe that they are not the voices that need to be heard in regards to it. They feel that the students voices are the ones that should be heard and should stand as examples of the benefits of Edtech. So that is exactly what they did. The students were able to speak to the Iowa house senate and education appropriations committee. Students from grades 5-12 all spoke of their experiences and resulting educational transformations by doing things such as creating blogs, youtube channels, or creating other impressive works which showcased their proficiency in technology and education. All of the examples were met with praise from the lawmakers and they pledged to do everything in their power to assist the furthering of educational transformation through technology in the classroom.

1) Are the student's voices the ones which should be used instead of the teachers?

I definitely think that the student's voices should be the ones which are heard and should stand as examples. While the teachers do play a large role in creating the chance for the students to excel and transform their education, the students are the ones who do it, and act as living proof. Along with this, while the teachers could talk about the implementation of the lessons and the results, I think it is much more powerful and real to actually see and hear the students discuss on a personal level how it has helped them. Clearly the lawmakers seemed to agree.

2) As an educator, do I see myself pushing for things such as a one to one laptop to student initiative?

As computers become more common place, I can absolutely see the benefit of it. Every child having access to a laptop or a computer is a great resource and gives them all a chance to become comfortable with emerging technology and apply it to their learning. However I also see the other side of things. For one, we cant always count on technology. Things breakdown, the internet stops working, files get lost etc. Even if this never happened and computers worked perfectly, that still does not mean that every child has access to one at home. This would mean that any work done on a laptop or computer in class would have to be strictly in class work only. It would not be fair to start an assignment in class but require it be finished at home. So, if used with consideration, laptops for every student can be an amazing resource, and something all educators should push for.

Journal #7: My personal Learning Network

A PLN, or Personal Learning Network is what an educator can utilize to expand their chance to both share and receive useful knowledge and tips relating to education. It is the group of people that you engage and exchange information. PLN's have been around forever and before the emergence of technology would consist of friends, family, and co-workers. While these people can still play an important roll in ones PLN, most PLN's now, are usually created online with people from all over the world. In my PLN, I use tools such as twitter, a social networking site, Diigo, a social bookmarking site, and the educators PLN, a digital discussion forum. Creating this PLN will help me in many ways as a teacher. All of the tools which I use in my PLN allow me to connect with educators from all over the world and get tips, ideas, advice, and access to interesting and useful articles or journal entries. All of these are ways to help me become a better resource to my students, and as a result, a better teacher overall.

One of the tools in my PLN, twitter is something that I initially was 100% against the use of. However after taking part in an educational chat, I can say that my mind has changed, and I can not only understand why people use it, but that I support it's use in a PLN. I participated in a chat for fourth grade teachers called #4thchat on Monday at 5pm. The topic of the day's specific chat was the best way to rearrange classrooms to impact learning. While this is a topic that I have previously thought of, taking part in this chat really showed to me the importance of having a PLN and using twitter as a tool in it. The topic of classroom arrangement was something that I had not put a lot of previous thought into. However after reading the various comments and suggestions people had about it, as well as the answers they provided to the questions I asked, I was able to have a better understanding  of its importance, and even began to think of ways I may arrange my future classroom. I now have ideas I may have never thought of before such as desk and chair alternatives for students, seating arrangement, and not even having a desk as a teacher. In my twitter network, I follow fellow classmates, an instructor of a class I have, and people who I found interesting and possessed a wealth of knowledge from the #4th chat which I took part in. These people are all included in my network because they can all provide me with different insight on the similar topic of education.

Diigo, another tool in my PLN allows me to find groups, people, and articles on topics I am interested in, and like twitter, I can follow people who share similar interests, and get access to things which they found to be interesting and useful. On Diigo, I currently follow five educators of different grade levels, location, and specialty. This allows me to benefit from the wide array of their interests and what they find to be of interest. However they all have in common the fact that they use technology in their teaching and they have all included Diigo as part of their own PLN. Through both personal searching, as well as referring to articles tagged by those who I follow I have found useful groups which contain many articles I find to be of great interest and use. I have tagged these groups with the tag PLN so that they can be quickly referenced. The things which I tagged PLN are groups which I feel will be a great additional tool in my PLN. These groups include things such as "Best content in twitterteachers", "100 ways you should be using Facebook in your classroom", and "community library for social media education" among others. I know that these are all resources which I can use to expand and improve my PLN. Things like twitter and facebook are so widely used, that gaining knowledge on how to make them part of your classroom, or ways which they can help one to become a more valuable educator is something that should be pursused. Diigo allows you to not only pursue that information, but also makes it easily accessible.

As mentioned earlier, joining a digital discussion forum is also a great way to expand ones PLN. I decided to join the forum The Educators PLN. This site has a great selection of videos, articles as well as providing those who join a chance to join groups, take part in discussions, and keep up to date on educational events. The video that I watched on the website was only one minute and five seconds long, but I felt spoke volumes to so much about what is going on in the current teaching world. The video was an interview with famous actor Matt Damon, and his mother who is a teacher. The interviewer asked questions which reflect on many of the misconceptions placed on educators such as no incentive to be a good teacher, and the fact that teachers have job security, where actors don't. I found it interesting that this thought process runs so rampant and so many people are misinformed about it. Interestingly enough Matt Damon is actually Harvard educated and effectively shut down the notion that the interviewer suggested. He brought up great points that I feel every teacher could get behind, stating that a teacher wants to teach because it's what they love to do.  While this may not be the most groundbreaking of stories, I like the fact that someone in the spotlight such as Matt Damon rejected the ideas presented as it will expose a wider audience to it. Plus, his mother still teaches, when presumably she could afford not to as a result of her sons acting career. However just as Damon stated, you teach because you love it.

About Me Classroom Survey

By using google forms, a free tool that can be accessed through google, I was able to create a survey with different styles of questions or fill in the blanks. After the survey was how I wanted it, I was able to set a them to make it visually pleasing. After the survey is taken, I am able to access the results. Creating this About me classroom survey using google forms allows me to meet NETS-T standard 2.Design and Develop Digital-Age learning experiences and assessments.

Journal 5 (extra credit)

Duncan, A. (2011). Harness the power of technology.Learning and Leading, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx


Duncan's article "Harness the power of technology" discusses how current teachers are teaching in the midst of a technological revolution. Just as we use technology for many other reasons, it can also be used in the classroom as an effective method for teaching. The article focuses on a few key points in regards to technology in education. One of these points is how technology engages students. It points out that by using technology to engage students educators can encourage students who may previously not be interested in reading may become interested if they are told to use the internet to search they may find a new way to become interested in the reading assignment. The advantages of technology in education are being recognized and the U.S. department of education has suggested that a program is established which will pursue and promote the use of technology in classrooms. the article does point out that we must not forget that students take advantage from both teacher instruction and technology, and one does not take place of the other. The article also discusses 5 goals to advance education technology. These five goals are Learning, Assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity.


1. Is it important to have an outline of five goals to meet?


I think that having an outline with five goals to meet is very helpful for both the teacher and the student. The teacher is assisted in knowing what areas to focus on and ways in which they can be most helpful in those areas and the students can know what expectation they are to meet. Along with this it prepares the teacher to make sure that they are fully prepared to incorporate the technology correctly. If there is a specific area in which they in which they have questions or feel they need preparation in, then they know what to work on, and therefore can better help their students.


2. What are some ways I see myself making sure that my students are receiving a balance of both teacher and technology based instruction?


I think that a balance of of technology and actual teacher instruction is absolutely crucial. I feel that by doing this, you are truly giving the students the best educational experience. One way in which I can see myself doing this is simply splitting up lessons so that while I teach them, technology is incorporated. For example whole teaching a history lesson I could give a lesson and lecture or discussion and incorporate something like augmented reality as I learned about in another article.