Christina+Curran-Final+Portfolio

Below are my initial digital learning goals from the beginning of the semester. By reflecting on the success, failure, or transformation of these goals since January, I hope to reach a conclusion about how my knowledge of digital literacy inside and outside of the classroom has been strengthened. The reflection in bold will reveal how the initial goal developed, transformed, or took another path completely throughout the semester. I have also included archives underneath each reflection to demonstrate digital projects, dialogues, or documents that I have created, taken part in and/or learned from that further prove the success of

**__Archives__**
 * Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity **
 * Goals: I’d like to use other forms of technologic organizers, such as Prezi or learn about more reliable sites that provide educational multimedia. I’d also really like to incorporate NPR podcasts in my classroom, as I find that they really spark creativity and imagination without being too complicated.
 * **Although I did make a Prezi presentation, I wish I would have challenged myself to make other creative presentations using Jing screencast,, or a Voicethread. We were presented with so many rich educational, creative webtools and I wish I would have integrated them more into my creation of some presentations, such as the podcast "Interview with a Technology User."** **Regrets aside, the webtools that have been introduced to me through this class have sparked so much interest concerning ways to integrate technology into creative and interesting classroom learning. I had no idea that some of these tools existed before this class and will definitely be bringing this new webtool repertoire into my future classroom to get students excited about learning and displaying their learning digitally, especially FreeRice, Quizlet, and Voicethread. (Grade: B+)**
 * **A Guide to Copyright Clarity for Students** (First attempt at Prezi presentation) []
 * **Wordpress Responses to Webtool Reviews**:
 * On **freeRice.com-** "I never knew that FreeRice user results could be seen by another person, in this case, a teacher in a classroom. I would definitely implement FreeRice into my future classroom, especially for vocabulary. It is great for students to be exposed to words that they don’t “need to know” for a grade but words that can be seen as a way to helping others. This site definitely promotes student knowledge in a fun way. Although, I would like to see the right answer when the question is answered wrong. I’m not sure if there’s a setting for that.I would encourage students to use FreeRice during free time if there are enough computers in the classroom. Also, if the subject area was relevant to our class, I would consider giving extra credit, especially because of the differentiation of the questions. Students who have a harder time with work may not feel the pressure of other assignments or extra credit work. And that’s a great thing!
 * On **quizlet.com**- "Thank you for introducing me to this website. I will definitely be promoting it in the classroom or giving the web address to students who want to use it at home. I especially enjoyed the audio option, where students can type what they hear. That would be really useful for spelling lessons or language classes, as it is essentially to be able to comprehend and engage in what is being said. The idea of Quizlet using the quiz material to create games would be fun for students and could be a beneficial enrichment tool after the unit has been taught."
 * On **voicethread.com**- "I think that VoiceThread provides a creative platform for students and teachers alike. As an educator, I could combine a/v effects, slides, and outside links all in one presentation! Sure, PPT slideshows can do all of this also, but not in the seamless, linear way that Voicethread does. It also can be used for all subjects, with the drawing tool. For students, watching and engaging with Voicethread presentations could be an entertaining yet informative activity while at home or in school. Making one and compiling all of their resources would also test certain digital skills and give students with different abilities a free range of ways to present their viewpoints."


 * Standard 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments **
 * Goal: I’d like to make sure that all students in my classroom have daily access to an email account. I’d use this account to communicate with them at least two or three times a week, creating a type of newsletter regarding class reminders, enrichment opportunities, or clarification with assignments. As far as using technology for class organization and digital assessment, I would also like to create a Wikispace or a Dropbox for my future classroom at the beginning of the semester. These tools lead to the creation of a digital learning space where students can submit their work via upload. There would also be space for assigned or unassigned discussion about the lessons in class. Such a space would allow students to organize a sort of portfolio along the way that they can reference easily and communicate with classmates as they may not be able to in the classroom. As a teacher, I would be able to post extracurricular readings and feedback on students’ submitted works, which would be more efficient (and waste a lot less paper!)
 * ** I did not get to design a class Wiki or Dropbox as an educator this semester but I did get to be an active part of this class's Wikispaces, Dropbox and Wordpress. By actively contributing to all of these digital platforms, I learned how to organize and submit my work in a way that was effective, clear and digitally accessible. I want to implement a class blog in my future classroom and found it helpful to see how Dr. Turner organized our class blog into categories by tags. There is still time enough to decide which digital platform to use in my own classroom but I was lucky to use these tools as a student AND a future educator in order to see the benefits and downfalls of their creation and implementation. (Grade: A-)**

>>
 * **Archives:**
 * My Participant Page on our Class Wikispace- http://medialiteracytech.wikispaces.com/christina+curran
 * Dropbox Class Folder- []
 * Class Wordpress Organization--[[image:Picture_1.png width="147" height="108"]]
 * Lesson Plan Revision: Integrating Technology- [[file:Curran Revised Lesson Plan.docx]]


 * Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning **
 * Goal: I would like to engage students in online lessons as a supplement to in class learning. For example, they could do an assigned lesson on Webquest.org during computer class or at home. These lessons are already planned and are like a digital journey through all types of resources that I’ve heard students usually enjoy. Also, I’d really like to learn more about video streaming and developing live podcasts within the classroom. The video-streaming could allow the students to feel like they are going somewhere outside of the classroom, even if a field trip is not within the budget.
 * **I did my Webtool Review on webquest.org and created a tutorial on an iPhone that was updated to Youtube (although quite sloppy). Filming myself giving a tutorial was a new experience and something that I felt modeled digital-age work. Although the webquest site generated some complaints, concerns and questioning from classmates, the Idea Share sparked an interesting class blog dialogue** **that definitely modeled "digital-age learning." I did not get to fully explore and utilize video streaming but will keep it in mind as an enrichment tool for my future classroom. (Grade: A-)**

>>> "Resources:
 * **Archives**
 * [|Webtool Review]
 * Expert Page on Multimedia Resources
 * "With **live streaming** video on the web, teachers and students can create their own "TV shows." This technology usually employs both audio and video to record an educational lesson and is published through a web-host online. Ultimately, live-streaming allows teachers and students to publish their videos online for a broad audience."
 * [|Ustream.tv] is a free site that creates and hosts your live streams. It also allows users to create their own channels.
 * [|Bill Chamberlain] streams his class whenever it is in session.
 * [|CamTwist] is another free site that helps with producing quality, multimedia live streaming files."

>>
 * Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility **
 * Goal: If I incorporate online communities within the classroom, I would also have to create a set of classroom expectations to encourage just as much respect in an e-classroom as in a regular classroom. These guidelines would have to constantly be enforced throughout the semester so I would carefully moderate the responses on the established community. Also, I would set both written and spoken guidelines regarding proper citation. At the beginning of the school year, I would spend a lesson or two reviewing proper MLA citation (which is the most popular in high schools). I hope to find an online resource that would help me in planning this type of lesson. With every research assignment or essay, I could send a copy of this MLA guidelines document from the beginning of the semester as a reminder and refresher for students.
 * **After reading Renee Hobbes' book on copyright clarity, Jenkins' white paper, and Prensky's article, I became so much more aware of the need to develop our role and our students' roles as digital citizens in an information age that is constantly changing. Before this class, I did not realize the the democratic power inherent in understanding and promoting copyright clarity and digital literacy.** **I was able to create a "Digital Literacy Statement" to hand out to my future students, which was a huge accomplishment for me. It was so helpful to gather all of the copyright and digital literacy literature from this class to create a solid list of expectations for students in order to understand the importance of digital learning and literacy in the classroom** **. I was also able to create a copyright clarity presentation in order to introduce and explain the importance of attribution, appropriation and borrowing of published materials in the creative and academic world. (Grade: A)**
 * Archives-
 * Statement on Digital Literacy for Parents and Students:[[file:final statement on digital literacy.docx]]
 * Copyright Clarity Prezi: []

**Standard 5: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership** >>> "Web 2.0 recently attracted big attention as an entity when it flexed its muscles demonstrating just how powerfully it has changed life. I refer specifically to the new anti-piracy bill fight during which time major Internet powerhouses like Google and Wikipedia banded together rallying against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act). Wikipedia disabled its English language articles, temporarily replacing it with a grim warning that the anti-piracy bill could “fatally damage the free and open Internet” (Wikipedia, 2012). Commenting on the immediate aftermath of the newly proposed anti-piracy bill, New York Times author Jonathan Weisman (2012) writes, “ […] the Web rose up.” Weisman (2012) goes on to summarize the fear that such a bill would “force search engines to play policeman […] and cripple innovation in one of the most vibrant sectors of the American economy.” In an act of what can only be called self-defense, Web 2.0 led what it hopes is the demise, the beginning of the end, of the piracy bill. But Web 2.0’s actions are two-fold: one the one hand, it fights for liberty, free speech, etc.; one the other hand, it demonstrates its political influence. Weisman (2012) quotes former House Republican John P Feehery admitting his anticipation of the bills failure to launch: “They [anti-piracy bill supporters] have a small group of content makers, a few unions, whereas the Internet world, the social media world especially, can reach people in ways never dreamed of before.” The Internet has become a political weapon raising public awareness, inciting support and dissension, and changing political and therefore personal life in America. In light of all this, I find that it is an especially exciting time to be in a Media Literacy and Technology education class!" >>>> Also, your observation on wikipedia and google rallying against SOPA and PIPA was very interesting as well. It does take away the freedom of posting anything you want to on the internet. It takes away the individuality of those sources and it wont stop people from going to those sites and getting the information that they want. I am guilty of “googling” quick information that I wanted to know because of the quick and easy access to it. It is going to be an ongoing battle and wont stop because the read/write web is just going to get more advanced and grow even more." >>>> During the more popular days of the Occupy movements, the Occupy website, Facebook and Twitter kept supporters updated on meeting times, photos, and media coverage related to the movement. These sites were filled with heated arguments between supporters and dissenters. In many ways, Occupy established itself as a national political movement, not only because of its cause, but because of the amount of advertising and communication that the Internet provided." >>>>
 * Goal-I’d like learn how to use RSS feeds to communicate with other teacher-bloggers and professional online organizations. I’ve read a lot of blogs and online articles about teaching, education and media but never have actually participated in any of them. I think that online participation in professional organizations would really enrich my teaching career as well as encourage me to reach out to other educators through a new platform.
 * **I did create a Bloglines account, which is an RSS feed organizer, for my personal use project. Although utilizing it wasn't too successful, I did learn that RSS organizers existed and how they functioned. I did not get to comment on other education blogs but I did frequently comment on our class blog in response to classmates or learn from their contributions. I feel like contributing to our class blog helped me to formulate a way of blog-writing that was intellectual and "blog-like" at the same time. I was able to read the opinions and reflections of other future educators and comment on them. Also, although I cannot find a visual documentation, I participated in a couple of Google+ chats with Dr. Turner and another classmate in which we conducted conversation about classroom topics through** **digital video chat or real-time Google Doc collaborations. These were totally new ways of digitally communicating for me in an academic setting and I am glad to have partaken in them. (Grade: A-)**
 * Archives:
 * [|Wordpress] which documents my progress with my RSS feed personal use project
 * Blog Thread from [|Discussion Question from Week 1/23] in which a thought-provoking dialogue was established: How has read/write web changed life?
 * dcarniaux:
 * awilliams65: "I agree with you that this is a wonderful time to apart of the Media Literacy and Technology education class this point in our lives. You have made some points about how “the internet has become a political weapon of awareness”. It helped through the Obama campaign.
 * ccurran123: "It is really refreshing to see a classmate mention the recent conflict between the Internet and SOPA in relation to this class. During the Wikipedia blackout, a multitude of friends and acquaintances took to Twitter and Facebook to voice their disapproval and outrage at the threat of Internet censorship. A lot of Facebook friends changed their main photo to a picture of a red “X” to show that they were siding against SOPA. I believe that this display of participation, even if only online, demonstrates what John P. Feehery said about the Internet being a powerful tool of political awareness.

=**Overall Learning Goal Grade: A-**= It was interesting to take this class while never having taught in an actual classroom.When I wrote my initial digital learning goals, they were hypothetical, "pie in the sky" ideas that I hoped may be reached by the end of the semester and employed in my future classroom. It was hard for me to create digital learning goals when I had never created in-classroom learning goals. Although some of my initial learning goals were transformed or not accomplished, I feel like I have learned and engaged in thoughtful discussion about the role of digital literacy in the classroom and in our everyday lives. I have successfully created and collected artifacts, webtools, and new perspectives that can be utilized in a future classroom setting.

=**Reflection**=

In the initial "My Life as a Technology User" assignment, I stated that in my everyday life "the Internet was an extension of my brain." During this class, I've become much more aware of what part of myself I am bringing to the digital world every time I sit in front of the computer. Whenever I returned to surfing the web after contributing to a class blog discussion or creating a presentation, I noticed the lack of balance I have between consuming digital information, (such as news articles, fashion blogs, online fiction stories, Facebook statuses) and contributing original, informed information to a digital community. Thanks to our class assignments and encouraged engagement in thinking about our role as digital citizens, I have been compelled to become a more active and engaged technology user. After constantly bringing up disparities in community access, lack of funding for technology, the digital divide, etc, I have realized how much of a responsibility I have to share the knowledge that I have gained as a result of educational opportunities I have had, such as this class experience. In my future classroom, I would like to extend my role as an informed technology user from an at-home user, to a technology advocate and digital educator.
 * Who am I as a Technology User?**

I think that is important to realize that the generation of students that we are teaching are children who have been born into a digital world. In my comment on the "Digital Native" [|debate]on debate.fm, I said that "The original "digital natives" were born into a world of technology (Internet, mp3 players, social networking) in which the basic framework of modern technology had already been established. In turn, they learned, processed, and communicated information differently than generations before them because of complete technological exposure since birth." Therefore, it is so important that we, as educators, are recognizing that our students may be learning and communicating in a different way because of constant participation in and exposure to a rapidly developing digital world. Instead of rejecting or being fearful of technology in the classroom, we must instead integrate it into lessons, assignments, and ways of communicating with students. I think that creating a digital platform for students to contribute to, such as a blog or wikispaces, is such an effective way to organize classroom materials and allow students to practice voicing their opinions in an intellectual yet social space. Using webtools such as Prezi, Connected Mind and Voicethread in the classroom can improve the quality and creativity of educational presentation while encouraging the learning of new digital skills. The breadth of digital educational resources available, as was evidenced by our class expert pages, can enrich and engage students in interesting new ways, if only we take the time to include them into our lesson plans and curriculum.
 * How can technology improve teaching and learning?**


 * What digital skills must students develop to succeed in school and beyond?**

One of the topics that was discussed on the "digital literacy" Google+ hangout was the importance of students bringing critical thinking and reading skills to the online world in order to analyze and interpret digital media messages and communicate effectively with others on digital platforms. It is important to be able to express one's opinions in a clear, respectful way when contributing to a blog or another digital learning forum. As was stated in the Hobbes' reading, Temple Unversity Media Lab website and my copyright clarity Prezi, students must also be able to judge the legitimacy, usefulness and transformativeness of online resources in relation to their own original work. All of these skills require practice, instruction, involvement in a digitally literate curriculum, and a constant awareness of the role of digital citizens.

=Future Goals=
 * Learn how to organize, manage, and successfully implement future class blog, Wikispaces or other digital platform
 * Integrate the creation digital multimedia into classroom assignments/projects
 * Encourage students to bring critical thinking skills to their online research, writing, and interactions