Today is the last day of EDLD 5398, the final course for my Ed Tech Leadership Masters. I am so excited, I cannot wait to start using what I have learned over the last 18 months! I have already been assigned to different projects around my campus and added to old ones... I hope this will lead into a position for the 2013-14 school year.
As I think back over the last 12 courses, I have had the opportunity to complete an internship and I wouldn't have been able to complete it as successful as I did without my mentor, Dean of Students, Holly Gibson. I really appreciate everything she has helped me with and taught me.
Going into the Christmas break, I have a since of relief, but also not sure what to do with myself because I do not have an assignment due on Sunday and there is not another course to be prepared for..... in some ways, I feel as though I am forgettting to do something or that I have missed the deadline.
Thank you to all the professors and instructional associates for their time and instruction.
I will now take a break, a short one, before I prepare to start my doctorate.
Merry Christmas!!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
School Community Relations Web Conference Reflection
Over the last five weeks, I have learned a great deal of parent partnership and how it is beneficial to student's achievement. Throughout the course, Dr. Abernathy and Dr. Jenkins offered web conferences to discuss upcoming assignments and what to expect with upcoming courses and finishing up the programs. I went back to watch many of the recorded conferences and they offered great information and helped put me at ease when I was feeling overwhelmed. The web conference that I found most helpful was the end of week 2. During that conference, field supervisors were explained more clearly and what to expect toward the end of the program. The reflection logs were also explained a little more, which I am struggling with due to duties at work and other obligations. I am working hard to finish them and be caught up by the last class, but it is a bit frustrating. I wish there was more follow through on the reflections and logs, such as this class had at the end of the course. I appreciate the web conferences, however I was unsure about the field supervisors until recently, which I have only attended one. I did not know who my field supervisor was and did not know I was receiving emails. Field supervisors need to send an introductory email, I also have had trouble attending the meetings. I have two more to attend and hope I can get them in before December.
Action Research Project Progress and Summary
My action research project has been
very stressful because I am finding that there is not a lot of follow-through
within my school. There are great ideas expressed and tossed around in
meetings, but other items get pushed to the front. In the beginning I discussed
with my mentor on helping make the website more user friendly for parents, the
community, faculty and students, however the principal decided to contract a
parent to oversee the website and make sure organization sponsors understand
how to use each tool and how to update his or her group/sport page. I have
tried my best to keep up with information and asking for new changes, however
it has not been the easiest task. I have spoken with my technology mentor
numerous times and explained what my action research requirements are, but it
seems there are colleagues handling more than one job description. At this
point I am struggling to find a way to complete this project. I have a meeting
with my mentor once again to get more information on how the website has
changed.
I have talked with many different
organization sponsors and coaches on how they are responding to the new website
and how often they are updating information on their specific page. I am
finding there is a good number of colleagues utilizing the website and allowing
students to help as an administrator to the page. Parents of the different
organizations are able to subscribe to the page and as the sponsor updates the
page an email is sent to the parent alerting them of the update or change. Sponsors have expressed difficulty with
learning all the different tools to update a file or article or how to get
subscribers. The contract parent has gone around to most sponsors explaining
the different tools of the website.
I am looking forward to rounding out
the project and learning what changes need to be made for the new framework and
site for the website. Will all information transfer over correctly? Will
sponsors need to relearn tools to update pages?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Second Chances... A Go or No?
What is it with giving people a second chance? I am one of these people that it is pretty easy to let it slide off my back and keep moving... but when it comes to feelings and getting to know someone, I am a little more sensitive.
Here's the scenario... I stopped talking or whatever the new term is these days, to this guy over a year ago because I felt I was being treated like I was unworthy of his time... well a year later, he begins texting me again, really? Yes really! So I simply asked what happened to his other lady friend and that I was not going to be a fall -back girl, because that's not how I roll. Let me explain, during this year, I had really taken time to focus on my relationship with God and working on my masters, So I had changed quite a bit. When he started texting me, I made it clear I wasn't sure, but I continued to talk to him. Let's jump to present time... After me thinking all those "what if" questions of what if I don't give him a chance, what if I am just being closed off and him blowing me up pretty much every day, I saw things as different, even though I still proceed with caution.
So it took every bone in my body this time to even think about having dinner with this person and when I did everything was going great and it dawned on me, "I might actually really like him!" But before I could even give that a full thought, he starts acting strange. As soon as our night was over, which I even stepped out of my comfort zone to go to a restaurant I wouldn't go to on my own, my thoughts started running a mile a minute. I know I have a problem with over thinking things, so I am really trying to be positive... however I haven't even talked to this guy since our dinner, well once and that's because I text him! What the heck! I just don't get it.
Why do men want everything on their terms, even if there are no expectations... I just wanted to get to know someone, is that too hard to ask? So I guess I have to go back to being unavailable, but I will not get hurt again by the same person.. the first time is shame on you and the second time is shame on me and if it even is given a third.. then I am crazy!
Here's the scenario... I stopped talking or whatever the new term is these days, to this guy over a year ago because I felt I was being treated like I was unworthy of his time... well a year later, he begins texting me again, really? Yes really! So I simply asked what happened to his other lady friend and that I was not going to be a fall -back girl, because that's not how I roll. Let me explain, during this year, I had really taken time to focus on my relationship with God and working on my masters, So I had changed quite a bit. When he started texting me, I made it clear I wasn't sure, but I continued to talk to him. Let's jump to present time... After me thinking all those "what if" questions of what if I don't give him a chance, what if I am just being closed off and him blowing me up pretty much every day, I saw things as different, even though I still proceed with caution.
So it took every bone in my body this time to even think about having dinner with this person and when I did everything was going great and it dawned on me, "I might actually really like him!" But before I could even give that a full thought, he starts acting strange. As soon as our night was over, which I even stepped out of my comfort zone to go to a restaurant I wouldn't go to on my own, my thoughts started running a mile a minute. I know I have a problem with over thinking things, so I am really trying to be positive... however I haven't even talked to this guy since our dinner, well once and that's because I text him! What the heck! I just don't get it.
Why do men want everything on their terms, even if there are no expectations... I just wanted to get to know someone, is that too hard to ask? So I guess I have to go back to being unavailable, but I will not get hurt again by the same person.. the first time is shame on you and the second time is shame on me and if it even is given a third.. then I am crazy!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Time to Reflect... Webpages.
Throughout the last four weeks, there were many new aspects taught, from design principles, logo design, and animation, then to the fourth week, web page design. Being able to apply these elements to the webpage really helped not only how I placed the information, but also how I looked at my group member’s pages to make sure we had some similar qualities. Creating the website was stimulating while trying to incorporate all the principles and gathering the information for my specific page, Special Education Technology. This was my first time to create a website and research the technology side of special education.
I already had some knowledge of the design principles, but not in the way it was taught or used. For example, The Non-Designer’s Design Book defines Proximity as “items relating to each other should be grouped close together and helps organize information and reduces clutter” (Williams 1). Where as in print journalism proximity is also how close a subject is, but in the way of asking yourself if it’s news worth for the location and city. My prior knowledge of the design principals, although not in this setting helped with the webpage assignment. I was able to recognize the qualities of what looked pleasing to the eye.
To complete the webpage assignment, my group began by splitting up the six pages between the members. I was over the Special Education Technology page. I found it very interesting, because I was unaware of all the technology used to help learning. On the Apple website they state, “The arrival of OS X Lion ushers in a new era of accessibility for students of all abilities. Every Mac comes equipped with dozens of assistive technologies” (Apple, Inc.).
I enjoy reading what others in the class have to say on the discussion boards and working with my group members on the webpage. There are many of the other class members that have great ideas and have made me think of how I can change what I am doing in my classroom to be more technology integrated, even though I am restricted due to funds. I enjoyed interacting with others in the class and getting feed back, it helps me reflect on my own performance and what I need to work on.
I look forward to carrying the skills acquired from working with other people in different collaborations and try to help bring new ideas to others in my classes and at work. I hope to learn what I can so I might do better within my classroom and what strategies will help me develop new habits.
Websites are a daily part of our student’s lives, whether it is checking a new game out or buying music. Technology and websites are a constant.
As presented in Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating multimedia in the K-12 classroom, “When used effectively, animated content can improve learning” (September 2008). The reading goes on to cite other studies including, “Several studies have suggested that learning is enhanced in computer-based animation environments (Park, 1994; Tversky, Bauer-Morrison and Betrancourt, 2002). Animation appears to be most effective when presenting concepts or information that students may have difficulty envisioning” (Betrancourt, 2005). I agree with both of these statements, students are more engaged when allowed to be creative, while using technology.
Although all websites are not animated, it is stimulating and by incorporating a website where students, for the high school age, can get their work and study based on the notes and lessons uploaded. At my school we use Moodle and my students can look at notes and print rubrics I have uploaded on the site. My students also are to submit an assignment on the website once a week. For the lower grades, websites may help with learning colors or grammar.
This class has been very helpful and I hope to begin using some of the ideas and skills learned from Bloom’s Digital within my classroom.
References:
Williams, R. The Non-Designer’s Design Book: Typographic Principles
for the Visual Novice. Retrieved from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=2420552
Apple in Education. 2012. Retrieved from
http://www.apple.com/education/special-education/
Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating Multimedia in the K12
Classroom. (2008, September). Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.brainpop.com/new_common_images/files/76/76426_BrainPOP_White_Paper-20090426.pdf
I already had some knowledge of the design principles, but not in the way it was taught or used. For example, The Non-Designer’s Design Book defines Proximity as “items relating to each other should be grouped close together and helps organize information and reduces clutter” (Williams 1). Where as in print journalism proximity is also how close a subject is, but in the way of asking yourself if it’s news worth for the location and city. My prior knowledge of the design principals, although not in this setting helped with the webpage assignment. I was able to recognize the qualities of what looked pleasing to the eye.
To complete the webpage assignment, my group began by splitting up the six pages between the members. I was over the Special Education Technology page. I found it very interesting, because I was unaware of all the technology used to help learning. On the Apple website they state, “The arrival of OS X Lion ushers in a new era of accessibility for students of all abilities. Every Mac comes equipped with dozens of assistive technologies” (Apple, Inc.).
I enjoy reading what others in the class have to say on the discussion boards and working with my group members on the webpage. There are many of the other class members that have great ideas and have made me think of how I can change what I am doing in my classroom to be more technology integrated, even though I am restricted due to funds. I enjoyed interacting with others in the class and getting feed back, it helps me reflect on my own performance and what I need to work on.
I look forward to carrying the skills acquired from working with other people in different collaborations and try to help bring new ideas to others in my classes and at work. I hope to learn what I can so I might do better within my classroom and what strategies will help me develop new habits.
Websites are a daily part of our student’s lives, whether it is checking a new game out or buying music. Technology and websites are a constant.
As presented in Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating multimedia in the K-12 classroom, “When used effectively, animated content can improve learning” (September 2008). The reading goes on to cite other studies including, “Several studies have suggested that learning is enhanced in computer-based animation environments (Park, 1994; Tversky, Bauer-Morrison and Betrancourt, 2002). Animation appears to be most effective when presenting concepts or information that students may have difficulty envisioning” (Betrancourt, 2005). I agree with both of these statements, students are more engaged when allowed to be creative, while using technology.
Although all websites are not animated, it is stimulating and by incorporating a website where students, for the high school age, can get their work and study based on the notes and lessons uploaded. At my school we use Moodle and my students can look at notes and print rubrics I have uploaded on the site. My students also are to submit an assignment on the website once a week. For the lower grades, websites may help with learning colors or grammar.
This class has been very helpful and I hope to begin using some of the ideas and skills learned from Bloom’s Digital within my classroom.
References:
Williams, R. The Non-Designer’s Design Book: Typographic Principles
for the Visual Novice. Retrieved from https://lamar.epiclms.net/Learn/Player.aspx?enrollmentid=2420552
Apple in Education. 2012. Retrieved from
http://www.apple.com/education/special-education/
Understanding Multimedia Learning: Integrating Multimedia in the K12
Classroom. (2008, September). Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.brainpop.com/new_common_images/files/76/76426_BrainPOP_White_Paper-20090426.pdf
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
How animated are you?
This week was the third week in my digital graphics class. I have enjoyed this class, I have learned many new aspects to the digital world and how I might incorporate each into my classroom. However, it is difficult to see all these great ideas and not be able to implement them.
This week we had the chance to create an animation and I didn't realized how much fun it was. It was my first time to even think about an animation and I didn't know where to begin. I used Stykz to create my animation. It was so easy to learn and get the hang of how to start my creation. After watching and going through the short tutorial, I was on my way. I am not sure where my concept of playing catch came from, but I just kept adding figures and then played with drawing a tree and thought it would be fun to have three figures playing catch and some how the ball gets caught in the tree, then the three figures cannot get it down. I have included my animation below. I hope you enjoy it!
This week we had the chance to create an animation and I didn't realized how much fun it was. It was my first time to even think about an animation and I didn't know where to begin. I used Stykz to create my animation. It was so easy to learn and get the hang of how to start my creation. After watching and going through the short tutorial, I was on my way. I am not sure where my concept of playing catch came from, but I just kept adding figures and then played with drawing a tree and thought it would be fun to have three figures playing catch and some how the ball gets caught in the tree, then the three figures cannot get it down. I have included my animation below. I hope you enjoy it!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Week 1 of Digital Graphics
This first week has been a little upside down for me. I was excited to come back from the long break, but it turned into a struggle quickly.
There was a communication miss-hap and the university wasn't going to allow me to continue with classes, but I didn't actually understand what was happening until the Friday before our class started.
Once I was enrolled, I felt a deep relief and the group I enjoyed working with quickly started emailing back and forth that we would work in groups the third week.
Then as I was looking through the discussion board, I noticed I didn't see any of my group member's names. It was confusing, because I knew we were in the same class and then it came to me that my group and I had been split, I was in a different section of the class from my group members, all because I wasn't enrolled until the first day of class. With all of this happening, the week just kept passing quickly as I worked on the assignments. I waited for the web conference to see if being in a different section for group members would matter, I even emailed the IA, I thought was the person for my new section because she had emailed me the weekly overview, but I got no response.
After watching the web conference, I learned that groups should really be made up of peers from the same section.
So here I am, without a group. I have emailed another person in my section, but still have not gotten a response. I am so afraid this is going to affect my performance in this class. I just hope it will turn around.
As far as the readings this week of the ancient manuscripts, I thought it was amazing to see how all the principles were used through out the documents.
I also had an interesting time designing the teaching tool. I am a perfectionist when it comes to designing or creating and I didn't feel like my teaching tool showed the best of my ability.
I am hoping to find a group to work with and se how the rest of this class goes. Graphics and design is one of my fortes and I hope to enhance my knowledge.
There was a communication miss-hap and the university wasn't going to allow me to continue with classes, but I didn't actually understand what was happening until the Friday before our class started.
Once I was enrolled, I felt a deep relief and the group I enjoyed working with quickly started emailing back and forth that we would work in groups the third week.
Then as I was looking through the discussion board, I noticed I didn't see any of my group member's names. It was confusing, because I knew we were in the same class and then it came to me that my group and I had been split, I was in a different section of the class from my group members, all because I wasn't enrolled until the first day of class. With all of this happening, the week just kept passing quickly as I worked on the assignments. I waited for the web conference to see if being in a different section for group members would matter, I even emailed the IA, I thought was the person for my new section because she had emailed me the weekly overview, but I got no response.
After watching the web conference, I learned that groups should really be made up of peers from the same section.
So here I am, without a group. I have emailed another person in my section, but still have not gotten a response. I am so afraid this is going to affect my performance in this class. I just hope it will turn around.
As far as the readings this week of the ancient manuscripts, I thought it was amazing to see how all the principles were used through out the documents.
I also had an interesting time designing the teaching tool. I am a perfectionist when it comes to designing or creating and I didn't feel like my teaching tool showed the best of my ability.
I am hoping to find a group to work with and se how the rest of this class goes. Graphics and design is one of my fortes and I hope to enhance my knowledge.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
2012, So Much Has All Ready Happened!
Well Christmas came and went as did my birthday... another year older, which it me a little more this time. I have finally departed the 20somethings and moved on, I am hoping this 30something will turn out to be a whole lot better run than those 20years! It didn't really hit me until the other day in one of my classes and I took my students to the front lawn, to find an object to write a descriptive story on. As the students were mulling around in the grass, a couple of students were gathered around a marble plate in the concrete and asked me... "Ms. Blackmon, what do you think they put in it,"when I realized he was asking about the time capsule the class of 1987 had closed at the 50th anniversary of the school. As I explained what you put in a time capsule another girl shouted, "OMG! It's not going to be opened until 2037, that's a REALLY long time." I looked at her and said, well it's not that long, and I think I'll be 56 and she looked back at me and said, "Oh, Ms. Blackmon, that's OLD!" I could only laugh, but really that is old! LOL, I mean it's my mom's age, I don't want to be my mom's age.. at least I don't want to think about it now. So that's when it really hit me, but then again what is age anyway!
I guess teaching in a high school makes you feel young, maybe that's why so many stay for do long. I am not sure I'll be able to.. my patience are bad (in my old age) go ahead, laugh, you know you were thinking it!
I have began my second, well if you count summer, my third semester of grad school. Only by the Grace of God, Seriously. I am not a good standard test taker, I get board and what are they really asking... no one knows! So I took the revised GRE this morning, the scoring is different and I hope that my score is high enough to push me on through... it just makes me feel horrible. Then I try to figure out what's wrong with me, because I know I am not incompetent. So fingers, eyes, toes, arm, legs and whatever else you can cross in hopes that I don't have to turn in this appeals letter. God is amazing though, I usually get so nervous taking a test and I felt calm this morning, so I know He was with me, let's just hope He took the test and not me! :)
That's pretty much it, expect I am super excited to finally have Internet and not have to sit her and wait 30 min. for the page to load, I forgot what it was like to have "real" Internet.
I just wish it would get cold around here and stay cold, you know, more than 24 hours.
So has the first month of 2012 is getting close to the end, it's been an interesting ride so far, I hope it can only get better. A lady asked me the other day if I had a boyfriend and of course my reply was "no, not yet," I think I am just going to start saying yes, I really hate that questions, especially from someone you don't know. But she followed up after I said no and said, "well this is your year... you SHOULD believe me!" Now I don't know if I should be scared or excited... but we shall see what this year brings! I hope nothing but happiness for you and your loved ones!
Until next time...
I guess teaching in a high school makes you feel young, maybe that's why so many stay for do long. I am not sure I'll be able to.. my patience are bad (in my old age) go ahead, laugh, you know you were thinking it!
I have began my second, well if you count summer, my third semester of grad school. Only by the Grace of God, Seriously. I am not a good standard test taker, I get board and what are they really asking... no one knows! So I took the revised GRE this morning, the scoring is different and I hope that my score is high enough to push me on through... it just makes me feel horrible. Then I try to figure out what's wrong with me, because I know I am not incompetent. So fingers, eyes, toes, arm, legs and whatever else you can cross in hopes that I don't have to turn in this appeals letter. God is amazing though, I usually get so nervous taking a test and I felt calm this morning, so I know He was with me, let's just hope He took the test and not me! :)
That's pretty much it, expect I am super excited to finally have Internet and not have to sit her and wait 30 min. for the page to load, I forgot what it was like to have "real" Internet.
I just wish it would get cold around here and stay cold, you know, more than 24 hours.
So has the first month of 2012 is getting close to the end, it's been an interesting ride so far, I hope it can only get better. A lady asked me the other day if I had a boyfriend and of course my reply was "no, not yet," I think I am just going to start saying yes, I really hate that questions, especially from someone you don't know. But she followed up after I said no and said, "well this is your year... you SHOULD believe me!" Now I don't know if I should be scared or excited... but we shall see what this year brings! I hope nothing but happiness for you and your loved ones!
Until next time...
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