Rating tech tools

MOODLE

Moodle is learning platform designed for students, educators, and administrators and enables them to use technology in the classroom. It creates a personalized learning environment that is secure. I would give Moodle a 3 out of 5. A 3 because I feel it is very convenient as far as being able to turn in assignments online, it allows students to keep up with grades and upcoming lessons, and students are able to chat and have discussions as well.

FIREFOX

Firefox is just another web browser that is
similar to Google Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer. What makes it different is that it is said to be smaller, faster, and somewhat more secure. I would give Firefox a 4 out of 5. A 4 because this is the web browser I use mostly all the time and I agree that it is faster, especially with downloads.

GOOGLE APPS

Google apps serves as an alternative to a traditional office suite. It consists of Gmail, google docs, google calendar, and google talk. I would give Google Apps a 4 out of 5 because it is very beneficial, especially when you have classes that require a lot of documents. Another benefit is, for example, with group presentations, it allows for multiple people to edit one document. It is also very user friendly and easy to use.

LIVEBINDER

Live binder is a digital 3-ring binder that you can put anything into virtually. It organizes a variety of things such as PDF, documents, videos, images, and webpages. It is made to keep all necessary digital things that you need nicely kept and safe in one binder. I find this very convenient so I would give this technology tool a 5 out of 5.

WEEBLY

Weebly is a web-hosting blog service that uses a drag and drop as its main feature. Like any blog site it sparks creativity and allows you to make it unique. It is said that as of August 2012, Weebly hosts over 20 million sites within a monthly rate. I would give weebly a 4 out of 5 because I use it and enjoy it but it just takes a little getting used to in order to form familiarity with all the different way to post stuff.

PREZI

Prezi serves as an alternative for traditional presentation slides. This form of presenting ideas is far more different than Powerpoint, whereas powerpoint is more on the business side. Prezi allows you to make it fun and enjoyable and more importantly to make it your own. You start off with a large canvas, which can be a bit intimidating at first, but you can pan and zoom and place anything wherever you please. I would give prezi a 5 out of 5.

WIX

Wix is another blog website builder with a drag and drop platform. You are given free templates to choose from so the website is not fully created by yourself. I would give Wix a 3 out of 5 because it was a bit confusing figuring out what the icons meant and how to fully use the website. But overall, when you get use to it, it seems very useful and the presentation is nice as well.

TURNITIN

Turnitin is a website where you submit a written piece (research papers, outlines, etc.) and it checks for originality and plagiarism. I would give this tehnology tool a 5 out of 5 because it encourages best practices for citing other people’s written material. It also highlights and shows where improper citing has occurred and it also provides the site or book that it came from. This is useful for both students and educators.

Safety is Key

With technology quickly advancing and having it be easily accessible by people of all ages, I feel it is very important to inform kids/future students about safety issues involving internet usage, especially with the advancement in technology. Out of the five topics that were presented on, the phishing and pharming topic would not necessarily be needed in my field. But textual harassment and cyber bullying, on the other hand, would be stressed in my class and I would inform my students on this topic, mainly because it seems as if children are getting cellular devices and other technological devices at younger ages so it is critical to inform them on the right and wrong ways that it can be used. A program of Goodwill Community Foundation shares that, Many kids are confident that they know how to be safe online. However, there are a few reasons kids are often more at risk. They may not always think about the consequences of their actions, which can cause them to share too much information about themselves. Kids also are sometimes specifically targeted by cyberbullies or predators” (GCF, 2016).

My group presented on phishing and pharming. These two safety issues would probably be the least stressed in the field of elementary because of the ages being dealt with, but definitely will not be ignored because both phishing and pharming are both very dangerous ways one can get manipulated online. Per Christensson explains that, “Phishing and pharming are two different ways hackers attempt to manipulate users via the Internet. Phishing involves getting a user to enter personal information via a fake website. Pharming involves modifying DNS entries, which causes users to be directed to the wrong website when they visit a certain Web address” (Christensson, 2005). With that said, my group and I shared some tips in which one can decipher whether or not the online site is legitimate or not. We also shared that if whichever site is asking for too much personal information, it would just be best to not put it on, giving that the Internet is something very dangerous to play around with and information and travel so quickly. 

Therefore, I find it very crucial to instill online safety to children of all ages.

Overall, this presentation allowed me to attain better knowledge on phishing and pharming  and I will also consider using the information on the other topics that were discussed in my future classroom.

The secret to effective lesson plans (Hint:ASSURE)

I am studying to be an Elementary teacher and the most common remark I get from people is “It is so tedious to have to make a lesson plan for each subject you teach that day”. Sometimes it sounds like a lot but it is definitely an important part in the teaching process. Not only is a lesson plan beneficial for the teacher serving as a guide for things to run smoothly in an orderly fashion but it is also beneficial to the students as it is said that, “Students also feel that the lessons are sequenced properly”. In addition, “Having a good lesson plan will also increase confidence in the teacher; on the other hand, not having a plan will result in complete failure for both teacher and students” (VIA, 2015). A good lesson plan shows just how much time and effort a teacher puts into their lesson.

In regards to the lesson plan that I created, if there was anything I would change or add in, that would be having more interactive activities that I find is suitable for my students. Which will come with time because observation of what the students seem to like will be necessary for incorporating their interests into their learning process. Other than that, I still like the use of group work unless some students become reliant on others to complete work then that will be when changes will be made on that part.

My lesson was focused on math, specifically with comparison of data and inputting information to make bar graphs. With that said, I would do a follow-up just to see whether or not the students were able to retain what was learned and further move on with reading bar graphs.

The ASSURE lesson plan is a great template to follow in steps to create a lesson plan. Personally, there are not any components I feel are missing, I would just suggest to be very detailed with each component and to include every single detail to guarantee an effective outcome from the lesson given. The ASSURE model is definitely self explanatory, however Ed Forest adds that, “…it is good to follow a regimented guide to improve your teaching technique. Any effective teacher knows that the perfection of their technique does not come overnight, and there is always room for improvement” (Forest, 2016). 

A brighter future

Every one has the right to an equal education no matter the race, age, and ethnic background. This right also applies to those with disabilities. How you might ask? Through assistive technologies, which was made specifically for those with disabilities. Without assistive technologies, it would be difficult to try and provide the same and equal education that other students are able to receive. The clip, “EnablingDreams”, definitely portrayed just how helpful assistive technologies are for the teacher and the students as well.

            The Assistive Technology Industry Association, answers the two main questions that most people would be concerned about with assistive technologies. These two questions being, “What is it?” and “How is it funded?”. ATIT defines assistive technology as, “…[being] an item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”. This piece of equipment can be as simple as a cardboard with fuzzy felt to act as communication board or high tech software such as computers, it all depends on the type of disability the student has. These assistive technologies are funded by various sources, again, depending on what is needed. The sources vary from, school organizations, government agencies, and private agencies as well. (ATIT)

            In the clip, “Enabling Dreams”, it displays how assistive technologies make it possible for students to be active participants in the teacher’s lesson plans. Specifically shown with the young students that were able to participate and communicate through the buttons that would say what they wanted it to. As a teacher, I would allow students to be apart of my lesson plan by getting them involved with other students in activities, for example, having other students engage and help them when needed and I would asses them with how well they respond to each activity. I have a family member who is deaf and assistive technology was extremely helpful in her case. It allowed her to communicate effectively with peers and teachers like other students were able to with their teachers.

            Jessica Millstone, editor of “Assistive technology Basics”, says that “Assistive technology can’t “cure” learning and attention issues, but it can help kids work around their challenges”. She adds that not all technologies are high tech and for the decision of what can work for a specific child can be discussed with the childs IEP or 504 plan.

            Overall, Assistive technologies can be the source towards a brighter future for children with disabilities. It will not eliminate the difficulties and obstacles but it will lessen them and allow students to be more interactive and involved in the classroom.

ASSURE lesson plan: What is in your Breakfast Cereals?

ASSURE Model Instructional Plan

Teacher: Janae Leon Guerrero

Lesson Title: Getting to know your Breakfast Cereals

Grade Level: Grade 5

Lesson Length: 60-minute period

Analyze Learners

Learners’ characteristics: This lesson is designed for Grade 5 students. Ethnicities of the school include Chamorro(80%), Pacific Islander(12%), CNMI(4%), Filipino(2%), White(1%), Other(1%). This class consists of 15 students: 7 male students, 8 female students. Three students have listed Chamorro as their first language, one listed chuukese, and two students are ESL follow-up. Current Knowledge: The students in this class can identify a nutrition label on a cereal box. They also know how to access the internet on a computer as well as locate the tool used to create charts and graphs. The students have multiple experiences regarding cooperative learning groups. This will be the first time students access technology for the use of bar graphs. Learning Styles: -Visual (40%) -Auditory (20%) -Kinesthetic (40%)

State Objectives

The Common Core Standards for Grade 5 Mathematics in this lesson that will be met are: Standard 15: Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data.                     5.15.1 Find the average of a set of data.                     5.15.2 Interpret data represented in bar graphs, circle graphs, and line graphs. Objectives1: Students will be able to differentiate healthy and unhealthy cereals between 3 different types of breakfast cereals by analyzing the nutrition label focusing on the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in each cereal Objective 2: Students will be able to utilize the information gathered from the nutrition label and input it into a spreadsheet Objective 3:  Students will be able to create a chart and bar graph on a spreadsheet with the information gathered

Select Methods, Media, , and Materials

Methods: Group learning Materials: Nutrition label of the Breakfast Cereal and Image of Cereal box (provided by teacher): -Captain Crunch Berries -Special K -Quaker Oats Cereal Computer and Projector Internet Handouts: -Data Collection Sheet -Questions Sheet Media:

Utilize Media, Materials, and Methods

Prepare the Materials: Have all handouts printed with a few extra. Assistance from librarian with laptop-computers (at least 5-10), with access to internet and tools for spreadsheet installed and ready to access. Prepare environment: Desks will be arranged into 3 small groups to allow cooperative learning. Handouts along with the image and nutrition label of the breakfast cereal will be placed in the center of the table and will be passed out by the group leader (chosen by teacher). Lap-top computers will be distributed after the completion of data gathering Prepare the Learner: Students will be introduced to the purpose of this lesson and the fundamentals use of the bar graph and what the bar graph entails Materials: Nutrition label of the Breakfast Cereal and Image of Cereal box (provided by teacher): Students will gain familiarity with the nutrition label and the key aspects that they will focus on during the lesson (fat, sugar, and salt) -Captain Crunch Berries -Special K -Quaker Oats Cereal Computer and Projector: the teacher will utilize the computer in order to access the videos and to demonstrate examples and step by step process on how to make and use a bar graph Computer Chart: Students will be placed into groups and each group will have a computer. The computer will be used to create their three bar graphs (one comparing the fat, second comparing the sugar, and third comparing the salt) Internet: This will be used by the teacher to access the videos Handouts: -Data Collection Sheet Students will use this to record the data they have received from the nutrition label of each breakfast cereal -Questions Sheet Students will be asked questions regarding the information gathered and answer them in order to achieve objective 1 -Cereal Rating Sheet This will be the introduction for the students to rate their favorite cereal, then rate the cereal from what they think is the healthiest to the least healthy, and refer back to this sheet at the end of the lesson to see if their answers change

Require Learner Participation

The duration of this lesson will be 60 minutes long and all learners are required to participate in the lesson. The teacher will put learners into their groups and each will have a task of their own to help contribute to this class assignment. To conclude the presentation, each group will have a five-minute presentation based on their answers they have provided from the question sheet handout that should have been completed after the completion of the main assignment. There will be four questions so that each learner will have a chance to share and play an equal role.

Evaluate & Revise

Student Performance: Students will be assessed based on the following rubric with a focus of how they worked collectively in a group and productivity throughout the lesson Category 4 3 2 1 Group Performance Almost always encourages teamwork and allows for everyone to participate and is a good team member. Tries to keep everyone engaged Often encourages teamwork and usually allows for everyone to participate. Does not single members out Sometimes encourages teamwork and participates but sometimes is not a good team member Rarely encourages teamwork and rather work on their own Contributions Consistently provides useful ideas and strategies and is helpful and assists other team members. Great team leader Often gives feedback and useful information for the assignment. Definitely tries to get the work done Somewhat provides useful ideas and strategies. Satisfactory student who does what is required Somewhat contributes to group assignment but gets distracted and/or refuses to participate Productivity Keeps the work at hand priority and remains focused until the end of the lesson Almost always keeps work priority and completes task. Reliable team member Keeps the work a priority sometimes but could get distracted and team members would have to remind student to focus on task. Rarely focuses on task at hand and relies on group members to complete the work Teacher Performance: The performance and evaluation of the teacher will be based on the following questions -Was the lesson completed smoothly and within the estimated time given? -Did the teacher successfully meet the learning objectives? -Were the students effectively engaged? (interested, focused, bored, uncooperative, etc.) -What are some improvements that can be made?

Learning experiences- Games

           First thing that comes to mind when thinking of integrating online educational games into students’ learning experience is, will it be efficient? With exploring the different types of educational games, one could conclude that finding the right games will, in fact, enhance a child’s learning experience. Finding the right game may include, but is not limited to, looking at the ultimate goal of the game, the content of the game, and if it is age/grade appropriate. These were some concepts that my group focused on when creating the rubric for the game that we chose.

            Kitty Rutherford member of the North Carolina Elementary Mathematics Council in Raleigh, shares that, “Games give students opportunities to explore fundamental number concepts, such as the counting sequence, one-to-one correspondence, and computation strategies. Engaging mathematical games can also encourage students to explore number combinations, place value, patterns, and other important mathematical concepts” (Rutherford, 2015). I would mainly use online games in my teaching pedagogy, for the subject of math. Math because it seems to be the most challenging subject for most students and could cause negative feelings, therefore the use of games could possibly change the attitudes of the students and make the subject fun instead of dreadful.

            Rutherford adds that online educational games also supports a school-to-home connection, in which it allows for parents to get involved in their child’s learning experience and could be beneficial for both the parent and child. I would highly encourage parent involvement, with that said, I could revise this assignment by allowing students to play a game with their parents at home and to write a short reflection on their experience and what they were able to learn.

            The Starting Point whose goal is to develop a resource that intimately integrates pedagogy with teaching resources and fully supports a virtual community of educators, shares ways on how to teach with game-based learning. The most important would be to be able to define the objective. This helps “to keep this idea central to planning your lesson and choosing or designing a game, or you may end up using a game in which the material to be learned is bypassed by the players” (Starting Point, 2012).

            Overall, this assignment allowed myself, as well as my group, to see what exactly to look at when choosing an online educational game, how to use it efficiently, and to continue to explore different search engines and communication tools.

Dream.Believe.Achieve

Hafa Adai. My name is Janae Leon Guerrero and I am currently a junior here at the University of Guam. There are three very important things about myself that I would love to share. Since I was very young I expressed so much love in dance and because of that I spent 9 years with SKIP entertainment company, and was given the opportunity to travel. The love for dance also led me to my current job, which is a tahitian dancer for Beach Bar's dinner show, Taotao Tasi. Along with dance, I come from a baseball family and was born into the game, which led me to love softball. Last, but certainly not least, my dream since I was in elementary is to be a future educator, specifically an Elementary teacher. I enjoy being around kids and it is a field that is ever-changing and I was always one to be up for a challenge. I believe that the future lies in the hands of children and it all starts with molding and shaping their minds for the better, and knowing that I can have the opportunity to contribute to that, is the most rewarding feeling.