Hannah's+445+Wiki+Workspace

Hannah Grace's Wikispace

__Seminar 1 Prep Reading Response__
"An Educator's Social Media Guide" by Aaron Hogan

Hogan's article opened the door to technologies and uses for Twitter I had not explored or even known about before reading his article. I used Twitter in middle school and high school for typical adolescent purposes: tweeting my friends and following celebrities. I had no idea that Twitter could be repurposed for chatrooms and professional purposes! Hogan offered many ideas for professional communication on Twitter that makes it much more appealing to me as an educator, as well as other online tools like Nuzzle and Voxer that are tested and approved. I really enjoyed his article and look forward to implementing those tools in my career as an educator. On Twitter, one group I am really excited about is the Literature Today group. As we're encouraged to do in social studies with keeping kids up on current news, I think the same thing is important to do in language arts! Although I have yet to look into more online outlets, I know there's a whole online world out there to explore!

Good use of specific examples from the text. I really love the idea of repurposing technology tools that students are already using in their free time. Have you found any groups in Twitter or other online outlets that you think will benefit you as a teacher?

I also read the Secret Language of Girls on Instagram, and was absolutely shocked. I realized that social media has been a proponent in bullying in the modern classroom, but had no idea to what extent it had developed. I myself have an Instagram, but had no idea the multiple purposes adolescent girls were using it for. The generational difference was amazing. In the middle grades classroom, I feel that I have to be even more so "on guard" than I felt before. While not all bullying can be completely prevented, I would like to do my best as an adult figure to help girls avoid these problems on social media. I feel that addressing the issues discussed in the article, such as the underhandedness and exclusion, head on in a direct manner, may "nip" some of the behaviors in the bud. The only way to prevent this kind of behavior besides head on would be to pull girls aside outside of class. I feel like this circumstance is very situational, and I would need to be cautious in how I approach the behaviors depending on each girl.

Amazing, isn't it? Kind of makes me glad I'm not a teenager in this day and age. I think you're right in wanting to address these issues in the classroom, but how exactly would you go about it besides head on? Are there other ways to change or prevent that behavior?

__**Online Professional Identity Takeaway **__

The activity in class really stuck out to me in that personal information was so readily available if someone was willing to put in the search. Although Kelsey was not able to find anything too *incriminating* on me in her online search, it does make me question the professionalism of my Facebook and social media profiles. I know it is not enough to simply set my accounts on private. My biggest takeaway from the first part of our Professional Identity exploration is that I should cleanse my social media, as well as start "putting good out there," as Dr. Young says. I think an awesome way to "put myself out there" would be to start blogging, and pick up some good-for-the-community habits. For example, I really want to start volunteering anyways; if I had a blog that was easily findable I could blog about the volunteer work I was doing. I also intend to open a LinkdIn profile; this is another way to really put myself out there positively.

I definitely agree that while things aren't necessarily "incriminating," they can still rub people the wrong way. I like that you are motivated to start representing your professional self online. What are some ways you plan on "putting good out there" so that people get a positive perception of you as a teacher? Why do you think these particular steps will represent yourself well? Please add more detail.

**__Web Identity Status Report__**
[|https://docs.google.com/a/ncsu.edu/presentation/d/1ShnUIVitLMUw2HBvMYcXJNWw_AMBe1pmo00HJDAKFYA/edit?usp=sharing]

[|https://docs.google.com/a/ncsu.edu/document/d/19L9p9yF9e5JcBytKUAy942xcvLgkOZhNkRar8eSCg84/edit?usp=sharing]

Reading Response- Due 9/19/16
I really enjoyed reading Shoffner's blog. A lot of what she was describing felt relatable, even though she's definitely older than me and not Gen X. I remember when I was younger how it was SUCH a big deal for us to have a computer at home; my parents were so protective of it and it was //only// used for business. Applying this to 2016, it's important to keep in mind that my students are all coming from different backgrounds and opportunities. Even as our schools are moving towards BYOD, not every student will have their own device to bring in. And technology is always advancing. So even as a student might have a computer, there will always be another student who has a more advanced, more capable device. It's important for me to be able to reach a student on every technological level, and not require things from them that might not be possible for everyone. Using Instagram in the classroom is something that I haven't quite wrapped my head around. From the article, my two favorite ideas for incorporating were featuring student work and featuring a student of the week. I think it would be so cool to have a class instagram account, and be able to have students excited about following it. This would work extremely well in a BYOD school (I hope!). Reflecting on my childhood (once again) watching videos in the classroom was something we did as a reward for completion or procrastination on rainy day. But in our 21st century, video is something that we're faced with //everywhere//. As the Digital Video reading says, in order for students to be literate, they must be literate in all the technologies of today. Literacy has taken on a whole new meaning! In my classroom, I'd love to brainstorm ways to incorporate film or video into my class outside of its traditional rainy day uses. In my CT's classroom, they are doing a unit entitled "Life's not fair." She showed the 7th grades a 13 minute film of a little boy who didn't have hands, and how he was able to have hand replacement surgery. 13 minutes initially seemed like a long time for kids to stay in-tune, but all of the class was entranced. She monopolized on the message of the video, using it as an intro to writing a paper and group reflections. Having film as a tool to inspire emotion and connect with students is one way I can see it being really useful.

I admire your desire to meet students on every technological level, but I do think it's okay to recognize that it is unlikely that you will master all technology and be more proficient in every single tool as your students. I think this area is a great opportunity for students to bring their mastery and expertise into the classroom. Using technology in the classroom doesn't mean you have to be the expert, it means you have to provide opportunities for students to use it and for you both to learn together. I like both of the ideas you have for using Instagram--I think that's a really cool way to infiltrate social media in a positive way. Finally, I think using video to inspire emotion and connect with students is fantastic, but I also think that this article was encouraging you to take an even more challenging and rigorous approach in teaching students to critically analyze and think about what they see. Instead of just vegging out during a movie, we can bring to consciousness the ways in which directors use certain tools to influence our thinking and emotions. Think about the ways you can encourage critical thinking with videos as well.

[add the edTPA session you attended and/or plan to attend in the future here]

I attended the Bootcamp edTPA session on Saturday, September 17th. I also plan to attend the additional bootcamp session come spring semester.
__**Initial Ideas About MSL Electronic Portfolio**__ Throughout this semester, I have been taking continuous notes on our activities and lessons in all the MSL Senior Experience classes. This is my initial reasoning for creating an electronic portfolio, to showcase the works I've done throughout. I think it could also be really cool to maybe do a "Tips Learned" piece, as well as a piece on the class notes that were most influential/ helpful. With my electronic portfolio, I will be including my teaching philosophy, as well as my motivation for teaching. I think it's important to include my education and any achievements I had during school. The target audience for now is future employers and my professors now. In the future, it will be parents and students, as well as my principal and colleagues.

I think an electronic portfolio is an awesome way to promote yourself to future employers. I like the "Tips Learned" piece as well. What are some other categories you think would be important to include? Who are you targeting as your audience for this portfolio (who are you showcasing yourself to specifically)? Please add more detail.


 * __ Prep for Week Six- Action Portfolio Entry __**

// Dr. Young's article // Takeaways: -The article was really helpful in helping me visualize how to better do a portfolio and it's purposes. One aspect of it that really stuck out to me was that our Electronic Portfolio was that we will be evaluated on our ability to choose strong artifacts. Not only is the portfolio a representation of my work, but a representation of my ability to choose student work as well.

-The Electronic Portfolio also gives me the chance to learn more about technology, which is awesome because I'm so tech-no still. Dr. Young writes that it's a great way to show your ability of integrating technology, and there's so many options for this!

-Individual reflection is another big aspect of the Electronic Portfolio. Honestly, it reminds me a lot of edTPA. It's a culminating experience and needs individual reflection, which creates a presentation that's both verbal and visual.

-From Dr. Young's examples, I like Sara Beth's approach to the Electronic Portfolio the best. I thought the visual guiding of having a thread that continued throughout was helpful to viewers at any stage, our cohort or future employers.

Based on what I know, I feel that an Electronic Portfolio is better suited for how I would like to present myself. My purpose in creating a Teaching Toolkit is to present myself in a professional manner, highlighting unique aspects, accomplishments, and knowledge I have acquired during my time at NC State. As of now, the audience for my Toolkit are Dr. Young, Nicolette, and my peers. Once I have revised and polished it to near perfection, my audience will hopefully be employers. I also think it could be cool to include my Toolkit on my classroom website, so that parents also have a better understanding of who I am. Some possible categories in the Toolkit (as mentioned in my initial ideas) are teaching tools I plan to use/ do use within the classroom, classroom management style, "Tips Learned", philosophy of teaching, and my favorite topics to teach. The content within my Toolkit will be similar to the topics, expanding on each of those categories. Brainstorming themes, I think a cute one could be "Yellow Brick Road" or something similar-- Red Brick Road?? More to come on fun, engaging, and educational themes.
 * Seminar 6**

I have now begun an electronic portfolio. I think this is the best option for me after seeing some of my classmates and examples from others. With the electronic portfolio, I am able to modify it as I progress farther in my career, highlighting the important aspects of who I am as an educator.

I think it's awesome that you're using this as an opportunity to improve your technology skills and that is definitely something administrators are looking for. I know reflection can get exhausting, but it is definitely necessary to improve your practice and this is a cool way to do it. And I agree - I think having a metaphor like a thread or a blueprint is a cool way to help someone conceptualize all the pieces of who you are as a teacher. So, I'm kind of confused - are you doing an electronic portfolio or a teacher toolkit? I would definitely choose one for this specific project and you can work on adding the other later on. I like the brick road idea! Please go back and add more detail about exactly which you are going to do - an electronic portfolio or a teacher toolkit.

__**Prep for Seminar 8**__ Language today: I think it would be a really cool extra credit aspect in the classroom. Students who are ahead constantly need something to do and this would be a good outlet for them to explore further. I also might have them just research into the already posted Language Today tweets, pick and share one with their small group.

Digital Video: a) I really liked Bethany's idea to have the video camera set up (not recording) for days ahead of time, to let the students get out their sillies. I have a good idea of where it might be best to set up the camera too! There's a tall bookshelf in the back corner that would capture most of the classroom, as well as mainly show the back of student heads and hopefully not capture faces of students who aren't supposed to be shown. b) My CT's class is currently reading The Outsiders. I think it would be cool to have students pair up in groups of two or three and film each other speaking/ acting as a chosen character in the novel. This would integrate film well, as well as give the students a chance to put themselves into the story.

I like the idea of having students take on characters in a video. I think it really helps the story come alive for them. You could also have students take on the same scenes and see how they interpret them differently and discuss how the choices they made in the video reflect the differences in their interpretations. Great idea! Thank you :)

__**EP/ TT Status Reports**__

It's definitely still a work in progress, and I'm still learning. However, as much as I play around with the site, I have a feeling I'll get it looking perfect soon! As of now, I have narrowed down the categories I want to include, as well as put the titles of this into the site. However, I do need a little help in the organization/ accessibility of the tabs! I plan to ask some of my peers about this when I see them in class tomorrow. It'll take some more playing around with and perfecting, and I may be behind some of my peers, but I definitely feel as though I am on track to be done by November 28th. --> Quick update: I tried to link my Weebly site to the group page and cannot get the link to work. Will also be asking peers/ Nicolette for help tomorrow!
 * 10/24/16**: As of today, I completely restarted my Electronic Portfolio. For me, Google Sites felt too stiff. I had not done much work on my online portfolio since I initially created it (the Google Site that was previously linked) and struggled with even the initial creation. I have linked my newly created Weebly page now.


 * 11/1/16:** I'm slacking, sorry! I completely forgot to post yesterday about the work I did. Which, in all honesty, was not as much as I should have to stay ahead. I filled in a few of my topics, giving detail to the Teaching Philosophy and Content and Pedagogical Knowledge. My reasoning for not working on the site as much yesterday as previously is Praxis :( I am also still struggling working with Weebly- I'm considering switching back to the Google Sites.


 * 11/7/16:** This has been an extremely long, difficult process for me. Once again, I've switched back to Google Sites. I feel okay about it this time. Weebly was a lot for me to figure out, and I have grown accustomed to Google spin-offs throughout this semester. Today, I worked on personalizing my google site again, tying in the theme of a box of crayons throughout the pages. I am sticking with the same topics I had on my Weebly- philosophy of education, content and pedagogical knowledge, skills and technology, leadership and collaboration, experiences, lesson plans, educational resources, teacher tips, and resume. From this point on, I've added a decent amount to the first few of those categories. The site is coming together and I just need to finalize the information I am sharing under each category. Cross your fingers I work better with Google Sites this time!