EDOL 533 Week Eight

Well, this is a very sad moment. The class is just eight weeks long, and this is the final week. I have completed my other assignments, and just have the blog left to do. I had always heard about blogs, but never thought I'd read one, let alone WRITE one. But, this has been so much fun and I have come to love it. I have a friend who has a home-based business and always asked me if I have read the site's Blog! "Yeah, right! As if I have time!" But now, maybe I will.
(Currently, we are experiencing a strong storm with tornado warnings, so I may lose power and need to complete this tomorrow.)

The assignment this week was to look at the different security measures that are in place to prevent malicious software and/or hackers with the computers that I use or the ones my students use. Since I am not in the school system yet, I will state that for the Chamber of Commerce we have Norton. We update it every year and we have a computer genius, who had worked for NASA, on our Board. He trouble-shoots any problems I may have, and also ensures that I am as current as can be on the anti-virus software.

I asked one of my daughters what she has in place for the students at her University. She said that students who use the network of computers that are owned by the University just log on, but have to implement specific passwords. The computers themselves are protected. If students choose to use their own computers/laptops, they must download Sophos at the start of each term. This is provided by the University. They must also use a password to access the University's internet.

When she was participating with a research project last summer at another University in another state, they used McAfee, and then also a specific password.

Years ago when I worked for the U.S Gov't overseas, I received "messages" daily that were from the U.S. Naval ships stating when they would be arriving in port. The ports were both Naples, Italy and Rota, Spain. At different times, different years, I ran the programs for the sailors, such as: Road Races, Ball Tournaments, Tours, Pool Parties, etc. It was very important to have heads up with accurate information-- some of the fleet units that had aircraft carriers carried over 6,000 personnel. However, now for the security measures. The saying "loose lips, sink ships" was still an issue during this particular timeframe. Some of the messages I would receive on my computer where clear and I could read them....while others were scrambled and not decipherable. I would then have to call the "message center" and go pick up the copy of that particular communication. This was meant as a safety precaution, for a "Your Eyes Only" type of moment. Hee, hee, I haven't thought about that for years.

Systems have changed throughout the years and will continue to change. A system is only as strong as its "weakest link". I guess we must all stay alert to potential problems and be aware of incoming correspondance, etc. that may not be as it seems.

EDOL 533 Week Seven

Well, another week has come and gone, and I'm in the countdown mode to the Raggedy Ann 5K and Festival!! I'm trying to get all my assigments done tonight, because from now until Tuesday will be insane.
This week's focus was educational software. Since I do not have a classroom at the present time, I'm going to reflect on software I have purchased and used with my own children. I group educational software and video games into two completely different categories, though.

My oldest daughter was born in Rota, Spain and then we moved to LaMaddalena, Italy. We didn't have TV, phone, etc., but we took nature walks, played outside, looked at the stars, learned about wildflowers,swam on the isolated archipelago, and read books. When she was ready to begin kindergarten, we moved to the States; to Dahlgren, Virginia. She entered kindergarten reading at a third grade level and writing short stories.....her teachers were blown out of the water. (I laughed to myself the other night when our "chat" class talked about P&Gamble looking for B Students because they were "team players") My oldest daughter has had Duke following her since she was an eleven year old. She has won several awards and scholarships for Kentucky, has a 4.0 GPA at Transylvania University, has started and lead so many groups and organizations; however, SHE is a TEAM player. Everyone who meets her, loves her instantly! The professors can't get over how much of a team player she is in everything she does. At any rate, she never had educational software until she was in third grade and we got a home computer(1997?) Anyhow, she was working it, manipulating it, doing power point presentations by 5th grade, etc..... huge steps ahead of her parents!! Although I never purchased the TV/Video Game systems, I purchased some educational software to try. She loved "playing" such games as the Carmen Sandiego series.
SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010
I never got to finish my blog, so I'm going to try to get it done tonight.

By using the Carmen Sandiego educational software, both my daughters were able to use knowledge they knew and work it into critical thinking problems. They both had studied Ancient Egypt. When using the "Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego" software, they were able to take what they knew about mummies, gods, rituals, etc., and use that knowledge to solve the "mystery". When ever they didn't know background information, the software was designed to teach the student the information needed; however, the student needed to use critical thinking to help the solution along.

When we first got the software, my youngest was in Kindergarten. She knew her older sister loved "Carmen", but she was too young to work it alone. We would do the problem solving together. I don't recall there being any problems or things I would do differently, but that was MANY years ago. However, I do remember they stressed about their "battery power/charge" that let them fly around the world would get low at times. I think I recall that stressing them. But they soon learned how to keep that "charge" higher.

I can definitely see myself using that software or something very similar in the classroom if we were to study world history--that was our curriculum for 4th grade and 6th grade in Florida.

EDOL 533 Week Six

Yikes! Let's look back and see what I have done or learned this week. This week was horrendous!! The sheep and llamas needed to be shorn--we do it with hand clippers instead of electric. We also do it ourselves instead of hiring a pro. Last year I tried the "hiring route" and couldn't believe how roughly they were handled. We only let the "pro" do two before stopping him and asking him to leave. The horses are shedding out and are also needing their hooves trimmed. Planked fencing is needing painted. The fields are doing fine, but the lawn is needing mowed a couple times a week already! All the flowers, trees, and bushes are in bloom with the promise of fruit later this summer. One daughter is waiting to hear results of her Governor's School for the Arts scholarship audition, and the other is getting ready to head out to the research forest in NH for a field study this summer.

Over the weekend, I checked out a theatre north of here that was for sale, but decided not to over-extend myself! We've put so much of ourselves into the theatre in this town, I'm not sure I have the finances nor the energy to do it all again!

This week I have daughters test driving vehicles; I have a Festival and 5K that I am in charge of this weekend---people come from all over our country to attend/collect any thing that has to do with Raggedy Ann. Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce sounds like a fancy title.....but it really is just a fancy way to say it's entirely your problem and program! Chamber Director and Tourism.....just one person....yup! Doesn't make sense, but that's the way it works.

Well, now to the assignments and WebQuests. I enjoyed looking at the different ones that the others from EDOL 533 had found and recommended; but I also enjoyed looking at different ones trying to figure out what was out there, and what to try to do one on. My sister-in-law is a teacher in MD, and her nephew from her sister's side is a 5th grade student in NJ. They talk frequently about webquests they are doing. My sister-in-law had some great sites and recommendations for me to try.

I had finally decided to do a WebQuest called "Survival!" Explanation--- War has stopped all forms of transportation. Food, etc are not to be shipped in to places. People are going to need to be self-sustaining. They are going to need to know how to purify water-if they can even get access to it. They will need to learn to cook, grow a garden, spin, weave, etc. I want children to understand that we have gotten so far away from being self-sustaining. If there is no power/electricity/heat, etc., people need to know how to take care of themselves. Americans have become spoiled and extremely lazy when it comes to working for the basics needs. After living overseas for 35 years, I was shocked by my neighbors lack of survival skills when I finally returned home and had to endure an icestorm. This was in Virginia in 1994 and young people (early 20s-40s)didn't know how to cope; older ones could
(50s-70s), but younger ones went crazy! My kids grew up overseas. When they were little, they knew--- when the electricity went out which was daily---to stay in one spot and I'd bring light to them. Once, in VA, when we were at a friend's house for supper and the electricity went out, their family started to panic and children to scream. We all remained calm and I went to go find their candles. I knew then that I wanted my kids to never get so caught up with luxury, that they as human beings didn't know how to cope.

Trying to put the WebQuest together was a challenge. First, I couldn't get access to the free trial period page. The main QuestGarden page would pull up, but when I clicked on Free Trial, it would say "page unavailable/expired". I think on Saturday, I was finally able to register for the 30 day trial period. Second, I needed to update to Internet Explorer 7. I did this at my office's computer after first checking with the technology person on my Board of Directors to see if they minded. I had heard/read so much on the negative faults with Explorer 8 that I decided to stick with 7. I liked that the templates were provided...that helped. However, I am still in the process of doing it. I WILL complete it!! I wanted to do it, because I want to see it through and know HOW to do it. With my crazy week, it has just taken longer than I had wanted.

EDOL 533 Week Five

This week's assignments were to help us become more familiar with online communication tools and implementing them into the classroom environment. Although I am not currently working in a classroom, I have put thought into which ones I would be interested in using when the time comes.

I think the blog would be compared to the classroom journals, and one I can see my students at any grade using. It would be important to monitor the students and the blogs; however, I can see it as a great learning tool, not only for formatting, but for typing and story progression as well. Journals and creative writing assignments would be a great starting point. The students could not only scan and upload original artwork, but they could also take photos of places from field trips, etc., and upload them as well. Special precautions would be made to ensure photos of students would not be placed on the blog. --(Where we had come from in Florida, I was programed to not put photos of students, Scouts, etc in the paper without forms signed by parents. Now we live in a small town in Kentucky where everyone is either related or very good friends, and the permission for photo use is more relaxed even though I'm not comfortable with it yet.)

I think I would also be interested in using Wikis. I think collaboratively working on certain types of assignments is fun, though challenging. I have not seen group work run smoothly without someone carrying the full load. So, I would have the students first assign themselves specific tasks and then I would grade the project tasks that were completed. I found it interesting to read that wikis could be edited by other readers, etc. I would prepare the students for that possibility happening. The students would be required to make the wiki as factual as possible, but it would also be a great lesson in "don't believe all you read"--as seen with most forms of media. The students would realize that hype is sometimes what attracts readers. "Filtering" would be a great lesson to be incorporated, as well.

Even though I am intrigued by some of the other online communication tools, I think the two mentioned above are the ones I would begin with. Then, as I become more familiar with others, and am able to figure out how best to suit the needs of my students and classroom curriculum, I would implement additional tools where appropriate.

All tools are exciting and when used well, will enhance learning. However, I don't want to lose sight of the "learning mission". Sometimes administrators are so wrapped up with trying new things, the class that year becomes the State's "guinea pigs", and steps in their learning development fall through the cracks. I don't want my students' basic educational needs ever falling through the cracks as I work to expand their skills.

EDOL 533 Week Four

This was a fun week creating different ways to use a PowerPoint. I had only previously used Microsoft Office 2003, but used my daughter's Microsoft Office 2007 for this week's assignment. During the next 3 weeks, I have scheduled times to visit 4 elementary schools and share my presentation with various grade levels through teachers that I know at each of the schools. At different times throughout the year, I dress in costume and read related books, tell related stories or advertise children theatre productions that we have coming up at the local theatre.

It will be fun to bring the students a different kind of "story."

I created a PowerPoint describing the game of Quidditch, the magical game played on flying brooms in both the Harry Potter books and films. Universities and high schools around the country and world have formed teams to compete in this game as a "muggle" (non-magical)sport. The Power Point was titled, "Muggle Quidditch: Let Your Imagination Take Flight"


The PowerPoint Outline includes: Where it All Began; History of the Game; The Rules-the Field, Players, Equipment, Snitch, Scoring; and, The Future of Muggle Quidditch.


The PowerPoint gives background information on the Harry Potter books and author J.K. Rowling. It also describes The World Cup - held each year in Vermont.

It describes the rules of the game and ways to make it "elementary school friendly." This is a fantastic way to have classroom physical education. It's low physical contact, and yet it is aerobic. Everyone is equal--physical capabilities, coordination, or lack thereof, will not make any one player stand out.
This is great for a school wide sporting event with all classes at each grade levels competing, or just one class with 15 minutes for recess.



The one thing I was most proud about-- I loved incorporating the "flying" snitch and trying the different ways of having it "fly" on to the page.

What I would do differently--If I were to create this or a similar PowerPoint again, I would like to add a 30 second video clip of someone actually trying to "catch the snitch".

I showed the PowerPoint to both my teenage daughters, and they loved it. They thought the slide design was effective, the color choices good, the information thorough, and the graphics "cool".

After reading all the posts on discussion board this week, I have many news ideas to use PowerPoint in the classroom. I would use it as a presenting tool for both the students and me. I liked that the reading explained sending PowerPoint presentations home in a zipfile, in case the students did not have the software necessary for viewing it at home.

EDOL 533 Week Three

Week Three is almost over. I realize the purpose of this class was to get me thinking in terms of technology application for my students and the classroom. When I had first decided to sign up for the technology class, I was thinking we'd learn how to tune in to school wide TV Broadcasts, or how to use "Channel One", or similar region based informational/instructional news casts for students. Then, I thought maybe we'd learn spreadsheets for grades, but after that, I hadn't really known what we'd do. This has been fun and exciting to think of alll the possible applications for the classroom.

I've begun working on my power point for next week's assignment and it's been exciting to find ways to use all the creative methods of assembling the "slides". I have things bouncing in, etc.....things I'd never really consider using in my job related presentations.

I use word processing and desk top publishing daily at the office. I send out emails to all the Chamber Members; I write to an assortment of businesses, representatives, etc; I create flyers for town/Chamber events; and I send out a newsletter once a month. I have enjoyed the discussion board this week with the different applications my classmates thought of to use both wp/dtp in the classroom.

Recently I had to design the t-shirt for our 8th Annual Raggedy Ann Festival and 5K Run. Raggedy Ann's author Johnny Gruelle was born in Arcola, Illinois; however, his father R.B. Gruelle was born and raised in Cynthiana. He is a famous painter in his own right. When the grandchildren were tracing their roots and heritage, they came to Cynthiana and spoke to our mayor about starting the Festival (This was before my time--I would have had the festival for the Painter R.B Gruelle-, who was actually from here, if I had had a say in the matter). At any rate, I had to design the t-shirt, and it is the same with flyers for the classroom....or anything! The font has to be eye-catching. There cannot be so many different types of fonts that the reader gets dizzy looking at them all. If the fonts are too busy, the important information sometimes will be ignored or overlooked. The graphic needs to complement/support the idea of the text. Sometimes no matter how large the print is, it will be the picture that grabs/captures the attention of the reader.

Now for desktop publishing:


This is a sheet of "buttons" for our Earth Day Festival. I print these out and then use the button machine to make mylar covered buttons with the clasp backing. These are great for advertising events or getting the public involved with different issues. I recently ran a campaign for "Shop Cynthiana First." I made buttons and gave them to all my downtown businesses so that they could give them to patrons. It supported the notion that they need to shop/support locally.



This is the front page to March's newsletter. The format is similar for each of the monthly newsletters. This month just happens to be gearing up for the Festival in April. The newsletter is usually 3 pages (front and back) with articles and highlights from our businesses and around town. I send it electronically to those who wish to receive it that way (going green), and snail mail it to those who like the paper copy.




This is the insert that I print to go in a plastic holder that mounts on a wooden frame for each of my chamber members. I have incorporated the Chamber logo. Each year is identified by a different color even though it states the year. I have tried them different ways, but I feel this is clear, concise, and easily recognized. A classroom could create a logo so that parents would/could easily recognize papers that would need their attention.



This is the front of the 3-fold brochure for the Raggedy Ann Festival. Listed inside is the schedule of events and special attractions. I would like to do this brochure a bit differently; however, because Raggedy Ann is copyrighted with Simon & Schuster United Media, once it has been approved, we are not at liberty to change anything. I created this a couple years ago, and after finally getting approval, I am hesitant to try to change anything.

Once in the classroom, I shall enjoy the opportunities to teach my students how to use wp/dtp with their assignments and projects.

EDOL 533 Week Two

March 15 -- "Beware the Ides of March"…not this year!

This has actually been an exciting week. I had originally signed up for this class in January, but between my job work load and the intimidation factor from an on-line class, I postponed EDOL 533 until now. Last week I was very stressed with my "navigations", hoping I was "finding" all my assignments and submitting them as requested/required. This week has been such a pleasure. I am more comfortable with cc.elearnportal and navigating within the site.

I have enjoyed reading and comparing the differences between spreadsheets and databases. For my job I use spreadsheets all the time. I put the Chamber Membership information/dues, etc. on one. Also, when I host a road race, I enter the names of all the participants, their addresses, ages, genders, shirt sizes and teams-if applicable. But, it was suddenly very different thinking in terms of the applications for student use. There wasn't a particular instance when I was surprised with what or how a spreadsheet/database could be used. It was just that the entire concept was new and exciting. This is my first class since heading back to school. I still have my foot in the business world, but I have stuck my head through the classroom door. I have enjoyed thinking of different subjects/grade levels, and what might work for each.

I visited a recommended website that pulled up after I specifically went hunting for ways to incorporate spreadsheets/databases into geography. It was interesting to see how students, "without the skills or tools to analyze large volumes of data, could create and use a database to categorize countries in various ways and examine the possible relationships that exist among them." http://homepage.mac.com/iowatimp/aea10grp2/cwarner_page/CWarnerUOP.html

Each year there is a National Backyard Wildbird Count. I thought it would be fun to have the students participate--the possibilities are endless! I have a notebook that I keep track of ideas. Most of these ideas are originals; but, some have been adapted from manuals, magazines, workshops, conversations with friends, information from other schools, and passing bits of data. This week I have enjoyed adding many new ideas to try with my students.

I found several wonderful sites that discussed uses of spreadsheet/database in the classroom. One I liked in particular was:
www.madison.k12.al.us/comp/serv/Spreadsheets/spreadsheetresources.htm. On that site it listed other successful websites. These websites then listed great ideas such as Excel Games, Creating a Crossword Puzzle with Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet Activities, Middle School Math Lessons, Lab Activities, 101 Ways to Use Excel in the Classroom. I think the above URL is one of many great resources for the teacher.