Resource Critique Activity

LESSON PLAN SC.2.L.16.1

For this assignment, I chose second grade science. I chose the topic "Hereditary and Reproduction." The resource I chose was the lesson plan titled "Butterfly Life Cycle." In this particular lesson plan, students are challenged to explore the life cycle of a butterfly through different observations and places. This lesson is a long term lesson, since students will be following the butterfly from birth to death. Suggested technology for this lesson would be a computer for students to log observations, notes, questions and times for things they witness while following the butterfly. Students could use software's such as excel, to create a chart documenting their collected data. I also feel that with the use of the internet and websites like YouTube, students can use these resources to help them answer questions about the natural world and describe the major life changes in a butterfly's life. Students are also to generate critical thinking questions and explanations at the end of this lesson, explaining what they learned, what questions they may have and what they would like to learn more of.



Link: http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceUpload/Preview/13418

Blog Journal 3

The ELA technology standards that I feel most prepared to teach with, based on my existing knowledge are "Use Technology" and "Use Context Clues." I feel prepared to use technology because I grew up using technology and all different kinds of softwares. I feel I was born in a generation that had no choice but to adapt technological knowledge. Because of this, I feel I am more than prepared to teach using my existing knowlege with technology softwares, databases, and social media platforms. I also feel prepared and experienced to teach with using context clues because I feel every student is more than capable of figuring out the answers, even students who are a bit lazier than the rest. From personal experience, I always learned more and wanted to learn more when teachers asked us to really think of the answers to questions and interpret the information on our own. I think it is also important for teachers to not just give answers to questions too quickly because this will not allow the students to try to engage in the material and exercise their brains to really try to think. Also, when answers are just given, students tend to allow that information to travel in one ear, out the other. One ELA standard that requires more learning on my part is definitely the "Informational Text" one. This standard allows a student to carefully look for context clues in sentences that relate entirely to the text, as in, the main idea. 

The technology/software applicatons I would like to use with my students are Edmodo and Instagram. I, myself used Edmodo all throughout high school and it is a great teaching tool. Edmodo can be used to submit homework, send assignments, and even give feedback back to students after their work is submitted. It is an easy way to get a classroom to engage with the teacher and their classmates. Instagram is an amazing resource that allows you to instantly share videos and pictures. Instagram can be used for digital storytelling and documenting certain concepts you, as a teacher, want to share with your students. The digital citizenship concepts I will need to address are making sure students protect their personal identities and those of others, be themselves and share work with respect and honesty while acting within their classroom environment and communicate clearly without inapproproiate words, with respect towards their teacher and peers. The age range of my students would be elementary level, therefore it is important these rules and guidelines are implemented.

New skills I acquired from working on the Newsletter Design assignment is navigating more efficiently with and through MS Word. I would like to say I have always been pretty competent and skillful with Word, but this assignment allowed me to see how much Word has to offer and how many little hidden tools there are. I liked how we were able to create anything we wanted for the Newsletters, it really gave me a feel of what it would be like to be a teacher and create things like this for my students. It is really exciting to practice and get an insight of some responsilibites of teachers. For next time, I would probably go more into depth and detail with my art, to make it look as fun and exciting as possible. This is important so that these newsletters stick out to students and their parents. For the future, these are things I plan to work on and improve. 

Blog Journal 2

As a student, I have used Microsoft Word for as long as I can remember. As far back as late elementary/early middle school I have been used this software. In the past, I have used it to type book reports, essays, class lecture notes, and even to send e-mails from. I have seen my teachers use this program to send notes and present new material. 

I am extremely agaist copyright and plagarism. I believe ones ideas, thoughts, writings and opinions are not to be used as somebody else's worked, unless full credit is given to them. As a future educator, I believe everybody has the power to create their own, unique work. There are three stages inolved in implementation in a classroom. Planning and preparing to implement the solution, implementing and monitoring the action, and reviewing and analyzing the success of the action. Solutions to three issues would be construcing a plan of action, ensuring that appropriate measures be taken, and measure the success of the solution. 

Blog Journal 1

     There are a few things that influence students and teachers to use technology in classrooms. One main reason is that almost everything now is digital. In past generations, technology was not used how it is now to check grades, assign homework, and even interact with students during classtime. As a teacher and student in this era, you need to know how to use the internet and different available softwares. Most states have developed state technology standards and have included these within their certification and licensing requirements for teachers. Technology has become significant in every educators professional life.

     The ISTE standards are standards set for teachers, education professionals, and students. These standards define what you need to know about educational technology. One standard that is meaningful to me is the global collaborator one. This one in particular is meaningful to me because to me, a global collaborator is someone who gathers information to ehnace their knowledge with other students locally and around the world. Whether it be for a homework, a paper, or even for social media platforms, I use the internet to gather information and hear other people's opinions and collect their data for my personal knowledge gain. As a global collaborator, you also get a perspective by learning about other peoples cultures. You hear different opinions and perspectives through technology. One standard that seems outside my current skill set is the computational thinker. I have never really been one to "think out of the box" or use my resources to develop solutions. I feel this is something important that I should work on.

     Somebody who is digital native is brought up during the age of digital technology and is therefore familiar with computers and the internet, starting from an early age. I do agree with the label "digital native" for today's youth. Whether it be at the table at a restaurant, a kids birthday party, and even family gatherings, I have never witnessed a kid not know how to navigate a device or websites online. At such a young age, it is astonishing how these kids know how to use these things. Yes, I have seen differences between digital natives and digital immigrants. Almost all the time I see natives showing immigrants how to navigate a website, or download an app, even do something as simple as create a contact. I do not see there being many differences in technology between my students and I since I, too would consider myself a digital native. But I am sure that as I get older, more apps will come out and more softwares will be created and I will need to be taught a thing or two.

Twitter Profile

Hey guys, I just created a twitter account. Here is the link, check it out! :)

https://twitter.com/brennacarrigan1