Wikis

     So this week I got to go in depth and research a topic that I was told growing up was not to be used as research.  High school told us that "Wiki was tricky" and anyone could post on it therefore it was not to be trusted.  That was the old way of thinking.  After looking at wikis and how they could be used in education I was impressed.  There are lots of things to do with Wikis and even trusted research that is out there.  I looked up a few topics I know  whole lot about and man.....that info was right on!  No lies or mistakes that I could find when reading the written word of Wiki!
     I have also enjoyed continuing reading on blogging and using it in schools.  It seems that the idea is still coming into acceptance in the schools.  It will, I am sure, take some time yet....but they will get there.  Teachers in our district are still struggling with a classroom webpage that they simply have to edit the text, everything else is all set up.  I guess it would be a long way to go to ask them to set up their own blogs.  But once they see just how successful it can be and easy....I am sure they will jump on board.
     Group work this week again in the Etherpad was a bit un-nerving.  I am still fearful that someone will screw with the groups work it would be lost.  I am also finding that the rainbow effect with this is frustrating for some people.  The lack of a spell check is also concerning for those who depend on it......I guess I am having to check my own spelling for now!

Blogs 2.0

Blogging seems to be a great new way of the future, all in part thanks to web 2.0.  It takes a lot for a person to understand all of the terms and means for all of the technology tools we have, especially when they are always evolving right under our noses when we are trying to learn.  It seems to be much like the metaphor I heard about education and it evolves.  "It is like trying to redesign and change the wings of an airplane mid-flight."  Quite a challenge when you think about it.
The readings this week have really helped to push me into understand terms and concepts in a very simple way.  For example, Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0.  The idea of read only vs Read/Write made it so clear.  Also defining what a blog is and what it is not.  I was concerned with the idea that my blog may not actually be a blog but a journal was a big frightening.  What did confuse me with the readings though was reading what a blog should do and contain, and then clicking through many links the author called blogs--and they did not meet his defintion.  Strange I thought.
Our group work this week seemed to be a bit unnerving as well.  We are working in a format that is open to anyone who knows how to get to the link.  This means that anyone is able to come through and completely destroy my work and it is only backed up on a recording of the key strokes.  Very unsettling, especially as one of my projects earlier in the programs was lost to a short trial version that I was unaware of.
I am taking a lot from exploring the various blogging sites.  My choice to review Posterous, 21classes, and EduBlog, is proving to be quiet educational.  I am finding that I like/dislike many features of all the sites.  Maybe if I were wise enough I would be able to create a blog that would do everything I wanted.  I am sure it is out there somewhere, but it will probably cost me an arm and a leg.  Not something I wish to spend my money on when I already struggle to keep up with my own school and class blogs!
**** side note--this truly is my first "blog" post in accordance with our reading as it includes links!

Wrapping It All Up and Putting It Together.

So this week we are reviewing again technology and what to look at when buying it.  We are also re reviewing rubrics and making them.  There is nothing wrong with the practice of this all, but I feel that we are doing it over and over.  I am glad for the practice, and the tools, I just wish that doing some of it more practical for the current classrooms we are in.  I have chosen to do my rubric on the 2nd grade animal report and how the technology will be used in it.  This is great as the rubric is going to be used in a month!
As for the Pecha Kucha---man I do not like the sound of my own voice and I am finding that even if I am not reading from a script, it sure sounds like I am.  I am a trying to redo it so this is not the case, but it is tough!  I like my story, order, and pictures.  If only I had a great "presentation" or "radio" voice I would feel better!
Group work this week--we are skipping face flow and going right to a Vroom.  The Vrooms have proven to work, so we have gone with what is proven.
Time to work out the final details of the Pecha Kucha!

Prepping the Pecha Kucha, Face Flow, and Prezi

So I have finally nailed down my Pecha Kucha idea.  Now it is time to start on the story board.  It should not be to hard, it is just figuring out the order and then putting down what words go with it.  After meeting with my group we discovered that it takes, with a normal talking speed 50-60 words to fill the 20 second time limit.  Very do-able.  If need be 40 words a bit slower!!!
Meeting on Face Flow was, to me, basically meeting on Skype.  The only real difference was that we were able to meet in more of a group setting.  It was fun to see a face with the name I see every week!
The concepts that make a good picture was pretty well known to me.  I have seen the article before and actually used it in a digital photography class I taught over the summer.  We did a similar project, but there were assigned topics for the photos as well.  I enjoyed going back over my photos.  I do realize that they are only from my Iphone and not the best ones I have ever taken, but it has been hard for me to keep up with daily pictures and post when there is really just so much going on right now.  At least when outdoors I normally take a photo and that really helps!
Finally the readings this week were great.  I love the analogy of presenting and Judo.  Each takes practice and with that practice comes the ability to make a move without thought.  It just happens.  One does not and SHOULD NOT think about how they are doing in the moment.  When you do that, you start to fail.  You can always look back and think about it later!!!!

Reading That Matters

So finally a chapter I have read that really means something to me and was useful!  The concepts and principles that we learned about I have put to use.  The assignments that are going along with the readings this week are ones that are also useful for my life and job as well.  I actually went through and changed what my original presentation was from last week so I could modify a lesson/presentation that I will be using in the up coming month as my 2nd grade class begins a new unit.  I found that I really need to simplify my presentations and create a handout.  That is exactly what I did.  I also found some cool animated clipart.  It is not able to play in the Voice Thread due to the Activinspire upload issue.  I have to upload the presentation in a PDF format and therefore it is a "still."
The videos in the Animoto education videos were pretty fun as well this week.  I like the videos that say "So much depends on...."  They were pretty clever with the various items.  I.E. the big mustache, the head band, ect.
I have also been thinking about what to make my Pecha Kucha about.  I have two ideas that I am excited about and they are actually for somethings outside of my school life.  I plan on either doing a show on Adaptive Sportsmen.  This is a group of outdoors people who are handicapped in some way.  I work very close with this group and we need a presentation for the webpage/sports shows we attend.  OR... I will make the presentation on Marfan's Syndrome.  A genetic cardiac condition that lead to myself and many family members having open heart surgery.  I am a mentor for families/people going through much the same I did. The presentation may help and could easily be passed along to them.
Overall a good week of work.  --Time to post some pictures!!!!

Digital Story Telling--Though a Digital Lesson

No class Thursday which I thought would make this weeks work tough.  But, basically Louis did a digital story that was able to give a sum up of what our lesson would have been for the week.  The project directions were very clear and easy to follow.  It is also great that we are able to so easily get in contact with him.
THe projects this week seem a bit overwhelming as there seem to be so many.  I am starting to confuse some of our work and what site goes with what.  I try to multitask, but I seem to be failing at that at some times!  I love the idea of looking over various Digital stories that have already been created, but for some reason a great number of them are sad.  I don't get it. The stories have a happy ending, sometimes, but they can be depressing.  I guess I am going to spin on that and try and make a few fun and happy ones.  I did find one I liked on the Voice web page--5 favorite cartoon theme songs.  Awesome Idea!
Digital stories have their places in school and I can totally see using them in my class.  They can help by being modifications in my teaching techniques, or modifications for students to create them for a presentation-rather than a report written.  There is a great use for this technology in schools and with the ease of use with internet tools and computer tools--it will be an easy transition--for some!
Overall I think that with this work coming a week does not seem like enough time.  But I really need to just sit down an do it!  I also NEED TO REMEMBER TO POST MY PICS EACH DAY!!!!  I have them all on my phone, I am just not sending them right away......NEED TO DO THAT!!!!

Digital Story Telling at The Start

     After our first lesson of Digital Story Telling I am very excited about what this class may hold.  It seems like this is really first class that I feel is one that I can immediately use.  There is so much to be done with digital stories and it is a great way to differentiate for many of the SE kids and even the regular Ed kids.
      I have run into one concern and that is with the Presentation Zen book.  When I read the reviews when purchasing the book, I was amazed that people seemed to be dissatisfied with the book and what it had to offer.  I am concerned as thus far I have done the readings and they have been a bit dry, sometimes helpful, but dry.  We will see how this turns out.  I also ordered the electronic version of the book, so we will see how that goes for me!
     Overall I hold high hopes for this class.  It is defiantly something that is interesting to me, but more importantly it is a new topic.  I feel like this is one class that will not be a repeat of the others, or the information that we have already discussed.  Hopefully we will find that to be true.
Also on a side note, I love the idea of the photos over time......I love photography and the meaning of pictures and how they are displayed!

525 in Review

After the past 6 weeks of class I have found that there was great benefit in reviewing the various strategies for learning/teaching.  It has been very important that not only did we discuss what these strategies were and how to use them, but that we examined tools and technologies to ensure that there is an easy of teaching these in the modern classroom.  There was great benefit also in the modifying of the lesson.  I am using these Masters Program as a majority of my PDP for my license renewal.  Modifying lessons and units was one goal I have listed in my PDP, so not only did I learn from this but I was able to accomplish a task for my Masters and my PDP.  It was rather refreshing to do a project that I felt had meaning and purpose behind it.  It was also great to feel that this course could easily be applied to my classroom teaching.  I look forward to my next course of digital story telling which again I feel can be applied in my classroom.

Identifying Similarities and Differences, Homework and Practice, and Generating and Testing Hypotheses

Identifying Similarities and Differences really is a great way to look at our work and world in general.  To often we are caught looking at our work or issues in todays world from one point of view.  By looking at things that are similar and different we must look from multiple views.  To do this there are many different advanced organizers that can assist.  The most classic is a Venn Diagram.  From there there are endless ways to go.  When it comes to Homework and Practice, there is a great debate happening in our schools.  Do you grade homework, how much do you give, is it valid, and then the parents chime in on this one as well.  This is so tough as one does not always know about what the family situation is.  Often the parents tell the answers just to get it done with and keep the teachers happy.  This does not really give the students any practice at home. Some do not even have a support system at home.  And for some this actually works and the kids really gain from the practice.  Personally I send it and in our district we send no more than 20 min for our 2nd graders.  I do not grade it for the reasons above.   Generating and Testing Hypotheses was our last approach this week and I feel one of the most fun and hands on way to learn.  A student has to use their mind to guess what is going to happen.  There could be tons of outcomes!  Some are right and some are wrong, but no matter which, there is a lesson to be learned.  Testing is the fun part of this one especially in science!  When testing is done, don't forget the questions of Why were you right, or Why were you wrong.


Overall reviewing all of these tactics has been great and an in-depth look is always beneficial.  But what really took the cake with these was finding the technology to accompany them.  That is what I will take away most from this and our readings.  Knowing how to support these learning techniques is HUGE!

Project based learning and More

     The progression to teaching with a project based unit is very structured.  In the end though it always comes back to success.  To quickly run through it; access prior knowledge, investigate, expand knowledge, apply, contribute, and celebrate success.  It seems so cut and dry when it is on paper, but this process really takes a lot of time.  Each step must be successfully completed before we can move on to the next step.  What I feel is great with project based learning is that no matter what the needs of your students they can be met at the various stages.  If other students are able to move on early, that is ok.  We just must all have the completed project by the time it is due.  Some students can take longer on certain stages than others and that is ok.  That is what is so great about this type of learning.
     After watching the video on Institutions vs collaboration, I still have the question that opens the speech the best,  How do groups get anything done?  How do you put a group together so there is success instead of chaos?  The idea that one must get resources together to have success is great and I am glad there was a touch on cost.  In the real world this does cost, but in schools, we only have what is in our classroom.  We must make do with what we have.  I am also glad that the speaker talked to negative effects that institutionalizing these types of groups can be.  There can be negative groups out there, groups that base groups based on other groups, groups who base their beliefs on the negative rather than positive.  And with all of these people trying to create "support" style groups or protect the sources of their group or information, collaboration begins to take a negative turn.  When we get very large groups together, we inevitably get a negative vibe.  This goes for many and most things.  There is always someone offended or opposing.  No matter what we do with institutionalized collaboration--funded especially, we find that controversy. That in my thought, is really just to bad.
     When looking back at cooperative learning and reinforcing efforts I love that we talk about is in such depth.  I am tired of hearing teacher knock students down and wonder why they do not succeed.  Many teachers think they can say what they want whether it be positive or negative and there be little effect on that student.  That is just not the case.  When we get back to a positive reinforcement it also helps portray respect.  This will go both ways, depending on how well it is done.  The cooperative learning aspect of it is great when it comes to students reinforcing students.  When group work works, success is had and it takes a teacher to start it on the right foot.  When done correctly both of these will prove to help success in any classroom.

Graphic Organizers and more

     After reading the article about retention of information and advanced organizers, I found that it made complete sense.  The summarizing of it came in 1 key sentence, which ended the article.  "This procedure would also render unnecessary much of the rote memorization to which students resort because they are required to learn the details of a discipline before having available a sufficient number of key subsuming concepts."  The idea that these organizers and methods of teaching would end the need for rote memorization is exactly what I feel education needs.  Memorization is only the repetition of facts and does not necessarily mean the  students have learned anything.
      After reviewing web pages that will assist with concept mapping, I found that Bubbl.us is a great way to create, print or export an organizer.  It is a very easy to use organizer and does not take much time to get use to the methods to create with it.  EducationOasis and Exploratree are also sites that can help one create a new organizer.  What I especially like about these two sites is that the user can pick the organizer they need from a large list.  They are even labeled in a way so the user can know what they want to do with their information and can easily pick a great organizer to accomplish their task.
     Overall the use of organizers is a great way to put thoughts and ideas into an order in which it is understandable and reviewable after finishing and coming back to it another time.  This is a great way to get information down and organize it.  It is what is the most successful way for myself to organize thoughts and I am sure is the same way for many others. 

Feedback and Rubrics

     After reading the article "Feedback that Fits," I found myself looking at what I do in my classroom and what other teachers are doing around me.  The idea that feedback can be destructive I thought was a great point in the article and I am glad that there is research done to prove this.  I have seen a fellow teacher be very destructive and maybe a pass along of that information may help.  I also found it very interesting that 2 key points came up that I have thought for a while.  The timing of feed back along with the amount.  Too often as adults we try to fix multiple issues at once.  With kids this is very difficult.  It is important to start small when learning and relearning.  It is also important that we not give to strong of feedback when the timing is not right.  Our students must be willing to take what we as teachers have to say and learn from it.  Without that willingness our feedback could be destructive.
     There really is a lot that goes into feedback and it is important to understand the whole of it.  When it comes to the work it is vital that there are clear and obtainable objectives.  Without these students will be unable to meet or understand them.  Once the work is done feedback must be given quickly and appropriately.  There needs to be a healthy mix of positive and constructive feedback.  Far to often teachers try to fix all of a students short fallings at once.  True change takes time.  It is therefore also super important for teachers to recognize their students achievements.  Without doing this the students will be unlikely to listen to any constructive feedback.  
    There are tools that will help teachers complete this process with success.  The key lies in rubrics.  Rubrics will make objectives very clear and students can have a paper copy of them.  The student also know how they will be graded when doing the project.  There are many tools on the net to create these and have tips on how to ensure a successful rubric.  With these available I am sure that I will find myself using them more and more and I am also sure that the students will have success based on this!

Learning Principles and Effective Teaching

     The idea of looking back at ones teaching and analyzing it, to be honest became redundant in my college/student teaching years.  The term reflect was one that I thought I would never want to hear again after I got my diploma.  But to be honest, I do it now without thinking about it and I feel that this is happening almost without thinking.  While looking over the article on Learning Principles I found that I relating each item to my own teaching and classroom.  It was very interesting and made me think in one simple comment under activating prior knowledge.  The article talked about accessing and activating prior knowledge only at the appropriate time.  To often I fall into the trap of accessing that knowledge early and the students miss what I am really trying to teach as they focus on what they already know.  Timing really is key!
I also found it great that the article talked about students are only able to go as far as they are mentally, physically, and emotionally able.  That is really a key point.  We must teach to all of these facets as teaching to one without the other can lead to failure.
    In the meta analysis article the idea that technology isolates students was very interesting to me.  The article stated, "instruction in classroom settings where technology was not often used tended to be whole-class approaches, in which students generally listened or watched the teacher. Instruction in classroom settings where technology was moderately used had much less whole-class instruction and much more independent work." (waxman)
I guess this really took me by surprise as when I am teaching with technology and the students are using it the time that is spent with whole class and individual work is normally about 50/50.  That is of course with my 2nd grade class.  The higher up the education ladder I am sure will change, but I feel as though I am often doing my students a disservice I do not instruct.  This could be a method of explore and discuss, or teach and try, or trial and error.  There are so many methods that go into this teaching with technology that it is hard to let the younger students just try, succeed or fail, and ultimately create an opinion about using technology based on the teachers instructional method.  There really is a lot that is established in the younger grades so teachers must take cautions in those methods.
    Again with the reflection of my own teaching, but I guess that is what makes us grow.  These articles are meant to open our eyes to what we are doing in our classroom and what we could be doing.  I too often get caught up on the details of it all and focus in on small things that I feel could be going wrong in my classroom.  This would be great if I knew how to fix them all.  But I fear that I may miss the bigger picture of the whole article.  But, if I can take away at least one thing with the readings it was worth it!

520 Wrap Up

   This week really dealt a lot with what we need to make sure we are doing at school for our students protection from inappropriate content and ourselves as teachers from copyright laws.  There really is a lot strict guidelines and laws when it comes to protecting students from content.  There is NO gray area when it comes to what our students view.  There are plenty of tools out there that can help with this and schools should have these in place well before students are ever allowed to use the computers or Internet in school.
   When it comes to copyrights there really is a lot of gray area.  The idea that one can use things and later get in trouble for is very unsettling.  The ease to get copyrighted materials is so simple that even kids can get to it.  The gray area seems to be largest when it comes to schools.  The use rules when it comes to content are amazingly "open."  Only use 10% or even just cite it.  There is not really a clear cut and defined line.  It is tough for one to really know if they are in the right or in the wrong.
    Overall knowing more details of what is required when it comes to copyrights and Child safety a bit of review would never hurt.  I do find that we are doing a lot of review of many of the same pages and concepts, but it will keep me out of trouble in the long run, and that is ok with me!  

Internet Resources

This week I spent a lot of time looking at different Internet resources that I had not seen up to this point.  There were, on the list to look at, a few that I have used and enjoyed before.  But, for the most part many of these were brand new.  This was great to see as I have, as discussed with my group, not really explored many sites outside of what I already know.  These sites work for me and why fix what ain't broke.  BUT WOW!  I found so much more out there.  I am used to creating my own activities and lessons.  When exploring many of the sites this week, I have found that there are already lesson and activities created and ready for use.  It just takes some time to explore and find them.  Knowing this will make my job much easier and less time consuming in the future.  Exporeing this week seems to have been a lesson in--Don't be afraid to explore!

Search Engines

     I find it very interesting that there are actually proper ways to search the net.  I have found with many of the articles read this week, that I am not doing the whole internet search thing properly.  I changed my ways a bit and found that I got much more specific and larger amounts of hits when searching.  It may seem a bit strange, but I learned a great deal for a site that was designed for students in middle school!
     The debate I have been waiting for on this topic has finally arrived, Wikipedia.  I have been told through high school and college that Wikipedia is not a credible source and is therefore, "NO good for research projects."  Anyone can write on Wikipedia, and because of that the information may be false.  I did learn this week that there is a team that goes though the information to check for credibility.  False information may be up for a day or two, but overall it is delete at a rather quick rate.  I have done very little searching with the site up to this point, but I did take this opportunity to try it out.  I was amazed.  All I have been told before did not seem to be true.  I looked up things I have a very strong knowledge base on and others I don't.  I knew much of the information and anything I questioned, I looked around the net to see if I would find the same information.  Every 2nd opinion I got supported the original information from Wikipedia.  This will be a site that I use for seaching much more often. 
      The issue with searching the net and my teaching is that we do not do enough projects that require teaching how to properly search at this point.  We do 1 or 2 projects we use the net for and are limited on the time we have the labs.  It is because of this that we are not to indepth with our search engines in 2nd grade yet.  We are continuing to work on our typing skills yet.
     Overall, I am excited about the searching and creating of my form to evaluate websites.  I think that taking the time to really look at how to properly use a site and what they can do will help me not only in my classwork for MEIT, but also in my teaching. 

Internet Learning Resource

     After looking over what the Internet is and what it has to offer in the past few weeks I think it is great to step back and look at what the net can do to help enhance learning.  It was very interesting to look at sites that teach about how to use the Internet to learn about, the Internet.  It is further intriguing that the age that these sites are set for is anywhere between 7-12.  This is very interesting as there are just as many adults who are learning about the net for the first time as well.
   What is important for all educators to look at is the idea that the Internet is a "Learning
 Resource."  The Internet has so much to offer that can enhance lessons in school or even in personal study that it is really true to say it is almost endless.   There are sites that allow learning though games and videos.  There are sites to enhance student research and ensure that it is a "safe" search.
    The net is boundless in its options to be used as a learning tool.  This class, as it my be short may be one of the greatest in learning about how to use the net as a learning tool from a teachers point of view.  It will, I hope open my eyes to many sites that will aide in my teaching, and expand my definition of the Internet as a Learning Tool.

515 Overview

     This course has been one I have found that taught me not only about how to use various tools but also how to find them and what I am able to do with them.  This has proven to be an invaluable tool in my teaching arsenal as I am now armed with more and more tools to teach my students.
     Spreadsheets may not help the students in my 2nd grade class, but it will defiantly help me.  The idea of having a grade book that will calculate for me once I put in my formulas will same me SO much time!  I also really enjoy the idea that I can share receipts and change the amount of servings is great!
     Further, learning about software evaluation was great as I know have a perspective and background that I will be able to bring to the table in my school district.  I have tools in my bag and I know that I am able to show how to evaluate and what makes good software. This allows me to not only have discussion with my co-workers but also the tech team and administrators.  This knowledge will make me even more of a more invaluable asset to my school.
     Overall this was a great class that taught me more about what I can do in a classroom and application of programs than any yet.  The real work application to this class is what will prove to be one of the greatest things to take away.  There were tools listed and learned and now they are in practice as I am teaching my way though Summer Acadamy and prepare for next school year.  The ideas are swimming through my head, now it is only a matter of using them!

What We Study and It Is In The Real World!

     THe information we have been covering over the last 5 weeks have been very valuable.  It has been a great influence on what I can do as a teacher in my classroom.  I will be teaching summer academy starting this week and having a webpage for my digital photography class will allow my students to see the various projects we will have and what they will be expected to do.  The use of the calendar will be used to show due dates and projects as they will be assigned.
    Further, as our 2nd grade gets new curriculum materials for next year we will be looking into new software to accompany the programs.  It has been requested that we review all of our materials for use next year.  The software evaluation will give me background knowledge into how to properly evaluate and approach this project.  With this knowledge I will be able to lead my team in proper evaluation of the software.
     The use of the various google tools will prove to be invaluable as I am finished loosing my work on school computers as servers and computers crash quite often.  With the ability to create and store my work online, I find myself very capable of accessing my work on any computer in the school and I am able to skip the step of logging in and out of accounts.  All I need is the internet and all of my work can be accessed.
     Overall the past few weeks have proven to be some of the greatest for learning I can apply immediately in my work and home life.  This not only eases my work load, but proves as proof of my learning.

Online Resources

After exploring the intent webpage I found that there was a lesson that was directly inline with my 2nd grade curriculum.  We teach dinosaurs in 2nd grade and have been looking to update, infuse technology, and create new lessons.  This is actually a focus of many of my teams meetings this summer.  In paging through the lessons I came across one that was exactly what I was looking for.  All of the information, links, standards are right there and ready to be used.  This is a great resource that will allow me to teach new and up to date lessons.  This webpage upon further exploration I am sure will provide many more lessons that can be used in my classroom.  This webpage is one I plan to share with my team mates at our coloration meetings.

Our readings this week seem to be some of the most helpful I have had yet.  There were sample projects laid out for almost every content areas as well as.  This has been the chapter I have been waiting for.  It is useful to any teacher, and even gives ideas on what one can do to use adaptive technology for our SE friends.  This overall, included with the 2 week break, has been one of the better chapters/homework weeks for inspiring my teaching and my bag of information!

SpreadSheets

     I have used spreadsheets in the past, but for small and not very in-depth worksheets.  I have never really used the formulas, or went much past using a budget.  The closest I have come to using  formula is the AutoSum button.
    I have created graphs from Excel, but that is really the only program I have ever used to create spreadsheets.  This came in handy pretty much for my technology classes in college and high school.  I have not, since then, ever used that function or knowledge.  It was done purely out of the need to complete the assignment.
    The mind trick that is played with the spreadsheet we had to manipulate and find the formula was actually a lot harder than I thought It would be.  It seemed to be much like a suduko puzzle, which it is.  It was just harder than the usual as there are sums to the columns and rows.
    The receipt formula was another challenge for me.  The idea of changing one number to make the other amounts change was hard, but way cool.  That way of cooking would be so easy!!!!  I would love a computer program that would have all the cooking amounts on formulas so I could simply put in the number of people who will be eating and then it will tell me how much to use of each ingredient.
    With these spreadsheets there really is a use for them, outside of class assignments.  Once a person is able to put in the formulas so they work, the possibilities are endless!  It just takes a bit of time to learn how the programming works.  Trial and error is a great way to learn.  

The Internet: Web Searching and Word Processing

     I have used the Internet for years now I have fallen into the trap of using many of the same pages year after year.  With having to look over various search engines and the new to me online word processing, my eyes were opened.
     In looking at different search engines it took me a bit to get away from my ever easy Yahoo.  Yahoo was easy as it did not take me much to get to every thing I need.  Yahoo tells me the news stories, weather, Email, and search.  I can shop, image/video search, get maps and directions all on the page I have set for my homepage.  What I did discover in looking at Bing was a page that is really designed to search.  There is not much else to the page than what is needed to search.  There is no trying to focus your eyes or find where that little search bar is.
     I also took a look over a few of the various online word processing sites.  I can say I have never used this type of technology before, but I love it!  My favorite part is the collaboration that is possible and at even a distance between users.  It does not matter where the collaborators are long as they have the net.  This also cuts down on the emails sent back and forth attachments and downloads.  There is so much that can be done with this online word processing that I can see a decline in the need for the installed software.  I do wish however that there were more to the formatting tools of the online processing.  I would not imagine it would take much more to add some of the tools that are in the software driven programs.
    Overall the Internet is extensive, seemingly endless.  There is not much that is not on the web now and each day there is much more coming.  I look forward to seeing what is next and making sure that I keep up-to-date with the technologies and not sticking with the easy close pages.

A New Class with New Objectives

    Using Productivity Tools Effectively is class that I am excited to get into.  The course overview previews what we will be examining in the future weeks and this peaks my interest.  
    The first week we have dealt with presentations and graphics.  Both types of programs that I have already used in my classroom.  The activities assignments lists several options for the graphics as well as the presentations.  Knowing that there are so many options out there that are almost limitless opens an arsenal for teachers that is unmatched.  The major key for this list as a teacher is that there is a "free" option to use these programs.  With a simple email address and user name, anyone can use this type of program.  
    I chose to go with the graphics program called MagMyPic.  This program puts any picture you choose onto a magazine cover of your choice.  I chose to make one for myself, an outdoors theme.  I chose to make a second cover that was one I have already used with my classroom.  I have a star student of the week, called-Theine's Pines.   I am upload the students picture to the magazine cover and can post it in my room for a display.  When the week is over, I am can send it home for the parents/guardians to enjoy as well.  The nice part is that I can also put it to my webpage for the class.  This way all who wish can be up-to-date with my classroom happenings.
    I am excited about this class as I feel the knowledge we will gain will be practical, readings meaningful, and work will be relevant.  I have seen these three key qualities in the first week alone.  This class has more to come and I am sure that it will prove to be one of the most useful and relevant for the first few months.

How Computers Work Final Thoughts

     After the past few weeks of learning about how computers work I was in awe of what I did and did not know.  I consider myself one of those easy people who want the Plug and Play type computers.  THis class stretched my knowledge and comfort level.
     There were a few assignments that I was really scared to try.  Take apart a computer--Really?  What did I need to do that for?  Well I did not realize I actually needed to clean out the inside.  That is actually pretty gross in there.  Also there are many more fans and cooling systems in there that I had no idea about.  There is so much more in there than I thought.  Although I was really uncomfortable doing it, I really did learn a lot.  VERY WORTH IT!
     Another place I was stretched was the alternate Operating System assignment.  In the assignment explanation we were told not to do it wrong for it could wipe your hard drive.  Well I just bought a new computer for MEIT and I was not sure I was the guy who would be able to do it right without someone looking over my shoulder.  I went for it..........Success.  I was able to do it and not only did I explore a new system, but I learn a lot about install of new items on my computer and what else is out there.
     There was one thing that I really gained from this class when it comes to how computers work and that was CONFIDENCE!  I now know that I am capable of more than just the plug and play.  I know the options that are out there, the history of what is out there, and what I need to make sure I have to protect myself and computer.  It seemed like nonsense at the time.  Something I really did not want to do.....Lets just power up and play right?  NO there is so much power in knowing what you have and can do with it.  I am very empowered with what I have for knowledge and experience now.  Was it worth it the step outside of my comfortable place???  YES!!!!

Computer Safety and Backup

I ran two different diagnostic test on my computer this week.  The first test I ran was to see if the internet was running up to speed. The test was simple and it took merely seconds.  As the test was quick I was assuming that the test results would show that my internet was preforming much the same.  After the test was complete I was given the results below.  I tried the test again on a different internet connection, a public coffee shop connection, and found the numbers were almost cut in half.  Seeing the difference between a connection where you are mere feet from the wireless modem, to the connection where is is public use and you are unsure as to where the modem is was rather interesting to me.  

I also ran a test to check for any open ports that outsiders could access to gain entry to my computer.  There were, thankfully, no openings for hackers to get access to my machine.  This test can give one peace of mind if they are worried, yet if your results are unfavorable, you may be scared of what could happen or what has already happened.  Either way running these simple tests on ones computer can make a world of difference in the functionality and protection of their computer.

I have also had the chance this week to work on two Disaster Recovery Plans.  Have never even looked one over before has been rather interesting to me.  The amount of research and planning that goes into these plans, I am sure is directly correlated to the amount of personal and important data to be protected and saved.  My personal plan seemed to be more about preventing virus and backing up my files.  The organizational plan was designed to ensure the companies functionality and protection after a disaster.  I would be ok if my computer was down for a few days, but a company with hundreds of computers, valuable information, and hundreds to thousands of clients/customers needs to be up and running with in hours if not less time.    

Knowing how to use a computer and how one works are two completely opposite things!

    Knowing how to use a computer and how one works are two completely opposite things!  I have found over the last two weeks with trying to get into computers, how they are built, how they start up, how to adapt their operating systems, and even how to protect them, that there really is a lot I do not know.  The work I have done alone and with my team has been both eye opening and has put me in my place.  I have a lot of time at the key board of a computer, but I really have never set one up or really tinkered with it.  I merely run the programs I need.  If it does not work, pass it off to someone who can fix it.
    The course of how computers works is really holding up to its name.  I still admit that I know very little when it comes to the workings of the computers.  But there is a lot of things a person can learn on the internet.  When I wanted to learn how to take apart I googled it.  It gave me tips on how to do it, what screws to loosen, and even gave the tip to lay things out in the way that they are put together.
   I may not know much when it comes to how a computer works, but what I can say is that I have more than tripled my knowledge over the past two weeks.  I am sure that it will continue to grow as I learn more about operating systems and how to install them.  The great part about computers is you can try one thing and if it does work as you like try another.  Give it a shot, try one out, and make it run like you want it to.  You may just learn something along the way!

Below is a link to the presentation I created about Antivirus.  It was my first attempt at an "online" presentation.
http://content.presentationengine.com/ieViewer.php?tid=183803

My Computer History

    Growing up I was lucky enough to work with many different computers.  In elementary school there was a computer lab with 15 computers and we were able to play Oregon Trail and various typing programs.  The first work I ever typed on a computer was supposed to be "as."  Unfortunately I was not very smooth with the keys at the time and I added an extra "s" to the word and as my 1st grade report card tells, I did not have the use of the computers for the next three weeks.
   That trail and error with computers seems to have been the overall feeling with how I have lived with them for the last 20 years.  Moving away from the early computers where the keyboard was attached right to the modem, and you you had to put in you big floppy disks.  We then moved into the 3 1/2 inch disk, various new graphics.  All the time, I was never lucky enough to work with a Mac.  This was mostly due to the fact that my Aunt worked for Microsoft, and my father was/is an I.T. man for a retirement company.  My early use with computers was very limited to the P.C. as those were their operating systems.  As I got into and through high school we were still on the P.C., where the towers were on the floor next to the desk.  By this time we were using many of the removable/transportable hard drives.  It was a transformation that we moving to the more and more mobile computers.  As I entered into college I did get my first laptop which was a Toshiba.  A very simple machine for a simple minded person.  It worked for the most part, and when it would malfunction, I would send it to my father to fix.  Although it was mobile, it did not stay that way for long.  The battery was shot after about 9 months and I could not afford to buy a new one.  Thus I was stuck working within reach of an outlet/power source.  Finally, after graduation I earned a job in Glendale where the school runs all Macs.  It was a change for me, but I now am a proud owner of my own MacBook. Even after all of my years with the various P.C.s I would not leave my Mac.  It is my new favorite and I plan to stay loyal until I find something I feel is better.
    In coming from both the P.C. and now the Mac I have been lucky enough to run both types of operating systems.  I have also seen the idea of mobility of storage and computers transform as the years pasted as well.  I have seen both the positive and negative of the operating systems and I have learned many of the short cuts and system "cheats" from my my father and Aunt.  They are to this day very loyal to their P.C.s, yet with no real connection to them it was easy for me to switch to the Mac.  My father always told me if you want a computer to turn on and get to work, get a Mac.  If you want a computer you can make do what you want, how you want, when you want, get a P.C.
    To sum it all up, I guess the realization that no matter how in-depth you want to get into your computer, what programs you like, or even the overall general look of your computer there a lot of choices out there.  Be careful though for as each day goes by we get new technology, and with that technology our operating systems change.  Do some time and look into it.  I have only been around for 25 short years but have seen changes from the "Green screen" typing to a computer that can fit into a manilla envelop!

What Can I Do With All of This New Knowledge?

    After learning about these new and various online programs my head has been spinning with ideas of what I can do in my 2nd grade classroom.  I have already begun setting up a blog for my classroom for parents to access to see what is new at school.  Further, I am setting up  a Skype performance with a 6th grade class so they can preform a Dr. Seuss book for my students.
    The overall idea of web based document creation and storage is completely foreign to me.  It seems that all I create would therefore be accessible to anyone who chooses to hack into my account, which is true.  But anyone who finds my flash drive also has the capability to access them as well.  I guess it is just up to me to conform to the times and DO IT!
    The software of all of these programs are amazing and it is simply learning the new technology will take some time, but once I have all of the little bugs worked out, I am sure that I will enjoy these new technologies and then share them with all of my peers.  I have already begun to do so, not it is just a matter of learning more and sharing as I go!

What I Hope To Learn

    In starting this "online" Masters Program it is has been both exciting and unnerving.  My personal learning style is more of a face-to-face ideal and hands on with help "physically" available.  With that said I do believe that it is very important to the I.T. concept that we be on the cutting edge of technology in education.  There is no greater way to do this than to take the road of the future--online schooling.  Many Universities are headed this way, such as, Cardinal Stritch and many of the UW school systems.
    This program I feel will open my eyes to technology that will only enhance my teaching abilities.  I am hoping to learn new technologies, systems, and methods that can be used in my classroom at Parkway Elementary School.  My second grade classroom currently has an ActivBoard, and a few Mac operating systems.  There is also a lab full of Mac desktops that my students access multiple times a week.  My concern is that our students are only given permission to certain sites and programs that in all honesty are on a very short list.
    In studying and working in MEIT I hope to not only learn of new programs, but also to learn of new technologies to push my teaching abilities and teaching arsenal to their fullest potential.  Learning of new operating systems and programs to make my classroom management, grading, and document processing more efficient and successful is a main goal of the program.  I feel that it is with this knowledge that I can take my abilities as a teacher to the next level.