These are a few of my favorite technology tools

As I discover new technology tools I want to give readers a chance to see my critiques and insight on each tool. Through this blog I will give you ratings (5-point scale) and a brief description of the tool, followed by a personal review. Today I am featuring 8 technology tools: Moodle, Chrome, Google Apps, LiveBinder, Twiddla, Emaze, Squarespace and GetTimely. Feel free to comment below if you want more information on any of these tools. - Joy

1. Moodle

https://moodle.org/ 

 Rating: 4 out of 5

Description:
Moodle is a learning management system (LMS) that can be used to complement face-to-face courses or deliver courses completely online.

Review:  
My interaction with Moodle is strictly limited to completing courses at the university level. It is a helpful tool that manages every component a student might need for a course. Professors and students can interact via Moodle without ever meeting face-to-face. My only challenge with this tool has to do with how proficient the user is. Some professors navigate well with Moodle, while others don't utilize it effectively - this leads to inconsistency.  

2. Chrome

http://www.google.com/chrome/ 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Description:

Google Chrome is a freeware web browser developed by Google. It used the WebKit layout engine until version 27 and with the exception of its iOS releases, from version 28 and beyond uses the WebKit fork Blink.

Review: 

I don't normally use Chrome to browse, but when I do I experience good speed and good security. In my opinion it functions just as efficiently as other browsers I use and it is also a benefit to have the built-in Flash player and PDF reader, eliminating those frustrating moments you need to stop browsing to download software.

3. Google Apps

 https://apps.google.com/

Rating: 5 out of 5

Description:

Google Apps is a suite of cloud computing productivity and collaboration software tools and software offered on a subscription basis by Google. 

Review: 

This technology received an easy 5 out of 5 due to the sheer convenience of it all. Thanks to Google Apps, I no longer have to open docs, save, attach and email to others, but I now can easily open docs and work together with peers without ever being near each other. From email, to blogger, to sheets to docs - Google Apps is easily the best tool to use for any and all needs.

4. LiveBinders

http://www.livebinders.com/welcome/home 

Rating: 3 out of 5

Description: 

Online digital binder.

Review:

LiveBinders is a simple tool to organize your resources, and is used often by educators. My personal review of LiveBinders 3 out 5. While it was simple to decipher and navigate through the site, it is dull and lacks appealing graphics and colors. Reviews state that it is an awesome tool, but I did not see nor envision ways I could use it beyond simple organization.

5. Twiddla

http://www.twiddla.com/ 

 Rating: 4 out of 5

Description: 

A web-conferencing tool that allows users to mark up websites, graphics, and photos, or start brainstorming on a blank canvas. Browse the web with friends or make that conference call more productive than ever. No plug-ins, downloads, or firewall voodoo - it's all here, ready to go when you are. Browser-agnostic, user-friendly. 

Review:

Twiddla is a great tool to use when interacting with students and peers. Despite the aged graphics, the premise of the technology tool is useful in classroom settings. Live time revisions can be made along with presenting and highlighting key point of a particular webpage. Twiddla is definitely one of my favorite technology discoveries.

6. Emaze

https://www.emaze.com/?emazehome 

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Description:

Emaze is the next generation of online presentation software. Select any of the professionally designed free templates to create amazing presentations.

Review:

I have used several online presentation software to create and present, Emaze is far and beyond the best quality and easiest to use. Unlike other online presentation tools, Emaze is user friendly and has good supports to save and recall work. Excellent graphics and free templates allow users to create sharp and appealing presentations. I will likely be using Emaze for future presentations.

  

7. Squarespace

https://www.squarespace.com/ 

Rating: 4 out 5

 

Description:

Whether you need a powerful landing page, striking galleries, a professional blog, or an online store, it's all included with your Squarespace website. Best of all, everything is mobile-ready right from the start.

Review: 

Squarespace was my first introduction to building websites and it was a frustrating process figuring out how to maximize the site. Overall, Squarespace is an excellent tool to create and launch your online presence, but much of its limitations have a lot to do with the money you want to spend. Depending on the amount of dollars you invest, templates are equipped with limitations and features. If you are looking to create a professional site, this is definitely a go-to because of the supports and security, otherwise I recommend using free options such as Wix.

 

8. GetTimely 

https://www.gettimely.com/

Rating 2 out of 5

 

Description:

Online appointment scheduling software

Review:

GetTimely provides individuals and businesses the means to conduct appointment scheduling and booking via secured, online means. However, GetTimely requires far too many steps to complete each task and is users attempting to book appointments encounter several issues that hinder the booking process. While it does its job, it requires a great deal of time to structure and organize each appointment.

Multimedia does a lesson plan good.

      Creating a lesson plan for a class is a thoughtful and organized process. Teachers must

consider every student and learning style when piecing together a lesson. Master teachers are also master lesson planners. They can look at a learning goal and piece together key components that will ensure that their students meet the goal. Not all lessons need to be a reinvention of the wheel, but there are several hallmarks of well-crafted lesson plans (Tenkely, 2016). A well-crafted lesson plan can utilize a variety of methods to engage and inspire learners, but as teachers today, it is imperative to incorporate multimedia when creating lesson plans. As milk is to the body, multimedia is to a lesson plan.
 

     Working collaboratively as a class to compose this multimedia lesson plan was a unique experience. I am more comfortable working on lesson plans alone and with my own ideas, it was interesting to hear and see how we each differed in terms of how to compile a lesson plan. Looking closely at the ISTE*T Standards, I feel our lesson is most in line with standard 2c to "design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments" (ISTE*T, 2c). Using multimedia was the premise of this assignment which guided how we tailored each component. We used several online components including Google Drive, Google Sheets and Padlet. While the lesson was very simple, students were encouraged to use technology to complete each task.

     In terms of changes, revisions and special accommodations, I feel our group was able to craft the lesson plan with just the right amount of difficulty and needed practice. I don't personally feel it would need to change to be more challenging, but if a higher level task was requested, I would include a research-based assignment. This would be a written component to correlate to the results of the cereal comparison done within the class period. Also, this lesson is helpful for students with special needs in that work is done primarily in groups and students are able to receive immediate feedback and assistance throughout the task. In the event a student is unable to use or engage in the group activities, the teacher would easily offer an option of doing the assignment with oral or visual aids. 

     The most beneficial part of this assignment was working collaboratively with my peers. By doing so, I was able to see different methods and lesson planning strategies that I can incorporate into my own process. The most challenging aspect was working on a lesson plan that was outside of my content. I felt like I could not fully contribute to ideas because I was unfamiliar with the standards and expectations of the lesson. However, it was an excellent learning experience and I enjoyed working with my peers to complete this multimedia assignment. 

References:

Didau, D. (2012). Planning a perfect lesson. Retrieved from http://www.learningspy.co.uk/training   /planning-a-perfect-lesson/

Tenkely, K. (2016). 10 steps to better lesson plans. Retrieved from http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/9177-10-steps-to-better-lesson-plans

The Chaotic World of Pandemic 2

 

     Pandemic 2 is an interesting world of controlled chaos. The aim of conquering the world with sickness is a daunting task, but looking beyond the game's premise I was able to discover a variety of ways to incorporate this into the classroom environment. From basic calculations to detailed bacterial genetics, this game offers teachers and students a tool to further engage in learning and application.

     My experience with this online game and our group presentation was enlightening. I am not a gamer so initially I was not excited about playing or learning this game. Once my group selected this game, we were each tasked with attempting to play it and figure out the strategies. From the start I had a difficult time with the game and it was frustrating for me to navigate through the game. However, as I continued to interact with the game features, I quickly discovered some interesting ways I could incorporate this into my school content. 

     

     The best component of learning this game was learning how versatile it is in terms of incorporating it into the different contents. You could use this game in a Social Studies class because world government, geography and world maps is a large component of the game. With Science and Health, this game would be useful in investigating the types of diseases, the symptoms of each disease and how they can and do evolve. In terms of Math, there are basic calculations that can be practiced because of the score or points that are accumulated through the duration of the game. Finally, in regards to Language Arts, teachers could use a journal or log to track the progress of the disease and the spread of the illness. Language Arts students could also play the role of reporter and practice a way they would write an investigative story.

                                

     If you would ask me whether I would continue to play this game or use it in my classroom, I would say no. While there are definite ways it could be used for different contents, the interface and design of the game is somewhat unappealing and I believe that students would not be attracted to the game. I also would not play it on my own time because it is not a style of game I would be drawn to. In spite of that, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of learning this game and introducing it to my classmates.

Pandemic 2 Evaluation Rubric

ED609 Digital Safety Reflection

     Digital safety is important for people of all ages to learn and understand.  As discussed in our ED609 course, cyber bullying, fair use practices and copyright issues, textual harrassment and sexting, and pharming and phishing are necessary components in understanding the scope of digital safety. We need to be more educated about the dangers that lurk in the digital world and the potential harm that can be done without sufficient awareness and good practices.
     The educational unit on digital safety included cyber bullying, fair use practices and copyright issues, textual harrassment and sexting, and pharming and phishing. Each topic is an important component to the lesson and when teaching the unit to my students I would not add or remove anything. I believe that every student should be taught and tested on each of these areas because of the prevalence of digital use around the world. When teaching this to my students I would make some changes to the style of presentation. In our university course, majority of the presentations were professional type slideshows and I would ensure my lessons be more interactive. I would utilize videos, graphic organizers, games, and technology to introduce and teach the lessons.
     For our group presentation we utilized the online tool "emaze" which for each of us was new. In my opinion emaze was an excellent presentation tool and provided us a very interesting and new way to present information. It is was very user-friendly and had a lot of trendy graphics and animations that helped make the overall presentation appealing.
     Overall, I learned a lot from the lesson and will implement the information and tools into my lessons. 
 



References:
Cyberbullying Resource for Law Enforcement. (September, 2014). Retrieved June 7, 2016 from http://www.dare.org/free-iacpncmec-cyberbullying-resource-for-law-enforcement/.

Guam Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations. (2015, March). Retrieved June 7, 2016 from https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/sites/default/files/discipline-compendium/Guam%20School%20Discipline%20Laws%20and%20Regulations.pdf.

Preventing Cyberbullying. (October, 2013). Retrieved June 6, 2016 from http://cyberbullying.org/.

Teachers Enable Dreams

     The mark of a successful teacher is not an award or trophy, rather it is the ability to reach all students that enter into the classroom. Students come with a variety of personalities, learning styles and academic levels and it is the responsibility of the teacher to use all tools and methods possible to bridge the gap between students. Specifically, students with disabilities. Despite a district-wide lack of funding, resources and facilities, teachers can overcome these obstacles with fundamental teaching strategies including graphic organizers, technology, peer teaching, and visual aids.
     The video "Enabling Dreams" introduces Susanna and Lukas who both have physical and mental disabilities yet through education and technology are able to excel academically and artistically. Though the video focuses on the use of technology to aid in their success, the presence of teachers utilizing fundamental methods such as one-to-one guidance and scaffolding is found throughout the video. Assistive Technology is one of the best ways to ensure students with disabilities are able to succeed academically by giving students the opportunity to practice and perfect their abilities at their own pace. Unfortunately, Assistive Technology is not an instant success. "As with other technologies, training is essential to successful use. Without training, students cannot use many devices to their full potential" (Steele-Carlin). The reality on most campuses is a lack of funding and support for these technologies.
     In situations where Assistive Technology is unavailable, teachers can utilize proven methods such as graphic organizers, peer teaching and visual aids to assist students with disabilities. For example, a teacher could utilize a graphic organizer to help a student understand vocabulary. A simple four-square box could give the student the opportunity to define, spell, pronounce and illustrate each word. It would provide substantial practice for each new word assigned. Peer teaching could be implemented in nearly every setting, students who display proficiency could be used to assist students who are struggling or behind. Visual aids would also be very helpful in giving tangible examples for kinesthetic and visual learners.
     Carjuzaa and Kellough contend that differentiated instruction is the most effective way to teach students with disabilities. "One of the best approaches for providing opportunities for students to rely on their strengths and work on their weaknesses is differentiated instruction, which requires teachers to be flexible and to tailor their instruction" (Carjuzaa & Kellough, 38). Differentiated instruction is a philosophy that supports adjusting the curriculum instead of having the students adjust - which a much accepted state of mind in classrooms both locally and nationwide. By using these fundamental methods, teachers will be effective in reaching all learners in every setting. In my personal experience teaching, I have always strived to utilize the differentiated instruction approach and have found that it helps with all students. I find that even students who are at a higher level, appreciate how differentiated instruction gives them higher levels to work towards. Regardless of a student's level, differentiated instruction enables the learner to excel at their pace.
     With every method, it is necessary for a teacher to be strategic in how and when each method is used. To ensure effectiveness, teachers must prepare lessons with specified accommodations for every student. While teachers can focus a lesson on the majority, without thoughtful planning, students with disabilities could be shortchanged through the overall lesson. Teachers must be thorough in planning and assessing the students to be certain what method and modification will or won't work. Frequent adjustments and reflections should be made throughout the year as the students advance and grow. 
     The success of Susanna and Lukas is an example of how effective quality education utilization of tools can be. Regardless of funding, resources, and facilities, teachers can make the difference in ensuring students with disabilities excel and achieve their dreams. While assistive technology is a major part of their success, it requires teachers and consistent guidance to ensure continuity in learning. 

References:

Carjuzaa, J., Kellough, R.D. (2013). Teaching in the middle and secondary schools. Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Emmer, E.T., Evertson, C.M. (2013). Classroom management for middle and high school teachers. Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Steele-Carlin, S. (2011, June). Assistive Technology in the Classroom - Helping Challenged Kids Get the Most from Learning. Retrieved June 10, 2016 from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech086.shtml

   
 
 
     

Welcome to my new blog...

Welcome to my new blog showcasing the joys of utilizing technology and education. As part of a course I am enrolled in at the University of Guam, I have been asked to create a blog that focuses specifically on education and technology. Enjoy the things I've learned and the things I will discover throughout the course of this class and my teaching experiences.

EnJOY!