Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Blog Post #5 Part B: My Updated PLN

My PLN After EDM 310
By: Noah Armstrong 
group of three teachers standing in front of a blackboard
    My PLN started out including a small number of high school teachers and and even smaller number of college professors. Since I have been in EDM 310 I have been exposed to new people to add to my PLN as well as learned ways to find more. I have since introduced the fallowing to my PLN list: all of the C4T teachers that i have been commenting on, some professors and doctors in the history department that can help me, and even some teachers from my home town that I never had in high school but have reached out to me after hearing I have decided to enter their profession 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

November C4K

*Post One*
Hello my name is Grace and I will be telling you about “How am I a good citizen “.
I think that I could try more to become a good citizen by collecting canned foods for people who might not have food on their tables every day.
Just to tell you Halloween is tomorrow and I probably going to use half of my time tricker treating and the other half seraching for cans
and I will be donating the canned foods to the school and then the people would have food on their table for a while!
I don’t think I am a very good citizen because I don’t really try my best to solve all problems but I am trying to get my lazy self 
to get up to solve the problems and try to do my best and like I said I will try my best to try to solve the problems all around me.
So I will try my best to take action and to try.

*Comment*
Hey there Grace, 
I'm studying to be a teacher at the University of South Alabama. This is a great idea to help people out on Halloween. Great blog post, you just need to clean up some small grammar things. For instance, you say "I probably" when it should be "I am probably". Great job though I would give you an "A". Keep up the good work.

*Comment*
Hi Erin,
My name is Noah and I am studying to be a teacher at the University of South Alabama. First off let me say that i love art. I'm a huge fan of street art and graffiti. You did a great job going through the artistic process of changing your design. Your use of black and white photos and color both in your drawing and in the background picture. I like the brightness of the color that you do have. I do a lot of work like this and I love that you using technology, but i wish they could find a way to draw on an iPad that makes it look more like a hand made drawing. I looked at some of the things that you have posted further back and you have great talent. Keep it up!

*Post 3*
The first quarter of the 2014-2015 school year has finally come to a close, but it seemed to be at a faster pace than most quarters. Let’s have a brief recap of this quarter.

September:

After looming ominously in the distance for months, school started. Mondays are just asslothful and repulsive as last year. Fun times.

October:

The initial glow of the school year is beginning to dwindle. We had more breaks this month; the setting of one’s home is much more tranquil than the jarring setting of school. Thankfully, our school is not being too frugal in our use of the chromebooks.

Our first quarter has come to a close, but we still have what seems to be ages to go. 3 quarters. Oh, well, It will certainly be a long year.

*Comment*
Hi, I’m an Education major at the University of South Alabama. This is a great post to answer the prompt. I liked your use of vocabulary, I’m sure that was part of the assignment. I thought that splitting it up into @months was a good touch. 
On more of a personal note: Don’t worry, you’re almost to high school and it gets fun at that point. It just moves faster and faster until you graduate. Then you move on to college and it all changes. Enjoy High school while you can. 
Again, great post! 
-Noah

Blog Post #14: "Teaching Can Be a Profession by Joel Klein"

Blog Post #14:
"Teaching Can Be a Profession by Joel Klein"
By: Noah Armstrong

Problem-Solution 
1. Unequipped Teacher- Raising the qualifications of a teaching degree to rival those of other top countries

-I agree with this completely. I have had teachers that have no idea what they are doing but they are allowed to teach based on the fact that they have a degree from some rinky dink online school that ill prepared them to handle real world teaching.

2. Anyone with a degree can become a teacher- recruit from the top third of the class

-This sounds like a good idea in theory. A drawback that i can see is that some people are bad at school. It can be as simple as that. You could have a person who is a great teacher and is able to pass on knowledge to students with great skill but they themselves have test anxiety and are not able to be the top in their class. this I think would be fixed by beefing up the requirements. Thus, making it harder to get a degree and raising the quality of anyone good enough to make it through with a degree. 

3.How we reward teachers- Base it on performance rather than seniority 

-This seems like a complete "Duh" statement because that is how all other jobs work, you are better so you advance. The idea of seniority should only apply if you are comparing two teachers of truly equal skill rather than just assuming they all have the same skill level.

4.job security based on seniority- layoff the least effective rather than the newest hire 

-Time served should have something to do with how you are looked upon when it is time to let some one go but not at the sacrifice of skill evaluation. only two teachers with equal skill should be then compared on experience. 

5. there needs to be professionalization including an entrance exam and internship.

-The idea of an entrance exam is a great idea. like the bar for lawyers this would make sure that a teacher is fully prepared when they get their degree and has not been cheating or memorizing for each test to make it through college. It would also give greater credit to the hard work teachers do. 

6. Students should be able to choose from a pool of nearby schools rather than be assigned by neighborhood. 

-This yet again sounds like a good idea in theory. However, I fear that this is resemblance of how some Asian countries run their schools where the smart children are put in a high level school and the others are left in the dust. However, it could also give that kid a chance to choose a better school and given the right surroundings flourish.

Conclusion-  It is no secret that the education system needs improvement. The United States is behind in that category. The US is known for being the pinnacle of a nation yet we struggle in the category that means the most for our future, education. While improving the quality of teacher we put into the classroom does a lot for the problem it is not enough. even a skilled professional can not do a good job with rudimentary and crude tools. Even the most skilled surgeon can't do a good heart transfer with a chainsaw. How can we expect a teacher to teach optimally with a crude education system.  

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Blog Post #13:How Does Your Future Classroom Work? (Create-a-Post)

After watching the fallowing videos, think about where classrooms are currently and one thing you will change in Your classroom to help move your classroom into the future of education.
Is Technology A Threat To Our Education

Microsoft Vision of the Classroom of the Future




Blog Post 13: How Does Your Future Classroom Work?
By:Noah Armstrong 
     I think that the future of the classroom lies with technology and teaching styles coming together to form one thing that couldn't be separated into its points. When technology and teaching style are blended seamlessly we will make a breakthrough into the minds of young students. 
     If you have ever seen a small child play with a smartphone or a tablet you know that they do not need your help to do what they want to do with it. I feel that then technology we have available today is something that can be picked up easily by even the kindergarten age group and can help us to teach them in an engaging way that can be molded to the individual child so that thy get extra help where they need it while others may do well in that area and need help in others. 
    With this technology growing every day as shown in the Microsoft video it is only a matter of time before a teacher and students can seamlessly use all the technology in their classroom so that any hindrance that technology has now (such as not being able to transfer something from one device to another effortlessly or being confined to one screen) are eliminated. 
    Teaching styles will have to continue to evolve alongside and interweaving with technology. Learning to teach in a way that gives the student a feeling of equality with the teacher, where their thoughts and ideas are important is something I also believe will launch us into a new era of learning.  young girl with a clear helmet on as if to absorb her lesson caption: reading, writing,arithmetic then in bold: Science, Sputniks, Space

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Blog Post #12: Technology for Handicapped Students (Collaborative)

Blog Post #12: Technology for Handicapped Students (Collaborative)
By: Noah, Missy, Tori, Chelsea, Katy
Noah- Speech recognition software
In my research I came across a few technologies that are designed to help physically handicapped students, but one stuck out because it is something that would help people like me with forms of dyslexia. Speech recognition software was designed to help use a computer without using the traditional mouse and keyboard. Software like “Dragon” can recognize sounds spoken by the user and convert them into commands for the computer. This allows someone with limited use of their hands to operate a computer with their voice. This allows people with limb abnormalities or amputations to be free of the need for an aid to do the typing for them.
Box of Dragon Software

Using this software one can also dictate to the computer what they wish to type. This can help not only the people who find it hard or impossible to type but also those that have problems spelling, like those with Dyslexia. These programs are almost 100% accurate when it comes to spelling and recognizing speech. This allows them to make up for their handicaps.
Speech recognition may not be in itself a learning tool but it levels the playing field so that those with the inability to use a computer normally can have a way to do it on their own without help. This is not only a tool for school work but also for the real world that is now run by computers


Melissa- AT for the Deaf and Hearing impaired student. During my search for assistive technologies available for the hearing impaired or Deaf this disability was often paired with blindness as well. It was explained that both of these disabilities account for the smaller part of the disabled population so maybe that is why they were often paired together. Another reason could be that a lot of times when a person has one disability it can be accompanied by another or sometimes multiple disabilities reside within one person. At any rate I concentrated on the Deaf. The Deaf community and members within consider it offensive to call them hearing impaired or to say that they have suffered a loss of hearing. They consider ASL (American Sign Language) to be their native language and English their second language. Some do not speak by choice however most of the Deaf learn to speak in order to effectively communicate with the general public.


I will move from older to newer technologies as some of the older ones will still be in use but not for long I am sure as smartphones are getting smarter every day.


In the classroom setting the interpreter was at one time the only way a teacher could communicate effectively with a Deaf or hearing impaired student. The interpreter stands to the left and a little bit behind the teacher and signs what the teacher says in sign language for the Deaf student to see and understand.


Hearing aids can be used by some students with hearing impairment however, do know that the aids amplify ALL of the sound including background noise which could still make it difficult for the student to hear the teacher. Use of FM systems (the same kind as presidential security or McDonald's drive through) where the teacher wears a mini microphone and the student wears a pair of headphones is extremely useful in these cases because the student hears ONLY the teacher.


Sidekick is a mobile communication device that allows the user to receive Instant Messages (IM) and Email. Of course this device is being replaced by the cellphone.


Video instruction and televised announcements with closed captioning can be effective tools. The student can pause or review any forgotten or missed parts of the video instruction avoiding misunderstood questions or answers due to language/communication barriers.


Photo experience books created by the student offer a visual tool to communicate personal experiences with a hearing person without the use of spoken language.


Power point presentations are great for the hearing impaired and Deaf students. It is a computer program that is offered through Microsoft. The program allows the teacher to add pictures and text to slides eliminating the need for the student to hear what is being said.
my computer


A vocalization to visualization tool is available for free through a computer program called Winamp media player. A microphone is used and auditory sound is turned into visual fireworks on the computer monitor. This is used to represent the sound that is going on in the room as well as to teach the Deaf student how to speak.


The top assistive technology by far within the Deaf community is the smartphone and texting. The junior high and high schoolers especially like this because it completely eliminates the need to speak. They can communicate clearly and just as quickly with text as their hearing peers.


All of these technologies can and are used in real world situations and like I said earlier the smartphone is quickly replacing a lot of these technologies as I type.    resources are on next page.


Kathryn Ortmann-AT for the Blind and the Visually Impaired


     Students that are blind or have visual impairments are going to be vulnerable to falling behind in a classroom setting. Meet Mason.  He's a first grader and suffers from a vision impairment.  Mason's parents were worried when he first started school that he would not be able to keep up with others and he wouldn't be able to go to a normal school.


Mountbatten Brailler      To help solve some of Mason's complications, his school purchased a Mountbatten Brailler for him to use during class so that he can learn to write and read Braille.  The Mountbatten Brailler is the complete Braille learning center for children and their teachers. As a professional resource, the Mountbatten Brailler offers exceptional connectivity and software to support flexible teaching and educational needs.  The Mountbatten is a simple tool that can be used to develop awareness of Braille symbols and characters. The clear audio response reinforces learning and tells the student which commands are being entered.  The Mountbatten is the first and only Bluetooth Smart hard-copy Braille device that communicates wirelessly with iOS Bluetooth Smart Ready devices. Mason is able to learn Braille at an early age, so as the grade level increases and the difficulty of subject matter increases, Mason can keep up with his fellow classmates.  


     Mason uses an iPad and the Smart Board to increase his learning.  The iPad allows Mason to participate in fun games and learning exercises that teach him how to read and spell.  There are many apps that allow students to listen to words and spell using the sounds, so that they do not really have to see what is happening to learn.  The Smart Board, since it is so big, allows a visually impaired student like Mason to be able to participate and actually know what is happening on the screen.
Girl using a smartboard



Tori - Today I am going to share with you an app called Proloquo2Go that is available on iTunes. This is an app that gives a voice to people who can not speak through the use of symbols. This is an amazing tool for kids who have trouble with verbal communication. Instead of trying to guess what they want or need, they can click on the appropriate symbols to tell you exactly what they want. When a symbol is clicked, it says the words out loud on the app as well. In this video, you will meet a 10 year-old boy named Nick. He was diagnosed with Autism and has trouble with his verbal communication. The video shows his mother and other people who work with Nick through out the day using Proloquo2Go and they talk about how it has drastically changed the ease in which they communicate. Nick will often try to verbalize what he wants but when/if it does not happen he uses his iPad to press the symbols which make sentences stating what it is he wants, needs, or feels. Most of the time he will also repeat what the app says which is strengthening his verbal communication skills. The app is availiable on the app store for $219.99. That may seem like a lot of money for one app but when it comes to being able to communicate with a child and the child better communicating with the world, I believe it is worth every penny. If you visit Proloquo2Go, read the reviews from people who have bought it. They all have touching stories about having children or students with disabilities of all kinds whose lives have been made so much easier because of this amazing app that enables them to communicate more effectively.
iPhone Screenshot 2

Chelsea
<b>Assistive Technology for Students with ADHD</b>
By: Chelsea Power
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In todays classroom there is a growing rate for children with ADHD. This can be very difficult for a teacher, parent, and other classmates. It also requires a lot of patience, I say this speaking as a mother with a child that struggles with ADHD. I chose to find assistive technology for students with ADHD. I also use some of the programs and strategies at home to help with his homework. There are a bunch of resources for students and teachers in the classroom that I have listed below.

A word-prediction program that requires a few keystrokes to generate word lists can help students with severe spelling problems, who do not benefit from spell-checkers. Graphic organizers, on the other hand, can be helpful to students who can't generate ideas and organize their thoughts. Such as this website <a href="http://www.aurora-systems.com/pages/learning.html">Aurora Systems</a>

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ8cgQjPYEig8UXA8jHZ_RN_0HZQu4ONcmR0r7sO8Yix-3lzmZCHqSClkl049OsqUbFN8nD5sM2lcdIGntzdC5YZ__RB1yQvRc8e6k2DJ4wq2blPVsMJAqQTpTlzmD4ExBLgqrKCtll95/s1600/clickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt= und.edu Title= Clicker border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ8cgQjPYEig8UXA8jHZ_RN_0HZQu4ONcmR0r7sO8Yix-3lzmZCHqSClkl049OsqUbFN8nD5sM2lcdIGntzdC5YZ__RB1yQvRc8e6k2DJ4wq2blPVsMJAqQTpTlzmD4ExBLgqrKCtll95/s320/clickers.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www1.iclicker.com/">Clickers</a>
Clickers are remote control looking items that record student’s
answers to questions.  They can be multiple choice questions or polls. It is a great way to get immediate feedback and data on student’s knowledge of the material.  Clickers are engaging for all students especially those with learning disabilities.  They provide instant feedback for the student and involves technology It engages the student while maintaining focus on the lesson and task at hand.

Text to speech programs
The programs and tools that create text to speech are great for students who are auditory learners, struggling readers, or have visual impairments.  This allows the students to listen to the text while following along with the reading.  The student is no longer focused solely on word recognition but now focused on the content and main ideas. WordQ is another program that helps students proofread their work.

project #10: Teacher Interview

Project #10 Video Interview with Gina McCarly 
By:noah Armstrong
Sorry for it being over 7 min long but I had so much good material i couldn't edit it any shorter.
This is Gina McCarly the Technology teacher at my old high school Lawrence County High/