Maria L. Murillo Flores
Educational
Technology 4300
JOURNAL #1
My name is Maria Luisa Murillo Flores and I am the mother of two beautiful girls (Rebecca and Beita) and a boy (Isaac). I am currently working at Clint Independent School District as an Instructional Resource Aide at an elementary school. Throughout my education journey, I have worked with different grade levels and SPED units. My oldest son Isaac, was diagnosed with microcephaly and multiple disabilities at a very young age; he was my inspiration to become a SPED teacher. Unfortunately, my son is no longer with us, but I am currently working to accomplish and finish my education as a tribute to him.
With Education Technology, I expect to learn more about the new technology currently implemented in schools and be able to apply it in a classroom setting as a future educator. I know that nowadays technology is a daily necessary tool that teachers use throughout their day to engage and interact with their students. Technology is used to teach, for communication during meetings/virtual calls, to take attendance at a school, for conferences and classes, and to complete assignments.
Technology is a very important tool in education because it is used to teach students for example teachers create lesson plans and assignments with it. Elementary students have different programs at school like Waterford and ST-math so students can practice math and reading. Google class was a platform created to take classes at home for those students that were not able to be physically in school due to a health conditions and played a huge role during the pandemic where thanks to it we all were able to connect and interact through those virtual classrooms for over a year. Technology is also used to create and present educational training to educators to keep them updated with programs and strategies to teach students. Teachers take attendance and record students’ grades through technology with a program provided by their school district. By using these wonderful programs not only is the connection with students easier but also running reports to help us keep track of things like attendance, grades, certificates, etc.
As a student, technology is essential to help me access and complete my assignments. I use the Wix site to customize my website. I also use the internet to search for tutorials, definitions, information, and to type my assignments. I use my computer to communicate with my instructor, stay informed, and upload my assignments to my class.
I plan to use technology with my third-grade students by having alphabet videos for them to watch and practice their ABCs’. I will also create ELAR activities on the whiteboard so students can interact with technology either finding the short vowel sound or decoding a word. At last, I will use programs like Starfall or ABCya so students can access activities in reading and practice with learning games at their grade level.
Technology is the new era for today’s daily living. Most of our work, school, and home tasks require the use of a computer or a technology device. It is necessary to educate students and teachers to use technology properly and with responsibility.
Presentation tools like Canva, Genially, and Google slides are great for teacher and student school projects. In my third-grade class, students will create an interactive presentation to identify the eight elements of fiction from a book that they have read in class. They can create their own template or use one that is already available. They can add or delete images, videos, and music to customize the page to their liking. This will allow the student to express themselves through technology.
With this assignment, educators understand and use data to provide instructions and analyze their learning (2.7 Analyst from ISTE Standards from Teachers). Once students complete the project and present it to the class, educators are given the opportunity to students to demonstrate competence and reflect on their learning using technology (2.7.a from ISTE Standards from Teachers). Every student should have the opportunity to build on their knowledge by identifying the elements of fiction from their reading and sharing that information with the class using any of the presentation tools (1.3 Knowledge Constructor from ISTE from Students). Students could create (8 to 10 slides) to share their information using any of the digital tools mentioned above, by this they will be demonstrating meaningful connections or conclusions (1.3c from ISTE Standards from Students).
By creating a presentation and identifying the elements of fiction from a story using one of the presentation tools, students are learning how to Communicate Clearly (one of the 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of Education). Communicate Clearly is when an individual presents information in multiple means through a variety of media. Communication must be clear, concise, effective, engaging, and meaningful for the individual and the audience.
The advantage of using the presentation tools (Canva, Genially, Google Slides) is that they have already templates that you can customize to your needs, or you can create your own. The website is free and is available to the public. Some disadvantage is that you will need a device and Wi-Fi in order to have access to any of these websites. So, if the internet is down or students don’t have these resources at home, they will be more limited in using them.
Technology changes and improves every day. The above presentation tools are very helpful for students and educators. Technology is a big part of education that helps students learn in a better way.
JOURNAL #2
JOURNAL #3
I can maximize learning by integrating Adobe spark/Word/Crello(tools/programs) to create a newsletter. I will have my 3rd graders create a two-page newsletter to review the main points of the constitution. Students can get their information online or their social studies 3rd-grade book from the classroom. I will provide them with examples of newsletters so they can have an idea of how it looks. Students will have a rubric so they can search for the main points. They will select any of the tools mentioned on top to complete the assignment. E students can upload their information and images.
The students will research the main points of the constitution and present them to the class in a newsletter. The teacher is addressing the 2.6 Facilitator (Educator facilitates learning with technology to support student achievement of the ISTE Standards for Students Educators) from the ISTE standards. Students are addressing 1.3 Knowledge Constructor (Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts, and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others) from the ISTE standards.
Students will acquire the embrace culture (context of information, exchange respect, collaboration, build community, and real-world problems) which encourages the individuals to appreciate where we have come from, who we are now and how we can move into the future. Culture associates the individual to all that surrounds them: art, drama, dance, poetry, history, science, religion, written and unwritten language, technology, and the individual themselves according to 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of Education.
The advantage of using Adobespark/Word/Crello(tools/programs) is that it has already a variety of templates to display your information or create your own. All applications are free. Disadvantages are that if you are not familiar with Microsoft tools like adding text, changing the formats of a letter or text, copy and paste can be frustrating to figure out how to use it.
Mind mapping is a diagram where you can present information in different formats like tree map, bubble map, circle map, spider map, etc. The main point is in the center of these templates and from there information is built through examples, details, brainstorming an idea, breaking down a difficult concept or topic, etc. Mind mapping can be used in all educational subjects and it is a good tool to organize information.
My 3rd-grade class will be creating a mind map using Bubbl.us/Mindomo/Mindmeister programs. They will provide the elements of a short story from the book of the month which is” How to Stop Armadillo Tears” and present it to the class. Students will use any mind map of their choice to provide me with the setting, character, plot, conflict, climax, resolution, theme, and point of view of the story.
Teachers will be using 2.5a ISTE standards for educators, which is to use technology to create, adapt, and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs. Students will be using 1.4.b ISTE standards were students select and use a digital tool to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risk.
Students will practice Developed Creativity which provides the avenue for expression. The student will be able to create something with the knowledge that they have worked so hard to obtain. This new skill is from the 21st Century Skills; 6C’s of Education.
The advantages of using these tools to create a mind map are that it has different templates that students can choose. Students will be able to personalize by choosing colors, letters size and styles, adding icons or emojis, etc. The disadvantages of the program are that many features are not available to be used unless you purchase a package that will allow you to add them.
JOURNAL #4
Educators use timelines to present a set of events to students, so they have a better understanding of the topic. Timelines can be created for different subjects like history, social studies, visual arts, music, English, language arts, science, technology & digital literacy and timelines as summative assessments. Nowadays there are different tools available on the internet for students to create a timeline.
My 3rd-grade class will create a chronological timeline of the main events of the United States declaration of independence using Tiki Toki/Sutori/Time Toast tools. Students will use the 3rd-grade history book to research eight main events. Students can get creative and add images, attach documents, videos, etc.
Teachers will be using the 2.6d from the ISTE standards which are to model and nurture creativity and creative expression to communicate ideas, knowledge, or connection. Students will create a timeline adding images and videos of their choice to make the connections of the different events that led to the Declaration of Independence. Students will be using the 1.6. a from the ISTE standards that prompt students to choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication. Students will choose from Tiki Toki/Sutori/Time Toast tools to create their timeline and present the information to the class.
Students will be using the “communicate clearly skill” according to 21st Century Skills:6C’s of Education which states that communication provides the means by which the individual can present information. Information is presented in a multitude of means through a variety of media. Communication must be clear and concise, effective and engaging, and eventually be presented in a way that is meaningful to the individual and the audience. Students will create the United States declaration of independence timeline to present this information in a clear, engaging way using the tools name above.
The disadvantage of using Tiki Toki/Sutori/Time Toast is that depending on what tool you choose your timeline is going to be horizontal or vertical and you must go with it. The advantages are that the application is free and that you can be personalized by adding images, videos, etc.
JOURNAL #5
A multimedia poster is an awesome tool to teach information about any topic. The main purpose of posters is to inform. They can be used in education to display the classroom’s rules, for a message, explain a process, elaborate on a topic, etc. Technology has become very important for education, which is why there are several tools like Thinglink, Glogster, or Smore to create a poster with text, images, videos, and many other features.
I will have my 3rd-grade class create a multimedia poster of the butterfly life cycle. Students will need to include text in the poster to explain the process. They can also include images of the egg, caterpillar, pupa, and butterfly. Finally, a video, that shows every stage of the cycle.
Teachers are using the 2.6d standard from the ISTE Standards for Teachers which let the students nurture creativity by creating a multimedia poster to inform their peers about their knowledge of the butterfly life cycle. Students will be using standard 1.6a from the ISTE Standards for Students by creating a poster and including a video to communicate the butterfly life cycle to their classmates.
Students will be acquiring the Develop Creativity skill according to the 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of Education by creating a poster where they will be displaying their knowledge about the butterfly life cycle. Students will be able to express the information obtained by using the technology tools mentioned above. They will provide written information, and visuals by adding images and videos to watch the process.
The advantage of using Thinglink, Glogster, or Smore is that they already have templates to use, or you can create your own. They come with motion graphics, a variety of text, and you can upload audio, pictures, or videos from different sources for free. The disadvantages are that you will need the internet, create an account with an email address, or any other social media access. Also, it has limited use if you are using the free option.
JOURNAL #6
Word Clouds is a way to display several words in different fonts, colors, shapes, etc. In education word cloud is commonly used to develop vocabulary. It can be used for any subject for example science, language arts, social studies, math, and many others. It is a good tool for teachers to use in their classrooms for effective learning.
I will have my 3rd-grade class create a word cloud activity using Wordclods/WordArt/ABCya/WordIout tools. The students will be working in collaborative groups. I will assign a chapter for the Esperanza Rising book to each group, and students will select 20 words from the summary of the chapter and create a word cloud. Once each group completes its word cloud, they will present it to the class.
As a teacher, I will be practicing 2.7.a standard from the ISTE Standards for Teachers by having students summarize a chapter book and use technology by creating a word cloud to demonstrate their learning. Students will be practicing standard 1.1.c from the ISTE Standards for Students by using technology when creating a word cloud and sharing their summary strategies this way.
Students will practice Work Collaboratively Skill from 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of Education by working in a group with their classmates and summarizing and creating a word cloud by following the teacher’s instructions.
The disadvantage of using Wordclouds/WordArt/ABCya/WordItOut is that you don’t have full access to the functions of the application unless you purchase a package. In order to use the application, you need to have internet, email, and a computer to sign up. The advantage of these applications is that it provides you with a variety of shapes, fonts, layouts, and styles to create a word cloud. I have a difficult time understanding one of the applications above, so another advantage was that there are more than one application that will let you create a word cloud. Once I found the right application for me it was free and easy to use.
JOURNAL #7
Digital storybooks are a good tool for educators to use in different subjects like reading, math, science, and history. Students can create their own books from a story of their choice. This is a modern, interactive way for students to express their knowledge.
I will have my 3rd-grade class help me create a list of places where they would like to go for the next vacation. Students can use Storyjumper/Little Bird Tales/My Story Book tools to create their digital stories. The digital storybook will need to be from 10 to 15 pages long and once completed it will need to be uploaded to the project folder in google classroom.
The teacher will be using 2.2a from the ISTE Standards for Teachers by having students choose places of their choice. Students will be self-aware of the topic, and it will be easier to elaborate on their digital storybook. The student will be using 1.6. a from the ISTE Standards for Students by choosing an appropriate tool to meet the desired objectives of their creation.
Students will be using the Communicate Clearly skill from the 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of Education which gives the students the chance to communicate clearly and concisely. Students will be effectively engaged when presenting their digital book.
The disadvantage of using Storyjumper/Little Bird Tales/My Story Book is that the tools are very limited in their sources. Also, there are very few templates that students can use. There is no choice to upload information from the internet. Most of the time you will need to work with what the application has, instead of what you need. The advantage of using these applications is that anybody with email and internet can create an account at no fee. Students can use personal photos if they want. Also, once you complete your digital storybook, you can publish it and order as many hard copies as students desire for a cost.
JOURNAL #8
A Thematic unit is a great tool to present a topic across the curriculum. This strategy keeps students making connections and engaging, and teachers save time by teaching one topic covered by three subjects.
I will have the 3rd-grade class work on a Thematic unit that includes science, ELAR, and social studies. For science, students will need to create a google slide and a word cloud by identifying and organizing planets from largest to small, and furthest to closest. For ELAR, the students will find out how many planets there are and research three facts about each planet. They will use a mind map and a multimedia poster to present their information. For social studies, students create a timeline displaying planets from which they discovered the first to the last one. Also, they will create a multimedia poster displaying all planet’s physical characteristics.
Based on my experience I believe that a Thematic unit will help students understand that some topics can be connected and learned through different subjects. Also, it will have students engage by doing different activities with different subjects but learning the same topic. It also benefits educators by saving time by covering several subjects with one topic at the same time.
The advantages of using a Thematic unit are that students get to learn and practice several times a topic and will not lose interest because it will be taught differently every time. The more students practice and review a topic, the higher possibility that the new information will be mastered. Also, it makes students think out of the box and practice higher thinking.
The disadvantage of using a Thematic unit is that it can take a long time to teach, and it might not have enough information to research the topic. Also, if a student misses a lesson he or she will be missing a big part of the instruction.
JOURNAL #9
JOURNAL #10
Webquests is the latest way of teaching one topic in different subjects. Webquest stimulates higher thinking and creativity, and it allows the students to work on different subjects with one theme.
Webquest can help students maximize learning by providing one topic in three subjects for example we can teach the butterfly life cycle for art by drawing each part of the cycle, for reading by making a digital map showing the sequence, and science by learning the cycle of two different butterflies. It allows students to use digital technology to get creative and personalize their work. When students are engaged in what they are doing is easy to teach the concept and there is a higher possibility for students to understand the lesson. Some positive benefits are that educators save time and students engage in higher thinking, and they quickly grasp the topic.
Educators will be practicing 2.6 D from the ISTE Standards for Teachers which model and nurture creativity and creative expression to communicate ideas, knowledge, or connections. The teacher covers three subjects with one theme like the planets and cover ELAR, science, and history. The students will be practicing 1.3 a from the ISTE Standards for Students which students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits. Students will put the planets in order and describe them for ELAR, will research when they were discovered for history, and how far they are from the sun for science. Overall students will be using Think Critically from 21st Century Skills: 6C’s of education which allow students to manage information that must be filtered and analyzed.
The advantages of using Webquests will offer more opportunities to engage students, save time for other educational topics, and cover three subjects at the same time. The disadvantages Students might get bored of the same topic, students may find it difficult to make connections and feel lost, and might not like the topic and will not enjoy seeing it on three topics.
JOURNAL FINAL THOUGHTS
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The Education Technology course was a great experience and full of helpful resources for our future educators to use in the classroom. Personally, it was a great challenge for me since I do not have a lot of experience with technology. It was great to be able to explore applications like wix, canva, crello, smore and many more. I can see myself applying all these hands-on activities like the google slide, newsletter, mind mapping, timeline, interactive multimedia poster, word clouds, and the digital storybook with my students. Webquest was one of my favorite activities to work with, I was fascinated with the concept of teaching a topic in three different subjects at once and being able to incorporate the technology activities we learned in the course. The articles assigned to us to enhance our knowledge in the various topics were very informative providing crucial knowledge to apply in our future classrooms, like the importance of knowing what, how, and when to use digital citizenship. Also, the mind mapping for teachers: tips, tools, and lesson plans to understand how mind mapping is used in the classroom and how to use digital storytelling. Besides teaching us about a specific concept, the articles also offered examples and activities that we can do for different subjects and grade levels.
Another great strategy used in this course that was very helpful for me was to align all our projects to the ISTE Standards for Teachers and the ISTE Standards for Students. As future educators we will be creating our lesson plans out of the school curriculum and TEKS, so I felt that we were exposed to experience what teachers need to do when creating a lesson plan. Also, the 21st Century Skills:6c’s of Education was a guideline to know what skills our students will obtain once they complete any of the activities mentioned above.
I am grateful for taking this course because I feel better prepared with more tools and knowledge to create lesson plans with technology. I can’t wait to put everything I have learned into practice as a future educator.