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.              

Effective Use of Blackboard Tools

By Kristina Leonardo - Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology-

Leonardo, K. (n.d.). Cornerstone Newsletter. Retrieved Dec. 23, 2008, from http://www.pace.edu/CTLT/newsletter/Volume%203%20Issue%201/articles/article4.htm

This article is mainly focused on the effective use of Blackboard assessment tool. The writer highlighted that online teaching and learning environment allows for an emphasis on formative assessment, because of the ability of regular assessment-feedback in helping the instructor to observe performance and development of understanding. Bb allows E-portfolio summative assessment as well, and other forms of summative assessment like online discussions, group projects, and electronic submission of assignments. The article discussed concerns with online assessments, when some instructors requiring students to have test at an educational institution or a commercial testing center which in many cases is harder and inconvenience for online learners. In other hand in the writer opinion PB tools has variety of positive uses for example timed quizzes with automatic grading, and online posting of scores. She gave five ways to help instructors to minimize chances of cheating on the online assessment.  The author does conclude with reference to pools feature in blackboard's assessment and how it can be used for sharing test questions with colleagues who are using Blackboard.  The study's findings were interesting. The article address schools and instructors those who may plan to use the Bb. I agree with idea that  using this tools for assessment make a difference in our teaching and enable learners to monitor their progress I feel there is a need for more research in the use of Blackboard tools especially for us at DLI because we just started training in the usage of Bb.

Learning a Popular Web Authoring Tool

By Martin A. David

Martin, D. A. (2006). Technology Schools. Retrieved Dec. 14, 2008, from http://www.technology-schools.com/articles/learning-a-popular-web-authoring-tool.html

The primary focus of this article is learning a popular web authoring tool such as the Dreamweaver the program that enables designers to create wonderful sites. The writer Martin A. David consults as a Senior Technical Writer for a number of Silicon Valley firms. He has written numerous feature articles for publications including the Los Angeles Times. He has also published a novel, and a non-fiction book in the area of dance. He explained that HTML is an easy code form to learn. , the instructions, known as "tags" are simple to remember. Then he highlighted on how authoring tool add the tags and place in the creative effects without writing the code. The writer supports the use of Dreamweaver as popular and simple tool that will do all the work in order to produce professional websites. Also he discussed the training opportunities in this tool either on computer schools or on line and what structural elements will be offered in these courses so trainees will understand and work with architecture and coding of web pages.

The article is clear message the professional who wants to use Dreamweaver to design and develop Web pages students who in small companies or departments within large companies who use Web technologies. I believe that this article is very helpful for anyone who engages in producing professional websites.

Classroom Uses of Podcasts

By Tammy Andrew

Andrew, T. (2008). Suite101. Retrieved Dec. 11, 2008, from http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/classroom_uses_of_podcasts

Tammy teaches Computer Science at a Technology Center New Hampshire during the school year and at a private academy in Massachusetts during the summers.

 She starts by defining the podcast as a Web 2.0 technology that takes the form of audio or video files can be played on personal media players, such as the iPod, She explains that podcast can be created by anyone with the available tools, and how ones might determine the feasibility of using them in class. The writer shows how potential the integration of technology and how important for students to hear information from an expert in the field. Also she states the benefits and uses of podcasts such as how it can be good helper for distance learning and absent students. She gives detailed description in how to create a good podcast by using computer, microphone, speakers and software. She concludes by adding the collaboration of podcast in as new format learning, thus students receive the intended benefit of the activity and engage with the lesson and enjoy the ability to show off their creation to online friends. In my opinion the writer succeeds to explains her ideas in the benefits of using podcast in learning, she use simple clear language would help readers and educators to consider  this article  a reference to research review in respect of integrate the  technology in classroom.

Technology and Student Achievement

by Nancy Protheroe

Protheroe, N. (2005). Technology and Student Achievement. National Association of Elementary School Principals, 85(2), 46-48.

The author concentrates mainly on the following question “Is there evidence that using technology leads to higher levels of student learning?” she explains that this question remains unanswered because schools have been unsure about the outcome they want to attain with technology. She quotes (Glennan and Melmed 1996). In their demand for new measures to be used to assess Problem-solving skills, deeper understanding, and higher motivation, because the dynamic nature of technology makes meaningful evaluation difficult. She relies on the finding of Stratham and Torell (1996) in their opinion about significant effect of technology when properly implemented, and how will increase teacher student interaction and student inquiry skills. She shows additional researches prove how students in classrooms equipped with computer displayed better behavior and had lower absentee and drop-out rates. She includes in her paper group of researcher who support the effect of technology on students’ achievement, for instance Waddoups (2004) who believes that the central to effective technology integration is the teacher’s training, his knowledge and attitude toward technology. Also adaption of new teaching method to fit in the needs and situations of learners and their ability to make use of technology. She concludes by highlighting on the following ideas: Linking Technology with new teaching models and planning for effective use of technology.  Needs to new models of teaching that can be supported by use of technology, and engage students in the learning process. Provides students with learning experiences that help them build on their prior knowledge. This paper is lining up with researchers those who believe in the inevitability of good impact of technology on the students’ achievement. She collects solid researches to prove her point of view and neglects other opposing views. She succeeds to convey her message in explaining the key element is not the presence of the technology, but the way trained and gifted teacher would utilize technology in classrooms. 

http://www.learning.com/resources/NAESP-Technology-and-Student-Achievement.pdf