My Capstone

As surreal as it seems, I am 3 weeks away from completing my Master's program at Azusa Pacific University. My journey began in January 2013. I had just graduated from CSU San Marcos and had been accepted into APU to begin my credential journey. (Not to mention that I also got engaged on the same day I graduated from CSUSM!) I knew that I was in for a whirlwind of a journey. "One step at a time" quickly became my motto for the 2013 year. With that motto, I somehow ended up at the end of January 2014 as a credentialed teacher. It was a lot of work, late nights, early mornings, and seemingly endless TEPs and TPAs, but I did it! My newest journey was about to begin. I was going to be the first person in my family to pursue a Master's degree. With the given rise in technology in the classroom (and conveniently, everywhere else too!) I decided to get my Masters of Arts in Education: Digital Teaching and Learning. Five classes later, and I can easily say that this was an excellent decision.

Technology is constantly changing. Because of this, I greatly respect my professors who keep up with the changing technology as well as keep up their enthusiasm for this technology to share with us. I would say that the most important thing that I have learned in this technology program is: Do whatever is best for your students. My students are and will always be at the center of anything I do in the classroom. Sometimes, an amazing iPad app will be the best way to reach them and allow them to experience a new topic. Other times, a student might need a quiet moment with a pencil in hand to write down their thoughts on a new topic. Technology is a tool for teachers to use. It is not a robot taking over the classroom brainwashing students. It is an avenue that teachers can explore in order to lead their class to its fullest potential.

With this mindset, I can easily say that I have taken great strides in my professionalism as a result of this program. I have learned how to access and determine which resources are best for my students. I can implement videos, webquests, and social media into my classroom confidently. I can use resources such as google drive to collaborate with staff members and even parents. By pursuing this degree, I understand the value of technology as well as the role that it has in the classroom. It is necessary to have both in order to successfully implement pieces of technology into my classroom. Most importantly, I have learned that as long as technology is around, there will always be a need for lifelong learners. I committed myself as an educator to live out the life of a lifelong learner for myself and for my students. My hope is that my display of this mindset will allow my students to have the same passion for learning that I do.

Tweeting a Twit

It happened about six months ago. I joined Twitter. It was not done by choice. In fact, I joined twitter based on a class requirement. My professor talked about the ways in which twitter could be helpful in the classroom. I shook my head in an incognito way as I thought, "Yes, this is exactly what I want my students to be doing in class." Throughout the term, this professor had us communicate with fellow classmates regarding assignments and the status of our larger projects. For me, it was a nuisance to remember. I had to compose a tweet, (or was it a twit?) figure out someone's "handle" to t@g them in the twit, and then pay attention in case they replied to my tweet.

Don't get me wrong, I am fluent in many pieces of technology. I can jump around social media without a single problem. For some reason, Twitter stumped me. But, when that class ended, I figured I wouldn't need it anymore. It turns out that I have yet another professor who insists we tap into the unimaginable power of twitter. Oh great. So I broke out the app again and started at it. I felt foolish as I scrolled through the endless tweets and got a feeling that I was only allowed to see pieces of a larger story. I constantly felt like I was missing something. More importantly, I kept asking myself "What is the point of this?"

With a desire to maintain my 4.0, I pressed on in the land of the tweets. I began following other educators who I hoped were not twits and I also began genuinely reading a minimal amount of their posts. With time, I finally was able to see the beauty behind this strange piece of social media. It was like a light just clicked and I could finally view Twitter as a tool. Now this was not just an ordinary tool, but a plethora of educators in all walks of life who are passionate about sharing ideas. Good ideas, bad ideas, teaching ideas, technology ideas, and any other idea you can imagine. (And this is just in the 83 people I am following!)

I am sure that my understanding of twitter is still minimal in comparison to the many people who have gone and continue to go before me. The important thing is that I am truly giving this everything that I have and I can now see the value that it has in the education world. I feel as if I am no longer a "twit" when it comes to Twitter. I guarantee that I am not an expert, but then again, admitting my lack of expertise is my first step in learning.

Follow me if you'd like! @linzbaker

Those Who "Tech" Teach

As technology continues its relentless boom all around us, it inevitably enters the classroom. Teachers who have been in the classroom for twenty or more years are faced with the challenge of altering their teaching styles to incorporate this new classroom tool. However, a journalist by the name of Kumar Snehansu brings up the issue that is often hushed in the educational world. He titled his article "Why Teachers Who Use Technology Will Replace Teachers Who Don't". Quite frankly, he is correct. Whether or not veteran teachers like the idea of technology in the classroom, it is nonetheless a part of student's lives and must be integrated along with the core subjects. Teachers who withhold technology learning opportunities from their students are ultimately hindering them. My favorite quote in this short article is "Technology doesn't teach; teachers teach". I believe that this is what most experienced teachers (and occasional new teachers) struggle with when they picture technology being integrated into the classroom. They picture technology as a robot entering their classroom and brainwashing their students as they stare lifelessly into a screen. In reality, technology is a tool just like a book, chalkboard, or dry-erase markers are also tools. The title of this article really stood out to me as a bold statement. Eventually, I believe Snehansu will be proven correct.

Click here to view the article.

WebQuest Progress

I am in the process of completing my WebQuest. I have not had issues with the website itself. However, my computer has a virus and it keeps preventing me from being online for long periods of time. I am also very pressed for time right now because I am getting married in 3 days! I am still powering through my assignments and my goal is to complete my WebQuest by Thursday. In general, I really enjoy Zunal. I plan on upgrading to the membership as soon as I get a teaching job. My students can greatly benefit from this.

Copyright Law

What's the purpose of copyright law?
To protect original work by an original author or creator.
What can be copyrighted?
Anything that can be seen or heard. Books, plays, dance, music, movies, and pictures
How long can something be copyrighted for nowadays?
A lifetime + 70 years, or a company copyright lasts 100 years.
How long could you copyright something for a long time ago?
 14 years
What's the public domain?
When something is no longer under copyright, it is in the public domain for anyone to use.
What is fair use?
There are limitations on copyright that fall under fair use.
What reasons can you borrow something that's been copyrighted?
We can borrow small pieces of a copyrighted work to teach, for reporting, parody, and critical commentary.
What's the guidelines of fair use?
The nature of the work, the amount you borrow, and the original work's value cannot change.

Digital Natives

Digital immigrants and digital natives are found at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Digital Natives wrinkle their eyebrows when someone asks for a handwritten copy of an essay. Digital immigrants have a panic attack when someone requests an email to be forwarded to another recipient. I consider myself to be a digital native. I do not know all of the amazing things that computers can offer, but I am fluent in most computer programs. However, my grandmother is a perfect example of a digital native. She sits down at a computer, clicks "yes" to any window that happens to open up, and any task that she needs to complete takes a minimum of one hour. For me, I grow frustrated with her inability to learn this "easy" idea of technology. This article reminded me that she did not grow up with this technology and that it is important to be patient. My future students will have grown up around technology as well. They will be digital natives. However, I am bound to run into many coworkers who are digital immigrants. They will not be familiar (or willing to work) with technology. As the digital native, I need to be patient with the people who have not been as fortunate to grow up alongside technological developments.

Webquest Topic

WebQuest Information:

Grade Level: 3rd grade

Subject Area: Social Studies, Technology

Topic: European Settlers and Native Americans

Standards:
Content Standard 3.3 Students draw from historical and community resources to organize the sequence of local historical events and describe how each period of settlement left its mark on the land.

      1.Research the explorers who visited here, the newcomers who settled here, and the

people who continue to come to the region, including their cultural and religious

traditions and contributions. 

 

Technology Standard 3 Research and Information Fluency:

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate,

and use information.

        b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize,

            and ethically use information from a variety of

            sources and media

        c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital

            tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

Final Product Goal: Create an online diary written from the perspective of the European Settlers or the Native Americans. Include factual references from at least two different sources. Present an entry from your diary at the end of the unit to the class.