TPACK

My final product is completed and can be found here. I think that by writing this paper it allowed me to reflect on my technological journey throughout this class and how I could expand on what I had learned. I found this class to be somewhat of a challenge, and while I may not use everything I have learned I will be able to efficiency use the majority of the tools. This activity corresponds with a couple of the ISTE NETS standards. First is Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. This is because I created authentic answers to questions that required evaluation and reflection of myself and my study. The second standard is Digital Citizenship because it displays my positive attitude for technology and my wish to be a lifelong learner. Also this project involves the safe uses of technology for the creation of products.

Google Forms

Google Forms is a really cool tool that can be used for surveys and assessment; as well as other things in the classroom. I used this form as a interest inventory about school, reading, and family. I would probably use this specific form a couple times during the year just to see how feelings have changed throughout the year. Here you can see my survey. This activity touches the ISTE Nets Standard: Research and Information Fluency because it allows me to locate, organize, analyze, and evaluate my data through a form that I created myself. Also this project corresponds with the Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making standard. This is because I am able to collect data and make decisions based upon that data and I can identify problems and questions for investigation purposes. My data results can be found here at Results.

Jeopardy

I just finished my Jeopardy board on a seasons unit I used for first graders. This game would correspond nicely with my unit and would be a great review for the test. I have played a jeopardy game in one of my college classes and always wondered how and where I could make them. My game can be found at My Jeopardy Template. This activity corresponds with the two following standards: creativity and innovation, and communication and collaboration. Jeopardy allows the creation of new ideas and products as well as using models in a distinct way. Also this activity provides me with the opportunity reach multiple audiences and learners that produces an original work. I really liked this activity; it was fairly easy, not stressful, and provided a good piece of work that can and will be used in a classroom!

Photostory

I just finished creating my Photostory project on cyber bullying. I had heard about this topic on the news and was not very familiar with it, but I am now more aware of how serious it is. I remember how difficult middle school was for me and I didn't have a cell phone and was rarely on the computer. It must be extremely difficult for kids to feel good about themselves with all this negativity going around. I was surprised to see how schools were held responsible. If cyber bullying is occurring on school grounds then I believe it becomes a school issue. However, if it occurs at home, then parents need to step up and take responsibility for their children's actions. It seems like such a difficult topic. I struggled with this project in the beginning, but after a while I got the hang of it. Frankly, this project uses every single ISTE NETS Standard. I used my own creativity, I shared it with the public, I created a tool that discusses a major issue, and I had to use problem solving to complete the activity. This project really covers a lot and provides the operator with many learning experiences. This is probably the first project that has covered the Digital Citizenship standard, in that it asks students to practice safe, legal uses of technology and to be positive at that. You can find my video here.

Prezi

Prezi is a really cool twist on ways to give a presentation. This is different from PowerPoint, but has some of the same aspects. Prezi allows you to see your whole presentation in one view, whereas PowerPoint does not. Prezi also allows you to choose the path of your information. I actually like this tool better than PowerPoint because it is saved on the web and I don't have to load it on my computer. However, that can be a disadvantage especially if the Internet would be down. Another disadvantage is that I could not directly copy and paste pictures onto Prezi, that would have made this a lot easier. This activity and application falls under at least the three following ISTE NETS Standards: Creativity and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, Technology Operations and Concepts. Prezi uses Creativity and Innovation because it allow students to make a presentation that is original and their own. It also provides students the opportunity to use the latest trends in the presentation area. Communication and Collaboration are identified because the presentation can be shared with peers and the public. Also Prezi uses a variety of media techniques to arrive at a final project. The Technology Operations and Concepts standard is covered because it allows students to find the answers to their problems that they have with the product while also using it effectively and efficiently. My Prezi Presentation can be found here.
Hope You Like It!!!

Motion Path

Motion Path is a really neat tool that allows you to animate your objects with a click on a screen of your placement. I actually explored this tool with my Labels assignment and I think it is really cool. I decided to do my slide of a race car on a track. I made the car crash off the track. I really wanted to made the car disappear, but I could not figure out how to get two different effects to work one right after the other. However, it still looks pretty cool. Also I had the car win the race and go across the checkered flag. You can view my race car here. I think this type of project is something that students could do that would be original and allow them to explore their own creativity. They could spend hours figuring out just how they want their objects to look and I believe that these tools could make for some really great products. The ISTE NETS standards covered are Creativity and Innovation, and Technology Operations and Concepts. These are the two main standards that correspond with the project because it allows me to create new ideas that are original, while also displaying my understanding of technology systems and how to use them effectively.

Labels

Well I just completed the Labels assignment and I must say that this has been quite frustrating for me. The part that was most frustrating was trying to get the PowerPoint uploaded to FTP and then figuring out the URL. Luckily, my classmates posted some awesome tips, so that helped more than they know. I decided to use labels to show the parts of a house. This assignment was beneficial, but I don't think I would do the whole assignment with a young group. It's sort of complicated. I do like that you can use PowerPoint in creative ways and make items that are different in nature for a classroom. I think that this helps you see the really important things of a picture. This project falls under the following ISTE NETS standards: Technology Operations and Concepts; Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making; and Research and Information Fluency. I had to gather information about a house in order to correctly provided information to my presentation. It took a lot of trial and error as well as being a little familiar with the tool that I was using. Overall, these are the main standards that were covered, but the others may be slightly present also. Here you can find my presentation.