Excel Crossword Puzzle- (NETS I,II,III)

Geography Cross

I created an educational science crossword puzzle using Excel in ways I never knew possible. I came up with geography words suitable for younger students and created a crossword and answer key. This meets NETS 1 and 6.

Wiki Page- (NETS III,V)

My wiki was created using Wetpaint, a site that allows you to creatively design your own wiki on any given topic. With this I used NETS 3 and 5.

Google Earth- "Santa Barbara"- (NETS IV)

This is a very cool program that allows for you to navigate all over the world through billions of satelite pictures. I created a map from Vista to Santa Barbara using the different tools provided on Google Earth. This meets NETS 4.

iMovie Software Proficiency (PSA)- (NETS I,II,III,VI)

I created a iMovie using the video clips provided to create my own piece. Given specific guidelines, I was able to create a movie about Cal State San Marcos using voice over, video editing, text and music. This meets NETS 1,2,3 and 6.

Journal #10- "Five Steps to an Accessible Classroom Website"

Amundson, Linda. (2009). Five Steps to an Accessible Classroom Website .37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/NovemberNo3/L_L_November_2009.htm



This article is very handy when you are making a website of your own. I think it is very important to communicate with both the parents and students once they leave the classroom. My goal as a teacher is to create some sort of website that will let me communicate back and forth, possibly a Wiki. This article helps you to create a great page step by step. There are five steps to follow that will help.
1.Organize for Easier Navigation
2. Navigation without a Mouse
3. Text Explanations for Images
4. Using Text that Makes Sense
5. Web Validators

Especially when you are working with younger students, you want to make sure that titles are easy to read and understand. You want them to be right to the point so they know what they need to do. I think it is also very important to use pictures with the younger students, because I find that it engages them more. Make sure that your page is very organized and easy to navigate, because you never know how computer savvy your students or parents may be.
I would definitely recommend current or incoming teachers take a look at this article. I know that I am not very computer savvy, but this could sure help you put something together. It helps you to think about the little ideas you might have forgot to add to your page.

Do you think teachers should use websites in their classroom to communicate?
I do. I think it is very important to keep in contact with your parents and students. A lot of times people forget to check their e-mail, and yes, they might forget this web page as well, but I think it is good for both the parent and student to be able to access.

Would you add any steps to this article?
No. I think these five steps are right to the point. They might be basic, but they are concepts you may have never thought about.

Journal #9- "S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students"

Brown Yoder , M. (2009, November). S'cool tools: 5 great tools to perk up your classroom and engage your students. 37(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org

This article was very interesting. It shows teachers different ways to engage their students. You obviously want your students to have a good time and want them to learn the material being taught. Maureen Brown Yoder says that it is important to ask these three questions when using learning tools:
1. Does this tool have the potential to enhance teaching in some powerful way?
2. Is this tool easy to learn and well supported?
3. Is this an innovative new tool or a substantial improvement on an earlier version? Based on this criteria, the following five tools have the potential to transform your lessons.

These are very good questions to ask ones self when creating a lesson plan.

Another Interesting portion of the article was when she was talking about how Google is making applications specifically for teachers. It is going to provide teachers with lesson plans, the option to share ideas with one another as well as giving advise and will also contain a list of educators around the world who are also use this Google site. The best part, ITS COST FREE! I think this is a great idea, especially with the budget cuts right now. Teachers already have to spend lots of their own money on classroom materials and on other school related things that the last thing teachers’ need is to pay for lesson plan ideas.


Do you think the three questions Yoder asks are really relevant?
Yes, I do think they are very important to answer when creating a lesson plan. Especially when working with younger students, it is important to use tools that all students are going to be able to work with and relate to.

Would you actually use the Google site as a teacher when it is offered?
Yes, I would definitely use it when it comes out. Free lesson plans! You would be crazy not to. I also think it is very helpful that you are connected with people all around the world. You are going to be able to get some great ideas form other teachers from so many other places.

Journal #8- "Have You Tweeted Today?"

Fingal, D. (2009). Have you tweeted today? Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2). Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24192&DirectListComboInd=D

I have never been a Twitter fan, but I will say I am a Facebook fan. It is nice to be able to connect with people you have not seen for years, or just talk to your close friends while you are working on a paper. Though Twitter is a little different, it has a lot of similarities. What I find is nice about Twitter is you can connect with a whole group at one time. In our classroom, all the students are connected with one another so we can ask each other questions, and find out information if needed.
When you think about it, people are complaining about what Twitter is being used for like “bashing” on famous people but in reality that is why a lot of people have a Twitter page. I don’t think it really matters what people use it for, but in this case I think Twittering can be really useful in the classroom. When Beth spoke about how many of her colleagues did not approve I did understand why. A lot of younger students would then be subjected to what is on Twitter because they have one. I think there are positives and negatives to twitter. If I were a teacher I think I would rather use a Wiki page instead because this way parents would be more willing to access a Wiki more then a Twitter I would think.

Why do you think there are so many negatives about Twitter?
I think there is a bad reputation for Twitter because before I had one the only reason I heard people use it was to talk about famous people and what they had done that weekend. I think a lot of people want to use this site for school related issues, but will their students really be on it for the right reasons?

Would you use Twitter in your classroom?
I don’t think I would use Twitter only because I do think all the other things advertised on Twitter would distract the students. Not only for this reason, but for my reasoning’s earlier in the paper. I think that younger children being subjected to something like Twitter so young could actually be a bad thing. I could be very wrong, but I think I would rather use a Wiki page to keep in contact with everyone.

Journal #7- Blogging

The tool I choose was Blogging. Blogging would be defined as “A type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or vide,” according to Wikepidia.com. Now that I have used blogging first hand, I see how teachers think it could be a great thing to start incorporating into schools. You are able to 1. Get in contact with the parents 2. Show the parents the progress their children are making in class and 3. Communicate with your own students through the comments back on their work posted through their blogs. I took a look at 2 other posts about blogging related to education and I thought they were great. They talked about how important it was to have blogs in the classroom especially to communicate with parents. Another teacher stated how she had her students make a blog so they could publish their writings on it, where people can comment and give thoughtful feedback. This is great! It is a way for students to hear ideas from their teacher as well as their own classmates. I liked this teachers blog as well because she was asking other teachers for new ideas to do more with their blogs. As a future teacher, I would love to incorporate blogs into my classroom. I think it could really be useful to the students to get feedback as well as talk back and forth to their fellow classmates.

Journal #6- The Trouble with Rubrics

Kohn, Alfie. (2006). The Trouble with rubrics. 95(4),

In this article we are given the argument about if a rubric is a good or bad system to use. The argument is that when a student is given a grade on a project, they only know that their paper or project was “B” material. Does anyone besides that teacher really know what “B” work is? This is a standard that the teacher has, that is different for every teacher. If you are given a rubric, you know the specific guidelines to follow. You know why you did either good or bad based on the information present on the handout. Alfie Kohn states this; “I’d been looking for an alternative to grades because research shows three reliable effects when students are graded: They tend to think less deeply, avoid taking risks, and lose interest in the learning itself.”
This also allows for teachers to give students a certain amount of points for the topic they feel deserves those particular points. That teacher may not think spelling and grammar matters as much as the content of the paper, so they make the grammar and spelling worth a maximum of 5 points and the content worth 10. This gives the students the chance to see that the content of the paper is the most important. Linda Mabry published an article citing “compliance with the rubric tended to yield higher scores but produced ‘vacuous’ writing.”[3]
I never really thought about what Kohn had researched on rubrics. I never really thought how much better a student might actually do if they were given specific guidelines to follow. When I look at how we were given a rubric to follow for our PowerPoint presentation, we were able to know exactly what we needed in order to receive the grade we desired. When you are given a letter grade, a lot of the time the teacher will not write why you received the grade you were given. I agree with rubrics, and that they should really be considered when grading your students.

Why do you think a majority of teachers do not use rubrics?
Sometimes I think it is the easy way out for teachers. It takes a lot more time and energy for a teacher to make a rubric then it does to slap down a letter grade.

Why do you think students react to letter grades the way that Kohn described?
I think much like teachers students want to get the assignment done so they will do as little as possible to do so. When you are given a rubric you have guidelines to follow in order to receive the grade you want. Letter grades are based off of what the teacher thinks is the best paper, project, ect. and goes from there where a rubric has a criteria you have to meet.

Copyright-"Fair Use Harbor" (NETS IV)

Fair Use Harbor
This document was created collaboratively using Google Docs to discussing copyright laws in regards to teachers and students to follow. Fair Use Harbor is a tool that takes us through copyright laws and regulations. This follows NETS 4.

Inspiration- (NETS I,III,IV,V,VI)

This flow chart was created using Inspiration.For each of the 5 NETS, there are 2 corresponding artifacts we accomplished in class that meets NETS 1,3,4,5 and 6.

PowerPoint Rubric- (NETS I,V)

This was a collaborative rubric that was created for us to use as guidelines for our PowerPoint. This allowed for use to understand why we got the grades we did. The rubric used NETS 1 and 5.

NETS PowerPoint Presentation - (NETS I,II,III,IV,V,VI)

Intro To Nets For Students(2)

View more presentations from Cal State San Marcos.

Look what I made! This is a PowerPoint presentation on NETS for students grades PK-2. My powerpoint lays out my ideas on ways students in grades Pre-K to 2 can meet the student NETS Standards from ISTE. This meets NETS !<@<#<$<% and 6.

Journal #4- Resources Abound for Setting Up Internet Safety Programs

Hansen, Jennifer. (September/October 2009)."Resources Abound for Setting Up Internet Safety Programs", volume 37 (2009-2010) (No. 2). Retrieved from http://http://http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24184&DirectListComboInd=D

As we know these days there is a lot more out there on the internet then ever before. Especially when we start to work with younger students, we as teachers need to make sure that our students are safe on-line. This article is great because it gives you a few different ways that you can keep your students safe on the internet. Talking to parents was a key point on here. If we get our parents involved we will be able to get them to talk to our children more about the dangers of the internet. Another was getting local enforcers to come in and talk about what they have seen happen out there. The younger our children are learning about the safety of the internet the more likely they will be safe. When we start to get into the middle school age we see that students are using the computers more. This is why it is important to have safety blocks at the schools. Now with Facebook and all those other types of sites there are boundaries schools and parents need to limit their young children to.

Why do some schools not monitor the internet?
I think some schools don’t realize how important it is to monitor the internet. There are a lot of dangerous sites that children can connect to that students as young as even middle school should not be exposed to.

Do you think there should be more parents talking to their children about the hazards of the internet?
Yes. I think a lot of parents think it is the teachers job to teach their children everything and it is not. Hopefully the teachers are giving them an idea of what not to expose themselves to, but it is really the parents job to do this.

Journal #3- "Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning "

Yoder, Maureen. (September/October 2009)."Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning
", volume 37 (2009-2010) (No. 2). Retrieved from http://http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24200&DirectListComboInd=D


After reading this article it gave me a new insight to what is actually out there for our kids these days. The only times I really hear about children going on the computer to play games is when they are playing those War Craft games. When I saw how the Global Kids site gave children the chance to educate themselves and how many students have actually visited the site, it gave me hope. I think sites like these are great. I know a lot of parents would rather have sites that teach their children Math or English, but I think what Global Kids is doing is opening up more opportunities for learning. They are giving kids the chance to learn more about Hurricane Katrina and other interesting historical issues. They virtually put together a game that allows for students to help the virtual Hurricane Katrina survivors find homes, and help them to survive. Another really fun program that a summer school class did in 2008 was set up a virtual camp called “I Dig Tanzania.” The students were able to take their jeeps through virtual Tanzania and learn about the politics, culture and some scientific research. It’s interesting activities like these that make students want to learn.

Do you think more schools will use these types of sites?
I think more teachers are going to see these sites and briefly use them so students know they are actually out there. I think it would be a good idea because not only is it showing the students what other fun games are out there, but the parents as well.

Do you think sites like this should be free?
Yes and no. I think for teachers maybe there should be a price because you are able to get so many activities and materials that it should be worth something. For the students I think it should be free. There are lots of parents out there who would not want to or can’t spend the money on programs like these. We need healthy educated programs so students can realize there are programs like these that are just as fun as War Craft.

Classroom Newsletter (NETS I,II,III,V,VI)

Newsletter ALH
This is my classroom newsletter I made using Microsoft Word. I created this with considereation of what a third grade teacher may write. This uses NETS 1,2,3,5 and 6.

Journal #2- "Grounded Tech Integration"

Harris, J., & Hofer, M. (September/October 2009)."Grounded Tech Integration", volume 37 (2009-2010) (No. 2). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24179&DirectListComboInd=D

Reading through the five steps to technology integration was very interesting because it helped you to see how to create effective lesson plans and the steps to do so. The eight corresponding continua was very interesting because it allows you to see how to set up the right lesson plan using the appropriate learning goals. You then create the learning experience, assess and then incorporate the right learning materials to use. You are now able to bring in the technology to the lesson plan. I think now days it is very important for teachers to use technology in the classroom. I also feel that because many teachers are ill-equipped as well as might not even know how to incorporate technology, they should have to take a course to learn how to do so. Students should start to learn how to use programs like Microsoft, PowerPoint, and Excel. They might not need to know it extremely well, but have the gist of what to do.
What is so sad is that teachers now days are sticking strait to what the school standards tell them too, when they could be including fun ways using technology to teach these standards. Creating a PowerPoint and adding a fun little quiz using Power Point in the end will make the lesson that much more interesting. What would be more fun, reading out of a textbook, or learning through PowerPoint with pictures and fun activities to add to the lesson?

Do you think teachers should learn how to use the three programs I listed above?
Yes. I think that teachers need to be able to incorporate technology into their lesson plans. Not only does it make the class more interesting but the students then get a feel for the program as well.

Should teachers stick to only standard based learning?
I think this is a horrible idea. I know that teachers have to by law, but it does not limit them to only that. By adding PE, and technology and tying them into the lesson plan I feel will give the school better results in the long run.

Journal #1- "E-Learning Comes in All Shapes and Sizes"

Coyle, S. & Jones, T. & Kirk Pickle, S (2009). E- Learning Comes in All Shapes and Sizes. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/SeptemberOctoberNo2/e_Learning_Programs_Come_in_All_Shapes_a.htm

This article was very interesting to me because it proves to us how far we have come in the technology world. We are now able to take classes on-line and virtually! We have been given the opportunity to take on-line classes at school, which is very nice because sometimes we don’t have the right schedule to take that particular class you want at school. What I found to be interesting was what they were doing at the Yukon-Koyukuk School District (YKSD), in Alaska. Teachers were having to teach 5 different grade levels which meant making five different lesson plans. They were able to set up satellite communication so that students could take their classes virtually. This allowed for the teacher to have access to way more materials. According to Coyle, “Connecting our remote students using video teleconferencing has been so successful, some courses, such as hospitality and construction, have been accredited through the University of Alaska at Fairbanks.”
In Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) they are also given the chance to do on-line courses. They believe it gives the students more opportunity. I think this is true because it gives the students a chance when they are ready that day to work on homework rather then be stuck in an uncomfortable classroom and listen to a lecture. You are able to work on more activities, projects, and group discussions on-line.

Why do you think we are starting to depend more on technology in the classroom?
I think we are depending more on technology in the classroom because it allows for way more opportunities. It seems like when we go to class and partake in lectures, very few people in the classroom are fully paying attention and grasping the concept. Where as when taking on-line classes there is more opportunity because we are not limited on time nor on creativity.

Do you think virtual learning will become world-wide?
I do, because people are already finding that there is more success rate. Students are not very limited on what they can do with virtual and on-line classes.

Audra Houtchens

Hi, I'm Audra Houtchens and I have lived in Southern California my whole life. Vista to be exact. I have never moved, sadly, but hope to in the future. I attended K-5 at Lake Elementary, 6-8 at Madison Middle School and Rancho Buena Vista for my 4 years of High School. I attended Mira Costa College for the last three years. I started off by majoring in interior design but decided Liberal Studies was what I really wanted to do.

I have never been too experienced in the technology field, but hope to soon be. I have always worked with PC's but I really want to get a Mac book within the next year. I depend highly on technology on an every day basis. You can probably guess why... my cell phone and computer being the reason. I have my phone attached to my hand on a constant basis. I use my computer everyday to either e-mail, study or look up pointless information like who Jeniffer Aniston is now dating. I use the older version of Microsoft on my computer, but I am trying to learn the 07' version as of now.

In our mission statement the part that sticks out most to me would have to be "...
exemplified through reflective teaching, life-long
learning...". I really appreciate that they use reflective teaching and genuinely want to educate you on information that could last a lifetime. Many schools try to follow their mission statement, but don't always to a good job holding to their standards. Granted this is my first semester on campus, but so far I have received just this.