Prompt #10: Chapter 7 Lesson

Being that it is my focus, I would do a history lesson. The great thing about Chapter 7 is that it gives a myriad amount of resources that not only include lesson plans, but also information for students to look up. Websites like the "Smithsonian's History Explorer" provide lessons and web links. This is great for student research in order to make gather pages. This fulfills the first step of Chronological understanding for they are merely getting the facts. Other websites even provide primary documents. For example, the "White House Historical Association" has letters from Dolly Madison during the War of 1812. Reading those documents and answering the questions on the website fulfill a direct comprehension of the people who experienced that event.
Of course history would just be a bunch of dates if people did not analyze it. Looking at a person's life, students can assess their legacy, their triumphs, their defeats, etc. For example the "Theodore Roosevelt Association Curriculum" has lessons that build off of a chronological timeline of the president's life and have activities that assess his life's accomplishments, i.e. conservation.
Being able to ask historical questions comes from one's research capabilities. As students research, they can be asked questions from sites like "Cyberlearning" to test the strength of their research. For example, a question of "How did the Holocaust impact Europe" requires critical thinking, placing oneself in a historical pretense, and impacts one's research.
Lastly, the highest level of knowledge is when one can analyze and make decisions. It is important for student to assess problems or triumphs of the past and see what decisions they would have made if they were in charge, or what sort of judgments should be gathered from certain events. Websites like the "Dwight D. Eisenhower" website provide alternate universe questions that help students critically think, analyze, and make decisions on historical events (that may one day impact future events). The website provides a mock experiment where students play as German soldiers in WWII trying to gain intel from General Eisenhower.
The great thing is these lessons can all be found online. With inventions like blogging and Delicious Bookmarks, the lessons can be shared. With programs like Jing, Prezi, and Wiki spaces, students can access that information, research, understand, analyze, and learn through technology.

Prompt #9: Memorization in the Digital Age (Issue #10)

I believe the usefulness of memorizing facts in the 21st century is a two sided story. On one hand I believe it is an element that has been lacking and wrongfully so. In the texts, a math professor comments on how the overuse of calculators in math classes has created a dependency. Many students lose sight off some of the hidden elements in math problems (e.g. finding patterns) or suffer in doing mental math. I know many a time I am a perfect example. Yet, although some bits of information, like math, are sometimes becoming harder to remember, other bits of information that used to be memorized no longer have to be. Because technology is almost always at our fingertips, information is always at our fingertips. If your friend asked "who was the actor that replaced Sean Connery as the main James Bond character?" you may not know. But, you do have a cell phone that can search online, go to a website like imdb.com, and discover that it was in fact Roger Moore. Before, one would have to either know that bit of information or have to research for the answer through magazines and the like. And for what? It is a stupid pop culture question that does not affect your life. There is no need to remember it. But, since technology is so accessible, one does not have to remember it.
The key is to understand how to teach. Do students not rely on memorization because of technology, or because they were taught inefficiently on how to memorize? A conflicting teacher states that analysis is much more important than memorization. Understanding the big picture means more to a student than just remembering random facts. The great thing is technology can play a role in analyzing. The author states instead of using a lesson that involves ancient multiplication tables (that many times only work for short-term memory) use interactive software with edutainment video games or presenting a lesson in a new way that attracts the students' digital curiosity. Being current means being effective. Technology does not have to distract from memorization, but rather improve it. In short, if a teacher is presenting a 21st century lesson using 21st century technology, their students will be engaged, and therefore remember it more.

Prompt #8: The Usefullness of Libraries (Issue #9)

I believe physical libraries are not as relevant as they have been in years past. I would predict in the next fifty years libraries will have been a thing of the past, except for a few historical exceptions (i.e. preserving the Library of Congress). The reason for libraries used to be they were the sole provider of a vast collection of books. Today, libraries are no longer the only avenue to accessing books. The Internet has accomplished digitalizing millions upon millions of books online. New instruments like Kindles and iPads have replaced the need for a bound book. Some critics have claimed it steals an essence away from learning. I disagree. I do believe the library is and was a special place to a number of people. Yet, so were gladiator rings. Times change, it does not mean libraries were ever bad, just that technology has advanced and the need for libraries is becoming out-dated. Kindles can hold much more information than any library can hold. As for the criticism that the need for librarians will be lost, I disagree. True, people are more self-efficient online and will not need as much guidance to finding books. However, librarians can take their advice and put it online. Websites can (and do) exist of different bloggers giving suggestions for what books to read and what not. Libraries can still be a great place for social gatherings and study areas. Yet, being a center of information, I believe, will soon belong to the Internet. It goes back to limitations. If a library was the only place to find books, people would be obligated to going to and from the same destination. By having the ability to read and research online, one’s place of study is anywhere in the world.

Prompt #7: New Technologies (Gretzky Principle)

The first point to acknowledge is that a good portion of the United States classrooms are not on the cutting edge of technology. Many classrooms still rely on out-dated forms of education. Therefore, teachers should focus on steps from the bottom up. We as teachers must have a firm understanding of the technologies of today, hence cloud computing. Once that is mastered (hopefully with gusto) then we as teachers can move on to other forms. One of the most important foundational principles of teaching is understanding one's students. Therefore their interests or their habits may sometimes be appropriate to mimic in the classroom. For example, a great number of young adults are addicted to their cell phones. Some educators are using that popularity to influence lesson plans. For example, while going through a presentation an educator may post a survey question, but answers must be submitted via texting. Finally, nothing is more effective than being insightful of the future. Wayne Gretzky had once said, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.” I believe those words to be true. Some have said the minimum amount of knowledge a teacher needs is to be at least one lesson ahead of their students. Although that is minimal effort, it does have the right idea. To be insightful means to think outside of the box, sometimes literally. Classroom lessons do not need to be limited to a four wall classroom or students behind a laptop. New technologies like flexible screens, advanced educational video games, and augmented reality are methods that are still being manufactured, but will have amazing results that revolutionize how a student is taught. If students learn differently today than they did ten years ago, then that means the teaching lessons in ten years must be different than they are today. Education is an ever growing practice.

Prompt #6: Technology Timeline

When I was born, the Internet was still in its infancy stage. Being a child of the 1990's, I witnessed a very quick growth in technology's use in the classroom. By the time I had started kindergarten in 1996, the first DVDs were coming out. This advancement on portable information would soon be followed by other forms. Whereas in 7th grade, where I would have to use Floppy discs or Zip discs, by 8th grade I was using the new flash drives to transport my files. Of course educational technological instruments from the past were also going through an evolving stage as I grew up. Educational shows like "Sesame Street" were still airing, but had to compete with a myriad of other educational programs, such as "Blue's Clues", "Reading Rainbow", and "The Busy World of Richard Scarry". I saw the transition from projectors to smart boards. I remember when search engines like Google revolutionized how I researched for projects. I remember when the tedious tasks of looking for information in books was complemented by my teacher bringing in carts full of iBook laptops. As I continued my education, technology grew. In 2001the university MIT released its OpenCourseWare (OCW) which provided free educational information online. Today, millions of websites do this and I can find said resources in such areas as the Bradley University Library website. As recently as 2005, I witnessed the "One Laptop per Child" program launched. This effort will provide laptops to children across the world, giving them access to computers like I had when I was a child. I have seen a lot of change, and there is much more to come.

Promt #5: ISTE Standards

There are five different standards set forth by the ISTE that concern technology and teaching. They are as followed;
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Engage in Professional Growth and LeadershipTechnology must always be integrated with education. As an educator I will always make a strong commitment to;

1. Promote a student's creativity
• No two students are exactly alike. Technology is a great way to show one's creativity. Also, just like there are multiple ways to solve a math problem, there are multiple ways to demonstrate creativity via technology. If a student says they are very creative with PowerPoint, they should be allowed to make a presentation with PowerPoint. As long as they are not making a change that veers away from the main point of a lesson, creativity should be encouraged.
2. Utilize a strong use for technology
• Mathematicians no longer rely on an abacus to solve equations because they are outdated. In the same logic, I realize that in order to teach to "digital natives", I must use technology in the classroom. Of course, offline activities have there merits. Nothing will ever beat personal interaction or live skits. Yet, at the same time society is evolving into a widely digital world, hence those lessons must be taught to students. Incorporating programs like Prezi and Blogger better prepares students to use these devices in their professional world. Over time even these programs will become out-dated, but at least those students would have been taught by a version 2.0 curriculum as opposed to a version 1.0 lesson plan.
3. Be a leader
• I realize being a teacher is not a nine to five type of job. Being a teacher means thoroughly understanding the information one is teaching. If when teaching a lesson that incorporates Prezi, I as the teacher must be capable of answering almost any question about Prezi so I can help my students understand. Being a teacher means being available for students and parents through different networks (i.e. in person, email, Facebook, Blogger, etc.). Being a teacher means always having innovating lessons. Being a teacher means putting passion into one's lessons. Being a teacher means doing the best job one can to prepare students to respond to the world outside the classroom, hence utilizing technology in the classroom.
4. Promote responsibility and ethics
• When dealing with a myriad amount of technology, a 21st century teacher must emphasize to their students the importance of being safe and smart online. We live in a world where anyone's information is theoretically easy to gain. Once online, information is present forever. There is no such thing as "personal property" for programs like Facebook and Myspace. Therefore, I as a teacher will monitor and discipline respectively since it is such a serious matter. Also, as a teacher I will emphasize the severity of plagiarism. Information is easy to gain, but should never be stolen.
5. Never stop learning
• To be a good teacher one must always stay one step ahead of the curve. Technology changes everyday, therefore lesson plans should also always change, year after year. As an educator I will actively be looking for the best methods of teaching. I will attend the myriad of conventions that happen every year for teachers, even if it is as simple as logging onto "Second Life" and attending a meeting there. A good teacher should always look for advancing their lessons so as to stay current and fresh, hence providing the students with the best education of the day (i.e. using technology). However, at the same time, no student can learn from a lesson that has no backbone, no foundational substance. Will I as an educator be open to change as educational technology changes, yes. Yet, will I follow every technological method, no. A teacher must not be a sheep following every new idea, but instead evaluate which ones will fit their styles the best, and more importantly which ones will suit their students best. As an educator I will have a style, one open for change as technology improves, but a strong style none-the-less.

Prompt #4: ISTE Lesson

High School-Historic Blogging

1. Students will be split into small groups and instructed to choose a historic U.S. event to research online (i.e. Civil War, Dust Bowl, WWII, Cuba Missile Crisis, Feminist Movement, etc.).
2. During the allotted time period for research, a technological workshop will be taught in class covering the utilization of;
• Google Docs
• Blogger and/or Facebook
• Prezi
• Bubbl.us Mind Map
• Wordle World Cloud
• Skype
• YouTube
• ePals/eChalk
• Internet safety and responsibility
3. Each group will set up a Goggle Docs account to store and later edit their research (which I will also have access to).
4. Each group will then make their own Blogger and/or Facebook page. After collaborating with their group members, each group will construct a series of Prezi presentations with different excerpts of information from their historical subject. (e.g. group chooses to research WWII. One lesson could cover purely the Battle of Midway). Each Prezi should also include either a bubbl or wordle.
5. Groups will be allowed some class time to collaborate, but some must happen outside class. One group meeting must be done via Skype.
6. One special presentation will include a self-made YouTube video. Each group will be given a unique hypothetical question that alters history, and they must create a video on how they would respond to the situation.
• For example; the Confederates won the Battle of Gettysburg and France and England have decided to help the South. You are President Lincoln and his top generals. How would you respond to the now reinforced CSA?
7. After the completion of a few Prezi presentations, groups will be instructed to view every other group’s progress. Groups will then be advised to make personal critiques of each other's work so as to help influence the groups' creation of their final master Prezi (emphasize the need for "constructive criticism").
8. Before the final Prezi presentation, groups will then try to convince fellow school students outside of class to follow their blogs/Facebook pages and to also make edits
• *OPTIONAL* Allow student to also interact with students from across the globe to look at their blogs/Facebook pages using programs like ePals or eChalk.
9. Finally, each group will present their final Prezi presentation in class that collaborates all their information on their historical topic.
10. Evaluate your team members' performances.

All six components of ISTE are present in this assignment.

1. Creativity and Innovation
• Using programs like Blogger, Prezi, Wordle World Cloud, etc.
• Creating a unique YouTube video that alters history
• Designing their Prezi presentations
• Making continuous blog to find trends and reach the best product
2. Communication and Collaboration
• Using Blogger/Facebook to interact with classmates and other students
• Using Skype to make group meetings easier
• Using ePals or eChalk to communicate with students across the globe
• Using Google Docs to store and edit documents, graphs, etc.
3. Research and Information Fluency
• Researching online for information on their topics
• Using Google Docs to edit their information
• Using the constructive criticism of their peers to edit information or content
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
• Using criticism from each other and peers
• Analyzing what data is best for Prezi presentations
• Problem solving the hypothetical question problem
5. Digital Citizenship
• Lesson on Internet safety
• I will have personal access to blogs, Facebook, and Google Docs
• Evaluate each other's performance and responsibility
6. Technology Operations and Concept
• Each student will have a thorough understanding of Blogger, Facebook, Google Docs, Wordle World Cloud, Bubbl.us Mind Map, Skype, YouTube, ePals/eChalk, and Prezi