Introduction to Educational Technology

       Over the course of the semester I have learned a great deal about educational technology and all the resources that are available for teachers and educators. I had a chance to learn about Microsoft and the applications that are offered within the software. I took an in-depth look at Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. All of these applications are teacher friendly and help teachers to enhance their lessons. I also learned about Smart board technology and iPads for students and teachers. One of the most beneficial topics that I learned about was the online classroom tools and applications. There are so many resources available for teachers and I got to explore and use many of them. This semester was a great learning opportunity for me and I am excited to use all of my new knowledge and skills in my own classroom. Educational technology helps to engage students and enhance the learning environment. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be apart of the Educational Technology Specialist program and look forward to everything else I will be learning.
       To end the semester I created a non-linear PowerPoint presentation. This presentation is about different Habitats that exist around the world. My PowerPoint gives the students a chance to learn specifically about four habitats. These habitats are grasslands, arctic, ocean, and rainforest. The students will learn about the climate, plants, and animals that exist in each of these habitats. The PowerPoint is non-linear because the students can choose which habitat to learn about and explore first. Then the students can go back to the main page and choose another habitat. I feel I have learned a lot about PowerPoint and hyperlinking within the PowerPoint. I am pleased with all that I have learned in this class and will continue to try new lessons with my new knowledge of educational technology.

Podcasting

       In class this week we took a look at podcasting and the applications that are available for podcasting. Podcasting is the creation of a digital audio file. This file can be recorded or just editted. One of the applications that can be used for podcasting is Audacity. Audacity is a free download for just about every computer. This application allows you to create podcasts by recording and editing the podcast. Audacity allows you to cut and edit the file and then add in sounds and transitions. There are multiple effects that can be used and added in. I enjoy using Audacity and think it is pretty simple to use. I believe that most teachers would feel comfortable using Audacity and would be able to teach their students to use it as well. 

        In the classroom podcasting can be used by creating discussions and book talks. I have actually used podcasting to create a book talk/discussion that turned out really well. I used Audacity to record the discussion and then edit the recording. It is a great resource to know about and to use. 

        There are so many tools to use when it comes to podcasting and it is the teachers responsibility to look into which tools work the best and then to share these tools with fellow educators. Podcasting is a great way to mix up the ELA time in school and help students to engage in a more technological form of learning. 

Smart Boards

       This week I was given a chance to work with a smart board and the smart notebook program that corresponds with the smart boards. The smart notebook program was a fun program to explore and learn about. There are so many great tools that are available to make the use of the smart board even easier. I like that you are able to download the smart notebook program onto any computer and then use it with a smart board. This allows teachers to plan and prepare lessons at home and then to implement them at school.
       One of my favorite parts of using the smart notebook program is that ability to create in-depth lessons and activities that are interactive for the students and allows them to come up and use the board. Getting students involved in the lessons helps them to absorb the material and to take control of their learning. Smart notebook allows teachers to put in pictures, web links, and text that can then be "touchable" on the smart board. Students can tap the board to go to the links or move the pictures. I also like how there is a feature to "lock in place" pictures and text so students cannot move them. This allows teachers to have more control over what students are moving.
      The smart board itself is a large interactive board which teachers and students can use to interact with lessons and get involved with the material. Students can write on the smart board by using the provided pens or even their fingers. Students have the option to type with the keyboard and go from the lesson to the actual web. Smart boards are a great size because all students can see them and be aware of what is happening on the board.
       Overall, I think that smart boards are easy to follow and have so many tools to enhance student learning. Smart notebook is a program that will help to develop more interactive and stimulating lessons for students. Students will want to be involved in the activity and will be more eager to take turns and take a chance at learning the new material. I look forward to spending more time learning about the smart board and smart notebook and all they have to offer.

iPads in the Classroom

      This week I had the chance to explore iPads and the educational apps that are available for them. I took an in-depth look at five different apps and analyzed two of them using two different evaluation forms.
        The first form is called the "critical evaluation of a content based mobile app." The second form is called the "evaluation rubric for iPad apps." I felt that the first form was much easier to use and fill out. This type of form would also be beneficial for other educators to read and look at because the information was so detailed. The first form contained information such as; content area of app, price of app, levels of Bloom's taxonomy, components of app, summary of app, and rating of the app. I felt that this gives a detailed overview of the specific app that is being looked at and analyzed. I would use a form like this when referring an app to another teacher or even a parent. It is easy to follow and contains so much important information.
       The second form which is actually a rubric, contains less information. This rubric just looks at the curriculum content, feedback, user friendliness, motivation for students, and authenticity. All of these categories are in the first form. This rubric does not allow for information about the title, specific content area, price, rating, or Bloom's taxonomy. I feel that this rubric is not as beneficial and is much wordier then the first form. It does not provide educators with the proper information when analyzing an app. I would choose to use the first form.
       The five apps that I took a look at are Story Builder, Sign 4 Me, First Then, iPrompts, and Living Safely. Each of these apps allows student to work on a specific skill and to grow more independently in the classroom. Story builder gives students a chance to look at a picture of a situation with text about the scene and a question about what is happening. The students then have the chance to answer the question and record what they have said. Sign 4 Me gives students the chance to type in a word and then visually watch the correct way to sign the word. This is great for learning new signs and for reviewing old ones, even for teachers. First Then allows teachers and students to create a daily classroom schedule. The schedule can include word prompts and pictures. iPrompts allows teachers and students  to create visual picture cues. These cues can sometimes use words and help to promote a student's independence in the classroom. The visual cues allow students to better understand tasks and what is being asked of them. The last app I looked at was Living Safely. This app allows students to learn about safety topics and how to be safe. Each topic has a step by step list of ways to be safe and reminds you of specific things to remember about being safe.
       Overall, I enjoyed exploring all the different kinds of educational apps that are out there and available to students and teachers. I feel these apps help to enhance learning and give students the chance to become more independent learners in the classroom.

Creating a Website

       This week I had the chance to create a website using Weebly. I was surprised to see all of the templates they offer to people. First, I had to choose the template I wanted to use and then I was ready to begin. Creating a website was not as difficult as I had expected. I figured there would be many challenging aspects but using Weebly made everything fairly simple. Weebly allows you to choose the number of pages, the type of text, and the images you want to include. From there you type in the information and add the links you want your page to connect to. I think that Weebly makes creating a website simple and easy, as long as you are aware of the information you want to put into the site.
       Overall, I feel that creating a website is something I can do in the future. I know I have much more to learn when it comes to creating websites but with time and practice I should have a well thought out and professional website for my classroom.

Assistive Technology Research Paper

   
    For my research paper, I decided to write about assistive technology in schools. I took a look at assistive technology in and out of the classroom and all that goes into getting the technology. I decided to do research on the roots and history of assistive technology, as well as the current state of assistive technology. I found out how many types of assistive technology there is available for students who have a learning disability. I especially enjoyed learning about how a student's individualized education plan comes into play when trying to get assistive technology for that student. I then took a look at how assistive technology and educational technology in general has changed over the years. Educational and assistive technology offers so much for students and having researched the topic makes me feel more comfortable understanding and using this technology. 

       

     Through my experiences in the classroom and working with students, I believe that assistive technology is a beneficial resource for students who need assistive support to strengthen and increase their learning ability in school. I have seen first hand how wonderful assistive technology devices are and would encourage all schools to look for and provide all the assistive technology services they can. Assistive technology helps to adequately support and guide a student’s learning in the classroom. It is a substantial and sufficient tool that will give students everything they need to succeed in school and in life.

      I think that the use of assistive technology will allow students to become more independent learners and it will give them more confidence in the classroom. Assistive technology is apart of a student's right to free and appropriate education. All students should be given the chance to do well in school with the appropriate tools and resources. I think that assistive technology is an adequate learning tool for students to use.

Learning Disabilities

       The F.A.T. Workshop series on Youtube, was a very powerful and eye opening series to watch. It allowed for the audience to experience and get a feel for what it is like to have a learning disability. It shows the anxiety, frustration, and tension that students with a learning disability experience everyday.
       There were many parts of this series that stood out to me. First off, the idea of sarcasm in a classroom and how that can truly affect a student with a learning disability. The man in the video mentioned how simple sarcasm can be forgotten within minutes for most students and teachers, where as a student with a learning disability will remember the comment for the rest of the day. Many of these students are afraid to comment or volunteer in the classroom because they are afraid of what the teacher will say and of what the students will say. They also may be scared to not get any feedback at all.
       Another part in the series that stood out to me was how students with learning disabilities take many more steps to process a question. The students will hear the question and then separate each word so it makes sense. This will allow the student to process the question and come up with the correct answer. The struggle here is that, the processing takes time and all the other students are 10 questions ahead. An idea to help with this, was when the man talked about standing in a specific part of the room so the student knows when he or she will be called on and can prepare themselves to answer a question. The other students will not know this is occurring but the student with the learning disability will feel more comfortable and confident.
      One of the last points I found to be interesting was when the man talked about how students feel if "I cannot see the teacher, then the teacher cannot see me." This makes the students feel as if they can hide from being called on. I think it is important that teachers work with students with learning disability to make them comfortable in the classroom.
       Overall, this series inspired me to become more knowledgeable of all the students in my classroom. Most of the teachers in the video wanted to give up after a few minutes of the experience. Just imagine having the learning disability for life. Teachers must become aware of their students needs and help them in a way that makes them feel comfortable and does not involve every other student.