EdTech 502

EdTech 502 - Final Reflection

I very much enjoyed this class.  I loved the ability to see my work as I was finishing it.  I feel I learned so much and I feel confident in my abilities to either design a webpage or mentor other staff members in learning HTML and CSS.  I also learned anther Adobe product - Fireworks.

We touched on many different things in webpage design such as aside boxes, web accessibility, concept maps, tables, responsive webpages and webpages with multiple pages.

We also learned many topics for educational technology.  Things I learned were proper netiquette, web accessibility, copyright laws on the internet, jigsaw learning, m-learning and virtual tour learning.

My instructor - Lora Evanouski - was incredible.  She made it fun and was there for any support needed.  Thank you Lora.

I have attached my final webpage which includes all websites I developed.  There is a noticeable difference from week 2 to the end of the  course.

502 Webpage

Thursday, January 15, 2015

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 12

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 12 - Responsive design and WebQuest.

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 12 reflection - Responsive webpages and WebQuest

I had a lot of fun with this website.  It was great looking at the finished product on my smartphone. I think I am most proud of this webpage of the sites I have created so far.

The use of fluid grid layouts made this m-learning activity quite easy.  It was very time consuming trying to get each size of your project just how you want it.  Mobile out does make a lot a sense as it seems that most of the mistakes are at the small screen look.  It was fun to see how your site changed as you changed the size of the screen.  The CSS was not more complicated but it was a lot more tedious.  I forgot that the CSS validator has a lot of trouble with fluid-grid layouts and therefore I had some errors on my CSS.  I spend over five hours trying to fix the issues but decided to leave it as I did not want to mess up all of my hard work.

From a teaching standpoint, the WebQuest assignment is awesome.  It took a lot of work but it can not be adapted for many years.  I think the students will love it except that there is a lot of work involved for them.  

As I have mentioned many times in the past, my goal is to move up in a higher administrative position in our school board.  Reinforcement on teaching pedagogy is very important in my learning.  I feel that this week’s assignment will be a useful tool in my future endeavours.   I will use what was learned from this assignment in my future roles in our school board. 

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 11

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 11 - Multiple web pages and Virtual Tour

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 11 reflection - Multiple Web Pages and Virtual Tour

It seems like a broken record but I had a lot of fun with this website.  I was  allowed to do a topic that really interests me.  I took my favourite sport - hockey - and made it an educational opportunity for my students.  Since hockey impacts a large amount of the population in Canada, I think the assignment will be very interesting for my students.

I was very proud of the finished product.  It took me a lot of hours to finish the assignment but it was worth it.  I learned how to add video, audio and use one topic and create a multiple page website.  I think it looked great when I was finished.  

I tried to incorporate other things I had learned from this class.  I used Fireworks to make some images because I felt I did not learn enough about the program on the “Concept Map’ assignment.

It was also the first assignment I did while away travelling.  I learned I do have the commitment to complete the assignments at a high quality even though the beach was waiting.  I am also proud of this.

I found the use of multiple web pages quite easy but very time consuming. All the other assignments have been one page, this one was eight.   

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 10

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 9 - M-Learning and responsive websites

AECT Standards:

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 9 reflection - Responsive webpages and m-learning

I had a lot of fun with this website.  It was great looking at the finished product on my smartphone. I think I am most proud of this webpage of the sites I have created so far.

The use of fluid grid layouts made this m-learning activity quite easy.  It was very time consuming trying to get each size of your project just how you want it.  Mobile out does make a lot a sense as it seems that most of the mistakes are at the small screen look.  It was fun to see how your site changed as you changed the size of the screen.  The CSS was not more complicated but it was a lot more tedious.

From a teaching standpoint, this is the type of new learning I need to know more about.  I will tell you I was one of the teachers who would not let students even look at their smartphones.  I thought the kids would be texting.  I have come to realize that texting is no different than talking to their neighbor in class.  It is up to us as teachers to keep the students engaged so they use the phones for the right reasons.  This M-activity is great.  They can use the smartphones and, at the same time, learn.  The limits are endless.  No more complaining that there are not enough computers to do the assignment.  Student engagement will be brought to a new level.

As I have mentioned many times in the past, my goal is to move up in a higher administrative position in our school board.  Reinforcement on teaching pedagogy is very important in my learning.  I feel that this week’s assignment will be a useful tool in my future endeavours.   I will use what was learned from this assignment in my future roles in our school board. 
 

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 9

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 8 - Jigsaw Activity and Tables in Dreamweaver

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2c Integrate information literacy skills into classroom and media center instruction.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 8 reflection - Jigsaw learning activity and use of tables on Dreamweaver

I know I have been very repetitive but what can I say.  This week was great. I learned how to do l tables on Dreamweaver.  I am grateful that we were able to use Dreamweaver and not have to code this from scratch. It would have taken a long time.  I am confident that I know enough about table layout and the coding of tables that I could do this from scratch but it was nice to see it done for you and learn from that.  I find that looking at a table now I can manipulate it as I want.  It was difficult at first considering there are so many lines.

From a teaching standpoint, I have used the Jigsaw method before.  I find it is used very often at the conferences I go to as a teacher.  I think it is very valuable but it is important that all are involved.  It is easy to hide and let others do all of the work.

As I have mentioned many times in the past, my goal is to move up in a higher administrative position in our school board.  Reinforcement on teaching pedagogy is very important in my learning.  I feel that this week’s assignment will be a useful tool in my future endeavours.   I will use what was learned from this assignment in my future roles in our school board. 
 

EdTech 502 - Reflection - Week 8

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 7 - Interactive Concept Map

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 7 reflection - Interactive Concept Map

This week was a tremendous learning week for me.  I was a little intimidated by what was expected for the week.  This week was by far the most challenging so far but I think I also learned the most.   

We learned about using a “concept map” on a website and using it as a learning device for students. From a web design standpoint there was so much to learn.  We learned how to use images and make a banner on the webpage.  We also learned about how to make a gradient background for your webpage.  Other important things we learned was how to use hotspots so you can link to other areas of interest.  We learned why it is important to have alternate text and what “target_blank” actually means.  

We also learned new software from Adobe.  We used Fireworks to manipulate images to use for our banners.  I had a tough time with this part of the week.  I have never used either photoshop or Fireworks so the learning curve was very steep this week. It didn’t help that when I was making a gradient background, my software had a glitch - or so I thought.  It took me eight hours to do something I can now do in five minutes.  Talk about frustrating.  I finally called my instructor and she explained what I was doing wrong.  Thank you Lora.

I feel proud of the work I did this week, especially considering it was all brand new to me.  I still am not an expert at Fireworks but as least I am now able to work with it.  I know that with practice, it will become a valuable tool when it comes to web design.

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 7

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Module 6 - Copyright and Fair Use

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.1.3b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Module 6 reflection - Copyright and Fair Use

This week was great.  I really started to learn and understand the things we have been working on on our websites.  I worked a lot this week on margins, padding, boxes and borders.  I now understand the difference between all of them and their importance to the development of new websites.  I also started to understand more about links and tags such as hover, focus, active, visited and linked.  

We learned about “copyright” and “fair use” this week.  I was one of the teachers under the impression that if the information was for educational purposes, it was allowed.  I was wrong. This is so important.  I also learned that Canada has a different view of “fair use”.  Canada -  and most Commonweatlh countries use something called “fair dealing”.  It is similar but does not go as far as the “fair use” law does in the US.

I feel that this week’s assignment was essential for me.  I will use what was learned from this assignment in my future roles in our school board.  The knowledge learned this week will let me help students and staff to understand the value of copyright and the use of “fair dealing in the classroom”.

Posted by Ryan Olynyk at 3:59 PM

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Week 6 - Hot LInks and Web Accessibility

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.13b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Week 6 reflection - Web Accessibility:

This week was about patience.  We were to develop a webpage which followed Section 508 and also followed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.  I tried to use as many things I learned from earlier week but I found I forgot some of them and had to go back to tutorials and find the answers.  

The assignment was very beneficial to anyone who is designing or evaluating web pages.  To make a website that is web accessible is so important. Every person should be able to use the web no matter of the disability. I found that it was hard to match colours that were accessible for the visually impaired or for the people with color blindness.  I had to go back many times until my webpage passed all of the accessibility rules.

We also learned about web software that is used to guide on whether a site is accessible or not. WAVE and Cynthia Says are two excellent resources that can be used to help in the development of web pages.  

I feel that this week’s assignment was essential for me.  I will use what was learned from this assignment in my future roles in our school board.  The knowledge learned this week will let me help students and staff to understand the value of web accessibility.

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 5

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Week 4 - More CSS and Netiquette

AECT Standards:

1.1.2b Create instructional plans that address the needs of all learners, including appropriate accommodations for learners with special needs.

1.1.2d Incorporate contemporary instructional technology processes in the development of interactive lessons that promote student learning.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experience.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Week 5 reflection - Netiquette:

Again, the learning this week was time consuming but very rewarding.  I love to do these webpages, especially now that I am starting to get the hang of it, but they take a long time.  I hope that as I get to know the CSS coding a little better, I will become more proficient at doing these webpages.

This week I learned a topic that I only had limited information on previously.  Not only did I learn much more coding, I also learned a topic I would like to teach to all of people using the internet. There is nothing more frustrating than having 20 forwarded jokes on my email when I am busy. Netiquette is something everyone should learn and be more aware of the responsibilities when using the internet.

My webpage focussed on netiquette for the educator.  I tried to reinforce that we as teachers have a responsibility to use the internet correctly. We are the professionals, we need to show it.  I tried to show ways that teachers must act on the internet when dealing with students and other colleagues whom we may have never met.

On my webpage I tried to use different colours and tried a variety of looks.  I figured out how to use classes and became much more proficient at paddings, borders and margins.  I also learned how to shorten a URL in bitly.com if my CSS evaluation does not work.

Overall, it was a great learning experience this week.  Can’t wait to see what is in store in next’s week assignment.

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 4

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Reflection: Week 4 - Copyright and Fair Use

AECT Standards:

1.1.3.b Demonstrate personal skill development with at least one: computer, authoring application, video tool, or electronic communication application.

1.3.b Identify at least one instructional model and demonstrate appropriate contextualized application within practice and field experiences.

1.4.b Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the selection of instructional strategies.

2.3.2 Design, produce, and use digital information with computer-based technologies.

2.4.1 Use authoring tools to create effective hypermedia/multimedia instructional materials or products.

2.4.2 Develop and prepare instructional materials and products for various distance education delivery technologies.

2.4.4 Use telecommunications tools such as electronic mail and browsing tools for the World Wide Web to develop instructional and professional products.

2.4.5 Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Week 3 Reflection:

Week three took me a long time to complete.  I had a little trouble with CSS..  I have never used or even heard of Cascade Style Sheets.  I found them a little confusing but, just like the HTML, I found the readings and videos very helpful.  There were a lot of resources to go through but I read and watched each and every resource.

CSS was challenging but very exciting to learn.  It was fun to watch the original web page we created change into a much more complete project. I still need to learn more about some of the CSS platform.  

I did not understand the use of “class” very well.  I know - from the reading and videos - what it is and how it works but it does not make that much sense to me.  Through experimenting with the code, I found I could have done some things much more quickly and more efficiently than using the “class” function.  I know I must not be understanding fully the use of this item.

My hope is for the rest of the course is that I can get more involved with the discussions in the class.  I have worked hard to get caught up and now I feel a little more confident in my abilities to help other students with their questions.

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 3

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

AECT Standards:

1.1.3 - Developing: process of authoring and producing the instructional materials.

2.4.5 - Develop effective Web pages with appropriate links using various technological tools (e.g., print technologies, imaging technologies, and video).

Week 2 Reflection:

This was a very exciting week.  I made my first web page - ever.  I actually did not find the task of making the web page that difficult.  I have done some programming in the past and the logic from programming helped me in this assignment.  I also found that the readings and videos really helped in the creation of the web page.  

I decided when I started this course to read and watch all resource material.  Even though I could probably create the webpage with the use of only some of the resources, I watched and read all of them.  It does take more time but I feel I am more confident in my capabilities.  I still have so much to learn but it has been very rewarding.

We also received some information on our final portfolio.  The video presentation and slide show are very informative.  I started preparing for the final portfolio - even though I am only on my second semester in the MET program.  I created separate folders for each of my courses and am writing reflections and saving these into the folders.  This will help when it is time to think back about each course.  I know I will not be able to remember everything but keeping a reflection of each week of each course will help.

I really enjoyed this week.  I feel that it is the start of some very exciting technology that I will learn. 

EdTech 502 - Reflection Week 2

EdTech 502 - Internet for Educators

Semester: Fall 2014

Instructor:   Lora Evanouski

Week 1 Reflection:

I am really looking forward to this class.  I have absolutely no experience in coding HTML or CSS. In fact, I had never even heard the words ‘Cascading Style Sheets” before I entered this class.  

My goal, upon my return to teaching, is to be a technology leader - assistant principal, technology supervisor or specialist.  I have always wanted to learn Dreamweaver and HTML coding.  I see so many people looking at the code while developing websites and I thought this knowledge would be a very valuable tool to have in my future roles.

This week was just an introductory week.  This was great for me because in 501 we used Google+ as our learning platform.  Yes, we also used Moodle but mainly only to hand in assignments and to look at the assignment list.  I used this week to learn to navigate the Moodle platform and I now feel confident in my ability to use this platform for this course.

Our assignments included a short biography and a refresher in VoiceThread.  I learned how to use VoiceThread in 501 but It was nice to get a refresher.

I look forward to the remainder of this semester and bringing this new found knowledge of technology to my school board.  I can’t wait to get started.

Posted by Ryan Olynyk at 3:50 PM