Here is a link to my curriculum page including all four components.
https://megan-smith.wikispaces.com/
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
AR# 7 Creating a Rubric.
This week for my Fundementals of Technology for Educators course, I created a rubric to be used for assessment of the digital storytelling project that can be found in my past blog posts. To create my rubric, I chose to use the Rubistar webpage (http://www.rubistar.4teachers.org/). I have used this page a few times before to create rubrics for other courses during my bachelor's program in Elementary Education at UCF, and find it to be an incredibly easy to use service. First of all, it is a very quick and easy process to sign up for an account with this site, and (more importantly!) it is free. Once you create an account, you can choose to either create a rubric using one of the many different templates they have available (created by other teachers) or you can create your own. I chose to create my own without using a template, and the process took about five minutes tops. I think that this webpage is wonderful, and I definately plan on getting a lot of use out of it when I begin teaching.
I think that rubrics are a great way for students to know exactly what is expected from them out of a project. By showing students specific requirements that must be met to receive a certain grade, students are more likely to be able to address all of the necessary components more completely. I have always found it to be easier to complete a project when I have a rubric to look at and compare my work to. Rubrics are also a great way to hold our students more accountable. For example, if we give each of our students a rubric for a project, they can not use the excuse of "you never told us we had to do that" or "I forgot that we had to do that". Another great thing about the use of rubrics is that they can be created to suit any grade level of students, from Kindergarden all the way through college!
To see the rubric I created, please click this link: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1983050
I think that rubrics are a great way for students to know exactly what is expected from them out of a project. By showing students specific requirements that must be met to receive a certain grade, students are more likely to be able to address all of the necessary components more completely. I have always found it to be easier to complete a project when I have a rubric to look at and compare my work to. Rubrics are also a great way to hold our students more accountable. For example, if we give each of our students a rubric for a project, they can not use the excuse of "you never told us we had to do that" or "I forgot that we had to do that". Another great thing about the use of rubrics is that they can be created to suit any grade level of students, from Kindergarden all the way through college!
To see the rubric I created, please click this link: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1983050
Friday, November 12, 2010
Digital Story Presentation (AR#6)
This week for my Evaluating Educational Technology and Integration Strategies course, I completed an assignment that goes along with my most recent posts regarding a digital storytelling assignment. Although I am not currently teaching, I designed this activity around the fourth grade social studies curriculum, addressing the Florida settlement benchmarks. For more information on this activity, please feel free to visit my curriculum page: https://megan-smith.wikispaces.com/.
As I have been planning this activity over the past few weeks, I already had a pretty good idea as to what I would include in my teacher sample. First, I decided on which topic choice my presentation would be about (topic choices include native Florida Indian tribes or early Florida explorers). I chose to do my digital story on Hernando De Soto. Next, I decided which program I would use to create my digital story. I am pretty comfortable with the use of Powerpoint software, and chose to use this platform to create my story.
The first thing I did was go back to my curriculum page and review the instructions I provided for my students, as well as the pieces that should be included into the presentation. Since I chose to do my presentation on an explorer, I made sure to include the necessary information:
as well as the other criteria that goes for all students:
During the creation of my digital story, I came across a very frustrating experience with embedding video into the presentation. I spent over an hour trying to figure out how to save a video found on http://www.youtube.com/ to my computer so that I could include the video in my Powerpoint presentation. No matter how many times I tried to find instructions on Youtube's help page and by googling instructions on doing so, I was unable to figure out how to save video files to my computer. I finally just gave up and decided not to include a video in my presentation. If anybody knows how to save a Youtube video to your computer, I would very much appreciate the help.
Other than this setback, I found the process of compiling information and images into a Powerpoint presentation to be very easy and quick. I also used the Paint application (as required in this assignment) to create a timeline, and pasted this images to my presentation. I also found Paint to be very user friendly and easy to use.
I think that with the right amount of teacher modeling and media support, this activity can be a great way to make social studies more engaging for students. I also think that exposing students to different types of technology at a young age is important for them. You can view my teacher sample of this activity by visiting my curriculum page or by simply watching the embedded video below.
As I have been planning this activity over the past few weeks, I already had a pretty good idea as to what I would include in my teacher sample. First, I decided on which topic choice my presentation would be about (topic choices include native Florida Indian tribes or early Florida explorers). I chose to do my digital story on Hernando De Soto. Next, I decided which program I would use to create my digital story. I am pretty comfortable with the use of Powerpoint software, and chose to use this platform to create my story.
The first thing I did was go back to my curriculum page and review the instructions I provided for my students, as well as the pieces that should be included into the presentation. Since I chose to do my presentation on an explorer, I made sure to include the necessary information:
- Information about their life and their exploration of Florida (where and when were they born? When did they begin their exploration, etc..)
- Their motivation for becoming an explorer (were they searching for gold? Trying to claim land?)
- How they got along with or affected Native Americans (did they bring disease to the tribes? Did they get along with them?)
- Map of your explorer's exploration
as well as the other criteria that goes for all students:
- A timeline of at least 5 important events you found about your tribe or explorer (should be completed seperately using Paint and then embedded into your presentation).
- 5 graphic images (these can be picture taken and uploaded from a digital camera, a picture you find online, etc...)
- List of webpages you used to find information on your tribe or explorer.
During the creation of my digital story, I came across a very frustrating experience with embedding video into the presentation. I spent over an hour trying to figure out how to save a video found on http://www.youtube.com/ to my computer so that I could include the video in my Powerpoint presentation. No matter how many times I tried to find instructions on Youtube's help page and by googling instructions on doing so, I was unable to figure out how to save video files to my computer. I finally just gave up and decided not to include a video in my presentation. If anybody knows how to save a Youtube video to your computer, I would very much appreciate the help.
Other than this setback, I found the process of compiling information and images into a Powerpoint presentation to be very easy and quick. I also used the Paint application (as required in this assignment) to create a timeline, and pasted this images to my presentation. I also found Paint to be very user friendly and easy to use.
I think that with the right amount of teacher modeling and media support, this activity can be a great way to make social studies more engaging for students. I also think that exposing students to different types of technology at a young age is important for them. You can view my teacher sample of this activity by visiting my curriculum page or by simply watching the embedded video below.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Curriculum Page - AR#5
Over the past few weeks, I have been learning a lot about the integration of digital storytelling into a classroom curriculum in one of my classes at UCF. This week, I was able to create my own curriculum page using a Wiki publisher (You can check it out here: https://megan-smith.wikispaces.com/ ). I chose to make my curriculum page based on the lesson I briefly described here in my blog about using digital storytelling in a social studies unit about early Florida exploration and settlement.
I have to say that at first, I didn't think that I would be able to figure out how to use a Wiki. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know what a wiki was. I have become used to blogging and using social networking sites such as Facebook, but I have never before had to use a Wiki platform. I actually thought that Wiki meant Wikipedia until taking this course and realzing that there is more to it than just that one site! (Don't I feel out of the loop?)
As I sat down to begin creating my curriculum page, at first I found it difficult to create a whole curriculum page (complete with graphics, different fonts and links to different sections of the page) from scratch. I am used to working with templates, and by logging onto my Wiki and seeing a large empty space was a bit discouraging. However, by viewing examples of other curriculum pages and through the help of a WebQuest template example (http://webquest.sdsu.edu/templates/lesson-template1.htm), I was able to get started pretty easily. In fact, as I begin to work on my page, I found that the Wiki platform is actually pretty simple and a lot easier to use than I had initially though it would be. I found myself totally engrossed in creating this page, and hours later I am actually quite pleased with the final product.
I think that curriculum pages are a great way for both students and their parents to find in depth information on projects and activities that are coming up, and can be a useful tool in communication between teacher and student/parents. I also found that by providing students with links to teacher-approved, safe and relevant serach engines and web pages, we can make sure that our students are where they are supposed to be while using the Internet. I definately plan on including curriculum pages onto my personal homepage when I begin teaching.
I have to say that at first, I didn't think that I would be able to figure out how to use a Wiki. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn't even know what a wiki was. I have become used to blogging and using social networking sites such as Facebook, but I have never before had to use a Wiki platform. I actually thought that Wiki meant Wikipedia until taking this course and realzing that there is more to it than just that one site! (Don't I feel out of the loop?)
As I sat down to begin creating my curriculum page, at first I found it difficult to create a whole curriculum page (complete with graphics, different fonts and links to different sections of the page) from scratch. I am used to working with templates, and by logging onto my Wiki and seeing a large empty space was a bit discouraging. However, by viewing examples of other curriculum pages and through the help of a WebQuest template example (http://webquest.sdsu.edu/templates/lesson-template1.htm), I was able to get started pretty easily. In fact, as I begin to work on my page, I found that the Wiki platform is actually pretty simple and a lot easier to use than I had initially though it would be. I found myself totally engrossed in creating this page, and hours later I am actually quite pleased with the final product.
I think that curriculum pages are a great way for both students and their parents to find in depth information on projects and activities that are coming up, and can be a useful tool in communication between teacher and student/parents. I also found that by providing students with links to teacher-approved, safe and relevant serach engines and web pages, we can make sure that our students are where they are supposed to be while using the Internet. I definately plan on including curriculum pages onto my personal homepage when I begin teaching.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Including Digital Storytelling Into Curriculum RR-5
When I begin teaching, I am hoping to work in the fourth grade. I have done most of my teaching experiences and internships in the third and fourth grade, and found that I absolutely love this age group. As part of my curriculum in fourth grade social studies, I would like to include a digital storytelling project addressing the exploration and settlement of Florida unit. I would use this project to address the 10 Sunshine State Standards for this unit of study, as well as standards in writing and technology.
For this project, I would assign students into small groups of about 4-5 per group. Students would pick an explorer (Hernando De Soto, Ponce De Leon, etc.) and create a digital story about their life and their exploration (including motivation, interactions with Native Americans and impact on Florida). Students could also choose to do their project on one of the major Native American tribes during this time and create a digital story about their tribes, migration, ways of life and effect the explorers had upon them.
To prepare my students for this activity, I would first show them a few examples of digital stories on similar content and discuss them as a whole class. We would discuss the different components of a digital story, including video, graphics, audio and text. Hooking my laptop computer up to the projector, I would go through the process of partially completeing a sample digital story with my students to give them an idea of what they will be doing. I would also provide a rubric and step by step directions on how to compose the digital story on my homepage or wiki page for students to access at any time. On my page I would include a few examples of digital stories for students to view at home with their parents.
During this activity, students will be using different type of web resources to gather information for their story. Students would use the Internet and different search engines to do research on their chosen topic, and then use programs such as Microsoft Word to jot down information they want to include in their story. Students should be using this information to create timelines based on their explorer or Native American tribe's life and events.
In order to empower my students to produce a good digital story, I would allow them to use other tools such as a microphone and / or digital video camera, where they would record themselves reading information from their research, and digital cameras or scanning software where they can include images they have produced, or images of their timeline and research. I would try to get the media specialist to work with me on this project and guide students in using this type of equipment.
For this project, I would assign students into small groups of about 4-5 per group. Students would pick an explorer (Hernando De Soto, Ponce De Leon, etc.) and create a digital story about their life and their exploration (including motivation, interactions with Native Americans and impact on Florida). Students could also choose to do their project on one of the major Native American tribes during this time and create a digital story about their tribes, migration, ways of life and effect the explorers had upon them.
To prepare my students for this activity, I would first show them a few examples of digital stories on similar content and discuss them as a whole class. We would discuss the different components of a digital story, including video, graphics, audio and text. Hooking my laptop computer up to the projector, I would go through the process of partially completeing a sample digital story with my students to give them an idea of what they will be doing. I would also provide a rubric and step by step directions on how to compose the digital story on my homepage or wiki page for students to access at any time. On my page I would include a few examples of digital stories for students to view at home with their parents.
During this activity, students will be using different type of web resources to gather information for their story. Students would use the Internet and different search engines to do research on their chosen topic, and then use programs such as Microsoft Word to jot down information they want to include in their story. Students should be using this information to create timelines based on their explorer or Native American tribe's life and events.
In order to empower my students to produce a good digital story, I would allow them to use other tools such as a microphone and / or digital video camera, where they would record themselves reading information from their research, and digital cameras or scanning software where they can include images they have produced, or images of their timeline and research. I would try to get the media specialist to work with me on this project and guide students in using this type of equipment.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Digital Storytelling AR#4
This past week, I have learned a lot of new information about using digital storytelling software in the classroom. As a student in UCF's college of Education, I have spent a lot of time working with teachers in local classrooms. One class I worked in was a third grade class at Longleaf Elementary. During my time spent working with this teacher, one of the projects I spent a lot of time on with the students was helping them to create a digital storybook of their class. Each student had one 30 second slide in which they uploaded an image of themselves (taken with a digital camera during media activity time), and then read into the microphone information about themselves (which they had worked on and revised during writing time in the classroom). The students then selected a piece of background music to accompany their slide. At the end of the year, the class got to watch the story, and each student received a copy of the disk to keep. From what I experienced, this activity had a very positive impact on the students, and each of them looked forward to the time where they got to work on their digital storytelling. Through this activity, the students worked on their writing skills, verbal and reading skills, as well as gaining experience in the use of digital video cameras and digital cameras, microphones and putting everything together on the software program. Most of all, the students had FUN and got to explore their creativity.
After watching the YouTube video Digital Storytelling in Plain English, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP6CeGLPuOY, I found myself learning even more about this great piece of technology. For an assignment in one of my courses, I found myself using PowerPoint software to create my own digital storytelling. I have had a lot of experience with powerpoint and other desktop office software, so I found myself pretty comfortable in creating this presentation. The version I used has a very easy to use wizard, which guides you through most of the set up process. I had fun choosing a relevant background layout (a keyboard) which was in the database of the software, and deciding how I was going to present my information. As I was creating this presentation, I found myself thinking of ways this program could be used by students, for example as a way to organize content for students in their lessons. Powerpoint provides easy to read headings, subheadings and bullet points which could be a great way for students to create graphic organizers, timelines, stories and other presentations.
After watching the YouTube video Digital Storytelling in Plain English, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP6CeGLPuOY, I found myself learning even more about this great piece of technology. For an assignment in one of my courses, I found myself using PowerPoint software to create my own digital storytelling. I have had a lot of experience with powerpoint and other desktop office software, so I found myself pretty comfortable in creating this presentation. The version I used has a very easy to use wizard, which guides you through most of the set up process. I had fun choosing a relevant background layout (a keyboard) which was in the database of the software, and deciding how I was going to present my information. As I was creating this presentation, I found myself thinking of ways this program could be used by students, for example as a way to organize content for students in their lessons. Powerpoint provides easy to read headings, subheadings and bullet points which could be a great way for students to create graphic organizers, timelines, stories and other presentations.
Digital storytelling reflection
View more presentations from Megan Smith.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Online Identity AR#3
As a future educator, I think that it is very important to be accessable and maintain a good relationship with your students and their parents. These days, it seems that many people prefer to communicate using the Internet (especially through email) rather than face to face or on the phone. I personally find that I prefer to use email communication rather than talking on the phone. For this reason, I think that creating an online web page is a great way to better connect with parents and students, and to allow them more access to you both during and outside of regular school hours.
I recently created my first "About Me" page linked to my blog. Although I have had a Facebook page for quite a while now where I am able to communicate and share information with my friends, family, classmates and coworkers, this has been my first experience in creating a professional online identity. I think that it is important to let parents and students get to know me not only as Ms. Smith the teacher, but also as Megan Smith the person. I feel that sharing some insight to who I am as a person can help form a closer connection between myself and my students and their parents. I love getting to know the students I teach, and I know that I have always enjoyed learning about my own teachers' personal lives. I still remember my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Bartelson, who shared his love of gymnastics with us, and even did a few backflips one day.
Currently, I am a full time grad student working part time at the front desk of a local hotel. However, I hope to begin teaching full time soon, and when I do, I plan on creating a web page for my students and their parents to go where I will provide them with useful links to sites like Ask for kids (http://askkids.com/) as well as upcoming assignments and projects, contact information should they have any questions, as well as some personal information where they can enjoy getting to know their teacher.
I recently created my first "About Me" page linked to my blog. Although I have had a Facebook page for quite a while now where I am able to communicate and share information with my friends, family, classmates and coworkers, this has been my first experience in creating a professional online identity. I think that it is important to let parents and students get to know me not only as Ms. Smith the teacher, but also as Megan Smith the person. I feel that sharing some insight to who I am as a person can help form a closer connection between myself and my students and their parents. I love getting to know the students I teach, and I know that I have always enjoyed learning about my own teachers' personal lives. I still remember my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Bartelson, who shared his love of gymnastics with us, and even did a few backflips one day.
Currently, I am a full time grad student working part time at the front desk of a local hotel. However, I hope to begin teaching full time soon, and when I do, I plan on creating a web page for my students and their parents to go where I will provide them with useful links to sites like Ask for kids (http://askkids.com/) as well as upcoming assignments and projects, contact information should they have any questions, as well as some personal information where they can enjoy getting to know their teacher.
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