I decided to revise my online portfolio after two years have passed. As you can imagine, there was much to update! I used Google Sites to create the website, and it took me a bit to get back into the flow of how it worked. I was surprised it hasn't really changed that much in the past two years. I considered even revising the portfolio a major accomplishment, as it is very labor intensive to scan and download multiple documents, thank you notes and to change the text on many of the pages.
Here is the link: https://sites.google.com/site/rtekstrom/
Thank you, Polly for a wonderful course! I realize you must put in a TON of time and energy you put into this course and I wanted to tell you that your behind the scene efforts are much appreciated! : )
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Thing 19: Online Learning & DIY PD
Personal Learning Plan
I'd like to look more at webinars and edcamp to explore more technology topics. We have been consistently using glogster, voicethread and animoto and it would be exciting to find new tools that teachers and students could use.
I have had a twitter account for several years, but rarely use it. I like the idea of keeping social media for work separate from social media for my personal life. While reading one of the edutopia articles you posted which included tips on how to use twitter, I realized I should use it for my work life. Even though I follow celebrities like Steve Martin, what if say, 90% of my twitter could be for my professional life? I think this is a goal I will be working towards.
I looked at many of the website articles you posted for this topic. Reading more about edcamp, and not being familiar with the concept, I decided to watch an edcamp video. I went to the edcamp website and listened to part of a session on Google Hangout, which I have used before to chat with a family member. It was interesting to see how it worked, and the group of people who set it up and make it happen, as well as how it is set up. It seemed like it takes quite a bit of time to set one up, but I enjoyed the smackdown at the end, where moderators shared the tools they shared with the participants, (who we could not see). It makes sense that someone came up with the idea of edcamp: it's free and all you need is a computer and a connection! Real time conferences do limit us, due to cost, travel, the needs of our families and schedules. I'm glad to live in a time where we have so many options. What do you have to lose by participating in an online edcamp? I love that as I fold laundry or eat lunch at home, I can also be learning something! I even passed on Haiku Deck, a presentation tool a mod shared during the smackdown, to my principal, who had mentioned to me that he wanted to try out a new way to present.
Through one of the links, I found an "in person" edcamp to attend. It is on Saturday, October 25th in Queensbury, NY. I would drive one hour to attend a special event like this. I have never been to one before. I also was glad to see it is on a Saturday. There have been several conferences I couldn't attend this year because teachers were bringing their classes to me for specific instruction.
Something not included in this idea to explore, but I have been thinking about accountability with online PD. To make sure that educators have viewed said webinar, maybe they need to write a summary of the webinar, (at the least). Perhaps they could also take a brief quiz to "prove" they were there? I'm guessing this area is still under development where proving you've completed something is concerned, and there isn't a way to get a certificate.
We have an online system, (PDExpress), where you propose to receive PD credit for a conference, online course, etc. I think if part of my learning plan were to attend conferences, my school would most likely give credit for that time spent. Luckily, yes, I think my school does support and encourage the idea of personal learning plans.
I also sent my principal the link to the edutopia video about 20%/Genius Hour. It would be great if it was something we could incorporate in our school-or at least if a few teachers embraced this concept and gave kids this time. He may have heard of the idea before, as he does keep up with current trends, but if he sent it out to the faculty, it may encourage others to try this concept.
Thank you Polly for one of the best and most useful "Things" yet!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Thing 18: Digital Citizenship
Thing 18: Digital Citizenship
"Kids are growing up on a digital playground and no one is on recess duty." ~ Kevin Honeycutt on Twitter
This is a timely topic, as I have a course called LEAD, (Library Exploration and Digital Citizenship). I have been wanting to inject more digital citizenship into the course, and we are not yet at that part of the class, so I hope to gather more ideas from Thing 18. In LEAD, we already talked about cyberbullying and internet safety, which all lead back in one way or another to digital citizenship.
I love to take (and post) photos. Photos, photos and more photos. Naturally, I wanted to try The Museum of Me. It was very interesting to see the video, but I could tell it pulled random photos of friends and probably used a similar algorithm to the facebook "Look Back" videos.
I read several of the articles, many of which bring up the fact that college admission officers are Googling students to find out what sort of web presence they have. I think this is one facet of a person's character, and something colleges should be able to use a part of their college application/assessment. I don't know that prospective college students would agree with me.
What we post online becomes public information. I wish more students would realize that it is inevitable and unavoidable that, like it or not, they may be judged based on their digital footprint. I agree that scaring students is counterproductive. We need to help them build a positive digital footprint, as unique as they are, and to understand what a powerful thing the Internet is. I hope to be able to impress this upon them in my class so that they can not only be safe online but also build a positive presence.
Here are two other resources that might be helpful for others:
This website article from NEA will give insight to adults on how teens see their own web presence:
This article stresses the need for education around digital citizenship:
"Kids are growing up on a digital playground and no one is on recess duty." ~ Kevin Honeycutt on Twitter
This is a timely topic, as I have a course called LEAD, (Library Exploration and Digital Citizenship). I have been wanting to inject more digital citizenship into the course, and we are not yet at that part of the class, so I hope to gather more ideas from Thing 18. In LEAD, we already talked about cyberbullying and internet safety, which all lead back in one way or another to digital citizenship.
In my class, I would like to have students Google themselves, as a quick and easy exercise. I can even use myself as an example. When Sara Kelly Johns wrote an SLJ piece that included the animoto videos I use to show what is happening in the library each quarter, I didn't realize that I'd find my name on a handful of blogs, and being quoted as well. It was a pleasant surprise! I don't make a habit of googling myself; it had been quite a long time, but I'm glad I did it. I can show students how one small mention online can spread, (positive or negative).
I love to take (and post) photos. Photos, photos and more photos. Naturally, I wanted to try The Museum of Me. It was very interesting to see the video, but I could tell it pulled random photos of friends and probably used a similar algorithm to the facebook "Look Back" videos.
I read several of the articles, many of which bring up the fact that college admission officers are Googling students to find out what sort of web presence they have. I think this is one facet of a person's character, and something colleges should be able to use a part of their college application/assessment. I don't know that prospective college students would agree with me.
What we post online becomes public information. I wish more students would realize that it is inevitable and unavoidable that, like it or not, they may be judged based on their digital footprint. I agree that scaring students is counterproductive. We need to help them build a positive digital footprint, as unique as they are, and to understand what a powerful thing the Internet is. I hope to be able to impress this upon them in my class so that they can not only be safe online but also build a positive presence.
Here are two other resources that might be helpful for others:
This website article from NEA will give insight to adults on how teens see their own web presence:
This article stresses the need for education around digital citizenship:
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Thing 17: Coding
Thing 17: Coding
I think the two videos you posted were great b/c they really put my mind at ease about coding. It reassured me it would be fun and that I could do it. I recall making a website from scratch in college and grad school, so I wasn't too intimidated.
Here is my first attempt at coding made with mozilla Thimble:
I also made a KEEP CALM poster, but I had a hard time being able to save it.
I went to CodeAcademy and did the 30 minute lesson to animate my name. Here is the result:
http://www.codecademy.com/goals/animate-your-name?done#.UzoHJShRY20
It was an easy, fun beginner project and I could see middle school kids enjoying it.
I also completed One Hour of Code:
I think kids would love coding and the idea that they're creating something while learning, (and not even knowing it), is as good as it gets! I wish I had more time with my 6th graders-we could do something with coding. I will think about a way I can work that in. I am thinking of sharing these sites with the Technology Teachers, esp. the one who does robotics and must teach coding.
I think the two videos you posted were great b/c they really put my mind at ease about coding. It reassured me it would be fun and that I could do it. I recall making a website from scratch in college and grad school, so I wasn't too intimidated.
Here is my first attempt at coding made with mozilla Thimble:
I also made a KEEP CALM poster, but I had a hard time being able to save it.
I went to CodeAcademy and did the 30 minute lesson to animate my name. Here is the result:
http://www.codecademy.com/goals/animate-your-name?done#.UzoHJShRY20
It was an easy, fun beginner project and I could see middle school kids enjoying it.
I also completed One Hour of Code:
I think kids would love coding and the idea that they're creating something while learning, (and not even knowing it), is as good as it gets! I wish I had more time with my 6th graders-we could do something with coding. I will think about a way I can work that in. I am thinking of sharing these sites with the Technology Teachers, esp. the one who does robotics and must teach coding.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Thing 16: You Pick!
I decided for "You Pick" to create an animoto video for Quarter 2, showcasing the things that happened in the library.
Making an animoto video each quarter is a great way to advocate for your library and to let others know what has been going on.
Here is the e-mail I sent to administrators, the BOE and my whole school:
Making an animoto video each quarter is a great way to advocate for your library and to let others know what has been going on.
Here is the e-mail I sent to administrators, the BOE and my whole school:
Hi administrators, BOE and AMS,
Below is a link to a short animoto video that will update you on the classes and activities that happened during quarter 4 at the Algonquin Library.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you,
Rebecca
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Thing 15: App-palooza!
I decided to compare the Goodreads app with the Goodreads full version for App-palooza. I have a Galaxy smartphone, so I was easily able to download the app. We don't yet have an i-Pad, and my I-pod doesn't connect to the internet, so I'm able to compare the phone app with the full computer version.
As you can imagine, the app is much more limited than the full site. On the app you can log in, read other's reviews and see their ratings, rate your own books and mark them as read or currently reading, as well as see and send messages, explore your friend's profiles and reading lists and view notifications.
However, I like that with the app, you can scan a bar code, and of course, on the full version on my laptop, I cannot do this.
I am glad I explored the Goodreads app and think it will be very useful when I've just read a book and want to quickly rate and enter the book as "read" or to look up a book we might want to read next for the book club.
This is a somewhat timely post, as I am on the Technology Committee for installing/creating policies around wi-fi in our district as well as creating policies around BYOD, (bring your own device). BYOD policies will enable us to use apps with kids and for them to be able to use their own devices in the classroom, hopefully beginning one year from now.
Put a Library in Your Pocket is a great idea to kick off encouraging kids to install apps that connect them to their libraries, (school as well as public), wherever they go.
I installed the EasyBib app and decided to give that a try. We have been having problems this week with the full version of EasyBib. Our school even pays for each student to have a subscription. It has been doing all sorts of odd, glitchy things, about 5 different errors, to be clear. After I downloaded the app, I can really see the value the kids would find it in, and it might be a back door way around the errors and glitches. I love how the app can scan the barcode of your source, and kids would love the convenience of that too! I was able to them email myself the citation, which kids could then copy and paste into Word to print. I think I will tell the teachers about this app and perhaps kids might want to try it at home, (until we are wireless).
I also installed the UHLS Public Library app to make looking up books easier and quicker. I know that it's a free app but I found it annoying that at almost every step, a login prompt pops up, but it isn't needed to simply search for a book on the catalog. Also, I tried to click on "Go to Standard View", but I kept having issues with this. I wasn't able to see the standard view and I had to keep pressing Cancel on the login prompt or the back arrow. Frustrating, and I never even got to see that the standard view looks like.
I see now that it's especially important to road tests these apps before they are recommended to students who may find them a frustrating experience. I think Put a Library in Your Pocket would be a great way to kick off Open House, as the article you posted suggests! I will have to work on that this spring and summer!
As you can imagine, the app is much more limited than the full site. On the app you can log in, read other's reviews and see their ratings, rate your own books and mark them as read or currently reading, as well as see and send messages, explore your friend's profiles and reading lists and view notifications.
However, I like that with the app, you can scan a bar code, and of course, on the full version on my laptop, I cannot do this.
I am glad I explored the Goodreads app and think it will be very useful when I've just read a book and want to quickly rate and enter the book as "read" or to look up a book we might want to read next for the book club.
This is a somewhat timely post, as I am on the Technology Committee for installing/creating policies around wi-fi in our district as well as creating policies around BYOD, (bring your own device). BYOD policies will enable us to use apps with kids and for them to be able to use their own devices in the classroom, hopefully beginning one year from now.
Put a Library in Your Pocket is a great idea to kick off encouraging kids to install apps that connect them to their libraries, (school as well as public), wherever they go.
I installed the EasyBib app and decided to give that a try. We have been having problems this week with the full version of EasyBib. Our school even pays for each student to have a subscription. It has been doing all sorts of odd, glitchy things, about 5 different errors, to be clear. After I downloaded the app, I can really see the value the kids would find it in, and it might be a back door way around the errors and glitches. I love how the app can scan the barcode of your source, and kids would love the convenience of that too! I was able to them email myself the citation, which kids could then copy and paste into Word to print. I think I will tell the teachers about this app and perhaps kids might want to try it at home, (until we are wireless).
I also installed the UHLS Public Library app to make looking up books easier and quicker. I know that it's a free app but I found it annoying that at almost every step, a login prompt pops up, but it isn't needed to simply search for a book on the catalog. Also, I tried to click on "Go to Standard View", but I kept having issues with this. I wasn't able to see the standard view and I had to keep pressing Cancel on the login prompt or the back arrow. Frustrating, and I never even got to see that the standard view looks like.
I see now that it's especially important to road tests these apps before they are recommended to students who may find them a frustrating experience. I think Put a Library in Your Pocket would be a great way to kick off Open House, as the article you posted suggests! I will have to work on that this spring and summer!
Thing 14: Social Reading & Book Stuff
I decided to explore Library Reads and a few other tools/articles, as I created an account for GoodReads for another "Thing" post.
What a great and yet simple idea! Having public librarians "nominate" just published books for adults, tallying the nominations and then showing a top ten list for the month.
This idea has lots of possibilities for translation for use in schools.
Statistics could be examined to create a "most wanted" list of books at whatever level your school library is. Or your list could be organized by genre, although, with 10 books, it may not need to be. Students and/or teachers could write the book reviews. You could also have a "guest reviewer" like the principal who reviews a particular book, not nominated.
I have to say, I have also been enjoying using Good Reads. I can't believe I didn't join sooner!
I read up a bit on social reading. It makes sense that it would be the "next best thing". Combining social networking apps and books seems like a natural fit. You could easily host a Google hangout for a particular book.
For the first time, I have my own classes this year. We're reading Bystander by James Preller. How cool it would be-if I could release the chapters we have already read in class and let students comment and annotate, leaving their initials and block. Since my class is only 40 minutes, this would help bring the course outside of the school day, as time constraints are an issue. If there wasn't enough time for students to share, this would be a much better way for them to share their thoughts. Usually if time is an issue-I ask them to let me know what they wanted to say after class, but this isn't ideal, as it's either dismissal or my next class is coming in.
I think the students would enjoy reading socially and being able to reply to each other and give their thoughts about the text. I'm sure the author would find it interesting as well if they were able to peek in at reader's thoughts!
Additionally, it would also be fun for book clubs to use. At my school I run a formal book club, with teachers that we hold for fun. Not everyone is able to make it to all of our discussion meetings. Social reading would help those who couldn't make it would be able to add their thoughts when they have time to. Even if they weren't there, they could still feel like they were part of that book discussion.
Reading about Kobo's app makes me think it would be a great reading incentive for kids, esp. the badge you can earn for your reading. A platform like Subtext is like a "Pop Up Video" for books! That might draw in even more readers if they knew they would get little bon mots from authors.
The article: A Taxonomy of Social Reading was interesting to read-to actually see how you could expand and collapse reader's comments, and how the last one was addressed to the author, and helped him to make a correction in his writing.
I think I will figure out how to incorporate social reading into one of our book clubs! What a way to connect kids with books through technology!
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thing 13: Media Skills
I decided I wanted to learn how to make a photo collage using my Mac, and learn how to take a screen shot. I could do both of these things easily at work, but I didn't know how to do them at home.
I copied and pasted 3 photos of our cat Fern into Pages, and selected "floating" so I could move them around easily, and then I found out that there are many ways to capture a screen shot and save it. I posted the photo to a facebook page: Home the Blind Wonder Cat and to my page as well. Voila! Accomplishment! I have been wanted to test this for so long and today it just was the right time to explore it! I guess this counts as something new to me...but also something I'm familiar with, (on a PC). I have attached the photo.
I copied and pasted 3 photos of our cat Fern into Pages, and selected "floating" so I could move them around easily, and then I found out that there are many ways to capture a screen shot and save it. I posted the photo to a facebook page: Home the Blind Wonder Cat and to my page as well. Voila! Accomplishment! I have been wanted to test this for so long and today it just was the right time to explore it! I guess this counts as something new to me...but also something I'm familiar with, (on a PC). I have attached the photo.
I also decided to make a "Past and Present" photo. I have never done this before, but the skills used in the above photo helped me do this. Although I'm not standing in the same spot, you get the idea. Here is my first attempt merging fall decorations and Christmas:
My second attempt came out better because it was easier to line up b/c I'm standing in pretty much the same spot. We don't put presents under the tree until Christmas, making this past and present, (no pun intended):
I also made a meme using Quick Meme:
I also really enjoyed looking at the Pinterest site with ideas for photography class for students. There were some amazing examples on there!
Oh-and when my husband needed some information about an account online, I just took a screenshot of it so I could mail it to him-so useful!
I could see using Quick Meme to make educational memes for class and for fun as well. I could see students really enjoying making a "Past and Present" photo. This was a great lesson. Everyone should know how to make a screenshot and save it! Thanks!
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