(1) ILP "Participation" - MOOC

During this particular Independent Learning Project, I decided to participate in a MOOC, which stands for Massive Open Online Course. MOOCs are free and vary in duration and topic. I did a lot of searching to be able to find a decent MOOC that didn't take over a month to complete, and still had an interesting topic. After what felt like forever, I finally came across a website that had hundreds of different MOOCs to choose from. This website is Class Central, and it led me to a different website that held my "Learn How to Play Chess" MOOC.  I have never played chess before in my life, and I thought "hey why not learn now". Turns out it is a lot more complicated than I was expecting it to be! This course was really cool because they gave you quizzes after every section to ensure you knew the information. The quizzes were very helpful and awesome! There were different paths you were able to take, and I decided to take the "Getting Started" path since I am very much a beginner! You need an account in order to participate in this MOOC.

Here are some of my notes from my MOOC!

#10 - I guess all things do come to an end :/

I hope to teach either 2nd grade or 4th grade one day and I think I will use Data Collection regarding scores in reading and math. I know that schools sometimes require teachers to record their students reading scores so that they can be placed in a certain reading level. I would hope to collect this data in order to track the students progress regarding reading comprehension. Collecting data for mathematics may be harder to track, but I would use that data to track not only the students progress, but potential weaknesses in different areas of math. Doing this will help me when working one on one with the students and when giving them extra problems to work on.

While taking Intro to Educational Technology, we as a class have had to read and respond to each others blog posts each week. I enjoyed doing this because I was able to get a different perspective on the different topics that we were reviewing for class that day. I always enjoyed feedback from other students, whether it was positive or not! I found it interesting how everyone put their own twist into the design of the layout of their blogs. Lastly, I really loved seeing the different things we learned to do in class, laid out in each of the blogs.

The next technology-related skill that I would like to learn wouldn't necessarily be a new skill but to learn how to refine this skill: Photoshop. In my weebly website I had mentioned that I really enjoy photography and taking pictures. I currently have minimal prior knowledge regarding Photoshop, but I hope to master this technology-related skill one day. After doing my first ILP on Lynda.com, I decided to browse the website for any Photoshop tutorials and I found several. I know when the time comes when I need to learn how to use Photoshop more efficiently, I will use Lynda.com to refine those skills.

Favorite Music Survey

https://fsu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9n10e8vckBkXbvf

#9 - Flip. That. Classroom.

"The Flipped Classroom" is a great and innovative way for teachers to deliver their lessons earlier to students prior to the classroom meeting time. The gist of this teaching technique is explained by
"rather than students using the time in their classrooms listening to a teacher lecture on content and then working with that content for homework, in this model, the student listens to prerecorded video lectures for homework before coming to class" (Lever-Duffy, McDonald, 238). I personally find this technique to be an awesome tool for students of all ages. I know as a student, I love working ahead and being prepared for a lesson prior to being taught the material. I have learned that the information is retained a lot better than if I were to just show up to the class with no prior knowledge. As an elementary education major, I would love to instill this technique with my students at a young age because I believe it will be beneficial for students.

On the topic of "open content" and "open sources", I was able to come across a website that helped explain the difference between these concepts.  "The terms "open content" and "open educational resources" describe any copyrightable work (traditionally excluding software, which is described by other terms like "open source") that is licensed in a manner that provides users with free and perpetual permission to engage in the 5R activities". Another interesting thing that this website mentioned was "Legal requirements and restrictions make open content and OER less open"; this paragraph discusses how although it is considered open, it still has its restrictions regarding licensing and use.

While working on the Powerpoint Information Dissemination assignment, I learned some really awesome and new skills! I don't know if I would necessarily use every skill that I had learned from this project in the future, but I have gotten a lot more comfortable with Powerpoint. I found the use of the Master Slide was the most frustrating, and confusing aspect of this assignment. I honestly don't know if I even used it correctly, but I don't know if I will use it in the future. For the specific grade I hope to teach, I don't think I would use Powerpoint for lecture slides, but more for the game that awe had to do as well. I personally hate recording my voice and I think that was the absolute worse part about this project. Other than that, the project was somewhat tedious at times, but I was able to finish it out with a "Best in Show" badge! Below is a screenshot of my Powerpoint Information Dissemination Assignment!

10 Basics of Slidemaking

10 BASICS OF SLIDEMAKING from Sadman Sadik

This particular Slideshare brings it back to the simplicity of slidemaking; there are several pointers that revolve around the CRAP principles we learned about in class. I personally liked the slide that said to use minimalist icons rather than clip art! It made sense to me because sometimes clip art can be too distracting.