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By: Nadine Farquharson

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Content

Content Page

About the creator 3-4

About e-portfolio 5

Purpose of this e-portfolio 6

Roles of 21st

Curriculum, Learners and Educators 7-8

Tools

1. Microsoft Word Processor 9

2. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet 10

3. Microsoft PowerPoint 11

4. Microsoft Access Database 12

5. Microsoft Publisher 13

6. Photostory3 14

7. Audacity 15

8. Windows Movie Maker 16

9. Paint 17

10. Edmodo 18

Reference 19

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About the Creator

Nadine Antonnette Farquharson, born on the 24th

day of the

eight month in year 1987 describes herself as a self

motivated, discipline, creative and dedicated young woman.

She grew up in a rural district known as Lennox Bigwoods

in the parish of Westmoreland. Her early education began

at the Chantilly Basic School and Chantilly Primary School.

At age twelve (12) she was promoted to the Maud McLeod

High School in the same district through the Grade Six

Achievement Test. Throughout her years of the primary and

secondary level of education, she has always being a determine, self-motivated

and mannerly young girl. Despite the challenges faced from a tender age, she

would strive to make the best of the limited resources available to improve her

learning.

Having left high school in the year 2004, a year later she joined the National Youth Service

Programme and was placed at the Maud McLeod High School. During the six months of this

experience, she demonstrated her loyalty, dedication and honesty in the position of Clerical

Assistant. Having displayed all these wonderful attributes, she was granted the position of

Assistant Secretary to the Principal and worked there until she left for The Mico University

College in September 2009.

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She left for college in faith and she believed that she was mentally prepared to take on the

challenges of being trained to become an effective Information Technology educator. Although

she never dreamed of becoming a teacher, she took this challenge because of what she

experienced while working with students at the Maud McLeod High. The passion for teaching

and helping students to learn have evoked from helping students to complete various School

Based Assessments, and in particular, Information Technology. Having worked in the position

at the school, her technology skills developed rapidly and as her skills developed so was her love

and interest in helping students in the area of Information Technology.

She found much joy in helping students to learn. Often times, she heard students complaining

about the difficulty of Information Technology and it pained her heart to hear these words

uttered from different voices. As a result, she is now striving towards the goal of becoming the

next competent, knowledgeable, creative, and enthusiastic teacher of Information Technology to

help make a change in bringing creativity and clarity in the teaching of Information Technology

in the Jamaican classrooms. She wants to provide a classroom filled with excitement, creativity,

respect and love for one another. In recent times, she has developed an interest in creating

exciting interactive courseware to use in her classrooms and as such, she has decided to help

other teachers create a better learning environment using these exciting interactive courseware

and in general, using Information and Communication Technologies to enhance the teaching and

learning experience. It is her belief that every teacher should:

Demonstrate enthusiasm even when students do not display the same

Think BIG for each student even when student think small.

Think creatively even when students are unruly, uninterested and don’t seem to care at all

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About e-portfolio

An electronic portfolio, also known as an e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic

evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web. Such electronic evidence may include

inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries, and hyperlinks. An e-portfolio can be

seen as a type of learning record that provides actual evidence of achievement. E-portfolios, like

traditional portfolios, can facilitate students' reflection on their own learning, leading to more awareness

of learning strategies and needs. Electronic portfolios not only take up little physical space, but can hold a

great deal of information. Pictures, art work and writing samples can be all be scanned in and saved;

reading samples could be recorded and work samples from the previous school year could also be

included. Once the student work is organized, electronic portfolios can be enhanced by the addition of

sound, music, pictures, graphics and even video.

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Purpose of this e-portfolio

The purpose of this ePortfolio is to house evidence in artifacts or documents that demonstrate

competencies of my work completed in the course ‘Advance Application for 21st Century”. It provides a

collection of information of ten (10) 21st Century tools namely, Microsoft Word, Electronic Spreadsheet

PowerPoint Presentation, Microsoft Database, Desktop Publishing, Potostory3, Audacity, Windows

Movie Maker, Paint and Edmodo. All these ten tools, once effectively implemented can be used in the

classroom to enhance teaching and learning. This ePortfolio will provide evaluators with a factual

document that includes concise, selective information from a variety of sources and experiences. The

knowledge of common applications and formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat and HTML is

utilized to create ePortfolio artifacts.

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Roles of 21st Century Curriculum, Learners and Educators

There have been many changes in the larger society over the last 100 years. Changes include

various social movements, the advent of telecommunications, modern technology and science

breakthroughs employed in both the most positive and most negative of circumstances—have in

some form or another impacted the ways schools and universities operate. (Pederson, n.d).

Infusing the teaching of 21st century skills into curriculum and instruction is imperative and

often times can be done by using technology to enhance the curriculum and instruction that is

already in place.

According to Curriculum is the what of teaching. It becomes important at that point, when

creating the curriculum, to have a grasp of 21st century skills. Instruction is the how of teaching.

Understanding the 21st century skills in instruction becomes using knowledge to infuse 21st

century skills into teaching to adopt a 21st century curriculum that blends thinking and

innovation skills; information, media, and ICT literacy; and life and career skills in context of

core academic subjects and across interdisciplinary themes, and to employ methods of 21st

century instruction that integrate innovative and research-proven teaching strategies, modern

learning technologies, and real world resources and contexts.

To develop intentional learners, the curriculum must go beyond helping students gain knowledge

for knowledge's sake to engaging students in the construction of knowledge for the sake of

addressing the challenges faced by a complex, global society.

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According to the Greater Expectations National Panel, the curriculum and the co curriculum

should provide numerous paths by which students can achieve broad liberal education outcomes

alongside specialized knowledge of one or more disciplines. If students have achieved these

outcomes, they will excel at communicating well in diverse settings and groups, using written,

oral, and visual means; employing both quantitative and qualitative analysis to describe and

solve problems; and working well in teams, including those of diverse composition, and building

consensus. These outcomes can be achieved through strategies such as writing assignments

(expository, creative, and personal writing); required and critiqued oral presentations; and

problem-based learning.

It is important as educators that we infuse our current curriculum and instruction practices with

the use and teaching of 21st century skills to prepare our students for their futures. Learners are

incredibly creative, curious, social and ambitious. The issue is often their application of these

talents to resist the formal learning process. Digital and social media benefit from so much

"hands on" time that learning -- in one form or another. Students in the 21st century classroom

should be critical thinkers, innovators, problem solvers as well as effective communicators.

Clearly, technology can facilitate the achievement of the operational goals of the institution. But

achieving one of its most important goals—improving the learning of all students—through

technology will require conversations at all levels—department, college, institution, and state.

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Word Processor

Word is a popular word-processing program used for creating documents such

as letters, brochures, learning activities, tests, quizzes and students' homework assignments.

Word processors are a valuable part of the technology now available for educators in schools.

Students and teachers both receive many benefits when doing classwork on the computer. Many

of the headaches of paperwork are eliminated. Two ways in which word may be useful in the

classroom includes the ability to perform spell checking and appropriate presentation of students

work.

Spell Check

Using a word processor you are able to correct your work before you print. Word processors

have spell checker so you use the right grammar. Often students are unable to spell a word. This

application indicates incorrect spelling and provides the user with correct the correct spelling. It

also checks for verb/subject agreement. This enables students to improve their English Language

skills. Students can also use the thesaurus to see the meaning of words and their synonyms.

Using a word processor you can transfer text from one place of the document to another without

resulting to retyping.

Presentation

Word processor offers features to enhance students’ document or project using attractive colors,

designs and readable font. Student with poor handwriting can increase their scores with better

looking papers.

Click to view sample project done in Microsoft word

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Electronic Spreadsheet

An electronic spreadsheet is a computer program that performs calculations on data and

organizes information. A spreadsheet is divided into columns and rows that form individual

cells. It allows users to enter and calculate numerical data.

Using a spreadsheet greatly increases productivity for anyone who needs to manage receipts,

create budgets, generate financial reports or even keep track of inventories and similar lists. Once

almost exclusively used by accountants and financial analysts, electronic spreadsheets have

become an essential tool used in the classroom. Students can use spreadsheet to create manage

their own school budget or to keep track of their school supplies. Furthermore, students

completing mathematical subjects such as Principles of Accounts can prepare journals and

ledgers thus decreasing the amount of paper used and increasing productivity. Corrections can be

easily made and information can be presented in concise manner. Teachers may also use it to

keep track of students’ grades and it can be easily used to calculate average grade and to

determine the highest and lowest grade

Click to view sample project done using Spreadsheet

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PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint is a software application for creating multimedia presentations. PowerPoint lets you

design text and simple graphics, and combine them with pictures, sound and video. PowerPoint

also offers the ability to animate some of these elements.

Power Point is an effective tool that teachers could use to illustrate images and visuals that are

difficult to draw with the use of traditional drawing tools such as pencils and pens compared to

the graphics applications that could be used in Power Point. It provides the ability to show

different types of media, including images, sounds, and animations. This enhances student’s

abilities to retain what they are taught. The teacher can focus on the classroom rather than

spending time to write on board, because the text is already there.

Another way to use PowerPoint in an educational setting is to have the students create their own

presentations. This is a great way to teach them how to use visual aids for speeches to give to the

rest of the class. It also provides an opportunity for a lot of creative while becoming comfortable

with computers and a popular software program. It is a great tool that may be used to appeal to

the different learning styles within the classroom.

Click to view sample project done in PowerPoint

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Access Database

Access is a database tool for gathering and understanding all your information; your phone

numbers, inventory, guest lists, whatever you’re tracking and providing a convenient way to

enter, navigate, and report out your data. Database programs are used to organize, store,

and manipulate information.

Teachers may use this tool to keep track of students’ record and generate regular reports which

may be easily disseminated to administration once needed. On the other hand, students can also

use an already created database file to manipulate information to construct knowledge or to solve

problems or construct their own database file to organize and manipulate information to

construct knowledge or solve problems. They can also keep a record of each class member’s

contact information.

Click to view sample project done in Access Database

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Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing software is the creation of printed materials using page layout. When used

skillfully, desktop publishing software can produce printed literature with attractive layouts and

typographic quality comparable to traditional typography and printing.

Students may design documents either for clients or for school projects in a cost-effective and

fast manner. This tool provide a variety of templates that make it easier to design document such

brochures, banners, birthday and invitations cards as well as many more documents. In the event

of an exposition for a Careers’ Day at school, students may use this program to prepare banners

and brochure to convey information of their exhibits. While this is being done, students will also

be developing their creative and computer skills.

Click to view sample project done in Microsoft Publisher

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Photostory3

Photo Story is a classroom tool useful for showing presentations or lessons created by teachers

and students. There are many uses for this tool in a curriculum.

Students can take pictures during a field trip, import them into Photostory, have the

children sequence them, write a storyboard to go with the show, have the children

narrate. This can burn to CDs at the end of the year for a collection of what was learned

during the year.

Photostory would help students create a historical timeline that could be used in History

or English classes. As a teacher you can create the show by adding the images, then let

students finish the show by narrating the sounds. This can even be a form of assessment.

In a foreign language class, students could take of some of their friends or classmates and

create a Photostory using adjectives in the foreign language to describe the physical

characteristics and personality of them.

Click to view sample project done in Photostory3

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Audacity

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS,

GNU/Linux and other operating systems. Teachers and students can use audacity to record or

convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.

Audacity can be used to developed students speech, literary and musical skills. In this

case, students can compose and record songs based on requirements in their music class.

It can be a useful tool to help students to improve literate skills as the software will help

students to listen to recordings and students will be able to identify gaps in recording or

writing and he/she can make the relevant adjustments.

Teachers may also use audacity to assess students on a particular lesson. For example, at

the end of a lesson, teacher could ask students to use the software to record of summary

of the lesson. This activity will compel students to write before recording as they do not

want to make mistakes. In doing this, students writing and comprehension skills will be

enhanced as well as competency in using computer applications.

Click to view sample project done in Audacity

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Movie Maker

Movie Maker is video creating/editing software, included in Microsoft Windows. It contains

features such as effects, transitions, titles/credits, audio track, timeline narration, and Auto

Movie. Windows movie maker provides students with tools that will enable them to create and

share intriguing multimedia projects. Students can express their knowledge in a subject area in

an engaging way. Motivation is seldom a factor when students use digital media to learn.

Students may visit a field trip site to discover something new in their subject area, for example, a

group of history students may visit a plantation site, they could use a digital camera to video the

events and may use movie maker to create and present it to their class. Creating the movie would

be a form authentic assessment and may even be presented as a digital report to the department

or even the school.

Click to view sample project done in Windows Movie Maker

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Paint

Paint is a program used to draw, color, and edit pictures. Teachers can use Paint like a digital

sketchpad to make simple pictures and creative projects or to add text and designs to other

pictures, such as those taken with your digital camera. Teachers may use paint to teach the basics

of painting software. Using any painting program involves learning how to use the menu bar and

the tool bar. MS Paint also includes a color palette that allows the user to choose both foreground

and background colors with which to work.

It is also an effective tool to develop students’ creative thinking in any subject area. Students can

summarize a lesson using drawings or use paint for math concepts and problems by drawing the

actual problem. For example, driving a car a certain amount of miles and then subtracting an

amount. It may also be used to draw chemical bonds for chemistry. Overall, it is a great tool for

developing understanding, skills in using the computer and at the same time catering to the

various learning styles within the classroom.

Click to view sample project done in Paint

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Edmodo

Edmodo is a great social networking platform for schools, with group resource sharing and basic

assignment distribution features. It is deal for classes Primary/Elementary schools, or for classes

in Secondary schools. Teacher may use Edmodo to aid project based learning, in that, students in

the same group can share ideas and upload and download files to the site. Students can listen to

audio uploaded by teacher and/or students. Teacher and students can use built in calendar to keep

track of school events. Edmodo is a great online response system whereby students can complete

quizzes and receive immediate feedback. It also provides opportunity for communication among

teachers, students and parents.

Click to view Edmodo site used in my classroom

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Reference

Brad, W. (2008). Tips for using Audacity in the classroom. Retrieved from http://thelamppost.ca

Mayglothling, R. (n.d). How to use Photostory in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com

Jakes, D. (n.d). Using Photsotory3. Retrieved from http://www.jakesonline.org

Lerma, F (2008). Using Paint in Elementary Classroom. Retrieved from http://nauetc.wordpress.com

Pederson, C. (n.d). Curricula Design to meet 21st Century Expectations. Retrieved from

http://www.educause.edu

Simpo, T. (n.d.). What is Microsoft Word used for? Retrieved from http://www.simpopdf.com