SAMR Model

Greetings,

The SAMR Model is a model that was created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura and was design to help teachers to incorporate technology into their every day teaching. The SAMR model is split into two main sections:  enhancements and transformation. The transformation section is build on two concepts modification and redefinition. The enhancement portions consists of the substitution and augmentation section that begins to move away from the idea of having no technology in the classroom. 

• Substitution refers to technology acting as a direct tool substitute that has no change overall.
• Augmentation allows technology to act as a "functional improvement" that helps to slowly improve the classroom environment. 
• Modification allows for a task to be completely changed. 
• Redefinition section mentions that technology allows to create new task that was seen previously as incapable. 

 Overall, SAMR stands for substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition.

A way that the SAMR Model can be incorporated into everyday classrooms is when it comes to note taking. For substitution, the teacher can make the students download an app that everyone has access to that allows them to post notes that they take on particular readings for easy access. The augmentation part consists of a student choosing their own app that allows them to take notes. Modification is when the teacher chooses on specific app and enforces it to be used in the classroom. Lastly, redefinition is when teachers are able to have access to all of their students' notes.

-Esmeralda Valerio Leon

Pinterest in Education

Greetings,

There are various websites that helps facilitate teachers' daily routines in their classrooms.  The website that I believe that helps the most is Pinterest. Pinterest is resourceful in both saving websites that we have run into during our time in the web as well as giving teachers a source for new activities to recreate in their own classroom. Additionally, I have been using Pinterest for quite some time that it enabled me to ease routines in the day care I work in. I strongly believe that Pinterest is one of the resources that teachers should be exposed to.

-Esmeralda Valerio Leon

https://www.pinterest.com/valerioleon/tie-300/

Websites Credibilty

Hello,

Website credibility has become an important topic that has been embedded into a student academic life. There are various ways that one, as a student and a teacher, can make sure that a website is or is not credible. From a teachers' point of view, I believe that the best way to demonstrate to children whether a website is credible or not is by providing examples and making a list of what a credible source should have. A great example to show students that a website is not credible is, Wikipedia.  The main reason that I state this is due to the fact that for many years, teachers have stated that for projects and papers, Wikipedia should not be listed as a credible source. The main reason that this particular website cannot be consider credible is because any individual, professional or not, can make changes to the information that has been provided. On the other hand, a credible source can be used as an example is, an encyclopedia website or discovery.com or any sources that end in .edu or .gov. Most of these websites have been created and managed by professional individuals whom have spent their time researching for the facts relating to your topic. Additionally, a credible source should have a publication date, publisher documentation of sources, and many more valuable information.

-Esmeralda Valerio Leon

Technology in Classrooms

Welcome,

Growing up I remember that in every classroom that I was assigned to had a couple of computers that were available to students. During my elementary, high school and currently college years, I came to the realization that sometimes without technology it becomes difficult for one to stay on track. The main difference that I came across is that I during elementary technology was more of a luxury and a reward. I remember being rewarded with time in the computers if I finished my assignments before a certain time was up.This as a result made me want to push myself into focusing into the material.  Now, technology is something that is required in order to succeed. During high school and college, technology becomes a huge emphasize. I state this because now everything is done online. This means that classes can be taken online, assignments have to be turned in through websites and plagiarism as a whole can be detected more efficiently.

Esmeralda Valerio Leon

Why Blog

Greetings,

There are various views and opinions that have been created about blogging. Some may say that blogging has no place in the educational system and that blogging is more as an entertaining/hobby activity that one may do during their free time. Even though this may or may not be case, I can argue that blogging can have a significant role in the education system for various. Some of these reasons are: ease for teachers to reach students in a faster and efficient manner, stronger connection to students, and it can help students develop on their sense of technology. The articles that were provided help me realized that blogging, indeed, was a resourceful tool that should be incorporated into classrooms.

One of the reason that I have stated that blogging may be a helpful tool in the education system, specially for teachers, is because teachers can reach students, or vice versa, in a faster and efficient manner.  For example, if a teacher forgot to mention a key idea during the class period, the teacher can easy turn to the blog and make a new post that includes this specific material that may ease the learning for students. On the other hand, this may be a beneficial tool to students as well due to the fact that students questions can be answer for the whole class, specially those who are afraid to ask question. Additionally, students can leave comments on some part that they need more clarification.

Secondly, I mention that teachers can create a stronger relationship with the students. There are some cases that the teachers may not connect with their students outside the classroom because there may be no time to do so. The one thing that can be said is that teachers spend quite some time in the computer inputting grades and attendance into the spreadsheets. Blogging, as a result of this, can also be added during that time. Once the teacher learns how blogging work, they can demonstrate it to the entire classroom and not only does it facilitate work outside the classrooms, but it also helps students develop their knowledge towards technology.

-Esmeralda Valerio Leon  

About me

Hello everyone,

          My name is Esmeralda Valerio Leon. I am a 21-year-old that was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I graduated from Community Links High School, a very small high school located in the south side of Chicago. I am currently attending National Louis University (NLU) pursuing my BA in Early Childhood Education. Previously to National Louis University, I attended Harold Washington College where I obtained my Associates in Art as well as the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Even though UIC was not a big success, I plan to make the best of NLU and achieve what I been working for so long.

          I am currently working at a home day care in the north side of Chicago named, Rays of Sunshine Learning Center Inc. One of the main reasons that I enjoy working at this particular day care is due to the fact that each child gets the attention they may require than that of bigger day cares. Once I obtain my BA in ECE, I plan on becoming a lead teacher at a small day care, in order to receive additional experience, and then move on to either a CPS or Charter School classroom. I want to teach because children are great individuals to work with. Also, not only do children learn what we teach them, but we, as adults, can also learn from them.

          For many years, I made myself believe that I was an expert on technology, but as time passes and I begin to take technology classes I begin to realize that there is  a lot more to learn. Coming into this class I made sure that I didn't limit myself to learning one particular idea, but to learn as much as technology as I can that may benefit me in the future.

-Esmeralda Valerio Leon