Laura+Madera's+Portfolio


 * Goals, Accomplishments, Grades, and Further Tasks **


 * Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity **


 * Goal: ** Throughout this course, I wanted to learn about web tools and/or programs which enable collaboration between teachers //**and**// students.

I achieved this goal by familiarizing myself with a number of different websites which facilitate student/teacher collaboration. These sites were: [|Google Groups], [|VoiceThread], and [|Screencast].


 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|GoogleGroups] Google Groups was very helpful because it allowed a certain amount of people to comment and respond to each other. For this reason, I thought Google Groups was a perfect implement of collaboration between students and teachers outside of the classroom. With Google Groups, students can participate in discussions in their own time as they continue to build responses, arguments, and reflections on the topic selected for discussion. Best of all, teachers can monitor and reply to students without having the whole class know about it.



[|VoiceThread]

I found VoiceThread simple to use and I believe it will help students and teachers collaborate through images, documents, and videos. While using VoiceThread, I also realized that the site had the potential to promote media literacy for teachers as well as students.

I also created this “[|How To Create A VoiceThread],” (using Jing) in case anyone would like to create his/her own VoiceThread.

[|Screencast]

Much like Dropbox, Screencast allows its users to save documents, videos, images, and folders onto its websites; like Dropbox, Screencast is like a USB Port online. However, unlike Dropbox, Screencast allows its users to create links to individual files or an entire library of stored digital contents. These links can be shared through blogs, wikis, and etc; making collaboration between students and teachers possible.

**Grade:**


 * A **: I worked diligently all semester to contribute and create the web-tools and sites presented above. Throughout this goal, I was consistent in my efforts.


 * Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments **


 * Goal: ** Throughout this course, I wanted to learn about sites which contain e-books as a way of incorporating technology inside/outside of the classroom while generating interest in materials which were originally/traditionally printed.

I achieved this goal by exploring: [|Project Gutenberg], [|The New York Public Library], and [|Goodreads].


 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|Project Gutenberg]

Project Gutenberg contains thousands of free books online; free works of literature just waiting to be read by students! Project Gutenberg offers a wide variety of books in nearly fifty languages, which is a useful attribute for ELA teachers with ELL learners. Furthermore, Project Gutenberg offers free audio-books (perfect for auditory learners or the visually impaired.)

[|The New York Public Library]

The New York Public Library was founded in an effort to promote literacy and offer free books. The increase in the production and use of e-books has furthered facilitated The New York Public Library's initial goal; countless books and titles can now be read by students in all five boroughs from the comforts of their home computer screens, iPods, iPads, Kindles, Nooks, ...etc. Like Project Gutenberg, The New York Public Library offers books in different languages as well as audio-books; providing a selection and an opportunity for all who strive to be literate. Through free e-books and audio-books, The New York Public Library continues to champion efforts for social justice and social literacy.

[|Goodreads]



So far, Goodreads only offers free e-books and not audio-books. The best feature of Goodreads does not seem to be its abundance of free literature; rather, Goodreads lets students and users rate books in order to obtain recommendations for further reading.


 * Grade: **


 * A **: I uncovered a variety of ways and methods to obtain free books, in multiple languages, and for diverse learners.


 * Model Digital-Age Work and Learning **


 * Goal: **In this course, I wanted to familiarize myself with a social network (like Twitter) which will relay quick and important information to students.

I achieved this goal by creating [|Twitter] account.




 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|Twitter]

My Twitter account has allowed me to reach a number of followers quickly and in a short amount of words. I really think Twitter is useful for students who require reminders and assignment updates (its free and super easy to check.) Furthermore, Twitter is especially useful between colleagues and/peers. I currently follow a number of educationalist in order to maintain awareness about progress, changes, and challenges in education.


 * Grade: **


 * B+ ** : I only explored Twitter throughout this goal and was thus, insensitive to the potential/probable lack of technology a student may have accessible/available to him/her.


 * Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility **


 * Goal: **I wanted to discover free online sites which promote free literacy through newspapers, magazine articles, and other news media outlets. I wanted to promote my own ethical behavior online and therefore, model appropriate behavior for students online. (Find out [|here] what kind of behavior is appropriate, legal, and ethical to model for student.)

I achieved this goal by using: [|The New York Times], [|The New Yorker], and [|National Public Radio (NPR)]


 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|The New York Times]

The New York Times is the best known/well respected newspaper in the world; I want students to experience the newspaper without any cost to them or their parents/guardians. As e-readers grow in popularity, newspapers are trying to maintain subscribers by accommodating to their digital needs; all the while, newspapers are trying to establish a profit. The link above will explain how I found a way to give students "the world" for free in a manner which is ethical, legal, and fair to newspaper staff, writers, and editors.

[|The New Yorker]

A tribute to high culture and serious news, The New Yorker stands as New York's elite magazine. How can something so elitist be free? Follow the link above and I will show you how students can have access to free articles on the New Yorker's website; experiencing the privileges of high society at no cost. 

[|National Public Radio (NPR)]

NPR offers students free news articles, videos, radio programs, and podcasts. NPR lets students stay connected to the world through ways which appeal to "digital natives," visual, and auditory learners.


 * Grade **:


 * B+ **: I worked throughout this course to find these websites; however, I only selected news media outlets which I liked. I feel I should have searched for different and/or opposing interest to those of my own.


 * Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership **


 * Goal: ** I wanted to read and respond to classmate’s blogs on wiki as well as other blogs my friends and family may have.

I achieved this goal through [|Wordpress]


 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|Wordpress]

Using our class blog has enabled me to connect, reflect, and respond to comments made by others. Responding to other classmate's post has enriched my perceptives on issues and/or topics which were discussed on our blog. I think responding to blogs is a great way to get students aware of varying opinions and it also enables them to prepare and articulate their own sentiments.






 * Grade: **


 * A **: I enjoyed reading and responding to other classmates' comments. I felt I challenged myself as well as others to think critically and continuously.


 * Personal Use Project Goal **


 * Goal: ** I wanted to d evelop a personal blog in an effort to share opinions, ideas, and interest with others, ultimately familiarizing myself with routine contributions to the digital world.

I achieved this goal through[| Wordpress].


 * Evidence of Learning: **

[|Wordpress]

Blogging demands consistent effort and work! It is a journal, a diary,... a digital extension of you (or who you want to be.) It is a mirror and a stage. I had to learn to be careful and yet, honest. This proved to be a great exercise in self-reflection, self-assertion, and moderation in today's digital world.


 * Grade: **


 * B **: I learned how to make a blog. I contributed to it; however, not as much in quantity and quality as I had initially envisioned.


 * Reflecting ** ** On The Essential Questions: **


 * Who Am I As A Technology User? **

When I started this course, I could not have named the difference between a tweet or a blog. I did not use anything other than PowerPoint to guide my lessons with technology. Now, I am a much savvier technology user! I blog, I tweet, I use Jing to enhance PowerPoint slides! Most recently, I did something I never thought I would post online, let alone create...a video. I created a[| book-trailer] based on the novel, //Between// by Jessica Warman.

I am glad I have new and relevant skills to offer my students; not only will they excite lesson plans, they will also teach students media literacy... a prized and necessary skill of the 21st century.

**How Can Technology Improve Teaching And Learning?**

Every student learns a little bit differently. Technology offers variety. Consider this: I am an auditory learner; I learn best when I hear something. For learners like me, teachers can create podcasts in order to reach those individual needs. For example, listen to this [|podcast] I created. How does it aid your understanding of the material being discussed?

Likewise, teachers can create an [|Animoto] presentation for visual learners and/or a [|VoiceThread]for kinesthetic learners. Technology, digital tools, and websites offer tons of material tailored made for difference!


 * What Digital Skills Must Students Develop In Order To Succeed In School And Beyond? **

As effective as technology can be, it does not solve all problems in education. Explore the following statement on digital literacy. Recognize the skills students already have in regards to technology, the skills they are impeding through the use of technology, and the potential benefits technology offers when it is used creatively and constructively.




 * More To Learn: **


 * Sometime in the near future, I would like to: **
 * 1) Create a [|Facebook] page for classroom use. Facebook is the most popular social networking site on the internet; students and teachers alike spend countless collective hours on the site itself. I think it would be very beneficial for students to recognize the full potential of social networking; i.e. spreading ideas and organizing movements. Facebook can give students a powerful voice and connection to each other.
 * 2) Create a [|Class Dojo]. Many times, I have heard of parents feeling disconnected from the academic lives of their children. Creating a Class Dojo, I think, will help bridge the gap between parent, teacher, and student.