I had not posted this earlier ,but for my final reflection for my e-portfolio, I felt I needed to add my graphic organizer to my blog. I feel that the use of the graphic organizer really helped to form my opinion, thoughts and flow of information. Here is a link to my document... https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8P7T056FSRIVEZzUnlxQ2RZLW8/edit?usp=sharing

My info graphic--- Radiation doses

Digital Story

My Digital Story....Kinda long but I hope you enjoy it!!

 

It's about my journey from a student to a teacher.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv4FQlzokrc&feature=youtu.be

My citation struggle

Question:   Many students inadvertently plagiarize because they lack the skills they need to properly cite and reference sources.  In what ways can lessons on citations be tied to those on plagiarism?  How can you model and think aloud throughout the year to reinforce these skills?
I am facing the "citation struggle" now with my college students. Even though all of my students have been made to have pre-reqs of English classes, ethics classes, and computer literacy BEFORE they get to me, they still struggle with correct was to cite sources. I want to take the time to teach them the correct way, but there isn't room in my curriculum for this. I have given them resources, online help, PowerPoints to view on their own, but they still don't "get " the importance. I try to prepare them for technical writing and research papers that they will need to do for competitions as much as I can , but I think there is a breakdown far sooner than they get to me. I feel they don't get the knowledge they need prior to getting into a professional program. Most have be taught MLA formatting, which is ok, but APA is preferred in everything they do post high school. I am currently trying to come up with different small projects to get them acquainted with APA: I have them use the discussion board to post opinions but also site one source. Ethics is also a portion of my curriculum that I can incorporate plagiarism into, and in fact it is part of their student handbook that if they get caught plagiarizing they may be subject to expulsion. Drastic I know, but it makes them understand the importance of the matter!!
I can't wait to see what you others use for this one!!

Literacy

I have often fought on how to better incorporate literacy, specifically new vocabulary, into my content area. This chapter in Pearson has helped give insight on new and innovative ways to do just that.  The area I teach in radiology is full of new, often unheard of terms, for the student. They often struggle with new vocabulary , definitions and content . Not only new radiology terms, but medical terminology and abbreviations that they will not only need to remember, but utilize in their everyday life.  On page 70 of “Technology to Teach Literacy” it addresses giving the student vocab words before introducing the text and having students actively engage in the vocab in some manner( (Anderson, Grant, & Speck, 2008). I have often left it up to the student, as an assignment, to define new words DURING the review of a new chapter. The idea of introducing them ahead of time may help students get a better understanding of new terms. When it comes to the medical terms, I break down the words and teach prefix, suffix and root word separately, having them gain a good understanding of these before we put them together as a whole word. I then test them on those before we move onto complete words. I find this to be helpful in the overall understanding of new words. I also believe this strategy helps with future encounters, being able to break down new words into familiar terms. I would like to work on a “technology” that would help students in this area…..if there are any suggestions out there J

Anderson, R., Grant, M. M., & Speck, B. W. (2008). Technology to Teach Literacy, A Resource fo K-8 Teachers. New Jersey: Pearson.

 

 

Wiki, Wiki, Wiki.......

 

In researching for wikis being utilized in for literacy instruction in the reading and writing classroom, I came across two similar but different wikis. The first wiki I found was at : http://everythingliteracy.wikispaces.com/  with its main focus for the K-5^th grade but also gave resources for middle and high school. The wiki targeted the Common Core Standards utilized in the school district and gave TONS of resources for teachers. Each standard was outlined for each grade level with examples teachers could download, including PowerPoints, smart board projects, reading material ( specific books) , posters and questions to ask the students, games, quizzes and activities. The creators of this site are very informative and detailed.

The other site I found at : http://abliteracyforall.wikispaces.com/  was a project specific site  to “provide information and resources for grade 1 - 6 teachers in Alberta who want to learn more about literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.” This site was formed around a project that several school districts in Alberta were involved in that used specific resources at each of those schools. With each school using the same resources they were able to compare how the students responded to learning styles. This project started in 2011 and is still underway. They are also able to track progress and outline what is working and what is not.

Even though both provided support and specific instruction to the teachers targeted, both had very different approaches, with obvious reason.  One was specific for common standards the other specific for a type of student. Both gave plenty of resources but in the “everything literacy” wiki instructors were given choices of resources to use, the other were given specific resources that would be used and reported back on. I can see in both school districts how these wikis would be so beneficial. I love the idea of instructors from different schools and grades being able to share ideas on what works and what doesn’t. This is especially a good tool for new teachers that are just beginning and don’t have a lot of resources built up yet.

ADD A LINK

I have added a bulletin board to the bottom  of my blog that allows for sharing of websites, other blogs, etc. Feel free to add to it if you want!!

Textbook Reading

One of the best parts of the reading in Literacy 2.0 was a quote on page 6 suggesting "we stop thinking of technology in terms of nouns (PowerPoint, YouTube, Twitter) and instead think in terms of verbs ( presenting, sharing and communicating)" (Frey, Fisher, & Gonzalez, 2010).  After all, isn't this what we are doing? We are just looking for an easier, more interactive way of telling our message to the student. I also like Table I.1: Technology Functions with Current Tools. This is a great resource ! I will definitely reference this ! Another great resource for this information is at : http://www.edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/  This is a great educational website.

Frey, N., Fisher, D., & Gonzalez, A. (2010). Literacy 2.0 Reading and Writing in the 21st Century Classroom. Bloomington: Solution Tree.

 

1st Day of School

Today is the day I have worked on for almost one year!! Our Radiology Program started today!! woo hooo!!!! Me, my staff and Jefferson College have worked so hard to get this program up and running. There is still a lot of work ahead of us , but we know now, we can do this!!! I look forward to the next 22 months with these students!! AND to implementing all the technology I am learning in my MET courses!! My poor students get to be the guinea pigs for everything I learn....Here goes nothing!

You can visit our website!! http://www.jeffco.edu/jeffco/content/view/843/116/