One step closer......

Initially, I was very frustrated and confused with embedding medias on websites. It  did not help matter that I refused to give up until I fully got the concept and become comfortable with the process. After several attempts, I can honestly say I am feeling less overwhelmed. I did a great job of embedding my Prezi presentation along with links to websites and books on the class’ wikipage. I feel really good about this accomplishment. Now, I just need to figure how to embed links on my website. J

Wordle on Depression

In my opinion, Wordle consists of trial and error. It was a simple template with no instructions on how to work the features. I did not know the Wordle could be saved under my name. I did face problems with the color schemes due to certain colors not flowing well together. Overall, I will use this technology in the future. 

Here is an activity to spark dialog among students to gain awareness, and understanding of how people may feel suffering from depression.

DEPRESSION

1). GOALS

- Create awareness about Depression.

- Help students to understand feelings associated with Depression.

- Promote discussions among students on the topic.

- Share testimonies. Students relate better to other peers' stories.



http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/6763510/Depression

http://prezi.com/yohedhtjzc4b/universal-design-for-learning/?kw=view-yohedhtjzc4b&rc=ref-17984378

Digital Footprints

I am always amazed with the results of searching my name on Google. Typically, I try to keep things very limited on the Internet and in the “cloud” if you will. I found a couple of pictures of myself, which was a little annoying. I discovered information about me pertaining to pass donations, networking sites and former employments. I do not recall the passwords for the networking sites so I have not gotten around to removing them. In reality, I will definitely do so because I can be a little neurotic about things. Although, it is interesting to see that my first and last name is very popular where there are several hits for other people. Therefore, it should not come a surprise that I use an alias to avoid all the confusion. J Honestly, after this class, I will return to having majority of my information private or allow limit restrictions. I believe this is a great activity to use with adolescent to show how putting information on the Internet can always follow the person regardless of how hard the person tries to remove the information. 

Common Sense Media Webinar

Today, I found this webinar different from my previous webinars. Initially, I was unfamiliar with digital citizenship and how it relates to students. So, it was advantageous that the speaker immediately gave an overview of the terminology. The guest speaker provide a continuum of lectures, visual applications and examples of what Common Sense Media has to offer to key stakeholders in education. As a social worker, I found it profound to see the illustration of interactive activities including technology to help students to improve socially and learn appropriate social skills to use with others. I really enjoy the speaker spending a significant amount of time navigating through the website to thoroughly explain some key features. I am looking forward to searching the website more to learn more about the available resources and lesson plans. Lastly, I am eager to inform others in my school district of this website. 

Apple's Stages of Technology

In 1980, the Apple's ACOT Study identified five stages of technology. Ideally, I move regularly throughout the five stages. For example, I am open to integration into technology but at times I have reservation with using these tools. This is due greatly in part to feeling overwhelm with information given in trainings and being unfamiliar with gadgets. Professionally, I move periodically from adoption to adaption stages. It is difficult to move to the apparition and innovation stages due to accessibility. As a social worker, I do not receive the same access to technology as classroom teachers. I am in the appropriation and innovation stages in my personal life. I am constantly searching the Internet, and technology applications to become more innovative. On many occasions, I do become excessive with using technology in my daily activities. I would like Apple to conduct a follow-up to this study in order to compare differences and similarities.

Project Tomorrow's Speak Up Research

"Nearly a majority of classroom teachers (45 percent) noted in 2012 that they are creating more interactive lessons because of having access to technology, an increase of 25 percent in just the past two years." Based on this research, teachers largely use technology because it is more innovative and easily accessible. Technology can promote high engagement and positive responses in students. Also, school districts use technology tools for webinars, PLC, networking, and online classes to name a few. I believe the sample size in the research is small due to the disparities of resources distribution to school districts across the states to support technology in schools. It is imperative to have access to technology but regular professional development for teachers is needed to help teachers to become familiar and comfortable with creating these lessons. Therefore, two questions arose from this research. For example, how can classroom teachers receive more access to technology? What is needed to help incorporate technology into their classrooms? In my opinion, clarification on these questions will provide more understanding of ways to increase responses in teachers.