Blogpholio

Intro Video

            The intro video we did at the beginning of the semester went along with standard 3b: Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.  We got together in groups to video each other for 30 seconds.  Then we had to learn how to upload our videos to our blog pages.  I liked this project because it was a good way to get to know the other girls in the class.  I would probably use this activity as an icebreaker at the beginning of a school year.

Concept Map

            The concept map assignment went along with standard 1c: Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning and creative processes.  We had to research our topics and write 5 paragraphs on it using Inspiration Software.  Having students use this software can definitely show a teacher whether or not her students have a conceptual understanding of their topic.  I really liked this software, and I would love to have a classroom edition one day.  I downloaded the free trial on my laptop at home, and I have used it as an outline to write papers for my online class.

Movie

            The movie we made went along with standard 3a: Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.  We used Dropbox so we could have access to the song and the pictures that we picked to use for our movies.  We then used Movie Maker on the computer lab’s computers to put our pictures together with music in the background.  I have fooled around with different moviemaker programs, but I never really knew what I was doing.  It was nice to have some instruction and learn more about how to use the program.  I found this project to be very helpful.

Web Page

            The web page that we made went along with standard 4a: Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.  We practiced ethical use of digital information by making classroom web pages for parents.  I honestly had no idea that you could make a website with Google apps.  It was rather easy once you get the idea of putting tables in every section and page.  I will definitely use this in the future to create a classroom website when I have my own classroom.  It could also be a fun group project for students to show what they’ve learned on a particular topic.

Voki

            Our Voki activity went along with standard 2a: Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and activity.  Voki is definitely a digital tool that can promote student learning and activity.  As we discussed in class, a teacher could make an Abraham Lincoln Voki and have him tell the class a little about himself.  I’m glad we were introduced to this website because it opens the door for many teaching and learning opportunities.  I would love to use Voki in my classroom one day.  A teacher could also assign students a person to research and have them make a Voki that looks like that person and have them present it to the class.