Multimedia Projects

  I enjoyed reading and listening to all the projects.  April's Storybird multimedia project was fascinating.  I like the illustrations and the text was great.  The pictures and text fit together well.  Storybird is what I would like to try with my students in creating their own stories or sequencing events.  The project was scary at first, but once I got involved in the task; I began to enjoy it.  I got the hang of voicethread.  Now I would like to attempt to use other multimedia tools.  I did try voicethread with my students.  They were very eager to learn how and to manipulate the tool.  Tonia's Little Bird Tale on ipad2 was exciting to listen to as well.  I can relate to this one, because my niece uses an ipad all the time to color, count, read, etc.  It is so amazing what children can do at younger ages.
   

Oct. 27. Multimedia Project and Resources/Webinars

     I have began to experiment with the different multimedia sites that Dr. Long shared with us.  They have been very interesting and fascinating.  I have already register on Storybird and Little Bird Tales.  All are very eye catching.  Animoto and Voice Thread were neat to critique as well.  I have decided on a topic.  I would like to express the importance of Reading and Writing.  Reading and Writing help to enhance comprehension.  I am excited to be able use pictures, music, and voice.  I will try my best to make it has creative, informative, persuasive as possible. 
     The  Simple K12 Webinars are all very informative.  I have signed up for one on Digital Storytelling and Virtual Field Trips.
    

Oct. 13, 2011 Class Session/Blogging

     I wanted to take time to reflect on last weeks class session in the computer lab.  It was interesting to search for multimedia topics.  To be honest I am like the children, with technology I need to apply the skills and practice before actually presenting and creating technology pieces.  I am looking forward to manipulating the apps on the ipads.  All the different apps and websites to visit make teaching, learning, and reflecting exciting.
     Actually blogging about different topics throughout the semester has helped me to reflect in graduate school classes and also reflect on my teaching.  I will admit, when we first started blogging I was not sure of myself.  It definately helps me to read other blogs and relate to them.  The encouragement through blogging has helped me to become more self-confident.  I have learned the importance of reflection.  I feel that it has helped me with my procedures and expectations in my second grade classroom.  I am trying my best to apply what I am learning in graduate school to become a better leader in the classroom and educator.

Toward a Theory of New Literacies Emerging From the Internet and Other Information and Communication Technologies

     The article was very true in saying that literacy is full of change.  Literacy is on a roller coaster ride with the development and change of technology.  Children in this day and time absolutely are learning in different ways and require technology base instruction and assessment.  Technology is what children are growing up with in the home.  To teach literacy effectively, new technologies need to be explored.  Technology is a great influence professionally and personally.  It effects daily lives.  Literacy is instructed through the social networking of technology.  Literacy is emerging due to the technology digital networking.  Technology also gives educators and children assess to different types of literature.  In order to gain high performance you have to be willing to change and move in a fast pace in using the technology skills.  Technology needs to be presented appropriately.  The Internet is rapidly changing.  Technology absolutely is here to stay.  Everyone needs to hop on the ride and manipulate the technology effectively professionally and personally.

Chapter 2 Exposing What Is True (Warlick)

     The truth is that the world is changing at a fast pace.  Our children's learning styles are technology equipped.  Educators are definitely going to have to keep up with the latest trends of technology.  Educators and students are life long learners.  Educators need to be willing to think outside of the box.    We have access to the world and we can learn from people in different parts of the world.  We need to take access to the digital realm and empower it effectively involving children and adults.  Educators should use the resources at hand and learn from them.  It is obvious that technology is always changing and everyone needs to keep up in order to function.

Chapter 1 A Day in the Life of School 2.0-2015 (Warlick)

     This chapter was interesting.  As I read, I reflected on how much and how I use technology everyday.  I need to present technology in different ways.  We as educators need to integrate 21st century skills and work styles into our teaching.  Children have different learning styles during this day and time.  Warlick wrote that for the first time in history, our job, as educators, is to prepare our students for a future that we cannot clearly describe.  This statement is absolutely true and scary at the same time.  Educators have to be willing to learn of new tools to teach with.  The 21st century tools are more effective for our students.  Students use these tools everyday.  Technology needs to be delivered effectively in order for the students to understand and manipulate the technology tools appropriately.  Twitter, facebook, blogs, wikis, and skype are just a few forms of technology communication.  Technology has a broad span of forms and uses.  Educators need to be willing to incorporate the technology in the classroom and at home to become effective users.  Students and teachers can customize their own technology.  Students are more willing to manipulate skills when they can show ownership to them.

Chapter 3 Conferring Through Blogs, Wikis, and Collaborative Word Processors (Hicks)

     I enjoyed reading chapter 3.  You definitely compose more concrete texts, both individually and collaboratively through blogs, wikis, and collaborative word processors.  The writings can be developed through blogs, wikis, and collaborative word processing tools.  Relationships are built through digital writing connections.  Individuals tend to communicate better and effectively through the digital connections.  I feel this is due to distance and comfort.  This allows individuals to freely comment on writings.  I also agree when the author says that digital writing tools enhance the writer's workshop conversation, and allows the writer to do most of the talking and guidance is given through careful questioning and feedback.  Students are eager to use blogs and wikis rather than pencil and paper. 
     Students absolutely need peer collaboration and teacher response.  This builds classroom community.  Children need confidence, learn new strategies, and conversation.  They can build all three of those with digital writing.  The classroom community needs to linger on beyond the school day.  Conversation is an important factor of writing.  The more students collaborate with each other the better their fluency and writing potential will become. 
     Students create needs and artifacts through digital workshop.  It also allows teachers and peers to give constructive feedback.  It is great that all resources are at hand with digital documents.  Editing and revising are more effective when using digital documents.  Most individuals are on the computer everyday anyway.  This form of technology also allows students to generate ideas from peers and teachers.
     Storing all writings in one location is great.  New and old documents can be kept to reflect back on.  The blog sites are also created by multiple bloggers and this enhances ideas, conversation, writing, reading, reflection, and feedback.  Children get to connect with multiple writers and learn of new ideas and techniques. Children are more willing to participate and attempt tasks through online communication.  Children are also exposed to different styles, genres, and forms of writing.
     The wikis invite students and parents to collaborate.  The wikis are a great form of communication with parents and students.  Wikis help students to grow as writers.  Students will become better writers by developing wikis.  Wikis definitely open up discussions and allow editing and collaboration between students, peers, parents, and teachers. The can also generate discussion about specific writing topics. Tracking the writings are a lot quicker with digital documents.