PSA Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ochd8gnsOJY&feature=youtu.be

Web Conference Reflections

I’ve not been very successful attending Web Conferences for this course.  I attempted to attend one before Thanksgiving Break on November 21, but due to technical difficulties it had to be cancelled.  I also tried to attend one on December 1, but apparently it was cancelled as well.  I had planned to attend two in the final week, but the dates and times were changed and I wasn’t able to attend the new dates or times.  So, I watched the recording and read the transcript from the December 10^th conference.  I was glad that Dr. Abernathy stated that we would be switching from EPIC to Blackboard in the Spring.  I keep getting emails about Blackboard being down, but I didn’t know what they were talking about.  I received clarification about the three documents that are due in week 5 and that the deadline for submitting is Friday instead of Sunday. It was also nice to hear that if we are ever going to be late submitting an assignment that we just need to contact Dr. Abernathy or our instructional assistant and let them know.

I also watched the recording for the December 11^th conference and read the transcript. I was glad to get clarification about what the eportfolio is. I thought it was the wiki, but it helped to hear that from Dr. Abernathy.  She also explained that we need to put a link to our blog posts in our eportfolio.  I was also confused about whether or not to reflect on two or three conferences.  I got clarification that we would not be penalized if we only reflected on two conferences. The explanation of the creative commons for our PSA was very helpful.  I was unclear about what a creative commons actually was. I was also curious as to whether or not I could avoid the principal certification course. It was explained that you cannot opt out of the course, but you aren’t required to take the certification test.   

Week 2 Reflection

The week 2 assignment was somewhat challenging for me. I was confused initially about what was required for the week.  I planned to attend the additional web conference on Tuesday to get some clarification, but due to technical difficulties, it was cancelled.  After reading Wednesday's web conference transcript and reading the discussion board, I think I finally got clarification.  After evaluating Windows Movie Maker and creating my script for my podcast, I downloaded Audacity and recorded my podcast.  In order to save it as a MP3 file, I then had to download LAME.  I was now ready to share it on the web and after setting up an account on Podbean I was able to do that.  I was curious how I was going to add it to my wiki, but Podbean had several embed codes that I could use. At first all of these steps seemed overwhelming, but after setting down and actually doing it, it was really fairly easy.  I have increased my knowledge of Movie Maker with this assignment and learned how to create a Podcast.  These are skills that will be very valuable for me as well as for my students. 

Week 1 Reflection

I really enjoyed the week 1 assignment.  The self-evaluation confirmed that I have very little knowledge about multimedia concepts or applications. All of the week 1 readings encouraged incorporating multimedia into the curriculum. Our 21^st century learners crave the engagement and excitement that multimedia can offer.  The personal digital story we were required to create was an excellent way to be introduced to a multimedia program.  The sample digital stories that we viewed on the Center for Digital Storytelling’s Web site were great examples to help get us started.  I’m not a creative storyteller, so I just stuck to telling a personal story.  I had already used Animoto in my Concepts of Educational Technology course, so I had to choose another program. I was unable to download Microsoft’s Photo Story 3 because there wasn’t a download for Windows Vista.  I used Windows Movie Maker since it was already installed on my computer.  It was fairly simple to learn to use.  When it came to embedding it into my blog I did have a little trouble.  From reading the internet, I learned that I had to save it as a movie and not just a project before I could embed it. I would be unable to incorporate this type of assignment into my dyslexia therapy class, but I could see that students would have so much fun with this type of assignment.  I’m glad that I am now knowledgeable about this program. I hope to be able to create movies with my personal photos of my son. I’ve wanted to learn how to do this for years, but haven’t taken the time to learn.  Without this class, I’m not sure I would have ever taken the time. 

Digital Story

Action Plan

BYOD Action Plan
Goal:  I will research my campus BYOD (bring your own device) program to determine ways it is effectively being used in the classrooms. ·         Through the use of teacher and student interviews and anonymous surveys, I hope to discern what is working and what areas we can improve. ·         Design and implement a campus wiki where teachers can view and share ideas that are effective.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Review BYOD policy	Self	October 2011	BYOD policy	Gain an understanding of the policy as implemented in the district
Create anonymous teacher survey to solicit effective ways in which they are implementing the BYOD program and ideas that weren’t effective.	Self Site Supervisor, Lisa Rubio	November/December 2001	Survey Monkey - teacher survey	Create a list of ideas that have been used effectively.
Conduct interviews with department heads (core classes, electives, special education) and assistant principal to discuss the effectiveness (including what works and what doesn’t) of the program and discover ways they are seeing  the BYOD program being used in the classrooms.	Self Department Heads	December/January	Time to meet with department heads. Lesson plans from teachers. Meeting space. Computer for note taking.	Review informal interview notes. Make list of effective lessons. Document how the program is working and ways it could be improved.
Meet with technology facilitator to find out other ways teachers are using the BYOD program throughout the district and get additional implementation suggestions.	Self Technology Facilitator	January	Time to meet with technology facilitator.	Create list of suggested activities. Compare and contrast suggested activities with what is actually being done by teachers.
Survey students in department heads classes to discern which BYOD activities they enjoy, and don’t enjoy, and any ideas they have for implementing the program.	Self	February	Survey Monkey-student survey	Create a list of enjoyed activities. Create a list of recommended activities.
Conduct internet search of current BYOD programs.	Self	Ongoing	Internet	Compile a list of additional best practices and ideas to consider for implementation.
Create a wiki that details BYOD activities and allows teachers to share and comment on others ideas. Include a section for teachers to post activities that were NOT effective.	Self	February/March	Wikispaces	Monitor wiki and remind teachers to post ideas.
Post blog reflections and ongoing wonderings, ideas for continued development.	Self	Ongoing	Blog	Reflect and document progress.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

5301 Research for Teachers Week 2

This year my school district has instituted a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program into the secondary schools. I plan to research how this program is being integrated into the curriculum. 

I’m unsure about what guidelines the secondary teachers have been given about ways the BYOD program can be used. I plan to survey teachers, administrators, technology facilitators, and students on how BYOD is being used in the classrooms.Once I gather the data, I will create a resource, possibly a wiki, that includes activities that are being used in my school. This will be beneficial to all teachers as they embark on this new technological journey, and will help evaluate if the program is effective and ways to improve it, if necessary.