Online learning

Distance learning classes are designed to support learning by using the internet and the course required books. The students that choose to take the course need to possess characteristics of responsibility, the ability to stay organized, and possess technology skills in order to complete the course. Students and teachers who use the Internet should know how to use URLs, site navigation strategies, Bookmarks, and search engines. We have come a long way in the assistance in understanding complex concepts. I would encourage any person wishing to pursue their education to try to take an online class. It is especially convenient for students that have children. But keep in mind that is not for everyone. You have to want to take the class and some people were not comfortable with the online learning experience.


Here are some key points from the chapter on online learning:

• Students that are taking an online class get more form the teachers who take the time to really individualize the material and the process of learning.
  
• The teachers who work best online have a lot in common with the students who do their best work there.
  
• Teachers can get better responses by breaking the curriculum down into smaller pieces.

• Documents can be effortlessly linked together, coupled with the webs ability to integrate text, images, sounds and video, means that integrated curriculum can be, in terms of content and presentation, is a necessity.

Primary Sources

How would you utilize primary sources to align with your educational technology philosophy?


A primary resource is material that is not grade or textbook specific and can used in the classroom. It contains the tools the students need to complete the activity that teacher directs them to work on. The teacher provides structure and direction to allow the students to use their ability to make meaning of what they are working on. Students will develop skills and learn to think critically. Allow the students to focus on a specific question so it will help them analyze the primary document.



http://www.archives.gov/index.html provides public access to federal and government documents set up in a way that is user friendly for teachers and students. The documents and tools can be used in US History or other subjects as powerful story lines. This primary resource can be used to assist teachers in providing students with archived information which they can use to conduct research or learn mire about history.

Verizon Web Page

I created a web page using verizon. They seem to be cleaner.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resq2l03/cherriram/

Concerns and hopes regarding technology

I have a few concerns regarding implementing and integrating technology in the classroom.
· Proper training
· Teaching the technology skill to accommodate different styles and learning levels
· Amount of money it takes to get what you want

To overcome the fears I have I will finish my masters degree and continue to attend staff develop classes offered through my district in the area of technology. I will encourage and support my colleagues in developing their skills in technology. Together we apply what we know in the classroom to enhance student learning. The first step would be to decide what areas we need technological support to help students process the information and develop higher level thinking skills. We can then find the hardware and software that will be most beneficial to the students. Once we have the equipment and use it to assist in teaching, we can assess its effect on student learning. Our principal supports the use of technology in the classroom and is eager to support the teachers that want to enhance learning by using technology. We purchased 8 promethean boards last year and most teachers use them to in various subjects. The students are motivated to learn and are successful in meeting the objectives. But, if the principal is not able to find additional funds, sometimes local businesses will support school purchases or there are a variety of grants that you can apply for. I have never applied for a grant, so that would be a challenge for me.


My best hopes regarding technology implementation and integration are:
· Staff support and collaboration
· Increased student responses to learning
· Be eager to learn and apply new technologies


There are some teachers that have a better relationship with computers than others. Teachers enjoy sharing what they know about technology and its importance in the classroom. If you have technology (computers, cameras, projectors, or promethean boards, use it, a lot. Students can also use the computer to become familiar with different cultures. They can learn more about different countries and email students that live in the country they want to learn more about. I remember when we my teachers wished they could have pen pals for us but it was a challenge to contact schools around the world. It is much easier now and very good for the students to see and talk to people their age that live somewhere else. The skills I have learned in this class has given me the confidence that I need to succeed as a librarian. But there are a lot of students that know more than I do about the trends in technology. It is great to see the students teach the teacher and other students how to use something, like an Ipod. Students can then have a sense of responsibility in their own learning as well as their peers. The teacher can then find a way to use it in the class.

My new website

I created a new web site in hopes of making an online eportfolio.

http://mysite.verizon.net/resq2l03/cherriram/


I hope it works.

kids

Week 2

So far, throughout this course I have learned several new websites that contribute to my personal and professional successes.

I found it interesting and educational for me to create and develop my blogging skills. I enjoyed creating a blog line that allows me to interact with other students in the class. I was excited to learn about social book marking. I now have access to my favorite sites at home and at work. I am awaiting approval for my taskstream account and plan to build my eportfolio this weekend. I am so ready to use it in my classes that I will be taking as well as uploading the information I have created from previous classes. I will also place my interactive PowerPoint about myself on my eportfolio. I also want to add a link to the information that I learned about analyzing information found on the internet. I know I will want to refer to the information in the future.

When a class is ready to integrate technology to enhance learning, there needs to be a lot of planning involved. The planner needs to what technologies are available and which would be best suited for the students of the class. To improve student learning, the teacher needs to be trained to use the technology. The planner must consider how many computers are needed as well as any other hardware or software that is required. The planner must also keep in mind the budget that has been assigned to the class. When evaluating the software, the planner must evaluate the quality of the information and how it will benefit the students in the classroom. The information I have learned has helped become more advanced in the ways that technology can be applied in the classroom by teachers as well as the students. I will be able to share what I have learned with my colleagues. I just hope that I can remember all the sites I have discovered as well as the usernames and passwords. My goal is to continue to use the tools to keep up with today’s technology, as well as improving my teaching skills.

Reflect on Week 1

As a result of our class activities I have developed the knowledge of how to validate and verify a website. I will record the infroamtion that can help me to remember these facts in a folder I have on my computer. I will them be able to use the resources in the future, as a teacher and as a librarian.

I am excited about creating an educational technology philosophy and will create it in a way that will allow me to stay true to what I have said in my philosophy.

Information Literate

To me, being information literate means that I am aware of most of the information that is available to me and my students and I know how to validate the source of information and I can teach others how to do the same. There are so many sources that are available online and it is important to know how to check the validity of the site. I can validate the creator of the source or view the history of the website. I can also get some basic information about the website by examining the web address. It is so important to know how to determine if the source is creditable and reliable. As you are looking at a website, try to determine the purpose of the website. Why did the author create this web page?

The first day of Summer School

I am taking this course because I want to be a librarian. This class is required in order to get my masters degree. I have been teaching for three years now and want to continue my education.