Self-Grading Form

Walk Two Moons Vocabulary Pre-&Post-Test

Google Self-Grading Spreadsheet

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the Self-Grading Assignment and can see the importance.  The YouTube link really helped me to understand how to use the spreadsheet and formulas to do self-grading.  Google provides users with TONS of free programs/tools that are innovative.  I have been utilizing these tools through this course and now am developing classroom tools that also enable students to utilize their computer skills.  I developed a vocabulary pre- and post- test/quiz.  My students will be asked to take this test prior to reading the book Walk Two Moons.  I will then take the data from the pre-test and determine what words will be my "power words."  Which words do a majority of my students NOT know.  We will then focus on these words.  Once we are done reading and learning from the vocabulary, students will be asked to take the post-test.  I will then analyze the data and determine if my student "grew" or not.  Which students did not grasp the vocabulary? 

This assignment met a number of ISTE NETS standards: 1c, 2d, 3a, 3c, 3d, 5c, and 5d. This activity taught me how to promote student reflection and record their understanding of concepts. Through this activity I was also able to demonstrate fluency in technology by converting my current knowledge to a new technology, communicate relevant information in a digital format, model information using digital-age media and formats (i.e., Internet, Google Docs, forms, surveys, blog). Finally, I was able evaluate and reflect on current professional practice to make effective use of existing digital tools, as well as engage in professional growth.  <3 Google!

Google Forms

Introduction Quiz

Responses Spreadsheet

The Google form is actually a quiz (link), the responses are delivered through a spreadsheet that I designed.  The data is easy to analyze and the pie and bar graphs make it user friendly.  The program was easy to manipulate and the assignment was fairly easy.  As a teacher, I can utilize this tool in multiple ways.  The easy to analyze data (responses) can be used as evidence of learning.  I could simply print out a slip of paper with the website on it and have parents communicate with me through the links.  Parents that didn't have internet, could do paper/pencil copies and I could enter them.  I have actually used Google Docs with classmates several times.  I am currently working on a test with a lady in another county designing a test for a novel we are going to teach.  I even considered the uses that I could get out of it with my family.  I can post the link on my Facebook and communicate with family members about birthday parties, weddings, events, etc.  Its great for organzing and analyzing.  The possibilities are endless.  I love it and the best part is its accessible from anywhere, its free, and when you update it...the link automatically updates as well.  It's an amazing tool. 
NETS T Standard: #2 states that teachers will design relevant learing experiences and assessments that incorporate digital tools and resources (Google Forms) to maximize learning.  Standard #2 also states that teachers will provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments that align with the technology standards.  #3 states that one will collaborate with students, peers, and parents using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.  Also that one will communicate relevant information and ideas using a variety of digital age media and formats.  Surveys home to parents, online assessments, working documents amongst student groups all seem like AWESOME ways to use this variety of digital age media.  #5 states that one will engage in professional growth and leadership.  I am continuously improving my practice and I take pride in the fact that I am a lifelong learner.  I model good student behaviors to my 5 graders when discussing my college demands.  My students are well aware that I am in college and they are well aware that Ms. Champ is not done learning.  One should also model leadership in the school, as well as, in the community.  I have taken on many roles other than teacher since beginning this journey.  I do most of it to help my community and the families.  I also use technology while doing this. 

This Google Forms assignment has been yet again another unique learning experience.  This course has been well worth the time! 

Presentation 3/Prezi Praise!

A Camping Spree Link (Prezi) 

I am so excited to be sharing this post with you.  I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment.  At first I struggle with what to even do it on.  I will be teaching fifth grade next year.  I plan on doing centers during reading/language arts.  My Prezi is a Learning Center.  I am sure it meets many content standards: comparing/contrasting, listing/sorting, text-to-text, etc.  There is a book by Chris Van Dusen titled, "A Camping Spree with Mr. MaGee."  This Prezi is based around this book.  I did struggle with Prezi in the beginning, but immediately seen the advantages in using it.  It is a great presentation tool.  PowerPoint is so "old school."  Prezi is so 2013/2014.  It allows you to display your text/images in a presentation manner except its a different twist on the visual presentation of it.  The spanning and zooming is fun and leaves the viewer wondering what is next.  It is the same as PowerPoint in the sense that you are presenting information in a certain order.  There are many of the same features; however, Prezi is just WAY COOLER!  The biggest advantage of Prezi (in my opinion), is the twists and turns and the panning and zooming.  Its fun & interesting.  Not bland and boring. <3!

Standards: 

#1a: I, the teacher, am using my knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that take student learning to the next level through creativity and virtual environments.  By exposing my students to the Prezi learning center, I will be promoting, supporting, and modeling creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. 

#2a,b,c,&d/#3a: This Prezi presentation is 100% Digital Age Learning.  Students are navigating their way through web pages, images, videos, etc. in order to have authentic learning experiences and all while providing me with evidence of learning.  I have designed several Prezi presentations and by using them, my students are exposed to relevant/modern learning experiences.  Technology-rich learning environments have many benefits and I want my students to see me modeling the appropriate behaviors in order for them to want to follow in my footsteps and "buy into" my technology lessons. 

#5: Since taking this class, I have become part of Symbaloo, Google, Jing, Diigo, Edmodo, and many more "upbeat" websites.  I feel as though this has been the absolute best "professional development" EVER!  Its exciting and if it makes me excited, I know it will make my students excited. 

Digital Movies from Powerpoint

Photo Story 3 for Windows is awesome!   

Hello (:  I must say that this assignment was particularly interesting to me.  I spent A LOT of extra time doing my movie and am very, very pleased with the outcome.  I found it fairly easy to figure out how everything worked together.  PhotoStory3 is a great download.  I can think of endless possibilities for this in the classroom.  My students could design their own storybooks.  I was thinking this would be ideal for a higher-level group project.  Outcome: Students design and develop their own digital videos.  ISTE NETS Standards #1: I will facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.  As a user of the technology, I will promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.  The 2nd standard states that one will design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote students learning, as well as, develop technology rich learning environments (according to their diverse learning styles).  Standard #3 states that the teacher will exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional global and digital society.  I can now annotate and upload my own YouTube videos relevant to my interests!  How 2013!! (:  Finally, standard #5 states that professionals will participate in local and global learning communities, exhibit leaderships, and contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.  I thoroughly enjoyed this assignment!  Great resource!

 

Here's the link to my digital movie on YouTube.

Presentation 1

Dropbox Link to My PPT

PowerPoint (PPT) is a great Microsoft Office Tool.  I have been using PPT for many, many years.  I teach out of a series titled Connected Mathematics in a seventh and eigth grade classroom.  I have been working on PPT's for all of my initial lessons.  I believe they help me stay focused when teaching.  I also print out the "handouts" and provide copies to students that may need that extra accommodation in order to be successful.  I enjoy using PPT.  I did not realize how easy it was to record your own voice and embed it in the PPT.  I also have never been successful at embedding links into my PowerPoints; however, I was successful this time. 

Jing Screencast

Jing Video: Advanced Search on Google???

The Jing Video tool is amazing!  I love it.  It is so easy to use.  You simply install and GO!  Once you have installed, the program is simple.  A yellow "bubble" should be on the outter parts of your screen.  Scroll you mouse over the "bubble" and three miniture bubbles will appear.  The first one is the image capture and/or video bubble.  The second one is the users history of images and/or videos.  The third one is other settings.  Once you select the first bubble (image/video), you can then select the crossheirs.  From here you can capture the screen or record a five-minute video.  There are several features in the "image" settings, as well as, useful settings along with making your own video.  Once you are finished, you can share your work by uploading them and copying the link.  It is so easy!  The possibilities are endless.  I think in particular one could use this to introduce/model a TechSteps lesson.  Another possibility might be to show students how to log on to a program at the beginning of the year through a video instead of the traditional way. 

ISTE NETS Standards: #1,2, 3, & 5 meet the requirements of this activity.  I believe that through this assignment using Jing I can provide my students with learning opportunities.  I can utiilze this tool to have students report back how they may have found a resource online.  I can have students do a text set using online resources and a group taught whole group.  The possibilities are endless.  This class amazes me more and more each assignment.  The resources are overflowing.  Love it!

Jing Graphic

Tumble Books Link to Graphic

After installing the Jing software, I was immediately pleased with how fairly easy the tool was to use.  I have recently returned from a training through the state department provided to special education teachers.  At that training, I met a very wonderful teacher in Mercer County @Mariette!  She introduced me to this wonderful website Tumble Books.  I thought I might share this wonderful resource with my classmates as part of this Jing Graphic assignment.  I find Jing absolutely amazing.  I think of the different ways I can utilize this in my classroom.  I could have lessons prerecorded and simply play them anytime I am trying to navigate students on a computer.  This would free me up to monitor the classroom and maintain discipline in a more effective manner I would imagine as well.  Also, it can be used by the children as part of projects to make a Jing Video and present the video to the class (this could be a group project &/or individual project).  The possibilities are endless.  Standard #3 states that modeling digital age work and learning is an important concept.  If I can demonstrate fluency in technology & then transfer that over to my students- then I have provided them with that opportunity.  I do have a question-  would the tech guys for schools want this on the school computers?

Anything is possible with Jing!  Download and let the sharing begin!

Diigo

My Diigo Account was easy to register for.  I have been using it to "bookmark" websites classmates have metioned in blogs and discussion postings.  I recently attended a conference and learned about many resources and shared those on my Diigo Account as well.  It is titled Diigo books and if you teach in the content area of reading, grades K-8...it is a great resource.  Also, I tagged the "Information-Age Mindset" article because I found it interesting and would like to refer to it later.  I can already see the benefits from using Diigo.  I did struggle with the Diigo add-on; however, I do have it installed now and I can tag pages easily; however, I cannot download the tools for bookmarking and highlighting.  Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

Social bookmarking is a way to virtually "tag" websites in order to utilize them to one's fullest potential.  It is also a social networking (almost like an online PLC (professional learning community)).  The advantage to this resource is the fact that so many people can share their favorite or most valuable resources with other teachers.  Compared to "old school" ways of bookmarking websites- this new innovation is quite addicting.  I have opened a Parent Group and am working on keeping it up to date in order to inform parents of websites that they can utilize to their benefit and the benifit of their child's education. 

An add-on is supposed to enhance something.  I am assuming that an add-on is the little things you download onto you computer or onto your toolbar that allow you to use special features while using your computer and the internet.  The only add-on that I have utilized is the Diigo add-on that allows me to add bookmarks easily.  Add-on's sort of confuse me because for some reason I want to think that "Google Chrome" might be an add-on.  I use Google Chrome and Google to do online searching, documents, schoolwork, etc.  I am new to all this technology.

Using social bookmarking in the classroom is so 2013.  I have heard teachers discuss using Edmodo and I do think that would be a great resource.  I also am interested in having my students use blogs.  No matter what the students do, the more technology it involves the better.  Using social bookmarking through Diigo with students is an excellent idea.  Throughout the day, I can expose the student to bits and pieces of text.  They can then be tagged online for students to access later on at their own convenience.  I have already opened up a "parent group" and plan on sharing my resources with parents through Diigo. 

ISTE NETS T Standard #3: Model Digital Age Work and Learning- the fact that I can exhibit knowledge, skills,and work in a professional & digital society.  The Diigo (social bookmarking site) is a way for me to share websites not only with myself but I can also access classmates websites and use their resources as well.  I am also getting more and more comfortable with this type of technology system and could possibly allow my students to design such a webpage that shares kids educational games.  My students would be assigned to find one educational game a piece and then all the games could be uploaded to their own Diigo pages.  They can then be required to upload one educational game per week.  Each student can share their own Diigo accounts on their blogs all as assignments (defintely ties in with writing).  The collaboration between students, peers, and parents is endless with Diigo.  This effective social bookmarking is new and interesting to me.  I can think of several ways to utilize the tool. 

Prezume- Prezi Template

Click here to view my resume "Prezi Style"

The goal was to utilize Prezi and develop an online resume that was unique.  I simply used my resume from Google Docs (Google Docs Resume) and transferred the information to Prezi.  I used a resume template that was already designed.  I did change several features of the template (for example added more circle) in order to better fit my resume categories.  I struggled with inserting a picture at first, but then I finally seen the toolbar above the presentation labeled "insert" and immediately figured out how to insert a pictures.  I also seen that you can insert a YouTube video.  I really enjoyed the task at hand simply due to the uniqueness Prezi has.  Prezi could be utilized in the classroom in order to do book summaries.  Teachers could preselect the templates and model for students how Prezi works.  Then ask students to design a presentation based on a book they may have read.  I also thought it could be used for social studies to create a timeline of yourself or someone else.  Prezi is fairly easy to utilize and I think students would enjoy using it to create/develop presentations. 

I believe this assignment met some of the ISTE Nets T Standards.  I believe it met the 2nd standard: Design & Develop Digital Age Learning, as well as, the 3rd standard: Model Digital Age Work & Learning.  I have stated in previous blogs and will state again: the teacher must utilize the technology first and foremost.  Once that technology is learned, then teachers can move forward and teach students those same skills that will be necessary when they graduate into the "real world."  I absolutely believe that is why this assignment and all others relate to standard 3 because we (teachers) are exhibiting the knowledge and skills and then passing that knowledge and skills onto our students.  This allows them a chance in a global and digital society.  "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."  (Albert Einstein)

Revisiting the Resume

Resume Scorer Link! 

My original resume received a:

After deleting the references, I scored a:

Link to my resume!

I also received an email from REZSCORE that went into more depth about my resume:

We further broke down your resume into three categories, scored from 0-100 (100 is best):

Brevity: 81

Impact: 74

Depth: 97

Self Portrait

It was my goal to create a "Picasso Head" and add links and an artifact to my blog.  After making the Picasso Head, it was very easy to email the link to my Live account.  After receiving the link, I created a link in my blog that connects others to my "Picasso Head" self portrait (Click Here to see my SELF PORTRAIT).  My "Picasso Head" represents who I am.  I have brown hair, blue eyes, and I enjoy signing my name D. Champ.  (PICASSO HEAD website)

I'd like to have a learning computer center that is "working on your blog" focused.  In that center I'd like to have several activities such as the "self portrait" assignment in order for students to have options.  This self portrait site/activity could be a task for my students after they have initially created their blogs and have learned the skills of posting, adding artifacts (snipping), adding links, etc.  Also, I can link it to another center I have which is making shape poems.  The students could then add the link to their shape poetry in a blog and so forth.  <3 it!

I really didn't encounter any problems with this assignment other than the "snipping tool" concept.  I am using a laptop and I found out that a laptop is a little different.  When you want to do a CTRL + Prnt Scrn it is actually Function (FN) + Prnt Scrn instead on a laptop.  I have not figured out the "snipping tool" shortcuts concept yet.  

This assignment relates to the:

• 2nd Standard: Design and Develop Digital Age Learning-  It is my duty to  design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences such as the "blog center" and the activities/tasks that revolve around it that will encourage students to use technology skills that align with today's constant technological world.  Blogging, capturing screens, adding links, etc. are all skills that are helpful in today's work skills basics.    
• 3rd Standard:  Model Digital Age Work and Learning-  I am constantly working on the skills that are necessary to work with and teach the students of the "information-age mind set" era.  The more fluent I become with technology, the more my students will benefit.  Until recently I would have thought I was up-to-date with the 2013 technology; however, the further we advance through the course- I know understand that there is always more out there to learn.  In order to provide the knowledge to my students I must learn it first.    
• 5th Standard: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership-  I am currently growing as a professional with every assignment that is given.  I am constantly thinking and designing new learning centers, lesson plans, and so forth.  

You can find all standards at: ISTE Nets T Standards