iMovie PSA CSUSM

NETS-T I-III

I created a public service announcement (PSA) about California State University, San Marcos using the software iMovie. 

Cyber Safety Website (NETS-T III & IV)

In collaboration with my student peers, we created a Cyber Safety website that advocates and teaches safe, legal, and ethical use of the Internet; while also promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

Inspiration (NETS-T I-V)

I used the digital tool Inspiration 9.0 to structure and outline the artifacts that I have created that support the NETS Standards for Teachers. Inspiration 9.0 is great tool for mapping, outlining, writing, and brainstorming ideas and concepts. It effectively communicates ideas clearly and demonstrates understanding and knowledge.

Journal #9: “Point/Counterpoint Wikipedia: Friend or Foe?” (NETS-T I-V)

Hammond, T. & Farhie, D. (2009). Point/counterpoint Wikipedia: friend or foe?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Wikipedia_Friend_or_Foe.aspx

Summary:  Authors Thomas Hammond and David Farhie discuss the positive and negative contributions that Wikipedia has on society. Hammond believes that Wikipedia can be a very useful tool, in that it can help your students become critical thinkers and understand the uses of knowledge construction. He also state that Wikipedia should not be used primarily as an information source, but more as a structure source, as this is its best asset. Hammond suggests that students should navigate through Wikipedia and construct their own opinions and learn how to check resources for more accuracy. This is a great learning tool and should be incorporated into the curriculum.

David Farhie, on the other hand, believes that students should not be allowed to rely on Wikipedia as the “be-all, end-all authority” of information resources. Farhie proposes that teachers should be weary of allowing students to use Wikipedia as an information resource, that is, until it can be certified as factually correct information. He encourages teachers to focus not only on content, but also on truthful and factual content.

Question #1: Will I allow my future students to use Wikipedia as an information resource?

As a future educator, I believe that students should be molded into critical thinkers, and they should learn the skills necessary to question sources and information. I will allow my students to use Wikipedia, but not as the only, or main, source of information, but more as a supporting source.

Question #2: Have you personally used Wikipedia as an information resource?

To be honest, when performing school or work assignments, I have used Wikipedia as an information resource, but never as the primary source of information.  More so, I use Wikipedia for day to day questions and concerns. I believe that Wikipedia is a useful tool and I believe in Wikipedia’s message that information should be free to the world. I appreciate that they provide information to the public at no cost.

Journal #8: “Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying?" (NETS-T III-V)

Bogacz, R, & Gómez-Gordillo, M. (2011). Point/counterpoint: should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx

Summary:  Author Renee Bogacz believes that schools should be held responsible for cyberbullying, and that they should take action to stop and prevent it from happening. She places the responsibility on the school administrators, teachers, parents and even the students themselves. Bogacz advises teachers to educate themselves about cyberbullying, and the laws and resources that are in place to help victims. Most importantly, she encourages teachers to listen to their students who come to them reporting any cyberbullying activity. Bogacz persuades school administrators to establish clear and enforceable consequences to cyberbullying and to contact law enforcement immediately after any report of such violation. To prevent cyberbullying, parents should always be involved and know what their children are doing online and with their cell phones, Bogacz cautions.  Students too often are unwilling or afraid to stand up for those who are being bullied, so Bogacz urges students to take responsibility and to report any signs of cyberbullying.  

Miguel Gómez Gordillo argues that schools are not responsible for the actions of children with serious behavioral problems. He claims that is it a societal problem and that parents are at the root of this problem. He recommends that schools should establish a close connection with the families of the students.  He believes that supporting families will allow for a collaborative and complementary education that will lead to a better society. His final say is that healthy families will lead to a healthy society and that schools should support that role.

Question #1: As a future educator, how can I protect all my students from cyberbullying?

I have begun educating myself about what cyberbullying is, how to prevent it, and what to do about it. I also plan to be an active listener and will encourage two-way communication with my students. I plan on establish a trusting classroom environment and have an open-door policy. I believe that these are the first and necessary steps to protecting my students.

Question #2: Do you agree, or disagree, with Miguel Gómez Gordillo, in that the family unit is to blame for many societal problems?

I agree with Gordillo, that the family unit influences and plays a major role in one’s life. However, as a future educator I want to do everything I can to protect and educate my students. Pointing the finger at families and not getting involved is just as bad, or perhaps even worse, than doing the actual bullying. Yes, it is important to collaborate and work together with families, but as educators we must also take personal responsibility and do our part to prevent and stop cyberbullying.

Journal #7: My Personal Learning Network (NETS-T I-V)

What is your PLN and how will it help you as a classroom teacher?

My Personal Learning Network (PLN) has been created keeping in mind the teaching profession that I plan to be a part of, the middle school and high school students I plan to influence, and the subject matter I plan to teach, which include; Spanish, ELL and Bilingual education. My PLN consists of Twitter (a social networking site), Diigo (a social bookmarking site), blogs, Educator's PLN (a personal learning network/discussion forum for educators) and ISTE Community Niing (an educator's discussion forum). My PLN will help me be a resourceful teacher and this will allow me to keep my students engaged with new and interesting lesson plans. I also intend to use technology in my classroom and my PLN is a great way to stay up to date on emerging technology and tools.

Discuss your use of Twitter. Who is in your network? Why? Reflect on your participation on an educational chat.

I am relatively new at using Twitter; however I have found it quite easy to use and very resourceful. I have decided to add various educators that specialize in technology, language acquisition, foreign language, and Spanish to my Twitter network. I particularly like the communication that flows between the foreign language educators and how they share resources, tips and lesson plan ideas. I have also included some of my fellow student peers to my network as we have developed a great working and collaborative relationship. 

On Monday, March 28, 2011, I participated on an educational chat (#ELLCHAT) that was being held on Twitter. ELLCHAT is a weekly Twitter discussion held on Mondays at 6pm (PST) and it is dedicated to the issues facing Second Language Learners, also known as English Language Learners (ELL). The topic that was discussed on March 28^th was “The benefits of growing up bilingual”. I especially enjoyed this educational chat, because I too grew up bilingual and was placed in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes early in my educational years. I find it refreshing and inspirational that educators today are discussing and finding ways to provide an equitable education for English Language Learners.

Discuss your use of Diigo as a networking tool. Describe what you tagged “PLN” and why.

Diigo is a social bookmarking website that enables you to bookmark and tag web-pages and then share them with the people in your network. I have bookmarked and tagged with “PLN” the web-pages that I found to be a great resource and that will help me be a better educator. These websites include; the Educator’s PLN, Multi-Lingual Living, Moving Forward (education blogs), and ISTE Community Ning. I have used Diigo to network with educators that promote a healthy, equitable and diverse education. Technology educators also provide me with new technology tools and advances that I may not have otherwise known about.

Discuss which digital discussion forum you joined and why. Reflect on the video you watched. What did you learn? Will this be useful in your future classroom?

I decided to join the Educator’s PLN discussion forum and the ISTE Community Ning. I especially enjoy the collaboration and support that takes place within both of these communities, and I can appreciate the information that is being shared and promoted. The video “Diffusing Anger and Aggression” is found on the ISTE Community Ning and it provides educators with a calm approach to handle unacceptable behavior by students. This video advises the teacher to take the following steps to dissolve the situation: speak privately to the student, identify the problem, ask the student to “take care” of the problem, present options on how they can “take care” of the problem, and acknowledge cooperation. Although I hope to never have to diffuse anger and aggression in a classroom setting, this video provided me with useful information on how to approach and manage a difficult situation. To view this video click here.

    

Journal #6: “Grow Your Personal Learning Network” (NETS-T I, III-V)

Warlick, D. (2009). Grow your personal learning network. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2009.aspx

Summary: David Warlick is an avid personal learning network (PLN) supporter and author of “Grow Your Personal Learning Network”. In his article, Warlick discusses the importance of creating, maintaining and learning from PLN’s. He states that it is “imperative” for educators to use PLN’s if they want to stay connected to the changing world. PLN’s offer educators great resources, which include; information sources, lesson plans, current events and trends, new opportunities, technology resources, and access to potential collaborators, all at a rapid pace. According to Warlick, there are three types of PLN’s; first, there are the personally maintained synchronous connections, secondly, the personally and socially maintained semi-synchronous connections, and thirdly, the dynamically maintained asynchronous connections. The major difference between these three PLN’s is the time (real time, intermittently, or independently) in which they are used to collaborate and network. Warlick concludes that a PLN’s drawback may be that it does not allow for easy cultivation of views and perspectives that are different from your own, due to the fact that most people in your PLN all share similar worldview ideas, goals and beliefs. Ultimately, in the educator’s realm, PLN’s are designed to help you network and have access to resources, otherwise unknown to you, to better the learning experience for your students and for yourself.

Question #1: What PLN tools have you previously used? Did you find them difficult to use and will you incorporate these tools in the future as an educator?

I am familiar with Twitter, Skype, Diigo, Ning, wikis, blogs, Google Docs, Google Sites, Facebook, IM’s, RSS, e-mail, and texting. Although I do not consider myself a “tech guru” most of these tools are very easy to use and I find myself feeling more comfortable and using them more frequently. I definitely plan to use these tools in the classroom, by either incorporating them into the lesson plans or using them as a means to communicate with students, parents and colleagues.

Question #2: Creating, maintaining, and growing a PLN can be time consuming. What steps will you take to make sure that you are not spending an excessive amount of time on your PLN, but still learning from it?

I was concerned that while managing my PLN, I may lose track of time and why it was created in the first place. Author Warlick advices educators to spend approximately 15 minutes daily learning, navigating and sharing with your PLN. I will make a conscious effort to spend no less than 10 minutes a day and no more than 20 minutes a day working with my PLN. I want to make sure that I am cultivating it while not abusing it.

All About Me! Survey

Journal #4: “It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet: a Conversation with Meg Ormiston” (NETS-T III-V)

Schaffhause, D. (2010, December 1). It's time to trust teachers with the internet: a conversation with meg ormiston. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en

Summary:  Meg Ormiston works with schools as a consultant and she works on integrating technology into the classrooms. She argues that while educators are required to incorporate technology into their teachings and classrooms, school policy, flawed IT departments and stressed administrations are only creating barriers for them. Ormiston claims that schools simply don’t trust teachers with the Internet. School administrators believe that they, not the teachers, should decide what Web sites are appropriate for the students. Ormiston makes a great point in that if teachers are not trusted enough to select trusted and safe Web sites and materials for students, then should they be trusted to teach at all? Finally, Ormiston suggests that just like in the past teachers previewed films and videos prior to showing them to students to make sure they are appropriate and the same should be done with the Internet today. Teachers are qualified to make these judgment calls; after all, they are responsible for teaching and student learning.

Question #1: Do you agree or disagree with Meg Ormiston in that the use of the Internet should be more feasible for teachers and students in the classroom?

I agree with Meg Ormiston and believe that Teachers should have access to the Internet and use all the technological and educational tools available to keep the learning process for students interesting and motivational. I also agree that teachers should first check out the sites that will be visited in class as a measure of responsibility and to protect students.

Question #2: Some people argue that in order to keep students safe, the IT Department should block all access to the Internet use in the classroom. Do you agree?

Like Ormiston said: “If you’re doing nothing but blocking all day long, teachers are going to give up using technology.” Also, having use of the Internet readily available for teachers in the classroom is a great way for teachers to communicate with the administration in real time. This could be very helpful, especially in an emergency.

Journal #3: “100 Things that make me HAPPY”

 In no particular order…

1.      Lucas, my Chihuahua

2.      Isabella, my 3 year old niece

3.      Michelle, my 14 year old niece

4.      Sleeping in

5.      MUSE, the British rock bank

6.      Luis Miguel, the Latin singer

7.      Sunny, warm days

8.      Halloween

9.      Shopping at Staples or Office Depot

10.  Cabernet Sauvignon

11.  Dish Network

12.  Shopping for shoes

13.  Taco Shop food

14.  Travelling

15.  Going out to eat

16.  Las Vegas

17.  Music Concerts

18.  Lazy Sundays

19.  Long hot showers

20.  Flowers

21.  Flores, Guatemala

22.  Champagne brunch

23.  Family get-togethers

24.  Pandora

25.  Filet Mignon (cooked medium-rare)

26.  Twilight Saga books and movies

27.  TV show “Vampire Diaries”

28.  TV show “How I Met Your Mother”

29.  Pumpkin pie from Costco

30.  Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet

31.  Puppies

32.  Clean bed sheets

33.  Baby commercials

34.  Going to the movies

35.  Wine Tasting

36.  Facebook (although I’m pretty new at it)

37.  Cherry Pie

38.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams, Honey Baked ham, potato salad, pumpkin pie, and bread rolls all on one plate, but only on Thanksgiving Day….and getting seconds, maybe thirds.

39.  Blackberry Torch smart phone

40.  Cheese-all kinds

41.  Giving to charity

42.  Catching up with old friends

43.  Getting into a freshly washed car

44.  Everyone’s optimism at the beginning of the New Year

45.  Romantic Comedies

46.  Comic Con Convention

47.  Watching Disney Movies

48.  Finishing a great book

49.  Barnes & Noble

50.  Receiving greeting card through USPS

51.  Taking my dog out for a walk

52.  Music by Robin Thicke

53.  U2

54.  Home cooked meals

55.  Having a good hair day and makeup day

56.  Baking cupcakes

57.  Spring cleaning (de-cluttering)

58.  Actually making $MONEY$ at a garage sale

59.  Recycling

60.  Skype

61.  Fabric Softener and Dryer sheets

62.  Scent of lavender

63.  Holding a newborn baby

64.  Fresh cup of coffee in the morning

65.  Birds chirping

66.  Silence

67.  Getting a tax refund

68.  Shopping for a Christmas tree

69.  Good health

70.  The feeling after you have paid off a credit card

71.  Estate sales

72.  Maná, the Mexican rock group

73.  LOVE

74.  Being in LOVE

75.  Google

76.  Silver and turquoise jewelry

77.  A nice cold Gallo beer from Guatemala, maybe two

78.  Bacon (thick slices)

79.  Shopping at Costco and knowing that I won’t need toilet paper, tooth paste, vitamins, paper towels, and anything else that I just purchased, again for a long, long, long, time. Also, the food samples are great!

80.  Rainy days (when I get to stay home)

81.  Avocados

82.  The sound of crickets at night, because they remind me of how naive I was as a child…I used to think that those sounds were made by the stars.

83.  Growing up and living in Southern California

84.  Children’s laughter

85.  Getting all the green lights, especially when I’m running late

86.  Learning something new

87.  Being born in the United States of America, the greatest country

88.  When strangers smile at each other and show acts of courtesy towards one another, like opening doors and picking up something the other dropped

89.  When hard work pays off

90.  Singing in the shower and in the car

91.  Mexican TV Novelas

92.  Luis Fernando, my Godson in Guatemala

93.  Going through old pictures and re-telling funny stories

94.  Hearing my dentist say that I have no cavities

95.  Voting, knowing that I have a say on how things may work out

96.  When the sun warms my skin

97.  Planning surprises

98.  Getting a manicure/pedicure

99.  My functional/dysfunctional family

100.Checking off that last item on my “Things to Do” list