Journal #10 Mixed Ink gives voice to the Crowd-Nets 2 & 5

Figal, D. (2010). Mixed ink gives voice to the crowd. International Society for Technology & Education, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25511&DirectListComboInd=DT

This article was all about a free website that you can collaboratively create a document. This allows you and partner or several to create documents in which the others may edit or add a draft to your idea. If they add a draft from your original idea then the author gets credit on the top of the draft. Although this sounds a lot like other programs that are out there, including google docs this one is pretty interesting because when your done writing then you can rate the piece. The one with the highest rating at the end is the final document and that's how it differs from the rest. I think programs are becoming more popular as time goes on because of the demand of busy life and it just allows people to work together virtually when they can't physically work together.

#1 How would you incorporate this in your class? I think that I would have my students use this program and although the editing is a nice tool I might just allow the them to rate each others writing, so that they have a chance to read other students writing and also get feed back from their peers at the same time. I think reading others work gives you ideas you might not have thought about and is therefore a learning opportunity.

#2 What are other good aspects about using google docs or the newest Mixed ink?

The one thing that keeps popping into my mind is that we are starting to become so "green" and plant friendly and this is just one of those steps in the right direction. Instead of having every student write and the print their own papers, they can write them and then read them straight from the computer! I think going green is good and these new technology advances are even better for our students.

Journal #9 Playing with Skype Nets-2 & 5

Weller, J. (2010). Playing with skype. International Society for Technology & Education, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25508&DirectListComboInd=

This article just describes the way that skype became a useful tool for a teacher in a classroom when trying to incorporate outside participation in a musical event they were having. I never thought of having outside influences come into the classroom from skype and so I think that all technology can be useful to students, we just have to be creative in finding those ways. It's also so much less expensive as they were explaining in the article to bring in someone over skype than having them fly out there for one single event. I think this is such a good use of this technology.

#1 In which ways would you use Skype in your classroom to enhance learning?

I think I might just bring skpye in to show the students how other students learn on their part of the world or what their classrooms look like. Like for example collaborate with a classroom teacher in a different country and then our students can see their learning styles or some project they have been working on and then we can show them something we have been working on. that would be so fun for the students!

#2 Do think that technology is going to start playing too much of a role in the classroom, especially when incorporating skype? NO because I think it takes a smart person to realize that when the future is knocking, you need to know when to jump on and learn the new things that are coming along. I think kids will learn the things they need to know in this life regardless of the different techniques that are used over the years. These kids are really going to be such a smart and quick generation i think....we better start catching up NOW!

Journal #8 Navigate the digital rapids Nets-5

Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapds. International Society for Technology & Education, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htmI

This article really stressed all the points about internet safety and whether or not that's even a possibility. I think kids need to be able to use the internet and in this article it talks about the scary parts of even going into the internet scene with the kids and yet you can't be afraid to really embark on that adventure with them. I think the rules and the knowing what to do when an incident arises is definitely one of the most important things they wrote about in the article because knowing what's going to take place is something goes wrong, make the teacher secure in knowing they have rules, and a plan. I think the kids also need to know that if they are inappropriate that action will be taken, so that they learn very quickly. I know teachers are looked at under a microscope these days and that we have to be extra careful but computers are here and they are the generation. These kids need to learn technology in order to be successful and without it they will for sure be at a disadvantage.

#1 Would you allow computers to be used in your class for assignments and learning purposes. Yes absolutely because I think that students can learn so much from the internet and just like the article says I know that internet safely kinda sounds like hunting safety in the way that it's almost ridiculous but we have to be able to take that chance and know that accidents and mishaps happen, but we can't fear that to the point that we don't use the technology around us.

#2 Would you allow the student to go back on the computer if they were caught being inappropriate or ban them from the school year? I think kids need to be able to learn rom their mistakes and so yes their would be a punishment that comes along with not following the rules of the computer but I would also take into consideration that the student will go back on the computer whether at home or somewhere else and they just need to learn what they did wrong and understand so that they can go back and start new, with the rules FRESH in their mind.

Journal # 7 "The Beginners Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips," by Jan Zanetis. Nets-2 & 5

Zabetis, Jan. (2010, March/April). The Beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. International Society for Technology & Education, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D

Reading this article gives hope to the kids that don't get the opportunity to go out and go to those field trips and yet still have a day of fun that they can learn something and get away from the day to day work. I think it stinks that with such little money going into the schools that field trips are being cut out ( understandably), but they were always a favorite of mine as a kid and it was the excitement of leaving the school and having a new adventure!

#1. Would I use this technology in my classroom? Yes I think I would because at least the kids can have a day where they are learning inside the classroom, but their mind is outside of the world they are in everyday. I think it's kinda of an amazing idea in the way that they can see even more than on a regular field trip. Yeah you can see the monkeys at the zoo, but you can show them the pyramids through the internet when they would never get that opportunity. I think it's a good way idea for such a sad situation in the schools right now.

#2 How could you make the day even more interactive?

I think I would tell the kids where we were going so that they could bring some sort of clothing that might represent the day in a way. I know everyone is touchy about everything these days in schools, but if the parents allowed to have them wear some attire that would connect with the country they were going to see. I think just for fun for the kids and maybe a little more imagination thrown in!

Journal 6: Google Earth (2.0 tools) Nets 4 & 5

The technology that I picked from the classroom 2.0 tools is called Google Earth. Google Earth is a virtual globe which maps the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery and aerial photography. You can see many different aspects of the world from a far point of view to being building level. From this tool I learned the students are very excited to work with this program because it intrigues them on all different levels. Additionally I learned that you can use measuring tools to measure miles and kilometers in which you can create lessons for your students that cover many multiple NETS standards. I think this tool would be a great aspect to incorporate into the classroom because many kids are visual learners and showing them the world from a different point of view is a great opportunity!

I believe that it goes along with the standards of Nets 4 because with the interactive program it allows students to conduct research on the areas in which they are interested in, as well as plan and create a projects from such a program. It's truly a program that many kids can learn from, and interact with one another as they use technology in a safe and ethically manner.

NETS Collaborative Powerpoint/Prezzi Rubric