Final Assessment

i completed:
1) the final assessment
2) the course feedback survey
3) the Route Y course evaluation
and my grades seem to be in order on blackboard.

thanks for a great class, andrea! :)

Google Earth Tour

http://sites.google.com/site/watercycletour/water-cycle-with-google-earth

TPACK report

Lesson Plans

Language Arts Lesson:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhst8r79_19f6bbc7hk

Science Lesson:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhst8r79_18hgvk82fb

Math Lesson:
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dhst8r79_17c5pcpjhd

Internet Safety Reflection

1) For my article of choice, I selected a media topic. It was a 1995 New Era article called "Leave it Alone" by H. Burke Peterson. I remember reading this article when it was first published, and I loved that it is just as applicable today, if not more so. Basically, we were counseled to strive to be close to the Spirit and to use our best judgment when selecting media, regardless of any given rating. Our moral standards should not depend on the 'media authorities' opinions.

2) I viewed several websites that included videos, games, songs, and visuals; my main focus was to learn how to teach children to be safe an aware while on the internet. Children are becoming computer/internet savvy at much earlier ages today than they did in the past, yet they are just as susceptible to the dangers that come with internet use...if not more so because of the younger age. I loved the BYU animation departments cartoon about "Faux Paw"...I thought it was a very clever way to send the message about being private on the internet, especially for younger children. I also watched "Katie's Story," but for younger kids, I think it is more appropriate to share something like "Faux Paw" to send the message rather than using real-life examples about abductions and what not. For older grades, the real-life examples would definitely be a more meaningful approach. I especially agreed with this after watching the "Growing up Online" video...which was kind of unsettling (mainly because I know how true it is)

3) My most important 'take aways' from the readings and videos would be that, as adults, we need to be aware of the potential dangers of media and be sensitive to it; ignoring issues or becoming desensitized to inappropriate material in movies, television, music, and books, as well as on the internet, will not only cause damage ourselves, but our lack of example will translate to youth. Also, setting high standards and keeping to them will help us to more naturally set expectations for children and better prepare us to explicitly teach about media dangers, awareness and safety.

4) I shared my thoughts with a friend of mine, and she pretty much agreed with what I was saying. In fact, we went over some of the general authority articles and had a good, deep discussion about it. She shared with me some experiences she had faced in the past concerning a friend who had neglected guarding against inappropriate media, and the impact that it had on him. One thing I told her that she was not yet prepared for was how teach media and internet safety to her kids. She loved the "Faux Paw" cartoon as much as I did and planned to use it with her own children.

Classroom Technology Inventory

When I was first placed in my classroom, I noticed that there wasn't very much to be seen as far as technological resources; no smart board, no computers...not even for the teacher (she has to bring her own to do things like take roll and place class book orders). They do, though, have a TV with built-in DVD player, a CD player, and a portable microphone that the teacher uses to be more easily heard. It was news to me that the school even had a computer lab! During the week or so that I've been working with this class, they have gone to the library twice, to PE twice, and to art once...apparently the time during the year that has been allotted for art is also shared by the computer lab, so the children aren't getting as much experience with technology as they otherwise could. However, they are still very young (1st graders), and I think the older grades get to work more time into their schedules to work in the computer labs and complete assignments there.

I did complete the midcourse evaluation and informed consent surveys. =)

Science Challenge 2!! just in case...

here's the link:

http://voicethread.com/share/701077/