Internet Safety- Doing

I talked to my mom about some of the things I learned. I have three younger brothers and two of them still have to go through high school. My parents do a lot of the things recommended for internet safety, however, I felt a reminder would not hurt. My older brother and I never did spend a lot of time on the internet, but my little brothers might not be the same as I and my older brother were. They may have to make special precautions, especially since the world is becoming so reliant upon the internet. I shared with my mom some key tips in remaining internet safe and showed her a video. We also discussed the importance of actually talking about the reasons behind the precautions with my siblings. My mom was very supportive of my ideas and appreciated the discussion. She even taught me a little more about the subject.

Two things I learned

I learned about anther great technology called the Promethean board. In these lessons I saw great examples of how technology could be essential. This was one of the most important things I saw. A girl in my group projected different writing samples and had the kids come up and underline the mistakes within the sample. Then they checked their answers. Using technology makes this lesson simple and accessible to everyone. I also loved another girl's idea of using the Promethean board to teach fractions. She had the students come up to the board and cut the pizza. I do not think this lesson could be done in a better way. It was very effective. The focus is on the student's learning objective and not on how cool the technology was! This was another great insight!

Internet Safety

1. What article did you choose to read for your fourth article?
I chose to read: "Tangled in the Web"

2. What were the most important things you learned from the readings?
Elder Ballard’s words really shook me. I have seen the negative impact the media has had on society, however I did not realize that it was my responsibility to do something about it. Not only am I supposed to avoid those negative influences, but I am to speak out. Elder Ballard said, "The time has come when members of the Church need to speak out and join with the many other concerned people in opposition to the offensive, destructive, and mean-spirited media influence that is sweeping over the earth."

3. How will what you have read influence your actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
I want to be prepared to make a stand against all that is offensive, destructive and mean-spirited. I intend to inform my future students and children of the dangers of the internet and media. I also wish to instruct them in good ways to use these resources. Rules and guidelines will be set that I and my children must follow in regards to media and the internet.

4. How can you use what you have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
I can help others realize the importance internet safety is. I will help make sure that my family and friends are all aware of the possible dangers and the ways to prevent problems from arising.

Something I learned

One thing I struggled with is making the technology use essential. I sometimes get frustrated with technology, and it seems to me that there would always be another way to teach a concept. However, the slideshare I viewed was a great example for me. It showed me how useful technology can be. It should not be a burden, but an aid.

Slideshare

Tech Slideshare-Diphthongs

View more presentations from angelajack.

I was able to use the elmo to make my shared reading lesson more interactive. We read an animal riddle book together as a class. The elmo made it possible for every student to have access to the print. This lesson was important because our goal is to have the children write their own animal riddles in the next week or so. Giving them access to the text really enabled the students to see and hear good examples of riddles. We were also better able to identify the elements of a riddle. I made a chart on which we identified the clues provided in the riddle and our guesses. I was able to model how to fill in this chart with the elmo. It was a very effective lesson. I feel that using the technology really helped to engage the students.

I am going to use an elmo to make my lesson more interactive. It will allow every student to see the writing and they will be able to help be read the text. We will read the story together and work together to solve the riddles. It gives everyone the chance to be successful.

Technology Inventory

I was really amazed at how much is available to us as teachers. My teacher mentor actually wrote a grant and was able to get a smartboard in her classroom. The school as made big efforts to incorporate technology into the children's learning. They recognize what a powerful tool it really can be. The one thing that could be holding some teachers back is not knowing how to use the technology available. Our school recently had a teacher development day. The focus was on technology. I found this very enlightening. We were shown how to use some specific tools with the smartboards. We even learned how to make a quiz and use clickers to answer questions. It was a great experience. I am beginning to see how important it is to imcorporate technology in teaching. It may take some time to learn, but once the concepts are understood, it can save a great deal of time and make your teaching more interesting and interactive.

Here is my virtual tour link! Enjoy!

TPACK questions on Google Earth Tour

1. What is the content you’ll be using in your lesson?
3rd Grade Social Studies
Standard 2
Students will understand cultural factors that shape a community.
Objective 1
Evaluate key factors that determine how a community develops
*Describe how stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture.

2. What is the pedagogy you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content?
Students have the opportunity to listen to music and compare and contrast that to the music of other counties.

3.What is the technology you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content and pedagogy?
We will be using google earth to help with this activity. Google Earth gives the kids the chance to actually go to these specific locations. It also allows me to link useful sites to that location, making discover easy and uncomplicated.

Virtual Tour Plan

Location	Activity	Google Earth Content
1. Indonesia	In the first activity students will listen to a Balinese Gamelon. By following the indicated link. Then the students will follow another link that illustrates the several different instruments played within the Gamelon.	Students will be brought to that location.
2. Japan	In the second activity students read a brief history on Japanese Gagaku music and then listen to a sample by following indicated link.	Students will be brought to that location.
3. India	Sudents will listen to a Sitar and look at the different elements of that instrument.	Students will be brought to that location.
4. Scottland	Students will watch a video of a person playing bagpipe and look at different elements of that instrument.	Students will be brought to that location.
Details of image overlay / path / polygon:	I will use image overlay for each location. I will also draw a polygon around the area.

Digital Story- The Loser

TPACK questions- Digital Story

What is the content you’ll be using in your lesson?

The goal is to developing language through viewing media and presenting. Students will share writing with others using illustrations to add meaning (K-6 Language Arts Core Curriculum Standard 1 Objective 2 and Standard 8 Objective 6).

What is the pedagogy you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content?

We will be doing poetry interpretations. Not only are the students required to create a script, but they will also have the opportunity to visually represent a specific poem. This will give them further insight into the meaning and will help develop their language. They will create storyboards to help them successfully plan their projects out step by step.

What is the technology you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content and pedagogy?

Students will be using a digital camera and PhotoStory software to create a film of their interpreted poem. They will combine pictures, music, and vocal reading to make this film. This is an amazingly fun project. Using these technologies makes the whole project unique. Their final product will be professional and impressive. The students will have the chance to see just how much they are capable of. This project could not have been done without the help of technology.

TPACK questions

What is the content you are focusing on in your science lesson?

4th grade standard 5 objective 2: Describe the common plants and animals found in Utah environments and how these organisms have adapted to the environment in which they live.

What is the pedagogy you are using and why is it a good fit with the content?

Classifying and describing relationships

What is the technology you’ll be using and why is it a good fit with the content and pedagogy?

Kidspiration: This was the perfect choice for our content and pedagogy because it allows children to brainstorm and apply what they learn in a fun, visual way. It is a great resource for categorizing.

Tech Savvy Teacher

An effective teacher knows how to use the resources surrounding him or her. Technology is one of the greatest tools a teacher can use as it is constantly growing providing new opportunities. It is a way to reach all students in new and creative ways and provides hands on experiences to help master the subject. An example of this technology is using Kidspiration. We chose 4th grade standard 5 objective 2: Describe the common plants and animals found in Utah environments and how these organisms have adapted to the environment in which they live.

Our first step in this process was to identify common plants and animals found in different habitats in Utah. These habitats were wetlands, forests, and deserts. We use an activity on Kidspiration where students selected animals and plants and had to put them in the correlating habitat. This allowed them to brainstorm different possible environments familiar animals live in. Then next task was to create their own web of plants and animals found in the three habitats
in Utah.
After completing the brainstorm activity of the different characteristics. The teacher does a mini lesson where she or he talks about the different habitats and what lives in each. To assess the students learning we have them go back to the Kidspiration and have them write specific animals characteristics that allow particular plants and animals to live in specific environments. This technology helped students predict and classify different plants and animals into specific environments found in Utah. Kidspiration allowed students to participate using their hands and acts as a visual representation of what they are studying.
Angie Jack, Christina Murray, and Alesha Abrahamson

Here students have added animals that are appropriate for each habitat.

Here students have added plants that are appropriate for each habitat.

Here is the beginning of a web!

Here is a web that has been developed.

Here the kids will write what characteristics that allow particular plants and animals to live in specific environments.

Technology is Fun!

In class we looked at some really great science/ math technologies. The digital probes were a particular favorite. I had a wonderful time attempting to make different designs by changing the temperature. I can see how wonderful this tool could be for a classroom. We viewed a video of children making ice-cream. The probes mapped out second by second the changes in temperature. Being able to visually see these changes gave the children a chance to understand the concepts being taught on a deeper level.

TPACK

I really enjoyed looking at the different aspects of TPACK. It is clear how important it is to understand how to combine and use Pedagogical Knowledge, Content Knowledge, and Technical Knowledge. They are all an integral part of providing a good education. Having a great deal of knowledge (CK) about a subject does not ensure you that you will be a good teacher. It is also important to know how to express that information (PK). However, simply knowing how to teach is not enough. You must also know a good deal about the subject you are teaching. Having a good understanding of Technology can really aid your teaching (TK). For example, I am a stats TA and we have recently acquired some lap-top computers and some projectors. However, I do not know how to use this equipment. If I did, there is a good chance it would improve the learning environment. Having Technological Knowledge can be a huge asset.

RSS and Web 2.0

RSS is an amazing resource that I am excited to use. I have yet to understand the true potential of RSS. It allows me to put news feeds and updates from all of my favorite sites in one location. As a teacher this will save me time and help me stay informed. Web 2.0 is also an amazing development. It allows me to connect to a site and make it my own. The internet and I are interconnected. As a teacher, I will be able to use sites like Delicious and Goodread to not only keep track of my favorite sites and books, but to also know what other teachers like and use. Again, I look forward to becoming more comfortable using these tools in the future!

I really do not have very much background in technology. I would define myself as "technically challenged." I am competent and know enough to get by, but beyond what is required of me, I know nothing. I do, however, wish that I knew more because I am very aware of how important technology is.