Classroom Newsletter

This is a classroom newsletter created by me!

Newsletter So

Publish at Scribd or explore others: 2008 newsletter

WIKI-WEB 2.0 CHART TOOLS

http://csusmwebtools.wetpaint.com/page/Chart+Tools

Copyright Regulations

This document was created to teach me to reference the fair use of copyright laws in education. Used the Fair Use Harbor Website.

imovie software NETS III

This movie was created using Mac Imovie software promoting CSUSM.

Journal #10-Creating Tech Wizards

This educational group called the Technology Wizards promotes the learning and teaching of modern technology first started in October 2007 with the purpose to further the knowledge of computers in the classroom. The program seeks to “transform the delivery of professional development and change traditional practice by cultivating a cadre of student leaders equipped to provide teachers with technology training and support.” The members of the Technology Wizards is located in Pennsylvania and is offered to 5th-9th grade students from 14 districts. There are plans to expand to the lower grades as things in the middle level program get settled. The program curriculum emphasizes the need to align to the NETS standards for students, to align to 21st century skills, model the best practices in education, provide multiple intelligence learning, include student created technology, and focus on the emerging technologies. This one day a month program encourages hands-on learning and collaboration within the group of students. They take the skills and knowledge back to the home schools and spread the information to their peers and teachers.

Questions:
1. Is this type of program necessary for the leaning of current technology?
*No, but it’s nice that there is a organized space with a core focus to encourage students who have a passion for learning technology and want to mentor others in their home school.
2. Is this a program that the state or federal government should cover within the public school funding?
*Yes it is important to know that the next generations of students are kept current with technology.

Breiner, Beth (May 2009). Creating Tech Wizards. Learning & Leading with Technology, 7, Retrieved April 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200905/

Journal #9-The Kids Are All Right

The importance of teachers finding out about the level of engagement that their students have in the online community is an important topic of discussion in this article. After extensive research that the MacArthur Foundation began over three years ago involving the technological cultures of today’s youth has some fascinating findings where social interaction is concerned. In this study, over 800 young people and their parents were interviewed and more than 5,000 hours of observation on websites such as MySpace and Facebook were logged. In this report the researchers found that there are 3 different type of online participation amongst teens. One was called “Hanging Out” and this was the casual online social place such as Facebook that kids had casual social interaction. The next was called “Messing Around” which is similar to the hanging out but with sometimes more specific interests in common that were discussed and shared. The third aspect was called “Geeking Out” and this is the area where teens had an intense interest shared with others who were not a part of their local and physical social circle. The subjects range from anything subject the teen was passionate about discussing. Through this study the findings were that 80-90% of teens were using some sort of media social tool and that it is important for parents and educators to meet the needs of the teen by relating to the new technological world.

Questions:
1. Should Middle school students be offered online social classes?
* Yes, because it is an important part of human development to have strong social skills. And not all pre-teens are comfortable with their physical appearance or behavior and can help them become more involved with others in the online world.
2. Should there be a time limit placed on teens when having media social interaction.
*Yes because they have to also learn to communicate with physical human beings that have facial, vocal and bodily emotions that a computer cannot elaborate. A well balanced amount of time to develop the child/teen is important.

Waters, John K. (march 1, 2009). The kids are all right. The Journal, 6, Retrieved march 2009, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/24104

Journal #8 : WIKI

What's a wiki? In 1995 Ward Cunningham wanted to construct a website that would allow people to collaborate ideas and information. He created what we know as a “wiki”. He coined the term wiki after the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki which means “quick”. This type of website allows any visitor to become a participant. Anyone can create or edit the actual site contents without any special technical knowledge or tools. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection. It is an on-going collaboration which purpose is the sharing of people’s ideas and knowledge. A well known and common example is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia with millions of contributors and editors.

SIDE NOTE:

On March 15, 2007, wiki entered the online Oxford English Dictionary

Who uses wikis? Wikis are used on personal projects by trying to share things online, such as family information and photos, but also it’s very popular with educators in the K-12 community, as well as in college courses as we use here in EDUC 422. Educators are seeking further education in professional development workshops and communicate with their professional peers. It is easy to use and readily accessible for the classroom environment.

Pros and Cons? There are a few pros and cons that were talked about in the wiki world and on the discussion boards. Most of it was all positive feedback from the thread discussions. Some benefits with wikis are that they are engaging and creative, they encouraged critical thinking, promoted collaboration and contributed to a new type of learning in education.

Some cons in the wiki world are there are people who vandalize the site with misinformation and malicious statements. Fortunately they can be easily corrected and removed by serious and responsible wiki contributors. It also opens the door to privacy issues. Students need to protect their identities and be informed of the dangers of online predators.

Popular wiki creation sites for educators:

Wikispaces [www.wikispaces.com]
PBWiki [pbwiki.com]
Pikiwiki [pikiwiki.com]
Wikidot [http://www.wikidot.com]
Netcipia [netcipia.com] wiki + blog in one place
Zoho [zoho.com] full Office-like productivity suite + wiki

Journal #7-Mining For Gold

RSS (Real Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) is a special type of computer coding that allows information to be tracked through the internet. It has two parts to it, the feeder and aggregator. The feed of the RSS uses a XML, which is another type of HTML. It contains certain information and reads special types of information that the uses is searching for. So once a person decides what information she wants, the computer can track it and send the information to the computer directly. An example of this useful technology is getting information regarding current events in San Diego. Subscribing to the appropriate RSS sites will get all the information needed to keep up with current events in San Diego and use it until not needed anymore. By unsubscribing to the RSS, the information stops. There are two types of RSS aggregators and feeds, one is the client side and the other is Internet hosted. The difference between the two readers is that the client-based uses the computer operating system such as Safari or Vista. The Internet-hosted aggregators are more functional because they can be accessed at any computer. The more popular Internet-hosted readers are Bloglines, iGoogle and Netvibes.

Questions:
1. Is RSS functional for the classroom?
*Yes, as mentioned in the article, the RSS can bring a wealth of knowledge in about a particular subject.
2. Is tagging RSS a necessity?
*Yes because the there are so many websites that bring information about the topic of desire but only a few may be needed for future reference and social bookmarking through Delicious will make it more simple to gain access to.

Bigenho, Chris (march2009). Mining for gold. Learning & Leading with Technology, 6, Retrieved march 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200904/

Journal #6-Growing Your Personal Network

Personal Learning networks (PLNs) have been imperative to the advancement of out networking strategies. They have allowed a faster form of information giving and gathering and have made progress speed along at a rapid pace. Some of the “old school” PLNs were phones, emails, face-to-face meetings, letter writing, and facsimiles. The modernization of the informational age of technology creates a whole new way of communication with others outside of our physical reach.

The three main types of PLNs are useful in there specific ways and are categorized in the following:
1. Personally maintained synchronous connections: basically these are instantaneous networks such as Skype, iChat and uStream.
2. Personally and socially maintained semisynchronous connections: These programs are designed for networking with others but not in “real time”. Some programs include texting, GoogleDocs, and Twitter discussion boards.
3. Dynamically maintained asynchronous connections: This tool connects us with content sources such as Delicious. The RSS allows the computer to search for information and gather want you are looking for.

Questions:
1. Does the movement of technology make a difference in what quality of work we produce?
*Yes, it I think that it helps because we have instantaneous information at our fingertips and it prevents us from becoming distracted.
2. Is all this instant technologicalinformation distracting to the quality of work we produce.
*Yes….the curiosity of the mind prevents us to focus on the specific task and also there is always an ever changing form of technology that has to be taught and learned before perfection.

Warlick, David (march2009). Growing your personal network. Learning & Leading with Technology, 6, Retrieved march 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200904/

Inspiration

This was a organization tool.

Sally's Powerpoint

Powerpoint geared for Middle School Social Studies. Used Mac Powerpoint Application.Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

id="__ss_1134628">Sally's Powerpoint

View more presentations from sally1968.

Journal: #5 Collaboration in a Web 2.0 Environment

by Glen Bull

The information that this author gives is important to collaboration via websites and online feed in the classroom. RSS which stands for, Really Simple Syndication is an important tool in Web 2.0 learning. IN the educational world, the possibilities that RSS offers are collaborative writing projects, blogs in which students can follow postings, group projects which involve shared images and resources, and tagging or teaching news and topics related to the assignment such as a social bookmarking network.

Since this article published in 2006 many updates and changes have occurred to simplify online collaboration. It is more widely used than the article states and students are using the same skills in the classroom as they are outside when networking with their peers. Face book, BlogSpot, my space have connected students in a social and personal way, but also have enable a new educational networking via cyberspace.

The Web 2.0 application is different than the 1.0 version, in that information comes to the user rather than the user searching for the web information. With 2.0 applications and data are stored on the Web, the cost is free to users seeking that particular information and incorporating RSS feeds are readily accessible. As Greg Bull states, a Web 2.0 desktop offers an excellent starting point for exploring the interactive capabilities of the Web environment. Access is easier to the user.

Questions:
#1 What is the importance of the RSS updated versions to 2.0?

It was important to give users the capability to access information and use that to benefit there education and networking within the online community.

#2 Do people really care about this new information, and why we have it? Or are they happy with being uniformed?

Just bring on the latest technology and who cares how it got here! I am sure that most people are happy that computer scientist and IT guys are concerned with advancement of technology to make our lives easier in cyberspace. A big thanks you to all of them!

Bull, Glen (April 2006). Collabortion in a Web 2.0 Environment. Learning & Leading with Technology, 33, Retrieved March 9, 2009 , from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=April_No_7_&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=2642

Journal #4: Create, Collaborate, Communicate; Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills

by Chris Riedel

In this article the author stressed the importance of bringing students and educators into the 21st century by integrating technology into their everyday educational lives. This is apparent after knowing that in the United States education placed last in the IT rankings of various industries. Sadly, education ranked after coalmining, a job in its own right is important, but is not fundamental in shaping and educating the minds of our future leaders of society.

As education becomes more intertwined with the advances of technology and schools are able to form budgets in which technological tools are placed in the classroom, the need for teachers to be able to use those resources to their full potential. In today’s society, corporations are looking for employees who are, creative in problem solving, have critical and analytical thinking skills, and gather and evaluate information. So who is responsible for training and preparing our youth?

According to Howie DiBlasi, teachers are the stepping stones in this IT world and he has outlined the top 16 things that educators need to do and has some advice in how to make this happen.

1. Hug a Geek- Find an IT mentor
2. Create a Social Network-Use web based platforms such as Ning
3. Develop Problem Solving Skills-Integrated brainteasers or puzzles to help development
4. Start Collaborating-Google Docs is a perfect format for interacting on projects
5. Use project Based Learning-Use real world scenarios to teach traditional skills
6. Develop Information Processing Skills-Teach students how to validate information and understand the IT structure
7. Give Kids a Global Voice-Collaborate with classrooms outside of school using web features such as ePals
8. Discover RSS-Using information through IT
9. Improve Critical Thinking Skills- Many tools available, one is project based learning
10. Teach our Kids to Be Self-Directed- make kids feel invested in learning by creating interesting projects that they will see all the way through
11. Create, Collaborate, Communicate-School Blogs are a perfect avenue for all students to participate in
12. Discover Social Bookmarking- Delicious is a good resource for shared information
13. Use interactive Video Conferencing- IVC can connect classrooms via Skype
14. Integrate Web 2.0 Tools Into Every Aspect of the Curriculum-See DiBlasi’s website for helpful hints
15. Promote 1:1 Computing- With refurbished computers, it is easier to put it into the school budget
16. Staff Development Is Fundamental-Teacher resource training is key to making this IT change in the classroom

Questions:
#1 How often should teachers be educated in technology?

Teachers should be required every year to take a refresher course or an informational course that teaches skills needed in the classroom. If the teachers are not current with IT, it ultimately affects the students.

#2 With budget cuts, and limited spending within school districts, how can all classrooms be prepared for the technology of the 21st century?

Unfortunately it is up to the parents and teachers to be creative in finding ways to make sure that the students have the necessary technology to stay competitive with other districts that have the funding for technology. Using private businesses, large corporations or individual families may sponsor or fundraise to make the necessary monetary costs for computers.

Journal January 2009 32-33. 21 Feb 2009 .Riedel, Chris. "Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills." The

Classroom Newsletter-NETS (2,3)

This is a classroom newsletter created by me.
Newsletter So

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Journal #3: Keep Them Chatting

By Jeanie Cole

The general idea on online discussions in school is widespread and becoming more the norm in classroom settings then it used to be. Sometimes using online chat, discussion boards and wiki can be dull and uninspiring and tend to bore students into discussing personal matters rather than the assigned task. There are ways to avoid this and inspire students to learn in this new technology of online discussions. One way is for the teacher to give specific open ended questions that provoke thought from the student. They can interact by visiting one another’s wiki’s and giving each other constructive feedback. Another way is to ask questions that involve research and problem solving. A popular way to work collaboratively on this type of assignment is to use the program GoogleDocs. Some other methods of online collaboration are to view other media resources, such as videos or photographs. As stated in the article, using comparison methods can also be beneficial, whether they are logical or illogical. Comparing a roller coaster that the student creates to ones already constructed and also illogically comparing a historical figure to a Muppet character are different ways to studying the subject matter.

Questions:
#1 What should the time allotment be with students online collaboration?

It is important to spend quality time on the computer for homework and in class assignments, but in today’s society, too much emphasis is placed on sitting in front of the computer with out having a serious task, such. as video games and it is causing a social rift between children and society as a whole. Too many children are becoming physically lazy and complacent. They are happy to just sit and not spend enough time outdoors in an exercise activity. The growing number of childhood obesity in today’s US society gives credit to the computer age.

#2 Should online collaboration be taught as a equally in school as physical collaboration?

Having online collaboration offers many benefits that physical collaboration does not offer. One would be that information can be found and shared with anyone who is interested, regardless of where that students lives. That information can be important and beneficial to another who would not otherwise have access to it. The physical side of it is that it creates social intimacy and bonding amongst peers who can work together in a group setting and use each others strengths to complete the task. They both are equally important.

Cole, Jeanie. "Keep Them Chatting." Learning & Leading with Technology Vol.36, #5february 2009 32-33. 21 Feb 2009 .

Journal #2: Museums in the Classroom

by Rose Reissman, PhD

This informational article titled “Museums in the Classroom” is a beneficial tool for teachers as well as students to enjoy the vast array of museum artifacts and history. This cyber tool won’t be able to replace the personal atmosphere of actually visiting a museum, but it is the next best thing. Many students don’t live in areas where there are world renowned museums to go and see, but these websites allow people to have the same access to information and the cost of it all could not be better: free! The wealth of knowledge is overwhelming but fascinating to know that all of it is available to anyone 24 hours a day with access from a computer.

Questions:

#1 Knowing the benefits of having the access to the museum websites, what are the negatives of it?

I found that after looking through so much information, such as facts about American Presidents, I found that it was too much information to process in a short time. Also, students need to think critically for themselves regarding historical data, and that needs to be emphasized in conversation within the classroom.

#2 With all the latest historical information, how often do the websites update their information?

I found that when investigating the websites given in the current issue of Learning and Leading with Technology in February 2009, one was not available anymore. So with that said, the user of the cyber information must be careful to look when the data was given and how relevant the information is that the student or teacher is seeking.

Reissman, Rose. "Museums in the Classroom." Learning & Leading with Technology Vol.36, #5february 2009 36-37. 21 Feb 2009 .

Social Bookmarking

Answers:
1.The value of using primary resources in education will be a valuable tool to use once I am in the classroom. I looked at the "tokens and Treasures" exhibit and I was amazed on the display of gifts that were given to our former Presidents. I am thrilled to have such interesting and fun information ready and available to me 24/7.
2. The three area that I would be most competent in doing to help create a culturally integrated community in our school system would be ones that help network people together. I am great at delegating and getting the ball rolling on things. I tend to make quick decisions and use good judgment with creating new tasks and jobs for people.
~Create a cultural competence committee or task force. Include administrators, teachers, education support professionals, students, family, and community representatives. The committee can serve as the primary governing body for planning, implementing, and evaluating organizational cultural competence initiatives.
~Build and use a network of "natural helpers" at school and in the community as well as "experts" who have knowledge of the culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups served by your school.
~Network with parent, family, minority community, and faith-based organizations concerned with the needs of diverse students. Solicit their involvement and input in the design and implementation of initiatives for culturally, linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups.
3. I loved the colorful graphics in this 7h grade social studies site. History can be so dull for so many people but the website of the Gold Rush had a virtual tour of the museum as well as offered a audio version to go along side it. It was interactive, had information for teaching curriculum and used real pictures to tell the story of California's past.
4. This website has been my greatest find so far! Easy and simple to use and a ton of information. I am still discovering new things. I looked into the Eyewitness to History and liked that there were stories, journal entries, pictures and other media used to tell a fist hand account of so many famous people.
5. How we think and learn has always fascinated me and it seems very simple, but so complex. When I have taken the multiple intelligence test in the past and read the description of it, I knew it was dead on! So, with this informational website, I can study further into the intelligences and use the awesome resource page. This is a useful and insightful website that I will check into often.
6. Teaching Tolerance is a subject that has so many facets to it but with one general purpose, and I was happy to discover new ways of thinking and educating students. With living so close to the Mexico border, I thought that the lesson plan about discovering family roots and immigration would be appropriate. We have many students in San Diego from Mexico as well as other countries whose families have migrated here in the last generation. At one point all out ancestors have and it is good for the students to realize that we all have one purpose in mind, freedom and equality. Check it out at http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?cid=331
7.I thought I had this quiz in the bag! My score was 3/10 correct! All the questions provoked thought into how unfair and unequal our society is. Here are the two I chose to ponder...
13 Based on a 2007 report from the Economic Policy Institute, the annual earnings of the average full-time U.S. worker is roughly equal to:
(Answer=The DAILY earnings)
the hourly earnings of the average CEO in the U.S.
the daily earnings of the average CEO in the U.S.
the weekly earnings of the average CEO in the U.S.
the monthly earnings of the average CEO in the U.S.
14 What portion of the U.S. Government budget goes to welfare and Social Security?
(Answer= 20% Social Security and 1% Welfare)
25% to welfare and 25% to Social Security
less than 1% to welfare and 20% to Security
20% to welfare and 1% to Social Security
less than 1% to welfare and less than 1% to Social Security
It is pretty incredible that CEO's get paid that much more than the average working Joe. I'm sure that does not include all the perks that go along with the wealthy upper class. On that same note, I have a problem with the highly overpaid and glamorized professional athletes and movie stars who have a very plush life. We never seem to talk about them.....maybe its time we should.
In regards to the welfare and social security funds, I don't have an answer on how to fix it....it seems so complicated for me to even think about, and I am sure that is what those who are receiving those benefits are thinking as well. Their lives are too stressful and hard enough to try and make a difference in the system, so everything changes at a snails pace.
8.I am proud to say that I scored a 9/10 on the Netiquette Quiz. My Great-Grandmother would be so proud! Netiquette does seem to be simple common sense, but som many people out there don't often use theirs! So, as in life, it is important to set some sort of rules or guidelines for people to follow to create civility amongst all those out there in cyberspace!

:-D

Journal #1: Passport to Digital Citizenship

By Mike Ribble

This article was an important reminder that children need to have rules and regulations concerning the use of technology inside and outside of the classroom.
The subject of technology use was well thought out and defined the guidelines and rules that are important for the children to follow. Some of these regulations regarding technology are also ones that are considered life learning lessons such as using safe decision making skills, responsible behavior, having a positive attitude, and using leadership skills. The nine elements of digital citizenship are also valuable for the children and adults to follow as well. The reflection model of technology involves the children with their parents to discuss issues they may have about technology.

Questions:
#1 Should we require parents to take a technology course to promote digital citizenship for themselves as well as their children?

Yes, it is important that parents are educated the same as their children because they tend to not have the skills to help their children with homework. Since they are on the same academic level, the children have no one to turn to meet their technological needs at home.

#2 Should there be consequences for students who do not follow the important rules of digital citizenship?

Yes, just as in any other rules in the school setting, students should be held accountable for breaking the rules. One of the consequences could be that the computer privilege is taken away for a set amount of time. Or, the student could write a letter to his or her peers explaining what rule was violated and the importance of following the rules. Another could be a conference with the parents, so they can talk with the student at home and reinforce the right behavior with technology.

Ribble , Mike. "Passport to Digital Citizenship." Learning & Leading with Technology 12/2008 14-17. 4 Feb 2009 .

BLOG

Intro Letter

Hello fellow bloggers…is that what we’re called? My name is Sally O’Neill and I am from Southern California! I was born and raised up in North Orange County where I went through elementary to high school in Los Alamitos. Many of you may have heard of this tiny town near Seal Beach…it is home to the Los Alamitos Race Track…which is like a second home to my family! I needed my space after high school so I went to SDSU for one whole semester!!! Way too much of a party school for me…. I could not handle the many late nights involved with living in Pacific Beach! So I transferred up to UC Irvine where I actually had a hard time finding a seat in the study hall! Big difference from SDSU to say the least! Here I doubled majored in English and Poli Sci before having a minor mental breakdown my senior year!!(Not really) So, instead of applying for law school, I took off to Maui and lived there for the next 5 years! During this time I was married, had my sweet daughter Kylie, and eventually my husband’s grad school moved us back to San Diego. Here I commuted up to UC Irvine to finish what I started, but ended up getting my BA in Social Studies. Very long I know…
Currently I’ve been teaching the Pre-K program for the past 9 years at a private school in Rancho Santa Fe, and I am so ready to dig in and teach middle school!

I like to think that I'm hip to technology, but I am only fooling myself. (Sad to say but my daughter had to help me with this blog!) I have a PC at home and a Mac for my classroom, which I rarely use because I cannot think when I have 18 children around me! I have the Office 2003 version and Windows Vista…is that bad? I am terrible at typing and wish I never ditched 7th period typing class in high school! Jeff is an excellent teacher and I am so thankful I am taking this class with him! He's a cool guy with a lot of patience! With that said…I know I can figure this all out.

Ah yes, the mission statement…I think that it is a fantastic idea to incorporate teaching educational equity and diversity. I learned in EDUC 364 that as educators we must think about the importance of diversity in our schools. So much depends on our mindset as teachers and how we communicate to the students. The COE mission statement was not a factor in choosing CSUSM, I had never thought much about it until now.