Blogfolio

1. Intro Video

NETS-  2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to
communicate and work collaboratively, including
at a distance, to support individual learning and
contribute to the learning of others.
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively
to multiple audiences using a variety of media
and formats,

The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the introduction video focuses on communication. The assignment allows for students to focus on communicating personal information about themselves to an audience using a digital recording/video. I will definitely use this project in my future classroom. Each student could create a short 30 second video introducing themselves to the rest of the class. Short video's could also be used throughout the course. Students could create videos for each unit explaining their favorite part of the unit. Overall, I really enjoyed this assignment. I think it is very important for teachers and students to get comfortable talking in front of others and in front of a camera. This assignment also allows students to get to now each other and works as a wonderful ice breaker.  This assignment would be easy to implement into a special education classroom. Adaptations would be on a individual case to case bases. Students would be given extra time to complete this assignment. Students would be allowed to work in small groups or one on one with the teacher to complete the project. The teacher would provide necessary materials including a hard copy of the assignment instructions that uses large print and reduces the instructions to basic details The use of  a word processor for written text or  using alternative communication methods (sign language or braille) can be used when necessary.

2. Concept Map

NETS-1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct
knowledge, and develop innovative products and
processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas,
products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal
or group expression
c. Use models and simulations to explore complex
systems and issues
d. Identify trends and forecast possibilities

The above NETS standard  aligns with this assignment because the concept map focuses on creating an original piece of work/model to explain and relay information. I hope to have my own science class in the future. Concept maps are a huge part of the science curriculum.The technology used to create the concept map is a great way to steam from the common poster board concept map. I really enjoyed using the software to create a concept map. I actually felt like it was easier to organize the information. It also made it easy to  make the concept map interesting by using a variety of colors and pictures. This assignment would be easy to implement into a special education classroom. Adaptations would be on a individual case to case bases. Students would be given extra time to complete the  assignment. This assignment would probably be given several days to complete. Students would be allowed to work one on one with a teacher for several minutes each day to complete this assignment. The teacher would control the computer mouse/controls  for students who have trouble with fine motor skills. However, students will assistive technology can work controls on their own. Students with vision impairment will verbally explain a concept to the teacher.

3. Web Site

NETS-2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to
communicate and work collaboratively, including
at a distance, to support individual learning and
contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers,
experts, or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively
to multiple audiences using a variety of media
and formats

The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the web site assignment focuses on communication with fellow students, teachers, and parents through technology/online web site. Creating the web site was my favorite assignment. As a future teacher I will  use the Google websites to create a class page (just like in our assignment). I may also allow the students to create their own web page. They could be given a certain subject (plant and animal cells) then create a web page that offers videos, pictures, and links about that subject. For a special education classroom I would still create a class web page. The class web page would use larger pictures, picture text, videos with subtitles, etc. As a whole class we could create a web site for one of the science units. The students could help find pictures, videos, and other web sites to add to the page.

4. Voki

NETS-2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to
communicate and work collaboratively, including
at a distance, to support individual learning and
contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers,
experts, or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively
to multiple audiences using a variety of media
and formats

The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the Voki assignment focuses on communicating information or an idea to an audience using a computer program (cartoon avatar). I will defiantly use Voki in my future classroom. I believe that the use of an avatar is a great way to help students introduce themselves, become engaged in a project, and  express creativity. I really enjoyed creating my Voki, however, my personal computer/computer browser did not seem to agree with the Voki website. It made to rather difficult to create the Voki. For example it was only allowing me to enter in about 250-300 characters before I was not able to type anymore. Other people did not seem to have this problem. In order to make sure this project could be conducted smoothly in a classroom, the school web browser would have to be compatible with the Voki software. Almost the same exact adaptations would apply to this assignment as in the Introduction video. This assignment would be easy to implement into a special education classroom. Adaptations would be on a individual case to case bases. Students would be given extra time to complete this assignment. Students would be allowed to work in small groups or one on one with the teacher to complete the project. The teacher would provide necessary materials including a hard copy of the assignment instructions that uses large print and reduces the instructions to basic details The use of  a word processor for written text or  using alternative communication methods (sign language or braille) can be used when necessary.

5. Xtranormal

NETS-1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct
knowledge, and develop innovative products and
processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas,
products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal
or group expression
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to
communicate and work collaboratively, including
at a distance, to support individual learning and
contribute to the learning of others.
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers,
experts, or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively
to multiple audiences using a variety of media
and formats
 3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate,
and use information.
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize,
and ethically use information from a variety of
sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital
tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
d. Process data and report results

The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the Xtranormal assignment focuses on conducting research to find an appropriate subject or topic, then express the topic in a creative and fun way by creating a  movie using the Xtranormal program.  Overall, I liked this assisgnment. However, this assisgnment was some what time consuming. It took a couple of hours just to create a short 2 minute video. I also felt like the settings, characters, movements expressions were very limited. I may use Xtranormal in my future classroom to engage students in a certain subject. I may also allow them to work in small groups to create their very own video on an assigned topic. If I were to implement an Xtranormal video into a special education classroom I would show the video on the full screen setting and have subtitles.



6. Turnitin Paper

NETS-3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate,
and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize,
and ethically use information from a variety of
sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital
tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
d. Process data and report results
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,
and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and
conduct research, manage projects, solve problems,
and make informed decisions using appropriate
digital tools and resources.
a. Identify and define authentic problems and
significant questions for investigation
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution
or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions
and/or make informed decisions
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives
to explore alternative solutions

The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the Turnitin assignment focuses on the importance of selecting a topic, conducting research on the topic, and writing an original report about the topic without using any form of plagiarism. I believe that plagiarism is a growing problem in the elementary grades. Turinitin is a program that could be used in the upper elementary, middle school and high school grades. I plan on  using Turnitin in my future classroom. I would implement Turnitin by giving my students a topic and requiring them to write a report on the given topic, then submit it using Turninit. Turnitin would allow me, as the teacher, to be aware of the students original writing abilities. It would also help in early detection of plagiarism. It would help the students to be aware of plagiarism and help engage them to write an original report.

7. TED Videos

NETS- 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving,
and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and
conduct research, manage projects, solve problems,
and make informed decisions using appropriate
digital tools and resources.
a. Identify and define authentic problems and
significant questions for investigation
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution
or complete a project
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions
and/or make informed decisions
d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives
to explore alternative solutions
 5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal
issues related to technology and practice legal and
ethical behavior.
b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology
that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for
lifelong learning


The above NETS standard aligns with this assignment because the TED videos focuses on understanding current technology and how it affects the world around us. They also raise questions for future research and investigation. I really enjoyed watching all of the TED videos. I was truly amazed how technology seems to affect every aspect of our lives. It is important for teachers and students to understand their role within technology. If I have a middle school or high school class in the future, I will defiantly share some of the TED videos. In fact, I plan on sharing a large number of videos about how technology is and can be used in the classroom, at home, and in the real world. Any time I am sharing a video in a special education class room I will review its comprehension level and make sure it is appropriate for my special education students. I will also show the video using a full screen view to ensure the picture is easily seen. I will also make sure subtitles are used.