Activity Reflection 3- All About Me Page/ Online Identity

As an educator, I believed that it is very important to maintain a good relationship with my students and parents. I find it easier to communicate through email rather than talking on the phone. I think that creating a web page is a great way to connect with parents and students, and allowing them more access to me both during and outside of the classroom. I had recently created a teacher web page for classroom. I feel that it is important to let my parents and students get to know me a little better. Also by creating the teacher web page, my students can access their homework and any other assigned projects.

This week’s activity in my EME5050 class I had to create an “About Me” page. During this week’s reading, I came across the YouTube Video- “you don’t get to write your own resume”. A light bulb went off in my head. I realized that you have to be careful of the information that you placed on the internet because you never know who is trying to steal your identity. While completing the assignment, I had to consider on what was important and how much information I need to include on my “About Me” page. Even though I don’t want my personal information available to just anyone, I can see the benefits of creating an online presence. After completing the “About Me” assignment, I realized that I can choose what I can post and it is a great tool to involve my students to utilize along with their parents. This assignment has given me great ideas on how to improve my teacher webpage. I plan on adding links to great math or reading websites. Creating this “About Me” page was easy because I had created a teacher webpage. It is not as fancy as my teacher page, but it is a start and I hope to add on to it.

Activity Reflection # 2

This week assignment asked us to think about our own comfort level with productivity software. Well for starters I believed that I am quite comfortable with technology. I am the team liaison and I try to stay up to date with today’s technology. I am quite savvy when it comes to Microsoft word, powerpoint, Elmo, Movie maker, Photo Story and Black Board. I am also comfortable using the flip camera especially when I up load the pictures to make a movie. After each unit, I usually have the students upload their work and either create a movie using the Movie maker software. Every Tuesday, I would take my second graders to the computer lab and show them how to utilize the software that is currently available. Currently, my intern and I are teaching my students how to use Max Show. It’s new software that was created for primary students. While at the lab, the students can create slides about the concepts that they are learning about that week. I also noticed that my students are more effective at editing their work while using the Max Show software. I believed that our students should be prepared to become computer savvy in today’s society. One of my favorite software is the Smart Board. I find myself staying extra late at school to find new educational interactive activities to implement in my lessons. With the Smart Board, my students can have hands on experience and they are more involved in the lesson.

My least favorite software is Excel and I’m almost had a panic attack when I saw that we had to create a sample gradebook. The only time that I use Excel is when something is already saved and I want to create a new assignment with that template. The first thought that came to mind was that I’m not going to get a good grade on this assignment because I have no idea how to utilize Excel. After a few days, I decided to consult one of my co-workers who’s an expert at Excel. With her help, she showed me how to create a gradebook. At first I was overwhelm by everything and how I was going to get through the assignment. Well she and I made a copy of the sample that the professor gave us and walk me through each step. Before long I was getting a handle of the basic steps of Excel. I am still not an expert at Excel, but at least I can create a gradebook.  At our school we use SASI for attendance and to import our grades, so creating a gradebook on Excel is not required. After this assignment, I have decided to utilize the Excel software so I can become an expert. I feel that since I’m getting my masters in technology, I should make sure that I’m well diverse in all of the productivity software that is available. I hope one day I can say I am a pro at the Excel software. J

Reading Reaction # 3

Is it more unethical to allow threats to students/schools (see list above) or to deny students/teachers access to instructionally-relevant Web-based tools and content

You never want to limit the education of a student; however you want to protect the quality of education. I believe that it ethical to deny students and teachers access to instructionally-relevant Web-based tools.” The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)” decreeing that public school libraries wishing to take advantage of the federal Internet must have internet safety policy and filtering technology in place (Kelsey, 2007). It is the right of the school district to uphold this law and to ensure that our students are surfing the internet safely. The use of the internet is a privilege and I believe that teachers and students should respect the guidelines that are set.  It is our job as an educator to protect our students from harmful materials that is on the internet. I find it quite difficult to monitor a class of eighteen in a computer lab, while working with other students in the classroom. I feel that this generation of digital students can find a way to access certain restricted websites that are blocked. There are websites like eHow.com that can teach students on how to maneuver around all around the county firewalls.

Some teachers may feel that it is unethical to deny students/teachers access to relevant-Websites. But I feel that teachers can access resources on alternative websites. Instead of using YouTube, you can use teacher tube. I don’t believe that YouTube do not have enough relevant sources to be utilize in the classroom. It would also be a distraction for students especially if they came across an inappropriate source.  Over the years of my teaching career, I have found great educational sources like googlescholar.com to gather appropriate resources to utilize in my lessons. I feel that the district have the right to deny access to our students because it’s our job to keep our students safe from inappropriate materials. In this week reading, I came across a key point to our question. Teachers and parents need to ensure that children understand that inappropriate materials exist on the internet (Shelly, 6^th edition). I feel that teachers have a responsibility to teach their students the necessary skills they will need to use on the internet.

 

Source:

Kelsey, M., (2007). Are We Lucky for the First Amendment? A Brief History of Student’s Right to Read.  

         Knowledge Quest, pp. 26-29

Shelly, G.B.; (2010). Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. 6^th Edition. Shelly Cashman Series, pp. 492

               

Reading Reaction # 2

The 21^st Century Student

What can I say about the 21^st century student! According to Dr. Drexler, connectivism empowers students to take control of their own learning. I believed as teachers you have to guide your students to discover and seek information to determine the facts on their own. It takes time to coach and guide students to take charge in their own learning. A teacher must first initial the learning process among their students to gather and share information in order for students to take over and fulfill each assignment or project. Teachers should assist and make sure everything is working smoothly and keep the students searching and working in the right directions. Teaching is not only showing how much the teacher knows but realizing that students will exceed the teacher and become self-learners about any topic. My theory is let the students have fun while learning. This will allow them to make connections and they will connect things that they are enthusiastic about. By allowing students to take control of their own learning, they will realize that learning is just more than opening up a book and reading a book.  Through the use of technology, students can be artistic, creative and it allows them to be more engage in their learning. Teachers should not be afraid to implement technology in their lessons and allow students to take charge in their own learning.

While reading our text this week, I realized how important technology is in the classroom. The students make their own decisions and they control how to use the information that they locate on the internet.  Another benefit for utilizing technology in the classroom, students are more engage, motivate and willing to participate in their studies. So as we journey through this 21^st century, teachers should help their students develop new ways to facilitate their own learning.