Internet Issues for Students and Some Ways I Can Help Them Learn/Use Producitvity Software (Week Nine)

This post includes before and after class commments.

Internet issues, in my opinion, are limited for students. Most students are computer, internet, and technology savvy – even more so than most instructors. This is not an exhaustive list but some limited issues would perhaps be:

1. Though the majority of students are internet savvy – they might tend to get bored with in-classroom instruction. The majority can aide in helping those lost.
2. 100% of students are not internet savvy – those students might get lost within the instruction. This small percentage lacking knowledge need the most help.
3. Though students will know a lot about technology, they will not know everything.

I can help my students learn/use productivity software asking questions as to what technology internet resources they use and enjoy the most. Then I can research their interests as well as others areas that may be of interest to them in which they did not previously know about. Connecting my students with information, international opportunities, on-line resources, etc. will benefit them greatly and hopefully peak their interest in stepping out of the internet box they already know and into a land of promise and opportunity.

Assignment #3: Technology Intergration

At first, the lesson plan consisted of the students reading "Princess: Uncovering the Truth Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia" by Jean P. Sasson. In which the students would be assigned to research the history of Saudi Arabia especially the place and treatment of women. Compare and contrast the novel and history of Saudi Arabia with the history of women in America. The second compare and contrast with that of the history of American women is an extra credit optional addition. The finished project would be handed in as a research paper.

Technology Integration - Lesson Plan

Technology changes made to the lesson:

1. Incorporate our class blog into the overall project objective as a means of notating research completed on due dates as well as to be used as an informational sharing source for students.
2. Through SKYPE or SMARTBoard, through a formal interviewing process, interview author Jean P. Sasson.

Technology added/needed (in italics):

1. Class blog(blogger.com): individually students add information on the blog. In class sessions are direct teachings in which I show the students what I am looking for through examples directly to class blog via computer through interactive imaging shown through a projector onto a screen (remote control). In this setting, students can as questions ahead of time before adding personal information and research.
2. SKYPE: After setting up interview will need: computer with SKYPE capability, speakers, and a mic.
3. SMARTBoard: The best interview would be the capability to see Jean P. Sasson as we communicate via SMARTBoard. If possible we would need: computer to connect to the SMARTBoard, extension chord(s), speakers, and SMARTBoard pens and eraser.

Changing the lesson plan by adding technology enhances the learning environment in the sense that the students get personally involved on an entirely different level – an interactive level. I believe the lesson was already learner-centered but adding a knew dimension makes it more interactive and students learn more when they are applying hands on informational learning.

Possible challenges to adding this technology is always going to be little glitches such as: power outage, internet down, and every technical issue one can think of and even some surprises. Good ways to overcome these adversities would be to simply be prepared. Prepared with: handouts containing specific information otherwise gone over in class session, instead of direct teaching – group interaction open forum style, rescheduling interview (or having alternative dates in place before interview in case of emergency or unforeseen dilemma), or back to the research paper without technology.

K12 Online Conference (Week Eight)

What I am about to share is my own opinion based on personal experience. As a student attending the K12 Online Conference, I perhaps started off with rose colored glasses anticipating the plethora of information I was to obtain for my future students to be delivered in an exciting way as an example of what I was to do in my classroom. Perhaps, shall I have privy to visit the K12 Online Conference again, as a professional educator, or had I the opportunity to ask questions within the sessions I attended, my experience might have been a more positive one with greater benefits. However, though I found that the information imperative, especially if integrated into the classroom to make the learning experience fun and interactive for the student, I found the conference itself somewhat boring. Contrary to making the classroom an exciting place for the students we are to teach, I found it hard to pay attention to most of the speakers based on their monotone delivery which tended to be drawn out and dull. This was unfortunate for the information being presented, as stated before, would prove quite interesting if integrated into the classroom correctly. On the positive side, there were many classrooms to choose from, I however attended two sessions. I listened in on: Keynote Speaker (Clarence Fisher) as well as a classroom section managed by Lani Ritter Hall (co-taught with five other teachers from different countries)

First, I listened to Classroom 2.0 Keynote, “Classroom 2.0 or You Live Where?” presented by Clarence Fisher. Fisher shared about Pedagogy and teaching looking at our teaching, how we teach and then at the tools about learning. He then spoke about the importance of collaboration between students, teacher, school, classrooms, and international relationships of the like. Teachers are responsible for giving information and promoting relationships which in turn means promoting collaboration using the correct tools which makes the job that much easier. “Think of the classrooms as studios – vibrant space with a lot of energy. Teaching today is a collective effort not a individual accomplishment to control. The classroom should be a global communication center with networks and internet safety.” http://k12online.wm.edu/Classroom2.0.mp3

Next, I listened to Classroom 2.0 “Motivating Student Writers by Fostering Collaboration through Tagging and Aggregating” by Lani Ritter Hall and collaborated teachings with: Vance Stevens (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Nelba Quintan (La Plata, Argentina), Doris Molero (Maracaibo, Venezuela), Saša Sirk (Nova Gorica, Slovenia), and Rita Zeinstejer (Rosario, Argentina). Although I gleaned from a lot of the fantastic ideas, most of the session was missed because it was hard to hear the teachers making it even more difficult to understand what they were saying. Also, though the delivery was somewhat boring, yet the information gathered was excellent. The focus was on ESL students and ESL teachers; learning and expanding territories by using 2.0 tools. The 2.0 tools were used to motivate students implementing global communication through class blogging. Blogging included discussion topics (which promoted writing) using voice messages, videos, music, integrate movies, bookmarks, feedback, blog searcher, etc. The biggest focus of the session was on the development and implementation of a project called the Writing Matrix. The teachers found the students so interested in participating that the class used their free time and put a lot of effort into their individual blogs. Writing Matrix started by trying to find out how social networking works. Teachers teaching writing were interested in getting their students to blog, tag their blogs, and then find the tag blogs by using Technorati (lets you search tag blog posts). http://k12online.wm.edu/writing_matrix.mp3

Inspiration's inspiration (Week Six)

Using Inspiration Software will prove great fun and Inspiration in the classroom. Combining the benefits of Inspiration's diagramming with reading, comprehension, character development, and character relationships, students can organize ideas in pictorial form. I am not sure at this point in time as to whether or not I would use this software in my classroom. I am, however, open to presenting the possibility to my students and going forward based on their feedback and interest. I have not played with the software enough to give a definite yes or no answer to the use of Inspiration in my classroom setting.

iNSPIRATION.doc

Assignment #2: Age/Subject Resources

I will be teaching Secondary Education with English Language Arts and Theatre Arts. In viewing this assigment I added to my blog space websites I felt would be most beneficial to the teacher, student and parent. My hope is that my blog spot would be a place both the student and parent would feel safe to view for informational resources. Perhaps the information obtained may bridge the gaps between parent, student, and teacher.
I started with Teaching resources. Associated Content offers 12 Creative Writing Lessons for Upper Grade Levels. English Teaching is a site that offers a compilation of English language online materials provided by the Department of State Office of English Language Programs. It provides resources for English language teachers and program administrators as well as TESOL resources, Reference materials, On-line courses, audio material and programs, and webchats just to name a few. Facing the Future focuses on people and the planet -- global issues and action opportunities to shape our future. The site delivers curriculum and workshops to middle and high school teachers all over the world with international and local interests. There is also a Teacher Partnership Program connected with Washington State. Teachers engage their students in global issues, not just informing the student about complex issues but engaging them in critical thinking encouraging involvement in positive and personal community change. K12.wa.us is the official Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in the state of Washington website. This website contains EALRS for Secondary Arts – Theatre grade 6 – 12 as well as other subjects. Professional Development Opportunities are also available.
The second category is Theatre Arts. Instead of naming each site and my reason for choosing it, I would like to sum it up as follows: sites offered assessments, curriculum, training, job coaching, and feedback. Most sites purpose in working to address the inequities in arts education within Washington’s schools with a determination to see that every child in Washington State has access to the best possible education, one in which the arts are fully integrated into the regular curriculum. They all contain standard finders for subject matter and grade level. The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards is similar to the Tony Awards; it allows high school drama students from around Washington State to meet, celebrate and honor the exceptional musical theater productions presented during the school year. The program was originally designed to shine the spotlight on high school musical theater programs and offer drama students the same recognition that accomplished high school athletes have received for decades. Washington Thespians offers everything from performances to conferences for children of all ages. Includes scripts, H.S. Theatre, musicals, Broadway and more. Plus there are workshops for high school teachers.
Theatre Workshops for Students. Sites focusing on various subject matter: visual/performing arts, opera/musical theatre, New York theatre workshop, dance/music/drama, and Japanese Theatre. All for the high school student. There s a plethora of information for the student. My hope is that curiosity would triggered and since these sites are only a few that the student wold continue with their own research of information. The point is to show the student that there is so much out there just for them and it is up to them to cease the moment.
Study Abroad Opportunities were chosen because of my deep belief in the fact that traveling while learning (or giving) changes the lives of young people and if given the opportunity to go, they should go. Summer opportunties around the world! Does not interfere with the regular school year.
Writing Workshops for Students. A couple of the workshops are abroad and are therefore included in my previous category. However, summer writing opportunities as well as contest are offered specifically for high school students. Summer writing includes: writing intensive, fiction writing, playwriting, and poetry. The others are contests. The writing contestants have a chance to win money as well as publication of their work. The second contest is a Poetry Out Loud contest set up by the National Recitation Contest.
Last but not least, I felt it important to include topics considered taboo. Perhaps a student will learn something new that will either prevent them from having intercourse before marriage or seek help, a confident, etc. The main purpose of these sites is to brig the gap between parent and student. One site talks about bringing the gap, another drug/ alcohal rehab, and one of the most important sites attacks the issue of std's. My thoughts, Just say no. But if you haven’t, some things you'll need to know, and perhaps talk about