Journal 4- What is in the Backpack?

NETS-T 2
Incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning.

Basham, J. D., Perry, E., & Meyer, H. (2011). It's in the bag. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october-2011.aspx

When reading"It's in the Bag" I learned what a digital backpack was. I never realized that there was a name for all the things that we have been learning in class. The "digital backpack" is not necessarily a back pack that a student would wear to school but it can be tools that students use in technology, such as Blogger, Google Apps, Twitter, and so on and so forth. There are so many learning tools that students can use to access instructional data. This type of backpack can support all learners. It can be a physical backpack where students may go out in to the field and take pictures of a subject, then upload to an application and use the media to present to the class. The great thing about the digital backpack is that it can be very cost effective to a classroom. Digital backpacks can be a great way to incorporate the going green movement in society. It actually can reduce the amount of paper students use on homework and in the digital world projects and assignments can be saved forever. No need to keep all that work you may use one day in the bottom of the closet. I think that the article was a great new learning experience for me and am excited to start adding and building my digital backpack. iGoogle is a great place to add those type of links and applications.


Question #1: Why is it that teachers do not take advantage of this technological aspect of teaching?
I believe that they do not know how many resources there actually are. I also think that they may not have the confidence in learning and exploring, or the feeling that they "won't know what they are doing."

Question #2: What are ways as future educators can we help other teachers incorporate technology in the classroom?
I believe that we can help by creating a blog, presentation using the tools that we are learning in class. I mean we all learned how to do some amazing thing. I get excited and can't wait to show my husband all the cool things we are learning in class. I feel that if we used the resources that we have learned we could help other teachers keep up with the ever changing world of technology and its just so much fun!

Journal 3- Dig up Dirt Learn Internet Safety

Morehouse, J. (2011). Students dig up dirt to learn about internet safety. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(2), 34-35. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20110910?pg=36 

Learning that protecting your identity is an important thing, the article by Jesse Morehouse talked about this in "Students Dig up Dirt to Learn About Internet Safety." I really liked that Jesse Morehouse found a fun interactive activity to teach his students about internet safety. He created a lesson plan where he grouped students and gave them a certain amount of time to "Dig up the dirt" on him. They looked up information and tried to find out who he was. It was really cool that he taught them through a real life experience. They experienced that it is very important to be aware of the real dangers of what is out there.

NETS-T 4

Teach safe and responsible 

social interactions through the digital world.

Question #1: What other activities could you use to promote internet safety and the dangers? 

I would have my students go to the interactive website called NetSmartzkids.org. This website is a great tool in teaching children to be cautious on-line and offline. There are resources such as videos, games, and presentations, NetSmartz entertains while it educates. It is geared for students 5-12. NetSmartz is a great learning tool for students, teachers and parents. 

Question #2: Why is internet safety so important?

Internet safety is so important because anyone anywhere can find information about someone. It is very simple if you have a digital footprint. Anything you put on the internet can be seen and found by others. Certain information could adversely affect someone in the process of applying for a job, even going on a date could impact someone. It is very important to make good choices on the internet and knowing what and how to be safe.

Journal 2 - Join the Flock

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-15. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607?pg=14&pm=2&fs=1#pg14

When reading "Join the Flock," by Hadley Ferguson & "Enhance Your Twitter Experience," by Shannon McClintock Miller from Learning and Leading with Technology. I was not expecting such a colorful and visual pleasing article. The article was about building a PLN, which stands for professional learning network. Using technology such as Twitter builds a community of people around the world. Twitter a social network allows you to follow strangers, friends, educators, that may have the same interest as you. This feature creates common interest that can help educators all over the world. This way of learning and educating allows a simple way to share a new learning tools or experiences in less than 140 words. Since Tweeting in education Ed422, it has allowed me to compile a list and collection of new ways to teach and learn, in new innovative ways. The great part is just by clicking once on a link I am immediately routed to a new source of information that is helpful in my learning experience. The "Twittersphere" meaning community, is one filled with "hashtags" and new "Twerminology" it allows there to be some organization to new contributions. I was hesitant at first to create a Twitter, I did not need to have another social media network to take over my life, but knowing that I can use this social media network to build my professional learning network, really changed my view in a positive way. I now look forward to posting new links and viewing other tweets that may show up.

Why are people hesitant in social media networks such as Twitter? 

I believe people are scared to provide personal information for the world to see. I also believe that for some it is another way to see what others are doing, and they usually have a life of their own to keep up with, and don't have time to keep up with others.

What is one great thing about using Twitter? 

What I love about Twitter is that I follow people in my PLN. That is the only thing I use Twitter for. It is a great way to learn new information and see what new educational resources are out there.