Final Post

I am here to post for the last time in this particular blog.
    
      This class has taught me a few things, particularly, all of the Google programs we used this semester, including Prezi. Google Drive was also something that was new to me. Other programs I have used in the past for other classes, such as Google Sites, MS Power Point and Excel, and Google Maps. Jing was new to me completely, as well as Voki.
     One Assignment that I felt was the most helpful of them all was RezScore.
My Resume looks a whole lot better than before, and I have a better idea on what it should look like, as well. I would say this class was a success, and even though I was skeptical about taking this class (even though it is required) I ended up learning a lot.
     As for the final assignment, My new Millennial Score is...

 

I believe my first score was something like 63. 

 Personally, I don't know how I feel about this new score, I feel like I leaped backward in maturity, but for the sake of this class, I guess I have a better understanding of the technology of this millenium.

So, I want to thank Mr. Pierce for the help and guidance through this class and the great curriculum he has going in this class, because I learned much more than I originally expected.

    

Excel Data

This^^^ is a scatter plot of the NAEP test scores, overall, for 2011, based on state. The points are organized alphabetically, with Washington DC and DoDEA included, West virginia scored an average of 214, with the highest state being Massachusetts earning a little more than 236 on average, and the lowest, Washington DC, earning an average score of a little over 200.

1. How well are we, WV, doing? Not so great, we are 44th out of 53 areas  in terms of overall scores.
2. How many states are below WV?In terms of on the chart? 43. In terms of scores? 9.
3. How many are above your state? Chart? 9. Scores? 43
4. Are you above or below average? Average: 221 WV Males: 210. Below average

Our state isn't doing so hot in terms of test scores.

     This project was done with MS Excel, with a spreadsheet and data from Naep Tests.
     I can fit this project under standards 1b. and 2a. It shows students the true data from an actual source of information that applies to them in a real-life scenario.

My new Website!

Hi my name is Michael Robinson.

     I am pretty proud of that website, considering it took me being late on the assignment to finish. This website looks a bit slicker, I think, than my first go at creating a website (in Music Technology class).
     I created this website using Google Sites. It is a tool for creating one's own website, using html, or pre-made templates. I began by picking a company website template, which ended up being more difficult than it needed to be, thinking I could edit some of the pictures in the editor. Nonetheless, I think it turned out pretty well. After rewriting much of the template text, it started taking shape, and I also added a few pages as part of the assignment. As for the pictures, many of them I found online, or on my own Facebook.
     I can use this as a way to get a job, because my resume is on it. I can also have students use this tool for learning how to create their own website easily, for free.
     This project goes with 1a. and all of standard 2. This project really opens up a lot of avenues for students to create, and learn as they go.

Rubric File

This is my rubric.

     This rubric was created using Rubistar, which is an intuitive program for easily and quickly creating rubrics. To use it you can start from scratch, or you can choose a template for different subjects and different kinds of assignments. You can then save it to the website permanently, or keep it for a week. Otherwise, you can save it to your own computer for your own records.
      My rubric was made for a music history paper for high schoolers, where they are required to pick a composer to write about (or be given a composer by me) and explain different aspects of that composers life, including analyzing a compostition.

     This assignment follows standards 1a, 1b, 2d, 3b, and 3d. Because it is creating a way for students to effectively write a research paper and learn about a composer in the process. It provides a way for me to base evaluation on, and something to communicate to parents what students need work on.

My first test (is still not a real test)!

Link to the spreadsheet of grades can be found HERE.

     This is a short simple musical test that involves musical concepts, music history, and the mechanics of instruments. I used the link provided by Prof. Pierce to the YouTube video he posted on the assignment page to get the initial idea for the correct use of the formula. I had a bit of trouble (since this computer I am borrowing from my mother has trouble with Google related products for whatever reason) with getting the formulas to work themselves out automatically. I then tried to refresh the page and it worked, but in my confusion I searched for other formulas to use, and found a nice Tutorial resource on the same project but with more features (Dr. Mark Wagner). He provided a "nested" IF formula that creates a Letter grade based on the percentage grades in the selected cells.

HERE is my Form with the test.

     I can use this self-grading spreadsheet on many assignments in the future, of course, not this particular one, since it was an example. It is an easy to do, DIY test feature, which makes me proud to use, since I would have developed the test myself, and created the testing page for students to use.

    This assignment follows standards 1a, 2a, 2c, and 3c. It is a great assessment tool and helps speed up the process of test grading. It demonstrates the act of students using programs like this for test taking.

Forms!

Here is a link to my SPREADSHEET.

     One might notice that it is a bit cluttered, and I am not a huge fan of that aspect (I wish there was a way to name cells in the spreadsheet without altering the questions on the form, for easier, less cluttered organization). Another thing you might notice is that the spread sheet has about seven entries on it, they are all fake survey takers I just answered several times to show a difference in students. There are students who are interested in musical ensembles and ones who aren't. There is also a difference in ability levels for different aspects of music judging by rhythm and melody test scores and how good they think they are. As for the "music listening" aspect, all subjects picked a '5' because I imagine middle schoolers (who this test is aimed toward) would think it means, "am I good at listening to my iPod? Yes, of course!" I also included my girlfriend's answers as well to the test, and how well she think she would do on the rhythm/melody test portion.

Here is a link to my FORM (music survey).

     This form is basically an "Entrance to Middle School Band" survey. It would take place during a band day where interested middle schoolers are taken to the gym of their school and are ushered around different tables to learn about and try out different instruments for band. This is sort of an audition type of day where students express their interests and take a variety of tests to learn their strengths and weaknesses.
     The form is NOT meant to be filled out by everyone, but rather, only the students attending "Band Day." (which is currently fictional, for the purposes of this assignment, but may one day come to fruition in my career) As a band director, much of this information is very helpful, and this form helps to make life a little easier, by having each student finish the form before leaving for the day.

     This activity follows 2b and 2d, which refer to students tracking progress and assessing themselves, since they have to think about how good they can do different activities. It also follows closely with 3d. which talks about using digital tools to document and assess students.

Prezi Assignment

    Here is my Prezi assignment.
     Prezi is a progam that is used for presentations. It is a new version of the ever so loathed Powerpoint. It is sleeker, more active, and it can do many of the things Powerpoint can, only I find those things easier with Prezi. This tool is different in that you create the presentation either online or offline, and can be easily shared, or used in presentation materials. It also has an intuitive control 'station' that appears in your top left corner of the editing screen. It is also different in that it doesn't use "slides" per se, but rather, one large picture that zooms in and out and scrolls around to the different bits of information, turning it into a presentation. Another cool feature is that you can zoom in and out by yourself, so if you download a presentation, you do not have to follow in order, and can learn more simply by dragging the screen and zooming in and out manually.
     This tool is similar in that it uses information and time to teach a concept. Both programs can be used efficiently, but with Prezi, it's overall a little better looking. I feel this program is much better than Powerpoint, and much easier to keep my interest when actually building the presentation, let alone when watching a presentation. One thing that might make it a bit less... linear, than PPT is that if you aren't careful, you can make an audience dizzy from all of the moving and spinning the screen will be doing.

     This project follows closely with standard 3a. "Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations" and 3c. "Communicate relevant information and idea effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats." This is because it is a program that is new and innovative and it is used to communicate information. It is a helpful tool that students as well as teachers can use in lectures and presentations, that helps to affirm the rising new technologies in society.