iMovie

I wanted to post the video that I made.

Journal #10 - Edutopia Article

Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged

by Diane Curtis

This article was in particularly interesting to me. I was able to see the practical application of technology in both and internal and external sense to facilitate learning and school specifically. Through programs like "Do-It", other school related programs, etc., many students that are disabled are given a new chance to participate. This idea is reminiscent of inclusion arguments and deserves attention also. Students of varying disability, both physical and mental, are able to utilize technology to accomplish not only succeeding in school, but their personal goals also. Such examples are Washington sophomore Susanna Sweeney-Martini, Spokane, Washington, high school junior Lukas Bratcher, and the Oakland (CA) Unified School District's TACLE (Technology and Augmentative Communication for Learning Enhancement) program.

1. What is one of the biggest obstacles to implementation of such programs on a broader basis?
One of the largest problems is ability to do so and knowledge of the existence of such programs and technology. Just as in the last journal entry, this technology is not in use in very many schools or districts. The main issue is that many that instruct/help those with disabilities may not even know of the existence of such technology. And, obviously, planning and budgets constitute the other half of the obstacles.

2. Does this technology really make that big of a difference?
If you do not think or do not have sufficient evidence that technology makes a huge difference in the lives of the disabled, watch the accompanying video (about 11 minutes long) and you will, at the very least, be impressed by what has been accomplished. The issue is OPPORTUNITY and QUALITY. Remember that when you watch the video or when you are using some sort of technology that helps you.

Journal #9 - Another article from T H E Journal

Are Schools Inhibiting 21st Century Learning?

by Dave Nagel


This article discusses important issues in regards to technology in education. Is technology helping or hurting? The answer is; It is helping. With this in mind, why are not students using more technology in the classroom and in relation to assignments for/from school? You do not think this is the case? Read what a survey of teachers revealed, "...at present, only 11 percent of the teachers surveyed said they were presently using an educational game in their classrooms." This is the reality that has to be dealt with. What is the accurate reality of administrators, IT departments, school and/or district policies, and parent's concerns and, unfortunately, their ignorance about technology and its implications.

1. How can schools and teachers better inform and educate parents regarding technology in the classroom?
Teachers and schools can hold a meeting at the beginning of the school year, or each semester, to inform and update parents in regards to technology. The purpose being that when issues or events are broken down into more manageable pieces, they do not seem so daunting and overwhelming. Through this approach, parents can get their heads around these things, understand better what their children are dealing with and also, possibly, use it to get more involved with the school and their own children.

2. How can teachers get administrators and IT departments to be more cooperative and less restrictive?
One way, and this is just one of many mind you, that teachers can accomplish this is to be more active on advisory boards and other such types. Teachers not only need to be involved in teaching their students, they have to at the very least, be aware and active in the issues that are of importance. Many teachers seem to complain about things, but when it comes time to put forth effort and make a stand as it were, they do not.

Journal #8 - T H E Journal

Free Science Resources Online

By Dave Nagel

This article was focused on online educational resources for science that can be used in the classroom. These have put together by very reputable groups such as MIT, NASA, and the Smithsonian Institute. Some of these projects, such as the efforts made at MIT for secondary schools (high schools), have been in the works since 2006. The main goal of these type of resources are to generate an interest in science among students. The aim is to do this by providing 'fun' educational activities. Of course, the other goal of these projects is to educate.

1. For these 'projects' or activities provided on the various websites, how can students gather the information and items needed to complete the project(s)?
There are various links and online databases for students to research and gather information needed. The teacher would also provide additional information, as well as instructions on where to get any supplies needed; or just supply them through the school

2. Isn't MIT, for example, worried about 'giving away' too much information?
The answer to this question, fortunately, hit me in the face right after thinking the question. There is a very low probability that MIT, or NASA, etc. is giving away (for free) any closely held secret or research. Plus anybody who is genuinely going to understand or want the material can go to many a library or just apply to the university to get it.

Journal #7 - Wikis

Definition (per Wikipedia): A wiki is software that allows registered users or anyone to collaboratively create, edit, link, and organize the content of a website, usually for reference material. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. These wiki websites are often also referred to as wikis; for example, Wikipedia is one of the best known wikis.

The main thing that I could ascertain from this threaded discussion is that the majority of respondents actually were already using blogs and only used wikis in very limited applications. Some did have some interesting feedback though. One was inanely thwarted by a Napoleonic 'tech administrator'. As he puts it, "Reasons my tech administrator will have nothing to do with blogging and wikiing".

Other than that, the sensible people were in agreement, that both wikis and blogs can be used together. The important thing, as one other person said was each, wikis and blogs, have their own characteristics and advantages, we just need to figure out our own needs and match them up with the platform that best suits and meets those needs. Wikis and other Web 2.0 tools are very new, even for many people who consider themselves "on the forefront of the Internet".

Journal #6 - Inspiration 8/iMovie

I chose Inspiration 8 for my needs. I will be teaching Middle School Social Science, specializing in history. The Inspiration software is very user friendly and has many, many features that not only are cool, but help with the teaching of the subject matter. On the student's part, I believe they will also find the Inspiration software easy to use and very helpful in completing their assignments and/or projects.

I envision many uses for this software in the classroom; especially for short and long-term projects. As seen in the attachment, as a short term assignment, students will have a multimedia platform in which to present their work and demonstrate an ability to do so, while simultaneously showing their understanding of the material in question.

The Atomic Learning videos were very helpful, even for a person like me that usually figures out software on their own. The benefit was the video's capacity to same me TIME. That is what is important. How can I, as a teacher, efficiently and thoroughly prepare quality lessons that will benefit the students? Through software such as Inspiration 8. Also, the fact that Atomic videos are self tutorials allows me to utilize them when it is convenient for me. Additionally, because the creators of these videos know this, they appear to make sure that the videos are easy to understand and cover the relevant topic areas.

iMovie: I actually, in light that it is a Mac program...j/k I like Mac!, really enjoyed using the program. As usual with Apple software, it was very user friendly and I found that I did not need very much instruction in how to operate the program. I feel that the application of iMovie can be used not only in college classes and credential/graduate programs, but also in K-12 settings. It is a great way for students to either incorporate their own (appropriate) video or to use video provided to learn almost any subject matter.

Journal #5 - Web 2.0

The gist of the article was about the next generation of the Internet. I don't care who you are...that's cool! The article discusses the use of web-based programs that allow users more ease to create and comment on other productions. This is good news for schools as there is little or usually no cost. The "experiment" of Dominoe the Dalmation and using 50 different web tools is an example of how this newer technology and software can be applied in various settings. In particular, I found the ComicTool interesting, especially as a historian. This might sound a bit off but note the case of Persepolis. These two books are about a woman's journey and its relation to historical events and current events in the world. Through the genre of a graphic novel she is able to reach a wider audience and make it somewhat more interesting. Her story and any subsequent knowledge has an appeal to a younger group of people and may have had a more limited showing if not for the "comic book" appearance. This is but one example of using Web 2.0 tools and software to enhance the learning experience.

1. How can a teacher find the available tools to utilize in teaching?
Well, the first place a teacher can look to is TechCrunch.com. This website keeps an eye on many things, particularly Web 2.0 tools. It previews, explains, and shows what these tools are and what they can do.

2. Are these tools compatible with the platforms used by a particular shcool or district?
This is something a teacher would have to inquire about at his or her own school. But, generally speaking, yes they are compatible with most platforms. The particular integration into these platforms would be dependent and specific to the platform in use though.