WebEX

I was really nervous about the online presentations. I got especially nervous when Susan, Corrina and I were having trouble getting WebEx to work. However, once we figured it out it turned out to be a really good assignment. It was a bit lengthy, but it was neat that we could all come together even though we were miles apart.

Final Reflection

Final Reflection

Shanna Leviner

Lesley University

ECOMP 6016 Teaching and Learning with Digital Media

October 22, 2011































Teaching Pre-Kindergarten for 10 years has really strengthened my ability to use many different teaching and learning styles. It is a necessity in the early childhood classroom. Four-year-olds are very active learners and have a very short attention span. Therefore, I need to present information in a way that will get and keep their attention. I feel I have developed this skill well over the years, but this class has given me even more insight into teaching and learning with many different media.
According to Najjarr, “multimedia information is most effective when presented to learners with low prior knowledge or aptitude in the domain being learned.”(Najjar, 1996) Being a Pre-K teacher, my class is made up almost entirely of students who have a very low aptitude or experience in general. Therefore, this research is very exciting and promising to me and my students. The movie assignment for this class has given me another way to reach my students, and I am very excited that I learned how to use the movie maker software for an educational purpose. It never crossed my mind that I could make educational movies for my students, or better yet, they could make their own movies. The software was surprisingly simple to use. I was a bit afraid of it to begin with, but I am very glad I learned how to use it.
Other tools that I learned about in this course that I hope to put into use or already use include posters, edited images, voicethread, and again movies. Posters are already a big part of my teaching. When we begin a new subject, we always start by making some type of poster to illustrate how much we know about the subject. We then know where we need to go in order to broaden our understanding of the subject. I use images all the time to help my students better understand certain topics. We recently studied the stars and used images of the constellations. Voicethread is new to me, but seems like it would be a great tool. The children love to hear their own voices, and they take pride in anything they make themselves. Therefore, I can see us using voicethread to record stories to share with the class. Once again, I plan on using movies a lot. This is such a great interdisciplinary tool in which the children can eventually take control over. I can see them choosing a topic like shapes, taking pictures around the school, and then putting together a movie about shapes to present to the class. Not only have they learned about the basic shapes, but also how to use technology to present their learning to others.
As far as my projects for this course, I feel I did a pretty good job. I have never used movie maker, so I was very happy with my final product. I can definitely use this movie in my classroom to introduce the four seasons. However, I think it would be best if the children were allowed to make their own movie about the four seasons. We could make one as a class about general things that happen in each season. Then, each child could make his/her own movie about what they specifically do in each season. This would be a great way to bring in some cultural diversity for the students. Different cultures have different holidays and celebrate the seasons in different ways. So, what a great project; to allow the children to each tell what happens in their family in each season.
My apple lesson is one I have done many times over my course of teaching. However, I have never done a movie at the end of this unit. This is a great way to end many units, not just apples. The children have a great time in the process and really enjoy putting the movie together. They are very proud of what they have made and learned. I think doing projects like this give the children more ownership of their learning. The idea of making a movie gets their attention, and then they want their movie to be the best, so they work really hard to learn the material in order to make a great movie.
The online presentation was something completely new to me. I have never done one before, and I have to admit I was really nervous about it. I was especially nervous when my group could not get the site to work in the beginning. However, it turned out alright. It was actually a really neat assignment. It went a little long, but it was fun seeing everyone’s projects and being able to all come together even though we were in different places.












































Resources

Najjar, L. (1996). Multimedia information and learning. Journal of Educational
Multimedia and Hypermedia, 5 (2), 129-150.

Apple Lesson

Apples


Grade: Pre-K

ISTE Standards
1. Creativity and Innovation
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Communication and Collaboration
d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
5. Digital Citizenship
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports
collaboration, learning, and productivity
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
a. understand and use technology systems

Content Standards
Math: making and understanding simple graphs
continuing and creating simple patterns
Reading: color recognition(red, yellow, green)
letter and sound recognition-Aa
Science: identify parts of an apple(skin, stem, core, seed, flesh)

Lesson Description
During a week long study of apples, the children will be learning and labeling the parts of an apple. They will also have an apple tasting, and then make a class graph of their favorites. Each child will be making his/her own apple pattern using two of the three apple colors during centers. While all of this is taking place, the children will have access to digital cameras. They will be able to take pictures of themselves working and of their finished work. At the end of the study we will use movie maker to make an apple movie for the children to demonstrate what they learned.

Instructional Objectives
-colors
-graphing
-patterns
-parts of an apple
-digital camera operation
-assist with movie maker

Whole Group Introduction
I will bring in an apple for the group to investigate.
What do you know about apples?
What can you tell me about this apple?
What do we do with apples?
What are the parts of an apple?
We will make a circle map of all the things we know about apples.

Diverse Needs of Learners
Visual: looking at apples, seeing patterns, seeing class graph, watching movie
Auditory: listening to others directions, repeating patterns out loud
Kinesthetic: making patterns, investigating apple, taking pictures
ELL: labeling apple parts, watching movie, being immersed in the language

Student Products
-apple patterns
-apple graph
-labeled apples
-movie

Assessment
-student work
-movie
Grading Rubric
Unsatisfactory-U
Satisfactory-S

Participation

U-Did not contribute to class discussions or activities.
S-Provided input and asked questions during activities.

Neatness

U-Work was rushed through and very sloppy.
S-Attention was given when completing work and end product was very clean and neat.

Completion

U-Work was not finished.
S-All requirements were completed on time.

Materials
-apples
-books
-apple cut-outs
-smartboard
-cameras
-computer
-movie maker

Prezi

Wow! It took me a while to figure this out. I can see where it would be a great tool to use, but it has a little bit of a learning curve I think. It is not that it is hard to use, you just have to figure out exactly how to make it do what you want it to. As I was making my prezi for my presentation things kept getting bigger and bigger on the canvas and I could not quite figure out how to fix that. You will see when I do my presentation. Haha However, I got it done and I'm glad to know about this site and plan on using it once I learn it a little better.

Assistive Technology

The video I watched was very interesting. It brought up many ideas I never thought about as assistive technology. I use the smartboard everyday in my Pre-K classroom and this could be considered a type of assistive technology. For children who cannot manipulate a regular computer mouse well, the smartboard allows them to use their hands to touch icons on the screen. Other ideas I already use in my classroom are picture cards. I use them to help children put things back where they belong, and also to help children who need a visual clue in order to understand what is being asked of them. Assistive technologies are an essential part of the classroom these days. We want each child to be independent and anything that will help them is beneficial.

Apples

Grade: Pre-K

ISTE Standards

1. Creativity and Innovation

b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression

2. Communication and Collaboration

d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems

5. Digital Citizenship

b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports

collaboration, learning, and productivity

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

a. understand and use technology systems

Content Standards

Math: making and understanding simple graphs

continuing and creating simple patterns

Reading: color recognition(red, yellow, green)

letter and sound recognition-Aa

Science: identify parts of an apple(skin, stem, core, seed, flesh)

Lesson Description

During a week long study of apples, the children will be learning and labeling the parts of an apple. They will also have an apple tasting, and then make a class graph of their favorites. Each child will be making his/her own apple pattern using two of the three apple colors during centers. While all of this is taking place, the children will have access to digital cameras. They will be able to take pictures of themselves working and of their finished work. At the end of the study we will use movie maker to make an apple movie for the children to demonstrate what they learned.

Instructional Objectives

-colors

-graphing

-patterns

-parts of an apple

-digital camera operation

-assist with movie maker

Whole Group Introduction

I will bring in an apple for the group to investigate.

What do you know about apples?

What can you tell me about this apple?

What do we do with apples?

What are the parts of an apple?

We will make a circle map of all the things we know about apples.

Diverse Needs of Learners

Visual: looking at apples, seeing patterns, seeing class graph, watching movie

Auditory: listening to others directions, repeating patterns out loud

Kinesthetic: making patterns, investigating apple, taking pictures

ELL: labeling apple parts, watching movie, being immersed in the language

Student Products

-apple patterns

-apple graph

-labeled apples

-movie

Assessment

-student work

-movie

Materials

-apples

-books

-apple cut-outs

-smartboard

-cameras

-computer

-movie maker

Video Redo

I forgot my CONFU notice on the first one, so I added it and changed the musci. I think it runs much smoother, now. Here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sme_gNJcb0M

Games

I agree that games are an essential part of education in the 21st century. Not only do digital games give students the computer skills they need, they also teach them essential skills. With my Pre-K class I do not use simulations because they are not ready for those types of games, but I do use basic skill games everyday. They love them and beg for me to turn the smartboard on each day. They think they are just having fun and playing, however, little do they know they are learning colors, shapes, letters, phonics, numbers and computer skills. Games add such an important element to education, and they allow many students to be reached who otherwise would not be.

Movie Maker

I have to admit that I was a little nervous about this project, but once getting into it found that it was the easiest thing, ever. I have really come to enjoy movie maker and intend on using it alot in the classroom and in my personal life. The children would have a great time making their own movie and watching it on the smartboard. I can see that really capturing some students interest where nothing else would. I plan on using movie maker at the end of the year for a graduation video and throughout the course of the year to supplement many themes I teach. I am glad I got to know this software and really plan on using it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu9JU_mf6Lc

This is the link to my video project. When I went in to check it, I had to sign in and it said you have to have permission to view it. Let me know if you have problems and I will see if I can change the setting so it can be viewed without permission.

Sketchcast

This looks like such an awesome resource. Unfortunately, I was not able to actually make one because there were loading problems on each computer I tried to use. I may have my tech facilitator look at it at school because I really want to use it. The possibilities seem endless with this program. It can be used to teach just about anything. You can easily make little lessons, books, anything you can think of. The children can even make their own sketchcast. This would be great fun for even my little Pre-K students. I can just see the awe on their faces as they watch a simple line they drew appear on the smartboard. That's a major deal to them, and with a little practice they could be making their own books. I can see them drawing the pictures and telling the story. I am so excited about sketchcast, and when I get one completed I will add it to my blog.

Curriculum Proposal

Briefly address the following questions:
1. What is your chosen subject area, theme or topic?
Apples
2. Who is your intended audience? (Please briefly describe your students)
4 year-old pre-k students
3. What standards are you addressing from your curriculum?
Pre-K does not have a curriculum however these are the areas that we will work on.
-creating and understanding graphs
-sorting objects based on color similarities
-finishing and creating patterns

4. What are the educational goal(s) and objective(s)?
-children will create and read a classroom graph
-children will sort apples according to color
-children will create their own patterns with red and green apples
5. What is the specific problem or question you will pose?
How much fun can we have with apples?
6. What will be the specific assignment the students must accomplish?
-create a classroom graph of favorite apples
-sort apples by like color into baskets
-continue already created patterns with green and red apples
-create their own patterns with green and red apples
7. What is the expected outcome of the lesson?
-children will be able to create and understand a simple bar graph
-children will be able to create their own patterns with apples
-children will be able to sort apples by color

Proposal for Curriculum Project
Your project needs to focus on integrating literacy and/ or media production into the curriculum. Please add state and national standards.
Include the following items in your Proposal.
Name Shanna Leviner(Sam)
Expected time/ timeline to complete the project: One week
Tentative title/ theme: Apples
Goals/ Objectives; Be as specific as possible: Children will create and understand a simple bar graph,
Children will sort apples by color, children will continue and create simple patterns

Rationale : (Why you picked this topic? How will it improve your teaching/ parenting, etc?Apples are a big part of the fall season. This theme allows many areas to be covered in an interesting and exciting subject for young children.
Medium (Which form you will create your project. Livetext, website, URL address, Videotape, Burned CD, file attachment, in the mail, etc.)
Smartboard
Target Audience: 4 year-old pre-k students
Lesson ideas or lesson plans that you searched in this topic. For instance, provide URL links.
Teaching Strategies and Methods: hands on, centers

Evaluation Methods: Assessment strategies: How will you assess your students outcome?
-their ability to add to and read the class graph
-observing them sorting apples
-demonstrate their apple pattern
Resources/ Credits: the print material, electronic resources, websites you already found. APA style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YivNhN_W8GQ

Article Reflections

The Pew internet article did not really surprise me. With the birth of facebook and other social networking sites, it is easy to see why blogging has gone down. A facebook page is basically a blogging site in itself. You may have to make your statements a bit shorter, but this day in age anything that can be done quicker and faster is considered a good thing. On that same note, with facebook and many other sites going mobile, it is so quick and easy to update your page from anywhere.

The MacArthur article brought up some really good points about education in the 21st century. The school district I work for is constantly telling us that we have to prepare these kids for the 21st century. It is even part of our school mission statement, and it is so true. Technology is here to stay and it is important that children today know how to use it to it's fullest potential. I was a little surprised, but also very happy, to see that technology does help children learn. In Pre-K, we get fussed at for using technology too much because it supposedly is bad for the children. I have a hard time believing that, and I'm glad this article backs me up on that. I use technology everyday in my Pre-K class. The children love it, and it is imperative that they get used it and learn how to use it because technology is only going to become a bigger part of education as the years come and go.

Sites to See Reflection

The CML site looked as though it would be great for teachers and media specialists. It was full of videos on many topics. It would be helpful for those students who need a visual to help them understand a certain topic of subject.

I really enjoyed the the video of the children building their own restaurant. It incorporated many subjects and allowed the children to really take ownership of what they were learning and creating. This type of project based learning seems like a more productive approach to teaching. It seemed to capture the children's interest and they could see how what they were learning could be useful in everyday life.

I could not get the you tube video to play, but as far a my own addiction to social media goes I do not have a problem at all. I don't even have facebook page. I have in the past, but when it seemed as though someone had hacked into mine, I decided it was not worth it. I have not missed it in the least, and do not have any desire to have another facebook page of any other social media page.

I hope I did this right, and all of you can see this. Hahaha