N.Swan's castle

E-PORTFOLIO

2005-05-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

THE LINK TO MY AND ALEX E-PORTFOLIO IS www.student.gsu.edu/~nswan2/lep/eportfolio.html.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT WEBLOGS

2005-04-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

I think weblogs is a great way to interact with a group of people. I feel that in a classroom setting like this it is easy to do regular posting. I think I will not be able to use weblogs in my math classes that I will be teaching in the future because it will be hard figuring out what to weblog about.

FINAL REFLECTION

2005-04-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

FINAL REFLECTION PAPER

Throughout my journey through this class I have a learned quite a bit. I have been shown how important technology is, especially in the classroom.
If I was to enter a classroom right now with the knowledge I learned, I think my students will be able to learn a lot. For my major being math, a lot of students have a fear of getting anyway possible close to math. What will really help a lot if the school I may teach at will have computer labs and also will have a computer in the math classrooms. It helps me and also helps the students so I can teach them in a fun way and also they will learn in a fun way where they no longer have to have a fear of math.
I think today as technology continues to grow, it will be vital for everyone to know how to use technology and know how to use it in your career especially to make your work a little easier.
In my opinion, technology can help teaching as well as learning. I think if you do not use technology use will be well left behind because believe it or not, technology will continue to grow and continue to change as one move through their career. I will continuously keep up with the changes in technology as I move through my teaching career by simply doing my research on a regular basis. Also, since I have already been interested in technology I will continue to be updated with other technology changes also.
Concluding, I have learned a lot in this class. I feel like I have a better understand how to use different software and also how to create different templates. I will recommend this class to anyone.

The math software that I reviewed

2005-04-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

I evaluated the software of the name, Intelligent Tutor, Algebra 1. The link is http://www.mathtutor.com/c&salg1.html.

I reviewed the math resource from URL: http://math.usask.ca/readin/

Using Skype as a community media production tool

2005-04-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

After reading "Using Skype as a community media production tool" article, the first thing that came to my mind was how technology is always growing. Using a wireless phone service that you can record just using a disk or CD-rom can never be any better.

Looking at this small piece:

Skype was created as a no-cost long-distance phone service. It does that very well. What it also allows you to do, if you’re just a little technically-minded and have a homebrew gene or two, is to record your Skype phone conversation to an audio file on a second computer. Once you’ve recorded the audio, you can edit out the uhms, ahs and pauses, compress the audio and then place it on the web for public consumption.

The Skype will be a hit and a lot of business men and women would no longer have to travel for conferences or meetings. They will be able to do it right in the comfort of their on home,

MICROSOFT ACCESS

2005-04-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

PROJECT NAME
Teacher own reference to student's information

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING GOALS AND STANDARDS
The teacher should be able to identify each student and be able to assign the classification,perfect attendance, and final grade in class.

RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY
The teacher should be able to examine each student and determine the given factors from the description of learning goals and standards

DESCRIPTION OF LESSON IMPLEMENTATION
Again, the teacher should be able to differentiate each student and be able to give the results as shown in my database in microsoft access

ASSESSMENT
The teacher should learn how to use microsoft access to keep database of their students. I think it will be helpful and cleaner to use this software. You will be able to keep up with student's information for the upcoming semesters.

OTHER PLACES TO USE THIS SOLUTION
You can use this software for personal use like budgeting at home.

WHAT I LEARNED AND WOULD IMPROVE NEXT TIME
I learned from this software how to keep database in all one table and to also add drop boxes so you don't have to retype the same thing.

References/Resources Used
Mircosoft Access
Friend for the idea

SPREADSHEET PROJECT

2005-03-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

PROJECT NAME
MEASURING THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF TREES

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING GOALS AND STANDARDS
THE STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO MEASURE CIRCUMFERENCE OF TREES AND AND OTHER CIRCULAR OBJECT.

RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY
The students will have examined the types of trees in their previous lessons, geography and science, thus are able to distinguish types with respect to texture of bark. The previous trees studied are birch, maple, oak, cedar, poplar, pine and evergreen.

DESCRIPTION OF LESSON IMPLEMENTATION
Again, the students will have examined the types of trees in their previous lessons, geography and science, thus are able to distinguish types with respect to texture of bark. The previous trees studied are birch, maple, oak, cedar, poplar, pine and evergreen. Their knowledge of trees will then be applied to mathematics. A field trip will be planned to Centennial Park, and the class will practice identifying trees. Then they will proceed to a marked off area that will consist of different types of trees. This is where they will measure the circumferences of specific trees.

ASSESSMENT
The students should be able to apply mathematics to any scenario. By measuring the circumference, the student will not only learn how to round off, and record information but they will also learn how to calculate the averages and record the data obtained by using the spreadsheet application.
The student will be able to apply mathematics to everyday situations that they may endure. By learning about Microsoft Excel, the student will be able to gain the knowledge of how to apply spreadsheets to other applications. By determining the use of formulas to calculate the averages within the spreadsheet, the student will be able to use the spreadsheets for further assignments, perhaps within science labs or any other relevant subject. By teaching the student how to incorporate spreadsheets into classroom assignments, they will be more apt to use them.

OTHER PLACES TO USE THIS SOLUTION
You can use this activity anywhere including at home or at school

WHAT I LEARNED AND WOULD IMPROVE NEXT TIME
I think this is a good lesson plan focusing on middle students. The students have the opportunity to enjoy the activity and at the same time learning.

References/Resources Used

My father
Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Publisher Project

2005-03-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

Project Name
Math Fairy

Description of Learning Goals and Standards
The workshop will target Middle School. They will be able to use the workshop as a tool to help them understand and perform better in their math classes.

Rationale for Technology
A lot of students have problems in Math. I have witnessed people giving up because they felt that they will never understand the concepts for math. I think this workshop will be a good rubric to find out the before and aftermath the workshop may bring.

Description of Lesson Implementation
At the workshop, we will have teachers give one-on-one peer advisement. After figuring out the students weakest spot we will give a group review and allow the students to ask any question they want to ask pertaining to Math. After the classes are done, we will do the same one-on-one advisement to see if there as been any changes.

Assessment
After the workshop I hope they will first learn to not give up. They should realize that they were not the only one having problems with Math. They should build confidence as well as performance leaving the workshop.

Other Places to Use this Solution
I hope the students will go home and continue to practice the material we discussed and material we gave them in the workshop. If they practice this summer they will definitely see a difference in their performance.

What I Learned and What I would Improve it Next Time
What I learn doing this assignment, is first publishing. Since I am planning on starting my own tutoring business soon, I think this will be a great software to use . Next time using this I will probably start with a blank template to see If I can be creative enough to publish on my own.

References/Resources Used
Microsoft Publishing, Clip art from Microsoft Publisher

(Blooms) Math?

2005-03-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

Knowlege: What is Math?

Comprehension: Explain ways one can use Math in everyday life?

Application: Give examples of linear functions?

Analysis: Analyze what the world will be with out Math.

Synthesis: Design a family tree of different math equations.

Evaluation: Recommend a way to make Math more fun.

Powerpoint Docomentation

2005-03-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Project Name
Solving Linear Equations

Description of Learning Goals and Standards
The students should learn how to solve linear equations using the example I provided
The students should use other websites to help them understand how to solve linear equations.

Rationale for Technology
I felt that my using my powerpoint slides to teach the lesson, the students will be able to grasp and understand the concept of solving linear equations.

Description of Lesson Implementation
By showing the students step-by-step how to solve the linear equations, they should be able to do at home by themselves.

Assessment
I am going to provide the students access to the powerpoint slides I showed them in class. The will be able to have access to them on my webpage. They then will be able to go home and use the resources I provided to tackle the homework they will be given.

Other Places to Use this Solution
I think it will be excellent for other teachers to use this idea. Sometimes students are attracted to color and graphics and at the same time they are shown how to do the subject matter.

What I Learned and What I would Improve it Next Time
If I see that the students learned a lot from the powerpoint presentation, I will continue to use it.

References/Resources Used
Powerpoint Presentation.
http://www.purplemath.com/modules/solvelin.htm
http://www.classzone.com/books/algebra_1/pdfs/1_03 _1ex.pdf
http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/solve/solve1/s11/s11.html

Digital Cameras are cool

2005-03-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

Guess what? The biggest thing in technology now is digital cameras. Wouldn't you love to a take a picture of whatever you like and post on your screensaver at home? Or even better would be taking a picture of you and printing it out in front of you on your printer. Digital cameras are so cool that you can do a variety of neat things.

Check this website out to learn more.
http://eduscapes.com/sessions/digital/activity4.htm

MIDTERM REFLECTION

2005-03-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

My Reflection Now

Since the last time I reflected about this class, a lot of things have happen. I never believed that everything I hope to learn in this class would be completed so soon. Maybe it is just me. I am so ecstatic about this course that I wish it would be a year round course so I could continue to learn new things. Mrs. Davis showed us how to develop lesson plans and rubrics. It was so cool.

I think I have learned so much in this first half of the schedule class. I am so excited to come back from spring break and learn other new things. Every time I learn something new in Mrs. Davis class, I come home and show my sister and boyfriend. I think I show them so much that I am starting to get on their nerves. But I am like that. I am already excited about technology, so when something is taught to me new that I did not know how to do before, I am eager to know more.

What I am still scared about, though, is the fact that all the things I learned in the classroom, I will not be able to use it efficiently and be able to teach the students how to use with out confusing them badly. I think what I might have to do is practice teaching by myself, pretending I am showing the students how to use Inspiration, for example. Practice makes perfect so I will eventually tackle that biggest tackle.
Since technology is here, I love the already programs to do the work for me. I have always been a technology person before this class. Being a computer science major and Math major, we had to learn how to do things from scratch. So whenever the opportunity comes where I don’t have to start from scratch, I jump right in it.
This class is really helping me to prepare me for the future. I think this class should be offer for not only education majors but for anyone who is not up to date with technology. It can help them in other classes or it can help them in every day life.

INSPIRATION QUEST

2005-03-03T07:13:00.000-08:00

PROJECT NAME:
LEARNING FRENCH NUMBERS
GRADE: 9TH-12TH
URL: http://www.student.gsu.edu/~nswan2/images/FRENCH%20NUMBERS.jpg

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING GOALS AND STANDARDS:
The high school students will learn how to say numbers in french starting learning 1-10 and their tens. I could have follow the lesson plans given by the QCC but I thought this exercise will be good for the lesson plan, French Bingo, that I posted.

RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY
I chose this activity because it will be a good refreshing for my lesson plan of French Bingo.

DESCRIPTION OF LESSON IMPLEMENTATION
I would make this a class activity where starting with the number 1 (un) everyone will say the numbers in a sequence up to 10(dix) then do the same thing with the tens going to 80(quatre-vingts). Hearing in repetitive will help the students to memorize it.

ASSESSMENT
After this activity, the students will be familiarize with saying numbers in French. Then when we play french bingo, they will know which number I am calling out.

OTHER PLACES TO USE THIS SOLUTION
One can use this activity anywhere, home, school, family functions. This is a fun activity for someone who wants to learn french. This could be the beginning of studying french.

WHAT I LEARNED AND WOULD IMPROVE NEXT TIME
Next time I will advance their skills and learning.

REFERENCES/RESOURCES USED
Inspiration software

WEBPAGE CREATION

2005-02-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

PROJECT NAME:
TREASURES OF BABY GIRL NAMES: AN INTERNET -BASED TREASURE HUNT
URL: www.student.gsu.edu/~nswan2/images/untitled.html

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING GOALS AND STANDARDS:

Even though this project is not related to any subject matter, one will be able to use the technology of surfing the web to find baby names.
The web is a excellent tool for everything

RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY

My justification of this project is to use technology to the fullest to explore and navigate

DESCRIPTION OF LESSON IMPLEMENTATION

Go to different websites and explore the options of each
Find the one that is the best

ASSESSMENT

One will be able to learn from this project the meanings of different persons names and as well being able to use the different search engines to find what you are looking for.

WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY?

2005-02-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

Some of the best suggestions on needed improvements come from students. Informal discussions with them yield a unuque "consumer" focus on the activity.

I agree with the author 100%. Students can give you the best advice to make your teaching so much better.

DESIGNING WEB PAGES IS COOL

2005-02-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Evaluating and designing web pages is a useful, motivational way to teach skills students will need to be savvy consumers and developers of visual and text information.

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The above is taken from Chapter 10 in M.D Roblyer's book "Educational Technology in Action."
I strongly agree with the author on the above quote. I think it is very important for students to be able to use technology at its best. Learning how to design a web page will benefit students later on. You can design a webpage to describe how you feel or express your talent on.

Hey, you never know, learning to design a web page will help you be a savvy consumer or developers of visual and text information, just like the author mention. What ideas do you have for designing your webpage to utilize and express you skills.

LESSON PLANS

2005-02-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

LESSON PLAN 1

PROJECT NAME: VISIT TO PARIS
URL: http://www.challenge.state.la.us/k12act/data/parisites.html

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING GOALS AND STANDARDS:

Grade Level: High School 9-12, French II
In the context of a two-week unit on Paris taught in the target language, students will use the Internet to plan a one-day itinerary for an imaginary visit to Paris, given situational parameters set by the teacher.
The students will learn French language literacy and oral communication, currency conversion, cultural awareness, map skills, synthesis of information

RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY:

The main reason I picked this lesson plan is because the students will get to learn and use technology and see what they have to offer. At the same time the students are learning the objective: French.

ASSESSMENT:
Language for acquiring information, decision-making and communication; mathematics for problem-solving, transposing and interpreting data; social sciences for interpreting information about cultural differences and informing behavioral decisions within a particular cultural context
DESCRIPTION OF LESSON IMPLEMENTATION:

Background:
Previous to this lesson, students will have had a general introduction to the city of Paris and will have become familiar with the new vocabulary needed to "navigate" in the city. Further, in previous lessons throughout the year, they will have become aware of differences in "everyday culture" (e.g. metric system, 24-hour expressions of time, French currency, eating habits, importance of public transportation) between France and the United States. This lesson is conceived as a synthesis and an exploratory activity. Students will draw on previously acquired knowledge, complemented by specific information of personal interest available to them on the Internet. The task to be completed will also serve as a jumping-off point for discovery of Paris monuments, museums, and other points of interest, to be shared with the class.
Procedures:
1. The teacher explains to the students that they will be taking an imaginary trip to Paris. Working in pairs, they are to develop an itinerary for one day in Paris, assuming the following scenario:
You are in Paris for several days, so you do not necessarily have to "see it all" in the one day you plan.
Your itinerary for the day must show at least four stops.
You must visit at least one art museum and one monument in the city. In your journal, you will need to name one major work of art and its creator in the museum you choose and be able to give some information about the monument. Your other two stops are up to you.
For lunch, should you choose a sit-down meal in a restaurant, this may count as a site visited. If you prefer to grab a sandwich on the street (as many Parisians do), this doesn't count as a site.
You must use the Metro or travel on foot.

2. The teacher outlines the final product expected.
Students will:
produce an itinerary including departure times, approximate travel time, and destinations;
plot their travel on a Metro map;
write a journal entry describing the imaginary day outlined in the itinerary;
complete a budget chart showing their expenses for the day, including museum entrance fees, Metro tickets, and approximate meal costs in both francs and dollars.

3. The class discusses the variety of factors to keep in mind as they do their planning. Students are to strive for an efficient but realistic use of time. For example, they should try to plan their route so that they will not be spending most of their day just getting to their destinations. They should give themselves adequate time for visiting (i.e., not 15 minutes at a museum!). They should take into account their personal habits. Late sleepers, frequent snackers and souvenir hunters should work at customizing the day to meet their own needs.

4. Teacher introduces the Paris home page, demonstrating how to navigate between sites. The teacher also demonstrates the use of the Metro routing feature and the currency exchange site.

5. Using the Internet, students will decide in what hotel or hostel they are staying, and use that location as a starting point.

6. Students will browse the various points of interest featured on the Paris home page, taking notes about locations, opening hours and costs involved. They should note Metro stops associated with each location.

7. With their partners, students will discuss their preferences and flesh out an itinerary. They will then return to the Paris home page to plot their route and timetable for the day. Home page sites may be revisited as the necessity for adjustment in their schedules becomes apparent.

8. Each team will share its draft itinerary with another team in the class for feedback. They will then make any necessary revisions and prepare the final document for submission.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IDEA

2005-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

* Member of the Design Team: Alexandrine Davis and Natasha Swan

* Metaphor/ Theme being used in the Learning Environment: "Je parle Francais."

* Targeted grade level for the Learning Environment: 9-12 grades, French Level

Initial idea of the overall goal for creating the Learning Environment:
Relying on memorized vocabulary, phrases, sentences and expressions taught in the target language, the students will produce simple and short, spoken and written sentences to greet teacher and peers, to request and exchange information, and to express understanding of the classroom commands and procedures in the target language with 90% of accuracy.

Sample QCCs to be addressed in Learning Environment:

1. Use basic greetings, farewells, and expressions of courtesy, in both oral and written forms.
3. Make simple requests.
4. Ask for clarification.
5. Give simple descriptions.
6. Comprehend basic directions.
7. Ask questions and provide responses based on topic such as self, family, and school, etc.
8. Use sequenced information, such as the alphabet, days of the week, months, seasons, and numbers 0 to 100 in context.
9. Understand simple instructions, such as classroom procedures and basic computer terminology.

Initial ideas for activities:
Distribute sheets with words and expressions. Preinstruction for vocabulary coupled with modeling. Listening and repeating . Fill blanks on handout sheets. Read aloud. Write simple sentences. Write short dialogs using the new vocabulary and expressions. Drills. Such technology tools as Electronic textbooks, audiotapes, videotapes, CD-ROMS and Word processor can be used for more effectiveness

INTERNET ACTIVITY

2005-02-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Things that I found useful:

Information Literacy is the term being applied to the skills of information problem-solving. The BigSix Website offers a lot of tips to help you with problem-solving.
There are several types of Internet search sources are available: engines, directories, meta-search engines, telenet, listservs searches, newsgroups searches, and people finders.
The most important thing to remember is that it is important to remember what type of internet resources you need in order to narrow your search.

Mike Eisenberg suggests about using the web:

Start with the problem not the web(disect it)
Determine possibilites and determine the best sources
Discuss how the various search systems differ
Selecting good information based on applying criteria
Logical, easy to understand, simple to navigate is very helpful
Evaluating making sure that you use some strategies for using the Web for a purpose, but doing so without wasting considerable time

Requirements for this project: requirements

Sample projects done : sample projects

INITIAL REFLECTION

2005-01-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

Initial Reflection

My name is Natasha Swan and I am a senior here at Georgia State University with a math major. I am so excited about this class and I hope it is everything plus some that I expected to gain from this class.
I really hope to learn a quite bit from this course. I will like to learn how to develop lesson plans for class and incorporated it in my own web page so the students will be able to have access what is talked about in the classroom and also have outside resources that they can go to outside of class. I also will like to be able to teach my students how to interact on something like webct so they can discuss there issues or anything else dealing with the class. I want them to enjoy math class instead of just taking it because it is required.
I have a little experience dealing with technology in the classroom. I am not concentrating in education so we were not required to take any education classes. I have a lot of experience just using technology for general personal use. I really will miss learning how to develop my own web server that allows me and the students to interact with one another if it is not covered in class.
I think technology is very important in today society. I think technology should be used in everyway and with everything. I think every course no matter what it is should use computers using technology because it will help the students in the future as they further there education.
I think we should use technology in the classroom because it gives us the flexibility in the class and also it is always good to know something new.
I can’t wait to see the outcome of this class. I sure hope it is a good one.

Student's response

2005-01-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

I responded to a student's posting and I thought it was very benefiicial. I sure will take that advise to my classroom when I start teaching.

My First Post

2005-01-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

This is my very first posting.