eportfolio address

The link to our LEP is: www.student.gsu.edu/~nswan2/lep/eportfolio.html

About Weblogs.

Creating a Weblog and starting to blog was my first positive experience with technology. I truly enjoyed the comfort that it gave me. It also allowed me to interact with other people and to learn from others' experiences. I certainly will use it to teach French, to promote writing and to enhance reading and communication. This will be easy to integrate in my teaching, and I believe that the students will enjoy the fact that what they think and write does matter.

Final Reflection Paper

Upon completion of this IT 3210 course, I will be very comfortable with the idea of operating technology. During this semester, I had the opportunity to gain substantial skills in educational technology, and I believe that I have been adequately trained to enter the classroom and to integrate technology into my content area of teaching. It has been a great learning experience. I have acquired a great knowledge and a tremendous confidence in my ability to bring the tools of technology into daily learning. I also learned to reflect on how and when to use technology to improve teaching and learning.
Although I am enthusiastic, I believe that certain conditions must be present to help me to put to use in the classroom what I have learned in this class. At a personal level, I need to keep practicing my new skills and to stay connected to a support network. At the school echelon, the institution must promote the use of technology, encourage a student-centered approach to learning and have access to various technology, software and telecommunication network.
Moreover, even if the subject matter still drives the technology, the level of technology resources of my future school of employment will certainly influence my teaching in that there is real potential in technology integration for teaching the foreign languages. It allows me not only to enhance what I am doing, but also to innovate. In addition, technology integration enables me to address the broad spectrum of abilities that characterize my students and to teach traditional subjects in a variety of ways that attend to different learning styles, which motivates higher academic achievement and personal development.
Technology is a great cognitive tool. It promotes a more inquiry-based learning approach where the students participate actively to construct their knowledge. It allows the students to express themselves while they become familiar with the tools that they need to be able to use to live a productive life in a society where technology has become a fact of life. Technology integration facilitates interdisciplinary connections, organizes knowledge and enhances problem solving skills.Furthermore, it allows students and teachers to explore environments beyond the classroom. Technology is also an effective management tool for teachers, which allows them to spend more time at developing a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Yet, if the technology were not available, I would still create meaningful lessons and activities because my main objective would still be to teach French effectively.
This being said, as I moved through my teaching career, I intend to practice systematic reflection and to be a lifelong learner in order to keep up with the changes in technology. I hope that the school district where I would be teaching would provide opportunities for continuous learning through in service programs or professional development programs. However, I, personally, plan to stay connected to the various resources available on the Internet and especially, in the Web log community. I am willing to learn what I have to learn to create an environment of learning that is committed to excellence.

Website and SoftwareEvaluations

The WebsiteI evaluated is located: http://french.about.com/

The Website for the software I evaluated is located: http://www.inspiration.com/home.cfm

When Kids Make Content

I just read When Kids Make Content: A Q & A With 'Blogevangelist' Will Richardson, and I agree with Will Richardson when he says "In my experience, students are very responsible about the content they create...[t]hey know that what they write is out there for real people to consume and interact with, and that motivates them." My own experience of blogging has shown me how important it is to take the time to reflect on topics and issues knowing that others can benefit from our thought process. It gives you a strong sense of responsibility, but also it empowers you in that you know that what you write matters. The feed back you get in return also helps you to expand yourself in a meaningful ways. Other people thoughts and words open your mind through more knowledge and perspectives. I really hope that teachers will extensively encourage the students to blog; it has helped me to improve my literacy skills, and I believe that it will do the same for the students. It is easy to learn and all you really need as a teacher is to schedule some computer time. It really promotes writing and reading with the fun in addition.

Creating Databases with MS Works/Access

I created databases on French speaking countries with MS Access.

Documentation

Project Name
“Using MS Access to create databases on information about French speaking countries where French is the official or co-official language.”
Description of Learning Goals and Standards
This activity is embedded in a cultural unit on French speaking countries around the world. Because of its status as official or co-official language in more than 51 states and 34 countries worldwide, French has become the s second most important language in the world. It is strategically used in administration, army, business, commerce, education, justice and media entities.
The students will locate and store information related to French speaking communities. They will develop organizational skills by handling data, sorting information and creating databases that demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of the topic. The students will also retrieve information from electronic databases in order to answer questions. They will learn to identify relationships between different information and to use reports to analyze data.
Furthermore, they will understand how they can put MS Access to work for them to facilitate understanding and memorization.
This activity addresses the following Georgia QCC standards:
Grade 9-12 French Level 1: 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 and 37.
Grade 11 Technology integration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Rationale for Technology
The integration of technology allows me to promote understanding, inquiry, communication and collaboration through a more student-centered approach. It also provides a pretext to encourage cooperative group work where the students learn to collaborate to achieve a common goal.
MS Access helps the students to access, evaluate and process the information efficiently and effectively. It is a great time saver tool once you understand how it works; it gives you quick and easy access to information. However, what I really like is the fact that it allows you to update your databases continually through the time, and it communicates the information in a variety of formats, which always makes the information look more comprehensible if not more interesting
Description of Lesson Implementation
First, we would revisit the results of the inquiry-based Internet search on French speaking communities that my students completed two weeks ago. Then, I would tell them that, in order to organize, manipulate, review and memorize the information previously acquired, they would have to create databases.
By groups of three’s, they would determine what information they want to include in their databases and how to organize it. Before they start to work in groups, I would walk them through a guided practice session of MS Access; I would also provide them with a printed version of the tutorial.
Finally, I would explain to them the criteria I intend to use to assess their work and remind them of the appropriate behavior to observe while using technology.
Assessment
I would use the following criteria to assess my students’ work with MS Access:
* 10 records and 5 fields
* Formatting
* Content
* Writing mechanics
Each of these criteria would be rated according to the following point scales:
* Excellent = 5
* Exceeds Criteria = 4
* Meets Criteria = 3
* Needs Improvement = 2
Other Places to Use this Solution
Databases are great tools to store, organize and manipulate information, and for this reason, they can be very useful in schools, in businesses and in any structures that manipulate data. Although very effective as a management and productivity tool for the teachers, I would not use it on a regular basis to support the curriculum; it took me too long to figure out how I could integrate it in a lesson. In addition, if people want to use it for personal use, it can be a good resource, but they just need to be adequately prepared because MS Access is far from being user friendly.
What I learned and what I would improve next time
First, I learned that you don’t use technology just for the sake of it. Technology is only effective when it facilitates the teaching and learning process, when it enhances the quality of the lesson. Unquestionably, I wanted my students to know that MS Access was available to them and that it could, in some learning and non-learning situations, simplify their life, which was clearly demonstrated in the activity we conducted; nevertheless, I have to acknowledge that not only, the ideas on how to integrate it did not come easily, but also, the experience brought much frustration among my students. They enjoyed the final product, but they did not enjoy the process at all.
Without doubt, one practice session was not enough to digest MS Access, and definitely, I have made better software choices.
References/ Resources used
Computer
Internet
MS Access

Creating Spreadsheets with MS Excel

The title of my MS Excel spreadsheet is: "Les animaux de ferme que l'on
aime.", which means " Our favorite farm animals."

Documentation

Project Name
“Using MS Excel to review and acquire vocabulary; to complete a survey and to organize and interprete data effectively.”
Description of Learning Goals and Standards
This activity follows a vocabulary lesson on the names of farm animals in French. It is a pretext to reinforce previous knowledge and to introduce new vocabulary and verbs related to the sounds of the world’s animals.
The students will learn French in a new and enjoyable way, and they will improve their cooperative skills. They will increase their French vocabulary; they will also learn and practice the correct use of simple verbs. The students will be encouraged to communicate, using new vocabulary, and they will increase their communication skills in order to work with others effectively. They will also survey the class to find out about each student favorite animal.
The students will be able to use MS Excel to create a spreadsheet document and to convert the data into a graph or chart. Furthermore, they will become familiar with the different functions of MS Excel. They will be inspired to learn through technology realizing that MS Excel can facilitate organization, reflection and decision.
This activity addresses the following Georgia QCC standards:
Grade 9-12 French Level 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32 and 33.
Grade 11 Technology integration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Rationale for Technology
To live, learn and work successfully in an increasingly technology- oriented society, the students must be able to use technology well; MS Excel offers an opportunity to promote a safe and effective use of technology resources while teaching the content area in a more engaging way.
This activity allows the students to benefit from technology in that it presents the info in a way that promotes new and clear understanding. MS Excel helps both teachers and students to collect, to arrange, to analyze and to display the facts in a comprehensible manner. It even makes performing calculations as easy as 1- 2- 3; this saves the students a precious time from having to sit there and to struggle with operations and manipulations. Plus, you don’t need to be an expert to use MS Excel productively.
This software allows itself to be visually pleasant, which enhances teaching and learning. Moreover it is great for interdisciplinary teaching: this activity could integrate French, Science, Language Art and Math very easily. Furthermore, studies show that students learn best when they are actively involved in creating their learning, which they do when they use MS Excel. This software gives the students many possibilities to present the result of their thought process. In addition, the final product is very rewarding; it is a great way to demonstrate technology competence to others and to develop a sense of confidence that comes with the ability to use technology with success.
Description of Lesson Implementation
First, I would review, through questioning, the vocabulary previously taught.
Then, I would introduce the new words; the verbs that describe the sounds that farm animals make. I would also explain to them that, working in small groups, they would use MS Excel to complete this activity, and they would have to survey the class to determine each student favorite farm animal. They would start with the boys and convert the results of their inquiry on a spreadsheet. Then, they would repeat the operation with the girls. They would use two different functions of MS Excel to show how many boys, girls and students, in general, prefer a certain animal.
However, before they start, I would practice the steps and skills necessary to complete this activity using MS Excel. I would also give my students a copy of the tutorial that I used to walk them through the software. Finally, I would remind them of safe and responsible behavior while using technology; I would also provide them with an evaluation rubric that reflects the criteria that I would use to assess their work. Experience has taught me that rubrics help to reinforce the expectations and to promote a work well done.
Assessment
I would use the following criteria to assess my students’ spreadsheets and charts:
* Data collection
* Spreadsheet creation
* Chart creation
* Appropriate use of MS Excel functions
* Final product
Each of these criteria would be rated according to the following point scales:
* Excellent = 5
* Exceeds criteria = 4
* Meets criteria = 3
* Needs improvements = 2
Other Places to Use this Solution
In and out of the classroom, MS Excel is a wonderful planning and organizing tool. For this reason, you can use it for business, for education purposes or at home to plan your budget or your next trip and so much more. It is very practical provided you have a computer and the MS Excel software.
Nevertheless, my advice, if you use it in a school setting, would be to conduct the activities in the computer lab because it seems to be the best location for data manipulation. It provides additional time and space for the students to work on their products. The one computer classroom does not allow for much time: the students have to take turn and rush, even if they work in groups.
What I learned and what I would improve next time
I had never worked with MS Excel before, but using it has helped me to see and understand that it is capable of more than just entering data into a spreadsheet; it can organize work better than Word.
Although it is not the most fascinating software, the resources it offers in terms of effectiveness, organization and productivity are invaluable. It proved to be a very practical tool, even if at times, it refused to respond and did not allow my students to perform certain operations.
This brings me to an important point. I found out that preparation was everything. I had a clear set of instructions prepared for my students, and the tutorial was grade level appropriate. In addition, I was well prepared too. I had a clear understanding of the basics of spreadsheet and charts creation. That made it easier on me and on my students because I was able to work around some unjustified roadblocks and to troubleshoot.
References/ Resources use
Computer

MS Excel

Bloom

Knowledge: Define French.
Comprehension: Explain the reasons why you want to learn French.
Application: Give examples of French words usage in our daily life.
Analysis:Explain why French it is so important to learn French.
Synthesis: Tell us how it makes a difference in your life to know French.
Evaluation: Give some suggestions on how to make the learning of French easier.

Desktop Publishing with MS Publisher

The title of my MS Publisher newsletter is: "Destination: Paris."

Documentation

Project Name
“Using MS Publisher to discover and introduce Paris to a specific audience.”
Description of Learning Goals and Standards
This activity is part of a class project designed to expand the cultural understanding of the French culture and to prepare the students for the trip they will take to Paris during the summer.
The students will demonstrate correct usage of grammar and vocabulary in the target language. They will also show appropriate spoken and written proficiency in French. Using the Internet and other resources, they will research places that will be part of their voyage itinerary, and they will create a newsletter with MS Publisher to present their results in a publishing format. They will learn that newsletters can be effective tools to communicate significant information to an audience.
The students will understand the general layout of a newsletter and use a newsletter template to create a document that contains two pages of information in a two or three column format and two graphics at least. They will write all the articles in French, and they will work in groups of three, which will allow them to share the knowledge they have acquired in the use of IT.
Furthermore, they will develop strong skills in acquiring, organizing and communicating information to others in an appealing and professional manner.
This activity aligns itself on the following Georgia QCC standards:
Grade 9 – 12 French Level 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36.
Grade 11 Technology integration: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
Rationale for Technology
MS Publisher is a desktop publishing program that helps to create appealing newsletters. It allows its users to produce documents that can be used in a practical way in and out of the classroom. Ms Publisher complements writing activities; it gives the students the opportunity to develop their styles and to write with a purpose, knowing that others would read their work.
With MS Publisher, the students can create a quality “A” publication even when they don’t possess any design expertise. In addition, because the newsletter contains information from a variety sources, it is an exceptional tool to promote inquiry- based activities. The students learn to locate, evaluate, collect and to structure information in order to effectively communicate it to a specific audience. This software enhances the students’ aptitude to express their ideas.
Moreover, MS Publisher is a good vehicle to extend and improve learning. It helps to reinforce the curriculum and to convey important knowledge and skills. It also encourages student-centered and collaborative uses of technology in the classroom. More important, by making the learning more enjoyable, it promotes productivity and positivism.
Description of Lesson Implementation
First, I would start the lesson by asking my students where they would like to go if one day they went to Paris, and I would tell them that the next project would answer that question. I would also remind them that the French Department is planning a trip to Paris during the summer, and that they would use this activity to expand their horizons and become familiar with some places that they would visit in a near future. This project would also allow other students and parents to discover Paris through the newsletters they would create.
The students would work in groups of three and decide what they would like to see of the City of lights if they could spend a day in Paris. I would remind them of the appropriate behavior to maintain when using the World Wide Web, and they would start to gather information about their itinerary on the Internet. I would then take them through a guided practice session of MS Publisher and explain the criteria I would use to assess their newsletters, with a special emphasis on the importance of checking their spelling.
The students would launch MS Publisher and, using a newsletter template, they would design a professional looking layout for the newsletter. Afterward, they would customize their product by adding texts, graphics and personal touch. They would print their work and hand it to me. I would assess the newsletters, put them together to form a single document that I would photocopy and distribute to the class, to the French Department and to the parents to give everybody a taste of Paris before anybody even boarded the plane.
Assessment
I would use the following criteria to assess my students’ newsletters:
* Research
* Content
* Writing mechanics
* Format
* Texts
* Graphics
* Symmetry
* Eye-appeal
* Attention to details
Each of these criteria would be rated according to the following point scales:
*Exceeds requirements = 6
*Meets requirements = 4
*Does not meet requirements =2
Other Places to Use this Solution
MS Publisher is great at giving the students the opportunity to be creative, to write with a purpose and to develop their writing skills. For these reasons, it is more likely that it would be used in the classroom. However, because of the diversity and the abundance of creative opportunities that it offers, you cannot limit it to the school setting. Offices, organizations, families and individuals can use it successfully to enhance communication. Flyers, brochures, calendars, invitations newsletters, programs and much more can be produced using MS Publisher.
All you need is a computer with the appropriate software, an Internet connection and some practice. MS Publisher is not as user friendly as Power Point or Inspiration, but it is not overwhelmingly complex too.
What I learned and what I would improve next
MS Publisher works a lot like MS Word, and it has many features common to other Microsoft applications. It is the absolute publishing solution, and you don’t need to be an expert in design to use it effectively. Throughout this activity, I watched my students becoming more successful at using sophisticated technology and developing a more positive attitude toward technology integration. They told me that the software had helped them to express themselves more clearly, which means that they understood that technology connected with curriculum could support the reinforcement of their knowledge. This confirms the idea that technology is not an end in itself, but when associated with the curriculum, it becomes a precious instrument to enhance teaching and learning and to encourage academic performances.
Because it worked so well, I would continue to explore the different ways I can integrate MS Publisher in my lessons. I am already thinking about the different types of certificates that I would create upon our return from France. Yet, to make sure that the activity goes smoothly for everybody, I would spend an additional period practicing the skills required to use Ms Publisher with the entire class. Because MS Publisher shares so many features with words, I would review the steps to use MS Word too. For example, a few of my students had some trouble to get rid of the extra pages that came with the newsletter template they used. They didn't remember how to do this operation anymore. Some others had difficulty inserting their graphics. More time allocated for practice would be definitely included in my list of" changes to make."
References/ Resources used
Atlas
Internet
MS Word
MS Publisher