Friday, April 26, 2013

WEEK 6 - What mobile apps are available for your subject area?

List and describe at least 4 apps that could be used on a smartphone, iPod, or iPad in the classroom. There are mobile apps for education sections in each of the subject area chapters in the Roblyer and Doering book.

 After searching through our textbook by Roblyer and Doering, I was not able to find any suggestions for free mobile apps for Family and Consumer Sciences. I did find a couple in the area of Health.
 
I conducted a search on the internet and found this site:
http://ace.arkansas.gov/cte/programAreas/FACS/Documents/Mobile%20Applications%20for%20FACS.pdf . This site offered some helpful apps for Nutrition and Consumerism. The information also included the Content Standards that correlate with this app.

One is Shop Savvy which allows me to scan the barcode finding the best price for an item either online or locally. This is a helpful tool to use with a FACS class studying budgeting.

 Loan Calculator Pro allows me to calculate the monthly payment for types of fixed loans such as home mortgage, car or credit card. Students can see just how their money is spent.

Restaurant Nutrition allows students to obtain Nutrition information on the menu items as well as track what they have eaten.

iFinance is an app that is available to track spending right when it occurs. This will be a convenient way to know exactly which category of expenditures needs to be adjusted when planning a budget.

There is also an app for Clothes Color Coordinator. This iphone app will allow students to shop for clothing more efficiently. They can check the color of an item to see if it will coordinate with items or accessories they may already have when wardrobe planning.

In addition, I found apps for Interior Design, Parenting, Etiquette and Social skills, Consumer tips to avoid scams, and available homes for sale. Each of these could be included as real life experiences to enhance student comprehension.

Monday, April 22, 2013

WEEK 5 - Digital Citizen


Week 5--Why is it important to be a good digital citizen? What value does a good digital reputation have?

As we were all told growing up, “watch your reputation”. This is true, others are watching yours too. It’s amazing how gossip can hurt someone, yet may not be true and spreads like wildfire! Something negative spreads fast and if you put something on the internet, it will spread too only faster. We have all been told “once it’s out there, it’s out there forever”.

Although the internet is (relatively) new, we have all heard about someone who was looking for a job or anything they were hoping to get or join. Anyone who wants to check you out can and it is so easy. Have you ever “googled” yourself? Have you checked your credit score? Everything about us is available to whoever wants to find it bad enough. I have purchases on my credit information that go back 40 years!
 
I am saying all of this to point out how important it is to think before you post, then think again, delete it is there is even a question. It can never be retrieved once it’s gone. There is digital information about everyone for a long, long time.

We are responsible for training students our about life as well as the content assigned to us. We must always set a good example and use good judgment. Being a good digital citizen is even more important. There are spoken and unspoken rules in our world and we are judged by the way we present ourselves.

Be very careful about “sharing”, posting, writing anything that may be considered distasteful or offensive to anyone. It can come back to hurt you, the penalty is not worth it. Follow the “If in doubt, don’t” rule.

 “Sing, as if no one is listening”……..guide your actions as if everyone is!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Week 5 - Beautiful weekend!

Wow what a beautiful weekend. Here in Anniston the Cheaha Challenge bike races are held this weekend. What a great time for Anniston, The Noble Festival in town for people to enjoy good food, racing for all ages, kids zone and tons of fun!

We kept our 6 month old grandson and had a great time "playing baby"!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 4

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 4: This series of podcasts will introduce you to some of the best web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom to foster creativity, communication and collaboration.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 3

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 3: This series of podcasts will introduce you to some of the best web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom to foster creativity, communication and collaboration.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 2

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom: Episode 2: This series of podcasts will introduce you to some of the best web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom to foster creativity, communication, and collaboration.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom:  Episode 1

[Alabama Learning Exchange] 40 Webtools for the Classroom:  Episode 1: This series of podcasts will introduce you to some of the best web 2.0 tools you can use in your classroom to foster creativity, communication and collaboration.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Making the Most out of Learning with Web 2.0 Technologies - Part 1 (Prezi)

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Making the Most out of Learning with Web 2.0 Technologies - Part 1 (Prezi): Since technology is an excellent tool that can be used to enhance the learning process for all students, I have developed a series of podcasts that will introduce you to four Web 2.0 tools.  When these tools are integrated into the learning environment, the possibilities for collaboration and creativity are endless.  This first podcast will introduce you to Prezi, a new and innovating application editor that allows you to create presentations similar to PowerPoint.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 4

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 4: Adobe Captivate is a great program to create software demonstrations, simulations, and e-learning content.
In this tutorial I will demonstrate how to set quiz preferences and create a simple quiz composed of various question formats.  Question formats covered are true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, and hotspot.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 3

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 3: This short video will be the 3rd in a series of tutorials designed to introduce the beginner to Adobe Captivate 5.5.
Adobe Captivate is a great program to create software demonstrations, simulations, and interactive e-learning content.
 In this tutorial I will show you how to add/edit text, add interactive buttons & click boxes, add slide sound & narration, add video, and demonstrate how to use the zoom function for your project.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 2

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 2: This short video will be the 2nd in a series of tutorials designed to introduce the beginner to Adobe Captivate 5.5.
Adobe Captivate is a great program to create software demonstrations, simulations, and interactive e-learning content.
 In this tutorial I will show you how to create a presentation by importing an existing PowerPoint file.  I will show you how to link and edit the presentation, and how to add /edit background audio.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 1

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 1: This short video will be the 1st in a series of tutorials designed to introduce the beginner to Adobe Captivate 5.5.
Adobe Captivate is a great program to create software demonstrations, simulations, and interactive e-learning content.
 In this tutorial, I will briefly go over the workspace, how to set preferences, adjust individual slide properties, add, delete, duplicate, & re-order slides, add images and simple animation to a presentation.  I’ll also show you how to preview your project.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 5

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Adobe Captivate Tutorial 5: This short video will be the 5th in a series of tutorials designed to introduce the beginner to Adobe Captivate 5.5.
Adobe Captivate is a great program to create software demonstrations, simulations, and e-learning content.
In this tutorial I will demonstrate how to set publishing preferences, publish your project in several different file formats and publish directly to YouTube.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] KidBlog: A Guide for Beginners

[Alabama Learning Exchange] KidBlog: A Guide for Beginners: Led by a guide dog, children will explore the basic KidBlog interface. This podcast begins with the basics: finding the site, logging in, getting to know the workspace, and creating a new post.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Kidblog: Inserting Hyperlinks into a Blog Post

[Alabama Learning Exchange] Kidblog: Inserting Hyperlinks into a Blog Post: This is the second video in a series dedicated to helping users navigate and use Kidblog. Rusty the guide dog will show users how to add hyperlinks to their posts.

[Alabama Learning Exchange] KidBlog: Embedding HTML into Posts

[Alabama Learning Exchange] KidBlog: Embedding HTML into Posts: Learn how to spice up your posts by embedding videos, Wordles, Vokis, and more in the third episode of KidBlog! Rusty the guide dog will help you through the process of embedding HTML codes into KidBlog posts.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Week 4 - Blog post


Week 4—Read p. 143-152 in Roblyer and Doering book. Describe 3 kinds of material generators that you have used or would like to use in your classroom. Be specific about how you would use the tools.

The technology information discussed in Chapter 15 in our textbook gave me a new look in to what new advances in technology have been developed. I have used a number of different software programs in the past and was excited to find new links to try in my classroom.
I was not aware they were referred to as “material generators” but that is exactly what they do for us. I have used a number of them over the years. I have used Microsoft Word, a basic word processing software to create my syllabus to give to students, create signs for my classroom, create a chart for grading in the food and sewing labs, make presentable documents for Business and Industry Certification review and bulletin board labels. In addition I have created a brochure about my Programs’ Course Offerings. These are used to publicize the courses and activities to entice students to take my classes. Students are able to use this software for their classwork, projects, to make signs and creative documents for a presentation. Even in high school, students still like to “cut and paste”; now they can do it quickly, delete something if they change their mind or add graphics to make it more interesting or animated. I am looking forward to trying out the new Desktop Publishing link from our textbook.

Another Materials Generator I have used is Exam View Test generator. This software has saved me so much time. I especially like the way I am able to easily re-order questions in situations where students are closely seated. I can also create a simplified version as a study guide for my students. Another benefit is that this software allows me to customize a test for Special Needs students following the guidelines on their IEP’s. Having the ability to save to a Test bank has allowed me to customize different questions and the answer sheet prints out with it for easy grading
Certificate Maker: I have used a free online certificate maker to print certificates for students’ FCCLA participation, community involvement service, and FCCLA Officer certificates. I have also used it to make appreciation certificates for Advisory Board members, teachers’ aides and other “classroom helpers”.

I have used another rubric maker and am planning to try these new “bookmarks” to generate some new materials to keep them updated and visually stimulating.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Week 4 - post 1

WHEW!!!! What a week! This is the last week of Spring semester (Jacksoville State Univesity),,,projects  to finish, final projects to grade, exams to make out and get  graded! I am happy to have a break and have more time for my Technology class.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Week 3 Post - Instructional Software post


Week 3 – Instructional Software

The authors of our textbook have discussed two different types of instruction as described by learning theorists as “directed instruction” and “inquiry-based learning”. Software programs have been used for some time and have changed in response to our changing technology capabilities. Software has changed and adapted to these different learning styles. This software typically falls into five categories: “Drill and Practice”, “Tutorial”, “Simulations”, “Instructional Games”, and “Problem Solving”. These categories seem to align somewhat with Blooms Taxonomy in progressive complexity. This Instructional software is helpful to the teacher to assist in delivering content, guided practice to Synthesis. The five types of instructional software are:

1.      Drill and Practice:  These activities resemble the question and answer type of content delivery. Students are given a question, they respond with an answer and receive feedback immediately. This type appeals to students who like competition and are self-paced. These types can introduce new concepts, save the teacher time, replace typical worksheets, or help prepare for a test.
   
            examples:




2.      Tutorial: In this type of software the student can work through the step-by-step instruction at their own pace. It includes information delivery, questioning with immediate feedback. The student decides how much time is needed to read and answer the questions and review the feedback. This type may be used for reinforcing content or for advanced students who are ready to move forward.

            examples:



 

3.       Simulation: This software allows the student to choose which task to perform in a sequence of activities. In this type the student is able to see how the system works in a shorter span of time than normal. The simulation is engaging for the student, a safe place to explore, saves money and can be repeated by changing the variables.
examples:
http://www.ivillage.com/design-room-virtual-room-designer/7-a-323971


4. Instructional Games:  Instructional games have game-like rules in addition to the activities. These appeal to students and motivate them to do well. They do not replace direct instruction, they reinforce the content. Instructional games should have appropriate content and be used sparingly. Students enjoy these activities and will sometimes rush through their work in order to get to do these.
examples:
      http://www.girlgames4u.com/fashionable-teen-dress-up-game.html

      “Build in Time”  at  http://www.buildintime.com/


5. Problem Solving:  This instructional software is used to help students practice challenging or complex activities to use their brains and think constructively.

These activities may be general content in nature or critical thinking skills.

example: 
 

 
Reference:
Roblyer, M.D. and Doering, A.H. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology into  

         Teaching. Boston:Pearson.

 

 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Week 3 - post 4--"Add" others' blogs to your Blog "Reading List"

You may already do this, maybe another way but this worked for me:

To add a new blog to your reading list: Copy the link of the blog you want to add and:

1. From your own blog page, click on "new post" at the upper right. Your gray page will come up.
2. In the upper left area, click on your own blog name, (it is in blue on the"new post" page) .
3. Click on orange "My Blogs" ( at the left of your blogs' name)
4.  You will see an Orange "Reading List" , below that is "Add" (in orange).
5. Click on that & copy/paste the URL into the box at the top. Click "follow". *

* If you click the + at the right, it will alllow you to add multiple blog URL's
* I got the addresses from the discussion board on blackboard, copied each one from their original post

.... if you know a better way, please tell me too
* I got the links from the discussion board from their original post

Monday, April 1, 2013

week 3 post 2 - 2.0 Resources - #4 Free Choice




 
I finished the Free Choice assignment. I chose www.classtools.net  to create 2 quizz practice games. This was really fun, I enjoyed playing it myself!
 
 
http://www.classtools.net/education-games-php/dustbin

Week 3 post 1 - Blog "Reading List"

I believe I have added everyone to my "Reading List" where I was able to add your URL. Any post you make shows up there and I can keep up with everyone....really neat!

Re-typed Concept map for 2.0 Resources


Week 3 - Web 2.0 Resources - Four assignment links


#1 Concept Map: https://bubbl.us/bryantc7969

#2 Glogster: Below is the link to my glog. This was very informative and fun to use. The next time, I will know how to complete this activity much faster.

      http://bryantc7969.edu.glogster.com/fashion-careers

#3 Below is the link to my Animoto assignment:

      http://animoto.com/play/Xk0vrQ2xjZCVjysLKCu2SQ#4

#4 Free Choice   classtools.net

Week 2. 2.0 Resources: Glogster Bib.


Glogster Bibliography:

Rosenberg, D. (          ).  Fashion Designer: Career Information.  About.com Guide. Retrieved March 28, 2013, from   http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/fashion_designer.htm

 

evit webmaster. (2012  January 02).  Fashion Merchandising.    Schooltube. Retrieved March 29, 1013 from http://www.schooltube.com/fashionmerchandising

 

Robyn, Jessica. (2012  March 02). Ladies Hobbies.  Blogspot. Retrieved March 28, 2013 fromhttp://ladieshobbies.blogspot.com/2012/03/christian-louboutin-louboutin-la.html







 

week 2 - 2.0 Resources Concept map

https://bubbl.us/http://bryantc7969.blogspot.com/

Week 2 - 2.0 Resources Glogster link

WOW I really enjoyed working on my Glogster. I kept making changes until I got it just right. I am happy with the results of my first one and hope to show this skill to my students in Fashion Merchandising. Please take a look:

http://bryantc7969.edu.glogster.com/fashion-careers