Blog #5

ELA Technology Standards
From what I have learned about Florida's standards for ELA, it makes a lot of sense that the teaching of reading, writing, and generally communicating should be taught across subjects. Naturally, each subject would teach these skills in their specific ways, using their related content, but it would help students become overall more literate.

In regards to the ELA technology standards, I find that some are more relevant to science and math classes, but they do, in general, make sense for students to learn. For instance, the LAFS.910.SL.2.5 standard calls for students to learn how to use various forms of digital media with their presentations so as to allow themselves and their audience to better understand the material being covered as well as to be more engaging.


Standard Preparedness 
Upon first reading the standard, I thought I felt rather prepared to implement it based on my current skill set. I have been making presentations throughout my schooling and have learned a great deal. For instance, I know how to integrate hyperlinks, YouTube videos, and images in my PowerPoint slides. I have also made some presentations using Prezi. However, upon looking at the "Technology" tools column for this standard, I felt a little less prepared, as I have never before heard of Creately. Also, despite my having used Photoshop quite a bit for watermarking, graphic design, and image retouching, I'm not entirely sure how they suggest using the software for presentations. Overall, I know a good bit about the conventional presentation tool (PowerPoint), but I have a lot to learn about other presentation tools out there, and even still have much to learn about PowerPoint.


CPALMS Tools and Resources
There are so many cool resources out there on CPALMS. One resource I find particularly interesting is under Science> Grade 9> Educator> Image/Photograph and is called "Many Thrive if the Wolf Survives." Essentially, this particular lesson covers the importance of natural predators in an ecosystem, with an article about the overpopulation of elk in Yellowstone National Park due the over-hunting of wolves, and this article is a key element in the lesson. I would definitely use a resource like this in my classroom because it provides so much detailed information on what is covered in the lesson, what the students should already know, how the teacher can go about giving the lesson, and provides several resources, such as the article, a rubric, and a note-taking guide. Of course, I could alter the lesson however I would like, but this resource provides all of the groundwork, which greatly reduces the amount of time it would take me to create a lesson.


Web 2.0 Tool
One web 2.0 tool that I would likely use as an educator would be Remind. Several of my teachers in high school used this tool, and I even used it for a school club I ran, and it was very helpful. Essentially, this is a communication tool that can be accessed online or through the app. It allows teachers to post reminders (ex. homework due tomorrow) and other information (ex. test rescheduled for next week) in specific classes. In addition, posts can be drafted and scheduled, and pictures, videos, and other elements can be added to messages. What makes this tool dynamic, though, is that students can like and comment on the teacher's posts and can message the teacher directly without the rest of the class seeing the message.



Commented on:
Mallory's Blog- "Blog #5"
Hayley Singer's Blog- "Blog Post #5"