Journal 6- Fostering Creativity and Innovation Through Technology

Vaidyanathan, S. (2012). Fostering creativity and innovation through technology. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(6),  24-27. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/DigitalEditionMarch-April2012.aspx.

Summary:  The article discusses how to teach skills of creativity and innovation through technology.  Many kids love creating projects on the computers because of the ease to undo or replicate something, and the freedom that is limited by paper supply.  On computers, it’s easy for students to edit projects.  A Digital Design class taught art and technology with a foundation of mathematics, science, and engineering.  The examples given in the article explained different graphics that were created using geometric patterns and 3D coordinates.  The students who were first enrolled in the class loved it and were enthusiastic about class each day.  Learning about technology was exciting for the students, and relevant to the information that needed to be covered.  The foundation is there for students learn the basics of technology and be inspired to learn more.

Question 1:  How will I use this educational tool?

The article gave a few examples of how lessons blended art and technology.  I could create different assignments and projects that combine subject material with a visual aid that is made on the computer.

Question 2:  How would the Digital Design class be beneficial to students?

It’s important that students learn the basics and get excited about technology because it plays such a huge role in our current society.  When they have a basic understanding of technological devices and programs at younger ages, it is easier for them to gain more knowledge and capabilities.

Journal 5- 10 Tips for the Education Blogger

Stansberry, K. (2011). 10 Tips for the education blogger. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(3),  36-37. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201111/?pg=1&pm=2&u1=friend.

Summary:  The article gives advice on creating, posting to, and maintaining a successful blog.  It discusses how time should be made post and keeps up with the blog, and how posts should cover necessary information, without having lots of excess information.  The article also explains the importance of choosing an appropriate URL and following other users in the online education community.

Question 1:  How might this article be useful to an educator?

It teaches the reader how to maintain a blog in a professional and proper manner.  Like many other hobbies in life, there is etiquette and a correct way to blog.  It also provides a basic tutorial about blogging so that educators who are creating their first blog are aware of all the different things they can do.

Question 2:  What was the most important tip?

To me, the most important tip was the 7^th one that explained starting a blog by listening to other educators.  It is great to get a solid start with the understanding of postings and hashtags.  It’s also important to begin blogging by browsing other educators’ posts and learning from different resources, updates, and articles.

Journal 4- If You Give a Kid a Video Camera ...

Campbell, L. (2012). If you give a kid a video camera. Learning and Leading with Technology, 39(5),  30-33. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February-2012.aspx.

Summary:  The article discusses the relationship between a new technological device and a child’s desire to learn about it.  Educators can use video cameras for many different creative assignments and in all different school subjects.  Students can use video cameras to record interviews, scientific experiments, create book reports and math story problems, etc.  There are so many different ways that technological devices, like video cameras, can be incorporated into education to benefit student’s understanding of the lesson and think with a different perspective and mindset.

Question 1:  How can I use video cameras as an educational tool?

When I was in a Spanish class, I had a project that required my group to create and tell a short story entirely in Spanish. Since the class periods were short, each group had to create a video to present to the teacher and classmates, so that class time would not be lost in the transition of different scenes and group presentations.  My group had a lot of fun creating characters, acting out different scenes, and editing out our bloopers.  We really learned a lot because we collaborated to translate our text into Spanish and took turns recording with the video camera.  It was a fun project that really engaged all different areas of learning.  I can use video cameras in my classroom to have students record a project so that they learn from a different perspective of the lesson and also engage different parts of their brain when they learn to use a new technological device.

Question 2:  How will I ensure the cautious care with expensive learning devices?

Before the students use the video cameras, I will teach a lesson on the basic use of video cameras and how to properly handle them.  

Journal 3- Inforgraphics: More than Words Can Say

 Krauss, J. (2012). Infographics: More than words can say. Learning & Leading with Technology, 39(5), 10-14. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February-2012.aspx

Summary:  The article defines infographics and explains how the visual representations of data engage different parts of the brain, allowing the learner to view the problem from a different prospective.  The mental processes that are involved with the creation of infographics have parallel patterns to computational thinking.  By creating infographics, students learn to analyze and represent data.  Infographics meet the standards because the NETS’ creativity and innovation indicators incorporate the creation of original works and models.  The article also provides guidelines to creating infographics.  It advises to tell the story for the presented information in a clear manner, using only data from reliable sources.

Question 1:  How can I use infographics as an educational tool?

I can create different infographics to portray information and the relation between different variables using charts, graphs, and other pictures.  Information that is displayed in a fun and colorful visual representation is more engaging, easier to understand, and the data is retained because it is not just boring text.

Question 2:  Why would infographics be an effective educational tool?

Each classroom has different types of learners and infographics are appealing to those who learn with visual pictures and those who learn with facts in a text.  It is important for educators to teach to each student based on their needs and learning styles, and inforgraphics helps educators do this.

Journal 2- Join the Flock! & Enhance Your Twitter Experience

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock!. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-15. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February-2012.aspx

McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/February-2012.aspx

Summary:  The “Join the Flock!” article talks about networking in online communities, like Twitter.  It explains how Twitter can be used to follow and collaborate with different people and learn new ideas from different groups of people.  By having a list of educators to follow, a Twitter user can learn about new tools, resources, project ideas or other information relating to education.  One of things that I love about Twitter, which is also mentioned in the article, is the voluntary participation.  The conversation and amount of participation is up to the Tweeter.  I can browse various tweets and not be concerned with any obligation to tweet or respond to posts.

Question 1:  How can I use my Twitter account to as an educational tool?
I can follow other educators and school administrators to learn about different lesson plans, project ideas, and educational news.  I can also include the students and parents to keep them updated with different things happening in the classroom (similar to my classroom newsletter).

Summary:  The “Enhance Your Twitter Experience” article gives advice on organizing and managing Twitter accounts.  The hashtags are a really great and easy way to relate a post to “trends” and search through other Twitter posts.  I love the organizers that are offered through the TweetDeck and HootSuite websites.  There is so much information on Twitter, especially if you have different lists of people you follow, so it’s a great way to keep manage information.  I love browsing around different networking websites but I feel overwhelmed by all the information, links, and articles.  I could really utilize these websites to help me obtain all the information and keep track of resources.

Question 2:  How can I organize my TweetDeck or HootSuite to better manage my online communities?
I can separate my Twitter followers based on their posts.  Different columns can separate and organize different topics like, classroom technology, education news, lessons, projects, etc.