Final post for my Masters Program.. whew. THE END

This program was amazing and the right choice for me. I am not a teacher but I cannot wait to become one, or even train individuals on the new resources I've learned during class. Google Docs was my favorite and I see myself using my Gmail account more often and telling people about Google Docs. When I entered this class I did not know 75% of the things I learned. When I heard Google Docs, I thought to myself, what in the world is that, then Louis introduced it and I was excited. I remember staying up the first night playing on it and texting others to see if they knew about Google Docs. My younger brothers knew about it, due to them using it in school. When I was in school it was all about Microsoft, ha!  

I think that I came a very long way due to the lack of a lot of the education classes that I did not take my undergraduate year. However; working with my peers/group mates made me feel in place, they worked around my situation and was very helpful. Learning about the standards for school was an eye opener. I do not know why, but I never thought about schools having certain standards. I always thought teaching was this, this, and that. When Louis, put us in groups and we all had roles to work with one another I remember reflecting back on the standards and how the principal, teacher, or student could fit in each role. 

I do not wish I knew more, I learned enough during this course. We covered so much in 5-6 week short classes and back to back, I am very surprised that I can remember everything. I did wish I knew more about certification for the state of WI before taking this class. Now that I know its best to become certified out of state- due to me spend more money in WI to take a preparatory program, I will try my best to become certified out of state.  Other than that, I enjoyed all my professors and I am very thankful for the peers I worked with during this course and the help from everyone. I wish everyone a safe holiday and better years. 

-Jessika!

Final thoughts for 565 Leadership.

During this class my definition of leadership has altered tremendously. It opened so many ways each person in the school district can act as a leader. From the superintendent down to a student's parent that is involved with the school. Before reading the text, I never considered all the other individuals as leaders; I looked at them as participants. My definition of teacher leadership would be someone who is willing and ready to go above and beyond, not necessarily a teacher. They may have a teacher characteristic but not a teacher. 

I agree with the textbook about "improving education from within", simply because if we see what we can work on in front of us and the tools we have, it makes things easier and better for us. To help, I would do anything to help improve education. I will use the learning and the tools that I have and share them. Making them feel comfortable is one way to help and continuing from there. 

Pointers.... Thanks chapter 6.. CEdO565

First, years two and three were cool but much harder to accomplish as fast as we did the first year.  We did not move others across the board as fast as we did before.  Communication was great as always with our group but we kept trying new ways to get the vision part.  Other than that I still enjoy that exercise.

Chapter six this week was a great read for me.  Every topic was a great pointer for me, simply because I am new to this and have no experience at all.  I really like the Teach Study Skills one.  We are rarely taught that but reminded a lot entering school. I can remember entering Middle school and College that we were taught studying skills.  Also, beginning homework in class is another good idea. You are able to show the students the correct way to do it and spend time with them if needed. There was a lot of good things mentioned in this chapter that will really help me.  I am looking forward to learning more. 

Week 4- CEDO 565

After reviewing and reading the book for climate and morale I did not think some teachers would need assistance or someone book telling them how their climate should be. But in reality we all need a check up sometimes.  Having respect and a comfortable environment is very important to everyone in the classroom. From teachers, principals, students, and parents it is important to have a good environment.

Doing the group assignments scoring each individual was cool.  Except the part when it kept mentioning the chair.  I just scored do not know, since it did not apply to us as a group. I enjoy working with my group as always. They are very helpful and I can count on them for resources when needed.

The class assignment was fun. At first I was very nervous and scared cause the directions had me very confused. After speaking and working with the great team we have, I figured it out. Every time we lost bins I was a little discouraged, but once we got something right, I was so happy. I was even saying yay or clapping, ha. lol!!! Communication is the key in this assignment.  I'm looking forward for part 2.

CEDO 565 Week 3

This week was a great study week and learning week for me. I enjoyed the cheese article because there are different meanings of cheese and the maze.  However; I had to read the article after watching the video clip. The clip did not make me think outside the box at first.  After thinking more in depth, I thought of a lot of meaning for cheese and the maze.  

Another thing I enjoyed this week was the Tune in article. I found myself talking with my mother about it. I laughed at the thought how older teachers look at the younger teachers, simply because I always wondered if they really did that. Being considered a Millenial, I agree that we are more open to the technology than others.  I liked that article a lot.  I wonder how the generation X or baby boomers would respond to it?!?

CEDO 565 part 2.

Week two we learned more about leadership rolls and what teacher leaders look for when selecting an applicant.  I did agree that each applicant should have the confidence in the field they are seeking employment for. One thing they should do is be very honest and confident on why they are looking to work for that employer and happy explaining it. Some things mentioned in the book was common since like preparing for the interview. I guess breaking it down was helpful as well.

During our group discussion we discussed how we feel about receiving certain type of emails from higher authority.  I truly dislike the capital letters, especially when they are in red bold print.  When I was working and received an email like that,  I think it was very rude and they should practice how they send out emails.  So the style of the email really does matter.  I really use to get offended as if the person was yelling at me when I received an email like that. 

This week was very laid back and I agreed to chapter three more.  Everything mentioned is very true and its crazy how some lack that common sense for sending an email. So far with everything I am going through, I am enjoying this class. Looking forward to the next couple of weeks. 

Leadership and Planning Blog 1. 565

The title of this class says it all for me. I always think that I am a leader in any situation, I do not follow at all. But learning how to become a leader in an education setting is great for me right now. I enjoy the book so far because it's giving you a list of ideas what John think role for teacher leaders and leadership qualities are. I can really see myself as a student activities coordinator even though I want to become a technology coordinator.  Technology leader was one of them listed as well.  All the qualities in our first reading seems like a high quality everyone would need. After reviewing the first chapter this book maybe helpful for me.

The video we had me lost a little but I understood where he came from wondering how are the leaders in the school. If you do not have a motivated, respectful, driven leader then the schools or the system will fail. That is what I got out the video on TED.  Other than that, I am looking forward to the other classes.

Final post for 555 :). EXCITING

The last couple of weeks has been a lot of work for me. Thinking back when I started this class, I was AFRAID!!! I did not know what I was getting myself into, but that is nothing new. I heard portfolio and I thought to myself- OH, Oh. I am lost!!! Nevertheless, after completing my portfolio I am very pleased and excited about it. I found myself showing my mom the finish project and explaining it to her. I forgot my mom has her degree in education already, ha! I hope to use my e-portfolio within the next couple of months applying to jobs and hope that it displays my growth, with no education experience at all. I am very proud of myself.

While doing the final project my choice was a class to introduce succeeding online. Almost like our very first class during this program, but I made it a much longer class. Going through the importance of procrastinating and the importance of being in class is something I mentioned in my time line. I think that there are going to be more online classes versus face to face, so introducing this to children early will be crucial. I am very excited about my portfolio again. I really hope that it shows my growth to others. This class was awesome!


Check out my portfolio- Jessika Bragg's e-Portfolio. What do you think???

555 - 3rd post- getting rough.

Things are becoming more difficult for me right now. Not so the work, but being in contact with the professor. I know she maybe receiving a lot of emails, but I completed my culminating project and I wonder if I did it correctly. I hope Kris talks about that in class.  Picking what to do my project on was not a bad as I thought it was. I really put use of the examples that she provided for us. I just hope things are great and I do not need to make any corrections. However; my portfolio is coming a long, I am just working on each of the standards now and trying to remember different artifacts for each of the classes.  I still need to do my voice part for my introduction, which I already have an intro typed into my portfolio, I am guessing they want to know if we can really do something that we learned in class.


I think there is a lots that need to be done in the class but not enough time. Some teachers maybe on break, but I am still working. So I guess that is one I will have to swallow. For this being my first time doing a portfolio, I am excited about my work thus far.  I hope that everything turns out right and I cannot wait for Thursday class to see what I need to fix or some other helpful ideas we can do together. Finishing the chart in the last class together was helpful. I referred to that presentation, simply because I needed it. Once again, we shall see!

555 Blog 1

So I noticed, I had to do blog 1. Well let me think back to class one in 555. I was very nervous about this class when I saw the title of it and thought to myself , Oh oh this one is going to be a tough class. After being introduced and Kris had a template for us to use, I knew it will be a little easier of me to understand. 


As far as creating a portfolio, I know it will be beneficial for our teaching career experience and I get the concept of it. Versus presenting in front of a board, we are showing our progress electronically due to this being an online class. I know this will be a process for me and more of a patience and understanding thing, but I hope I do not become frustrated or scared about the "level" of my work. 


We shall see!

Creative Commons 555. Blog 2.

Using creative commons (CC) in a classroom have its  pros and cons. I think as a teacher you may want to help others and allow them to use your resources or work. Then you may also want to have a CC on your lessons that are provided on the web that includes audio or video on them. Found in this article , Tools for TEKS: Integrating Technology in the classroom, I like the four questions that were asked. If you answered yes to any of them then of course you want a creative commons on your work. You may be a teacher or know a teacher that does not want modification of any of their work. Then some may say why post or share your work at all. Creative Commons can be for a good use. I think it is for a good use, but we cannot get them confused on when to use them and how. There are still guidelines to follow when using creative commons.

Final thoughts

This class was very interesting. I didn't know what to expect but overall I learned more about different type of teaching styles. Face to face classrooms to me will be fading away but not as much. I think the world will have more online/virtual classrooms.  Not being a teacher I didn't understand most of the different style of teaching, but now I do. I enjoyed our mapping assignment we had to do.  As far as our last presentation last week for our lesson plan, I enjoyed doing that. I think there are somethings I can change for next time. I like Kris feedback of using a power point next time to make it easier for. I agree, because Kris does that for some of our assignments when she have templates for us to use. Other that that, I expressed my feelings more in my last weeks blog so I don't have anything else new to say.  Kris is a very helpful instructor and I enjoy having her as a professor.

CEDO 550 Final Post

Predicting what will happen in the future is very hard to do.  We do not know what can happen later today, so how will we know something in two years or more? I do predict that we will have more online learning and of course less teachers. I do not want to say there will  be no more traditional face to face schooling because that takes away a lot of things student's and children can learn.  If that is taken away, students will become more sheltered, have less respect, and become dumbfounded to a lot more real life situations.  


It's not only about the school but how the students learn to handle real life situations and the outside world.  Being able to start school at the age of three is a good experience for me and I hope they continue to have that. I rather have online education start throughout high school and make it a choice. A con about online learning is being able to meet people across the world and not only in your city. You are able to make different friends but only online of course. Pricing maybe a lot for a districts and too much for students or their families. 


Who know's what will happen? I hope they take a lot of things in consideration when deciding about education in ten  years or more.   This class has prepared me to think about the future and what there is to come. We shall see!!!

CEDO 550 Week 4

The article provided to us to read- Web 2.0 May Not Be Formative Assessment  was very nice, short and straight to the point. I do not know how a student can use twitter, cell phones, and Flickr as formative assessment. With that being said I think blogs and wikis are the best for formative assessment. I choose blogs because I was introduced to them in this cohort and I think its the best way to see someone's improvements.  Looking at the flow chart and following those steps will make the student very successful and helping the students learn and understand better. Sharing feedback is important, I see why our teachers make us respond to other blogs, we can get an idea and share what and how we fill about their post. I think sharing feedback is very important during any type of assignment or assessment giving. I will use blogs during a class and I hope others do too.

Here's the chart: Tuttle's Stages of Formative Assessment

Are you good enough for online learning?!?

This week assignment was cool and different. I notice that I am comfortable with only two positions as being an online instructor. Those two positions will be social Director and of course, technical assistant.  After reviewing the first document Wearing four pairs of shoes – The online instructor provided by Kris, I knew exactly which one's will be great for me.  Before doing this assignment, I already knew that I will not fit into any of them and this is not the way I want to teach- online. It seems hard in a way, but more time on your hands. Like the speaker said in class last week, you have more time to do your things, you're not locked in a classroom for eight hours of the day. I need to be more confident in doing this style of teaching and more practice. My chart below describes what I need to improve in each category.

Instructor Have more interaction with students Be able to stay focus with students and during class Learn how to respond faster to students via email. Know more about keeping the classroom at a steady and learning pace	Social Director Check on groups while working with one another. Make good/interesting discussions. Be more vocal **This one is easier for me because I like discussions and its easy for me to come up with synchronous and asynchronous assignments.***
Technical Assistant Should know more about each type of computer. You don't’ know what type of computer a student will use during class. Be able to troubleshoot faster and hopefully not during class. **This is the best one for me. I have a degree in computer science and I can troubleshoot all day long**	Program Manager Being able to organize the lesson plan. Being better at creating rubrics. Set up video conference with students to meet the one time.

Week two of 550.. comparisons

I decided to do all three since I experienced all three of them before in education. There was not much to enter for all three of them together at all. Blended education was great for me my senior year in undergraduate due to me having a baby. You can either go to the classroom one day or stay meet online. It's a very awesome program to experience. Face to face (in class) education, everyone experiences it and you have more to deal with. More friend interaction, more time to procrastinate, and more distractions. Again, I thought back as a student, which I'm currently am and how I felt as a student in each education setting. Hopefully I explained everything well. During our group and individual assignment for the community build, I really enjoyed it. There were different types of icebreakers that I came across and great ideas. I would try some of those, when I do a training at my church next month. Other than that, below you will see my comparison diagram.

My thoughts of the online masters program thus far... 550 # 1

My senior year in college I took most of my classes online due to my daughter being born. At first I was very nervous due to discrete math taken online, ha. Other than that I was very comfortable with my classes. We used the old blackboard account and I thought when I enrolled in this program here at Stritch, this was the blackboard we were going to use.  However; it was not and I was very pleased.  I did not like the standard blackboard due to having to log on four times out the week and that good stuff. 


I always wanted to do my masters but not in computer science. I have a passion working with computers and I love helping others out.  Since I took two years off I thought signing up for school would be the best thing to do.  I was so astound at the program I came across looking for a Online school to attend. When I read the description of the classes I was happy and thought this is not so.  I always wanted a class for teaching computers and helping others without taking another programming class. I dislike programming so much.  


Since school started I am very pleased with the information I am learning about. Of course the computer stuff like spreadsheets, excel, etc, was a little boring to me but I used that time as a 'laid-back' class.  My first time signing onto Angel I was confused and happy that it was something new that I am doing. I was very nervous due to me working with a lot of teachers and thinking I was going to be behind in class. But every time I send an email to the professors, I get a respond back within two days or so.  I like the courses offered, especially  now since it's giving me a different view on things and I am learning new things as well. Working at my own place is a good thing too. I like taking my time and being in charge of my homework. 


The only downfall with the program is the meeting with peers to do group work.  I get the point of it, but it's time consuming. Everyone schedules are totally different and I am a very busy young lady. I do not know if this is a must but I think they should remove it as a requirement, and we will have the choice to email peers for questions like we do the instructors. On a good note, I'm excited that I am actually working on my masters program, and graduation is soon. :)

Entry Five of statistics...mmmhmmm

This week in class we did research on different data websites.  I really enjoyed learning more about NCES. This website is my new best friend. I enjoy it so much especially since this is my first year sending my first time sending a child to school. I researched Kennedi's school where she was accepted at which is St. Marcus in Milwaukee and I liked how it broke down different topics.  This website is very understandable and easy to use.  You can search a range of different things from public to private schools.  I like this website better than the WINSS one. NCES is very easy to use.

Our group assignment was fun, and I enjoy using Google Insight better than Google Trends.  Google Insight has better results and layout.  When I first did the search we decided to search something simple like the iPad 3. Then I searched Colleges in the United States.  I noticed that my searches were to broad, so I went deeper and search cost of Colleges in the United States and acceptance rates, etc. Then I started receiving more results and having a better topic to discuss.

This week was a resource learning week for me.  Even though I am not a teacher I will be on NCES a lot. Again, teachers and parents can enjoy this website.  This is the end to our statistics class and I will miss Jim as always.  This class was awesome, I cannot stress it enough how much I love learning.  I cannot wait to meet with Jim again.

See you in the next class you all. Let's keep pushing we have now four classes left. Once this class starts we have 3. Can we say yippee!!!!

Week 4- Statistics.. time is flying... oh and Bill Tancer Prom dresses

This week in class we watched videos and read about Bill Tancer.  I actually enjoyed what I was reading and watching. The longer video (Bill Tancers Video) was very interesting. While watching it I thought to myself people already collect data this way. But Bill took it an entire different level.  He did catch my eye with prom dresses. I'm like why is a guy so interested in prom dresses, ha! Now I know.  I like how he tested his idea about the dancing with the stars scenario.  I agree too that people do lie on surveys, I do not think we will ever get an accurate answer. We may get the average answer but not accurate answer. I can see myself doing more reading on Bill Tancer or things he writes about it.  Again, I never thought to go that deep into data collection. That is something I would love to do.

This week assignment for the group was understandable. I will need more practice problems for the group assignment with the z-scores, etc.  I loved how our survey turned out. We received more responses then the assignment asked for, I was happy to discuss the results and see how different fields of study thought about the technologies we should use and/or teach before a student graduate.  I loved the futurist idea. People always wonder what is the next career boom, this assignment did just that. If gave us the opportunity to discuss how each of us feel is the next boom for the introductory of a new job. Every group idea so far looks exciting.

Once again, in this class I am learning a lot. :) Thanks Jim and to my group members for helping me gain more knowledge- Curtis and Rob.

Week three of Statistics.. my thoughts!!!

This week was a graceful week for me as far as homework. I am excited for this assignment that is due in the fifth class. We decided to do a survey on the technology that teachers, parents, any one think would be beneficial for students in the future.  I really enjoy assignments like this because it can help any one of us and we can always go back to this survey to get the average numbers of yes and no's.  I like this assignment for statistics because we can figure out the mean and median of the surveyed people.

The group assignment was very understanding this week as well. I will continue using the spreadsheets for the standard deviation. It's funny because my friend is a marketing and accounting major. When I mention how I figure out the SD he told me I was doing it the easy way 'cheating,' ha! I do not think so at all.  I am also happy that I am learning in this class as well. I cannot wait to see how the results are of our survey.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Week two of Statistics

Working with my group during week two was phenomenal. I learned a lot of information, but as I'm typing, I'm not understand what happened to my original blog entry. I signed on and it says week 2 is saved as a draft. Bummer!!! All of my thoughts are gone, but I can remember that I had a lot of question about standard deviation and how to figure it out.  Currently our group use spreadsheets to get the answer. Which is not a bad idea. When skew was mentioned on the GP assignment as well, I was a little lost.  I must say this is high school all over :)

Statistics... o_O.. not again! Course 540

First can we say STATISTICS.. like what?!? A couple of days before class started when I read the description of the class I was like noooooo, math! Well somewhat right?!? I honestly remember the last time I took a statistics class was back in 2004/2005 yearsss ago. After working with Curtis and Rob lastnight I have a great understanding of it.  Thanks to Curtis for understanding statistics a lot more than I. 

Looking ahead, this will be a more challenging class for me, but I am excited because I will not get bored easy, ha!  I am ready for the projects to begin. Also spring break! lol..

Let the work begin....

Last Week of 535

This week class was by far the most relaxing week! Ha! I know we did not have any assignments to do but yes, it was much needed. After reviewing my most recent post about twitter and mixing it with my personal life I will delete my peers from school as my friends and make another one for educational resources.  I find that very funny that this was all mentioned this week because my sister and I were just talking about twitter for business and personal life. With that being said, I will re-add you all under another twitter account. Thank Nate and Curtis for the advice.  Again, I only added you all for this class.

I can see my self using my Google Site I made for the class more than I will use twitter for education. I do see the reasons for using twitter for education NOW. More than likely I am using my Google Site. With my that I will be updating basic computer information. Helping others understand computer terms and how to use it. I plan to use my site as a learning center/informational center.  I will also like individuals to upload work and let me grade/look at them.

Proving that things are done correctly, I will have the file cabinet available. If the work was sent via email or file cabinet it will automatically come to me.  If a person says they sent it and it was not sent to me I would meet via Skype or Google hangout and screen share.  I can also make a screen cast, showing individuals how to send work to me.

On my Learning Area site, I do have a resource area, just if individuals need help or information on how to do something. Having the time is not a problem for me.  Since WIFI is offered everywhere, I can get in touch with individuals. After six PM would be the best time to reach me, but who knows if this will stay the same. So devoting time will be something to consider.

Having a timeline on your wikispace or Google Site seems very important.  It's easier for the viewer to know what they are going to access and what they are looking for.  Having the timeline, causes less problems and headaches.  Also, a timeline should always be updated when you update a new side item, adding or deleting.

I really enjoy this class, I felt I was more involved and learned more information about Google sites, twitter, and web 2.0 apps. I'm excited for the next class. It seems like now I'm learning more information and different things. I was use to the basic computer technology and the how to's.  I enjoyed my group as well, they all were a great help-- Kristy, James, and Nate. Thanks so much.

I'm ready for the next one!

Putting it all together

This week was easier for me. I did look at other web 2.0 apps for our assignment and there are so many different cool ones. Some of them that I explored was livemeetings, hall.com, and zumko. I enjoyed all three of those. Hall.com reminds me of what we do now (online classroom).  Virtual classrooms! After more of the web 2.0 apps I think there are going to be more online classrooms. When I hear people going back to school they are looking for online classes. I mean it is better and it goes around your schedule (depending on which school you attend).

Making a Google website was cool. A little of challenges for me. I noticed when you choose a theme you cannot change the size of the boxes you would like to type in. So you may have more space before you get to the other box to type another text. I think mines turned out well. I did enjoy doing it though. Here is mines----> Click me

Screencasting- Entry Four!

This week I learned a lot about screencasting and podcasting. Laurence tweeted information on the iPad apps for screencasting and I actually downloaded all the FREE one's. ha! I noticed they do the same so I am going to work with them all tonight and see which one I like the best to place as my assignment.  This class has thus far been amazing. Since I am learning a lot of things that I never knew. I am more excited because I can actually download apps for education on my iPad.


This week reading has been amazing and again a learning experience for me. I learned how to use the iTunes for podcasting. I learned about different audio features. i.e Audacity, that is to create and edit MP3 files. Easier one's were mentioned like Podomatic.com and Odeo.com, these are made to do them easier and less work. I really enjoyed this chapter and this week work.

Week three and a horrible holiday break

I just need to say: These past two weeks I wanted to call a vacation but could not call a vacation. When I say no rest, I mean NO REST at all. My uncle was rushed to the hospital late Tuesday night and passed away Wednesday. I had to work, then attempt to do Christmas shopping, church Sunday morning and slept all Monday, back to work, then funeral this passed Wednesday, then work again. I was off for new years, but going to church threw my body off so I slept again Monday. I tried to do some work and the only thing I got done was my Flickr account. My body is TIRED. I do not know what to do, at time I want to quiet but I know I can do better than that. 

So clearly, I am still here.  I read chapter five but it felt like I read it before. o_O But I am excited like everyone else to learn more about the RSS. I have used Google alerts and now I am going into Google reader to start my free account. I like how the book describes different ways to use it and why would should use it.  I also like how the google reader list the blogs you are following on your home page. I was like huh at first lol, very cool site. The RSS feed is for everyone because it's easy point, blank, and simple. Especially a person doing research. Like the book said, it's doing research for you 24/7. All you have to do is read about it.  I would do a RSS for technology and the latest electronics as of right now.

I hope I am ready for class on Thursday and Happy new year to all.