Jing Video!

Flarg! I have been meaning to post about this, but it has been such a busy summer, time has gotten away from me!  As you know, we have already talked about Jing for capturing images but you can also use it to capture video too. In fact, the instructor for this course has been a big help by creating screencasts of things we might need help on.  I made a screencast to share with you, but have been having some difficultly making things work. I create the video just fine, save ok, and when I go to play it, it says it is saved in a format not recognized by my computer. By now I have made several videos and the problems I have been having with them have just been getting put on the back burner!  I just tried again and am having no luck. When I click help, it says I need flash, but then says that Chrome already has flash installed... So, I'm stuck. And sad I am having trouble showing you my screencasts! I know I was able to do this just fine a couple of summers ago!!  Just so you don't miss out, I was talking about a website called Kuler. My husband showed me this website and it is really great for looking at color schemes for your home or office. What I like it for is that there is a little tab under the main color scheme being shown at the top that looks like a bunch of lines-click it and it will tell you more about the colors being shown. I use it to teach about different color harmonies and where they are located on the color wheel. It is also fun to click through the gallery, as there are thousands of color schemes!  Maybe you'll be inspired to take on a painting job this summer!

I wanted to have something up about the screencasts. Check back in a few days to see if I got it working!!

I think I got it! It's not great.. but here is my screencast!




Here are some essential questions and answers for Jing.
1) How do you determine and control the recording area of your screen capture?
-You simply click on the cross hair arm, and drag the lines around the area you wish to capture. If you want to do a screencast, fill the whole screen with your cross hairs.
2) What are the options for saving a screen capture?
-I'm not completely certain about this one. I know mine were saving as a shockwave file, which Chrome was having problems opening. I tried to look for other options, but could find none.
3) Where is the screencapture on your computer and how to you retrieve it?
-Mine were saved in the documents. I had to take special measures to open mine and simply copied and pasted the address as a link. This worked much better for me two summers ago, and I'm not sure what is different!
4) How do you push it to the internet and share with others?
-I copied and pasted the link into this blog! If there is a web address, you can send it that way.
5) What type of file is a Jing screencast?
-Shockwave
6) The Jing "sun" has three prongs what does each one do?
-One is your capture button, the middle is your history and third is help and other options.

NETS T standards associated with this assignment are:
3) Model digital age work and learning
5) Engage in professional growth and leadership

Jing video is a good way to "demonstrate technological fluency"  and the "transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations." It is also good for creative applications of information sharing. Jing video is good for incorporating tutorials for different learning types. Since you can incorporate both moving images and sound, you can reach both visual and aural learners. I can't tell you how valuable Jing video has been for me in this class! Try it today!

I took the millennial quiz again and I scored a 94 %, which is one percent higher than I made before! This quiz is funny, because I know exactly what is keeping me from getting a 100 percent. I rate high because I only have a cell phone, among other things, but I know the reason I scored higher this time is because I answered that I did not watch television programming. I watch television, but do not often watch regular programming. We watch films on demand or stream Netflix. I do not score a 100 percent because I when I get into work I take a look at the local newspaper. Millennials get their news from the Internet, and I usually do too, but lately I have been sneaking a peek at actual newspapers. As I have stated before in this blog, I do not have a history with being up on the technology. It wasn't until I started teaching at a laptop school in 2004 that I became an information junkie. My dad even got an iPhone AND an iPad before me!! But, I think my being readily adaptable to new things and new technologies makes me a better teacher, or at least a better prepared one! I have really enjoyed this course and it has really pushed me to the boundaries of my comfort zone and gotten me to try new things. I have high hopes that I will continue to use some of the technologies learned about over this course in both my everyday life as well as to enhance my teaching.

Excel and statistics

Another head scratcher!  I have mentioned my misgivings with excel before and this is no different!
But, as usual, through some stroke of luck or perseverance, I make it through! Excel just does not compute with my brain, and to be completely honest, I'm not sure what I did here, but I can follow directions, so I accomplished the task.Initially I had difficulty with the add on. I had trouble making certain what I was doing was correct, I must have sorted things a million times, and I had trouble with excel uploading to Google docs! But, it all got figured out!  I can see why tabulating data and studying statistics is valuable, and hopefully once I feel more comfortable with it, I will use it more in the future, but I'm just not that tech savvy! I know people who get all excited about statistics, and I'm just not one of them. But, I do love a good info-graphic!

First, we had to go to NCES, the National Center for Education Statistics, and look at state comparisons for 4th grade reading in 2011. We then uploaded some information into a spreadsheet and computed the descriptive statistics. Then, we sorted the scores. I sorted mine from highest to lowest. I was not looking at West Virginia, but my home state of Louisiana. Ouch!  Louisiana was third to lowest in reading scores in 2011!

That is disheartening.

Learning applications like this one are valuable in that students and teachers can use it to supply valuable data, crunch numbers and study statistics. It is helpful with plotting graphs in math. It can visually show data to more visual learners (like me). It is important for teachers and students alike to be comfortable with this kind of application because it is very much used in the real world everyday. (and good to push chickens like me out of their comfort zone!)

NETS T standards associated with this are:
3) Model digital-age work and learning
5) Engage in professional growth and leadership

Skill and fluency are referenced-as well as transfer of current knowledge to new situations-and this exhibits those skills. It also shows how to collect, analyze and relay information as well as make use of emerging digital tools.

Google sites

Oh my gosh I just made a website! As usual, I had difficulty getting started and was getting frustrated! But, as usual, I persevered! Of course, I feel very important and official now after having my own website, but to be honest, I think I was reluctant to do this assignment because it was not going to turn out the way I wanted and I think with some more time and trial and error I could make a much better website. You can make one too! The one I have now seems very bare bones, but I am getting the hang of it. My husband and I are taking a trip to Europe this fall and I am contemplating doing the travel journal website or a blog. Thoughts?

To make my website, I tried several templates-which was one of the things I struggled with. I wasn't sure how to change images and headings. So I went with a blank template-which was so stark and bare! I added some text and was desperate to dress things up a bit. I even looked at my classmate's work to see if I could devise what kind of templates they used. I saw some really great blogs and websites! I am a follow an example learner, so after looking at some other sites, I began to relax and see what kind of potential I could have if I kept trying. Fortunately, I found another template to make my pretty cherry tree branch (I'm a sucker for Asian motifs) and went from there. Even my font was pleasing! So, with a little patience and trial and error, you can make functional and aesthetically pleasing website too!

A friend of mine just posted on Facebook today about how Google and all of its applications never ceases to amaze her. I have to agree. I was not very computer savvy until I started teaching at a laptop-model school-and even with taking this course essentially twice I am still very hesitant with all things tech-y. But, with a little trial and error, patience and perseverance, great things can happen. Practical, everyday things that happen in the digital world are at your fingertips with Google. I cannot sing their praises enough. I am a convert and an acolyte. It has been discussed over the course of this blog the many ways students can use Google applications. Using Google sites is no different for both teachers and students. Want a centralized place for classes to meet? Make a website? Want to share information? Want to sell a product or yourself? Want to teach real-world applications in the classroom? I can for certain tell you that if a business does not have a website, I will probably not be a patron. I am that information-hungry and that snobby. What better way to get students used to and well-versed in information sharing, business models and web presence than having them make a website for themselves, a mock business, the class, something they are interested in-anything! Children can be afraid of new technology (and adults too!) Google takes a lot of the guesswork and stress from the intimidating world of the digital age.

NETS T standards associated with this are:
1) Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
2) Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments
3) Model digital-age work and learning
5) Engage in professional growth and leadership

All of these things are modeled by creating a Google site. Students can be creative by having control of their content and and how things are laid out and displayed. By making one develops digital-age learning experiences. And websites can be certainly be used in both a professional and personal environment.

Rubrics!

I can remember when I first started teaching, a faculty member mentioned a rubric and I was like, "a what?!" Now, I'm not sure how I even functioned without them! I am a firm believer in open communication with students and letting them know of expectations up front. A rubric, while also a great grading tool, is a good way to do that. By letting students see what is expected of them by my standards, they have a better idea of what the finished outcome should be. It is sort of like a "working backwards" way to attack a problem. Like I said, they are also a wonderful grading tool, and can save you a lot of heartache when upset parents come calling about their child's grades. It is sort of like a self-checker for teachers. When creating rubrics, one really has to think about what they want the students to be learning, how to display that and how to hold them accountable for it, and in turn, I hold myself accountable for getting them to that point. Rubrics bring everything out into the open, which leaves no gray area for teacher or student of what is expected.

Rubistar is a fantastic rubric generator. I've used rubric generators before, but none have been so easy to use and save and upload. Most of the time, I just use templates and fill in the blanks. I like the some of the pre-formatted rubrics here. Some I have seen have been too much or too little. I will be the first to admit, that my rubrics are something I need to work on to make stronger, and this is a great tool to do that.

I am having difficulty getting the spreadsheet to do what I want! It keeps saying the extension is wrong, when it is not. So, I have copied and pasted it below.

I have also shared it here. 

NETS T standards associated with this are:

2. Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments
3. Model digital age work and learning

Creating rubrics, especially using a tool like Rubistar helps teachers "promote student learning and creativity."  I also like the part about students setting their own goals and managing their own learning. By giving students rubrics ahead of time and even getting them to help create their own, the teacher is giving students control and ownership over their learning goals. Rubrics can also be adapted to diverse learning styles as well as be created for any type of assessment, assignment or project.

Teacher Name: Mrs. Hotard
Student Name:     ________________________________________
CATEGORY	4 Excellent	3 Acceptable	2 Adequate	1 Inadequate	Score
Design/Composition	Student applies design principles (such as unity, contrast, balance, movement, direction, emphasis, and center of interest) with great skill.	Student applies design principles (such as unity, contrast, balance, movement, direction, emphasis, and center of interest) with fair skill.	Student tries to apply design principles (such as unity, contrast, balance, movement, direction, emphasis, and center of interest) but the overall result is not pleasing.	The student does not appear to be able to apply most design principles to his/her own work.
Time/Effort	Class time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and design of the mask. It is clear the student worked at home as well as at school.	Class time was used wisely. Student could have put in more time and effort at home.	Class time was not always used wisely, but student did do some additional work at home.	Class time was not used wisely and the student put in no additional effort.
Planning and Explanation	Student can describe in detail at any point during the painting process how s/he envisions the final product and how they intend to reach their goal. Very focused and goal-oriented.	Student can somewhat describe how s/he envisions the final product and can describe some of the steps s/he will use to reach the goal. Focused with some planning.	Student can describe how s/he envisions the final product but finds it difficult to describe how s/he will reach that goal. Has set a goal, but let's things evolve in somewhat random manner.	Student has thought very little about the project. Is present but is not invested in the product.
Knowledge Gained - Technique	Student can accurately name 5 characteristics of the technique being studied and describe how these 5 characteristics are used in his/her own paintings.	Student can accurately name 4 characteristics of the technique being studied and describe how these 4 characteristics are used in his/her own paintings.	Student can accurately name 3 characteristics of the technique being studied and describe how 2-3 of these characteristics are used in his/her own paintings.	Student cannot accurately name 3 characteristics of the technique being studied OR cannot describe how characteristics relate to his/her own work.
Date Created: July 13, 2012

Self-grading forms

Wow. That took some doing! As I have stated before, I struggle with the concepts of spreadsheets and formulas, even though I do work with them from time to time. For some reason, my spatial reasoning just does not click with this format. However, I think I was successful at making a self graded form.
Here is a link to the form.
Here is a link to my spreadsheet.
I found this video to be extremely helpful too!


Whew! Now, all that said and done, I think this is extremely helpful.  Google forms makes it easy, user friendly and all-accessible to create, share and take many different kinds of assessments. Would I use it in a regular classroom setting? I'm not sure. First of all, while I got the hang of the formulas after a while, it is something that I would have to practice often to keep in good form. I also worry about the accessibility of students to one another and the web.  The instructor in the video I watched had a good solution to make students open the assessment in a new window to discourage the chat option in email. This is a good idea, but you still run the risk of web searching. But, I guess with online courses, that is the risk you take. (In my opinion, online tests are much more difficult than face to face ones-even with an open book!) I am interested in using this tool as perhaps a daily or weekly checkup or quiz. Something casual to remind students to stay on top of work and what they need to work on. I would also be in favor of students creating their own assessment and either swapping grading or self-grading. This is a good way to learn more about the program, how formulas work, how to formulate better test questions, how to share and update documents, etc. There are a lot of good things going on here, they may just take a little while to figure out!

NETS T standards associated with this are:
2) Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
3) Model digital age work and learning
4) Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

In the paragraph above, I gave several reasons why using self-graded forms are a useful tool for both instructors and students. Instructors have a fast and easy way to assess students from home, paper free. Students learn about creating assessments, taking assessments, implementing formulas, mathematics, document sharing, self-assessment and have a fast and easy way to take quizzes at home in their own time.

Google forms

Google forms is a great way to share and get information in a fast, user friendly, easy and fun way. We Google forms in my roller derby league and I have used them before in my online course as a sort of diagnostic test for online learning preparedness. Since I haven't made a survey in a little while, doing one I could use for my class was helpful and it showed me some new applications for some of the question types. Most of the time, I only used multiple choice and short answer, but I really like the grid option.  And, while it took me a minute to figure it out, I definitely liked the grid type the best and will be incorporating it from now on!
In the case I was a teacher who needed to get the form to parents, I could email the link to them individually. Its nice for me now, because it is nicely linked to in my Black Board orientation for my students to complete there. One could also share through Google + as well.
You can view the survey as a spreadsheet (dislike) or a list (like) and you can view results as a summary which includes handy graphs and such. I really enjoyed the summary view and I was unaware that this was even an option. Clearly, I need to play around with more options and applications for Google forms!

I did encounter some difficulty with this, but it was minor. The only thing I think I did not do, was get emails. I'm sure how to do this, unless it was to make it one of the questions? I saw where I could email the recipients, nothing happened. As far as data being validated... I looked up what validation means and couldn't find a clear definition, so truthfully, I have no idea. One side of me says yes, as it is data collected first hand, but another part of me says no, because it seems that I would have to do something "computer-related" to make validate it. I'm sorry I can't give a better response!

NETS T standards associated with this are:
2) Design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments.
3) Model digital-age work and learning
4) Engage in professional growth and leadership

I really think people benefit from self-assessment and Google forms is a good, fast and easy way to do this. You can self-assess courses, student-work, businesses, and even things like bout performance in my roller derby league. You can also use it to make tests, although I need to do more research on how that works out.  I did see some things on the Internet about how to use Google forms as a form of testing.

Here is a link to my survey. Here is a link to my results in spreadsheet form.
Here is my survey!