Summary of Learning

I learned so much about how to use technology in the classroom through this course! Here's a look into what I learned this semester.

PlN

What are PLNs?

• Professional Learning Networks
• A way for educators to share resources, successes, and tips with one another
• According to Silvia Tolisano, "Sharing is part of the fabric of education" (Tolisano, 2014).

What I learned

• PLNs are a great way to share both your successes and failures with others, so that we as educators can see what has worked and what hasn't for others.
• There are many different ways to collaborate and share with other educators, including blogs and Twitter.
• They allow us to continuously grow and improve as teachers!

TPACK

What is TPACK?

• The combination of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge.
• Content knowledge is what is being taught in the classroom.
• Pedagogical knowledge is how that material is being taught.
• Technological knowledge is using technology as an aid to content and delivery.

WHat is TPACK?

• "Classroom lessons should seamlessly be adding technology to the classroom and what they have already been teaching" (TPACK, 2012).

What I Learned

• Technology can be used to enhance lessons, as it helps engage students and can provide visual aids.
• As teachers, it is important to understand the technological tools we plan to use in our classroom before actually using it.
• The combination of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge results in the most effective lessons!

Digital Citizenship

WHat is digital citizenship?

• Everything that we post online creates our "digital footprint" or "digital legacy."
• Digital citizenship is "norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use" (Ribble, 2016).
• Not every legacy left online is positive; cyber bullying is a major issue, with 43% of children reporting being bullied online (11 Facts About Cyber Bullying, 2016).

What I Learned

• It's important that we are always aware of what we post online, as that becomes our digital legacy for all to find.
• Educators can teach their students about digital citizenship and how to use technology safely and responsibly.

Copyright and Fair Use

What is Copyright and fair use?

• Whenever someone creates something new, such a book, art piece, or movie, their work is copyrighted.
• Copyright is owning the rights to a certain work.
• Items that are of the public domain do not have a copyright and "do not require a license or fee to use" (Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2016).

What is copyright and fair use?

• Items with creative common licenses allow the item to be shared, as long as credit is given to the creator (Creative Commons & Copyright Info, 2012).
• The creator may choose to include other restrictions, such as not allowing the item to be used for a commercial purpose.

What I learned

• When integrating different mediums, such as videos or diagrams, in my lessons, I will have to ensure that I follow all copyright laws.
• Creative common licenses are easy to spot (just look for the CC) and a great way to find resources for lessons.

What I learned

• Teaching students about copyright and copyright infringement is very important.
• As teachers, we can ask our students how they would feel if something they had worked hard to create was used without their permission.
• This will help students see the ethics behind following copyrights.

eBooks

What are ebooks?

• eBooks are online books.
• According to Jon Smith, iBooks Author can be used to help motivate students to write because there is a larger audience, more contribution, and a digital legacy (Smith).
• Many eBooks incorporate different technology tools, such as videos and music, which makes them highly interactive to students.

What I learned

• Both students and teachers can create eBooks.
• In accordance with TPACK, eBooks can be incorporated to aid and enhance lessons.
• Since I'll be teaching elementary school, my students could create vocabulary eBooks and add in pictures or videos to go along with them.

Blended Learning

What is Blended Learning?

• Blended learning is learning that occurs partially in a traditional classroom setting and partially online.
• This allows students to work at their own pace and to individualize learning (The Learning Accelerator, 2013).
• Online forums through blended learning give students the confidence to partipcate (Roscorla, 2012).

What I learned

• The online aspect of blended learning allows students to work at their own pace.
• However, the online aspect should also serve to promote the face-to-face instruction given by the teachers.
• I personally experienced the confidence to contribute to an online forum in this class through Yellowdig.

References

• 11 Facts About Cyber Bullying. 2016. https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying
• Creative Commons & Copyright Info. 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkbeycRa2A

References

• Electronic Frontier Foundation. 2016. https://www.teachingcopyright.org/handout/public-domain-faq
• The Learning Accelerator. 2013. https://vimeo.com/78871778
• Ribble, M. 2016. http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html

References

• Roscorla, T. 2012. http://www.centerdigitaled.com/classtech/When-Does-Blended-Learning-Work-Be...
• Smith, J. http://presentain.com/showcases/53e387968ee60a73b9003b7b

References

• Tolisano, S. 2014. http://langwitches.org/blog/2014/12/21/3-reasons-why-you-should-share-and-3...
• TPACK. 2012. https://insidetheclassroomoutsidethebox.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/technology...