Digital Images

Use in the classroom:
Like I have stated before, I have several Juniors and Seniors that are going to be taking the new SAT in March. I figured that my infograpic could be used by my students as a guideline, or tips, for preparing for the tests and the testing days! Students will be able to follow my list to help prepare them for the SAT. I have learned that with my students, "less is more" if I had written a bunch of words and sentences on my infographic they would not have read it. Keeping it simple does not intimidate them as much. I created my GIF to be funny and show my students what people think of the SAT. I wanted to provide a little humor and get my students to relax.

Application:
The readings from week one about design principles for instructional multimedia fit with how the infographic lets teachers create artifacts that incorporate multiple types of media, and or steps in one document. I was able to combine text and pictures at the same time to make it appealing so that my students are more likely to look at it (at least). The GIF let me be able to combine pictures and videos into one new video which makes instruction smoother and can provide some humor in regards to a serious testing situation.

Reflection:
My students are used to using the computer to complete all of their work and they are used to taking, and modifying pictures (a.k.a. "the selfie") but I can show them some other things that they can do with their pictures. They could even create a GIF out of some of their pictures, which would be very interesting for me to see! I might even make this an assignment :)

Photo is Public Domain

Source: giphy.com

Copyright Padlet

Use in the classroom:
I have several Juniors and Seniors that are going to be taking the new SAT in March. Several of them have asked for help with studying for the tests. Since my students do all of their work on the computer anyways, I feel like this padlet would help my students be able to study for the SAT. This will give them information that they need to study and help them learn what to expect the day of the test. By the end of the day each student would be able to create their own study guide for the SAT that focuses on the areas that they feel they need help with. This way I would be able to help each student study the parts that they are struggling with, while other students are still able to study independently.

Application:
The readings from week one about design principles for instructional multimedia fit with how padlet lets teachers create lessons and projects that incorporate multiple types of media. With padlet I am able to combine text, pictures, videos, etc., all at the same time. I decided to incorporate text, graphics, as well as videos explaining what, and how, to answer questions that are likely to be seen on the SAT. This way if students are struggling with a certain concept they have videos to watch that could help them understand the concept better. I also included some facts about the differences between the ACT and the SAT so that students can see exactly what changes have been made to the SAT and the differences between the ACT and the SAT tests.

Reflection:
While my students are used to using the computer to complete all of their daily assignments, I now have a tool that can help me to organize and combine material so that students have more information at once, and in different formats. My students now have multiple forms of similar information so that if they do not understand the material they can look at it from a different perspective. The process of figuring out what materials I can and cannot copy for my students to use was more difficult that I had imagined.  I learned a lot about copyright and creative licenses. I did not like the fact that some of the material I could not use due to copyright and licensing issues. Some of these resources that I was not allowed to use could have had very useful, educational, information.

Created with Padlet

Introduction

Hello,

My name is Serena Allen.

I live, and work, in Greenville, MI.

I graduated from CMU with my Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2009. I am currently working towards a Masters in Educational Technology.

Right now I am working as a part-time Parapro/Teacher Assistant for a new High School Alternative Education program that Greenville Public Schools started this year. For the past 5 years I worked for Ombudsman Educational Services as a High School Alternative Education Teacher and Center Director. This program was shut down and Greenville started their own; so I am still working with the same students. We have students from 7th grade through 12th grade that are considered "at-risk".

I recently opened my own business in October, 2015. So I am now a small business owner of a Bridal Shop in Greenville. (this is why I am only teaching part-time) :)