Monday, November 28, 2011

NAEP

The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) is our country's way of letting us know how our students are performing in subject areas such as math and reading. This assessment is used to measure what students should know in grades 4, 8, and 12. After the assessment is given in these grades, the results are sent out with the other state test results. The West Virginia Department of Education then determines where West Virginia falls in comparison with other states in the country. In this assignment, we were to explore and analyze the data, then using the Excel program, create a table and a graph that represents the information.
I found this assignment to be much easier than the first because the information was right there for us. The challenging part seemed to be just navigating the Excel program, although my daughter is a great help when and if she has the patience to deal with me. Referring to the APA format is simple enough, however it can be time consuming referring to it because it is unfamiliar each time a different type of reference is cited.
NETS Technology Standards:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning, and creativity

d. model collaborative knowledge by engaging in learning with students and colleagues, in face-to-face and virtual

environments

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity, and assess their own progress

aligned with content and technology standards and use that data to inform learning and teaching

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright and the appropriate documentation of sources

b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning

c. evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning

d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Monday, November 14, 2011

APA Action Research

When I first began working on this assignment, I thought it was, once again, like trying to read another language. However, with the assistance of the discussion postings and Google, TGFG-Thank God for Google.... (What is a t-test, APA Guidelines, etc., I was finally able to figure it out, I think! Well...I'm not planning to bid on a TIS job anytime soon, that's for sure.
So I took the data from the surveys, created a table, found the results, and published the findings in a Google document.
The technology standards for this assignment include:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning,and creativity

d. model collaborative knowledge by engaging in learning with students and colleagues, in face-to-face and virtual environments.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Excel Data

t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances

	Variable 1	Variable 2
Mean	72.875	85.6
Variance	562.9821429	174.8
Observations	8	5
Pooled Variance	421.825
Hypothesized Mean Difference	0
df	11
t Stat	-1.086800809
P(T<=t) one-tail	0.150182972
t Critical one-tail	1.795884814
P(T<=t) two-tail	0.300365944
t Critical two-tail	2.200985159

This proved my hypothesis that gender did have an effect on age difference.

This assignment was possibly more frustrating than the Audacity project! I am still playing around in Excel and trying to figure out what exactly I am to do with this data. So far, this has been what I have figured out but I am still having problems with my second hypothesis.

NETS T Standards:
Standards the activity would fall under include:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. provide students with multiple formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use that data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

d.model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Data Analysis

Research Question 1: Does gender have anything to do with a quiz average?
Independent Variable: Quiz Average
Dependent Variable: Gender
Hypothesis: Quiz averages are dependent on gender.
Null Hypothesis: Gender has no effect on quiz averages.

Research Question 2: Does teaching status have anything to do with the number of blog posts?
Independent Variable: Teaching Status
Dependent Variable: Blog Posts
Hypothesis: If teaching, a person will have fewer blog posts.
Null Hypothesis: Teaching status and the number of blog posts have no correlation.

NETS T Standard #5.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Excel Basics

To begin this assignment, I used the "Find/Replace" tool to replace "Male" with "1" and "Female" with "2." The "Find/Replace" tool was under the "Home" tab on the far right side. Once I was able to locate the function, it was a pretty simple tool to use.

There are multiple ways to sort the data. The fastest way is to click a small box on the right side of a column and you can choose various ways to sort the data. The other way is to select the "Sort & Filter" function directly beside the "Find/Replace" tool. (It's all together...how convenient!)

Lastly, I was able to calculate the sum, average, max, etc. of the data in individual columns.

Not having used excel in quite some time, it took some catching up to do and playing around with it to figure out where everything was again. I attached a picture of what the data looked like after using the "Find/Replace" function, sorting, and calculating the sum of ages.
Standards the activity would fall under include:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning,

and creativity

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

d. provide students with multiple formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use that data to inform learning and teaching

c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

Monday, October 17, 2011

Research Review

The first part of this Action Research assignment was to download the date analysis toolpack. The directions were for the 2003 version of Excel, and as we have all found out, the 2007 version is much different. Before I ran to Google to find an answer, I looked around Excel to see if I could figure it out myself. After some searching, all I had to do was click on the main "File" option, and then "Excel Options." After that, I chose "Add-Ins" and selected "Data Analysis Tool Pack." After selecting "OK," it prompted for me to download the tool pack, and Excel automatically did so for me. I was then able to download the needed file.

We also had to read "The Rant." It was worth noting how far behind West Virginia is in our educational standards compared with the rest of the country. We need to begin out-teaching others, going beyond what is expected, and teaching our students beyond the norm. Because "education is a research-based enterprise," we should treat it as such.

NETS T Standards

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations
c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning

d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pew Millienial Test

Your Millennial score is 91!

The higher your score, the more you have in common with members of the Millennial generation.

I was surprised my score was this high! I tend to struggle with technology; it only causes me headaches. Perhaps the reason is because I am forced by "life" to become familiar with many forms of technology.
By using my birthday, I am considered "Gen Xer," but from my score, I have more in common with the Millenials! Way to go, me! I never would have thought!

Personality 2 - ISFP

ISFP

Introverted
Sensing
Feeling
Perceiving

The personality test diagnosed me as an “Artisan,” which I also agree fits my character. I do in fact climb mountains just because they are there. I put long hours into my work, but I am not lonely at all. When I begin a project, I immerse myself in it until there is a beautiful, finished product. The statement “Some have a remarkable way with young children, almost as if there were a natural bond of sympathy and trust between them” is very true in my case. I’ve always loved working with children of all ages. Although I cannot say the same about animals! I do enjoy being outside and surrounded by nature. I disagree with the part about not expressing myself verbally; I tend to be very outspoken about my beliefs.

Personality 1 - ISFJ

ISFJ

Introverted
Sensing
Feeling
Judging

My self-diagnosed personality type was the “Protector,” which I do agree with, for the most part. I am happy when things are changing, and prefer not to have strict rules placed upon me. I do cherish my family’s traditions. I used to work in the physical therapy field, so I do agree that I like to work with the “downtrodden” and can deal with disability better than most people. My shyness can be misjudged, but in reality I am just reserved. I simply stand back and assess situations before becoming involved. I am diligent in my work, and do not stop until my tasks are accomplished. I don’t consider my work to be undervalued; in fact, I don’t need approval from others to do my job well.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Audacity

Click Here to Listen to My Lesson on Music and Diversity!

Download this Lesson! (right click and save)

Can I say that this assignment was excruciatingly painful? Nevertheless, it was interesting and could be a useful tool for project-based learning as well as for teaching an endless variety of activities in the regular education classroom. The lesson I chose, Diversity or Multicultural Awareness, incorporates a song that is familiar to most everyone even if it isn't a celebrated occasion in all parts of the world. "Happy Birthday" is presented in several different languages and the lesson could be extended beyond that to include how bithdays are recognized in different parts of the world. The students are able to communicate their customs and traditions with their classmates or have guests can come in to share as well.
The standards that this assignment encompasses include but are not limited to the following:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning,

and creativity

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

, and assess their own progress

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities, set their own educational goals, manage their own learning

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning

d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Friday, September 16, 2011

Benderconverter

This is amazing. There are so many times I would like to use a video to demonstrate something in my classroom but our server blocks continued...)

I chose a "How to" video on "How to convert you tube videos to mp3." (Well, it was a great way to complete the lesson and learn "how to" at the same time.) Follow link if you would like:

In order to complete this assignment, I searched for a video to convert to mp3 and downloaded it so I could access it directly from my computer. Although that in and of itself should have made the process simple, nothing about this process was simple for me, at least. Basically I tried it a million times but I kept eliminating ONE step. Finally, after much trial and error, I DID IT!
I chose this video because it went along with an assignment we were doing in reading.
This activity and/or process is a great way to integrate technology into every content area. Although I wouldn't advocate my third grade student go on You tube and download videos due to the accessibility of inappropriate content for their age. I do see how it would be a great tool for teachers and perhaps high school students. I use United Streaming videos in my classroom as a way to inform students on a wide variety of topics but there are some things, especially in the "how to" area that are not available through US.

Some of the technology content standards that Ifeel this assignment would cover are as follows:

*Engaging students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources.

*Design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

*Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles,

*Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

*Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

* Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright and the appropriate documentation of sources

* Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

*Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community

building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others

jing Screencast: How to plant a tree.

http://screencast.com/t/1Wugk8oE

I am not really sure if this is what the assignment was asking for but I made a "how to" video with instructions on how to plant a tree. I was able to enter it into my blog and view it so hopefully it is correct.
This was a really interesting activity and I can see myself actually using it with my class. I did get somewhat frustrated when I couldn't get it to save. Finally I figured it out, but then I couldn't find it. In the end, I had to retrace my steps then follow all of the directions to get the embed code.

This would be a great tool to use at any grade level for any level of difficulty as well as for personal use. The possibilities are endless. One of the objectives in our Writing curriculum is to write a "how to" description of something the students know how to do from making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to tying their shoes. This would be a fun way to incorporate technology into their writing.

I believe this assignment meets all NETS standards but I will list the most pertinent.

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. models creative thinking

c. promotes student using collaborative tools to clarify understanding

d. models collaborative knowledge by engaging in virtual environments

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity and assess their own progress.

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities, set their own educational goals, manage their own learning

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles,

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright and the appropriate documentation of sources

b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Jeopardy

Creating Jepopardy,a game to review math concepts was the object of our lesson. Using Math games as an instructional tool is a great way to incorporate technology standards into/across the math curriculum. To create the Jeopardy game, I selected recently covered concepts and created a series topics along with questions and answers to fall under each. For example, one topic included math vocabulary. One question I selected was "What is the average called in a set of data?" For 300 points- The answer is the Mean.
This is a great way to review for a test either in small group or whole group instruction. It could also be used as a station activity or center.
NETS:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

The link to play Math Mania is....
http://jeopardylabs.com/play/math-mania46

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Wordle: Sojourner Truth

Word Cloud, or Wordle, is a program that allows the user to create a word/picture design. It uses a variety of text subjects and arranges the words in several different fonts, colors, and shapes.
At first I was very frustrated-again-at trying to teach myself because I kept running into a wall. Finally it worked and I was so excited that I created a couple just for fun.
Because I had difficulty retrieving the image, I ended up using the snipping tool to save it. I'm not sure if that is permissabe, but it worked!
Wordle would be a great resource for students to use by using text from different stories, holidays, and lists of words to create a unique design with words.
This is an excellent activity for incorporating technology into the content areas. For example, since Social Studies is now project-based according to the new technology standards, the students could use the site/ program a just one part of their project or book report. I chose a speech by Sojourner Truth, a woman who spoke out on equal rights as my sample speech.
NETS:

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities, set their own educational goals, manage their own learning

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Jing Graphic

http://content.screencast.com/users/kaslifeisgood02/folders/Jing/media/91edb2b1-42ca-4aa9-92c7-93ec7c8a06ce/2011-08-30_2145.png

This is a link to my image made through jing.This image is taken from the Museum of Natural History.
Jing is a useful tool for capturing images and uploading them as single images, parts of images, or as a video. After I finally it figured out, I realized that it is actually very user friendly. I like how you can share what you are looking at with someone else and it has features that allow for pointing, adding text, and highlighting. I plan to use this tool as an introduction into a discussion of student's prior knowledge of prehistoric animals. FYI: this site offers a variety of virtual field trips.
NETS:

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success

c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Diigo Library

Week 1 : Here are some links to useful web sites for teachers. There sites offer information in order and/or tools that follow the content standards for all some or all content areas.
virtual field trips: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listvirtualgr.html
projects for elementary subjects areas:http://www.globalclassroom.org/ecell00/javamath.html
A variety of teaching tools for elemen tary teachers: http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/

Picasso of Kelly

Link: http://www.picassohead.com/create.html

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ”
-Pablo Picasso

This started out really fun but then I started to feel like a real, live picasso !

I finally ended up getting the picture into my blog by snipping the picture from the email the site sent. Then I saved it to my pictures. Finally I used the insert image tab and browsed for the picasso of myself and inserted the picture into my blog.

And ....Tada...It's a Picasso of Kelly.

NETS:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking

b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote

student learning and creativity and assess their own progress

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities, set their own educational goals, manage their own learning

School Bus Safety

This snip could be used in our School Bus Safety Unit. The students discuss school bus safety, create a list on the paper given. They cut out a bus, color it, insert the rules into the bus, and display on a bulletin board. The poster could be printed using our poster machine at school. An image can be selected from the computer and made into a poster, then laminated for display.
NETS:

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer that knowledge to new situations

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools and resources to support research and learning

What do you make?

Monday, November 28, 2011

NAEP

Monday, November 14, 2011

APA Action Research

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Excel Data

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Data Analysis

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Excel Basics

Monday, October 17, 2011

Research Review

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pew Millienial Test

Your Millennial score is 91!

Personality 2 - ISFP

Personality 1 - ISFJ

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Audacity

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Ken Robinson: Changing education paradigms | Video on TED.com

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

Friday, September 16, 2011

Benderconverter

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

jing Screencast: How to plant a tree.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Jeopardy

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Wordle: Sojourner Truth

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Jing Graphic

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Diigo Library

Picasso of Kelly

School Bus Safety