ETC_FinalProject

Here is my final project.  I chose to create a persuasive message communicating the need and importance of  using web 2.0 in the classroom.

You can also link to the video on Viddler here http://www.viddler.com/explore/stephania/videos/10/

PE5_GroupTable

So I got my first student signed up to the site:

He left a comment on the discussion board and that was fun to see.  At first I was providing the students with the class name and thought that they could just search the class and join.  It actually doesn't work that way.  They must join GroupTable and then I have to go in on my end and add them by their email addresses.  This can be time consuming if I had to add every student in all my classes (170 total).  But, it is a great way to get them on board and we can interact in a virtual class environment and it gets them using the program so that they can navigate it on their own when they start their own groups.

I also went ahead and posted the rubric for the group to get a feel of the document sharing.

I'd like to see if I can get to organize a chat with everyone, but that remains to be seen.  I have to get more students on here first.  This may take longer than I thought.

PE4_GroupTable

I wanted to get involved with using GroupTable because I felt that this would be an awesome tool to use for students to work in groups and have additional opportunities to meet with their groups virtually.  Then i also started thinking that I could also have my own class as a group.  I confirmed this when I read in the FAQs that there is no limit to how many members can be in your group.  So I added my Research class and 2 of the class periods as groups.  This way, the students can search for my class (I assigned my class a unique course prefix and code) and add that class to their profile and then in turn add their class period to their profile.  The students will also be required to create their own groups for their project so that they can meet together in their own area.  The main groups they must join for me are the class group for all students throughout the day, and the class period groups.

BP_7 Commercial

Here's my commercial for GroupTable:  you can also link to it here http://www.viddler.com/explore/stephania/videos/9/

BP4_GroupTable

GroupTable is a tool created to help groups manage their projects more efficiently.  What GroupTable does is provide a platform for groups to set up profiles on line and meet in real time as well as collaborate on assignments and have discussions.

This program is ideal for anyone who has a group project and does not have the ability to meet regularly to complete the work.  I signed up to poke around and see for myself how it works.

On the startup up page, you have the option to start with entering your classes.  You can put in your course name and number to add that class and help find others who are in the same class at your school.  While signing up you can put in what school you attend to make it so that you can find others in your school.  Full Sail was not included, but there were many other schools on the list.

After entering the class information, you can then move on to creating a group.  You put in your group name and you can go on to inviting members to join the group.  All members must be signed up to GroupTable though.

I went in and created a group just to see the feature in action and as you will see below, there are a few tabs specific to that group.  You can add an event or task to remind group members of tasks that need to be completed. YOu can enable chat and have a real time chat while all members are logged on (just like WIMBA).  You can also use the discussion tab to post questions for any group member or all group members to discuss throughout the day without necessarily having to be online together.

GroupTable is a tool created to help groups manage their projects more efficiently.  What GroupTable does is provide a platform for groups to set up profiles on line and meet in real time as well as collaborate on assignments and have discussions.  

This program is ideal for anyone who has a group project and does not have the ability to meet regularly to complete the work.  I signed up to poke around and see for myself how it works.  

On the startup up page, you have the option to start with entering your classes.  You can put in your course name and number to add that class and help find others who are in the same class at your school.  While signing up you can put in what school you attend to make it so that you can find others in your school.  Full Sail was not included, but there were many other schools on the list.  

After entering the class information, you can then move on to creating a group.  You put in your group name and you can go on to inviting members to join the group.  All members must be signed up to GroupTable though.

I went in and created a group just to see the feature in action and as you will see below, there are a few tabs specific to that group.  You can add an event or task to remind group members of tasks that need to be completed. YOu can enable chat and have a real time chat while all members are logged on (just like WIMBA).  You can also use the discussion tab to post questions for any group member or all group members to discuss throughout the day without necessarily having to be online together.  Lastly, the Binder feature allows you to upload and share documents between the group to collaborate on and edit.

This is definitely an awesome tool to use with an online class.  I started thinking that this can be used beyond a college class as well.  Having taught a Research class that was totally project based, a tool like this would have been ideal since it is not easy for middle school students to meet outside of class.  I think middle and high school students can get a great opportunity to learn how to collaborate online and complete group projects online, which will definitely be helpful for them to know in college.

PE3_iMovie

Finished the tutorial and here's my certificate:

I must say the best thing about this tutorial was learning how to use the advanced tool features.  Marking favorites, superimposing shots, the editing options provided me with so much more knowledge and expertise.  I took some video footage I had of a middle school winter concert that my cousin was in and decided to play with some themes and editing.  I imported it in from my video camera and here it is, click play to watch:

PE2_iMovie

Yay, I am learning some really neat stuff that I never knew!  I just realized that we get a certificate at the end of this tutorial as well, so that is exciting.  The greenscreen feature was really interesting to learn about.  I have used the background feature of photobooth which works in a similar way, but iMovie's green screen feature makes it more professional.

Here is a shot of me playing with the green screen effect:

PE1_iMovie

Wow over 2 hours of tutorials for iMovie.  I must admit, at first I felt like, do I really need to go through this?  I have familiarity with iMovie and I actually used iMovie in the Research classes I used to teach in Florida.  I taught my students a basic use of iMovie and allowed them to freely explore to create content.  We used the Apple tutorials to learn how to do the cool stuff.  I've create some iMovie content, but only to use as an example to show my students and it was a brief clip using still photos.  When I saw the tutorial table of contents I thought that there may be quite a few things to learn here.  Not too excited about the length of the tutorial but, I'm ready for anything.

Bp6_Comment on Sher's Blog

Follow this link to view my comment on Sheri's post about seating charts in the classroom.

BP5_Comments on Melissa's blog

Follow this link to view my comment on Melissa's blog about the Web 2.0 tool "Tag Galaxy".

BP2_Twiducate

I chose to use Twiducate, which is for one, FREE and it provides a social networking site to use in the classroom.  What could be more amusing to give students a twitter like platform to engage them with class stuff?  I'm all about getting students more interested and engaged in the classroom and I thought that this tool is awesome in providing a familiar platform for students to use appropriately.  I teach middle school and one thing I've learned is that middle schoolers are easily bored and they are easily amused.  Bringing something like Twiducate to the classroom would peak their interest simply because it mocks twitter.  Also, having to use the tool appropriately forces them to learn Netiquette and hopefully teaches them how to be more conscious of their actions online in other venues.

When you first enter the site, there is a brief description and a video explaining the tool and how to use it.  It's simplicity is that just like Twitter and yet it is still comprehensive enough to help you determine if it is a tool you can use in your classroom:

Signing up is easy and it doesn't ask for too personal of information.  Mainly only the information needed to identify the page as yours and details that you wouldn't mind your students knowing:

You then are given the opportunity to use an avatar they have already preloaded or uploading your own personal picture (I chose to use an avatar, the kids know what I look like and I thought it would be fun):

You then create  your class or classes.  The only downfall it seems is that you have to input each student of that class yourself.  I think it would've been better if the students have the link to your site and can sign up themselves.  It's not so bad now as I have only 48 students, but when I had 170+ students I don't think this would've happened:

After creating your class you can now add your thoughts.  Just like Twitter, you post your thoughts or however you choose to use the tool.  I was thinking of using it as an extended discussion where I post a question on the day's lecture and allow the students to answer for example.

You can also post important links to share with the class:

As well as important dates:

And lastly, you have a platform to mingle with the Twiducate community and post questions or start discussions:

BP3_iGoogleScreenShots

BP1_Welcome to my blog post

Well hello!  Starting school, again, has definitely been a journey for me and a long time coming.  I've started and stopped about 4 master's degrees now and so being almost to the halfway mark of the EMDT program is in itself a milestone for me!

I'm Stephania, a 31 year old mother of 2, an educator in public school, a wife, a daughter, and friend and confidant to some very special people who I can call the same.  In a nutshell, I do A LOT!  But, I have a strong family support system that helps me get through.  I love to read and write (I actually have another blog that I keep as well) and I love music. Being back in school has thrown another element into my busy life, but as a personal goal, I need to finish my Master's degree!  Finding this EMDT program with Full Sail University came at the right time as I am a huge supporter of technology in the classroom and so this degree is right in line with supporting my career goals!  I'm looking forward to the end of the program, but also looking forward to the things I will learn that I can use with my students.