Google Forms

For this assignment I decided to create a survey. Having four kids and being an educator I am always interested to see how involved parents are in their child's education, and how involved the school or teacher will allow them to be. The survey I wrote asks parents to answer a few questions pertaining to their involvement at their child's school. I tried to keep the survey short and to the point because many people do not have time to set and answers questions. In fact when I told my cousin that I was sending her this survey to complete the first thing she asked was "How many questions are on it?" Creating this survey was actually a lot easier then I expected. The site is very user friendly, and I think it would be very easy and fun for students to use. I only encountered one problem and I still have not figured it out and that is when both myself and a friend of mine tired to submit the completed survey through AOL it would not allow us. We had to copy the URL and open the site on internet explorer. There were not problems submitting through the gmail account. The survey I created is for parents so to get this to them I would have to first obtain their emails, or send a letter home giving them the URL or site to look up. Many schools use edline or another network to communicate with parents so I could easily upload the link to this site for parents to look at. I am currently still waiting for two other people to answer the survey. They are having issues submitting as I did earlier. Once they have finished I will comment on my results. .... Here are the links to both my survey and responses.

Presentation 3

I created my Prezi on the planets found in our solar system. This goes along with the photo story I completed for my second presentation. Even though I am finally getting the hang of using Prezi I still prefer Powerpoint. I like the graphics better on Prezi and the different templates you can use, but I am more familiar therefore more comfortable with good old powerpoint. While I like the fact that with the Prezi template you are able to view the entire presentation before it breaks off into sections, it is had for me to maneuver through the site. Every time I try to move or rearrange something I end of grabbing the wrong item and messing up the picture. Then when I accidently add the wrong thing it is almost impossible to get it removed. I am pretty sure there are short cuts to some of my problems and that the more I practice the better I will become, but for now I have to say I prefer Powerpoint. When considering the ISTE.NETS-T standards I think this activity best fits within standards two and three. It would fit in standard two because students are using technology to create and design something new. It fits within standard three because once they have created their Prezi's that could present them to their class and or upload what they have create onto the web for the entire world or who ever they choose to observe their work. Here is my Prezi on the Planets.

Presentation 2

I had a horrible time trying to do this video.  I have create videos before but always included back ground music not narrations.  Anyways I hope this is up to standards seeing as how I have been fighting with YouTube for the past two hours trying to figure out how to upload the video.
I decided to do my presentation on the planets in our solar system.  I chose this topic because it is of interest to me, mainly because many people either still believe that Pluto is one of out planets or they do not understand why Pluto is no classified as a "Dwarf Planet."  For this video I tried not to go into a lot of detail about Pluto (in fact I saved that information for the last two slides) simply because I wanted to teach about the planets and Pluto is no longer one of our planets.  I used google presentations to create a PowerPoint, and then uploaded the images into Photostory.  However, when I started trying to upload to Photostory I could not figure out how to upload the entire presentation at once.  Had I known I was going to have to upload each slide individually I would have just created the entire thing in Photostory.
Overall I am satisfied with this video.  I think had I had more time to work with the programs I could have added more detail, but the basic functions took me so long that I had no time for anything else.  In my opinion have students do this type of activity is incorporating standard 2 of the ISTE.NET-T standards.  Simply because students are creating new things using different or unknown technologies.

Presentation

I hope this is correct I uploaded my presentation on HABITATS.  However I did not see any folder that said public so I am not sure this is correct.
For this assignment we were asked to create a powerpoint presentation and upload it to dropbox.  To do this we had to download the free dropbox.  I was able to locate and download fairly easily, but when it came to putting my finished presentation in the box I was lost.  I could not find any file that said for public so I ended up just putting it in a new folder.  I am hoping this is correct.  Also I did not use Microsoft to do this presentation I used Google Docs, which I think caused a few problems, because when it came time to put in drop box I could not find where to upload for Google Docs.
Doing this activity with students in my opinion most closely relates to standard 2 of the ISTE.NET-T standards.  To do this assignment students would have to use new technology to create and develop different experiences.  Students would have to use both prior and acquired knowledge to create a presentation that can be presented to both peers and faculity.  Personally I think that having students create a powerpoint is a great way for them to show and explain many concepts and ideas.  

Jing Video

Unfortunately the computer that I normally use is not working well for this class and I have to admit it is a little frustrating.  I have another one but I do not like to download anything onto it.  However, I have had to use it several times already for this class including on this assignment.

After working all day to try and figure this program out I have to admit that it was fairly simple after I started using a computer that was compatable with the program.  I choose to do a video on how to use the snipping tool.  Hopefully everyone can view this site.  If not please let me know.  

Questions:

1.  How do you determine and control the recording area of you screen capture?

      You click on the + sign on the three pronged sun.  Place the + sign where you want to start your capture and drag to cover the entire section you want to include.  

2.  What are the options for saving a screen capture?

       You can save it to a few different places including twitter, facebook, and screencast.com in which the public can view it.  This is where my video is saved.  

3.  Where is the screencapture on your computer and how do you retrieve it?  i.e. what is the address to it on your local machine?

My screen capture is located at the top middle of my screen.  It looks like a sun and when you move your cursor over it three prongs appear.  One is for capture, one is history, and the last says more. 

4.  How do you push it to the internet and share it with others?

     All you have to do is click on the icon that says share.  

5.  What file type is a Jing screencast movie?

     SWF

6.  The Jing sun has three prongs.  What does each prong do?  

     The first prong is used to capture your image.  The second one is used to show your history; all captures you have previously taken and saved.  The last prong is labeled more.  This is where you can go to get help.  

Personally I think that using this program could be incorperted into all the ISTE.NET-T standards.  However, I feel that it most closely relates to standard 2 because students must design and develop digital aged work.

Jing

Overall I have to say that I really like this tool.  I am still having a little difficulty figuring out how to size the capture but I am working with it.  I decided to create a picture involving fractions.  I used a Hersheys bar to so parts of a whole.  I know chocolate is not a healthy choice for children but it is a great way to show parts of a whole because each piece is equally proportioned.  It would be easy to use this tool to make follow up or reteach activities following an actual hands on lesson using real candy bars.

Test Questions:
1.  What file type comes out of Jing?
         All the captures are saved in PNG format and videos are saved in SWF.
2.  How/where do you save images on your computer?
         When I clicked the save button it saved my capture to my desktop.  However, you can change this my        choosing a different location.
3.  How do you access your Jing history?
          All you have to do is move the mouse to the sun icon at the top of the page.  When the three sections appear click on the one in the middle that says history.
4.  What happens if you screencast an item in your history?
          Then you can share it online as a screencast.
5.  How do you import Jing objects into your blog posts?
        There are a few different ways to import Jing objects.  You can insert them as a picture, or use the snipping tool to make a new document.  You can also upload it directly from screencast.
6.  How do you publish your artifact?
          You can share your artifact by uploading it to screencast.
7.  How do you share your artifact with others?
           By uploading it to screencast you can publicly share your images or videos
       
           
 

Diigo

First of all I want to say that this post is late because I have been spending all of my time trying to fix my prezume.  I think I finally figured it out, but had to use a different computer because for some reason mine will not perform the task correctly.  (NO IDEA WHY)  

I registered for a Diigo account several days ago and added Diigolet to my web browser.  I also added a the link to my links on this blog.  Overall I think this process was fairly simple.  The directions were user friendly and easy to follow.  The only problem I am having is getting my bookmark bar to stay up.  According to the directions all I have to do is go to tools and choose "always show bookmarks bar" but for some reason I can not find this option.  However, I am using my computer again so maybe I am having issues again with it.  I will continue to try and locate this option and if I can not I will try another computer.   

My web browser is Google Chrome and now it has Diigo as an add on.   This is the first add on I have ever added to my browser or to my knowledge have ever used.  I am not great on computers so this is a whole new experience for me.  Overall I think it is going to be a great tool to use.  

Diigo is a social networking site that is especially great for reading on the web because it allows you to highlight, bookmark, and annotate content.  Using Diigo you can organize, share, and display specific collections of your chosen bookmarks.  While using this site touches base on all ISTE.NETS-T standards the one I think it fits best with is standard 2.  Using this site allows students to develop their own learning by creating their own library.  They get to explore, find and share all their acquired information.  

Prezume

I have to admit that I did not like this activity.  While the site was interesting it was hard for me to navigate through.  Every time I tried to edit something it would out it in the wrong spot.  I had to completely start over a couple times because my words move and for some reason it would not let me click on them to change or adjust them.  I also thought it was contradicting.  When we submitted our resume to rezscore it told me to omit the part about references.  In fact my grade went from a C- to a B after I took the reference section off.  On this site it had a place specifically for references.  So to be honest I am still a little confused as to whether to include references or not.  Overall I found the site interesting, just a little difficult to use, and somewhat contradicting.  Below is a snip of my prezume.  I hope it can be viewed by all. Even though I had a little trouble with this site, I think it would be interesting to see what students would do with it.  I think that using this activity would fall under standard 2 of the ISTE NET-T standards.  This is because to use this site students must design and develop something that corresponds with their life, previous experiences, and prior knowledge.  

Here is the link to my entire prezume (I hope this is the right site.  If not please let me know)

I used the site rezscore to evaluate my resume.  When I first submitted it for evaluation my score came back as a C-.  According to the site my resume was too short and I needed to take off the part about references.  I was always taught to provide references if asked, so I was shocked to see that it wanted me to take this section off.  I made adjustments to my resume including adding a few extra details and taking off the reference section.  When I resubmitted it my new score was a B+.  The site said it was still too short, but at this time I have no other information to add to it.  Here is my new resume.  I am going to continue to try and add to it, but for now I will be happy with a B.

Self Portrait

When I first saw this site I was a little worried about how I was going to make a self portrait.  Then I started thinking about different images and this is what I came up with.

I tried to put meaning into every part.  I chose to different eyes one open and one closed.  I did this because as a parent and now as a teacher I have found that you have to keep one eye open at all times.  Even when I am sleeping at night it feels as if I have a watchful eye on my babies.  I chose the ears that looked like ripples, because just like the eyes I am always listening trying to hear everyone talk at the same time.  I decided on this smile because it appeared to be half smiling and half straight.  Not so much frowning, just unsure or as I took it stressed or worried.  Honestly I am not sure why I chose the nose or chin they just stuck out to me.  I choose the colors because I simply liked them and if you look closely at the hair you can even see that I added a little grey.  Which if you ask I will say no I do not have any.

This site was very easy to use.  I had to delete the image several times and start fresh, but overall it was fairly simple.  I used the snipping tool to capture the image and uploaded it onto the page.  

This is the site I used to create my self portrait.  It is easy and free to use, and I would encourage everyone to try it because it was kind of fun.  You can view my above portrait at Self along with many others as well. 

Having students use this site to create a self portrait in my opinion falls under standard one of the ISTE NET-T standards.  It is a great way for students to use technology and create personal images.  They are not only engaging in meaningful learning through the use of technology, they are also looking at themselves from a different perspective.

Snipping Tool

I absolutely love snipping.  I learned how to use this tool a few years ago in one of my education classes.  I was trying to copy and paste a graph that would not copy.  My instructor told me about the snipping tool which worked wonderfully.  It took me a while to learn how to adjust the snip, because once you click on the starting spot you can not move it, but after several attempts I was doing great.  I used the snipping tool last year to make my digital video.  Several of the photos I wanted to use were too big and I only wanted pieces of them.  You can not copy and paste pieces of a picture, but you can snip them.  Below you see several snips of pictures I took of my kids.  I would like to show my students how to use the snipping tool so that they can piece together photos as well.  Also many photos or graphs that you copy and paste have an area around them that take up extra space.  This bugs me to death.  I hate not being able to type right beside of something.  Using the snipping tool prevents having any unwanted space. 

Each of these are snips of the actual picture.  Using the snipping tool I am able to capture just the part that I want.  I think this is a great tool for students to learn how to use, because there are always pictures in which we want to cut something out or just keep a piece of it.
I personally feel that teaching students to use the snipping tool falls under standard 2 of the ISTE NET-T.  By teaching students to use this tool they can participate in different explorations in which they can create their own ideas.  They can use this tool to customize different pictures and create an image all of their own.