Journal 1: Introductory Letter about Me

Hello! My name is Casey Belsly and I am born and raised a San Diego girl. I am 22 years old and a recent graduate of Chapman University in Orange, California. I got my degree in molecular biology, with intentions to become a doctor, until I re-prioritized my life and realized that my focus is around children and family. I am eager to become a teacher to impact the lives of the little ones I cherish so much! My most favorite jobs have been as a Sunday School Teacher, a Nanny, and a Surf Camp Instructor for the YMCA. I hope to teach young elementary school children, especially kindergarten, and would love to teach in San Diego County one day ☺ I went to Park Dale Lane Elementary School, Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School, Diegueno Middle School, and La Costa Canyon High School.

Some of the wonderful children who have influenced my decision to become a teacher!

Technology has always been a passion of mine. Digital Cameras have completely changed the way I live my life. I have always documented the events in my life, but this emerging technology has allowed to me capture events, moments, and perfect skills that are invaluable to me. I love to make movies as well. Final Cut Pro and I have a love hate relationship, but I love the memories I have created with them! The most meaningful creation was an interview of my grandparents about their childhood, married life, and family. I merged their footage together and made a family history heirloom that can be passed from generation to generation with their images, audios, and stories. As a result of these loves, I am most definitely a MAC girl, however I enjoy PCs just fine ☺ I love to keep connected with friends and family, so I am proficient in email, Myspace, and Facebook. I created a Myspace page for our family to keep in touch, even with our relatives in France! I use word, the internet, and internet resources daily. As Mary Stefanki Davis put it, I never use paper: everything is electronic for me! Technology is a huge positive component of my life.

One of my favorite pictures I took at St. John in the Caribbean ☺

I am very supportive of the College of Education’s Mission Statement. I think that diversity, equity, and social justice are not only important components of education, but of shaping individuals. As educators we will be shaping young minds to become independent, responsible, capable adults, and it is important to teach students how to function and relate to others in the outside world. I think that reflective teaching is essential to become better educators to be more influential in our classrooms. I think that collaboration, professionalism, and shared governance are equally important to be the most effective we can be, and be outstanding members of the classroom, school system, and community. Most importantly, Cal State San Marcos’ College of Education values a student-centered education, which I believe is the reason we are here. We are all becoming educators to help prepare students with intellect and for the future. I cannot wait to put this mission statement into practice!

Journal 2: Software Evaluation (iMovie & Kidspiration)

I really enjoyed using Kidspiration. I thought that it was easy to use, self-explanatory, and helpful. I think students will enjoy using this tool, because it is interactive, visual, colorful, fun, and it speaks commands to you as well. This would also be an excellent tool for English Learners, so they can learn pictorially and hear the correct pronunciations of words. Among the many functions of Kidspiration, kids can learn how to brain storm, organize, and associate words and objects.

I would like to incorporate Kidspiration into my future kindergarten classroom. I liked the grouping tool, where students can group items together according to similarities. I liked the examples given in class, like having students determine monetary values by placing appropriate amounts on top of the items according to price, or putting certain food groups into a shopping basket. I made an example where students have to sort fruits and veggies out of an assortment of food, and place them into a shopping cart. This teaches students what fruits and veggies are, how to identify them in a group, and how to group items. I also think it's great to associate items in an organized chart. I made an organizational chart of a dog's day. This will help students organize similarities and relationships.

This was the first time that I have learned with Atomic learning, or via tutorials. I usually just utilize help manuals and use keywords for the issues I am trying to solve, but I am visual learned. Therefore, this method was effective for me. Additionally, I learned more than I would have if I had just skimmed a large quantity for information for the one sentence needed. It also helps to see where and how functions are performed, so that you do not have to spend your time figuring out what the manual is talking about. I can't wait to use Kidspiration in my kindergarten classroom!

I really liked using iMovie. I thought it was very easy to use, even for those who have not worked with editing before! The great thing about iMovie is that it also comes with a great help tool, so if there are any questions, they can be addressed easily and promptly. I think students will also like to use iMovie. It is very awesome to see your own clips put to use! It allows for creativity as well, with the varying transitions and effects. IMovie teaches dedication and persistence, as editing can be long and tedious, depending on the length and complexity of the project. There is also a sense of pride for all when finished. I think I will use iMovie in my classroom!

Students could use this program in many ways in the classroom! Students who struggle with public speaking can give a perfect presentation via video. For example, my personality gets dulled down into a monotone and mundane personality when I am nervous, but when I am in front of the camera I let my true colors shine, and I can deliver a much better message. Students can also create projects using movie clips, sound clips, and tutorials. Utilizing iMovie really expands the boundaries of the classroom to include all learning styles and teaching styles!

I personally have had a lot of experience with video editing. My favorite program is Final Cut Pro. I also like iMovie, however, and started out on it when I was just beginning. Therefore, I cannot truly address how I liked learning via tutorials, but I thought Jeff did a great job explaining things and it’s always great to have tutorials to reference!!!

See my video:

http://webct6.csusm.edu/webct/RelativeResourceManager/sfsid/158078871001

Journal 3: Social Justice - Choice or Necessity?

Swain, Colleen and Edyburn, David. “Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?” Learning & Leading with Technology. March 2007.

Since we live in a global, technological, and information-based society, it is no longer acceptable for students to merely have access to instructional technology; students must be technologically fluent and be able to use technology to solve problems. Without these abilities, students are at a disadvantage for future educational and employment opportunities. In 1992, it was estimated that at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require technological fluency. We are almost at the end of that prediction, indicating that people without technological skills are forced to take low-paying jobs with limited potential for advancement.

Social justice is not always equitable among students. Some students are allowed more computer time than others, some students are not given the opportunity to use technological applications for problem solving and simulation while others are, some students are only given assignments to work on “vocational” skills such as keyboarding while others use the computers for more advanced problem solving. By setting up unequal technological opportunities and environments, not all students are educated to become technologically fluent.

1. When is technology equitably implemented?

Technology is equally implemented when it is available; used in ways that reflect real-world application of interest, complexity, and power; used routinely; used to enhance learning opportunities for all students; and is used to monitor teacher/students progress over time.

2. What are good resources for using technology effectively?

To search for digital resources, it is recommended to search through The Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit. As new technology becomes available, it is important for instructors to evaluate how the resource will allow students to learn the concept deeply, enhance higher-order thinking opportunities, present knowledge in ways that mesh with strengths, and further educational and future workplace opportunities. Assistive technologies should be used to help students with learning disabilities or students with special needs.