Research Journal Reflection Entry for Unit Two- EDUU 564

I feel there is a need for more research in the use of Blackboard tools in learning and teaching especially for us at DLI, as we recently started training in how to use Bb in teaching and learning the Arabic Language. Thus for my research review topic I have focused on the effective use of Blackboard as communication tool, where online teaching and learning environment opens lots of doors for information, social networking, new career, directions, and development opportunities as well as becoming more essential part in the educational system in helping me as instructor to observe performance and development of understanding. By using these tools for learning and communicating will make a difference in our teaching and enable learners to monitor their progress and improve instruction; online discussions, group projects, and electronic submission of assignments. PB tools have variety of positive uses for example quizzes with instant grading, and online posting of scores. Bb enables sharing tasks and activities with other teachers who are using Blackboard and exchange and modify learning strategy accordingly. Three possible research questions that will help me to organize my topic: How does Blackboard help students learn a foreign language? In what ways does it affect our efforts as teachers to create authentic experiences in the target language? Why using Bb through innovative course and multiple communication methods, might help increase student achievement? Two peer-reviewed journals that relates to my topic:

http://www.ifets.info/journals/7_4/8.pdf

The New Challenges for E-learning: The Educational Semantic Web.

http://www.ifets.info/journals/5_1/sagias.pdf

Distributed and Online Distance Lecturing Environment

(The Virtual Blackboard Project)

Three websites that provide information about topic:

http://www.usq.edu.au/electpub/ejist/docs/vol8_no1/commentary/blackboard_virt_learn.htm

http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/Research/dsi/2003/procs/460-8953.pdf

http://web2.adfl.org/adfl/bulletin/v20n3/203061.htm

Innovative ideas: Using Blackboard as a teaching tool in the Minnetonka Public Schools:

EDUU 564: Journal response for unit one

My experience registering for Epsilen ePortfolio can easily create in few steps and be used throughout my academic profession. The free Epsilen ePortfolio account present tools and assets facilitate members to generate and keep going a professional ePortfolio. By joining this amazing community I can use Epsilen e-mail, blog, wiki, and other communication and collaboration tools. What I see as I examine Epsilen Sites eportfolio examples, this site after I register shows new members a variety of samples for other members’ eportfolio in order to explain how others can design an ePortfolio, so I have seen that Epsilen ePortfolio can serve as a database, when the student graduates and applies for a work, the eportfolio gives the employer related information about the prospective employee. In academic field this data can serve also as an evidence of learner’s academic achievement. My electronic portfolio web address is .  I have picked Epsilen to create my because it is easy to use and free it has been examined and developed by many professional. Epsilen Sites recently added new tools and new features are being put into operation, the user interface is improved. Editing software I will be using Google sites to create my website, I already created 2 web sites, also I will do the same for future ones and use Google web authoring software. Artifacts already produced in my classroom setting that demonstrate proficiency according to the technology facilitation standards I created many learning videos using Widows Movie Makers; Interviews in target language, students’ digital stories, clips to explains concepts and new vocabulary, weather video, furniture description’s slide show, PowerPoint presentations, and Blackboard for homework and extra assignments to monitor and observe the progress of my students. I already have artifacts in previous technology courses that show my competency in part of the 8 technology facilitation standards: Standard #2-Planning and designing learning environments: 

PowerPoint of technology plan from course EDUU 563

using windows movie maker from course EDUU 552. Web Authoring Tool from course EDUU 563

Standard #3-Teaching, learning and the curriculum: 

PowerPoint presentation with video& audio from course EDUU 552. Storyboard from course EDUU 552 Unit plan from course EDUU 552.Essential question & Blackboard, universal design lessons plan from course EDUU 563

#4-Assessment & evaluation: 

On-line rubric, quiz& Blackboard from course EDUU 563

Blog & Wiki EDUU 563 as review to my action research.

Technology facilitation standards that are missing:    1. Technology Operations and Concepts V. Productivity and Professional Practice.  VI. Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues. VII. Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology   Environments. VIII. Leadership and Vision. 

My plan to digitize the artifacts and make the web ready: I will be using web-based Google Docs that create and edit documents and enable you turn all documents and other files into pdf.  Documents, presentations are saved and published to the Google servers; many of my productions are stored and published in this web.

Description of my process of electronic portfolio preparation:  I will create portfolio folder on my computer. Collect artifacts those I did in my previous technology courses in this folder according to the national standards.  Save and turn all documents into pdf or html, graphics and PPT into gif or jpg.