Blog Post #5

I think web 2.0 tools can all be useful within the classroom. Teachers could use all the help they can get and technology, like web 2.0 tools, have been extremely helpful for teachers in the 21st century. These tools can help teachers become more effective. One of the web 2.0 tools that I caught in the podcast is wiki. Wiki is a website that allows collaborative editing from its users. This could be helpful for teachers because it could allow them to create an interactive websites where their students could ask questions, post assignment, etc. Unfortunately, students will need access to a computer and internet source in order to participate. These things can most likely be found within the school, so it should not be an issue.
A web 2.0 tool that I might use in the classroom is teacher-tube. Teacher-tube is exactly like YouTube but is meant specifically for educators. Teacher-tube is filtered out so that every video is appropriate for the classroom. It is also much easier for teachers to find a video on Teacher-tube because it only has educational videos.
I would use Teacher-tube to find relevant videos that I could use as examples throughout the lesson or could just build a lesson around altogether. Since there is such a large amount of videos on Teacher-tube, it shouldn't be hard for me to find a video that is relevant and helpful for whatever lesson I am teaching that day. This web 2.0 tool doesn't involve much and can be very useful for within the classroom. http://www.teachertube.com
The concept map assignment was a lot of fun for me. I played around with the Inspiration tool and had a lot of fun changing the colors of the bubbles and going through the different graphic options. Even though our assignment was to create a study guide, I was able to get a feel of the ways a concept map could be used within a lesson. Concept maps could be used as something you project on the board that has the basic ideas of the days lessons so the students can physically see what it is they should be learning. Below is the concept map I created for the assignment:

Blog Post #4

http://www.cpalms.org/Public/search/Standard#0

One web based resource my students could use to learn this standard could be some soft of simulation software. The simulation software could involve an interactive map that shows the migrations and distribution of human populations. This software would be best for my student to learn this standard because it would be hands on/interactive. 

Using the internet for student research can be really beneficial if students know the right ways to research. It can be useful for students to gain background information on their topic of research. It can also be useful for students to search for scholarly articles to use for their research. However, internet use for research can be risky because not everything on the internet is correct. In order to surpass this I will make sure my students know how to tell the difference between a credible source and a non credible source. 

In the past I usually ignored the proper ways to search the internet unless I was being fact checked. I would just google what it was I was looking for and use any website that sufficed. I never thought about checking the date it was published to see if it was current. That probably would have been useful for me in the past but now I know to make sure to check for that in the future.

Working on the web hunt assignment I gained the understanding of keywords. By this I mean, adding a keyword into the search bar that indicates what you're searching for. Using the different google sources, like google scholar and google video, also help condense your search and find more valuable resources. 

Web hunt challenge 1: 

Find an informational video that combines graphics and audio on World War I.

Web hunt challenge 2:

Find an some sort of interactive website that will help students gain reading skills. 

Blog Post #3

The infographic I found can be seen below: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/48202658488549457/

This infographic gives teachers a break down of what is looked for during their observation. It is a helpful infographic for teachers because it can help them prepare for observations. The infographic is clean and easy to read. There is just the right amount of graphics and the information provided is short and sweet. I'd say this a very successful infographic because it gets across its message and is pleasing to look at.
Based on chapter nine I would like to use blogs within the classroom. I think blogs are great way for students to share their opinion and interact with one another. Firstly, I would need to address netiquette because the students will be interacting with each other through the blogs. I'll also have to teach students how to protect personal information about themselves because blogs are public. Since my students will be about 15-16 years old I feel blogs would be an appropriate way to keep them interacting inside and outside of class.
Working on the newsletter was a bit challenging for me but it did help me learn how to format word better. It took me some time to figure it out because word has a different layout on my mac than it does on the PCs in class. I was able to get it done and I am proud with the results. I found the newsletter assignment to be beneficial because it forced me to explore word more.

Blog Post #2

MS Word
Throughout my educational career I have used MS mainly for writing papers. Occasionally I have used MS to create a newspaper article or a graph, but for the most part, it was used to write essays. My teachers used MS word for writing out rubrics/instructions for assignments they were giving, but I've also had teachers use it during lectures to show notes on the projector screen. I think MS word is best used for textual projects but it could be used for other things as well. As a teacher I will explore MS word and try and use it for all the ways it can benefit me. For example, I could use MS word to create a visual representation of what the days lesson will be about through graphs, text, pictures, etc.
Copyright and Fair Use
Copyright happens constantly throughout the world. People who create things (like photos, songs, paintings, reviews, etc.) aren't getting proper recognition when others want to use their creations. In school we learn about copyright and how we can avoid it, but it is difficult to avoid it completely. In order to avoid copyright within my classroom, I will make sure to teach my students about fair use and the proper way to cite/give credit for something they may use in their projects that they did not create themselves and give proper consequences to those students who don't.
Twitter
Twitter is a great tool for teachers to use to connect with students and their parents. After using twitter for a couple of weeks, I feel as if it is a great way to keep in contact with different departments/programs that could be useful to me when I become a teacher. I plan to use twitter as a resource for my students, whether it be to post homework assignments or just share an article that relates to that days lesson. I could give assignments through twitter, make a last minute due date change, post updates on the next days class, let my students know if I'll be missing a day of class, etc. There are so many positive opportunities through the use of Twitter. Twitter will provide me with a way to keep in contact with my students inside and outside of the classroom.

Blog Post #1

Computers in Classroom
I think computers are extremely beneficial within Education but not necessarily within the actual classroom. Computers within the physical classroom are great when the teacher is the only one that has access but they can pose a huge threat to student concentration/participation if each individual student were to have access to one during class time. It is important for students to know how to use different forms of technology because technology is and will continue to be a huge part of our society but there is a time and place for them to learn those things, and I feel that it should be its own class. There are pros and cons to every new technological development but I feel as if the pros of technology within education outweigh the cons. Yes, learning the new technologies and keeping up-to-date can be time consuming for the teachers, but overall, having technology within the classroom creates a lot of new opportunities for educators to modify/enhance their teaching abilities.

My use of Computers
I plan to use computers in my classroom mainly for the internet. You can find almost anything on the internet and I think it is extremely beneficial for teachers. Since I plan on becoming a history teacher, the internet will be a great way for me to research historical events and keep up with/compare them to current events and share them in class. I will also use computers to make presentations for my lectures and make my life easier when it comes to organization and making lesson plans.

Digital Natives
I feel that the term "digital native" is fluid when it comes to who is and who isn't. Just because someone is born during a time of technology doesn't mean they have access to that technology and therefor, they should not be considered a "digital native". The term "digital native" seems unnecessary because everyone feels differently about the uses of technology, whether they grew up with it or not. Since I am considered a "digital native" I will point out that I do do things differently, when it comes to technology, compared to my parents who are considered "digital immigrants." Growing up with technology I feel that it is easier for me to learn new technologies than it is for those who did not grow up with it. I also feel like I am able to find shortcuts faster than the "digital immigrants." I feel that in time the word "digital natives" will disappear because soon, everyone will be a digital native and as long as you keep up with new technological discoveries, I don't think there will be a huge difference between future students and teachers when it comes to technological ability.

Twitter Username

@N_B_Wronski

Blog Post #0

Both of my parents are graphic designers so I have been exposed to different forms of technology since I was little. Technology is an important part of my everyday life, I use my phone constantly to keep tabs on my friends and family, my computer is vital when it comes to checking up on my social media accounts and completing school assignments, I rely on my alarm clock to wake me up in the morning and my Netflix to keep me entertained. I began school during a time of huge technological developments, this caused me to be exposed to many different forms of technology that would be helpful to me during my time in school and out in the "real" world. I learned how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, I learned how to research efficiently and effectively and I became and avid technology user.
 During the duration on EME2040, I hope to learn/refresh my knowledge on the important aspects of different technologies and programs, especially the technologies and programs used within a classroom. Since I am planning to become a teacher, and I know that this class will help me achieve my goal of understanding these different technologies, I plan to put forward my full attention and make sure that I am comfortable using these different technologies/programs. I also hope to obtain an understanding of how to apply these technologies within the classroom so that when I am ready to teach/become a teacher, I can.

Pictured above, I have my learning style results. From these results I can conclude that am able to learn effectively through both active and reflective techniques, I am an intuitive learner so I prefer more innovative ways to solve problems and dislike repetition. I can also conclude that I prefer/do better with visual learning but can learn through verbal techniques. These results also tell me that I am more of a sequential learner than a global one, but have tendencies to learn both ways, this means that I either grasp details of what is being taught to me without fully understanding the material (sequential) or grasp different parts of what is being taught to but eventually fully "getting it" (global). By knowing and understanding my learning style, I should be able to alter my study habits to become a better student.