OMG! Why didn't I have access to this amazing resource when I entered middle school?!?!?!?
My dearest apologies for expressing my excitement. This resources is simply amazing. Where do I begin? I mean I am really excited to share this resources with family and friends with students of all ages.
Basics:
Khan Academy is a free educational resource that provided opportunities for learning in many content areas from grade levels kindergarten to twelfth grade. Khan users have the opportunity to create an account directly through Khan or use other platforms such as Google, or Facebook to login and get started. Khan is very versatile, and has web versions of at least four major languages. However, it doesn't stop there, nope, although there are other versions of Khan, Khan also offers translations of their resources in over 30 languages. Khan keeps track of students progress and offers recommendations or "missions" for students to participate in. Khan believes in empowering students, allowing them to take charge of their learning and development.
Exploration:
Khan demonstrates the power of engagement at its best. With Khan parents and teachers have the opportunity to assist students with learning tasks. Parents and teachers are "coaches" on the site. With resources at their fingertips and helpful question answer sections, coaches are able to individualize, and capitalize on every single learning opportunity. Khan like most sites of similar fashion offer a dashboard feature where progress reports are generated. Features such as discussion boards, badges and projects are housed. While I was exploring I was able to look at tutorial's on how to count and add numbers. This feature was great! Sometimes, as adults we cant remember how or why, this feature allowed me to "refresh" my memory and explain to a student how to count or add. This tutorial also demonstrated counting and adding to students that may be stuck or need to take advantage of relearning. While exploring the dashboard I also came across a features that allowed coaches to evaluate lessons and curriculum development. This is paramount! As coaches prepare lessons they can log in and determine if the lesson will meet the need on one student or all students. If all students need coaching in a particular area, the teacher can continue with planning the lesson for the entire class. If the coach logs in and determines only 3 out of 7 students would benefit from the lesson the teacher can add the 3 students to a group and develop a many lesson for the 3. Take the remaining 7 students and develop a lesson for them. While exploring I noticed that Khan has built in motivational tools for students. Students, can gain point, badges etc. Khan even has avatars for students to customize, all based on a predetermined reward system. There are many features to keep students engaged. Khan builds character and self-esteem.
Terms and Conditions
Khan wants to protect each member of its site. The terms and conditions are very detailed in how they plan on protecting students and coaches. The site is specifically for educational development in specific content areas. The site is open to protecting the privacy of all its members. This non-profit agency is known world wide, however the account users is responsible for any ill willed actions. The terms and conditions appear to be similar to others I have seen on other sites for educational development. Each coach should read and understand the terms and conditions prior to signing up their student. The terms are lengthy but to the point and are delivered in a way that protects the most valuable asset, students. Khan partners with other sites such as YouTube to deliver video content. Those terms and conditions carry over as well.
Overall, I am excited to incorporate Khan Academy into my personal and professional life! Did I mention this is a great free resource!!!!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Edmodo
Edmodo- This week I've been assigned the tasks of experimenting with Edmodo. Here we go!
Demonstrate Curiosity
Emodo is a technology tool that facilitates educational developmental collaboration between teachers, students and parents. At first glance Edmodo is divided into four sections, each section is full of resources to maximize the experience of using Edmodo, those groups are Administrators, Teachers, Parents and Students groups. Edmodo prides it self on being soical, and connecting people around the world to effectively teach many content areas. Edmodo is safe and appears to be user friendly. Based out of California, this system keeps learners at the forefront of their business. Edmodo also prides it self on being mobile, this platform may be used on multiple devices. Instant access Edmodo and all of its great features create constant and instant communication between all four groups. This tool takes the guess work out of learning for teachers, parents and students. With one click each member of a particular group has access to what's going on in the classroom as a whole, whats going on with the student individually, and a calendaring system. Messaging features on Edmodo create a light, fun and social atmosphere. When used properly Emodo has the potential to bring teaching into the 21 century with ease. Edmodo appears to be a great tool for closing the generation gap between all three groups.
Evaluate Technology Affordances
One of the tag lines for this particular product is "teaching made social", this cool tag line says it all. Social media is taking over, social media is no longer considered the future, but now the present. The features assigned to Edmodo create opportunity for fluent communication between parents, teachers, admin and students. Edmodo is interactive, can be customized, and complementary to students and teachers. Edmodo offers link to resources from around the globe. For example a few of the teacher features are access to standards, automatic populated questions and answers that may be used for bell ringers, exit tickets etc., messaging and a calendaring system. Edmodo takes a lot of the guess work out of teaching. For a new teacher Edmodo will answer a lot of questions or may be used as a guide/ resources. For an experienced teacher Edmodo reevaluates teaching practices, list new resources and bridges the gap of technolgy use in the classroom.
Identifies Approaches or Strategies
A feature of Edmodo is it keeps real time track of students progress. The snapshot features allows teachers to see if their students are "getting it". This Edmodo feature describes to teachers in real time what area they should focus on, what students needs more attention in an area of learning, what works and what doesn't work. This tracking devise takes assessments and evaluations to the next level. With Edmodo teachers can strategically plan grouping students together in groups based on their strengths. With snapshot the actionable feedback allows teachers to personalize teaching moments for each student in the classroom. Again students, parents, and admin have access to the same information on some level.
Applies Theoretical Perspectives (Pedagogical Approaches)
Edmodo, is an active tool that encourages healthy effective communication. Edmodo may be used in multiple setting, classroom, home, and on the go. Teaching and or learning isnt limited to the classroom environment. Real world connections are being established. Teaching and/ or learning are more meaningful to all involved because students are able to relate to real world experiences that students value as important and memorable. Edmodo delivers intimidate feedback therefore challenging activities can be created when needed. Classrooms can be designed
Integrates Technology with Instruction
Edmodo can be used in many ways in the classroom. Edmodo may be used to guide and / or build lesson plans. Edmodo may be used to track students progress, standards, and communication to parents, students, and admin. Teachers can deliver the classroom to the home of the students as well using Edmodo. I personally would use the messaging and calandering feature to communicate with parents and students on assignments. I would use Edmodo standards as a guide to build classroom lesson plans. I would also use Edmodo to create individual action learning plans for students that are in need of individual attention. Edmodo can be used in all content areas.
Overall Edmodo is a platform that mirrors social media while allowing teachers to create, facilitate and communicate effectively to admin, parents and teachers. This technology tool when used effectively can maximize a teachers teaching capabilities.
Demonstrate Curiosity
Emodo is a technology tool that facilitates educational developmental collaboration between teachers, students and parents. At first glance Edmodo is divided into four sections, each section is full of resources to maximize the experience of using Edmodo, those groups are Administrators, Teachers, Parents and Students groups. Edmodo prides it self on being soical, and connecting people around the world to effectively teach many content areas. Edmodo is safe and appears to be user friendly. Based out of California, this system keeps learners at the forefront of their business. Edmodo also prides it self on being mobile, this platform may be used on multiple devices. Instant access Edmodo and all of its great features create constant and instant communication between all four groups. This tool takes the guess work out of learning for teachers, parents and students. With one click each member of a particular group has access to what's going on in the classroom as a whole, whats going on with the student individually, and a calendaring system. Messaging features on Edmodo create a light, fun and social atmosphere. When used properly Emodo has the potential to bring teaching into the 21 century with ease. Edmodo appears to be a great tool for closing the generation gap between all three groups.
Evaluate Technology Affordances
One of the tag lines for this particular product is "teaching made social", this cool tag line says it all. Social media is taking over, social media is no longer considered the future, but now the present. The features assigned to Edmodo create opportunity for fluent communication between parents, teachers, admin and students. Edmodo is interactive, can be customized, and complementary to students and teachers. Edmodo offers link to resources from around the globe. For example a few of the teacher features are access to standards, automatic populated questions and answers that may be used for bell ringers, exit tickets etc., messaging and a calendaring system. Edmodo takes a lot of the guess work out of teaching. For a new teacher Edmodo will answer a lot of questions or may be used as a guide/ resources. For an experienced teacher Edmodo reevaluates teaching practices, list new resources and bridges the gap of technolgy use in the classroom.
Identifies Approaches or Strategies
A feature of Edmodo is it keeps real time track of students progress. The snapshot features allows teachers to see if their students are "getting it". This Edmodo feature describes to teachers in real time what area they should focus on, what students needs more attention in an area of learning, what works and what doesn't work. This tracking devise takes assessments and evaluations to the next level. With Edmodo teachers can strategically plan grouping students together in groups based on their strengths. With snapshot the actionable feedback allows teachers to personalize teaching moments for each student in the classroom. Again students, parents, and admin have access to the same information on some level.
Applies Theoretical Perspectives (Pedagogical Approaches)
Edmodo, is an active tool that encourages healthy effective communication. Edmodo may be used in multiple setting, classroom, home, and on the go. Teaching and or learning isnt limited to the classroom environment. Real world connections are being established. Teaching and/ or learning are more meaningful to all involved because students are able to relate to real world experiences that students value as important and memorable. Edmodo delivers intimidate feedback therefore challenging activities can be created when needed. Classrooms can be designed
Integrates Technology with Instruction
Edmodo can be used in many ways in the classroom. Edmodo may be used to guide and / or build lesson plans. Edmodo may be used to track students progress, standards, and communication to parents, students, and admin. Teachers can deliver the classroom to the home of the students as well using Edmodo. I personally would use the messaging and calandering feature to communicate with parents and students on assignments. I would use Edmodo standards as a guide to build classroom lesson plans. I would also use Edmodo to create individual action learning plans for students that are in need of individual attention. Edmodo can be used in all content areas.
Overall Edmodo is a platform that mirrors social media while allowing teachers to create, facilitate and communicate effectively to admin, parents and teachers. This technology tool when used effectively can maximize a teachers teaching capabilities.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Google!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Google. Anything is possible with Google. Information is only a key stroke away, and in some cases a voice command away. I would like to say that I was granted the pleasure of exploring Google Classroom, but that would be far from the truth. I'm not an educator or have a n affiliation with a school domain name, therefore I was unable to explore the site and play with all of its wonderful features. I did read some exciting things about the application and can image how beneficial Google Classroom can be for teachers and students alike. With that being said I look forward to reading about Google Classroom from my peers.
One of the best lessons to learn while teaching an online course is back up your work and stay organized. Google Drive is one of the best applications for the job. With Google Drive I can deomnrate how to organize files, back up files and share files with different groups or individuals. Ideally, Google Drive works best with a gmail account but items may be shared with other domain names, such as Yahoo. This service is complementary and pairs well with multiple devises. Google Drive is an application that adheres to all content. Across the board Google Drive is an application that students should be familiar with. I would c=introduce Google Drive to students that wanted to prepare for an e-portfolio. I have nothing but great things to say about the application.
Google Doc is another application that I would strongly encourage my students explore. I have found that this particular application is great for group work. In the "real world" what i feel teachers prepare students for, children should be able to work in groups and document their success, etc. Google Doc is a great platform for sharing documents. Google Doc does so much more than making document sharing simple. Another feature i enjoy is the automatic save feature, just about every key stroke is saved. What an amazing feature. Multiple people can work on one document at the same time, completing one or more task. Google Docs have access to many types of documents. This application can be used with multiple content areas.
Google is a great product or application to promote in classroom settings.
One of the best lessons to learn while teaching an online course is back up your work and stay organized. Google Drive is one of the best applications for the job. With Google Drive I can deomnrate how to organize files, back up files and share files with different groups or individuals. Ideally, Google Drive works best with a gmail account but items may be shared with other domain names, such as Yahoo. This service is complementary and pairs well with multiple devises. Google Drive is an application that adheres to all content. Across the board Google Drive is an application that students should be familiar with. I would c=introduce Google Drive to students that wanted to prepare for an e-portfolio. I have nothing but great things to say about the application.
Google Doc is another application that I would strongly encourage my students explore. I have found that this particular application is great for group work. In the "real world" what i feel teachers prepare students for, children should be able to work in groups and document their success, etc. Google Doc is a great platform for sharing documents. Google Doc does so much more than making document sharing simple. Another feature i enjoy is the automatic save feature, just about every key stroke is saved. What an amazing feature. Multiple people can work on one document at the same time, completing one or more task. Google Docs have access to many types of documents. This application can be used with multiple content areas.
Google is a great product or application to promote in classroom settings.
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