Saturday, April 27, 2013

Digital Identity

Here is a link to the Visualize me site http://vizualize.me/skutz?r=skutz

Digital Identity

Here is a link to the site Visualize me - Personal Digital Portfolio Project Reflection: I thought that this project was interesting and useful for me as well as possibly for students. The site that I used Visualize Me was easy to use and allowed you to create a digital portfolio that looked good and contained important information similar to a resume plus so much more. I also think that I will use this with students to get a fresh and digitalized version of creating a resume. This could an opportunity to present a lesson to students about showcasing classroom work and projects from high school. I could also include in the lesson information about linking social media sites and how colleges are looking at all aspects of students digital footprint.

Sunday, April 21, 2013


Broadcast Yourself

When I looked at this week’s assignment what concerned me the most was how I could learn new web broadcasting technology and also get it up and running well enough to broadcast my own Webinar.  Personally I was not concerned about broadcasting myself, setting up the audio or what the content would be about.  Getting the technology to work for my laptop and others within the group was my #1 concern.

The first step was to identify a broadcasting service.  I looked for APPS that were free that could work with an IPAD or MAC.  I couldn’t find anything but I did select GotoMeeting that I’ve used with Webinars that I attended.  I established a login & password and reviewed several of the online how-to tutorials.  The Quick start included how to schedule a meeting, and all the features on the control panel.  They also had scheduling and hosting a meeting.  The tutorials included how to use the webcam, audio, chat and recording features.  The tutorials were informative and helpful.  I contacted my friend Nancy Potts through a phone conversation and email to coordinate the GotoMeeting session.  I had wanted to speak to her about our upcoming trip to Europe and I also thought that she was tech savvy enough to do the meeting with.

In preparation for the GotoMeeting session the topic I needed to discuss was where are
I did a test broadcast with one of the computers in my house as the attendee and my laptop as the broadcaster/presenter.  I was happily surprised that the session, chat, webcam, Internet presentation all worked.  Next I did a test session with my friend before the official session later in the day.  The test session worked with her computer but she did not have a webcam.  She was able to chat, see me through the webcam and hear the audio transmission.

Next I needed to prepare for the scheduled session.  The main topic of discussion was to summarize her experiences in visiting Spain, what are the main attractions to visit and how to best prepare for our upcoming trip.  I’ve never traveled to Europe and I wanted her advice.  I prepared several websites for us both to view about top attractions and hotels located in Madrid.

We successfully started our scheduled session and started our conversation.  She was able to see my webcam video, chat responses, audio conversation and Internet searches.  I was only able to chat with her and the audio did not work on her computer.  I was able though to have a great conversation despite the technical problem.  We talked about where to visit and what to expect with the hotels and our conversation helped me immensely with my plans to Europe.  She said that the GotoMeeting program was “cool” because she was able to see the Internet search on my computer. 

As I reflect back on the project I am glad that I was able to learn this program and setup the broadcasting session.  I do think that there could be several ways that the project could be improved.  One suggestion could be for our class to have some type of Live Webinar session that could explain how the programs work and what to expect.  I also think that for this project we should be given more time. Possibly one week to learn the software and ask questions and a second week to set it up and implement the session.  I’ve participated in several Webinars and it seems to be very common to run into technical difficulties.  I do however; think that Webinars are a valuable tool for educators and students. 

 Attached is the recorded file from the GoToMeeting session - 






Attend a Live Webinar

The webinar that I attended was on Thursday, April 18th at CB South.  Several business teachers attended a live webinar about a Financial Literacy computer simulation.  A representative from Everfi, Andrew Porter contacted me several weeks ago about setting up a Web meeting.  I thought this was perfect to find out about the software and also attend a Live Webinar. 

Andrew scheduled the meeting and we all sat together in one room and listened and watched the computer screen.  The Webinar went well.  He introduced the software, which included (8) modules on Financial Literacy.  He had a presentation that we looked at on the screen and he also logged in to show us how easy it was to use.  We also used the audio features to ask him questions about how this could work for our business students.  I liked the format of the meeting.  We were able to see the program and he also was able to change what we saw on the screen based on our questions.  I would participate in another meeting like this, because I am able to both see and hear responses to questions.

I like this format for students.  Possibly a Webinar or chat session could be used once or twice a week for students who are struggling with a class and/or homework assignments.  The webinar is helpful because the meeting can be customized to the needs of the participants and the presenter.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Seven day Social Immersion Challenge

I setup a new Photo-a-day 365 photo challenge.  The account was easy to establish.  I chose a theme of images related to our new puppy.  It was a fun experience.    I enjoyed reading the tweets and following #Edchat.  Twitter had many interesting comments and I found that I could spend hours reading and exploring resources for educators were being referenced.

Integrating social media

Attached is an introductory assignment using Voki.  Voik allows students to create a customized Avatar.  The Avatar will be inserted into a Glogster page that students create about their personal background.  The voki will then be inserted onto the Glogster page.  All students can view and comment on what they see in Glogster.


Integrating Social Networking

I have a current introductory lesson where students create a Voki on the first day to introduce themselves to me.  The lesson has two goals one for me to get to know the students and two for students to be introduced to a Web 2.0 technology.

I will add a Web 2.0 lesson to the assignment.  Students will also create a Glogster page that highlights information about them.  I will ask the students to insert the Voki onto the Glogster page. 

This new activity will expand the simple Voki and students will create a thorough introduction about their personal background.  All students in the class can view the Glogster pages.  I will ask the students to write a short reflective response about each Glog they view.

Here is an example of the instructions:

Students will understand:

v  Creativity, innovation, and critical thinking are essential for success in a technologically advanced world.
v  Responsible digital citizenship requires effective oral, written and online communication and collaboration skills.

Create a Personal Voki
20 pts.

Create a Voki that reports personal identification information and favorites. This assignment helps students become familiar with a new web tool.

Objectives:
·       Create an “About Me” report using Microsoft Word.
·       Create a Voki that summarizes the report.

Activities:
1.     Type in a MS Word document – print & hand in. (10 pts.)

2. Write a brief summary about your personal information such as:
a. Name
b. Birthday
c. Grade & favorite subject
d. Favorite hobbies and sports
e. Favorite places to visit in the summer
f. A short-term goal
g. A long-term goal

Voki requirements: (10 pts.)
Use the following website to create the Voki (Avatar)
1.     Select an appropriate background.
2.    Choose the character style – character, clothing, bling
3.    Include the MS Word personal summary – voice recording
4.    Add a player

Grading – I will view on your screen.  It is not necessary to provide or save to an email  


 Glogster – Interactive Poster
Adv. Web Design – Personal Glog

Directions: Create a Glogster page that contains the information about you.  Include the custom personal logo and background information about you.  Also include the background theme (wall)& images from the (2) sports & (2) activities that you participate in. The final steps will be to add the Voki  to the Glogster page.  Content should include the following personal information. ( Grade, family make-up, school subjects that you like, career aspirations, personal motto, favorite sports and hobbies.)

·       Glogster website – http://www.glogster.com/edu
·       Use the assigned student Glogster login & password.
                                                     
Steps
Actions to Perform

Points Available

Points Earned
1.       
Creation of a personal Glogster Page
*      Customize–
o    Background/Wall
o    Text – personal background
o    Graphics/Images
o    Links
5

2.       
Creative and Professional Theme
*       Theme background – image or color
*      3 Hyperlinks  - online sites
*      Use at least (6) images
*      Titles & labels on all objects.
5

3.       
Content Creativity and Professionalism
*      Home Page – Main page introduction & subtopic sentences        
o     (2) images
*      Favorite Sports  – full details including new events
o    (2) Images
*      Favorite Clubs – full details including new events
o     (2) Images
10

4.       
Multimedia
*      Voki embedded into Glogster poster

15



5.       
Works Cited – does not need to be part of the site.
*      Format = Title, date used, <URL>.
*      Spelling and grammar
5


Project Totals:
40