School 2.0 Reflection Tool (Nets-3)

I chose to investigate one of the topics from NETS-T Module: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  I took a closer look at how to regularly communicate and collaborate with students and parents using different types of technology to support student learning.  I learned that there are lots of resources available to help teachers accomplish this goal. One of the tools I liked best is Google Groups. Google Groups is free and its a great tool for creating groups where they can have discussions, create custom pages, and upload all types of files. There are many other websites that are very helpful for teachers that need to incorporate technology into their classrooms.  There is also an article that shows you how to start a class blog.  Overall I was very surprised that there are so many resources out there to help teachers.  I’m relieved that these websites exist because I will need all the help I can get in the future when I’m a teacher and I find myself in need of incorporating these new digital tools in the classroom.  I also learned that much of the decisions to incorporate technology in the classroom come from the school districts administrations commitment to technology at the schools.  I chose to look further into this topic because I feel that communication between students, parents, and teachers is critical for the success of students.  With the technology now available communication and collaboration are now easier and as a future teacher I believe it’s important for me to learn how to take advantage of the resources available.

Journal#2: Twitter (Nets-T 3)

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock!. Learning & Leading with Technology , 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org
McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Learning & leading with technology . Enhance your Twitter Experience, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org

     The first article basically gave you a rundown of how to use twitter.  First you need to set up an account and it is recommended to add an avatar or a picture of yourself with a little description about yourself.  Then you need to learn to follow people that have the same interests you do that way when they post something you will have access to it. You don’t need to be an active contributor to learn on twitter.  If you choose you can just watch and listen there is no need for you to participate, you can learn so much from just reading the posts. When you feel more comfortable you can began to retweet and even share your own ideas. Twitter is great way to build your professional learning network.  Once you have built a network it will help your teaching because you can get so much help from others that share your same passion.
     In second article the teacher writes about how beneficial twitter has been for her class and other teachers at her school. The article mentions tools and tips that can improve your twitter experience. Using a twitter organizer and managing tweets with a bookmarklet were the two big topics.  I see how twitter can open up a whole new world I just need to dive in and become more familiar because it almost seemed like she was talking a different language.
Q1.How can I use twitter in the future when I’m teaching?
A. I think I can use twitter by creating a network of educators throughout the world.  When I need help with a lesson plan or I need to figure out how to do something better they can be very helpful. I think just reading the different tweets that many of these educators that have a ton of experience can be very beneficial.
Q2.Twitter seems so foreign, how do I become more familiar with it?
A. I think the best thing to do is to dive right in and begin using twitter now. You could build a professional and personal account. The only way to get familiar with it is hands on so you can experience it for yourself. Hopefully by the time I’m teaching I’ll have a good PLN so that my students and I can benefit from it.

Journal #1: Taking Laptops Schoolwide (NETS-T 3)

Green, T, Donovan, L, & Bass, K. (2010). Taking laptops schoolwide: a professional learning community approach. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org

Summary: Many schools from K-8 have been successful at implementing laptops in the classroom. Where you see the most success is in schools where the teachers and administration collaborate so that everyone is on the same page. Students will learn how to use basic programs in lower grades and as they go up in grades teachers are aware of the student’s knowledge so that they can build on it, that way they aren't doing the same things over and over. The approach used is Richard DuFour's (PLC) Professional Learning Community where the teachers of the same grade levels meet and discuss student data, progress, and plan lessons. In the Fullerton school district some schools are participating in the program and they have already seen success on in teaching math skills to their students. To start the collaborative approach you need to consider school climate, communication, collaboration, and progression of use.

Question #1. The article mentions that 6 of the 20 schools in the Fullerton district implemented the laptop program, how do you think they decided what schools? And why?

Answer: I think they picked the six schools that best met the four factors; schools where the climate already encouraged innovation because teachers were already using laptops, also schools where parents were already actively involved in their children’s education. I think these schools were chosen because the school districts administration felt these schools had a student body that would most benefit and be able to succeed in the laptop program.

Question #2. Do you think some schools have an advantage over other schools at implementing the program and being successful?

Answer: I think schools with a higher percentage of white privileged students, of higher social-economic status are at a major advantage.  These schools four factors lend themselves to a more successful program. These parents will be more involved with their children’s education and there will be more support from the community. I think it’s great that these programs are now available it just concerns me that it leaves some children at a disadvantage that needs to be addressed.

Intro of Myself....David Rodriguez (Nets-1)

Hello Everyone,

My name is David Rodriguez and I am a senior here at CSUSM.  I will be graduating at the end of this semester with a degree in History.  I will hopefully be back in the Fall of 2011 for the teaching credential program.  I hope to teach high school in the future.  Some of my favorite hobbies are watching sports, playing poker, and home brewing!  I'm blessed to have been born and raised in beautiful sunny San Diego!   I grew up in Encinitas where I also attended school throughout high school.  I started school at Cardiff Elementary where I went from Kindergarden to 2nd grade.  I then went to Ada Harris from 3rd-6th grade.  I later went to Oak Crest for 7th-8th grade.  For high school I had the choice of San Dieguito Academy or La Costa Canyon.  Although I liked the location of San Dieguito better I chose to attend LCC because they had better sports programs.  After high school I went to school at Palomar College were I got stuck bouncing around from major to major for 3.5 years!  I then came to CSUSM for 1 year and then decided to take a semester off which turned into 3.5 years....yeah time flies!  My first semester back was last fall and i'm glad I finally made it back!

In regards to technology I would have to say i'm not very technologically savvy.  I feel that the last several years technology has been improving itself so rapidly and I have failed to keep up.  I don't own any of the latest cell phones, ipods, ipads, and whatever else is out there....I just don't feel the need for them although when I see what some of these things can do I think its totally awesome!  With that said though I did go out and purchase a new TV and an Apple laptop this weekend! lol  I needed a laptop and I had really gotten to like my sisters so I decided it was time to convert to a Mac.  Im not very much into computers I mainly just use them for school work, surfing the web, and playing poker!  I like the fact that computers can do so much these days but I dislike that i'm very limited on what I know how do with them...especially Macs.  I am excited about this class because I think I will get a lot out of it!

Although CSUSM/COE Mission Statement was not a factor in me choosing to apply here for the credential program it reassures me that it was a great choice.  I feel that the statement stands for many of the same reasons I have chosen teaching as a profession.  By becoming a teacher I hope to be a part of the changes taking place in public education so that all students have an equal chance of being successful!