I created a Wiki page to contribute to my class Wiki exploring different Web 2.0 tools. I chose a creativity tool called GoAnimate that allowed me to create my own animated sample. Not only does this artifact showcase my ability to creatively use online tools, but it also demonstrates how I collaborate with my peers through reciprocal comments and evaluations.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Grammar Crossword Puzzle (NETS-T I, II, III)
To create this artifact, I used Microsoft Excel. I used conditional formatting to allow students to do the crossword with immediate feedback so they know if their answers are correct or not. I also personalized the puzzle with a different font, background color, border, and patterns to make it aesthetically pleasing. This crossword puzzle demonstrates my fluency in Excel and also allows me to communicate relevant information to others in a fun and creative way.
Inspiration (NETS-T I, II, III)
Inspiration is a graphic organizer that allows users to brainstorm and create outlines with ease. I used this tool to visually arrange my NETS-T artifacts according to which standard they met. Inspiration allows both teachers and students to creatively organize their thoughts using digital means.
Social Bookmarking - Delicious Tags (NETS-T IV, V)
1. National Archives: Running for Office
This exhibit was a great primary resource for political cartoons by Clifford Berryman. There were about 50 cartoons depicting different presidential candidates and elections. Along with each cartoon, the exhibit included a caption explaining the political climate at the time and the context of the drawing to help the viewer understand the humor or satire intended by Berryman. There were also little blurbs to define common symbols or motifs such as the donkey's first association as the symbol for the Democratic Party in 1828 during Andrew Jackson's campaign.
As a political science major, I really enjoyed this exhibit because it literally illustrated many of the presidential campaigns I learned about throughout grade school and college. The primary sources available through technology are invaluable to the classroom because they put many lessons that seem faraway and intangible into a familiar context for students as well as deepen their understanding of certain events. For many of my college papers, I was required to cite a primary source. I will admit that I saw this requirement as more of a hassle than a way to enrich my paper because it seemed like an impossible task when I was researching events that happened over 200 years ago. The more I learn about technology and how it facilitates research by providing easier access to primary resources, the more I want to incorporate it into my curriculum so my students do not feel overwhelmed as I did. With only a click of a mouse, I was able to sift through dozens of political cartoons from the early 1900s as if I were reading a hundred-year-old newspaper today!
2. National Education Association: Achievement Gaps
Student groups experiencing achievement gaps are ethnic minorities (American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics), LGBTs, English Language Learners, Students with disabilities, and students from low income backgrounds.
The first step I would take in closing the achievement gap would be to learn about my class and school by researching the students' backgrounds including their ethnicity, socioeconomic profile, possible disabilities, and anything else that might account for an achievement gap at my school. I think learning about students and their cultural background can only help an educator figure out how they learn and why they may be struggling in certain areas. Examining the degree to which students and families have access to school resources is crucial in closing an existing gap.
I would also join or create a cultural competence committee, not only because of the alliteration, but because it is a great way to involve everyone important in a student's schooling including their parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. Being culturally competent means acknowledging that it is a lifelong process and should always be at the forefront of education. Having a committee entirely devoted to the achievement gap plaguing public education today, will ensure that this issue does not get pushed aside and is continually addressed each school year.
In addition to collaborating within a school and its community, it is also useful to network with other schools and school districts. Taking what other schools are doing to address the problem and adapting it to meet the needs of my school and classroom is a great way to work with other educators and share innovative and effective ideas. While much of being a great educator involves creativity, it is just as important to be able to borrow techniques that are working in other classrooms because those techniques just might work in yours.
3. Stop Cyberbullying
According the the quiz on this website, I am Cyber Risky. I have engaged in quite of few of those actions and while I know my intentions were never malicious, a joke to one person may not be a joke to another. I was in middle school when most of these online chat sites were becoming popular so it was only natural that my friends and I joked around with each other, but it is increasingly important for kids and adults to become aware of their behavior and take the proper precautions to avoid cyber predators as well as cyberbullying. I now understand that some of my actions, however harmless I may have thought they were, have consequences and could potentially hurt someone else.
This website had a lot of information about cyberbullying including how to distinguish between different types of cyberbullies. A few described were the vengeful angel, the power-hungry or revenge of the nerds, the mean girls, or the inadvertant cyberbully. Being aware of the different intentions of cyberbullies is very important in addressing solutions to the problem. While all are harmful, they would require different methods to remedy the issue at hand. By empowering children with knowledge surrounding cyberbullying and bullying in general, they are able to better understand the consequences of their actions and develop different ways to deal with bullying instead of lashing out in revenge or taking matters of justice into their own hands. As a teacher who promotes technology and all its advantages, I must also be aware of internet safety and ways to deal with potential harm it may inflict upon my students. Teaching them how to safely report cyberbullying, avoid becoming a cyberbully, and how to use technology in a responsible manner will result in creating a new generation of global citizens.
4. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
This is a great resource for planning interdisciplinary lessons. Under subject access, I chose Music and Performing Arts. I was drawn to the Math and Music lesson because I want to teach elementary school and the lesson plan provided corresponded to grades K-3. I loved the idea that I can use music in my classroom to give mathematical concepts real life value and meaning by putting it in different contexts. I have a background in music and I would love to incorporate it into my classroom because I think it is a very valuable skill that tends to be cut first from curriculum during budget crises. This specific lesson teaches addition through music notes by giving each note a value and adding them together. Not only would my students be practicing addition, but they would also be expanding their knowledge about music theory.
Under Teacher's Helpers, I clicked on the Gadgets and Podcasts link because it is relevant to incorporating technology into the classroom. Podcasts in the classroom specifically provided a lot of information about what a podcast is, how to use it in the classroom, and why such technology can be valuable in educating our youth. Podcasts are archived on the internet and can be easily downloaded onto an mp3 device. Utilizing podcasts in the classroom interests me because I just discovered them myself. I am quite the Lost fan and the Lost podcast is extremely informational and entertaining for me because I have access to the musings of the executive producers themselves! There are thousands of podcasts available through itunes and other RSS aggregators that are more educational than discussions about favorite TV shows via organizations such as ABC and CSIRO. Not only can students have access to this resource, but they can also create their own podcasts with the right tools and guidance.
5. Multiple Intelligences
My top three intelligences are:
6. Teaching Tolerance
Grades 3-5
Social Studies
Anti-Racism Activity: The Sneetches
The objective of this lesson is to simulate discrimination in the classroom and have students develop a sense of fairness and equality. Students should relate the experience to their lives inside and outside the classroom by implementing the lessons they learned from this activity. I will read the Dr. Seuss book The Sneetches to the whole class. We will discuss privileges we have at school and divide the class into two groups. One group will be the "plain-belly sneetches" while the rest will be the "star-belly sneetches." The most important part of this lesson will be discussing how each role made everyone feel and how they can prevent anyone from feeling that way. The follow-up activity is meant to ensure that students understand that the goal is to change discriminatory practices, not the differences that lead to discrimination. I would love to use this activity to show my students the negative effects teasing and discrimination and be able to explicitly address these issues by creating an environment where it is okay to talk about such problems.
7. Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz
Q: In a 2007 study, UNICEF rated the treatment of children in the 23 wealthiest countries in the world based on 40 indicators of child well-being. Which two countries received the lowest ratings?
A: The U.S. and the United Kingdom.
This question sadly did not surprise me because I have looked at these statistics before, but they are beyond disappointing. As a future educator, I am extremely worried about the United States scoring the lowest among the wealthiest nations in its treatment of children. I am assuming those indicators include healthcare and education. I hope for the future that children can receive better access to healthcare and that I will be able to do my part in ensuring my students get the education they deserve.
Q: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual income for U.S. white men, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees, is $80,000. What are the median annual incomes for Latina and Native American women, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees?
A: $50,000 and $40,000, respectively
This statistic shocked me. I knew there was still an income gap between genders, but I didn't realize the extent of it, especially relating to ethnic minorities. I wonder if the statistics account for stay-at-home moms and women not in the workforce. Either Latina and Native American women are doing the same work for less money than men or they are not even offered the high-paying positions white men with the same educational background are. Either way, there is a great social injustice occurring within our country and it is important to address the inequities in the classroom.
8. Netiquette
I got a 9 out of 10 on the netiquette quiz :^D. Netiquette is important to teach students because they are increasingly exposed to a more technological world where being respectful and knowledgeable about participating in an online community is critical to their success in the classroom and professional world. Netiquette covers the proper behaviors in the internet world and can help participants understand the intentions of others as well as have their intentions understood by others. One of the risks of communicating via computers is the possibility that words can be misconstrued which is why knowing online social norms is critical. Our goal is to be received positively in the online community and make positive impressions on those we meet. Therefore, netiquette should be covered in all classrooms that utilize the internet.
This exhibit was a great primary resource for political cartoons by Clifford Berryman. There were about 50 cartoons depicting different presidential candidates and elections. Along with each cartoon, the exhibit included a caption explaining the political climate at the time and the context of the drawing to help the viewer understand the humor or satire intended by Berryman. There were also little blurbs to define common symbols or motifs such as the donkey's first association as the symbol for the Democratic Party in 1828 during Andrew Jackson's campaign.
As a political science major, I really enjoyed this exhibit because it literally illustrated many of the presidential campaigns I learned about throughout grade school and college. The primary sources available through technology are invaluable to the classroom because they put many lessons that seem faraway and intangible into a familiar context for students as well as deepen their understanding of certain events. For many of my college papers, I was required to cite a primary source. I will admit that I saw this requirement as more of a hassle than a way to enrich my paper because it seemed like an impossible task when I was researching events that happened over 200 years ago. The more I learn about technology and how it facilitates research by providing easier access to primary resources, the more I want to incorporate it into my curriculum so my students do not feel overwhelmed as I did. With only a click of a mouse, I was able to sift through dozens of political cartoons from the early 1900s as if I were reading a hundred-year-old newspaper today!
2. National Education Association: Achievement Gaps
Student groups experiencing achievement gaps are ethnic minorities (American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics), LGBTs, English Language Learners, Students with disabilities, and students from low income backgrounds.
The first step I would take in closing the achievement gap would be to learn about my class and school by researching the students' backgrounds including their ethnicity, socioeconomic profile, possible disabilities, and anything else that might account for an achievement gap at my school. I think learning about students and their cultural background can only help an educator figure out how they learn and why they may be struggling in certain areas. Examining the degree to which students and families have access to school resources is crucial in closing an existing gap.
I would also join or create a cultural competence committee, not only because of the alliteration, but because it is a great way to involve everyone important in a student's schooling including their parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. Being culturally competent means acknowledging that it is a lifelong process and should always be at the forefront of education. Having a committee entirely devoted to the achievement gap plaguing public education today, will ensure that this issue does not get pushed aside and is continually addressed each school year.
In addition to collaborating within a school and its community, it is also useful to network with other schools and school districts. Taking what other schools are doing to address the problem and adapting it to meet the needs of my school and classroom is a great way to work with other educators and share innovative and effective ideas. While much of being a great educator involves creativity, it is just as important to be able to borrow techniques that are working in other classrooms because those techniques just might work in yours.
3. Stop Cyberbullying
According the the quiz on this website, I am Cyber Risky. I have engaged in quite of few of those actions and while I know my intentions were never malicious, a joke to one person may not be a joke to another. I was in middle school when most of these online chat sites were becoming popular so it was only natural that my friends and I joked around with each other, but it is increasingly important for kids and adults to become aware of their behavior and take the proper precautions to avoid cyber predators as well as cyberbullying. I now understand that some of my actions, however harmless I may have thought they were, have consequences and could potentially hurt someone else.
This website had a lot of information about cyberbullying including how to distinguish between different types of cyberbullies. A few described were the vengeful angel, the power-hungry or revenge of the nerds, the mean girls, or the inadvertant cyberbully. Being aware of the different intentions of cyberbullies is very important in addressing solutions to the problem. While all are harmful, they would require different methods to remedy the issue at hand. By empowering children with knowledge surrounding cyberbullying and bullying in general, they are able to better understand the consequences of their actions and develop different ways to deal with bullying instead of lashing out in revenge or taking matters of justice into their own hands. As a teacher who promotes technology and all its advantages, I must also be aware of internet safety and ways to deal with potential harm it may inflict upon my students. Teaching them how to safely report cyberbullying, avoid becoming a cyberbully, and how to use technology in a responsible manner will result in creating a new generation of global citizens.
4. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
This is a great resource for planning interdisciplinary lessons. Under subject access, I chose Music and Performing Arts. I was drawn to the Math and Music lesson because I want to teach elementary school and the lesson plan provided corresponded to grades K-3. I loved the idea that I can use music in my classroom to give mathematical concepts real life value and meaning by putting it in different contexts. I have a background in music and I would love to incorporate it into my classroom because I think it is a very valuable skill that tends to be cut first from curriculum during budget crises. This specific lesson teaches addition through music notes by giving each note a value and adding them together. Not only would my students be practicing addition, but they would also be expanding their knowledge about music theory.
Under Teacher's Helpers, I clicked on the Gadgets and Podcasts link because it is relevant to incorporating technology into the classroom. Podcasts in the classroom specifically provided a lot of information about what a podcast is, how to use it in the classroom, and why such technology can be valuable in educating our youth. Podcasts are archived on the internet and can be easily downloaded onto an mp3 device. Utilizing podcasts in the classroom interests me because I just discovered them myself. I am quite the Lost fan and the Lost podcast is extremely informational and entertaining for me because I have access to the musings of the executive producers themselves! There are thousands of podcasts available through itunes and other RSS aggregators that are more educational than discussions about favorite TV shows via organizations such as ABC and CSIRO. Not only can students have access to this resource, but they can also create their own podcasts with the right tools and guidance.
5. Multiple Intelligences
My top three intelligences are:
- Logical-Mathematical 81%
- Intrapersonal 75%
- Musical 69%
6. Teaching Tolerance
Grades 3-5
Social Studies
Anti-Racism Activity: The Sneetches
The objective of this lesson is to simulate discrimination in the classroom and have students develop a sense of fairness and equality. Students should relate the experience to their lives inside and outside the classroom by implementing the lessons they learned from this activity. I will read the Dr. Seuss book The Sneetches to the whole class. We will discuss privileges we have at school and divide the class into two groups. One group will be the "plain-belly sneetches" while the rest will be the "star-belly sneetches." The most important part of this lesson will be discussing how each role made everyone feel and how they can prevent anyone from feeling that way. The follow-up activity is meant to ensure that students understand that the goal is to change discriminatory practices, not the differences that lead to discrimination. I would love to use this activity to show my students the negative effects teasing and discrimination and be able to explicitly address these issues by creating an environment where it is okay to talk about such problems.
7. Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz
Q: In a 2007 study, UNICEF rated the treatment of children in the 23 wealthiest countries in the world based on 40 indicators of child well-being. Which two countries received the lowest ratings?
A: The U.S. and the United Kingdom.
This question sadly did not surprise me because I have looked at these statistics before, but they are beyond disappointing. As a future educator, I am extremely worried about the United States scoring the lowest among the wealthiest nations in its treatment of children. I am assuming those indicators include healthcare and education. I hope for the future that children can receive better access to healthcare and that I will be able to do my part in ensuring my students get the education they deserve.
Q: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual income for U.S. white men, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees, is $80,000. What are the median annual incomes for Latina and Native American women, 25 years or older, who have earned graduate degrees?
A: $50,000 and $40,000, respectively
This statistic shocked me. I knew there was still an income gap between genders, but I didn't realize the extent of it, especially relating to ethnic minorities. I wonder if the statistics account for stay-at-home moms and women not in the workforce. Either Latina and Native American women are doing the same work for less money than men or they are not even offered the high-paying positions white men with the same educational background are. Either way, there is a great social injustice occurring within our country and it is important to address the inequities in the classroom.
8. Netiquette
I got a 9 out of 10 on the netiquette quiz :^D. Netiquette is important to teach students because they are increasingly exposed to a more technological world where being respectful and knowledgeable about participating in an online community is critical to their success in the classroom and professional world. Netiquette covers the proper behaviors in the internet world and can help participants understand the intentions of others as well as have their intentions understood by others. One of the risks of communicating via computers is the possibility that words can be misconstrued which is why knowing online social norms is critical. Our goal is to be received positively in the online community and make positive impressions on those we meet. Therefore, netiquette should be covered in all classrooms that utilize the internet.
Copyright/Internet Safety (NETS-T IV, V)
This assignment was a collaborative effort between 5 classmates and myself. Using GoogleDocs, we each tackled a different Copyright/Internet Safety issue including Cyber Predators, Cyberbullying, Social Networks, Inappropriate Content, Privacy and Plagiarism, and Identity Safety. While researching each topic, we completed student assignments exploring different scenarios and situations. This artifact not only exhibits collaboration, but also my preparedness in modeling safe and digitally responsible behavior to my students.
Classroom Newsletter (NETS-T I, III)
I used Microsoft Word to creatively format a classroom newsletter complete with columns, clip art, a masthead, graphics, and drop caps. I included my self-portrait as well to demonstrate my ability to scan items into the computer.
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