Communication Collaboration

New Tech Standards & Requirements

The NETS*S, NETS*T, and OETS are all state mandated standards that are give guide lines on what aspects of technology needs to be interwoven into teachers curriculum.  Technology has become so advanced and incorporated with education, student’s everyday lives, and educator’s teaching capabilities, that it is necessary to start teaching students the basics to technology, how certain programs work, and how to integrate it into their lives.

Technology can no longer be something to scare away from as teachers because it far to advanced and used in everyday life that not teaching students how to use it would be considered neglect.  As a teacher, I can use these standards to act as a guide on different avenues I can use to integrate them into my lesson plans.  For instance, as a math teacher, I think it would be a great idea to have a classroom blog that I can post the syllabus, homework assignments, links to different sites that can give examples on how to do certain equations.  I can also use Screen R to record directions and examples how to accomplish certain equations or homework assignments that I know my students will have a hard time working out.  Using different technology in the classroom can also be helpful, for example, using a smart board could be a great way to incorporate the whole class by playing Jeopardy or other games that can make learning fun and interesting.  Also, using different programs on the Internet can make my students and my life a lot easier.  For instance, introducing them to Google Docs, blogger, Screen R/Screen Toaster, and Yodio.  All these programs are Internet based and free for all my students to use. 

How to Embed a Spreadsheet

Record your screencast online

Spreadsheet Example

Free online screencasting tool

Spread Sheet Assignment #4

On the master spread sheet you can see the chart displays the last 5 test scores for a class.  The chart breaks down the scores in 3 different ways: Vertically you can see the average test score per test for the entire classroom and also see the average of the 5 tests.  Horizontally you can see the average of each individual students test scores and the average over the last 5 tests, Lastly, you can see the mean, median, mode of the entire class.  These results could be helpful when conducting a review of the progress the class is making as a whole and allow the teacher to analyze which students are having a more difficult time compared the the class average.

The next chart is the students that are below the class average.  I have made 3 separate analysis to compare the class data: Students below average, students above average, and whole class average.  By breaking down the class even more, it allows me to analyze their results in more depth.  For example, if each test were out of 250 points, I could conclude that as a whole class my students were only averaging 76% which means I am not doing something right as a teacher.  However, if you look at the next slide titled "chart", you could see that the kids that are below the class average are all progressively doing better as the year went on implying that they are starting to understand the material better and/or my teaching style is congruent to their needs.

This type of spreadsheet is limited to only what your data will allow you to do, thus, the more data you have, the more analyzing you can do.  The graphs are a great way to visually see the trends in the classroom, where as the raw numbers and averages speak for them selves and allow you to get at the heart of the matter.

My Favorite Web2.0 tools

Web2.0 is an umbrella that encompasses web applications, such as Google Docs or social media applications for free public use on the internet.

Tiny URL

             Definition

o   URL web-based shortening program

o   Function

§  Create a smaller URL for use on reference pages or presentations

             Application

o   Ability to hide original link

§  Do not want to give away an affiliates connection

o   Decrease the size of the URL for presentations or references; enhance the look of the paper.

Screen Toaster

Definition

o   Free web-based, program that allows you to record your screen shot as your operating your computer.

Application

o   Providing hands-on instruction on how to operate anything you can do on your computer.

o   Great for individuals that are visual learners

o   Very user friendly and easy way to walk someone step-by-step through any application.

Screencasts and videos online

Post #3 Google Doc Presentations

- Google Docs Presentation is a free, web-based version of Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

- This is an easy, user friendly format that will allow me to use for math lessons, quizzes, publishing homework assignments, and break downs of equations.  All I need is a computer with internet access.  I can publish the assignment for specific classes to use, for example, a different quiz per period, or you can give make the access public for anyone to use.  The owner of the presentation can also grant permission to specific users to edit or create new slides while simultaneously working on the presentation together.

- This was the first time I ever used Presentation on Google Docs and within five minutes I was able to use the program to its full capacity.  I had a little hick-up trying to apply animation effects, however, after googling that function I found out that it is not available.  If you have basic knowledge of PowerPoint, this program is very easy to use.

- Although our group did little things to make each slide pop, I made the Group Reflections slide.