Digital Blog Post #L - Chapter 12 - How involved would I be with technology as an educator?

After reading Chapter 12 in our textbook, I think it is best to dedicate this post to the following concepts: Educational change, inclusion and infusion, and stages of technology integration, because I would love to use my creativity and be actively involved in the development of new programs for educators and students.

WebQuests are a great example of Educational change, where educators take charge and create new patterns of teaching creatively. WebQuest, from educators, and for educators, can have the same structure while allowing room for innovation and different tasks assigned to the students. I would find my own space to work with it, and will give my students their own space for research, reasoning, and performance. This, at the same time, will have to be done with the use of computers (inclusion of technology). I could also create a series of WebQuests to use consecutively. By employing technology day-to-day, and creating a dependency in such technology for the development of the classes, I would be applying infusion. With technological advancements moving at this pace, I can see sceneries like this in my ideal classroom. I would then fall in the Appropriation Stage of Technology Integration,feeling confident with technology use. Further on, in the next step, Invention, I would employ technology outside of my classroom, as supporting material for my students and homework to start. I would love to be part of the creation of new paths and softwares dedicated to education; this is another way to make a difference.

Image created in Storybird.com by drosabal (myself)

http://storybird.com/poetry/poem/2wuysuds36/

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #K - Chapter 6 - Information management and storage.

Chapter 6 in our textbook was really interesting, and I can say I feel its content was somewhat familiar. In this post I am going to mention three concepts that caught my eyes: information management, cloud computing, and social bookmarking.

Information management is one of the ways I could make a difference as an educator. It will be my job to select carefully, and judge what material is relevant and safe for my students. I would pick engaging, but educational (at the same time) digital content for my students.

Cloud computing is a well known concept for smart device owners, which is a large percentage of our society now a days. Those who use iCloud in iPhone, or other apple devices, for example, understand that the iCloud carries files, and personal information such as contacts and emails using the Internet, instead the device itself. I benefit from this because while my content occupies my iCloud storage, it does not have to occupy my devices’ storage necessarily, and I can access it remotely. These same benefits educators can use to their advantage; they can access their work and share remotely. This leads us to Social bookmarking, which is another way to share through a public list with a certain community. I have not use this feature yet, but I would love to learn from other bookmakers' collection with substantial resources.

Image created in Shorebird by “drosabal” (myself). http://storybird.com/poetry/poem/tfmx6u7e4q/?utm_source=storybird&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share-poem

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Digital Blog Post #J - Chapter 11 - Assessments and Teacher Portafolio.

Today I am going to go over the following three concepts: role of assessments in teaching and learning, student participation, and elements of Teacher Portfolio.

Assessments are not only for students. I have learned from our textbook, and work experience, that teachers are evaluated by supervisors, the same way the educator evaluates the students’ work. Assessments help us target strengths, and what needs to be reinforced. Self-assessment is important as well, but sometimes one needs another person to assess our performance; perhaps, someone more knowledgeable and/or experienced.

Classroom response or student participation not only shows students engagement in class, but I find it to be another way to assess students. In my personal experience, I am prone to participate in class when I understand the subject, and I am paying attention.

YouTube video created on powtoon.com by “rosabalmail” (myself).

What would I include in my Teacher Portfolio? 

A good Resume, references, Philosophy of Education explaining what I personally stand for, Lesson Plans, and all experience and qualification I have at the time. I would keep updating my portfolio as I grow professionally. 

References:

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.