Journal Article 6: Student Voices for Change

McClintock, S. (2011). Student voices for change.Learning & Leading With Technology, 38(11), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx


Very inspiring article about the Van Meter Community School District in Iowa.  Every student grade 6-12 were issued a laptop.  Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!  This is the sort of thing I've only heard private schools doing.  One thing the article did not explain is where the funding came from for this.  A few of these student went to speak at the Iowa House and Senate Appropriations Committee.  Where they shared their passion for learning and incredible technological advancement in education.  I loved when the author said, "I was part of something very special and that our young people were ready to have a voice and be the leaders who are transforming education." This is so true our students should be leading us through their passions,interests, and skills.  I want to be a great facilitator as well as an educator.  
Question 1:  How can we inspire our students through technology?
Kids are already so in tuned with all the possibilities technology has to offer.  Most students know who to navigate around Twitter, Face book, Photo shop, applications, etc.  I think educators can take more of a "Facilitator" role in this arena.  Give them a topic or task and let them be creative!  We are not letting our students create and grow to their full potential when it comes to technology.  My two year old knows how to work my IPhone.  Imagine what a middle school student is capable of!


Question 2:  How do we make technological tools  available to our students? In reflecting on the article, it's hard to believe we have to bring students and teachers before Congress to plead for the funds to supply students with lap tops.  Our country needs to re-evaluate the education of our future leaders!  Why haven't the schools updated their methods?  Why aren't more business getting involved and pouring back into their communities and future job pools?

Dinosaur Crossword Puzzle (EXCEL)

  I composed a crossword puzzle using Excel.  I used conditional statements to allow the users to determine if answer is correct or not (red/green highlights).
Nets 3; demonstrates fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies.

     DINOSAUR CROSSWORD PUZZLE   

T R I A S S I C L L F O S S I L G S H A A O L U P N L T Y R A N N O S A U R U S I U L S M A I A S A U R A E I O M N U T S C O A L S A U R O P O D N G I I V S O T H E R B I V O R E E

 

CROSSWORD CLUES
	D 2 Across The period in which there was one single continent
	F 5 Across The remains of animals or plants
	E 9 Across The most famous dinosaur nicknamed "the Terrible Lizard"
	C 11 Across This dino earns the title "mother of all Dinosaurs"
	G 17 Across The largest dinosaurs belong to this class
	C 22 Across Plant eater
	G 2 Down name means "different Lizard"
	G 6 Down the fastest dinsaur
	J 15 Down eats meat
	M 8 A scientist whose studies ancient life
	O 6 The Triceratops is best known for its' three…

All ABout Me Survey

Journal Article #4; One Size Never Fits All (NETS 2)

Courduff, J. (2011). One size never fits all. learning & Leading With Technology, 38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2011.aspx


Jennifer Courduff is an inspirational Educational Technology Teacher in Southern California. This article focused on the use of technology with special needs students as well as the training of teachers to use devices like fusion writers, speech to text, electronic portfolio's and headset microphones.   She suggested three years of training for the teachers would be sufficient.  Since then she has switched to a three tiered training program.  Tier 1: teachers participate in hands on workshops to learn how to use the tools.  Tier 2: Training in the development of electronic portfolio's and student led conferences.  Tier 3: Face to face support and collaboration for the teachers.  
Question 1:  What types of technology do I utilize for my special needs students?  I have used electronic portfolio's for quite a few years. I was introduced to it  after taking a class on differentiated instruction.  It was originally in effort to help an Autistic student share more easily at student led conferences.  It also helped my students take ownership with their IEP goals.  Speech to text opened doors for students who had never imagined they could be writers!  I was much more hesitant to use that particular tool than they were.  
Question 2:Is it that special educations are not given the tools and training to use such technological devises in the classroom or do they not want to bother?  
In my case, it was the lack of training and knowledge about the possibilities of using technology with my students.  I had to find the classes and the training myself, but once I was comfortable using the tools and learned ways to adapt them in my classroom, I was on board.  Using Electronic portfolio's and text to speech changed my students' capabilities!   I do think there is a lot more devices and tools out there that special educators could be using.  I hope it's not left up to the teacher to find them and get the necessary training.

Journal Article #3: Abracadabra-It's Augmented Reality (NETS 1 and 2)

Raphael, R. (2011). Abracadabra-it's augmented reality!. Learning & Leading With Technology,38(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Abracadabra_-_It_s_Augmented_Reality.aspx


The Article, Abracadabra-It's Augmented Reality discusses the huge trend and innovations in augmented reality.  Which is the term used to describe live or direct or indirect view of a physical, real world environment whose elements are augmented by computed generated sensory input (wikipedia).A few examples of augmented reality (AR) the authors sites are the ghosts which sit on your lap at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. As well as the first down line that appears on your television screen while watching a football game.  The author gave several great examples for mobile applications and uses in the classroom.  
Question 1:   What types of Augmented reality will I use to "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" (NETS 1)?   I have already signed up for a "Zooburst" account for students to create pop-up books.  This site is free and I've had my children play around with it a bit.  I have a few of the phone applications such as the "Louvre museum tour".  "Hidden Park" is probably my favorite new phone applications.   These tools are fun and engaging.  They will inspire children to explore their surrounds while teaching them to use these great technology tools. 
Question 2:  What are some possible limitations to using Augmented Reality in the classroom?
The obvious limitations would be access to devises such as IPADs or Smart phones.  In a perfect classroom each student would have his/her IPAD (Mr. Gates???).  Students could do a walk about campus with their hand held devises creating a treasure hunt for their classmates, we could explore the Getty Museum and for home work they could use "Starwalk" locate a constellations.  

Journal Article #2 Hadley Ferguson, JOIN THE FLOCK (NETS-T 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership)

Hadley Ferguson, Initials. (2010). Join the flock.Learning & Leading With Technology, 1(June/July), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx






Join The Flock, By Hadley Ferguson, is an article promoting the development and growth of one's Personal Learning Network (PLN).  The Author promotes collaboration among professionals around the globe through the use of technology, specifically Twitter and Blogging.   The article is basically Twitter 101.  The author gives a great glossary of twitter terminology,giving definitions to such terms as "Hashtags" and "retweet".  Ferguson also gives some tips on Twitter etiquette.  For example, one should thank those who comment on your tweets. If your uncomfortable commenting at first, it's perfectly acceptable to observe and not comment on posts.  
Question 1:  Will I use Twitter as a part of my Personal Learning Network?  
Most definitely!  In fact, I already have.  I have created a Twitter account and added many sources to my twitter community.  I have even started following a few of the suggestions from the article.  Such as Shelley Terrell.  One of the greatest tools mentioned in the article are the bookmarking tools like Hootsuite.  This tool I find has already helped me organize and categorize great sources that I will share and go back to for material often.  


Question 2:  What are the things that will hold me back from fully utilizing Twitter to increase my PLN?  I really don't feel comfortable commenting on other's Tweets.  I'm sure that will come with experience and more time spent with Twitter.  The time it will take to commit to Twitter is also something I will have to make room for.  Once I have my sites bookmarked and have found valuable professionals to follow, it may ease my mind about spending time on such activities.  Good article, simply written, point taken, time to begin collaborating through technology.

School 2.o Reflection Tool NETS 5

These are the results from a quiz regarding Teacher's Technology use in the classroom.
NETS 5; evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice.

The professional  response quiz  which was developed to help teachers self-assess their ability to integrate technology in their teaching.  It is based on the National Teachers' Technology standards.  As I had expected, I scored lowest in the standard five, Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.
One of the resources the site has listed to help in this area was http://www.edutopia.org.  This site is full of information and resources Which can be searched per grade level, which I love.
The second linked I explored was http://edtechideas.com/about/, (Ed Tech Ideas).  I love a site where someone lists many resources that have already been explored.  Keith Ferrell is the site's creator.  He is a Technology Integration Specialist at Singapore American School.  Things it included; comments on topics such as how children's sleep habits effect their learning and it's original pod cast (on NPR), links to educational game sites, as well as suggestions of great tools for the classroom.  One post titled, "Three great IWB Resources you're not Using", included a site for interactive the whiteboard, Promethean Planet (down loadable flip charts) and "TopMarks (includes grade level and subject area resources).
This is an easy, all inclusive site.  I will use this in my class room and even for my kids at home as well as for my professional development.

100 Things that make me smile

Stephanie Jones Hodgins

100 Things that make me smile

1. Holding hands
2. Iced coffee
3. Dogs
4. My children’s smiles
5. Knock jokes
6. Getting into bed
7. Swimming
8. Splashing
9. The ocean
10. 3 rolled tacos
11. Goodnight kisses
12. Reading books to my kids
13. My kids reading books to me
14. My high school sweet heart
15. Watching my kids learn
16. Watching my kids grow
17. Red wine
18. White wine
19. My sisters
20. My mom
21. My dad ‘s quirkiness
22. Pedicures
23. My best girlfriend Sabrina
24. Going out to dinner
25. Making dinner
26. Sleeping in
27. Buying a cute outfit
28. Hugs
29. A clean house
30. Glitter
31. Sitting outside watching kids play
32. A compliment
33. Being home
34. Going out to dinner with girlfriends
35. Bubble baths
36. Looking at pictures
37. A pretty day
38. Someone else cooking for me
39. Watching a baseball game
40. Cherry coke
41. Going to a movie
42. When my kids spontaneously hug me
43. My jeans fit me
44. Bath and Body Works (it smells good
45. Being with the ones I love
46. The evenings
47. Bedtime!
48. A brief moment alone
49. A good book
50. When a salesperson is polite
51. Reece’s p-nut butter cups
52. Ice cream
53. People watching
54. Making it to the gym
55. Seeing somebody trip (I Know its mean)
56. Seeing old couples hold hands
57. The color blue
58. Walking my kids to school
59. Magic erasers
60. The wild animal park
61. Ostriches
62. Hearing my mom sneeze
63. Watching somebody get angry at their bad golf swing
64. My new running shoes
65. Dancing like a dork
66. Listening to my baby talk (Can’t understand a word of it)
67. Frogs
68. Finishing the laundry
69. People who look like their dogs
70. Putting on my pjs
71. The moon
72. The sun
73. Eating outside on the picnic bench
74. Water balloon fights
75. Watching a movie in bed
76. Pillows
77. 357 (an inside thing)
78. That my daughter looks just like me
79. A country love song
80. Root beer floats
81. Pony tails
82. Watching my kids ride their bikes
83. The maps app on my phone
84. Not getting lost
85. Baking something fabulous
86. Cup cakes
87. Sitting on the couch watching a ridiculous show
88. Walking
89. Finding the perfect parking spot
90. When someone holds the door for me
91. Going to sushi
92. My best friend acting silly
93. Playing catch
94. Vacuuming…. the end product
95. Cuddling
96. Marshmallows
97. Fluffy clouds
98. Sitting on the grass
99. Vacations 
100. 100.Completing assignment on time!

Hello, my name is Stephanie

My son's art work;)

   I grew up in Valley Center, California.  This is where I attended Elementary school.  Back in my day there  was no High School.  I  graduated from  Orange Glen High School.  I went directly to Pt .Loma Nazerene University ,where  I earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.  My first "real job" was working at a residential home for children.  That's when I decided to go back to college and getting my Teaching credential, as well as a Master's in Special Education. 
     Where am I on the technology spectrum?   I own a Mac.  I switched a year ago from a PC.  All of my work while teaching was done on PC's.   In my last teaching position I was the only Special education teacher at that school, so I had to teach myself how to do it all.    I'm going to take a few workshops from the MAC store to learn more about I photo, I movie, just for fun.  I feel comfortable, no techno-anxiety attacks, although I have A lot to learn. 
   The mission statement mentions "innovative research and ongoing service."  As an educator these things are so important.  Our students are changing and so must we as well as our methods of teaching.  The education I received 15 years ago is not relevant.