Digital Data

The only person that I was able to get information on protecting digital data in our district was our campus CIT. I tried contacting the district administration building, but unfortunately, no one ever returned my phone calls.
As we all know it is very important that we save and protect our digital data. My school issues each teachers and students an "H drive"; a personal storage space to save data. Teachers are able to look at students H drive. I always have my students save their writing in their H drives so that I can later go and revise them and grade them and give them feedback from there versus them printing them out and using paper.
Another storage space that is given is to teachers is called Lucy. Teachers are each given this storage space so they can download classroom pics, documents that they would like to share with other teachers like lessons or handouts.
Having these two types of storage spaces makes my job so much easier and much more organized.

Creating my Website

This was my first time creating a website, and I can say that it was pretty difficult for me, but after finally publishing my website I was pretty pleased.
I used intuit.com. It's only $5 a month, and I really recommend to those who have never created a website because the customer service representatives are very helpful. I came across several problems, and all I had to do was pick up the phone and call them. There was maybe a 2 minute wait before someone was able to assist me. The representative were very knowledgeable of their product, and knew exactly what I was talking about.
The biggest problem I had was linking pages to one another, and other websites. It was like a foreign language to me trying to figure how to link everything together. But after finally talking to intuithelp line, my problem was resolved.
I am planning on keepig my website, and it is something that I know my students and parents will appreciate as it will be a great way to link my classroom to their homes.
Only problem is that next year I will be teaching all in Spanish as I will be the Spanish Dual Reading Teacher for 5th grade. Therefore, I will have to translate everything into Spanish.

VIDEO

So after finally publishing my video,I learned so much from all the mistakes I made.

First of all, prepare with your students way ahead of time. I had to retake so many shots of my students because they would forget their lines, or start giggling in the middle of the video shot. Eventhough I started preparing for my video way ahead of time (early in the semester), it still wasn't enough for my students to be mentally ready. I guess this goes with having good classroom management....
I also learned that when I was shooting my video, I had to leave enough time so that when the editing part came, I would have enough time for the transitions. My transitions needed to be a little bit slower and smoother. My plan is to count off seconds after the students said their lines to ensure timing for transtions.
In addition, I learned that making a story board in paper really helps to know exactly what each scene will entail.
The audio of the students was very low! Next time I will definetely have to invest in a microhpone...
It was so much fun making a video with the students.We will be broadcasting the video for the whole school to see this week. My students were very happy to see their names on the credits, and I'm sure they will even happier when their peers outside of the classroom see the video!

Video

Making a movie is not so easy! I have this great picture in my mind, and have finally got the editing down, but the problem is the recording. I have used the flip and my camera, and have not been very successful at holding my hand still and the students voices are bearly heard. I am currently trying to borrow a camcorder so that I can hopefully be more successful at recording.

On the other hand, my students have had a great time putting the scenes together, and are very excited to start shooting. The students were split into groups of four. Each group was given a task. It was great to see all the team work around the room.
I think that this assignment has created a very positive environment. Even my usual off task students were so involved.

Tomorrow will be our first day to shoot the video...Hope that everything goes as planned.

Film Fiesta

My district is having a Film Fiesta! Students are to create films/videos all about their communities, and the best 10 will be selected from professional reviews and YouTube popularity.
I am very excited to see all the wornderful videos that students will be creating.
Plus, this is a great experience for students and will help students empower their voice.


Below is the link to examples of videos made by students:
http://www.sfett.com/html_movie/Ican/i_think_iCan.html

I am proud to be at a district that embraces technology!

Cyber Ethics

It is essential that students are educated on internet safety as daily technology is used in the classrooms. I am proud to be at a school that takes this issue very seriously. Our campus technology teacher takes time to schedule computer lab time for each class so each student is aware of how to properly use the internet.

My district recently partnered up with I-SAFE to provide Internet safety education for students. An i-SAFE account was created for each teacher in the district. This district subscription to i-SAFE allows all teachers to access to i-SAFE’s Internet Safety curriculum. i-SAFE is the worldwide leader in Internet safety education. i-SAFE incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place. Every student was given a book that was provided by i-safe to take home so that their parents are educated as well.

The following are some good resources that I found on internet safety:
VyberBully411.org
ConnectSafely.org
NetFamilyNews.org
NetSmartz.org
WiredSafety.org
StaySafeOnline.org

It is so important that we take the issue of internet safety seriously so that our students are protected from harm. In addition, parents should be made aware on how to guide their children at home when using the internet.

Classroom of the Future

Technology is the word that comes to my mind as I vision the classroom of the future.
I think of collaborative and interactive learning through technology. I also envision a world where technology makes teachers' lives easier and helps parents better understand their child’s progress.
There will be electronic white boards, and computers connected to a cyberspace library. Laptops will take over paper completely. Students will complete all of their assignments by using a laptop. They will have to email their work instead of turning it in. Students will be able to connect with other students via skype, and classroom blogs. This will help create a multiculture responcive classroom as students will learn from other students around the world. The learning will be tailored to each students' differences and students will be more engaged and motivated.
The lives of teachers will be much easier. Teachers will be roaming around the room as mentors and individual learning coaches. They will be able to give immediate feedback to students as they will be communicating through technology. Instead of carrying their student's daily assignnments, teachers will have all of their work in one portable computer. There will no longer be "snow days"; make up ice days. Teachers will be able to post assignmnets for students to work from home.
Parental involvement will increase. Parents will able to see all of their students work on-line, participate in classroom blogs, and easily communicate with teachers.
This is a vision that is just around the corner. Teachers must take action to be prepared for the new classroom envision.
Below is a perfect example of what the new clasrooms will look like, can't wait...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcXEznPXj8k