Journal Entry #7: Professional Learning Network

One of the most beneficial tools from this class is the idea of joining affinity groups. Joining affinity groups is helpful for teachers because they can use these groups as a resource for the classroom to gain and share ideas. Using social network sites as a professional learning network though may or may not be as useful depending on the project. I think social networks used in the classroom as a method of hooking the students is easier in some classes over others. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter should not be used too often, though. I also think depending on the age of the teacher, younger teachers tend to use social media more so than older teachers. While using affinity groups excessively probably would not have any harmful effects, using social media excessively I think may cause short or long term problems such as dependency.  

Journal Entry #6

I am glad I took the course because I was exposed to coding, html, and css, which are topics I would have never even thought about. While I am happy to have been exposed to coding, I also discovered that it is not for me. This course has been quite difficult for me, having had absolutely no prior experience. I think learning how to link webpages in code was most rewarding for me.

Journal 5: Twitter
I did not have a Twitter account before this class and if not for this class, I probably would not have created one to be honest. I am not a fan of Twitter and after trying the website out, I am still not a fan, maybe because I am still not used to it. I understand that some teachers believe integrating social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram into the subject can hook students into learning more. While that may be true, I, as a math teacher, do not believe in using that method to engage students. I will try to think of other ways to engage students without involving social media. Also, I believe social media can be used easier in certain subjects than others such as English and History.

Q1: How can social media be used in the classroom?
A1: A teacher can ask students to Instagram their projects or check in with their assignments on Twitter.

Q2: Is using social media mandatory to engage students?
A2: No, I do not believe using social media is mandatory. It is just one way to engage students, not the only way. 

Project Plan

Journal Post 4: Project Plan

• Site title - Ms.Ho's Math page
• Developer - Judy Ho
• Rational or focus - The main purpose of the website is for my students to use to help them understand the math content better.
• Main features outline - Main features I want would be links to other website or videos for students to click on if they need extra help on a math topic.
• Content - After the home page, I want a sub page of each math subject I'm teaching currently.
• Target audience - My students
• Design considerations. Simple.
• Limiting factors - Many students may not have fast internet so I want to keep my website design as simple as possible but still attractive.

Q1: How often do you think your students will use your website?

A1: Honestly, probably not very often but I will try to promote the website so they know it is there for them to use.

Q2: What is the key element of the website?

A1: I want the design as simple, yet attractive, as possible. 

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Article 2: The Case for Social Media in School

Journal Entry #3: "The Case for Social Media in School" by Sarah Kessler. http://mashable.com/2010/09/29/social-media-in-school/

In the article "The Case for Social Media in School", Kessler brought up many good points. Her main point was that social media is not going away so might as well use it to teachers' advantage to reach and teach their students. She argued that since social media is what students know using social media in school will keep students engaged longer than other methods used in the past. She also mentions the many free productive websites that teachers can use in their classroom to further their students' learning. Kessler also talked about points such as media encouraging collaboration and cell phones not being the enemy. I think these two points are weaker and can be argued against easier. I do agree that social media is here to stay and that students will be more likely engaged using social media while learning than traditional methods such as lecture and textbooks. There are many interactive learning websites teachers can use for free as a supplemental way to teach their students. It is just whether or not teachers will take the time to search up which websites they like best and taking their students to a computer lab one or two days out of the week to access the internet.

Q 1: How can this article be argued?

A 1: Social media may encourage collaboration, but there is higher risk for the opposite. Cyber bullying has recently become an issue due to social media use. Kessler also mentioned teachers using cell phones to their advantage by alerting students to come to class on time. This method can be used in a case of emergency but it should not be habitual.

Q 2: What are some interactive websites teachers can use for free (geared toward elementary school)?

A 2:   http://www.thekidzpage.com/learninggames/
          http://www.abcya.com/
          http://www.funbrain.com/

Affinity Group

Journal Entry #2: http://www.nctm.org/

I decided to join the national council of teachers of mathematics because that is what I teach. Unfortunately, I did not realize that you have to pay to become a member so I will just use the material/information I can get as a free member. From what I have discovered so far, it seems like just being a free member is quite informative already so I am satisfied. The site provides many ideas for lessons and projects for math teachers of all grades to use. I hope to integrate what I learn from the site to the classroom once I start working again. The site even has a section for teachers who are looking for job positions. It is quite resourceful.

Q1: How can joining an affinity group be helpful?
A1: Joining an affinity group is just another resource to be used. It makes it easier for people across the world to interact with each other who have common interests and questions. It is an effective way for people to come together and provide support without having to physically be there in person.

Q2: Is it worth paying to become a member of an affinity group?
A2: The answer is subjective. Many websites provide a free trail period for people to see for themselves whether it would be worth it to become a member. The pro of paying is the content that people see should be serious and professional. The con of paying is it is not free. Therefore, it is up to the individual to decide how much, if at all, would it be worth to pay to access what only members are allowed to see versus the public.

Chapter 1-3 Summary

Journal Entry #1:Chapter 1-3 Summary
Learning Web Design, 4th Edition  Jennifer Niederst Robbins

Summary: Chapter 1 introduces the different types of jobs that make up a website. It also states the different types of languages that a website could compose of. And lastly, it recommends the equipment and software needed to create websites. Chapter 2 goes into more details about the web. It talks about what each part of a web address represents. It also provides the basic format of how to code a website. Chapter 3 points out things to be aware of when creating a website, such as accessibility for all, including viewers with visual or auditory impairment. I have never created a website before. Just reading these three chapters make creating a website look really complicated. I think people who do not have a background in coding or programming do not realize or do not know that a website is composed of words. I, myself, did not know that until a few months ago and even then I did not really think about it until this class. For someone who is not technologically savvy, learning how to create a website sounds pretty fun and interesting so far.

Question 1:Should computer class become a mandatory elective course in schools?

A1: Yes, the younger generation now uses and relies on the internet for pretty much anything and everything. Understanding how the web works and how websites are created and creating one themselves would dramatically increase students' awareness of something they use practically every day.

Question 2:With so many aspects to be aware of when creating a website, what do most people consider the most important?

A1: Speed and site performance. If the website takes too long to download most people do not have the patience to wait. If people do not even reach the website, it is not being seen, which makes everything else moot points.

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