#30:  3...2...1..This Blog is Done

      As I come to my last blog post, I realize that this semester has taught me a lot and made me question my own instructional practices and technology integration as a classroom teacher and future administrator. Here are my thoughts below. :)

3 Things I've Learned:

• Moodle- This is the first experience I've had with Moodle, and I'm glad I now know how to navigate through it. Being an elementary teacher, we haven't explored this type of learning management system yet, but I feel much more confident with it if I ever have to use it again!
• Blogger- This is the first "Blogger" blog I've created and used. My classroom blog is an EduBlog, which is a little harder interface to get used to. Although Blogger was a little tricky at first for me, now I've got the hang of it and I am going to look into creating my classroom blog on here next time! I've seen so many cute blogs on Blogger recently, and it is so easy to embed videos, pictures, and links into posts!
• Jing- Love this! It was SUPER easy to record my presentation using Jing. The only downside is the 5 minute limit :/,but I may be overlooking a feature to extend the time limit. I can see a lot of uses for this for teacher collaboration, such as reading or math coaches doing a quick "how-to" and sending it out to teachers.

2 Comments/Questions about Technology:

• Linoit- I used Linoit in my reading instruction several times since I was introduced to it. One time, the students and I watched a video that corresponded to our reading story. Students then posted a sticky note to answer a prompt I had given them. I really like the way it provides students with a "gallery walk", or chance to see everyone else's responses. It gives students an opportunity  to compare their thinking with someone else's.
• Google Drive/Extra Storage- I can completely see the benefit of file storage, such as Dropbox and Drive, however I am going to need more time to learn Google Drive. I can see its potential for collaboration, communication, and building a comprehensive and organized system to save documents, espcially large one that typically put you in "mailbox jail" and forbid you from sending out any messages.

1 Idea for Future Use:

• Edmodo/EdCanvas-  I like both of these so much I can't really choose between them! I think I would actually incorporate both as an administrator. One way I could use them is to create canvases of professional development tidbits, or videos that correspond to a book study the faculty is reading/studying. The faculty could then discuss the canvas on Edmodo as a way to become comfortable with both of these resources. My thought is that since teachers would have a hands on experience with both of the resources, they would start to brainstorm and implement the ideas into their own clasroom. Also, during cyber safety week, administrators could create a cybersafety canvas for teachers to use as a springboard of resources to share with students.

#29: A Look Back

       Every few years, my sister and I get down the family photos to review, laugh, reminisce, and laugh some more. It's good to take a look back and realize how much you've grown and changed, and how thankful you are that you don't look like you did in 7th grade anymore. Here are a few family photos I couldn't pass up sharing. :) Oh how far we've come......

The last picture is simply proof that my mom eventually stopped the torture of getting me a "mushroom" haircut, and my sister's hair recovered from years of damage from the hair dryer and curling iron. (Please scroll back up to the top picture one last time to truly appreciate the last comment.)

#28: A Time to Laugh, a Time to Cry, A Time to Cry because You Laughed So Hard

"Kid-Snippets"- For your viewing pleasure.  Thank you Haley.

•     Video #1- Math Class

Haley shared this video with me a couple of months ago, and I have to admit that this is how I feel some days teaching math.

Video #2- Weather Team

#27: Mobile Learning and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

      Since students and adults are continually linked to some kind of technological device, it seems logical that these devices, such as cell phones, iPads, and iPods, could be infused into instruction to enhance student engagement and produce successful learning outcomes. I'm interested in this topic because it seems like the most cost effective way to fulfill a one to one ratio with the student population.

    Below is information from an article in the April 2012 Tech & Learning magazine about the 10 Best Practices for BYOD.

1. Cover the whys.  What makes BOYD a good fit for your district?  You'll need to think through the options and outline the benefits.
2. Get buy-in.  You'll need a solid, written plan to get approval from your board and buy-in from parents and teachers.
3. Determine the devices.  Determine what you will allow on campus, including whether you'll only allow devices with wi-fi connectivity or also those with 3G connectivity.
4. Update all AUPs.  Set and share policies for what, when, and how students can use their own devices on campus and determine how you'll enforce them.
5. Plan your IT support protocols. Determine what IT will and won't do on personal devices, and what hours IT support will be available.
6. Educate teachers. Give them basic advice to support lessons across multiple platforms.
7. Address equality.  What will you do about students who don't have a device?  Make supplemental devices part of your plan.
8. Prepare your network. Get your wireless infrastructure ready for BYOD demands, determine how you will secure your primary network, force personally owned devices onto a separate LAN, and provide filtered access through that LAN.
9. Provide a platform. BYOD encourages anytime, anywhere, any device learning--so make sure you have a safe, mobile, collaborative platform compatible with any device that students and teachers can access for schoolwork, discussions, resources, assignments, and more.
10. Be prepared, but flexible. BYOD is a big change for many districts.  Prepare yourself by reading and listening to districts who have done it--but also be flexible and ready to adapt to unexpected surprises (good and bad).

Source: http://thinkfinity.org/message/45951#45951

    There are, however, barriers to implementing BYOD. One of which being the the "digital divide", or the idea that students from upper class families have a personal iPad, iPod, smart phone, or all of the above, and students from lower income families do not have access to such things to bring to school. Although this is true in some cases in my school, the majority of students above third grade have a connectable device that could be used during instruction. Another barrier is the infrastructure needed to connect the plethera of devices that are brought to school in a district of Madison County's size. Preparing and managing this type of connectivity requires many resources, including personnel and financial. Lastly, if teachers and administrators do not have a clear plan of how to incorporate many kinds of devices into instruction, the success of a BYOD program cannot be fulfilled. Many hours of professional development and collaboration must be spent to prepare for such a task. 

#26: New Test Tents

      In September, I embarked on a project I thought would only take three rolls of tape and one weekend. Several weeks ago in November, and seven rolls of tape later, I unveiled the new "test tents" to my students. Thankfully, they were excited to use them and appreciated the extra work space they provided. Thanks to their excitement, it made the project worthwhile. :)

Of course the test tents are accentuated with checkerboard duct tape to match my classroom theme. :) At least the girls appreciate it...hehe.

#25:  Digital Citizenship

     Children and adults alike are attached to technology through the day, every day. Just think about the number of times you texted or checked your facebook today. Also think about the verb I just used, texted. It has officially been adopted by dictionaries, making it obvious that technology has catapulted our society into a digital age. This being said, students and adults need to be informed about digital citizenship and the standards that exist in the digital, or online, world.

    One resource I found was a Live Binder library of compiled resources created for students of all ages and parents. Another resource that I use in my classroom to teach digital citizenship Brainpop. Although Brainpop requires a subscription to have full access to the videos, several of the digital security videos are free to the public. Here is one about specifically on digital citizenship. Since I am a visual learner, as if you can't tell from all the videos on my blog, I did a quick search of digital citizenship and came across this video that could be shown to faculty members prior to discussing digital citizenship instruction. I think teachers do a great job of teaching and compiling resources of what digital citizenship is, however, I think we need to pause and remember WHY we teach students to be responsible digital citizens as well. This video is a good reminder that we teach this content in order for students to be productive in the "digital society" in all of their future school and personal endeavors.

#24: The Role of Tablets (iPads) for Students with Special Needs

      Steve Jobs may not have planned, anticipated, or even dreamed of iPads revolutionizing education in the ways that they have, but education and life as we know it will never be the same. Particularly, students with special needs are using iPads to communicate and show learning. The acquisition of knowledge is the amazing and consistent find from the research being completed about iPads and special education. The iPad is an all inclusive assistive technology device that allows students to gain and retain knowledge fast that its predecessors.

    Below is a video showing iPads in action in the special needs classroom. It highlights my statement that iPads serve as a tool that allows all students, particularly students with special needs, to gain and retain knowledge. As with any technology, however, quality instruction from an effective teacher cannot be replaced by technology like iPads. The technology should enhance already exisiting good instruction.

#23: Tis the Season

   I love Christmas. I love it so much, in fact, that the day before Thanksgiving, I made..I mean, asked, my boyfriend to drag the Christmas tree up from the garage so I could put it up. I couldn't wait to smell (fake) pine, see burlap and mercury glass, and spread Christmas cheer throughout my house. Below are some snapshots of some of my favorite Christmas decorations...minus the pumpkins of course. :) That's just proof that outside it was still Thanksgiving, but inside was Santa-ready.

What is your favorite Christmas decoration you put up in your house?

#22: The Deppilf Classroom

    Ok..that was my attempt to be funny. If you didn't get it, well....keep looking.

    The flipped classroom is an education reform topic that intrigues me. So much, in fact, that I decided to write my research paper about it. As I collected my research, so much of the framework and reasoning behind this class model makes sense to me. The information I've posted below is a brief summary of the flipped classroom.

• Video #1: Aaron Sams and Jon Bergman are credited with the "flipped classroom". Below is a video explaining the driving forces behind their decision to "flip" and an example of the software program, Camtasia, that they used to create their vodcasts for students. 

• Video #2: This is a model of the flipped classroom. I REALLY like the way the information is presented, and I LOVE the clever use of the illustrations. 

• Flipped Classroom Infographic- from Knewton

   This is another visual model that provides a great, brief overview of flipped instruction. 

• The Flipped Classroom- This is the ppt I created about the flipped classroom from my research. It includes the basic framework, driving force, benefits, barriers, technology, and administrative roles associated with the classroom model. 

I hope after reading this, you start to "flip" out about flipped classrooms. Sorry...had to. 

#21: Student Choice: Puppy Birthday Paw-ty

     My puppy, Hattie, turned one couple of weekends ago, and in typically doggy fashion, we threw her a birthday paw-ty complete with doggy treats, party hats, balloons, and cake (for the adults, of course). She and her sister, Ella, had a blast and were very tired puppies by the end of the night. :)

The birthday girls! Hattie is the one on the right. :)

Hattie looks a little worn out from all the partying....

Yay for puppy paw-ties! I love an excuse to eat birthday cake!!

#20: What are the barriers of technology in education?
   As I researched this topic, I found a great article that discusses several relevant barriers to acquiring and integrating technology. The words written in red came from the article, however, the supplemental information is from me.

article link

1. Availability of and access to computers and the internet- This is a very, very common barrier that teachers get heartburn over. :) In  my classroom, I have two desktop computers we call "dinosaurs" because they seem ancient compared to the iPads, iPods, and even laptops we have in the school and in most classrooms. This is a very legitimate barrier, however, because if students do not have access to reliable, up to date computers, how are they expected to use technology? Furthermore, if we are supposed to be preparing them for the digital age of the future, I don't think part of this preparation includes making them wait 10 minutes to log on.

2. Lack of time- Another common complaint I hear frequently, and yes, teachers and administrators are equally pressed for time, however, technology skills and integration shouldn't be comprised due to lack of time. In fact, technology like our smart phones actually save us a tremendous amount of time. I think this "lack of time" is common among teachers when they are introduced to something that seems daunting to them, such as using a new software program, or integrating iPads into instruction. It could also be a legitimate complaint if this "lack of time" refers to the amount of time it takes to log on to a computer as I previously mentioned. Since teachers' time is precious, as is students', the professional development that is used to train the teachers on the technology that is intended to be implemented must be meaningful, relevant, and motivating.

3. IT Support- In order for technology to be implemented, teachers must feel that they have adequate help if something does not work correctly, which tends to happen as soon as first start the lesson.:) Institutional support, such as the school administration, and technical support need to have knowledge of the technology and/or software and have a list of people to contact in order to help teachers quickly.