Kalen's+445+Wiki+Workspace


 * Social Media and Education Resource Reading:**


 * Response to "//An Educator's Social Media Guide"://** I really enjoyed reading this article. As I discussed in class this week, I decided to take twitter off of my phone because I was mindlessly scrolling through my feed. It didn't have any meaning to me anymore, because I wasn't using it in a way that was beneficial. After reading this article, I have a better understanding of how social media cane be beneficial to a person, especially an educator. I think this article strives to reach the people who have no clue what they are doing on social media, unless it's posting another Pumpkin Spice Latte picture, because that is what all the other girls are doing. I think it is very well written and I do feel more confident about putting myself out there. But, I still value the importance of those personal relationships that get pushed to the side when a person becomes consumed with the social media life. I still question whether or not it is truly beneficial. I do not mean to be a cynic here, truly I don't. But, isn't there so much more when a person shakes another person's hand than trying to find the best way to impact someone'es life through a 140 character limit? I do plan on utilizing social media in my professional career, but I do not want to forget the lost art of building relationships with people offline. Nicolette, after reading your reflection on my response to this reading I understand the reading a lot more clearly. I do think social media benefits the classroom. It still scares me a little, but I think if the right boundaries are put into place then social media should work out just fine as a learning experience. I think I will definitely be using Instagram in the classroom. I have come across so many great activities that have to do with Instagram in the social studies classroom setting. For example, I have seen it as a way to communicate assignments with students. I have seen it used as a performance project where students are assigned a person in history and are asked to post like that person would have throughout their lifetime. My opinion is developing on the use on social media in the classroom, and as I become more comfortable with it in my own personal life I am becoming more comfortable with the idea of using it my classroom.

I think it is fair to appreciate the importance of building relationships offline; however, I don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive. Using social media as a resource to better your practice as a teacher by getting ideas from teachers across the country, finding inspiration from state or national education groups, or staying informed on education news through certain outlets does not mean you cannot engage in meaningful relationships at your own school. I think what this article argues is that if you are willfully ignoring all the resources available to you as a teacher, ones that are provided to us in this day and age that teachers didn't have several decades ago, then you are not developing yourself as the best and most relevant teacher for your students. What are some ways in which this article argues that social media can be beneficial to you as an educator? What are some ways in which using social media can benefit your students? What could be a negative impact of ignoring social media all together in your classroom? What would be the benefit in integrating your classroom with both social media and face-to-face relationship building skills? Please add more detail.


 * Response to "//Social Media Find Place in Classroom"://** I chose to read this article because I am curious how I can use social media in my future classroom. There seems to be so many fine lines that can be crossed when using these tools in the classroom, but I think there is importance to reaching students where they are. I think this article has done a great job of coining the phrase, "If you can't beat them, join them". Why not allow students to use social media in the classroom? It can truly benefit the way they learn. The principal in this article has 12,300 followers on Twitter. His staff uses it as a way to communicate with students and parents. No one listens to those long monotone voicemails anymore, but they do check their Twitter feed on a regular basis. I think they key to a successful use of social media in an educator's world, is to find what works best. What is beneficial and what is not. I think there are important boundaries to be set in the classroom when using social media. For example, I think I would have a round table discussion with my students about what is an appropriate set of boundaries for using social media in the classroom. That way the students would feel like they would be apart of creating the rules, and they would feel even more responsible for abiding by the rules because they created them . I look forward to hearing what my classmates have to say about these articles and bouncing off ideas of how we can use these tools in our future classrooms.

I like how you pulled out the phrase "If you can't beat them, join them." Change is hard and it is easy to be resistant to it, but it is also inevitable. I think you also make a good point about needing to set boundaries when implementing social media in the classroom. What are lines you plan on drawing in your classroom to help students use social media appropriately and effectively?


 * Online Professional Identity Follow-Up:** One take away that I have after looking over the online professional identity wiki, is that I don't post enough. There are so many things I could post that would be of great importance, but I am not good at doing so. I don't always like putting my ideas and my thoughts out there and don't really care to get a debate started over social media. However, I need to get better at making my identity known, and known in a wholesome professional way. For instance, I could post educational images or items that truly find interesting, but I often defer because I am afraid of what people might think. Yes, this is a very middle school frame of mind, but I do think like this. It makes me feel like I am putting too much of myself out there and I liked to remain sort of closed. I don't want people knowing everything about me. In a sense, I like the mystery of it all. Also, I don't have a lot of time to post anymore. I truly want to become better at presenting myself on social media and I hope to achieve this during this semester.

I think that you have the right idea about presenting yourself in a wholesome professional way. What are some things you and your partner found about you during the search? What perception do you think that would give future students, parents, and employers? What are some things you want to improve or change about that image? How do you plan on going about that? Please add provide more detail.

Professional Idenity
 * Professional Identity Link:**


 * Two Takeaways for Considering Digital Images:**
 * 1.** It wasn't until I read over this packet that I realized how important the use of digital images are in the classroom. I have learned how effective digital images can be when connecting to the students in your classroom. I know I learn visually and I have always appreciated when teachers showed me who they were through the use of images. So, I plan on implementing this strategy into my classroom with the hope that it will help me bond with my students in a professional way.
 * 2.** The other takeaway I had after I read the digital imaging packet was how beneficial it can be to my future social studies classroom. One thing that I really love about my CT's Social Studies classroom is that she has images posted all over her classroom. I think this really benefits the classroom environment as a whole and helps the students understand some of the concepts they are learning. As a future teacher, I plan to take that to another level. Not that posting images on the wall is a matter of the past, but we have the opportunity to expand. I think it would be really cool to start a classroom instagram devoted to Social Studies. Students would have the opportunity to follow the account, they would also be able to post (upon approval). I think the use of digital imaging would really benefit the students learning.

I really enjoyed this week's readings. One, because they were short and I think everyone knows that time is of the essence this semester. Two, because they were relevant to us as future teachers. Three, because we have lived technology. By this I mean, we have grown up and experienced each new form of technology as it came out. We have been there since the beginning of Apple. We watched those computers evolve from the multi-colored laptops to our ever so important metal, expensive, ones that we are carry today. The Shofner reading pointed this out as well. We have all been there. This is why it is so important that we continue to grow in our use of technology. Just as we have lived technology, our students have known only technology, nothing more. There are 2-year-olds that can operate an iPhone better than some adults. We cannot ignore that it is this generation's way of life. This is why I plan to embrace the use of technology in my future classroom. I loved the idea in the "//We are Teachers"// blog about using Instagram as a way for students to learn history. The students were assigned an important figure in history like Abraham Lincoln and then asked to create a poster that demonstrated how that figure would have posted on Instagram during his/her life. SO COOL. I cannot wait to use ideas like this in my classroom, and I really hope it benefits my students in more ways than one. To add to the rest of our readings, we also look at the digital video by Dr. Young. This had a lot to offer as well. Most importantly, I enjoyed that it encouraged teachers to not be afraid of using technology in the classroom. This is a fear that I know I have for sure. I was never really exposed to technology in the classroom, so it is still weird for me to implement it in my future classroom. However, this class is continuously prepping us to do just that. We are about halfway through the semester and I already feel so much more confident about using technology in the classroom. I am thankful for Dr. Young's insights and I look forward to growing in my relationship with technology in the classroom.
 * Processing the Reading for Seminar 4:**

What I think is so cool about the Schoffner article is that it does such a good job connecting to our lives as students (choosing to write or type a paper, etc.) and we really empathize with what is said. I think this aligns perfectly with why we as teachers have to use technology in our classroom - because it connects to our students' lives and enables them to empathize and understand with what is being said. I like how you claim it as their "way of life" - the only one they have known, unlike us with one foot in each world. I think being aware of this is going to make you a great teacher. I also loved the Instagram ideas and can't wait to see how you implement them in your classroom during student teaching. Please add some reflection on the third reading (digital video by Dr. Young).


 * I plan to attend the Feb. 4 Boot Camp for edTPA.**

If I am being honest, I have not had much of a chance to inquire much about this project. However, I really think the electronic portfolio is going to be the better option for me. I really look forward to being able to use technology in my future classroom and I think this will help me build a strong foundation for technology in the classroom. I also think this will be interesting to Principals when I start interviewing for jobs next Spring. I think professionals like to see new and exciting ideas when they interview people. What better way to be that than through an electronic portfolio? I have started both and electronic portfolio and a paper portfolio. Both serve me well. I also think that I can transfer a lot of my electronic items to paper so that Principals can look through it if technology is not an option in the interview. Having a portfolio helps me keep everything organized and also allows me to see how much time and effort I have poured into the preparation for this career. Right now, I have my portfolios organized by the classes that I have taken. However, I do not believe that will be very effective for the purpose of interview. Therefore, I will probably organize based on the category of the items. For instance, I will have a Social Studies and a Language Arts portfolio, as well as a portion that combines the two. Then beneath each of those categories, I will break it down into content material, standards, lessons that I have been successful with, lessons that I look forward to trying, student examples, etc. Though I feel like I don't even have time to breath right now, I am really looking forward to this project. I addressed a lot of the personalization issues in my comments below. But, I will say here that I want to be able to personalize this portfolio, I just don't know how to do that effectively. I don't want it to end up looking "cheesy". I still want it to be professional and truly represent who I am as a person, and most importantly as a teacher.
 * Initial Thoughts about MSL Electronic Portfolio/Teaching Tool Kit:**

I think this will be a project that will definitely help you when it comes time to look for a job. One thing I would consider including is a category about you personally (beliefs, experiences, biography, etc.) - personalize it.

Action Portfolio Entry: After look over the readings for this week, I have developed a greater sense of what I will actually be doing for this project. Honestly, I am a little conflicted. I really like the idea of both and I think they are each beneficial in their own ways. The takeaways I have after reading Electronic Portfolios 2.0 are as follows: 1) The portfolio encourages students to think critically about their work and choose items that best represent who they are as a teacher. --I could not agree more with this. I think it is so important to choose products that are meaningful. We have worked on A LOT of work over the past few years in our program. Not all of those were enjoyable. Therefore, I think it is only beneficial if you choose work that means something to you, that is relevant to the way that you will actually be teaching. 2) The portfolio experience should be authentic, not artificial. --I have a few teachers in my family that received their degrees in education around 10 years ago. The system was a lot different when they were going through the program. They spent countless amounts of time on creating portfolios. Now, these weren't electronic, they were a hard copy of all the work they had completed throughout their program. The problem was that they resented the process and the product as a whole because of how much pressure was on them to complete it. Because it was a requirement they needed to graduate, they hated it. Therefore, I am very thankful for this experience because it isn't pressured. This means that I can continue to enjoy the process. I can construct my portfolio authentically. 3) The electronic portfolio includes a mixed-methods approach. --We have learned tons, and tons, and tons of methods throughout our time in this program. We NEED to use them. We NEED to demonstrate that we can use them. This specific piece also allows for a little wiggle room of adding tools into our portfolio. That is why I am leaning towards choosing this approach. I think with the portfolio, I have a little more freedom to add tools. Whereas that would not be the case if I chose to do it the other way around.

I think this option is the best for me because it allows me to incorporate everything that I want. I have already been constructing a hard copy portfolio, so I think this will be a great way to expand on that. I think that I can also add some of my favorite tools as well. I really look forward to creating this and having it as a resource for interviews and my future classroom. Nicolette, I have a really hard time acknowledging the strengths that I have. Therefore, I am beginning to understand why this has been a difficult task for me. From the activity we did in class a few weeks ago where we all wrote on each others backs about the strengths each other carry, I found that I am a leader and a good speaker. Therefore, I want to be able to relate my theme to that and highlight those characteristics in my electronic portfolio. I am just a little unclear as to how to accomplish that. I also seem to suck at building this whole website. Like, I have looked at everyone else's and they are on point. Mine literally has a cloud and my name. Not cool. I am going to be going through some of the resources Kerri discussed in class and begin to really build the EP. The purpose for me is to show people how hard I have worked to develop a strong portfolio. I want people to see my leadership and a strong speaking skills in my work. I want my audience to be my future students, my parents, and my principal. I want them all to know what I am made of, and that I can credit my teaching skills to NCSU. I still don't really know what categories to break it down into and I plan to have this conversation in class with you today. I hope we can visit this and I can get a some more confidence in tackling this project.
 * I will be choosing the Electronic Portfolio Option.**

I like the first takeaway you had which is to choose artifacts that you specifically want to showcase. There is a lot of work to choose from, but you want to really focus on what is going to highlight your different strengths - not just overload the portfolio or toolkit with information. Under the electronic portfolio section, add the purpose, audience, possible categories, and ideas for themes you have worked thought of. Please add that detail.

After thinking more about the digital video and having Bethany come into our class and demonstrate how to properly use the cameras, I am a lot more confident in the video portion of the edTPA. Bethany's activity helped us gain some helpful ground on creating recording, uploading, editing, and submitting the video. I did find out that my personal computer is not going to be sufficient for the uploading needs. This is very disappointing, but I do have other options. I will either be asking for a new computer for Christmas, or I will be using a friends. Tentatively I plan to check out the camera for a week. I will keep the camera up in my room for at least 4 days before I actually record. I want my students to get use to the camera before I actually take any footage. I will be doing this, hopefully, at the end of January or beginning or February. I am very excited to get the edTPA over with and focus on the needs of my future students. I plan to use digital video in the classroom next semester. I think it is very interactive and their are numerous activities that can be orchestrated using digital video. One activity I am seriously considering is using digital video as a performance-based project at the end of a unit. I have not decided what unit I am going to apply this strategy to, but I think it would be really cool and engaging for the students to create a movie trailer for their favorite era in history that they have learned about throughout the year. So maybe this will actually be an end-of-year project. It will be something fun for the students, while also very reflective.
 * Reflection on Digital Video Follow-Up:**

As I am looking over the Language Today prep-work directions, I am realizing that I never posted a link to the articles I posted to twitter on this workspace. I did not realize that was a part of the directions, so I will be going back to find those. I have posted a total of four articles up to this point. This activity has been a little more challenging because I have had to go out and search for these language related articles, but I have enjoyed learning a lot about the use of language in our society today. For my future teaching experience, I will try to utilize Language Today in my classroom. For one, I will have my students follow them on twitter. That is first and foremost. I see myself using this as a way for students to fill in blank space. For example, if a student finishes a test or an activity before the rest of the class I might encourage that student or group of students to search for an article that they could post to Language Today. They would then share with the class once everyone had finished the activity. I may also use it as a way for students to stay up to par on the whole language experience. So in this case I might have my students scroll through the posts on Language Today and choose and article that they find interesting to them. I would then have them write a short synopsis on the article and why they liked the article. I would do this for a bell ringer maybe once every two weeks. I think this would be a great way for students to practice both their writing skills, as well as their technology skills.

I think using digital videos as a culminating project is a cool idea. It can definitely help synthesize everything students have learned throughout the semester and also serve as a huge review. It'd be fun to do a movie day in which students can watch each other's videos. Using Language Todays as a filler is a great idea so that students can see it as a fun and rewarding activity. I also think having students scroll through the page to find articles of interest would be cool so that they could also help inform your planning as they could tell you what interests them.

I have once again decided to change the format of my website. As you can see, I am very indecisive person. However, I have finally decided to go with the "old" google sites templates for my website. This has been updated on the page that has our links to our websites. I am still having a little difficulty navigating the website and making it my own. But, it is becoming more enjoyable as I get the hang of it. I hope to work on it more this weekend, so be ready for another update!
 * This week's (10/21/2016) update on my Electronic Portfolio: **

This week I worked a lot on my philosophy of education and assessment pages. However, I am having a difficult time getting the pages formatted the way that I want them to. I cannot figure out how to make the pages into a drop down menu. So, hopefully by next week I will have that all figured out. I am beginning to enjoy this process a little more just because I am becoming more comfortable with the navigation of google sites. I still have a lot to add and a lot of formatting to do, but I am well on my way to making this website my own.
 * This week's (10/30/2016) update on my Electronic Portfolio:**

For this week, I did not get as much done as I would have liked to because I am going to be teaching this Monday. I was able to work on the "digital literacies and technology" page of my website. I have a lot more that I need to add to it, but I am very satisfied with my work so far. For the remainder of the weekend, I will be getting my lesson plan together for my teaching on Monday. I look forward to seeing you there!
 * This week's (11/6/2016) update on my Electronic Portfolio:**

Well, because I am so tech-savvy, I have completely forgotten how to add pages the way I need them to be added. So, though it may not seem like I have added much this week, I have added a couple of pages to me portfolio. All of these pages are focused on my leadership and collaboration experiences throughout my time at NC State. I am really satisfied with the way my portfolio is coming along, and I am looking forward to seeing the final product. It seems that I do still have quite a bit to add, but I will have that all completed by the due date.
 * This week's (11/14/2016) update on my Electronic Portfolio:**