Class 3: Don't be Afraid!

Well, here we are at week two, class three.  As I seemed to have survived a harrowing encounter with zombies last Friday at Petco Park, I'm sure you will all survive the terror of ed422.  You should be starting to feel more comfortable with the nature and pace of the class.  The first assignment, About Me, has been successfully submitted (by almost everyone) and graded (for most).  You should see a point total and have received a comment from me, either thanking you for submitting or explaining what you need to do to receive credit for the assignment. . .


Tonight: I want to show everyone how to send message to individuals in Edmodo and remind everyone how to submit an assignment. We will take a look at Google Drive/GoogleDocs and perhaps even Google+ as free tools that can and will make most of your lives easier!  Tonight's assignments include social bookmarking using a tool called Diigo and creating a fun crossword puzzle using Excel.  Of course, you still have your newsletter in the works and the Journal 1-5 plus the School 2.0 Reflection Tool assignments. . . I will revisit some ways in which you can use Twitter for education and how to get a "follow me: badge on your blog. . .(I need someone to remind me to discuss educational chats).   Remember that I should always be in the lab by 5pm each day, so that would be a great time to get extra help if you need it. . .

Don't Indulge. Be Happy. Click to access article.

Today's Question: Who has been one of your favorite teachers (at any level) and why?

Class 2: Diving Right In!

I believe we had a very successful first class! I mean, only scaring one person away is a success, right? I was very impressed with everyone's ability to dive right in to the content and especially your willingness to help peers.  Collaboration will not only serve you well in this class, but a collaborative environment in the classroom is what I hope you can all achieve in your future, and present, classrooms.
On Monday, you should have created a Gmail account, your blog, and added an About Me tab as your first blog page.  You also successfully joined our Edmodo group and even added a profile picture. The intro letter/About Me should be completed by class tonight.  We will discuss peer comments and submit the assignment in Edmodo tonight.
Tonight, I will discuss in more detail how to complete the journal assignments.  We will look at L&L and the Citation Machine to ensure you know how to access the articles and how to properly cite them using APA format.  Your first two journal entries; however, do not require APA citation.  We will look at the School 2.0 Reflection Tool and how to take a screen capture on the Mac that you will incorporate into journal 2.  We will also begin, and perhaps complete, the classroom newsletter using Microsoft Word.  I asked you in class Monday to bring a colorful drawing of yourself that you can incorporate into your newsletter.  If you need to scan the image, we have plenty of scanners in the room.  I will also introduce the use of Twitter, yes Twitter, as an amazing networking tool to find resources and connect with other teachers around the globe!
Don't forget to bring food and drink as we will be in the lab for quite a while!

Day 2 Agenda

Question 2: What should every teacher know about you?

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 ;-)