Week 1 CEdO535

This week has involved a lot of reading. The first chapter of our book, Blog, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, had me thinking a lot about using an educational blog in my classroom. One thing that was stressed in the book was safety of the students and keeping their information secure. Recently, our IT director installed My Big Campus at school, which, from what I understand, is a way to keep the students' information secure. This is something that I plan to look into more and use in my classroom. Blogs seem like a great way to have students not only write more, but read more and learn to be an effective editor and collaborator at the same time. Another point that was stressed in this chapter was that teachers must understand that we are dealing with very technology-literate students and if we are going to implement new technologies, to make sure to be very comfortable with the technology.

The second chapter talked about the difference between blogging and journaling. Blogging should really take students' thinking to a higher level, rather than just discussing what they worked on or what they learned after completing an assignment. I also liked the point that was made that students who may be a little shy in class are given the opportunity to share their thoughts in a less intimidating way.

Our group work this week had a lot to do with blogs. We were asked to think about different topics and if they could be used in our environment or not. One of the topics really caught my attention and that was the topic of blogs for students with special needs. I hadn't ever really thought about this topic because I see blogs as something that can be used by all types of students. I hadn't really thought about the fact that they could be customized for certain groups of students. It was an interesting section for me.

Week 5 of CEdO540

This week we were asked to look at Google Trends, Google Insight, and various statistical data sites.

Google Trends is an interesting site. It allows you to search terms and find out how often those terms are searched for. The results can be defined according to region and language. The results are provided with a line graph for easy viewing. If desired, a person can search for several related terms to see how they compare to each other. Google Insights is very similar to Google Trends. It provides the same information and also includes a map of the world with search volume index, categories that can narrow results, and rising searches.

We were also asked to research statistical data websites. My favorite sites were National Center for Educational Statistics and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The DPI site provides information that is local. You can find information about the school district you teach in, the district your children are enrolled in, or a district you may be getting a job in. The NCES site provides information about almost every topic in education. Results provided on this site are given in many different ways, which is great for interpretation.

Week 4 of CEdO540

The past few weeks we spent the bulk of our time concerned with a survey. As a group we created a survey to solve a problem that we had. My group chose to do a survey about hosting a summer barbecue. We were looking at what location people preferred for a barbecue, what types of food should be prepared, and what types of beverages should be available for guests. We charted our results by grouping them according to location, food, and drink. Our results showed that most people preferred to have a barbecue in a backyard, eat hamburgers and hot dogs, and drink water, soda, or beer. Our results can be found here.

We also were to listen to Bill Tancer. Bill Tancer is an internet analyst. He studies trends on the internet and what people look at and do on the internet. I found Bill Tancer to be kind of interesting. First, I would never be able to do his job day in and day out. Studying trends on the internet and what consumers are searching for is not something that I could do every day. Second, from a business stand point, his research could really assist retailers in increasing their revenue. When he discussed prom dresses, he found that teenagers were researching prom dressed in January and retailers weren't making them available until March. His research allowed retailers to make prom dresses available in January. Now, working in a high school with a classroom full of computers, I could have told retailers to make prom dresses available in January, but not everyone works in a high school classroom with computers. Third, I think his methods could be seen as ethical and unethical. Some people may think his data is manipulative, however, he doesn't typically research specific populations. So, he wouldn't always know who exactly is providing the data.

We were asked to come up with a job that would be available in the future. This was a difficult task. It's hard to think of a job that would be needed in the future without being a psychic! But, we came up with a teleporter specialist. This person would assist people in teleporting. Someday, we may not need cars, planes, trains, or boats. Transportation may be done by teleporting, a concept that has been featured in futuristic movies. Anything is possible, so maybe someday this could be a job that is needed.

Week 3 CEdO540

This week we were asked to retake a technology survey that we took at the beginning of our program. I feel like I could answer more questions with "I am able to do" or "I can teach it", which made me feel like I am learning a lot of great things!

Also, we were asked to create a survey within our study group. We must choose a topic, create a survey, and then distribute the survey to ask people to take it. My group chose to do our survey on a summer bbq. We are still working out some of the details to be able to work with the results we receive so we can find means, medians, and modes easily. We also are trying to make it easier to find standard deviations based on our results. It is definitely a challenge for me as I am not a math teacher, but I am excited to use the information in class so that I may be able to use it in my classroom.

Week 2 of CEdO540 Decision Making Using Data Collection & Analysis

This week we continued learning about central tendencies and also variances, ranges, and standard deviations. I find myself struggling with the definitions and explanations of the different terms. It has been many years since I have had a statistics class, so it would benefit me to have actual examples to see the numbers working and better understand the terms.

As a group we were asked to analyze a website, Capterra. Capterra allows software buyers to search for the most appropriate software possible. Buyers search for the type of software they are looking for, either by industry or function, and are given many options of software programs available. This site is a great resource for any type of organization! It gives almost every option available for what a buyer is looking for.

We also were required to study different survey creation sites. There are so many out there and we were asked to look at three free sites and two sites that required a fee. As a group we felt that Zoomerang was the best creation site available. Zoomerang offers graphic representation of results, which can sometimes be read easier than number results. Zoomerang also offers tutorials, guides and online training to assist a user.

Week 1 CEdO540

This is the first week of 540, our statistics class. I've never been a big fan of statistics, so this class has me feeling a little nervous. We were asked to watch a video with examples of statistics being used in real situations. At school, I am always trying to teach my students how they can use what we are talking about in real life. So, seeing that video helped me understand statistics a little better.

I like the guided practice worksheets. It's something that I have never used in my own classroom, but have been considering. These are great examples for me to use to try to create my own some day.

Pecha Kucha and rubrics CEdO530

This week we put together our Pecha Kucha! This project was fun and challenging! I created mine using voicethread and enjoyed learning some more of the formatting tools. It was difficult to get my timing down on the dialogue so I didn't go over my twenty seconds, but after a few takes on some of the pictures I got it right!



This week we also were required to create a rubric for a multimedia project. I have done an assignment in the past about famous entrepreneurs. The students create a presentation about a famous entrepreneur, but the presentation would be a great digital story instead. Now, if I decide to change the project I have a rubric to go with it!

In our group, we evaluated Aviary Tools and Jay Cut. Aviary has many free editing tools, including photo editor, video editor, and music creator. Jay Cut is a free online video editor. Both of these programs would be great to use in a classroom, especially now with budgets in question! It would eliminate purchasing expensive software or computers to run the software.