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.