Are we there yet?

Are we at the end of the class?  How is it goeing for everyone?  Are we there yet?  Can we celebrate yet?  What did you gain from this class?  I gained a wealth of knowledge and hope to apply it to my teaching career.  I was shaken by this class in the beginning.  I am glad I perservered.  Its always hard to do something that you have never been exposed to.  However, I am happy to know about more than just Power Point now.  We tend to stay in our comfort zones.  I know its strange territory to visit Zoho land or Google docs land, but I think it will be very helpful to know how to expose the students to this as well.  I also think the podcasting and elluminate applications are very helpful.  I think they are great tools to do massive training.  I look forward to using these in the future.

Final Unit Plan peer review

I think the peer review was both constructive and needed.  I do think that I may have neglected a few things if I hadn't had someone mention them to me.  I still may be missing something.  I am hoping someone will look at my draft to see if it seems okay to turn in now.  http://bodypartsbykeisha.pbworks.com/w/page/32597235/Human-Body-Unit-Plan

I think this could be helpful in the future when I teach to have some peer reviews.  I also think it would be helpful to have blogs amongst teachers.  I think it would help de-stress and take so much off of our brains.  I do think we can learn alot from each other.  "No man is an island, in and of itself"...somehow I think this is applicable to the field of education.  As a village raises a child, so do I think we can collectively enhance each others' teaching careers.  It would be interesting to me if any of us maintain contact once this class is over.  I would want to see the career progression of each person.  I wish all well in their education endeavors.

Is there anyone still blogging?

I am finding it more and more difficult to find someone to comment on with these blogs.  It seems there are maybe one or two doing this blog.  Please help me, help you.  I can respond and make comments if you add a new post.  I think we will all have learned a great deal at the end of this class.  I certainly have learned alot about blogging as it pertains to education.  I am not sure why its so challenging since this is similar to facebook.  The page is not as engaging since you don't see the picture of the person you are addressing, or see instant responses.  Yet, I do find it helpful.  I think sometimes we place priorities regarding education to a lesser degree than socializing.  I hope to chat with someone soon.  Have a blessed night and best regards on the final unit plan rough draft.  I think we will all be happy upon the completion of that final draft.

Final Unit Plan rough draft

I have not had a good week so I have not been able to come here as often as I would have liked to.  My husband had to take a military assignment, and as soon as he did, I got stranded because my car broke down.  I got sick and am still fighting the nausea, etc.  I am pushing through as best I can.

On the note of working on the final unit rough draft, it is very intense and involved.  So far I have completed only five lessons and I am not sure how much more to go.  Please take a look at my wiki space to comment.  I just need to know if I am remotely close to doing this assignment correctly.  I feel like I am missing something.  I had a hard time changing my front page from the webquest page to the final unit plan.  Trying to create all of the folders and put the different lessons in the appropriate folders was quite the task.  I made a folder for the student template and a folder for the teacher template. Hopefully, it is being synthesized correctly.  I have a bit of anxiety about this because it seems its a great deal of our grade.  I need to still put my references somewhere and also figure out how to incorporate the 3-d ILA of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes".  I couldn't figure out how to insert it into this wiki.  Anyone know how to do it.  I finally go the power point presentation via slideshare, inserted, but whew...I have a headache.

Favorite Technology

In review of all of the technology we have used in this class, I like Power Point the best.  I am not sure if its because its more familiar to me or what.  I think I can integrate several other technologies with it.  I think it can be easily used in the classroom with group projects, teacher lesson plans on the smart board, and much more.  Its a way to capitalize on creativity in the student's mind.I will be using this a lot. 

WebQuest on Muscular and Skeletal System for 3rd Grade Science

I hope I did this WebQuest correctly.  It was tedious, but fun at the same time...if that makes sense.  I was challenged because I was on the wrong track having made a power point presentation for a 7th grade class versus an elementary grade.  I had to go to the drawing board so it would be linked to the final unit plan and flow into the WebQuest.  If you want to look at it, see this site: http://bodypartsbykeisha.pbworks.com/w/page/32597235/Title

Be sure to give your opinion or feedback.  Thanks

Edu 271 power point keisha walker2

Turns out I did the wrong age group and nc course of standard so here goes attempt #2

Edu 271 power point keisha walker2

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Edu 271 power point keisha walker

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: I was able to go back and get the video to play on slideshare per Dr K's instructions.  You may need to advance each slide with the individual arrow versus just clicking on the "play" arrow.  It seems to work better this way.

Edu 271 power point keisha walker

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My Webquest

I have almost finished my webquest...here is the url if you
 want to view it:
http://bodypartsbykeisha.pbworks.com/w/page/32597235/Introduction

The different challenges of the powerpoint assignment

I tell you the power point assignment was quite a different experience since I normally don't have any issues doing power point presentations.  Integrating the slideshow into slideshare was a little frustrating.  My power point application kept telling me to enable the macros  so it would play the videos.  Then it told me to save it as a power point presentation with enable macros.  When I went to put it onto slideshare, it didn't play the videos.  I kept getting frustrated and thought I was doing something wrong.  Some of the pros of these presentations are that the visual learner may have their attention grabbed.  They may also enjoy looking at the colorful presentation as opposed to just reading the text.  The cons are that it can take a lot of time to construct the presentation.  If you want to include sound, animation, etc, it is even more involved.  Keeping it simple seems more of the way to go.  When I begin to use this in my classroom, I may elect to delete the sound and video.

Edu 271 power point keisha walker

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Edu 271 power point keisha walker

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Elluminate

https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/event/description?instance_id=27685

By Sebastian Grady

Airdate:  Oct 26, 2010, [Tue] 01:00 PM Eastern

Informal Training:  Anytime, Anywhere Learning with Video

Informal learning covers learning independent of traditional instructor –led programs.  He said that its becoming more formal.  Training is shifting from live to online training.  This way they can find it when they want it, and not be confined to when the instructor is available.  He talked about bridging the gap between traditional and modern instruction.  Traditional allows for hands on whereas modern may not if using technology.  He discussed how video is exploding in the consumer world.  YouTube is emerging in the classroom for school projects. 

He discussed consumer video vs. enterprise video.  Consumer is only 2 ½ mins in length, used with slider navigation and video.  Enterprise can be 47 minutes in length and can use media w/powerpoint.  Whiteboard sessions are becoming popular also.  He said that a video can tell a story versus a picture that may paint a thousand words.  You can insert a video link into the presentation. He had a picture posted that appears to show a man trying to steal a lady’s purse, but once you play the video you would see he actually saved her life by pulling her out of harm’s way when he grabbed her purse.  So the video showed the true story versus the image. 

He showed how you may reduce costs  and increase revenues within an organization by using on-demand type trainings.  He gave an example of how this benefitted General Motors.  GM had 50,000 techs and saved $20M by using the on-demand video to train as opposed to bringing them to a live training session on-site.

Oracle Global sales had 15,000 sales professionals attend a virtual event and had a 400% increase in sales just based off of that training event.

I think this type of technology is very helpful in the classroom.  I think you could use this type of video session to conduct a parent-teacher conference.  The parent may appreciate not having to spend gas money to drive to a school and sit, when he or she may just log into a webconference and achieve the same end result.   A college professor may want to use this in a virtual classroom.  High school students that are online students, may also benefit from the use of this tool. 

Podcasting

A podcast is when audio files are distributed over the internet in MP3 format.   I would consider integrating this technology in my classroom by making my lessons available on and compatible with the ipod, net tablets and laptops.  I think it would allow for a variety of options for teaching and completing assignments.  I chose this podcast because it was pertaining to use of technology by teachers in the classroom.  I would recommend others to listen to it because it has some important predictions and listening to them may open your mind to think more “out of the box” and steer away from only traditional teacher resources and move toward the emerging technology trends.

Podcast:  Integrating Technology

“Trends for 2010” by  Deloitte

This podcast was discussing the trends for 2010 as it pertains to integrating technology with teaching.  Deloitte made some predictions for this coming year for teachers.

E-readers are ipods that allow books to read on it. A teacher could easily make assignments available on these devices and go along with the trend.  Students are more likely to own ipods and may read on it versus regular textbooks. Most literature is available online to read.  There was a recommendation not to fight the use of ipods or such technology.  Net tablets are also emerging and could be very beneficial for teachers.  Net Tablets fill the gaps between ipods and laptops.   They are smaller than a textbook are emerging in the market.  These cost less than laptops and are a perfect match in school for students. Encourage a variety of use of devices.  Make curriculum available on all of the devices. Embrace the technology.

More departments will buy smartphones and computers based on employee demands rather than on company demands.  Work with principals, teachers, etc to get new technology that will be valuable for the use in schools.

To listen to the podcast,  go to http://powertolearn.typepad.com/teaching_with_technology/files/trends_for_2010.m4a

My zoho vs google document

This is how you may view my comparison of zoho and google docs
 <script src="http://writer.zoho.com/public/keishawalk/edu-271-zoho-vs-google-number-2/script%22%3E%3C/script>

Power point

I am getting frustrated about my assignments.  I usually put together power point presentations together with no problems.  However, for this class, I am struggling.  I was finally able to put my video into the presentation.  I am having a little trouble trying to cite my work and where I got it from.  I am just trying to make it through this class.  I never imagined having trouble in this level.  Anyone know the exact format...I see we are to integrate a video, a photo from flickr and audio is optional.  Help

Reflections

I am reflecting on the completion of this group project.  I am not sure, but it seems collaboration is out of the comfort zone of most individuals.  Working together is not the most desirable thing to do, yet when doing so, it can be rewarding.  Seeing other peoples' perspectives is quite interesting.  I am trying to collect my thoughts for the upcoming assignment for next week:  Power Point presentations.  Yeah!

How do I add Reactions to my blog?

How do I add Reactions to my blog?

webinar

I attended the Webinar: “Social Media for Teachers” by Jane Bozarth as the presenter today.  It was hosted on https://ncbionetworkevents.webex.com .  Jane is also the author of “E-learning on a shoestring”.  She discussed several of the social media such as facebook, twitter, pbworks, delicious, wiki, etc.  She defined social media as “content that invites and allows others to contribute.”  She spent a lot of time during the webinar polling us about various uses that we thought we could use this technology for in the classroom.  She asked us to list some benefits and among them were social learning, informal learning, relationship building, community knowledge management, etc.  She also asked us what our organizations would not allow us to do concerning social media.  She discussed how sometimes IT legal or HR finance have concerns with the use of social media.  HR particularly doesn’t want to pay someone who is using social media on company time.  She also polled us as to what the social media can do in terms of what the learner wants.  She discussed how it can move from the traditional view of training and learning.  Case studies, videos, role plays, games, book clubs and discussions can all be conducted in a non-traditional way via social media.  She asked how many were using blogs and wikis.  She explained that blogs are reflective and wikis are collaborative.  She explained how she has used facebook to teach a whole class.  She said she had more participation and more logged in and out of it daily to use it for the discussions and live chats.  She even used it for quizzes.  She said the collaborative activities that are unique to the virtual world are that you can have guest speakers and even realistic practice via this technology.  She asked us how we are inviting interaction with our learners.  She discussed how wikis are more editable by anyone with access as opposed to blogging.  It was very informative and I think I want to learn more from the website:  www.ncbionetwork.org/iet

Zoho writer versus Google documents

This was an interesting web discovery exercise.  The text formatting and page set up are a little different from the traditional MS Word.  However, both are very useful in that they can both be used to collaborate on.  They are great in that it will eliminate so many email attachments. Its simple to import and export from within these applications.  I also believe this can be a great tool to use for group projects.  If someone is challenged with technology, they may have a time participating and that is one disadvantage.  Overall, I think these web-based applications are very helpful for the learning process.

Doing the teaching and learning resources wiki exercise

I had an interesting experience with the Teaching and learning resources wiki exercise.  I kept editing the Social Networking part on the site, but it was giving me an error of "error on page".  I was getting frustrated to keep going in circles.  I had an epiphany and slowed down to edit each section and save it as I went along.  That worked and I was relieved.  I think this can be an excellent tool for classrooms.  I can see how a class in France could collaborate with a class in the US and come up with a nice newspaper.  It was fun (after the fact).  Without pain, there is no growth. (my philosophical moment)

synthesis learning using technology

I am being amazed at how one piece of this learning technology is building on the other.  The use of the rss feeds and blogging has prepped me for the wiki or collaborative forums.  Its a little tasking to keep up with it only because of the workload of all my other classes.  Outside of a full-time schedule, I can see how this would be much more efficient when do a group project.  The use of multimedia is growing and I understand now that some students used this webquest to do a project from here along with other students in other foreign countries.  I thought this was absolutely amazing.  No longer do they have to have "pen-pals" but they can now do a joint class project in separate countries. I am looking forward to implementing this in my classroom when I do finally become a teacher.

Webquests

This week we explored and discovered webquests.  I enjoyed this because it seems to be a hands off approach for the teachers.  It seems that the learners can actually complete a learning objective and perhaps even master it, by using a clear and concise webquest to do an assignment.  I am looking forward to exploring this concept further.  The wiki is also a great collaboration tool that minimizes individual contact on a collaborative project.  I am learning alot and think this information will be very helpful in my classrooms down the line.

delicious set up

The delicious account set-up was certainly something I have never done before.  I am finding I am questioning myself more with this educational technology class than any other class I have ever took before.  I am usually a confident student and maintain high academic marks.  I am getting older.  This class reminds me of that.

The delicious account is interesting in that when we type in EDU 271, we can see each others research.  Its amazing what we can do and how we can follow the rss feeds. 

What I am learning

I have begun to learn more about this technological piece to education.  I am learning about the basic categories of media: text, audio,visuals, video, manipulatives, and people.  It seems text is the most commonly used medium.  More individuals use books in the learning process.  I also learned that this is considered asynchronous (or not at the same time).

I am also learning the types of learning:  cognitive domain, affective domain, motor skills domain, interpersonal domain. 

still learning

I am still amazed at how much technology is necessary to learn in today's cutting edge technology movement.  I had to go online to help my children take AR quizzes.  I am just in awe that they don't do a paper quiz.  I assume it is helpful in that there is no paper, which will in turn save the school money.  It also serves to be ecologically conservative.  Wow.  Who would have ever connected the two?  I feel a little antequated (old, behind the times). Is anyone else feeling that way?

EDU 271 Blog #2

I am praying I will learn much more about blogging and how this may assist me in my learning experience with this technology class.  I am not sure if I am doing this post correctly.  My goals with this class is to become very proficient technologically.  I feel very slow to these advances and am curious if this is similar to facebook.  I can't figure out how to pt myself on my iGoogle rss feed.  I am hoping to learn how to post to others' blogs because I feel like I may lose some points from my ignorance to this process. Please help!

EDU 271 Blog

This is my first blog for EDU 271 and I am just as lost.  I don't like when I am not knowledgeable on something.  I expect to learn alot from this class.