Blog Post Four

            Twitter is undoubtably one of my favorite social media platforms; I’ve been using it since middle school to keep updated with all my favorite celebrities. In high school, I began to take it more seriously. Not only did I use Twitter to stay updated on world news, but I also relied on it to get school announcements. We would use Twitter to announce meetings, sign up dates, and all sorts of events that were taking place on campus. I was able to interact with my classmates for further clarification (if necessary). It was convenient, quick, and keep me updated. I think using Twitter in a classroom could aid students in their success. It could certainly be beneficial in reminding them of their assignments/due dates, but it could also provide them with a platform for easy teacher-student communication. On twitter, they could tweet out their question, which could benefit other students who need further clarification. There’s also an option for direct messaging, which a student could use if they wanted a more personal conversation (that isn’t publicized). 

            As a student, I never fully experience the digital divide. I went to school in a middle-class area (where everyone had access to technology). Even if one student didn’t have their own laptop, my schools (elementary, middle, and high) could provide them with fully functioning rentals to complete their assignments. I think the digital divide is caused by money, politics, location, and socioeconomic status. In EDF1005, I’ve been learning about legislation that’s been passed within the last decade, providing certain schools with more money than others. The schools that are getting this money are being put on a pedestal for having mainly middle to upper-class students (that tend to do better academically). These students (who don’t need as much help) are rewarded, while the students who seriously need assistance aren’t getting it! Because these students tend to not test as well, their schools don’t receive as much money, which limits their ability to purchase new technology. This puts students at a huge disadvantage: they aren’t able to learn about technologies’ that will be most likely be utilized throughout their careers. As a teacher, I’ll incorporate technology as often as I can, but I’ll give student’s class time to complete their work. If I ever assign essays or other assignments that require technology, I’ll take my classes to the library or computer labs. When necessary, I’ll make sure that every student has access to technology that will help them succeed. 

            Something I definitely want to incorporate into my classroom is Google Classroom. I’ve been exploring it for my first Independent Learning Project and it’s the perfect classroom resource. Students have access to everything they would need: reminders, calendars, assignments, etc. I also wished I used it in grade school, it’s almost like canvas with a different layout! I’d also want to try and use Kahoot in my classroom. I loved using it in school! It created this competitive atmosphere that made me want to do better. It also was loads of fun; my classmates and I would always get excited doing a Kahoot. I think they’re the perfect way to implement a fun, simple review into my classroom and I plan on utilizing Kahoot quizzes in the future!

Blog Post Three

          I’m familiar with most of the concepts taught in ELA being I want to be an English teacher. I’d say that I’m most comfortable with the standard that encourages students to use the internet to publish work they’ve produced, allowing them to display their work for the world. In previous classes, I’ve created websites and blogs that served as a platform for my writing assignments. It was convenient and worked perfectly as a portfolio. I’d also say I’m familiar with the first standard, which deals with understanding the meaning of words and using tools to clarify words that are ambiguous. I still do this all the time and would be happy to show my students how easy it is to broaden their vocabulary (using technology). I think I’ll definitely need to experiment with digital design before teaching my classes about digital media. I’m really only familiar with PowerPoint and Prezi, but I want my students to be aware of all that’s out there to help them succeed. 

            My favorite tool that I found in the CPALMS toolkit was the Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts. There’re 141 lessons ranging from 6th-12th grade. I found lessons on poetry, vocabulary, grammar, logical reasoning; it seriously had everything. The coolest thing about them was that they included the standards they were directed towards teaching, which helps ensure teachers are teaching the correct material and providing students with the necessary knowledge. The lessons even start by including learning objectives! This will definitely be a website I utilize, or even just reference (I feel like relying on these lessons could get boring) as a teacher. I think students would truly benefit from the structure and content in the lessons, helping them succeed in my class. 

            From working on the Newsletter, I was able to discover new features on word that I didn’t know existed. First off, I could never figure out how to insert page boarders until I took this class! I think they’re a cool element to make Newsletters more visually inviting. I also discovered how to shade a section of text. I thought that you could only shade textboxes, which made uncovering that feature very exciting. I like that Word is fairly easy to use, but sometimes it can be tricky. For instance, inserting pictures can be a hassle sometimes, along with headers and trying to keep my text-columns even. But besides that, I think it’s the perfect software for teachers and students. Next time, I think I’m going to include less text and bigger pictures; my photos are small and I don’t think they make a big impact on my Newsletter. From this assignment, I learned how to create a functional Newsletter for my student’s parents, which will allow them to stay updated on what exactly their child is learning. Feel free to check out my Newsletter as it will be posted below!

Blog Post Two

Looking back on my career as a student, I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t using Microsoft Word. I began using Word as a child; I was constantly typing book reports and stories to share with my class. Sometimes, I even made my own worksheets and assignments; I’d model them off my own homework and pretend I was teaching a class. Then I started typing essays. Then research papers. Then poems and projects. Basically, I did everything on Word. In school, teachers would constantly be using Microsoft Word. Every handout I received was formatted in Word. Teachers would have lessons on how to properly use Microsoft Word. They’d show us how to format our bibliographies using Word, or how to properly structure our essays. They’d demonstrate all the neat functions Word has to offer. For instance, they’d show us the thesaurus and express how we should use it to help make our papers stronger. Or, they’d show us how to insert tables and graphs into our research papers, making them more visually engaging. From kindergarten to my senior year, Word has been a huge part of my academic life and success. My proficiency in Microsoft Word has allowed me to properly complete my assignments, while also learning skills I can use in the future. 
I wasn’t fully introduced to copyright and fair use of materials until this year. I never actually realized how often I’d use Google to find a picture and paste it in my PowerPoint. I never asked the artist if it was okay, I just took it and used it. All my teachers would pull up pictures from the internet, or even encourage us to take pictures of our textbooks (this way we didn’t have to bring them home)! I was totally unaware of intellectual property laws. Now, I understand how annoyed I would be if I was an artist whose work was constantly getting stolen. Bu, in certain situations, I don’t see the big deal. For instance, I don’t feel anyone should be punished for photocopying a textbook if they have good intentions, but I see where there could be an issue. Maybe someone would try and sell the same material from the textbook, therefore making a profit off something they didn’t create. From an educational perspective, I don’t see any issues with using someone else’s materials to learn and really respect the fair use guidelines. As a teacher, I’d try to create my own materials, but I’d probably still pull up images on Google. I’d always encourage students to create their own materials as well, but I wouldn’t punish them for using another person’s materials for the sole purpose of learning (as long as it was valuable and not an excessive amount). I did it as a student (I still do), and it’s only helped me learn more!

 One problem I’m determined to eliminate as a teacher is academic dishonesty. With the internet, students can easily find answers or similar assignments online, which they use to finish their work. All they have to do is Google a question and their whole assignment pops up. Texting and social media also makes academic dishonesty much easier; students can send around answers and share valuable information from quizzes or tests. In order to eliminate academic dishonesty in my classroom, I’d utilize the website “Turn It In,” which checks to find any similarities in student’s papers. I’d also give out zeros for plagiarized assignments and talk to the student directly (to try and get them back on track). I’d also consider requiring phones to be put away during class (unless they’re incorporated into an activity). Maybe not allowing students to have their phones out might eliminate the amount of answers being passed around. Technology’s prevalence in the classroom also can lead to decreased productivity in students. Being told to do something on the internet (that a student might not be interested in doing) may lead to them streaming television or playing games. With the internet at their fingertips, it’s easy for students to get distracted quickly. I’d be sure to give students incentives for turning in work earlier, this way those who completed the assignment in a timely manner would be rewarded. I’d also lower the grade for students who submitted their work late, and would try my best to only incorporate technology when it’s absolutely necessary (it’s hard to get distracted staring at a piece of paper)! I’d monitor the classroom when we’re using technology and require students to keep their own, personal technology away. This could eliminate distractions and encourage students to get their work done. 

Blog Post One

       The implementation of advanced technology in the classroom has increasingly become more popular over the years. For one, it’s convenient, being that most students have access to electronic devices and the internet. Student’s availability to the Internet allows them to access millions of websites and databases, specifically crafted for their benefit. But aside from electrical technology, teachers use technology to help students learn and comprehend material. Students utilize technology in order to remember information and pass their classes. Teachers often use technologies like white boards, textbooks, or bulletin boards to help their students retain information. Students also take advantage of technologies like dictionaries, workbooks, or even their desks to enhance their learning and help them complete assignments. Overall, student's drive for success and initiative for learning something new prompts them to use technology. Teachers use technology to help make learning easier, interactive, and convenient for their students. After all, teachers want their students to pass!
The ISTE standards for educators are as follows: learner, leader, citizen, collaborator, designer, facilitator, and analyst. One standard that's meaningful to me is learner. I'm always trying to learn something new, even if I think I already know everything. I've had teachers in the past who wanted nothing to do with new information (or new technology for that matter)! But learning new information allows us to constantly expand our ideas and thoughts. For teachers, learning new things can improve our lessons, which could then benefit our students and improve their grades. As a teacher, I will strive to learn about the latest technology that could potentially help my students in the long run. One standard that I feel might be outside my current skill set is citizen. I use technology and have a grasp on how to interact digitally, but I don't spend an excessive amount of time participating in the online world. I don't necessarily contribute to the internet's databases or create new, engaging websites. I'm more of a person who prefers face-to-face interactions and hands-on learning. While participating in the digital world is becoming more common, I wouldn't say it's something I do all the time. I think this standard is slightly foreign to me and I plan on trying my best to improve in this area. 
I do agree with the term “digital native” for today’s youth. Nowadays, I constantly see children using the latest forms of technology: smartphones, tablets, laptops. These kids are practically learning to type their names and search the internet before than can even walk! As a waitress, I’d constantly see children watching YouTube videos or playing games on electronic devices rather than coloring on the kid’s menu. Digital natives are people who become fluent with the usage and functions of the latest technologies, mainly at a young age. However, not all digital natives are young. I consider myself a digital native. I know the basic functions of the most popular electronic devices. For me, I always felt I was better with basic technology than most of my teachers. Many of my teachers needed student’s assistance with performing basic tasks (creating a new folder, connecting to the internet, recalibrating the SmartBoard). Because none of my teachers were exceptional with technology, I was forced to learn it myself. I feel that maybe if my teachers were more experienced with today’s electronics, I may have an even better understanding of their functions. I anticipate that my future students and I will utilize technology. I think my clear understanding of technology will rub off on my students, hopefully making them more technologically savvy. I also think my students (being that they’re being born into the generation of “digital natives”) might be able to teach me about technology as well. 

Twitter Account

Hi everyone! I'm posting my EME2040 twitter account in case you'd like to keep up with my postings. My username is @sameme2040!!