Prezi Presentation

Prezi presentation is currently being worked on.

Keystone Project

 

Final Keystone Assignment 

(This is the lesson, with all needed information) 

Assignment Worksheet

(what students received and were expected to do)

Rubric for assignments

(For implementation and presentations)

Implementation report

 

Reflection on print and new literacies

Week 12: Affrodances of Glogster

Glogster is a fantastic resource that could be used in the ELA/science and Social Studies classroom in a multiple number of ways.  One way teachers could use this resource in the classroom is by having students create posters of themes that are being covered in class.  Students can show a picture and write a summary about each picture relating back to the particular subject.  They can also create videos of themselves or find appropriate videos and websites to incorporate into their Glogster.  By doing this students can show their understanding of the material.  Teachers can also create Glogsters to help introduce or reinforce a topic.  Glogster is visually pleasing and makes material interesting and engaging to the students. As an example, I created a Glogster on Ancient Egypt that my students can use as an example when creating their own in whatever topic they may be working on.  As a Social Studies teacher, I find Glogster very useful in the classroom as great tool for learning to use and interact with material as well as engage students in a fun assignment.

Ability to interact/collaborate	Similar to other platform where students can share and edit, students here can read, write and add to other student’s interactive poster board in real time.
Ability to get and give feedback	Both students and teachers can give feedback on their Glogs. This encourages communication and collaboration between students, teachers and even parents.
Ability to share resources	Students can upload videos, music, and links to supplement the main points posted on these Glogs. Students can upload URL’s for viewers to click and visit sites that may have further details and explore themes in deeper.
Ability to differentiate instruction	Students as well as teachers have the ability to incorporate visuals, audio, text, sounds, videos, graphics and other attachments. Teachers here can really reach differentiation in instruction that will come in handy for ELLs, IEP’s, and SIFE students.
Fun and creative layouts	Students can really be creative and show that through the different layouts that they can choose when creating a presentation in Glogster.  For learners who really enjoy expressing their ideas through art of graphic design, this is a site that will engage them, and allow them to express.
Security/Privacy	Teachers have control over who has access to student work by making their classroom group/class a private group. This gives you the opportunity to control who can see your (and your students) content.

Click here to view my Glogster

My VoiceThread Presentation

Click here to see my VoiceThread presentation in full screen.  

Click here to see my VoiceThread presentation in full screen. 

Reflection on Article

In the article  “Evaluating pedagogical affordances of media sharing Web 2.0 technologies: A case study” we find a study that analyzes the use of particular technologies and how they aid teachers with particular skills. They authors point out the great advantages that particular platforms (in specific, they point out the use of Voice-thread) as sites that use features that can be used in order to promote students engagement and participation.

However, the authors, point out, as with any resource available online, teachers must compliment with appropriate and well planned lessons that are designed in a way that will allow students to benefit from the particular technology that is being used. The authors make clear that there should be great emphasis on sound planning, imagination and creativity on the part of the tutor in designing meaningful learning experiences with any technological tool. In this regard, I absolutely agree with the authors and believe that there is a need for educators to understand that any technological tool must be used with great planning in mind.

Week 10: Issues with Implementing technology into the Curriculum

Week 9: Article review

                                         

The article The Impact of Using Blogs on College Students' Reading Comprehension and Learning Motivation sheds a light on the use and the advantages of using new literacies with college students. It is argued that current college students are highly motivated by digital technologies and online literacy, however not all colleges or even college professors have undertaken the endeavor of using these technologies to motivate. According to the authors, new research has demonstrated that indeed students are more motivated to participate in various digital tasks, such as researching material online, finding answers to questions, synthesizing information and even taking part in online discussions. Some of the findings however, seem to express that this is facilitated in a more meaningful manner when combined with other strategies, such as collective work with peers, and assigned with both print and in digital formats. The authors also suggest that multimedia assignments enhance the learning experience.

            The main focus of this particular study is on the specific use of blogging in a college classroom setting, where students get to post their work, interact with each other and express ideas and at times personal views. After a study of a controlled group and a non-controlled group (group that used weblogs and one that did not) the results were pretty consistent with the thesis: weblog activities motivated students to write, to express opinions freely, to interact with peers and instructors, and to become ethical writers. Overall, student weblogs became digital portfolios and allowed teachers to have a better view of students equally. Overall the study was pretty strong and gave some very good evidence to support the idea that using digital technologies in the classroom really motivates and creates a community of learner who are engaged and challenged in a way that is suited to their preferences. I find that in my classes overall the reality is the same: my students love to use technology and are highly motivated by the use of new literacies to interact with work and with one another.