Internet Safety Reflection

Reading
I read "Let Our Voices Be Heard" by M. Russell Ballard.

Watching
I watched the video called "Katies Story" about a young girl who encountered a predator online.

Write a paragraph describing what your most important "take-aways" were from the readings and video?
The thing about the article that stuck out to me the most and that surprised me the most was when it was written. It was only written in 2003 and it is amazing how much worse our world has become since then. It is so important for us to be prepared for our world to get even worse. I think it is so important that as I prepare to have a family that I am making sure to decipher what is good and what is evil in the media. I should be aware of the effects it can have on my spiritual growth and the spiritual growth of my family.I need to make sure that I am doing everything I can to sift through the bad media and use it for its righteous uses and avoid its destructive uses.

I thought the most interesting thing about the video was the method they used to help their daughter who was talking to an online predator. They made her play a game with them that taught about protecting yourself from the dangers of the internet. I thought it was interesting that the girl was able to interact with her family and because of their healthy interactions she was able to see the seriousness of her situation. A strong family support system is so important.

Doing
I talked to a friend about what they knew about internet safety. He said he knew that it was important to not put any personal information on the computer and that you shouldn't put any details about where you live. He said he knew the importance of not talking to people you don't know. I told him Katies story and he just thought that the girl in the story was really silly and made really unwise decisions. He thought her mistakes were very apparent and that if he were her father we would have handled the situation very differently. He said that he would make sure to tell his daughter that her relationship with his guy wasn't OK and that she wasn't allowed to talk to him. I think now that I have brought this story to his attention he will know the importance he will have one day as a father to protect his children from predators. I think it is a good idea to share these kind of stories with people so that they are reminded of the realness of the situation.

PLE Post Week 12

From watching these videos of different classrooms using technology I have been able to learn a couple of different reasons for the importance of technology when teaching young children. I think that the most important thing when it comes to teaching young children is to keep them interested. I think that since young kids have a hard time focusing on something for long periods of time it is so important to make sure that as a teacher, I am always keeping them focused on the subject. I have learned from these videos that as they are learning about one subject they continue to remain interested in it because they are using all types of technology and activities within the subject. They are able to remain excited because the teacher isn't keeping it mundane but is constantly switching up the different technologies and activities. From watching these videos I have learned that it may be a good idea to use different technologies for the different parts of the subject. It is ok to use the same subject so that the kids do understand what I am teaching, but is also ok to use different technologies while teaching that subject.

TPACK Planning

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV9JymgxDdy5ZGQydnhoMnRfMmZ0c3E4dmZo&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV9JymgxDdy5ZGQydnhoMnRfNGN2bWZqNWR0&hl=en

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV9JymgxDdy5ZGQydnhoMnRfNGN2bWZqNWR0&hl=en

Week 9 PLE Post

What are some ways you can tell that you have successfully integrated technology into your lesson?

I think you can tell if technology is successfully integrated into your lessons if the students understand the technology and its specific use for the class. The student doesn't necessarily need to know how to use the technology perfectly because that barely happens but if the students understand what they are learning and the role that the technology plays in their education then the technology was integrated well.

What do you feel technology should accomplish in order to be a legitimate addition to your lesson?

I think the technology should not be the center of the lesson, unless it is the topic for the class, but should be the aid in teaching the students. If the technology is helping the students and enriching the environment of the classroom and enriching their education then it is accomplishing its purpose and is a legitimate addition to the lesson.

What indicators can tell you whether or not you have chosen an appropriate technology for your lesson?

If the students are learning the curriculum and the technology is nor interfering with their education then it is appropriate. If the students aren't being distracted but are able to use the technology to their advantage and they can use it to their advantage then it is definitely appropriate.

TPACK

What are some of the problems with learning TPACK skills?

Some of the problems it seems is that everything being taught is very dependent on how each of the students learn. It is very important to remember that every child and every group of children will learn differently. If trying to teach something that is based to student-content learning needs then it must apply to each of the different students. It also seems like the ideas are pretty complex and not well thought out yet.

What is the main idea of the article?

The main idea of the article is to try and restructure the way classrooms are being taught by integrating technology into the lesson plans. This approach has been used for websites, educational films, and online courses.

What are some of the ideas in the article that led you to your main idea?

The first main paragraph that described what the idea was and how they have tried to use it.

What are some reasons that this article might be important for you as a teacher

It is important to know what kinds of new teaching strategies are being thought of while I am studying to be a teacher so that I am aware. It is good to be aware of new ideas so that I can progress and learn as an educator. I must continually push myself and learn new things so that I can become a better, more well-rounded teacher. It is also important in this day and age because we are constantly changing the way we teach and learn as our technology advances.

Virtual Fieldtrip

Field Trip "Table"

Field Trip Table
Location

Activity Description

Google Earth content
(what layer, tool, content
within Google Earth will you use)
1. Amazon Rainforest

Matching game: match the animal with their habitat. Then, pick and draw favorite animal. Cut into puzzle pieces, and exchange with partner.

L: Weather, Places of Interest

C: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyIyVsRo-qU



2. Nunavut

Create an informative postcard, including fun facts about Nunavut. Write to a friend describing your trip.

L: Weather, 3-D Buildings, Places of Interest

C:



3. Atacama Desert

Survivor- Make a list of 10 items they need to survive. Write-up about why these items would be necessary (i.e. how the items would be used, etc.)

L: Weather, Places of Interest

C: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLN5uz42005



4. Great Barrier Reef

Vacation Time! Create an itinerary for a 2-day vacation here. Craft an advertisement for souvenirs found in nature.

L: Weather, Ocean, Places of Interest

C:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbNeIn3vVKM

Lesson Plan "Table"

Lesson Plan Table
Directions: This table is intended to help you explicitly evaluate your options for selecting the best mix of pedagogy and technology to teach content. List the activity types you want to include in the lesson and 2-3 technology options that could work. Then list the affordances and constraints of each technology/activity type combination.

Activity Type

Possible Technologies

Used for this content/With these kids

Affordances-benefits, value

Constraints-limitations

Virtual Field trip- to show different environments in which people live

Google Earth

Real life videos and pictures

Only covers 2 senses (sight and sound)

Slideshow of pictures

Real footage


Video Clips


time

Survivor- have students choose few items to survive with

PwrPt to introduce unit

Provide instructions

Not very much interaction for the students

Show video clip examples

Clear explanation given for project (good examples)

Finding/making the videos and having it be exactly what I’m looking for

Make video, students show each other how they would live in various environments

Lots of student participation

May not have all the props needed to make it more real

World Ecosystem Jeopardy

Computer- power point



Picture Puzzle- show picture and student’s have to find out where it is



Video with questions from real-life








Scavenger Hunt

Google Earth



Tourist paparazzi: Camera- “find something that…” and take picture



Power Point



Writing assignment- features of biome, fun things you could do there

Keep ecosystem blog



Internet research- facts about ecosystem



Skype with person in another ecosystem for hw assignment



Research Portfolio

Internet Research about ecosystem



Interview someone from ecosystem via Skype



Keep info on Blog

Week 7 PLE Post

1. What is the role of technology in creating dynamic experiences for your students?

I think that it is important in all aspects of life to constantly progress and improve your standards. I think that this idea applies to using technology on the classroom as well. I think it is important to help students learn in diverse ways and I think it is good for them to understand how to learn from different technologies because they will be using these technologies throughout their whole lives. I think it is good for them to have some different ways of learning in the classroom so that it doesn't become mundane and boring.

2. What are some ways that technology might actually detract from student learning?

The technology used in the classroom could detract from the learning if the teacher doesn't know how to use the technology. I have been in classes where the teacher didn't know what they were doing and it ruined the experience. It also detracts when the technology fails for one reason or another. I think that it is important that as teachers, we don't get caught up in trying to do the most advanced things but make it interesting and educational.

3. What are three examples of effective technology use that you have used or experienced?

One effective technology that has helped me in my learning is power point presentations. I think that they are used a lot but that is because they are effective and allow the teacher to teach and not worry about writing down all the information because it is already there. Another technology that has been effective has been the use of short video clips. Even in my religion classes when the teachers use video clips it makes the experience so much more rich and interesting. Lastly, a technology that has been effective is computer programs that are able to be used in the classroom. That sounds obvious but when I was in high school I took Graphic Communications and Digital Media. Without programs like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro then I wouldn't have been able to learn as much as I did in those classes.

Week 6 PLE Post (Part 2)

I thought the other virtual tours were really cool. I thought the one about Auschwitz and Berlin was really cool. You could really measure how far they marched and it would be a lot more realistic to the kids and a lot more interesting. I watched one about the Eiffel tower and I thought it was cool how it asked a question and then gave an article to read to find the answers. I think that is good for the kids to research and learn on their own. I thought the virtual tour about Mt. Rushmore was really cool too. The kids are assigned to try and draw their own Mt. Rushmore after and I think that would be really fun.

I think an upside to using a virtual tour in a classroom would be that you can experience so much with Google Earth. There are so many possibilities with it where the kids can see new things and learn a lot about geography and the earth. I think it is relatively easy to use and is very up to date with technology.

It is hard to think of a downside to using this program. I think it would be something that would be interesting to experiment with students to see what the reaction is, but the only negative thing I can think of is that they might get bored. But I don't think that would even happen. I am not too sure.

Week 6 PLE Post

I think one other sensory experience that might compliment the virtual field trip could be food. You could bring the kids snacks with foods from the areas of the world that you are visiting. Another sensory experience could be music. You could play music that is local to a certain culture you are exploring. You could also teach a dance from the native culture of the area you are learning about. You could skype with someone from that area of the world as well. You could also look up fun crafts to do that could recreate something from that culture. For example, if you were studying the Egyptians you could build a pyramid out of sugar cubes.

Finished Digital Storytelling Project

Week 5 PLE Post (Part 2)

One of the cons to the technology we used was that it was very simple. We only used scanners to scan our pictures in. We didn't actually make a live action movie, which could have been fun. I think another con was that the program we used was one on Brett's computer which was really convenient but I also would have like to try a different where we could have explored more high tech options.

There were a lot of pros to our project as well. I thought our story was fun and interesting. I think that it illustrates the concept of rhyming and alliterations very well and I think kids would enjoy watching it. I think that it is funny and has a lot of character. I think it would be a lot more interesting than reading a story to kids because there are more voices that pop out to the kids and would be exciting for them.

Week 5 PLE Post

One of the first and easiest things you can do with Google Earth is navigate the earth. Another thing you can do on Google Earth is swivel the camera angle so that you can see all different perspectives of the locations you are viewing. You can enter in the names of different countries and places and you can view the surroundings of any area. You can then see each area in the different views (aerial, ground level, etc.) This tool would be great for the classroom to teach kids basic geography. It would really help the kids grasp a more realistic perception of what the world is like. It would be really cool to help kids how to navigate through their local communities. You can have the kids enter in their home addresses and then show them their houses on Google Earth. I think that Google Earth would be an excellent and fun resource. I would have loved it if I had this resource when I was a kid in grade school.

Week 4 PLE Post #2

Since I have started this class I have spoken to me friends and my siblings about what I have learned. All of my sisters are super into blogging so I told them about a class I have where I have to make a blog and do a lot of my homework through it for the class. All of my sisters have encouraged me to create a personal blog for them to view as well. I have also talked to my friends about how we are making a digital storytelling project. I am excited because I wanted to go into Digital Media so I feel very at home with this project. I have learned that I need to use my talents to share information with others. I learned that I need to remember that when I become a teacher and I need to try my best to make sure that I am utilizing all of my resources when I teach others.

Week 4 PLE Post

I commented on Sheila Reynolds, Andrea Smiths, Ann Yamashita, Kristen Gardeners, and Catherine Norris' blogs. I thought that everyone had really great ideas. I was really impressed.

I think the most difficult part of implementing a digital storytelling project into the classroom would be making sure that the kids were really able to do it. I am not sure how easy it would be for kids. Maybe if the project was done as a class then it would be easier for teachers. I think it also depends on what age group you have. If the kids are really young it might make this project a lot more difficult. But I also think the kids would really like it if they knew how to do it.

Storyboard Pictures

Storyboard

The story is about a princess and illustrates the concept of rhyming and alliterations.

Slide 1:Once there was a Princess who liked to rhyme.

Slide 2:A rhyme is when two words have the same final sound. Thus, rhyming is using words that sound the same

Slide 3: One windy day she was walking in the courtyard, when suddenly a bat came and snatched her hat! “Oh no!” She cried. “That hat is mine, Bat!”

(Can YOU find the rhyming words on this page?)

Slide 4: The Princess is devastated. She picks up her skirt and runs after the bat, throwing big wads of dirt.

Slide 5: Out of breath and feeling weak, she stops at a creek. And as she sat on a rock she heard a, “SQUEAK, SQUEAK!”

Slide 6: [The Princess meets charming Randalfo Rat’amer the Rat, who is practicing his alliteration].
R:“Ow! You Rude Runny-nosed Rooster!” spat Randolfo the Rat.
P: “Oh, I’m so sorry little mouse. A bat snatched my hat, my legs hurt, I’ve ripped my skirt, and I’ve got mud on my blouse.”
R: “Mouse?! Mouse!? Mother Goose, I don’t see no mouse! The name’s Randolfo Rat’amer.”
“What’s with the weeping?”

Slide 7: P: “A bat snatched my hat, on you I sat, and I’m afraid your rhyming’s no good Sir Rat.”
R: “NO good? Ha! Ha! (laughing) Oh Princess please, (more laughing) pardon poor me. Do I look like a tree? I’m quite capable of rhyming you see. I’m attaining the art of alliteration.”
P: “It sounds so different this new sort of ‘chime.’ How is it different from a lovely rhyme?”
R: “Alliteration is the language we rats like to use. It is the repetition of the beginning sounds of words, or as we rats like to say, ‘just start all your words with the same sounding letter, and you’ll be wishin’ like a magnificent master rat musician!’”
“Allow me to demonstrate, AHMmm (clearing throat): Rats randomly run up rusty rocks, ripping red ribbons to remodel rockets while . . .”
P: (princess adds) “ . . . running a race?”
R: “Ah! Amazingly awesome alliteration princess!”
P: “I’m so happy on you I sat, I’ve now made friends with Randolfo the Rat!”

Slide 8:
R: “Now, What will we do with whoever took your hat?”
P: “A bat snatched my hat. Up the creek we could swim to find him.”
R: (smiling) “Hmm . . . using the creek we could come closer to catching that crafty critter.”
“Oooh, those beastly bats boast like buttered bread bugs especially when building beautiful bows. . .” (thinking) “AHA! Fear not Princess, we’ll break that bat’s bow and bring back that hat!”


Slide 9:So, up the creek the princess swam, searching for that sightless bat, with Randolfo the Rat.
Finally they found that flying foe and forced him to fall from the sky. The bat said he would return the hat, but only for a piece of pretty pumpkin patch pie.

Slide 10:The pumpkin patch was there in sight, but it was already nearly night. She’d have to farm to get the pumpkins prepared and then cook all day while the bat just stared. By midnight the princess’ dress was a mess. All she wanted was to find her hat and her Prince Charming, but now she was stuck here farming.

Slide 11:The Princess could see no hope. She thought maybe I should just try when she heard a booming “NOPE!”

She turned around to see a handsome man standing with a hundred pretty pumpkin pies. The Princess was so happy she felt as if she would just die!

The handsome man was her prince charming come to save her from Randolfo the Rat. He sent up all the pies to that Rat and retrieve the princess’ hat.

Slide 12:Randolfo the Rat had no choice but to give the princess back her hat.

The princess was so thankful to her prince charming and his good deed. They headed off into the sunset with the prince in the lead and his trusty stead.

Week 3 PLE Post

I have always thought copyright laws were more restricting than anything. I always thought that the laws were annoying and stopped me from being able to use lots of different types of material. But now I realize that the laws are there for a reason and are there to protect the companies and the businesses who created the material. I also learned that the companies create ways for teachers to access materials for free as long as they do it in the right way. It is super important for teachers to know these things because we will be using a lot of outside resources to teach and to make things more interesting. I think it is important for teachers to make sure they are following the laws correctly especially since they work for the state and it is important to honor those laws that they said they would honor.

Week 2 PLE Post

I think tokbox.com could be used for a lot of cool things in the classroom. I think you could let the kids use them for homework assignments like how we were supposed to do. I also think you could let them use it for in-class activities. I think it would be really fun for them to maybe get in groups and record themselves doing their project and then show it to the rest of the class. I also think they could use it for fun activities like a scavenger hunt. Each child could leave a message for the next child telling them a clue to where a hidden treasure is. I think the tokbox could be used for a lot of different things. It

I think the most interesting thing I have learned in the class thus far has been how to use this blog. I think it is really cool and will also be really helpful in the future. I know a lot of people who use blogs and I think it will be a fun resource to have even after the class is over.

Week 1 PLE Post

My technology and background experience includes knowledge in an array of programs. I know how to use Microsoft Word very well. I have had some experience in Adobe Photoshop, and may not be very well versed in it but I am very interested in learning more. I know how to use Final Cut Pro and have cut and edited many videos using this program. I have used hand held video cameras, digital cameras, many different cell phones, iPods, and even webcams. I also know how to create powerpoints and make slideshows. I am not a genius when it comes to technology but I definitely am comfortable using it and know enough to keep up with the technological world.