Final: Reflective Post

Hello Summer by McKenzie Rhodes From Canva

Hello Summer! Can I get an "AMEN" to that? Well, summer is only lasting about a week until my summer classes start... and probably rings true for most college students. But hey, we live in Florida, isn't everyday summer?

"Final Reflective Post", I remember looking through some blog posts form previous classes when the semester first started, and thinking "wow that seems like years away", yet we are here now! I came into this class in all honestly, a bit frustrated since I have taken this course title at a previous university, plus the fact that blogging was involved, and I assumed it was not in my blood. But, I was proven wrong and have learned way more than I did at my previous university, and actually really enjoy blogging and how it is a different and creative way to express thought process and ideas. 

Designed By Mckenzie Rhodes From Canva

I want to take a look at the quote that is in the picture to the right ---> by Albert Einstein, "Any fool can know. The point is to understand". I think it speaks so much truth into what this class was shaped around. We as students and ordinary people, use technology everyday. We know what technology is, and pretty much know what is out there. I also think that it applies to being a teacher, we know a lot of things being teachers, we know different types of technology to use in our classroom, different lesson plans, and different learning styles that individual students have, and so on. But to truly UNDERSTAND what all of those things are, is a whole different ball game. This class has shown me the vast differences in technology, and how something that I see as simple and everyday (such as an iPad) can drastically change the classroom and how students see learning. For example, a student with a hearing impairment can use an iPad, or a computer during class time to help enhance their learning, and also help communicate to students and teachers, and vis-versa. There are so many more examples of how technology is helping students with special needs or diverse needs, that is just one small example. I want to be able to understand my students, I do not want to simply know them. When I am able to understand who my students are, and where they come from, what makes them happy or sad then I know I am doing my job correctly. Being someone who can lift them up in their struggles and celebrate in their victories. 

I have posted TedTalks on my blog posts before, they have been comical, serious and informative. But, most of them are of adults speaking. I decided that since our bases is about using technology to help students, I wanted to hear from a student who is currently in the classroom where technology is being introduced daily in his learning. Below is a TedTalk from Ethan Dickens talking about technology in the classroom. ENJOY ⇣

My favorite part of the classes were the blog posts (obviously), but what came as my second favorite were the discussion boards. Online classes are challenging, especially getting to know your classmates and getting a firm understanding of what types of teachers they want to become and what their characteristics are like. Having the discussions was a great way to get that knowledge. So if there was one thing I would want more of if I took this class over, would be more discussions. I love to be able to hear and learn from people and get a different point of view other than my own.

To wrap up, I have learned a tremendous amount this past semester, that will carry on with me as being a student and onto my future career in the education system. There is far more information on technology and what it can bring into the classroom and everyday life, and we have just scratched the surface. It has been a great semester, Thanks everyone! Good luck ❤

Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes, McKenzie (2017). Hello Summber. Created on www.Canva.com

T. D. (2015, April 02). Retrieved May 01, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com

Digital Blog Post #L- Chapter 12

GUYS! I believe this is our second to last blog post to finish out the semester! I'll share more in my reflective post but blogging is a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be, and what a great way to creatively get ideas and thoughts out. Maybe I will consider blogging after this class...

Photo credit to Kevin Doyle on Flicker 

Anyway... To get to the actual blog post from chapter 12 about Engaging Learning with Digital Tools. The first concept I wanted to look deeper into was the thought on One-to-One Laptop Computing. Which is when every student in the school gets their own laptop to use in school. There is even one-to-one laptop programs (Maloy p 306). The times have changed! I have mentioned this before in past blog posts, but when I graduated (high school) in 2012, the next year everyone got iPads to bring home. free of charge, until you graduate then you can buy them for a low cost, if you want to keep them. How I wish we had personal laptops or iPads in high school or any other grade level. Doing projects would have been a lot easier, instead of trying to get in class lab time (which never happened). But, our class textbook (Transforming Learning with New Technologies) states; having one-to-one laptops has not shown, in research, that it effects students achievement (Malory p 308). There is far more to come for the future in aspects of students having one-to-one technology. How are we going to keep up!?

Word Scramble by McKenzie Rhodes From Wordle

The second concept I dove into was integrating Technology to Address the Participation Gap. To sum up what it is, the book calls it BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) or BYOD (Bring Your own Device). All in all, it is supposed to lesson the pressure of schools and districts that cannot afford to get computers or tables for their students. So they let the students bring their own.  I think thats a pretty touchy thing to do and could lead down the path of bullying for some students. In my opinion, if the schools cant afford afford laptops or tables, their students probably cant either. It creates pressure for students to have the most up to date technology. Not every student will have equal

Photo credit to  Jaimi Lammers from Flicker 

technology, especially over the younger children (Maloy p 308). In some ways I think it could be a good idea, but needs a little more in-depth thinking for those that are not as fortunate as some.
Integrating iPads and Other Tablet Computers, again how I wish I had this in lower level school (I know I sound like a broken record)! Last semester I took an education diversity class and we had to do observation hours, so I went to a grade school on Florida SouthWestern State college campus. One of the classes I sat through was a history class where they used their iPad throughout all of their class time. You could tell the teacher was really pumped to be using technology, especially the iPads. The beginning of the kicked off with a Pop quiz! Every student favorite thing, right?! Anyway, instead of having the traditional pencil and paper, they did their quiz on their iPads. They would go through question by question and then after each question it showed the number of students that got the answer correct. When there was an overwhelming amount of students who got it wrong the teacher went over the subject and topic so help review and refresh their memories. The students had a general excitement about it also. There was laughing and excitement, which you probably wouldn't find when students are using paper and a pencil. Also, it makes it a breeze for the teacher. The quizzes are already graded so they don't need to take the time to go over every individual students quiz.

Above is a video from YouTube about technology and the positive impact it can have on children in school and also the negative impact it may have. Like stated in the video, too much screen time could mean the loss of social skills, which I think is very true. With using technology there should be a limit, and that needs to be put in place at home, where more games are being played on tablets than actual learning might take place.

Until next time guys ☮


References:

C. (2015, June 19). Pros & cons of kids using digital technology. Retrieved April 14, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com

Doyle, K. (2014, May 03). Macbook Air. Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://www.flickr.com

Lammers, J. (2012, April 26). IPad. Retrieved April 14, 2017, from https://www.flickr.com

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.  

Rhodes, M. (n.d.). Nine Lives – Tumblr Banner by Kenzie Rhodes. Retrieved April 14, 2017, from https://www.canva.com

Rhodes, M. (2017, April 13). Word Scramble . Retrieved April 13, 2017, from http://www.wordle.net/create

Digital Blog Post #J - Chapter 11

Scramble by McKenzie Rhodes from Wordle

HEY HEY HEY! I just have to say that this semester and class has been flying by! It's crazy to think that we were all just introducing ourselves a few weeks ago and now we are getting closer to final projects and blog posts.
Throughout chapter eleven it talks about the different ways students can be assessed, not just through the traditional testing approach and more towards what students have created themselves. Student assessment is when the students are assessed on what they have been learning in the classroom through their teacher. What the students are learning goes hand in hand with how you are teaching. If a student is not doing well, what am I doing as a teacher that may be hindering that child? And what can I do to help them be more successful?   Along with this teachers are also being evaluated differently. New teacher assessment is when teachers are being evaluated by their supervisors on their work. I remember throughout high school and middle school teachers warning the class that there would be someone sitting in the classroom evaluating their teaching, so we needed to be on our best behavior! But as our textbook states, the evaluation process starts way before we are even a classroom setting with testing, supervision, and writing (Maloy p. 277). OH BOY.

Heres a funny video from YouTube on parent teacher conferences and how their twins are being evaluated. It's comical, but also true to a point. I think as some of us become future parents we need to be careful when we compare our children to one another or "the kid that licks the blackboard". They will most likely not be on the same track on every subject, and that is okay!

Digital teaching portfolio, which at this point in our education, as future teachers, I hope have heard about! But if you are new to that topic, digital teaching portfolios are a way for teachers to show their work online in an organized way. "Even if you have finished several education coursed and a teacher licensing program as a student teacher, or begun your first job as a full time classroom teacher, documenting professional learning accomplishments in a digital teaching portfolio is a way to provide career-related information to school administrators and teaching colleagues and an opportunity for personal reflection on your development as an educator" (Maloy p 279). I think the last part about being able to reflect on your development as an educator is a big point. For me, I would love to see what I was thinking or doing in a classroom when I first start teaching, then a year later, when I have my first year under my belt, I can reflect and see how much I have grown, or where I could use some more work.

Creative Commons photo by Anabell Alicia from Flicker

A really interesting topic that is somewhat new to me, that I wanted to dive into was the topic of democratic schools and classrooms. Democratic schools and classrooms in general is a new topic and way of thinking how a class would be set up. It gives the student more of an opportunity to be involved in their education and academic learning. Here is an article from IDEA on what a democratic school and classroom looks and from the view point of a lesson plan for grades 5-12th grade. I think it is a great way for students to be more involved in their learning. I know as a student if i have a voice in my education then I am more likely to pay attention because I am truly interested in the subject. I think we will see student involvement in the classroom increase, participation, and grades improve if we move towards this type of education

References:

Alicia, Anabell. "Education." Flickr. Yahoo!, 10 Oct. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes, McKenzie. "Scramble". Wordle. 24 Mar. 2017. Web. 24 Mar. 2017

Strader, Shawn. "Bringing Democratic Education to Your Classroom and School (Lesson Plan)." Bringing Democratic Education to Your Classroom and School (Lesson Plan) | The IDEA Library. N.p., 13 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.

Undulator. 2015, October 15. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from www.youtubecom

Digital Blog Post #I- Chapter 4

Welcome back after a much needed break! Hope some of you were able to take a vacation, or at least enjoy the Florida sunshine. Unfortunately, I had to work the entire break... :(

All Creative Common license by Julie Frank

LESSON PLANS.... what my world will be surrounded by in (hopefully) a short amount of time. I think our class textbook (Transforming Learning with new technologies) says it best and is a great reminder on why we create lesson plans, "Developing lessons does not mean you must tightly script every interaction or rigidly adhere to a fixed plan. Effective teachers provide room for spontaneity and time to explore questions and topics that are on students minds" ( Maloy p. 74). If I choose to stick only to a lesson plan and not wander off the path a little when a student has a question or different topic they are wanting to discuss or ask questions on, then i am not being an effective teacher. I will be hindering their learning. With not letting a student explore their own thoughts I am showing that their topics and questions are not important. There are different ways technology can help teachers in creating lesson plans and help support their lessons. Websites  are available for teachers that have lesson plans already setup for teachers that are FREE!  A few of them are 

• PBS Teachers
• Annenberg Learners
• www.Planbook.com
• www.education.com
• https://kids.usa.gov
• www.Teachervision.com

Creative Commons License by Bekah

Standards-based assessments seems to be a touchy topic across the broad board of teachers. Should we have it? Should we not? Is the debate. Standards-based assessments is what students are supposed to know depending on what grade level they are at. With the test is shows what students need to improve on or what they have mastered. In my opinion we need to come up with a better system of seeing how well a student is doing. As someone that test very poorly from stress and the environment, I have sympathy for those that cannot show their true knowledge through standardized testing. Like stated in the textbook, teachers know their students and know their ability and what ways the student shows their true knowledge and understanding. It should ultimately be up to the teacher to evaluate their students, "not test writers who work for testing companies far removed from the day-to-day worlds of classroom learning" (Maloy p. 86).

Below I added part of funny video of the Simpson TV show on Standardized testing. I think some of the ideas stated are partially true. Nothingness, its a comical way to look at testing. ENJOY! 

Fight by McKenzie Rhodes from storybird

Going along with the standardized testing topic, I decided to read into new approaches to assessment. Our test makes a comment about how instead of testing approaching schools curriculum is the opposite, schools are having to bend their curriculum around what students will be tested on (Maloy p. 86). Children do not have the freedom to ask questions or explore topics (asI stated above), so the joy and excitement of learning is taken away. Also, the joy and freedom can be taken away from the teacher, knowing they need to stick to strict guidelines in order for their students to succeed on test day. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) believe that students performance should not be evaluated solely on standardized testing but also through different activities. This is where technology can come into play. There are a few different way teachers can use technology to evaluate a students performance. An example of this would be word processing, powerpoint or other computer based applications. Students are able to create presentations and share them to the class and the teacher on what they have learning while doing research on a topic. There are also digital portfolios that have examples of a students completed work.  

There are many different opinions on how students should be taught and how they should be evaluated. I still believe we need to come up with different ways to evaluate children based on how the learn or show their knowledge the best. Filling in bubbles may not be for every child, I know it was not, and still is not for me. As a future teacher I hope to take a stand for my students that I know are intelligent and find creative ways for them to express that, and i know technology will help me do that! 




References:

B. (2007, May 20). Pencil & Scantron. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from www.flickr.com

Falk, J. (2005, September 24). Working on Long Range Lesson Plans. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from www.flickr.com

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes McKenzie (2017, March 16). Fight. Retrieved March 16, 2017, from www.Storybird.com

Digital Blog Post #H- Chapter 9

Hi everyone!
I hope everyone is looking forward to spring break next week! I know I sure am :)
Reading throughout Chapter Nine in the textbook (Transforming Learning with New Technologies) I noticed that many of the technology tools they were stating are ones that I have used in the past, as well as, still using currently in all of my current classes.

Creative Commons Photo by Jim Hickcox 

The first concept I looked at was Powerpoint and Next-generation Presentation Tools. These are tools that I have grown up using, and what I see everyday while in class. I remember what the first "Document Camera" or overhead projector looked like. We used overhead projectors till I got to into high school until we were fortunate enough to switch over to Document Cameras (live savors). As a student I always wanted to sit no where close to the overhead projector because it was so big you could not see around it, but also close enough to the projector to see what the teacher was writing. Then at the end of the day everyone would volunteer to clean the transparency sheets, that was always a mess and the ink would eventually end up all over you. Now, no more mess! A teacher can have the document camera on their desk, away from impairing a students vision of the screen and be able to show anything they want under the camera. There are little limitations.

The second concept I looked at was "photo-taking and Movie-Making with Students". When I was in elementary school as a class we had the opportunity to put on the school news that aired on Fridays mornings. This was a huge deal, especially if you were able to be an anchor (one year I was lucky!). In order to be "on the news" you had to read up on current events, understand the technology that goes into putting on a news show, and how to work together.  I did a similar activity while in high school for my history class. It was a fun way research historical facts and then put it into a movie. Students are able to work hands on and in an engaging manner the more likely they will retain information. I still remember those activity and that was years ago.

Lastly, I took a look at "comparing Minimal and Multimedia Classroom Technologies". Since I grew up in a minimal multimedia classroom I remember making the science experiments to see how things grow, or how the water cycle happens and even drawing out posters to display in the classroom. Now there are endless ways technology can show science. Like stated in our text book students are able to create a water cycle and then use technology to film the cycle. There are endless possibility with technology and teaching science. It would have been so much fun being able to create the water cycle and add technology to the experiment. 

Below is a TedTalk given by Jessie Wolley-Wilson on Blended Learning and how she sees how it can transform the classroom and learning experience in a positive way.

I think that it is important to keep in mind that technology in a classroom is made to help the student expand their knowledge of a subject or concept. I think sometimes we can get caught up in the cool things technology does (and it is cool!), and we forget the main reasons why we are using is, which is to teach :) Technology is a fun and awesome way to learn, we just need to make sure students are still learning a subject more than the technology piece. 

Have a great spring break everyone :) 

References:

Hickcox, J. (2007, June 06). Overhead projector. Retrieved March 03, 2017, from https://www.flickr.com

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes, Mckenzie (2017, May 03). News. Created May 03, 2017, from www.ToonDoo.com

T. (2012, December 17). Blending technology and classroom learning: Jessie Woolley-Wilson at TEDxRainier. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from www.youtube.com

Digits Blog Post #F- Chapter 10

The United States is a "melty pot". When I say melting pot people typically think of the diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, and they are right! But in our melting melting pot we also have those who have disabilities. In the classroom students come from many different backgrounds, speak different languages or those who have a learning disability,  have a harder time learning, understanding class concepts and communicating. This also makes teaching a "bit" more difficult and really minimizes a teachers time to tend to every students needs. Luckily we have this awesome tool called technology that gets more advanced everyday.
While reading through chapter 10 I had to take a double take when I saw one of the terms "Handheld Calculators". I could not believe that a text book would be talking about something so basic I use everyday, and probably take for granted. I have (and probably most of everyone reading) used a calculator since math came into the picture, if not I would probably still be in middle school stuck with my multiplication tables. UGH. Calculators aren't just for people like me stuck on their multiplication tables, but also for those that may not be as confident in their number operations and need to focus more on the mathematical concepts. There are ups and downs of calculators, while we should not rely on calculators it is a great tool for those who need to focus more on the big picture and not be stuck on smaller details.

                                                         Photo by Anssi Koshkinen on Flicker

Another concept I looked at was "Electronic Spellers and Dictionaries", Like stated it is great for all ages. I know I can always use a tool to help me with my spelling. The part I found most interesting was TERC, a signing dictionary for the deaf and hard of hearing. TERC is a software that has Math and Science dictionaries so students can learn through text and a signing avatar (Maloy p. 256). When I attended University at The University of Wisconsin River Falls I took Sign Language as my second my class. It was by far the class I felt like I got the most knowledge out of. Not only learning how to sign and finding out more about the lives of those who are deaf and hard of hearing, but also putting myself in their shoes for a few hours, since we could not talk. Now I do not want to compare my short time in a classroom to the hurtles the deaf and hard of hearing people go through every single second of the day, but it gave me glimpse. Having tools such as TERC opens so many doors for not only communication but for learning and job opportunities.
Lastly I looked at "Roles of Technology", I think that is a key term to look at and a main point of why we should always be considering using technology in the classroom. Technology is used for "minimizing the impact of disability and mazimizn the opportunity to participate in the world" (Maloy p. 252). With the use of technology we are able to meet our students needs and be able to give them the fullest education and life that is possible. I would never want to hinder a students education by giving them less to do if they are not able to finish at a time when their peers do. If anything I am making sure they fall further behind. But with the help of technology we can make sure that students stay on track and are able to keep up with their peers.

Below is a YouTube video about using Assistive Technology and finding what is most suitable for that student. There is more to the process than we may think at a glance.

Like I said before, the United States is a melting pot, and a melting of all different kinds of learners. It is important that we dig deep to find what technology assistive tool helps that student the most. We are lucky that almost every day a new type of technology come out that helps students over come barriers and flourish. With all the different types of learners and students it keeps teachers on their toes and always up to date on how they can help their students succeed and grow into their true potential.




References:

InspiringEducation. "Using Assistive Technology to Support Learning." YouTube. YouTube, 30 Jan. 2015. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. Www.YouTube.com

Koskinen, Anssi. "Calculator." Flickr. Yahoo!, 23 Nov. 2006. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes, McKenzie. "Disability is not Inability." Canva. 23, Feb. 2017. www.canva.com

Digital Blog Post #E

Hi everyone!
When I was younger I grew up with my parents and others telling me that technology (computers, tv, phones, video games, ect.) was not good for you, and constantly telling me "it's going to rot your brain!". I agree with that statement on a certain level, but also think technology has bloomed into a tool that can help grow your brain and give it knowledge.

Creative Commons License photo By R Pollard

The first concept I looked at was the debates about games and gaming. Like stated in our book (Transforming Learning with New Technologies), I automatically think of video games, and imagine the brain starting to rot, since that is was I was always told. Now when I hear that word I think of the endless possibilities of what a video game could possibly be. "Two of every three households play video games, and 25% of those game players are 18 years old and younger" (Maloy, p 169). The 25% of those that play video games are in the age group of 18 years old and younger are the children we will be teaching and those that are student now. If we know that we can gear our students to finding a way to bring learning into their video games in their houses. They can have fun, and learn at the same time. I do still think that games can be harmful and that other useful skills can be hindered or not given enough attention to if there is too much of a focus on video games. But I do think there can be a healthy balance found.
The second concept I looked at that ties into my first concept is digital games for learning. There are so many different resources at our fingertips, as teachers or parents, that incorporate learning and gaming at the same time. "Games are active, challenging, and demanding of focus and concentration to solve problems in innovative ways...", if kids are able to see that you can have fun doing what they enjoy, like video games, they will be more excited to learn, we need to meet them on their level, not make them jump to ours (Maloy, p 171). When I was in grade school I believe Digital games for learning was pretty new. Our school sent out flyers that you could purchase CD games (wow...CD's, old school), and my parents where skeptical because it was gaming and they werent sure of the actual academic benefits from it, also the fact that the games are were not cheap to purchase. Now, gaming is a whole different level and we can see that it can have academic benefits and can be more cost friendly. I found the article Best Education Games for Kids that you can look through and see some of the digital games that may either be free or at a minimal cost.
Lastly, I looked at the concept of Building, inventing, and creating software, specifically looking at Google Earth. I remember when Google Earth came out and how it was a crazy concept to to wrap your mind around. You and your students literally have the world at your fingertips. You can travel to an area in the world or around your school without actually having to leave. You can look at the geography of an area or use google maps to see how long it would take you to get to a destination. It gives school and children the opportunity to see areas of the world that they may never get to experience.
Technology has its ups and downs, and video games can get a bad reputation. But with new software and technology that we have we are able to create a positive outcome and create a fun learning environments while meeting our children and students at their level.




Resources:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Rhodes, McKenzie (2017, February 7). Oh the places you will go. created with Canva https://www.canva.com/

Schiola, Emily. "Best Educational Games for Kids." Digital Trends. N.p., 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 07 Feb. 2017. <http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-educational-games-kids/>.