QR Codes Are More Than Just Black & White!

   
   

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/qr-code-scanner-bar-code-156717/

    QR codes are a valuable tool.  They can be used in so many ways.  I had learn about a tech tool when I was in a Discovering Technology for Learning online course.  I chose to review a video by Dan Spencer on QR codes provided through REMC(http://mistreamnet.org/videos/910/qr-codes or scan the code below:-)).

Here is my review of what I learned and how I would apply it in the classroom:

   I chose to learn about QR Codes because the kids like to use tech and I figured it would be a fun way for students to use tech and to check their answer by scanning a QR code.  (Thanks Dan for hosting the video! :))

Here are a list of things I learned that will be helpful for me create lessons for my students:

1. QR codes can used to link to maps, pictures, websites and documents.
2. The 3 boxes in the corner need to be visible when scanning QR codes.
3. A smart device is needed when scanning QR codes.  If one is not provided, you can take a picture of the QR code and upload that picture to snapmyinfo.com and it will read the QR code for you.  There are even some websites that allow you to scan the QR code with the camera on your computer.  
4. To make a QR code, go to a QR creator website like qrstuff.com and follow the directions on the website.
5. You need a QR code reader on your smart product to scan QR codes.
6. QR codes give students support when you are not in the classroom.  Attach answers and help on a project or worksheet to the QR codes!
7. Use for Scavenger Hunts or Stations to give students information of where they found it or what they need to do next.
8. Create a more interactive experience when learning.
9. Use QR codes to check answers when they are done with the assignment.  You won't lose the answers.  GREAT!
10. Use QR codes to link to google forms to collect data.

    Wow, so much information.  I haven't used QR codes in the classroom a lot yet but I really liked the idea of using QR codes for scavenger hunts.  I am going to create a lesson for some of my students using QR codes in a scavenger hunt.  On a side note, QR codes are GREAT for conferences when you are presenting.  Attendees can easily access your presentation by scanning the QR codes you provided.

    

DTL- Thing #3 Reflection- Google Docs

Image taken from https://www.flickr.com/people/mrsdkrebs/

    Google has taken charge of the world in many ways. They have a wide variety of tools to use in and outside the classroom.  Some of the most amazing tools that Google has created is their collaboration tools.  Google docs offers so many options with their collaboration tools.  You can make slides, documents, and sheets very easily.  Once created, you can invite others to work on those documents with you.

    Google Doc Templates have made my life more professionally productive by allowing me to collaborate with my co-teachers on documents and work with other staff to organize school events.  Preparing for co-teaching or school events have become more of a team task, not a division of who is doing what task.  An example of using Google Docs in my classroom is using Google Docs for conferencing notes with my students.

    Google docs could change working in the classroom by allowing my students to collaborate on projects and me joining them to see what they have completed.  It also allows to know who exactly is doing what by presenting their name and a color associated to their name on where they are inputting information.  I could also use these tools for students to show their completed project and allowing their peers to comment on their project right on the Google Drive.  Another positive note of Google Docs is that students can work on a document from anywhere. Students would have the option of working together, without being together.  

    No matter what way you look at it Google Docs are one of the best collaboration tools available.  It is free, easy to access, and easy to learn.  There are so many options of different types of docs and templates available to make you feel satisfied with all the options provided. 

DTL- Cloud Initiation- Reflect

Image taken from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/catspyjamasnz/5205995052/

                                                             Create a PLN and share your cloud with them.

  There are many ways and sites to create a professional learning network(PLN) on.  Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, and Google are just a few options.  PLNs provide each other with ideas, new information, professional development opportunities, and collaboration on ideas on how to make education better for students, and so much more.  Another great option on how to create a PLN is by connecting with other professionals in cloud-based websites such as Diigo.  The groups on Diigo provide professionals the opportunity to collaborate why sharing documents and links on their clouds.

There are many advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.  

Advantages

• Well organized resources.
• Capability to tag your resources to easily search them on most clouds
• Upload capability of videos, documents and more on most clouds.
• Bookmarking websites is easy.
• The ability to access documents saved, on the go.
• Tools available to organize media on the clouds in many different ways.
• Ability to share most cloud with others.

Disadvantages

• Some clouds won't let you upload documents in different formats(such as word documents).
• More passwords and usernames to remember for most clouds.  I have too many as it is.  :)
• I have a fear of the cloud I am using to be obsolete someday, and I will loose all the documents and links I saved.
• Can't cross clouds.   It would be nice to save 1 site on 2 different clouds.  For example, if I wanted to share a website in my personal cloud and my classroom cloud, I would have to upload them seperately.

DTL Reflection- Diigo and Symbaloo Reflection

Picture from http://pixabay.com/en/users/ikuki-98708/
So many clouds!

   People are always on the go and need tools that will support them in organizing their favorite websites and documents.  Many people use clouds to store their documents, pictures, and videos on the go.  Websites are as important too for people to be able to access on the go.  People sometimes attach their favorite websites to their Google account or even e-mail web address to themselves.  There are more organized options to access your websites on the go.
    Diigo and Symbaloo are key resources to organize your favorite websites.  Below is a comparison of the two websites.

Diigo

Pros:

• It is professional looking.
• Capability to tag your resources to easily search them.
• Upload images, documents, and notes.
• Bookmarking websites is easy.
• Diigo application available for easier access.
• Diigo Google app to bookmark websites easily.
• Option to join groups of people that share interests.
• Tools available to organize notes, documents, images, and websites by date, type of file, unread, and public or private posts.
• Able to share Diigo bookmarks.

Cons:

• Not very kid friendly.
• Can seem very wordy for students that have difficulty reading.

Symbaloo

Pros:

• Easy for students to use.
• Use of pictures to connect to websites.
• Able to make a variety of Symbaloo pages to organize bookmarked websites.
• Can share and search other user bookmarked pages.

Cons:

• Not able to upload images, documents, and notes.
• Not an option to join groups of people interested in the same thing.
  

    When I think about which website I prefer, it depends on the purpose of the bookmark site.  If I am bookmarking sites for myself or to share with other professionals I would use Diigo.  It looks more professional and it is more organized.  It is also helpful that you can upload pictures and documents to this website.  I would prefer to use Symbaloo with my students because pictures represent websites and it looks more fun.  I could see my students not feeling swamped with all the text that is on the Diigo website.

DTL- Reflect- PLN

    I have been a fan of developing my PLN online for almost a year now.  I have met many people and been in contact with companies and organization through the use of my PLN.  I think having a PLN is one of the most valuable resources for a teacher.  
    I can contribute many great skills to organizations such as MACUL and NASET.  I am an educator that loves being apart of a community and enjoys learning.  I am a teacher that loves co-teaching, which has become a big trend in education, and I love to use technology with my classroom and when teaching my co-workers on how to use tech to reach students in the classroom.  I also can contribute my creative thinking skills on how to manage and track behavior of students of the general education and special education classroom through the use of technology.  I also can contribute to these organizations by enjoying sharing my experiences in the classroom with other teachers.  I love helping teachers become better educators because that is how I become a better educator, though connecting with others on and offline.

Image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PLN.png
Expand your PLN

    There are many ways social media and educational organizations can help me grow professionally.  The most important thing social media has has helped me grow is by allow me to connect with other educators that are like minded or have different minded, that encourage a growth mindset.  Many of the teachers I connected with are not even around me.  I have met many teachers in far away places, such as asia, that I have collaborated with online.  People in my PLN have inspired me to try new things and articles from educational organizations have given me new tools to help students learn in the classroom.  The second way social media has helped me is by helping me gain access to educational resources and activities that are either free or discounted to use in the classroom.
    There are many pros and cons to using Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ to become a better educator inside and outside the classroom.  It is also important to note the purpose of these resources.  The purpose of these resources is for educator to connect and gain new ideas to support them in the classroom.

Pros of Social Media and Social Networking

• Collaboration with others on topics you want to talk about or learn more about in chats.
• Lots of inspiration for yourself, teaching, and classroom activities.
• Views outside of your own to promote growth mindset.
• Sharing project and ideas with others.
• Access to documents and resources when you miss a conference.
• Collaborating with other educators while at a conference.
• Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration!  :)
• Access to information about upcoming PDs and conferences.
• Abundant amount of resources.

Cons of Social Media and Social Networking

• Time consuming.
• Sometimes too much information and resources.

DTL Reflection- Guidelines for Web Evaluation

For Evaluating Websites

Here are some guidelines for evaluating if websites are credible to use for research:

1. What type of web address is it?
• .gov, .edu, .org are more reliable than .com websites.
2. Does the website look well organized?
• Does it look cluttered?
• Are the pictures, articles and text on the page aligned?  
3. Are there any errors in grammar or spelling?
4. Did the author on the website cite their resources?
• Did they tell you what kind of research they have to back up their information?
• Did they reference other cites they got their information from?
5. Do links of the website work?
• If the links do not work, it may mean they were fake links or they have not updated their website recently.
6. Does the pictures support what the author is trying to convey?
• If the picture/s do not enhance what you are trying to learn about from their article, then it may be not be a credible resource.

Guidelines taken from 21ThingsforTeachers.net powerpoint at http://www.21things4teachers.net/downloads/search_strategies/bogus_websites_20140508_143242_26.pdf

DTL Reflection- MeL Resources for Students- Focusing on Students with Disabilities Needs

Large library are not only physically available, but also digitally.
Picture of the Inside of the George Peabody Library

   When students are working on projects they need a lot of different avenues to give them options of ways to collect resources such as videos, articles, books, and pictures.  When students with disabilities, and struggling students, work on projects they need differentiation and accommodations  of the text and ways to obtain their information.  MeL or Michigan eLibrary, offers a variety of resources for students at many different reading and technology use levels.  MeL provides a connection to sites that provide information on kid-friendly websites.
    I choose to review sites based off their accessibility features for students:

Scholastic BookFlix-  This site has their large selection of fiction and non-fiction text and video format.  For every topic that it covers(for example, owls), it had a story to watch, which was Owl Moon, and a non-fiction story to read online.  Something that my students would really like is the ability to read along with the story that they found.  Each book that they can read has an option to Read-Along.  The website will highlight each word that is read to them.  Another great feature is that, each book has vocabulary words highlighted in them.  If you hover your curser over the highlighted word, a bubble will pop up telling you the definition of the word and let you listen to the word.

Plus side for teacher- there are lessons for any topic you wish to teach your students about in the classroom based off the resources provided.


Kids InfoBits-  This website has a very calming look to it.  I could see my students finding this website very pleasing to look at because of the contrasting colors they use on the website.  On Kids InfoBits students can look up images, magazines, news, and books.  When students want to read magazine, news, and book articles they found on this website, it will give them the option to listen to what is on the page.  While they are listening the students can track what is being read to them because it is being highlighted.  The website also gives students the capability to download what they found in an audio format, which I would find very empowering for students with reading disabilities and visual impairments.
    The other positive thing that this research site offers for kids is it gives them an idea of how difficult the reading will be through a "Content Level" symbol.  They do this by placing colored symbols that mean "basic", "intermediate", or "advanced."  I think this tool would make it easy for students to find resources close to their reading level.  They wouldn't feel like they have to sift through a lot of content that is too difficult for them.
      Kids InfoBits also offers citation tools, options for highlighting information, advanced search options, and a dictionary for students.  I would highly suggest this website for students.


eLibrary Elementary-  I love all the resources on this website.  When searching for something you can search pictures, maps, audio/videos, transcripts, books, magazines, and newspapers.  I really liked the option to search maps.  I haven't seen the option to search for maps on a kids research website before.  I could see eLibrary Elementary making my students feel anxious because the way it lists resources when searching a topic and the website is a very bright white.
    This website has the same option Kids InfoBits by reading text and highlighting text that is being read to them.  You can also download text into an audio format.  This site does separate the resources collected better by having each type of media found(i.e., pictures vs. magazine articles) on their own page.  Students will not easily get distracted by pictures or videos being automatically in their search results.
    Another great feature of this website is that it places a reading level on all the text by rating them by number.  It does not explain what each number means, so the teacher would have to spend some time talking to the students about what each number represents when looking at reading levels.

Do your research

   These are just a few resources available through MeL.  There are several more webpages that students can use in the classroom.  It is always helpful to do your research on which research tool would be more appropriate for your students before they start their projects.  You don't want your students to feel overwhelmed when doing research, which in turn would create more work for you(the teacher).  Empower them by giving them tools that will be easy to use.:)

DTL- Be Legal, Be Fair Copyright Reflection

Your students writing is copyrighted

   Before this module, I didn't think too much about copyright.  When I was in college, I often took a phrase or a quote out of a book that I was using for a report and changed a few of the words to make sure I wasn't plagiarizing but I have not realized that is not enough.  Doing this still can be plagiarism because it still may resemble what the original author posted too closely.  If I didn't understand something or didn't know how to put it in my own words, I should have done more research before finishing my report
   I often took pictures right off of websites and Google images.  I wasn't ever sure if it was okay, since I was a teacher, but now I understand the laws better.  I now know that there are MANY resources on the internet to get media to support what you would like to to do for free.  Since reading about copyright, I have went back into some of my previous blogs and removed pictures and added images I found through the Creative Commons website.
    Now when I post images to my blogs, I make sure I go to Creative Commons website to obtain pictures to use in my blog.  I don't want to infringe on anyones work.
    I am thinking about using plagiarism checkers with my students when we read informational text and do a writing prompt on what we read.  They often take words right out of the book or passage that we read when trying to write what they learned.  I will have to teach them what they are doing when they do they, show them how the authors writing compares to what they wrote, and why we should change it.  I think the plagiarism checker tools may be more useful for my students in 4th and 5th grade since they do more research projects in those grade levels and beyond

Discovering with Technology for Learning Course- Reflect- Emerging Technology

   

Photo taken from Pixabay.com

    From the first module of Discovering with Technology for Learning, I have become aware of many new technological tools that are being developed and some that are brand new.  I also learned about how to more effectively apply the SAMR Model to my teaching, even in my resource room.
    When I think of the new and emerging technology, I think of all the different ways the technology can infuse the students learning experience and how they can support students with disabilities.  It is hard to believe that some of the tech that is coming out is real.  I used to see it in moves and thought, "that will never happen."  I am surprised now.  I really think that the Oculous Rift will help be a big game changer in students learning.  Students will be able to experience events of history, manipulate and explore scientific environments, and experience stories through the effects of the Oculous Rift.  I also think this is a great tool for people that are physically disabled.  People that may have not been able to experience sky diving, roller coasters, deep sea diving, may be able to experience some of the affects of it now.  Another new tech that I really enjoyed learning about was the Makey Makey, I could see that being used in many STEM classrooms and a great tool for students to creatively get involved with their assignments.
    The SAMR Model is a very influential model to use when creating higher order thinking and engaging lessons for students.  I thought it would take more time and be a lot harder to make the activities in my lessons at the higher level of modification and redefinition.  I also thought that it would take too much time for my students to complete the assignment in my resource room.  I think that the redefining the activities my students do to fill in the gaps of the learning my actually help them understand the content better.