Jing Graphic

Today's assignment was to create a graphic, using Jing, that could be used to introduce and/or teach a skill or concept.  Jing is a digital tool that allows individuals to capture and share anything that is seen on the computer screen, virtually immediately, with a friend.  Simply capture the screen, or a section of the screen, and Jing saves a link to your clipboard.  Paste that link into your chat and share.  The sky is the limit.  The great thing about Jing is that once screens are captured,  they can be edited to aid in teaching a concept or simply pointing out pertinent information.  The different tools available include:  text tool, shape tool, and arrow/line tools.  

Saved Jing files are PNG Files.  These files can be saved on the Jing clipboard or on your desktop.  They can be stored in the Jing History, which can be accessed by clicking the history on the yellow Jing icon (placed in the upper, center of the screen).  My graphic was retrieved from my desktop and added to my Blog. To link the graphic to a screencast, simlpy click the share via screencast box.

My graphic was ceated to aid in teaching the different parts of a friendly letter.  Creating the graphic was time consuming, but only because of user error.  My sample of a friendly letter was created at a website called abcYA.  This site allows you to type the information for your letter and is then created in the letter format.  I then captured the letter, using Jing, and used the text, shape, and arrow/line tools to identify the different parts.   I then saved the graphic to my Jing History, retrieved it, and saved it to my desktop.  I then inserted it into my blog.  I DID learn that (even when Windows stops working) drafts are saved and not lost.  And... I only had a small "freak-out."

The ISTE NETS T that relates to this assignment is number two.  It shows that I can design or adapt learning experiences using digital tools.  Jing is a great tool to have!!

Self Portrait

The second assignment for today was to create a self portrait using Picassohead.  I must be honest, the thought of doing computer homework after a grueling Monday was excruciating.  That is until I got in to it.  The assignment was very fun and simple.  Picassohead allows the user to create a piece of art by adding differerent features, such as a face, eyes, and lips (to name a few) onto a blank canvas.  Once added, the features' positions can then be manipulated and moved and color can be added.  My portrait was snipped (using the Snipping Tool) and was saved as a JPEG file in my pictures.

Students would love this activity.  The ISTE NETS T standard which relates to this assignment is number one:  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.  Art is an area in schools today that seems to be forgotten.  With the push to increase Reading and Math skills, time does not allow to fit it all in adequately.  Using this website would be a great opportunity to teach a lesson on Pablo Picasso and allow students to create a self portrait to share with their friends and family.

I hope you enjoy the self prtrait that I have created.

Snipping Tool

For today's assignment, we were giving the task of learning how to use the Snipping Tool which is a tool for Windows Vista.  The Snipping Tool is a relatively easy way to capture, or snip, a screen shot so that it can be used somewhere else.  I had never heard of a Snipping Tool.  I soon came to realize that it is very similar to copy and paste, only better. 

To locate the Snipping Tool, I conducted a program search using the Quick Launch Tool Bar. I clicked the "start" button and typed in snipping tool.

An icon for the Snipping Tool was then placed in my Quick Launch Tool Bar and ready to be used.  One problem that I encountered was the task of saving the Snipping Tool to my desktop (which was part of the assignment).  While in my desktop, I  right mouse clicked, then clicked new, and then shorcut (which is what it says in the directions).  This is where I had my difficulty.  According to the directions, I should have been able to navigate to the program that needed the shortcut.  However, I kept getting the following screen and was unable to fugure out the process successfully.

Although I was unable to save the Snipping Tool shortcut to my desktop, I realized that the tool was extremely easy to use straight from the Quick Launch Tool Bar, which is how I used the tool.   We ARE treachers afterall, we adapt.

The ISTE NETS T standard which best relates to this assignment is number two:  Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.   This is a perfect example of being able to incorporate a digital tool to promote student learning.  At our school, we use IXL, which is a great websiste that allows students to receive extra practice on previously taught skills.  I teach second grade and have found that trying to get twenty-four students logged onto a website is a nightmare.  With the use of this tool, teachers could snip full-screens with detailed instructions to aid in the processs.



EDUC 6305: Diigo

Today's assignment was to register and setup a Diigo account.  My understanding is that Diigo is a Social Bookmarking network which makes it possible for us to organize, display, and share information with one another.  Web 2.0 networks, such as Diigo, differ from traditional websites because of their capability to share information instead of just being a passive viewer of the information.

The first step in setting up Diigo was simple enough.  I used the Education 6305 Activity Sheet to navigate to Diigo.  I highlighted and clicked the link to register for an account and entered my personal information.  The problem up to this point was that I could not find the Educator's Account information, even with all of the helpful hints from the classroom discussion.  I simply ended up with a regular Diigo account.  Once I had confirmation that my account was created successfully, I moved to step two which was to add Diigolet.  I right clicked the Diigolet box and grug it to my browser toolbar and saved it in the favorite bar folder.

My experience with different web browsers consist of Internet Explorer, Google, Yahoo, and Bing, but I am a "googler" at heart.  Not saying I'm a great Internet user, I'm just saying that Google is where I feel most comfortable.  This assignment has taught me a couple of things.  First, I realize just how limited my technology vocabulary is.  I had heard the terms Web 2.0 and addon, but did not really know what they meant.  I just had a very vague idea of the meaning.  I now know that Web 2.0 is simply a term usedto describe information sharing and user-centered designed web applications.

The NETS-T standard that I believe this assignment relates to is number 2.  This activity demonstrates all of the components of designing and developing digital-age learning.  I am amazed at the number of students in my second grade classroom that have a Facebook account.  What a concept to think that a teacher could create a Diigo and bookmark specific topics of study.  What a wonderful day when reading could become interesting to all students by giving them different options using this type of technology. 

Introduction

Hello.  My name is Connie Epperly.  I was born and raised in the small town of Cool Ridge located in southern West Virginia.  My first love is my family.  I have been married for twenty-one years and have two sons, Dylan and Matthew.  I spent countless hours watching my boys at the soccor field and hockey rink.  Dylan is now a Sophomore at WVU in the Chemical Engineering Program and Matthew is a Junior at Bridgeport High School.  I was a stay-at-home mom for eleven years (best decision ever made) when I finally decided what I wanted to be when I grew up.  A teacher.  I put my first and fourth graders on a bus and I went to school as well.

I graduated from Fairmont State University in May of 2007 with a BA in Education and became certified to teach K-6.  The rest is a blur.  I subbed in Barbour and Harrison Counties for one year and landed a full-time position teaching third grade at West Milford Elementary School in Harrison County.  In 2009, I moved to a second grade classroom, and I loved it!

The biggest obstacle that I have found in teaching is integrating technology into the classroom.  I am technologically challenged!  Without giving away my age, I will say that I grew up in a time without cell phones and computers.  I actually took a typing class using a typewriter.  I am willing to learn, but it is a constant struggle.