Personal Learning Reflection CEP 810

      Upon reflection, I think that my original goal of creating a classroom web site as a portal for parents to be able to receive information from me was inappropriate.  At the time it was for me a lofty goal.  I now would like to change my goal from a one way communication tool to a real time two way tool for parents, students and teachers.  I now would like to have a website that includes a blog and possibly a chat room.  Through our SIG research we found a sites that allow teachers to have a classroom blog and the students to have their own blog sites.   I think this would create a whole new level of understanding for parents and a great way for them to be able to interact with their child and our classroom and not have to be in the room.  I also feel it would be a great place for students to showcase projects that they are working on in class or share a video of them reading an original story!  http://victoria-miriamsmoments.blogspot.com/This is very exciting and I can not wait to begin work on this project with Karmin! 
       In terms of teaching strategies I have come to realize that the content not the gadget is what is important.  How I can make the gadget work for me to make learning more accessible for my students.  I do however feel that I came to this realization only after learning what types of  technologies are available.  Using technology gets a quicker response between teacher and student it allows for more time on task versus the traditional methods.  I feel that I am a better teacher when I can reach more students and customize their learning and that is what I feel the I pad allows me to do.  I now need 24 more! 
      One assignment that made great impact on my teaching is social networking (Panwapa), I immediately brought that to my classroom and shared it as well as sharing it at home with my youngest.  I have used Facebook for a long time but had never realized all the features it has.  I had never tried Twitter before and I think that it may become a new favorite of mine.  Another assignment that was powerful was the I google page and the RSS feeds, I never even knew that they existed and I now check them daily.  I also really liked learning about the cloud and using Google docs has been a fun way to work with a group.  Zoho was not as fun, I was trying to use a few different computers and it was not reliable.  
       I do not feel that I met the goal of creating the classroom website, but I am glad because I have a whole new vision of what I want and I also think I will be able to create it.  One of my other goals was to write some grants to increase the amount of technology in my classroom and I have done that as well as submitting to Digital wish list and teachers wish list.  I am always looking for new ideas though!  Another goal was to increase the effective use of technology in my classroom and I feel that my teaching and my understanding of how and why to use technology has changed.  I am not using technology because it is cool...although it is, I am using it to help me reach the students more effectively. 
     I do have some new goals.  I would like to create a blog site and start to allow children to add their own sites.  I would like to spend some time creating a letter to parents sharing some of the wonderful things I have learned and I would like to spend some time sharing some of those ideas with my fellow teachers.  I think that the I google page and some of the apps that we have found could be helpful to them.  Finally, I would love to set aside some time each week to find new ways to reach my students using technology.
      

SIG Presentation: classroom communication via a Web site

Our SIG presentation, eventhough I didn't get to present it (which was really ok by me), was one of my favorite assignments our group worked well together and my vision for my classroom and it's website changed.  I now feel that a Blog or Chat room would be an awesome addition to a website.  Our presentation was done in Google Doc's and we put it into a presentation.  We added notes to the Presentation together at Panera the day our class was canceled so if you view it you can open the speaker notes to see what we were going to say.  Hope you enjoy!   
https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AVAZW0EFoL5aZGRxdHRnZm5fMGZuOTlyd2c3&hl=en&authkey=CMirn-wC
https://docs.google.com/#home

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AVAZW0EFoL5aZGRxdHRnZm5fMGZuOTlyd2c3&hl=en&authkey=CMirn-wC

Mobile Learning

      I would like to discuss mobile learning and how it has and will affect my teaching and learning in my classroom.  I chose mobile learning because I feel that as a First Grade teacher and a person who just bought an Ipad it is more relevant than Cloud computing.  I will not rule out the cloud for first graders but I would like to spend some more time learning before I unleash them in the cloud! 

     Mobile learning is an exciting new way to think of education.  I feel that as teachers we sometimes fall back to the way that we were taught. I have gained a new zest and so much new information.  I can not wait for a weekend or Spring Break to get back in and mess around with some of the new sites we have experienced.  I think that the app that I found that I can tape the childrens fluency reading a passage and download it to I tunes will make a huge difference in the childrens reading fluency.  http://www.fluencytimer.net/  It is not free but 3.99 from the Mac app store and I need only one subscription for my classroom.   I will be able to take the student in the corner of the room away from all distractions and get some good data that will help the student improve as a reader, how cool is that! 
       I feel that mobile learning is already impacting my classroom.  I have new rules too!  We have had to discuss that you can not just walk around with the I pad...it can fall and break!  My students came in to conferences this week looked around and went straight for the I pad.  I think this speaks volumes, they are so intrigued and motivated to learn while using this device they want to "play" on it during their free time.  I am hopeful that I can get a few more.  I feel that the I pad is influencing my classroom currently, I am using it to allow students who would normally not work together ("gifted" and "special needs") and they are both getting their accademic needs met. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ace-kids-math-games-hd-free/id367798719?mt=8   I use the I pad for some students to write during our phonics drills so that they can make the text glow.  I also use it during our center time so that the children are working on skills that we have learned in class and they are practicing those skills.  I found a Top it app and the kids love it.  We use Everyday math and it is a game that they play often but I have some children that are pulled out during that time for extra reading help, this allows me to be able to let those children practice their skills at a different time.  http://www.filecluster.com/iPhone/Everyday-Mathematics-Addition-Top-It-126357.html.  I do not feel that I have totally implemented this technology, I am always looking for ways to inhance what we are doing in the classroom.  I also feel that having a COW would be awesome.  I now have a wirless hub and I have used the mobile lab to publish books once before but it was a bit of a disaster because the children were not able to use a web based program and the template we created just didn't work.  I have found a few publishing sites that I think the kids would really enjoy and we could do a few together so that they feel comfortable and then try again.  http://www.zooburst.com/
I am looking for ways to try to get some more I pads in the classroom as well as flip cameras and a COW.  I am attempting to write some grants.  I am finding that many local grants have a 300. limit or need matching funds from the district so I am looking into some other possibilities.  This year I wrote a grants or asked for assistance from Barry/Calhoun ISD, Meemic, Discovery Education, Digital wish list and Teachers wish list.  I will continue to look, I am going to try to deal dirrectly with Best Buy and the Mac store next.  Wish me luck!

PC Maintence

I am so excited to tell my husband that we can get anti spyware, and anti virus software for free.  We have always used Norton Anti virus and the subscription just expired.  I think we will look into Avast!  or Grioft's AVG,  I did run the Windows clean up!  I knew to get rid of cookies but wow I didn't relaize how much residual info is left on the computer.  It continually suprises me that anti virus software is free.  I really enjoyed the format of Atomic learning.  I watched quite a few clips I found my self straying from the topic, I will have to spend some more time on this site later. 

creative commons photo- chicken

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.freefoto.com/imagelink/?ffid=01-06-65&s=s" ></script>

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.freefoto.com/imagelink/?ffid=01-06-65&s=s" ></script>

This is a creative commons photo of some chickens.  Credit to Ian Britton at freefoto.com

I would use this photo on my web site to let my parents see the type of chickens that we will be raising in our classroom.

 this photo is credited to Peter Shanks on Flickr

This is my family

DSCF3818 the fam      

creative commons liscencehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/massanari/

lesson plan Nets-s for first grade Animal research

Animal Research

. 

Subjects

1.                 Educational Technology

2.                 Language Arts

·         Reading

·         Writing

·         speaking

3.                 science

Grade

·                    Late first-second grade

Brief Description
Students will collaboratively research an animal of their choice, fill out a graphic organizer, create or find an illustration, using Kid Pix , Paint, or clipart, write a report, practice and video the presentation.  Presentations will be posted on the classroom website for parents to see.
Objectives
Students will

·                    write and create or find a picture to illustrate their findings.

·                    use their imagination and creativity.

·                    practice their mouse skills.

·                    practice basic computer navigation skills.

·                    use the internet to find out information on their animal. (with supervision)

·                    video or assist in video creation

·                    view other students research

Keywords
literacy, creativity, play, computer, mouse skills, research, clip art, illustration, animal, video, habitat, monitor, printer, keyboard

Materials Needed

·                    examples of other research projects

·                    Computer access.

·                    Computer-based drawing program: Microsoft Paint comes standard on most    newer PCs (Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Paint or access to Kid Pix

·                    Video camera

·                    Zoo Books

Lesson Plan

Explain to students that we are going to be doing a research project on an animal that they choose.  Explain that we will be using the computer and a video camera and talk about them as tools so that he children understand that they must behave in a polite way to be able to use the equipment. 
Share some examples of animal research projects that have been done in the past and help them choose an animal.  Zoo Books tend to be a good way for the students to narrow their animal.  First graders tend think in large categories vs. specifics.  I try to help the children choose a specific breed of dog rather than dog.  I spend a few days allowing children to peruse the zoo books and then natural groups start to emerge.  It is more comfortable for first graders to work in groups usually and I always give them the option of working on another project on their own later.
Students then begins to find additional information on the internet .  I supervise this part of the activity closely.  We print additional information and use highlighters to help find important bits of information that we want to include.
Students then fill out the graphic organizer to help get their ideas organized.  (see attached)
Students then write a report and create an illustration or graphic to accompany it.  Practice reading their report.  Students then video the presentation and publish it to the classroom website (with help).  Then the students will share their video with the class. 

Assessment

Evaluate each student's

·                    ability to work together.

·                    ability to create a quality project.

·                    comfort level using a computer, based on your observations.

·                    ability to use the mouse (click, hold, drag) effectively, based on your observations and on the printed worksheet.

Submitted By:
Nicole Massanari

Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS-)  PK-2
PK_2.CI Creativity and Innovation

·        use a variety of digital tools (word processors, drawing tools, graphic organizers) to create and convey original ideas or illustrate concepts.

PK_2.CC Communication and Collaboration

·        work together when using digital tools (word processing and drawing tools) to convey ideas or illustrate concepts relating to a specified project

·        use a variety of developmentally appropriate digital tools (word processors, paint programs) to communicate ideas to classmates families and others

PK_2.RI Research and Information Fluency

·        interact with internet based resources

·        use digital resources (graphic organizer)

PK_2.TC Technology Operations and Concepts

·        recognize and name the major parts of the computer (computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer)

Attachment on Google docs

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OSr8GYY7w0okTVXUOPCzGnMFbrSgqL5G-wBA-o7LsgM/edit?hl=en&authkey=CMGs4-QK

or

http://bit.ly/fCmI23

Name___________________________

Animal Report

Animal_________________

Resources_______________

Habitat (where it lives)

Food___________________

Drink___________________

Babies__________________

Size____________________

Sleep___________________

Play____________________

Interesting Facts__________________________________________

Other interesting facts___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Draw a picture of your animal in its habitat.

Social networking

Social Networking was facebook exclusively to me before this class began I had never thought of trying to incorporate my idea of social networking into my first grade classroom.  To me Social networking was connecting wit old High school and college buddies and an occasional old boy friend.  I chatted with Aunts and Uncles and even my Great Uncle Walt who is in his 80's.  I  traded recipes and caught up with my parents.  I never imagined what social networks could do for people.  I joined LinkedIn and I can see how someone who is looking for employment could use this amazing tool.  I joined MAET and read some interesting articles in the feeds.  I have to say my favorites were Edmodo and Panwapa.  I can see how a teacher could use Edmodo in the classroom.  They can create their own little network!  The calendar feature as well as the chat would be helpful to students and they can check on their progress and turned in work anytime.  I think that this is awesome I shared it with my husband who is a high school art teacher and I will be sharing it with my principal.  I am not sure that it is right for first grade but maybe second and definately third and fourth.  I signed up on Panwapa and my four year old, Samantha heard the music and for the next hour we created a Panwapa, it's habitat and flag!  Then we visited 10 different countries and met children and learned about things that are special in their country. 
Incase you are interested we are usa125093 password johanna.  It was a ton of fun and I can see how I can and will use this in my classroom.  The cards that the children collect when they go to different countries are a good way for me as a teacher to monitor their time on the site.  I think that my kids will love it.  I know Sammie did!  So, my vision of social networking has changed and I am excited to learn more and hopefully find more wonderful things to share with my students.