Journal 5: Harness the Power of Technology (NET-S 3, 5)

Duncan, A. (2011, June/July). Harness the power of technology. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

Arne Duncan's article was a call to action for teachers to stop thinking of technology as an add on to lesson plans and rather as an essential component to them. Students learn best when they have good teachers and access to technology, not one or the other. Technology is a great way to get students who may not be traditionally interested in reading to explore other forms of online reading outside their texts. As new teachers who use the NET-S, we are there to help teachers who made be afraid of new technology. The U.S. Department of Education's five goals to advance ed tech are learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity. The government is pushing for states to raise their standards to better prepare students for work in the 21st century.

Question 1: How would creating a PLN co-inside with the Dept. of Ed's plans?

The government wants teachers to use social media to develop online personalities; their version is called Connected Online Communities of Practice. The goal is for teachers to share practices, access experts and ultimately solve problems with resources that were previously unavailable.


Question 2: What is the digital divide and how is it being addressed?
Many students in rural or urban areas or with disabilities do not have access to internet in their homes or high speed internet in their schools. Obama has set the goal for 98% of the country to have access to available broadband in the next 5 years. The FCC has also changed their E-Rates in an effort to reach more students.

Journal 4: One Size Never Fits All (NETS-T 1, 2, 5)

Courduff, J. (2011, June/July). One size never fits all. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

Jennifer Courduff discussed the benefits of incorporating technology into Special Education programs. She said that at first teachers were placed on a 3 year goal plan to learn new technology and apply it in their lessons. After observation, the district found that it takes longer than 3 years to actually apply what teachers have learned into their curriculum. This system was then replaced with tiers that do not have fixed time limits. Tier 1 is a beginning level of training, Tier 2 is intermediate and Tier 3 is advanced. Courduff said that many students are now meeting IEP goals faster than in the past. She credits the speech to text and text to speech features on computers as being essential for students who have difficulties writing stories. She also discusses one student who recorded his voice onto his PowerPoint presentation so he didn't have to speak in front of the class, but was still able to meet the requirement.

Question 1: Why are teachers so hesitant to incorporate technology into their classrooms?

I think the main issue is confidence. If teachers don't understand the basic technological functions of a program, how can they explain how it works to their students? As we have discussed in class, there are many online tutorials for free on YouTube and the sites that design the technology. You can also use your students as a resource, as younger generations are often more computer savvy.

Question 2: Why does one size not fit all, technologically speaking?

The spectrum of students physiological, social and emotional is too broad. The author emphasized that teachers must match specific tasks with technology tools that engage students. For example, some students benefit more from the use of headphones.

Journal 3: Abracadabra–It's Augmented Reality! (NETS-T 1, 2)

Raphael, R. (2011, June/July). Abracadabra–it's augmented reality!. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

Raphael Raphael talked about an emerging technology called augmented reality. He gave examples such as the first down line that appears on televisions when you are watching football games and the ghost that appears next to you in the mirror at the Haunted Mansion ride. He illustrated the process in photos, but I must confess I am still a bit unclear as to how certain end products are created. I guess the best way to learn is to test it out myself and later with my class. I found it interesting when he mentioned that a lot of new technology is created during economic downturns such as sound in film. He also talked about the future of mobile apps that can allow people to see where tweets are coming from. I wonder if Foursquare uses this technology when people check in places?

Question 1: What is a project you could have students use AR for?

I could have students design scenes from stories they read and have them recreate the setting using AR to get certain points to pop out. I could also have students create a pop-up book using ZooBurst.

Question 2: What is ZooBurst?
ZooBurst is digital storytelling tool that allows people to create 3D books. It is a great way to express complex ideas. It has a classroom management version for teachers that allows you to edit content settings and it's free.

Journal 2: Join the Flock (NETS-T 5)

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx

   Hadley Ferguson, a Pennsylvania middle school teacher, focused on the basic functions of Twitter in her article. She went step by step in a graduated level of exposure to explain to potential users how to effectively use Twitter. There was also a helpful glossary of Twitter terms. The information helped me to understand how Retweeting works. I knew what it means to Retweet someone, but didn't know how to do it. Retweeting is similar to citing someone's work you are using; it gives credit to the person for posting their link, thoughts or other useful information. Twittiquette similar to nettiquette, shows people that you appreciate what they posted and are reposting it in an effort to reach more people who could benefit from the information. Desktop platforms such as HootSuite and TweetDeck are organizers tweeple can use to translate tweets from foreign languages, which is so cool!

Question 1: Is it hard to get in depth insight from 140 characters?

I feel like it is hard to go into any depth with Twitter since you can only include 140 characters in posts and messages. I get the impression that Twitter is more about giving people resources so that individuals can do more research on their own. The idea is that Twitter is a microblog. Basically, it cuts out the fat and only gives you the most essential stuff. It has drastically changed how people get their news, both foreign and local.

Question 2: To what extent should you remove yourself personally from your Twitter postings?
If you are using Twitter for your professional life it is recommended to spend 10% of your time on trivial life details. This becomes increasingly difficult for today's youth where the lines between professional and private life have been blurred. Often it is recommend to keep two separate twitter accounts, one for work and one for your personal life. In some cases, people will run the schools' or business' account so their professional account is already established. Still it is important to establish an identity since many people are not able to meet their followers if they don't live in the same community.

Journal 1: 100 of my favorite things :)

1. Teaching

2. Learning

3. Meeting New People

4. Travel

5. Surfing

6. Kayaking

7. Snorkeling

8. Swimming

9. The Beach

10. The Color Blue

11. Smashball

12. Sunshine

13. Reefs (real ones and the sandals)

14 San Diego

15. La Jolla Cove

16. Grandview

17. My Brother

18. My Friends

19. Bubble Baths

20. Warm Towels

21. Pedicures

22. Weddings

23. Dancing

24. Laughing

25. Photography

26. Editing

27. Architecture

28. Libraries

29. Reading

30. Memoirs

31. Concerts

32. FM 94.9

33. The Radio

34. Rubber Soul

35. Google

36. The Internet

37. South Park

38. Modern Family

39. True Blood

40. Renting DVDs In Person

41. Snail Mail

42. Farmers Markets

43. Chocolate

44. Dessert

45. My Birthday

46. Cooking

47. Potatoes

48. Sourdough Bread

49. Honey Wheat Berry Bread

50. Bacon

51. Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

52. Green Grapes

53. Greek Yogurt

54. Chinese Food

55. Mexican Food

56. Mexico

57. Speaking Spanish

58. Barcelona

59. Tapas

60. Hash House A Go Go

61. Balboa Park

62. Cabrillio National Monument

63. Del Mar Fair

64. Roller Coasters

65. Hot Air Balloons

66. Hybrids

67. Bicycling/Beach Cruisers

68. Volleyball

69. Mission Bay

70. San Francisco

71. Will Ferrell

72. Anchorman

73. Costumes

74. Opera

74. AmTrak Surfliner

75. Hammocks

76. Politics

77. Bill Maher

78. SDSU

79. CSUSM

80. UCSB

81. Maps

82. Public Transportation

83. Iyengar Yoga

84. Snowboarding

85. Hiking

86. Okapis

87. San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park

88. Board Games

89. To Do Lists

90. Irish Accents

91. French, French-Canadians, French-Americans

92. Germans

93. German Shorthaired Pointers

94. Huskies

95. Cats

96. Wrist Watches

97. Surprises

98. Cultural Exchange

99. Asking lots of ?s

100. Volunteering

Say Hello to Alex Jones

   My name is Alexandra Jones, but I go by Alex. I was born in Berkeley, but my parents moved down to San Diego when I was 1. All of the schools I attended from kindergarten through 12th grade were in Poway Unified School District. I went to Painted Rock Elementary, Twin Peaks Middle School and Poway High School. I went to Cal State Fullerton freshman year and decided that school wasn't for me. Sophomore year I attended Grossmont College and got my Associate's Degree. Junior and senior year I went to San Diego State, where I majored in journalism and minored in Spanish. I also have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate through SDSU's Extended Studies Department.
   I am somewhat comfortable with computers; I love the internet, but get frustrated with all the technological changes sometimes. My family got our first computer when I was in 6th grade, before that we used a typewriter (I hated the eraser strip). I didn't become an efficient typist until 9th grade when I took a keyboarding class, I guess all those Tut's Typer lessons in elementary school just didn't cut it. I started off as PC user, but now have a MacBook. In college I took a website design class, but decided that graphic design wasn't for me. I helped launch the Union-Tribune's Street (arts and entertainment) Blog as an intern for their Features/Night&Day section. I created a Twitter account a few months ago, but don't use it that often, I feel like people can just check my Facebook status if they want to know what I'm up to. I go on YouTube to watch videos, but don't have an account with them. I just got my first smart phone this past year and have been enjoy the perks such as being able to instantly upload photos, gps and accessing to the internet from anywhere.
   Cal State San Marcos, though much smaller in terms of programs offered and attendance than my alma matter has always been known for the quality of its Education Department. I ultimately want to teach in San Diego county, which is one of the reasons why I want to make connections with local schools and be a part of the College of Education's program. I have not applied yet since I plan to start a Single Subject Credential program next fall, but can appreciate the mission statement. All my life I have attended public schools and believe they are the best and most affordable option for families. I believe the only way to achieve social justice is through ensuring that all students get access to high quality teachers; I want to be a part of a program that will give me the skills I need to confidently help my students succeed. I am dedicated to helping close the achievement gap (which is a long uphill battle) and promoting diversity in my classroom (if everyone came from the same background it would be so dull). I can also appreciate CSUSM's commitment to lifelong learning, since I constantly strive to learn new things every day and work toward self improvement.