Learning Code

I want to learn more about Photoshop, how to use Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Wordpress, and a few others. I would like to learn all at once, but since I have no way to download them to my brain I must learn the slow way. I have started with coding.  I want to learn more about how it works so that I can write it. I think it will be important so that I can be hired.  I am looking into a job with the school system. It is called, Information Communication Technology Literacy Coach.  I will continue with the counseling at least part-time, but I really love technology and since it is part of the future, I think it is important to learn more about it. I have started with code academy, but it seems to me there are many parts left out. I am struggling to understand the whole process. So it seems to be a slow process, but I give myself 6 months to make a significant change and then no matter what I must be working full-time.  So coding is like learning a new language and if I were to teach it, I think I would do a few things differently.  It is important to cover the basics thoroughly so that one can make sense of things later on. So here are a few of my favorite sites for learning code:
http://www.codecademy.com
http://www.web-source.net/html_codes_chart.htm#.Ur7mpvRDsrU
http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/
http://www.justnaira.com/2012/10/learn-html-and-css.html
http://diveintohtml5.info/

I am sure there are more, but I must be going now so I can keep learning!

The Green Skeptic: July Hiatus: Jack Ricchiuto's "Mindful Leadership"...

The Green Skeptic: July Hiatus: Jack Ricchiuto's "Mindful Leadership"...: While I'm on my July blogging hiatus, I'd thought I'd share with you a few posts from friends whose thought leadership I admire....

A New Start

I am going to start learning code. It would be nice not to have to sleep, or clean house or take care of other things. I love learning about new tools. I just need to be able to do it faster. I have also applied for a job at the school district. Even if I don't get the job I am going to continue to learn more and find a place to volunteer so that I can get my foot in the door.  I fear that my age may be a factor and I may not be as fast as the kids, but still, I will keep on working to find a place that will take me and help me learn more.  I will use this post to share my journey, but also to post technology tips. Technology is a nice break from therapy. Therapy can be hard, as not all who come want help or want to change. Most people seem to be dealing with the stuff in their heads, but technology just does and there are no emotions to deal with really.
 I will write once a week to share my progress.

Resources

This blog is mainly about e-learning. You may find the following resources helpful, or you may have some of your own to share.
 I like to use technology with my clients and as much as I can, I provide therapeutic assignments that they can do online. I will continue to build on my resources to  help others share their thoughts and create small skits, writings, or art work that will depict their views and hopefully help others as well. If you want to read more about therapeutic stuff and my thoughts on things, then you can check out my cassology blog. Which is mainly my thoughts on how people cope, function, and survive.
Combining technology with therapy, broadening the horizon and helping people cope with change.

 Animation
Pappas, C. (8, 2013 14). The top 6 animated video software in the elearning market. Retrieved NOVEMBER 6, 2013, from http://elearningindustry.com/subjects/tools

Assessment
Wiggins, G 2004, ‘Assessment as Feedback’, New Horizons for Learning, United States, viewed July 2008, www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/wiggins.htm. Retrieved November 6, 2013, from
https://www2.uwstout.edu/content/profdev/instructonline/three/Assessment%20as%20Feedback%20by%20Grant%20Wiggins.pdf 

Wiggins, G. (n.d.). Retrieved  November 10, 2013, from http://www.authenticeducation.org/ae_bigideas/article.lasso?artId=61

Kambam, K. (Aug , 2013 22). Question types and tools for formative assessments in elearning. Retrieved  November 10, 2013, from http://blog.commlabindia.com/elearning/formative-assessments-in-elearning

                       

Reflection in Practice:
McClure, P. Retrieved  November 10, 2013, from http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415537902/data/learning/8_Reflection in Practice.pdf

                           

Six steps to continuous student learning: McDaniel, R. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://explore.kent.edu/aa/guide/fulltext.html#Contents

Badges

Hickey, D. (n.d.). Open badges and the future of assessment. Retrieved  November 6,2013,  from http://remediatingassessment.blogspot.com/2012/03/open-badges-and-future-of-assessment.html

Chunking

Malamed , C. (n.d.). Chunking information for instructional design. Retrieved  November 10, 2013, from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/chunking-information/

Communication
(n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http: http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/netiquette.html


 Communication skills: Communication skills. (n.d.). Retrieved from \ http://www.mindtools.com/page8.html

Hardy, L. (1, 14 2013). Improve your elearning communication skills with these 5 tips. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from  http://www.geteducated.com/elearning-education-blog/improve-your-elearning-communication-skills-with-these-5-tips/


Copyright

Hobbs, R. (2010). Copyright clarity: How fair use supports digital. Retrieved November 5, 2013, from http://mediaeducationlab.com/copyright

Concept Maps

http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2012/01/how-action-mapping-can-change-your-design-process/

Compassion: http://media.psychologytools.org/Worksheets/English/Compassion_Formulation.pdf

http://www.psychologytools.org/download-therapy-worksheets.html

Creating Courses

(n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://modernlessons.com/course/the-beginners-guide-to-learnist/

(n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/Institutes/presentations/templates/

          Glossary of instructional strategies 

Rowan, K. J. (2013). Retrieved  November 10, 2013, from http://www.beesburg.com/edtools/glossary.html

          Creating diversity for online courses 

Hozl, A. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/brisbane99/papers/holzl.pdf

Larson, B. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Diversity.htm

Discussion

Ten reasons students don’t participate in online discussions & how to remedy each. (oct, 8 2013). Retrieved  November 10, 2013, http://onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/ten-reasons-students-dont-participate-in-online-discussions-how-to-remedy-each/

DISCUSSION AS A WAY OF TEACHING. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://valenciasagelibrary.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/54130257/Discussion-as-a-Way-of-Teaching.pdf

Curated by Dennis T OConnor http://www.scoop.it/t/e-learning-and-online-teaching/?tag=discussion

Games

Online Teaching Toolkit: Information Fluency Learning Games and Resources - List | Diigo. (n.d.). Retrieved  November 10, 2013,from https://www.diigo.com/list/wiredinstructor/21_cif-learning-games-and-online-resources https://www.diigo.com/list/wiredinstructor/21_cif-learning-games-and-online-resources 

Gamifying Education.org | Home. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, from http://www.gamifyingeducation.org/ http://www.gamifyingeducation.org/

Farber , M. (2013, June 11). Beyond Badges: Why Gamify? | Edutopia. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/beyond-badges-why-gamify-matthew-farber

Gamification Co | The Leading Source for Gamification News & Info. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.gamification.co/ http://www.gamification.co/

Boller, S. (n.d.). 100 Great Game Based Learning and Gamification Resources ». Retrieved November 10, 2013, http://www.theknowledgeguru.com/100-great-game-based-learning-and-gamification-resources/

Gamification. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://mashable.com/category/gamification/

Metagame Media, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013 from http://www.metagamemedia.com/http://www.metagamemedia.com/

Graphics

Stark, J. (2013, October 8). Trending: top 6 graphic web design trends | Scoop.it Blog. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://blog.scoop.it/2013/10/08/trending-top-6-graphic-web-design-trends/

 Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=3387

Ice breakers
Gerstein,, J. (2013, January 18). First Class Ice Breakers Using Mobile Devices | User Generated Education. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/first-class-ice-breakers-using-mobile-devices/

Rao, A. (2013, August 5). 21st Century Icebreakers: 13 Ways To Get To Know Your Students with Technology | TeachBytes. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://teachbytes.com/2012/08/05/21st-century-icebreakers-10-ways-to-get-to-know-your-students-with-technology/

http://www.glencoe.com/ps/teachingtoday/weeklytips.phtml/11

Neteette manners

Manners Matter Netiquette Infographic | Knowthenet. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.knowthenet.org.uk/infographic/be-careful-trolling-can-happen-anyone

Objectives
Bozathorh, J. (2010, August 11). bozarthzone: What's Your Objective? Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://bozarthzone.blogspot.com/2010/08/whats-your-objective.html

Lesson 6 - Writing Objectives. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.itma.vt.edu/modules/spring03/instrdes/lesson6.htm

Questioning with Bloom's Taxonomy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.unc.edu/learnnc/kinetic-connect/noframes.html

Verbs Requiring Cognitive Outcomes. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.curricunet.com/moraine/include/blooms.htm

Writing Instructional Goals and Objectives. (2011). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.personal.psu.edu/staff/b/x/bxb11/Objectives/

Writing Objectives | Penn State Learning Design Community Hub. (2007, December 17). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://ets.tlt.psu.edu/learningdesign/objectives/writingobjectives

Online Teaching Tips

http://www.duq.edu/about/centers-and-institutes/center-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-and-learning/establishing-an-online-teaching-presence

O'Connor, D. (2007, July 4). E-learning for educators [Digital image]. Retrieved November 5,2013

        2010, from http://groups.diigo.com/group/e_learning-for-educators

Questions

Question Types and Tools for Formative Assessments in ELearning. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://blog.commlabindia.com/elearning/formative-assessments-in-elearning

TIPS for Teachers Project. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.edb.utexas.edu/minliu/pbl/TIPS/question.html#strategies

   Blooms and questions:

Writing Objectives Using Bloom's Taxonomy | Center for Teaching & Learning | UNC Charlotte. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://teaching.uncc.edu/articles-books/best-practice-articles/goals-objectives/writing-objectives-using-blooms-taxonomy

Organization

Diigo - Better reading and research with annotation, highlighter, sticky notes, archiving, bookmarking & more. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2013, from https://www.diigo.com/

Evernote | Remember everything with Evernote, Skitch and our other great apps. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2013,from https://evernote.com/

  Retrieved November 7, 2013, from http://dailytekk.com/2012/02/13/use-tech-to-get-organized-100-best-tools-websites-apps-and-more/

Plagurism

·         Video Tutorial On Using a Search Engine to Detect Plagiarism

·         Video Tutorial On Using Turnitin.com to Detect Plagiarism

·         Sharka, Jane. Plagiarism Stoppers: A Teacher's Guide. [website]. Naperville (IL): Naperville Community Unit School District 203, 3 November 2003- [cited 8 June 2004 ]. Available from Internet: < http://www.ncusd203.org/central/html/where/plagiarism_stoppers.html >.

·         Online Plagiarism Checkers:

·         Copyscape (Free and Fee based system.)

·         Turnitin.com (Fee based. Currently the most popular system)

·         Glatt Plagiarism Services (Fee based.)

·         Glatt Self-Detection Test (Free!)

·         The Plagiarism Resource Site (Free! Windows and Linux based software.)

·         PlagSpotter.com (Free and fee-based services)

http://21cif.com/resources/links/plagiarism_links.html

<http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2006/09/the_ethics_of_plagiarism_detec.html>

Rubrics

http://faculty.ccp.edu/dept/viewpoints/w06v7n2/rubrics1.htm

http://academic.pgcc.edu/~wpeirce/MCCCTR/Designingrubricsassessingthinking.html

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb00/vol57/num05/Using-Rubrics-to-Promote-Thinking-and-Learning.aspx

http://sblc.registereastconn.org/greatrubrics.pdf

http://jfmueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/howstep4.htm

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Universal Design

 http://www.ndt-ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Diversity.htm

http://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/

http://www.cast.org/udl/

http://www.ltgreenroom.org/episodes/213

Ten Simple Steps Toward Universal Design of Online Courses

Universal Design in Education: Principles and Applications

Module Seven: Summative Assessment

http://www.lostamericandream.com/2012/09/

Boy I am tired! And I still have some tweaking to do. I have learned a lot and I look forward to doing some review this next week and making some final changes. I have not added all the tools to my course yet as I will need to make some changes. I am still practicing writing clear objectives and I think the backward thinking has helped me. I look forward to feedback from my peers. My course is located here. I will post more next week.

Module Six: Cybercoaching - an Emerging Model

http://www.thumbtack.com/sc/columbia/life-coach/life-coach

http://www.clipartof.com/gallery/clipart/taking_a_survey.html

How exciting! We are nearing the home stretch. Iam . I look forward to seeing how other’s have put things together so that I can glean some new ideas. Here is a site to share about cybercoaching. I really like the coaching idea as it easily falls into place with counseling. I plan to use the cybercoaching a lot more in the future. This week we also discussed surveys. I have a link for the anger management. I like surveys as they are a great way to begin to assess the issue you are working on. I look forward to this following week and putting things together.

Concept Map revision

http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-9424703-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich.php

http://www.success-mastery.co.uk/#!blog/cc8q

I have completed a revision of my concept map. I think this is much better and clearer as I am also understanding the objectives better. I had to break things down as I studied the taxonomy process and the rubric to have a better understanding of what and how to put things together. It seems like a simple task, but if you have ever experienced the activity of writing how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you understand that the process is not as easy as you think it might be. If I think of anything that I might want to teach someone, I would need to ask myself,What level of thinking am I am asking the participant to complete?, as well as: To what degree is the participate expected to participate, create, or develop? For example, I could expect more from an adult that an child, but I still need to know where I want to take the person and how I am going to get him or her there. The objectives in learning are not so different than the objectives given on a treatment plan for counseling. I was thinking about how I can break things down so if I think of an activity, such as playing tennis ( I am only a beginner myself), what would I know I need to teach the student in order to achieve more proficiency at the game? Where does the learner need to start and how will the objectives be measured? How will I know the student is ready to move to the next step? I think people would agree that in doing anything, with practice, one gets better. As I review my objectives and therefore my expectations for my clients, I am able to step back and have a clearer picture of what I am doing and where I want to go. I may see well out the window, but if I open the window, I see even better and experience the view with more senses.

Week four: Variety of assessment tools

http://mrbstechtools.weebly.com/instructional-tools.html

 I like the concept of Jigsaw learning. I remember reading about it a few years back. The concept is great if everyone is willing and able to do the work as assigned. There can be problems with communication if it is not clear and concise. Other problems can arise if the members are not able to achieve the expected goals. Here is a site to help with problems that may arise in the classroom. http://www.jigsaw.org/tips.htm In our groups we are using the jigsaw method to compile a module that will discuss the use of four different assessment tools.I am looking forward to learning about all the assessment tools from my group,Kermit: as well as from others. In our group the tools we are reviewing are: Quia-test builder,Edublogs,and Voice Thread, and wikis. I worked on wikis this week and how they play into collaboration in the classroom. I really like the wiki for its simplicity and its ability to allow others to participate and contribute to the content. It is pretty simple and basic in design, but as technology advances then more choices should be available also. Here is a wiki for teachers that won an award: http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ From the reading this week I would like to note this quote, ”The more you teach without finding out who understands the information and who doesn't, the greater the likelihood that only already-proficient students will succeed.” It is important to find out who understands and who does not, and I believe it is also important to understand the psychology of children,but I don't think we are there yet. I run across children who have difficulties at home and this plays a big part in how receptive a child is to the learning process. This week's information also included a video. teaches that performance is more important than just passing a test. The video reminds the viewer that good test takers are not necessarily going to be able to handle real world situations. I know in my own life I have met many people who are good at school, but in the “real world” have little common sense. It seems that the teaching of today is working to embrace and expand a child's abilities rather than to just teach facts that are quickly forgotten and do not help the child learn how to solve real world problems. I am excited to be learning about so many new developments and plan to be working in the world of instructional design in the very near future to be part of the process to help teach our young people how to solve problems and cope with real-life situations.

Week Three: Perfect Storm

The most valuable information for me from this module: I enjoyed reading Dr. Bonk’s writings and watching the video. I found myself agreeing with many of his points. I particularly like the concept of matching activities to assessment. There are many tools to use to present learning, such as video streamed conference presentations, podcast shows, and synchronous conferencing. The assessment for these tools can be done by, reflection papers (one of my favorites), or online discussions, or quizzes to name a few. I also gained insight into teacher led vs the Learner- Centered Paradigm and I was most inspired by the latter and it would be my choice for teaching a class. I would like the students to be actively involved with the teacher serving as facilitator while the students are creating and collaborating. The students and the teacher both learn and the assessment is used to modify the lesson as needed in order to facilitate a better learning tool. •How I will implement this information in my work:I used Inspiration For my concept map and I found it easy to use, however, I was nervous when I could not find a “save” button. I found out by trial and error that the program has an automatic save. I was not able to log back in with my username and password, but luckily I downloaded the map and you can view it here •Areas where I feel I need more information or practice: I would say I could always use more computer information. One of my computers would not let me get into the blog. I will have to research more on fixing computers. I would also like to explore more on the tools I have mentioned above. I will have to look into more conference presentations and podcast shows, or create my own. I also need more information about creating Blogs, but as I do I learn. I wish I had a mentor to teach me the things I don't know. Professor Curt Bonk: Assessing Student Online Learning, available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=d0nfDOPaw_8 Bonk, C. J. (2011). "Sharing...the Journey" - a prequel to The World is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education.

Let's Go To The Movies Ice Breaker

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Out_of_africa_poster.jpg

I love the movie Out of Africa. I have to say that I pretty much love anything with Merle
Streep in it. The movie starts with the actress saying, "I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills". I am moved by the struggle and endurance of a woman fighting for something she believes in so strongly. The movie strongly depicts how life can be so cruel and unfair, and yet beautiful and emotionally moving at the same time. I am aware that parts of the movie are very different from the book, but still, I think the movie depicts the hardship and struggle that she experienced accurately.
As a mental health counselor is have admire the struggle that this woman endures. Oh if we could all face life with such reverence! I often share movies with clients as a therapeutic process. I am not sure I have mentioned Out of Africa too often, but I am sure my class mates can share movies that they found therapeutic in some way and I welcome your suggestions.

Week 2 Teacher Centered vs. Student Centered Learning

 This week I really enjoyed the reading and discussion regarding teacher vs student learning.  I know both are good and necessary, but I have to say I really like the student focused learning. I appreciate it because the main focus is on the learner and how he or she learns, that the student is indeed absorbing the information and his or her input is important. I can remember learning the 50 states…well let’s just say many years ago and I did poorly at the assignment and I can recall being somewhat defiant about the whole thing and just never really taking the time to learn them.  I can say now that had the learning been more student focused I probably would have learned them and with enthusiasm. Teacher focused learning was all that was provided and while many children did well with it, I was not one of them.  The teaching only worked well for those who were able to give good feedback upon command. I enjoyed the pictures of the student vs teacher centered learning.  I enjoy the student centered learning more, but there are times where it is important just to have the teacher teach and the students absorb.

So did I ever learn all the states?  No not exactly, I am really good at the western states as I have visited or lived in most of them, but as things move east I may not be able to re-create a map, but I can find what I am looking for.   I still notice in myself a bit of the rebel, but it has helped me to understand others better.  I appreciate that teaching is bringing experience into the classroom or even the counseling room, not just coming in to be fed and then regurgitate information. 

In the counseling arena it is important for participants to be part of the process, otherwise change does not occur. I have to make sure that I understand the position of the client so that I can be a better guide in helping the client achieve his or her goals.  I appreciate the assessment process and feel that I could certainly be better at it, so I hope to use this class to help me focus more on fine tuning how I assess and what I assess so that I can be a better teacher and student.

Week One Journal Entry

3/7/13 Cassandra Gadouas

 

• What was the most valuable information that you learned in this module?

I was reminded of the value of asking questions in various ways.  The icebreaker was an eye opener for me as one could ask, so tell me about yourself, or one could ask what was your favorite movie and what was it about the movie that you liked so much? And in that there is more to be learned about the person.  Some people write a lot and some not so much.  Some write about what the movie was about and others only there response to the film.  The way we ask questions provides more insight about the person.

I often do a similar sort of thing with children and have them create a picture out of many sorts of stickers.  The stickers they choose and where they place them can be very telling about their character.  I then have them tell me a story about the stickers that they have chosen and I find out a lot about them that way.  For many boys it is often about conquest and for girls it is often more about helping others, but what is going on in their lives at the time may or may not have an impact on the stickers and the story.

• How will you implement this in your line of work?

I will consider many avenues for assessment and work on using a variety of venues to bring out more information about my clients.

• In what area(s) do you feel you need more information or practice?

I want to make sure that I am very clear on what I am assessing for.  It is easy to get lost in the process and not be clear on what the objective is, so I want to make sure my objectives are very clear.

 I also find that there is always new information out there to learn more about and technology is moving so fast that there is no way I can keep up with it. I like to learn about new techniques and how to best help students and clients get the best and most out of the learning experience within the shortest period of time.  There are instances where more time is needed and things cannot be rushed, but in our current day and age time is a factor that has to be considered.  It may be in the future that people are scanned for assessment and there will be no need to think things through or figure them out, but until then the written word, time and processing are what is needed to complete an assessment.