It's official -- I'm a junkie -- a techie junkie! I love technology. I have thoroughly enjoyed this technology class. It has stretched me beyond what I thought imaginable and pushed me to accomplish more than I imagined possible. How can it possibly be over? Well, it's just a 6 week college course, that's how!
In the past 6 weeks, I have:
***created a webquest (which I will be implementing this week with my students!),
***created a blog (who'd of thunk it?, me blogging!),
***designed a classroom newsletter (I have learned to respect it's value.),
***designed a teacher webpage (with wonderful links to my teacher blog :O))
***created a technology enhanced lesson plan,
and . . .
***started a Class BLOG on my teacher website!. Wow! Really?
I am amazed at the growth I have made with this class. I never would have thought that I could do so much in such a short period of time. I have also joined several 2.0 websites to keep me headed in the right direction and not get stagnant. I need the constant drive of being pushed -- it makes me better. It makes me want to succeed.
I love watching the kids' faces as they see me implement new technologies they have not yet had the opportunity to explore. I showed them the webquest today and now they are all excited about going to computer lab on Friday. I can't wait to get them started!
I hope that my teaching practice changes by always bringing in fresh, new ways of incorporating technology into what the kids are learning at the moment. The one KEY thing that I have learned is that using a technology lesson takes time. You have to prepare well and plan for the worst -- but the benefits and skills that the students glean from the lessons are so much deeper as a result. The payoff is huge!
(This week, I found a Smartboard activity for taking attendance -- it took some time, but I was able to attach an image (group) to a student name and then be able to slide the image & name together as one across the board to either the hot or cold lunch sides. The kids LOVED it! They totally love to see new technology and get to play with it!)
I have enjoyed this blog -- I hope that my next teacher requires us to keep it up -- otherwise I may have to come up with my own writing prompts! I enjoy the journaling of my thoughts. I can get them out so much faster on a keyboard than I can with a pencil/ paper.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Internet Technologies in the Classroom
I love it! -- I hate it!! Technology in the classroom is what I'm referring to. There are so many ways that technology enhances our teaching that it is shameful not to maximize its usefullness, but how can we depend on something that we have little to no control over at the classroom level? Never fails, I find this terrific website at home that I find amazing and creative ways to utilize at school -- only to get to school and find the site is blocked by the school's filters or that videostreaming is not allowed!
Then there are the times when you have a wonderful lesson prepared for the classroom to utilize in the computer lab, only to find out that the lab is booked for Acuity/ or Scholastic Reading Inventories/ or even ISTEP+ testing.
As a teacher, it is critical to be flexible and always have a back up plan. As with any other subject in which you have little to no control -- you have to be flexible and go with the flow.
Concerns I have using technology in the classroom??? I am always striving to push my students harder and to hold them accountable for the lessons I teach. I want my students to be ready for the 21st century. I want them to have the critical thinking skills and problem solving skills necessary to survive in the future. In order to do that I have to find ways to make technology meaningful for them and create assignments that encourage the deep thinking I am looking for. Students need to know how to manage technology to meet those skills and I need to facilitate that for them.
In order to alleviate my own concerns about using technology in the classroom, I need to stay current with the latest technology. I need to stay engaged in the education/ technology world of blogging/ posting/ Web 2.0 sites. The better educated I am, the better prepared I am to meet my students needs... it's about being proactive, and not always trying to catch up. I'm lucky that I love to learn new things. I have always been a life-long learner. I enjoy the thrill and challenge of learning new things. Even better still is that I love to share my new knowledge with others -- and isn't that how people learn best... by teaching others? The best way I know to alleviate my own concerns is to stay educated and not let things bog me down... flexibility is key.
Then there are the times when you have a wonderful lesson prepared for the classroom to utilize in the computer lab, only to find out that the lab is booked for Acuity/ or Scholastic Reading Inventories/ or even ISTEP+ testing.
As a teacher, it is critical to be flexible and always have a back up plan. As with any other subject in which you have little to no control -- you have to be flexible and go with the flow.
Concerns I have using technology in the classroom??? I am always striving to push my students harder and to hold them accountable for the lessons I teach. I want my students to be ready for the 21st century. I want them to have the critical thinking skills and problem solving skills necessary to survive in the future. In order to do that I have to find ways to make technology meaningful for them and create assignments that encourage the deep thinking I am looking for. Students need to know how to manage technology to meet those skills and I need to facilitate that for them.
In order to alleviate my own concerns about using technology in the classroom, I need to stay current with the latest technology. I need to stay engaged in the education/ technology world of blogging/ posting/ Web 2.0 sites. The better educated I am, the better prepared I am to meet my students needs... it's about being proactive, and not always trying to catch up. I'm lucky that I love to learn new things. I have always been a life-long learner. I enjoy the thrill and challenge of learning new things. Even better still is that I love to share my new knowledge with others -- and isn't that how people learn best... by teaching others? The best way I know to alleviate my own concerns is to stay educated and not let things bog me down... flexibility is key.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Teacher Leader... ME?
How can I encourage my professional colleagues to engage in ongoing development in terms of technology integration? Well, I can lead a professional development session teaching staff how to use the new math adoption! That's just what I did last week!
I am not good in front of people -- sure a class of 30 kids, no problem... but a room full of teachers??? No thanks! But, I really love this new math adoption and all the technology that comes with it! I am all about working smarter, not harder and this math kit is just the solution for a busy teacher who doesn't have a lot of time. The visual learning animations are the perfect springboard to guiding the lessons any teacher needs -- If only they would learn how to use it.
So, I was asked to lead the PD for the week and teach the teachers how to add multiple grade levels to their accounts so they could access supplemental materials; add a student roster with student id's/ passwords so students can access the site from home; and use the visual learning animations to springboard lessons. The PD session was not long enough... there were so many questions and I really felt the frustrations of the teachers who are technology immigrants... it took them forever to just get to the site!
What I learned from this experience was that I really am not afraid of teaching teachers... I'm quite good at it. I lack confidence in myself, but when I am committed to something and feel that they will learn something -- the benefit (staff development ) is by far outweighed by the cost (my discomfort).
I have since been included in school emails that go out to the technology people only (I am not on that team.) and hope to provide useful information in response. I truly want to help people see the good things that technology can do for them if they just open themselves up to learning something new.
Tools that I have learned in this course??? I have started a wiki with my small group and really love the ease of use! It sure has cleaned out my inbox from the flood of emails telling who's bringing what meal to the next location! I have also learned to love the blog. This is a great way to journal my progress through the learning I am experiencing. I have learned the value of a newsletter. I always thought of them as fluff and never took the time to create one. It was always easier to slap a note on a piece of FWCS letterhead and call it good. I have learned that parents love the newsletters -- and honestly, they feel good to send home. The intrinsic value of a job well done is priceless.
My hope is that teachers will see the ways that I am utilizing technology and see my enthusiasm for it and want to catch it! So far, it's working! :O)
I am not good in front of people -- sure a class of 30 kids, no problem... but a room full of teachers??? No thanks! But, I really love this new math adoption and all the technology that comes with it! I am all about working smarter, not harder and this math kit is just the solution for a busy teacher who doesn't have a lot of time. The visual learning animations are the perfect springboard to guiding the lessons any teacher needs -- If only they would learn how to use it.
So, I was asked to lead the PD for the week and teach the teachers how to add multiple grade levels to their accounts so they could access supplemental materials; add a student roster with student id's/ passwords so students can access the site from home; and use the visual learning animations to springboard lessons. The PD session was not long enough... there were so many questions and I really felt the frustrations of the teachers who are technology immigrants... it took them forever to just get to the site!
What I learned from this experience was that I really am not afraid of teaching teachers... I'm quite good at it. I lack confidence in myself, but when I am committed to something and feel that they will learn something -- the benefit (staff development ) is by far outweighed by the cost (my discomfort).
I have since been included in school emails that go out to the technology people only (I am not on that team.) and hope to provide useful information in response. I truly want to help people see the good things that technology can do for them if they just open themselves up to learning something new.
Tools that I have learned in this course??? I have started a wiki with my small group and really love the ease of use! It sure has cleaned out my inbox from the flood of emails telling who's bringing what meal to the next location! I have also learned to love the blog. This is a great way to journal my progress through the learning I am experiencing. I have learned the value of a newsletter. I always thought of them as fluff and never took the time to create one. It was always easier to slap a note on a piece of FWCS letterhead and call it good. I have learned that parents love the newsletters -- and honestly, they feel good to send home. The intrinsic value of a job well done is priceless.
My hope is that teachers will see the ways that I am utilizing technology and see my enthusiasm for it and want to catch it! So far, it's working! :O)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Software
This week I stepped out on a limb and tried something new -- outside of my comfort zone. I find that I am doing that more and more lately. It's easy to do what you have always done and are comfortable with, but difficult and sometimes frustrating to take a leap with something unknown.
That's true for most everything -- including a faith journey with God. It's easy to keep doing the same ol', same ol' -- walking through life in our comfortable patterns and routines. It takes courage to trust and have faith in God. Just changing my routine by adding a devotion or more prayer time can put me in the frame of mind that with Him I can do anything.
So, stepping into the foreign software world this week I created my first Classroom Newsletter. I utilized Microsoft Publisher and chose a template that I thought looked appealing and easy to work with. I changed fonts, added pictures, inserted text boxes, changed headings and subtitles and created a masterpiece. I learned that Publisher really isn't that much different from Word, just more areas to tweak and play with. I have had several parents send in notes this week stating that they loved it! The students enjoyed seeing themselves in the pictures.
What meant the most to me though, was the reaction from our Art teacher. Mrs. L worked tirelessly to tie-dye t-shirts in a different color for each grade level so that we could use them in our Reading Rallies at the end of each month. I took a picture of all three third grade classes sitting in the gymnasium during our first reading rally wearing our new shirts and included that in the newsletter. Mrs. L was truly touched to have such a public recognition of appreciation. She sent me a very nice email thanking me for including her in our publication.
The newsletter was frustrating, it was time consuming, but worth it in so many ways. I learned the importance of recognizing things we do in the classroom and sharing with parents. It is both valuable and worth my efforts... every time. I honestly feel that if I just play with it some more, I will learn to love it! The more time you invest in anything, the better you become and the easier it becomes. That's true for friendships, relationships, and hobbies as well. The more time you invest in God, the deeper your relationship becomes and the more you learn to trust in Him.
I am fairly comfortable with the software I use at school. I regularly use Word and Excel. I have played around with Power Point and Prezi enough that I can accomplish my goals. I would like to get better with Excel. I saw some great projects this week where other students had inserted student data and had Excel create graphs showing student growth. I did not know you could do that with Excel. I would like to set a goal with my self that every semester I focus on one software program and complete a project in that program. (I'm going to count this semester as done! I have completed both a Prezi and a Publisher this month alone.) The reward for my hard work will be the knowledge and experience I gain in doing so -- but I think after all that, I will have earned a trip to Starbucks too!
That's true for most everything -- including a faith journey with God. It's easy to keep doing the same ol', same ol' -- walking through life in our comfortable patterns and routines. It takes courage to trust and have faith in God. Just changing my routine by adding a devotion or more prayer time can put me in the frame of mind that with Him I can do anything.
So, stepping into the foreign software world this week I created my first Classroom Newsletter. I utilized Microsoft Publisher and chose a template that I thought looked appealing and easy to work with. I changed fonts, added pictures, inserted text boxes, changed headings and subtitles and created a masterpiece. I learned that Publisher really isn't that much different from Word, just more areas to tweak and play with. I have had several parents send in notes this week stating that they loved it! The students enjoyed seeing themselves in the pictures.
What meant the most to me though, was the reaction from our Art teacher. Mrs. L worked tirelessly to tie-dye t-shirts in a different color for each grade level so that we could use them in our Reading Rallies at the end of each month. I took a picture of all three third grade classes sitting in the gymnasium during our first reading rally wearing our new shirts and included that in the newsletter. Mrs. L was truly touched to have such a public recognition of appreciation. She sent me a very nice email thanking me for including her in our publication.
The newsletter was frustrating, it was time consuming, but worth it in so many ways. I learned the importance of recognizing things we do in the classroom and sharing with parents. It is both valuable and worth my efforts... every time. I honestly feel that if I just play with it some more, I will learn to love it! The more time you invest in anything, the better you become and the easier it becomes. That's true for friendships, relationships, and hobbies as well. The more time you invest in God, the deeper your relationship becomes and the more you learn to trust in Him.
I am fairly comfortable with the software I use at school. I regularly use Word and Excel. I have played around with Power Point and Prezi enough that I can accomplish my goals. I would like to get better with Excel. I saw some great projects this week where other students had inserted student data and had Excel create graphs showing student growth. I did not know you could do that with Excel. I would like to set a goal with my self that every semester I focus on one software program and complete a project in that program. (I'm going to count this semester as done! I have completed both a Prezi and a Publisher this month alone.) The reward for my hard work will be the knowledge and experience I gain in doing so -- but I think after all that, I will have earned a trip to Starbucks too!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
21st Century Skills
21st century skills will require students to collaborate, communicate and problem solve through discovery. They will need to analyze, think critically and creatively to succeed. As educators, we must be constantly looking for ways to embed this learning into our curriculum – not try to squeeze it in somewhere. And, it needs to be integrated into every subject matter we teach, not just in a computer lab once a week. We must shift our position to that of a facilitator rather than dictator. Control of the classroom needs to be relinquished to the learner to be accountable for his/ her own education. I remind my students daily, “Why are we here?” “To learn!” they say. If the purpose of presence is to learn, then teachers need to empower their students to discover, to create, to evolve. Their minds are like sponges, soaking up everything they can get their hands on. If we allow them the freedom to choose how they learn and give them the resources they need to do it – guiding them and facilitating their thinking, the heights to which they soar will astonish us!
I firmly believe, and research agrees, that to develop 21st century skills in a child – they need a solid foundation in a positive learning environment where they feel safe to explore their own thoughts and share with their peers. Building on that is the idea that they need to develop relationships. Collaboration and communication is key to the success of the student. Next is the emotional intelligence and assessments for learning, followed by teaching and learning styles. As teachers, we need to know the different learning styles of our kids. Very few students learn by hearing a lecture, taking notes and studying for a test. The content needs to be emotionally relevant for the student and often times they need to see it in many different modalities… seeing, hearing, touching/ moving, manipulating, etc. (Beere, 2005)
One of the things I keep telling myself is that I would like to write a grant to get a set of ebook readers – such as nooks or kindles into my classroom. Kids are fascinated by them, and they really are the future. I really see the future of education coming to the realization that it is more effective and efficient to load an ebook reader with all the textbooks a student will need for the year and assign them the reader instead of the bundle of books. It will eliminate students carrying 30lbs. of books home to study each night, bindings breaking, students writing in them, and endless fines placed on parents who may or may not be able to pay them.
As a teacher, I would love to say that I am preparing my students well for the 21st century. The truth is that I am doing the best I know how with the resources I have available to me at the time. As I continue to learn and develop my own skills, I strive to incorporate them into my own teaching to facilitate student learning. I want my students to have the kind of education I want my own kids to have.
I would like to see the district provide more training for teachers to better facilitate 21st century learning skills for our students. I would like to see better technology to help us make that happen. An hour a week is not enough technology for kids in the age we are in today.
One goal I have for myself this year is that I want to create and design a Project Based Learning unit for my class. I have yet to pick the topic or driving question; but that will be something I do this year. I attended a PBL class at Indiana Tech this summer and was amazed at the critical thinking skills required to accomplish the tasks desired. I know this is one way that I can empower my students to think more critically and make a difference in how they approach the goal of learning.
The strengths I bring to the classroom are a willingness to learn new things – I LOVE TO LEARN! I get excited about trying something new. I discovered “wiki’s” for the first time this week. I have already set up a wiki account for my small group at church and got the group going on our next get together… embedded a Google map for the location and added all the members… even added another organizer so that we can both update and collaborate with the rest of the group. It was exciting to see the ways I could use this for friends, outside of the classroom – but even more exciting to realize all the ways I could get kids using wikis in the classroom!
Challenges facing me – lack of time (doesn’t everyone have this challenge?!) and funding for the resources I want. I want it all! I want iPads; a 1:1 ratio for computers to students; eBook readers and training on how to maximize the use of it all.
Fortunately. . . God gave me patience, and a good sense of humor!
Beere, J. (2005). Learning in the 21st Century. Independent Thinking Ltd. Retrieved from http://www.independentthinking.co.uk/Cool+Stuff/Articles/164.aspx
I firmly believe, and research agrees, that to develop 21st century skills in a child – they need a solid foundation in a positive learning environment where they feel safe to explore their own thoughts and share with their peers. Building on that is the idea that they need to develop relationships. Collaboration and communication is key to the success of the student. Next is the emotional intelligence and assessments for learning, followed by teaching and learning styles. As teachers, we need to know the different learning styles of our kids. Very few students learn by hearing a lecture, taking notes and studying for a test. The content needs to be emotionally relevant for the student and often times they need to see it in many different modalities… seeing, hearing, touching/ moving, manipulating, etc. (Beere, 2005)
One of the things I keep telling myself is that I would like to write a grant to get a set of ebook readers – such as nooks or kindles into my classroom. Kids are fascinated by them, and they really are the future. I really see the future of education coming to the realization that it is more effective and efficient to load an ebook reader with all the textbooks a student will need for the year and assign them the reader instead of the bundle of books. It will eliminate students carrying 30lbs. of books home to study each night, bindings breaking, students writing in them, and endless fines placed on parents who may or may not be able to pay them.
As a teacher, I would love to say that I am preparing my students well for the 21st century. The truth is that I am doing the best I know how with the resources I have available to me at the time. As I continue to learn and develop my own skills, I strive to incorporate them into my own teaching to facilitate student learning. I want my students to have the kind of education I want my own kids to have.
I would like to see the district provide more training for teachers to better facilitate 21st century learning skills for our students. I would like to see better technology to help us make that happen. An hour a week is not enough technology for kids in the age we are in today.
One goal I have for myself this year is that I want to create and design a Project Based Learning unit for my class. I have yet to pick the topic or driving question; but that will be something I do this year. I attended a PBL class at Indiana Tech this summer and was amazed at the critical thinking skills required to accomplish the tasks desired. I know this is one way that I can empower my students to think more critically and make a difference in how they approach the goal of learning.
The strengths I bring to the classroom are a willingness to learn new things – I LOVE TO LEARN! I get excited about trying something new. I discovered “wiki’s” for the first time this week. I have already set up a wiki account for my small group at church and got the group going on our next get together… embedded a Google map for the location and added all the members… even added another organizer so that we can both update and collaborate with the rest of the group. It was exciting to see the ways I could use this for friends, outside of the classroom – but even more exciting to realize all the ways I could get kids using wikis in the classroom!
Challenges facing me – lack of time (doesn’t everyone have this challenge?!) and funding for the resources I want. I want it all! I want iPads; a 1:1 ratio for computers to students; eBook readers and training on how to maximize the use of it all.
Fortunately. . . God gave me patience, and a good sense of humor!
Beere, J. (2005). Learning in the 21st Century. Independent Thinking Ltd. Retrieved from http://www.independentthinking.co.uk/Cool+Stuff/Articles/164.aspx
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fear Not!
"I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?" (Redman, 2006, track 2)
If I am truly trusting in God, my father, my fears are replaced with faith; anxiety with peace. This is one of my favorite songs because it puts my mind in the right place, my focus on Him and the things I need to accomplish to serve Him better. If I put my faith and trust in God, there is nothing I cannot do!
Technology is certainly not something I fear, but rather clamor toward. With new technology comes a learning curve, not without frustrations as I learn, but with new understanding comes even greater excitement! I have always loved learning. I walked out of first grade knowing I wanted to be a teacher! I am. I love learning new things and then sharing the new knowledge with others… that’s the teacher in me. Technology is a wonder. I am constantly amazed at the things we are able to do today that weren’t possible when I was in school. Making technology accessible to everyone is what I do best. So no, I do not fear technology – I love it!
Our school currently has only two smartboards for approximately 16 general education classrooms. I consider myself blessed to be one of the two! Our new math adoption has a phenomenal technological piece with it that allows me to show a visual learning animation on the smartboard to the students and then turn the textbook page from the student book into an interactive page that students can write on to solve and work problems. The kids really enjoy doing math on the interactive whiteboard! I have enjoyed discovering all the little perks that come with the digital math adoption and showing other teachers how to access it.
We have a computer lab in our building that the students get an hour of computer lessons each week. They learn skills such as Word processing, Google searches, KidPix creations, webquests, and PowerPoint presentations. With my math stations kids get to experience math games on the whiteboard and four student computers in the classroom. A class favorite is “Questionaut” from the BBC website. I feel that I do a good job meeting the NETS goals for student and teacher standards. I know there are things I could improve upon, but there will always be things I can do better.
The technological barriers I see in our professional setting today are numerous. We have old equipment. The laptops the students use in the computer lab need to be replaced. The jacks for headphones have been jostled so much that they don’t keep the headset plugged in anymore. Students now have to deal with the sound everyone else’s computer around them is making as a result. There are limited resources available. I already stated that we only have 2 smartboards in the building. Every classroom should have one and every teacher should know how to use it in every subject. Student computers in the classrooms are old as well. They are large and cumbersome. The motors run so loudly that they disrupt instruction and student learning at times and must be shut down. The district just can’t keep up with the growing demands of technology today.
As I progress though this class, I hope to learn many new presentation programs… I have seen a Prezi before, but I know there are many more out there. I want to learn tips and tricks to better use what I have available to me and I want to have a deeper understanding of the ways I can get students utilizing technology in the classroom and computer lab. I am fairly knowledgeable, but you can never know too much! My biggest triumph will be figuring out all the things I don’t know now that I didn’t know, I didn’t know! :o)
Stay tuned!
References:
Redman, Matt. (2006). You never let go. On Beautiful News CD. Roswell, Georgia: Sixsteps Records.
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?" (Redman, 2006, track 2)
If I am truly trusting in God, my father, my fears are replaced with faith; anxiety with peace. This is one of my favorite songs because it puts my mind in the right place, my focus on Him and the things I need to accomplish to serve Him better. If I put my faith and trust in God, there is nothing I cannot do!
Technology is certainly not something I fear, but rather clamor toward. With new technology comes a learning curve, not without frustrations as I learn, but with new understanding comes even greater excitement! I have always loved learning. I walked out of first grade knowing I wanted to be a teacher! I am. I love learning new things and then sharing the new knowledge with others… that’s the teacher in me. Technology is a wonder. I am constantly amazed at the things we are able to do today that weren’t possible when I was in school. Making technology accessible to everyone is what I do best. So no, I do not fear technology – I love it!
Our school currently has only two smartboards for approximately 16 general education classrooms. I consider myself blessed to be one of the two! Our new math adoption has a phenomenal technological piece with it that allows me to show a visual learning animation on the smartboard to the students and then turn the textbook page from the student book into an interactive page that students can write on to solve and work problems. The kids really enjoy doing math on the interactive whiteboard! I have enjoyed discovering all the little perks that come with the digital math adoption and showing other teachers how to access it.
We have a computer lab in our building that the students get an hour of computer lessons each week. They learn skills such as Word processing, Google searches, KidPix creations, webquests, and PowerPoint presentations. With my math stations kids get to experience math games on the whiteboard and four student computers in the classroom. A class favorite is “Questionaut” from the BBC website. I feel that I do a good job meeting the NETS goals for student and teacher standards. I know there are things I could improve upon, but there will always be things I can do better.
The technological barriers I see in our professional setting today are numerous. We have old equipment. The laptops the students use in the computer lab need to be replaced. The jacks for headphones have been jostled so much that they don’t keep the headset plugged in anymore. Students now have to deal with the sound everyone else’s computer around them is making as a result. There are limited resources available. I already stated that we only have 2 smartboards in the building. Every classroom should have one and every teacher should know how to use it in every subject. Student computers in the classrooms are old as well. They are large and cumbersome. The motors run so loudly that they disrupt instruction and student learning at times and must be shut down. The district just can’t keep up with the growing demands of technology today.
As I progress though this class, I hope to learn many new presentation programs… I have seen a Prezi before, but I know there are many more out there. I want to learn tips and tricks to better use what I have available to me and I want to have a deeper understanding of the ways I can get students utilizing technology in the classroom and computer lab. I am fairly knowledgeable, but you can never know too much! My biggest triumph will be figuring out all the things I don’t know now that I didn’t know, I didn’t know! :o)
Stay tuned!
References:
Redman, Matt. (2006). You never let go. On Beautiful News CD. Roswell, Georgia: Sixsteps Records.
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