Here is my persuasive video for class. The video is longer than the 3 minute requirement, because I will be using it to present some information to my administration. I may tweak the video before I present in January, but this is a good start.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
PE8_More Google (quiz and Calendar)
I have not quite figured out the color coding from the article. I'm still working on that.
But a fellow Full Sail month 6 or 7 student shared a formula with me for an Excel spreadsheet. So I tried it in Google Docs...and IT WORKED!
Here is the formula. Basically you are taking the "english word" column and checking to see if "your answer" column matches. If it does then the "check spanish" column will state "TRUE". If it does not match, the column will state "FALSE".
This picture shows me "hide column". The reason I wanted to Hide Column B & D was to prevent student cheating (column B was answer key), and column D was their results. Now, you can leave column D shown to allow students to have immediate feedback and the ability to try again.
This pictures shows the step of "freeze column". I chose to freeze column 2 to prevent students from "unhiding" the column to see the answers.
Sharing the spreadsheet with a "student' this happens to be with me as I set up a teacher/classroom email and iGoogle page.
Here is the "quiz" that the "student" took. as you can see the student got a 7 out of 10 on the quiz. Now my initial thought was "Oh my gosh, now the next student is going to see the answers the first student put in." But then I thought back to the ability to review the history of the changes. So if I could train my students to take the quiz. Save it. Clear the quiz answers. Save it again. Then the next student can take the quiz without the answers.
This next screenshot is of a quiz on a Google Form. I reviewed forms from a previous section, but had forgotten about this screen. So when the article said that you can use this screen from the form to grade, I thought I'd check it out. I think this is also where you can color code the columns, but again I haven't figured that part out yet.
Now moving on to Google Calendar. I am interested in this function because students like to know when assignments are. My current set up is very cumbersome and they often have two places to look for calendars. They are quite frustrated. So to lighten the load...I thought I'd give this a try. I like how I can have multiple calendars for myself, but then have one class calendar for Spanish 1 and another for Spanish 2. My only concern is I have three different classes with three different schedules (Block schedule, 4-day schedule (M-Th), and a Hybrid 4-day/block schedule (M,T,Th,F). So to have all the assignments on one calendar might make it cumbersome. But I'll just have to work that out.
But a fellow Full Sail month 6 or 7 student shared a formula with me for an Excel spreadsheet. So I tried it in Google Docs...and IT WORKED!
This picture shows me "hide column". The reason I wanted to Hide Column B & D was to prevent student cheating (column B was answer key), and column D was their results. Now, you can leave column D shown to allow students to have immediate feedback and the ability to try again.
This pictures shows the step of "freeze column". I chose to freeze column 2 to prevent students from "unhiding" the column to see the answers.
Sharing the spreadsheet with a "student' this happens to be with me as I set up a teacher/classroom email and iGoogle page. 
This next screenshot is of a quiz on a Google Form. I reviewed forms from a previous section, but had forgotten about this screen. So when the article said that you can use this screen from the form to grade, I thought I'd check it out. I think this is also where you can color code the columns, but again I haven't figured that part out yet.
Now moving on to Google Calendar. I am interested in this function because students like to know when assignments are. My current set up is very cumbersome and they often have two places to look for calendars. They are quite frustrated. So to lighten the load...I thought I'd give this a try. I like how I can have multiple calendars for myself, but then have one class calendar for Spanish 1 and another for Spanish 2. My only concern is I have three different classes with three different schedules (Block schedule, 4-day schedule (M-Th), and a Hybrid 4-day/block schedule (M,T,Th,F). So to have all the assignments on one calendar might make it cumbersome. But I'll just have to work that out.
 |
| Showing both calendars |
 |
| One calendar alone |
 |
| the other calendar alone |
I'm looking forward to the next month when I delve further into this cloud!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
PE7_Google Quiz
Thanks to a dear librarian friend...I have found my answer. It was right under my nose the whole time.
One of the comments in the article was to color code the columns. The other is to have a 2nd sheet with codes. I'll be trying those tomorrow. Will repost my results.
I have also completed the training at Lynda.
One of the comments in the article was to color code the columns. The other is to have a 2nd sheet with codes. I'll be trying those tomorrow. Will repost my results.
I have also completed the training at Lynda.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
PE6_Google Forms
Finally, I have gotten to the videos on how to create a form.
If you would like to view the form created click here.
Here is the form below if the link did not work:
If you would like to view the form created click here.
Here is the form below if the link did not work:
PE5_Google Spreedsheet
Part 2 of the Google doc experiment.
I wanted to accomplish the certification for Google Docs through Lynda.com. However, I am half way through and BORED out of my mind. I have made it through the documents videos. I am now starting the spreadsheets videos.
Through my previous jobs and education, I have become pretty proficient in the Microsoft Office products. So these basic videos on Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets are pretty dang repetitive. At first, I was REALLY disappointed in the fact that these videos didn't teach me a whole lot of new information. BUT then I realized that my learning curve will be substantially small due to my previous knowledge of similar software.
Therefore, I have a new thought...I'll keep watching the videos and keep gleaming nuggets of information from these videos. Because I KNOW that I will be learning a lot when the videos start talking about forms. These are one area that I never worked with (outside of class) so therefore I did not retain the information.
My classroom will be able to benefit from these docs online. It'll save time from emailing assignments.
Here is a sample grade sheet.
So stay tuned for more blog posts on my Google Docs Experiment.
I wanted to accomplish the certification for Google Docs through Lynda.com. However, I am half way through and BORED out of my mind. I have made it through the documents videos. I am now starting the spreadsheets videos.
Through my previous jobs and education, I have become pretty proficient in the Microsoft Office products. So these basic videos on Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets are pretty dang repetitive. At first, I was REALLY disappointed in the fact that these videos didn't teach me a whole lot of new information. BUT then I realized that my learning curve will be substantially small due to my previous knowledge of similar software.
Therefore, I have a new thought...I'll keep watching the videos and keep gleaming nuggets of information from these videos. Because I KNOW that I will be learning a lot when the videos start talking about forms. These are one area that I never worked with (outside of class) so therefore I did not retain the information.
My classroom will be able to benefit from these docs online. It'll save time from emailing assignments.
Here is a sample grade sheet.
So stay tuned for more blog posts on my Google Docs Experiment.
PE4_Google Documents
This week's Practical Experience was tied between Google Docs and Flash. I have networked with some students a few months ahead of me in the EDMT program at Full Sail. I have seen some work they have done using Flash and am excited to learn more about that...in time.
This week I chose Google Docs because of the ability to use it right away in class. I have started using the documents to create vocabulary worksheets for my Spanish students. I divided the class into groups. Each group was responsible for a certain section of the vocabulary list. They found the definitions for the words and were then able to type them into the Google Doc. One class was creative and changed formatting. The other class wasn't so creative and left the format at the default.
Learning #1: When doing a vocabulary list, I should type the words and format as needed prior to assigning students to the section. This will allow me to control tabs or tables to separate the word from the definition. This is also helpful when dealing with verb conjugations.
I am using Lynda.com Google tutorials. So far it is pretty similar to Microsoft Word. Being that I am pretty proficient in MW, I'm excited to know that I can go ahead and upload my current documents. The sharing aspect of these documents and folders are going to be really useful.
Learning #2: Sharing documents and folders, students can turn in their assignments to me by sharing the document with me or by having an assignment folder that they share with me.
Learning #3: I can change the language to Spanish for spell check!
See sample.
Learning #4: The ability to bookmark within a document will be helpful when I start adding class notes. I can have a content list or chapter title at the top of the document with bookmark links to the actual notes within the document. No more scrolling!
Learning #5: you can revert back to previously saved versions. This will HELP me because I have a weekly calendar that I use for both classes. If I forget to SAVE AS and change the document title, I lose the previously saved classes' calendar. YES this has happened many times. SO this will save me!
Stay tuned for more learning!
This week I chose Google Docs because of the ability to use it right away in class. I have started using the documents to create vocabulary worksheets for my Spanish students. I divided the class into groups. Each group was responsible for a certain section of the vocabulary list. They found the definitions for the words and were then able to type them into the Google Doc. One class was creative and changed formatting. The other class wasn't so creative and left the format at the default.
Learning #1: When doing a vocabulary list, I should type the words and format as needed prior to assigning students to the section. This will allow me to control tabs or tables to separate the word from the definition. This is also helpful when dealing with verb conjugations.
I am using Lynda.com Google tutorials. So far it is pretty similar to Microsoft Word. Being that I am pretty proficient in MW, I'm excited to know that I can go ahead and upload my current documents. The sharing aspect of these documents and folders are going to be really useful.
Learning #2: Sharing documents and folders, students can turn in their assignments to me by sharing the document with me or by having an assignment folder that they share with me.
Learning #3: I can change the language to Spanish for spell check!
See sample.
Learning #4: The ability to bookmark within a document will be helpful when I start adding class notes. I can have a content list or chapter title at the top of the document with bookmark links to the actual notes within the document. No more scrolling!
Learning #5: you can revert back to previously saved versions. This will HELP me because I have a weekly calendar that I use for both classes. If I forget to SAVE AS and change the document title, I lose the previously saved classes' calendar. YES this has happened many times. SO this will save me!
Stay tuned for more learning!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
BP8_gogofrog
Well I first took a look at this site because I love frogs. Yes, simple I know. However, the capabilities of this site brought me back for a second look. This appears to be a Second Life type website with NO downloads. Yes that's right NO downloads. The site is run strictly online. The site is gogofrog and it is very interactive.
There is a video on the homepage of the site. But here is another video found on YouTube.
If you would like to take a look at the room I created, please go here. I found the learning curve for this is pretty similar to that of Second Life. Although once completed, teachers could use this room as a virtual classroom. There are video chat options. You can upload videos to interactive tvs. You can upload music.
The main classroom can be a lobby where students meet and chat. Then you can add additional rooms for each class. If you would like to keep the site secure, so only those with passwords can enter, that option is available. This may be particularly useful when/if parents are concerned about online safety.
I researched this tool for use in the classroom, however there are a plethora of other uses for a 3-D website. SO be creative and get one of your own. Sign up is easy and free.
There is a video on the homepage of the site. But here is another video found on YouTube.
If you would like to take a look at the room I created, please go here. I found the learning curve for this is pretty similar to that of Second Life. Although once completed, teachers could use this room as a virtual classroom. There are video chat options. You can upload videos to interactive tvs. You can upload music.
The main classroom can be a lobby where students meet and chat. Then you can add additional rooms for each class. If you would like to keep the site secure, so only those with passwords can enter, that option is available. This may be particularly useful when/if parents are concerned about online safety.
 |
| my main room |
Sign-up is free and there are MANY free items to place into your room. Just like Second Life, there are items that are available for purchase. You can also upload your own items and objects. Creation of your own items can lead to sales. Money is gogofrog is called gogos. You use your paypal account to exchange dollars for gogos.  |
| Site description and tags can help you network your classroom. |
 |
| adding students is easy |
 |
| Movement keys |
Moving around a simulated environments takes some talented keyboard strokes. However with gogofrog, they have a reminder picture when you log in of these. (see above picture).
I researched this tool for use in the classroom, however there are a plethora of other uses for a 3-D website. SO be creative and get one of your own. Sign up is easy and free.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Michael Wesch
A portal to media literacy
This video was for the Wimba session last week. However, I wanted to view it again and take notes this time. So here's my notes and screenshots from video.
Screenshot video created in iMovie.
This video was for the Wimba session last week. However, I wanted to view it again and take notes this time. So here's my notes and screenshots from video.
Crisis of significance:
Moving beyond rote memorization: all the information is floating around us at any given moment. “The reality is the vast majority of human knowledge is actually floating in the air all around us right now. And a better skill might be to find a way to harness that information, critique it, and maybe create something new out of it.”
YouTube video: more hours of video uploaded in last six months than the previous ½ century of tv broadcasting
Collective Intelligence. “Nobody is as smart as everybody.” Kevin Kelly
Web 1.0 – text – no interaction
Web 2.0 – interaction
“Information can find us” through RSS
“looking glass self” Cooley
“Law of accelerating returns” Ray Kirswell
killerstartups.com
Think about learning environments as platforms for participation…allow students to understand emerging media
Students work harder for peers than for professors
student created notes in Wiki are powerful study tools for tests - teacher allowed to see learning process
Metcalf's Law N(N-1)/2 = group connections
Reed's Law for possible subgroups and their value = 2n-N-1
Places to follow:
"Have we prepared our students for this?"
"this is not a download world but an upload world"
Screenshot video created in iMovie.
Clay Shirky
Wow there is a lot of information in this video. I think I am on information overload this month. But that aside, what did I get out of this video?
The use of stories to SHOW the point he was making was spectacular! I don't like being told something. I like to be shown. Therefore, what stuck with me through the video was:
1. the social effects of technology - when technology becomes an assumption or a given and the society flows from it. The combustion engine. One just assumes that you need a combustion engine to drive a car to get to a drive-in diner or movie. But you don't think about it. Today's youth do not remember being without a phone. I have heard elementary students tell their parents that "it is MY RIGHT to have a phone." And I've heard some parents say they wouldn't let their children go to a mall (or wherever) without a phone just in case.
2. Rungs of a Ladder: Sharing, Conversation, Collaboration, and Collective Action. So as we go up the rungs, so too does the amount of collaboration increase. The history of group is: we are thrown in here let's make the best of the situation. Now we have groups forming out of shared ideas. It truly is a reverse of group formation.
3. Community of practice: because the group is formed out of shared ideas, we can all work together to make the group better. Shirky's explanation of the high dynamic range photography group was appealing. The idea of one person posting an idea followed by others joining a group discussion is appealing to an online learning environment. I have recently found some tools like busuu.com and lenguajero.com that use a similar, albeit non-random, collective learning environment.
The use of stories to SHOW the point he was making was spectacular! I don't like being told something. I like to be shown. Therefore, what stuck with me through the video was:
1. the social effects of technology - when technology becomes an assumption or a given and the society flows from it. The combustion engine. One just assumes that you need a combustion engine to drive a car to get to a drive-in diner or movie. But you don't think about it. Today's youth do not remember being without a phone. I have heard elementary students tell their parents that "it is MY RIGHT to have a phone." And I've heard some parents say they wouldn't let their children go to a mall (or wherever) without a phone just in case.
2. Rungs of a Ladder: Sharing, Conversation, Collaboration, and Collective Action. So as we go up the rungs, so too does the amount of collaboration increase. The history of group is: we are thrown in here let's make the best of the situation. Now we have groups forming out of shared ideas. It truly is a reverse of group formation.
3. Community of practice: because the group is formed out of shared ideas, we can all work together to make the group better. Shirky's explanation of the high dynamic range photography group was appealing. The idea of one person posting an idea followed by others joining a group discussion is appealing to an online learning environment. I have recently found some tools like busuu.com and lenguajero.com that use a similar, albeit non-random, collective learning environment.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
PE3_iMovie
Welcome to the screen shots of my learning of iMovie on lynda.com tutorials. This posting will include the following tutorials: 11, 12, 13, 14 and Conclusion.
Wow my head is swimming. Guess I should have done this project over a view days instead of all in one setting. I'll be coming back to this post to finish the screenshots.
Here are a couple projects that show what I have learned. Yes one was last month's video, but I am so PROUD of that video that I had to share it again.
Wow my head is swimming. Guess I should have done this project over a view days instead of all in one setting. I'll be coming back to this post to finish the screenshots.
Here are a couple projects that show what I have learned. Yes one was last month's video, but I am so PROUD of that video that I had to share it again.
PE2_iMovie
Welcome to the screen shots of my learning of iMovie on lynda.com tutorials. This posting will include the following tutorials: 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
For the audio and video adjustments from tutorial 6, I must thank Matthew and Mike for their help with this last month! Thanks for teaching me! You guys are amazing teachers!
But things I did learn were "pinning music" and "ducking". Adding photos to videos will be a fun addition.
Keyboard shortcuts learned are: cmd + shift = audio clips used as sound effects;
For the audio and video adjustments from tutorial 6, I must thank Matthew and Mike for their help with this last month! Thanks for teaching me! You guys are amazing teachers!
But things I did learn were "pinning music" and "ducking". Adding photos to videos will be a fun addition.
Keyboard shortcuts learned are: cmd + shift = audio clips used as sound effects;
PE1_iMovie
Welcome to the screen shots of my learning of iMovie on lynda.com tutorials. This posting will include the following tutorials: Introduction, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. (screenshots are not in any particular order)
 |
| Fun ways to edit |
 |
| Keyboard shortcuts |
 |
| Marking clips as favorites or rejects |
 |
| Fine Tuning |
 |
| Project Folders |
 |
| merge event |
 |
| Printing an Event or Project |
 |
| Splitting Event, Adjust Date & Time, or Adding Still Frame |
 |
| View Events by Month |
 |
| View Full Screen |
***Yes believe it or not, I was viewing all my previous projects in the little tiny window in the upper right of the iMovie window!***
 |
| Adding music to the project |
 |
| Cropping the project |
Wow if this is what I have learned in the first 5 tutorials. I can't wait for the next set! Come back soon to see what else this chica is learning.
Hasta luego!
BP7_OMM_Busuu
Busuu...The tool for your school
To view full size video click here.
Here is my commercial for Busuu.com. I found the "free" option is quite limited. If I were to actually present this to the administration, I would also pay for the upgraded option and do another short video to show the difference. The goal would be for administration to pay for the memberships for students rather than leaving them with the free. Either way, adding this to the curriculum would be a great asset to the students learning a foreign language.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Random thoughts
I am watching a True Hollywood Story on Adam Lambert. He has some great insights:
"You can't be afraid of your potential. You can't expect things to come to you; you have to create your own opportunities."
"I was almost scared of my own success. I didn't really grab life by the horns because I didn't want to succeed."
As Oprah coined the term, I've had my "Aha Moment"!
"You can't be afraid of your potential. You can't expect things to come to you; you have to create your own opportunities."
"I was almost scared of my own success. I didn't really grab life by the horns because I didn't want to succeed."
As Oprah coined the term, I've had my "Aha Moment"!
BP4_Toondoo
I am excited about this Web 2.0 tool from Toondoo where students can create online cartoons with built in clip art. I have used cartoons as a way to get students to use their creativity in learning the Spanish language. Often students feel overwhelmed because they "can't draw" or are "not creative". So this alleviates the art aspect of cartoons and allows students to enjoy their creativity.
This tool has uses outside of the classroom as well. If you find yourself needing to make a point, but don't want to "nag", you can create your own cartoon.
Or if you have a store or a need for advertising, you can create your own advertisement.
 |
| Trial Run to my first cartoon |
This tool has uses outside of the classroom as well. If you find yourself needing to make a point, but don't want to "nag", you can create your own cartoon.
Or if you have a store or a need for advertising, you can create your own advertisement.
 |
| A start to an add for my friend's shoe store |
The ideas for this tool are endless. There is an option when saving that you can allow others to change your cartoon. So if you are working collaboratively with a group around the country, you can choose this option. You can also email friends to view the cartoon. Once completed, you can change the setting to not allow changes. The other option that is interesting is the purchase option. Others can purchase your cartoon. You may be able to use this as a fundraiser for your school or activity club.
Happy Creating!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
BP3_iGoogle Screenshots
When we created our iGoogle home page in Month 1, I thought it was just another cumbersome sticky note in life. Often some tools just create more work. But thanks to this assignment, I have found something that'll help organize my crazy schedule. Yes these pages are for class, but I'll be able to add pages for each of my classes that I teach.
Also for future use: I am thinking that my CBR project of personalized social learning could incorporate this PLE as a way to organize Web 2.0 tools for class. I'm excited to implement this and see how the students respond.
 |
| Home Screen |
 |
| CBR screen |
 |
| ETC screen |
 |
| FSO screen (page 1 of 2) |
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
BP2_Schoology
Busuu: This site looks amazing. I will be able to start using this as well as a couple other sites to help my students learn. This site reminds me of a very popular and very expensive program that is rather static and linear. This appears to be customizable.
When I originally started this process, I was under the impression that I needed to create some of these games/websites myself. I know that is pretty "high and mighty" of me to think that no one else thought of this before me. However it is a GREAT relief to know that there are others out there that think like I do. That there are a plethora of unique and amazing Web 2.0 tools that I can incorporate into my classroom. What a time saver!!!
A previous teacher colleague of mine stated that the biggest "rip-off teachers" are the foreign language teachers. I like to think of us not as "rip-offs" or "thieves" but as highly skilled researchers! With these tools we...I...will be able to engage and motivate my 2nd language learners.
Monday, November 22, 2010
BP1_Welcome to my thoughts
Well it is the beginning of Month 4 of my journey to integration.
I found a great website already. http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/mattarnetoj/502/conceptmap.html I'll have to check it out more, but it looks interesting at a quick glance.
Do you think that a charter school with only games (i.e. hands on equipment, video games, board games, etc) as the curriculum would be a viable opportunity for students? What would be some of the drawbacks to this type of system? Would this type of school be able to produce well-educated students?
What does it mean to be well-educated? Is there some room in that definition for creativity? Is it possible to have a well-educate student who can not pass a standardized test? Likewise, it is possible to have a proficient student who is not well-educated?
Do games have a legitimate place in education? Do games help with student understanding and learning? Are these latter two things mutually exclusive? Or are they symbiotic?
 |
| Mutually exclusive like each lense on a pair of eyeglasses. |
 |
Hmmm I really want to get on that soap box next, but ya'll will have to wait for another session of "Thoughts".
The conundrum of the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)