Session+1+-+Orientation


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= Session 1: Orientation and Introduction =



__Welcome and Overview__

 * On the homepage of this course please read the course overview, objectives, expectations, requirements and schedule. It is important for every participant to understand what is required of them before they begin this program. If you have any questions or immediate concerns please contact Judi Allen and/or Michele Magner.
 * When you have read the introductions please read the Essential Questions for this session, then complete tasks 1-6 to complete this session.

**__Essential Questions__**
1. What are the essential skills for success in the 21st century? 2. How can a virtual notebook be a valuable tool for our students?

__Tasks__
Before starting the starting the course it is important to guage where you are in terms of your technical knowledge. Please selct the link below and complete the survey:
 * 1.1 Survey**

[|WWW.SURVERYMONKEYLINKHERE.COM]

__Consider__: Role of the teacher, responsibilities of the students, role and use of technology, content, curriculum, assessment, anything else you deem appropriate. Be sure to SAVE your response.
 * 1.2 Brainstorm: Open a blank Word document and respond to the following prompt: What is your vision of a 21st Century classroom?**


 * 1.3** **Readings: Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards and The National Educational Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers and Students**

The Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards defines what K–12 students should know and be able to do in order to use technology for learning. The teaching and learning of these skills will be integrated into your Social Studies or Science unit plan.

The International Society for Technology in Education is an organization that promotes improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. It has developed the following standards:

Open and read each of the following: BREAK DOWN MASSACHUSETTS STANDARDS BY GRADE AND PAGE!!! [] National Educational Technology Standards for Students National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers

1. Relative to the Massachusetts Technology Literacy standards for your grade level, what can most of your students already do? Where do most of your students need development?
 * In a new Word document, please __complete the following__ regarding these standards:**

2. For each of the two sets of national standards, rank them in importance and justify your choice for the most important.

Your vision of a 21st century classroom constitutes an important element of this course which will evolve through each session. Having developed your initial vision, __read the following articles__: //Tapscott on Changing Pedagogy for the Net Generation,// []
 * 1.4 Readings: 21st Century Classroom**

[]



Posting in our discussion forum is a major component of this course. Before you make your first post please read our norms for discussion:
 * 1.5 Forum Post**

__ Norms for discussion __

 * __ Show your thoughts __ : be clear in your responses to other members of the community, make sure others know that you have read what they have offered, stating specifically who and what you may agree or disagree with and/or what you are commenting on.
 * __ Respect one another’s views: __ be a part of the conversation, assume positive intent, your perspective is valuable, make sure that your online community knows what you are thinking. Respect one another while “pushing” the thinking of the group and/or individual.


 * __ Brevity and clarity are key __ : take the time to edit your contributions before posting them, everyone has a lot to read and limited time, make sure your comments are succinct and clearly stated.


 * Go to the discussion forum and respond to the following prompt, being sure to reference the articles:**

**What is your vision of a 21st Century Classroom? How do schools, teachers, and students need to adapt in order to be successful?**

1.6 Creating a virtual notebook
Throughout the course you will be completing your work in your own internet based notebook or in the forum discussion on the Moodle site. We have found success with using wikispaces as the environment for virtual notebooks. What you will do is set up your own virtual notebook that you will use for this course and can then use as a model for student notebooks in your classroom if you choose (or you may decide to create a model virtual notebook for the purpose of walking students through the set up of their own).

__Directions__:

__Creating your Wikispace__
1. Watch the following video [] 2. Go to www.wikispaces.com If you already have an account please sign in. If you do not already have an account please create one by entering a username, password and email address into the spaces provided and select get started. 3. Create a new wiki. For this course your wikispace (Which will be your virtual notebook) should be named as your first name then last initial followed by "virtual notebook". (Example: for John Smith it would be JohnSVirtualNotebook) This will give your wikispace the address [|www.johnsvirtualnotebook.wikispaces.com]. Next select your wiki permisssions as Protected (free) and your wikitype as K-12 Education. (see example below.)



__Customizing a Wiki__
1. View the following video []

2. Now go M**anage Wiki,** then **Look and Feel** then **Themes and Colors** choose a the color scheme you would like. We suggest that you use the notebook theme.(see below)

__Creating a Homepage__

 * The first page on your wiki is your home page. Please create a home page similar to the example shown here: www.johnsvirtualnotebook.wikispaces.com

Start by selecting **EDIT,** this will bring up your editor tool bar as seen below**.** Using the dropdown tab (where "normal" is written) select **Heading 1** and write the title **"About Me"** Next Select **file.** __To insert an image from your computer__ select **upload files**, browse for the file you want to include. Once you have selected the file it will appear on the left side of the file menu. Select this file and it will appear on your page. __To insert an image from the web__ select the **external file** tab, then enter the web adddress of the image you want to include and select **load**. Finally, using **normal** text enter details about yourself. You should include details of your teaching experience and your motivations for participating in this project. Feel free to experiment**.** Make sure to select **SAVE** when you are finished


 * Edit Icon || **Details** ||
 * [[image:Text.PNG]] || **Bold,** //Italicize// **or** __Underline__ **your text** ||
 * [[image:fonts.PNG]]​ || Change the Font, Color, Allignment and Size of your text ||
 * [[image:dropdown.PNG]] || This dropdown menu allows you to choose between normal text and headings of varying sizes ||
 * [[image:numbering.PNG]] || # Numbering
 * Bulleting ||
 * [[image:Line.PNG]] || Allows you to draw a line across your page ||
 * [[image:link.PNG]] || Allows you to creat a link in your wikispace. You can create and name a link to another page on your wikispace (Internal Link) or you can create and name a link to an external website. By checking the Open in a new Window box your link will open in a new window ||
 * [[image:File.PNG]] || Allows you to attach a file to your wikispace. This could be a word document, image, PDF, or even a movie file. ||

Return to the Moodle site - **Forum Post** respond to the following:
 * 1.7 __Forum Post__ -** **Think/Write/Pair/Share**


 * Think/Write**

//How does the use of a virtual notebook have the potential to address the state and national technology standards as well as fit your vision of a 21st Century classroom?//


 * Pair/Share**
 * Post your response in the Moodle forum
 * Open and read a response from one of your group members
 * Comment to this members post
 * Read other comments and posts