Excel Spreadsheet-- Performance Based Assessment

For the performance based assessment, we were given a set of data with which to work. We had to use the data to calculate averages, create a chart in scientific style, and conduct a Ttest. Before this week I had never heard of a Ttest, so that was interesting. We had to create a document that displayed this result, and publish it via GoogleDocs.

One thing that is noticeable is that not everything can be uploaded to GoogleDocs. Charts with pictures and Ttests CANNOT be uploaded directly to GoogleDocs-- in that case, they lose their pictures.

This activity promotes NETS standard 3, substandard d, which states that teachers will: "model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning."

What I've learned

In the past 6 weeks of Instructional Technology, we've utilized a variety of technological programs that will (hopefully) make our lives easier as teachers. I had used blogger in the past, so that wasn't new, but lets look at what we've done:

Personality Profile Quiz
Spipping Tool
Jing Image Capture
Mrs. Picassohead
Jing Screencast
You Tube Embedding
Physical Storage vs. Virtual Storage
Photostory

For simplicity's sake, I bolded the ones with which I had no previous experience. The only tools I really hadn't used before were the tools

Photostory

This blog post uses standard 3, substandard a of the NETS standards, which says teachers will: “communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.”

To create this post, we used google search to find a powerpoint, then used the program Photostory to animate it.

The original powerpoint was for a 4H group.

Physical Storage vs Virtual Storage

For my project today, I used Adobe Photoshop to create images of virtual and physical storage. Physical storage is transportable even without access to internet, but virtual storage has more longevity and you do not have to worry about it being destroyed. It is able to be accessed all over the world.

This activity primarily reinforces NETS standard 2, substandard a, which says that teachers need to "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity." In our fields we will need to rely on some of these storage tools to provide access to some forms of information to students.

YouTube post- Librarians do Gaga

For my YouTube link, I used a video called "Librarians do Gaga", a promotional project for a school's library Masters program. It's an interesting mix of library science and pop culture. Having students create a song parody to support an academic unit could be consider NETS standard 3, substandard b, which states that teachers should "collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation"

Jing Screencast

For today's class, we used Jing to create a video of how to do something on our computer. For my project, I used Adobe InDesign to show students how to create a compound path. This is used in yearbook layouts and placing photos in InDesign is much more simple for yearbook students than the traditional manner of using croppers and grease pencils.






This activity emphasizes NETS standard 3, section a, which says teachers "demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations."

Mrs. Picassohead

For this activity, we created self portaits using the website Picassohead. For mine I used shades of my favorite color, magenta. I didn't really encounter any technical difficulties with the activity, and thought it was an interesting concept. This could be used for not only a discussion on Picasso, but also on self-perception. This could be an example of NETS standard 1, substandard a, which states that we should encourage creative thinking.

Jing Image

For my Jing Image, I chose to use a screen capture of the front page of a newspaper. I found the image on flickr using a Google Image search. Since one of my teaching specializations is Journalism, this would help to teach the students the parts of a newspaper. It would be interesting for the students to label a local newspaper in this manner, or even use a "jing-ed" image as the answer key. The screencast feature allows the image to be pushed directly to the internet, as well. This activity demonstrates NETS standard 3, subsection c, which says that teachers "communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats."

Sniping pictures with the Snipping Tool

For my experiment with the snipping tool, I decided to go ahead and do a capture of my personality test results. I had never used the snipping tool before, but do think that using it will prove to be a lot more precise than the print screen to Photoshop process I had been using in the past.

The snipping tool illustrates NETS Standard 3, substandard d, which says "model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning." Basically stated, the snipping tool is a new(er) form of technology that we can use in the classroom, and as teachers we should try to maintain up-to-date about different techniques that can benefit students and teachers alike (not to mention save time). 

Personality Profile Results

Once I had taken the personality profile, I was completely surprised to find that the assessment insisted that I was the "artisan" personality type. It goes as a reminder that the way the outside world views us and the way we view ourselves can be two completely different things. Apart from enjoying the arts, I don't see myself in the description of artisans. Anyway, I think I'll be able to use my creative skills to make more interesting assignments as a teacher.


This activity relates to NETS Standard 2, substandard c, which states "customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources." Personality profiles allow us to get a feel for strengths and weaknesses, not only for us, but possibly for our students. We can't just throw information at students-- it's important to adapt so as to better help them.

Personality Profile Predictions

When I looked through the personality descriptions at the website Dr. Pierce provided, I think my personality based on those types ranks in the following order:

1)      Guardian

2)      Idealist

3)      Rational

4)      Artisan

I think I’m most like the guardian because I try very hard to be helpful, hardworking and dependable in the groups in which I participate. The part that stood out the most was the section that said. “Guardians can have a lot of fun with their friends, but they are quite serious about their duties and responsibilities. Guardians take pride in being dependable and trustworthy; if there's a job to be done, they can be counted on to put their shoulder to the wheel.”