Sunday, May 5, 2013

Task_3-Reflection

1. Share the web address url of your groups ScreenR presentation?
http://screenr.com/J597

2. Reflect on your contributions and how you contributed to making your group a success?
I think our group worked really well together.  We all took turns on completing assignments and taking the lead or facilitator role to ensure that the assignments got done.  We communicated plans and ideas together to make sure we were all on the same page, especially with this final task.  Things that I did was work on different sections of the task 3, writing and revising to include everyone's ideas, and of course encourage my group members to do the best they can.  I feel like it was more of a group effort, rather than just individual to make this a success as we all had to contribute to make things work.  I had a great time working with my group and feel that our face to face meetings really helped us work cohesively.  

Friday, April 26, 2013

Task _3-6 Reflection

1. Why is it important to use teams in PBL? 
I think that using teams is important in PBL because then we can learn about how someone else may view things differently, and hear different thoughts or opinions.  I think that's important in a problem based learning, because there could be a better solution that someone else may have, or together the team can input and work together to create a better solution rather than if you were just working by yourself.  

2. What are some of the problems you see in student teams?
Some problems that I see when there is team work, is the lack of communication.  Sometimes students don't communicate with each other about the task at hand.  I also see problems in terms of the work responsibilities.  Once in a while, you may have a team member who wants to just sit on the side and watch or play around and not do their tasks given.  This puts extra pressure and responsibility on the rest of the team because they have to do "extra" work.

3. What strategies can you use to manage conflict in student teams?
Some strategies I would use to manage conflict in teams would be to have some sort of reflection like the one we do.  I think by asking questions like what was your role, or what did you contribute as well as asking if there are any problems, I could see what is going on with each group, and intervene if necessary.   I would also look into apps or other online resources that help with having open communication with the members, like having something like Google Docs, so all team members can see what's going on. 

4. Did the group have any questions or problems this week?
No, we did not have any problems or questions this week. =]

Week #15 Teamwork


 Aloha fellow 279 classmates,
This week the pue’o ladies had the role of “breathless in Pearl City”.  A person who plays this role is someone who usually will call for help at the first sign of an issue.  This type of person tends to overreact to any different of lack of response by their team member.  This student often serves as an “early warning system” to the instructor of any problems the group may be having.  These student’s actions can lead to as escalation of conflict.  

The top three strategies that we came up with are:
1. Communication – The group members need to present clear instructions that everyone understands so there is no confusion.  The group members should have an open communication whether it is exchanging phone numbers or email address, so that everyone can be on the same page.  The group members should communicate clearly about the responsibilities and roles each member plays so that we can all be accountable for our actions.  If a conflict arises, group member should listen to the concerns, and work it out and not take anything to heart.  The group should find a solution that they all can agree with and just move on.

2. Encouragement/Being Positive – When an overreaction or negative comment arise, the group should be proactive and be positive, and instead say words of encouragement! When the chips are down, team members need to help each other.  Maybe it is to lend an ear or maybe they are in a rut or stuck somehow.  Say a nice word that could change a person's outlook in life.  

3. Understanding/Respecting – Every group member should have respect for each other and respect each member’s ideas and thoughts.  Every member should also understand where each person is coming from and we’re all not exactly the same, so we all may not complete things the same way.  We always need to keep in mind, that we all see things differently, and “Breathless in Pearl City” needs to see where his or her members are coming from or what they’re trying to say, and vice versa. The group members should understand that everyone has problems and hardship.  No ones life is perfect. Things will happen good or bad.  We need to help each other out.  

These are the top three strategies we would encourage “Breathless in Pearl City” to remember when working in a group.  Working in a group is never easy, and does take a lot of work, but if all members come together, set their differences aside, and work at the tasks at hand, it will get done!  

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Task_3-5 Reflection

The ideas that I contributed to my team this week was the different criteria we would use for the assessment for the task.  Together, my team and I worked together to complete the final.  We divided the work among each other so that we could all be involved in this process.  I completed the authentic assessment and created a rubric as required for the assignment.  I encouraged my team members by being there to bounce of ideas or thoughts of each other.  We all support each other and are pretty much on the same page!  We did not have any problems or questions this week.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Task_3-4 Reflection

The pue'o ladies worked very hard to complete the task at hand this week.  Unfortunately, I was unable to meet with them face to face at Starbucks, and instead I gave my suggestions through email and completed the current event.  I know we're on the right track and all encourage each other throughout the week as we all have our own things going on. =] 

current event #13


Aloha fellow 279 classmates,
The pue'o ladies discussed the top three most effective ways that we communicate.  We all agreed on the top three ways!.

First, we said 
face to face.  We feel that its really hard for us to all meet, but we've managed to do so throughout the semester, and I feel that it really helps so that we can verbally discuss the assignments for the week.   The alternative could be SKYPE or Laulima "live meeting Chats". 

Another effective way we communicate is through texting/emailing. Texting or emailing is the easiest and fastest way to find out if what's going on if there are any changes.  We always have our phones with us and can easily respond to each other or call each other

The third way we found effective to communicate would be using Google Docs.  Now that we are using google doc for the task 3 assignment, I like how we can still meet, but we can all be working on the document at the same time, getting things done faster!
 We can see the train of thoughts others have, when information in added to google doc.  We can get on at the same time or individually and enter in their assigned responsibility.   This gives an account of everyone doing their responsibility.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Task_3-3 Reflection

1.    What ideas have you contributed to your team this week?
       As a team we worked together to complete our scenarios.  I feel like by our group meeting, we're able to communicate verbally which is a lot easier to hear everyone's idea.  We sorted out our tasks for our scenario that I feel Mary, Evette, Cherise and I all contributed to.

2.    What role did you play on your team this week?
       I started off by completing the google doc blog and typed what our group wanted to say for the SLOs and      tasks.  

3.    How did you encourage and support your team members this week?
      We all encourage each other and get the tasks completed by pushing each other in a positive way.

4.    Did the group have any questions or problems this week?
       The only question or problem was that we were not clear on who the memos were supposed to be directed to.  

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Task_3-2 Reflection


1.    What roles did the members of your team have this week?
The members of my team all had the same role this week, to discuss and come up with SLO's and answer the questions and agree upon everything as a group.  

2.    Given your role in the group this week, how did you contribute to group?
I contributed to the group by completing the blog for week 2.  Together we discussed and I would take everyone's input and form it into our answers.  I would read what I had, and my group members would agree, or tell me to add this or change that. 

3.    What worked well this week?
It was good that Mary, Evette, Cherise, and I could meet so that we could discuss the assignments and complete them together.  That way everyone had an equal input and we could ask each other questions or get clarification if one didn't really understand.  

4.    What will you do differently next time? 
There really isn't anything we would do next time, except maybe to complete assignment earlier. 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Task_3-1 Reflection


1.    What roles did the members of your team have this week?
This week, Evette, Mary, Cherise and I received a google document that Mary created.  
Throughout the week, Mary Evette and I all put in some information or graphics to contribute to the flyer.
On Saturday, Mary Evette and I met up to complete the flyer together. 

2.    Given your role in the group this week, how did you contribute to group?
I contributed to the group by posting some information that our group could use to hit the three concerns for students as well as basic information about PBL. 


3.    What worked well this week?
I think we worked really well this week, and meeting up helps so that we can verbally discuss and ask questions to complete the flyer.  Evette was the one to make the revisions so that the paragraph was clear.  It helps when she reads the flyer out loud so that we can make any corrections or revisions.


4.    What will you do differently next time? 
I don't think we would do anything differently next time.  We already meet face to face to discuss the group work for the week so this was just another thing to discuss.  =]

Week #10 Current Event

Aloha fellow 279 classmates,
The Pue'o ladies had a hard time choosing 3 internet skills that we feel children should develop so that they will be prepared for life in the information age.  We felt that a lot of the skills that students need overlap each other so it was hard to clearly choose three skills.  
The first skill that we feel students should have are research skills.  Technology provides a wealth of information.  Students need to know how to search for appropriate information, by knowing and understanding the main topic.  We feel that being able to search on the internet and knowing if the source is credible or not is important.  We have seen a lot of times where the students are doing a  research project, and they will Google keywords and just pick the first site that comes up, even if it’s not credible site.  Students should be able to use key words for their findings and go through the information and select the one pertinent to the main topic.  
The next skill that students should have are internet privacy skills.   I'm sure we were all taught to not put anything and everything on the internet because you don’t know who is viewing it.  Students need to be aware, especially when using social websites like Facebook.  For example, people shouldn't write things online like "I'll be in California this week!" because that could unintentionally invite users who view this to break into your house.  Students need to be aware of their privacy settings and should know who is able to view their websites or blogs.  Students need to be aware that they have the power on how much their share with the world or how little to share and with whom.  
The last skill that students should have are networking skills.  In this new era, technology is advancing in many ways.  Students should know how to network with others as we find ourselves communicating not just with words but by transferring of files/pictures from computer to computer.  Students need to understand how to upload and download files and pictures as this may be required through our future occupations.  Although this skills may seem very simple, a lot of people have difficulties as there are so many technical aspects when downloading/uploading a file.  
We hope you find our skills relevant and pertinent! =]

Saturday, March 9, 2013

debrief task #2

Having completed this review of a web 2.0 tool would you use this tool in your classroom?
   The web 2.0 tool is one tool that I would use in my future classroom.  I like the idea that Edmodo was basically an online classroom so that I can have the students engaged while learning.  And the students would think that it's fun because it's online and they are able to post and discuss topics on Edmodo.  

Prior to this activity, how did you typically select website or tools to use?
   Typically, I would just research the internet for tools, and learn more about each and decide what fits best for my needs.  I would also get feedback from my peers on what is better tool or website than another. 


Do you have any ideas, comments or feedback on improving the web 2.0 tool selection process?
   I like how my fellow classmates all had to choose their own web 2.0 tool to share, so that I have more ideas and resources to use in my future classroom.  I also liked the ScreeR presentation so I can visually see the good things about each tool or how to use it.  I don't have any feedback on improving the web process. 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Week #8 Current Event

Aloha fellow ED 279 students,
The Pue'o group members shared a lot of great web 2.0 tools for future use to help support effective learning in and out of the classroom.  We chose Edmodo as our web 2.0 tool to share with you.  Edmodo is a FREE social networking website, that combines Facebook and Twitter.  The teacher can create their own page and make it fit for the grade level their teaching whether its K-12.  There are a ton of tools that Edmodo offers.  Teachers can post assignments and students or parents can see it at real time.  This website can be used to complete quizzes and polls, or even start a online discussion that can carry over to the classroom.  Teachers have the ability to group their class, and communicate with the groups or individual student, if needed.
Similar to twitter, there are communities that the teacher can follow and see what's going on in a specific content area or subject.  Teachers around the world can post questions and share their own concepts and ideas that one can use for their own resources.
Edmodo is a wonderful tool because this website can be accessed on their phones, or at home, so that the families are involved and aware of what their child is currently learning. Our group feels that this tool will be vital to support effective learning in and out of the class.   Here is the link to Edmodo: www.edmodo.com.  
There is also a tutorial youtube video which you can visually see how to use Edmodo to it's full potential.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

debrief for task #1

Prior to this activity did you use any of these software tools? If so which ones.
   Prior to this activity, I did not use any of the software tools that we did in task #1.  I heard of twitter, but I'm not really into posting all the time in social networks, so I never used it. 


Do you plan to continue managing the news resources that you have gathered in your personal learning network?
   I plan to continue my twitter account for sure.  I think it's really beneficial when you "follow" members or groups that are in education so that I can continue to learn about what's going on in the education world since it's always changing.  I also like the Diigo, although I'm not completely comfortable using it, I will utilize this resource especially when I see new posting about things going on in education that I can't read at that time.  I also will utilize this resource if I need to write a paper, since you can highlight and put sticky notes!

Do you think that a refined personal learning network would be valuable to a new teacher?
   I think a personal learning network is valuable to a new teacher, because since there will be so much going on and so many questions a new teacher may have, they can turn to their PLN to seek help or advice.  Teacher can also benefit from a PLN because as long as you have your smart phone or laptop with you, you can have easy access to the PLN at your fingertips!  I also think that with the different blogs and discussions in the education world, a new teacher can learn more concepts and ideas to help their professional development.  

Share the web address url of your ScreenR presentation.
Here is the web address of my screenR presentation: http://screenr.com/LLc7

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Week #5 Current Event

Hi Everyone,
This week the Pueo's had a hard time choosing an app, as there are so many apps out there that are both educational and beneficial for students with special needs.  We feel that each app that was shared in our group had their benefits and would appeal to different students.  We narrowed down to choosing the app that Evette shared, Proloquo2go.   This app is an augmentative and alternative communication solution for non-speaking individuals. By using this app, individuals use basic skills to communicate and express their wants and needs to others. The user will select which program fits best for their needs. The natural sounding device transforms text to speech voice. In the classroom, we are always looking for a variety of ways to help our student express themselves. There were a few augmentative devices, but nothing as elaborate as this application. Students or users will now have the opportunity to respond verbally and participate in any academic or social setting, boosting the student's confidence. The site provides a more in-depth description on this app, but we wanted you to see how one individual who is autistic, using proloquo2go on his IPAD. Unfortunately, the only downfall of this app is that it is not free.  This app cost $189.00.
Here is the link to the app: https://itunes.apple.com/app/proloquo2go/id308368164?ign-mpt=uo%3D4&mt=8

You can also view this 60 minute show, and see the excitement and joy the user displayed.  This is a good investment for a student with needs in communication.  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7414970n

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Week 2 Current Event

Our technology resource for this week is Free Technology for Teachers, which you can find at http://www.freetech4teachers.com/.  This website is written by Richard Byrne who has won many achievements and awards with Edublogs and is a contributor to School Library Journal and Teacher Librarian Journal.  Byrne offers multiple resources for teachers and students over a range of subjects.  Richard Byrne has blogs which are informative for technology use in the classroom and has links to his favorite resources, google tutorials, and iPad Apps for School.
One blog that we thought was interesting was his blog on "47 alternatives to YouTube", which is important since most schools don't allow access to youtube.  His site also offers lesson plans for different content areas that integrates technology.  When he writes about a topic, he is very detailed and gives a brief description that is easy to read for parents and teachers.
He also has some information on creating blog and websites, which has videos for anyone to follow.  This is very informative so that a teacher can integrate this into his/her lesson for the students, making it more engaging for the students involved.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Week 1



Hi! My name is Lauren Maeda. My google username is laurenym748.

 My favorite technology gadget is my iPhone.  I'm basically glued to my iPhone.  I just got this phone about 4 months ago, and I absolutely love everything about it.  Thinking back, not sure how I survived without it, as I was an android user before.  I use the web to check email and keep up with the news.  Then there's tons of apps that I use, especially the camera/picture effects to take millions of pictures of my nephew! I love how the iPhone takes really clear pictures, something my last phone didn't really do!

I'm a visual learner and need to see what my work should look like and I usually learn best when the instructions or requirements are clear for me to follow along with.  I feel that Microsoft is a skill that I have, as I feel comfortable using the different Microsoft programs.  I am always on tasks and have good communications skills and I always want to make sure that I covered all points in order to get the best grade! I'm open to hearing other people's ideas and perspectives and learning new things.

This is a video example of a teacher integrating technology into their classroom. Although this video is short as it's a "promo" I thought it was very clear how the teacher uses technology in her classroom with her diverse students.  I think it's great how she pointed out that the students are diverse in many ways, even social-economical.  I think we often forget about the few students who don't have access to a computer due to their social-economic status, and in school may be their only opportunity!