Introduction to Google Apps & Google+

Here's a site I've created to get people in my school district thinking.

Introduction to Google Apps and Google+
https://sites.google.com/site/ksp667final/home

I believe that by implementing Google Apps for Education into our school, teachers and students will be more inclined to utilize the powers of social media (in particularly Google+). Feel free to wonder about and let me know what you think! You can either reply to this blog posting or leave a message in the Discussion Forum on the website I've created.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wade Werner
@MrWerner35

Projects Rule! (KSP 619 & 667 Final Project Tour)

Here is a video presentation <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIlIcyTxZPw> which reviews each of the aspects of my final project.

Introduction to Google Apps for Education
https://sites.google.com/site/ksp667final/

The endeavor which I have embarked upon has the potential of being a major game-changer in my school district.  Up to this point, the website I have created is based off of a vision; though it may be serve as a catalyst to a systematic overhaul of our current internet and e-mail configuration.  It's my hope that this website may serve as a thought-provoking tool for my school district.

There are numerous training opportunities that students and staff will have access to.  I will be adding instructional activities and videos to their corresponding pages prior to submitting the final project.  The overall appearance of the website is meant to be aesthetically appealing with a straightforward approach to implementing Google Apps.  I've also incorporated aspects of the coherence, spatial contiguity, pre-training, and personalization principles.

Each sequential page (located in the navigation bar on the lefthand side of the screen) adds to the staff's knowledge of the social media (in particularly Google Apps).  The introduction of Google+'s Communities is one of the major aspects of this project.  Without having designated staff Gmail accounts for this project, I'm left with limited options as to how I present this information.  Overall, I hope this give you a good perspective on how I plan on using MML principles in my final project.

Thanks for stopping by!
Wade Werner
@MrWerner35

Mmm... Delicious! A Social Bookmarking Web Service

http://www.delicious.com

I went outside of my comfort zone on this assignment and began using a social bookmarking web service called Delicious.  Despite using other social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+, I discovered that Delicious has some very unique bookmarking capabilities.  It's arguably one of the best social media sites to archive and organize favorable websites.

The user interface is set up so that users can navigate easily throughout each of the site's sections.  There's a simplicity to using this service that makes it very appealing.  Knowing that a lot of my colleagues struggle with information overload when it comes to technology, I'd have no problem introducing this social media site to them.  People may choose to link their Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ accounts to Delicious so that they can add their friends to their Delicious network.  By doing this, users are able to see a newsfeed of the different websites their friends have posted using other social networking services.  I instantly searched for keywords such as education and technology and was thrilled with the results.  

Users will also find that the 'Discover' section is filled with an astounding amount of recommended websites that pertain to their interests.  Posted websites are also tagged with keywords which help users quickly locate and identify websites that intrigue them.  Websites may also be displayed by when they were posted, specific tag words, or by if they are listed as public or private links.  It's a nice feature for anybody that is trying to narrow down their search results.   Teachers may post sites by clicking on the '+ Add Link' section, tagging websites with 'tags' that are applicable to their students' assignments.  This would ensure that students using Delicious were able to find websites that are relevant to their studies.  Comments (with up to 1000 characters) may also be posted with the link.  

The Delicious 'Settings' section enables users to add a short biography (up to 140 characters), a website, and an avatar (not to exceed 2 MB).  Third-party providers allow users to import their bookmarks from various web browsers.  The latest version of Delicious.com features a new responsive design for mobile and tablet users.  I have grown accustomed to using the desktop version, though the mobile version offers the same clean and crisp look.  I've also read that there are a few bugs that they are working out in regards to editing posts and duplicate bookmarks.  I'm issues like these will be resolved in future updates to the app.  

I do not see myself using Delicious on a regular basis, however, I would have no problem using this service as a resource for current information and various educational and technological trends.  Students that chose to use Delicious would be able to customize it's services so that it displays news and information that is relevant to their studies.  I'm thrilled to have found this interesting social media site.  

Podcast for Blogs

Podcasting has become a very valuable learning tool for both students and teachers.  

Students and teachers have produced audio and video recordings for many years prior to the emergence of podcasts and vodcasts.  The way in which podcasts and vodcasts are distributed is what separates them from all previous kinds of audio and video recordings.  Despite teachers’ best efforts, producing and sharing audio and video recordings was a very challenging task prior to the digital age we are currently in.  Portable digital devices allow users to tap into a network of invaluable educational material anywhere, opposed to  previous generations who have had to rely on content being shared with them primarily in a classroom setting.  It’s miraculous!  

Podcasts and vodcasts have impacted my pedagogy in ways that I could have never imagined.  No matter what interest I have that I would like to obtain more knowledge on, there are podcasts that I’ve found that truly fascinate and intrigue me.  I’ve found that there are communities of people just like me with a strong desire to teach and learn.  I have no doubt that the students we teach can also acquire hoards of information that will benefit them and prepare them for real life experiences they may someday encounter. 

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LESSON PLAN: Role Models and Their Impact on Society 

Grade Level: 4th Grade

Materials: iPads, iPods, Desktop Computers, Digital Camcorder, iTalk Software

Lesson Sequence:

•Students are encouraged to ‘THINK BIG’.  

•Who has made an impact on your life, as a role model?

•How has this person impacted your life?

•How has this person influenced decisions you’ve made in your life?

•Discover what influences your role model has had in their life.

•Ask your role model if there was a moment or person in their life that impacted them personally.  

•Share your personal goals with your role.  Ask them for insight on how to achieve your goals.  

•Be sure to thank them for their time and wish them well in their future endeavors.  

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•Students will be required to create a podcast using the software and hardware of their choice.

•A selection of software titles and available hardware will be made available to the students.  

SOFTWARE     HARDWARE

•Garageband      •Sony Camcorder

•Audacity           •Microphone with 1/8” mini jack

•iMovie              •Desktop Computer

                         •Tripod

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•Students will be assessed using a rubric which addresses:

•Collaboration

•Writing Skills

•Presentation

•Recording

•Publishing
•Reflection

ASSURE Model Lesson Plan

ANALYZE LEARNERS (AUDIENCE)

     •3rd & 4th Grade students of varying math abilities. 

     •Students may work individually or as a group.  

STATE OBJECTIVES (BEHAVIORS)

     •Student will create examples of fractions using different sized Legos.

     •Student will share their Lego fractions with other students using digital pictures.

     •Students may also create a presentation about their project to share with the class. 

SELECT MEDIA, MATERIALS, & METHODS (CONDITIONS)

     •Legos

     •Construction Paper

     •Markers/Crayons

     •Zip-Lock Sandwich Bags

     •Digital Camera

     •Laptop/Desktop Computer or iPad

     •Presentation Software (Power Point, Keynote, Prezi, Voicethread, etc.)

UTILIZE MEDIA, MATERIALS, & METHODS (CONDITIONS)

     •Each individual or group of students will be given multiple bags of Legos.

     •Each bag of Lego's must contain numerous Lego pieces that are the same size.

     •Legos will be constructed so that various fractions are used to create 1 whole piece.

     •Digital pictures will be taken of each labeled group of Lego's on a piece of construction 
       paper.  

     •Digital photos can be used to create a presentation to share with the teacher or class.  

REQUIRE LEARNER PARTICIPATION (DEGREE)

     •Students must be observed working individually or with a group towards the objectives. 

     •Students must document their progress using digital photographs.  

     •Students are encouraged to share their successes with each other and the teacher.  

EVALUATE & REVISE (DEGREE)

     •Students will be evaluated using a rubric which addresses all the required fraction 
       combinations.  

     •Students will be awarded for creating new fraction combinations.

     •Students must explain (or present) how they created their fractions using digital 
       pictures.   

You can follow me on Twitter! @MrWerner35

http://www.twitter.com/MrWerner35