Ahhh...

The last post of the semester! I am confident I will use the knowledge gained during this course to benefit my students! I have completed the end of course survey and found myself to be more confident when using digital technology.

Cyber Bully PSA Photostory

My Cyber Bullying PSA Photostory was a real treat to develop. A photostory is a video displaying still images that is sometimes accompanied with an audio track. My photostory is on cyberbullying, which is a big deal in the recent digital social media boom. If you use the Photostory 3 program, be sure to convert your story from the .wp3 file format into a video format for YouTube to run the file. The story can also be found below:



This activity ISTE NETS T two by designing a learning experience for my visual and auditory students that puts a twist  in the learning without me standing up in front of them in a lecture style. This activity also meets standard four, because I can use this artifact to demonstrate to my students how technology can be used of effectively and responsibly to communicate and educate others!

Conversion Program

I have used the Bender Converter to convert a downloaded YouTube video of the .mp4 file type into the .avi file type. This free online service is easy to use with no program download required. The service is very quick and easy to use. You can either convert a YouTube video into a video file you can download via the YouTube video URL or you can convert any video file on your computer into another video format that can be downloaded back onto your PC. Overall, a great service.

This activity meets ISTE NETS T 4, because I can demonstrate the use of technology and file conversion services to my students through a free and safe site. I can also address my need and the needs of my students when it some to digital file conversion. I have also met standard three, as I have demonstrated my fluency in this digital age and modeling effective use of a current digital tool.

Jing Screencast

Screencasting is a great way to communicate knowledge through video and accompanying audio. I used the Jing program to capture my audio of my voice and a video of my desktop. I created my screencast on subscripting text on a typed chemical equation. Take a look, you'll be glad you did. The video file Jing produces is a .swf file which can be stored on your PC or the Screencast service online. Try it out, you'll love it!



This exercise meets ISTE NETS T 2 by creating an activity that meets the needs of students with multiple learning styles, i.e. visually viewing the video lesson, audibly listening to the video, and kinestetically performing the activity on the student PCs by the students. It also meets standard 3 by using a digital tool often not used in the classroom to effectively communicate to my students in a different and interesting way.

Looping a YouTube Video

I have edited the URL of a YouTube video to allow for looping. You should watch the looped video of erosion and deposition! Below you can find the looped video below as well:

Gotta Catch 'em All, YouTube Videos!

Have you ever wanted to get that internet video and use it in class? How about if that video or website was blocked or the internet at school was down? What a bummer! Should you students miss out? NO! It's easy to download a video from YouTube or any other website hosting a video. Just use KEEPVID. KEEPVID is a free to use internet tool (no tool download required!) that you can quickly use to download videos to your PC. All you do is copy and paste the URL of the video into the text box at KEEPVID and click download. The process starts automatically and you can choose where the video is saved. The resulting file format is an mp4. Now you have that great video the school computer guru blocked even though there was nothing explicit in the video. Problem solved!

This activity meets ISTE NETS T one, because I've used new digital technology to solve a 'real world' problem of not having access to a great resource (YouTube) at school. I can use this knowledge to teach my students how to save a copy of a video with which they can use an a companion in a presentation (just one example). This activity also meets standard number three by proving that I am growing in my digital literacy and can apply this knowledge to provide for my students by using a video to communicate relevant ideas to them.

My, what a short url you have!

The longest URL I can find: 1700 characters. A Tiny URL: http://tiny.cc/ywnlh. The Tiny URL tool allows you to take outrageously long urls and condense them into very small satellite urls. This is the magic of Tiny URL: it take the unmanageable and extremely long URLs of today and makes them fun again and allows you to 'stick it to the man,' by reducing the URL length to combat link URL limits.

This activity meets ISTE NETS T 2 and 3 by my learning a new ability or knowledge about the digital world which I can pas onto my students and being able to manage my digital resources in a confluent and easy-to-use way for my students; all the while indirectly demonstrating to my students the ease of using digital tools.

VoiceThread

Give those fingers a rest and use your vocal cords! Voice threading is using your voice to comment and share in a digital social network. This is the first time I've used a voice threading tool. I used the VoiceThread tool to listen to my peers' descriptions of who they are and added my own to the gambit. I like the "human" element in these threads, but prefer text over the audio form for digital communication.I do like how you can judge communication and attitudes of the person you are communicating with through voice and not just the non-emotional text. This activity meets ISTE NETS T number four, because I now have a better understanding of the benefits provided by vocally communicating and that a recorded voice can impart just as much information, if not more, to a social interaction.

Podcast

Podcasting is something I've always wanted to try. This activity gave me that chance. I created my podcast on Science and Technology with the Audacity audio tool. I have also made my script available for viewing. I plan to use this podcast in all my science courses at the beginning of every semester starting this Fall semester. My podcast was made for a 10th grade biology class in WV and meets the following standards: WV CSO number SC.O.B.1.3, SC.O.B.1.4, SC.O.B.1.6, ISTE NETS T 1 and 2, and ISTE NETS S 1, 2, and 4. At the end of the lesson I group my students in threes and have them synthesis and design an experiment as well as have them edit and revise their peers' outlines. I plan to store this podcast, along with all my other digital resources, on two flash drives and on "the cloud." I hope you enjoyed my podcast, feel free to use it anytime!

This activity met ISTE NETS T number 1, because I am having my students collaborate with me and other students as they create their outlines and are direct by me through this digital podcast tool. I have also met standard 2 by creating a digital teaching/learning tool for my students to follow, even if I am absent from the classroom.

Jeopardy Labs!

Ever played Jeopardy!? How about one you made tailored to fit your classroom, and no PowerPoint needed, just internet! Jeopardy Labs is the answer, as it is free and extremely easy to use. The program allows you to create a Jeopardy game and it presents just like the one on TV! I created one for future Human Bio classes as a review of the first unit. You better check it out! Students want to be entertained, we want to teach them. This tool meets both needs!

This activity encompasses ISTE NETS T 2, because I have created a digital age product and when I use it I will provide my students with a digital age experience. Also, standard 5 is met by using this teachnology that I gained through a global and local digital community!

Radiation Prezi

Prezi presentations are great attention getters compared to a MS PowerPoint drab presentation. Where PowerPoint is a linear, limited software package, Prezi is a nonlinear, fluid, easy to learn tool. Prezi is an online software (freeware) that allows you to create a presentation that expands on a physical poster. Your presentation layout is like a poster, but this tool transitions from slide to slide by zooming-out, traveling along the poster to the next slide (like your eyes do on a real physical poster/paper), and zooming-in on the next slide of interest. PowerPoint cannot do this! It really is a neat tool. Prezi is much easier, cheaper, and direct than PowerPoint. Check out my Nuclear Radiation and You! presentation and see for yourself!

Nuclear Radiation and You! on Prezi

This creation of a Prezi presentation meets ISTE NETS T 1, because I can use my presentation of discuss the tragic Japanese nuclear power plant disaster with my students and start off the discussion by using my presentation to explain the science behind the problem (engage students in exploring real-world issues). I have also met standard 3 by showing that I can apply my current knowledge to new/emerging technologies and create a new artifact to teach my students in an entertaining and digital fashion.

Power Point #1

I've completed my PowerPoint presentation and it is available for viewing on SlideShare or below. If you are wondering what is going on in Japan or are just curious about what nuclear radiation or energy is, I suggest you take a look! This topic, though current and constantly in the news, most science students don't know how nuclear radiation energy/particles work and how easy it is to understand the content. I am currently teaching half-lives and nuclear isotopes in my physical science classes. In biology, I am teaching cellular reproduction (mitosis/meiosis) and cyclin disruptors that result in mutations and cancer. This current event provides an opportunity to tie in one lesson across the whole of my science courses, an important general science CSO.

By completing this activity, I have met ISTE NETS T standard 1 by creating a lesson for my students that has "real world" applications by teaching them the science behind current events and engaging the students by investigating real-world issues. I have also met standard 5 by creating, reviewing, and sharing a digital presentation with other educators and digital peers via SlideShare.

Nuclear radiation

View more presentations from ahamrick6.

APA AR Paper

Well, I haven't written a paper in 1.5 years, but I missed it! I've found that the treatment (extra homework and tutoring) did have an observable, statistically significant effect on the grades/achievement of the students on their post-test. This activity has gotten me back into the student mindset and that is important if I am truly going to be a lifetime learner! I have set the PDF file to Dr. Pierce via G-Mail. I still believe that MS Excel is much better than the Google Docs Spreadsheets tool, as noted in my previous blogs. I would use Google Docs Spreadsheets if I was truly collaborating with another digitally, but this is not the case at the time being.

By completing this activity, I have met ISTE NETS T standard one by engaging with my peers collaboratively face-to-face and digitally to complete this assignment. I have also met standard three by using the emerging and constantly updated Google Docs Spreadsheet tool and standard five by evaluating and reflecting on the research (even though it was not true data) done for this activity and responding by performing statistical analysis on the data. I have interpreted the numbers and found that extra homework and tutoring helps encourage student achievement.

Personality Post #2

Well, after taking the Kiersey Temperament Sorter II, it seems like I was spot on with my self-assessment. My sorter result was that I am a Guardian, as I supposed. It seems that I am a leader and know how to organize those below me, which befits an educator. I think that Guardians would be good disciplinarians, because my sorter results say I follow the rules and go by the book, which is very true. In a world WRoL, I hope I could stand up and lead, but that would be a difficult thing to do. I work well with other teachers, as a good Guardian would! I do my work and pick up the slack of others without thanks. To be able to lead in an administration role would seem to fit my career aspirations. I feel I could dole-out the work responsibilities adequately, or so says the sorter. I believe my being a Guardian is very fitting.

This activity meets ISTE NETS T #1, because I am learning to work with others and facilitate the best work possible from my colleagues and students. I have met standard #5, as well, because at the completion of this activity I have found a new respect for my self-awareness and will now be more confident in my leadership roles.

Personality Post #1

I have taken personality tests before, I cannot remember exactly what the results were. In general I find myself to have a Concrete view of life and live a Utilitarian lifestyle, citing the Keirsey Temperament Website. I feel I have little need for fantasies. I would say I am primarily a Guardian, Rational, Idealist, Artisan individual, based on the descriptions found at the above website. I try to protects those in my care and my dreams often involve me protecting another. Throughout my life I have spurred myself and others to act rationally to benefit the entire group to lead towards an ideal future. I have little to no interest in Art.

AR Spreedsheet

     Well, what an adventure! One I hope to never take again! Don't get me wrong, I love statistics and number crunching, seriously, I do! My problem was with the intercommunication issues between MS Excel and Google Docs Spreadsheets. My Spreadsheet is available for viewing, as is my Document.
     First and foremost, Google's spreadsheet tool cannot be used to do any number crunching without the data lined up perfectly, whereas MS Excel data can be crunched my holding ctrl- and clicking on every piece of datum you want to perform statistical analysis. My second issue with the Google spreadsheet program is that no graphics/charts can be imported from MS Excel into the spreadsheet. I have read multiple FAQs and Google Docs Support posts/discussions/rants/raves between users and Google Docs Admins and it seems these two features have been repeatedly asked about and discussed for two years and all Google has communicated is along the lines of, "We apologize for the inconvenience. We're working on it!" Well, MS Excel, seems you've got it in the bag!
      I believe I have met ISTE NETS T (link found in my Link Tool on the right) #3, because I have demonstrated my fluency in technology systems and the transference of my current knowledge to new technologies, programs, situations, and been able to overcome speed bumps in this learning process. I have met standard #5 by communicating effectively with my peers using an online discussion tool and working/growing our knowledge together.

Spreadsheet 2 / Grades 2

I have completed the Spreadsheet 2 assignment in MS Excel and uploaded my work to Google Docs. This was an assignment I also buzzed through. I use these functions/formulas at the end of each semester, so not much was new to me. This is a great skill for a 21-st Century teacher to master! This time Google Docs worked!

My completion of this activity meets ISTE NETS T #3, as I have applied and transferred my current digital/technical knowledge and skills to another digital tool. I have used this MS Excel IF function before. I have met standard #5 by growing in and improving my wealthy of knowledge and my knowledge of digital tools available to teachers of today.

Spreadsheet 1 / Grades 1

My spreadsheet, for this assignment, is complete. This was a very easy assignment in MS Excel, as all chem and bio students at FSU are required to master Excel by the end of their Junior year, through statistic analysis in all laboratory sections. Easy as pie, in and out. Excel really is a great program; at semesters' end, I export a copy of my students' online/digital grades and average them in Excel to double check the online grade book. You can never be too safe.

Now, the aggravating part, Google Docs spreadsheets is BUGGY!!! Here, is my first attempt, which works in Excel, but not in GDocs spreadsheets. On the 'Semester 1' worksheet my values come up as "Parse errors."

Excel: 1
Google Docs: 0

Now, only if Excel had an online feature to share/view files live...

My completion of this activity meets ISTE NETS T #3, as I have applied and transferred my current digital/technical knowledge and skills to another digital tool and discovered that even though when tools are meant to perform the same functions they can and do have technical issues. I have overcome these issues by seeking an answer and solving the problem myself. I have met standard #5 by growing in and improving my wealthy of knowledge and my knowledge of digital tools available to teachers.

Google Forms I

I just created my Google form quiz, take it. Google Forms is a great way to quickly create and receive survey questions and answers. You can even embed the survey in a blog or website for easy access (see below)! My Google form is on coal and I will be using an edited version of it in my coal class at FSU in the coming weeks. I will send a BlackBoard message with a link to the quiz to my students and the rest is up to them.

My Google form is also embedded below, go ahead and try it:



All the Google form is, simply, is a cover for a spreadsheet. Instead of having students fill in a spreadsheet with answers which can become confusing, the students quite simply fill in answers in a digital survey. The Google form places their responses in a spreadsheet in which you can perform statistic applications. Therefore, the spreadsheet and Google form are one, but with different input pathways.

Completion of this activity meets ISTE NETS T two, as I have created a digital assessment ready to go and accessible from anywhere that aligns with content and technology standards set for students and teachers, as long as there is internet access. I have met standard four, as I have effectively modeled the proper and appropriate use of emerging technology tools.

Added 2/19/11: The results/spreadsheet can be found here.

Are you ready? Survey

Are you ready to survive and thrive in a disaster? I have created a small survey (I will create a much larger and conclusive one in the future) through Zoomerang that you can find below or here.



This activity was fun and easy and will cover ISTE NETS T #1 and 2 for the very creative, engaging opportunities that my students will have when creating a survey with Zoomerang. This activity also covers standard #4 for promoting a responsible use of technology in a fun and interactive way. My students are going to use this activity next week to make an appropriate survey to quiz each other in preparation for a pencil/paper quiz on cells. They can use this as a review tool to assess each other's knowledge and help the group allocate their study time to problem areas.

Vote in my poll!

At the right, below by blog archive and profile, you will find a poll on who wrote the first five books of the Holy Bible. These one-question polls are insanely easy to create and display. All you do is add a gadget in the Design menu and there are many tools to pick from; you will find the poll gadget here. Go ahead, vote and then add one to your Blogger blog.

I plan to, by the 2011 Fall semester, have a Blogger blog that will be used in the class I teach at FSU. This poll gadget/tool can be used as a preassesment tool to assess my students knowledge before they attend class. The great thing is that my students can immediately view the poll stats and see how they align with the class as a whole or with previous students. I believe this activity and tool mastery falls under ISTE NETS T #2 for use of digital assessments. As well as, #3 to communicate ideas and knowledge between students and from teacher to students through an emerging form of social interaction.

Online Graphing Activity

In this activity, we were to research and compare our state's 4th and 8th grade NAEP scores to that of the country's. I used the following sources for my assignment:
West Virginia to national NAEP report card
West Virginia NAEP state snapshot report

I also used a graphing tool called Kids' Zone to create two graphs for my reports. I reported on the 4th grade and 8th grade NAEP science assessment results in a role playing fashion. I hope you find the two reports informative.

Through this assignment, I have met ISTE NETS T 3, because I have created online documents by using assessment statistics found online to practice helping influence my community to support our students through participation and monetary means. I have also met standard 5, as I have been furthering my knowledge of digital resources available to me and to my community. I can use these datum to help me make informed decisions in my classroom and larger learning community. I have interpreted statistics, created graphics, and used them to my advantage to communicate my attitudes and ideas through a digital medium.

Wordle Tool

Wordle is a tool that can take any text and jumble it up into a more striking visual. I created one on evolution, because I will be teaching this concept to my students next week. I plan to use it as an introduction to natural selection. After we finish the unit I will use it as a review tool. My students will pick 10 words and write a paper explaining how they relate and I can have them define words as I point to them via my Intelliboard. This is also a great way to introduce fun technology tools into the classroom.

This meets the ISTE NETS T 2, because I am creating a technology based activity that would be appealing to my students. Entertainment is a big thing for this generation of students. A little change up of visuals can go a long way. I have also meet standard 3, because I have used to tool to create a new way of communicating to my students in a format that may pique their interests.

BatchGeo Maps!!!!!!

This is such a great tool! I had no idea that BatchGeo was floating around out there. I have created a map of all my peers' home addresses using this program. The program even allows you to add little notes with each location, such as my peers' Blogger blog addresses when you click on the location pointer! I teach Science in the Heart of Appalachia @ FSU and this will be a wonderful addition to my lectures. I can now add location tags to my maps rather than use my cursor to show my students where some important locations are! Besides the higher ed level, I teach natural selection, the history there of, and the life and travels of Darwin. Instead of having my students map out his travels on a physical map, I can have them learn new technology and map-out his travels through BatchGeo and  other map tools and have my students compare multiple technology tools!!! This class is paying off more than I ever dreamed!

My BatchGeo map is found below:


View EDUC-6305 Class BatchGeo Map in a full screen map

The use of this and the many other technology tools I've already shown proficiency in speaks of my technology literacy and is proof of my being a true 21st Century educator. By performing this activity and mastering these skill, I have proven that I meet all five of the ISTE NETS T by showing my technology proficiency in online collaboratory groups through ethical and educational participation. I am also growing professionally myself, as well as through learning experiences in a diverse, digital, and educational atmosphere.

Jing Image

I have used Jing to create an image including text and graphics to help my students learn how to convert metric units. Jing is a small program that allows you to take a snapshot of your screen with boundaries that you set. I like this tool, but I don't think you cannot change or delete text boxes/shapes/arrows in your image after you save it, which was extremely aggravating. Both image and video files can be produced through Jing. Unlike some other image editers, your products can be saved anywhere on your PC. Unhappy with the file format of your product? You can convert them with an online image converter. Below you will find my Jing Graphic.

This tool and product meets the ISTE NETS T standard 1 for breeding a greater appreciation for and use of technology in my classroom. I'm sure my students will like the break from watching me write on the whiteboard and using a handout or presentation. The graphics I can use will definitely liven up the notes/activities more than text and lecture alone. This will also meet standard 5, because I am using existing (possibly emerging) technology to support student learning and I plan on using this technology to interest my students while demonstrating mastery and use of technology in the classroom. With the students I teach role modeling and demonstration of technology skills is key to actively involving them in the learning process.

Self Portrait

I created a self portrait through the picassohead online self portrait creation tool. The only thing I didn't like about the tool was that the it had a limited amount of images you can compile into your self portrait. I would like to see either more images to choose from or more distortion options. I had trouble finding images that matched my image of myself. I ended up combining/overlapping multiple images to get the desired effect.
My first picassohead:

My second picassohead:

This activity brought the creative side of online tool usage and can provide an outlet for my more creative/art-loving students while teaching them new technology skills and promoting a love for technology. This also would provide a fun learning environment where the students, and myself, can learn how to navigate an online tool and learning editing skills. This tool will show students that even technology can breed art and design opportunities and art is not only tied to the sketchpad or easel. (ISTE NETS T 1 and 2)

Snip-snip

I've just use the Snipping Tool that came preinstalled in my Windows 7-running netbook. The Snipping Tool is easy to find. Just open the Start menu from your toolbar, search for 'Snipping Tool,' and click the icon that appears. We can use the snipping tool to easily capture screenshots and paste them where needed. The Snipping Tool has replaced my old copy/paste procedure to add images into PowerPoint presentations, because I don't have to crop the image after saving the image or pasting it. The Snipping Tool is a copy function and cropping tool in one! Here is an image I have taken from Wikipedia to use in my photosynthesis Ppts:

This tool allows me to pick certain parts of a larger image and prevent my students from being distracted by a lot of graphics. I can have my students lock their eyes on a specific part of an image without them looking at other, less prominate graphics in a larger, more diverse image. I can use this tool to quickly modify the image and model how to identify and isolate the important information from an image or series of images by show them how to focus in on a specific image and isolate it by snipping it from a distracting collection of images to help them facilitate their own learning. (ISTE NETS T 3 and 5)

Google Profile

I've recently signed up for a Google Profile and have been using Google Reader. So far, I have picked 2 blogs to follow through Google Reader. They are: 1) Free Technology for Teachers and 2) Free Resources for Education.

1) Provides descriptions and links to free technology tools and tips to help me (and you) become more proficient and efficient as I use IE8 and Firefox. By the time you read this, I have used 2 of the tips given through the above blog on how to make my Google searches more efficient.
2) Provides a similar service as Free Technology for Teachers above. It is lighter on the descriptions (short and sweet) and I've already used the SimpleDiagrams program (requires installation) reported here to make a Vin diagram and flow chart for a Ppt I use to teach at FSU.

Using Google Reader is a form of digital syndication, which means I am gathering instructions and useful information for my use and allowing others to view this info for their own use. The Internet is a really easy way run a syndicate; so much so, that the term 'RSS' (really simple syndication) is used to describe this process.

Diigin' the Diigo

I'm not big on browsers add-on, but Diigo may be an exception. You can view my Diigo bookmark page to see some of my favorite science and educational pages. I will probably discard my current bookmarks in IE -8 and join the cloud with Diigo. I am running the Diigolet add-on to bookmark pages to my Diigo account  for my future use. I'm also running weather and translator add-ons. Both of these add-ons are on IE-8. The only other internet browser I've experienced is Firefox, which I do not like; I guess that is because I was trained on IE and can navigate through the toolbar with ease. An add-on is a small piece of software that is used by another, larger piece of software to improve your experience. In short, an add-on is something that can enhance or increase the use of an internet browser. I use the weather add, because I like to check the weather forecasts everyday and now I don't have to go to a separate website when I want to check the weather forecast. I use the translator add-on to translate a foreign website into English. I am a collector of and very interested in surplus military firearms, many of which are from non-English speaking countries. Also, some of the links/buttons in my blog are in Spanish and I cannot change my settings to English, therefore I use the Google translator. The three add-ons I use installed and run seamlessly.

I believe this activity mostly falls under ISTE NETS T standard three, because we are joining a very large, culturally diverse learning community where our bookmarks can be used throughout the world. Throughout the coming weeks we will be using this Diigo tool to "model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning."(ISTE NETS T, Standard 3.d)

Personal Educational Phylosophy

If you would like to view my personal educational philosophy, please do so. I've used a Flesch-Kincaid readability test through MS Word to help me edit my philosophy and increase the Flesch-Kincaid grade level of my artifact. Below you will find one-half of my philosophy embedded as a Voki avatar. Voki is an interesting application that can be used to add sound bites to a blog from text or your own recorded voice! Give it a try!

My Resume

For those that are interested, here is my resume. The link is fueled by GoogleDocs. If you have never used the Docs program before, I suggest you check it out. From my limited experience with the application, I can see it will become a valuable program.

My internal locus of conrol

Luck, what's that? Now, listen to me, as I have an internal locus of control and I control my destiny!

In the past, I've taken some self diagnostic tests. I cannot recall which ones, but I remember being told I should be a woodsman in elementary school; didn't turn out that way, but I still find the time to explore God's creation, hence me being a science teacher. Looking back, I also remember being labeled as a thinker and having a medial level of authority. These two descriptions seem to be accurate. I cannot see myself as being at the top, nor the bottom of the totem pole.

I just finished a "locus of control" test and received a "16." This test basically assesses how well you can govern your own decisions and the decisions of others, along with how you perceive your control of your world. The test results span a scale of 0-23, with 0 being a very strong external locus of control and 23 with a very strong internal locus of control. A score of "16" results with me having an internal locus of control. I would have to agree. I find myself judging my actions and feelings more than other peoples' opinions and feelings towards me. Although, I'm sure that when I was a student in public school I was more extrinsically controlled, as you wouldn't say that I was the most popular kid around.

I see myself as an authority below an authority, in the school setting and other aspects of my life. I can take control of a situation, but also know when to relinquish the reins when it is best for the group. Which is as it should be, since I am a teacher with students below and administration above me. I feel all teachers should have an equal mix of internal and external loci of control. Teachers in public schools are to guide their students along with being guided by our administrators, experiences in the classroom, and partially by our students' actions.

After taking this test, I can see that one of my students has a very high internal locus of control. He controls 2 students, which I now see have moderately strong external loci of control. I need to do some more research on how to adjust his condition, if possible.

Being aware of one's susceptibility to persuasion and ability to persuade others is extremely important to identify in a learning environment. Being able to look at my abilities and downfalls allows me to identify how I learn best and how I can be of use in a group setting, like the current team of teachers I work with. We can all learn more and teach better if we can identify our students' and our own strengths and weaknesses.

Learning Style Test Results

I completed the VARK questionnaire and received the following:

Visual: 4
Aural: 1
Read/write: 8
Kinesthetic: 5

The results also state that I have a mild Read/write learning preference. I would agree with that statement. I find myself choosing to read over watch TV or listening to the radio. I can hardly retain anything by listening to an audio tape, thus I agree with my aural style being rated a 1. Not being able to find a scale to compare my aural and read/write scores, I nevertheless find confidence in this assessment that my aural score is well below my read/write score. I agree that I partially learn through kinesthetics.

I'd say that the VARK assessment does correlate with my own description of my learning style. I strongly believe that I learn little through audio outlets, which aligns with my test results. I will continue to learn and study as I have before this assignment, but with an attempt to add some kinesthetic elements to see if my learning truly does benefit from carrying out a physical activity.

My hope is to use this knowledge of my learning style to help identify the similar and dissimilar learning styles of my students and peers. For my students, I'll use this information to modify my instruction and attempt to teach to their style. That's what teaching is about, right? Meeting the student on their ball field of learning and playing by their rules, so to speak.

Working with others in our field is essential to our professional development. Learning the styles of coworkers and administration is key to effective communication which, hopefully, will lead to better communication and an overall benefit to the students' learning.

Reading Assignment #2 blog posting

After reading the Reading COP #2 I'd say that, of the seven learning styles explored in the reading (Visual, Aural, Verbal, Physical, Logical, Social, and Solitary) that I am primarily a logical/mathematical and solitary/intrapersonal learner. I have taken a learning style inventory before and I believe I resulted as a logical learner, with which I agree. I tend to work through a protocol or organized pattern I have deemed efficient based on my past experiences. I feel slightly anxious when I detour from my proven learning habits, especially when I work in groups. Don't get me wrong, I am occasionaly spontaneous, but those times are far and few between. I'm very predictable. I do like order and do tend to make lists as my further reading suggests I would. As a science teacher at both the secondary and post secondary level, I feel that the components of a system do need to be completely understood to understand the whole system, as the reading suggests the logical/mathematical learning techniques explanation suggests I would. I also tend to be a solitary soul; I prefer to work alone in science labs, both in my undergraduate course work and undergraduate research experiences in HHH at FSU. It's often that you will find me spending time alone at a hobby or flyfishing. I seem to learn best when alone and completely undisturbed and find great satisfaction solving a problem or ratifying a situation myself rather than looking to another for answers.

Since receiving a full-time position in Harrison County, WV, I have truly found that my learning style is not the only route to learning. This idea is contrary to my position that my way of learning was best during my undergraduate years.

My first ever blog post!

Hello, all, this is my blog for an online graduate course I am taking through FSU in West Virginia, USA. The course is called Advanced Instructional Technology (EDUC-6305), taught by Richard Pierce. I have a feeling that I'll get hooked on blogging. Good luck in class to all my peers who are reading this!