Blogfolio

1. Intro Video

This assignment is aligned with the NETT standard 5a, which calls for teachers to be engaged in learning communities. This assignment required us to begin a blog that would connect us to the online teaching world. It required us to join the community by introducing ourselves, and many of us included our teaching experiences and goals in that introduction.
I think this was a worthwhile assignment mostly because it gave us an opportunity to get to know w little bit about our classmates. We will be working with each other for the next couple of years, and it was good to learn a little bit about each other. It was also useful for teaching us how to post videos to the internet. Some of my professors now post short lectures online we can watch in addition to what we learn in class if we so choose. I think this is a useful skill for teachers to have because it is a good way to share information for student enrichment.

2. Concept Map

This assignment is aligned with standard 1a, which calls for teachers to model creativity and inventiveness. Using a concept map causes the teacher and student to look at the information presented in a new way. This assignment also is aligned with standard two, which calls for teachers to provide diverse ways of presenting information and using digital tools, and standard three which requires teachers to transfer knowledge via new technology. This assignment required us to use technology to present information in a unique way that would engage students in our lessons. I think this assignment was especially useful because concept maps work for any subject area or grade level. They can be useful for almost any lesson and are a good skill for teachers to have.

3. Website

This assignment also in in line with five, which requires teachers to be engaged in online learning communities. Most people used this assignment as an opportunity to create web pages for their future classrooms that will help them keep parents informed and connected to what is happening inside the class. I also liked the versatility of this assignment. It is useful in the field of education, but it is also a good skill to have for any field. Some people chose to make websites for their church classrooms or other things they are interested in. This is a skill that we have and will be able to use in and out of the classroom.

4. Video

This assignment is aligned with standard 2c, which calls for teachers to present information in a variety of digital formats, and standard 3, which requires teachers to communicate information using new technologies. This assignment taught us to present technology in a unique, efficient, and creative way using movie making technology. This assignment was my favorite for a few reasons. This assignment provided us the best opportunity to see what is important in the lives of our classmates. I think this assignment was the best for getting to know the other people in our class. I also enjoyed the versatility of this assignment. As proved by the diverse videos shown in class, the skills used for this assignment can be applied to absolutely any topic.

5.  Turn It In/ Ethical Issues

This assignment is aligned with standard three, which requires teachers to use digital tools to collaborate and share information. Turnitin.com is a website that allows people to share their assignments through a digital platform that will make sure the information and ideas presented are original. It is more closely aligned with standard four, which calls for responsible digital citizenship. It requires teachers to model ethical use of technology and to promote digital etiquette. I think this assignment was worthwhile because of the two fold purpose of the assignment. I think if the assignment only existed to teach us how to use turnitin, it would have been a waste of time. Because we learned about the website by writing an essay on digital citizenship, I think we learned not only about ethical web-tools but also about digital etiquette and ethical dilemmas that exist on the web.

6. Google Groups

This assignment is aligned with standard five, which requires teachers to be a part of a community of digital learning. This assignment required us to work together by collaborating over the internet. It is also aligned with standard two, which requires teachers to present information through a variety of digital formats.  I think this assignment was especially fun and informative. We learned to present information though a google group, docs, and presentation. We learned lots of skills through this one assignment, but it was not overwhelming.

7. Web Tools

This assignment is aligned with standards two and three, which require teachers to use up to date digital assessments for their students and to demonstrate fluency in technology systems. I think this assignment was useful, but I was not able to access all the necessary websites. I think the ideas are good in theory, but I was not able to see them in practice. I know, though, that as a teacher it will be important to have aids for creating organized quizzes and rubrics.


Reflection on Course as a Whole

I was pleasantly surprised by this class. I have always considered myself to be technologically challenged, and I have never been very excited about new technology. I know that technology is important in the modern classroom, but I want to teach in places in the world that probably will not allow my students access to the latest technology or even things we might consider basic technology. Though I understood that a knowledge of classroom technology was important as a teacher, I did not think it would be of much use for me under the circumstances in which I am looking to teach. Because of my original attitude towards technology, I did not expect to enjoy this class very much. I was surprised to find the class to be very enjoyable and that much of what I learned I will probably be able to apply in the future. Even though I am not gifted in the area of technology, I learned that it is not hard to learn to use technology if I am open to it and try. There are lots of tools we used in class that I had not used before and am able to use with ease. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that almost all of what we learned simply involved a computer and internet access. We did learn about new tools in classroom technology, but not having access to these tools does not mean a teacher is limited to never use technology. Though many schools in developing parts of the world do not have the means to bring in technology for their students, I will be able to use a personal laptop in most places. Over the summer, the school I where I taught did not have technology more advanced than a dry-erase board, but there were lots of internet cafes, and we were able to use our computers as teachers. Because so much of what we learned in this class simply involves a computer and the internet, it will be easier for me to apply this knowledge in most parts of the world. I am thankful for what I learned in this class and think this course was more than worthwhile. It changed my mind about technology and I believe prepared me to be a better teacher in the future.

Web Tools

Big Bus Testmaker

Incomplete Metamorphosis

1. What is the process in which an insect grows and sheds its skeleton? nymphmoltingchrysalismetamorphosis
2. What is the first stage of incomplete metamorphosis? moltingadult nymphegg
3. What is the final stage of incomplete metamorphosis? adultnymphegglarvae
4. Which of the following undergoes incomplete metamorphosis? mothbutterflycricketladybug
5. In which stage does the insect look like a small adult? adultlarvaenymphegg
I thought that this website was easy for creating short tests and can be useful for making short quizzes. It was not hard to figure out, but it might be hard for testing a large group of people. It did not allow me to share the test link anywhere, so I do not understand how it would be used to test an entire class at once. I was unable to access the other test making websites on my computer.

Internet Safety Questions

Safe Practices for Life Online

1. Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat

2. If students threaten a faculty member, the school, fellow students, or administrators online, they will be arrested. For example, in Beaverton, Oregon, two students were arrested for threatening the school with a shooting on Twitter. In another example, a high school senior tweeted about something explicit that happened between himself and a high school teacher.

3. Sexting- Sending suggestive, sexual, explicit messages or pictures via text messages or social media. (“Lets Settle This Once and for All: What exactly is Sexting?” by Sam Biddle, 7/22/2011, Gizmodo)

Cramming-To try to learn a lot right before an exam

Cookies- It is a small piece of information about your computer that web browsers use when visiting certain websites that allow you to access certain pages.

Trojan Horse-Virus on your computer that tricks your computer into believing that it is fighting viruses but actually fills your computer with viruses

Phishing- Getting financial information from people online and claiming that it is a legitimate business

Spyware- Software that allows a computer user to get information about another user’s activity secretly

Rootkit- Software that allows a user that is unauthorized to gain control of a computer undetected

Zombie- A computer that has been compromised by a hacker, virus, or trojan horse.

4.These screen names are poor choices because they are degrading to the user and are immature and unprofessional.

5.These screen names are degrading and inappropriate and can draw undesired attention to the user that chose the name.

6.When you use a screen name that gives out information about your interests, full name, age, or location, you are risking someone taking advantage of that information.

9. My current password has a score of eight based on these questions. It is important to access your password based on these and similar criteria in order to protect yourself from internet predators and hackers. Passwords should not use common or easy to figure out information because it would be too easy to crack and make the user vulnerable to hackers.

            #s 10 - 13 - Lindsay Fuller

10. Most & Least common reason students' online accounts are broken into each year:

MOST: Others who know personal things about the student guess the password.

LEAST: A password cracking program is used to crack their password.

11. Malware Analysis: Drive-By Download Thoughts and Summary:

The video, while super cheesy, was actually informative. The man in the video is logging into an infected website with his own computer to show just how quickly your computer can get infected. He also is showing how sneaky and dangerous these websites are. He begins explaining exactly what is going on with the computer and what the program is doing. "Some attacks tip you off by crashing stuff, other times it does nothing, then shows itself later." The website he went to, specifically, was loading the site normally, but when he minimized his screen he showed what was really going on. His computer's desktop changed to a message claiming that he has a spyware infection on his laptop. In his tray there is a new icon also saying, "Your computer is infected. Windows has detected spyware infection!" He clicks the popup icon and a program pops up that he never installed claiming to be a virus scanner.

Other visual cues that a drive-by has hit your machine:

• Unusual apps in your program bar
• Your web browser's homepage changed
• Unfamiliar toolbar appears in your web browser
• Your browser has new bookmarks that you didn't make
• Pop-up windows display ads
• Unusual files in different directories on your computer

After he infects his computer he showed the viewers several different applications and spywares the Malware added then explains how you can prevent this from happening to your own computer. Such as:

• Keep up with patches - Malware uses tricks to get around old patches
• Harden your web browser - keep the web setting at the highest security setting
• Block dangerous file types at your firebox - http & https proxies (inbound and outbound)
• Use antivirus and anti-spyware software - keep it up to date

Watching this video made me a little paranoid about my own anti-virus scanner not working so I updated it right after. I knew how important it was to have a virus scanner and how bad malware and spyware can be, but seeing just how many programs can be installed on your computer in just one click, really puts it into perspective.

12. 3 Tests to Stay Safe Online 8 Tests

1. Is your computer protected?
2. For this quiz I was at a low risk for being unprotected. The 2 questions that made the bar go up were "Do you have a wireless computer" "yes" and "Do you back up your files on a regular basis?" "no".
3. Are you protecting your identity?
4. I was at a medium/low risk for this quiz. I got this score because I don't check my bank statement monthly. I know I have no money, so I don't bother checking. I should check anyway. I don't run a regular credit check on myself, annually, like you're supposed to do.

Article Response: Why Kids Can't Sit Still

       This article addressed the growing number of children being diagnosed with ADHD.   It talked about students losing confidence in themselves because they are unable to sit still when asked to and students who have underdeveloped balance because they do not practice prolonged movement on a daily basis. Kids need regular movement for proper development, but they are being asked to sit still all day at school only to go home and stay inside rather than go out and play.
       I think one way to solve this problem in the classroom is to simply lower the standards for children sitting still in the classroom. If children need movement for development and healthy learning, then teachers should encourage rather discourage movement in the classroom. Kids should not be scolded or made to feel like they are doing something wrong for fidgeting in their desks. Teachers should also encourage movement by incorporating it into their lesson plans. They can demonstrate concepts through interactive lessons that get kids out of their desks and moving around the classroom. This addresses the problem of kids sitting still too long as well as giving students a new way to think about the concept.  

21st Education Videos

The first video showed students using their phones and only their phones in the classroom. The phones connected to larger screens that allowed students to share with the class, but there were no notebooks or textbooks. The students got all of their information and did their recording on their smart phones. While this is a fun idea, I do not think it would be a very successful way to run a classroom. It is not easy to monitor what every student has pulled up on their phones, and there are endless distractions placed in front of the student when they use their phones to work. Also, staring at the small screens all day in school would be harmful to a student's eyesight. ebooks have lots of benefits, but sometimes it is better to read from paper without any glare or distractions.

The second video made predictions about the future of high school classes being online and listed benefits on online education. I do agree that there are lots of benefits to online study. It gives the student access to lots of new information and connects the student to teachers and learners across the world. I do think there are some drawbacks to complete online education. I think that human interaction is important in the learning process. Again, I think there is a lot of opportunity for distraction to creep in when the student relies solely on the web for learning.

The third video advocated the use of ICT in the classroom, but it emphasized using it wisely. Access to technology is not enough. Educators must be well equipped to use the technology in the way that is most beneficial to the students. I agree with the points made in this video, that teachers should be trained in new technology in order to implement it in their classroom and that students should be allowed access to ICT for specific purposes.

The fourth video talked about the architecture of the classroom. It advocated open areas for learning and environments that helped students feel connected with the world outside rather than shut off. I think that the ideas presented in this video are important and that students would benefit greatly by having a learning environment that is more comfortable and natural to them than traditional square classrooms. The classrooms shown in the video were good fro promoting creativity and collaboration.

The fifth video listed lots of resources that available for teachers and students. It gave little information about ti resources, their purposes, and their effectiveness. I did not find this video to be helpful.

Video

Website

https://sites.google.com/a/eagles.usm.edu/lauryn-h/home