Blog ⓵⓪

Time really flies! We are heading nearer to the end of the Fall semester. This is the last welcome to my 10-blog series ㅠㅡㅠ Hope you have a great week and stay healthy :)

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Assignment 5 (Interactive PPT)

        Personally, I enjoy doing this assignment because I like to create presentations. However, I have never made an interactive PowerPoint before (I have only seen some in high school classes) so I also acquired some new skills while working on the assignment. I learned how to add animations and triggers to each element (such as photos, graphics, text-boxes, etc.), disable the linear navigation on all screens, include navigation buttons of my choice, and incorporate sounds into transitions and/or animations. Besides, I don't really have any dislike for this assignment except for the fact that I had to create quite a lot of slides (and I am a bit lazy if I have to do the same actions over and over). Still, I am satisfied with my work, and you can see a snapshot of my interactive PPT for a World Trivia quiz below. Take a look at it and let me know what you think!

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Data collection (Surveys)

        As a future teacher of English language for Vietnamese high school students (grades 10-12), I will probably create a survey at the beginning of the school year to learn how students think and feel about their English education so far, before taking my class. Using the survey can help me get to know the students by creating a confidential, personal space where students can freely express themselves, confess their concerns, and give their expectations for my class. During the class, I may design surveys to collect students' opinions on reading and writing materials (for example, traditional physical books versus eBook/PDF files) or new ideas for in-class interactive activities. I may also gather information and data regarding students' familiarity with technological tools/applications and the frequency of using social media for daily communications. 

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Reviewing Peer Blogs

        I find it interesting for me to read my classmates' blogs because I can know about their opinions on certain topics (such as assignments, technical tools/ideas, personal hobbies, and more) and learn some new things. Sometimes, judging from their style of writing and language choice, I may be able to guess their personalities or characteristics, too. Each person has their own thoughts and feelings so it is never boring to read people's blogs. Especially, I also enjoy viewing everyone's assignment designs (the screenshots of their teacher website, infographics, PPTs, etc.). Overall, everyone does a great job at writing blogs and designing blog sites, so let's keep it up, even after this class! :)

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Tech-flex and Digital Badges

        Honestly, I did not do a lot of Tech-flex or Digital badges activities, just 4-5 of them. However, those optional activities are very interesting, and they teach me some new computer skills, too. These include FSU LinkedIn Learning, Google Map, Fall 2021 EME 2040 Student Badge, etc. Some of the tech-flexes are a bit complex and time-consuming than others, too (that's why I often choose easier ones to complete). Here are some badges that I earned.

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Future technology-related skills

        I would like to learn about coding (people say it's hard but useful to know) and maintenance, just in case I need to fix my laptop or technological devices. It's more convenient and time-sufficient if I can repair things myself without going to shops or IT service places. Learning these topics can improve my computer skills and serve as a small unique ability that may help me stand out from others. When I have time, I will learn coding by watching tutorial videos and online lessons so that I can control my pace and time (instead of taking a class). Learning coding and maintenance over a long time allows me to remember the steps better, too. 

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Tạm biệt! Goodbye!

Blog ⑨

It's already November! Time really flies.... Hope everyone have a great week and stay warm!

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EME 2040

        My experience with EME 2040: So far, so good! I join section 5, which is an asynchronous class. This allows me to do the assignments anytime and anywhere I want, as long as I submit my works on time. I have always enjoyed writing blogs and doing little portfolio items that help me develop new skills and strengthen skills I previously acquired. The instructions are direct (most of the time) and easy to follow, and Professor Choi is very friendly and helpful. She answers every question and helps me a lot with the assignments (mostly clarifying assignment requirements that I am not sure about). To improve the experience for this class, especially since it's an online class, I will create a GroupMe chat for my class section, providing students with a private place where they can easily ask quick questions to their teachers and classmates. I feel like the Slack application is not as useful as it is supposed to be... because students rarely ask questions relating to the assignments or tasks, and there aren't any "real" connections between peers (no offense, just some personal opinions). 

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Open Educational Resources (OER)

        OER, basically, are free online resources that anyone can access and use without permission from the author(s). Users can edit, share, or remix the original file based on their personal preferences. The five rights (Rs) associated with OER are: retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute. There are OER libraries online where educators and students can obtain resources, lesson plans, or teaching-learning tips. Here is an open resource containing 88 full essays for high school English classes, giving teachers and students some templates to practice writing and composing academic paper -- 88 Open Essays: A Reader for Students of Composition & Rhetoric. 

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Assignment 4: PowerPoint for Information Dissemination

        I have gained some more skills while using PowerPoint (after more than 3 years) for this assignment. I learned how to design layouts, create a Slide Master, add footer and numbers to handouts, record the slides, and convert the PPT into a PowerPoint Show. I really enjoy doing this small project (as well as exploring new features and functions on PowerPoint). However, I think it will be better if there are some tutorial videos on how to design a layout under Slide Master or how to set up handouts for the slides (since most of the uploaded videos demonstrate skills needed for Assignment 5, not for this one). Here is a snapshot of my PPT. Put your comment below and let me hear your opinion!!!

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Blog ⑧

Congratulations on our football team's big win last weekend 🥳🥳🥳! Hope y'all have a great day!

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Web Design
        I have had a great time designing my teacher blog and acquiring new helpful skills. Personally, I really like how Weebly operates —from its tools layout to fonts and background photos— and it is also easy to use, too! I did not like the slideshow feature because it seemed like I could not upload more than two (2) pictures (I'm not so sure about this, but it just didn't function well for me). Also, I had some trouble displaying the Google Calendar on my web page; however, everything worked well with Professor Choi's help. I think that I will implement this task in my plans since the school webpage is a good way for teachers to communicate with students and parents outside of class. 
        Here is the link to my website: Ms. Linh's English I

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Diigo

        Some skills that I learned recently (in recent weeks, actually) are highlighting and commenting on a website via Diigo. I was able to do the job perfectly and smoothly this time :)) Whatever I marked on a webpage would also appear on the Diigo group, allowing other viewers to have a quick review of the main ideas and important notes from the source that I shared. If this application is implemented in my future class, it will be easier for me to see my students' comments and highlights all in one place without going back and forth between different tabs. I can also quickly find the links and their brief descriptions instead of reading the whole webpage again. 

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Technology and Teacher Professional Development
        Nowadays, teachers and students are using more technological devices and applications for activities than white/blackboards with chalks or markers. With the surge of online classes, teachers continue improving their computer skills, such as Microsoft Office, emails, graphic and webpage design, etc. Educators usually attend webinars, conferences, or workshops hosted by colleagues to learn more about changes in education and technological advancement. Many educational developers also produce new learning software to ease the teaching process, creating an engaging and friendly learning atmosphere for students. EdTech Magazine is a great site for teachers and students (both K-12 and Higher Education) to learn more about updated applications. It provides a variety of technology-related topics: security, software, digital workplace, management, etc. where readers can find useful sources and tips. 

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Blog ⑦

It's already Week 8 🥳🥳🥳 Hope that everyone is doing great in their classes (especially Mid-term exams) and personal activities! 

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School Web Pages

        I have visited some class webpages designed by teachers at Jackson Elementary (A Seymour Community School). Most of these sites include the teacher's name, a profile picture (or a header picture), contact information (primarily email address), external links to numerous learning resources, and a class calendar. Teachers also put in their pages expectations or agendas for their classes. Students and parents may also find instructions for daily assignments and projects on these online sites publicly. Below here is a screenshot of a Jackson Elementary teacher.

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Teacher Productivity Tools

        As a teacher, I will need to develop daily plans and assignments, manage students' information, lecture lessons, and communicate with supervisors, parents, and students. I would use Google Drive, Grammarly, and Zalo to help me keep track of my responsibilities. With Google Drive, I can store my documents, videos, PowerPoints, etc. all in one online place. I can also categorize them into smaller folders so that I can find what I need quicker. With Grammarly, I can check for spelling and grammar mistakes more easily. It also provides suggestions to revise certain sentences to make a whole paragraph or essay more organized and easier to understand. Finally, with Zalo, a popular communication app used in Vietnam (and is also similar to Messenger), I can send messages, photos, and files to my colleagues or students in real-time. 

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Wiki Platform/PBWorks

        Personally, PBWorks is quite easy to use after I got familiar with its tools and features. When I work on my personal wiki space, I can freely change things and pages; however, when I work on a group wiki, the page's owner needs to change regular users' status to administrators to fully access different functions. Besides, I don't really like how the editing tab works. The fonts and sizes keep changing whenever I go to another paragraph or copy and paste information from one page to another. Still, my team did a great job on our group assignment, and I am happy about that!

Blog ⑥

This week is such a busy one for me ㅜㅡㅜ 4 projects due and a Mid-term exam... Hopefully I will do well on all of these :)) Hope that you all are doing good these days, too! Stay safe and don't catch a cold!

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Experience using Diigo
        Diigo is a tool that I only knew after being introduced to in this class. Personally, I usually feel confused whenever I use this platform. First of all, obviously, I am new to it and not so familiar with how the tool functions so I need some time to figure it out. Second, things don't go so well as I expected. In particular, when I tried following the instructions to complete Portfolio Item #12 (Diigo Web 2.0), I could not highlight or comment the source the way the tutorial video showed me. Thus, I have to find it out myself, trying and deleting posts on Diigo several times. Fortunately, I was able to complete the task —I really hope that I did it correctly...

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Blogging
        In my opinion, this blogging activity is a good way for me to share with classmates and teachers what I have learned through the resources (including my thoughts) and to know others' perspectives on the same matter by reading their blogs. Blogger, in my opinion, is easy to use after posting several blogs. I learned how to re-arrange the gadgets on the homepage, change font styles, include pictures and links in posts, and manage my blog page as a whole. However, due to limited options such as fonts or sizes, I cannot fully decorate my blog post to make it less boring :(  Anyway, I have read people's blogs a lot and always found them interesting so I was really excited when I could start my own blog for this class. If I have have in the future, I will definitely further expand my blog and write about hobbies and experiences through blogs as a way to store my memories.

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Web 2.0 Tools
        Since I am not a style of person who explores new things on my own (although I will need to change this to become a good teacher), I will talk about a familiar Web 2.0 tools that everyone use —Youtube. This platform is where you can upload or watch videos of a variety of topics, and it is also a great tool for students to gain knowledge from. I will definitely use Youtube in my future classrooms as visual aids and/or substitutes of things that I may not (or I think I cannot) explain to students thoroughly. Just type a topic of my subject, let's say "How to write a research paper," and Youtube will provide links to numerous videos that guide students through steps of outlining and organizing an essay from start to end. Teachers can also learn how the video author presents their lessons or obtain some teaching tips through Youtube videos. One thing that I have to be aware of, however, is to restrict students from watching videos unrelated to lesson materials or inappropriate to students' ages.
        Link to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com 

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Blog ⑤

Deadlines for my projects and essays are coming soon ㅠ.ㅠ But I'm still feeling great because I just had some traditional dishes with my international students/friends from Vietnam and attended the Mid-Autumn Festival last night ㅎㅎ :)

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Experiences using Twitter
        Honestly, I have been using Twitter for almost 2 years, but I have never made a tweet or posted any feed on my homepage until the last few weeks when I set up my new FSU twitter account and introduced myself :)) Before that, I was only used to hitting the heart button or searching for hot trends (mostly about K-pop related topics since I am a big fan)! Yet, I still don't really interact directly with anyone through direct messages or tweet frequently, but I do follow a variety of accounts (news, charts, singers, FSU, ...). I find it very beneficial to use Twitter as a platform where I can get updated news and information within my interests —everything is quick and newly refreshed in just a few seconds. Future educators like me can learn a lot of tips and engage in conversations during chat times (the one using specific hashtags during a designated time). 

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Digital Divide
        Lots of students use some kind of technology to study or complete online assignments nowadays. The fact that whenever we go into a classroom and see people taking out their laptops, tablets, or phones sometimes makes us forget that digital devices have just gone popular within a few recent decades (since we are used to it) and that there are still many people who do not have access to such modern implements. Causes leading to not using technology can be lack of Internet accessibility, unable to afford technological utensils, computer illiteracy, and more. Additionally, it is true that digital divide greatly affects how student performs in class, especially during online or technology-related courses. Those who are familiar with how digital devices and applications function will have a huge advantage over those who first get in touch with technology. The latter group will have a hard time understanding different digital concepts, and it will take significantly more time for them to complete an online task on their own. Thus, as a pre-service teacher, I would better learn about my students' backgrounds (where do they come from and if they have had any experience with technology before) and, perhaps, test their computer literacy to know their standings. I will try to teach students how to use some basic skills and tools (like Word, Power Point, etc.) so that they can, at least, do and submit their homework online. After a while, I will start showing them more complicated computer tips and help them be prepared for harder classes. 

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Academic Software
        Traditional methods of teaching or lecturing can be boring to some students, especially young ones. Thus, educators and instructors have developed and implemented several academic softwares and online tools that help students be engaged in class. Two softwares that I will probably use in my class are Canvas (or Google Classroom, Blackboard) and Quizlet. Canvas is a place where teachers can create and design class pages, add and receive assignments, and post announcements to a group of students. Learners can collaborate and communicate with one another through discussion boards or inbox messages through this software. Personally, I like the convenience of this kind of software since I can check my to-do lists for different classes and manage my works at the same place, and teachers can also grade and give students feedback directly. I am sure that most people know about Quizlet. It's a tool which students or teachers can create online flashcards and share them with others. Quizlet helps students study terms and definitions quicker (since it has many learning options and practices). If students want to play games in groups, they can also use Quizlet live to compete against each other!

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Badges
        In my opinion, badges are like online versions of stickers that teachers usually give small students after they finish their homework. Earning badges let students know if they successfully complete a coursework and encourage them to keep on going. I have gained some badges before while studying for the SAT on KhanAcademy or keeping my learning streak for more than 50 consecutive days on Duolingo. I don't really share my badges and achievements with others but just let myself know my learning status and what else should I complete before obtaining another badge. 

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Blog ④

Hi there, it's me again :) This week is the Mid-Autumn Festival week or Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam, and I am craving for mooncakes right now 😣😣😣!

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ELA technology standard — LAFS.1112.L.3.4
     This standard established by Florida's Department of Education requires teachers and students to use online sources (mostly online dictionaries and thesaurus software such as Wordsmyth, Snappy Words, and Word Hippo) to clarify new vocabulary or words with multiple meanings. Terms can be from in-class reading materials and other outside content. To determine the meaning of each word, students can identify it using the context within a sentence, patterns of word choice, and print/online glossaries. It is good to know the secondary meaning of words with commonly known definitions. If I implement this standard into my teaching, I think my current skill of searching for definitions from dictionaries and thesaurus, whether offline or online, will help me satisfy this criterion. However, I will need to check out the software mentioned above since I have not ever used them before. I believe that I can easily master this word-defining skill, though. 

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Educator Toolkit
     A resource that I found is called "It's Not Magic: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice." This is a great introduction to the concept of Passive and Active voice in sentences. The source provides clear definitions for each voice, formatted in bullet points. It also gives easy examples to illustrate each grammatical idea. Students can easily study a lesson about Passive and Active through this resource since it functions as an interactive PowerPoint, allowing students to directly practice and listening again to the audio. Besides, students cannot skip or fasten the speed of the PowerPoint (and the slideshow itself will stop if students switch to another tab) but to focus all time to complete the lesson. 

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Internet Searching
     Online users browse through Google, Safari, or other platforms almost every day, and teachers are no exception. We search for things on the internet to get the information we want. Teachers should be proficient at searching the internet to keep them updated on daily news and educational research that may help them build lessons. Of the 10 Google search tips and tricks, I will probably use reverse image search to find photos and pictures that I may accidentally see somewhere else. I will also practice adding prefixes (such as site, cached, related, etc.) in front of keywords or phrases to minimize the results. I have not done these before so I was amazed to learn some cool web-searching tricks. 

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