Sunday, July 8, 2012

Welcome to EDUC 422!

Welcome to another awesome experience of EDUC 422. . .Technology Tools for Education. By the end of this course you will learn a lot about how to integrate technology into your classroom, as well as a few tricks and tips for how to ramp-up your so-called digital life ;-)


I will use this blog to keep everyone updated on the weekly requirements for the course, as well as model for you how to create a blog for your future classroom!  I need you to read each entry carefully, I will be giving away $50 tonight to the person who finds the hidden gnome in this very post. . .Okay, not really, but I do need everyone to read each entry please ;-)

Click Here for a copy of tonight's agenda (I do reserve the right to change any or all ;-)


Technical Requirements. . .
First order of business:  If you do not have a Gmail Address/Account, you need to get one!  (and no, your CSUSM email does not count).  Don't worry, I have worked it out with Google to give you free email accounts!
You will be asked to join and/or participate in a number of web-based tools, software, etc. . .I recommend that you find a user name that identifies you, is appropriate for school/parents, and one that you can remember. . .
While this course has no required text, you will be required to subscribe to ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education (see link on this blog), as well as purchase a subscription to TaskStream, an online portfolio generator.  
For TaskStream (also linked on this blog): You will need to self-enroll in the Local TPE.      

     Here are the code you will need:

                                               Local TPE: 6SG3BA


New for Summer 12: Edmodo!
For the last 8 years, I have been using the university-designated LMS (Learning Management System).  We started with WebCT/Blackboard and moved to Moodle a few years ago.  While I think both tools are fine, I have been eager to try out a LMS that my students (e.g. YOU) could use free and easily in a K-12 environment.  I have decided upon Edmodo. . .a free LMS/Social Network hybrid that I think  you will all enjoy. . .My only caveat is that you need to be patient with me as I work my way through the use of the tool for the first time as the sole LMS of my ED422 course. Go to Edmodo and sign up as a student.  I big benefit for those in elementary schools is that you do not need an email address to sign up for Edmodo. . .a huge plus!
Our group code is:
6em6d4

I will also ask you class questions on this blog that you will need to answer (they are weekly for the semester class). Some are related to education and most are related you your lives. . .It allows me to build community while ensuring that you are reading the weekly posts! To answer the question, you simply need to be logged in to your Gmail account, which also doubles as your Google account, and you can click on the word "comments" at the bottom of the post. . . .

This Week's Question: What is your current favorite piece of technology and why? (currently, I think I would have to say my iPad. . .I am a reformed Angry Bird and PvZ addict. . . okay, perhaps that is a bit of hyperbole ;-)

37 comments:

  1. My new MacBook Pro!! It's amazing and I heart it.

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  2. My Hermione 1.0 laptop because it is my first laptop and it has served me well in the past. Though it will soon be replaced by Hermione 2.0 because I am going to the dark side (Mac computer).

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  3. I know this will sound redundant but I love my iPad. It's great to have the internet at your fingertips wherever you go.

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  4. My iPhone. I barely ever use my laptop because everything I need is on my phone. Plus, I can play fruit ninja and bejeweled.

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  5. Currently my IPHONE is but my birthday is in 6 days and HOPING for an IPAD!

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  6. By far the iPhone. It has replaced everything I use with one device.

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  7. My Iphone! It has my life in it and answers most of my random questions I have throughout the day.

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  8. I love that my iphone is also my ipod as I always have my music with me.

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  10. I am having a lot of fun with my Jail broken apple tv. It has added a lot of functionality to my little box.

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  11. Although I don't yet own one, I love the iPad. They are so convenient!

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  12. The Kindle Fire that I borrow occasionally.

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  13. My favorite piece of technology would have to be my MacBook

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  14. Can't afford technology so I mainly work with chalkboards.

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  15. What I learned tonight has got to be the coolest I have learned so far. Having to text-in an answer to a question. Yes, it's my phone (texting)

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  16. I recently switched from PC to Mac, so I love my Macbook Pro. I read news, check emails, read blogs, social network, etc. When I needed to type up a word document, I bought an app for $7.00 and was able to use it immediately for finals. Love my mac...

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  17. My favorite piece of technology is my iphone!It's very convenient and everything I need is all in one device.

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  18. My favorite piece of technology has to be the GPS. I am happy to always find out where I am no matter how lost I may be

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  19. My favorite is my iPhone because I bring it everywhere and can do everything on it!

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  20. I would have to say my favorite piece of technology is my Ipad. It definitely makes things easier for me to set up my fantasy teams.

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  21. I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Mostly it seems that new tools sound great, but somehow then don't work that well for me!

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  22. Currently, my favorite place of technology is my iPhone! Surprise.. surprise :). I use it as a tool no matter what I am doing! My most used apps are: Maps for directions anywhere and everywhere, Yelp for food and entertainment reviews, and WhatsApp to text my best friend in Australia via the internet. When I am bored, I most frequently scroll through my newest "fav": Instagram, for a quick picture rendition of what my friends are doing.

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  24. Oh and I also wanted to say that my Nook (Named Sarah) is a great piece of technology that I have as part of my technology.

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  25. I enjoy my calculator! I am an imperfect human being. My calculator computes what I need to, free from error.

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  26. The 2 year old I babysit has an iPad...and I want it

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    1. True Life...and it's a little frightening.

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  27. I love my iphone! It allows for easy access to all my accounts!

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  28. "I" love my "I"-Phone because it allows me to embrace my inner Picasso (ha!) through the app. "Draw Something".

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  29. Currently my favorite piece of technology is the PSVITA by Sony because so much can be done with it.

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  30. I feel guilty in admitting that my favorite piece of technology is not easy to answer because I m not drawn to technology as a sense of entertainment. I am amazed and appreciative of the technology that creates independence for people with disabilities. I have public typing anxiety:) and probably PTSD from having to use a Comodore 64!:)

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  31. I love my NOOK. I download a lot of free books and games. It has internet access that I check my e-mail and surf the web. Plus I can listen to my playlist.

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  32. My favorite piece of technology is my iphone!It's very convenient and everything I need is all in one device.

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