"History Box" Multimedia Lesson Plan

Screen shot of my multimedia lesson plan.

The Multimedia Lesson Plan assignment was an interesting task. It was interested to create a lesson through a web page. As an upcoming educator in the Social Studies field, I decided to do a "History Box". The "History Box" contains information and images regarding a topic in the Social Studies Field. It was entertaining trying to find ways to teach this through technology.

The NETS*S standard state that educators should support and promote creativity. This project allows students to explore their creativity side. From the International Society for Technology in Education, they state "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" as their first net. Students would be able to explore their creativity on the internet. They would research and explore for images and visuals of their topic. Since this project involves participation in a group, it also allows a group conversation engagement on the internet.

In order to make the lesson a little more difficult for students, I would probably require a formal essay regarding their essay. It would be 1-2 pages long. However, I designed the "History Box" lesson suitable for middle school students. It may be difficult for students around this age group to write a research paper.

One of the main revisions that I did to my lesson plan to accommodate students with disabilities is by editing my videos. I edited the videos so that there would be subtitles. Along with that, I wrote information mentioned in the video into greater detail on the webpage. I was able to get the idea from my older sister, who is deaf and mute. She learns through the subtitles and visual aid.

My favorite part of the assignment was coming up with the lesson plan. I wanted to create the webpage as if I had my students visiting the site for updates. With that said, one of the issues that I had with the assignment was that I started a slow pace. I was not sure how to begin. It was difficult task to start with but towards the end, it became one of my favorite assignments this semester.

Resources:

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx

Example of the cover page of the "History Box"

Learning about Digital Safety

Screenshot of our Wix Presentation.

The group project for Digital Safety was an useful and learning experience. As a group, we learned about Copyright Issues. In the beginning, I thought that the topic would be dry and common sense. However, upon research, my group discovered that there are huge issues regarding copyright issues. Many of these issues links to our responsibilities as a student and future educator.

The most important information through this research experience is Fair Use. I only came into an understanding of this term through this project. I did not realize that there was some exception regarding the educational process (Cathy Newsome). Professor Cyrus also pointed during the class that teachers are limited in the presentation of films in their class.

The 5 groups with their different topics benefited my education progress because it helped me understand the various aspects of technology involving my future career. Each group provided different ways for their audience to understand the issue. Groups would use different types of multimedia and technology tools, such as, videos and online presentation websites.

Example of the use of a video in a presentation / website.

Not only did the group provide general information about their topic (sexual harassment, cyber bullying, pharming and digital safety), they gave the class tips on how to handle these issues. For example, the Cyber Bullying group provided advice on the event that a student is experience cyber bullying.

I believe that the groups use their technological tools well in this project. There is nothing that I would add or change in this requirement. It enabled us to explore the tools available on the internet. At the same time, it helped us understand the different issues that affects us as teachers and future educators. This is a great project for those who are college level.

When I become a teacher, I would give this assignment for students to understand the issues regarding digital safety. I would create a presentation through Prezi, Wix, or Power Point about the different issues. Beforehand, I will require students to answer questionnaires that will help me know on the status of their knowledge in this issue. This is important especially with issues like cyber bullying and sexual harassment that is performed through technology. It will help me realize on what issues is the most important to address. Lastly, I will use videos that emphasize these issue.

The only issue that I had with this presentation is the requirement for Wiggio. We were not able to use this tool as we had hoped. It was confusing and a hassle. It would have been easier to meet on Skype. On Skype, members would be able to leave offline messages. At the same time, we are able to have group conversation. There is also the option of voice and webcam conversations.

If I was required to change something in this group project, I would remove the requirement of a Wiggio sign up. It would have also been interesting to see groups create their own videos. For example, the group would film a video as if they were teaching in the class. Another change in this project could be the requirement of the students to use different technological tool. It would be interesting and fun to see different styles of presentations.






Information

U.s copyright office. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Newson, C. (1997). Fair use and copyright . Retrieved from http://home.earthlink.net/~cnew/research.htm

Fun tools for teachers & students!

Introduction Video to the post!

Tool #1: Google Apps
Google Apps come with several features that can become useful for teachers and students. Users will be able to explore through their famous search engine. The way to successfully explore the capability of this tool is to create an account. Once you do so, you will have access to their email service that includes a calendar and documents app. You will also be able to use your account for Youtube and Blogspot.

Rating: 5 ★★★★★

Tool #2: Moodle
Moodle is an excellent tool in the education environment. Teachers are able to post assignments and links on their homepage. Students would be able to view information and files regarding their class. One of the favorite features about Moodle is the Assignment feature. Students will be able to keep track of their assignments.

Moodle is very user friendly. It does not require a fast bandwidth.

Rating: 5 ★★★★★


Tool #3: Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is an internet web browser. It provides numerous features. It is a faster and safer alternative than its competitor. One of the best features of Firefox is their applications and add on. Users will be able to change the design of their web browser. Along with that, Firefox offers upgrades and updates regarding security issues. A notable feature that Firefox offers is its ability to save tabs if the program accidentally closes. However, in some occasions, the reason for the crash is a Firefox issue.

Rating: 4 ★★★★

Tool #4: Wix

Wix is a free website that allows users to create a flash website. However, Wix does offer packages for premium users. Wix is user friendly. All you have to know is how to drag and drop. The tools are easy to learn and understand. There are numerous templates that are available for users to use for their website.

Criticism: With this tool, there can only be one user to edit and access the page. Secondly, you would need a good computer with a fast internet connection. The website can lag if the internet connection does not match its demand.

Rating: 4 ★★★★

Tool #5: Prezi

Prezi is a website that allows users to create online presentation. It is a fun, creative, and free alternative to the Microsoft Power Point. There are various tools and designs available upon creating a slide show. Prezi offers the features of members to access and edit the presentation at the same time.

Criticism: Unless you have a super fast internet connection, along with a good computer, Prezi would lag upon editing. It is not as user friendly as Wix. The member would have to explore and play around with the tools in order to utilize it.

Rating: 3 ★★★

Tool #6: Live Binder

Live Binder plays the role of a virtual binder. Users will be able to create a binder containing their subject area. It is a great tool for teachers and students. It is easy to learn. It has a simple layout that would require less bandwidth internet connection.


Rating: 5 ★★★★★


Tool #7: Vimeo
Vimeo is an alternative to Youtube. It is a free membership, however there is a limit of uploads per week. It is user friendly. Video upload time is fast and smooth. Vimeo also offers privacy control on who can watch your video. This is a good tool for educators. Educators will be able to create videos for their students. At the same time, students can make videos for projects.

Cricism: Quality of video is not as great as Youtube

Rating: 4 ★★★★



Tool #8: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Windows Live Movie Maker is different from Windows Movie Maker. This program offers more features than its competitor. I prefer this program because it offers a better time line set up. This program is user friendly. It is drag and drop. You can add transitions, music, captions like a professional video editor. It is a great tool for students and teachers who are interested in making videos. It is also a great way to move away from power points.

Rating: 5 ★★★★★



Screen shots are taken by Cheysser Rodriguez. I was able to take screen shot through their perspective websites. I created and edited the video.

Credit: Walking Dead introduction music in the background of the video

Online Educational Game Reflection

Free Rice is an online education game that allows the player to test their knowledge in different fields. As I strive to become a teacher, I will be able to use this game as a tool for my content - Social Studies. One of the subjects featured on Free Rice is Geography. Flags of the world, Identify Countries on the map, and World Capital are the games that are available for students learning about Geography (www.freerice.com).

In my progress in becoming a Social Studies teacher, I will be able to use the game as a way to learn and memorize the different countries and their locations. The game offers different levels of difficulty that will allow continual progress of learning. As a student, this game would be of a great assistance in the class available in the University of Guam - Regional Geography. I will be able to share the same techniques in understanding and memorization with my future students.

The difficult issue regarding the Online Educational Game assignment was creating a rubric for the game. My group wanted to make sure to create a rubric that would allow a consistent grading for the various aspects of the game.

If I were to use this assignment as a future requirement in my teaching career, I would include other requirements into the project. Based on the National Educational Technology Standards, I will require the students to find a game that is appropriate for their grade level. I want the project to be a learning experience. I will provide examples and other sources that they can depend on.