TPACK

The TPACK assignment took awhile for me to get through with the reading. I also worry that I wasn't able to give as much detail as I wanted since I'm only starting in Education and I'm still not sure of what grade I want to teach or had any classroom experience. I did agree with what I read in this assignment. I like how it talked about being able to adapt technology into teaching styles.

Here is the link to my TPACK.

Jeopardy

I really like the Jeopardy site. You could really use it to help teach any subject. I would use it as a fun way to review before a test. For my Jeopardy game I created a West Virginia History version. Creating a Jeopardy game for a class falls under ISTE NETS #2 and 3 since it uses digital tools to enhance learning and relay information. If you allow the students to create their own versions it also falls under #1 for supporting creativity. Here is a link to my Jeopardy game.

Motion Path

The Motion Path assignment was another use of Power Point that I had never considered. I created a pool where you can make the kids go down the water slide or off the diving board. It was fun to see all the different things you can really do with Power Point. If you used Power Point to create a motion path for a learning presentation it would fall under ISTE NETS #2 and 3 for using digital tools to increase learning and present information. You could also allow the students to create their own slide using motion paths which would fall under ISTE NETS #1 since it uses a digital tool to foster creativity. Here is a link to my Motion Path.

Labels

For my Labels presentation I decided to label a diagram of an ant. I had some trouble creating the Show and Hide buttons. It wasn't until I started working on the Motion Path project that I finally figured out how to make them. I enjoyed this assignment because it showed me a use for Power Point that I had never considered. Using Power Point to create a labeled slide like this falls under ISTE NETS # 2 and 3 because it uses digital tools to communicate information while maximizing student learning. Here is a link to my Labels presentation.

Power Point

Instead of using Power Point to give a presentation I used it as a new and different way to read a book with the class. You could project the slide show onto a smart board to make reading more interactive for the class. Of course Power Point is also a good way for teachers and students to give presentations. Using Power Point falls under ISTE NETS #3 because it is sharing information through digital tools. It would also qualify under #2 as well because it is using a contemporary tool to enhance and maximize learning. Here is the link to my Power Point.

Jing Screencast

I used Jing to create a a screencast detailing how to use Myxer to send a ringtone. I really like Jing. In my opinion it has been the most valuable tool I've learned about from this class. The only hard part about making a screencast is that if you mess up going through the steps while you're recording you have to start all over. I had to record mine a few times before I did it right. I really like the editing tools and found them very easy to use. I think using a screencast to demonstrate how to do something is a very useful tool that I teacher could use. Using Jing to make a screencast also falls under ISTE NETS #3. It definitely qualifies as using digital and media formats to communicate relevant information.

Here is my Jing Screencast.

Jing Image

For my Jing image I created a graphic that depicts the water cycle. First, I used the paint application on my computer to create the picture and captured it with the Jing tool. After that, I used the editing tools in Jing to add the labels and arrows. Here is a link my finished image. This is another tool that could be easily used to create graphics for presentations. This assignment falls under the ISTE NETS T #3 because it helps us to "communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats." The Jing tool is definitely a program I will continue to use after this class.

Google Draw Tool

This was my first time using the Google Draw Tool. The only other tool I've ever used similar to this would be the paint accessory on my computer and it isn't able to do all this tool could. I found this tool to be fairly simple to use and I didn't have any major problems trying to make my drawling. This tool has a lot of possibility for creating visual aids and graphics to use for presentations in the classroom. This activity helped me to become more familiarized with the Google Drawl Tool which is a new media format I haven't used yet. That's why I feel this activity relates to the ISTE NETS T #3.


Here is a link to my drawling.

Self Assessment

I just finished the self assessment. It was a very useful tool to help me figure out how I am doing with the class. This assignment falls into the #2 ISTE NETS T since it is designed to help us assess our own progress. I think I'm doing okay in the class but I have hit a few glitches. The biggest problem I've had so far is getting the embedded image on my blog for the self portrait. No matter what I have tried I can't get it to load and I'm really starting to get frustrated with it. I can load pictures from my computer and from other sites so I'm really not sure what I am doing wrong. This is the one time where I miss having an actually class. Other than that, I just need to go back and add some more to a couple of my posts and my blog should be fine.

Update: I finally was able to load my picture thanks to the idea somebody gave me in the discussion forum.

Glogster

I really liked the Glogster activity. Once I played around with all the different features I got hooked on it. The first one I made I wasn't really sure what to put on it, but then I also did one on a concert I went to a few weekends ago. I think the second one came out better because I had a concrete idea to base everything around. I put a link up for both of them.

Here is the link to my Glogster.

Here is my second Glogster.

Learning Outcomes

1. A glog is a graphic blog or a type of online media poster. It allows you to combine video, audio, text and graphics to make your page.
2. I think a glog could be a really useful tool to use in class. You could spend a day going over the basics and showing the kids how to use the features and then assign topics for them to research and make a glog about. It would be give all the kids a chance to not only learn but create something really unique. A glog would be a fresh way to let kids research instead of assigning a research paper.
3. I think a glog falls into ISTE NETS T #1. If you used it to have the kids do class presentations it would allow them to use both face-to-face and virtual environments. Also the glog is designed to let people be creative and individual in what they create.
4. The only problem I encountered while using the Gloster was the the audio clips were sometimes difficult to upload. I had to search for audio clips multiple times before they would show up. At times it became frustrating. Other than that I thought the site was really easy to use.

Self Portrait

I finished my self portrait using Picassohead. This was probably my favorite assignment so far. I didn't really encounter any technical problems while creating and saving my self portrait. My only problem was when I tried to put the actual picture on my blog. For some reason I can't get it to load no matter what I did, so I put a link to the page. I finally was able to load my picture by using Jing.

Here is my self portrait.

Learning Styles Inventory

I just finished the VARK Questionnaire and these were my results.

Visual: 7
Aural: 2
Read/Write: 13
Kinesthetic: 13

My results fit me very well. I usually learn one of two ways, either just reading and memorizing or by doing it hands on. For classes I usually learn through reading. When learning how to work things like a cell phone or camera I usually learn by trying it out. This class I'm using a combination of the two styles. I read the directions and all the discussions on Blackboard and then work my way through the assignment by trial and error.

Snipping Tool

I am redoing my Snipping Tool post. At first I didn't really see the point to this assignment or see the benefit of the snipping tool but now I really like it. I didn't have the right version of Windows so I'm using Jing for my snipping tool. When I did the self portrait assignment I was unable to load the image on my blog or save it to my computer. However, using the snipping tool I took a snap shot of the image and saved it to my computer. After that it was really easy to load it on my blog. I now see just how useful and convenient this tool can be. Since I used this tool to complete my self portrait post I decided to make this my snip image too. This tool can be used for ISTE NETS T #1 for solving problems using digital tools. Also it can used for #4 in context with responsibility and copyright protection.

VoiceThread

I just finished commenting on the VoiceThread and I liked it. I think it's a really nice system and easy to use. I like how there are different options to choose from when leaving a comment. I used the typing option which was quick and simple. Since I did not use the record method for commenting I don't know if it would be harder to use or not. It was nice to be able to read or listen to the reasons other people wanted to be a teacher. It's nice to see and hear that their reasons are the same as mine. I tried to keep my comment short because I started putting down every single reason I wanted to teach I could type an entire page at least.

I think that this activity matches ISTE NETS T #1 because VoiceThread allows people to be very creative in how they respond. It also is a tool that promotes collaboration.

Google Reader

The two blogs I selected for this assignment were Look at my happy rainbow and 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Look at my happy rainbow is a blog from a male kindergarten teacher and it basically just tells about things that happen in his classroom. It might not be viewed as useful for finding ideas or looking at new issues in education compared to other blogs but I found it to be inspirational. His posts really show his positive attitude and love for teaching. 21st Century Teaching and Learning is a blog that looks at how the cooperate world and education affect each other. It also focuses on the new technology available to teachers. The one post I was surprised to read is that the number one quality executives are looking for is creativity. I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can get from these blogs in the future.

Click here for my Google Profile.

Google Docs

Click here to visit my resume

Internet Connection Test

My results for the Internet Connection Test were 5.88 Mbps for my download speed and 0.37 Mbps for my upload speed. I'm not really sure if these are good or bad.

Personality Profile: Part Two

The Personality Test also labeled me as an Idealist. I was very happy with my results because the description of the Idealist felt the most like who I think I am. I'm glad I was able to correctly assess myself. Knowing this is my temperament can be helpful when leading a class of students because it will allow me to adapt my teaching style to be more effective and recognize my shortcomings in advance. Also my nature leads me to believe that everyone is capable of changing for the better and accomplishing their goals. This mind set I believe can be extremely important when working with kids, especially those who might struggle.

Learning Outcomes
1. The four personality types are Idealist, Guardian, Rational and Artisan.
2. Being aware of personal characteristics can help you improve your performance in a learning environment by allowing you to play to your strengths and identify and possibly avoid your weaknesses.

Personality Profile: Part One

Based on the descriptions of the four different temperaments I would have to label myself an Idealist, although the Guardian temperament ran a close second place. I'm definitely cooperative when it comes to my actions. I believe getting what you want by stepping over others is the wrong way to do things and will bring negative consequences in the future. I try to follow rules and want to be viewed as a good person. However trying to figure out how I communicate was a tougher choice. When I'm around the general public or people I don't know very well I communicate in a more concrete way. When I'm with my family and close friends I adapt an abstract way of communicating. I talk more about my beliefs and theories about things and also hopes for the future. Since I feel I am being more true to myself when I'm using abstract communication I decided to go with Idealist over Guardian. I'm interested to see if the temperament I picked out is the same one the Personality Test gives me. I do think that how we see ourselves and how we really are can be two very different things.

Browser Wars

Most of the Browser Wars article was difficult to understand, but I did get a few things from it. The most prominent thing being that in the race to develop the best browser a lot of bugs were overlooked which caused problems for people using them. A second was that for a very long time Internet Explorer had the market cornered since it came standard on Windows. Even though statistics show that Firefox the top browser right now I use Internet Explorer 8. I've used Firefox some and I just don't like it as much. As far as the technical reasons why it might be better, they go over my head. I base my opinion on what is easier for me to use and how the features I use the most work. However, my opinion may change as this semester continues and I use Firefox more. After becoming comfortable with it I might actually enjoy it better, although I doubt it. As for the questions in the Learning Outcome section, this is what I came up with.

1. A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. This is the definition I found on Wikipedia. How that translates to me is that a web browser is the application that a person uses to navigate and find desired information over the Internet.
2. The statistics for the four best browsers can be looked at in two different ways. The first is 1- Firefox (46.4%) 2- Internet Explorer 8 (16.2%) 3- Chrome (13.6%) 4- Internet Explorer 7 (9.3%). The second, which I think makes more sense is 1- Firefox (46.4%) 2- Internet Explorer 6, 7 & 8 (33.4%) 3- Chrome (13.6%) 4- Safari (3.7%)
3. A browser war refers to the competition between different browsers to be the best, which is defined by having the most usage. The competition is driven by the desire to be the best which results in the development of new features. I'm not actually sure why it's important the be the best browser other than the ability to generate revenue for its company.

Blog Address Survey

I set up my Gmail address and Blog on the first day for Educ. 2201. Now I am mostly playing around with the layout of my blog. I've already changed fonts and colors a few times and I'll probably change it a few more times before I'm happy with how it looks. I guess that's pretty much it for now.

Introduction Post

My name is Jenna Wolfe and I'm 24 years old. I live in Clarksburg and am currently pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Education. I love working with kids and plan to finish my Education degree in the future. This is my first online class so I'm not sure if I'm doing everything right, but hopefully I'll learn as I go.