DST Lesson Plan

I really fell in love with the app Toontastic, so when we were assigned to come up with a lesson plan for Digital Storytelling I knew I wanted to do something with Toontastic.  I decided to have kids come up with a story using Toontastic for them to complete during centers.  It really worked out wonderfully!  I gave them what I wanted to do within their group and a very quick overview on how to use the app.  I was amazed (guess I really shouldn't have been:)) with how fast the kids learned the program.  They had no trouble in learning how to use the program without much help from me.  It was great and the kids did wonderful!  I was really happy with the outcome.

Final Product

Lesson Plan

20% Project

When this project was assigned in the beginning of the semester, I really thought I would have no trouble with it. Picking anything I wanted to spend 20% of my class time on.  How hard could it be?  Boy was I wrong.  So many possibilities and no guidelines I realized I couldn't do.  I need a set vision to stick too, to help me along the way.  I finally decided on writing a grant.  I hoped by doing this I would be able to possibly receive money for my school to purchase ipads/ipod touches.  When I began, I started to realize I bit off too much.  As my sister said, "don't they pay someone to write the grants for schools".  I was getting more and more stressed with the process, until I was talking to another teacher about the project.  I mentioned what I was doing and how much harder it was then I thought it was going to be, and that's when she mentioned donors choose.  Donors choose is a program where public school teachers can post projects for their classroom and then people can choose to give donations to different projects.  I began to look into this and knew immediately this is what I would do my 20% project on.  The whole process of beginning the project was very easy.  Donors choose gives very clear directions and explains clearly what the teacher must do.  I was able to set it up in a couple days asking for 3 ipod touches, 3 chargers, and 3 covers.  After they reviewed everything I got an email letting me know everything was ready to go and I could start letting people know as ell as it would be posted on their website.  I'm very excited to hopefully receive enough donations in the 5 month limit they have to receive the ipod touches to use in my class.
Below is the link to check my information out.
http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1167305.2096174462

Green Screen Demo

In class tonight we did a demo on the green screen.  It was a lot of fun and real easy!  If I was able to do this with my class I could only imagine the finished products I would get.  I know my kids would have a wonderful time with this and get real creative.  Below is my green screen project I did in class.  Enjoy!

Green Screen Demo

The end of the Ipad:(

The semester is coming to an end and I'm getting pretty depressed thinking that I'll be returning the Ipad soon.  I didn't really expect to get "addicted" to the Ipad, but alas I have.  I never thought the Ipad could be used as an educational tool, but this class has really shown me such great things I can do with the Ipad educationally.  Knowing that my kids as well as myself benefit from the device is awesome.  Over Thanksgiving, my sister came home and started using my Ipad and all the apps I had downloaded.  She is a teacher as well, and was amazed at everything students could do.  Added to her Christmas list an Ipad:)  I really wish we could be keeping the Ipad because there is still so much I want to do with it.  At this point I'll have to begin saving and maybe one day soon be able to purchase my own Ipad:)

Door Scene Part 4 with Editing

This part of the project was a lot of fun.  I wish we had a little more time to use Imovie to edit.  I'm sure if given all day I could have kept changing/adding to the movie.  It was a lot of fun and just showed me what it takes to create a movie.  Lots of work and lots of creativeness.

Flat Stanley App. Review

Flat Stanley:

  Free App

          This application brings the book of Flat Stanley now to the digital world.  Teachers have used Flat Stanley for years to teach children about travel and to discover different cultures around the world.  Teachers would have students create their own Flat Stanley using paper and pencil and then mail their Flat Stanley off to different places for people to take pictures with him in different locations.  This application makes it so much easier and saves you on postage!

When students first get into the application, they will be able to create their own Flat Stanley (or Flat Stella for all the girls out there).  They will be able to give it a different name as well as change their hair, hair color, outfit, facial expression, to make it suited for them.  After you create what your Flat Stanley looks like you can fill in information about him/her.

  When you have you Flat Stanley created you are ready to go out and take pictures.  You can add Flat Stanley into whatever picture you want to take.  After you take a picture you can share it through email, twitter, facebook, or flatter world (flatter world is flat Stanley’s world).  With the sharing feature you can find other peoples pictures from around the world where they visited with Flat Stanley.  You also have the option to see other Flat Stanley’s that maybe around the area with the map feature.

You can incorporate so many different lessons using the Flat Stanley app.  Teachers can have their students take different pictures with their Flat Stanley and then create a story using another app.  They can also have students create a story using others’ pictures.  The possibilities could be endless.

This application is a very easy app. to use where I believe kids young and old and learn to use and enjoy!

Door Scene Project

The door scene project was a very interesting project.  At first, reading the criteria that we needed to follow to complete the project, I really became concerned that it was going to be a hard project to complete correctly.  However, after working and talking with my group memebers we came up with some really good ideas and what I think was a really good project.

When we were asked to complete the second part of the project I really never thought we would have to give our stories to another group to complete.  However, after doing it I really enjoyed the concept.  I especially enjoyed seeing what the group who had our story came up with.  I think this project could be a great project to do with kids.  It would make them work as a group and also really figure out how to set up a story from beginning, middle, and end.  Also, with the second part of the project the kids will have to make sure they are descriptive enough in their story to allow the other group to correctly tell their story!

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom Reading

Reading the text about digital storytelling is a lot to take in.  Coming into this class I had never heard of digital storytelling, so I had zero background knowledge.  Reading the text about digital storytelling is very overwhelming, but a nice source of information.  There's a lot to consider when it comes to digital storytelling and especially if you are going to use in the classroom.  Digital storytelling is a great opportunity for students to experience something they more then likely wouldn't get during their school career.  It also can be a great outlet for students to really expression themselves where otherwise with just written word they would never be able to. With that presenting digital storytelling to a class is not a cut and dry process.  Teachers need to be ready to defend what they maybe doing in class to administrators, other teachers, parents, and even students.  They need to have a clear and to the point plan with a clear and to the point rubric.  Teachers also need to make sure that students are following the same process of writing a story if they were to be writing a  story with just a pen and paper.  There is a lot that goes a long with digital storytelling.  However, if used correctly and planned out digital storytelling can be a wonderful, fun, new source for students to use!

Group Presentation Progress

I believe my group is doing pretty well so far.  I think we have a good understanding on where we want our project to go.  We are working on our project on google docs.  At this point in time we are trying to come up with a script for our project.  We broke up the parts, so each person is in charge of a section.

For our project we are going into the history of story telling.  We will talk about how stories were told by the Greek's and the Native Americans.  Then we will move onto story telling in schools.  Finally we will move onto digital story telling.  I'm assigned with coming up with a script for the digital story telling part.  There's lots of information out there on digital story telling, so coming up with a script won't be hard.  My main concern is making sure it flows nicely with the other parts. 

After we come up with our scripts we are going to add clips to Imovie showing the history of story telling.  Here we will also add our script to Imovies.  When we finish hopefully we will have a great project!

Digital Storytelling

My overall impressions of what I saw:
I thought what I saw was very interesting. It definitely is a new way to tell a story. I really enjoyed how it incorporates so many different types of media too, in order to tell the story. I think with technology being such a huge part in students lives this way of telling a story will definitely get students excited about stories and story telling again!

How could digital storytelling be used in education:
Digital storytelling could be used as a new way to present projects in a classroom. Instead of creating a power point to present, students can create a digital story to present projects. I believe it would be much more appealing for others to watch then a power point. Student's could also create a book report using digital storytelling. Again, I believe students will be more engaged with the project. Students will also be more engaged in the presentation of the project!

How would I assess what I saw:
I watched the story titled "Untitled". I thought the story was a very moving story, and I was able to get that feeling because of how the speaker was talking within the story, as well as the pictures that were being displayed. I enjoyed this concept because if I was just reading the story in a book I may not have been able to pick up on the storytellers emotion right away. The piece was very well put together and included all of the aspects that a digital story should include!

Texas A&M: Third and Final Meeting

My group and I met on Sunday on the Texas A&M Island for our 3rd and final meeting.  It was a little bitter sweet that it was the last meeting, however it was also a huge relief.  Going into this assignment I thought the part I would find most stressful would be leading the discussion, however after completing this assignment the most stressful (as well as aggravating:)) part was setting up the meetings!  Having to work around 5-6 peoples schedule really became a headache.  When we finally settled on a day making sure they knew what to read or watch was another task in itself.  I felt like I was in my classroom again telling my 4th graders what they needed to bring home and what they need to complete.  I guess I was expecting for them to be more independent and be able to realize what they need to do for the meeting.  Leading the discussion was definitely the easiest part of the whole assignment.

For our third meeting we began with discussing the articles.  We talked about using IPods in the classroom and the advantages and disadvantages with using them.  Alot of my group thought that the IPods could only be used for music and didn't realize there were actual apps you can purchase that focus on math/science/reading/etc.  I thought that was really interesting because I asked how many of my group members had an IPod and all of them said they did.  I guess they never really thought that an Ipod could be used as an educational device.  As I've said in previous posts I'm very amazed with all the "non" knowledge the younger generation has on technology.  As the conversation moved along I felt that the group wasn't into it like the other 2 times.  The "excitement" I suppose was wearing off.  A couple of my group memebers avatars kept saying they were away.  Also answers in my opinion, weren't very thoughtful.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience.  Second Life is a tool that could be very useful in the classroom.  Being able to experience it on my own and learn more about it , hopefully one day I will be able to incorporate it into my own classroom!

Texas A&M: Second Meeting

I meet with my group Sunday night, and overall I believe it went pretty well.  I definitely felt more comfortable leading this discussion rather then my first experience.  I think one of the reasons this was, was because I had no idea what to expect from the first meeting, and also I think I enjoyed the 2nd meetings topic more then the first meetings topic.
We met at the assigned location on the Texas A&M island.  A few people were late, but due to Second Life updating itself.  Once we began the discussion I felt it went pretty well.  We started with discussing the Hawaii video and then moved onto discussing the Walter Peyton video .  We talked about some challenges we may have if we were to incorporate in our classroom.  We also talked about postive aspects both types could bring to the classroom.  Something I did notice as we were having our discussion was that the majority of my group seems to be very hesistant to use technology in their classroom.  They kept taking about only using technology for note taking or using it for special occassions rather then use it for anything else.  I found this very interesting because as a younger generation I would have thought they would embrace technology and everything that had to do with it.  Instead I get the feeling they are "scared" of it and well use it only in the way it was given to them while they went to school (research/powerpoint/etc.).  I hope through our discussions and through their classes they will come to realize technology in the classroom is a good thing and can offer so much!

2nd Texas A&M Meeting

Texas A&M Meeting 1

After everything came together, the meeting with my group went very well.  The discussion we had about SL showed me that all my doubts/thoughts about SL weren't only shared by me.  My first point I brought up was how they felt about the voice feature, since when we began they were using the chat feature.  They like myself found it very strange and hard to get use to.  We discussed how we thought the kids might feel about this and we all thought it would be easier for the kids and not as strange from them.

We also discussed negatives and positives of using SL inside the classroom.  My group brought up great points on both sides.  We talked about how SL could take away social interaction between students which could be a downfall for some students.  We also talked about how it could be hard for a teacher to monitor students on SL.  Kids today are much more tech-savvy then teachers, so whatever precautions the teacher puts in place, we thought the kids probably could figure out away around it.  We all agreeded SL could defintely allow students new and exciting opportunities that they wouldn't get in a regular classroom.  We all really liked how in the article the teacher was able to change scenes for students to put them in a different stiutation.  It was so easy and quick for the teacher.

My group talked about different ways to implement SL in the classroom.  We talked how teachers could set up a "pen pal" group with another class which I know for my kids would excite them.  We also thought SL could maybe be used as a reward rather then just a teaching device.

Over all the experience went well.  We hope to meet later next Sunday.  A few of my group members had to leave a little early because they went home for the weekend and were heading back to school.  We hope by meeting later everyone will be settled for the night and not be as rushed.

Reflection on GCC Interview

The interview on genders in the classroom went very well.  My partner was very well prepared and asked some excellent questions.  Some of his questions really got me thinking.  It was also nice to have another teacher involved in the conversation to hear his views on gender and in his classroom.  Matt (the other teacher) teaches high school in a very affluent community.  I teach elementary school in an urban city community, so hearing his thoughts was very interesting to me. 

My partner really got me thinking about how I view gender in the classroom.  Before the interview, I never thought that I treated any gender any different from the other.  However, questions my partner asked really got me thinking that I may "favor" one gender over the other.  I love all my kids of course, but I feel like I can get more from my boys then my girls.  As I told my partner I feel like I can kid around with my boys more then my girls.  Because of this I've realized that I communicate with my boys better then my girls.  I know more about what is happening with their everyday life then I do my girls.  I realize I need to step back and get to know my girls on a more personal level as well. 

I also enjoyed the conversation we had about how boys are more pressured to do well with sports then they are academically.  Girls are seen as the gender that does well with school work and boys are the sporty ones.  As I told my partner though I have seen the opposite of this many times.  Many of my girls in previous years have been more atheltic then my boys.

Overall, I really enjoyed this interview.  It really got me thinking about different things and I enjoyed listening to what everyone was saying!

Social Networking

Does Social Networking have a place in the classroom?


Social Networking is a hot topic these days because of Facebook, Myspace and blog sites all across the internet.  Students of all ages know about these sites and take part in these sites, so should teachers incorporate them into the classroom?  In my opinion yes, however I believe teachers should use school friendly networking sites.  I don't believe teachers should incorporate Facebook or Myspace because I believe teachers can't fully control content or what students are doing on these sites.  A school friendly website is more likely to allow teachers to monitor students and make sure they are doing the assigned school project.  I really think social networking sites can lead to wonderful discussions/ideas/projects/etc. again however, I would hesitate to use any sites that aren't made for educational purposes.    I also believe social networking sites should be used for upper grades (upper middle school and high school).  Being a 4th grade teacher I don't believe my students are mature enough or ready enough to use a social networking site.  Listening to conversations my students have about Facebook or Myspace shows me this.

Introduction

My name is Laura Hiestand and I am currently a 4th grade teacher at Chester Community Charter School.  This is my 4th year teaching at Chester Community Charter School.  Often at school I am faced with different challenges.  School for many of my students is an escape from everyday life in Chester.  Due to this I try to make school fun and educational at the same time.

I graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in Elementary Education. In the Fall of 2010, I started at West Chester University to earn my Master’s in Special Education.  I hope my Master’s in Special Education will help me better meet the needs of all students in my class.  I also hope to take away information from my classes that I can use now and in the future within my classroom. Emerging Technology is one of those classes that I can incorporate within my classroom now and in the future!  With the use of different technology, my students as well as myself have an endless possibility in more engaging education.

As stated in the syllabus Emerging Technology is a class where we will be developing skills in accessing, anaylzing, evaluating and creating using emerging technologies.  We will focus a lot on virtual worlds collaborating with other students using second life.  We will be able to take away this information to be able to use in our own classrooms