NAEP NCES

Looking at the NCES statistics for 8th grade math scores was eye opening. It was very interesting to look at the scores of the different states and the comparison of male and female scores for each state. It was much easier this time around to do the t-test and report the data. Having to do this assignment was a good way for me to refresh my data analysis and APA skills. Click here to see my findings!

YouTube Account

I already have an existing YouTube account.  I don't use it often. I use it the most to find videos that will enhance lessons that I have taught.

Getting Videos From the Web to Your Computer

After completing the Real Player assignment at the beginning of the semester, I have utilized that source.  I currently teach 5th grade science.  There are some informative YouTube videos out there.  If I find one that I want to use to enhance the science lesson, this is what I do:

-Download Real Player (I already have this)
-Open Real Player (I can open mine from my desktop)
-Find the search box and search for a video
          -if you know the name of the video type it in the search box
          -if you don't know the name of the video, type the source which you wish to search for the video
          -search web (I typed in youtube.com)
-Once you find the video you want, in the upper right hand corner, click download.
          -the video will be downloaded to your Real Player
-Go to Library, click on your video (you should see a menu) convert your video to a .wmv
-You can now access your video without having to be on the internet! Your video can be found in your Real Player Library
-You may choose to burn your video or add it to a play list.

I access my downloaded videos from my Real Player Library.  I have never had a problem accessing them this way.  The students love when they get to watch a short video clip that goes along with what we are learning!

ISTE Standards:
1- Facilitate & Inspire Student Learning & Creativity
Standard 1 is met by allowing the students to learn in a different way.  You are enhancing lessons with videos.  Students could also create a video and/or find a video that they want to use for a project and follow the steps above.

2-Design & Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences & Assessments
By allowing the students to create their own video, they can learn digital-age skills.  Technology is only going to advance so if we introduce them to concepts like this early, they are more likely to understand more difficult concepts down the road.

3-Model Digital-Age Work & Learning
Getting a video from the web and to your computer is digital-age work! Allow the students to do this so they can learn. By you modeling how this is done, students should easily grasp the concept.

Action Research

Completing this Action Research project was quit a task for me.  I had to keep referring back to the discussion board and meeting with a classmate.  I was more worried about putting my paper in APA format. I am not real familiar with APA format so having to do this was the hardest thing for me.  The t-test were reasonably easy to do. I felt comfortable doing the t-test, making the tables, and creating the tables.

Data Analysis

Wow! This project was quit the task for me. At first I thought it wasn't going to be bad. After I started working on it I was baffled by how confused I was. After asking questions, watching screen casts and trying to figure things out on my own I think I am on the  right track. However, I do not think that my data on my tables is correct but it was the best I could do. Take a look at my Data Stats.

Excel

I took the excel sheet that was sent to us and assigned all of the "words" a number value. I was kind of lost at first about what to do with this assignment but after I sat down and looked at some of my classmates blog posts, I figured it out and it wasn't bad at all. I have used excel before and I once had to use it for a part time job. I would consider myself okay at using excel. I wish I was better but excel seems to frustrate me way worse than any other program in Microsoft office.

14.5 was the average for the blog posts. I was above average with 18 blog posts.

ISTE NETS Standard 2 was met with this project. Students can learn and develop digital age technology by having to enter data into a spreadsheet and then have to perform different functions to the data.

ToolPack

I have downloaded the tool pack for Excel. I had to find a link that worked for Microsoft Office 2007. I did and successfully downloaded tool pack. I can find tool pack under the data tab under analysis.

Pew Millennial Test

My Pew Millennial score was 43!  Which means that I scored closest to the Gen Xer generation (1965-1980).  I consider my self kind of old fashioned compared to most of my classmates so I guess this score is accurate.

This activity meet the following ISTE NETS Standard 1.

Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Standard 1 is met because you can allow your students to take this test and they can see where they are in comparison to their parents and grandparents.  This inspires student learning because maybe they would be interested in how their parents scored on the test. 

Personality Post 2

In the second personality test that I took, my four letter code is ISFJ.  In this code, there is only one difference. This test says that I am in Introvert.  I would say that there are times when I like to be by myself but there are also times where I like to be in a group of people.  I think the Myers Briggs personality test in Personality Post 1 fits me better!

This personality test also meets ISTE NETS Standard 1.  Students can take the two tests and compare their results.  They can decide which personality tests reflects their personality and why.

Personality Post 1

I am amazed how a persons personality effects their way of life and thinking.  I was excited for this assignment because I like to learn about my personality.  Choosing the four letters made me anxious to see what my personality profile says.

I am Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judging.  ESFJ was my four letter code.  I am an Extraversion because I enjoy working in groups. I believe that working in groups allows each person to bring something special to the group in order to get the task accomplished.  I enjoy time with my friends and know a lot of people.  I am Sensing because I remember things by being a part of them or seeing them take place.  I often can restate facts and rely on them to back me up.  I am Feeling because I care about what other people think, sometimes a little too much.  I want everyone to be happy!  I am Judging because I have to have a plan!  I like to know what's going on.  It makes me feel organized and at peace.

My personality description reads as follows:

Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute. 

Wow! This description pretty much fits me to a tee!  Very cool.  I don't disagree with anything that it says.

This personality test meets ISTE NETS Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  Allow your students to take a look at the Myers Briggs . Let them come up with their personality code and reflect on it.  After learning their personality code, they may be inspired to look into things they do in order to see if their personality code reflects them.

Audacity 2

Well, I have completed my Audacity project. I definitely came across some struggles while creating my project. If I could better figure out some of the ways to edit my Audacity project I think it would have turned out a little better.

Listen to my podcast! 

The Audcaity project can meet several ISTE NETS Standards.  This project met the following standards:

Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Standard 1 was met because if students know that they get to create something, they are more than likely to be engaged in the assignment.  Creating a podcast is a great way for students to be creative.  

Standard 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiments and Assessments 

Standard 2 was met because students are designing their own podcast and they are developing digital-age learning experiments because podcasts are a big thing right now.  By getting to create a podcast they get to experience current technology. 

Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning 

Standard 3 was met because you are going to model how to complete the assignment and they are going to actually create it.  While you are modeling the assignment, I'm sure that there will be some students who will be able to teach you something new.  Modeling the Audacity project can be a learning experience for everyone. 

Audacity 1

Our current project for this class is an Audacity project.  Prior to this project I had never heard of Audacity.  To be honest I was very nervous about this project and am still nervous.  Audacity takes some getting used to in order to use it.  Since I had never worked with Audacity before I had to do some reading, watch some tutorials, and learn by trial and error. After we create our Audacity project we have to publish it has a podcast. I've heard of podcast's but I didn't really know what they were. I had never watched or listened to one prior to this assignment. We used a site called PodBean to publish our podcast. Our final podacast's can be viewed at podbean.

This project has been a learning experience for me.

Voice Thread

Creating the voice thread was a pretty simple task.  I actually thought it was kind of nice to respond to something by voice instead of text.  I think that by using voice thread, you could involve your students in a number of activities.

By using voice thread, you are able to meet three of the ISTE NETS Standards.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Voice thread facilitates and inspires student learning and creativity because it is a new way to respond to a topic in class discussion.  Students might be more apt to pay attention and be intrigued if they know that they are going to get to record their voice.  This is something new that would engage students in class discussion. 
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experience and Assessment
Using voice thread is a digital-age learning experience because it is something new. The students will record their own voice to respond.  This is current technology and the students get to be a part of it.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
By using the voice thread website, you are modeling digital-age work and the students will get to learn through you modeling voice thread.

Benderconverter

I created my presentation on the three states of matter. We discussed the three states of matter this week in science. The presentation includes basic information about solids, liquids, and gases.  The presentation is not too in depth because fifth grade mostly focuses on how the particles exist in each state.



This was a challenge for me because I struggled to post the presentation to my blog. I also had problems figuring out out the download the video.

This activity related to ISTE NETS Standards 2 and 3.
Standard 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiments and Assessments - The benderconverter activity meet this standard because the teacher is using current technology to develop a presentation that is going to enhance the content that they are teaching. It is also a learning experience for the teacher to use this type of technology to teach with.
Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning - The benderconverter activity meets this standard because the teacher is modeling technology.  The teacher uses a form of technology that is current and promotes learning. By using this presentation, the teacher models the use of the presentation and video and it adds to the lesson.

Jing Screencast

Creating the Jing Screencast was fairly easy.  I do not have a mic at home so there is not sound.  If sound needs to be added I will borrow a mic from school and record sound.  Creating a screencast would be helpful for teaching someone how to do something.  Sometimes when I am trying to show my parents how to do something on the computer, I know I move too fast because I understand how to do it.  I could easily create a screencast of what they want to know how to do and hey could learn from that.

The Jing Screencast follows ISTE NETS Standards 1, 2 and 3.

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a.	promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b.	engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c.	promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d.	model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b.	develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c.	customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d.	provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

PCK Reading Two

The PCK reading really makes you think.  As a teacher, we know that pedagogy, content, and knowledge are all important.  Some of us may have a greater understanding of one of these and not know much about the other.  It is important that we understand all of them because PCK exists at the intersection of content and pedagogy. As technology begins to advance, some teachers feel that they have no intersection between content and pedagogy.  New technologies have changed the classroom is various ways and using technology to teach is one of them.  For example, if a teacher has a smart board available to them but they do not feel comfortable using it, they will not because they don't know how to teach the content using that technology.  As technology continuously changes, it is important that we as teachers take it upon ourselves to learn how to use the technology and learn how to teach with it.

This reading went along with ISTE NETS Standard 3.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Jeopardy

Creating the Jeopardy game was fun!  I had to create one for Instructional Technology as an undergrad and it was much more complicated.  The Jeopardy template is super easy to use.  I created my Jeopardy game on matter.  Matter is what we are currently learning about in the fifth grade science class that I am teaching.  Check out my Jeopardy game!

The Jeopardy game follows ISTE NETS Standards 1, 2 & 3.  I think that the Jeopardy game is a creative way for teachers to provide their students with practice.  It is always a way to model your fluency in technology.  As a teacher, you also have to design the Jeopardy game to meet the needs of your students.  Thus, I think that the Jeopardy game is a good way to meet multiple standards plus the students are going to be intrigued by the project because it is fun and interactive. .

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a.	promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
b.	engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
c.	promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d.	model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

a.	design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
b.	develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
c.	customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
d.	provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Word Cloud

By creating a Wordle, you can create word clouds that relate to the content you are talking about. I find this a very interesting site.  I created my first Wordle in an under grad class and was thinking about doing one with my fifth graders. I'm glad we did this because know I know how to make one and how it can get all of the student involved.

Using the Wordle demonstrated ISTE NETS Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Jing Image

Above is the image that I captured using Jing. I am going to start using a program called edmodo in a technology class that I am teaching. The Jing image shows the other teachers at my school who use the program and how I can connect with them.  If I click on the "connect" button under the teacher's name.  A teacher will get a request from me to follow them.  

The screencast is a capture of edmodo. Edmodo is a blogging site used by teachers and students. I am excited to start using this program.

Using Jing relates to ISTE NETS Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. 

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

a.	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b.	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
c.	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
d.	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Self Portrait

I have created a self portrait of my self using Picassohead.  This site is very cool!  I think the students in my technology class would enjoy this.  At first I was unsure of how I was going to "flip" objects.  I soon learned that there was a toolbar below that was very helpful.  For example, when I added my eyes, they were going different directions.  Thus, I started exploring the website and learned about the "flip" tool that I could use.

Snipping Tool

The snipping tool is a very helpful tool.  I began using the snipping tool when I was creating my student teaching portfolio.  The pictures that I was wanting to add were too large to I started using the snipping tool.  Since then, I have used it for several other purposes.

Above is an image that I used the snipping tool for.  If you only want a certain part of the image, you could use the snipping tool for that.  I know that the snipping tool can also be used for other things!  It is a very handy tool to know about! 

TPCK Article

This article was very interesting.  As a teacher, I constantly think about the way I am teaching the content, however, sometimes I have to refresh myself on the content. I think that having knowledge of the content is extremely important when it comes to how you teach.

As technology continues to advance, there are several fun things that you can do with technology while teaching. While these things our out there, we may not have the knowledge of them or how they work.  For example, I am not an experienced blogger so it would be hard for me to integrate blogging into my class but it would be super cool and my students would love it.  It is important for us, as teachers, to possess the background knowledge of the content that we are going to teach.

Diigo Assignment

Social bookmarking is honestly something that I have never heard of before. I am an avid user of Google Chrome and add sites to my tool bar that I think will be helpful when I am teaching and for my personal use.  I am currently using the following add ons: myCampus FSU, Gmail, WVDE Webmail, and Diigo.  I find the tool bar helpful because I cannot always remember websites that I have visited. I am excited to start using Diigo and the Diigo add on to my tool bar. I think that this will be helpful when it comes to researching. Diigo always has advantages because it allows you to interact with others following the same topics. 


Diigo follows NETS Standard: 3-Model Digital-Age Work & Learning

Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:

	demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
	collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
	communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
	model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning. I believe that using Diigo most closely relates to this standard because Diigo allows you to collaborate with others, helps you become fluent in the different uses for technology, and gives you a place to bookmark all of your own resources to aid you in research and learning.

Introduction

Hi!  My name is Rose Ann Levelle and I am a current graduate student in the Master's of Reading program at FSU.  I graduated in May 2011 with a BA in Elementary Education (specialization in Math 5-9).  While working on my Master's I am teaching a half a day at Fairview Middle School.