WEBQUEST EDU 370

http://questgarden.com/136/05/2/111122120523/

Reflection on Online Learning: Virtual School

Reflection on Online Learning: Virtual School

1) Who is responsible to pay for students attending virtual high schools?

I can understand why finances may become an issue when applying to go to a virtual school. I came across the same situation a few years ago. I wanted to continue my education but realistically there was no way that this could have been possible. I had way too much on my plate, which consisted of work, new family, a family to support along with commuting long distances every day. This door opened for me and I was able to take courses online. Long story short, I realized that I wanted to finish school and I completely understood that since this was a special way for me to continue my education there needed to be some price to pay. I applied for loans and grants and I may have to pay debt off for a while, but education is ever lasting and I exceeded my goals in more than one way.

2) Should all public schools have a virtual high school component?

In this day and age I think the technology is available so it needs to be implemented. Although, I think there needs to be some sort of guidelines or requirements met in order to take advantage of the program. I see the importance of being able to communicate with other students, but I also see the importance of having to live life and its requirements as well.

3) How should parents be notified of the opportunity for online courses?

First I would make sure that I had plenty of documentation and information that would be available. I would say most importantly there needs to be someone like a Teacher, Administrator, or a Guidance Counselor that has been taught all the information needed to educate a parent about the virtual high school. My biggest concern would be facing a parent and not giving the correct information, or not knowing what I was talking about. We are talking about a persons future and the conversation should be taken seriously and professionally.

4) Should teachers receive a degree in teaching online courses before being allowed to teach an online course?

As my previous statement stated, I would say yes. We are speaking about a student’s future and this needs to be dealt with in a delicate manner.

Additional question

*How could you integrate what you learned into a classroom environment?

I think the big picture is to always make sure that you and your students have options. It’s okay for a person to say they don’t understand something, or they just don’t have the time but are highly motivated to finish school. I would make sure that I was paying attention to students and their needs more and ask myself what type of situation is this? How can this be fixed? What are ways we can work with the student and their future. Not just a online virtual school, but maybe even a history class, or math class a way for students to make up work and make it achievable for them to graduate. The “ultimate goal of distance learning is to make education available to anyone anywhere at any time, this goal cannot be realized unless courses are designed to be accessible to all potential students, including those with disabilities” (Burgstahler, Corrigan, McCarter, 2004).

Technology Innovation Centers Reflection

Today's activity consisted of 5 different stations, the stations had different types of devices to utilize in the classroom. I will start out with my favorite device to the device I disliked the most.

1. Smart Board--liked the most

2. Ipads

3. Electronic Pens

4. Overhead

5. I-touch--I really didn't care for

I found that the Smart Board is a wonderful tool! If students missed a day of notes or a certain presentation, the teacher is able to record and share this with the student. I would say that the only down fall would be the fact if the equipment were to break down who would fix it? I think that there needs to be more support and instruction on what to do if something breaks or needs to be updated. I would highly recommend taking a course, or learn more about the technology of the Smart Board before using it's full potential.

I disliked having to use the I-touch. I really didn't see it as a high functioning tool. Big thumbs down. I just see it as being troublesome and disruptive.

The tool that I would see in a classroom tomorrow would be the Ipad. I just love the fact that a student can work at their own pace and that there is so much information for them to use.

I would use the Ipad a a motivator in the classroom. Each student can grab a Ipad and take it to their desk and work on specific homework that they are having issues with. A Ipad seems to be the way to go in the classroom when you are having problems that need to be corrected.

Reflection on Podcasting: Learning on the Go

Reflection on Podcasting: Learning on the Go

Questions for Discussion

1. As a teacher, what must you do to prepare your class for podcasting?

First, I would want to give my class a better understanding of how to utilize a podcast correctly. By showing my students how to use the program, I could ensure that there will be less hardship for students. I would also want to address the key factors of the down side of using podcasting, such as potential copyright infringement, unsuitable information for all audiences, lack of technical support, training and lack of student interaction with me.

2. What are the potential detrimental effects on education for podcasting use? What are the potential benefits?

As previously mentioned I would be concerned about students using a podcast correctly. I want my students to understand that there can be some issues with copyright infringement and lack of interaction with me, which may cause some issues with fully understanding the lesson and content. On the other hand, the upside would be the convenience of being able to listen to the file at their discretion. I feel that there would need to be some expectations for the students to follow as well as guide lines.

3. If a teacher uses podcasts, what are the students’ obligations for the class?

I would make it mandatory for some sort of response to be submitted to me. This would ensure that the content was being listened to and that the students had an understanding of what the objectives of the unit entail. This will also give me the opportunity to make sure that if any students were struggling, I would be able to help them in a timely manner.

4. Should there be options for class attendance?

I would say that there needs to be some set of expectations set for the students to go off of. I would require them to come to a lecture class and share information or feedback they may have on the topic. I think that convenience is huge, but also interacting with other students is important as well. I would recommend that the students come to 50% of lectures and days they don’t attend they have to post a summary of the content they learned. This would be a great time to utilize a discussion board. That way the students are still interacting with other students even when they are not in the classroom.

Reflection on Cell Phones: A Tool for Cheating

Reflection on Cell Phones: A Tool for Cheating

Questions for Discussion:

1. If you were the teacher, how would you handle this situation?

I think that the teacher did the right thing by not only taking the phones away from the girls, but also giving them both a zero on the test If I came across this issue I would make it a rule that students must first register that they have a cell phone in their class or the students will receive a zero for class participation. The second thing was on test days, students had to put their cell phones in a box in the front of the classroom and once class was over the students were able to obtain their phone again. However, if the student were caught with a phone they would not only receive a zero for the task that day, but they also received (I.S.S.) in school suspension.

2. As a teacher, would you ban all cell phones in your classroom?

I would personally have a zero tolerance for cell phone in the classroom. There isn’t any reason for phones to be in a classroom. I’m a very traditional person, so only if there was an emergency should a person be contacted via the office during class. (NO CELL PHONES)

3. What should happen to Laura and Jessica?

I would first contact the parents of the students and request a meeting with them. I would address the seriousness of the students cheating and request feedback from the parents. Is (I.S.S) serious enough? What other consequences should be taken if this were to happen again? Unfortunately, I would make the girls be an example and have a zero tolerance of cell phone use in the classroom. If this rule wasn’t followed I would recommend the students stay after school and complete extra credit assignments to make up zeros received in class.

4. Should cell phones be prohibited in schools? If so, how do you make parents feel that their kids are safe at school? And how can a policy be enforced?

I think implementing the policy of no cell phone in school should be enforced. There weren’t any issues of this sort in the past, so process of elimination. How do I ensure that students/kids are safe at school? In the past if there was any issue at school the students went to the office to complain or ask to use the phone. There was also a pay phone if the students absolutely needed to use the phone. In order to ensure that this policy was implemented correctly you would need the help of the parents and the administration at the school. I know that this is an extra step for some people and they may not be happy having to micro-manage students. But in the long run it will be a satisfactory decision for the students and their peers.

Digital Story Telling Reflection

I thought that this was a wonderful assignment! It felt really good finding other venues to teach. At first when the project was assigned I had a hard time figuring out where to even start. So I would highly recommend first, what age group are you trying to captivate? What is the message your trying to convey? What is the skill level of comprehension are you trying to reach? What is your overall goal for this digital story? After I brained stormed and answered all of these question things just started to take care of themselves. I didn't feel pressure or stressed anymore, in fact I had a hard time finding a stopping point. I would implement my digital story in a class that teaches social studies. This would open up a new way to discover history and get students of all skill levels excited about learning. The question would be, would I ever do this assignment again or would I ever recommend it? I would say "Yes", 110%!!!!

Once Upon a Time

Darrell P. Quintana

Conceptual Analysis Document

(Digital Story)

October 12, 2011

Content meant for Social Studies in Middle School or High School Students

My Digital Story consists of images and brief clips of videos. I was able to construct a digital story that touches base with Civil Rights and the steady growth of acceptance today.

Ø ISTE-S Standards-

Diverse Learners:

Students will get the opportunity to view history through images and small clips of historical data. Instead of approaching history through reading we will take the visual approach to catch every student’s skill and attention level.

Communication and Technology:

Students will get the opportunity to watch and evaluate the digital story provided. Then the student will write a paragraph on what they thought the story was conveying.

Ø Montana State Standards-

Social Studies Standard 2: Students will analyze how people create and change structures of power, authority and governance to understand the operation of government and demonstrate civic responsibility.

Social Studies Standard 6: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of human interaction and cultural diversity on societies.

Ø Common Core Standards-

Students will develop a higher order of thinking and ways to problem solve. This will be a way to improve the student’s motivation in the classroom. Integrating technology in the classroom will influence a wider range of academic knowledge in students, who are special needs or lower performing.

The Students will gain a new perspective of integrating technology in the classroom. They will be able to see by my example what needs to be achieved through visual expression. When I give the history assignment they will be able to create a short film of their own and they will be able to effectively execute a digital story.

Reflection on, The Young and the Wired

Reflection on, The Young and the Wired

Questions for Discussion

What is the teacher’s role concerning student Internet activities at home?
I think it became the teacher’s responsibility to intervene once she overheard the girls being dishonest and hurtful. The situation needed to be handled and dealt with in a timely manner before any hardship or harsh repercussions took place.

The teacher wondered how to incorporate being a good citizen even in cyberspace?

Being a positive role model in and out of society is important. It’s not only a young adult’s responsibility but parents as well. I feel that there should be some type of lesson plan incorporated in the classroom, showing what might happen if a computer is abused or not used correctly.

How important is keeping your login information secure?

In the past I have had the opportunity to see what happens when login information is used out of spite and out of dishonesty. Not logging out of your computer can aid predators and it can also ruin your future within the workplace and in other areas.

Why should students get into the habit of logging off when they are away from your computer?

You never know who may jump on the computer after you. It only takes a second to loggout or a second to face harsh consequences.

Not only as an educator but as a parent, this study really hits home. I have a daughter who is a freshman in high school and I monitor actions when I can. When we were young our parents were concerned about where we were, or who we were hanging out with. But now, it’s completely different. Our kids can hop on the computer and anything and everything is accessible in a heartbeat. I feel as a leader and a role model it’s important to educate kids, and show them the proper etiquette when they are on a computer.

Fair Use 09/15/2011

Fair Use and You~

Fair use is compiled of several different components. One, would be the amount of content that you are using. Two, would be the commercial content and the value it may have. Three would consist of the actual purpose you have for the content that you are using. Most importantly, is this for a non-profit? The content should be used for educational purposes, also keep in mind of the nature of copy righted work. Someone should always consider if this content is being used for quantity and quality of the work that you are doing in a classroom.
Here are some sources that an individual can learn more information on Fair Use-

Internet Archive
http://www.archive.org

Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov

Creative Commons
http:www.creativecommons.org

Darrell's Bio

Hello my name is Darrell Quintana. I was raised in Yellowstone National Park. I have four kids and a wife that keeps me busy and then some~