Ash's+445+Wiki+Workspace

=EP/TT Updates:=

Captains log: Star Date 1

10/31/16

The choice between the teaching toolkit and the portfolio are still giving me trouble. I know what the difference between the two are, I just want to make sure that I choose the most useful one. As this is going on, I'm still trying to decide on a theme. I'm leaning towards something familiar but I don't quite know that that is yet.

Captains log: Star Date 2

11/7/16

I've made the choice to go with the teaching toolkit. Not only is it a basic setup for a class website, it also includes information that is expected to be included. I have narrowed down my choices for the theme as well. I don't want to be part of the crowd and do a tree but if nothing better comes to mind I might be stuck with that. I pray the following weeks hit me with some sort of inspiration.

Captains log: Star Date 3

11/14/16

I have figured out my theme! It was there all along, just waiting for me to recognize it. Disney. Everyone knows Disney, I grew up with Disney and there is a quote that goes along with every part of my toolkit. For the kids homework assignment, we have Dory's "just keep swimming." For the minutes project where students summarize each class for those who are late or need a reminder, Toy Stories "you've got a friend in me." I'm actually really happy with the outcome. = = = = = Seminar 7 = =__Language Today__=
 * My tentative plan for the digital video for the edtpa includes the theme of revolution. I don't have a specific idea quite yet, but I'm playing with the idea of using a compare/contrast of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
 * As for a good idea in integrating video into the classroom, I like the idea of doing book trailers. My CT has a project where she is pushing her 40 book challenge and she has her students making these trailers for other students. That way they are showing that they actual read the book and, at the same time, giving students ideas of what they should read next.


 * I need to make 6 more posts to the Language Today account. I have completed 1.
 * In the classroom, I can see using these articles posted by Language today to keep students interested in language arts. Everything that they talk about is talking about language as a living breathing thing. In general, I think using twitter to share articles and getting students involved in picking pieces of text that they deem important would be a good use of time and skill.

That's cool that your CT is doing a 40 book challenge just like that teacher we met through Skype in Dr. Falter's class! How's it going? I also love the idea of book trailers. I did a book trailer project during my master's and had so much fun with it. I also like using Language Today to show language as a "living breathing thing." Involving them in that research process could be really powerful.


 * 1) The first take away that I have from this reading is that Electronic Portfolios take support from many other parties. I know in our class, my PLT and I are constantly looking at each other's portfolios for ideas.
 * 2) The second take away I had was their potential to showcase everything you are as a teacher. There are so many ways to show employers, parents and other teachers who you are as a teacher and what your style is.
 * 3) The third take away is that models are necessary and explaining said models are just as important.

[add post about 3 takeaways from electronic portfolio chapter as outlined in prep sheet for seminar 6] = = =__[|Electronic Portfolio]__= =__Initial Ideas About MSL Electronic Portfolio or Teaching Toolkit and Brainstorm Continued...__= I am really familiar with the electronic portfolio. Having a grasp on the google cite and knowing how to navigate the technology is really important when organizing your work and information. I have all of my work on the google cite and it showcases all of my work and how I have grown in my years as a student at NCSU. For principals, fellow pre service teachers, and the general public, it is easy to use and not bombarded by various advertisements or busy with other distracting things. I like that the google cite has an infinite amount of space to grow and it is not something that expires. For the teaching toolkit, I'm not really sure what it is or how to use it. I think deciding from there what to do will just be like getting used to the technology of the google doc, it will take a bit of time but using the toolkit will come as second nature soon.

I think that some specific categories I would add would be examples of student work, lesson ideas, tools I know how to use and implement in the classroom and a copy of my teaching philosophy. I think those things are what really describe me as a teacher and showcasing them would be the best way for a principal to get to know me as a professional. I think that the audience for this Electronic portfolio will mostly be principals, the purpose would be to inform them of the kind of teacher I am and how I will teach in their school.

I think using an electronic portfolio for future interviews and to publicly represent yourself is a great idea. What are some specific categories or tabs you think would be important to use on that site to present yourself? Please add more detail.

=__Digital Technologies Reflections__=


 * 1) “Feature a student of the week. Invite students to alternate "taking over" your classroom Instagram account and sharing photos from their daily lives. Then have the featured student share his or her photos with the class.” (We Are Teachers blogpost) I think this is a really good way to give students some responsibility and give them something to look forward to. I think it would be a great idea to align this with a theme that the class is covering in a piece of literature and have the assigned student find a visual representation of said theme. I.e. Family could be shown by a small school of fish if the student had that as a pet. I think this will help me in my own teaching by showing students that trust is a two way street. A question that this raised for me is...How can you implement this fairly with the risks that may come with a student running a class site?


 * 1) “English education students and their mentors who have used digital video with students have discovered that “students can be creative and intentional in a similar way that they are when writing, but for some of them, the visual nature of this medium comes more naturally” (Rebecca Thorsen, English Mentor teacher, 2010). As such, “Video [then] serves as a great opportunity for visual learners to experience material in a manner that serves their learning style” (Michelle Wrambel, student teacher, 2010).” (Enhancing English Language Arts Education with Digital Video) I really like this quote because it talks about the different styles of learning and how some things won’t work for some students. I think that this will help my own teaching by giving me ideas to use a multitude of teaching strategies to make sure all kinds of learners understand a concept. Students who can’t focus and write a paper might be able to create a whole digital video on the same material.


 * 1) “Teacher educators can better prepare preservice teachers to integrate technology meaningfully into ELA instruction if preservice teachers see technology as a natural part of their own learning and, by extension, their future students’ learning.” (Approaching Technology in English Education from a Different Perspective) I feel like we are doing this with the help of our methods classes now. These “shiny new toys” become a hinderance when teachers focus on the tool instead of the students. If the technology isn’t helping the students master a skill, or enhancing their understanding then it is not necessary. I think this will help me in my own teaching when the next “cool” thing comes around and reminding me to see if it will be beneficial in the classroom rather than just wanting to use technology. A question I have is...Is there a certain checklist that you can look at to see if a tool will be worth introducing into your classroom? A basic guideline of what should be met in order for a tool to be worth it?

I like your ideas for the Instagram account and I totally empathize with your concerns about students running the class site; however, I think two things: 1) there are some risks that are worth taking because of the potential they offer and 2) something that might work is to change the password every time you have a student "take over" the account - that way it is their responsibility to keep it. I think that offering a variety of assessments is a good idea, but when do you think writing a paper should be mandatory? Or should it? Do you think there are certain skills students should have to learn in your class? Just some things to think about. I like your focus on the use of technology and making sure it is beneficial to students and not just bells and whistles. Concerning your question about knowing if a tool is worth introducing, I think first of all it is based on trial and error. You might introduce a tool to your class that they hate or is super inefficient. It's one of the only ways to find out for real. The other thing is using your kids as the guiding principle of whether or not a tool is worth it. They're the only ones who can truly answer that question for you.

I am going to attend Dr. Cannon's February 4th EdTpa Boot Camp Session

=__Seminar 1 Prep Reading Response__=

//"An Educator's Social Media Guide" Response//

Aaron is basically restating what we already know. We need to be tech savvy in a world that is constantly growing with technology. There is no better way to be connected with students in real time then using social networking. Not only is it expanding their knowledge of a web tool that they are already familiar with, it is allowing them the opportunity to practice using said tool in a professional manner.

In the case of Aaron's blog, sharing with educators how to become active on twitter. It is a lot more than tweeting occasionally. To gain a following and use the website to its fullest, there are some tricks and things available for download. Personally, this is all things I feel like we've heard before. The problem with hearing about something and knowing of it it actually sitting down and deciding to do it. I know that I want my classroom to be tech inclusive. Having the internet at our fingertips is a useful tool in the classroom where we are constantly searching for answers. Having the ability to research that and share what has been discovered with a couple clicks is an invaluable resource.

I like your idea of allowing students the opportunity to practice using tech tools they already use outside of the classroom in a professional way within the classroom. You note that these are all things you have heard before - why do you think they are constantly emphasized? What will you do to make your classroom more tech inclusive (doing it instead of just knowing it)?

//"Social Media Find Place in Classroom" Response//

I think that the advantages of becoming a technology based school like New Milford High School is the best way to keep up with students and their parents in the world that we live in. I'm sure that the likes they have received on Facebook and the followers that the principal has gained on twitter far outweigh the number of hits on their website. There is something to be said with the familiarity and accessibility that these websites have made available for the general public to use.

I like your acknowledgement that schools moving into the technology age are going to have challenges, but that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. What are some other benefits you think this affords schools and teachers? What are some other disadvantages? How can you counteract those? What is so advantageous about the familiarity and accessibility of the websites? Can you think of any examples? Please add more detail.

Some benefits that this can afford teachers has to do with the correspondence with parents. If parents have an open communication with teachers, cooperation is more likely to happen and students will benefit indefinitely. Some other disadvantages that I can think of is people being "tech on target." Having all these technology tools are not helpful if people don't know how to use it. A way to counteract this would be to have an after school "tech talk" where parents could be shown how to use twitter/facebook/ and other tools. The advantage of using this is the familiarity people have with Facebook, almost everyone is connected to family members on this cite, Liking their student's school page is an easy way to be aware of what is going on in their child's school.

=__Online Identity Response__=

It is really important to be aware of your presence online. For some people that's the only image that people are going to have of you while walking into an interview, or meeting you for the first time at an open house. Finding that balance of being personable while being professional is a tight rope but it is possible and necessary for the career that we have chosen.

Fair points. How does this connect to you? What is your presence online? What do you like about it? Dislike? What would you change? How and why? Please add more detail.

This connects to me because I am going into the workplace and have to hold a professional identity in every aspect of my life. My presence online is varied. I like to stay anonymous so many of my user names are not the same as my actual name. This gives me a cushion of security so that I can continue to post as I would normally. I like that I can continue my online identity as I have been, but I do wish I didn't have to be anonymous to stay professional. I just think that some parents would be uncomfortable with my support of different groups of people. I don't think I would change anything, because my career isn't everything. I'm a multi faceted person who has many interests. Teaching, is one of my interests but there is a lot more me than that!

=__Professional Online Identity Presentation__= Here