Twitter Chat

I participated in two Twitter Chats. I participated in #flipclass and #edtechchat. Both discussions were very beneficial to my classroom instruction. I am looking at incorporating more technology into my classroom and eventually start flipping my math classroom. Many of the tools that were shared are resources that I can use to enhance my teaching approach. I really enjoyed the multiple comments that people were able to make in order to keep the conversation going and contribute to the overall learning. The chats offered different resources to utilize and gave several credible news articles to support using such resources in the classroom. One thing that I found challenging was the fast pace of the tweets. I found myself constantly having to scroll up and down in order to be able to read each tweet and get the useful resources and information I was looking for. Overall, I really enjoyed participating in my Twitter Chats and I feel as though I will continue participating in them in the future.

Blog Post #5

My Professional Learning Network has grown tremendously throughout this course and the other courses that I have taken through the MET program. I continue to add more and more to my network each week and feel more confident utilizing such resources and collaborative tools in my classroom. I feel as though I now have knowledge and expertise to share with others and can collaborate with my Professional Learning Networks through work in order to encourage growth and further exploration of technology and other resources.

Check out the Prezi that I made on my PLN:
http://prezi.com/mtz4dtuj0tem/edit/#26_238900

Blog Post #4

This week we were challenged to join two different resources that could be utilized often in the classroom. I chose to explore and expand upon my previous knowledge of both Facebook and Pinterest.

For the past ten years I have used Facebook consistently. I was a huge Facebook advocate and refused to use other resources such as Twitter. Now that I have opened my eyes to other resources, I have realized the educational benefit behind many of these sites. Facebook can be used for social purposes, but it can also be used to collaborate and communicate with others in order to expand one's understanding. There are many "pages" and links that you can like and join in order to explore various topics and be a part of the social network. I feel like Facebook can be useful in the classroom, but I think that Twitter is a better educational tool and I am very glad I have the opportunity to explore this resource throughout this course.

The second resource I explored was Pinterest. I have been on Pinterest before but mainly for planning my wedding and picking up new recipes. So this week I decided to explore the category of education and I was completely amazed at the ideas, lessons, and practices that were supplied for any teacher to use. Their were great ideas of how to get students motivated and engaged in the classroom instruction. I found a lot of resources that pertained to English Language Learners and students with special needs. One of the resources that I found most useful was Teachers Pay Teachers.  This website offers to ability to pay or download other teacher's work, lessons, and resources in order to enhance your classroom. Their are hands-on activities and interactive resources that can promote student learning. I love the idea that some resources are free and available for immediate download and others can be paid for in order to not have to "reinvent the wheel". I also love the resource of Khan Academy. This is a resource that would be most useful in my mathematics classroom so students can watch videos of the content we have covered in order to reinforce topics or gain another perspective on the lecture. Overall, I think that Pinterest is an amazing tool that has wonderful opportunities for classroom improvement. I cannot wait to start utilizing these sites more frequently.

Networked Classroom Week 4

While reading through Richardson and Mancabelli (2011), I was able to understand the advantages and disadvantages that a networked type classroom portrays. They illuminate the desire to change the typical type of classroom from a standard lecture style, to a more collaborative and hands-on learning experience. Networked classrooms can open up a new world of understanding, collaboration, and communication. Students can learn problem-solving skills while also having the constant ability to utilize technology and other resources. With this type of classroom, students can become teachers and start making meaningful connections to the curriculum as well as relate their studies to the real-world.

Another advantage of utilizing a networked classroom is the ability to have constant access to coursework. Everything can be shared and accessed online which can eliminate the need to constantly rely on just the teacher. Just tonight for example, I had a student who emailed me at 9:00pm asking what the homework was and I had to email back immediately in order to make sure the student would have the opportunity to have the assignment complete. I would love the possibility to be a little more hands-off in my type of instruction.

Also, a networked classroom can create a more diverse teaching approach that can incorporate various types of learning opportunities in order to motivate and engage students who excel in different learning environments. The ability to help English Language Learners and students with special needs is endless. The resources and tools that would be available at their fingertips would be amazing to help promote learning and creativity. Students would be able to use these extra tools while also being able to complete classroom assignments and activities at their own pace and to the best of their ability. A networked classroom is truly the way of the future!

Twitter Name

@TeachLoveLogic

Twitter Blog

While investigating Twitter and all of the resources available I have never liked a social media outlet more. I had a Twitter account for about a week while I was in my early years of my undergraduate degree and I just thought that it was another resource that gave out too much information and exposed too many personal items. I began by following my friends and many famous people and I just thought it was an area where people would post what was on their minds or their opinions on various subjects, which didn't seem very unique or interesting to me. After much exploration and reading the nine reasons to Twitter in our textbook as well as the extra resources that you posted, I really like Twitter and the educational opportunities that it offers. For this course I created a teacher account where I am following people in the education world that actually offer helpful pieces of information. I also am enjoying following various news outlets in order to stay up-to-date with what is happening in the world. It has been great collaborating with other educators in order to enhance the classroom experience.

While researching Twitter I came across many additional resources that can be used to enhance the Twitter experience. These include:

-Twitonomy: is a free tool that allows you to see an overview of your Twitter account as well as compare it to others.

-Commun.it: This is a relationship management tool that allows you to categorize people by using the following:
Influencer – High number of followers with a high retweet ratio
Supporters – People who often share or retweet your content
Engaged members – People you engage with on a regular basis – they talk to you and you talk to them!

Reflection of Intro, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2

After reading through Richardson and Mancabelli's idea of transforming education and learning, I have never been more concerned for my teaching career. Where do I even begin? The idea of education transforming into this online, collaboration style is exciting and worrisome at the same time. The introduction explores the education of a young boy who excelled and learned through his own means of grasping content. He was able to explore photography through collaboration, communication, and experimentation.  Mark was able to utilize professional learning networks where he could,  "learn anytime, anywhere, with potentially anyone around the world who shares our passion or interests" (pg. 2). This idea enhances the desire to transform education and the ways students are expected to learn.

According to the text, "the most powerful aspect of what's happening right now is this potential for learning that we haven't even begun to appreciate yet" (pg. 15).  Chapter one focused on the need for change in the education world. It emphasized the desire to teach students in the 21st century with 21st century tools and technology. With all of the tools available such as Kindle, Google Docs, Twitter, Evernote, Facebook, etc. the way students interact is ever-changing and the amount of information available at their fingertips is unlimited. Although many of us, especially educators, are not comfortable with this digital world, "there's no doubt the world is moving in that direction, and fast" (pg. 16). Although this sounds very promising and exciting, I do not really see how this switch is going to happen in a timely fashion. There is way to much emphasis on curriculum and student-achievement that being able to incorporate such resources seems far away and unachievable. Many teachers lack the knowledge and ability to properly use such resources while also examining the professional liabilities that go along with incorporating such resources in the classroom.

Chapter two focuses on the idea of how to become a networked learner and how to visualize the new type of learning that is in our new future. This text focuses on how online learning environments should look and what type of instruction should be occurring. Throughout each course I have taken through the MET program I feel as though I have established a great understanding of these concepts and ideas. Many of the resources, tools, and instructional strategies examined are similar to those that I have studied in this program. I feel confident in the tools that I have utilized, but I honestly have not had enough time to master these resources in order to properly implement them into my classroom. This is an area that I am in need of focusing on before changing the way my classroom works.



Resources:
Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R. (2011). Personal learning networks: Using the power of connections to transform education. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press

Digital Story

Digital Story: The best day of my life

This digital story outlines the best day of my life that has been nine years in the making. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!!

Wiki Evaluation

Wiki Evaluation

Throughout the MET program I have been given the opportunity to explore and utilize Wikis. These tools are very beneficial and allow students the ability to collaborate and communicate, while also being able to focus on literacy and writing. Two Wikis that I found to be packed with beneficial information and resources were Mrs. Hepburn's Class Page and Digiteen: Digital Literacy. 

The first Wiki that I explored was Mrs. Hepburn's Class Page. This wiki was extremely organized and easy to navigate. Upon first glance, her webpage really grabbed my attention while having a picture of her students front and center, which intrigued me to want to explore more. The wiki offered a clean and clear layout with various page links to choose from. The links offered consisted of home, math, reading, and writing. Each link supplied a number of resources geared toward concentrating on literacy skills. I can see how beneficial this Wiki could be for students because they are given the freedom to explore the various resources, games, and interactive media that can enhance their understanding and grasp of concepts. I enjoyed this Wiki and found that it had a plethora of resources available, but it would not be as beneficial in my 7th grade classroom. I feel as though some of these resources could be differentiated to adhere to the various age groups but not all. 

The second literacy Wiki that I evaluated was the Digiteen: Digital Literacy Page. This Wiki was packed full of information and resources to enhance understanding of Digital Technologies and Digital Literacy. The resource started off by defining Digital Literacy, providing an overview, background, and guidelines for implementation tactics. This Wiki was not the most visually appealing Wiki I have seen, but it definitely offered an amazing amount of information and resources. Along with supplying videos, links for clarification, and general information, this Wiki also outlines Digital Citizenships nine elements and offers advice for adhering to such rules and regulations. Overall, I think this Wiki would prove very beneficial to utilize in the classroom and offer many benefits for the students to improve, enhance, and concentrate on their Digital Literacy Skills.  

Week 2

While reading through the assigned readings for this week, I couldn't help myself from feeling overwhelmed by the plethora of resources available and the endless amounts of information regarding implementing technology into the classroom. The readings this week outlined various technology tools that can be used to enhance literacy in the classroom. Many resources were examined, but a few of my favorites that I felt that could be adapted to fit any classroom included blogging as well as Wiki's. These tools can model correct communication and collaboration techniques, while allowing for students to explore and respond to challenges on their own. The literacy tools allow for students to feel a part of the classroom, while also encouraging creativity and individualism.

I also enjoyed reading about the video opportunities and digital camera techniques that can be used in the classroom. This would allow for students to capture many images and ideas, while also keeping those creative juices flowing. It would encourage the collaboration among other content areas and to motivate students to make real-life connections to what they are doing at school with what goes on outside of the schools walls.

Student literacy can be enhanced and better utilized in the classroom by incorporating different forms of technology and various programs and resources. It is vital that teachers contain and demonstrate proper techniques dealing with technology in order to get the full effect of the outstanding benefits using technology in the classroom can create.

Week 1

One thing that really stood out to me after reading the text is how important technology is and how it is not going anywhere anytime soon. It is so vital to realize how much technology can enhance a classroom and encourage students feel more invested in the class. Our students are going to need to be able to adapt to the changes to come in technology and be able to utilize it everyday. We must give them the opportunity to incorporate these technological tools in our classrooms as well as explore Literacy, in order to help prepare them for their futures. One link that I found extremely interesting, examines technology in the classroom and proper and best practices. It details how technology improves learning and how "we" as educators can attempt to make this learning fun, intriguing, and engaging.  

As for expectations of this class, I am very excited to learn more about technology and incorporating it into the classroom. I cannot wait to utilize and explore through even more resources in order to improve my learning environment. It is so important for me to stay current with technology and the ever-changing and developing tools. 

Introduction

My name is Sara Tines and I have taught 6th grade math for the past two years in the Parkway School District. I have just begun my third year of teaching in a new grade level. I am teaching 7th grade math in my current building. I am very excited for the challenges and exciting moments that will come from changing grade levels. I have created this blog in order to communicate through my online course, EDUC 573: Technology to Enhance Literacy.