Power Point

I got the template for this power point when I took Educational Technology in undergrad. While some of the features no longer work (i.e. transfer to different slides when you click on a number in the power point like in a real Jeopardy game) when I uploaded the power point to google docs, the main concept is still there (Question/Answer).

I really like this template and found it very useful when I did my student teaching and a neat way to incorporate technology into my lessons (I used this template more than once during student teaching). I also saw the benefits of this template and how much the student's enjoyed the game and worked together as a team (when I put them on teams) or as individuals (especially elementary students) to get the right answer.

When thinking about a concept or issue that is difficult to teach in my content area I immediately thought about Health Education and sex/condoms/HIV/AIDS. This topic is a tough one and a lot of the time the facts are left out or overshadowed by opinions. Using this power point (and the game it represents) makes talking about a tough subject like this a little bit easier while presenting the facts not opinions.

I did have some trouble when I uploaded this presentation to google docs. When I uploaded my presentation it messed with the location of my text on the screen so I had to go through each slide and center all of the text. I really like how you can upload documents like this to google docs and then be able to view your power point online instead of having to use a jump drive to pull the power point off of. The only thing I didn't like is that it is not compatible with MS power point in that it does not allow the transitions and what not, which makes for a pretty boring power point. Pros and Cons aside I really see a potential for this type of archiving and how it could be used in the classroom to store material.

Jackson Pollock

Today's assignment was to demonstrate our ability to create, modify, archive, and publish web-based graphics while creating art in the style "Jackson Pollock." The site used to create the Jackson Pollock style artwork can be found by clicking here. Creating images at this site was fairly straightforward. While creating the artwork was simple there were some limitations in that only one color could be used, the user had little or no control over how the paint was distributed, and in order to save the image the Print Screen utility had to be used. Despite the limitations I enjoyed using the program, and made several images before coming up with one that I liked.

While I don't see many educational uses for this application unless in an art classroom, I might use the application for reflective, self expressive, and prompting purposes within my classroom.

Self Portrait

Today's assignment was to create a self portrait using the application Mr. Picasso Head. This application was really neat and although I am no Pablo Picasso, I think I was able to create a work of art.

This application has enormous potential within the classroom. Within the classroom context, I believe that Mr. Picasso Head could be effectively used in a unit on self image/self esteem/self concept (the way student's view themselves). Also, this is an excellent tool for differentiated instruction as it is beneficial to the kinesthetic/visual learner with a creative/artistic aspect. This factor serves to make the application fun, engaging, and appropriate for student-centered activities.

You can view my Self Portrait on the web by clicking here.

Photoshop Express

Today's assignment was to create an account with Photoshop Express. This assignment focused on the manipulation of photographs. After creating an account, I uploaded a picture of me from my trip to the Grand Canyon then edited it by using the tools in Photoshop Express. The tools I used were pop color (in which I made the pink of my shirt pop) and text box (in which I made a text box on my picture and wrote "The Grand Canyon" in the same color as my shirt).

Before

After

Here is a link to my Photoshop Express Album.

The largest benefit of this program is that it's free. Because it is free it can easily be used in the classroom because students and teachers alike have equal access to the same tools without having to pay for the application. The uses for such an application in the classroom are many (i.e. fliers, posters, charts, diagrams, etc.). Also, like Picasa, Photshop Express allows users to store pictures online (up to 2G, for free), without having to use portable storage devices (like flash drives). In using this, and like processes, in classroom instruction, teachers might more readily demonstrate technology compliance in teaching within their content areas (TPCK).

Web Album

Today's assignment was to create a photo album using a free application (i.e. picasa). I was able to upload some photos from a vacation I took this past January with my family, add some captions, tag them on the world map and link the finished project to a slideshow gadget on my blog (which can be viewed at the bottom right side of my blog).

Integration:

As an Physical/Health Educator, the quality of my presentations in health class may be improved by the systematic collection, archiving and retrieving of electronic resources including images (such as those that can be stored on Picasa). There are many uses for this application in my classroom. This would be an ideal place to store and make slildeshows of student activities and student skill progress.

To view my album, click here or view the slide how located in the right hand column at the bottom.

Relation to Standards:

Developing a web photo album relates to several ISTE NETS T standards: #2 Design and develop digital age learning experiences because the use of contemporary tools and #1 Facilitate and inspire student creativity and innovation by engaging students in exploring real world issues using digital tools.

TPACK:

Teaching Physical/Health Education requires the integration of current health events into the class. The content theme of wellness and prevention (CK) can be established and maintained in my lectures, presentations, and our research activities (P). Online organization of my visual tools (T) can greatly assist me in creating instructional materials/presentations.

Activity Outcomes:

The student can create, download, upload, and archive a graphic image.

Kids Zone

Here is a link to my graph that compares 8th grade reading scores to the national average and to my document where I answered the proposed questions. I published this document online using google docs.

Here is a link to my graph that compares 4th grade reading scores to the national average and to my document where I answered the proposed questions. I published this document online using google docs.

As a parent of an 8th grade student going before the state legislature to question the use of funds for the statewide reading initiatives I question what the funds have been used for. According to the National Assessment of Education Progress our 8th grade students fall below the national average in their reading scores and they have continued to drop since 2003.

As the head of the statewide reading initiative going before the state legislature asking for more statewide reading programs I would say that according to the National Assessment of Education Progress our 4th grade students are falling below the national average in reading scores while the national average is increasing. To combat this problem I would ask the state legislature for more funding for statewide reading programs so that we may help alleviate this problem before it gets any worse.

The website I used to create these graphs was Kids Zone.

I got the information to make these graphs from the NAEP or the National Assessment of Education Progress.

The expected outcomes for this activity were: The student can create, integrate, publish, interpret, and discuss graphic images using line or bar charts.

Crappy Graph

Today we had an assignment to create a graph using the Crappy Graphs! website.

I decided to create my graph using material from Health Education.

Here is a ink to my first graph published online. And here is a link to my second graph published online.

This tool would be useful in the classroom as a graphic organizer for student's to use. They would be able to use this free program to create assignments that require graph use or to create study tools to help them understand concepts. This is a very interesting program and the uses for it are promising in the classroom.

Image Capture

I found this image of a soccer field from doing a search on google images. After I did a screen grab, I cropped the picture of the soccer field down using paint. I then added arrows for labeling. I can later use this image for a soccer field dimensions test. I find this to be a very useful resource in making labeling worksheets for class. The image specifications are as follows:


Size: 11718 bytes
Dimensions: 242 X 328 pixels

In addition to using images like this to create evaluation items, they might also be used to create posters reflective of current content covered, serve as cover pages for or illustrations within study guides or hand outs, or simply be used as fun, creative avenues for activities involving creative student reflection.

Desktop Graphic

According to 5th grade Content Standards and Objectives (CSO's) HE.5.1.01 the student will identify the 5 dimensions of total wellness. As a visual learner myself, I thought that it would be useful to have a graphic organizer to help represent the 5 dimensions. I created this desktop graphic in powerpoint using the shapes and designs tool to make the circles, lines, and insert text boxes. This graphic can be used as a study guide and also as a quiz by editing the graphic and taking out the 5 dimensions, leaving the circles blank for the student to fill in. I additionally saved my finished product as a JPEG then uploaded it to google docs where I published it as a web page (I have included a link to the web page below). I believe that I will use this graphic in my classroom and that I will also use the tools that made this graphic to create many more.

Here is a link to my desktop graphic 5 Dimensions of Total Wellness

TPACK

Having students to create their own graphic organizers is an effective strategy in knowledge comprehension (CK). When a student creates a product much thought goes into the creation of it (P). Graphic organizers such as the one shown here are fairly easy to create using the tools in PowerPoint. With a basic working knowledge of PowerPoint students can create these images to use for organizing data (T).

Relation to standards

Designing and creating desktop graphic organizers relates to several ISTE NETS standards, primarily standard #2 Design and develop digital age learning experiences because of the use of contemporary tools and standard #1 Facilitate and inspire student creativity and innovation by engaging students in exploring real world issues using digital tools.

Integration

Having students to create desktop graphic organizers is an excellent way to incorporate technology into a classroom setting.