Reflective Post

   The world has changed dramatically with the different technology companies have to offer to teachers and students'. I have learned many new and exciting information on the advancement of technology. Technology has transformed teaching and learning by changing how, when and where students' can learn. It also enables students' to experience events or study different occurrences that they could not witness  firsthand. Technology has different categories such as internet, problem-solving/ inquiry-learning, social media, assessment technology and much more. Digital Technology for example, blogs are online journals including text, pictures, and links has integrated into technology. Wikis is a website created and maintained by a group of individuals posting thoughts and opinions.


   I learned how to make my own blog on Blogger. Blogger is a free weblog publishing from Google, The blog was easy to setup and I loved being able to write what I learned from reading 'Transforming Learning with New Technology' by Robert Maloy and Beverly Woolf. I liked the book because it showed best teaching practices, learning goals, focus questions and reflection. The book reflected on teachers and the use of different technology. It also helped me to successfully connect technology and instruction such as collaborating with my peers to create a lesson plan. I know that lesson planning is a vital component of the teaching learning process. There are many websites such as Scholastic that offers free lesson plans for educators. All the websites I have mentioned can help me to improve my learning so I can become a better teacher for my students'.


Check out this video on how to make your very own blog on Blogger!

References:

Blogger (2016, May 1). https://www.blogger.com

[Jan McKingley Hilado]. (2009, December 27). How To Make A Blog in Blogger.com Using your Gmail Account. [Video File] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSs3XXSCuoE

Scholastic (2016, May 1). http://www.scholastic.com/home/

Digital Blog Post #F

   In Chapter 6, Fostering Online Learning with Educational Websites and Apps I learned about ‘Virtual Field trips’. Although my students’ go on one amazing school field trip a year they have an opportunity to go on an adventure without ever having to leave the classroom. “A virtual field trip take students to places without ever leaving their classroom or school computer lab” as referenced by Platoni (Platoni, 2008). Can you imagine coming to school and your teacher saying ok boys and girls we’re going to take a magical adventure and it will happen right here in this classroom? As a child I would be so excited! My students’ have taken virtual field trips before and enjoyed it. The web offers so many websites that teachers can use so students’ are able to expand their horizon on education. Virtual field trips can take students’ to a completely new world. FieldTripZoom is an online service that allows users to access zoos, museums and historical sites with amazing interactive programs. This website is free for teachers to sign-up and are able to browse the field trips that are available. I think using virtual field trip is a great idea to use and keeps students’ entertained and focused while not having to leave the classroom. Many schools sometimes don’t even take field trips because of the cost, so this would be a great interactive software that is less costly. Another website that has an impressive collection of virtual tours is Google Earth. They provide a wide range that are available online such as Baseball Hall of Fame, United States Capitol Building, Sistine Chapel and so much more.

By naasportillo | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

    I would have never thought that I would be taking online classes. I always thought it was so much better to learn while in the classroom. Over the decades things have changed dramatically with all the new technology advancements that are available for both teachers and students’. So fast forward to now. I’m doing what I thought I could never do and that is take online classes. I love it because I don’t have to go and waste gas money to drive to school, it’s on my own time even though I still have deadlines and it’s convenient. “Virtual schools are educational organizations that teach students mainly through online learning” as referenced by Maloy (2013, pg. 142). Virtual Schools are not the same as home schooling. Virtual schooling is done through a company that is acting as the school. There have been debates over virtual schooling because of the isolation experience and the lack of full-time teachers. The pros of having a virtual school is flexibility, time and cost. The cons would be school interaction, home all the time and being in front of the computer screen all day. I think the best pro out of this debate is that it helps students’ that have a disability. They are able to learn while at home at be in a comfortable setting that they are familiar with.


 There are a lot of educational websites available for students’ and teachers. In the classroom the students’ are familiar with Math Facts Pro. Math Facts Pro is a free online computer game to memorize the basic math facts. “Educational websites is a source of Internet-based digital content specifically designed with K-12 learning goals in mind” as referenced by Maloy (2013, pg. 144). Ask a Historian is an educational website that I found to be insightful and could benefit my students’. This site allows students’ to virtually explore historical buildings, meet famous historical figures, play games and participate in a number of learning activities. I love finding great educational websites for my students’. The web offers so many learning educational websites that is available with just a few key strokes on your computer. When I become a teacher these websites will be what I use to educate my students’. I love these different creative tools because students’ don’t have to sit in the classroom and open their books. They are able to explore the many technological advancements that software’s have to offer and many of them are either free or not costly.


   In Chapter 6, I learned about Virtual Field Trips, Virtual Schools and Educational websites. These are all great information that will help me to become a better teacher. Technology has changed so much from when I was young. Technology has helped teachers and students’ with so many different resources. Out of the three different concepts I learned from I loved the topic on educational websites because I feel that will educate my students’ academically and they love being on the computer and learning new websites that will teach them new things they never knew they could do and accomplish.




 Resources: 

Ask A Historian. (2016, April 21). Retrieved from http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian 

Field Trip Zoom. (2016, April 21). Retrieved from http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/

Google Earth. (2016, April 21). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/earth/

Maloy, Robert, O’Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Ed. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc.

Math Facts Pro. (2016, April 21). Retrieved from http://www.mathfactspro.com/#/home

Platoni, K. (2008, October). Internet explorers: Virtual field trips are more than just money savers. Edutopia. Retrieved from www.edutopia.org/virtual-field trips

Portillo, N (2016, April 22). Virtual Trip. Created with ToonDoo http://www.toondoo.com/MyToondoo.toon

Digital Blog Post #E

   Tech Tool 4.1 suggests different web resources and apps for lesson planning. One of the web resources I found to be helpful is Annenberg Learner. "This curriculum resource center includes lesson plans, interactive activities and videos for classroom use or for teacher professional development" as referenced by Maloy (2013, pg.80). This looks like a great multimedia curriculum that teaches different learning strategies while keeping the students' engaged and focused. This web resource helps teachers by improving their teaching method and students' learning many educational activities, focusing and developing on their thinking process. Many teachers at my school use Planboard by Chalk.com. Planboard is an online tool designed to help educators simplify their planning. This app allows teachers to save and share calendars and schedules, making it easy to re-use these plans in the future. One teacher uses this app and says "it is very simple and intuitive." It can be used on a mobile device and a great organizational tool that also helps teachers store and keep track of their schedule. Planboard also organizes your lessons, subjects and semesters in a beautiful timetable that is everywhere you go such as on your mobile device, computer and tablet. Also did I mention it's a free app as well. Check out this great tutorial on Planboard!

    In Chapter 4, I learned more about standards-based assessments and what the goal of having it is for. A standards-based assessment is an assessment that relies on the evaluation of student understanding with respect to agreed-upon standards, also known as "outcomes." The standards set the criteria for the successful demonstration of the understanding of a concept or skill. On March 28-31,2016 the third grade students' at my school too the Florida Standards Assessment also known as FSA. The assessment was on reading, writing and mathematics. The FSA is designed to measure student performance and is tied to Florida's Common-Core Standards. It outlines what students' should know at the end of each grade. As I saw the nervousness and excitement on the students' faces, I kept on thinking what could they be thinking in their head? I know this assessment will make an impact some how in the students' life. Even though my second graders don't have to worry about the FSA until another year I hope they can get through it. Every child that I encountered on those four days I wished them good luck, asked if they had a good breakfast and not to give up.


    Technology has changed so much from when I was in elementary, middle and high school. When I was in elementary school I remember the teacher using an overhead projector, marker, water bottle and sometimes just using her finger to erase a mistake. Tech Tool 9.1 talks about digital projectors "displaying material from a single computer onto a large screen or whiteboard for everyone to see" as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg. 222). A digital projector is a shared portal to engaging media where students' can be focused and actively involved.With all these great digital learning technologies, makes me think. What would we do if we didn't have them? What would we do if us(teachers) are teaching a lesson and the internet crashes, what would we do? I ask these questions because most of these technologies in the classroom work off of internet access. There has been times in my classroom that it has happened. Teaching a lesson and all of a sudden the internet is down. I guess as a teacher that's when you should always be prepared and have a backup system. Having an interactive whiteboard, digital projector, computers, iPAD's, digital camera and much more are all so great computer technology to have. It helps to keep students' engaged, have fun and learn all at the same time but when I think about it all these technologies all work through internet access and sometimes the internet doesn't always work. Having a digital projector is a great necessity for a learning environment. As a teacher I will try and use the best technological advancement there is out there for my students' but know I should always have a plan B just in case something was to happen. This is what a digital projector looks like. It reminds me of a camera.


                                                                     

Photo credit to AV Hire London on  Flickr

    I love all the great learning technologies from Chapter 4 and 9. Learning about standards-based assessment, digital projectors and web resources and apps for lesson planning are all beneficial to me for when I become a teacher and for the classroom I am in. All the technological programs out there for students' are programs that keeps the students' focused and engaged. Keeping students' engaged I think is the most important lesson on teaching. Keeping them engaged and focused, keeps them learning and wanting to learn. All though I did have a concern about technology in the classroom and how internet access could destroy a teachers' lesson plan it's always important to stay two-steps ahead and have a plan B. I find it easy to identify with Tech Tool because it allows me to find educational outlets for my students' in the classroom. I have learned alot from these two chapters and hope one day I can incorporate them into my lessons. 


Resources:

Annenberg Learner (2016, March 31,). https://www.learner.org

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA:Pearson Education Inc.

Planboard (2016, March 31,). https://www.planboardapp.com/

[Zoras, Brandon]. (2010, June 10). EdTech Review: Chalk.com Planboard. [Video File] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=929N9U_JahU

Digital Blog Post #D

   There are many useful technological ways that teachers can use to create a good learning environment in their classrooms. One of the resources are electronic communication between teachers and students. "There are multiple social media technologies to use in teaching, including the following: e-mail/text messaging, blogs, wikis and teacher or classroom websites" as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg. 187). A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one ran by an individual or small group, that is written in on informal or conversational style. Blogging can improve students' writing skills and build their confidence as writers, as well as a great tool for helping students learn different educational purposes. One example that I have found to be a great website for blogging is Blogger. Blogger is a free web blog publishing tool from Google. I personally have had to use Blogger for my college assignments and have had to incorporate photos, videos, and embed other websites to my blog. Although we do not blog in our classrooms this is still a great technological website that one day hope to utilize within my classroom. Another social media website is Wikispaces, Wikispaces classroom is a social writing platform for education. I used Wikispace for a collaborative group project that allowed me to communicate and work on writing projects with my team mates. Wiki makes possible collaborative learning environments where students' and teachers can work together and discover key concepts that encourages students' to work as a team. Check out this cool Flipquiz I made!

   Tech Tool 10.2 topic: Extra-large and online calculators have many different uses. Although we don't use calculators with our 2nd grade class, I still think this information was informative. "Calculators enable students to visualize mathematical operations" as referenced by Maloy (2013, pg.258). Different examples of handheld calculators and calculator web apps to use with students' that I could use with a higher grade or even myself is Web 2.0 Calc.This website is a free online scientific notation calculator which functions include math expressions, plots, unit converter and so much more. I wish this was around when I was in high school. It would have saved my mom money having to buy a pricey calculator such as the T.I. calculators. Another website MartinDales's Calculators On-Line Center is for middle and high school students'. This website contains over 24,000 calculation programs with interactive simulations, teaching modules, lectures, courses and more. Tech Tool 10.2 is a great insight on different apps/websites for not just students but anybody who needs help with math equations featuring many helpful resources to view and share.



    Parent-teacher communication plays an important role in student success in schools. E-mail has dramatically changed parent-teacher communication. Many teachers use e-mail because it's more timely. We live in a society where people have their cellphones glued to their hands and not many people like to talk on the phone but would prefer text-messaging or e-mails. For me personally, I would prefer you text me or e-mail. It's something about having to check my voice mail and hear a message for a few seconds and sometimes even minutes that I avoid having to do. Communication over the phone is starting to become obsolete and e-mailing is more effective with students' parents. E-mailing parents is timely, restricts vocal and nonverbal cues and a great documenting log if ever needed to be use of a parent-teacher dispute. Parent-teacher e-mail exchanges can also revolve around academic and social behavior. E-mailing parents is an effective way for both teachers and parents to communicate because of the convenience.

    Chapter 8 & 10 shared different technological use. Learning about why teachers use blogs, wikis, and e-mailing is pivotal in the society we live in. Communication technologies can enhance learning for students' and teachers through online application and collaboration. Using these websites has helped me learn new aspects of teaching and combining it in lesson plans for when I become a teacher. Now buying a calculator has become a thing of the past and there are free websites for students' to access that is assistive technology. Using online calculators or apps enables students' to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish such as an enhancements like a calculator. I know I will use these different strategies in my profession.





Resources:

Blogger (2016, March 3,). http://www.blogger.com

Martindale's Calculators On-Line Center (2016, March 3,). http://www.martindalecenter.com/calculators.html

Maloy, Robert, O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education

Portillo, N (2016, March 3,) My EME2040 Chp. 8 & 10. Created with FlipQuiz http://www.flipquiz.me/u/naas-portillo/my-eme2040-chp-8-10

Web 2.0 Calc. (2016, March 3,). http://www.web2.0calc.com

Wikispaces (2016 March 3,). http://www.wikispaces.com

Digital Blog #C Chapter 5 & 7

   Here at the elementary school that I work at we have an awesome librarian that reads to the students, helps pick books for the students and is a book wizard when it comes to finding the right book for students. Many of the students go to the library once a week to check-out a book that they like and one book that is on their reading level. The librarian is there to assist the students so if a student can not find a book, instead of finding the book for that particular student and handing it to he/she she teaches the students how to search our schools' online database and find the book he/she wants. "Search engines designed for students are important sources of age-curriculum resources" as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg.110). Not only does the school have a database full of educational books but has age appropriate kid based websites that is approved by the school district. My students' love the educational website PBS Kids. PBS Kids features games, shows, videos, and fun apps. The librarian teaches the students by using technology that is available to help find answers to the questions they are seeking. There are many guided websites that I can share with my class regarding Chapter 5, that are general search resources such as Ask For Kids.


Also check out this awesome cartoon strip I made with ToonDoo!

By naasportillo | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

    As I helped a fourth grader compare and contrast Neptune Balls and Spider Silk I noticed that the writing assessment he had to complete was word for word written as what was in the writing text he had been given. Plagiarism is defined as "the direct copying and misrepresentation of someone else's work as one's own" as referenced by Maloy(2013 pg.119). I know that the student did it without understanding that it was wrong to copy the text. I explained to him that if you're going to write the text from someone else's work that you have to give the author's information so you can give credit for his work, I found useful information on strategies for preventing plagiarism that I could share with this student that could benefit him for the rest of his school education.

    Anything that can be educational and fundamental to our students' we incorporate it into our lesson. Our class is fortunate to have 18 iPad's that the students' use daily to help with reading and math skills. In chapter 7 it talks about a educational kids website, Kid Pix. Although Kid Pix is not a game, it has tools for drawing, painting, stamping and much much more. Instead of using the dull paint software that is already on the computer when you buy it, this website has more to offer our students' that can stimulate their creativity. I went to the website Kid Pix to see how it works. The website is colorful , easy to use and even has 3D images you can draw. Unfortunately, you do have to pay for it but you could download a 15-day trial offer. A great and free software that my nephews love is Tux Paint. Tux Paint is a free drawing program for children that allows them to be creative.

    Chapter 5 & 7 was insightful and informative. The three concepts that I chose were helpful for me and is beneficial within my classroom. I am also going to share it with my staff. Out of the three concepts I liked learning about the educational apps and learning about plagiarism.



Resources:

Ask Kids (2016, February 17,). http://www.askkids.com

Kid Pix (2016, February 17,). http://www.kid-pix.soft112.com

Maloy, Robert, O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education.

PBS Kids (2016, Febrauary 17,). http://www.pbskids.org

Portillo, N (2016, February 18,). Finding Aladdin. Created with ToonDoo http://www.toondoo.com/MyToondoo.toon

Tux Paint (2016, February 18,). http://www.tuxpaint.org

Digital Blog Post #B

   There’s no denying that we live in an ever-changing technological society. “Every technology is an innovation designed to solve problems and extend human capabilities” as referenced by ITEA (International Technology Education Association, 2000). Tech Tool 2.1: Apps for teaching learning gave me an insight of the many educational learning apps for students. The app that stood out to me the most was the math app Mathboard. Mathboard is a highly configurable math app appropriate for all school aged children, the app allows students to solve math problems, providing multiple answer styles and having a switchboard that the students can work out problems out by hand. This app can be utilized in so many ways with students and also lets them learn and have fun. My second grade students are fortunate to have eighteen iPADS in the classroom with fun filled activities, lessons, quizzes, mathematical and reading comprehension apps that they work on every day in small group lessons. For an example, they are well familiar with a math app called Math Facts Pro. Math Facts Pro is an intelligent tutor to help develop math fact fluency and very easy to use. My students love it and I love that they can print and see the progress they have accomplished. Finding new apps for my students helps my students to learn, grow and expand their learning possibilities.

    Another informative passage was on “Project Tomorrow.” Project Tomorrow is a national, education non-profit organization. The goal of this organization is to “collect views from teachers, students and parents through its yearly ‘Speak Up’ studies’ as referenced by Project Tomorrow (Project Tomorrow, 2006, 2011b). The Speak Up survey allows school administrators to gauge the students access, use and need for additional classroom technologies and supports throughout the learning process. It lets whomever taking the survey stay anonymous and can be accessed through a variety of different topics. If this organization can help provide district-wide focus to curriculum and technology then it should definitely be supported. Not only can my school benefit from this extraordinary organization but the community as well. This free resource would be a critical importance for changing students’ lives and how they learn.

    In Chapter 3 ‘Transforming learning with unique, powerful technology’ it discusses “four learning theories educators tend to follow as they use technology in teaching: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, and Connectivism” as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg. 49). Out of the four I will speak about two that I can relate within my classroom and students. Cognitivism is a learning theory that focuses on how information is received, organized, stored and retrieved by the mind. While the teacher gives her daily lessons in my classroom she presents the lesson in a manner that is understandable and meaningful to the students. Every day at the end of the day my students are given a paper slip that reads “Exit Slip”. An Exit Slip are written student responses to questions teachers pose at the end of class or a lesson. These quick, informal assessments enable teachers to quickly assess students’ understanding of the lesson. It helps me and my teacher to know how well they learned and if we need to go back into the lesson so they can retain it. Some questions that is on my classrooms Exit Slip is: 1. Write one thing you learned today. 2. I didn’t understand… 3. Write one question you have about today’s lesson.

    Behaviorism is a learning theory based on the idea that behavior can be controlled or modified based on the antecedents and consequences of a behavior. The most important aspect of teaching is to have classroom management. In our classroom we have a ‘Color Chart’ that has five specific colors. The students always start the morning on green and their name is written on a clothes clip. The five colors are: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. If they go up to blue and stay there for the remainder of the day they get 2 “Gator” tickets, Green all day and they get 1 “Gator” ticket. At the end of the week the students are able to buy prizes with their tickets. No ticket are given for being on yellow, orange or red. This color chart has rewards and it has consequences. Our chart is as follows: Blue- You did it! (2 Tickets) Green- Great job! (1 Ticket) Yellow- Think About it Orange- Teacher’s Choice Red- Parent Contact This helps students to try to be on their best behavior within and outside of the classroom. It teaches the students about accountability and responsibility and to show that there are consequences to every action whether it’s a reward or no reward. 

   After exploring both chapter 2 & 3 I can say I am more familiar with things that I already knew and didn’t know for students and teachers. Transforming learning with new technology is important. With all the fun features technology has to offer for everyone, it allows learning, problem solving, communicating and to express themselves actively. Tech Tool 2.1, the four learning theories teachers follow and Project Tomorrow helped me to get a better understanding of the many resources that are out there for education.


 Try this cool quiz I created with Kahoot!

 











 Resources:

  Portillo, N (2016, February 3). APP-ly It!. Created with Kahoot http://www.getkahoot.com https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/4b72402e-c8c4-40a3-aecc-ebc7cd7bafd7

 International Technology Education Association (2000). Standards of Technological Literacy: Content for the study of technology. Reston, VA: Author.

 Textbook, Maloy, Robert, O’ Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc.

  Project Tomorrow. (2006, October). Learning in the 21st century: A national report of online learning. Irvine, CA: Author.

Digital Blog Post #A- Chapter 1

   The world has changed dramatically with the different technology companies have to offer to teachers and students. Reading out of books is starting to be a thing of the past and traditional teaching and learning is changing to keep up with the high demands technology has to offer. Kids are now being called the IGeneration of the world and surprisingly it's just not kids on this bandwagon, adults too. The IGeneration represents mobile technology such as smartphones, Ipads, social media, social networking, and tablets which have helped students meet the need of all kind of learners.  Having Ipads has impacted my classroom in a major way by the many learning apps it has which has improved my students capabilities of learning and growing. I have seen a difference when a student sits and is being taught without enhancements such as technology and the difference is astonishing. When they have the Ipad and are doing a reading and math game it's educational and fun at the same time. I believe students learn better by doing. This video shows how a classroom combines blended learning with new technology:

   Where would we be without Social Media?" Social Media is one of the most popular applications of computer technology" as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg. 16). My students read out of books and have math book as well but thanks to technology and computers students are able to learn on web-based programs such as I-Ready. I-Ready is a highly interactive software program that has an engaging online assessment and instruction program. 

Teacher pay teacher is a marketplace that allows teachers to buy/sell/share original teaching resources. If I didn't have social media I wouldn't have known about all these cool websites that's helpful to both me and my students.

  It is essential to break apart my students into groups for reading and math. It's important because it allows me and my teacher to have a one-on-one experience with the students. It's also effective because it helps us to know what learning styles and difficulties a student might have as oppose to doing whole group assignments. What me and my teacher do would be technology-based teaching tool. Technology-based teaching tool is defined as teachers doing less whole-group instruction as referenced by Maloy (2013 pg. 9) . Some students learn differently and in this video you will see the different learning techniques this teacher has applied within her classroom Math Stations .

   It's hard to imagine how life was without technology and computers. With the rapid change in technology and its impact on our lives, it is clear that the Internet is no longer the defining feature in the lives of youngsters and adults. Becoming a teacher in the 21st century is beneficial and rewarding. This Chapter has helped me to understand how educators have used technology in school, offices and everyday life decisions. 



Resources:

Textbook, Maloy, Robert, O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd edition. Boston MA: Pearson Education Inc.