Friday, August 3, 2012

Final Reflection

After taking this course I feel that even though I am proficient in using technology/ computers I learned a lot.  I also learned that even though one may be tech savvy technology is constantly changing that educators must keep up with times whether that means taking class, or attending regular professional development.  Taking LIS 629 has given me a better understanding on the different ways you can apply new Web 2.0 tools into your teaching whether it be in the library, classroom, or computer lab, etc. 

 LIS 629 has provided multiple uses of applications such as Google doc, and forms two of which I will continue to use in my profession.  These two applications will be useful in my teachings because it will allow me to get feedback on my students, as well as observing all students participating in various collaborations.  Also, in this course I learned about how social media has become increasingly popular in all professional/ nonprofessional fields.  By using various forms of social medias allows you to network with others in your field, and learning what new ideas other are doing in their library, etc.

This course was not just a class for media specialist but, librarians and educators on the whole.  It allows educators to become aware of all the different Web 2.0 tools that could be implemented in your teachings.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Day: 4 Reflection

Day 4 of LIS 629 I was introduced to multiple types of presentation tools.  Some of the presentation tools that were presented are the following: Sliderocket, Prezi, Speaking Image, Mixbook and more.  I was assigned Speaking Image  I am pretty proficient when it comes to learning new applications but this one in my opinion was not user friendly.  Speaking Image had a lot of tools that users can use when creating their presentations but at times there were some glitches.  For example linking to outside sources I was not successful at it kept saying no page found which was very frustrating.   Also, to add more slides to the presentation was not working on the whole the website was very frustrating to use.  This is not one that I would use in the future.  After viewing my other classmates’ presentation I really enjoyed Mixbook.  As a elementary school technology teacher I see that this could be a useful tool to have my students use for presentations.  The interface and the whole experience on Mixbook appears to be very easy to use.  Another, really eye catching application that I was introduced to is Glogster which is works like a graphic blog.  Glogster is great for kids because it allows them to be creative, share and design their own page. 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Book Trail Experience

Photo Story Book Trail” Reflection:
I created a book trail using Photo Story for the first time.  This software is very user friendly with easy to follow instructions.  For my Photo Story I chose “A Bad Case of Stripes” by David Shannon.  The reason that I selected this book is because it shows kids to be themselves and not to try to fit in to please others.   This book would be used in an elementary school.  A Bad Case of Stripes could be used in my library as bully prevention in the school. Since bullying is increasing in schools this would be a good way to show students how bullying could make a person feel. 
Activities that could be implemented after reading this book to your class are the following:
Lower Grades:
·         Make an outline of yourself on a large piece of paper (or of your hand on a smaller piece; or make a mask) – decorate it with things you like. What things do you like that other people like? What things do you like that nobody else likes?
Upper Grades:
·         Reflect on a time when you changed yourselves to “fit in” with a group of people. Write a story about your experience.
·         Interview a role model or a person you look up to. Then compile questions about being yourself and share why their role model thinks it is important to be yourself.

Google and much more!!! & What about Wikispace


I was impressed with the amount of different features that Google has for users that have gmail accounts.  One feature that I was impressed with is Google doc.  This allows users and others to collaborate and work on the same document simultaneously.  I also like the section where users can create a form.  In this form creating section users can choose to make different types of questions like multiple choice questions, scale, and text format.  This feature is really valuable because it allows you to make surveys or questionnaires and get feedback.  Wikispace is a hosting service that allows users to create pages where you’re able to manipulate edit, insert image and text.  During class we were taught basic applications to get started on the lay out and the requirements for our e-portfolio.  In our wikispace I learned how to insert images animated images using the widget.

Day three of class was a well informed session where I was introduced to various features that Google has to offer which can be a very useful teaching aid in the library or classroom.  Also, for the wikispace this is a great way to inform and share with parents, teachers, students,  and administrator about what is taking place in your classroom.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

 What is Diigo ???

Diigo is a useful bookmarking tool that allows users to store and make notes to articles and different types of documents.   One really neat aspect of Diigo is that you can access your bookmarks from any digital platform (computer, ipad, iphone or android).  This allows you to access your important documents with the notes and highlights that you made.  This makes it convenient for users to locate and access their stuff without having to have folders of actual printed out documents/articles. Being able to annotate various forms of documents and being able to save it in cloud base makes it handy and in my opinion saves time.  Diigo allows you to take snap-shots of documents your editing and making notes this allows users to save organize materials in a way that they could locate access easier and faster.  Users have the features of highlighting and sticky- notes in a digitize form where it is accessible from any computer, ipad, etc. 

Did You Know 4.0

Website URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8

 In this YouTube video- Did You Know 4.0 made good points on how all forms of new technologies and social media origination's are altering the media and our lives.  This video showed how all forms of that we once used on regular basis such as (newspapers, radio, TV, magazines) are now decreasing because of the new forms of technologies (cellphones with data, and computers/ internet) and their capabilities.  Users today have are becoming more acceptable to these new forms of technologies and are using them in them in the everyday life, for promotion, campaigns, and advertisements.  Social Networking has allowed users to communicate worldwide and to express themselves.  Today many users use different forms of social media in their daily life whether it be professionally, or personal lives.

In my opinion I feel that all these different type of  technologies and social media that are out there have some advantages but, also has some drawbacks.  Some of the benefits of various forms of social media in an educational settings wold be:

Advantages:
  • serves as an educational tool - teachers are able to foster collaboration, discussion, form important discussions, exchange ideas, etc.
  • enhance student engagement- allows students to express themselves and communicate with others (this is beneficial for those students that are shy). 
Disadvantages:
  • Social media can be a distraction to students.
  • Reduces the face to face communication with others.
Overall the rates of different forms of social media has increased tremendously and people of all ages are using it in their lively hood.  We as educators must just find useful and productive ways to incorporate these new forms of technology so that students use them effectively in their daily life.