Friday, March 4, 2016

Final reflection on Web 2.0 tools

Web 2.0 technologies have completely revolutionized every aspect of our lives. Web 2.0 tools are great ways to increase learning in the classroom. I have discovered many new tools during this course. This tools are truly the best way for us to communicate with our students since they are not fans of the traditional lecture styled learning.

There are many advantages and disadvantages, including the following:

Advantages:
• Create a large and strong network
• Increase in number of friends
• More interaction among peers
• Build strong relationship; especially at work

Disadvantages:
• People are highly dependent on the internet to network
• Large use of time
• Possibility of fraud and hackers

I plan to continue to use my newfound tools in order to increase my student's learning experiences and encourage them to experience themselves through technology. I also plan to branch out and explore some of the tools that I banned due to frustrations in the past. #sideye

Updated vanity search

I am continuously intrigued about the results that I find when I search myself on the internet. My new findings on the new search include my social bookmarking site and updated blog posts. The search was a little more specific for me before I got married and ended up with a more "normal" last name. (I am searching for Sophilia Thompson as opposed to McTyre) #boring #jk

One negative side is find are the images that pull up. Some of the have nothing to do with me and then the others are me!

I am excited to continue to add things to my search of "ego-surfing" and being able to add this to my list of things that I share with my students each year.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

Social bookmarking

Social bookmarking
This concept is completely new to me. I was an avid "bookmarker" on my computer but this social bookmarking is totally new. I find the concept interesting and I will have to continue to explore the site and become familiarized with it. I think it would be a great opportunity to share various articles with people. I love the idea of creating a group and sending items using Diigo.

Web 2.0 tools
The use of web 2.0 tools in education is a must. They provide educators with tools to better reach our students who attached to the use of technology. This is only one of many advantages- they provide various communication forums for students and they allow other to enter the classroom safely. The only disadvantage is trying to keep up with the ever changing advances in Web 2.0 and technology itself. After taking this class, I have discovered that I have been living under a rock and there a hundreds of tools that I need to explore. <sighs>

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Widgets for the win

Widgets has to be one of the funniest words that I have ever heard.I had no idea that they were used online in an aggregated page or even exactly what an aggregated page was.

My experience:
The die-hard Apple user actually enjoyed creating her pages using Widgets. (Shhh...I was really forced. Shame on you Dr. B for putting me through such torture) ;-)  I have had experience with working with widgets when I experienced my short love for an Android phone back in 2009 when I decided to purchase a beta Droid phone. It was the latest technology and being able to customize a device for my liking was the the best thing, so I thought. I enjoyed it for a little while and then I just found the features to be overkill. My love for Apple products stem from enjoying the simple things in life. Why does my phone need to be constantly running 500 different widget and pushing data all the time. 

Final thought: 
I am unsure that I will find myself visiting my personal page regularly but I do see tons of benefits a classroom page could have. I do find it a little tricky when I attempt to add pages that are already listed on the page and you just end up repeating information. I wish there was a way for the site to inform us that the page has been added. In the end, great tool and great one to add to the arsenal. 

Click here to view my page. 

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Web 2.0 Tool Adventure

At the end of the week, write a blog post about your experience this week exploring Youtube Twitter, and learning Web 2.0 tools in general.

YouTube is probably one of my favorite Web 2.0 tools due to it being so user friendly and it having so much information. I visit the site at least once a day to explore a variety of videos, for personal or work use. The site provides tons of information for a learner. Whether an individual wants to learn how to change a tire or apply a full-coverage foundation; YouTube offers instructional videos from users like them at the click of a button. I have used the site many times in the past when advising my students on schools that are not familiar with or even to help them understand an assignment in a subject that I am not my strongest in #KahnAcademyRocks (special shoutout to math and science teachers) 

Since it is my favorite tool, I selected it for my group assignment. Please view my demonstration video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moxHTzG3dqU

In the end, I think it is a tool that will be around for many years and keep its popularity with the kiddos, unlike sites like Facebook and Myspace, due to its uniqueness it what it has to over. #TeamYouTube  

Then there's Twitter...(insert tiny violin) Twitter has to be one of my least favorite tools simply because it is so easy to get lost in it. Don't get me wrong, the simplicity of the site is genius and it reaches our kiddos brilliantly BUT I am a fan of 140+ characters and actually knowing who I am talking to. There's the Twitter handle but then a user can have a completely different name. Sighs...I do feel socially obligated to continue to give it a try but I must admit it is not one of my most often used social media tools such as Facebook but then there's Periscope.. #TechnologyRulesTheWorld 

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Twitter Adventure

I have had a Twitter account since June of 2012 and I have only made 1,227 tweets. I tend to forget to post to my account but I do enjoy logging in every now and then in order to see what's trending. I am more of a Facebook fan when it comes to social media since that does not limit one on character counts and doesn't involve subtweets and such. Sometimes I don't even know how to see who said what and who they said it to. I suppose that could change if I actually used the app more. We shall see. Maybe this course will help. #etec527

I do find that I use it most when I am out of town at conferences or workshops in order to promote my organization. (#TRIOworks) I also use it to keep "connected" with my favorite celebrities and my latest obsession in the world of makeup. I do find it is the best way to connect to our students when it comes to social media. Snapchat is slowly but surely taking over and who know what will be next to hit the airwaves?!?

Follow me @sophietoo

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Vanity Search

What does your digital footprint look like? This is an opportunity to explore your digital presence. The more you are involved in online communications, the greater your digital footprint can become. It is important that you do this before you start to set up additional accounts for this class and interact in these spaces. You will have a chance to explore how your digital footprint changes over time as you interact in new spaces. This is important for you to understand as you will need to be able to help students understand the importance of being aware of their own digital footprints. This is a simple thing to do. Simply go to Google and enter your name in quotes. Then explore the results. Make sure you look at the returns for web pages, photos and videos. Take notes on what you find and reflect on what it means for the way you use the web and how you are represented. You will then write a post in your blog (Instructions for Blog are below) that addresses what you learned in your first vanity search.
Interesting! I have often Googled myself for other reasons such as boredom or maybe vanity (that one time when I watched the show Catfish) AND when I was proving a point to my students to show them how easily things get "stuck" on the internet. Anyhow, I am fine with my results and was not surprised by anything listed.  I found past and current blogs, my FB information and pictures from that site, local news article, a couple of Prezis that I made AND information about me.  I even found information on certain charities that I have participated in. The most shocking thing I found was my current position at UNT and MY SALARY along with start date and my position title. (I know that is public information, but GEEZ) In the end, I think that I use the web cautiously and that I am represented very well. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

7.3 Your Personal Restrospective



The purpose of this post is to serve as a reflection of our course. During these past six weeks, I have experienced a spectrum of emotions and below is just a preview of my journey. 

What was the build that you are most proud of and why?
I was most proud of my second build since I was able to successfully complete the assignment and was instantly rewarded with success. 

Go back to your first week and read each week’s submission with an eye for personal growth. Where were you when you started and where did you end up?
Comparing the first week to now is like hitting a wall. I do believe I lost momentum through the term of the course due to constant failure in the projects. 

What did you learn that you didn’t know before?
This list alone could be another blog post but I will now bore you with extensive details. I had never, NEVER even heard of an Arduino board or what specifically makers space was. I now have a better understanding of what the board is and the purpose of makers space is. 

How did you actually come to learn this new knowledge?
All the new knowledge came from information in the course and me reaching out to fellow engineer peeps of mine to see what their experiences where with working with the board. 

What did you learn about yourself?
This question is the question of the hour! I learned that I do not do well with failure, especially the kind that I can't control. I am not saying that I have never experienced failure but
never to this level. In the past, I have been able to fail and then analyze the situation and try again and succeed. For me, this course came with a different level of frustration and at times just a simple 

Look at your words for each week and see how they might read if one of your students turned in that submission. What were you telling yourself about yourself?
If my students read my submissions they would surely see a different side of Ms. Sophie. I am constantly pushing them to do better than they did before and they would surely tell me about myself and to not give up so easily. Upon reviewing my videos, I can surely hear my frustrations through the assignments and it allowed. 

Where did you say your challenges where?
I found the only challenge in the course that I had was during the projects, especially the coding. I had difficulties from the beginning since my board did not arrive on time an when it finally did it was without a book, which I found out later was a MUST have for success in the course. I enjoyed the other assignments, especially the review of the blogs and watching the success of my peers. 

Did these challenges change over the time of the class?
The challenges for me remained the same throughout the course. 

As you entered the world of the maker, what do you see as your next adventure in the world of making? Is it to expand your abilities to work with microprocessor and move from prototype to the production of something fun and useful? Is it to see what you can learn about the world of 3D design and printing? Is it to see what aspects of making can be used with the younger children? It is to see what you need to do to bring your vision of a maker space to life in the real world? It can be anything.
I do not have future plans for the world of making, but I am thankful to be able to be a more well-rounded person since the start of the course. 

What are your next steps?
My next steps are to use the valuable tools I learned from this course to better myself for challenges I face in the future. I also plan to tell my story of defeat to my seniors during the Spring semester.  

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Week 3: Challenge Build Three

In this challenge, we are supposed to obtain this magical light where three different lights display in a a single bulb. Since I have received a guidebook, I am at least only two time stressed out than my original level of 5. I was ready to complete this assignment and see my board light up like a Christmas tree---NEGATIVE!

I followed the guideline and was so very sure that I was going to be victorious and after about four hours on and off (even had the hubby to double check) I am unsuccessful. I even had him to go to the nearest RadioShack to purchase a new bulb but they did not have any in stock. #sadness

I am extremely excited to watch fellow classmates to see where I possibly went wrong. Maybe it was the light BUT I will follow-up and give it another go tomorrow. #GoTeam

I decided to not give up and watched the Jeremy Blum tutorial. Let's just say that left me even more confused...A real-life world product that uses this circuit is the a video game console. 

Directions



Circuit and Board 

Circuit 2 Challenge: Potentiometer

This challenge was not as frustrating as the last one due to having a guide (thanks Nichole). Unfortunately, neither kit I have included the potentiometer and I was unable to control the light BUT I was able to circuit the board and get a steady blinking light as my fellow classmates did. Eureka! 

I have not ran the code with the board but I am happy that I am "making". I wouldn't consider this to be a failure but it is not a complete success. I am excited that I was able to complete the circuit and the light blinks. Kuddos to me!
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed you get what you want but not what you need" -Unknown

Completed Circuit Board


Code provided from classmate; hasn't been tested on board 


Adding a Real World option to the project 

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Challenge 1: We have light!


I will admit this course has been the most stressful one in my ETEC career. I have had shipping difficulties and STILL have not received my Arduino board that I ordered early this month. Dr. B referred me to RadioShack and of course they not longer sale them BUT Micro Center in North Dallas came to rescue. I was able to purchase what I will call an off-brand version. The version is Inland and seems to look the same but did not come with a book--frustration moment #1. Since I have been on the hunt for the board, I have asked people that actually have worked with it before what it actually the "point" of it and several people have told me that simple machines such as microwaves and coffee makers. It seems simple, to people who understand these things, you tell it to do an action and it does it. I just wish operating the board was as easy as it is to pop my popcorn in the microwave. Le sigh!

Picture of my "off brand" board
I decided not to give up just yet and reached out to YouTube for help. Luckily, there are tons of makers on the the "video Google" site. After watching tons of videos and reading about the board and still not getting the darn light to blink, my inner light of hope soon started dimming. (If you read my initial intro post for the course, you will learn that I am no maker). 

I decided to take a break and eat a cupcake and get back to it. As I was reading, listening, and taking notes--BAM the LED light started blinking. YES! YES! YES! This was very exciting and rewarding, I finally did it. Stress level is now back high for challenge two BUT in the meantime see below for that gorgeous light!

Electronic Diagram 

Picture of text coding 



We have action! FINALLY! 

Sunday, November 8, 2015

ETEC 597: Maker Spaces: A New Movement in Educational Technology

Welcome to my Maker Space!

Unfortunately, Mister Postman is not on my side and I have not received my Arduino Board in the mail. Although, it stated there was an expected delivery date of November 6th and I hoped to have everything opened, downloaded and ready to explore by today---I STAND CORRECTED. (Special thanks to Amazon prime- NOT!)

Luckily, I did find an online version (https://123d.circuits.io/lab) but I am still so lost as to what I should be doing.

Happy LED-ing. I hope many of you get your blinking lights.

Signed,

-dimmed light student :-(

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Development in Web 2.0 tools

Staying up with current advances and changes to Web 2.0 tools could be a profession within itself. <side eye> My plan of action to complete this includes three simple ways:

1. Download my favorite applications that I discovered in this course and implement them into my daily life.

2. Stay open with my students since they are the gateway to the advanced knowledge of technology. I plan to create a workshop to hold at the end of each month where the students discuss their favorite Web tools and how it assists them in becoming better students.

3. Share my finding with my co-workers. Sharing is caring- this will help me to help them to find new tools to use and they could quite possibly find new ways to use this tools. 

By doing these things it keeps the communication of Web 2.0 tools open for me and my students. We all can hold each other accountable and help each other to become more technological savvy, Wiki working, social bookmarking beasts. :-)


Sunday, November 24, 2013

Adventures in Aggregating Pages

Widgets has to be one of the funniest words that I have ever heard. I have had experience with working with widgets when I experienced my short love for an Android phone. I had no idea that they were used online in an aggregated page.

My experience:
I actually enjoyed creating my page. (Shh, us Apple product lovers like the minimum and should NOT enjoy Widgets) I think this will be something that I link to my other pages. I do find it a little tricky when I attempt to add pages that are already listed on the page. Click here to view my page.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

YouTube Adventure

"Google it" has to be one the most used terms in today's time. With the use of Google there are no unaswered questions. I have found that YouTube can be used in that exact text. Need to know how to change a flat tire? Watch a YouTube video. There are millions of videos right at your finger tip when using YouTube. I have been tirelessly planning my wedding for next year and I have found YouTube to be tremendously helpful. I am able to view venues right from the comfort of my living room. I have also been able to watch makeup and hair tutorials. YouTube is also beneficial to my work life. I am able to refer a student to a specific school and they are able to watch the school's welcome video right in my classroom. This is extremly helpful since the majority of my students are unable to travel and visit colleges. I think it is an awesome Web 2.0 tool!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Twitter experience

Twitter is the newest Web 2.0 tool that I downloaded on my phone OR is Bitstrip considered to be a Web 2.0 tool?  I have had a Twitter account since June of 2012 and I have only made 585 tweets. <sad face> I tend to forget to post to that account but I do enjoy logging in every now and then in order to see what's trending. I do find that I use it most when I am out of town at conferences or workshops in order to promote my organization. (#TRiOworks) I also use it to keep "connected" with my favorite celebrities. Follow me @sophietoo

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Vanity Search

What does your digital footprint look like? This is an opportunity to explore your digital presence. The more you are involved in online communications, the greater your digital footprint can become. It is important that you do this before you start to set up additional accounts for this class and interact in these spaces. You will have a chance to explore how your digital footprint changes over time as you interact in new spaces. This is important for you to understand as you will need to be able to help students understand the importance of being aware of their own digital footprints. This is a simple thing to do. Simply go to Google and enter your name in quotes. Then explore the results. Make sure you look at the returns for web pages, photos and videos. Take notes on what you find and reflect on what it means for the way you use the web and how you are represented. You will then write a post in your blog (Instructions for Blog are below) that addresses what you learned in your first vanity search.

Scary! I have often Googled myself for other reasons such as boredom or maybe vanity (that one time when I watched the show Catfish). <side eye> Anyhow, I am okay with my results or should I say that I am not surprised by anything. Listed was my current blogs and one from 2007 that I had forgotten about, my FB information and pictures from that site, local news article, a couple of Prezis that I made AND information about me and my current position at UNT and MY SALARY along with start date and my position title. I know that information is available to the public but should't you have to actually search for it? It's literally at the click of enter after searching my name. Interesting!  In the end, I think that I use the web cautiously and that I am represented very well. (clearly compensation is another story) 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Post #7: New Direction in Instructional Design and Technology

This section of the textbook addresses new directions and emerging technologies for IDT. For your final post, reflect on how you might apply each of the following in your current or future position in the IDT field:

  • distributed or e-learning environments
  • reusable design or learning objects
  • rich media
  •  emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.
dE-Learning environments
The current district that I serve has a policy of B.Y.O.T. (bring your own technology). Students are able to bring their smartphones, laptops or tablets to assist them in class. I think this is a great way to show students that these items are not only available to keep them connected to the latest social media website but can also be used to help them learn. I plan to strongly encourage my students to use technology on a daily basis.



Learning Objects
I am a huge fan of using PowerPoint and other game type formats to assist my students in reviewing for their tests. It adds an element of fun to their lessons and provides them tools to remembering the material.



Rich Media
Any materials that we print for our students is visually appealing. This helps them to be excited to read the information and we also go far as to printing it on specific types and colors of paper. 



Electronic Games
Games are a way that we keep our students engaged in our workshops. The majority of students are coming from a lecturing type classroom and we want to ensure that we are providing a different type of setting for our students. 




Sunday, October 6, 2013

Post 6: Getting an IDT Position and Suceeding

This section of your textbook focuses on jobs in the profession of instructional design and technology: lessons and tips on how to get one and organizations that can support the job search and continued learning in the IDT field. Many of you already have a job in the field or in a related field; however, based on this week’s readings, you’ll reflect on where you are, where you want to go, and what you need to learn or do to get there.

A. Begin your post for this week with some background: what is your current job, what program are you enrolled in, what brings you to that program, and what do you expect when you graduate (change jobs? obtain a promotion?).

Currently, I am a TRiO Talent Search advisor for the University of North Texas. I serve Gainesville ISD and I am in my fourth year with this position. I am a TRiO alum and I strongly believe in these programs and the success they bring to their student. TRiO programs primarily serve first generation (neither biological mother or father has bachelors degree) and low-income students. 

I just began my course work for the M.S. in Educational Technology at TAMUC and with hard-work dedication, I hope to graduate in exactly one year in Fall 2014. 
I have always had a niche for technology and decided to pursue that passion after completing my M.S. in Higher Ed Admin this past Spring (my true passion). 


B. Next, describe the kind of work that you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrixTM in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in Business and Industry” to help organize your thoughts. Do you most desire first, second, third, or fourth level service? Or would you rather design or develop instruction? What features of work are important to you? What economic sector do you want to work in?

In January, I plan to begin working towards an alternative teaching certification and hopefully I will find a teaching position (EC-12 Tech App) for the 2014-2015 school year. I plan to use the knowledge earned from my degree to implement technology into my classroom. After teaching for three years, I would like to possibly become a school counselor or a district's technology curriculum coach/facilitator where I will train teachers and other school personnel to assist in enhancing student learning through technology (by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes)  I most definitely would love to remain in the public sector due to the many rewards that comes along with it.  

C. Based on these intentions, explain what you need to learn. What skills and qualifications do you need? Will you obtain the skills you need in the required courses in your program? What electives might you need to take to help you develop skills specific to your aspirations?I feel fully qualified to perform as an educator, but I know that I will have the normal first-year classroom issues that teachers experience.  For example, I work with my students now in a classroom-like atmosphere where once a month underclassmen visit me instead of their elective periods, but I will need to become accustomed to teaching the same curriculum to all my students as opposed to having to deal with various different grades and their objectives. I feel like confident that I will earn these skills through my continuing education and through the Ed Tech program at TAMUC. Since I would to become a counselor or tech coach, my previous experiences with working with students will surely assist me in being successful in either path I choose. 

D. Finally, what organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate? Do you think you would benefit from joining those organizations before graduating? Explain why or why not?

I hope to be able to have a successful classroom and I think the National Association for Alternative Certification (NAAC) will be a great staring point for me in my transition to teaching. This organization will provide me assistance in transitioning into the classroom.