Thing #9 - Public Photo Sharing

Below is a link to all the photos taken during the Math/Science activity.  Included is the editing I did before posting.

https://picasaweb.google.com/momofjanda/Math?authkey=Gv1sRgCJGNk_LQn-TmCg

Thing #9 - Dital Images

Picasa
Below is a picture I took of students measuring weight during a Math/Science activity.

http://picasa.google.com

I uploaded it to Picasa and used the editing tools there to enhance the picture.  I wanted to target the students at this table, but there was a lot of clutter behind them.  I cropped out the background students and added some text to explain what they were doing.  After adding the text, I changed the color of the text to blue and italicized it.  I also used the auto color feature to allow Picasa to give it the right amount of light/darkness contrast.
I will use the edited picture below, as well as many more I will be editing, in my class newsletter.

Thing #8 - Creative Commons

Thing #8 - Copyright

  I created my quiz in Survey Monkey.  Following is a copy of the quiz I gave along with the answers and staff responses.  23 of my peers took the quiz, and as you can see, the majority had a good handle on the copyright laws, with the exception of only a few questions.  However, although the majority had a good handle, there were still quite a few people that struggled with various questions.  A lot of people were emailing me for the correct answers after they took the test as they felt they really didn't understand the copyright laws and wanted to make sure they were abiding by them.  After I closed the test, I emailed them all the correct answers.

                   

                   

             1.  Is it a copyright infringement to make a local copy of another person's image file so you can include it on your own web page?  
   

2.      Is it a copyright infringement to link to an image on another person's web site?   No 

Providing a link to copyrighted materials is not the same as copying the work itself.

                

3.     If you do not profit from a copyright infringement, can you be sued for damages?  Yes

Copyright infringement can occur whether or not the user profits from the copying.

4.      Copyright ownership analysis starts with this principle: The ______________ is the owner.   Author 

The creator of the work is the copyright holder until or unless he or she waives or transfers that right to someone else.

5.      Which of the following is NOT a copyright infringement?  A teacher making a photocopy of a single cartoon as part of a student worksheet which is then copied 25 times and distributed to a class 

This use falls under the Fair Use Doctrine.

6.      You have written a story to read aloud to your class. At what point is it covered by copyright law?   When you write the story down on paper. 

By writing the story down on paper, you have captured your original creative expression in a fixed medium, and thus established a copyright on the work.

7.     Ms. Smith's students are big fans of the Star Trek television series. In order to excite them about a writing exercise, she encourages them to write stories based on Star Trek characters. Which of the following rights of the creators of Star Trek are violated by the writing of these stories?   The right to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work. 

Creation of derivative works, such as stories based on characters in books or movies, is a violation of copyright law.

8.      Mr. Jones has a computer program at home that he thinks the students in his class will benefit from. He brings in the program and installs it on all three computers in his classroom. Because the program is for use by students and has met the spontaneity test, he concludes that this is legal under the Fair Use doctrine. Is it?  No 

The Fair Use doctrine does not apply to computer software.

9.      Which of the following works is in the public domain?  U.S. Senate proceedings from 1998 

Government documents are not protected by copyright

10.  Central to the concept of copyright is the idea that you own and have control over anything that you create.  True 

Any original, creative expression that you create (and fix into a permanent medium) is covered by copyright, giving you control over your work.

Things #1-7/Capstone Reflection

A)
  The technology applications explored so far have been beneficial for both myself and my students.  The more hands on, and the more variety that can be offered students, the better they are apt to learn.  I don't believe technology in itself, it s the only answer, rather a piece of the puzzle that will give all students the opportunity to learn in a different way.  I have incorporated technology in my Daily Choice during math.  Students have a variety of activities they choose from that to reinforce a particular skill.  I am fortunate enough to have 3 computers in my room that students can get on during one of their choices and explore the skill in a different way.
  As for myself, I have already learned so many new ways to enhance my teaching.  Blogs will allow student feedback in a constructive, positive way.  Skype and other social networks will allow students to communicate with authors, museums, other students, etc.  The value of the many, many websites with lesson plans will be a great resource.  I love Thinkfinity and how there are so many lessons that not only give me great teaching ideas, but most of them incorporate technology with the lessons.

B)
  Even though we are only 1/3 of the way through this class, my mind is blown away by the vast amount of information and resources available to educators today.  The teaching and learning strategies based on Marzano, all can be addressed by the technology applications we have been learning about.  A main point of Marzano is that students need to be challenged in a variety of ways and have time to explore and take ownership of their learning.  In the "Identifying Similarities and Differences" category, Marzano recommends for classroom practice:

• give students a model for the process
• use familiar content to teach students the steps
• give students graphic organizers
• guide students as needed

  Some of the types of technology integrations suggested are:  Power Point, Venn diagrams, Kidspiration, smartboard, excel, as well as many others.   The list could go on and on for each subject in our classrooms, including homework.  Instead of the traditional paper and pencil activities, students need to be challenged to use technological resources that are available to help them learn in a variety of ways.


C)
   The "Thing" I am choosing to do for a lesson with my class is Buzzword.                 
Third grade students, according to GLCE    3 – H3.0.10 ,   are required to create a time line to sequence early Michigan history through statehood. After studying Michigan during the time of the Voyageurs, students will collaboratively, in groups of 4, use Buzzword Presentations to create a time line of Michigan from beginning to the time of the Voyageurs. They will continue to use this tool to add to the time line through Michigan's statehood.  By using Buzzword, students will be adding to, taking away, and enhancing the time line as a group in a Power Point.
      

Thing #7 - Website

Web Presence

I chose to create a web site for my third grade class.

http://thirdgradehappenings.weebly.com/

I team with another teacher and thought this would be a great tool for many reasons.

• Parents will be able to have easy access to what is happening in the class. 
• Students and parents will be able to download assignments or check on projects for due dates or "how to's." 
• I take lots of pictures throughout the year but never have enough room on my newsletter to display them. The web site will be a great place for this. 
• Calendar of events will be easily accessible for parents and colleagues. 

Years ago I did not think having a classroom web site was worth the trouble because most of our parents did not have internet.  Today, every one of  my students and families have access, so this will be a great parent/teacher/student communication too.

Thing #6 - Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying and I-Safe

  Two activities I will use to help parents and students understand the safety and responsibility of internet use are the following:

Core Rules of Netiquette:

  A parent/student night at our school where both are exposed to various videos and information about proper netiquette.  Below are a few resources available.

http://www.networketiquette.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dRoclqDJh0

http://www.education.com/reference/article/netiquette-rules-behavior-internet/


 Cyber Bullying:

  Another activity would be to present either in a parent/student night, or to the class, information on Cyber Bullying. 

http://www.digizen.org/cyberbullying/fullFilm.aspx

   Digizen has informative, believable, and credible videos and resources that would be valuable tools for informing parents and students about Cyber Bullying.