What a clever invention for use in the classroom. You could call it a modern day chalkboard without the messiness of chalk because a "STYLUS PEN" is used. Better yet, there is a ActiveBoard, projector and a laptop that has internet connection where all three are connected to each other simultaneously.
There are a number of advantages of using a ActiveBoard and integrating it into the curriculum. Teacher is able to teach and show information easily using the laptop with Internet connection projected on to the ActiveBoard with the added connection of a projector. Teacher is better able to guide and teach students more effectively in how to use technology skills using a mouse. Student interactivity becomes higher. Students enjoy getting feedback immediately, especially if it's positive.
Students are able to show the teacher immediately what they have learned, processed and understood if they are asked by the teacher to go to the ActiveBoard and do a mathematical problem. The ActiveBoard can be used for all subject matter being presented and taught in the classroom.
With the latest invention and use of ACTIVote the students in the classroom will feel non threatened to answer questions asked by the teacher. The ACTIvote is the newest tool that comes with a "YES" and "NO" button. The teacher can ask the class a question and ask everyone to answer the question by pressing one of the two buttons, with either a "YES" or a "NO" answer. What is great is the fact that that teacher is the only one who knows who answered the question correctly or incorrectly. Students are not embarrassed when they feel that they have answered a question incorrectly.
As we assembled the ActiveBoard together as a team and the professor stated that we would be playing "Pictionary," I realized that "yes" learning can be fun and educational even when playing "Pictionary." It can be directed towards or incorporate many subject areas. Eg. Social Studies, Spelling, or a History lesson or unit. Words that students are learning that cross over into multiple subject areas.
With the use of the ActiveBoard there are additional USB ports that can be used to attach a scanner, a digital camera, or digital video camera. The ActiveBoard accommodates a wide variety of technological tools. This makes for better learning. Students can also be active learners and teachers. Students can use the scanner to scan pictures or brochures directly to the laptop. A digital camera to take pictures (of the class) and upload them onto the laptop and view them on the laptop and be projected by the projector onto the ActiveBoard. A digital video camera can be used to record footage of film and take pictures. So much can be done with just a ActiveBoard. Imagine that kind of creativity at a teachers fingertips. We've definitely come a long way since the chalkboard.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Integrating Output Devices in the Classroom.
How would I integrate 3 output devices into my classroom and curriculum? Why would I use them?
Using I-Movie, Photobooth, and I-Squint simultaneously was incredible. Using all 3 output devices would be impossible to do with students in the classroom altogether but easier to do seperately. Due to the fact that I learned that output devices need to be converted wihen used together. Informing and teaching student's that output devices need to be converted so that they work will not be as simple as it sounds. I realized students can use any one of the three mentioned output devices in any assignment they are doing seperately. I-Movie can be used with music, pictures and transitions. It took the group I was in 5 to 10 minutes to create a presentation with music, pictures and transitions. Within the classroom use of I-Movie will take longer to create because the teacher will have to introduce it and discuss how it is used, shown how to use it by getting music from a file or from the internet, use pictures taken from a web camera or digital camera, and show how transitions are used to make the presentation interesting.
Photobooth is another great tool that student's can use easily too. New Macintosh and personal computers come with the webcamera preinstalled. In my computer lab we don't have state of the art computers with webcams. Student's can use a digital camera and transfer the pictures into Photobooth.
With I-Squint you can take instant videos right away. Student's will be able to see themselves, retake, delete and edit their videos instantly.
I would use I-Movie, Photobooth and I-Squint and incorporate them into the curriculum. Each output device is engaging and I can see how it would stimulate a student to want to produce a presentation individually or with a group. Eg. Students are doing Science projects. With I-Movie students can take pictures of the experiments done within the classroom using the webcam or digital camera. They can find music and download it and play it with their pictures.
With I-Squint students can talk about and explain how an experiment is done face to face with the camera. They can show the steps involved in doing an experiment and what it the finished project will look like. Students are able to edit their videos right away. With Photobooth they can take still pictures of their project step by step and incorporate transitions into their presentations. When students are engaged they are learning. These three output devices with have students engaged in doing any kind of project. Students love to learn about new technologies and they may even know how to use them. They can help teach these new tools to their classmates.
Using I-Movie, Photobooth, and I-Squint simultaneously was incredible. Using all 3 output devices would be impossible to do with students in the classroom altogether but easier to do seperately. Due to the fact that I learned that output devices need to be converted wihen used together. Informing and teaching student's that output devices need to be converted so that they work will not be as simple as it sounds. I realized students can use any one of the three mentioned output devices in any assignment they are doing seperately. I-Movie can be used with music, pictures and transitions. It took the group I was in 5 to 10 minutes to create a presentation with music, pictures and transitions. Within the classroom use of I-Movie will take longer to create because the teacher will have to introduce it and discuss how it is used, shown how to use it by getting music from a file or from the internet, use pictures taken from a web camera or digital camera, and show how transitions are used to make the presentation interesting.
Photobooth is another great tool that student's can use easily too. New Macintosh and personal computers come with the webcamera preinstalled. In my computer lab we don't have state of the art computers with webcams. Student's can use a digital camera and transfer the pictures into Photobooth.
With I-Squint you can take instant videos right away. Student's will be able to see themselves, retake, delete and edit their videos instantly.
I would use I-Movie, Photobooth and I-Squint and incorporate them into the curriculum. Each output device is engaging and I can see how it would stimulate a student to want to produce a presentation individually or with a group. Eg. Students are doing Science projects. With I-Movie students can take pictures of the experiments done within the classroom using the webcam or digital camera. They can find music and download it and play it with their pictures.
With I-Squint students can talk about and explain how an experiment is done face to face with the camera. They can show the steps involved in doing an experiment and what it the finished project will look like. Students are able to edit their videos right away. With Photobooth they can take still pictures of their project step by step and incorporate transitions into their presentations. When students are engaged they are learning. These three output devices with have students engaged in doing any kind of project. Students love to learn about new technologies and they may even know how to use them. They can help teach these new tools to their classmates.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Technologies that I cannot live without!
The Technologies that I currently use in my Library are the Internet, the Overhead projector and the TV and Computer simultaneously whereby when the computer monitor screen is on, it is projected onto the TV screen. Students are visually able to see the lesson being taught by the teacher step by step by watching the images from the computer monitor being projected onto the TV screen. We have a digital camera that is allowed to be used by the staff. I have yet to use the digital camera for library use for classroom projects and themes.
My title is Library, Media, Technology Specialist. I have two positions: that of a Librarian and Computer Teacher. I teach PreK through 4th graders. There are 24 classrooms and I see a total of 800 student's in a week. I teach on the South East side near the Illinois/Indiana border. I work in a high poverty area. I teach in a Hispanic/Mexican area. 95% of the students are Hispanic, with the remaining 5% made up of Croatian, Polish, African American and Caucasian descent. My school is called Gallistel Language Academy. We have two libraries and one houses the computers. We have 15 computers that work. I teach library skills as well as computer lessons. My teaching style is open and accomodates to the needs of all the students here. I teach the student's how to research information online for themes or holidays they are doing in their classrooms and play educationally interactive games at elementary sites. This year I am trying to teach them MS.WORD and how to save information on a CD rom or Floppy disk. I am trying to bring in the use a of digital camera and video camera for use in projects. Gallistel students do not have computers at home. The only place they come into contact with one is at school or at their neighborhood public library or at a computer center that has been established in their area that is accessed by the community. I am the only individual that troubleshoots problems at my school when the computers are having issues.
My title is Library, Media, Technology Specialist. I have two positions: that of a Librarian and Computer Teacher. I teach PreK through 4th graders. There are 24 classrooms and I see a total of 800 student's in a week. I teach on the South East side near the Illinois/Indiana border. I work in a high poverty area. I teach in a Hispanic/Mexican area. 95% of the students are Hispanic, with the remaining 5% made up of Croatian, Polish, African American and Caucasian descent. My school is called Gallistel Language Academy. We have two libraries and one houses the computers. We have 15 computers that work. I teach library skills as well as computer lessons. My teaching style is open and accomodates to the needs of all the students here. I teach the student's how to research information online for themes or holidays they are doing in their classrooms and play educationally interactive games at elementary sites. This year I am trying to teach them MS.WORD and how to save information on a CD rom or Floppy disk. I am trying to bring in the use a of digital camera and video camera for use in projects. Gallistel students do not have computers at home. The only place they come into contact with one is at school or at their neighborhood public library or at a computer center that has been established in their area that is accessed by the community. I am the only individual that troubleshoots problems at my school when the computers are having issues.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Evidence Based Post # 4 - SECOND LIFE & AVATARS
Evidence Based Post # 4 - SECOND LIFE & AVATARS
Before taking this graduate class, I had never heard of “Second Life.” Now I can say I know what it is. Yet, for me I can say that “Ignorance is Bliss” when I didn’t know about a site that millions of people are logging on and interacting daily through instant messaging, chat sessions, buying of property and meeting people in virtual reality. In virtual reality individuals are always disguising their identities. Creating an avatar that an individual would like to be in real life, now that’s scary. Yet, the reality is that we do it all the time. Subconsciously on some level we want to be the avatar we created. Yes, there are advantages of using Second Life by showing Power Points, instant messaging and chatting with classes with 3 d created avatars. Even after learning about Second Life, am I going to use it outside of the graduate program? The probability would be small. I’m not quite sure what the fascination is with this site besides being able to walk and fly your avatar. That’s just my opinion. For other’s, I’m thinking the fascination is being able to disguise oneself and meet people they wouldn’t otherwise meet in real life.
Teens and adult women are the fastest growing group of individuals who are using the internet for chatting, instant messaging, shopping, downloading music, and creating 3 dimensional avatars. “In the article Tech and the City posted by Ella Morton, she has researched and discovered that there are 4 types of avatars that individuals create:
1.) The Faux-Nonchalant Self-Portrait- uploaded pictures of the individual,
2.) The Pop-Culture-Icon Icon (Type A: Genuine) the avatar is a celebrity, or a character from a film or from a television show that the individual is a fan of
3.) The Pop-Culture-Icon Icon (Type B: Ironic) Icons featuring pop culture figures often reflect this desire to ironically worship those who represent failure, dagginess and ineptitude. ie. Tom Cruise famous episode of jumping on Oprah's couch where users made icons of Tom Cruise killing Oprah with his laser-beam eyes and
4.) The Icon of Shameless Exhibitionism - were individuals, especially women, who upload photos of themselves in skimpy outfits who disclose their full names and other identifying details.”[1]
In other article written by John Suler called, “ The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communications, he poses the question, What kinds of avatars do members create for themselves? Some are pictures of icons borrowed from internet archives, scanned from hardcopy, or taken from other digital sources. Users might edit or combine these pictures according to their particular tastes. Some artistic members create props from scratch, although he says that this is a fairly rare or envious skill. The technical and artistic ability one demonstrates through personal avatars is an important source of self-esteem and social status.”[2]
In the same article, Suler also found “that another simpler approach to categorizing avatars would be to group them according to general visual types. Each one conveys interesting psychological and social themes which in some cases overlap with the personality types. Here are a few examples of some of the very many different types of avatars there are: Personality types, Visual types, Animal, Cartoon, Celebrity, Evil, Real Face, Idiosyncratic, Positional, Power, Seductive an Other Avatars a category completely different from those already listed.”[3] Which One Are You?
In the world of make believe, it’s just that make believe. People leave the real world and indulge in their fantasies. In “Second Life,” “The Palace,” and other sites 3-d avatars are dating, having relationships with one another, and getting married online. Also, police are monitoring sites to catch pedophiles. Since millions of people can disguise themselves in any form or type of avatar, regardless of what they may look like in real life, it’s hard to know what kind of person is really behind the avatar. These sites also have pedophiles who proposition and entice teens. Men have been known to take on the gender of a female avatar as an easier way to approach and talk to girls. Why are millions of people so trusting to the 3d created avatars they are talking too online? People naturally crave attention and seek approval that they do not get in real life. The dangers of these resulting in live face to face interactions is high- even resulting in kidnappings and death.
I know that I am very weary when it comes to creating an avatar for cyber space. Yet, the truth is that there are far more “lunatics and crazy people” out there than “normal people.” So, I’ll be safe and be an avatar in the Second Life cyber classroom.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
[1] Morton, Ella. Tech in the City -Superstars and Avatars. http://www.zdnet.com.au/blogs/techandthecity/soa/Superstars-and-avatars/0,139033352,339270872,00.htm
2 Suler, John. The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communications.
http:// www.rider.edu/suler/psycyber/psyav.html
3 ibid.
Before taking this graduate class, I had never heard of “Second Life.” Now I can say I know what it is. Yet, for me I can say that “Ignorance is Bliss” when I didn’t know about a site that millions of people are logging on and interacting daily through instant messaging, chat sessions, buying of property and meeting people in virtual reality. In virtual reality individuals are always disguising their identities. Creating an avatar that an individual would like to be in real life, now that’s scary. Yet, the reality is that we do it all the time. Subconsciously on some level we want to be the avatar we created. Yes, there are advantages of using Second Life by showing Power Points, instant messaging and chatting with classes with 3 d created avatars. Even after learning about Second Life, am I going to use it outside of the graduate program? The probability would be small. I’m not quite sure what the fascination is with this site besides being able to walk and fly your avatar. That’s just my opinion. For other’s, I’m thinking the fascination is being able to disguise oneself and meet people they wouldn’t otherwise meet in real life.
Teens and adult women are the fastest growing group of individuals who are using the internet for chatting, instant messaging, shopping, downloading music, and creating 3 dimensional avatars. “In the article Tech and the City posted by Ella Morton, she has researched and discovered that there are 4 types of avatars that individuals create:
1.) The Faux-Nonchalant Self-Portrait- uploaded pictures of the individual,
2.) The Pop-Culture-Icon Icon (Type A: Genuine) the avatar is a celebrity, or a character from a film or from a television show that the individual is a fan of
3.) The Pop-Culture-Icon Icon (Type B: Ironic) Icons featuring pop culture figures often reflect this desire to ironically worship those who represent failure, dagginess and ineptitude. ie. Tom Cruise famous episode of jumping on Oprah's couch where users made icons of Tom Cruise killing Oprah with his laser-beam eyes and
4.) The Icon of Shameless Exhibitionism - were individuals, especially women, who upload photos of themselves in skimpy outfits who disclose their full names and other identifying details.”[1]
In other article written by John Suler called, “ The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communications, he poses the question, What kinds of avatars do members create for themselves? Some are pictures of icons borrowed from internet archives, scanned from hardcopy, or taken from other digital sources. Users might edit or combine these pictures according to their particular tastes. Some artistic members create props from scratch, although he says that this is a fairly rare or envious skill. The technical and artistic ability one demonstrates through personal avatars is an important source of self-esteem and social status.”[2]
In the same article, Suler also found “that another simpler approach to categorizing avatars would be to group them according to general visual types. Each one conveys interesting psychological and social themes which in some cases overlap with the personality types. Here are a few examples of some of the very many different types of avatars there are: Personality types, Visual types, Animal, Cartoon, Celebrity, Evil, Real Face, Idiosyncratic, Positional, Power, Seductive an Other Avatars a category completely different from those already listed.”[3] Which One Are You?
In the world of make believe, it’s just that make believe. People leave the real world and indulge in their fantasies. In “Second Life,” “The Palace,” and other sites 3-d avatars are dating, having relationships with one another, and getting married online. Also, police are monitoring sites to catch pedophiles. Since millions of people can disguise themselves in any form or type of avatar, regardless of what they may look like in real life, it’s hard to know what kind of person is really behind the avatar. These sites also have pedophiles who proposition and entice teens. Men have been known to take on the gender of a female avatar as an easier way to approach and talk to girls. Why are millions of people so trusting to the 3d created avatars they are talking too online? People naturally crave attention and seek approval that they do not get in real life. The dangers of these resulting in live face to face interactions is high- even resulting in kidnappings and death.
I know that I am very weary when it comes to creating an avatar for cyber space. Yet, the truth is that there are far more “lunatics and crazy people” out there than “normal people.” So, I’ll be safe and be an avatar in the Second Life cyber classroom.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
[1] Morton, Ella. Tech in the City -Superstars and Avatars. http://www.zdnet.com.au/blogs/techandthecity/soa/Superstars-and-avatars/0,139033352,339270872,00.htm
2 Suler, John. The Psychology of Avatars and Graphical Space in Multimedia Chat Communications.
http:// www.rider.edu/suler/psycyber/psyav.html
3 ibid.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Site of the Week # 4- Monday, May 28th
Site of the Week # 4 – Monday, May 28th
www.barbie.com also known as http://barbie.everythinggirl.com
A very “Cool” site that young girls in grades K-4 will love. Girls of
elementary age love to play and find out the latest at this site. There’s
a chat and dance session with diva Barbie, you can be a fashion designer, with Radio Barbie you can hear her newly recorded songs from her new CD “Hit Mix 2,” and find out what’s cool in Barbie’s bedroom, closet, TV studio, game room, garden and the mall. The mall is all about buying the latest Barbie items.
Meet a hot young Mexican music group who are famous that are called “RBD,” choose who you wanna be on “B Who U Wanna Be,” meet “Hillary Duff,” and
“Chat Divas” where girls can talk with Barbie, listen to songs, and plug in their
IPOD’S and watch Barbie dance to their downloaded tunes. Endless possibilities for girls. A little girl is in heaven when she is playing on this site. There are links to other sites such as http://myscene.everythinggirl.com/home.aspx http://pollypocket.everythinggirl.com/home.aspx
http://pixelchix.everythinggirl.com/us/home/
http://teentrendsgirls.everythinggirl.com/#
and play games with the Barbie link through her game room
http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/activities/fun_games/.
Technology Foundation Standards applied are
Basic operation and concepts
1· Student are proficient in the use of technology
Performance Indicators for Technology- Literate Students
1. Use input devices (eg. mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer)
to successfully operate computers, VCR’s, audiotapes, and
other technologies.
www.barbie.com also known as http://barbie.everythinggirl.com
A very “Cool” site that young girls in grades K-4 will love. Girls of
elementary age love to play and find out the latest at this site. There’s
a chat and dance session with diva Barbie, you can be a fashion designer, with Radio Barbie you can hear her newly recorded songs from her new CD “Hit Mix 2,” and find out what’s cool in Barbie’s bedroom, closet, TV studio, game room, garden and the mall. The mall is all about buying the latest Barbie items.
Meet a hot young Mexican music group who are famous that are called “RBD,” choose who you wanna be on “B Who U Wanna Be,” meet “Hillary Duff,” and
“Chat Divas” where girls can talk with Barbie, listen to songs, and plug in their
IPOD’S and watch Barbie dance to their downloaded tunes. Endless possibilities for girls. A little girl is in heaven when she is playing on this site. There are links to other sites such as http://myscene.everythinggirl.com/home.aspx http://pollypocket.everythinggirl.com/home.aspx
http://pixelchix.everythinggirl.com/us/home/
http://teentrendsgirls.everythinggirl.com/#
and play games with the Barbie link through her game room
http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/activities/fun_games/.
Technology Foundation Standards applied are
Basic operation and concepts
1· Student are proficient in the use of technology
Performance Indicators for Technology- Literate Students
1. Use input devices (eg. mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer)
to successfully operate computers, VCR’s, audiotapes, and
other technologies.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Evidence Based Posting #3- Monday, May 21st. '07
Evidence Based Posting #3 –Monday, May 21st. ‘07
“5 Mistakes You May Be Making When Choosing Passwords”
You think you have it all figured out and no one can get your information online. Think again!! This article is eye opening. I thought my information was protected from hackers until I read this article. People think that their information is safe with the passwords they have chosen. Nicole Dean the writer of the article “5 Mistakes You May Be Making When Choosing Passwords” lists the top 5 commonly made mistakes individuals make and they are:" Mistake #1: Using the same passwords for all accounts. Deans advises to use different passwords for all the many different accounts you have. Mistake #2: Short passwords: Individuals need to create longer passwords. The longer the better because it becomes harder for hackers to figure it out. Mistake #3: BradPitt, Charlie, Sarah, Princess, Barbie, Gandolf—Did I guess it yet? Never put names of people or family members you know. Mistake #4: Easy to remember English words. Forget making passwords up in English, make some up in German, Spanish, Russian or any other language you speak, and Mistake #5: Numbers are no-no’s. On line hackers can break numbered passwords of maybe your birthdates and anniversaries.”[1]
Nicole Dean suggests that “if all this sounds too hard to remember, then consider using a Password program. Most of the good password programs will not only store your passwords on your computer, but they’ll generate completely random passwords when you need one.” [2] Dean lists three sites that individuals can go too that can help them with keeping their passwords safe and they are: “www.fgroupsoft.com/Traysafe/
www.treepad.com/treepadsafe and http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/.” [3]
Next time you want to create a new password think of this article. These tools that Nicole Dean provides may avoid you from having sleepless nights and wondering if someone online has your information.
[1]
1 Dean, Nicole. 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Choosing A Password http://www.networkliquidators.com/article-5-mistakes-you-might-be-making-when-choosing-a-password.asp
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
“5 Mistakes You May Be Making When Choosing Passwords”
You think you have it all figured out and no one can get your information online. Think again!! This article is eye opening. I thought my information was protected from hackers until I read this article. People think that their information is safe with the passwords they have chosen. Nicole Dean the writer of the article “5 Mistakes You May Be Making When Choosing Passwords” lists the top 5 commonly made mistakes individuals make and they are:" Mistake #1: Using the same passwords for all accounts. Deans advises to use different passwords for all the many different accounts you have. Mistake #2: Short passwords: Individuals need to create longer passwords. The longer the better because it becomes harder for hackers to figure it out. Mistake #3: BradPitt, Charlie, Sarah, Princess, Barbie, Gandolf—Did I guess it yet? Never put names of people or family members you know. Mistake #4: Easy to remember English words. Forget making passwords up in English, make some up in German, Spanish, Russian or any other language you speak, and Mistake #5: Numbers are no-no’s. On line hackers can break numbered passwords of maybe your birthdates and anniversaries.”[1]
Nicole Dean suggests that “if all this sounds too hard to remember, then consider using a Password program. Most of the good password programs will not only store your passwords on your computer, but they’ll generate completely random passwords when you need one.” [2] Dean lists three sites that individuals can go too that can help them with keeping their passwords safe and they are: “www.fgroupsoft.com/Traysafe/
www.treepad.com/treepadsafe and http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/.” [3]
Next time you want to create a new password think of this article. These tools that Nicole Dean provides may avoid you from having sleepless nights and wondering if someone online has your information.
[1]
1 Dean, Nicole. 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Choosing A Password http://www.networkliquidators.com/article-5-mistakes-you-might-be-making-when-choosing-a-password.asp
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
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