Powerpoint

Dropbox Powerpoint

I have heard of Dropbox before, but never have actually used it. I like the idea that my folders can be accessed even if I am not on my home computer. I think I will start using this with any computer work that I want to bring home. No more flash drives! I really liked how easy it was to upload a powerpoint and create a link. I have made so many powerpoints for my classes and this would be a great way for me to put them on the web so my students have access to them if they are not in class. I may have to start that sooner, rather than later. This assignment relates to the model digital age learning standard. Teachers can use this program to show their students how to store information on the internet and have it saved for them. This is really easy for them to be able to access their work no matter where they are. I really like the idea of students being able to access something at home that they started in school and didn't get a chance to finish.

Google Earth

I really enjoyed learning how to use Google Earth. This program is much more interactive than Google Maps and it allows students to get an actual image of what the place they are searching looks like. I like the fact that people have posted pictures taken at the different landmarks and you can actually see them on the page.
Once I got to look around the Google Earth for Educators site, I found that there were not that many options for high school history. The best I found was a lesson for 7th Grade Renaissance. Although I do teach this topic to my 9th graders, it would be nice to have something directed at the older students as well.
A KML file is a Keyhole Markup Language file. In order to import information from Google maps, I simply clicked on the KML link and then I was prompted for where to put the information. I clicked on Google Earth and it loaded quite easily. This was an easy way to go from one map to the other. Also, the Google Earth map was much nicer to look at. It was clearer and had more detail to view.
As an educator, this program covers the designing and developing digital age learning experiences and also modeling digital age work and learning. Students would be able to be hands on with their learning and visualize all these places we talk about. Also, they would get to see how others view them as well with their pictures they have posted.

Virtual Field Trip

Civil War Field Trip

I like this idea for students to be able to collect data and place it on a map. This would be great to show troop movements during wars and also to get an aerial view of the world and how people migrate to new locations. I think this activity shows teachers developing digital age learning experiences and assessments. Also, this shows modeling digital age work and learning. Teachers are using the newest technology to show their students how great it is to learn and be involved with their education.

Batchgeo

SU Class 2012 Map

I have a ton of ideas for how to use the Batchgeo technology! As a history teacher, this allows me to visually show my students different events on a map. First of all, I can show movement of troops during different wars. We live in the heart of Civil War country in the Shenandoah Valley and this would allow me to show the movement of different Union and Confederate troops. Second, this would be awesome to show how far someone would travel during the early exploration and colonization through the Manifest Destiny era. I could do so many things with this program and the students could be involved in putting in the information that is most important to them.
Also, this could be used in other classes as well. Science could use it for topography purposes and math could use it for calculating angles from a student's house to another. I feel like this could be incorporated into any class, no matter what the content material.
When looking at the standards for NETS-T, I believe this could be included in the facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity. Students would be able to choose the information they wanted to be mapped. Therefore, students have control over what they are learning and how they are interacting with it. Second, this can be included in designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments. This is a new form of learning for many people and I believe my students would be very interested in seeing how the maps work and how their information can be displayed in this format. Third, this models digital age work and learning. A teacher is demonstrating a new technology for their students and then the students are able to use that on future assignments. I believe this website is probably the most useful out of the ones we have looked at so far, concerning history lessons of course!

Jing Video

http://www.screencast.com/t/40kdWJ1Kt  Jing Video Link

Making this digital movie was actually quite easy. I was dreading it at first because I wasn't completely sure what to do. I googled how to do a screencast on a macbook and the search came back with use Quicktime. It was a really easy program to use and once I watched the video on what to do, it was a breeze. In Quicktime, the user can see how much of the screen is being recorded. I had mine set to record the whole screen the first time so I could see what was being recorded. That worked perfectly because it caught everything I did the first time and I didn't have to do it for a second time. The option for saving was just placing it on the desktop. I put all the things I am working on there so they are easy to find. Once the video began, it was stored there and I had easy access. To upload this video to the internet, a user would go to the Screencast.com website. From there, you can upload your videos and then share them with others. The Jing file is a MP4 file and it can be easily played through itunes or anyother movie based program. Finally, the Jing sun has multiple tools. First, the sun allows you to capture the image that you want to use. Second, you can use the history to preview other pictures that you have used. The last prong sends you to the more screen. There you can provide feedback about the software and you can get help.

This activity relates to the designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments. This program allows a teacher to create an assignment and students just have to follow the directions on the video. Also, this activity allows students to develop something that is creative for them. They have the ability to create a very fun and creative presentation. Also, this is a model of digital age work and learning. I have learned how to use this new software and I can see how it will be very useful to know in the future.

Jing Image

http://screencast.com/t/1F9B1sO4    Screencast website

I use a lot of political cartoons in my United States History class and the Jing software is the perfect tool to allow me to show and explain the different concepts found in the cartoons. The process was extremely simple and in no time at all, I had an image that I wanted to use and was using the text boxes and arrows to point things out. This tool is going to be very useful for my classes. I can use this tool anytime I need to explain a process, picture, cartoon, or historical event in my class. I could probably find a use for this everyday if I wanted to. I feel that my students will get a better understanding of processes if they can see a picture or event with the captions explaining what is important about each piece of the puzzle.

This describes the NETS-T standard of Model Digital Age and Learning. I am using a new software program to show my students the information they need to know. Also, this program could be used during an open house to explain to parents how your classroom works. Also, this program allows teachers to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. You could allow your students to create a jing image and upload it to their h drives. Once the students have the assignment complete, the teacher can grade them for accuracy of analysis of the cartoon, picture, etc. There are many ways this software could be incorporated into the learning atmosphere.

Diigo

I have used other bookmarking sites before, but none can hold a light to the Diigo site. Diigo is a wonderful way to collect bookmarks that are used frequently and are at your fingertips anytime you need them.

In the film, the narrator mentioned many things that would help someone get started on Diigo. First, a user can highlight any text within a webpage to help you remember what was so important about that text to make you want to bookmark it in the first place. Second, you can take notes right on that page. This would have been so useful as an undergrad doing all my research for history papers!!! Where was this technology then??? Third, this tool allows for maximum networking. You can see what your friends, co-workers, and others from around the world are bookmarking and viewing. This is a great opportunity to see what others around the world think about the same things you are viewing. Web 2.0 is a better version of the web because of the additional things you can do as a user on the internet. First, you can use this site as a researching tool, notetaking, and also a paper saver tool. Without have to print off all the pages you don't want to forget, you constantly have access to the materials you need or want. Social bookmarking is a way to connect, engage, and create networks among your friends and others who are interested in the same things you are. It enables you to build global communities and also recommend web content for others to view. Perhaps the most important fact is that reading is now more fun for everyone. I believe this could definitely be used in the classroom for anyone who is interested in keeping bookmarks for different useful sites and also to help students organize their research.

Currently, I use a combination of Safari and Firefox. Some things you can do on Safari and some things you can't. I had to download a different browser to be able to do things on Firefox. The add-on worked fine and I have used others that are similar. For example, Pinterest is kind of similar to Diigo. Pinterest allows users to post images of things they like and pin them so others can view them. I feel add-ons are very useful because they allow you to share information very quickly and also they allow you to remember that information you are looking at. I know for a fact that I forget some websites if I don't write them down. This will be great for me while I am surfing the web at school looking for info to put into my lectures and powerpoints.

As far as NETS-T standards go, I feel this is linked to Model Digital Age Work and Learning and Engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership. In the Model Digital Age standard, a teacher is demonstrating fluency in technology systems. This is definitely a new form of bookmarking that can be used no matter what your interests are. Also, teachers are communicating relevant information to their friends, co-workers and people who are interested in the same material you are. In Engaging in Professional Growth, a teacher would be participating in learning communities that would allow students to improve their learning. These bookmarks can be very useful to allow students to access SOL remediation games and pages and also just link to any information that may be interesting to them.

I'm Picasso!

http://www.picassohead.com/create.html  The Picassoheaad Website

http://www.picassohead.com/search.html?submitted=1&where=&query=Melissa+Bernal+Self+Portrait&x=22&y=12 My picture located within the gallery.

With this assignment, I created a self portrait as if I was Pablo Picasso. I thought it was going to be pretty interesting since I knew a little about Picasso and also the fact that his paintings were definitely abstract. Once arriving to the website, artists have a choice about what type of face, eyes, hair, etc to pick in order to create their self-portrait.
I learned that art can be really fun. I have never been very skilled at drawing, but I can trace a picture off of an overhead like a champ! This is a great activity to get students introduced to Picasso and let them play with his art and his style. I wish I taught art just for this activity! Maybe if I have some spare time in class, I can show this to my students.
This activity relates to the Facilitating and Inspiring Student learning and creativity. Art teachers especially could use this website to help introduce and reinforce material learned on a lesson about Picasso. Students are able to go through his steps and use his designs to help create their own masterpiece. Also, this can fit into the Model Digital Age Work and Learning. Teachers would be communicating relevant information pertaining to Picasso and also this activity shows students have an understanding of Picasso and his artistic techniques.

Resume Revisit

When looking at my resume, I have to wonder how I was able to get my current job. The website says to mainly work on the language that is used to make more of an impact on my potential employer. Also, rezscore.com said to have a longer resume. My only concern with this is my lack of work experience. This is my first and only teaching position and I am not sure what else I should include to make a potential employer impressed.

The second time through, I was able to update my education information to show a potential employer that I am working on a higher degree in my field. I am still struggling with how to make the resume longer. I was always told a concise resume was the way to go and this website keeps telling me to make it longer. Also, I wonder how reliable this one website is. I would like to search around to a few other websites to see what they have to offer as far as evaluating resumes.

I would use this tool at any point in time. If anyone needed an idea for a resume builder, I would recommend this as a good place to start. Also, this is good to have for when you update your resume throughout your professional career. It is nice to be able to go to rezscore.com and view what they have to say about your resume.

This activity relates to the modern digital age work and learning standard. I am learning how to update my resume using a new program I just found out about. Also, I am able to keep my information current and available to anyone who would need it. I feel this is a great tool to use, especially if you are searching for a way to stand out above your competitors for a job. This would be a way to get information that could really help you land your dream job!

Snipping Tool

I have added a new technique to my electronic usage list this week. I had no idea how to do this, especially since I am on a Mac and had no idea where to even begin. After some googlizing, I found what out what to do. I think this tool could be used for a variety of things. In my class, I do a lot of virtual tours for my students. Since we can't go on a million field trips, I bring the sites to them. In particular, with my World History I students, some of the locations might be so far away that none of us get to see them. For example, we study Ancient Greece. There is a website called wingedsandals.com that is a great interactive site for my students in the computer lab.  

Once students are logged onto the website, they can begin their exploration of Ancient Greece. Hermes will guide them through story time, games, the history of Greece, and students can even ask the Oracle questions. (Which they usually get a kick out of!)

 I would definitely use this tool in order to show my students where they are supposed to go on certain websites. This would allow me to use classtime more effectively and lose less instruction time. This tool relates to the facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity. This is an interactive way for students to learn important historical information in more of a fun way that just hearing their teacher talk for their entire class.