Blog Posts Posts #7 & 8, 9 for 9/25 and one for 9/28

For September 25th

Our learning targets (or I can statements)

1. I can think about what makes a quality tool for online learning/teaching.  I have an  idea or concept of best practices for learning.  
2. I have learned about the AEA tools and know what seems to help or fit me and my future teaching.  
3. I know what a PLN is, and am thinking about how I want to create a PLN for myself, and what tool might help me. 
4.  I will watch a video and come to class ready to share when I would need different types of articles (scholarly, peer-reviewed, trade journal, and popular).

Blog Post #9- Mrs. Arjona is teaching on 9/25 

Watch this video on the types of information available to you: https://vimeo.com/82685184

Then, think about your future as a professional educator. In 1-2 sentences, describe a situation in which you would use or need....

-A scholarly, peer-reviewed article

-An article from a trade journal

-A popular article

You should also review or read anew this article from English that is a great explanation of research

Blog Post #7 AEA tools

Which AEA tools do you like the best? why?

Make a top 10 list or choose your most functional 3 sites, and share what makes these paid for tools worth the $.

If you don't see tools that you will use, then explain what you might want to look for, and what is closest to something that you could see fitting into your future classroom.

indicators of quality/grade:

• thoughtful and reflective statements (think evaluative, application, levels of blooms)
• shares at least 3 preferred tools (in depth) or a top 10 list (with an opening/closing statement as to why these are YOUR new preferred sites.)
• links to the sites work.
• if you didn't like the tools- then list or even search for something that is better for you and share one or two examples.  

Blog Post #8 Online Learning and a PLN  (now due 9/28) 

Reading:  Ethical Island and Characteristics of Online Learning
Reading: What is a PLN

Pick from the following bullet points and EXPLORE to gain understanding.  Look at the thinking section for ideas on WHAT to read about.

• Infographics to think about online learning: (this is more of a aha- and moving towards I can talk about learning theory online as you've been exposed to Bloom's and some online concepts (PBL, mastery, engaged learning, but what does it look like, Mia does a great job with infographics giving examples of best practice ideas that you should get!) 
• ethical island (I love her stuff)
• she has 19 infographics on online learning 
• 9 characteristics of 21st Century Learning
• Tools are a factor for online or 21st century learning here are examples. (you already use email, facebook, blog, youtube, apps...)
• Tools for free (and tutorials)  (some of these are older, but if you click on a link, it takes you to a challenge and it explains what the tool is, how it might be used, and then teaches you how to use it, so for THINKING it's a good novice place to start) 
• Wiki of tools (and starter sheets)
• Study Skills Tools  A new tribes instructor shares tools he likes or wants to explore. 
• PLN (this is an intro level, just getting the concept down as to what it is for next week's discussions, so pick and choose for about 20-30 minutes from this, or the links that these lead you to) 
• What's a PLN (a slideshow)? (powerpoint)
• Building YOUR PLN  (a 30 day challenge, but for some newbies to tech, this may be the easiest way).  

Main topics shared:  

• Step 1: What is a PLN?
• Step 2: Using Twitter to Build Your PLN
• Step 3: Participate in Twitter Chats
• Step 4: Making Time To Build Your PLN
• Step 5: Using Blogs as Part of Your PLN
• Step 6: Using Curation tools as part of your PLN
• Step 7: Using Diigo as part of your PLN
• Step 8: Webinars – an extra dimension for your PLN
• Step 9 Back to the Classroom! (of 2.0)
• Step 10: Making Connections
• Twisting it for ALL- PLE Personal Learning Environment (what your students will have)
• a young woman speaks about how she lives in a virtual world, and the real world, how the internet has influenced her life! She shares how it has helped her grow and thrive with online friends!  

Thinking:  

• What does good teaching look like? sound like? what tools are out there? and how do I keep track of all the online favorites?  
• what tools are needed in a 21st century classroom?  
• how are these tools used by students? teachers?
• does your content area or grade level have specific needs for their learning environment? 
• What's a PLN? What type of PLN do I already have?  How will I keep track of my online PLN? and how will I choose which formats fit me? 
•  Think about PLN, and talk about what aspects or techniques fit you? (will you pin on pinterest your PLN? will you tweet your way through #chats? will you have a mixed collection of interactive and following resources? 
• Overall thoughts on this learning and 21st century theory
• how does your teaching philosophy fit with the new concepts you've been exposed to?  
• what part of the theory is confusing to you? 
• do you have wonders or see concerns, problems, or hurdles?  
• do you need more instruction and information on these theories (or one of these theories)? if so which one? 

Post on your blog post #8:  

• Share your thinking, pick a few of the questions above to comment on your understanding and skill related to: online learning, tools, and PLN
• Find a link to a resource, video, or tool that you think fits your thinking about teaching and learning and include it, and explain how it fits.   
•  Share what might be a good place for you to start with creating a PLN (what tool or social media)
• Share a paragraph or two about your current PLE or PLN.  What have been your learning supports, connections, and places to get help?  What are your new goals?  
• Indicators of quality/grading
• addresses the bullet points from post #8 list
• shows your thinking about online learning and a PLN (For some it will be defining these terms and sharing what you now KNOW it is, and for others it will sharing your personal connections, or your passion to integrate these ideas into your own learning and ultimately teaching.   
• proofread, error free, on time