Tonight I entered my first Twitter Chat with #edtechchat. I used the link provided by our instructor to find a chat that interested me; I choose one dealing with technology not only because I am a technology educator, but because this is a always-changing topic that I will forever need to be on-top of! I liked this chat topic because I work in a computer lab setting; technology is what I do everyday. The content was listed on the link I provided above; the participants listed themselves when the chat began - it was fast and furious! I was glad I wasn't the only one who thought the chat was going at a rapid pace - one guy tweeted "Is this chat going fast or am I having a heart attack?"
Toward the end of the chat, Q5: What are some tools and resources that could be used for professional development? There was a link provided that had google docs on-call so everyone could add their favorite PD tool. This blew me away! Not only are we tweeting various tips and resources and talking about technology, but now we are using the tools and collaborating our ideas into one fluid document. Amazing!
I ended up following five people from the twitter chat and also gained my own followers! I found it challenging to keep up with all the posts. They were entered so fast and then the next, followed by the next...it was never ending! I did like how the moderator set up the guidelines beforehand; I will post questions such as Q1 and Q2 and you can respond using A1 and A2; this was easier for me to follow. I had a couple of shout-outs and a couple of participants retweet my response. I think the only thing to improve my experience would be to chat more often using Twitter to get used to the experience and flow of the responses. All in all, I really liked it!
MET Blog: Online Applications for Collaboration Course
Author: Jessica Doyel Blog was created for the Masters of Educational Technology degree from Missouri Baptist University EDET 543 Online Applications for Collaboration Online Course
Monday, April 21, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Web 2.0 tools: Glogster
I use the free Web 2.0 tool, Glogster, in my Word Processing class when we work through our career unit. I wanted the kids to try something other than PowerPoint (yawn) and even beyond Prezi. I was looking for an online tool that would allow my students to create a collage with images and text and stumbled across information on Glogster. The educational version of Glogster will allow a teacher to sign up a course and enroll 100 students for free. Students will create their profile which consists of a username, email address and other generic questions. Once enrolled, students can click "create glog" and a blank canvas appears. They can add animated images or regular clipart, videos, text or upload images from a saved file into their glog. I have my students create a career collage and look up facts and figures on their future career. Glogster is very user friendly and FREE! Once students are finished adding their required text to their glog, then they can change the background, change font color, style, size, etc to personalize their glog.
Glogs can be paired with google, uploaded to edmoto or embedded into a webpage. Below is an example of one of my student's career glog.
Glogs can be paired with google, uploaded to edmoto or embedded into a webpage. Below is an example of one of my student's career glog.
Here is a link to Glogster: http://edu.glogster.com/
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Digital Presentation
So this week we are working on a presentation for a group of teachers. The topic can range anywhere from Digital Citizenship, Copyright Laws, Fair Use, Digital Citizenship, etc.
We are to use Web 2.0 tools to create our presentation and I tried GoAnimate for the first time. Set up was easy; just created an account using my email address and created a user name and password. There are templates to choose from, although most you have to be a subscriber to use; only basic ones are available to non-subscribers. I was able to choose my character for the video from 4-5 options; again, only subscribers have more options. I typed in what I wanted my characters to say and then click "preview" and was able to view what my final video would look like. Click here to see my creation: Go Animate Video
We are to use Web 2.0 tools to create our presentation and I tried GoAnimate for the first time. Set up was easy; just created an account using my email address and created a user name and password. There are templates to choose from, although most you have to be a subscriber to use; only basic ones are available to non-subscribers. I was able to choose my character for the video from 4-5 options; again, only subscribers have more options. I typed in what I wanted my characters to say and then click "preview" and was able to view what my final video would look like. Click here to see my creation: Go Animate Video
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Social Networking
Social
Networking
Social
networking resources that would be helpful for working with diverse students
could include sites such as Facebook and Twitter; two of which I am becoming
more familiar with using. Let’s look at
the facts: there are 750 million Facebook users worldwide and 100 million
Twitter users worldwide. 40 percent of
those Twitter users do not actually tweet, but sign in to read others’
posts. The current value of Facebook
rests at $80 billion (The Fiscal Times 2011).
More
and more, teachers are at least making an effort, in my opinion, to become
familiar with these social media sites and some even include them into the
lesson planning. Our district uses
Twitter for updating sports scores during game coverage and tweeting reminders
and announcements. We also have a school
spirit Facebook page that any club, organization, sports team, etc can post
information regarding student recognition and/or accomplishments, school-wide
announcements or information that the student body would need to know. Of the two, I think our students interact
more with Twitter than Facebook.
I
strictly use Facebook for my personal, family use. I have not tried to use it
for educational purposes, although I do have a Facebook PowerPoint lesson plan
(see attached) that could be used to illustrate a public figure in our history.
Twitter, in my opinion, would be very easy to
integrate into the classroom. A teacher
could set up a class hashtag and each student could add information and tag the
class; sort of like what we do for this course. We all use the hashtag
#STJedutech – check us out!Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Networked Classroom
What
is a networked classroom? With the
availability of Web 2.0 tools, useful websites for classroom and lesson
planning, blogs and podcasts the classroom of today might also be called a
networked classroom if online communication and collaboration is being used
largely for the interaction of the class participants. There are some advantages and disadvantages
of a networked classroom.
·
Disadvantages
include:
o Online safety of
students
o Technology integration
into the classroom with students who may not be comfortable with new media
tools
o Students want to
“try” the new, emerging technology without actually having to “learn” how to
use it correctly
·
Advantages
include:
o Offering choices
with online resources; giving students options to complete assignments with
various tools to choose from depending on what the student may already be familiar
with using
o Communication
with students can take place at anytime and anywhere. Using online tools can allow teachers and
students to chat, text, blog, email and communicate through any of the online
tools available.
A
teacher can slowly transition their classroom to become a networked classroom
by first knowing what is available, how it can become beneficial to the class
and understanding how the tool/resource will be integrated into the classroom. Knowing what resources are available is the
first step in becoming a networked classroom.
Keeping up with the trends can only help educators to discover what new technologies
are available; one step further, teachers must know how to use these tools
before they can introduce them to students.
One of my biggest pet peeves are teachers who assign web page design, for
example, without first knowing how to design a web page themselves. It will be harder in the long run for
educators to lose sight of emerging trends with online resources when most of
our resources are in fact, online.
So
once we become aware with what is available and understand how to use it, we
then need to decide how it will fit into our curriculum. Just because something looks neat does not
mean it will fit into our needs in the classroom. For example, in the article online, 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2014, a digital
textbook is #4 on the list. For my
courses, a digital textbook isn’t always the best option. My students are using Photoshop and InDesign
software programs and having a digital textbook to learn these software
programs would not have worked well with the assignments. I found it easier to show them how to use the
software on the overhead so they could follow along with me on the overhead
projector. To my point, just because a
digital textbook is an emerging trend does not mean it will work for me in my
classroom.
A
networked classroom may address the diverse needs of all learners, especially if
you have visual learners in the classroom. The online tool being used could coincide
with written directions to enhance the lesson.
Also, the idea of completing the work at anytime and anywhere may
encourage learners with additional needs to work at their own pace and not the
pace of the traditional classroom setting. Keeping the class safe in this online
environment needs to be the top priority with the integration of technology
adding to the enhancement of the lesson and encouraging all students to
collaborate in this new, digital setting.
Photo courtesy of: 21st Century Learning Lab Blog |
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Twitter for Education
There
are many reasons why teachers should use Twitter. This is another means of social media and
networking with teachers across the globe.
Asking one question on Twitter can yield hundreds of responses within minutes. It is free.
Teachers are often looking for additional tools but do not have the
means financially from their district to implement new ideas in the
classroom. Not only do you get immediate,
free information but the information is up-to-date and relevant for today’s
classroom. I have found you also get
variety when it comes to Twitter. You may have one idea for your classroom and
by posting this idea on Twitter; you could get another perspective from a
different community that may fit in well with your students.
I
enjoy using Twitter; especially for the immediate feedback responses. I never
thought of it as “building a reputation” but I recently read an article and
some teachers were questioned on using Twitter for the classroom. One teacher said, “Twitter has helped me to build a strong professional
reputation. Because the content that I share is seen as valuable by a large
number of followers, my voice is recognized and respected. That ability to
develop a reputation as an expert is something that many teachers working with
traditional tools in traditional classrooms don't ever have. I've always known
that I was the intellectual equal to those working beyond the classroom.
Twitter gives me the chance to publicly prove that.” That is a great point and will give me something to work
toward. I would like to increase my
followers and find more educators to share resources and tools to hopefully create
my own online reputation as an expert. Follow me @doyel79
Here
is the link to the article. Several teachers were surveyed on their Twitter use
in the classroom: http://jolt.merlot.org/vol7no3/alderton_0911.htm
Monday, March 10, 2014
Personal Learning Networks in the Classroom
I like the idea of using Google Hangouts in the classroom as a way for students to collaborate outside of school. Google Hangouts is an online tool for instant messaging and video chats. It is very easy to set up and can be used on a computer or digital device. Click here to learn more about how to set up a Google Hangout Prezi on Google Hangouts.
Another Web 2.0 tool that is useful in the classroom and used as a PLN is Twitter. I know several teachers in our building who use Twitter as a means of communication when (1) the teacher is absent (2) the student is absent or for (3) short, quick responses needed for an assignment outside of class. Twitter is also a good way to network with other educators in your field by searching for specific hashtags (#). Here is a link for beginning Twitter users: Twitter Tips & Tricks
I like the idea of using Google Hangouts in the classroom as a way for students to collaborate outside of school. Google Hangouts is an online tool for instant messaging and video chats. It is very easy to set up and can be used on a computer or digital device. Click here to learn more about how to set up a Google Hangout Prezi on Google Hangouts.
Image courtesy of Google Hangouts |
Another Web 2.0 tool that is useful in the classroom and used as a PLN is Twitter. I know several teachers in our building who use Twitter as a means of communication when (1) the teacher is absent (2) the student is absent or for (3) short, quick responses needed for an assignment outside of class. Twitter is also a good way to network with other educators in your field by searching for specific hashtags (#). Here is a link for beginning Twitter users: Twitter Tips & Tricks
Image courtesy of toptenpk.com |
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