Storify #ntchat Earth Day

Journal #9: MOOCs Are the Next Big Thing in Online Learning

In the article, "MOOCs Are the Next Big Thing in Online Learning" by Karen Fasimpaur, the author discusses what MOOCs are , as well as there importance in education.  MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses, are online classes that are open to thousands of people and allow one to receive college credit for their participation and success in the course. These educational courses have become so popular because they are relatively open, incorporate face-to-face learning, they are held online, and the teacher is not the center of the classes educational learning.  This format can be less intimidating for those students that would rather take the class in isolation or just observe others online participation. There are two types of MOOCs.

cMOOCs are geared in a more participatory fashion and allow the students to be the teacher. This type of MOOC allows for students to work in peer groups that can consist of both facilitator and peers. Lastly, this class is geared towards developing and showcasing one's creativity through blogging and other creative projects.

The next type of MOOC that has been very popular over the past couple years is the xMOOCs. These courses are held through a website, such as Udacity and Coursera. These courses are a form of independent study and are mostly geared towards computer science and mathematics courses. One con is that these courses are primarily independent and offer little support from a facilitator.  Liz Renshaw, a adult literacy consultant in Australia states that, “I found the lack of support, encouragement, acknowledgment, or collaborative spirit extremely disturbing, unsettling, and uncomfortable,”(Fasimpaur).

These MOOCs can be very important for teachers because they can develop and strengthen ones PLN. They also provide a sense of community and can give teachers lessons that they can use in their own classrooms.

Question 1: How could I incorporate MOOCs into my curriculum?

Answer: I could create a MOOCs for my students and have them do online or take home work through the MOOCs. Students could collaborate and work in peer groups online and at home. This could save time for other topics that need to be worked on in class and can help students develop good online etiquette.

 Question 2: Why might MOOCs not be a good fit for all students?

Answer: All students are not fully independent or dependent when it comes to school work. Students who have dependency issues might not get work done if the class is all independent. There is also a lack of support in the MOOCs and allows for a lot of self teaching.

Work Cited
Fasimpaur, K. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/l-l-march-april-2013/feature-massive-and-open-moocs-are-the-next-big-thing-in-online-learning

Journal #6: Ten Reaons to Get Rid of Homework

In the article, Ten Reasons to Get Rid of Homework (and five alternatives) by John T. Spencer, the author discusses his beliefs about homework, and how it might not be the most effective way to incorporate learning outside of the classroom.  In the article he talks about how all students are busy outside of school, the inequitable home-life situations students face, homework de-motivates creativity and further research, etc. One of his strongest points against homework was that "homework teaches bad work habits" (Spencer). This quote is very true because it instills dependency on a teacher to assign further research on a topic.  Students will do work because "they have to, rather than need to" and that is an issue (Spencer). We want students to want to research and find their own interest in education, not force them to take an interest in a topic. Students need to have "ownership of learning" and make learning their own. But, homework has the ability to kill independent research because homework is time consuming and is anything but independent. At the end of Spencer's article he states five alternative things to do instead of homework. He states that learning can happen freely and naturally at home, so teachers should give their students enough time to do so. Next, he states that teachers should inspire authentic learning, as well as letting student do what they are interested in. Lastly, he suggest that students partake in extracurricular activities.

5 Alternatives to Homework:
1. Incorporate more projects and open assignments where students can choose their own topic to research and discuss. Homework is often seen as busy work, but independent, open-ended topics and projects can stimulate creativity and independence.
2. Incorporate take home journals in one's curriculum. This allows for students to reflect on in-class discussions and ideas without influence. Also allows students a free place to express their feelings without the fear of being judged.
3. Incorporating interactive assignments that allow students to go out into the community and research or observe performances, events, etc. This allows students to incorporate class topics into creative community events.
4. Teachers can allow students to create online blogs that incorporate in class discussions and topics into a free formed assignment.
5. Teachers can allow their students to research a topic of interest and let them teach the class.

5 Reasons we need Homework:
1. I believe that although homework should not be seen as extra class time and a place to pawn off instruction on the parents, homework is a great place to stimulate free thinking and reflection on topics learned in class.
2. Homework allows those students who might do poor on test and quizzes make up points and excel in non-traditional ways.
3. Homework can create independence because it requires students to do assignments on their own, without a teachers assistance.
4. Homework assignments are good for those students that learn better on their own.
5. Homework can be a place for students to think, create, and test class material.

Work Cited
Spencer, J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.educationrethink.com/2011/09/ten-reasons-to-get-rid-of-homework-and.html

Journal #8: Adaptive Technology

Communication

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which is a term used for tools and electronic devices that help individuals who are reluctant or incapable of using their own voice. These tools aid and assist those individuals, by encouraging and maintaining social interaction, as well as developing and instilling maximum independence in a virtual environment. There are AAC tools that are high-tech and low-tech.

High-tech tools are electronic or battery operated devices that are capable of storing information and retrieving messages. One high-tech AAC device that I find very useful is the Dynavox Maestro, costing around $975. The Maestro is a speech-generating device that offers multiple functions for virtual and auditory communication. This device offers communication through a cell phone, text messaging, and e-mail. This product also helps improve language acquisition skills and language development by having vocabulary ranging across many topics and themes. The best part about the Maestro is that is has a large variety of communication pages for mostly every age group. Their communication pages range from young children to adults (ages 2-50+). One way that the Maestro could be used in the classroom is by using this tool to build students’ language acquisition and development. This tool works by selecting a tile that has a Mayer-Johnson symbol that gives students a visual meaning behind a written word. Incorporating this tool in with language development, sentence structuring, vocab, and spelling, will really help with those students that lack verbal communication abilities and skills.

The next tool that I found is a low-tech tool called the Mayer-Johnson GoTalk 4+. Low-tech tools are simple aids that do not require a power outlet and are often battery operated. The GoTalk 4+ cost around $180 and is a lightweight communication tool. It can hold up to about 4.5 minutes of recorded information and is good for basic communication. I can use this tool in the classroom and incorporate it while on field trips as well as recess and lunch breaks because of its great portability. This tool can aid students in basic communication needs, like communicating if they need to use the restroom or saying hello to someone.

 Accessibility 

Input devices enable individuals with special needs the accessibility to a computer or electronic device. One hardware input device that has the ability to make controlling a computer easier for those with moderate to sever motor development issues is the Roller Plus Joystick by Traxsys Input Products, costing $389. This device is designed to act as a computer mouse. This product uses a joystick to move the cursor up/down and left/right, as well as a speed control key. The device can be modified to fit each individuals needs. The joystick replaces the roller ball in a mouse, making it easier for those with motor impairments. I can use this device in the classroom when using computers. This device will aid in computer navigation and allow each student to gain independence when working with a computer. The joystick input device will be used in all computer assignments.

 A software input device that will be very useful in the classroom is the ProxTalker by Marblesoft. This device allows students to take photos using a iPad or iPhone, label or add text to the photos, arrange and organize the photos based on categories, as well as print those pages and photos or share those pages online. This device also allows students to add SoundTags to their photos using the talking device. This product can be used in the classroom when researching topics of interest and creating and incorporating vocab assignments. Only costing $29.99 at the Apple App Store, this product is a cost effective device that can aid in education instruction.

Journal #4 NET-S 2,3,4,5

In the article Join the Flock by Hadley Ferguson, the author discusses the importance of creating a virtual PLN. The tool that Ferguson uses to build her PLN is Twitter. Twitter is an online environment where people can post links and photos, as well as re-tweet/re-post others links, and network with individuals that share common interests. A PLN in Ferguson's words is a "community of individuals learning together" (Join the Flock L&L). I believe that having a strong and wide-based PLN is very important for every teacher and educator. Twitter exposes their members to a wide variety of education tools and insightful individuals.  In the article Ferguson gives some helpful tools to help readers get involved and started with Twitter. The steps are: "set up your account, learn to follow, tap into great lists, watch and listen, give generously, expose yourself, and tag your tweet" (Join the Flock L&L). I believe that all of these steps are important, but learning to follow, give generously, and expose yourself are the most important steps. Learning to follow is important because as educators we must constantly be learning and strengthening our knowledge base. Giving generously is also important because in order to be respected and accepted by your PLN, one must open up and share their thoughts and insight. Lastly, exposing oneself to the Twitter world is important because one needs to allow people to understand, appreciate, and inspire not only those in the classroom.

Question: How can I be more visible on Twitter?

- In order to ensure that I am visible on Twitter, I must follow individuals, post information, and interact in Twitter chat discussions. I am now following 44 people and organizations and I have 14 people following me. I have also interacted in an online Twitter chat about Earth Day on #ntchat. Lastly, I have posted websites and links that I found interesting.

In the article Enhance Your Twitter Experience by Shannon McClintock, the author discusses the importance of organizing ones Twitter account and feed. She states that it is necessary to use an online organizer to control Tweets based on genre and information. Separate columns for every topic of interest can help organize feeds. Also she suggest that it is important to use a online book-marker.  I use Diigo, and it helps me remember and tag important and interesting articles, post, and videos.

Question: How could I use Diigo in the classroom?

 - I can incorporate Diigo into my classroom, by having posting my Diigo link on my class website or blog and have online assignments and links easily available.  Students could also send me links to sites they find relate to issues in class and I could post them on my site.

Works Cited

Ferguson, H. (n.d.). (2010). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607

 McClintock Miller , S. (n.d.). (2010). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607

Journal #7 My Personal Learning Network

A Personal Learning Network, or PLN, is an individualized network that is created by connecting with individuals that share common interest and goals.  Maintaining a strong PLN is a great way to network with other educators and administration, locate tools and tips for the classroom, learn about new technology and how to incorporate it into a curriculum, obtain lesson plans from successful teachers, as well as collaborate with other educators about certain subjects of interest.  Although my PLN is still growing, I have found some useful Internet and web 2.0 tools that will help me build my PLN.  Some tools that I have found useful in developing my PLN are: Twitter (micro blogging), Diigo (social bookmarking), Storify, and Tweetdeck (RRS).  My PLN will help me develop worldwide relationships with educators that strive to engage and exchange information online.

Twitter is a micro blogging tool that provides its users with the ability to create short 140 character post, re-tweet/re-post others comments and links, and view live feeds from people they choose to follow.  I use Twitter to connect with my fellow Liberal Studies colleagues, teachers, and other educators.  Twitter is one of my main resources for building my PLN, because it gives me the opportunity to follow anyone I find inspiring and educational.  I have chose to follow 44 educators, organizations, and groups.  Some people I am following are Jerry Blumengarten, Sir Ken Robinson, Melinda Gates, Justin Reich, Lisa Dabbs, and Steven W. Anderson.  I have also chose to follow many organizations including Ollibean, Autistic BigBro, NU Ability, AdvocatesforChildren, Edutopia, and Teri Inc.  By following these individuals and organizations, I am able to build my PLN, find interesting links and articles, and network with other educators.  On Wednesday March 27, 2013 at 5pm, I participated in the #ntchat about Earth Day, regarding it’s importance in schools.  I used Tweetdeck to manage the conversation and replies.  I found TweetDeck very useful because it allowed me to pause the fast paced conversation and reply to those post I found interesting.  It was awesome to know that I was in conversation and connection with others around the world.  Many of the post were very fascinating and very useful in the classroom.

Diigo is a networking tool that allows every user to bookmark important articles, websites, and videos on the Internet. Using this online bookmarking tool has allowed me to bookmark articles that give information about developing a strong PLN.  I’ve found five people to follow in Diigo, Barbara Lindsey, Cherice Montgomery, Maggie Tsai, Shelly Terrell, and David Saldkey.  These individuals are all people who actively use Diigo and talk about education. Maggie Tsai is a Chief Diigo Ambassador, and has created discussion forums and groups that focus on the development of education.  I found three websites that are accurate and viable resources in the development of my PLN.  The first site discusses the stages of PLN adoption and development.  The next site helps with the difficulties of Twitter, by teaching one how to minimize Tweets and make them interesting; in order to look professional and build one’s PLN. The last website shares many links, articles, and videos about how to build ones PLN.

In order to develop my PLN, I joined the website community Classroom 2.0.  On this website I watched a video called, “aPLaNet what is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)?” by Joel Josephson.  This video discusses the importance of a creating a PLN with other educators.  It also talks about the importance of joining other PLN networks, because it will open your personal network over a huge global community.  It states that it is important to choose educators that are willing to share, available to talk and discuss, and ones that are knowledgeable. Lastly, the video states that it is important to use micro blogs, social media sites, RSS, etc. because they have the ability to act as a free learning platform.

Journal #3 NETS-T 4

Summary: In the article, Students Need a Digital Driver’s License Before They Start Their Engines, the author talked about the importance of students’ online safety through education. Internet safety is very important in today’s society. Students must learn how the dangers of the internet and the causes of cyber bullying, plagiarism, viruses, and internet scams, before they start using the internet at school and at home. In order to protect students and teach safety, the Digital Driver’s License (DDL) came out as a free and easy tool for students and teachers. This program teaches digital citizenship and appropriate ways for students to use and control virtual hand held devices.  In this program, students must take a practice-it portion that gives scenarios and examples to help students understand the topic at hand.  After the student believes they are ready to access their knowledge, they are allowed to take the prove-it portion. This portion tests their knowledge of the 4 modules: 1) Digital access, health, and wellness, 2) Digital commerce, 3) Digital law, rights, and responsibilities, 4) Digital media fluency.  The students will be tested and scored based on their accuracy with the questions.  Teachers and school administration has the ability to see which students scored proficient or not on the test.  Students must first learn how to safely use technology before they are given online-based assignments.

Question: How can I incorporate the DDL program into my teaching curriculum?

Answer: I can incorporate the DDL program into my teaching curriculum by having every student take the exams in order to obtain the Digital Drivers Licenses.  I will have every student pass the exam before they are allowed to use virtual technology.

Question: Why is online safety and education important for students?

Answer: Online safety and education is very important for students because it can help prevent and aid students in protecting them against online danger and promote success.  Students need to know the laws against online cyber bulling, plagiarism, and scams, so that they know the dangers of partaking in these practices. 

Work Cited:
Swan, G., & Park, M. (2012). Students need a digital driver's license before they start their engines. Learning and Leading with technology, 40(5), 26-28. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/digitaledition/digital-edition-february-2013