February 24, 2011: Online Graphing Tools

Today in class we learned how to use the online graphing tool Kids Zone to create a graph using the information we gathered of average test scores over 3 years from the NAEP website.  I made two documents using these tools and I have included them below.  In my first document, I compared data from 4th grade mathematics scores in the state of West Virginia compared to the rest of the United States.  In the second document, I did the same thing only I used the data from 8th grade Reading scores.  In both experiments, I compared the data from the years 2005, 2007, and 2009.  My two online documents that I created using Googe Docs are linked below and include a chart and summery of my findings.
4th Grade Mathematics Scores: WV vs. US
8th Grade Reading Scores: WV vs. US

February 22, 2011: Word Clouds

Today we also learned how to make a word cloud using the tool Wordle.  Our word cloud has to be about something in our field, mine being education.  My world cloud is going to be the song Fifty Nifty United States.  I've included a link to the lyrics as well as added my word cloud onto my blog. 

Click Here to See My Word Cloud.

February 22, 2011: Diigo/Adding links to blog

Today in class we set up a Diigo account which can be used to organize links. You can add bookmarks, photos, and notes to this site and create different folders to seperate into different tabs.  I added this link to my blog under the Links tab. Included in my diigo account, i have bookmarked the ISTE Teaching Standards which I have also included a link to on my home page.  After we felt comfortable adding links, we then added a poll gadget to our blog as well.
Here are the Diigo accounts I belong to.
Classroom 2.0
Cool Tools for Educators

February 17, 2011: Jing Video

Today we are learning how to capture a video using the Jing tool.  With this tool, you can video capture as well as take picture.  In the video capture mode, which I will be using today, you can record up to 5 minutes of video and also include audio as well. For my video, I chose to show how to edit a picture using the various tools on Picnik.com.  Here is the link to my video capture online.

February 15, 2011: Jing Image

For the second part of class today, we learned how to use the new tool Jing.  We created a screenshot account so that it is easier to take a picture of a screen and edit it without going through a lot of complicated steps.  Below is the link to my example using Jing and also an embedded version of my example.
Click for my example using Jing.

February 15, 2011: PicassoHead

Today, we used took a self assessment in the beginning of class that reflected on the assignments we had to complete when we did not meet in class last week.  We then used Picassohead to create a self portrait.  I have included the picture of my self portrait below by using the snipping tool.  It is also possible to share your self portrait directly with blogger through the share button on the website.  Here is my self portrait in the gallery. 





February 10, 2011: Personality Quiz

After I took the personality quiz, I got the result of guardian.  Although guardian was not my number 1 choice, it was still up there.  I think it is important to be a guardian when teaching children and by using the qualities I possess, I will surely be able to lead students in the right direction of their education and life.   In the teacher environment, I would be a valuable leader because I am hard working and dependent.

February 8, 2011: Personality Traits

My experience with personality traits relates to the perceptual learning styles quiz.  In high school, I had to take this test 2 times in order to become a leader for my band section.  In order to better understand each other, we took the test then discussed the different traits.  I also had to take this same personality test for my elementary health online class this year.  In order to meet each other in an online atmosphere, the teacher had us write about our personality style and whether we agreed or disagreed as our introductory assignment.

I think my rank of personality styles would be idealist, artisan, guardian, and then rational based on the descriptions.

The reason I chose idealist is because the description seemed to fit me to a T. I'm almost always enthusiastic and  I love romance and deep friendships.  I would rather have a few good friends, than many "friends".  I am giving, trusting , and spiritual.  I go to church often and I love helping other people. That is why I want to be a teacher.

February 3, 2011: Snipping Tool

Today we discussed implementing research projects using Google Docs.  The whole class then took a Survey and submitted it for the results to be uploaded onto a Spreadsheet using Google Apps.  The spreadsheet was then used to compare each question and create a summery of responses using graphs and/or pie charts to show the comparison of the answers given by the class.  We learned that in order to post one part of the data on our blog, we must use the snipping tool.  Mr. Pierce shared the document with the class and we used the snipping tool to copy part of the summary to include in this blog post.