Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Day 29 May 4

I agree one hundred percent with the reading. Wikipedia is a great place to start when researching a topic. Of course the information may not perfect but it still allows you aquire a wide variety of information about a topic in a very short period of time, and on the same site to boot. So to answer the question of, will you let your future students use Wikipedia to conduct research. How? Why? Absolutely, they can use it for general research and as a starting point. However, they cannot use it as a factual document and cite it, since almost anyone can modify the page if desired.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Wiki

One way Wikipedia discourages the practice of posting false information is by blocking the editor of the false information. "Blocking is the method by which administrators may technically prevent users from editing Wikipedia. Blocks are used to prevent damage or disruption to Wikipedia, not to punish users. Blocks sometimes are used as a deterrent, to discourage whatever behavior led to the block and encourage a productive editing environment."

Day 28 April 29

I chose to modify the site about the California Velcro crop shortage. Problems I found with the site included the fact that Velcro is not grown, the site was commercial, the author's biography was fake, and the text was written fantastically.

Think Aloud

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dftsrpk3_1fjrmkff5

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 27 April 27

Today we learned about validating a website to ensure that the content within the site is true and comes from a credible source. This lesson meets NETS-T Standard: 3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning; Goal: d., model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Day 26 April 22

One downside I learned about SmartBoards from the student presentations today that I had not thought of before is that for teachers to have access to some programs they must pay for the service. I can't justify spending five thousand dollars on a smartboard only to have to buy software to use for it. I believe technology should be developed to solve an existing problem and I feel that SmartBoards are not really solving a problem, instead teachers are having to figure out ways to modify their curriculum to intigrate SmartBoards into the lesson plan.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Day 25 April 20

I don't think SmartBoards are worth the financial investment if teachers are unable to use the technology to its fullest potential. However, if a teacher is willing to learn how to operate a SmartBoard to it's potential then I see no reason why they should not have acess to one. A claim from an unknown teacher adequately sums up my sentiments "I love my SmartBoard. I use it every day, all day long. If you plan on just writing on it with the markers or using is as a projector, then you're wasting your money. If you actually plan on using it as an interactive board, then it's worth every penny." Link to originating site.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Day 24 April 15

By using Whiteboards teachers are able to meet ISTE standard 3: Model Digital Age work and Learning, section 1 by demonstrating their fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

WebQuest

Daniel Higgs WebQuest

Day 23 April13

Today we researched SmartBoards and their potential to be used in the classroom for learning. One topic we discussed was whether or not SmartBoards are worth the investment with prices around $5000 each. An article we looked at suggested that they are worth the investment as noted in this exerpt "All the children, parents, and teachers interviewed on the use of interactive whiteboards in education believed the teaching was more fun, more engaging, more exciting and was impacting upon the enjoyment, speed and depth of learning".

Friday, April 9, 2010

Day 22 April 8

As students complete a WebQuest they meet 21st Century Skills: Learning and Innovation Skills, section: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, subsection: Reason Effectively, which involves: Using various types of reasoning (inductive, deductive, etc.) as appropriate to the situation.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day 21 April 6

Creating a WebQuest allows me to provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use the resulting data to inform learning and teaching; which meets ISTE Standard 2-Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, section d.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day 20 April 1

The WebQuest I have chosen to modify is Siege Engines. This WebQuest fits in well with teaching Technology Education because it allows students the opportunity to research and design their own machine. I will fix some gramatical errors, add a new link, and arrange the layout to fit my needs. This activity meets SC.O.10.3.3:communicate experimental designs, results and conclusions using advanced technology tools; by having the students design and create their own machines.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Day 19 March 30

Today we completed an activity in which we had to choose a WebQuest based on a role we each portrayed. My role was that of an Efficiency Expert. My decision was based on the perameters that a given activity must teach the students as much as possible in as short an amount as possible. I chose Grow School Greens as my favorite WebQuest because although it was lengthy experiment I believed it forced the students to really focus on the project and subjectively research possible solutions to a real problem that was relevant to them.

This activity allows students to meet ISTE-S Standard: 4-Critical, Thinking Problem Solving, and Decision Making; subsection b. WebQuesting meets this goal because students are able to plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Day 18 March 25

By creating a digital story students are able to meet ISTE standard 1: Creativity and Innovation, subsection b. Students meet this goal though the designing of their own personal project which conveys their own personal or group expressions to others.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Day 17 March 23

Today we created a minibiography using Ning. By employing a social networking site to use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information I met 21st Century Skills: section- Information, Media and Technology Skills; subset- ICT (Information, Communications & Technology) Literacy.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Day 16 March11

Our current activity is to construct a magazine cover depicting ourselves as teacher of the year using a powerpoint slide. This activity meets Century 21 goal of Media Literacy, section- Create Media Products, point- Understand and utilize the most appropriate media creation tools, characteristics and conventions.

Day 15 March 9

Today we engaged in a class interaction activity. The goal was to analyize two different photographs of an person, one being suit and tie attire and the other a muscular pose. This activity met Century 21 goal of Media Literacy, subtopic- Analyizing Media, point- Examine how individuals interpret messages differently, how values and points of view are included or excluded, and how media can influence beliefs and behaviors.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Day 14 March 4

Today we had to create a wordle based on what words our group listed when trying to define what Web 2.0 is. This activity allowed me to meet Route 21 Creativity and Innovation, standard working creatively with others, by being open and responsive to new and diverse perspectives and incorporating group input and feedback into the work.

wordle 2.0


Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Day 13 March 2

Using personal bookmarks in Blackboard allows one to access information efficiently and effectively. This falls under Route 21 Information, Media, and Technology Skills, section Information Literacy, subsection Access and Evaluate Information.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Day 12 Febuary 25

Creating a Hypermedia Quiz helps students gain life and career skills as listed by 21 century skills by: being able to work independently, going beyond basic mastery of skills and/or curriculum to explore and expand one’s own learning and opportunities and to gain expertise.

Daniel H.

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Day 11 Febuary 23

Today we responded to the eight little indians story telling activity. I was assigned indian five. The goal of this activity was to read the students story and add a new section to it. This activity meets route 21 standard-Life and Career Skills, section- productivity and accountibility, benchmark -producing results. I met this benchmark by demonstrating additional attributes associated with producing high quality products including the abilities to: work positively and ethically with others, participate actively and collaborate and cooperate effectively with teams.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Day 10 Febuary 18

Today we continued to work on the roughdraft for the photostory project. Once the roughdraft was complete we posted them on youtube for fellow peers to view and offer suggestions on how to improve them. I met ISTE standard 1 section d because this activity allowed us to model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with colleagues in face-to-face and virtual environments.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Day 9 Febuary 16

Today we started an activity where we are to create a photo story using PhotoStory. The basic premis of the project is to find a favorite quote and create a photostory to go along with it. In this activity I met ISTE standard 1 section a by promoting, supporting, and modeling creative and innovative thinking and inventivenessthrough the use of this technology.

Photo Story

Youtube

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Day 8 Febuary 11

One activityI have done in my out-of-school life that has prepared me to meet an ISTE standard is going on a flyfishing trip with one of my friends. During the trip we shared our knowledge of fishing techniques and practices. One example of this is my friend pointed out flaws in my casting form and I helped him to improve his roll cast. Through this collaboration and constructive criticism I met ISTE Standard 1 section d by modeling collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with colleagues in a face-to-face environment.

Day 7 Febuary 9

In 12th grade I created a powerpoint presentation with another student on the construction job field. By doing so I met ISTE standard 3 section c. through the use of a digital media to communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to fellow students and the teacher.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Day 6 Febuary 4 Skyping

Today we used Syping to communicate with fifth graders and anwer their questions about autobiographies. Through this exercise I met ISTE standard 1 section b. I met this standard because I explored real world issues and solved an authentic problem using digital tools and resources. As a teacher Skyping would allow me to actively engage my students with other classrooms around the world generating different ideas and exeriences.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Day 5 Febuary 2 Google Forms


Today we had to create an online survey using Google Forms and then make a graph from the results using Create a Graph. Through this exercise I met ISTE standard 1 function a. By using a new and creative technology to accomplish a goal I am promoting, supporting and modeling creative an innovative thinking. As a tool to use in the classroom this would help me to show students a creative alternative to accomplishing a task.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Day 4 January28 Facebook

Today I joined the Facebook group Web 2.0 and schools. I commented on Mark Bauerleins statement that younger generations (under 30 years of age) are stupid as a result of widespead Internet use. In doing so I met ISTE standard 1 section b, which involves exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. As a teacher this site will allow me to communicate and actively discuss with my peers and students current issues using digital means.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Day 3 January 26 Classroom 2.0

In this activity I became a member of Classroom 2.0, a social networking site for teachers. In doing so I met ISTE standards 2a and 3b, since I can now communicate with other teachers, learn new methods of teaching, and share my ideas. In a classroom setting this technology would allow me to stay up to date on other teachers methods. Also it would enable me to communicate my ideas and methods to others as well as to recieve feedback on how to improve.

Day 2 January 21 Google Docs Resume

For this activity I had to go to google docs and create a resume. Through this process I met ISTE standards 2a and 3c. In using this service I creatively adapted this digital tool for my needs. I also effectively communicated relevant information about myself to others. As a teacher this site could be used to help students develop their own resume for future employment.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Day 1 January 19

On the first day I met ISTE standard 3, benchmark b by setting up my blogger account. I met this standard because the account allows me to interact with my peers as well as with my teacher through the use of digital tools. By using this technology I am gaining experience and knowledge of different forms of communications. As a teaching tool this technology would enable interaction between students and teacher.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Copy of Resume - Modern Grey



Daniel Higgs



5555 Field Street, Fairmont, WV 26554


Objective


To graduate with a degree in Technoology Education from Fairmont State University.
 


Experience


Vocational Construction Course


Roofing Experience


Proficient in use of tools
 


Education


 

 High School Diploma


 Vocational Construction Course


 

 

Interests


Hiking, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Camping, Engineering




Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Hi, my name is Daniel Higgs and I created this acount for an Introductory Tech. course.