Mapping Digital Spaces

What is a Digital Space Map?

A digital space map is a way for people to see how they are engaging in the different modes of online engagement. There are four spaces: visitor, resident, personal and professional. If you find yourself searching the internet for information, watching videos, or online shopping, you are considered to be a visitor. The user leaves no social trace in the above scenarios. Conversely, if you are active on social media, such as making comments or joining in an online discussion, then you are considered a resident. In this space, you are active online and you are engaging with others. These actions leave a social trace. The last two spaces, personal and professional, refer to the way that the person uses the application (or app) or internet. For example, an email account used to send pictures to a  family member would be considered personal. An example of a professional use would be my Twitter account since it is only used for class assignments. 

My Digital Space Map:

(Photo credit: multiple google image searches) 

What my Digital Map says about me:

After mapping out my digital space, I realized that I do not have a big social media presence. I tend to be more of a visitor. I do a lot of researching, Googling, and watching videos to stay up to date on assignments for classes. I am a resident of Twitter and Blogger for class assignments, but it isn't something I use on a personal level. When it comes to things that are in two spaces, such as Google, I use the search engine not only for my personal use, but also for looking up things for work and school (professional). I  also found that I am a resident when it comes to apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Pintrest, and text messaging. I use those apps for my own personal use, but not on a professional level. When I am on the apps, I am interacting with friends or groups that have similar interests. These actions leave behind a social trace. 

Trends in Educational Technology

Wearable Technology:

(Photo Credit: Iron Spring Design)

Video:

Wearable Technology Presentation

Additional Resources:

1.Wearable Technology and Health- This website gives more information on how wearable technology is helping people with their health. There are examples of more health wearable technologies as well for information about the ones I covered in my presentation.

2.Examples of Wearable Technology-This website has examples of more wearable technology. It also discusses things such as smart shoes, clothing and glasses that I didn't really touch on. It describes each of the wearable technologies and gives you a better overview of their uses. 

3.Article on Wearable Technology and School-This is a great paper on wearable technology and where we are and where we go from here. It research that supports the use of wearable technology in school as well as it helping kids with health problems and students who have disabilities. It also discusses in more detail how wearable technology will have challenges getting into schools. 

4.Past, Present, Future of Wearable Technology- This article by Grace College gives us a brief history of wearable technology. This too discusses how health technology is evolving and the statistics of the growing wearable technology industry. 

5.History of Wearable Technology-I really enjoyed checking out this website. It starts at the very beginning of when wearable technology was first invented and goes through all the different decades and the wearable technology that was invented during that time. It is also nice because there are pictures so you can see how the technology has progressed through the ages. 

6.Wearable Technology and Universities-In this article is discusses wearable technology and how it is being used in colleges. Like I talked about in my presentation there are pros and cons for this technology in schools. The article touches on that and the concern for cheating on exams. It also shares ways that wearable technology is being used is college and shares some great apps and tools that are being used to help students. 

Integrating Technology into the Classroom

TPACK Framework Introduction:

What is it?

The TPACK framework stands for Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge. It is comprised of three domains which are illustrated using circles that individually by themselves display a knowledge area. When the circles overlap, the areas come together to form a ‘sweet spot’ that allows teachers to effectively engage and teach students using technology.

Technological Knowledge (TK): This is how technology is being used to help assist students. The teacher knows about the technology and is using it as a tool or resource. 

Content Knowledge (CK): This is what the teacher knows. It is the knowledge they have about a subject they are teaching. If the Civil War is the subject content being taught then the teacher should know about the Civil War. 

Pedagogy Knowledge (PK):  This is the teaching methods, instructional strategies, and assessments that teachers use to help students learn. Some examples are think-pair-share, small group, whole class activities, modeling, etc. 

How do they overlap? The 'sweet spot' 

Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK): This is the knowledge that you have of how to effectively engage students in learning concepts and skills to better help them learn. 

Technological Content Knowledge (TCK): The teacher takes their technology knowledge and applies it to what is being taught to help students better understand the concept being taught. 

Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK): This is when teachers learn how to use digital tools as an aid to achieve learning. Teachers will find that technology tools can change the way a lesson is taught. 

Photo credit: mheducation

Self-evaluation of Framework:

When I started skimming over this next blog post I felt a little overwhelmed with all the frameworks because I had never heard of these before. After watching the videos, reading and researching each one I tried to figure out which one would be the most beneficial to my career. I picked the TPACK because I found it to be something that would benefit not only me, but my future students in special education. I found the TPACK to be very inclusive and the use of technology to be engaging for students. I would say that I fall into the beginning stages of this framework. TPACK framework is something new to me.  I hope with time and trial and error I can progress to becoming proficient using this framework. I can see it being beneficial to my students as well as my self and something easy to incorporate into future lessons. 

(Information in this blog is modified from tpack.org and mheducation. Please click the links to learn more about TPACK.)

Getting To Know Me

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my first blog ever. I am very excited to meet everyone and learn more about each person.   Some background about me:  I went to Western Illinois University, GO LEATHERNECKS!  I earned my Bachelor's degree in Communication. I also earned a Master's degree in Business because I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do the rest of my life. My grandma and grandpa have always been huge supporters of my ever changing career choices. My grandpa always tells me, "pick something you love Ashley, because it's what you will do the rest of your life." I always thought I was just going to float around from job to job, never really finding my true passion. It wasn't until I received a new job opportunity that changed my life plans. I started working as an instructional aide in an elementary school. After the first day, I went back home and finally understood what my grandpa meant by finding something I love. I enrolled at Dominican University in order to earn my Master's degree in Special Education. I currently have one semester left until I student teach in the spring.

My grandparents (personal photo)

I am currently working in an elementary school in Clarendon Hills, where during the week I go by Ms. B. I absolutely love our classroom and all the chaos that comes with it. I wake up and drive to work excited about the day ahead and what surprises may lie ahead. I love being able to help students find what works best for them and help them realize how smart they are. I have truly found my passion for teaching. I cannot wait to take all the information I have learned from classes, as well as my experiences as an aide, and use them in my own classroom one day.

Now to the good stuff.....

I currently live in Woodridge with my boyfriend (Joe) and my dog (my child). My dog is my best friend, and the most spoiled princess you will ever meet. My boyfriend and I are HUGE Disney fans!  It is one of our favorite places to go on vacation. I even named my dog Minnie Mouse, after my favorite character. When I am not at work, going to classes, or doing homework, I love to be snuggled on the couch with Minnie.  Below are two pictures of Minnie. The second picture is of Minnie dressed up.  (personal photos)

This is a picture of Joe and me eating our way around Epcot. (personal photo)

Here we are celebrating Christmas at Disneyland. (personal photo)

 I also love going to Disney with my friend Danielle, who is also a huge fan. (personal photo)

A nonDisney photo of the two of us. (personal photo)

FUN FACTS:

* I love to travel any chance I get. My favorite destination (so far) has been Maui. I love the laid back feeling of island life, but after a week I need to get back to my regular fast paced life.

* My freshman year I went college at Hawaii Pacific University. 

* I LOVE all animals, but dogs are my favorite. 

* If I won the lottery, I would buy a huge piece of land and save as many animals as I could. I hate that so many animals don't know the feeling of being loved. 

* I do NOT like my foods to touch. 

* I have a brother who is 19. He is an amazing hockey player.

* I love to ride on my Peloton bike. 

* I can't start my day till I have had my Starbucks!

This is ME! If you want to know anything about Disney or dogs, please comment. I also love a good dog picture/video or Disney tip!

Thank you!