Task 3 Reflection

This week our group created a new ScreenR:  www.screenr.com/f397

We had two face to face meetings to finish this project, and worked late into the evenings, but the outcome was worth the long hours and work.

Thinking back on our group accomplishments, I did my best to keep our group members informed of the task at hand, keep up with my part of the assignments, and attended the face to face meetings to contribute my ideas and notes on the task at hand.  I felt a tremendous responsibility to not let my group members down and to get my share of the work done and submitted on time.

Although it is difficult to do group work in an online class, I thoroughly enjoyed working with my team and taking the time to get to know someone new who had the same interests I have.  The assignments could have easily been accomplished individually, but as a group, the task becomes more of a challenge because we now had to incorporate and organized the ideas and notes of more than a single person.  In the end, the taste of success is all the sweeter when shared with others who were part of the process.

Althea Rodrigues

Task 3-6 Reflection

Because the main concept is to make classroom lessons relevant to the real world, it is important to incorporate team work tasks in Problem Based Learning.  In the real world, in their chosen careers, students will find themselves simultaneously working and interacting with people, whether it is coworkers, customers, clients or CEOs.  To be successful in meeting real world deadlines, being responsible for real world job assignments, and effectively communicating with others, team work skills and training is vital.

Some of the problems I see in student teams is the lack of commitment on all parties of the team.  Maybe it is a question of self confidence on the student's part, maybe it is just their character to let others take the lead and they follow, or maybe other team members are intimidating and a student doesn't want to challenge them.  To get all team members excited and committed to doing their share is a challenge.

One strategy I would use to manage conflict in a student team is to start by laying down the ground rules about the responsibility to complete their assigned tasks, about communication that involves listening and responding appropriately, and about how students will be graded according to their group accomplishment and their individual participation.

The only problem encountered this week was not getting responses from all our group members.  We carried on and completed the task, but I feel it would have been more complete if all our group members had participated wholly.

Althea Rodrigues

Week 15 Group 5 "TEAMWORK"

TEAMWORK AND THE TEAM MARTYR

For this assignment on Teamwork, we were assigned to discuss strategies on how we might deal with a student “Martyr” on a Team.   To quote Richard Dool’s article on “Managing Conflict in Online Student Groups, “The ‘Martyr’ is quick to point out that he has had to do much more than everyone else on the team because no one else seems to be taking his/her part seriously.  His work schedule is ‘unique’ and his commitments unusual.”

Responses from our group sited communication as the number one key to achieving Team success and avoiding any one person elevating to martyrdom. Good communication at the start of the project must be made so Team members understand the individual tasks for which they are responsible and the Team understands the direction the group is going. 

Setting realistic goals for the Team to accomplish is our second strategy to avoid any martyr in the group.  Having face-to-face check point meetings along the way allows members to discuss their accomplishments and offer suggestions to each other to solve any problems another member may be having. This also gives members a chance to encourage and praise each other, keep everyone on schedule and keep the Team excited about the project.

And our third strategy is to remind the Team that their assessment not only depends on what they accomplish as a group, but also how well each individual has contributed to the group’s success.  Letting them know what is expected of them will make each person take his/her part seriously because they will be graded as a group and as an individual.

With these strategies in place, the chances for a person to evolve as the Team Martyr are slim.  With each Team member understanding his/her role, responsibility, and the goal ahead, no one person will be doing all the work for the Team.  Instead, each individual will be working toward their Team’s success.

"The Importance and the Benefit of Teamwork"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLGrfkgYxiQ

Task 3-5 Reflection

This week, the ideas I contributed to our team was to stay focused on our scenario and build this week's task around our scenario's class presentation by the students.  We had developed so much of our scenario in detail, that it seems almost real to us.  What was exciting this week is news that one of our team members shared our scenario with a school teacher who liked our ideas and wants to use some of it in her lesson on nutrition with her third graders.

My first assignment was to set up the new Google Document to be shared by the team and our instructor.  Then, I attended our face-to-face meeting on Thursday and assisted in recording and organizing ideas and notes from the team.  That night I was assigned to complete the assessment rubric that we started at the meeting but couldn't finish because the laptop battery had run out.

This week, I tried to encourage my team members by supporting their ideas and incorporating their ideas in our final document.  

The only problem we encountered was not having the full participation of all team members. Our absent team member  did express to us that it is difficult to make the face-to-face meeting because of work obligations. Although we managed to finish on time,  I feel accomplishing a team task is more fulfilling with all members actively participating.

Althea Rodrigues

Task 3-4 Reflection

The ideas I contributed to my team this week is the suggestion to make our Screenr presentation using the Excel program and incorporating ideas from our SLO scenario.  I thought that using photos of students in our Screenr would make the presentation visually appealing, so I downloaded photos from the internet that would fit into our presentation.  

As group leader, I again solicited attendance at our face to face meeting on Thursday, for group members to pose questions and answers and contribute ideas for our assignments due.  

I tried to encourage and support my team members by email reminders, requesting at least some input of ideas on our Document and attending the meeting myself, prepared with notes and ideas and suggestions for a plan of action.

Our problem this week was again, not having 100% attendance at our meeting, and not hearing from one of our team members.  However, we did complete our tasks as best we could with those members who were active, willing and able to contribute their time and ideas.

Althea Rodrigues

Task 3-3 Reflection

For this week, I continued my role as the group's Team Leader, requesting early on in the week, that we make an effort to have a "face to face" meeting to brainstorm ideas and format our Task 3 entries on our Google Document.  As Team Leader, I assigned each group member their part to complete on the Google Document.  A time and place was set for our group "face to face" meeting and although all group members could not make the meeting, for those who did attend, a great deal of ideas and work on our Document was accomplished.

At our meeting, I suggested we continue to develop our Student Task toward a class presentation and assembling a display at the community health fair.  We started building the weekly steps of our Student Task one by one.  What we at first thought would take six weeks, we decided will instead take eight weeks for our Students to accomplish, taking into consideration that we are asking for the Student's family to be involved and we wanted to give students and their families enough time to work around their schedules to complete the task.

This week, I tried to encourage and support my team members by first giving them information on what has to be accomplished this week, arranging a face to face meeting and requesting their attendance,  and giving group members directions on finding examples to help them with their assignments.  And even for those who did not attend our meeting, I posted notes where I knew it would be read, on our Google Document, and the notes could be erased after being read.

The examples posted on the Laulima Modules for this Task, answered most of the questions from group members.  It is difficult for all group members to make "face to face" meetings.  Despite the absences, there were no problems reported.  Everyone understood their roles and completed their assignments on time.

Althea Rodrigues

Week #11 Current Event

  Group 5 Article Choice for Week 11

“PENNSYLVANIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LAUNCHES CLASS-SIZED IMMERSIVE SIMULATOR”

By Dian Schaffhauser

http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/03/14/pennsylvania-elementary-school-launches-class-sized-immersive-simulator.aspx

On March 20, 2013, Shaler Area Elementary School in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, launched the Dream Flight Adventure.  A classroom was converted into the bridge of a spaceship, the IKS Titan.  Students enter the simulator, each with an assigned role that they are responsible to perform to help the IKS Titan complete its mission, whether it is in outer space or in the deep ocean.  The missions, designed by professional educators, involve unique adventures that expose students to critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and effective communication with the use of 21^st century technology and skills.

“The IKS Titan classroom simulator makes learning fun and memorable and inspires students to develop greater knowledge and skills in STEM...” said Cindy Foht, school principal.  STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  Because of the potential shortage of employees in high-tech fields, educators are working hard to keep up with the emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. 

“Shaler Area School District has committed itself to interdisciplinary learning and development of 21^st Century skills among our students, and Dream Flight Adventures will be instrumental in taking this effort to the next level,” said Wes Shipley, superintendent of schools.

Dream Flight Adventures at a Glance

http://vimeo.com/62150983

Task 3-2 Reflection

This week I continued my role as group leader for this task. I invited all our group members to join me on our Google Document on any of the nights this week, starting with Tuesday. I told them I would be on at 8:30 pm and we could share ideas and collaborate at that time.  Not all the members could make our "meetings", but we managed to finish our Document in a couple of nights.

As group leader I contributed by initiating group "meetings", committing to the time I said I would be available, and collaborating with the other team member in building our ideas and finishing the task at hand.  After having worked on the Google Document last week, we were much more comfortable collaborating on the Document, and commenting on the side.  What did work better was deciding to communicate by telephone as we typed and organized the Document.  It was easier to speak to each other rather than type in the comments column.

For next time, I still would like our group to meet face-to-face to discuss and share ideas.  I know it is difficult because of our other responsibilities and locations.  I can see how social webbing has made it possible for us to communicate and complete this week's task, despite not meeting face-to-face.  Still, I cannot help but feel we could each contribute more to the project if we were in each other's presence, like students who physically attend class.

Althea Rodrigues

Task 3-1 Reflection

This week, the members of our team were asked to research and share their findings at our "meeting" on Google Docs on Wednesday evening at 8:30pm.  For myself, I took on the role of leader, setting up our group Google Document, setting our "meeting" date, and initiating the opening remarks of our submission.  Although all of our team members did not make our "meeting" , those who did shared a wealth of knowledge  and ideas. We did receive notes from an absent team member, who posted her notes on the document, which we preceded to include some of her ideas.  Having a meeting with all members physically present is difficult because of our work and school schedules, the distances between where we live, and our family responsibilities.  Collaborating on the Google Document simultaneously in real time worked well for us.  What I would do differently for next time is to encourage at least one meeting when we are all physically present to discuss our next project. 

Althea Rodrigues

Week 9 Task 2 Debrief

Classtools is my academic web tool choice. www.classtools.net

Classtools is a website that allows teachers to create educational games for their students.  There are dozens of templates to choose from and teachers choose the subject, create the questions and supply the answers.  The information is downloaded into the game template and ready to be accessed with an assigned URL address.  Teachers can even go back to the game and edit the questions and answers as desired. When lessons are presented as a game, learning is more fun and better received by students.  What better way to keep students engaged than entertaining them as they learn? And there is no fee to use Classtools.

I would use this web tool in my classroom to reinforce learning, add variety to my teaching tools, and give my students something fun to do in class.  I especially like the option to go back to a game and change the questions and answers.  See the educational game I created:

classtools.net/mob/quiz_64/Rhythm_Counting_Beats_0t5R3.htm

When searching for web tools I try to put myself into the role of a teacher.  This past week, as I navigated through  websites, I asked myself,  "How would this help my students learn?"  In the beginning, when I first started searching for webtools, I would Google search a topic and hope that something good pops up.  At this point, however, I find myself more careful on my choices.  I don't know how to make web searching easier.  I seems the more I learn about the different types of web tools, it gets more difficult to choose.

Althea Rodrigues

Week #8 Current Event Group 5

Students depend on their teachers to guide them to learn.  Teachers design comprehensive lessons plans, using the teaching tools available, but besides the responsibility to teach students, teachers also have to keep records of each student’s attendance, class work, assignments, merits, disciplines, grades and progress.  Teachers also need to prepare reports and communicate this information with the school administration, faculty, and parents.  Having the right administrative and classroom management system is vital to help teachers keep accurate records and prepare reports without taking away their valuable teaching time.

                                         

SchoolFront is a web based school and classroom management software designed to allow administrators, teachers, and other school staff to record and process students’ and teachers’ information.   Government reports, report cards, transcripts, and more can be easily compiled and completed.  The classroom management features help teachers with attendance, grades, report cards, transcripts and even classroom seating.  A Parent and Student portal opens communication and allows parents and students to view class work, assignments, grades, reports and school activities and even submit homework and other files.

SchoolFront was developed by FrontEdge, Inc., a company that specializes in web-based software and created by directly involving students, parents, teachers and school administrators.    Their system is highly secure and private and their commitment is to keep their system upgraded and enhanced to meet the changing needs of our schools.  You can learn more about SchoolFront  by visiting their website:  www.schoolfront.com/overview.aspx

Week 8 Task 2 Debrief

My website choice for Task 2 is "SchoolFront"  www.schoolfront.com/overview.aspx

Before I started my search, I tried to put myself into the role of a teacher.  I thought about what I would need to help me keep efficient records on my students, their attendance, their grades, and their classwork.  With so much to do as a teacher, I need a system that is easy to use throughout the day.  I especially wanted a system that is user friendly and in case of a "system melt down" I can get tech support right away.

When first entering the SchoolFront website, navigating the overview homepage for information was so easy, I knew that this is the tool I would use in my classroom.  The program addressed my needs for classroom management and I especially like the Parent Student Portal.  Parents can view classwork, assignments, turn in homework see attendance and discipline records and contact the teacher for any concerns they may have.  And upon purchasing the software, SchoolFront provides a comprehensive tech support system to be available as quickly as possible.

I typically start my search for websites by typing key words into Google Search and reviewing the list of sites that appear.  If I am not satisfied, I type in different key words and review the next list that appears.  I keep 2 or 3 websites "on tab' to review and compare, adding and deleting until I come to a decision.  One improvement I would make is being able to keep my 2 or 3 websites "in open windows" rather than "on tab".  It would be easier to compare and review the different websites.

Althea Rodrigues

Week 7 Task 1 Debrief

The last seven weeks have been very interesting.  I have never used social media websites like Bloggers, Tweeters, Google Reader, iGoogle or ScreenR.  I have heard about celebrities "tweeting" and I have seen TV hosts inviting viewers to respond to their "blogs", but I never imagined the extent that social media technology has taken us.

For me, having a Personal Learning Network is priceless.  I definitely plan to continue to manage the news resources in my network as I finish school and on through my teaching career.  I can add and delete information to keep my network up to date, something I cannot do with a textbook.

For new teachers and even those studying to be teachers, building a Personal Learning Network is so important to keep up with information on teaching, student learning, education and technology.  And even if I don't use the resource on my network, reading research and studies from experts and from other teachers sharing their classroom experiences, is so inspiring.

www.screenr.com/w4c7

Week #5 CURRENT EVENT Group 5

            The children who populate our classrooms not only come from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, they also enter school with different physical and emotional disabilities and different levels of learning.  Teachers have become responsible to seek out each child’s special needs and design lesson plans to help the child learn.  Technology is assisting by designing more and more programs to help educators address their students’ special needs.

            The Articulation Station Pro is an iPad App designed by a Speech-Language Pathologist to help children with delayed speech development.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/articulation-station-pro/id491998279?mt=8

            Delayed speech development is a symptom of many disorders, such as mental retardation, hearing loss, and autism, and it may also be secondary to bilingualism, an increasing challenge in many of our schools.  The Articulation Station Pro helps children  practice all 22 speech sounds in the English language, apply these sounds to words, and not only pronounce the words, but also practice the words in sentences and stories.  At the story level, there are comprehension questions at the end of each story.  The teacher can choose to start at the level appropriate to the student’s ability and with a data tracking capability the student’s progress can be monitored.

            One activity, at the word level uses flashcards. Tap the flashcard and the pronunciation is heard.  The student repeats what he/she hears, and if correct, the teacher pushes the “correct” button and a pleasant sound is heard.  This helps the teacher to keep track of what will need more practice.  If the student is practicing on his/her own, a recording button can be used to record the student’s voice, giving him/her the opportunity to evaluate his/her own pronunciations.  To reinforce learning, the same flashcards can be used in a matching game.

            The Articulation Station Pro was voted the 2012 App of the Year—Apps for Children with Special Needs.  As of this writing, the designer has already added more content and options to the program.  The following video touches on a few of the basic activities of the Articulation Station Pro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY3vw3_Nevg

Week#2 Group#5 Current Event

The structure of teaching is evolving.  The walls of our schoolhouses no longer restrict how far or how much teachers can teach and students can learn.  Our resources are endless, the possibilities tremendous.  Teaching standards are now modified to improve student learning by applying educational technology in our classrooms.

And because technology is constantly evolving, educators need to keep abreast of new products, new programs, new systems that can help improve and assist student learning.  A helpful resource we have found is "Classroom Aid."  http://classroom-aid.com/technology-resources

Classroom Aid's website is a user friendly and easy to navigate site for educators seeking to incorporate technology in their lesson plans or have the desire to expand their technology skills.  One can choose to view Free Teacher Development, Technology Resources, or Educational Apps.  Play and Learn offers samples of Learning Games, Games Based Learning, and Game Building Resources.  Free Educational Resources is broken down into classroom subjects and Multimedia Resources has a link to TeacherTube where there are more instructional and self-help videos.

Classroom Aid also links to Covergemag.com (under Free Downloads on Teacher Development), where one can read current events and special reports on educational technology and its impact on teachers and students.

The Home Page also rotates new sites of related interests with such titles as "Learning Like Spock in Star Trek" and "If Steve Jobs Designed the Education System."

Here is a video about Google Glasses found under "Field Trip."  Currently available only to developers (at $1500 each), Google Glasses is not only an exciting new social multimedia tool, but it will allow students to access information, past and real-time, anytime and anywhere.  This is where the future of educational technology is headed.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6W4CCU9M4&feature=player_embedded

Aloha, my name is Althea Rodrigues.

My favorite technology gadget is my digital camera.  I have always loved taking photos, and now with my digital camera I don't have to wait for the film to develop to view the photos I've taken.  I can see the images immediately and delete and retake shots on the spot.  And the digital camera makes it so easy to get photos for special letters, cards, and different projects that I do for my piano studio and for work.

When working in a group, I like to listen to ideas other people have, and it is always interesting how we as a collective can build on each others ideas and come up with a great project.  One of my strengths in group work is I am dependable.  Whatever I am assigned, I will get it done.  I don't want to let my group down by not finishing my share of the work.  And another strength I bring to a group is I like to help others succeed.  If anyone needs my help, I will do what I can to help that person.

I found a 16 minute video on Alan November, an early advocate of educational technology.  He shared his experience on how he discovered how young people will use technology to tap into their area of interest and then spend hours and great effort on creating, innovating, and pursuing what they find purposeful.  And he talked of how educators can use this idea of purposeful learning with technology as a tool. Students would be spending more time on their studies and not even realize it.  He had several videos on youtube, but I liked this one the best.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebJHzpEy4bE

Listening to Alan November got me curious. I wanted to see how teachers use technology in their classrooms, so I did more searching. I found a chemistry teacher who incorporated technology into her lesson plan.  I was amazed at the computer programs the students used that allowed them link to each other as they worked in groups and set up their presentations.  The classroom was buzzing with excitement and activity, and the students were more than happy to show the camera how they gathered information and designed their projects.  www.edutopia.org/tech-to-learn-collaborative-digital-presentations-video