Mojiti

Happy Holiday's!

Assessment #3-Technology Tools

Google Suite-
Google Pages is a useful site allowing users to make personal web pages. The site allows users to upload photos and links to other pages, taking visitors to pages created by the user. However, the site has limited tools accessible for users with html knowledge. It does not allow html coding or images to be embedded into the site.
-Eblogger is a useful site for allowing user to post personal blogs about thoughts, experiences, or simply just for entertainment. The site allows users to upload photos, video’s and slideshows to present to their audience. I would like an online personal diary for users. I simply enjoyed most was that it provides html coding to be applied.

Rating:5

Del.icio.us-Del.icio.us is a wonderful site used to collect favorite websites and everyone else's. The site allows users to post links to your favorite articles, blogs, music, reviews, recipe's, and more, and access them from anywhere on the web. Users may also choose to share their links with family and friends. Del.icio.us also allows users to bookmark their websites for research, podcasts, etc. The site is very useful for storing website links.

Rating: 5

Moodle-A course management system used to assist teachers create effective online learning communities. During the course of the semester, Moodle was the main source for accessing assignments and uploading documents for review. We've also utilized this tool to chat amongst group members discussing assignments.

Rating :5

Mozilla Firefox- A web browser managed by Mozilla Corporation. Features include tabbed browsing, spell checker, live bookmarking, an integrated download manager, and a search system that includes google. Firefox is considered a safer browser to use and is recommended in schools. Firefox has fewer security vulnerabilities than Internet Explorer which has the most severe security vulnerabilities unpatched.

Rating: 5

Photobucket-The site offers image hosting, free photo sharing and video sharing. Users may upload their photos, videos and images for free. Slide shows may also be made to share with friends and family. Users may also use the site to print images at a low cost. I found this site useful to host my photos and create an html image source code to paste into my blog.

Rating: 5

Imageshack-An easy to use free hosting service used to upload images, flash files, and movies, and share them with friends using any imaginable means. The site provides the public up with enough space to upload as many images as they want. I've used this site many times to host my pics and videos to share with family and friends on my personal blogs and wedding site.

Rating: 5

AngelFire-Is a free web host used to create blogs, store images and videos with up to 20 MB of disk space. The site also offers site building tools to suit all levels of experience. Memebers can also choose from free cut and paste layouts and html codes. Users may also choose up to 10,000 images to use for their sites free at no charge. For those wishing to create personal blogs. I recommend using Angel Fire.

Rating: 5

Shutterfly-Offers free online photo storage and photo sharing for family and friends wishing to view pictures shared without having to login or sign up. Shutterfly also allows users to easily organize, edit and share collections as well as order prints. Slideshows can also be created and shared with friends and family. Users may also enhance their photos for free by choosing from over 400 colorful borders ranging from birthdays to weddings and more. Users may also add captions to their photos. Users may choose to have their photos printed at a low price.

Rating: 5

Student Teaching In Action

Lesson Plan#2 Reflection

As I prepared my second lesson plan, I found it much easier to determine what exactly it was I wanted to teach. Because of my prior experience with the first lesson plan, I was much more confident and willing to begin my new lesson plan using the ASSURE model.

I decided that I wanted to teach my students how to use a digital camera and present their pictures in power point slideshows. My students will be assigned to take photos of different things that best interest them such as cultures, hobbies, people, places, etc. Once they are done taking their photos, they will then incorporate their photos into slideshows and create stories.
According to the NET*S standards which I was able to locate on (http://www.iste.org/inhouse/nets/cnets/teachers/t_stands.html), Standard 2A states that teachers should design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners. And by allowing my students to take different photos of the things that interest them such as their culture, it allows them to share their background and experiences with others. And at the same time, it helps build their social skills and interaction when they use their cameras.

According to Eva L. Essa’s Introduction to Early Childhood Education, “The teacher plays an important role in fostering creativity by providing a variety of materials and encouraging imaginative use of them. When children are allowed creative expressions, each will produce a different outcome.” (Essa, E., 2007). By allowing my students to take photos that interest them and share their stories with the class, it allows them the freedom of creativity and expression. In relation to learning goals, students will learn how to operate the camera and audiovisual equipment. They learn how to evaluate the quality of a photo and what options photography offers as a hobby as well as a career. Preparation and presentation of the slide shows and photo albums call for the use of organizing, writing, and speaking skills.

Overall I enjoyed the whole preparation process. I didn’t find it challenging to upload my reflection to my blog. Because I have experience with html coding and web building, I was quite comfortable with this lesson. By uploading my lesson plan to my online blog, it made the assignment interesting. I enjoyed uploading pictures as well choosing from the different types of colorful layouts to fit my personality. I appreciate the lesson and I realize the importance of integrating technology into today’s modern world.

References:

ISTE NETS (2000-2002).National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers.
http://www.iste.org/inhouse/nets/cnets/teachers/t_stands.html

Essa, E.L. (2007) Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 8, 260-261.

"Around the World in 80 seconds"-Personal Assessment of Online Games

As I took the time to research educational games online, it became quite a challenge finding one that interested me. I came across several children's games that claim to be "educational", but as I took the time to play the games, I was a bit astonished at what was presented. Animals were displaying anger, game instructions didn't make sense, and some games simply had no educational purpose.

After about an hour of surfing the net, I finally came across a game titled "Around the World in 80 seconds". I was able to locate the game through the website-http://www.scholastic.com. The game was geared towards the subject of Math. Players would have to solve problems in addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division in order to help the character, Maggie, travel around the world. The strategy is to get around the world in 80 seconds by correctly solving the problems. Also, as the player solves each problem, a plane travels around the globe displaying the different countries.

What I enjoyed about this game, was how it integrated Social Studies by displaying the different countries when the player answered each math problem. It also allows the player to go over 80 seconds and continuosly answer questions until he/she makes it around the world. So not only does it educate students, but it also encourages them to reach their goals by not giving up.
Other good points the game consisted of, was it accomodated children of English and Spanish descent. It also offered different levels of difficulty to fit the different learning levels of children.
The game was colorful and attractive, and the sound effects made the game very interesting.

Overall, I rate the game as excellent. Not only is it educational, but it also challenges individuals to complete tasks. It motivates, educates, and stimulates those who take the time to play the game. I would recommend this game to my students.

Modifying lesson plans to accomodate students with disabilities

When incorporating a lesson plan, teachers must ensure that they modify and include accommodations for students with disabilities by carefully analyzing the lesson and modifying it so that it is understood by the entire class. Important features of a revised lesson plan include group work assignments and pairing the disabled students with other classmates to assist with the lesson. Allowing extra time for disabled students to work on their projects, is also a great accommodation that should be included. This encourages time to carefully think and plan out the assignment as well as allowing the students with special needs to work effectively.

As part of my lesson, I would assign each disabled student a seat with another student that is advanced, in case he/she gets confused. In this way someone is always seated by him/her ready to help with questions and concerns. I would also monitor the child closely and check in with his/her group frequently to be sure that they are progressing. Modifying the questions and reducing the number of questions given, would also be an accommodation.

In discussing with the group, we talked about conducting a lesson plan on patterns based on the subject Math. Students will be given different types of objects such as beads, buttons, bingo chips, and cloth pins to manipulate with and the outcome is to place the objects into patterns or formats. Three of our students are disabled. One is blind, the other is deaf, and the third is in a wheelchair. The blind student will be given different textured objects such as cotton and wooden blocks, to feel and place into a pattern. I would also have brail for the blind student to use during the class. For the child who is deaf, I would hand out a work sheet for him/her to work on. I would also present the information visually using an overhead projector, posters, pocket charts, and chalkboard. As for the physically disabled student in the wheelchair, I would make sure that the classroom is spacious enough for the student to move around. Also I would have the student have study materials readily accessible to him/her at all times.

It is important that lesson plans be revised to include disabled students because students with disabilities, whether physical, emotional, or cognitive in nature, respond to the curriculum differently from other students. By modifying the lesson appropriately, it assists the child with a disability, to better understand the concept of the lesson. It also provides encouragement and lessens the anxiety that the student may have over the assignment. I feel that it is imperative that we pay close attention to their needs and assist them in every way possible. Our goal as teachers is to ensure that each of our students are on the right path. Teachers must adjust the materials of their presentation to break down the barriers and assist their students in learning.

Following activities, the disabled students should be able to understand the concept of the lesson. Each student should be able to engage with his or her learning in a meaningful way. And each member of the class should be able to participate directly in the learning experience.