Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hawaii and Education
My friend sent me this link to an article from the Honolulu Advertiser about how there is currently a lot of tension around education in Hawaii. I worry about how this will affect the students of Hawaii and I hope that there is something that can be done to change the situation they are in now.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
INTASC evaluation
Please go to my website to find the projects I worked on to help meet my INTASC requirements.
MY FIRST WEBSITE!!!
Here is my first website using googlesites! After I got used to creating new pages and adding links to my pages, it was fairly easy to do. In my website are links to my blog, a description of how I will be integrating technology into my lessons, and 2 sample geometry lesson plans for my 4th graders :)
Here is the link to my website! ENJOY!!
Here is the link to my website! ENJOY!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
new tech standards & requirements
Taking this Ed Tech class has taught me that a lot of the Web 2.0 tools that we learned about are great ways to address all of these Educational Technology standards that students need to meet. There are many various programs that students can use and have access to anywhere that there is a computer and is connected to the web since these programs are web-based.
Google docs in many and great ways hits the various standards-for example with communication and collaboration (standard 2), students can share documents with each other and the teacher, work on documents together, and get immediate feedback on projects, papers, etc... sharing over a google document allows multiple people to work on a single project, and it's a great way for the teacher to also be a part of the process. It might be more of a challenge in our elementary school classrooms, but we can also use this as a way to share documents and information with families (if they have the resources at home), and students can have open communication and dialogue with the teacher and their peers. With research and information fluency (standard 3), students are required to apply digital tools to evaluate and use information. Our previous task in Ed Tech was to use data from a spreadsheet and create another document that we could manipulate, change, and try to work on. Our students can do the same on google docs where we as the teacher would give them a spreadsheet to put data in, and see if they understood the information by looking at the charts and/or tables and data they entered. Younger students could simply watch you as the teacher make a graph or chart, and see if they notice any changes or trends in data that was collected. This will lead students to (standard 4) critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. By showing students different methods and tools that they can use to solve problems, or making charts for students to critically think about the data can be extremely helpful for them to understand problem solving, but also helping them find ways that they can present data that they found in the classroom. Teaching and bringing awareness to our students is key when trying to address educational technology. Digital citizenship (standard 5) is a standard that I am sure has created some debate because there can be some who are worried about the nature of the online resources our students are tapping into on the internet. However, as we talked about in class, if you block youtube or other sites, you are taking away digital citizenship rights from students. Instead of hiding certain websites or programs, we need to educate students at a young(er) age, and talk about making good decisions when online. We want our students to explore their creativity and innovation (standard 1) through tools like YouTube, and so if we are restricting our students from those websites and programs, we are limiting their creativity and innovation as well. We as teachers need to work on finding ways to teach our students that children can use these websites and programs too, we just need to know what is appropriate and what is not. Lastly, in order to help our students meet the technology operations and concepts (standard 6) standard, it is important for us teachers to be ed tech savy and aware of tech literacy. The more aware we as teachers are, the better we can help our students, and get them involved in all sorts of programs and applications and tools like how we have been doing in our ed tech class so far!
As we move towards a more technology-run society, we need to do the best we can to help our students be prepared for what they may need to know and what they may need to use. (Education) technology is changing rapidly everyday, but it is never too late to start learning and trying new things-I hope to send that message out to my students in my classrooms!
Google docs in many and great ways hits the various standards-for example with communication and collaboration (standard 2), students can share documents with each other and the teacher, work on documents together, and get immediate feedback on projects, papers, etc... sharing over a google document allows multiple people to work on a single project, and it's a great way for the teacher to also be a part of the process. It might be more of a challenge in our elementary school classrooms, but we can also use this as a way to share documents and information with families (if they have the resources at home), and students can have open communication and dialogue with the teacher and their peers. With research and information fluency (standard 3), students are required to apply digital tools to evaluate and use information. Our previous task in Ed Tech was to use data from a spreadsheet and create another document that we could manipulate, change, and try to work on. Our students can do the same on google docs where we as the teacher would give them a spreadsheet to put data in, and see if they understood the information by looking at the charts and/or tables and data they entered. Younger students could simply watch you as the teacher make a graph or chart, and see if they notice any changes or trends in data that was collected. This will lead students to (standard 4) critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. By showing students different methods and tools that they can use to solve problems, or making charts for students to critically think about the data can be extremely helpful for them to understand problem solving, but also helping them find ways that they can present data that they found in the classroom. Teaching and bringing awareness to our students is key when trying to address educational technology. Digital citizenship (standard 5) is a standard that I am sure has created some debate because there can be some who are worried about the nature of the online resources our students are tapping into on the internet. However, as we talked about in class, if you block youtube or other sites, you are taking away digital citizenship rights from students. Instead of hiding certain websites or programs, we need to educate students at a young(er) age, and talk about making good decisions when online. We want our students to explore their creativity and innovation (standard 1) through tools like YouTube, and so if we are restricting our students from those websites and programs, we are limiting their creativity and innovation as well. We as teachers need to work on finding ways to teach our students that children can use these websites and programs too, we just need to know what is appropriate and what is not. Lastly, in order to help our students meet the technology operations and concepts (standard 6) standard, it is important for us teachers to be ed tech savy and aware of tech literacy. The more aware we as teachers are, the better we can help our students, and get them involved in all sorts of programs and applications and tools like how we have been doing in our ed tech class so far!
As we move towards a more technology-run society, we need to do the best we can to help our students be prepared for what they may need to know and what they may need to use. (Education) technology is changing rapidly everyday, but it is never too late to start learning and trying new things-I hope to send that message out to my students in my classrooms!
Monday, October 12, 2009
PODCASTING!
Our group created a Yodio on PODCASTING! We all learned about Podcasting at the OTEN conference and thought that it could definitely be a tool that we can use in our classrooms to get students involved in their learning and engaged about their subject areas. Podcasting is also an easy way to introduce technology to young students, and it can be a great learning experience for everyone! We had a great time making our podcast by taking pictures for the Yodio, and recording what we learned and wanted to share. We thought that making our own Podcast would be a great way to share the benefits of Podcasting with our classmates! ENJOY the Podcast that Tricia, Becca, Kelsey and I made below...PODCASTS 4 LIFE!!! :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Ed Tech-Spread Sheet Assignment
By looking at the average test scores of both the overall group and below average group, scores progressively went up by test. Because we were only looking at the later half of the tests administered (Test 6-Test 10), it could help to explain why students would have possibly gotten better or shown more distinct improvements. As a teacher, I think this is a trend we would hope to see in test scores from our students-improvements as the year/lesson/unit goes along.
We were asked to "filter out" those students who scored above the average of 191.92, and that meant that out of the 26 students, 14 students were filtered out (only 12 students scored below the average). Of those in the below average groups, there were only 3 students (Katherine Hepburn, Jason Lee, and Walter Scott) whose scores fluctuated between test. The rest of the students had scores that progressively increased over the course of the last have of tests administered.
Student averages fluctuated and there was a range of averages across the board, however, as a teacher, if these were the results I got, I think that I would be pleased that there are students (despite scoring below the average) that are making steady improvements with each lesson/test. By looking at averages we are able to see (quantitatively) which of our students may be struggling, in what areas they are struggling, and get a feel for what the overall average of our class is understanding, learning, and achieving based on tests that are being administered. Also, as I mentioned before, by looking at trends and seeing improvements is a great way for we as teachers to see if our students are making improvements and if not, it's a great tool for us to take a step back and see how we can help our students.
We were asked to "filter out" those students who scored above the average of 191.92, and that meant that out of the 26 students, 14 students were filtered out (only 12 students scored below the average). Of those in the below average groups, there were only 3 students (Katherine Hepburn, Jason Lee, and Walter Scott) whose scores fluctuated between test. The rest of the students had scores that progressively increased over the course of the last have of tests administered.
Student averages fluctuated and there was a range of averages across the board, however, as a teacher, if these were the results I got, I think that I would be pleased that there are students (despite scoring below the average) that are making steady improvements with each lesson/test. By looking at averages we are able to see (quantitatively) which of our students may be struggling, in what areas they are struggling, and get a feel for what the overall average of our class is understanding, learning, and achieving based on tests that are being administered. Also, as I mentioned before, by looking at trends and seeing improvements is a great way for we as teachers to see if our students are making improvements and if not, it's a great tool for us to take a step back and see how we can help our students.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
do YOU believe in me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quH_pymfS8Q
This is an amazing video our professor showed us in class. This is truly the reason why we should continue to be inspired to become teachers and believe in our students.
This is an amazing video our professor showed us in class. This is truly the reason why we should continue to be inspired to become teachers and believe in our students.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
SKYPE!!!
It was a few years ago that a friend told me about Skype. At first I had no idea what it was and thought it was weird to talk to someone over the computer. A few months after I first heard about it, I had several friends who went abroad and were using Skype, so I gave it a shot. I had great success with Skype and it was so easy to use! My parents set up an account, my brother got an account, and soon, even though my brother and I were both away at college (and my parents were home in Hawaii), we could all stay connected! It's a great way to stay connected and it's simple to use.
In a classroom, it's a great way for students to learn interactively about different subjects, people, etc... and be connected to all sorts of sources and resources. As we saw in class, Skype is a great way to connect and learn together (no matter where you are in the world) about all sorts of different subject matter, and it follows the TPaCK principles for the students because of all of the ways that knowledge can be shared and used. Skype can be as quick or as long as you want it to be, and it can be a rather easy way to teach the students, and have students teach each other about what they are learning. Skype allows students to connect to people and resources all over the world, and that can be really exciting and educational for students of all ages and grade levels!
In a classroom, it's a great way for students to learn interactively about different subjects, people, etc... and be connected to all sorts of sources and resources. As we saw in class, Skype is a great way to connect and learn together (no matter where you are in the world) about all sorts of different subject matter, and it follows the TPaCK principles for the students because of all of the ways that knowledge can be shared and used. Skype can be as quick or as long as you want it to be, and it can be a rather easy way to teach the students, and have students teach each other about what they are learning. Skype allows students to connect to people and resources all over the world, and that can be really exciting and educational for students of all ages and grade levels!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
OTEN CONFERENCE
Hi! The following is my first yodio clip of what I learned and thought of the 2009 OTEN conference this weekend... ENJOY!
http://yodio.com/yo.aspx?cardid=QC1pTYBQap5cBRH7aUrPCK
http://yodio.com/yo.aspx?cardid=QC1pTYBQap5cBRH7aUrPCK
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
My Favorite Web2.0 Tools
Web2.0 is a way for people to access applications and services. Because it's web-based, it is accessible anywhere there is internet access at anytime. These technologies can have amazing positive impacts in our classrooms because it is a collaborative tool that is free and accessible anywhere at anytime. It can improve our effectiveness as an educator in very many ways because there are so many different tools that can be used for so many different things in the classroom. Also, when working with our diverse classrooms, it is important to have a wide range of tools that students can use, and with the tools and options on Web2.0, there is bound to be one or two tools that students can work with and use. Because Web2.0 is web-based and easily accessible to all students at anytime, it is a great way for students and teachers to have open communication and collaboration of ideas and resources.
1-Google Docs: Google Docs is a great web-based way for students and teachers to work on documents that can be shared, viewed, edited, and tracked. Because it automatically saves, students don't have to worry about ever losing their work, and it can be shared with the class and teacher. As an instructor, I can have students create gmail accounts, and have them do work on Google Docs that can be shared with their classmates and with me. This can be a collaborative way for students to get feedback from each other, send papers and projects and work to their peers to get edited, etc... Again, because it is web-based, it will be a quick and good way for students to access their work anywhere there is internet access.
2-Delicious: Delicious is a web-based bookmarking website that allows students and teachers to save favorites/bookmarks on the web, rather than on the desktop. This can be another great tool for students and teachers to use in class, especially when students are working on group projects or research or papers. Teachers and students can share helpful links and resources with each other and/or the rest of the class. This is a great way for the class to be on the same page and to get all students resources that can be helpful in many ways.
1-Google Docs: Google Docs is a great web-based way for students and teachers to work on documents that can be shared, viewed, edited, and tracked. Because it automatically saves, students don't have to worry about ever losing their work, and it can be shared with the class and teacher. As an instructor, I can have students create gmail accounts, and have them do work on Google Docs that can be shared with their classmates and with me. This can be a collaborative way for students to get feedback from each other, send papers and projects and work to their peers to get edited, etc... Again, because it is web-based, it will be a quick and good way for students to access their work anywhere there is internet access.
2-Delicious: Delicious is a web-based bookmarking website that allows students and teachers to save favorites/bookmarks on the web, rather than on the desktop. This can be another great tool for students and teachers to use in class, especially when students are working on group projects or research or papers. Teachers and students can share helpful links and resources with each other and/or the rest of the class. This is a great way for the class to be on the same page and to get all students resources that can be helpful in many ways.
using blogs as a teacher...
I have learned that blogging can be a good way for teachers to communicate information and have a conversation online with students, between peers, and anyone else you would want to have access to the blog. I think it is also a good place to share resources or links or thoughts and feedback, and can also be an accessible way for parents to see what their child is learning in class.
The more comfortable students become with blogging, the easier it will be to share information right away, and it can be a good way for peers to learn from each other. Another great thing about blogging is that because it is online, it is accessible anywhere and anytime!
The more comfortable students become with blogging, the easier it will be to share information right away, and it can be a good way for peers to learn from each other. Another great thing about blogging is that because it is online, it is accessible anywhere and anytime!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ED TECH
Here is me in Ed Tech class!!! I learned a lot about the benefits of incorporating technology in education. I really enjoyed the "Shift Happens" video on youtube. It was really eye-opening and interesting :)!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Reflection 6.3 and 6.13
Reflection 6.3
This is a count based on the several pages from Chapter 7 in the Educational Psychology text book.
African American male 2
African American female
Mixed group: 2 African American females, 1 white male
White female
Mixed group: 1 African American female, 2 Latino males, 1 Asian male
Within this chapter, I found a good number of African American male and females, several of them being in mixed group settings, but there were very few Latino and Asian males and females. I think that this book does a good job with diversifying, and more textbooks are trying to get a mix of races and ethnicities in their visuals.
Reflection 6.13
http://www.edchange.org/philosophy.html
Who produced this website?
This website (EdChange) was produced by team of educators from around the country/world who are passionate about diversity, multiculturalism and social justice.
How is this website intended to be used?
On their website, they mentioned that EdChange is dedicated to promoting diversity and equity to shape schools and communities so that equitable opportunities are given to all students, allowing them to achieve to their fullest abilities. This website is a way for teachers (and other educators) to get on ideas on how to develops resources, workshops, and projects that contribute to progressive change in individual students, the schools, and communities.
What biases might its developers have?
They might be biased to think that their ideas on diversity education is the best that is out there and that all teachers and schools should use their website to create change and empower students. Also, because the developers of this website feel so strongly about the work they do in their multicultural education field, they might feel that those who don’t participate in these sorts of resources are not in support or are not as passionate about diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice.
Whose view of the world does it tend to support?
It tends to support the view of the world of those who believe that there is not enough education provided on issues around diversity and equity in the schools and that conversations, dialogue, workshops, and projects are one of the best ways to go about educating people.
Whose view of the world does it undermine or ignore?
It tends to ignore the view of the world of those who believe that there is adequate education on these issues, and/or those who currently work hard to provide equity, diversity and multicultural education to the schools, maybe just in different ways.
This is a count based on the several pages from Chapter 7 in the Educational Psychology text book.
African American male 2
African American female
Mixed group: 2 African American females, 1 white male
White female
Mixed group: 1 African American female, 2 Latino males, 1 Asian male
Within this chapter, I found a good number of African American male and females, several of them being in mixed group settings, but there were very few Latino and Asian males and females. I think that this book does a good job with diversifying, and more textbooks are trying to get a mix of races and ethnicities in their visuals.
Reflection 6.13
http://www.edchange.org/philosophy.html
Who produced this website?
This website (EdChange) was produced by team of educators from around the country/world who are passionate about diversity, multiculturalism and social justice.
How is this website intended to be used?
On their website, they mentioned that EdChange is dedicated to promoting diversity and equity to shape schools and communities so that equitable opportunities are given to all students, allowing them to achieve to their fullest abilities. This website is a way for teachers (and other educators) to get on ideas on how to develops resources, workshops, and projects that contribute to progressive change in individual students, the schools, and communities.
What biases might its developers have?
They might be biased to think that their ideas on diversity education is the best that is out there and that all teachers and schools should use their website to create change and empower students. Also, because the developers of this website feel so strongly about the work they do in their multicultural education field, they might feel that those who don’t participate in these sorts of resources are not in support or are not as passionate about diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice.
Whose view of the world does it tend to support?
It tends to support the view of the world of those who believe that there is not enough education provided on issues around diversity and equity in the schools and that conversations, dialogue, workshops, and projects are one of the best ways to go about educating people.
Whose view of the world does it undermine or ignore?
It tends to ignore the view of the world of those who believe that there is adequate education on these issues, and/or those who currently work hard to provide equity, diversity and multicultural education to the schools, maybe just in different ways.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A little bit about me...
I recently graduated from Willamette University in May 2009, with a B.A in Asian Studies. I just started the Willamette Master's of Arts and Teaching (MAT) program this past week, hoping to become an early childhood/elementary school teacher after this year.
I have always had a passion for working with children, and I hope that my passions will translate to the work I do in the classrooms this coming year and in the years to come. I have worked as teaching aides in classrooms, tutors for middle and high school students, mentors, etc... throughout high school and college, but last year, I had the unique opportunity to be a nanny for a 6-year old girl who was adopted from China, and it was then that I knew for sure I wanted to be a teacher. I enjoy helping students in and out of the classroom, and I think the impact that we as teachers make can help to shape and change the world.
My kindergarten teacher was someone who positively impacted me, and even to this day she continues to support me. She made school a fun and enjoyable place, and I hope that as a teacher, I can do the same. I am really excited about the next 10 months in the MAT program and can't wait to get started!!!
I have always had a passion for working with children, and I hope that my passions will translate to the work I do in the classrooms this coming year and in the years to come. I have worked as teaching aides in classrooms, tutors for middle and high school students, mentors, etc... throughout high school and college, but last year, I had the unique opportunity to be a nanny for a 6-year old girl who was adopted from China, and it was then that I knew for sure I wanted to be a teacher. I enjoy helping students in and out of the classroom, and I think the impact that we as teachers make can help to shape and change the world.
My kindergarten teacher was someone who positively impacted me, and even to this day she continues to support me. She made school a fun and enjoyable place, and I hope that as a teacher, I can do the same. I am really excited about the next 10 months in the MAT program and can't wait to get started!!!
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