blog post 7

-Assistive technologies (AT) are any device, piece of equipment or system that helps a person with a disability work around their challenges so they can better learn, communicate, or function better. There are many types of assistive technologies that help kids with learning and attention issues. The variety of tools available to them, some of which are free of charge, can help students with these issues to work around their challenges while playing into their strengths. Not only do these technologies help students to become more successful, productive students, but at the same time their confidence and independence can immensely grow. The pros of AT’s are endless, some examples include that students are able to work at their own pace, they are able to accomplish things more individually, and talented and gifted students (TAG students) are included into the regular classroom. This inclusion not only benefits the student with the disability, but also other students and even the teacher. Some noted assistive technologies that have proven to be successful in the classroom from our textbook include word prediction software, talking word processors and talking spell checkers. In my own personal experience, my cousin, Charlie-Anne, has Cerebral Palsy thus marking her as a TAG student. Charlie-Anne used text-to-speech and other talking word processing programs to allowed her to better write and communicate with others as well as adjust the speed  of the reading and the quality of the voice reading  it to them.

--       The Web Page Design Assignment helped me to develop computer competency skills and further challenge my tech-savvyness. I enjoyed this assignment because it required us to work in groups rather than individually which made us all put in an extra amount of work in order to complete our web page, the group webpage analysis, and our own personal web page analysis. I enjoyed that this activity required us to use team-work and challenged our technology capabilities. I think now that I have acquired the skills to create a Web Page I can successfully build my own in the future and use it for multiple purposes.
*Link to our Web Page: katiexanders.wixsite.com/mysite 

-In our last few class meetings, we’ve use the Google Chrome Extension Diigo. Diggo has allowed us to annotate Web Pages in order to further analyze an article, web page, blog, PDF, etc. By doing this we as students are able to gather a deeper meaning and sense of a certain web page and thus form better conclusions and thoughts about the article. I feel as if the Diggo application could prove useful in my future career as an educator because it not only improves workflow and productivity, but is easy and intuitive, yet versatile and powerful. I’ve enjoyed being able to save and share my annotated work with my classmates and group members very much. This tool makes it easy for us to access our annotated work and share our thoguhts/feelings about a specific web page/article.

blog post #5

-Personally, I dislike the fact that Web 2.0 tools are no longer used as a classroom element due to ELA standards. Web 2.0 tools have proven to be useful in numerous ways in that they make students’ creators, rather than just memorizers. The type of tools offered through Web 2.0, including but not limited to SlideShare, Engrade, Animoto, and our beloved Prezi, present new ways of creating, collaborating, editing and sharing user-generated content online. Not only are these tools easy to use, but they also have the potential to expand opportunities for students – particularly by providing them an authentic audience and allowing them to interact with peers worldwide. A noted Web 2.0 tool that is not to my liking ( at least within the classroom setting) is Yugma. Teachers can use this conferencing feature to share their entire desktop in real-time. Although this tool could be useful in one-on-one advising with students, I don’t see how it could be useful during class time.

-As an educator I would use Web 2.0 tools to make instructing students easier, and for students to collaborate with both one another and myself. Web 2.0 tools save time, help people to stay more organized, and usually take up little space on the computer. I feel as if the web-based tool Teacher Planet would be extremely useful to me as a future teacher. This application is a one-stop spot for teacher resources. Teachers can download any number of lesson plan templates, worksheets, ESL-specific resources, and other tools. The idea of being able to both share and receive successful educational work from other teachers seems great and very helpful to me.

 LINK : http://www.teacherplanet.com 

-After reading through Chapter 12 the concept of Gamification in classrooms really struck me because of its convergence of game elements and instructional content in order to increase student motivation and interactivity, encourage creativity, and deepen understanding of content. One example of gamification in the classroom is ATOMS. These are the 21^st century version of building blocks, which turn electronics, science and design into a fun game. These electronic blocks allow students to create, test their own inventions, and experiment with how electronics work. I believe the idea and work of gamification has a bright future in the world of education, especially because of the technological era. These fun and educational games are staples for teaching and learning alike. Examples of this range from intriguing manipulatives, and complex role-playing games, to video-style games as the framework of play.

 

Blog Post 4

-    I’ve been an interactive Twitter user ever since my Seventh grade, twelve-year-old days. Therefore, I have a basic understanding on how to use and navigate the social networking site in a “tech savvy” manor. Although thinking back on my formative schooling years (K-12) there was no introduction to or inclusion of Twitter within the classroom setting. Not until I came to Florida State University did I use Twitter in the classroom as tool and resource, rather than for my own personal fulfillment or as a social media distraction. Since I’ve been enrolled in EME 2040 this semester, I’ve used my twitter handle to interact with all kinds of education-friendly twitter accounts including but not limited to FSU’s Education department, FSU’s Advertising Club, Huffington Post Tech, and Tech Learning. I’ve found its inclusion into the educational process to be extremely beneficial by its ability to improve my tech skills and develop an online community through hash-tags. In the future I plan to become an Educator, as an effective educator I would Twitter and other social media sites to my advantage as a bulletin for students to stay up to date. I also believe by using Twitter in class students would learn to tolerate all opinions, break down barriers on talking to other people with whom you are not familiar, write short messages to perfect the art of “headlining”, plus Twitters availability to the general public makes it an excellent go-to resource for class communication.

--       The term adaptive technology refers to any product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (American Disability Act). Common computer-related adaptive/assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as touch-screen displays and speech recognition programs. Software application that empowers and produces active learning such as productivity software, presentation software, desktop publishing software, graphic software and special needs software are all categories that should be put to use in the classroom. Some examples of these types of software include: word-processing to demonstrate real time essay editing, Microsoft Office’s applications, Encyclopedia Britannica, Nouns and Sounds and Math Analogies.


--       While evaluation a website one must take into consideration a multitude of things in which differentiate the good from the not so good. Some particular aspects/points to consider include he currency of the information provided to the audience, whether the pages are updated recently or not, who is responsible for the site (the authority), the accuracy of the information given- are the facts documented and well-researched? Are the sources reliable? Also, one must consider the objectivity of the sit as a whole- what the purpose of the site is. Last but not least, one must consider the relevance of the material for instructional purposes. Personally, I began evaluating a site by checking whether or not the information provided is up to date and current and then follow up by checking if it’s reliable. By doing this I feel as though I have a pretty strong grasp on the website itself as a whole and what it’s trying to portray.

 

Blog post #3

--       Learners of all ages should be able to make meaning of multimedia as consumers and see the power of visuals as creators. Technology tools can help students create digital media. As an educator, I don’t feel as prepared as I should be in this category - more specifically I am unfamiliar with popular digital media outlets like Prezi. With practice and patience I am sure I would not have an issue leaning how to maneuver this advanced PowerPoint-making resource. Utilizing my current skill set, I feel most prepared empowering my students through writing, whilst implementing the ELA technology standard that asks students to be able to use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. As and Editing, Writing and Media major at Florida State, I believe my current knowledge on how to create and publish my own writing digitally would go a log way in terms of educating my students on how to do so.

--Ideally I would like to become an Elementary Education teacher, thus I would be working with children ranging from the age of 5-10 years old. Growing up in the 21^st century it is crucial students and adults alike know how to effectively use technology to develop and maintain a positive online presence through which they can productively interact and participate with virtual communities. As a educator, I would include the skill set labeled “digital citizenship guidelines” into my curriculum/ course content in order to help my students successfully enter the technology-driven world I which they live in and to create a positive learning environment within the classroom. For example, through the use of computer and the Internet, I would aid my students I becoming more tech-savvy web navigators.

My newsletter assignment

-Personally, I loved the Newsletter assignment for various reasons. Firstly, it tested my Microsoft Word knowledge and skills. Secondly, it introduced me to tolls on the t Microsoft application that I did not even know existed such as Hyperlink. Third, this assignment challenged me both as a student and future educator in that it required me to think outside of my comfort zone and create a template for students using my own original ideas. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this activity due to its challenging nature and its ability to test my computer competency skills. I enjoyed thinking of my own activities for students to complete (field trip), the idea of reaching out to parents in my community and just the feeling of being a teacher. I believe all the skills I have acquired from this learning activity will most definitely help to be a more successful educator in the future, especially learning about different templates, how to create an aesthetically pleasing design, and of course using hyperlink.

file:///Users/madelinehoffman/Desktop/newsleter.png