Blog Post 6

I observe at Raa Middle School so I looked up their school website. It looks like not every teacher is required to have a class page; however, if the teacher does have a class page they provide the link on the website. I was able to look at a few of the pages without a password or login. The websites offer educational videos that are on the topic they are discussing in class. Some class pages also offer contact information to the professor and a schedule of class events and assignments. Some pages also gave the textbook login information, a syllabus, a tab for tests and quizzes, and even a tab for assignments and extra credit opportunities. The class page in the screenshot below is Mr. King's Class from Raa middle school. He is an 8th grade social studies teacher.
https://www.sites.google.com/site/classwithyourmajesty/

The podcast breaks teacher technology into four different categories. They are all very useful for teachers; however, I see myself using some technology more than others. Grading software and tools such as spreadsheets will be a necessity for any teacher. It makes grading much more efficient and the  likelihood of human error much lower. I would also use a class website like the one above to keep my students and parents informed of what is going on, what is due, and what is coming up next in my class. I would link my email to the website and use the class page and email a sources of communication between me, students, and parents so that my class could run as smoothly as possible and I could be reached with ease if anyone had any questions about anything.

The Technology Sandbox had so many cool and useful tools for teachers and classrooms. I really enjoy using the Smart Board. I am not super experienced with lot of technology, but I think I could be easily trained to use the Smart Board. I like that it can be interactive for up to eight students at a time. I would use it to play games with the class to reinforce learned subjects and curriculum. I would also use the regular white board option. An example for this option would be a math lesson, I could ask a student to show their work on the board so that the other students can see how that students worked the problem out. In high school, a couple of my classes used the white board and it always made class participation higher. This is because students are excited to use the new and fun technology and it creates an incentive to participate in the classroom activity.

Blog Post 5

I think that Web 2.0 tools like blogs are very useful in the classroom and for teachers. The podcast reiterates this point by stating that teachers can make class blogs to post homework updates and other announcements. This is very useful to a classroom of busy and forgetful students. I have seen twitter used in a similar way where teachers can instantly post reminders and useful announcements to students. Twitter is extremely helpful because the student can be notified immediately on their phone. I think YouTube can also be a helpful tool in the classroom; however, teachers need to be careful because it can also serve as a distraction. Teachers should filter what students can see and view on YouTube.

Skype is a tool I never thought about using in the classroom; however, it can be very beneficial to students. Skype is a video calling software where people can connect over webcam through the internet. Students can collaborate on assignments at home over Skype and can visually see what others are doing. Teachers can also use Skype to connect with other professionals that can make a presentation to their class from a far off location. Teachers can potentially connect with professionals and other classrooms from all over the world and provide learning opportunities for their students that would not otherwise be possible.

Skype

I think that cloud computing is the technology advancement that holds the biggest promise for education. This is because of its helpful nature in regards to collaborative projects. Cloud computing is already beginning to be utilized in some schools in classrooms with more money friendly options such as Google Apps. Students could store assignments that they are working on in the cloud and access them from any location. Cloud computing can even open up the possibility of getting access to a fully functioning school anywhere, even in impoverished countries. This technology advancement will be very helpful to education in the future.

Independent Learning Project

ILP “Participation”- Lynda.com tutorial: Eye Enhancement for Portraiture with Photoshop with John Derry

Activity Log:

Actual run time of video 44 mins

Completed Tuesday 2/7/17 5:40pm-6:40pm

I chose to watch this tutorial because I used to take an Adobe Photoshop class. The class was really fun and extremely helpful, but it has been awhile since I have worked with Photoshop and I am forgetting how to do the basic functions. I no longer own the software so I could not practice along with the tutorial, but since I have used the software before I was able to follow along with the video very easily as it refreshed my memory. I was intrigued to this specific Photoshop tutorial because I love to edit and make photos look better and eye enhancement is one big way to do that. In the past, I had just used the dodge and burn tools to brighten and darken certain parts of the eye; however, John Derry uses multiple techniques to increase contrast and lead one’s gaze to the eyes in a portrait.

What I thought was really interesting was John Derry’s use of the pressure sensitive pen and tablet. I think that if I had access to this in my class I could have been a lot more precise in my work. I learned that you can use the tablet to help erase the distracting reflections in the eyes. The whole process of erasing these reflections and adding new and more aesthetically pleasing reflection/refractions was new to me. It is so intricate and he thinks about every small detail. Before, I would only edit photos by dodging the inside of the iris and burning the dark ring around the iris to make it pop. I had no idea that some of these techniques existed and I am excited to use them to better my photography in the future.

He had many tips and tricks that will benefit anyone listening. He created multiple new layers in his work and kept repeating the reason why he was doing it. He said that it was a safety net so that if something goes wrong all you have to do is delete the layer and start again. It does not compromise the original photo or any of the work you have already done in Photoshop. I knew this trick from experience. I have messed up some projects badly and created a lot more work for myself because I forgot to add a new layer so I was very appreciative of the reminder. He also said when editing the whites of the eyes many people get too carried away and get them too white. This can make them cartoon-like. To avoid this, John Derry said to use the eyedropper and get a white color that is already in the white of the eye to lighten up near the dark outline of the iris. This increases the contrast between the two parts of the eye without being too dramatic of a difference. He also discussed ways to edit the eyelashes as well. He carefully filled in spaces in the eyelashes with a brush that was not too perfect or large. He also tried his best to match the existing lashes. Another technique John Derry used was a vignette. He slightly darkened the background of the photo to add more contrast between the background and the face and to create less distraction from the eyes. I think that this technique makes the photo look so much more professional alone, so with all the other tricks it perfects the picture. John Derry obviously knows what he is doing and uses terms that make anything he is trying to teach simple and easy to follow. This tutorial was very helpful to me and I cannot wait to try some of these techniques with my own pictures soon.

Blog Post 4

I have really found the twitter assignment interesting. I like being able to connect with my fellow classmates and see their thoughts about things that are education related, but not always class related. I really like to look at the eme2040 account and answer the questions that are posted. I also really like to see what other students have said in response to the same questions. It is a good way to ask questions to fellow students about assignments (through direct message), but it is also a good way to just see everyone's opinion on different education and education technology related topics. If I teach older students, twitter could be helpful for the students to collaborate through as well as ask questions to me. I could also use it to remind students about upcoming tests and due dates. 

The digital divide is a gap between those who do and do not have readily available access to technology. This gap makes a large disparity in students and it is said to have positive aspects in education, specifically when entering higher education and/or the work force. Some causes of the digital divide can be socioeconomic status (lower SES typically has less access to technology) and location of residency (rural locations typically have less access to technology). As a teacher, I may have students who do not have access to technology and internet at home. I should plan my lessons and homework accordingly and make sure that if a computer or the internet is needed, students have time in class or access to a computer lab after school to complete the assignment. 

I expect to use desktop publishing software the most to make class handouts, worksheets, newsletters, etc. If i teach younger kids simple handout type work will be the most used in the classroom. I would use reference software least because younger children would not need to use things such as dictionaries, atlases, and encyclopedias as much. most younger kids tend to learn things better through heavily illustrated means.