Assistive Technology Blog

          I learned from the assistive technology assignment that students with disabilities were also provided a way to use technology that would increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. I learn that there are many way that students who have hearing, visually, and who are mobility impaired could be adapted while using a computer. For example, you could change the display to a high contrast extra large scheme, magnifier, toggle keys, alert flashes, and so on.

            I did not encounter any problems while navigating through this activity. It was fairly easy as well as interesting while completing it. The instructor provided well written instructions to follow in order to complete the assignment.    

            I could integrate this knowledge if I were to have a student who had some type of disability. I would be well aware of some options that I could perform to accommodate my student(s). For example, I could display an on screen keyboard to assist a student who has a physical impairment and uses a pointer to access the computer.

            Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility would be the NETS-T standard that would best fit this assignment. This standard addresses the diverse needs of all learners by using a learner centered strategy and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. This assignment allows student with disabilities to also have a opportunity to participate and use digital tools as well to learn. This opportunity will allow the students to interact socially with their peers and not feel left out of the activity.

To see the assistive technology powerpoint I created, click here.
 

Web Tools Blog

           From the web tools assignment, I learned how to create a rubric, wordle, story, and track. I did not know it was so simple to make a rubric and that there were websites that could actually guide you to make your own rubric. I found that be very interesting. I found the wordle, story, and track to be interesting as well because I did not know these things could be created. I learned that were tools that I could access online that would benefit me in the future.

            One problem that I encountered was with the story. I started my story in the classroom, but when I got home to complete my story, I found that it did not save and that I had to start over completely. Lucky enough, I wrote the story down before I started so I was able to retrieve the information and complete my assignment before its due date.

            One way I could integrate web tools in future teaching by creating a checklist so that the students could use to check off the required components of each assignment before it is time to turn it in to make sure they have all that is required. I would use the other tools as well to differentiate instruction so that each student learning style is met.

            Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity is the NETS-T standard that best fit this assignment. This standard focuses on creativity and exploring real world issues while using a digital tool. This standard requires students to think and plan out information and then present it in a that uses technology. The assignment required one to use the computer and online web tools to create a rubric, wordle, track, and story. The assignment required one to be creative, think, and plan out what it was that they wanted to do and say but also created an environment where they were actually learning as well.

To see the rubric I created, click here.
To see the wordle I created, click here.
To see the story I created, click here.
To see the track I created, click here.

                       

Google Group Blog

           From the Google group assignment, I learned how to create a group where the group and I could collaborate to engage in a discussion, create a story together where each person had a part in the story to create that could be shared using Google drive, and also the opportunity to make a powerpoint using Google..This assignment also taught me how to arrange information where others could or could edit it as well as whether or not I wanted only group members to see it or if I wanted it viewed publicly.

            I did not encounter any problems with this assignment. It was fairly easy and self explanatory. The instructions were well organized and presented in a way that was easy to follow and understand.

            I could integrate Google groups in the future by having the students create a group where they will have to communicate via email and through a story to complete an assignment. This will help students get the feel of group work and come together as one to make a group decision.

            The NETS-T standard that would best fit this assignment would be design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments. This standard involves learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning as well as an environment where students pursue their own individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. This assignment was designed where students had to create a beginning, middle, and end of a story at their own rate using their own ideas as well as participating in a group to complete this task successfully. This assignment was also organized in a way where a student had to create their own presentation in which they had to make a choice of what they would write about and what pace they would work to complete the activity.

To see the Powerepoint I created, click here.

My Movie Blog

From the my movie assignment, I learned that a story could be told by using photographs as well as a few words to tell a story. This assignment made me aware that I could add sound as well as I was telling a story. I learned that a movie does not have to be an hour or two long to tell a story or have meaning. It could be two to three minutes where a single picture can tell a story.

            One problem I encountered was trying to find a way to time my pictures just right so that the right words would appear above the right picture. The resolution to the problem was stretching out the length of time that the pictures were supposed to actually appear.

            I can integrate this knowledge into future teaching by having the students to make a movie so that I could become more familiar with something that is important to them, get to know them as a person as well as their likes and dislikes. This would be a different way of expressing themselves and finding out more about to students and their background.

            The NETS-T standard that would best fit this assignment would be model digital-age work and learning. This standard involves communicating relevant information and ideas using a digital format. This assignment involved using multimedia and pictures to organize a movie to tell a story that was relevant and important to the student. This standard involves showing how to use technology in a way that also promotes learning.

To see the movie I created with pictures, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwFsYBdycqI

Turnitin Assignment

From the turnitin assignment, I learned that if you are not careful, it is easy to plagiarize even when it is not your intentions. Even summarizing something someone else wrote is considered plagiarizing because those were not your initial thoughts. To be on the safe side any time you use someone else’s work, cite it. That is the best most useful thing I can take from this assignment.

I did not encounter any problems while completing this assignment. The turnitin assignment sheet that was given by the instructor was very informing and guided me through the assignment with no problems. Also, the website was very easy to navigate through. I think that was because I was already familiar with turnitin before now.

I can relate this in a future lesson by having the students to submit all their writing assignments through turnitin. This will insure that the students are coming up with their own ideas and not passing someone else’s work as their own. The students would then be familiar with turnitin for future classes as well.

The NETS-T standard that best fit this assignment is the one that promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. This standard involves the use of digital information and technology and also the appropriate documentation of sources. The turnitin assignment involved the use of technology and information being uploaded to the computer. The website detects whether or not sources are cited properly; so by completing this assignment, it shows what happens and the percentage when they are not cited properly and then guide you into the correct way of completing the assignment successfully and also what it should look like when you have not plagiarized.
 
To see the turnitin assignment I create, click here.