Week 15: What a Whirlwind!

Taylor and Zoe in a huricane simulator

Really?  The semester is almost over?  I can't believe the end is coming so soon.  It seems like just yesterday we were making blogs and taking silly pictures with Photobooth.  As we wind down, I want to remind everyone how much better your life will be if you begin your TaskStream narratives sooner rather than later.  I believe it was the California almond growers that used to have a commercial that said, "A can a week, that's all we ask."  While I am not promoting that you begin to eat more nuts, I am recommending that you write a "paragraph a day" in terms of your NETS narratives.  If you tackle the NETS II-V as a paragraph a day, they will be over before you know it.  If, however, you wait until next Sunday to begin to write your narratives, you will probably be more stressed and produce work that isn't a representation of your best self. . .just sayin'

Tonight, we will finish the iMovie projects and embed them in your blogs.  Don't forget your headphones and a printed copy of your checklist for class tonight.  While you're printing you might want to print up a copy of the Emerging Technology Checklist as well.  Here is a link to both: 

Emerging Technology

iMovie Software Proficiency

These will need to be checked off by you first, then your peers, and submitted to me.  We will also go over how to create your Symbaloo webmix as a NETS/TaskStream portfolio.  This will be something that you will embed in your blog as well as TaskStream.  You will learn how to publish the NETS narratives in GoogleDocs as a webpage and embed it into TaskStream and Symbaloo.  If you need any help please ask me tonight or make an appointment to meet me before class or another agreed upon day.

This Week's Question: Do you see yourself integrating technology with your future students? If so, how?  

Week 14: Approaching the End of the Road?

I took this picture while driving - don't try this at home

Always remember, "Wherever you go. . .there you are!" (any Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai fans out there?)  I write to you all bleary eyed from a long extended working weekend of grading and regrading student work.  I'm haunted by this recurring nightmare where I drown in a shallow TaskStream.  I try and try, but I can't break free my entanglement in the NETS. Anyone have an idea as to why?  Uh, is anyone else having the same nightmare ;-)

Everything due, except the mind map, should be graded.  Tonight, I want to talk briefly about the format of the cybersafety websites.  Previously, we discussed the importance of design in terms of creating content for the web.  Keep in mind that you are creating a collaborative website, not six individual sites.  The format doesn't have to match, but it should have some continuity and an eye for aesthetics. Overall, the sites are good, but we can make them better! The only assignment that I didn't re-visit was the PLN.  Please check your grades and look for my feedback on any assignments that require your attention.
Tonight you should be working on your iMovie PSAs. . .don't forget to bring those headphones!  If you read this before coming to campus, it would be great if you could print the iMovie checklist to bring to class as well.  I will cover how to export your masterpiece and get the movie on your blog!  We will begin the document that will become your TaskStream narratives on Google Docs.  I have posted the Google Tools assignment in CougarCourses, but all you have to do is to complete the very short survey of you use of Google tools and submit.  I just want to give you credit for your hard work with all the tools you have used! We'll discuss the artifacts you will be using for your final four NETS-T standards.  If we have any time, I want to revisit Symbaloo and discuss how you will use it to create a webmix portfolio of your technological proficiency for the NETS and beyond. . . Any spare time you might have can be spent ensuing all of your work makes it to your blog either by embedding directly, uploading to Box.net, or simply uploading a .jpg of an artifact!
There is good new!  After tonight, there will be no more new assignments. . .only a the completion of your TaskStream narratives and a short response to your attendance and participation.  Come to class early if you need help. . . .
Someone tweeted an article that really relates to last week's question. . .take a look (it's short!)

 Three New Pillars of 21st Century Learning

This Week's Question: What has been your favorite assignment in this class and why?

Week 13: This Week, Everyone's an Artist!

By the time this course ends you will be able to add filmmaker to your extensive technological résumé. In class this week, we begin the process. You will be using existing footage to create a public service announcement (PSA) about CSUSM! Headphones. . .don't forget headphones. As I mentioned in class last week, this is not a class that can be easily made up, so I expect to see all of your bright, shiny faces in class.
About TaskStream narratives: I have given two more editing visits to your collaborative NETS I narratives.  The expectation was that they would be completed by class time. . .I don't think we will be at 100%, but I hope to have more than a few groups with all of their text turned black.  If you have not given the narratives the attention they require, please do so ASAP.
Past Work:  The collaborative websites were due Friday.  We went over in class that you would put the websites on your blog as a page with a weblink.  When you submit this in Cougar Courses, you are to give a link to the site and tell me who was in your group and what page each group member completed. . . I moved the date for Journals 6-10 to Thursday and the Mindmapping due date to Saturday.  However, Journal 8/Adaptive Technology assignment was due last Saturday.  Also, you should be continuously adding artifacts to your blog as your finish them. . .Symbaloo certification is also something you should complete.
I will do my best ot get to class an hour or so early to help anyone who needs it. . .please try to schedule some time there if you find yourself in need of assistance!

This Week's Question: With the fairly unique structure of this course, what have you discovered about yourself as a learner?  How will that help you as a teacher?

Week 12: Mind maps, Symbaloo, juggling assignments, and the Meaning of Life!

The cemetery at Manzanar (on the way to Mammoth)

I believe that week twelve symbolizes the fact you are now 75% complete with the semester.  Can I get a, "Whoop, whoop?"  Anyway, I'm sure that you are equal parts relived and stressed with the pressures that make up the end of a semester.  Those who do not love technology might have a bit more stress than most.  If you are feeling behind or in need of help, please come to class early to receive help. If you cannot make it early on Mondays, I am always willing to schedule a time to help anyone who needs it.  Like most of you, I am very busy, but this topic is such a passion for me that I don't even consider it work. . .Okay, grading papers is work, but everything else is just plain fun.

I have graded everything that is due up through tonight's class.  I have not completed a third pass at revised assignments, but will do so soon.  I graded the Excel, Presentation, and PLN assignments this weekend.  Many of you have some editing to do.  As I was out of town last week, I left you with plenty to do for the week.  My fear is that not much has been completed? Please tell me that isn't so. . .And I know you revised your NETS I collaborative narratives, right?

The two assignments that should be most pressing are the journals 6-10, to include PLN and Adaptive Technology (journals 7 and 8), and the Cybersafety Collaborative Website.  Take advantage of the beginning of class to meet with your group and ensure that each member knows what page she or he is assigned and perhaps even share best practices with the class??  You also have Symbaloo to learn and create a great webmix of your proficiency for TPE 14.

Tonight, I want to discuss the past assignments to ensure you understand all you need to do.  Everyone should be in my TaskStream container now, so we will log in and request feedback. We can revisit your Emerging Tech Checklist as well. Finally, I will introduce the Mind Map Assignment and how to use it to brainstorm and organize your artifacts that meet the NETS standards!

Next week we will be learning how to edit with iMovie.  I am giving a very early reminder to bring headphones for the assignments.  Any headphones that work with .mp3 players, iPods, laptops, etc., will work.  We will be editing with music, so headphones are necessary to avoid annoying your peers.

Another quick reminder that the weekly questions are part of the attendance and participation of the course. . .I should have had more than 17 responses for week ten.




This Week's Question: What is the last good book your read. . .it could have been for pleasure or something assigned to you for a class?