You.com

This project was actually very fun to do! I first tried Vizualize.me   I filled out my profile but when I went to my 'portfolio' and it said that this feature was it its beta and couldn't be used. I decided to try another site so I deleted my vizualize me account.  Next on my list was about.me.  I liked this one much better.  It was easy to connect my linkedin and my Instructional Media Blog. I added a link to my blog and an RSS feed to my individual posts. I added my bio, education and tags that illustrated things about me.  I also added links to my edmodo and ustream profile.  I chose not to add my facebook account, just because I fear my students finding my personal page. I added a picture of my dog and I on the beach which is my favorite place in the world. I really like how this profile looks and it is really easy to use.   One thing I did like about vizualize.me is that it looked more like a resume. I wish I could take both sites and squish them together.  The last bit that I added was an education quote :)

My About Me :)

Digital Dossier. Are you aware?

This really did scare me a bit.  That every google search, every facebook post is storing information in my digital dossier.  Its hard to fathom all the digital footprints I have left.  From credit card information to facebook pictures.  One can know almost everything about me just by canvasing my digital footprints. I post to facebook, buy things online, heck, I even take classes online.  All my banking is done online.  It is scary to know that my life, potentially, has been stored online.  

My adult life has been stored online. My student's digital life has started much earlier.  The internet was growing when I was a teenager. It wasn't readily and constantly available till I was in college. In high school, I had to dial up.  My students have constantly been around digital technology.  It has been a part of their lives since birth. Their digital footprint has begun much earlier than mine.  

I think this has a HUGE impact on children.  It has been ingrained in their lives since birth. I think its been to the point that it would be hard to remove technology from their lives.  I remember my childhood, I didn't have a cell phone till I went to college.  I could live without it.  These kids today have a hard time separating their digital selves from their physical selves.  Both of those are fully entwined. The scary part, is they don't realize what is going on.  They don't know what effect those posts on facebook will have on getting a job or getting into college.  They don't realize that when they post to facebook, they relinquish ownership of their photos. THey don't know that even if they delete a photo, it is still stored somewhere in internet land.  I think we will see the effects in the future. Imagine this generation running for president? Campaigns are going to be even dirtier now that we leave a digital trail.  

Broadcast Yourself... UStream

Honestly, this project scared me to death. Scared me so much I immediately contacted the instructor!  My fears were eased and I looked into USTREAM. Honestly, attending the webinar also helped me overcome my fears.

I signed up for UStream and downloaded the Ustream Producer and the desktop streamer.  When I downloaded the producers, I then had to figure out how to get my desktop able to broadcast.  I had to watch youtube videos on how to broadcast my desktop. It took me a few minuts to figure it out.  I did a few tests and I finally was able to get it up and running. It was a little complicated but I thought I had it.

After I got that figured out, I had to decide what to broadcast.  I did a PowerPoint presentation earlier this week to my school board on the Ignite Torch. (I had to present to get the grant) I thought it would be a great idea to use that information. I decided to try to use Prezi.  I transfered the PowerPoint presentation to Prezi and it looked great. This project also allowed me to learn to use Prezi.

My original date and time came.  I was well on my way  with the presentation when the bandwidth was too much and it kept on kicking me offline.  I tried lowering the bandwidth but it still wouldn't work.  I got frustrated and decided to try again the next day.  It was much easier to do the next day, but I still ran into problems.  I finished the broadcast, but it didn't save to USTREAM, so again, I had to do it again.  It went fine and this time I finally got it done AND saved to Ustream. I had three viewers to my first attempt. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it through my 10 minute presentation. I had two on my second. I couldn't figure out how to get a chat feature working.

It was a frustrating process and it definitely needs a learning curve.  I am sure one can invest in a broadcasting program that is much easier and more reliable.  USTREAM was great for a free service.

Looking back, I should have tried a few more test runs, but I thought when the first ones worked, I'd be good to go.. boy was I wrong.

I did postings announcing my broadcast on my blog and UStream  makes it easy to share on facebook and twitter. I did leading up to my first scheduled broadcasting.  I also made posts after the fact when I couldn't get through my presentation to reschedule.

The presentation went fine, and I found that I actually enjoyed it.  After doing this and attending the webinar, I can see how live broadcasting can benefit education. It makes distance learning possible.  When I was in high school, I was in a Russian class and we had 4 students from another district that participated via distance learning.  At that time, the equipment was big and bulky.  It is much easier now with just software and a webcam.  It could also allow those on home study to still attend classes.

I would use this technology in the future if all of my students had access to the internet and computers.  Hopefully in the future, it will happen.  I could also have students create broadcasts on their end.  It woud make a great project.

UStream Channel:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/travla01

My broadcast is the most recent one on my Ustream channel.

Discovery Education Webinar: Middle School Social Studies Techbook: What are the 5E's and How Do They Fit My Classroom?

Date and time:	Thursday, April 18, 2013 10:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00) Change time zone
Program:	Techbook Webinars
Duration:	1 hour
Description:	ENGAGE students as they EXPLORE social studies through digital media We'll EXPLAIN how digital media can change the way students experience social studies, ELABORATE on how digital media can be utilized to meet the needs of every student, and EVALUATE student progress through US History, World History and World Geography concepts. The Webinar I chose to take part in was a discovery education webinar dealing with a new product called a Techbook. It is an electronic textbook.  I chose this webinar for several reasons. First, it fit my schedule. It was one of the only webinars I could find that did.  It is also coordinated with my subject area!  My school is beginning to explore the idea of digital textbooks. I was interested in seeing how they could be integrated into the classroom. I am actually interested in trying to get it for my school.   What were the strengths and weaknesses of the show format? I was unsure as to what to expect in a webinar.  I have never been to one before.  The one weakness that it did have was the time.  It was very late webinar.  It started at 10 and was an hour long. This was a weakness for me because it was a school night and I have to be up at 5:20 in the morning.  Another weakness is that it didn't allow me to really explore the techbook.  She did offer us a trial after, but I would have liked to maybe explore the techbook, with her.  I also would have like a little more interactive features. We had a chat, but it was only used to answer some questions. Although it had those weaknesses, it also did have its strengths.  It opened me up to a new piece of technology that I didn't know existed. The format was easy to follow.  The technology was not confusing or hard to use on my end. The chat feature was easy to find, even when she shared her screen and we had to go open the chat again. The show was easy to register for, and it was easy to enter the webinar. I had no challenges attending the webinar.  It peaked my interest in the subject and the product.  The format allowed for people to ask questions, it also allowed powerpoint slides and voice lecture.  The webinar also allowed for the techbook to be fully explained.  I believe the webinar served its purpose.  I am now interested in the product!! Would you participate in future shows of this nature? Of Course! I was able to gain a lot of valuable information through this webinar.  I would love to learn more information about teaching and new teaching tools for Social Studies and History.  How could this type of webcast be incorporated into the classroom? I think this could be used to have guest speakers that are too far away or unable to come into the classroom. This will allow the students to interact with them via chat and allow the students to see the person and learn from them.  This could also be used for distance learning/homebound students.  It will allow the teacher to teach the child without being in the same room.  I believe this technology can definitely help education!!  The students could also create their own as a project. I think this could also be used for professional development hours/credits and during in service days.   How might you use it with students?  As attendees or broadcasters? This question relates to the question above. I think it could be used both ways.  As attendees, students on home bound or unable to come to school because of a medical reason could use this technology to learn and keep up with the curriculum when they are out.  It could be used for summer school as well.  For my current class, I don't know if I would use it. I work at a very rural district. Many of my students don't have internet access so it would be difficult.  As Broadcasters, I could have students create a broadcast for a project.  Instead of an oral presentation, they could do this. I still run into the lack of technology problem here too. I learned a lot from this webinar.  I actually felt more comfortable doing my broadcast project after watching this.  I can't wait to sign up for my trial of this techbook! I'll have to keep an eye out for these webinars. I also attached my certificate! I think it was neat that they included it.

Try again tomorrow

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/travla01

Tomorrow at 11am I will be broadcasting again. I ran into some problems. My video got cut off twice while broadcasting.  I picked up where I left off and the first part didn't record to my computer or online.  I will be attempting it again tomorrow.  I lowered the bandwidth and hopefully it will cooperate tomorrow!

Sorry!

Live Broadcast Tomorrow!

It will begin at about 4:30 tomorrow and last about 10 minutes.  I will confirm the time tomorrow!

Ignite Torch Broadcast

I will be broadcasting a presention on Ignite! Torch and its benefits.

Date: Friday April 19th
Time: approx 4-5 PM

Exact time will be posted tomorrow! Tune in!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/travla01

Horizon Report: 3D Printing

A few weeks ago, while watching Channel One with my students, they did a segment on a 3D pen.  This pen can 'draw' 3D images.  It looks almost like a hot glue gun that an instantly build objects. I thought that was really neat. 

So when I pulled up the Horizon report, I was pleasantly surprised to see the '3D Printing' as an emerging technology. It think this technology is REALLY neat. It actually kind of makes me a little excited to see this in practice.  The idea that this printer could build 3D models of objects is astonishing.  

I can already see how I can use this technology in the classroom. It is impossible for me to go to historical places and different countries. I could print historical buildings or the faces of historical figures. I could print out historical objects like the spinning jenny, steamboats or muskets. I could print 3D maps! I could print models of battles. The possibilities are really endless. This technology would allow students to examine objects, people, and places that they might not be available normally. 

I really can't wait to see what the future holds for these emerging technologies!

Check it out!

Photo Challenge Reflection

I thought the 365 Photo Challenge was a really neat experience. I first searched online for a challenge.  I found a challenge and I posted the challenge on the blog.  I picked up on the current day in April.  It was challenging to find pictures.  Throughout the week, I would think ahead to what I could do for the next day.  The most challenging pictures were the 100 and the feature pictures.  I had to think a bit more than the others for those.  I posted them online through my mobile phone. I took the picture using instagram.  I edited the photo and then also posted it to my blog through the blogger mobile app.

I have seen some of my friends do this challenge on instagram.  I think it was really neat and I might try to keep going the rest of the month on instagram.

Link for ALL Photo Challenge posts

Day #7 Photo Challenge: Stairs

Social Media Lesson Plan: BackChannel and aMap

Title: Whiskey Rebellion Rebels or Tax Resisters?: Where the men involved in the Whiskey Rebellion justified in rebelling against the American Government?

Objectives:
SWBAT

• Summarize the events of the Whiskey Rebellion
• identify the key people involved in the Whiskey Rebellion
• Debate the justification of the actions of the rebels
• Defend their decisions with supporting details.

Unit Lesson Outcome:

• The learner will explain the problems facing the nation during Washington's Administration and how his policies help shape the nation.

Standards:
     Pennsylvania:

Civics & Government
5.1 X 5.2 X 5.3 5.4 X

Communications

1.1 X 1.2 X 1.3 X 1.4 X 1.5 1.6 X 1.7 1.8 X

Mathematics

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 X 2.7 2.8 X 2.9 2.10 2.11

Common Core:

CC.8.5.6-8.B.

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

CC.8.5.6-8.A.

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

CC.8.5.6-8.J.

By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

CC.8.6.6-8.A.
Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

• Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.

• Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.
• Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

• Establish and maintain a formal style.
• Provide a concluding statement or section
  

CC.8.6.6-8.E.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.

Materials:
20 computers
internet
Play
Readings
Projector and Screen

Students:
20 8th grade students

Procedure:

The class will be divided into 5 groups of 4.

As a class we will be reading a play based on the Whiskey Rebellion. It is a play that follows the trial fo those involved in the Whiskey Rebellion. It asks the students to be the judge and jury.


After the play is read the students will log into a backchannel chat room for their assigned groups.  Each group will have their own backchannel chat.  I will have an initial question pinned to the top of the page:

They are going to post and respond to each other's posts for 5 minutes.  They are going to be discussing whether or not, based on the reading of the play, the rebels were justified in their actions.  I am going to give them an additional reading to help and guide them in their discussion. After the 5 minutes are up, I am going to be asking more specific questions to each group and allow them to discuss and debate their answers to the questions.

These questions will include the following:

They are to continue to answer these questions in their individual groups.  As a group, they are going to  create an aMap that explains and maps out their decision.





Each group is going to present their decisions and aMaps to the class. They should be prepared to be able to summarize the Whiskey Rebellion and be able to state whether or not their actions were justifiable. They should be prepared to defend their decision with at least 4 supporting facts.

They will be graded based on a rubric

BackChannel Chat Participation (each participant will have a different score) ___/10
aMap completion (group) States opinion and provides supporting details        ___/20
Presentation of aMap to class                                                                           ___/10

Day 6 Photo Challenge: A feature

Lia Sophia feature in the catalog

Day 5 photo challenge: A touch of yellow

Day 4 photo challenge: Overgrown

My overgrown grass :)

Day 3 Photo Challenge 100

100 cents :)

Teachers, Students and Social Media

I strongly believe that students and teachers should NOT be friends on social media sites like facebook.  Like many have said, there is a boundary between the school and personal life.  I do not want my students to know my personal life.  I don't tell them much for good reason. I am not their friend, I am their teacher.  There have been cases in PA where teachers have lost their certificate because of college pictures that have emerged later on in their teaching career.  Teachers have to be very careful about the things they post in facebook, and having student friends would just make yourself open to all sorts of trouble.  I went so far to change my name on facebook so that my last name isn't published. I do not want students OR parents to find me, and I do not want even a friend request. I think accepting students as friends opens up a door that might never be able to close. I also don't want to know the ins and outs of my student's 8th grade personal lives.  I get enough of the drama in class, I can't imagine what goes on there. 

Twitter could be adapted for education.  You have a choice on whether or not to follow back. I think it could be adapted in a much better fashion then facebook.  I probably still wouldn't risk it.  

Instagram could be used also in the classroom with some adjustments.  I would probably have the students create history accounts to seperate from their personal accounts. I would do the same.

I find edmodo to be a good (and secure) blend of education and social media. My students love using edmodo. One of my students told me "its facebook... FOR SCHOOL!!" It is secure. The teacher has complete control of the site as a moderator. I love using it! 

Day 2 Photo Challenge: Ear

Its Bullseye from Toy Story!!!

Day 1 Photo Challenge- Pastel

April 365 Photo Challenge

For my project this week, I am going to be taking on the 365 Photo Challenge.

http://captureyour365.com/category/blog/

I knew I was going to be a teacher when... An iPhone Video Story...

When I first read about this assignment, I was quite scared and didn't know where to start.  I picked up my iPhone and did a google search for video story apps on iOS.  I came across a few freebies, I tried them out and didn't like them. If I couldn't figure out the program easily, I decided  I finally found a program called Storyrobe.  It was very easy to use. I can upload pictures and videos easily. After I upload the pictures, I can create recordings to go along with each of the pictures. I decided to use this program to create my video story.  I used safari to find pictures and I was fortunate enough to have many pictures already on my phone.  Anytime a student does something that is funny, inspires me, or wows me, I take a picture. I am glad I did these things now! I also used Keynote on my phone.  It is a mac based program that is similar to PowerPoint.  I used these to introduce the different parts of my story.  After I created the video with the pictures, I added the audio captions after. I first had to create a script.

I can see this used in the classroom. I could have students create a video story as a timeline. I can have them create a video story about the life of a famous person or an important historical event.

This video illustrates that I found the career for me when I was coaching swimming and it was confirmed on the first day of my student teaching assignment. I am reminded every day that this is the only career for me.  :)  I couldn't see myself doing anything else.

I have to apologize in advance, some of the audio ended up not being aligned with the photos.  I couldn't figure out how make sure it was aligned. I tried doing the audio over again. In the program, the audio is aligned, when I export it, something happens. It is still in order, just might fall behind.

Another problem I just experienced was getting the video from my phone to my computer to post.  The video was to big to send via iMessage, email or PhotoStream.  I decided to try dropbox.  I am glad I did. It worked!!

Enjoy!