Friday, February 25, 2011

Technology Self-Assessment: School 2.0

NETS-T II, V
 
Through my School 2.0 Self-Assessment I learned a tremendous amount about my current technological aptitude and how it relates to being an educator in the classroom.  The NETS-T standard that I felt I should have excelled at but didn’t was the NETS-T standard 3, “Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.”  The reason I felt I should have excelled at this particular standard is because of subsection b of the NETS-T standard which reads, “Teachers collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.”  I have always been an individual who is technologically capable of communicating digitally via a variety of programs.  However subsection b stood out to me because finding ways to communicate with parents intrigued me.  By reading an article from THE Journal entitled, “Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners,” by Chris Riedel I discovered eight new devices for collaborating with students, parents, peers, and community members or promoting collaboration between students.  The three most interesting tools the article promoted were Skype, Yack Pack, and Voice Thread.  Skype is a resource that allows users to make audio and visual calls for free online.  I personally see Skype as a way to promote collaboration between classrooms.  Yack Pack is a tool that is very similar to an online voicemail.  Users can create “packs” and send messages to the entire pack or just a single member.  When other pack members log into Yack Pack they can listen to the messages and respond.  I see Yack Pack as a way to communicate with parents.  For example creating a pack with all the parents of students and updating them on homework assignments, class progress, and in-class situations.  Voice Thread allows a user to upload an image and add audio comments.  Such an upload can be viewed by students and parents allowing for greater efficiency in the classroom.  In taking my School 2.0 evaluation I discovered multiple tools that I will use in the classroom to promote collaboration with students, peers, parents, and community members. 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen...Raul Kohl

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening,

My name is Raul Kohl and I feel it is imperative that I mention I am in no way shape or form as arrogant as this blog makes me out to be.  Before I get underway with my whole life-story a few basic tidbits are necessary.  I am currently a senor-level history major at the California State University, San Marcos and am 21 years old.  My dream occupation is politics but as my childhood dream was to become a high school history teacher I am currently looking to join the teaching creditably program here at San Marcos.  With a basic understanding of myself let's dive into my life story.

I was born in Sacramento and was immediately adopted by the two people I have always considered my parents.  I have a biological sister but have never met her or my biological parents.  My adopted family moved directly to a communal living society in Central California.  After several years we moved into a small town in Central California where I spent the beginning of my childhood.  At the conclusion of second grade we moved to El Centro for the next two years.  After fourth grade I moved again to the Escondido/San Marcos where I spent the remainder of my public education.  Upon graduation I began attending the California State University, San Marcos.

The first year of college I spent in the University Village Apartments despite living blocks from the school already.  However it turned into the greatest decision of my life because of the opportunity that came about.  Through living in the U.V.A. I joined a fraternity, lived in a house with some amazing friends, and study abroad in England.

In terms of technology I have always been around it.  My father spent my entire life working with computers and so in turn I learned to love it.  It has been incredible watching how computers, music playing devices, and video games have advanced in my lifetime.  It also blows my mind in imagining what technology will be as I get older and how I can use this technology in my classroom.  I am very proficient at many variants of technology and if I'm not have a knack for figuring them out.  I must say that I am a PC although Macs have always had very inviting features.

When I first read the College of Education's Mission Statement (after I had been accepted into CSUSM) I initally thought it to just be a bunch of words on a page.  However upon further review I saw the Mission Statement as an invitation to me due to one phrase in particular...student-driven education.  When I read this phrase I  fell in love because I have always been in classes where the syllabus drives the course not the needs of the students.  I feel that with the term student-driven education in the mission statement I will involve myself in something new and in something I would enjoy.

In closing I just wanted to thank you for reading and don't forget to "Join the Movement" on your way out,

The King
February 3, 2011