Task 1: Deliverable: ScreenR Google Reader

     So far this class has made me feel like an old lady who is so out of touch with technology! I've learned there is so much more than just Gmail, YouTube, and Facebook. This has been my first time using tools like Blogger, Google Reader, Diigo, Twitter, and iGoogle. When I looked over the tasks list in the beginning of the semester, I have to admit, I was pretty intimidated. But I've realized it is so simple and such good resources! I will definitely continue using these tools in the future. I even think that posting blogs on Blogger is fun! I used to think that people who blogged had waaayyy too much time on their hands, but it is so fast and easy.

     There are so many advantages to being a tech-savvy teacher with a refined personal learning network. It allows the teacher to keep in touch with her new generation students and the fast-paced outside world. It also gives the teacher new ways to shake things up and always keep learning interesting.




     My ScreenR video is on "How to use Google Reader". Honestly it took me about 10 tries to get it right. I always wondered how these videos were made, thinking it was a super complicated process that only the super techies knew how to make. ScreenR is such a good tool for online teachers to use.


To view my ScreenR video click on this link: http://www.screenr.com/d1c7

Week 6 Group 6 Current Event

Current Event Topic: iPads... Are they all that they are made out to be as they relate to whole classroom?  Identify an article, blog post or website that takes a position (which you agree with) on the usefulness of the Apple iPad in the classroom.

Group 6 Members: Warren Shaw, KayLee Taylor, & Maile Yap

Online Source: "How Tablets are Invading the Classroom" by Digital Trends

       All three members in group 6 can agree that tablets in the classroom are a useful education tool. Many schools also agree that tablets are useful in the classroom and have begun using them. Students are tech-savvy at young ages that it is easy for them to adopt all forms of new technology. Digital textbook are becoming popular and saves students for lugging around backpacks full of heavy books. Schools are also putting more money towards IT spending, more spending than ever before.

      While tablets such as the iPad, Kindle, Nook, Surface, and Android tablets are cheaper and more handy than desktop computers and laptops, we still believe that is a pretty costly learning expense for something so fragile. We can assume that high school students can be responsible with these learning investments in school, but how about the younger students? Some schools are trying to even get their Kindergartners to use tablets. It could teach them to be responsible with technology, but at what cost?

     In addition, are we beginning to depend too much on technology? How about the "old school" methods of reading actual physical books and hand writing papers and notes? Personally, I still find those methods useful. We don't want the new generation to be totally dependent on technology and be devastated and lost if something like a power outage (or the internet crashing- haha) to ever happen.



The article "How Tablets are Invading the Classroom" by Digital Trends compares the "contenders for the top classroom tablet". Apple iPads are the most popular, but most expensive. Less expensive tablets such as Amazon Kindles, Barns & Noble Nooks, Google Nexus 7's, other Android tablets, and Microsoft Surfaces are also gaining popularity in trials at many schools.

Week 3 Group 6 Current Event

Current Event Topic: Identify an online source that is an example of differentiated instruction using technology.

Group 6 Members: Warren Shaw, KayLee Taylor, & Maile Yap

Online Source: "Differentiated Instruction: Getting Personal With Technology" by Edutopia

      All students learn differently. We all know that. According to Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, learners can posses different types of intelligences like: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetics, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential. Think about how you learn best. Does sitting and listening to a professor lecture the best for you? Do you do better taking notes? Do hands-on labs help you comprehend material better? Do you like studying in a group or on your own? We are all different. The fact is, there is just one teacher in the classroom who has to make sure that everyone in his/her classroom learns. Teachers in this century are using technology to aid them. With the use of technology, the teacher can teach each student the same concept using the different methods technology has to offer that best suits each students' different learning styles.

     Forest Lake Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina describes how they use technology to teach differentiated instruction in their Kindergarten to 5th grade classrooms in the article "Differentiated Instruction: Getting Personal With Technology" provided by Edutopia. They describe the success they have had since becoming a technology magnet school. They also discuss how it was a bit of a struggle at first for the teachers to start integrating technology into their classrooms, but they realized that gave them more time to plan more complex assignments and provide students more individualized instruction. Using technology, the school sees that they can teach all students effectively without "... dumbing things down for one child in order to challenge another. You're challenging every child at her level..." Each student can learn with the best of his/her abilities to his/her own potential.

Week 2 Group 6 Current Event

Current Event Topic: Identify an online source for expanding your technology literacy.

Group 6 Members: Warren Shaw, Kaylee Taylor, Maile Yap, & Jasmine Yoshikawa

Online Source: "Professional Development On-line Tutorials" by East Central Educational Service Center (E.C.E.S.C.)

      In this day in age, students are very "tech-savvy". Pretty much most of their time is spent on some sort of technological device. If that is what grasps their attention, shouldn't educators use that resource to their advantage? It is a great idea; however, there are some teachers out there that aren't as "tech-savvy" as their younger generation students. "Professional Development On-line Tutorials" provided by the East Central Educational Service Center provides teachers with links to tutorials of different online resources that they can use to conduct their teaching. It has tutorials like how to use a Mac and Microsoft Excel. As well as sites on how to teach an online class well. It even has a tutorial on how to use a Kindle since e-books are so popular now. It is basically a resource to make sure that you, the teacher, know how to use technology and can confidently use it to help your students learn.

Self Introduction

Hi everyone! My name is Maile Yap, and here is my first blog post for Ed279 class and first blog post ever. I am just the average tech-y. I email and facebook, and that's pretty much it. I think I'll learn a whole lot from this class this semester.

To answer the question, what is my favorite technology gadget or gizmo? I would have to say that I love my iPhone. I finally got an iPhone in March and I am hooked. All these other new phones that can share videos by just tapping them together, I don't buy it. I can't wait to get the iPhone5 in March (because I'm not paying a ridiculous amount of money when it will be cheaper in a few months).

To describe my work style. I am pretty good at online classes. I have been doing them for about 4 semesters  , a total of 8 classes online. I turn in assignments on time and always do my best. 2 skills or traits that I will bring to an online group is that I am easy to get in contact with. I always have my cell on me and I frequently check my email. Another is that I am a bit of a perfectionist. When I do a task, I do it well and make sure that task is completed at a timely matter. I panic when something doesn't go right or according to schedule (that could also be a flaw too...). But if we're in a group together, we are going to get the project done on time and it will be awesome.

Linked is a video about how Singapore is integrating technology into their education system. I thought this would be an interesting video because I am from Singapore. (Don't worry if you can't follow along with their Singaporean accent... I was born and raised there and I can't follow along with it very well either!)
>>> Singapore's 21st-Century Teaching Strategies video

Hope you enjoyed my first blog!
Maile :)