Jeopardy Labs

This week was one of the most valuable assignments yet. Especially with SOLs just around the corner, Jeopardy Labs is a wonderful tool for teachers to use in their classroom for review. The website provides a free service with templates to build a jeopardy game for whatever you need. The template could not be more simple to use, even for the technophobic. I chose to create a Math SOL review game for my classroom. I did not use the typical provide an answer and have the students ask the questions(with math it seemed too difficult). Check out my lab by clicking the link. Feel free to use it within your classroom or share with a coworker or anyone who wants a little math review! This tool is a classic

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Using Jeopardy Labs allows me to to communicate my ideas effectively to students in an engaging format that also allows me to collaborate with peers in its creation or use in our classrooms (ISTE 3b,c). I constantly talk about my new learning with my students as well and I think this models lifelong learning (ISTE 5). I'd love to see my students create a Jeopardy lab to show their knowledge of a subject, maybe as an alternate assignment? (ISTE 2b)

Prezi

Working with Prezi has become like second nature to me-and it's only my second time using the tool! This speaks volume to the user-friendly online tool that provides creative templates with which to present information. The website's homepage allows you to create a free account with the option to upgrade with a paid subscription. The template search engine is valuable to a new user because it provides you with templates that other users have designed, which allows you to focus on the information presented. 

I selected the tree template to present my project information for another class. I'd like to continue updating this prezi after the project is completed to present it to my administration. My principal has been very supportive of my efforts to include this project into my curriculum. I think using Prezi is a fabulous and creative way to present to a professional crowd. Initially, I felt this Prezi had too many words, considering our discussion about PowerPoint previously, but the intended audience is adults who seek specific information.

If you click on the picture above, you'll be directed to my Group Leadership Program SU/RBR Cohort Prezi. I followed each "embedding" tutorial on Prezi's website, but was unable to have it play within my blog post. I was able to copy code to a clipboard, but could not repost the code within my blog successfully. You can also click on this link.

And now, for a Power Point versus Prezi discussion. Prezi is a creative and engaging tool to present information to any audience. However seemingly creative, the templates provided do limit the user while designing initial set-up. This is not to say one cannot edit to the extreme within the template or even chose to start a blank template. In the same way a template is limiting, it also provides an excellent place to start. Power Point also provides templates, but on a more basic level, still addressing both sides of the coin. Prezi at times can be too busy, creating an almost nauseous feeling when switching each point. I'm curious if there is a tool to adjust the movement speed within the Prezi. Power Point can be set on a timer or navigated on presenter's cue.  Overall, I think Prezi is the future and seems to immediately capture the audience. That is, if the presenter has taken serious consideration to the wordiness and image choice in the first place.

This activity addresses ISTE-NETS Standard 2 because it provides students with an activity that develops and fosters digital learning experiences. I have 3rd grade students who are very capable of using Prezi with careful guidance. What a fantastic way to have students present their research projects. Standard 3 continues to be addressed by requiring me to push the limits of my understanding and use of digital age technology to represent myself as a innovative professional. Standard 5b is fulfilled because I am taking this tool and leading others in my professional community to develop their skills, share information, and collaborate on new projects.

Prezume

This week I worked with Prezume, an online tool that allows you to create an interactive resume. This tool is a great opportunity to stand out from the stacks of paper resumes, as well as showcase some of your technological skills. As I was creating my resume, I struggled identifying what "skills" meant in a a resume sense. Does this mean I list what I can do? Do I list my programs? My professional developments? Do I instead list my qualities that I see as skills in my classroom? After debating for a while, I settled with listing skills used within a professional setting. Here is the link to my Presume. 

The website is very easy to navigate. The home screen provides 3 pre-made templates to enter your information into. You can login using your Facebook information or create a new account. I chose the Whiteboard prezume because it felt clean, organized, colorful, yet professional. I thought it was a perfect Prezi for an elementary school teacher.

This activity addressed NETS Standard 3 by giving me the opportunity to model digital age learning with an activity that relates to my profession and future profession. This also allows me to grow professionally by encouraging me to reinvent myself to potential jobs, addressing Standard 5.

Power Points

This week I explored ways to redefine or refine my views and skills on Microsoft's Power Point. I explored a few examples, read some articles, and reflected on my own experiences in Power Point. I thought the article in the New York Times was so interesting. We've all been there. Sitting, yawning, zoning out...on someone's presentation (that they've clearly worked very hard on). And why do they insist on putting you in the most uncomfortable chairs? How does it happen? Are we too focused on getting all the information in an organized, concise, but still able to communicate the important? 

I took these questions and more to heart while creating my power point for my third graders. (eight year olds in case anyone forgot) I wanted to keep the images large and the text small for two reasons-visual cues are great ways to help students remember information/make sense of information and limited text is helpful for my low readers. I did have a hard time with one image from ToonClips(which had overwritten text on the image), but I did not want to purchase the image...and it was just what I wanted. Take a look below:

This was the only image I wasn't completely happy with. Another strategy I tried to use was the idea of contrast. I split a few of my pages in half to draw focus on the text and image for isolated absorption.

The final project is located at the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ozgvjcfv5hj5lag/ExplorerPPT14.pptx

This project addressed the NETS Standard 2 by requiring me to design and develop a digital age learning experience for my students. Using images opens the curriculum up to learners of all ages and ability levels.

Mini Paper Revise

This week I revised my mini paper discussing the effects of ethnicity on 8th grade reading scores using this format. I have seen this APA journal format most commonly in my historical research and education research for my projects in home/school connection. I sought out many articles using the SU databases provided on the library's homepage. The librarians are also great resources for finding scholarly articles. I do like the idea of the "abstract" or "introduction" on each article. This allows a future researcher to briefly examine the purpose, validity, and usefulness of the article to future research.

When first trying to read my comments on my first paper, I could only see small yellow boxes that indicated a comment was made, yet no additional information was provided.

I tried opening the file in various programs, but was not successful until opening in PDFzenPDF Viewer program. Below you'll see the difference in the program's ability to show comments.

Once I found the comments, i was able to edit my paper as needed. The only other item I struggled with was adjusting the paper size. Now, considering most everyone else would say "just Google it", I chose to search first within Word, then Google if needed. Below is how I finally figured it out.

This assignment continued to address NETS Standard 3a and 3d because I am building my knowledge of technology used to share my current knowledge of systems and modeling digital tools for use in everyday situations. Should I continue to pursue my Ph.D or another master's degree, this research/formatting activity will be very useful.

Mini Paper:Practice Doesn't Necessarily Make Perfect

What a lesson. Life/Technology/Etc...it's all the same. Unless we continue to practice our skills-be it another language, exercise, or even human compassion-we lose it. I confess I had serious doubts about the validity of this assignment for new learning. I thought I was completely competent in APA formatting, having done multiple large papers for other courses. It turns out I was completely complacent. I was operating on the assumption of "Done it once=know how to do it." Is this characteristic isolated to my generation? The "millennials"? Or as we're more commonly known "The Trophy Generation?" (pause for reflection.) How can we continue to encourage people to practice and learn new skills if they are constantly changing? I'm not sure, but I do know that unless I continue to practice I will lose. This can be a great lesson to ass on the my students, especially the students who naturally grasp a task after one try. 

Here is the link to my mini paper....which after hours of working still probably needs adjustments. A lesson in life, technology, practice, and humility.

This activity most certainly addressed all of NETS Standard 5 because I engaged in personal and professional growth by practicing my skills, applying them, and building on more knowledge that will improve my outlook. The assignment also encouraged me to demonstrate fluency in technology systems/formatting(which hits NETS 3a).

GoogleDocs-Resume

This activity was a new-wave sort of sharing my resume. When I was finishing my teaching license through SU, the program required me to create an online portfolio to share with prospective job interviews, administration, etc. I felt this online portfolio had little to no value for a first year teacher. My feelings were confirmed by my current administration-explaining that as a first year teacher, they do not consider you to have any prior 'experience'. As disheartening as this may be, it makes sense. Now, as I begin to think about my future in teaching, the online portfolio carries more weight in my application process. As does the knowledge of how to use Google Docs. The way we network with people is changing. Not only are face to face meetings important, but the ease, speed, and general convenience of doc sharing online gives the job application process a new page.

I am currently doing some research on "the new resume" and its differences from the original/standard list of qualifications. I want to stand out with creativity and unique outlook on said "qualifications". That being said, my new resume is still in the works, but I've added a link below that will take you to my first resume that landed my first job.

Rose Coates PDF Resume

Using Google Docs addresses the NETS standard 3 because it allows you to model digital age learning and work, all while making it incredibly accessible to share with family, friends, peers, etc. This is a fabulous tool, easy to use, and is most definitely the future of doc sharing. Think of how wonderful it would be to use Google Docs to team plan!!