Poll Everywhere

I LOVE Poll Everywhere! It is such a neat tool! Students would love using this in the classroom! I love the idea of being able to incorporate technology in the classroom by having students use their phones to text their answer to my question. It is more neat that the text goes right through and displays the response instantly. I could have this pulled up on the Smart Board and students could instantly see the results. This tool is almost too easy to use. It took me one second to type in the question!

When it comes to the ISTE NETS-T I followed the first standard, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. When using Poll Everywhere, students are able to put their beloved phones to use in an academic manor. Now and days, students are attached to their phones, so why not take advantage of it and put them to good use.  I also followed ISTE NETS T-2. It allows teachers to assess students informally in order to evaluate learning. 

Google Forms

Check out my Google Form on the Virginia Standards of Learning. For this assignment, I was required to use the user friendly Google Form tool. It is an easy to use survey generator that allows users to choose the type of question. The options are great. In my form, you will see each of the questions types available for use. Google Forms also allow users to publish the results and see the live feed, meaning, if someone is typing on the form, anyone can watch. Users can publish and share the survey results as well. Check out the results for my survey. Creating this survey took me about 5 minutes. You cannot go wrong with a tool that is quick and easy.

When using this tool, I followed the ISTE NETS- T I followed ISTE NETS-3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. You will primarily focus on receiving information from students, parents and colleagues as well as analyzing and evaluating data. The forms allow teachers to find out what they want to know in order to enhance their students learning experience. In my case, I was curious about other teachers opinions on the SOL's. This assignment also meets the ISTE NETS-T 2 by creating an assessment. In my classroom, I could use this in a variety of ways. For my assignment, I wanted to know what other teachers opinions were. I could also have parents or students complete a survey to answer any other questions I may have. 

Jeopardy Labs

Using Jeopardy Labs was almost too easy! I have never had the opportunity to create a Jeopardy game before using this website. I am glad I finally got around to making one. I love that you can go back and edit the game if you need to. It is such a fun experience for the students. What student wouldn't want to play a game to review? I plan to use this game in the following week to finish my plant unit. Check out my Jeopardy game.

In creating this game, I followed the ISTE NETS-T 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. When creating my Jeopardy game, I created a unique experience for my students that will engage them and meet the diverse learning styles in my classroom.

Prezi

I am very familiar with Prezi as I have had to use it more than a few times. When I was first exposed to it a couple years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, I am not a huge fan. I spend more time trying to get the pathway and the layout just right than I do teaching with it. It is a very appealing visual, however, if I can take an extra few seconds out of planning and preparing than I will. I prefer to use Smart Board in my classroom. For this assignment, I took a Smart Board that I made earlier this week for one of my first grade plant unit and turned it into a Prezi.

When making this Prezi, I followed the ISTE NETS-T 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. I designed and adapted my Prezi in order to enhance my students learning experience by providing an appealing visual. I also followed ISTE NETS-T 3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by demonstrating fluency in technology by providing my students with a current digital tool to engage them. I used this in my classroom as an introduction to an engaging activity for learning about the parts of a plant.

Presume

If you haven't head of Prezi, you need to look into it. Prezi is an updated presentation program similar to Power Point, but more modern and advanced. Prezi can be used for various things. For my new assignment, I was required to upload my resume and turn it into a Prezi- Presume. Because I already had an updated resume and have used Prezi before, it was very easy for me to maneuver my way through the program.

When creating this presume, I followed the ISTE NETS-T, 2, Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. By creating a presume, employers are able to learn information about myself in an engaging manner. The world of technology is changing and a lot of employers use online applications to find their new employee.

Power Points

I am one of those people who firmly believe in spending a little extra time to make a PP more interesting rather than boring. After sitting through hundreds of boring lectures while my professors read off the PP slide I made a promise to myself to never do that to my students. Whenever I made a Smart Board presentation or a Power Point presentation for my lesson, I make sure I make it an interesting, engaging visual that my students will love. Unfortunately, teachers, professors, and speakers do not think like me.

For an assignment, I was required to make a PP, but not just any PP. I was referred to Slide Share to watch a slide show on how PP's should be made. In watching this slide show, I came up with a simple, engaging PP for my unit on matter. My first graders are sure to love this PP. It may be basic, however the colors, the pictures and the animations make the PP engaging.

In making this PP, I followed the ISTE NETS-T 2, Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. By creating an engaging PP, students are able to learn new information in a positive way. Students will be more inclined to focus on an engaging PP rather than a boring PP.

Journal Formatting

The other day, I was given specific format requirements when editing the paper from my previous post. This format was for journals. The format was very different than what I was used to. Because I was not as familiar with the format, it was a little tricky. I am used to APA format, which has taken me numerous years to understand and finally, I do not have to look online for assistance. It was a little difficult to understand, however with an example, I was able to complete the required assignment. Although I learned something new, I would prefer to stick with the APA format over the journal format. I am more comfortable with it.

In relation to the ISTE NETS-T, I followed the fifth standard by engaging in professional growth and leadership. By researching and continuing knowledge, I was able to adapt to a new writing format that would be useful when submitting journals to journals and magazines.

Mini Paper

Going back to the 8th grade reading scores I had to write a mini paper to discuss the effects that ethnicity has on reading scores. When looking at the data, the data concludes that ethnicity does in fact affect students reading scores. Take a look at the paper and see the research. It is very interesting. You will also see how I determined whether or not the data was significantly significant or not. 

In relation to the ISTE NETS-T, I followed the fifth standard by engaging in professional growth and leadership. By researching and continuing knowledge, I was able to research and learn about something that I can use in my classroom. 

Using Google Drive

Google is a great tool with many uses! Google allows users to do various tasks, but my favorite and most useful Google tool is my Google Drive. With my Google Drive, I am able to create documents or spreadsheets, forms or surveys, drawings and presentations.  You may also upload a file from your computer and store it in your Google Drive. Not only can you create or upload files, but you can share and publish them. For example, I uploaded my resume to my Google drive and published it and it automatically created this website address, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2cDGi0B-DV3RlhoVU5zRnJoV0k/edit?usp=sharing, which allows me to share my document with anyone.

This really is a great tool. When creating or uploading files using Google Drive, you can access them anywhere as long as they are saved in your drive. There has been many times where I forgot to print something out and did not have my laptop on me but was able to log into my Google account and print the document off of my Google Drive. I highly recommend playing around with the features on your Google account. If you do not have a Google account, I suggest you get one, you will not regret it. Google Drive is very easy and I did not have any problems when using it. It was easy to navigate through.

When using the share feature in Google Drive, you are following ISTE NETS-3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. You will primarily focus on communicating information to students, parents and colleagues as well as analyzing and evaluating data. ISTE NETS may vary depending on what part of the drive you use. 

Numbers 1.4- Hypothesis Testing

When trying to compare two sets of data on a more statistical level in Excel, one must refer to the t-test. The t-test is used to determine whether or not data is statistically significant or if there is an accidental error. In other terms, we are testing to find out whether the null hypothesis is supported. Using the data from my last blog, I tested whether or not ethnicity plays a role in reading scores.

To determine whether or not the null is supported, one must look at "P(T<=t) one-tail." When looking at this if the P value is less than .5 than the null is rejected. If the P value is greater than .5 than the data failed to reject the null, meaning it is less than 95 percent significant.

To test my data, I compared three different ethnicities. For the first test, I compared white students reading scores to black students reading scores. When looking at the image you will see that the P value is less than .5, meaning the null was rejected. In simply terms, the data is statistically significant and there is no error.

For the second comparison, I compared white students reading scores against hispanic students reading scores. When looking at the image you will see that the P value is less than .5, meaning the null was rejected. In simply terms, the data is statistically significant and there is no error. 

The third comparison, I compared hispanic students reading scores against black students reading scores. When looking at the image, you will see that the P value is less than .5, meaning the null was rejected. In simply terms, the data is statistically significant and there is no error. 

Overall, the null was rejected, there is a 95 percent chance that is the students retook the reading test, the students scores would be very similar, meaning, the data is reliable. Because the null was rejected, the data shows that ethnicity plays a role in the reading test scores. 

If I were to use this data and write an academic paper in APA format, I would compare the different ethnicities and the reading results. I would show each P value and explain what each P value meant. I would also show my data in a table or chart for a visual. 

When using the t-test function, I did not have any difficulties. I thoroughly enjoy learning new uses for Excel. The possibilities are endless. I could use this in my classroom to compare students whether it be based on gender, ethnicity, etc. 

When using this feature in Excel you are following ISTE NETS-3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, primarily focusing on communicating information to students, parents and colleagues as well as analyzing and evaluating data.

Numbers 1.3- Descriptive Statistics in Excel

I had never heard of the descriptive statistics tool in Excel until now. I am finding out that Excel can do many more things that I thought. When learning to use this tool, I had to download the add-on. Unfortunately I have a Macbook Pro and Apple Products do not support this feature. However, I used a close friends laptop to learn. After downloading the add-on feature, I was able to compute the descriptive statistics for male and female test scores. Next, I was able to do the same thing and compare the test scores in each state.


By taking a look at the scatter plot, you will see that Virginia is 24 states from the top with 23 ahead and 28 states below. From the looks of the plot, Virginia is in the average range and doing fine as far as reading scores goes.

I did not have many problems when using this function however I could not get the states to show vertically rather than diagonal, which is a minor detail. Other than that, once I was able to borrow a friends laptop, I was able to complete the requirements. This is another great tool to keep in mind when it comes to grading. Using this for a means of comparison is a great idea!

When using this feature in Excel you are following ISTE NETS-3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, primarily focusing on communicating information to students, parents and colleagues as well as analyzing and evaluating data.

Grades: Changing Numbers to Letters

Have you ever wondered if there is an easier way to turn number grades into letter grades without any hassle? Well, there is! When progress reports or report card time rolls around, I bet you are always scrambling to try and get the grades and comments into the grading system. If you have not read my previous blog on grading, please do so before continuing on with this post. You can thank me later!

As you can see below, I have my grade averages but I needed to turn them into letter grades. When using excel, there is a simple formula that can make grading painless. To see a larger image of the picture, click here. Depending on your grading scale, your formula may be different, but the formula I used was =IF(I4>89,"A",IF(I4>79,"B",IF(I4>69,"C",IF(I4>59,"D","F")))). This formula may not be the same if your grading scale is different and if your cells are different than those showing from the image below. Take a closer look at my document. 

Surprisingly I did not have any trouble when changing my averages into letter grades. Once I typed in the formula, I instantly had grades. Using the handle made things even more simple. I typed in the formula once. I made edits when transferring to a different tab but that was not hard. This is a great tool to use and I cannot wait to use it when grading!

When creating a worksheet like the one I created, you will follow ISTE NETS-T 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. Teachers can use this tool to communicate students grades with students themselves and their parents. When grades are due, this tool will come in handy! 

Grade Book Basics

Now and days, everything is done electronically, even grade books. Today I got to learn how to use Microsoft Excel to organize my grade book. Using Excel can be a little intimidating if you are not familiar with the program. Excel is all about numbers and formulas and if you are unfamiliar with the two, using Excel can be a little more challenging.

Once you familiarize yourself with the program, Excel can come in handy for many things. Determining grades for students can be easily calculated when using Excel. As you can see below, I created a bar graph averaging students grades from three different grading periods. Check out the Excel worksheet I created to make this graph.

In the past, I rarely used Excel, however, when I did, I only used the basic tools. When creating this Excel document, I had a few difficulties in the beginning when trying to use the painter tool. After I figured out how to use it, I followed the instructions I was given and had not trouble. When following a step by step guide, it makes the process of learning much more enjoyable. 

I look forward to using Excel when keep track of grades. Organizing and maintaining grades is always a tedious process. Now that I know how to use Excel for this purpose, I will be sure to make use of it. Using this for progress monitoring for yourself, parents and students is also a great idea!

When creating a worksheet like the one I created, you will follow ISTE NETS-T 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. Teachers can use this program to communicate students grades with students themselves and their parents. Teachers can also use this program to relay grades to his or her class. For example, if a teacher wants to show either the good or bad grades for a particular assignment, a teacher can show/display the grades anonymously to show where students grades should be and so forth. Creating goals for students is also a great use of this tool! 

Screencast O matic

If you have never used or heard of Screencast O matic before, you need to look into it. To test out the video tool, I created a video to teach fellow teachers, students and parents how to use Diigo.This tool is almost too easy to use. I never had to download anything. With a click of a button, I was recording. I did not have any trouble using this program other than when it came time to save and upload it to YouTube. I was not able to upload it directly from Screencast O matic. Instead, I had to save the video to my laptop and upload it to YouTube myself. To see the video I made, click here or click play in the video box below.

This tool would be perfect for using in my classroom. Computer lab days are sometimes dreadful because the students just want to play games and never fully commit to their work. With this tool, I can have students look up certain things based on the topic we are discussing and bookmark articles, images or websites to refer back to when studying and so forth. My fourth graders would love this!

When creating this video, I followed ISTE NETS T-3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, and 5-Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership, by communicating information and teaching teachers students, and parents how to use a new technology.

Jing Screencast

I have already posted a post on using Jing to screen capture images (if you have not read it already, please refer to it). This post will be on using Jing to screencast videos. Have you ever needed to show someone how to do something and explaining how to do it just is not cutting it? Well, get excited, because I am about to make your life much easier.

Using the cursor or your hot key, create a box around the screen or desired area you would like to record. When the Jing box pops up, you would normally click on "capture a video." At this point, there will be a count down to begin video. Sound can be recorded as well, if you do not plan to use the sound, just make sure you are quiet during the recording (I have not figured out if there is a way to turn the mic off). Once you have recorded what you wanted, click the stop button (square button) and this will stop your recording. You will then save the document and share it however you choose.

I was a little intimidated at first but making my recording was much easier than I could have imagined. I actually enjoyed making the video. I can see myself using this tool for various school and personal reasons. Before using this tool, I never knew how people made videos like such.

To put this tool to use, I decided to create a video showing students how to use Wordle. Currently, I am teaching a unit on the Civil War and right now, we are discussing Abraham Lincoln. I want students to find something online about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War and create a word cloud. In order for students to learn how to use the tool, I plan to send home a word document with instructions and the URL to my video. This video will help students and parents learn how to use Wordle. Click here to view my video.

To help guide you along your journey in learning how to use Jing for screencast videos, please refer to these questions.

1.  How do you determine and control the recording area of your screen capture?

As stated above, the image you originally select with your cursor will be the area of your screen  capture video. 

2. What are the options for saving a screen capture?

 
You may save a screen capture on your computer or laptop as well as screencast it in order to have a  URL link.

3. Where is the screen capture on your computer and how do you retrieve it? i.e. what is the address to it on your local machine?

Depending on where you save your screen capture is dependent on where you will find it. You determine where and how you save it. When you retrieve it, click on it and it will open up the video using Prezi.

4. How do you push it to the internet? and share it with others?

To share your video online, go to your Jing history and open up the video. Click share via screencast and a URL will paste to your cursor where you can then share your video wherever you may like.

5. What file type is a Jing screencast movie?

swf

6. The Jing 'Sun'  has 3 prongs. What does each prong do?

 
The prong closest to the top of the screen is the button used to capture the image on your screen. The middle button is the history button and the bottom button allows you to change preferences.

When using this tool, you will use the ISTE NETS-T 1 and 2. By designing and requiring students to learn and use this tool, students are able to use their own creativity to pursue their curiosity. Students will be engaged when learning real-world issues

Getting a Video

Have you ever had to show a video to your classroom or crowd of coworkers but could not due to the lack of internet access. How would you solve this issue? Personally, I have no clue how to get around this but I would like to try and guess before finding out. Seeing as we are in the digital-age, I am sure there is an online program that you can upload your video to and it translate into a format useable without internet connection. Although I have not used Jing for making videos but I have seen the option available, therefore, this may be a resource to use. Of course, using a phone, Ipad, or laptop could work depending on what type of video you wanted to show. Using a phone as a hot spot may also work or buying a portable hot spot that can be plugged into a USB port. These are just a few options that I can think of, as I have never explored the options. I always found a way around showing the video to get the information out.

To look at more ideas of this topic, visit this Padlet. Padlet is a virtual cork board that can be used by various users. This is a great technology that can be used in the classroom for students to share their ideas on a topic before teaching it. It can also be used for exit slips. It is very easy to use, but then again, I have used this tool before and do not know if that has something to do with my opinion. Even so, I would still say this tool is easy to use and students would have no trouble using it in the classroom.

When using this tool, you will use the ISTE NETS-T 1, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, and 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. Teachers will be able to use this tool to assess students learning before, during and after a lesson. This tool also allows students to reflect on their thinking before, during and after lesson. This tool could be used like a KWL chart. Using this tool in the classroom would be great when trying to engage students when learning. Students rarely like assessments and this is a student friendly way to assess them.

Suffix Wordle

I was excited at the opportunity to use this tool for an activity for one of my lessons. Using Wordle, I created a suffix word cloud to show my students a variety of suffixes. I just introduced suffixes and students are overwhelmed by the amount of suffixes there are.  Using a word cloud will allow me to introduce the different endings in a friendly manor. What student would not be excited about looking at this colorful creation to learn suffixes.

I did not have any problems using this tool as I have used it before and it is very easy to use. This tool is more than student friendly. Although I have used this tool before, I have never truly thought about how to incorporate it into a lesson. Now that I have been required to create a word cloud for one of my lessons, I now have various ideas as to how I would use it.

I followed the ISTE NET-T 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments when creating my creative suffix word cloud. With this word cloud, I will be able to introduce the various suffix endings in a more attractive manor to fourth graders.

Wordle

Wordle is a great tool for enhancing creativity. By taking a document, or a chunk of text and pasting it into the creation box, Wordle creates a word cloud that pulls important words for the document you used. Below, I used ISTE NETS-T 2000 and ISTE NETS-T 2008 to create a Wordle in order to compare the differences in the standards. If you could like to see a bigger version of my word clouds, click the links under each picture.

ISTE NETS-T 2000

 ISTE NETS-T 2008 

When looking at the standards and the word clouds, I do not see any differences in the standards other than there being one lesson standard for 2008 due to it being combined in the other standards. Unless I am completely missing something, I see that both standards for teachers promote the use of technology to enhance engagement and explore creativity. Both standards also state that teachers should promote and model safe use of technology and continue professional development in order to learn new technology and how to use it in the classroom. Over all, both set of standards are closely related, if any difference at all.

I did not have any problems using this tool as I have used it before and it is very easy to use. This tool is more than student friendly. Although I have used this tool before, I have never truly thought about how to incorporate it into a lesson but now I have a couple of ideas. 

When it comes to the ISTE NETS-T, when using Wordle, I followed the first standard, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. When creating my word cloud, I was able to use my creativity to compare the differences in the two sets of standards. When using this in a classroom, I could have students create their own word cloud for various subjects and topics. 

Self Portrait

This assignment was rather interesting but fun. I was always the kid who would spend hours cutting, coloring, and using the paint tool on the computer to create images. I was never able to create an image that resembled an actual image, which is called abstract. Thank goodness this tool had pre-made shapes for me to use or just like when I was young, I would have an abstract self portrait. But then again, Picasso is a little abstract himself, therefore Picasso Head was perfect for me.

The only issue I had with this tool was when I accidentally clicked the start over when I thought it was the save button. However, I think I would like this tool more if it allowed you to fill in the shapes with color and change your signature to a font that actually looks like a signature. I actually had to use Jing to put my signature because when my image was saved, the signature did not transfer it over. In order to fully understand how I could use this in my classroom will require some thinking.

To take a look at my Picasso Head self portrait and others in the gallery, click here.

In making this Picasso inspired self portrait, I followed the ISTE NETS T-1, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. By allowing students to create their own self portrait, students are able to explore different realms of creativity while learning.

Diigo

Diigo is an awesome tool, not just for students but also adults! This tool allows you to bookmark articles, highlight text, make comments and much more. Below is a screen shot of what the Diioglet tool allows you to do while reading an article.
Once inside your library, the options are endless. You can tag your articles, you can group them into categories and join networks.

I have to admit, when I saw this tool had a browser add on, I figured it would not work on my laptop as I have a Macbook Pro and every thing is always much more complicated when trying to download things onto Apple products. BUT, I was more than thrilled when it downloaded with no problems and I was able to use it right away. At first, after I dragged the bookmark onto my bookmark bar, I clicked on it and nothing happened, or at least I thought, then I saw the small bar in the right hand corner under my bookmark bar. I use the Diigolet browser add on with Safari and it works great.

This program is so easy to use it is ridiculous. The easier the tool is to use, the easier it is to have students use it, which is why I love the idea of this tool. I have never used this tool or heard of it before but as soon as I downloaded the tool, I got to work. The browser add on is so convenient. I have never used one before but now that I have, I plan to look for more browser add on's that will make my browsing much easier. I am able to stay on my screen and highlight quotes or pieces of the article I really like then bookmark it for later use. I love that I can write comments. For example, if you like just a portion of an article, you can highlight it and make a comment stating to only spend your time reading the highlighted portion because the rest of the article was not helpful or useful to you.

I cannot wait to use this tool in my future browsing endeavors. If you are interested in checking out what I have in my library, click here.

Here's a sneak peek of my library...

When using this tool, you follow the ISTE NETS T- 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments by promoting students to use tools to enhance the learning experience. ISTE NETS T-3c is also followed when using this tool to collaborate and share ideas.