Blog #8 - Diigo

Diigo

I am amazed at Diigo, and I've only been using it for an hour or so. I took the time to add all of the articles I found for my Action Research Project for EDUC 6395 into my Diigo. I think it's a lot easier to add articles to Diigo than it is to save them to you desktop in PDF and then save them into a folder. With Diigo, I know all of the articles will be there when I need them, and I don't have to go searching for them if I happened to put them in the wrong folder on my computer.

I am currently using Diigo with Google Chrome. I prefer Chrome over the rest of the Internet Applications, however Firefox comes in at a close second. I know Internet Explorer comes standard on all computers, but the very first day I got my new laptop, I installed both Chrome and Firefox, and uninstalled Internet Explorer. I find Explorer to be e..x..t..r..e..m..e..l..y.....s..l..o..w! I'm so used to working on a fast Internet provider that I've given up on Internet Explorer. However, I am forced to use it when I go to the Library, which is a VERY RARE occasion. 

As I was "googling" Browser Add-On, I came across another reason why Diigo is AWESOME. When I search for something using Google, it also automatically searched my Diigo library. Anyway, Add-Ons, which are also known as ActiveX controls (never knew that one before!), are tools that can improve your browser's functionality. Browser add-ons are helpful because they sometimes provide a shortcut to other websites on the Internet.

The two add-ons that I currently use (pictured above) included Amazon Wish-List and Diigo. I'm sure there are other Add-Ons currently running in the background that I don't have showing on my Toolbar, however, I have no idea what they are. The Amazon Wish-List add-on allows me to browse websites such as VSPINK, Etsy, or Football Fanatics and automatically add an item to my Wish List by clicking on the Amazon Wish-List in the Tool Bar. Pretty much how I created my Christmas list this year!

ISTE NETS T #3 - Model Digital Age Work & Learning. (D) - Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Blog #7 - Self-Portrait

Self-Portait

Using Picasso Head, I created my own Self-Portrait. This was definitely an interesting experience. I don't think the person in the self-portrait resembles me in any way, shape, or form, BUT, I tried my best. She does have reddish-brownish hair, so I guess that might be the ONLY thing I got right on this self-portrait!

Using the Picasso Head drawing tool was an experience for me. I had used PicassoHead in Instructional Technology, but even when I came back to redo my self-portrait, I had zero clue as to where to begin. I really liked being able to explore how to use Picasso Head to manipulate the various parts of the face that I put onto the canvas. I thought using the "color" tool was a neat way to add a personal touch to the self-portrait on the canvas. I'm curious to see what the rest of my classmates come up with and how close their self-portraits are to their actual pictures.

ISTE NETS T - #3 - Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. (B) - Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

Blog #6 - RezScore

RezScore - Revisit Resume

According to RezScore, I got a B on my Resume. My areas for improvement include making my Resume longer. RezScore says that I mention no references, but I have a section on my Resume clearly labeled "References." It's the very last section of my Resume. Other Resumes that I've written have included classes that I've taken, my volunteer experience as well as my work experience, my Presidency/Vice Presidency of FSU's campus chapter of WVAYC, a detailed description of my volunteer & work responsibilities, and more references. I think if I included some of this into my Google Docs Resume, I could achieve an A.

ISTE NETS T #5 - Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. (D) Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.

Blog #5 - Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool

I chose to use the Snipping Tool to snip the front page of the VoiceThread website. This is the same snip that I used for Instructional Technology. I thought I'd use it again because it shows another part of technology that I learned in Instructional Tech. that I still use, because I find it useful. 

ISTE NETS T - #2 - Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. (C) - Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

Blog #4 - Google Docs Resume

My Google Docs Resume

Check out my Resume! 

ISTE NETS T - #3 - Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. (D) - Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.

Blog #3 - Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence

The picture about is a snapshot of the score I received on the Emotional Intelligence test. I think Emotional Intelligence or Quotient can change over time depending on the age of the person, maturity, life experiences, etc. I think that the older a person is, the more mature they are, and the more life experience they have would give them a high Emotional Intelligence/Quotient. Since I've never taken this Emotional Intelligence survey before, I have nothing to compare my results to. I do think EQ is more important than IQ, simply because one can be completely book smart, but completely street stupid. I would prefer to have a higher EQ than an IQ because some of the questions asked in the EQ survey related to job experience and life, rather than problems that had a correct solution which can be obtained through an IQ.

ISTE NETS T #1 - Facilitate & Inspire Student Learning & Creativity. (C) Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

Blog #2 - Locus of Control

Locus of Control

My "Locus of Control" score was 18. According to the Locus of Control Survey Results, my score of 18 falls in the category of "15-19 Internal Locus of Control." "Lower scores reflect an individual's sense of being 'done to' or victimized. There is a correlation between very low scores and the psychological concept of 'learned helplessness'." 

I think this score is an accurate prediction of my "locus of control." I have had to do a fair number of diagnostic tests for my various classes, and I think the majority of them have had a very accurate depiction of who I am. I agree with the score the "Locus of Control" survey showed. The only question I ask is why they have filler questions. I don't understand why the survey would include questions that don't affect your results one way or the other. But, other than this question, I agree with the survey results.


ISTE NETS T #5 - Engage in Professional Growth & Leadership. (C) Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.

Blog #1 - Introductory Post

Introductory Post

I am from Martinsburg, WV, but I currently live on campus, where I have lived for the last 4 years (10 months out of each year, anyway). I graduated from HS in 2008, and graduated with a B.S. in Family & Consumer Science in May 2012, and am now graduating in May 2012 with a M.Ed. in Professional Studies. Overachiever, is simply one way to put it, however, when you have parents that pay for college for both you & your brother out of pocket, it makes one do well so that parents don't have to pay for useless semesters. And for anyone whose wondering, my brother is a freshman at University of California at Berkeley. I currently work in Hagerstown, MD at Citi Family Center, which is run by Bright Horizons Family Solutions. I'm an Infant/Toddler Resource Teacher, meaning we don't have a set classroom, and visit all classrooms throughout the day when/if we're needed. I love my job, my babies, and I can't wait to return to work after I graduate in May! 

I previously took Instructional Technology about two summers ago, and learned A LOT from it. I still use some of the tools from that class, including Jing! which I think is the most amazing computer tool ever designed. If you don't know what Jing! is, go to Jing!, and download it. I think taking Instructional Technology a few semesters ago broadened my technological horizon, and gave me more technology components to use with the classes that I'm taking, and I hope that Adv. Educational Technology does the same!