Journal 8-"A Day in the Life of Web 2.0"

A Day in the Life of Web 2.0
This article was written by David Warwick. Having just experienced Web 2.0 on my own, I could relate to this article. The resources that are offered are so incredible because it is all trial and error. Through Web 2.0 you are able to access information that can help develop many areas of teaching. Everything from cultural diversity to the main course content is at your fingertips. It also can help with collaborating with other classes and relating knowledge to other areas of life. You will find many tips and lots of advice for implementing these new ideas into your teaching style. Depending on where you can find employment will depend on how often you can use this type of technology. The ideas are very helpful in any subject matter, only a simple search is necessary. I hope to contribute to Web 2.0 when I become a more experienced teacher. It can be very applicable for any classroom situation.

Journal 7- Kidspiration/iMovie

Becoming involved with Kidspiration has been a positive learning experience. I found it very useful for the grades that I aim to teach, which is Elementary. It also can assist a great deal with English Learners. Kidspiration uses animated graphics to promote learning. Everything from creating games and lessons, to creating beliefs and acknowledgment. They are so many aspects that Kidspiration can keep a child engaged for a while, and therefore should be incorporated n class. It is an interactive site that allows students to learn on their own from a lesson a teacher created. Students would like it because it can be applied to all subjects. Having Kidspiration as a learning tool is a huge asset. I will use it for my own children.

I had the experience to create an iMovie from the Mac computers at CSUSM. Mr. Heil had taken digital pictures and we were able to build a film with images we liked. I learned so much about how to edit and transition the still frames. I can use this in all areas of my life. The educational future I see is full of many imovies. However, it does take up MASS storage space and I now have even more respect for movie editors! I feel very privileged to have a MAC in my household, this experience has been a tutorial of Some sort. With all the features and tricks that I learned from a MAC, making iPhotos and iMovies, the iCAL, I don't think I will buy anything other than a MAC!

You could use an iMovie for a science class dissection! Students would have a great time taking photos and reiterating steps through this type of learning. I am not really into movies, but see how many little tricks can be applied to create a great show. Having an iMac in the classroom with this feature would have high student praise! When i used the tutorial on atomic, I learned many transitions and features of editing. It would be very easy to incorporate this software with school field trips, etc. I did enjoy.

Journal 6- Online Meetings

Online meetings is defined as having monthly faculty, or even parent/teacher meetings held online. There are many education circumstances that fall under this category of online meetings. It can have to do with any sort of communication online that represents solving an issue. There were other ways that teachers have used online meetings to their advantage. I saw both a positive and negative response on Classroom 2.0. Some teachers felt that this could be helpful because it seems meetings held once a month waste time. It seems as though whether or not it was help in person, or online, many teachers still felt they were held back from speaking. Faculty meetings can be more productive. What I noticed most after reading numerous entries is that the overall goal is a solution to the content of the meeting. If they are held online and an outcome is reached, then online meetings would be successful. When they are held face to face and P.E. teachers are having to attend meaningless meetings where no outcome is reached, online seems more productive. All in all, online meetings are a useful tool for educators. If a school can agree on an online meeting and the results are solutions, then online meetings would assist with a better school. However, if no one participates, and takes advantage of the situation, then the end result is poor. There needs to be a goal for any meeting, face to face or collaborative.

1.) Would you as a teacher participate in online meetings?

When I become a teacher, I hope to participate in online meetings. I am not sure how common they are right now, but it is something that I think will happen more in the future. It may be most helpful for more distant meetings, where many more people can be connected. Sort of a huge open forum, discussion. Many people would benefit from this, and therefore would be encouraged to join online meetings. They may be used with parent and teachers, and be more convenient. In addition, they save time. I still like the face-to-face interaction. That communication dynamic is important for meetings as well. There are certain circumstances that would fit for online meetings, and maybe some that still need the tone set to be effective.

2.) Do you think online meetings should be mandatory?

There is no question that some teachers may take advantage of online meetings. You can be watching television in the background without anyone knowing. There would need to be an ethic policy reminder to try and keep productivity in check. Staff meetings online should not be mandatory. Staff meetings should be held in person, because that personal interaction within communication can sometimes promote participation. When you can see body language or hear tones of voices, or other factors that come into play when discussing important matters. Often times though, a room full of people can not achieve their goal, due to interruptions etc. I believe a good balance should kept, using online meetings when convenient, or brainstorming ideas, reports, etc. But, then also still continue regular meetings to have the co-worker inter-action.

I read Asha's blog regarding "photo sharing". I like the fact that you can share so much with photos. I am a very social person and love to share photos with family and friends. It is a very easy way to stay connected. It can also be a good tool in the classroom for students to be interested in sharing photos and learning. Video streamlining is a very useful tool because you are able to have so much information at your fingertips. Students are able to be creative and have fun while expanding their knowledge.

After reading Tawn's blog about Wiki, and using it in class, I finally felt familiar with the Classroom 2.0. The "blog" can be useful for any learning situation. It is so great that educators have these useful resources to support each other. Without these collaborative findings, we would be without common knowledge.

I also read Laura's blog on "Shared Calendars". I am a huge fan of organization as well, and this is a great tool all around. It sounds like it saves a great deal of time and planning. With the view of every one's calendar, each person can stay on top of activities. When you have so many teacher's trying to coordinate, it makes sense to all be on one schedule. I have experienced the ical on MAC and it is very user friendly. In today's day and age, each school should have this free software included and mandatory!

Journal 5- The ABCs of Privacy Practices for Educators

After reading the article by Melissa J. Dark, Clewin McPherson, and Joanne Troutner, I became nervous about the complicated issue of private records. With identity theft so common, it is no wonder for concern when student private information is not protected. If this confidential information is released, administrators and teachers could be held liable. This article talked specifically how educators should handle matters of privacy. I was unaware of how many sensitive issues must be confidential. For example, the free lunch lists in addition to grades, is information that needs to be protected from others view.

Having worked in an office environment, I was familiar with authentication and access controls. This could be used in a school for entering personal information. Only one person can change it, and several others can view only. I am sure there are files at schools that allow only administrators etc. The use of passwords must be treated very carefully so that users can verify access to files. I have had certain websites tell me if a password was strong or not. There are many password tricks that make it hard for someone to "crack." One that the book mentioned was not using words that are in the dictionary. I have never understood the Cryptography, but after the article explained it as a key for certain users I now see it as a security tool.



1.) What are two important ways schools can ensure privacy of records?

One of my ideas is to not use social security numbers as a school identification number. This could be misused if care is not taken. With a social security number and a birth date, it would be possible to open credit cards etc. Also, records must be in top notch security programs and software so that the information cannot be viewed by just any administrator. If a teacher accidentally left a screen open with private information, and a student came along and viewed it, many people could be in trouble. Even nowadays with addresses and phone numbers, that is info that many want to be protected.

2.) How can privacy technologies be applied to classrooms?

It would depend on the school district and what was available. One would hope for the best protection for files on students, including passwods, access control and even third-party encryption. Even though there are appropriate privacy technologies in place, technology has been knwn to accidentially allow a non-user to come across private findings. As a teacher you can never be too careful, and must put all applications in use.

Journal 4-Sowing the Seeds

I enjoyed the article by Mitchel Resnick because it was all about new ideas. In today's society, creativity is not always focused on. This article is about how creativity integrated with technology can really get a child's brain spinning with ideas. It promotes creative solutions to unexpected problems. It assists with learning how to deal with problems that arise in the future lives for these children. If students are not allowed to be creative, they are less likely to be able to adapt or improvise in real life situations. Learning to figure out technology, in a sense, supports gaining the knowledge on their own.
The two imagination games mentioned were Crickets and Scratches. A Cricket is a special kit designed to activate a creative thinking spiral. You can customize your object with colored light, sounds coordinated with music and motion. Whatever ideas come to a child they can act upon and see what happens. According to the article, this development has inspired children to interact and create great learning tools. The other invention, called Scratch has to do with students making up their own stories. Learning book reports with technology can keep a child very interested. That is the goal with being creative, it keeps a child interested if they feel like they have control. Scratch also allows for playing and sharing, overall just helping peers out.

1.) What effect would cricket/scratch have if regularly used in the classroom?

The creativity devices are very high tech. They would be a great addition to any classroom because it nurtures technology advancement. Since they have lights, and music, kids want to figure out how to make them work. This way of learning creates more ideas and gains participation among classmates. They feel the power is in their hands develop new ideas on their own. Since they are having fun, playing games and learning solutions from each other, the effect on learning could be major if used regularly in the classroom, or even at home.

2.) What other ways can you develop creative thinkers as students?

I want to be prepared for when technology fails. Developing creative thinkers can be done in ways similar to the new technologies. The concept of playing and sharing to find solutions takes creativity in itself. You can look to your students for a guide to what will help them learn. Making up games or acting out book reports can stimulate participation and good ideas as well. Developing a creative thinker can take hands on, real life interaction, which ius easier with technology, but still possible without.

Journal 3- Nailing Digital Jelly to a Virtual Tree

In the article, " Nailing Digital Jelly to a Virtual Tree," written by Ferdi Serim and Kathy Schrock, technology is changing the way children are learning. The article points out that living in today's society, technology is learned and integrated as the "digital jelly" in time frames. Now, starting at a very young age, we use technology for children to explore. The virtual tree is made up of the organizational part, and still needs help. With such high technology requirements, infrastructure has a lot to do with what is available.
The type of social networking on the web nowadays can lead to "unintentional learning." If students are exposed, by technology, to a same age student in a different part of the world, they will communicate and become interested. The object of the "virtual jelly" is to connect.

1.) What would be an example of "unintentional learning"?

The one great advantage of the world wide web and using it in the classroom is the non-essential item of the encyclopedia. Now, students can browse so much useful material that they are bound to learn. "Unintentional Learning" will happen frequently if students are exploring something they are interested in. With so many interactive websites, attention can be held for hours out of interest. Seeing a picture of an animal or piece of art can lead to further exploration and then information is acknowledged.

2.) What are a pro and con of convergence?

Convergence is the integration of the communication and computing resources and services that seamlessly transverse multiple infrastructures and deliver content to multiple platforms or appliances.
It is not so seeming less. A pro can be the distance to where education and communication is reached. Without it's existence, places that highly lack any technology advancement have a resource to the outside world. A con is there can be technical errors and with a bad connection sometimes things don't work. There are many opportunities through convergence including video casting and video-on-demand. Many sources of education find this helpful.

Journal 2- Threat of Security

In response to "Threat of Security",our world is causing us to move forward in an unthinkable direction, but also causing fear that is a reality. Every job I have had in my short career life, has been very advanced with their computer equipment. Much of my computer skills were not learned in school, but at my office of employment. Each company was always getting a better computer program, or upgrading their systems. It felt great to always have the best and newest technology. The problem is that at my home, I don't spend my money on constant upgrades. I am hoping to transition to the Microsoft 07! The difference, unfortunately, is that schools have to fight for money to spend on the latest technology. It is a privilege to be in a district where you have access to all the necessary protection, programs and training.

The Internet has become such a valuable tool for learning, but also carries many dangers. It is hard to believe that society has the very best information at their fingertips, but at the very same time and place, there are such outrageous and inappropriate items. In high school we would always try to type in bad websites to see if the system had blocked everything. You could always find something "bad", or otherwise not allowed. It makes sense that teachers would rather not have the inconvenience of worrying which student is hacking or bringing on a copyright lawsuit.

1.) How will you monitor security in your classroom?
Thinking about how teachers must monitor their students computer usage and enforce policies is a little intimidating. I am interested in teaching at an Elementary school, so some of those problems won't be as serious as at the high school level. Computer technology is just as important in my eyes at that level. With children watching so much television these days, having a source that is more stimulating than the teacher can be a bonus! I will have to ensure that all students are being respectful of caring for the classroom computers. I am not anticipating having to regulate website usage in my classroom, but if I did teach at a higher level, I would have many boundaries.

I have been in a couple situations in the office workplace where people have gotten fired for an email, or computer usage that was inappropriate. I remember when I got my first job and my sister was warning me that the IT manager could read every email so to be really careful what I said. I had never known that. From then on I never used my work email for personal use. This experience would make me be the teacher that can never be too careful.

2.)What will you look for in computer security?
I have confidence that the security will become easier with the latest technology. The latest products or programs and security measures made specially to fit the policies of the schools will be helpful. It is a risk to implement such a vass array of network, but there is far too much to lose without the presence of technology in the classrooms. At home, computer technology and security can continue to be a risk. Someone could steal your identity and the possibilities are endless in today's society. I am hopeful that things will become more secure in the future.

journal 1-intro letter

Hello, my name is Jessica Reuther. I was born and raised in beautiful San Diego. I grew up in Poway and attended my entire K-12 grades in the Poway Unified School District, where both of my parents were teachers. For Kindergarten I attended Sundance Elementary because my mother taught there. When we moved into a new house, I attended Painted Rock Elementary for first grade. Then, for second grade I attended Tierra Bonita Elementary, where my mother was teaching. For third, fourth and fifth I went back to Painted Rock. Middle School was Twin Peaks, where my father also happened to be teaching. I attended Poway High from 1995 until I graduated in 1999.

In general, I would not call myself computer savvy. I feel comfortable and depend on the computer daily. But, specific computer knowledge does not particularly interest me. Even seeing the new version of Word makes me uncomfortable, even though I know that it is improved and probably much easier. I have both a Mac and a PC in my household. The Mac is much more advanced, though I rarely use it. My PC is always on and I am constantly using it. I do everything from banking and bill paying to reading the news. I rely on it entirely.
I can remember first having a dial up connection that used our house phone line and experiencing chat rooms when I was in middle school. So, I have been with email for over twelve years. I feel privileged to say that I have had the internet and access to all of it’s valuable information for that long. Trying to explain to my grandparents that a set of Encyclopedia’s were no longer necessary was a fun conversation! Technology is moving at a fast pace and even being out of school for a couple years, things have changed tremendously.

The Mission Statement for CSUSM, COE struck me with the words, “collaboratively transform public education by preparing thoughtful educators.” This sentence stood out to me because the public education system is obviously in necessitate to stay with the high education expectations. This statement shows me that CSUSM is dedicated to helping students plan for an important career. The beliefs that are stated do reflect my own, which include educational equity, life-long learning and ongoing service. I would not say that the mission statement had an effect on my decision to attend, but reading it confirms that I have chosen the right thing to do for myself.



My blog link is:

jessreuther.blogspot.com