53301_Briscoe_lesson8_Blog8

Tacy Briscoe

REOL 533 01

Blog WEEK 8 (YEAH)

4/24/11

I chose to look at two National Standards for teachers from the International Standards for Technology in Education to reflect on the benefits of online communication tools.  First, number 4 is about promoting citizenship and responsibility, which if we as teachers can lead by good examples for students.  I know personally I have become much more aware of copyrighting since our teacher Dr. Goldberg has pointed out how easy it can happen online.  She is a good example and taught me that through teaching and also her personal conduct.  I really like the fifth standard because I think that is the epitome of what we as teachers are teaching our students.  As a graduate student and someone that took 7 years to get their undergrad I can appreciate modeling lifelong learning alsoJ.  Like the old saying goes, “you teach by doing” and that is what we as teachers have to do with technology.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:

a.	advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.
b.	address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
c.	promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
d.	develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:

a.	participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.
b.	exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
c.	evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.
d.	contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.    (http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx)

As I stated in my last blog, I have recently purchased new virus protection and hope this is protecting me.   I do not have a classroom right now but can see how this can be a concern for schools.  Hopefully there is good protection and lots of blocks and security in place. 

53301_Briscoe_lesson7_Blog7

REOL 533 01

Tacy Briscoe

4/16/11

Blog 7 Software

I chose a software program from texthelp.com called Read&Write Gold.  It is an award-winning literacy software program for reading, writing, study skills and research.  The program has Read Aloud with dual synchronous color highlighting, access to any curriculum and tools for that curriculum, literacy support and flexibility to access at school or at home.

The Reading and Writing section of the software is versatile and dynamic for instructing and tutoring students with disabilities.  Text to speech allows for text to be read aloud to the student.  The words can be highlighted and then read to them.  This is also capable for website reading and acrobat files.  There is a toolbar at the top of the page that allows for “play”, “stop”, “pause”, etc..  Another very useful tool is the dictionary, which reads aloud the definition.   There is also an “online picture definition” that a student can use when they don’t know a word.  They can click on the word and a panel appears with images for that word.  They program also helps with verb conjugations.  Translation for various languages is also available.  They can translate the words/passages and then hear it in that language. 

They Study Skills and Research section of this software assist students with their studying and research assignments.  They can use highlighters to find the main ideas of passages and vocabulary words.  They can then create Microsoft Word documents from the words in the passage to use for outlines, study guides, etc..   It can help explain and expand students’ vocabulary. 

The Read and Write Gold software program improves literacy skills and comprehension, encourages independence, helps with studying skills and gives diverse help for various areas of special education. 

The software would meet the technology standards for the ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators (NETS.S) 3. Research and Information Fluency and 4.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making (http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student_2007_EN.sflb.ashx). 

I do not have students but I have substitute taught for various special education classes and this would be so beneficial to those students who struggle.  I have a friend in the Houston area that teaches in an ESL charter school and I can only imagine how much she would get out of the translation section of this software.  It may be my Christmas gift to her J  I really think this would be an enjoyable and educational tool for students that want so badly to understand but really need that help and extra incentive.  They can have fun and learn not to mention be on the computer. 

53301_Briscoe_lesson6_Blog6

This week I learned how to create a WebQuest.   I learned a WebQuest is an online lesson plan of sorts that allow the students to participate online and conduct a project/assignment with other students and/or individually.  It is a very useful tool to promote higher level learning, which we need more in this area, and use of technology and the web. 

I followed the directions and "advice" on the quest garden and it was very helpful.  It would be easy to implement this in my classroom with this great tutorial. 

The amount of time devoted to this project was my only big challenge and I'm sure that goes for most of us.  I will say it was good to be warned of this time consuming project and I appreciate Dr. Goldberg's advice to not wait to complete the WebQuest. 

I do not foresee this being a major problem/challenge for future use because as Dr. Goldberg stated and the reading said, the next ones go faster.  Also, I look forward to seeing others ideas for WebQuests.   

53301_Briscoe_lesson5_Blog5

REOL 533_01

Tacy Briscoe

Blog 5

4/3/11

I learned this week that beginning around 3^rd grade students have an email address and are expected to communicate online.  That was amazing to me because it seems so young but also so progressive.   I have fears about improper use of the internet with such young students but have to remember this is probably how every new major technological advanced is thought of initially.  When telephones came out mothers, teachers, etc. were probably saying, “The kids are not going to be able to handle talking on that phone thing”.  Same with computers, we have to teach our children responsibility, not stick our heads in the sand and hope the World around us does the same, because they are not.

I have used online communication tools as a student but never before as a teacher.  I remember how grateful and amazed I felt when we first started using email, mainly in my undergraduate years.  It was such a relief and so easy to send a quick question and get a response.  Before email you either made an appointment with the professor or waited till your next class meeting, which could be days away, to get an answer.  As a teacher I will definitely use email as a communication tool with my students but I will also tell them that it will be checked at least every other day.  I would not want to be tied to my computer and the feeling of responsibility of answering emails all day long.  There should be boundaries and I see how this could cause unforeseen problems and annoyance to teachers.  We should be available but not have to be 24/7 and immediately.  That is not fair to the teachers’ time and is unreasonable for the student to feel they should get their answer so quickly.  I know how this works from personal experience as a student.  I send an email to a professor and expect an immediate reply.  That is not fair to the professor or to my expectations of them.  We have a great tool but it should be kept in check with its function and availability to both the student and the professor.  That said the same could be said for the student answering the teachers email.  It is a good idea to say how often you will be willing to check your email and stick to that time frame.  I appreciate that Dr. Goldberg stated this in the class FAQ’s and never really understood the importance of it till now.  It is also reassuring that you do know within that time frame your email will be checked and a reply is coming.  It takes the guess work out of when you will have an answer, such as, “I will know the answer to that question in at least 2 days”.  Email use has come a long way in a short time and is instrumental in our day in age.  I’m thankful for it and the fact that our culture is seeing its importance.