Word Play

When it comes to looking at a page of a story, article, or anything that looks too much to read, sometimes students just won't be interested in even reading it. However in the article, "Words in a Cloud", written by Samantha Morra an idea is displayed to have a little fun with words.

In her article, she describes how she now uses a free-based Web tool called "Wordle" in the school environment. Wordle is a program that transforms any text into an image. In this case it is called a "word cloud. It will enhance colors and emphasize words in the text that are repetitively used. You are also able to edit it yourself and structure it however you like it. This worked well with students when it came to being creative in making images for projects. They were allowed to demonstrate theme and character for their "word clouds". It had also opened up discussions on the way some students would emphasize or categorize different words with each other. Many interpretations opened up and students had to use critical thinking skills to figure out what they got out of looking at each "word cloud". Students and even teachers became familiar with this program making it more appealing when it came to learning.

I really enjoyed this idea of incorporating imaging into texts. I would like to use this in my classroom because it will also allow students to express themselves and work up their imagination. It is also a good resource in practicing with the Web and the use on the computers. One thing I am a little worried about is that students would eventually used this program as an easy way out to do all their projects since the program does the majority of things for you.

A Digital Adventure

"The Adventures of the 109'ers" by Diane Randolph

As of today, I think as generations are coming along they lack the desire to pick up the newspaper and read what is going on on the outside world or anything global. How can we make it a more exciting experience for younger children to be interested learning about another part of the world?

In this article, a group of fifth graders known as the "109'ers" had the opportunity to take multiple cyberadventures with a documentary photojournalists, Doug Clevenger. After a month of studying the Artic and keeping in touch with Doug and his assignments, the students were able to create a classroom blog they posted two times a week. They used a program called "ULead", excel, the Internet, and other software to keep track of all the information they were receiving. They were able to make presentations and get information to record as they continued with this research of the Artic. One neat thing I liked was that the students got to meet other students from the village of Tuktoyaktuk.

I believe that this was a great way to expose students to the global community. It does open a different modes of learning and the use of technology. I would definitely use something like this in my classroom. A "grade-level" blog seems appropriate to have at a school. Students will be more engaged at an experience like this. Being able to chat and asking questions to people from a different part of the world is a great way to collect data, create graphs or presentations on what they have learned. Nothing is ever repetitive, because there is so much more to find out about somewhere else other than your surroundings.

Getting Teachers Technology Training

"Portable Data Empowers Leaders" by Mary L. McNabb

Since 2002, administrators from Michigan have been participating in the Leading The Future (LTF) to collaboratively meet challenges of using the technology in the school environment. The faculty trained to use various technologies to reach the goal of: building leadership, accessing current data and informational resources, and forming strategic decisions. This can all sum up to the idea of having "portable data". Since the training program has been effective, the majority of the faculty have been using technology to a great extent. Even at point where each faculty point was appointed to a group of five hundred or more students (known as a cohort), each one was able to keep track of each student in an efficient way. They are able to access student profiles that obtain their background, contact information, and academic progress. Contacting their parents is a much easier process and having that opportunity to communicate in a faster way is open Teachers can now be updated on statewide and nationwide scores, and now have an effective way to keep track of their own work such as observations, assessments, and personal notes on the students. Achievement in students is no longer a problem in the state of Michigan when it comes to the use of technology, and it should be only a matter of time to set this kind of standard nationwide.

Having teachers or the faculty as a whole at schools knowledgeable about the various technologies is crucial. I think that it is very important that we as teachers are able to use simple things as a computer, cameras, projectors, or anything available to them. It will help them greatly with keeping track of their own students and will also expose the use to their students. If technology was exposed on a daily basis, students will also learn about them and use them as well. I would definitely use any type of technology in my classroom when I could. Having a computer accessible to the students is a start, or even having time in a computer lab will be a good idea for the students. It will allow the students to have practice and will open up new ideas on what they have found out using these different technologies. Technology is always advancing, and in my eyes if technology is advancing so will our students.

Journal 1: Chatting It Up Online

"Chatting It Up Online" by Pamela Livingston

In the article "Chatting It Up Online", Livingston displays various techniques to prepare myself and others as a teacher. As teachers, I believe that we have to always be one step ahead of the game. The article gave good examples of situations where things don't go as planned. One was making sure the chat session was confirmed before even telling the students about it. This prevented disappointment and also allows time to have an alternative activity for them just in case it didn't come through. I have never thought of having an online chat session but from the article I read, the boys had a beneficial experience from it. The use of technology gave fast responses for them and I am now aware that some factors need to be looked into such as firewall issues and school policies for use of the Internet. It was good idea to have the students review their questions before presenting them to the author. Instead of asking basic questions, students presented with questions that had a response that lead into a motivational story.

I would adapt the idea of having this online chatting among my students. I would definitely want to expose my students to the use of computers as much as I can. As the future is coming, things in school are becoming more technology based. The idea of online chatting can open up a doorway to having the students keep in touch with each other and also with the teacher as well. This will also develop the students chatting skills. As for having an online chat session with an author, I would like to use this idea if I were to have a curriculum based on a set of books we were reading in the class. Having a discussion with the students on how they feel about doing online chats with authors would also be present in my future classroom, and from there learn what needs to be improved with this activity.

For this article, relevant ISTE NETS for teachers would be Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. ISTE NETS for students would include Communication and Collaboration and Technology Operations and Concepts.