Final Thoughts

For my key assignment I chose to create a blog for my co-workers and I's classrooms. Our students art work doesn't always make it home. The site is primarily for our students parents, but there is information that is primarily for students. Local art events, local art center, museums and other university art programs and blogs. Here's a link to my art blog http://artwarriorstsjh.blogspot.com/

As for this class I enjoyed learning about how to create a blog. That happened to be one of my goals for this year and I love meeting my goals. I also love the new powerpoint option in the Prezi website. It's a new and innovative way to create a presentation. I still don't like Wiki's I don't agree with a site like wikipedia. Although I can now see the use for Wiki's such as collaborations between co-workers. At our school it's used for our professional learning communities (PLC's). I still don't like that some one can change my opinion if they don't agree though. When I first heard there was a text for this class I was not supper excited. Surprisingly though I really got a lot out of the text. It wasn't a boring read like I thought it would be. I also enjoyed learning about "my delicious" and the RSS google reader.

Despite my strong opinion on Wiki's I learned a lot of new fun technology to use. Anytime you learn new information all the work is worth it. Still I'm happy to have another class done on my way to master success.

Signing off

Online Projects

Internet Expeditions
http://eduscapes.com/sessions/travel/index.htm

I really enjoyed this web site. It gives you options about how to build a web-quest for students. I will admit that the graphics on this page was what first pulled me into the site. It's well organized, and pleasing to the eye. Not only does the site offer information on how to make a web-quest. It also offers evaluations and adaptations for learners. This site is for the educator that wants to develop a proper web-quest.

Teachers first: thinking teachers, teaching thinkers
 http://www.teachersfirst.com/matrix.cfm

This site is another great tool for teachers. Here they offer lesson plans, instructional units, classroom planning calendars, and special topics. They have information from these categories that include all ages, courses and abilities. This site didn't have fancy images or striking colors that drew me in; but it was well organized and informative.

check out these sites they'll help educators provide successful online projects.

TED reflections

TED ideas worth spreading.


This site is cool. I enjoyed being able to search through the presenters and view all the topics. This site makes it very easy to investigate what you'd like to see. I can see myself using this tool in class. I  believe that students enjoy watching information that is being given to them. 


I couldn't find anything on Clay animation. But there is a lot on design, and other art video's that I could use. 


The video I watched was Joshua Walter's: On being just crazy enough.
Joshua is an entertainer who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He talks about company's that are looking for people with that edge. having just enough crazy without going over board. Check it out the link is:http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_walters_on_being_just_crazy_enough.html

Chapter 3&4 reflections

Making sure sites on the Internet are valid is such an important element of research; especially for educational purposes. It's good to know there is a method for checking URL qualifications. The REAL system is a great guide line for students to use. I especially like that its a mnemonic device. It makes it easy to remember.

But like in life the REAL system isn't always effective. Which is typical. The Internet is a great tool, but is also a scary source of information. We have to have child blocks and methods of verification. Which are not full proof methods of validation. In a perfect world we wouldn't have to worry about accurate sites. maybe the Internet should have to have all their validation information visible.

I think it's crazy that there are so many sites that seem perfectlly ligitamate but are miss leading and have invalid information. Im all for freedom of speach though. Im very torn about all this. People should be able to express themselves but we should also be able to validate their site for our information quality.

Sorry I was so back and forth on the subject.

Signing out.

Internet Security

Virus Scan: Kaspersky Lab

I ran a virus removal tool

I Looked through many of the other scanning tools that the professor offered and to be honest they were distracting, cluttered and overly informational. Very confusing. Installing the Kaspersky Lab program was easy and clear. They took me through step by step with clear directions.

Of course they linked me to their site where I could purchase a anti virus software they create.

The scan was relatively quick, it only took about 5 min. They scanned over 6000 objects on my data base. Im proud to say my computer has a clean bill of health. No threats detected. Which is good cause I need an anti virus program:) Need to get protection.

Signing off

Chapter 6 Reflections

Expanding the Boundaries: Blogs, RSS, Podcast, and Wikis

     All these technologies seem to work well with a classroom setting. I have a blog for my students and parents to view what is taking place in class. Many of my art students don't always bring home what they make in class. Parents often feel disconnected from art, the process and events that happen in class. Although I've started my new blog that I'm excited about. I believe that I need to connect it to my RSS which will alert me to the new things parents and student add to the blog.
     Who ever invented RSS is a great addition to society. I save plenty of time by not having to go to all my favorite sites. Now they all come to me with there new information.I believe this tool is more for an educator than the student. Though it would be a good way for them to check there blogs if there were multiples.
     Pod casts are great to meet and watch meetings, lectures and interviews even if the presenters are thousands of miles away. I can see how educators would use all three of these technologies in there classrooms. They offer a lot of information and interest. You can also regulate them.
     Wiki's are a different story for me. I get that you can create a wiki just for your students to use and add to. I think that regulating what they change would be difficult. I definitely don't feel right with letting my students use information from wikipitia. I feel that letting anyone change a site can have its up and definitely downs. It's like believing what people say. Some people lie.
    
Thats what I think about chapter 6 the good, the bad, and the Ugly.
Signing off


    

My Presentation on Social Networking in the classroom

Hello Fellow ECOMP 6008 classmates

I've taken on the challenge to create a new power point with Prezi. I had a blast making this Prezi. It's a really unique way to present new information. Much better than a traditional power point. Just don't use the backspace button. Or it will kick you back a step. it gets really annoying. I've chosen to research about social networking in the classroom. I was curious to see how often it's used for and what exactly it would be used for.  So check out my Prezi.


The Link is below: 


http://prezi.com/gifpnkhqgzot/social-networking-in-the-classroom/

Ludcke Library

         Lesley's Ludcke Library is very diverse. They have many options to choose from. To be honest I was overwhelmed by all the options. You could find articles, Journal articles, books, e-books, media Esc.
        
         Obviously I choose to check out resources that I could use online. I looked through the media center just because I was curious. The videos are informative and interesting. They also have guides and instructional videos. I looked through the E-books selection and even downloaded one. Lastly I went to the journal articles selection. I found this section of the library the most useful and accessible.
 
         Throughout this process I had many concerns and questions. I instant messaged the librarian through the ask a librarian option on the website. They were able to guide me through the steps I needed to take to make me successful.

        Overall the library is a good resource.


        

Catting on Face Book

Chatting with my partner was interesting her thoughts on the articles were a lot like my own. It was great to talk to some one who's so far away. A whole different state. My spelling was horrible in the chat but we were bouncing ideas around so quickly I couldn't keep up. 

I personally would rather have a face to face conversation with someone so I can see their reactions. I do feel more open and honest on the internet though. Although I'm always honest and blunt so the internet may not be the best means for me to converse. 

Well thanks for chatting with me partner.

Here is a copy of our chat everyone see if you agree.

Today

Tonight at 8 will be good for me... see you then...

I'm here and ready to chat about the natives

sorry im late

im ready to chat

ok... me too

do you believe the theory of digital natives and immigrants?

how was school today?

Yes i think the auther made sence. but I feel like im in between

Shool was good not problems yeah

yeah, there are parts of the article that really make sense, then when I read the other articles, I was torn...

I love billings how the school sytem doing up there

Why were you torn

school is going good for me... the first month has gone by in a flash... the district is up in arms over the superintendant, though... political stuff

I hate politial stuff.

I was torn over the digital native stuff mostly because the other authors were so good at disproving the theory... or at least proving that it wasn't completely true

also because there are adults that are such nerdy techs and some kids that really struggle to figure out how to do basic computer stuff

Yeah and I get both sides of their arguments. I do beleive that we're teaching a different learner now days but I still beleive in multiple inteligences

i think though, very generally, i agree with the theory of digital natives just because kids don't have as many hangups about trying things...

Yes! some kids will be much better verbally, artistically, etc!

I agree with the theory but I thinks his theory is very black and white. Your eather techy or not with his theory and i personally feel like im in the gray when it comes to his theory

and kids seem to have more "fun" time to try things out... adults have to make time to learn technology... it is more "work"...

yes. he didn't get into the gray area at all. i agree that there needs to be some flexibility to this

right

its up to us to keep up with the technology

yup

one of the problems that our district would have with teaching with this theory in mind is money for technology!

I do understand that for some teachers there is a disconect between them and their students because of the digital age.

we have the oldest computers and no money for training teachers how to use technology in the classroom... we are far behind for a "larger" district

Yes definatlly funding is a problem

yes... i laughed when reading the article because i had a few particular teachers in mind who struggle with technology

yeah my teaching partner is one of them

ha! what are you guys teaching right now? something fun?

well its always fun because we're art teachers

of course!

My job incorperates technology because I have a clay animation class. So we make movies.

that does sound like fun...

do all of your students have good tech skills

better than me

last year one of my students taugh me the movie program

yes... i learn something from kids most of the time... they are smart

they catch on amazing lly quick when it comes to tech. Thats why I do think there is some truth to his theory

they will be using technology forever... maybe the difference is that immigrants think that it is a passing trend?

Yeah possiblly. I only see it increasing. soon we'll have our phones implanted into our heads like in the movies

it is great that you are able to use technology in your art class. do most of the other classes also incorporate tech into their curriculum

yes, that would make is easier i guess

you wouldn't lose it

yes I live in gillette wy, and we have an amazing budget. we're lucky enough not to be hit by the recesion

What is it like in your school

wyoming is smart to invest in education

Yeah they don't short change education. yet. ill keep my fingers crossed.

In fact they're sending me to an art conference tomorrow

since we aren't a title school, our budget is the lowest among the 4 middle schools... very little new technology... budget problems in the district... etc

nice... locally or do you get to go somewhere else?

5 hour drive to yellow stone park but it should be fun

the weather is so nice right now that it should be a great drive

but 5 hours?!

I hope it stays nice. the drive will be long though

So anyway do you beleive that students brains are formed differentlly because of technolofy

i remember hearing something on the news a while ago about how kids who watch TV at a very young age tend to develop ADHD because of the constant flickering and scene changes...

huh

if they don't get this constant stimulation, then there's a problem...

interesting there is certanlly an increase in ADHD

weird idea, but kind of related... i guess that it could be possible for kids to think differently because they use technology, but who really knows

Yeah

I think they're overlly stimulated

and they used to think that smoking was good for you, too, so it's hard to say

Ha ha oh yeah they did. weird

so it sounds like we agree that digital natives idea makes sense but there needs to be some gray area...

deffinatelly

sound good... let's call it a night... have a good conference

Yeah thanks do you want to e-mail this to the professer or do you want me to

i can do it...

ok thanks andrea nice talking to you have a good week

yes, good to visit with you.