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Final Reflection for Web 2.0

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As this course comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much my outlook on educational technology has evolved. I came in knowing there were a lot of digital tools out there, but I didn’t fully grasp how deeply they could impact student learning and teacher practice until I had the chance to dive in and explore them for myself. Over the past few weeks, I’ve worked with tools like AI, Hyperdocs, YouTube, Book Creator, and Seesaw. What stood out to me is how these tools aren’t just about delivering content, they’re about making learning more interactive, personal, and student-centered. For example, Seesaw and Book Creator allow young learners to demonstrate their thinking through drawings, voice recordings, or videos. That level of flexibility is so powerful, especially for early elementary students who may not yet be confident writers. It's clear to me that giving students a voice and options is critical. Hyperdocs and platforms with AI can allow students to guide their own educ...
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Hyperdocs

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 Exploring Hyperdocs Before this week, I thought I had a decent idea of what hyperdocs were. I had used Google Docs before to link out to videos or activities for my students, but this week showed me that true hyperdocs are so much more than that. They’re not just a list of links, they’re a way to structure inquiry, spark curiosity, and empower students to move at their own pace while still hitting learning goals. What I Learned I discovered that the foundation of hyperdocs is student voice choice and creativity from the Ditch That Textbook article. The article supports the transition from teacher-led to student-led learning. I was also better able to comprehend how hyperdocs adhere to the Engage Explore Explain Apply Share Reflect and Extend learning cycle thanks to the SFUSD guide. I was really struck by that structure and it caused me to reevaluate how I design lessons particularly for young students who require both structure and flexibility. Hyperdocs That Actually Work in Ele...
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YouTube University

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This week, I went on an exciting YouTube Adventure and while I’ve always used YouTube for everything from learning to entertainment, this week gave me the chance to view the platform in a completely new light. It wasn’t just about watching videos for fun or finding a quick tutorial. This time it was about learning with intention, organizing meaningful content, and treating YouTube like a personalized classroom.  Welcome to my journey through YouTube University! I’ve always been a YouTube fan, whether it’s watching lifestyle vlogs, quick recipe hacks, classroom activity ideas, or deep dives into new skills, YouTube has been my go-to search engine for “how to do literally anything.” Need to reset your Wi-Fi? YouTube. Trying to understand a new teaching strategy? YouTube. Want to laugh after a long day? YouTube got that too. But this week, I wasn’t just casually scrolling. I took time to build structured playlists, reflect on what I’m consuming, and organize content that would help me...
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Exploration in AI

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This week we were assigned to an adventure to “Explore AI”. This assignment let me check out artificial intelligence in a way that makes me think more than before. I’ve already been using AI a bit here and there to help with talking to parents or coming up with ideas in my classroom, but while doing this assignment, I got to dig into ChatGPT and Gemini AI (which I’ve never heard of) and it showed me what AI is good at and what AI struggles with. This was the first time I was able to compare two different chatbots and I must say, it was a learning experience, for sure.  Both AI helpers were super fast at making content at some points. As a first grade teacher with a ton to do sometimes, having something that takes care of planning and making content is a big help. I learned that the more details you give, the better the answer. Like, when I asked ChatGPT and Gemini to make a 10 question quiz with multiple choices about first grade phonics or reading, with 4 or 5 choices, I saw that ...
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Vanity Search

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 Vanity Search For my class assignment, I googled  my full name in quotes to see what’s out there when someone looks me up. I wasn’t sure what I’d find  and the results gave me something to think about. First up was my LinkedIn profile, which makes sense since I set it up. It shows my current role as a 1st grade teacher and cheerleading coach in Dallas ISD, plus my Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. It was good to see that stuff  since it shows my work life in a good  way.  After that, I saw my Pinterest profile, with all my saved collections like my hair inspo, meal prep ideas, and classroom decor . While it’s more of a fun hobby personally, it’s still public. It made me think about how even “non-work” sites add to who we are online. I was also surprised to find something from a site called ZoomInfo. I’ve never seen or used it, but it had my name, where I am, that I teach in Dallas ISD, and some hidden contact info. It was li...
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Personal Retrospective

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  1. What was the build you’re most proud of and why? My favorite part was the rolling dice circuit. It took me way out of my comfort zone, not only wiring it up carefully but wiring it then coding something creative to make the dice “roll” realistically. It was the worse at times (all those wires!) But seeing it work was a huge weight off my shoulders. Collaborating with my husband to work out the bugs in the code made it a fun collaboration, and I liked the way the project incorporated both technical skills and creativity. 2. Where were you when you started, and where did you end up? I knew very little about circuits and code when I first started. Even the most basic projects, like making an LED blink, used to terrify me. By the end, I was building more advanced circuits that combined multiple components and writing code which is shocking. It's amazing to see how much more confidence I got along the road. 3. What did you learn that you didn’t know before? How to wire and build ci...
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