(u07a1) You.com

    I looked at a few of the suggested site for my digital portfolio.  So much of my information is already in blogs, my class website, and other digital formats that I decided I wanted to keep this to a simpler site.  I chose to use About.me since it is more of a one page intro that then can be linked to many other pages and sites.  I decided to use my headshot along side my bio in order to have a clear picture of my face and use a picture of my jumping in competition to accompany it.  After writing a brief overview bio and adding my work and education information, I started thinking about what other items I wanted to include.  Using the apps tool I liked my EDIM 514 blog and my class twitter account.  Then I began adding links.  I started with my classroom website, my Ustream channel, and my Diigo bookmarks.  Next I thought it would be nice to add a few personal touches.  I added a video using the youtube option but then had to adjust all my spacing because it places the video at the beginning of your bio.  Once I readjusted, I decided it would also be nice to add a link to a cabaret performance in the links section. I chose not to link my Facebook account as this could be used for more professional situations and my Facebook is more my personal social life.

    Overall, I think that the About.Me site is a nice way to show and link to a few aspects of your life without having to build sepsarate pages for everything and withought having the same content repeated over and over in yet another location on the web.  The site was fairly easy to use and made creating a quick intro style page simple and neatly organized.  Here is the link to my page:

http://about.me/kimberlytassinaro

(u06a2) Broadcast Yourself

    I decided to use the opportunity to webcast to explore and advertise my activities outside of education.  I used the opportunity to broadcast from the theatre that I am currently performing in. Step number one was getting permission from all the appropriate people to run the webcast.  I had to make sure that the PA Playhouse board was ok with the project and were willing to allow me to use the private wifi.  I also had to make sure it was ok with the production staff of Company to be filming as we were prepping for a performance.  After receiving the green light from all the appropriate channels, I began trying to set up the project.

    Since I knew I wanted to be able to walk around the playhouse, I knew that I would need to be able to broadcast from my iPad.  I needed to find out what webcasting programs I could use to broadcast this way.  I looked into Google+ Hangouts and also UStream.  In the end, Ustream was the better option as I could easily broadcast from my iPad.  Using my iPad allowed me freedom of movement but also to easily transition the camera from front view to back view.  I tested the equipment at the playhouse on tuesday prior to my friday evening proposed broadcast.  The test went incredibly well.  The feed seemed to be working well and I was able to have two friends tune in and comment in the social stream as I was testing.  I advertised my broadcast using Facebook which allowed me to easily link my Ustream channel to the memos during the days prior and also to continually update as I was leading into the broadcast. 

    When my broadcast day arrived, I was definitely nervous.  Not only had I already worked all day, but now I was thinking about the broadcast and the show I was going to have to perform in in a few hours.  Once I got set up I ran a last test run that seemed to go well.  Unfortunately as I was preparing to broadcast, a massive storm system rolled into PA.  This was only a minor problem but did cause some interruptions in my broadcast due to wifi issues cause by the storm.  Once I got going, the webcast went really well, I had about 6 different people tune in while live although no one used the social stream/chat options.  I also had several people tune in to watch the recorded webcast.  

    In general I think it went really well, the technology did was a success and super user friendly once I learned to use it.  Although upon viewing the recorded video I did notice there is some delay in the audio and video feed.  It would be a really neat to work on a project like this in the classroom.  It would be a way for the students to broadcast from outside of the school.  We could broadcast and record field experiences or even allow students to bring their outside activities into the classroom through recorded broadcast.  It might also be a neat way of highlighting sports and other activities outside of the classroom.  Below you will find the link to my recorded broadcast.  It is in two segments due to the connection losses caused by the storm and wifi.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tassattack

(u06a1) Attend a Live Webinar

I have attended webinars before so it was not a completely new concept.  I have not, however, actively looked for webinar resources in the past.  All of the ones I have attended were either for assignments or professional development through my district.  I was excited about being able to choose a webinar that actually interested me.  There were many topics on the given websites that I was really curious about.  Time became my first obstacle.  Unfortunately, a lot of the topics I was most interested in were either during the time that I am actively teaching classes, or when I am working at my other jobs.  I found that trying to find a webinar within the week that fit into my busy time schedule greatly narrowed the choices.  I ended up choosing a 10pm-11pm Discovery Education webinar called “Evaluating Student Knowledge: Formative Assessment with Discovery Education-- a Discovery Education Science TECHBOOK.”  The last thing I really wanted to do was sit through yet another discussion of formative assessment, but it fit in the schedule and I was curious about Techbook.

The show was very easy to access through Discovery Education.  Registration and log-in was simple and efficient.  There was no learning curve to the process as it was very simple and straightforward.  The audio was clear and the presenter offered help if needed.  The show worked by the presenter sharing her desktop to us and then giving a ppt presentation and in the end a little bit of real time examples with the Discovery Education Techbook.  The presentation and format itself worked well and the presenter was clear and knowledgeable.  The biggest weakness was that by 10:30pm I was fading fast and the ppt was not keeping my attention.  I tried chatting and participating with the other attendees in order to stay on task but I was definitely forcing myself to remain engaged rather than naturally being engaged by the topic and presentation.

           I would definitely participate in another webinar if it was a topic I was really interested in.  I think that the potential opportunities for learning not only from the presenter but also from other teachers are vast.  I can also see the application of a webinar to the classroom environment.  If you could find webinars on class topics or even create them, it would be a great way to get kids connected in a different way.  It might also be a really neat way to swap information from one location to another.  Teacher or students from different schools could set up webinars and teach not only their students/peers but those from another school.  Then all the students would be able to interact.  It could create new insight, new friendships, and expand the students understanding beyond the typical classroom environment. 

(u05a2) Integrating Social Networking

I teach a BioEthics course.  The course covers topics from animal rights to abortion to genetic engineering.  This discussion based class involves a lot of discussion and debating.  Students are mixed ages, 9-12, and mixed levels.  My course goal is to teach students how to research topics, become informed on all sides, and then make an educated decision about the topic.  There are some students that are not necessarily talkers and I am always looking for a way for those kids to get to express what they are thinking as well.  As a result, I would like to have each student create a bioethics blog.  They can then post thoughts questions and resources on each topic there.  As a class, we can link all the blogs to my website, which would allow the class to follow each other and comment/discuss the ideas each person has.  

Blogs for Bioethics:

Course: Bioethics

Grade: 9-12

Duration: Continuous throughout the quarter

Goals: Students will create an individual blog to use as they explore bioethical topics throughout the semester.  It will be the home base for their own personal discovery, points of view, and discussions.  Students will also follow and comment on their classmates blogs as a way of interacting outside of the classroom and in a digital format.

Objectives:

1.  Students will set up a blog using Blogger and their school google accounts.

2.  Students will post an entry at least 2 times for each major course topic.

3.  Students will comment on at least 3 classmates posts each topic.

Procedure:

          Students will set up a blog using Blogger and their school google accounts.  After setting up their blogs they will link their blogs to the Blog Google Doc found in the Bioethics filing cabinet on my class website (www.tinyurl.com/tassclass).  During each topic, students will create at least two entries regarding the topic.  Entries may be informational or supported opinion.  Students are also encouraged to pose questions, create polls, and link to other websites that are useful in developing their opinions on the topic.  Blogs are a location for students to think and discuss the topics in a digital forum.

         Students will also be expected to follow each others blogs and comment on the posts of at least 2 classmates each topic.  The blogs are to be an extension of classroom discussion and all classroom rules for discussion and respect apply to blogging and commenting.  Students are encouraged to think deeply about the topics and post as many times as they want in the course of a topic.  

Assessment:

         Students will be graded based on participation and content, as well as, how well they support their thoughts. For each topic, students will receive a 20 point project grade for their posts and a 15 point project grade for their comments.

Links:

Tass Class Website - www.tinyurl.com/tassclass

Tass’s Bioethics Blog - http://svbioethics.blogspot.com/

Class Bioethics Blog Links - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R0vuDBpN25RITvHWWNYvbm9W6HdDVQeNaJUUM_tqW0E/edit?usp=sharing

(u05a1) The Seven Day Social Immersion Challenge

Photo a Day Challenge:

Although I initially felt overwhelmed but the prospect of having to post a picture everyday in a very busy week of my life, I had a really good time with this assignment.  I decided that I was going to wait to see something that I found inspiring or connected to that day and use that as my photo.  I had no specific theme other than that.  I was originally sending the photos to my email and uploading them from my computer.  Due to a late rehearsal one night, I had to figure out how to load from my phone.  I found out that there is a Blogger app and I was able to quickly and easily load the pictures right from my phone into a blog post.  I can see how doing this for an entire year could create a great insight into one’s life.  Just looking back on this week, I am able to see how I was feeling and what made me think or happy at that moment.  I think this could be a really amazing assignment for students to really consider themselves, what is important to them, and how they view the world.  Here is a link to my 7 day set.

http://itft514.blogspot.com/search/label/Photo%20a%20Day

Photo a Day: Day 7

This is unconditional love.

Photo a Day: Day 6

It's good to have friends that can make you feel like a star.

Photo a Day: Day 5

Rocket's view of my classroom

Photo a Day: Day 4

After years of nominations, I finally won my category! I'm so excited about my STAR Award.

Photo a Day: Day 3

A beautiful spring tree and a vicious hail storm.

Photo a Day: Day 2

Sometimes I just need a reminder.

Photo a Day: Day 1

 

The first real spring evening in PA.   There was just something so beautiful and inspiring about the way the light reflected on the tree and bench outside the theatre tonight, a reminder of simplicity and the little things in life.

(u04a2) Digital Story Created With a Cell Phone

I used a free iPhone app called Stitch by Klab Lab to create my digital story.  I was able to take photographs with my phone and then link them together with text and music within the app. There are different themes you can use and the program takes care of the music and transitions for you. Here is my video, "I knew I was going to be an educator when . . ."

 

(u04a1) Mobiles in the Classroom Interview

I have toyed with the idea of using cell phones for student project more than once in my educational career.  In the past, I used to allow students to use the cameras for video projects but with our district’s no tolerance cell phone policy, I have stopped doing this.  I interviewed Rita Chuhran, a former history teacher and technology integration specialist,  about her past experiences using cell phones in the classroom.

    Rita recently did a review game with QR codes.  Rita created questions online and then linked the questions to QR codes.  Rita placed the QR codes around the building and outside in our courtyard.  The QR codes were then accessed by the students using cell phones.  The students paired up, scanned the codes with their phones, and then answered the questions in their notebooks.  

Our school does not allow cell phones, so Rita discussed the project with principal and he agreed to an exception.  Since they were seniors, she neither asked parents, nor discussed with them. She simply made them aware that the activity would use some of their data plan.  No parents seemed concerned with this idea. The principal was supportive despite the general policy. The one technical challenge was that she wanted to do the activity to get them outside in the spring, but it was hard to read cell phone screens outside in the bright sun. Feedback from students was good. They enjoyed being able to move around in order to complete what is otherwise a fairly boring and straightforward activity. Rita had done essentially the same thing in the past with review packets and students were much less engaged in the answering of the questions. It worked well.  Rita was particularly happy with the way students were engaged in the project.  

I would be willing to try a project like this in my classroom.  I can see how students would be more excited and more engaged.  I think this could also be a really great way to get ym Ecology kids out in the field.  I could set up stations with research and directions linked to QR codes.  Then the kids could be working in different stations and not need me to be with every group at the same time.  It would also be a fun way to create a scavenger hunt style review or activity.  I would really be interested in giving this a try if my principal would be willing to make more exceptions.  Below you will find a link to Rita’s Teaching with Technology Blog.  She has a lot of really great resources for teacher and has set them all up with easy direction to help get people started.

http://saucontech.blogspot.com/2012/03/qr-codes-review-game.html