Summary of Learning

For my summary of learning, I decided to use Google Slides as my artifact.  The reason I chose Google Slides is because I have never used it or experimented with it before.  I was hoping to be able to see a difference between Google Slides and regular PowerPoint but unfortunately there was not a very great difference.  However, after starting my summary of learning I really enjoyed being able to pick out a slide theme, fonts, colors, etc.

My biggest take-away's from EdTech would be the understanding of TPACK, blended learning, copyright, and the surprisingly enjoyment of blogging.  Most importantly though, I will take with me everything that I learned about eBooks.  Learning about the eBooks really caught my eye because it is a very great way for special needs kids to feel engaged and learn along with the class.  Since I will be working with autistic children as an educator, I can take what I learned about eBooks and hopefully transfer it into my own teachings.

In my future classroom, I plan to use technology a lot of the time but not all of the time.  I want my students to be able to have fun, experiment, do things on their own online but I also want them to learn through face-to-face interaction.  I hope to teach my students that technology is a responsibility and if that is how you want to learn, you'll have to understand it is all on you to read, type, research, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this class and am excited to incorporated my learning with my future teachings!  Below is my slideshow, enjoy!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IITHxyIY1pofT0no5HKSC0stKwntiGjTDCvAs1p-dp8/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000 

Major project wrap up.

By doing this major project, I didn't realize how much time and work would need to be put into it but it was completely worth it and I learned so much more than I thought I would.  While searching the internet for makeup products, I came across many different products I have never heard of before and even some great deals on certain brands.  I also picked up on some makeup tips that I found while specifically searching for contour products.  I not only used those tips during this project but I plan to use them in the future as well.  It's amazing to see how much more you can learn online even if you thought you already knew it all.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this project and all it's work!

Finally...

My end result and overall look on a typical day!

Shades on shades

Lipstick is my FAVORITE part when applying makeup.  It comes in hundreds of different shades and can be worn if you’re just going out to lunch with a friend or having a night out on the town.  Anyone can pull off any color.  Many women may disagree but if you put the right lipstick with the right makeup and outfit…you’re unstoppable.  Through these photos I will show you my four favorite shades of lipstick and when it becomes appropriate to where each color!

This color would be great for a family dinner, lunch with a girlfriend, or for a casual date.

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I love wearing this color on an everyday basis. To class, to the mall, to work, etc. It's a great casual look!

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This is my favorite color to wear on our girls night out. It's perfect for the casual bar scene or a fancy dinner. It's all about what you're wearing!

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This wine color lip liner (yes you can wear it as lipstick) is great to wear if you're going out in a big city, a hot date, or if you just want to feel sexy for the night. I love it!

Let's make those eyes POP

With eye shadow, different shades work best with different eye colors.  For example, shades of purples, greens, browns, and golds work best for hazel eyes.  For brown eyes, any shade will work but if you want to make your eyes really pop it’s best to go with a vibrant blue.  Shades of brown and gold will bring out green eyes very well.  Finally, shades of purple/blue and a neutral rust color would really help the blue in the eyes pop drastically.  In my case, I have hazel eyes and use mostly shades of brown and gold for a day time look and browns, golds, and purples for a night time look.

(Don't mind the corner of my eye brow, there's a scar that makes it hard for eye shadow or foundation to cover)

First foundation, then...

Contouring is the art of shading, framing, and highlighting your face to bring out or lessen distinct features.  When contouring, it’s important to make sure you use your foundation first and you are using the same color family or it will end up discoloring your face.  Also when contouring, be sure to blend all of the defined and highlighted areas!  Notice in my contour picture how I shaded around my cheeks to bring out my cheek bone.

REMEMBER!

With the list of products I posted last week, it’s important to remember that different products work for different people.  According to sources online and professional reviews, those products have the best quality and are known to last almost 24 hours on your face!  In my case, which you will see through photos that I will post during the next few weeks, I use a couple of those products but with my very sensitive skin I have to substitute. Don’t mind my pale skin but that’s what make up is for, right?! ;)

Better Products

We all have our opinions and different points of view on any kinds of products.  For your face, it's important that you're using makeup products and cleansers that don't irritate or change your skin.  I've made up a list of facial and eye products that, in my opinion, are the best for fairly sensitive skin. Remember, read your labels!

Foundation:
- Even Better Makeup SPF 15 by Clinique. $27.00. Oil Free. Improves clarity and gives a more even skin tone.
http://www.sephora.com/even-better-makeup-spf-15-P234967 

Bronzer/Contour:
- Sephor's Smashbox Contouring Palette. $45.00. Allows you to play with light to enhance, sculpt, highlight, and add shadow to the face.
http://www.sephora.com/step-by-step-contour-kit-P387426?skuId=1629500

Blush:
- MAC Powder Blush. $22.00. Color for the cheeks.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/156/329/Powder-Blush/index.tmpl

Eye shadow:
- Sephora Urban Decay Naked Palette 1, 2, or 3. $54.00. Features a dozen neutral and dark colors.
http://www.sephora.com/naked-palette-P267200
Eye Liner:
- Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Duo Glossy Liquid Liner. $7.99. Goes on smooth and makes eyes really pop.
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4960045

Mascara:
- Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara. $6.99. Gives you thicker, clump-free lashes.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod830012

Lipstick:
- MAC Lipstick. $16.00. Has a huge shade range. Goes on smoothly. Stays on for long hours.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl

The end of my major project

By doing this major project, I didn't realize how much time and work would need to be put into it but it was completely worth it and I learned so much more than I thought I would.  While searching the internet for makeup products, I came across many different products I have never heard of before and even some great deals on certain brands.  I also picked up on some makeup tips that I found while specifically searching for contour products.  I not only used those tips during this project but I plan to use them in the future as well.  It's amazing to see how much more you can learn online even if you thought you already knew it all.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this project and all it's work! Check it out.

http://mymakeupopinion.weebly.com/

Future of Education (Role of technology in education)

• In the next few years, I see the role with instruction with and about technology to change drastically.  The reason I say this is because every year a new technological device is introduced to the world and it always seems to be one step ahead of whatever came about the year before.  In a few years we will have to teach how to use certain devices that may not even be invented yet.
• As for cell phone use, it helps teachers and students communicate much easier.  Between email, twitter, facebook, etc. there is endless ways to get in touch.  This helps students connect well with other students as well as teachers to understand their learning better by comparing and contrasting.  As for using cell phones in school, it makes it easier to look up answers to questions by the touch of a button rather than looking it up in a text book.  However, I feel that cell phones could become a huge distraction during class and could be used for other things rather than learning.
• If in the future students could learn anywhere, anytime, with anyone and teachers could teach anywhere, anytime, with anyone, I think that the knowledge of people would increase tremendously.  I say this because people would be able to reach out to anyone around the world and grasp ideas, thoughts, facts, theories, etc. that they may have never even heard of or learned about before.
• I don't think that schools are becoming less relevant today, I think that students are realizing it's much easier to learn through blended learning rather than sitting in a classroom listening to someone speak.  To meet students needs and become more relevant, I think that schools need to become more hands on and more focused on the students rather than focused on reading from what is in a text book.  People learn best through experience.
• In the future, I believe that classrooms should look fun, inviting, and full of hands on activities and technologies.  As much as some teachers don't want to use much technology, that is where the world is headed and it's important to keep the students updated and working hands on with it.
• As a teacher, I know I will be using technology with my elementary kids but I do not want it to be the main focus.  There will be absolutely no cell phones.  iPads may be used but not all the time.  I would hope to have a smart board because it is very hands on and easy to navigate for the children.
• Educators, educational organizations, and programs in general need to evolve by keeping up with technology and being sure they are the first ones to experiment with it.  It is important that these people know how to use the technologies so they can teach it to others.  If they fail to learn it then they themselves will fall deeply behind in this generations advancements.
• Because high school and college students are further into their education than elementary students, it is hard for them to learn about new methods or new ways of learning things.  These students are used to the old school ways which involved limited technology and more text book based learning.  To help them get caught up, I think it is important to slowly bring in technologies and explain how they are important for learning and it can be used to further their knowledge.
• To help pre-service teachers prepare, I think it is important to have classes held that describe and show technological devices.  It is also important to have these teachers experiment with them that way they know how to show their students.  I do not think intro courses are enough because they do not go deep into explaining.  They should be offered in later education programs.
• Even if teachers meet one hour a week to train for using tech tools, that would help tremendously.
• The access of technology nearly eliminates textsbooks.  With technology it takes just the click of a button to find the answer to a question.  With text books it could takes minutes to find the answer you are looking for.  Also with technology, it gives you more options than a text book ever will.
• In most cases I do not think technology is disruptive. It only becomes disruptive if it is becomes a distraction and is being misused and not for what it is intended for.  
• The use of technology for teaching and learning should definitely be a compulsory element in initial teacher training.  Technology is everywhere and if you are not familiar with it you and your students will fall behind in the future.
• Technology can compliment the traditional gifts of master teaching by showing that it can enhance that learning experience and make it more exciting and hands on.  For example, the chalk board was mostly used years ago before technology and all you could do was write or draw and then erase.  With a smart board, students can draw, type, write, calculate, read from, choose colors, choose shapes, and so on and so forth. 

Blended Learning

Our Education Technology class in my opinion is the definition of a blended learning class.  We do everything on our own, at our pace and time, as well as are able to work wherever we would like since it is all done online.  However, we are able to meet face-to-face in labs if need be.  I feel that our class has used blended learning effectively by the professors giving us specific topics to learn and type about BUT it's up to us when we do it, how we do it, and often we have the choice of what questions we would prefer to answer.  I also think that we have learned blended learning effectively by giving specific due dates.  Although everything is on our own, we still have to be strict with how soon or late we get our work done which teaches us the value of being able to do things on our own.

I do not think that our class has necessarily been ineffective when it comes to blended learning.  It is very organized and set up in a way that is easy to understand.  Everything is online but also in person as well if there are ever any detailed questions that need to be answered.

ePub Bud

The tool I have chosen this week is an eBook website called ePub Bud.  On this site you are able to browse eBooks, create eBooks, convert eBooks, and even sell eBooks.  Although the site is more for children's creations, there are some adult books that can be downloaded or created as well!  In the classroom, I would use this site to show my students how to create eBooks and to browse different books to show to them for their own enjoyment, entertainment, and for some ideas that may help them with creating their own.  I feel that this site would give the students a sense of excitement and energy to want to read and write.  What makes this site easy to use is that it gives you step by step instructions that aren't only easy for the teacher to use but the students as well.  What might make this site difficult is all of the options you are able to choose, between creating, converting, browsing, it can all be a bit overwhelming for the children.

http://www.epubbud.com/ 

eBooks DO work

Before reading about eBooks, I never really thought about the way it can impact learning for students.  I feel that eBooks can impact the writing process by helping to engage students because of how interactive and personal it is.  Through eBooks, students are able to explore and make stories their own which should excite them and help them to want to further their writing processes. However, from a teachers point of view, I feel that it might be difficult to have them reading from a hard cover book and writing with pencil and paper rather than through technology.  This could become extremely frustrating for the fact that there is not much for you to teach if the iPad or other technological object is teaching the students through their instructions.  

In my classroom, especially since I will be working with special needs children, I feel that creating books will benefit my students greatly.  It was amazing to read about how Jon was able to work with autistic children who did not want to learn but by the end they couldn't get enough.  For most children with special needs, it is hard for them to concentrate and stay focused unless they find something they are interested in.  With eBooks, I feel that my students would be completely engaged because they are able to make something their own and have many different options of topics, texts, photos, music, etc.  It can also accommodate with my students by having audio and multiple other options to help them through the process of creating an eBooks.

The most striking or best thing that I took away from Jon's presentation was when he described how he had his special ed students all write up the same parts of the book.  He had them start off with the introduction, chapter one, chapter two, etc.  When the students were done writing their parts, he had the students read them, pick them apart, and then say what was good and what was bad about them.  In the end, they choose what all went best together and add it to their book.  I thought that gave the students a sense of teamwork and it also helps with their social skills.

Canva

The tool I have chose for this week is the website called Canva.  This site is all about design and making what you create your very own.  You can either start with a blank slate or you can choose from layouts, texts, backgrounds, colors, etc. that are already provided for you.  From designing Facebook covers and Twitter posts to designing your own documents and presentations, this site can pretty much do it all!  For the classroom, I would use the presentation design the most because I can put whatever it is I want on it.  I could use pictures or words and link them to websites to help further my students' knowledge on whatever our topic may be.  I think that students would definitely be able to use this site on their own to create their own designs because it is very simple to use and there is a quick tutorial that needs to be followed before creating.  What might be challenging is coming up with ideas on what to create or to design.  With layouts and backgrounds already provided, it makes it easy for students to just use those rather than design their own.

Here is the link to the website! I highly recommend people check it out. :)

https://www.canva.com/ 

This link is to a mini photo collage I made for my Major Project.

https://www.canva.com/design/DABKU_8k34c/yC_zDcI4iHmNmx3LgNdQuQ/edit

Cool Tools

Before introducing new tools in the classroom, it's important to consider a variety of questions.  You'll want to ask yourself if the content being used is appropriate with the type of tool you are wishing to use.  You might also ask yourself if it follows TPACK, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge.  As www.tpack.org stated, it's important to remember that every situation is unique and no single combination of content, technology, and pedagogy will apply to every teacher or every course.  Don't stress!  Some positive attributes about using tools in the classroom is that it gives learning a sense of joy and differentiation.  Using different tools often keeps the students' attention and helps them learn the material in multiple ways.  Some barriers however, in my opinion, is that students may become overwhelmed with all of the technology and content being used.  Students may learn well using technology in different ways but others may feel like it is too much and learn better through one single tool.  Since I will be working with younger students, I will be sure to use technologies that are fun, colorful, entertaining, and extremely active for my students. Preschoolers are still at the age of learning through play, therefore tools and technologies are key at this time and age to keep their attention.  I'm hoping by going through the Cool Tools each week to find some that fit perfectly with my teaching.

After learning about TPACK, I still have some questions on how to use it specifically with children who have disabilities.  I would like to learn what works best and if the TPACK is even considered.  I'd hope to know that it is considered and it can be used similarly if not the exact same way as with regular education students.  

Downloading

Downloading music and movies from the internet is considered stealing which is highly unethical.  The people who make the music and/or movies are living off of the money they make from those things.  If people continuously steal the music and movies, they might as well be stealing the artists money.  It's important to explain to students how siting anything they use is a key point in learning.  You must ask them as an example, "how would you feel if you made the number one movie in America and it was being downloaded illegally online? You would not be getting credit nor would you be making money".  The students must also understand deeply what copyright, public domain, and creative commons means so that they are able to correctly use images, videos, etc.

Copy Cat

After reading the scenario about being a teacher at a K-12 school preparing a lesson on the rain forest, I feel as if the Google images would be okay to use as well as the rain forest background music.  The Google images would be for an educational purpose and since they are searchable on Google, they're most likely for the public to use.  The background music is also known for educational purposes, or for children, and it was downloaded legally because it was purchased, not borrowed.  The YouTube video on the other hand would be going against the copyright law because the video is not the teachers original work, it was borrowed without permission.  Similarly to the YouTube video, the presentation would by copyrighted because most of the information is not the teachers original work, it is all borrowed and not made by said teacher.  Passing out the bookmarks with the poem on it, however, would not be copyright as long as the authors name is somewhere on the bookmark indicating that he wrote it.     

What does your future look like?

Open access can lead to opportunities that a person or child have never had before.  In an open access or open learning classroom, you might find open mobile access, collaboration, accessing of different resources, and open feedback from students to other students and even to the teacher.

I hope to see the future of education where children can be taught and teachers can teach anywhere and whenever is desired.  If this is to happen, I believe that teaching and learning will be at a whole new level.  Teachers will have resources and lessons that have been shared and edited to make it the best it can be while students will have an abundance of resources to learn from.  Students from Africa for example could go online and chat with another student or teacher that is from Hawaii and get the help they need or further their learning by teaching each other.  It would be an amazing thing to have children and adults all over the world be able to study and learn anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.

In today's society, anyone can go online and look up something and it would take less than five seconds.  If you're looking for a definition in a text book for example, you would have to search the back of the book from A-Z to find the word to be able to define it.  This could easily take a couple of minutes.  All in all, it takes a shorter amount of time to use technology to find an answer, problem, definition, etc. than it does when using a textbook.  I believe that in the near future, textbooks will become obsolete.  Students do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a book when they can just search and study from a computer or even their phones in half the amount of time.  Smart phones are literally at the tip of your finger the majority of your days, how often is a textbook?

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do

It is extremely important that communities come together to share and network our educational and/or technological ideas with one another.  As far as how to capture the spirit, well, that is completely up to us as educators.  We have to come together to find ways to encourage others to use Open Education Resources because what it all comes down to is the students and how they're learning as well as what they are learning.  Many educators do not realize that if they have an idea and are able to spread it all over the world, the idea can only get better from there! How amazing would it be to say you thought of an idea, shared it, and now it is being taught to children all over the world?

Sharing is Caring

After viewing the videos and reading the articles/blogs about sharing, I thought how perfect videos, articles, and blogs all are when it comes to teachers and leaders sharing their ideas with others.  With a blog for example, other teachers or leaders are able to read it at any time, view it more than once, and are also able to comment on it if they feel as if they want to share something back.  When it comes to deciding what to share and what not to share, I feel it's very important to ask yourself, "Will this help others? Will similar teachers and leaders benefit from this? Will I be able to get positive feed back with added ideas to it?".  If you can answer yes to all of these questions then I say share it!  If you are hesitant and can't confidently answer those questions I say share it anyways!  It's all about putting ideas out there whether you think they are amazing or awful, you never know unless you try.  Sharing does not always have to be an online thing, ideas and thoughts can be exchanged through face to face interaction.  Face to face interaction can make sharing more difficult for the fact that what's being shared is only being shared with one or a few people whereas online it can be shared with hundreds or thousands of other educators.  The value of sharing everything is the feedback.  If you share absolutely everything there are chances you receive positive but also some negative feedback.  I feel it's important for people to receive praise but it's important people receive criticism so they can learn how to take in and process negativity.  You're not expanding your learning if you never make mistakes along the way.

Reflection & About Me

Hello all, 

My name is Lyndsey Anderson.  I am a junior in my Early Childhood Education and Early Intervention Specialist majors here at Akron.  I currently work at the Natatorium in Cuyahoga Falls and recently got a managing position at a daycare in Akron.  I have gained a lot of experience working with young children at the daycare and have learned how incredibly smart most of these children can be with technology.  As of today I am on four different social media sites, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.  I use all four of these on an everyday basis, however, I do not post on all of them every single day, I just creep (you know how it goes ladies).  When I post on Facebook it is mostly pictures for my family members that I don't get to see very often.  On Twitter I will post miscellaneous things whether I'm happy, complaining, sad, etc. Never too much information though.  For Instagram and Snapchat I mostly take pictures with my friends and family.  My initial thought on using social media such as these in the classroom is that it is a great idea but more focused towards college students.  From seeing posts by middle school and high school students it astounds me what they're willing to say for the public to see.  I think that age group is still too immature to be able to handle social media in a class setting.  I agree a lot with the authors perspective on social media because he expresses how helpful it can be to interact with not only your friends but complete strangers as well, in a good way.  He also describes each site and what people think about them perfectly.  For example, he states how Facebook is for cute and appropriate pictures whereas Snapchat is where the most outrageous and ugly photos are taken...couldn't agree more.

That's all for now :)