Journal 3: 100 Things that make me happy!

1. My mom
2. My dad
3. my brother dylan (most the time)
4. my little sister Kristen( except during her pre-teen mood swings)
5. My step mom Jennifer
6. My step dad Bent
7. my Estonian step relatives
8. my grandpa and all his projects
9. my grandmas silly habits
10. my aunt michelle 
11. my cousins learning with my grandparents
12. the rest of my family
13. Hiking torrey pines with my brother
14. the beach!
15. warm water
16. sand and sun!
17. sea shells
18. sun tanning
19. pools
20. hot tubs
21. lifeguarding
22. working and earning
23. camp cedar glen
24. Julian 
25. Football fields
26. Football games
27. outdoor tracks
28. playing soccer
29. playing softball
30. dancing
31. going to bars
32. spending time with my friends
33. making new friends
34. getting together with old friends
35. Fresno State greek life
36. Delta Zeta 
37. sisterhood
38. my sisters
39. Ladybugs
40. Turtles
41. Diamonds
42. having my own room
43. my pretty car
44. my cell phone!!
45. my laptop!!
46. my families health
47. my own health
48. my bed
49. naps :)
50. food!
51. Camping at the beach
52. Camping in the dessert
53. my quad
54. my families trailer
55. motorcycles
56. boys
57. being outside
58. kids
59. working with kids
60. playing games with kids
61. teaching kids
62. getting my nails done
63. buying new clothes
64. shopping in general
65. beer
66. drinking with friends
67. drinking with family
68. laughing
69. the office
70. modern family
71. grey's anatomy
72. desperate housewives
73. full house!
74. disney movies
75. having a job finally!
76. having a degree
77. living in SD again
78. snowboarding
79. traveling
80. my new ugg boats
81. my pretty high heels
82. getting dressed up
83. sweatpants!
84. comfy sweatshirts
85. spending money!
86. relaxing
87. vacations
88. the internet
89. netflix
90. facebook
91. hulu
92. email
93. keeping in contact with fresno friends
94. girls nights
95. watching movies
96. cooking
97. getting good grades
98. sunsets
99. star gazing
100. living life!

Technology Self-Assesment: School 2.0

NETS-T 2, 4, 5

This was an internet resource that allowed us to test our own familiarity with the NETS standards and explore helpful resources that would ahelp enamble us to meet the standards in our classroom. 

I choose to explore Nets-Ts standard 4, Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibly, because it seemed very interesting to me.  The Question that really caught my eye was number 4 which stated, "I involve students in opportunities to develop cultural understanding and global awareness through digital-age communications and collaboration projects with students from other countries." As of today, I would have no clue how to engage my class with communication with other students from other countries, but see this as a truly remarkable learning tool.  However while this site did not have any specific resources to help me establish this communication, it did have many other resources involving teaching students proper online etiquette and communication with others.  One that I thought would be a great classroom experience was titled, Skype an Author, in which students would be able to actually sit face to face via the internet with the author of the book they are studying.  Another great tool was called eLanguages, and was a collaboration tool for teachers around the world to share lessons and ideas.  Through this site Teachers can begin conversations with teachers from other countries which could possible build a online relationship between the two classes, in which the students will be able to learn about the others cultures and lifestyles.  

Journal 2: "Join the Flock", "Enhance your Twitter Experience" NETS-T 1,3,4

Ferguson, H, & McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Join the flock, enhance your twitter experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx

Summary:
This article is written as a beginners guide for educators using twitter as a professional learning network, or PLN.  It begins with Hadley Furguson's step by step instructions on forming a twitter account and establishing an interactive community.  She explains how when you set up your account is it important to identify yourself in your bio with personal interests that you may wish to learn more about by following others with the same identifiers.  For example, as a teacher, I would want to identify myself as so to attract other people with similar interests who may want to follow me and share their ideas.  You will then begin to form a network of people who will tweet helpful resources which you can read and learn from.  She explains how even if you are apprehensive about leaving your own input you can read others post with no pressure.  However, once you feel comfortable to input your own knowledge, your community of followers will grow and establish more resources for your professional growth. 
From here, Shannon McClinton Miller continues by explaining ways to enhance your twitter experience.  She explains how her twitter account has exposed her to many great educational tools that she otherwise would have never known about.  Not only can you learn from others, but you as well can share with others great resources and expose your followers to helpful links.  Shannon continues by explaining how to use helpful tools to help organize and manage all the resources of the twitter community.  She explains the use of hash tags to focus in on a specific area of concentration as well as organization tools such as tweet deck and hirsute to help easily manage your different communities of interest.  Through these articles, the beginning tweeter can learn of the advantages to a PLN, and the ways in which they can benefit by using twitter as an educational resource. 

Question 1: What is a PLN, and how is it helpful for educators?

A PLN is a personal learning network, meaning a connection between a network of people who share similar interests as yourself, that you can follow and learn from.  This tool is extremely beneficial for educators as our goals should be to always be learning.  With this resource we can connect with fellow educators all around the globe which can expose you to numerous opportunities.  You can get ideas about lesson plans, what worked well in one classroom and not so well in another, as well helpful Internet links to online resources.  In addition you can exchange conversations and learn of new or different concepts. 

Question 2:  What is one way you can enhance your twitter account, to make it more beneficial for your professional growth?

I believe that I can use twitter as an educational tool if I take the time to establish my PLN by exploring the site and finding people to follow who share in my interests and tweet things that i find interesting or helpful.  Through following others with similar interests i will be exposed to many more, and be able to broaden my community and knowledge.

Journal 1: "Do Web 2.0 Right" NETS-S 1-4

Light, Daniel. (2011). Do web 2.0 right . Learning and Leading, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

Summary:
Today technology is being used universally by the old and young, and while teachers are prone to discourage kids from using electronics in the classroom, it makes more sense to incorporate it into their daily lessons.  This article explains how even though technology can be a scary thought when applying it to the classroom, today teachers are fortunate enough to learn from other educators experiences to use technology as a positive educational aid. In this article the author discusses the elements of daily lessons, audience, and appropriate online behavior. 
Educators shared their experience of using both private, and group blogs in the classroom as an overall positive experience.  Blogs can be used both as a private journal between student and teacher as a form of assessment, as well as as a group blog to encourage communication amongst the classroom.  Some positive aspects of the blogs include allowing all students an opportunity to speak up, and participate in a less threatening environment.  It also allows students extra time to clearly articulate their argument and use other resources to back up their claim. However, some students may be concerned with the idea that anybody could read their blog postings, and this could discourage meaningful participation.  This is why it is important to consider the audience and post assignments that would be of interest to the students and encourage thoughtful posts and conversation.  Finally the importance of maintaining appropriate behavior is to create a friendly environment where all students feel safe to present their ideas and take risks.  It is important to limit the participants to only members of the class in which you can create a trusting and open community.  Students should understand appropriate and inappropriate comments, so that everyone will feel safe to post their ideas with in their online community.  Through these elements web 2.0 can be a very effective educational tool that will encourage participation and allow for easy communication even after the school day has ended. 

How could you use web 2.0 in your classroom?
I believe that I would use both private blogs and a class blog in my classroom.  Private blogs would be a great form of assessment, as students would not have to worry about their peers reading their comments and therefore could genuinely reflect upon their lessons.  Here I could read students individual thoughts and learn of things I could have explained better or topics I should recover.  In addition, I believe a class blog would be a great tool to encourage an open community where the class felt safe to communicate with one another.  Here students could ask questions, and be answered by their peers.  In addition, I could use it to introduce a topic where students can learn through conversation amongst one another. 

What is one precaution you would make prior to using web 2.0 in your classroom?
While using the Internet, there are many risks that I believe students should be aware of prior to using the web as an educational tool.  I believe it is important to explain to students the difference between secure and insecure sites and teach them what is and is not appropriate to post on the Internet such as personal information.  I also believe it would be important to establish an open and supportive learning community with in the classroom prior to using class blogs, so the class will understand constructive criticism and appropriate communication amongst their peers.