TaskStream Final

INTASC	Standards (criteria)	Examples & Support	ND / Met
4.13	The candidate knows how to enhance learning through the use of a wide variety of materials as well as human and technological resources (knowledge).	CA-4.13 -> For my collaborating group activity we working within Google Presentation.  The advantage to using Presentation is that it allows group members to create a slide slow that can be accessed from any computer that has Internet access and that can be worked on at the same time. Google Presentation Example Web2.0 are tools that you can use on the Internet to collaborate, interact, and connect social networks with one another.  This can enhance one’s learning by opening doorways into the new demand for technoloy awareness. Favorite Web2.0 Tools	Met
6.35	The candidate demonstrates proficiency and appropriateness in utilizing a variety of media communication tools to enrich learning opportunities (skill).	CA-6.35 -> Since I was unable to attend the OTEN Conference, I was able to make that up through a Smartboard Presentation which I connected with my Multimedia Project. I uploaded pictures from the presentation to Picasa and used Screenr to record the pictures as Bryan and I talked about how beneficial a Smartboard would be in a classroom.	Met

Here is the link to my actual GoogleDoc-
TaskStream Final

Smartboard and Multimedia Presentation

Unfortunately I was unable to make it to the OTEN Conference this year, so I instead created a presentation with a few others from the class on Smartboards.  Bryan had recorded our demonstration of the presentation on his phone, but we couldn't get the video uploaded.  Instead we took a few pictures of the smartboard and used Screenr to show how one could incorporate Smartboard in their classroom.

For our Multimedia Project we needed to demonstrate, to the best of our abilities, our knowledge on how to use a Web2.0 tool.  Screenr was very easy tool use and I highly recommend it.  I liked how you didn't have to record the whole page but that you could crop it only the portion you wanted to record.  It was a simple 3 step process, you place the screenr over what you want to record, you press a red button to start the recording, and 3rd you press done when you're done.  You can publish the screenr on your Twitter account, since they are linked, or you can post it to get an HTML code that you can place where ever you may like.  Bryan and I upload photos from our presentation to Picaso, and from there manually changed the pictures when we were talking about them.

If you have any questions about Smartboard let me know since I had a couple hours to spend with Mimio (an off-brand of Smartboard) and I also have the opportunity of using an actual Smartboard in my classroom for my practicum.

Analyzing Student Data in a Spreadsheet

Student Data Analyzed

After trying to embed the sheets earlier today with an extreme amount of frustration, I quit and tried again tonight.  After a few more tries I was finally able to embed the spreadsheets themselves along with the chart below.

I was unsure at first at which data I needed to average so I did it for the whole class, along with the averages for the students below average on their tests and for tests #6 to #10 so as to not miss anything.  Using the spreadsheet in google docs was simple and easy to use.  The only thing I didn't like about it was that I wanted to make the spreadsheet smaller so I could look at all the data at once instead of having to scroll up and down.  I tried to fingure out a way to zoom out.. but I couldn't.



And here is the chart that I made for the Students who were below the class averages on the tests.  Making a chart was really simple.  I had a little problem once because I accidently highlighted some of the data I didn't want in the chart and had to figure out how to get it out but I finally did and it turned out great I think.

Here is the link for the whole spreadsheet and charts used during this process.
All Spreadsheets and Charts

More Analyzing

Through this data it's easy to see who struggled on which tests and see how far off they were from the class averages.  As a teacher this means that either one, the students below the average didn't study well enough, two, may not be good test takers, or three, I didn't do my job in making sure they understood the information correctly before they completed the test.

The good thing I notice about this data though, is the trend of the students scores are going up.  You can see in the chart that between test #6 to test #10 there is a large rise in the test scores.  Which means that students started out not so good but they test scores increased, probably due to more knowledge or better teaching on my half.

As a teacher, I would allow students that didn't do so well on the tests to turn in an alternative assignment to bump up their grade.  I personally have a little bit of test anxiety and never do well on tests.  Allowing students to do an extra assignment, instead of re-doing a test, would probably show me that they know the material, they just couldn't express it correctly though a test.

My Favorite Web2.0 Tools

Web2.0 Tools

Are different tools located through the World Wide Web that allows people to collaborate and interact with one another through various ways of communication.  Such examples of Web2.0 are social-networking sites (Facebook or Myspace), blogs (which we are using here for class), video-sharing sites(YouTube), picture sites (Picasa or Photobucket), and other such web applications. A way to store your files online, so you can access them anywhere in the world.

Personal Productivity- Delicious

A social bookmarking website that allows you to store your favorites and bookmarks on the web instead of in your own browser.  Which means you can access your favorites or bookmarks from any computer.  Through this web application, you can also share your favorites or bookmarks.

Screen Records- Voice Threads

A VoiceThread is a multimedia slide show online that holds images, documents, and videos that allows a person to narrate their show.  A person can also leave comments on the show in different ways.  One can leave a comment through a voice recording, text, an audio file, or video.  This can be shared with friends, students, or colleagues.

When commenting, one could even Doodle on the media.  This means one can draw on top of the media while you record a comment.  These Doodles are synced to the comment you left which allows viewers to see your thoughts in action.

One can even create identities within the VoiceThread which allows someone to switch to another identity if/when someone else was wanting to comment. (This would be managed under the users account.)

Google Presentations

Google Presentation

Definition:
Within Google Docs, is a tool that allows group members (or even one person) to create a slide show (like Microsoft PowerPoint) that can be accessed from any computer that has Internet access.  The presentation features offer:

• More than one person to build a presentation together at the same time
• Add pictures, YouTube clips, graphics, links, shapes, tables, or text (font, color, size)
• It will always show the most recent, current version of the presentation
  

The presentation can improve productivity:

• By allowing everyone to work on the presentation simultaneously, so no one is left not contributing
• By allowing each individual to work on the presentation from their computer no matter when they are, so that the group doesn't have to meet together at the same place to work on it.  So it's beneficial for accommodating every one's schedules.
  

The presentation can enhance learning:

• By allowing everyone to work at their own pace.
• By allowing everyone to take ownership of the presentation as a true group effort.
• By allowing everyone to have an equal opportunity to practice editing or changing the presentation.

After creating a presentation online, one can then download it to their own computer by:

1. Make presentation
2. Go to "File"
3. In File, select "Download As"
4. Select your option - view as PDF, download it as PowerPoint, or view as a text document

Learning Curve:

Prior to this assignment, I have had experience with Microsoft PowerPoint before.  So it was easy for me to contribute to the presentation and know how to add pictures, change fonts, etc.  The difference between PowerPoint and Google Presentation is the fact that you can share the presentation.  So I had the opportunity to learn how to share the presentation so everyone could work on it together.

How I contributed to the group:

I contributed to the group, by following the instructions given and listing the groups names, creating the definition, giving examples of ways it can improve productivity and enhance teaching/learning, and by changing the texts to different styles, colors, and sizes.

Google Presentation Example

Why Teachers Should Blog

With the increase of technology these days, teachers need to know how to keep up. Some reasons why teachers should incorporate blogging into their classroom woudld be to motivate students through other methods besides written work in the classroom, it also gives them extra opportunity to read, write, and practice typing on a computer, it's also a great forum to create discussion, and it's powerful tool for teachers to use scaffolded learning or a way to mentor.

Teachers can use blogging in the classroom as part of their classroom management.  Instead of using a syllabus, students could be informed an online blog to see the class requirements, posted handouts, homework assignments, or to participate in discussions.  A blog is a safe place where teachers and students can collaborate theirs ideas and get to know each other more, since it can sometimes be easier to express one thoughts or ideas through written work than face to face.  It also gives the students a place to be creative and produce a personal profile.  They can make it their own, while also incorporating assignments or projects they may be working on.  It gets the students motivated by giving them a little freedom to express how they feel through pictures or words in ways they might not in the classroom.

Personal Bio

My name is Cassidy. Even though life is pretty crazy and stressful as I attend class, work, and teach a half hour out of the town I live in, I enjoy any extra time I have to spend with my family.  Before I attended Willamette, I spent 3 years at Western Oregon University, where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Students. Before college, I attended South Albany High School. I have lived and grown up in Albany all of my life.  I started gymnastics and dance at the age of 5, when third grade came along I started volleyball and soccer.  Throughout middle school and high school I spent most my time participating in volleyball, basketball, and track.  Sports were my life in high school, and I regret ever playing in college besides intermural sports such as softball, volleyball, and basketball.

With the recent break-up of my boyfriend of off and on for 11 years, the death of my Great Grandma, Mamie, and the death of my Grandpa, all within the last 2 months life has been a huge struggle.  Mamie had a great life of 99 years and we were happy to see her reunite with her husband, my great grandad, whom I never had a chance to meet, in Heaven. Grandpa was a very passionate, caring man with a huge heart. His death has taken a huge toll on my family and I.  All I can say is Cancer sucks!  When I'm not so busy I like to be outside. I love the sun and like to spend the summers camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, and hanging out with friends. Every year for my Dad's birthday in the summer we climb South Sister (the mountain in Bend).  Although the last couple years I haven't had a chance to go. Dad also likes to take me rock climbing with him, particularly at Smith Rock (also in Bend).  My sister just recently moved there so it will be great that I'll have a place to stay at when we go over to hike or climb. This summer I had my second visit to Hawaii with my family for my parents 25th wedding anniversary and I definitely wish to go back.  I love spending my days laying in the sun, paddleboarding, horseback riding, etc.

Dad and Grandpa had started a recent remodel of a '55 Chevy my dad owned when he was in high school.  I had asked to have it when I turned 16, but that never happened.  Dad put the car on a fast track to finish when we found out Grandpa had cancer.  When didn't get it finished in time for Grandpa to see it, but it will be done in about a month, and I'll be proud to drive around in it with Dad and attend car shows with him.

The Car is turning out great! I can't wait for it to get done! Well hope you enjoyed this information about me.

Love, Cassidy