Communicate 1.1.1 – Definitions of Communication Quest

• How have your individual communication skills changed as with the innovations in technology?
• How have advancements in technology altered classroom communication? Will these change further?

Communication skills have changed drastically in the past ten years.  As a young child, I can remember watching Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell talk on his mobile phone and thinking this would never happen in real life!  When I turned 16 my parents bought me a bag phone....my how that's different now!  From letters to emails to text messages communication as become faster and faster.  We are a society that demands answers now and can not wait for responses or information.  

Classroom communication is not immune to these technological changes.  Parents send text messages with questions about homework and teachers can send text reminders when assignments are due.  Using google drive, my students and I can work on presentations and documents SIMULTANEOUSLY! I can provide immediate feedback and they can ask questions.  I can only imagine how that will progress in the future.  I look forward to rolling with the technological times.  I hope that I can continue to stay up to date withe technology in education.

Navigate 4.1.1 Trend Impact Quest

Education is an always changing profession, but a new factor has been thrown in...TECHNOLOGY! Students live in a world where everything is at their fingertips and their education should be no different.  I think social media is the largest player in our educational future.  Traditional interaction among students took place over the phone or on the swing set in years past, but now students communicate on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.  "Conversation" in the traditional sense of the word doesn't exist to the same magnitude it once did.  Motivation is a large part of learning and we know students are motivated to participate in social media, so let's use it to learn something and share ideas.  Finding ways to use these in education would allow technology to meet education in a natural way for today's students.

Navigate 3.2.1 Tools for Deciding on an LMS Quest

Deciding on an LMS would be difficult.  There are many restraints and considerations to take into account.  Each level of education would require different elements.  One main issue all levels would have to address is cost.  Many systems do not have the luxury of sinking a lot of money into an LMS. If a system is required to use a free system then some options would naturally be eliminated.  I am an educator primarily at the upper elementary level.  For students at this level, I feel like providing them an LMS that is visually appealing and easy to navigate would be important.  Making the page simple and providing areas for both students and parents would be beneficial.   Communication is key and providing multiple ways to interact with both parents and students should be valued by a system when looking for an LMS.

Navigate 3.1.4 LMS Reporting Quest

One of my favorite things about Haiku is that it is SIMPLE.  It is very easy to navigate, but offers some amazing features for assessment.  Students can be assessed in many different ways.  The instructor can assign assessments for a numerical grade and set the percentage of the final grade it will represent.  Students can be awarded badges for completion of certain assignments.  Instructors can even respond with a video response which can provide meaningful comments and feedback.  One of my favorite options is the standards based grading option.  Progress reports can be sent to students.  There are many grading options and I like the flexibility of picking which is best of the course or assignment given. The Helpdesk link provides information on the several assessment options in Haiku.

 

Navigate 3.1.3 Tools within the LMS Quest

There are many tools found within an LMS.  When scavenging through the Haiku program, I saw many elements that are common within these systems.  However, there are some differences between accesses allowed for students and teachers.  In this program, the teacher has the ability to set up assignments, save them and modify before making them visible to students.  The teacher can provide connect with students on many levels.  Teachers can post grades and comments that only the student can see.  Teachers and students can both use discussion boards, private messaging and email to communicate.  Some features can be shared with everyone in the class such as announcements and a class calendar.  There's also a "knowledge bank" that can be searched for help when needed. Specific topics are located under both student and teacher categories.  One feature I loved about this system is the ability to sign in through google.  There's no added burden of remembering passwords or login ins.

Navigate 3.1.2 Creation and Investigation into Courses Quest

Navigating through these management systems was very enlightening! I chose moodle to begin with because I had heard of it, but had never used it.  I quickly decided it wasn't worth my time.  It seemed so confusing! So, I decided to work with Haiku...I liked the name and I think Haikus are fun, so why not?!?! It was so much user-friendly to me! After choosing my role (teacher, student, administrator), a brief tour was given to show available features. Here's how easy it was:

http://goo.gl/l5VZsW

While creating a class, several features were available for use.  See how easy this is!  http://goo.gl/YnBts6  The calendar, comments, and inbox were options that could easily be assigned to each class.  Classes can be created ahead of time and stored in an area not viewable to others.  Also, classes can become active or inactive during periods of time the instructor deems necessary.

This system was appealing to the eye and easy to use.  There's even a daily haiku and daily tip to spice things up! http://goo.gl/ONksNe

Navigate 3.1.1 LMS Tool Categories

Learning Management Systems are tools used for delivery of content.  Student Information Systems can work with the LMS to record data.  There are different components of Learning Management Systems.  Features of the LMS fall in one of these categories:

Reporting:  Gradebooks, Progress checklists, Reports on growth
Communication: Email, Discussion Boards, Syllabus
Evaluation: Dropboxes, Tests, Quizzes, Assignments, Course Description and Expectations

Each of these facets (reporting, communication, and evaluation) are all important in making online learning successful for both teacher and student.