Week 10 Group 2 Current Event

Today advancing technologies make information so much more accessible; upcoming generations are going to be immersed into the Information age and  as educators we should facilitate their development for this lifestyle. This week's current event focuses on which three computer/internet skills we think children should develop in order to prepare for life in the Information Age. The Greenfoots believe the following three skills are the most important:

1. Netiquette and Internet Safety Skills

The internet is a very resourceful tool that can be used for leisure or work; what we do and how we communicate with others on the internet can effect us. We think children should be taught how to safely navigate through the internet world as children are utilizing the inter web in school, after school at home, with their friends, and practically everywhere with cell phones. We should be educating them about precautions to take while on the web, how they should interact with strangers, how to identify scams, etc. Safety is the most important skill to know because any harmful thing could happen with misuse of the internet. 

2. Research/Browsing Skills

With so much information at our fingertips its can be challenging to know what sources are reliable. We believe that conducting a basic search through an effective search engine is one of the basic tools to being technologically literate. By developing these skills children will be able to select sources that are credible for their work,gain knowledge, and develop one of the Global Learner Outcomes, which is to become a "self-directed learner".

3. Emailing Skills

Emailing is a popular tool and is often used for communicating with colleagues, professors, friends, and family, near and far. We believe students should have a firm grasp on how to compose, send, add attachments, and organize emails as this is something they will be doing for the rest of their lives. On top of the general use of emailing there is much more to than what meets the eye. Through emails you can create documents, search and organize information, blog, personalize your calendar, etc. There are so many tools that go unnoticed via email, by developing these skills children will be able to make use of the tools email has to offer and communicate effectively with others.

Task 2 Deliverable-Web 2.0 Tool, Thinglink.com

Hey everyone!

So the web 2.0 tool that I selected was Thinglink, which is a site that allows users to create interactive images through the use of tagging various medias like videos, podcasts, websites, articles, other images, songs, recordings, and etc. I really enjoyed this tool because its free, easy to use, and adds a unique perspective on presentations.

When I first saw this site I was instantly attracted to it, that I created an account and made a few interactive images myself. After using this tool, I've decided I could see myself using this with my future students. As in writing you need to include your sources as well your own thoughts to blend the information; with Thinglink you can do just that. With the description box and the tagging aspect of Thinglink students will be able to include their sources as well as their own take on the information and share it as marker on an image that symbolizes the topic. But as you already know tagging isnt limited to websites or articles, but allows room for a wide spectrum of medias.

Prior to this activity, Google was my go to search engine...basically for everything. I would usually google phrases like "a list of web 2.0 tools" or "web 2.0 tools for the classroom", most of the time they would lead me to articles or websites that had a list of 2.0 tools to select from. My search actually lead me to a website that centered on web 2.0 tools according to skills, at the time I wasnt searching for a specific tool but I did bookmark the site to come back too. Bookmarking the site was a good idea as I actually went back to browse the entire website thus stumbling onto Thinglink.

If you're using Google in your selection process of  any web 2.0 tool, I'd use phrases  like "web 2.0 tool reviews for __(insert specific skill; i.e. creativity)__", "best of 2012 web 2.0 tools", or "web 2.0 tools for ___(insert specific skill; i.e. interactive presentations)", I think these would help narrow down your search. However, there are so many sources at our finger tips it will still take time to sort through the options, especially if you're like me and like to test the site out for yourself.

Overall this assignment was really fun and I'm glad I found a tool that puts a unique twist on creativity and presentations.

Task 1 Debrief

Before beginning this course I had no experience using personal learning networks whatsoever. As we signed up for various personal learning networks, such Google Reader, Twitter, iGoogle, and Diigo, I learned to engage with and manage my resources. Between all of the networks we signed up for I used Diigo and Google Reader the most. Both personal learning networks were really simply to use, easily accessible (I'm always bookmarking or checking my gmail account), and helped me to arrange my resources in away that has changed my view on online organization.

I really enjoy Google Reader and Diigo, these are filters that I plan to keep on using in order to maintain my current and manage my new resources. I'll admit I probably won't use iGoogle after the course is complete (I also read that iGoogle will no longer be available later on this year); as for Twitter I'll keep it around just to get a better feel for it, I definitely see the potential it has in finding reliable resources.

After experiencing personal learning networks, I definitely see these as tools that are really valuable to prospective, new, and veteran teachers. There is just so much information at our fingertips that is begging to be used, so why not use them to spruce up your career as an educator. Technology is seriously changing the way we live and learn, with all this information at hand teachers should take advantage of these sources to better assist them in reaching and touching the lives of their students.

Here is my screencast made from screenr on the personal learning network, Diigo: http://screenr.com/nmq7

Week 4 Group 2 Current Event

 Heyyy Everyone!

The Greenfoots have chosen larryferlazzo.edublogs.org as this week's resource. This page offers an in-depth explanation of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy and acts as a great source by assisting teachers in planning lessons that are both effective and challenging for students. Larry Ferlazzo, author of the page, provides various links to the best resources that help teachers creatively integrate the taxonomy into their classrooms. For instance, The Differentiator is an amazing online application designed to help teachers create various outcomes depending on which Bloom word is selected from each column (thinking skills, content, resources, products, and groups), so that students to may engage in higher-level assignments.

There are many Bloom tools this site offers, so take a look around. I hope you enjoy the site!

Self Introduction

Hey Everyone!!! Welcome to my blog, it's great to finally meet all of you! My name is Jasmin Floyd and I look forward to working with you this semester. 

My favorite technology gadget is definitely my phone, the Samsung Galaxy S3. With all the gaming apps, access to music, hot spot, alarm clock, camera, planner, S beam, phone features, and social networks, jam packed into a device the size of my palm- not only do I have mostly everything I need right at my fingertips, I have wayyy more space in purse! Aside from all its awesome features to be occupied with, this gadget is my lifeline. I use my Galaxy to stay organized and connected. 

I really enjoy face-to-face classes more than online classes because of its opportunity for interaction, yet with the scenario based learning and the opportunity to work in online groups (which is a first for me) I'm really curious and excited about learning in this class. Two skills i offer as a group member are that I'm a very hard worker, I strive to complete the tasks at hand promptly and efficiently, and I'm also very supportive and willing to lend a helping hand.

Here's a link to a video clip that was collaborated by the MacArthur foundation, expressing their reasons for incorporating digital media into the learning environment of the twenty-first century learner.