Group2

Group 2 wiki page.
(Zac, Lauren, Joan, Ashley)


 * __See Group 2 Design Blueprint__**


 * Group 2: Top Two Technologies**

As a group, consensually
 * 1) Describe two technologies from all those generated by your group members and explain why your group decided on those two.
 * 2) Describe how these two tools could be applied in practice (i.e., as part of an instructional design/lesson).
 * 3) Conclude by answering the question, //What could be additional opportunities for teaching and learning using these tools?//

=**Our Top 2 Picks**=

**Blogging** __ [|www.blogger.com] __
1. Our group found blogging to be one of our top choices of technology to implement into the classroom. We decided on blogging because there are a variety of ways to implement blogging into the classroom. Blogging allows for a great deal of collaboration and it allows students to develop their own ideas as well as reflect on their learning in comparison with others. By using blogs in the classroom, it encourages all students to participate which helps greatly with those students who do not actively participate in class discussions. By implementing blogs, it allows students to not only state their view points and perspectives but take a look at other perspectives of their classmates which helps take learning from a surface to deeper level. In stating their point of view, they learn to reflect more on their learning, and also develop confidence in their knowledge. Through commenting students learn to work together to understand certain topics and concepts. Blogging also allows students to form opinions and support those opinions through sources online.

2. Blogging can be applied in practice in a variety of ways. First, we will take a look at how a teacher can implement blogs into their teaching. A teacher can keep a blog to summarize the main points of a lesson or unit for students. The students then can go take a look at the blog for a better understanding and possibly comment on the blog with additional questions. Blogging can be a great way for a teacher to communicate with parents/guardians. Early in the year the teacher can get the blog address home to parents and update it throughout the year letting the parents know what is being studied in class and key dates such as tests, quizzes, and projects.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, blogging is a great way to encourage collaboration. A great way to implement blogs into the classroom is based off of readings. A teacher could assign a few articles and the students could blog based on their thoughts and beliefs on the article. In order to get another perspective, the student could then read the blogs of their classmates and comment to enhance discussion and overall the learning process. Instead of writing out a daily journal, a teacher could establish daily blogs in the classroom in which the students blog on the days lesson or blog on the week in review. I have used journey projects in my classroom, instead of writing daily journals, they could write daily blogs on their travels.

Another use is in creative writing assignments. Students can use the blog for their assignments. The commenting can provide a mode of peer feedback and discussion. In [|Blogging in Education Today] by K. Walsh (Part 5 – Education Technology Blogs) the writer goes over teacher, student, classroom, and administrative blogging, with a wrap up of other uses in education.

3. Not only can students blog with other classes and grade levels within their school, students could also follow blogs of others around the world. With the internet at our fingertips, blogging is a great way to communicate with students in other parts of the country and around the world. For example, if a teacher is comprising a unit about Africa, a teacher can research blogs and see if their are any students blogging from that part of the world. Parents can also be encouraged to write their thoughts and comments on a classroom blog. It provides the opportunity to bring learning to life.

**Google Documents (**[|https://docs.google.com/])
1. Google Documents have a multitude of uses. Google Docs has similar functions to that of the Microsoft Office package with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and much more. It seems that Google Docs not only allows for collaboration through the program, but it allows users to provide links that then can be shared within other programs. With technology being the ever so emerging feature in education we sometimes come across the issue where our students do not have the resources at home to work on potential projects assigned. Google Docs allows someone to use the word processing, spreadsheet, etc. without running into issues of comparability between various users.

2. Some of the applications of Google Docs were discussed in the previous paragraph, but Google allows users to type or create right on the website. Users can keep their own documents saved right in the program and access them from where ever one would have internet. Google Docs also allows the creator to make the document into a web link that can then be shared on other social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Students can edit and work on an assignment collaboratively from the comfort of each of their homes and with the convenience of a time that works for them. [|This section] on the Google for educators site provides a great deal of resources and ideas for teachers.

3. I think a better question for this is where would the additional opportunities end? It seems Google is updating and coming up with new functions of its programs almost daily. This tools is not only useful to students but to teachers as well. Teachers can work collaboratively on professional development tasks or simply sharing thoughts or ideas for their classrooms. Whenever you need to work together on an assignment, Google Docs. is a great tool to have.

Zac Bauermaster Tech Tool Briefing

[|https://docs.google.com/a/solanco.k12.pa.us/presentation/d/1DFxd9VVl-hqxU_8_WmBiJ-3jVgby9ZCS8WGuDgYISfA/edit?pli=1#slide=id.p] __**Explanation**-__ Google presentations is a great Web 2.0 tool for collaboration. It allows students to edit simultaneously and can be accessed anywhere the internet is available. Definitely a step up from Microsoft Powerpoint which limits what students can do and how many students can work. __**Applied into practice**-__ Google presentations can be used in the classroom in place of pre- existing powerpoint projects using Microsoft. By using Google presentations it holds all students accountable and allows them to all be working at the same time. There is no need for groups to have one person doing all the work while the others sit around. Teachers can also use this feature to create a lesson for students in which they are getting notes. Teachers could also give the students viewing rights to the presentation so they can view the notes at anytime.
 * 1. Google Presentations**

[] They can also set up two player and compete against a classmate to increase motivation. Quia can be used to create tests and quizzes. All of my classroom tests/quizzes are on Quia and I find this to be extremely efficient to use. It automatically grades all types of questions outside of short answer and essay questions. Students are given immediate feedback after hitting the submit button. Quia can also be used for classroom surveys and getting feedback from the students. I find Quia to be a useful source when examining test data as it breaks down how students did based on each question.
 * 2. Quia www.quia.com**
 * __Explanation__**- Quia is a great tool that allows students to review both individually as well as collaboratively for tests, quizzes, etc. Quia is also used to develop online tests and for students to submit chapter questions, etc. A downfall of Quia is that there is a cost, I do not pay individually, it is built in as part of my social studies budget.
 * __Applied intro practice-__** Quia is great for students to prepare for tests and quizzes. I link the Quia games to my moodle page and students play Battleship, Rags to Riches, Jeopardy and many more games to help themselves prepare for unit tests. Here is an example of a Hangman review that I created through Quia

Here is another example of how I have used Quia in the class: []

[] __**Applied into practice-**__ Podcasts are a great tool that can be student or teacher centered. Teachers can use podcasts to "flip" the classroom. They can create a lesson on the podcast and have students listen at home. When the students come into class, they would have already heard the lesson and the class can go right into the activity based on the podcast lesson. This is also a great tool for absent students. They can access the audio lesson they missed. Students can use podcasts to enhance a writing piece. For example, they could write a history paper and then bring it to life through an audio reading of the paper.
 * 3. Podcasts**
 * __Explanation__-** Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer. They can also be accessed through offline use. This allows subscribers to subscribe to a set of feeds to view the content.


 * 4. Poll Everywhere** [|www.polleverywhere.com]
 * __Explanation-__** Poll everywhere is a great interactive resource for the classroom. Students can access polls by using their cell phones or online voting. It is a great tool to communicate with a class and bring learning to life through technology.
 * __Applied into practice-__** Poll everywhere is a great resource for reviewing for a test or quiz. Teachers can post review questions on poll everywhere and students can text their responses or log on to a computer to submit their responses. The results show which questions the students voted on which is a great way to lead into discussion or explanation of the correct response. This tool is also a benefit for a classroom survey, asking questions such as "What did you like most about the unit?" or "What did you like least about the unit?" Poll Everywhere gives immediate feedback and benefit not only students but the teacher as well. I have used this in my classroom and students loved taking out their phones to vote. They did not want me to stop posting questions. This is a tool that relates a students love (cell phone) to the classroom.

5. Blogging - __[|www.blogger.com]__ __**Applied into practice-**__ As with this class, a great way to implement blogs into the classroom is based off of readings. A teacher could assign a few articles and the students could blog based on their thoughts and beliefs on the article. In order to get another perspective, the student could then read the blogs of their classmates and comment to enhance discussion and overall the learning process. Instead of writing out a daily journal, a teacher could establish daily blogs in the classroom in which the students blog on the days lesson or blog on the week in review. I have used journey projects in my classroom, instead of writing daily journals, they could write daily blogs on their travels.
 * __Explanation-__** Blogging is a great tool for implementing collaboration into the classroom. Blogs are a great way for students to communicate their thoughts and ideas as well as comment on the ideas of their classmates. Blogging helps take learning passed the surface to a deeper level of learning.


 * Joan Mruk - Tech Tool briefing suggestions**

1. **Google Spreadsheet -** []

 * Explanation -** Google spreadsheet is part of the Google Docs toolset, which offers you web based word processing, spreadsheet and presentation tools that have excellent built in collaboration features. Spreadsheet has all of the same essential features as Microsoft Excel, allowing for formulas, charts, graphs, and spreadsheet formatting. Google docs also includes a forms tool, which allows you to create an input form, and the data captured is stored in a Google spreadshee**t.**
 * Applied into practice -** Google spreadsheets is good for teaching or reviewing spreadsheet basics as well as collaborative basics. I have done lessons with this where I break the class into groups of 6-8. Each group is assigned 6-8 countries (the same set for each group, 1 country per student). I give the group a Google spreadsheet template with country name, and then ask the students to use our library databases (particularly Country Watch and World book) to find information about the country that is in the spreadsheet template. This can be climate information (high/low temps, rainfall, etc), population information, etc. Good discussions come from differences found in the two databases! They complete the spreadsheet as a group, then download it individually into Excel, and graph it, adding some further information about their particular country.

**2. Skype -** //[]//

 * Explanation -** Skype is a communication tool that works over the internet. It allows for voice or video conversation. Skype can serve as a tool for 1:1 communication as well as a low level video conference.
 * Applied into practice -** Skype has uses in many disciplines, but I have seen it used in Science and World Language. Students can have a Q&A with a professional on a topic, or have discussions with students in another country, allowing for natural language practice. I have not used this myself as part of classwork, but have used it as a tech support tool and also a Q&A tool for students who are absent or not on campus and need help.

**3. Prezi -** //[]//
[|Here is a Prezi, that presents why it is useful in Education]
 * Explanation -** Prezi is a web, or cloud, based tool for creating presentations, but in a storytelling type of way. In a fashion similar to Google earth, you can plot a storyline and have your presentation zoom from object to object, presenting information (text, images, videos, links) along the way.
 * Applied into practice -** Prezi is a dynamic tool, and can be used to deliver a lecture as it provides visual as well as audio, but it can also be used as a storytelling tool. On the Prezi website is [|a community discussion of educators], sharing the ways they have used Prezi, or their students. The zooming feature allows a teacher to focus on an image or wording. The tracking or flow feature helps students to follow a topic. I also like Prezi because you can start out wtih an overview of all your "slides" and then flow around from one to the next, giving student a better idea of the concept or overview of the topic.

**4. Easybib** //[]//

 * Explanation -** Easybib is a web based bibliography maker. The free version has much to offer, but the school edition (which comes with a minimal cost) allows for greater variety of citation formats as well as a note taking organizer. Easybib also allows for sharing of projects, so groups of students can use one tool to collect their sources for a project.
 * Applied into practice -** There are many tools that are used to help students organize sources and create citations/bibliographies. We use Easybib for several reasons - it has a tie in with Google Apps, which we have for our school, it has a good note taking tool, and you can share your projects. For students who are working on a collaborative research project, this makes storing sources easy to manage, and creating the bibliography simple. The notetaking feature is not currently share-able, but I am told that is in the works.

**5. Scoop.it** //[]//

 * Explanation -** Scoop.it is a tool that lets you publish "magazines" of information on a topic. You create a topic page, define your topic terms, and then Scoop.it will find relevant websites that you can add to your topic page. You can also put the Scoop.it button on your browser toolbar and add sites as you browse. You can curate your page by using this toolbar button, or with the daily updates that Scoop.it will send daily, as it finds new and relevant sites.
 * Applied into practice -** Scoop.it is a tool I came across this year, but have not had experience with in the classroom However, I see it as a way for teachers to develop a magazine on a current event and share it with the class, allowing for reading/discussion on sites in the collection. I also see it as a tool for students to gather sites on a topic, and use this as a supplement to their research projects. With its tie in to Twitter and Facebook, it can easily be shared. Visitors can suggest content to the curator, allowing for another mode of collaboration. For example,[| here is a Scoop.it on Online Video in Education]

Lauren McFadden- Tech. Tools
[]
 * 1. Google Earth**


 * Explanation-** A virtual globe in which users view aerial site plans of various locations. Most locations provide a 3-D street level view as if you were walking the grounds. Pictures of landmarks may also be accessed.
 * Application-** This is an especially great tool for geography lessons, learning about your community, and enriching a reading story by exploring the setting. It provides an opportunity more immersive than a globe or an atlas can. Students can manipulate the site, view pictures, click on related links, and explore locations first hand.

[]
 * 2. Flickr**


 * Explanation**- A picture uploading website which allows users to share, comment, blog about, label, manipulate, organize, and explore pictures. There are many additional tools on the Flickr website that facilitate project based learning.
 * Application**- Some of the many ways to use Flickr include digital storytelling through pictures, blogging about and commenting on pictures, creating speech and thought bubbles (Bubblr), creating slideshows, exploring geotagging- where pictures were taken (whoopy.com), and creating trading cards for topics (bighuglabs.com/flickr). There are many opportunities for incorporation into the classroom.

[]
 * 3. Prezi**


 * Explanation-** PowerPoint type of program which allows the user to display a whole presentation on one space. The zoom feature is particularly useful in order to take a deeper look at the details. The program allows for text, pictures, and video images to enhance the presentation.
 * Application-** Prezi can be used by the teacher or the students. Teachers can display information and make presentations in a more creative, interactive, and meaningful manner. Students can create their own Prezis in order to display their own knowledge on a specific subject or topic.

[]
 * 4. Pinterest**


 * Explanation**- Pinterest is a type of photo sharing website in which users create their own categories according to their interests. You can follow friends’ boards and what they have “pinned” to them. There is also a search bar for anything you want to find.
 * Application**- Pinterest is most useful to teachers in that it provides an opportunity for sharing ideas and links to classroom blogs. By using Pinterest, teachers can add activities and ideas to their daily lessons. The search allows you to browse by subject or topic and see what others have done to reach their students in the past.

[]
 * 5. Kerpoof**


 * Explanation**- This is a creative educational website that allows kids to make pictures, drawings or movies, tell a digital story, or spell a picture. Allow of these applications allow the user to think creatively while learning the basic skills of reading, writing, and spelling.
 * Application**- This tool is geared toward elementary school children, however some activities can be used up to 8th grade. Promoting literacy skills, Kerpoof encourages imaginative storytelling. Teachers can sign-up for an educators account to view student assignments and check progress.

Ashley Stoner- Technology Tool Briefing

Apparenty when you're late to the party you have to take a little extra time to find "new" tools that haven't been talked about already.

1. Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/) Explanation- Probably one of the most well known social networks at the moment. Allows people to connet with friends, family, etc. Gives the opportunity to post pictures, links, comments to be viewed by others. Application- Many classes have already started their own class "pages". This allows a place for the teacher to post reminders about assignments that are coming up. With the integration of Google Docs, class handouts and assignments can be posted in case a student was absent or the originals were misplaced. "Events" can be added that send notifications to those who "join". Chat features can allow people to communicate in real time.

2. Twitter (https://twitter.com/) Explanation- Seems like it is certainly a growing popular social media site. I has not seemed to catch on with as large of a population as Facebook. Allows users to connect with other users, celebrities, businesses, etc to stay informed of up to date happens. Give the option to "tag" posts which can then be searched. Application- Within the classroom, similar to Facebook, announcements can be posted as well as doccuments through Google Docs. I personally use it more for connecting to others in education or technology. I follow a few who seem to have an edge on the up and coming and give their insights to programs or applications they are trying in their classes. I have also "attended" a few conferences via "Feed" and "Hashtags".

3. Celly (http://cel.ly/) Explanation- Gives a modierator the opportunity to set up groups which then can be used to send group text messages, polls, or reminders. Can also set options for the moderator to send out one way message or conversation allowed messages. Can be set up through a website or from the moderator's cell phone. Application- As mentioned it allows messages, polls, reminders, etc. It also gives the option to start a text dialog which is much like a discussion board or chat room. Polls can be used in the class as CFU's to make sure students are understanding the material. Not only can students sign up for this technology, but parents to can receive messages if added.

4. Instagram (http://instagr.am/) Explanation- Another growing popular application for those with smartphones. Allows you to post pictures using various filters and allows for comments and dialog to follow. Application- Much like the previously discussed Flickr, Instagram can be used to post pictures such as political cartoons that can spark conversation in history class. Or one of my favorite class assignments; a photo scavenger hunt where students are given a list of various items and they have to post and comment on their findings. Instagram does not offer a lot of the glamor of Flickr, but still a fun, user friend app on most smartphones.

5. Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/) Explanation- I am not an activite users of Tumblr, but it seems it is growing as many sites are now offering quick links to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr. It allows users to post microblogs as well as various multimedia. Application- Students would be able to follow the class blog as well as participate in their own blogs and comments. It also allows the posting materials such as Google Docs, but also links to videos and presentations. Pictures can be added for assignments to comment on or enhance a lesson.

Lesson Plans: (I am not sure if we are each supposed to post a lesson plan or if we are to come up with one as a group. I posted a personal one just in case...)

Name: Ashley Stoner Unit: General Class Management Subject: General Lesson: Schoology Intro Grade: 9-12 Duration: 45 minutes/1 class period

Materials: 1) Computer with internet access per each students 2) Teaching computer with projector and screen

Objectives: 1) Given a brief lecture/demonstration, students will be able to view a view describing the various tools of Schoology, with 100% accuracy. 2) Given a practice session, students will be able to navigate the Schoology website with 80% accuracy.

Standards: 1) ISTE.NETS.T.2.a Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity 2) ISTE.NETS.T.3.c Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats

Procedure: 1) Students will sign on to the computers using their log on information. 2) Students will open the video in their class folder labeled “Schoology Intro”. 3) Students will watch the introduction video on what features Schoology can provide. 4) Students will continue to watch the video, made through Screencast-O-Matic (Group 3) which will show a particular skill and then ask the student to pause the video. 5) Students will use that pause to demonstrate or do the skill explained in that portion of the video before moving on. 6) Students will continue to watch the tutorials and navigate the site until it is complete.


 * Joe:** Hey Group 2! Ashley, I thought your lesson plan is pretty good. I like how the students are going to get hands-on experience withunderstanding how digital tools can be used to support learning in and out of the classroom, as you explained in your first standard. Also, the lay out for your lesson plan allows the students to be introduced to the lesson verbally through the teacher's instruction. Then the students will be able to use screencast-o-matic to see how learning can be achieved in the digital world. Also, the Schoology website is an amazing Web 2.0 resource that the students will be able to learn collaboratively. I've never heard of Schoology before, but I definitely would like to explore more about the digital resource. Thank you for sharing this website! As for suggestions, I was wondering if someone in your group would like to assemble a grading rubric so that the students will know what they are expected learn and will be graded on. Also, maybe another person in your group could plan a small group project project or some form of collaborative assignment where the students can learn by working together. I don't know exactly what your group is planning, so maybe you guys don't agree with these suggestions, but I just wanted to offer some of my opinions. Thanks!