Image created using Cacoo
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
A BIG Thank You
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| Image from:owl-thank-you.png |
I have recently done some web 2.0 tool exploring and happened upon a fun, delightful tool that could easily be used within the classroom to engage learners. As I end this semester of school and my digital learning lessons come to a close, I was looking for a nice way to thank my professor and really let everyone know that digital learning is a worthwhile, engaging experience. I used Go animate and easily made a fun video to showcase what this digital learning course has enabled me to do. Technology is evolving every day and has become such a huge part of our society and daily lives, therefore, it is ignorant for an educator to think that the use of technology within the classroom can be ignored or discouraged. It is my responsibility as a future teacher to model my lessons in digital learning and embrace, explore, and collaborate with technology to provide my students with positive, and diverse learning opportunities.
A Labor of Love
Blogging has become a labor of love for me. When I started my digital learning course in September blogging was foreign to me. In fact, I was even a little apprehensive about navigating through digital technology in general. I have alway stuck with what I know and to go beyond that and explore the digital world seemed a little intimidating. However, since then I have evolved and have come to really enjoy creating and writing posts about the various things I have learned throughout my digital learning journey. At times, I even amazed myself with my technical abilities in some of my blog postings.
Now that my digital learning course is over, the journey doesn't end. I often find myself going back to the course website and re-evaluating what I learned. I spend countless, enjoyable hours sitting at my laptop sipping on coffee, navigating through/ experimenting with a creative tool as a way to express my understanding of the content introduced to me. My blog has become a diary of sorts. It is a valuable tool for me to express and reference what I am learning and have learned.
When you are an undergrad student, busy is an understatement. You are inundated with assignments, readings, exams, presentations etc. There is little time for reflection or creativity outside of the course load requirements, however, now that the semester has come to an end, I can catch my breath and really reflect on this digital learning journey.
This course has made me a more resourceful educator. It has aspired me to think outside the box and explore new and diverse ways of using technology; especially within the classroom. Being a responsible digital citizen is now a part of who I am. What I have learned will help me to be more creative and current in the classroom. I can collaborate and become part of a global network of educators rather than limit myself to my immediate surroundings. I now have more tools to engage learners and the ability to show them what it means to be a part of the digital world. From here, the journey does not end, it begins. Since I have been given the tools and awareness of a limitless technological world that is so vast and emerging so quickly, how could I ever just sit back and ignore the capabilities of it? I plan to continue on the path of accessing, analyzing, creating, reflecting and taking action to ensure my newly discover talents are not forgotten.
Word Cloud created using Tagxedo.com
Heart Images from: google clipart
Newspaper Clipping Created using Fodey.com
Now that my digital learning course is over, the journey doesn't end. I often find myself going back to the course website and re-evaluating what I learned. I spend countless, enjoyable hours sitting at my laptop sipping on coffee, navigating through/ experimenting with a creative tool as a way to express my understanding of the content introduced to me. My blog has become a diary of sorts. It is a valuable tool for me to express and reference what I am learning and have learned.
When you are an undergrad student, busy is an understatement. You are inundated with assignments, readings, exams, presentations etc. There is little time for reflection or creativity outside of the course load requirements, however, now that the semester has come to an end, I can catch my breath and really reflect on this digital learning journey.
This course has made me a more resourceful educator. It has aspired me to think outside the box and explore new and diverse ways of using technology; especially within the classroom. Being a responsible digital citizen is now a part of who I am. What I have learned will help me to be more creative and current in the classroom. I can collaborate and become part of a global network of educators rather than limit myself to my immediate surroundings. I now have more tools to engage learners and the ability to show them what it means to be a part of the digital world. From here, the journey does not end, it begins. Since I have been given the tools and awareness of a limitless technological world that is so vast and emerging so quickly, how could I ever just sit back and ignore the capabilities of it? I plan to continue on the path of accessing, analyzing, creating, reflecting and taking action to ensure my newly discover talents are not forgotten.
Heart Images from: google clipart
Newspaper Clipping Created using Fodey.com
The Important Skill of Website Evaluation
This past weekend my daughter came running up to me, excitedly jumping up and down, saying "Mommy lets make a squishy doll in the microwave....... I just saw this video where you put marshmallows in water, microwave it for a few seconds and you make a doll.".... WOW!!!
Oh! "YouTube" is a wonderful thing, and to some kids a frequent resource of a wealth of information and insight. That got me thinking, a big part of helping students become responsible digital learners and citizens is using the internet as an effective resource tool. Throughout their student career and beyond they will be accessing the internet as a primary source of information, therefore it is essential that they develop a means of effectively evaluating web content.
I made this trading card as a neat, engaging way to help students develop the important skill of effectively evaluating websites. In addition to the card, I have attached some links that further discuss the importance of Website evaluation.
Happy teaching!
ABC’s of Web Site Evaluation
5 W’s of web site evaluation
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Oh! "YouTube" is a wonderful thing, and to some kids a frequent resource of a wealth of information and insight. That got me thinking, a big part of helping students become responsible digital learners and citizens is using the internet as an effective resource tool. Throughout their student career and beyond they will be accessing the internet as a primary source of information, therefore it is essential that they develop a means of effectively evaluating web content.
I made this trading card as a neat, engaging way to help students develop the important skill of effectively evaluating websites. In addition to the card, I have attached some links that further discuss the importance of Website evaluation.
Happy teaching!
Image of "Brain with Big eyes" used on trading card was taken from: Google clipart images
Links for Website Evaluation:
Grade 3-5 lesson plan on website evaluation
A one-page quick reference for evaluators
A checklist for evaluating web resources
5 W’s of web site evaluation
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Sunday, December 6, 2015
Connect, Share, Collaborate
During my Digital learning course, we explored wikis and how to create content collaboratively in a wiki environment. The application of wikis into student learning environments and within the curriculum can create new opportunities for students to work collaboratively. There are various Web 2.0 tools that can be used for global collaboration. When the educator embarks on exploring and investigating such tools this creates a much more diverse classroom that extends beyond the school walls. Wiki sites allow for inputting and sharing of information for various purposes.
Linked here is a wiki space site that may be of interest to educators and educators to be, as it list many online tools for use within the classroom.
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| Connect, Share, Collaborate |
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Today's Task......
Today's task is to explore and get to know my inner teacher..........
As I was reading through some of my digital learning course content, I came across a link that was an educators blog post mentioning the top qualities of a good teacher. As I read the article I began to reflect upon the driving forces behind me embarking on pursuing my dream of becoming an educator. I then asked myself what qualities and characteristics do I have that will make me an effective educator. I decided to make some notes using a tool called Lino-It. Once I finished, one theme became clear, I love to learn and I have a passion to share my love of learning with others. My goals and aspirations as a future educator are to take the good and the good from the bad and live, laugh and enjoy every moment. Every opportunity is a learning opportunity and I believe there is nothing more satisfying then helping others see their potential as learners.
As I was reading through some of my digital learning course content, I came across a link that was an educators blog post mentioning the top qualities of a good teacher. As I read the article I began to reflect upon the driving forces behind me embarking on pursuing my dream of becoming an educator. I then asked myself what qualities and characteristics do I have that will make me an effective educator. I decided to make some notes using a tool called Lino-It. Once I finished, one theme became clear, I love to learn and I have a passion to share my love of learning with others. My goals and aspirations as a future educator are to take the good and the good from the bad and live, laugh and enjoy every moment. Every opportunity is a learning opportunity and I believe there is nothing more satisfying then helping others see their potential as learners.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Molly Mae talk'n about Social Media and Digital Citizenship
Well the semester is coming to an end, and frankly my fingers are raw from typing assignments this week, so to engage you in a serious topic I have created an avatar alias Molly Mae using
Doppel Me. I then used a web 2.0 software tool called Blabberize to have her tell you all about responsible digital citizenship and social media. Hope you enjoy!
Links as mentioned in discussion:
Ontario College of Teachers
Themes of digital citizenship
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Teacher Standards and Student Standards Article
Role of Digital technology in the 21st-century classroom
In addition to these links, there are also some wonderful Networks that educators can connect and gain insight into social media perspectives and usage within the educational system. K-12 is a great connected network that is a Professional Learning Board where a team of experts delivers research-based, relevant, effective, respectful, and timely professional advice for enhancing professional development and quality professional practices.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Inspiring Animoto Video Making
Hello Followers
Today I must say I was inspired by a classmate's blog post about using Animoto. My classmate posted an inspiring video about why she is embarking on this digital journey. I encourage you to take a look at her video as we all must agree that digital learning is essential in today's classroom setting. Technology is as it should be an important aspect of engaging learners and in order to do that the teacher must first take a leap of faith and jump into a digital world and learn a few thing themselves. Sooooooooo......
Here I go I made my own short video using Animoto!
My video is not a reflection on my digital journey but rather a showcase of something else I am very passionate about...................My KIDS. I used them as the base to showcase my newly discovered digital tech skills in making a video. I must say I love it as the video makes me smile (and maybe cry a little) thinking back on how quickly the years have passed and how much my kids have grown. Time goes so quickly.
Also, I encourage you to showcase your photos in a unique way by discovering Animoto. The web 2.0 software is easy to access with an internet connection and allows you to upload and create a wonderful showcase for your personal photos and videos.
Check out my precious memory video here. Please note the watermarks remain on the video as it is a free trial of the software.
Modified
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Digital Networking and Webinars
In the interest of networking today as a digital learner, and for the future as an educator, it is important to build digital networks and connections. As a digital learner, I have discovered with the help of my digital learning course (website linked here ), that teaching has evolved from the independent teacher to more of a collaborative approach. There are resources and links available to educators that allow for collaboration with others through digital technology.
Examples of a few are:
Pinterest
Teachers pay Teachers (access to free resources)
Teacher Notebook (again free resources available)
A few others that are of value on a more conservative level are:
Classroom 2.0
K12 online
These sites provide the user with webinars and from that a wealth of resources.
Webinars are similar to seminars accept you can access them from the comfort of your own environment and at your own convenience. From this, you are able to gain a wealth of knowledge from others that are specialized in an area of interest.
Another great way to connect to other educators is through a google hangout. This tool can help educators connect with one another face to face. Also, this would be a great tool to introduce within the classroom. Students can connect with other students in a different community or even a different part of the world. It sure does give a whole new spin on the idea of a pen pal.
Image from: http://junior2.cumbresblogs.com
Examples of a few are:
Teachers pay Teachers (access to free resources)
Teacher Notebook (again free resources available)
A few others that are of value on a more conservative level are:
Classroom 2.0
K12 online
These sites provide the user with webinars and from that a wealth of resources.
Webinars are similar to seminars accept you can access them from the comfort of your own environment and at your own convenience. From this, you are able to gain a wealth of knowledge from others that are specialized in an area of interest.
Another great way to connect to other educators is through a google hangout. This tool can help educators connect with one another face to face. Also, this would be a great tool to introduce within the classroom. Students can connect with other students in a different community or even a different part of the world. It sure does give a whole new spin on the idea of a pen pal.
Personal Learning Networks and Personal Learning Environments
Personal Learning Networks or PLN's are simply defined as the digital technologies and communities in which you currently participate. It encompasses the people and networks that you engage and share information with online on a regular basis.
This week as a digital learner I have taken the opportunity to map out my own personal learning environments to which I am involved in. (See image below). I must say it was surprising to me the number of networks I am currently involved in as a relatively new digital learner. As I continue this journey of fulfilling my dream of becoming a teacher and my new found interest in digital learning, I can only imagine how my PLE will evolve and expand.
The benefit of communicating online is that it is an easy and swift way of finding information and sharing it. It allows for collaboration and feedback on projects and ideas in a timely manner and from a variety or perspectives.
Educators and students can equally benefit from PLN's as follows:
- Educations and students can access and learn for others through communicating online with those who are specialized in an area of interest.
-Educators and Students can collaborate and readily gain knowledge and locate resources for the classroom thus resulting in more effective lesson planning.
- Online accessibility can help the student and teacher learn about new technology and integrate it into the classroom for effective learning.
- Online networking can engage the learner in generating ideas, aid in development, and encourage collaboration.
My PLE map using MindNode Demo
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Let's take a Survey!
Hello!
This week in our digital learning journey we are exploring surveying tools. Surveys are a great way to get feedback from others. They are a quick tool that can help a teacher gain some perspective into how his/ her students are responding to the lessons and daily activities presented in the classroom. A big part of teaching is examining the material presented and evaluating not only the outcome of the lesson but the overall experience. The teacher must ask themselves what went well with the lesson and what did not. Evaluation is important as it makes for effective learning. Surveying students is one way to evaluate learning needs and outcomes. A great thing about the use of surveying tools is that the student can be kept anonymous therefore, the feedback is likely to be more truthful.
There are many online surveying tools that are free and easy to use. This week I chose to explore survey gizmo. Survey Gizmo is a very easy tool to navigate. You simply input you email and create a password to access the free surveying tool. From there you create your survey. There is an option to upgrade to a more sophisticated version of the software, but the free version is just fine for the basics of surveying. You are able to choose from various styles of questions like multiple choice, text etc. There are prompts along the way within the creation of the survey that make this an easy tool to use.
The survey that I have created is about teaching aspirations. I am alway curious to know what aspiring teachers intend on teaching after they have graduated, therefore, I have created this quick 3 question survey. SO if you are an aspiring teacher, busy student, and you are awake studying I would love to read your answers!!!!!!
Images copied from:online-survey.jpg (mouse and survey word)
images (can't sleep icon)
This week in our digital learning journey we are exploring surveying tools. Surveys are a great way to get feedback from others. They are a quick tool that can help a teacher gain some perspective into how his/ her students are responding to the lessons and daily activities presented in the classroom. A big part of teaching is examining the material presented and evaluating not only the outcome of the lesson but the overall experience. The teacher must ask themselves what went well with the lesson and what did not. Evaluation is important as it makes for effective learning. Surveying students is one way to evaluate learning needs and outcomes. A great thing about the use of surveying tools is that the student can be kept anonymous therefore, the feedback is likely to be more truthful.
There are many online surveying tools that are free and easy to use. This week I chose to explore survey gizmo. Survey Gizmo is a very easy tool to navigate. You simply input you email and create a password to access the free surveying tool. From there you create your survey. There is an option to upgrade to a more sophisticated version of the software, but the free version is just fine for the basics of surveying. You are able to choose from various styles of questions like multiple choice, text etc. There are prompts along the way within the creation of the survey that make this an easy tool to use.
The survey that I have created is about teaching aspirations. I am alway curious to know what aspiring teachers intend on teaching after they have graduated, therefore, I have created this quick 3 question survey. SO if you are an aspiring teacher, busy student, and you are awake studying I would love to read your answers!!!!!!
Images copied from:online-survey.jpg (mouse and survey word)
images (can't sleep icon)
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Don't be Scared!
I just made a new Voki. See it here:
Hello!
Having some Halloween fun and exploring with a wonderful Wed 2.0 tool called Voki. Voki is an interactive software that allows for creativity and expression of individuality with the choosing of an avatar. The user can then accessorize the avatar and input or record dialogue. The avatar can then relay any appropriate message to the viewer. What a great way to engage learners. So in the spirit of Halloween check it out! Don't be scared.
Hello!
Having some Halloween fun and exploring with a wonderful Wed 2.0 tool called Voki. Voki is an interactive software that allows for creativity and expression of individuality with the choosing of an avatar. The user can then accessorize the avatar and input or record dialogue. The avatar can then relay any appropriate message to the viewer. What a great way to engage learners. So in the spirit of Halloween check it out! Don't be scared.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
A little "bit" (strip) about me!
I wanted to tell you about how my journey towards fulfilling my dreams of becoming a teacher began. Bitstrips is a fun and creative way to allow me to do that!..... I have been a nurse for the past sixteen years and felt like I needed a change in pace. With my husband's support, I enrolled into university and the journey has begun. No regrets and working hard to achieve my goals.
To Be Continued.......
I encourage you to try Bit Strips yourself for a fun and engaging way to share your ideas and stories with others.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
My twitter adventure.
Hello again!
It certainly has been a while since I have been able to get back to my blogging. Glad to be back and excited to share with you that today I jumped both feet into the world of twitter. Before my exploratory adventure, I was a facebook fanatic so in the interest of exploring I decided to take a browse at twitter. I have to say it's not bad. Found some great resources to follow to keep up to date and liked the fact that you can easily access news and events happening in and around the area in which you live.
As an aspiring teacher, twitter would be useful in the classroom as a social media tool that can be used to quickly access and follow news events and news stories as they develop. Students would also be able to follow each others tweets in an attempt to stay connected. I discovered some great educational sites to follow. All in all a very positive experience discovering twitter.
Recently I have read an interesting post about a classmates twitter discovery. It is often good to look at others perspectives and take on social media tools.
I have included in this post a link to the Ultimate Twitter Guide. This link provides you with resources for learning and exploring Twitter. Happy Exploring!
Images originated from: computer-clip-art-free-computer_with_landscape.gif
www.twitter.com
Modified for the purpose of this post.
It certainly has been a while since I have been able to get back to my blogging. Glad to be back and excited to share with you that today I jumped both feet into the world of twitter. Before my exploratory adventure, I was a facebook fanatic so in the interest of exploring I decided to take a browse at twitter. I have to say it's not bad. Found some great resources to follow to keep up to date and liked the fact that you can easily access news and events happening in and around the area in which you live.
As an aspiring teacher, twitter would be useful in the classroom as a social media tool that can be used to quickly access and follow news events and news stories as they develop. Students would also be able to follow each others tweets in an attempt to stay connected. I discovered some great educational sites to follow. All in all a very positive experience discovering twitter.
Recently I have read an interesting post about a classmates twitter discovery. It is often good to look at others perspectives and take on social media tools.
I have included in this post a link to the Ultimate Twitter Guide. This link provides you with resources for learning and exploring Twitter. Happy Exploring!
www.twitter.com
Modified for the purpose of this post.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
The Journey Begins
Presenting my first ever attempt at blogging!
I have embarked on this digital learning journey and am jumping in with both feet. So let's get creative and begin with a little bit about me with a SHOE selfie.
Clip Art images added to shoe photo from: Image source (Warning)
and http://www.fotosearch.com/illustration/stinky-feet.html (man spraying)- Thank you
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| www.clipartpanda.com |
I have embarked on this digital learning journey and am jumping in with both feet. So let's get creative and begin with a little bit about me with a SHOE selfie.
My shoe has taken me many places and we have had a lot of fun exploring, especially this past summer.
My shoe and I have taken my kids to the beach and relaxed in the hot summer sun.
My shoe and I have hiked the beautiful trails and dipped our feet in the cool fresh water at Mono Cliffs provincial park this past month.
My shoe and I, along with my family have camped for the first time this summer and enjoyed every minute of it. We are planning to do it again soon.
My shoe and I have picked fresh strawberries from a local farm and bought them home to make delicious jam.
My shoe and I have experienced the thrills and adventures of Canada’s Wonderland recently. We continue to marvel and reminisce about that day and can still hear the squeals of excitement and laughter from my children.
My shoe and I have walked our new puppy around the block repeatedly.
My shoe is a little apprehensive about exploring digital technology but.....here we go!
BOTH FEET IN!
and http://www.fotosearch.com/illustration/stinky-feet.html (man spraying)- Thank you
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