Spreadsheet 2

This is another assignment that involved the use of Microsoft Excel. I have some sort of mental block with Excel, therefore, this assignment was also difficult for me to complete. First, I was presented with test grades, project grades, and assignment grades on a spreadsheet. I had to use a formula to determine the weighted average of these activities. I then created a formula to give each semester grade a letter value. Then, I created an average score for the class, the minimum and maximum scores, as well as the range. After completing this, I used a formula on Excel to determine the numbers of each letter grade. Last, but not least (this was my favorite part), I added a background color and borders to my worksheet. My spreadsheet was uploaded to Google Docs and can be seen here. By completing this activity, I have learned that Excel offers many features that can help educator's track student progress. The ISTE NETS T standards that relate to this activity are: 3.a. and 3.d.. Due to using Excel and uploading the spreadsheet to Google Docs, teachers demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge (Excel) to new systems (Google Docs) and teachers are able to model and facilitate the effective use of current and emerging digital tools to analyze learning (teachers are able to determine the progress that their students are making, and possibly make changes to their curriculum).

Spreadsheet 1

This has been the most difficult assignment for me this semester. I have always struggled with using Microsoft Excel. Today, I utilized a spreadsheet to determine the average grades of students and then place the averages in descending order. I had difficulty with coming up with an average between the three terms and it took a while for me to realize that I needed to include the "cell" for each term in my formula. Then, in the process of uploading my document to Google documents, I somehow lost it. I had to start all over again!  You can view my spreadsheet here: Spreadsheet 1. Using spreadsheets can be very useful in the classroom to maintain students records or to double check other methods of grade/record keeping. I feel like that Microsoft Excel is a useful tool, although I need to spend more time becoming familiar with it. I did learn a lot about Excel and patience while completing this assignment, and would use it in my future classroom. The ISTE NETS T standards that relate to today's activity are: 3.a and 3.d., as teachers can utilize Excel to demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current technology to new technology (uploading a Microsoft Excel document to Google Documents), and teachers are able to facilitate effective use of current digital tolls to analyze/evaluate information resources to promote research/learning (by using this tool, teachers can easily compute grades and other information to determine how well the class is doing in a quick manner).

Google Forms I

Today, I created a survey using google forms. First, I opened a spresdsheet on Google forms and then I chose the "Form" option at the top of the page. This form helped me to create a survey which was actually the spreadsheet, only in a different format. This was very easy. Then a couple of my friends completed the survey and their responses were neatly organized on the spreadsheet. This activity could be very useful in the classroom when gathering information regarding the habits, experiences, and opinions of students. My spreadsheet can be viewed at this link: spreadsheet. The ISTE NETS T standards that relate to this activity are: 1.b. and 3.b. Students could create their own surveys using this tool to explore real world issues and students can collaborate with other students, parents, teachers, community members using digital tools to support student innovation (such as creating a survey for community members regarding development of a local park). This is my survey:

Zoomerang.com

My survey can also be viewed at the Zoomerang website. Today, I created a poll on my blog (please see it at the top, left side of the webpage) and also created a survey. Creating the poll was easy, as I only needed to add a poll gadget to my blog. Creating the survey was a little more difficult. Zoomerang.com is a website that provides a variety of tools to help you create and personalize your very own survey. There are many templates and question formats to choose from. Both of these activities could be helpful in the classroom when getting to know your students and what interests them. It could also be a helpful tool for assessing student comprehension or assessment of the teacher/curriculum. Using these types of tools reflect the ISTE NETS T standards 1.a., 1.b., and 2.a. By creating and completing surveys and polls, students can be creative, inventive, and inquisitive while using digital tools.. Students or teachers could provide a poll regarding a possible new food for the lunch menu or ideas for a new gym activity. This could also help students think about real-world issues and solutions for these issues.

Online Graphing Tools

Today, I learned how to use technology to create a graph online. I was instructed to complete one activity relating to fourth grade reading scores. The second activity related to eighth grade reading scores. First, I gathered the information to use in my graph at NAEP and then entered the information at Kid's Zone, which is a website that helps to create multiple styles of graphs online. Then, I created my two documents (see the first two links above) on Google Docs. I uploaded my graphs to Google Docs and then included the required narratives as part of the documents.For the first narrative, I presented an argument for the need for more funding for reading programs, and for the second narrative, I presented an argument that the funding for reading programs is adequate.I was able to manipulate my graphs to back up my arguments. This was a very interesting and fun activity that could be used in a multitude of classroom activities, such as providing a visual aid that can strengthen an argument. The ISTE NETS T standards that relate to this activity are: 1.c.,  3.c., and 3.d. This is because this activity uses collaborative tools (graphs) to clarify the student's understanding, communicate relevant information to students, peers, and community (through the executive summary/graph), and students are able to facilitate effective use of digital tools (graphs) to analyze information resources to support research and learning.

 Please see the links above for the entire documents including the executive summaries.

Word Cloud

I created a "word cloud" using Wordle. I found a passage that was important to me and copied/pasted it in the wordle box. Then I saved the document and uploaded it to my blog. I used a passage from one of my favorite novels, To Kill a Mockingbird, which I would use in a high school English classroom. This is a really neat website that could be used to create interesting visual aids in the classroom and promote comprehension. Students could also use this website as a creative outlet. The ISTE NETS T standards that relate to this exercise are: 1.a. and 2.a. This activity can promote creative thinking and inventiveness in the classroom and can be used to design relative learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote learning and creativity, as students are able to create their own "works of art" related to the current topics being studied.

Batchgeo Part 2 Map Creation

View class map in a full screen map

This was my first time creating a map using Batchgeo.  Batchgeo is really interesting tool that makes a map from data gathered on a spreadsheet. My map can also be viewed through this address. Integrating this activity into my classroom would definitely make feel like a 21st Century teacher, as I could never imagine using this type of technology (even just a couple of years ago). Utilizing this technology provides many educational opportunities (practice with spreadsheets, geography, using modern technology, appealing to visual learners,collaborating with peers in a virtual atmosphere, etc.). Students in an English class could use this tool to create a visual representation of the birthplaces of the authors of classic novels.  The ISTE NETS T standards that most closely relate to this activity are: 1.d., 2.b., and 3.b. By utilizing this activity, I was able to create a map by engaging in an activity with my classmates in a virtual environment, develop an activity that enabled me to pursue my own curiosity and assess my progress (by completing the map and posting it to my blog), and I was able to collaborate with my peers using digital tools to support student success and innovation (by working with classmates in completing a spreadsheet).