Sites

https://sites.google.com/site/misscourtneyskindergartenclass/

I had a great experience working with Google Sites. I created a classroom site for a Kindergarten class. It includes a homepage with an introduction to the class, contact information, and a picture. There is a link at the bottom of this page for my e-mail address. Under the homepage are 2 additional pages. The first is a calendar I created by using a Table. It includes upcoming events including a field trip to the Knoxville zoo and students' birthdays. At the bottom of this page is a link for the zoo.The other is a page of pictures from the classroom presented through a Google Presentation. The site updated itself periodically, but I could save it myself before exiting the site as well. It showed the time it was last saved and also how many times each page had been edited.

I found Google sites very easy to work with and could definitely use it for my classroom someday.

Drawing

I watched a couple of the Youtube tutorials on Google Drawing and it seemed pretty self explanatory. You can insert Lines, text boxes, word art, and images. You can also insert shapes, which is the basis for the Elementary lesson plan. In relation to the CCSS, the students can use technology to explore their creativity and create art. They can also share their art with others by saving it onto Google Drive and sharing it with classmates, teachers, or whomever they like.

I read the lesson plan for Elementary Mathematics. I found it to be a pretty creative way to make learning about shapes fun! I could see the students really getting into this. They would be having fun and using their creativity all while learning how to make different angles on shapes.

Literacy and disciplines in education K-6

Literacy in Education:

The Dictionary App I chose to review was the Merriam Webster Dictionary App. All you have to do is type in the word you want to look up and you get all the information you would get in an actual dictionary. There is even an option to have the word pronounced for you. If there is a word that you have looked at recently you can look up recently viewed words to go back to its definition.

The Visual App I chose to review was the ShowMe whiteboard app. It was basically like an actual white board with features that you can get on a powerpoint presentation. You can, of course, draw and write on the boards with different colors and sizes. But, you can also add graphs, charts, and pictures. Once you are finished with a board, you can save it. To use this in the classroom, you can make several whiteboard shots for different visuals and pull them up as you need them. This could save time from actually writing on a whiteboard while lecturing.

The Story App that I chose to review was StoryKit. On this app, you can choose pictures from your phone or take pictures for the illustrations of the story. Then you add text to go along with the illustrations. You can even record sounds for the story. The features on this app seemed to be very simple and user friendly for children.

Disciplines in Education:

The first app I looked at was a book so it would be classified under the language arts section. It was called Love You by Sue Shanahan. I absolutely love children's books! My favorite thing to do with children is read stories to them. I feel like it opens up their minds to learning and creativity and if you can get them to appreciate and enjoy reading at an early age, their possibilities for the future are endless! This book was so sweet! It even brought tears to my eyes. It describes loves, never telling who the love is coming from. I immediately thought of my mother, but it gives children the opportunity to think of anyone in their lives that love them. This was a neat app in that it allowed you to read the book on your own, have it read to you with highlighted subtitles, and even allows an option to record a voice reading the story so that a child can hear the story read my mommy, daddy, etc. you can also click on pictures as the story is being read and labels pop up, telling the reader what the object is called and how it is spelled. Again, I love children's books and I loved this app!

The next app I looked at was Railroad Lite which would be classified in the music section. It was an interactive sing-along app. The train rode through different scenes playing familiar songs in each. Children would be able to recognize the songs and sing along. You can also click on people and objects in the scenes to make them come alive! Very cute!

The third and final app I discovered was icoloring book lite which would obviously be categorized under the Art section. It is a perfect App for younger elementary aged children! It had a very simple layout and few options making it an App that children could be comfortable using all on their own! It had 15 different pages to color and also pictures to trace. After an art piece was created, the artist could save their picture or they have the option of sending it. This would be a great thing to allow the children to do I'm the classroom and then send it to parents via e-mail.

I loved all of these apps! I could definitely see myself using these in my classroom someday, especially the books! They are much cheaper than paperback or hardback books and it gives the child the option of hearing a book or reading it without the help of an adult! This is definitely the most excited I have ever been about technology!

Bye-bye spreadsheets, hello fun! : )

Forms

For instructional help, I read the written instructions from edtechvision.org. I created my sample survey, shared it with Greta, took the survey, and then pulled up my responses on Spreadsheet.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DLQXc5q-9aXWqGgLflye-y37BbpTW_olax33kDDJVko/edit?usp=drive_web

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsoAZjOZQdz6dEhMbjdmRmdCZDE3M09jU2xxYXRGT0E&usp=drive_web#gid=0

This survey could be a great tool to use in the classroom for middle schoolers and highschoolers to take quizzes or surveys. It sends the teachers their students' answers immediately and allows the teachers to generate grades quickly. In relation to the CCSS, surveys can be taken by the students and shared with one another or with teachers to get feedback on class projects or lessons.

It was fairly easy to generate the survey. It would definitely be a tool that I could and would use in my classroom. Sending those responses to Spreadsheet and calculating the grades that way is not something that I would ever use in my room. I don't hate math and I have never been particularly bad at math but Spreadsheets make no sense to me at all! I immediately get frustrated just looking at a Spreadsheet. I'm sure it makes a lot of teachers' grading so much faster, but I would rather spend more time with a calculator, pen, and paper.

Basics for education

For this assignment, I watched the video for 'Pages' which is comparable to Microsoft Word. Pages has many of the same features that Microsoft Word has including fonts, font styles, font colors, and font sizes. You are also able to insert pictures and charts on both programs. One difference between the programs though is that it seems much easier to insert pictures and charts onto the document. You just click on the camera icon and choose from the options. Pages looks like it has all of the same options as Word but just in a more simple layout. It seems to be a little more user friendly all around.

When looking at Kindle and Ibooks apps, there are notable similarities and differences between them. They are both free apps designed for downloading and reading books. Kindle is a product of Amazon, while ibooks is a product of Apple. Kindle offers a larger variety of books through Amazon, than ibooks offers through Apple. Apple, however, displays unique features on ibooks that Kindle does not. For example, ibooks is set up like a 3d bookshelf. When you choose a book from the shelf, it comes off the shelf and opens up like an actual book. When you turn the pages, it actually looks like a page turning in a real book. When you turn your ipad vertically, one page is displayed on the screen. When you turn the ipad horizontally, the screen displays an open book with two pages. In conclusion, I think that ibooks is the better app, while Kindle is the better platform. I have only ever used Kindle and I dont see the need to switch to ibooks. They might have "cool" features, but when I'm reading a book, I dont really care about the features. I would rather have a larger selection of books to read.

When looking at Safari in comparison to Rover, I found a lot of interesting similarities and differences. On Safari, something I had never noticed or used before is the 'search on this page' feature uder the sear bar. Apparently, if you want to search for something on the current web site you are on, you can do so with this feature. Something else I learned about Safari is that you can look at recently viewed web pages by holding down the + sign that opens a new tab. There is also a button "Reader" that basically removes all the adds and clutter from the website and converts the information into a simple page content. Finally, you can add pages to a reading list that you can actually view when your computer is offline. Rover is a browser app that is popular for using with students. It is so unique because it is flash compatable. Safari will not show videos that are ran by Flash Player, where as Rover will.

Spreadsheets

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsoAZjOZQdz6dFV5QU1nZi1WZHRJXy1kZkdXOTFDbGc#gid=0

I have never used Excel or Presentation or a Spreadsheet of any kind and honestly, it was a terrible experience. I watched the videos and even looked up some videos of my own and I still couldn't figure it out. I'm still not sure that I did it right. I got the numbers but I didn't get them using the function. I did it all on my iphone calculator and an online grade calculator and it took 3 hours. I feel like this would be a really applicable thing to learn for future use, but I'm afraid I didn't learn all that much from this assignment. I'm going to have a lot of questions for class tonight. So what did I find the easiest to master? Well Im not really sure I mastered anything. Is there anything that is still unclear to me? About all of it. I'm being a little dramatic, but I'm just a little frustrated. I hope some of my questions can be cleared up in class tonight.

Tablets in education

When looking at different kinds of tablets and operating systems, it is important to determine what the device will be used for. There are seven general uses for all tablets. However, some tablets perform better in some areas than others. First, Tablets contain Apps. Apple is the outstanding leader in app production with Google coming in a close second. Another use for tablets is to purchase and read books. Apple's market for book buying is lagging in comparison to Google, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Amazon, on the other hand has a plethora of options. The three softwares used in reading these books are Nook, kindle, and iBook. There are pros and cons to using each of these software programs. One con for iBooks is that it can only be operated on an Apple device. A pro for Kindle is that it can be operated on different types of devices. On my iPhone, I have a Kindle app that I use to read my books. Internet is another use for tablets. All of the systems have options for cellular connectivity on their tablets. One thing that isn't offered on Apple tablets with internet is Flash Player. Some videos on the internet are ran by Flash and will not play on Apple devices. All vendors have apps for newspapers and magazines. Apple, however has an app called Newstand that cannot be put in a folder. Therefore, it is always standing alone on a home screen. The next use for tablets is Movies/Tv/Video. There are some apps that offer videos for free such as YouTube and Hulu, both of which can be accessed on any tablet. There are some apps such as Hulu plus and Netflix that cost $7.99 per month, but have newer and more popular shows and movies. Apple offers an Itunes app where these things can also be purchased. Apple began the movement of buying music through tablets on Itunes as well. They gave customers the option of buying music by song instead of by album. Itunes is definitely the most popular place to purchase music, but other vendors offer options too. Software is the last use for tablets. Microsoft offers software for their devices at a price. Apple offers a software program and of course Google has Drive, but Microsoft is, by far, the most developed.

Our Nook Adventure
http://www.librarygirl.net/2010/11/our-ereader-adventure-part-i.html

This website is about a teacher's process to buy Nooks for her classroom. She goes through each step she took from unpacking them to registering them to buying apps. This blog would be helpful if ever buying Nooks for my classroom in the future.

How The Amazon Kindle Fire fits into Education
http://edudemic.com/2011/09/teachers-kindle-fire/

This blog is about the Kindle Fire. There is a video showing a briefing in Manhattan when it was released by Amazon. This tablet was in direct competition with the ipad and was sold for only 200 dollars.

Schools Abandon Textbooks to go all Ipad
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/03/23/schools-textbooks-ipad

This website contains an article and videos about schools who have purchased ipads for all of their students. One school that did this spent $500,000 on their ipads. The principal reported that this money came from other budget cuts. For example, they were able to buy the electronic textbooks through ibooks or amazon for a much smaller cost than actual textbooks. They also did away with their computer labs. They no longer had to update or maintenance computers since their students had electronic devices at their fingertips.

What started as "55 Ways to Use an iPad" is now up to 103+ (maybe more by the time you read this) - http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/05/interesting-ways-to-use-ipad-in.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29&utm_content=Google+Reader orhttps://docs.google.com/a/tonykrug.info/present/edit?id=0AclS3lrlFkCIZGhuMnZjdjVfNzIxZ2RrNWp0ZDg&pli=1.

If I had to choose 5 Apps to use in my classroom, the first would be Book Creator. I remember my younger brother creating a book on the computer in elementary school and it was so neat to see his words and pictures in print bound into a book. He was so proud of it and it encouraged his creativity. On the Book Creator App, the children can write and illustrate their own book and then upload it onto ibooks. The next app I would have in my classroom would be The Globe. It is an app that shows the entire world in a globe. The students can spin it, zoom into a region or country, click on it, and data from that area is displayed on the screen. Not only are the students becoming familiar with geograohy, but they are also learning about different cultures. Another app i would use in my classroom is Pocket Phonics. I want to work with younger children and this app is perfect for teaching the alphabet and letter sounds. I have used this app before and it is easily navigatable, perfecct for children ages 3-6. 'Units' is another app that would find very helpful in the classroom. It is a measurement converter that would be a great resource when teaching children about measurements and converting them. The final app I would use in my classroom is Kids ABC order. The app displays lists of words and the object is for the student to arrange the words in alphabetical order. These were just my five favorites, but there were plenty of resourceful apps on this website and all of them could be implemented into the classroom in some way.

Google Presentation

In the past I have primarily used Microsoft Powerpoint for presentations and class assignments. While studying Google Presentation, I found several similarities and differences between the two programs. The first difference is that Powerpoint is a program you have to buy through Microsoft. I bout Microsoft 7007 that included Powerpoint in 2008 and it was roughly $150 dollars. Presentation, however, is free on the internet. Technology is always changing and Microsoft updates their software every couple of years. So, to stay up-to-date with the current software, it would have to be purchased regularly. Presentation can be accessed as long as their is an internet connection. A plus side to Powerpoint is that it can be accessed even without an internet connection. Powerpoint has a very broad variety of user options in comparison to Google Presentation. Though a Google account is free to set up, it is necessary to have before Presentation can be accessed. Powerpoint can be saved on a reovable device or on the computer hard drive. Presentation, howerver, is immediately saved on the internet and can be accessed on any device. It is also easily shared with others through email and other social media networks.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19ACXsWPnh_ZQL2EukSAWNqGqPBDXabOalj6tRKzrI_E/edit?usp=sharing

Tablet Uses/Options

In looking at the three different sizes of Tablets, there are definite pros and cons to each. The small devices consist of Mp3 players, Ipods, and cell phones. The screens are very small and could be hard to read and operate, but they are convenient in that they fit easily in pockets and take up little room. Though this could also cause a problem if the children tried to fit the small device in their pocket to take it home. They only weigh a few ounces so they are easy to carry around and manuever. The large devices have screens that are 8-10". These devices consist of Ipads. They are smaller than most laptops but larger than Ipods. They only weigh two pounds but can become cumbersome if held for long periods of time.The Medium devices have 6-7"screens. They consist mostly of ebooks and Ipad minis. Their main pull was that they were a compromise between the small and large devices. At just under a pound, they weren't as bulky as the Ipads, but they were more user friendly than the Ipods.

I find that the smaller devices aren't really a valid option. They are less expensive, but they are almost too small to use effectively and the small screens provide minimal veiwing options. Between the Medium and Large devices, I think the Medium devices make more sense. They are less expensive, yet provide all the same features as a larger device. They are also less cumbersome to operate.

The three operating systems for these devices are Apple, Android, and Microsoft. Apple provides excellent customer service with stores worldwide to offer face-to-face support. They also require less maintenance and are equipped with apps that have to be purchased with other However, the Apple products are more expensive in comparison to Android and Microsoft tablets. Android products are considerably less expensive. They also offer various looks and feels to their products. Microsoft has just recently broken into the Tablet business. They came out with their version called the Surface in 2012. It is unique in that it has two different keyboard options and is also less expensive in comparison to Apple. The downfall to a Microsoft Tablet is that their Apps store is still very much under construction and isn't as developed as Apple and Google.

Cellular capability cannot be added onto a device once purchased. To purchase a device with this capability already installed, it costs 50-200 dollars more. The service also has to be purchased through a cellular company which is an additional monthly charge. The initial cost is cheaper and the cost for service is cheaper to use a WIFI compatible tablet.

In Conclusion, Microsoft is a fairly new operating system with limitations and limited access to customer service. Android is pretty inexpensive but also has limited customer service. These operating systems are more likely to catch a virus or bug and need assistance. For the school, these options are more financially viable, but might cost more in the long run for maintenance and up-keep. Apple is considerably more expensive in initial costs, but might prove to be comparable to the other systems in the long run. Also, Apple stores can be located in most major cities and provide instant customer service for all of their products. They would also be more user friendly for children. 

Google Drive

In the past, I have used Microsoft Word 2007 on my personal laptop to write most of my documents. I did, however, use Google Docs, now Google Drive, in undergrad for a few of my classes.

Okay, I love using Google Drive! The idea of creating a Word document with other people is so appealing to me. Classmates can share doccuments to  critique or edit each others' work without having to save and email it. They can also create documents together, sharing class notes, asking questions through chat, and completing each other's sentences or thoughts. It allows students to collaborate and work together to create a document, rather than doing it alone.

There are some set backs to Google Drive that I have noticed. There aren't as many settings as Microsoft Word. The settings are pretty basic, similar to an email. I also tried to use Google Drive on my Iphone and couldn't access the settings at all. I finally gave up and moved to my PC to create my document.

The Common Core Standards were created to keep all Students in every State on the same page. Google Drive is a tool to reach that same goal. Students are able to work together to stay on the same page. If all students are connected on the same document, they can share and learn together so that no child is left behind in the class.

Amanda and I created a Google Drive document together. She shared her thoughts on Google Drive and I responded with mine. It had been a while since I used the program, but I caught on pretty quickly since it is so user friendly. I checked out the fonts and options for sending and sharing the document with others. When I was finished, I searched and searched for the SAVE button. I just could not figure out where the SAVE button was! I finally realized that I didn't have to save it, Amanda could just get on Google Drive and view what I had written her. Simple as that!

Google mail/Google Calendar and Lists

While looking at the Atomic Learning Site for Google Mail I learned several new tasks that I had never discovered before as a Gmail user. The first task I learned how to use is the vacation responder.
On your gmail home page you can go to settings and click on vacation responder. From there you can select the date, subject, and message. For the dates selected, your account will send this message to anyone who contacts you. Another he helpful tool is selecting a picture for your profile for your contacts to see when they receive emails from you. You can also import contacts from other email servers. Once you Import them, you can merge those contacts with your gmail contacts so as not to duplicate any contacts on your list.

For google calendar and tasks, I chose three different tasks that I thought would be most useful in the education world. The first is sending invites to contacts to events scheduled on your calendar. You can also set up reminders to yourself via email or text for events scheduled in your calendar so you don't forget what you have planned. Creating to-do lists is an age-old system for getting things done. Instead of using up paper, you can now create a to-do list on google calendar. Once you have completed an item on the list you can cross it out or delete it. You can even print out your list if you prefer a hard copy. These easy-to-use tasks are very beneficial in managing assignments and parent/teacher conferences and even making lists for class experiments or field trips.

GAIN: Blogging Site

One professional blogging site I looked at was www.evenfromhere.org. The particular blogger's name was Clarence Fisher. I really liked reading some of the blogs that he posted. In one he wrote about using twitter as a means to borrow books from someone at another school to use in his classroom. He posted the twitter conversation and wrote that, not only did social media create another avenue for professionals to correspond with one another but he came to the generalization that people are good and generous. My favorite post I read on his blog was about how he used the famous Dove Evolution video to teach his students about the false perception in ads to sell a product. He wanted to teach the children to be more critical of what they were viewing. He said that it worked and it led to conversations between the children about the reality behind the images they were consuming.

The other professional blog site I looked at was www.thethinkingstick.com written by Jeff Utecht who is an educator, consultant, and author. His blog was more personal thoughts about hot topics or just ideas that he had been pondering. He also reflects on life and one post is simply a story about a baseball game his family used to play when he was younger.

I enjoyed reading both of these blogs, but I was able to relate more to Clarence Fisher's. He also seemed to only write about education and things he was doing in his classroom.

TECH

I remember using a computer for the first time when I attended public school in the first grade. The computers in Elementary school were Windows and in high school they were Macs. When I bought my first laptop at 18, I bought a Dell so that is where most of my expertise lies. I do, however, have an IPhone for whatever that counts.

Through the atomic learning website I learned three things. First, I learned how to add a VoiceOver and also how to change the voice. I will probably never use this for my own personal use, but in working with young children it might be helpful if they could have texts read to them as they held the mouse over the words. I also learned how to zoom in on the screen by just hitting the control key and scrolling up or down with my mouse. The final thing I learned was how to change the appearance on a Mac by clicking on the apple and going to system preference. That is where you change the background and screen saver and even the general design of the desktop.