Course Reflection

I entered this course not know anything other than the computer basics such as using power point, word, and sending e-mails. However, in the end I wound up thoroughly enjoying the course and have learned quite a bit not just about computers but myself as well. The things that I have learned in this course will assist me in some way throughout my teaching career. For instance, when we did the concept mapping project it provided me with a different way to present new information to my students but in an interesting way. The rubristar website was also a wonderful tool that I learned how to use because it helped me create rubrics that were required for my other courses and saved me a lot of valuable time. Blogging throughout the semester made think about different material and resources to use in my classroom and possibly making my students compose a blog weekly for current events. This semester I have had a few difficulties with linking my artifacts from google docs, using the assistive technology settings in my computer, and creating the video. These are my weak points because I did not truly understand how to link my artifacts until recently, creating the power point because of not being familiar with the settings in my computer, and creating the video because when I tried to add the narration and music it did not work the first time. My strong points include the concept mapping project, creating the rubric and the test, and creating the website. Those three things are my strong points because I felt confident and I have used thos resources before. This course has caused me to consider what project I will assign to my students as well as what grade I will choose to present these projects to.

Reflection on Ways to integrate digital images into your classroom

The students at this day and age are accustomed to being overwhelmed with pictures in each facet of their lives. They come across images while watching television, playing on the computer, walking down the street, and even in their school’s classrooms. By means of adding computerized images to presentations, handouts and room decoration, as educators we generate a nature of normality for them. The pictures assist in keeping them interested in the existing subject matter. Imagery is also important during the presentation of new material rather than telling about proceedings or items we are attempting to get the students to relate to or comprehend the lesson at hand. Like the saying goes “ A picture is worth a thousand words”.

Assistive Technology

I would like to begin by saying that the assignment was extremely difficult for me. I am not a computer expert and it always takes me quite a bit of time to learn my way around. After I made all of the changes within my lap top to accommodate the different settings, I was not able to reset the original settings. After finishing the power point I reset my computer to factory settings which changed everything back. However, the assignment taught me to navigate throughout the different assistive technology settings in order to accommodate my students. I believe that it is a necessity for all educators to know how to properly adjust all of their activities and assignments according to their student's needs. I am thrilled that I am now capable of adjusting computer settings accordingly so that all students can participate in the planned lesson.
View My Power Point

Turn it In

This is the first time I have ever had to use turn it in for an assignment. The website was very easy to use and navigate within while doing the questions.





Turn It In

Web Site Assignment

Creating a website was a wonderful tool that was accompanied by quite a few applications. An educator can utilize this to have constant contact with the parents and students. The website will allow the students to view their assignments and grades and it will allow parents to follow their child's progress. The site also allows the teacher to organize their ideas easier and keep up with grades as well. During the course of this assigment I learned how to create a useful and simple website.
Science 101

Reflection on movie making project

The project was very enjoyable subsequent to maneuvering throughout the proper sequencing of directions during the process of combining everything collectively the first time. Although there are a not many steps, utilized in the correct order they are not too complex. Even though I had to revert back to the lesson to find out how to insert the second auditory filament to the file it still was a wonderful skill to learn. I can undoubtedly see how making use of this tool in the classroom setting for presentations and projects can give confidence to students. The class may recreate the project as many times as it takes or until the preferred outcomes are accomplished and not even distinguish they are in fact learning the subject matter along with a new technology skill. Personally I have always been scared of public speaking; maybe having a video to assist me would help me with my next speaking endeavor. The movie making program may augment presentations from the educator to the pupils. The videos can be kept where they students may access them at anytime throughout the duration of the class to study

Video Project

Spreadsheet Project

Spreadsheet is an extremely useful tool not just in the work place but in the classroom to. I have used spreadsheet in many cases such as taking enventory, patient records, and student information. The excel program and spreadsheet program through google will be an important tool that will benefit students in one way or another whether it be at school or in the work place. The sooner the students are exposed to this software the better and the more they will utilize it in their futures.

View my SpreadSheet

Concept Mapping

I have thouroughly enjoyed learning how to utilize the Inspiration software that allowed me to access concept mapping. Throughout this semester I have had to do numerous projects quickly and became bore with powerpoint and wondered if there was anything else I could have used. Concept mapping was extremely easy to work with and a wonderful way to present information to a classroom full of young and eager students. It may also assist in keeping their attention for more that a few minutes because it is unfamiliar to them.

Word document , GIF Format, ISF Format

Web Tools

The experience with Google groups was somewhat difficult in the beginning. I believe that the reason it was rather hard for me to grasp is I am not as familiar with google like I am with yahoo groups. However, I believe that it will be an extremely useful tool in the classroom setting, especially in higher leves of education such as in an eighth grade classroom. Both middle school and high school settings would be a wonderful educational environment to utilize Google groups for class projects and assignments. The only concern that I have is that almost every web-site based tool has an area to post discussions. If a student new to the world of technology uses the area to post the web-sites they have found and chooses to get rid of the discussion area of the group it may delete all of their hard work if he or she is not familiar with using this web based tools.

Response 4

The items that were introduced to us on February 2 were tremendously accomodating. In all of my other education classes we have had to generate rubrics and tests which use to be a hassle but, now I have two wonderful tools to work with. Educators in general are constantly under great amounts of stress due to state testing and other requirements. The tools that were introduced in this course can aid in the lessening of the work load that has already been placed upon them. I plan on teaching high school at the beginning of my career and while working I will attain my PhD. My aunt who is an educator through her twenty years of teaching has never stumbled upon the websites until I told her about them and has lately utilized them. She has always said that creating a rubric and testing material to match has always been time consuming and stressful which caused her to be aggrivated at times.

Artifacts: Rubric, Worksheet, Online book marks

Chapter 5

The compensation of utilizing web-based applications considerably outway the disadvantages. A web-based function allows the students to be imaginative and correspond with their peers around the planet. More importantly, it is available for the most part all of the time unless something prohibits access to it. In the course of blogging students are permitted to accent their opinions on issues whether they are national, worldwide, or neighboring. Wikis are another incredible web-based application that permits vital information to be utilized both in and outside of the classroom location. Web-based applications are reasonably priced, available, genial, and easy to use. However, like anything else there are disadvantages to using them such as occurrences of abuse. All though the likelihood of abuse for web-based applications may appear risky, I believe that it is a wonderful way for students to communicate amongst one another and learn how to conduct research.

Reflection 2

The significance of technology access is escalating with every generation. In experience with substitute teaching technology has proven to me as a valuable tool in the education process. By having access to all of the programs, it allows students to learn how to use the programs and it assists in the learning process. I think it is wonderful that students begin using certain programs at a young age because it prepares them for what may lie ahead.

Blog Reflection 1

Technology is a very beneficial tool to everyone because it allows its users to gain access to many valuable things. It is a wonderful resource to have in any classroom or other environment. I believe that technology is extremely resourceful and has a positive impact on students with exceptionalities. Although I am not in a classroom just yet, I believe that the AT services will not only benefit the students in the classroom setting but in the real world to. Using the assistive technology services in the classroom may make the students with exceptionalities feel as though they are no different than any other of their fellow class mates. Unfortunately, the constant budget cuts within the state are making it harder on the schools to abide by IDEA regulations that states every student with an IEP must be considered for AT services.

1/25/10

My name is Jessica and I am from pascagoula,ms. I am a full time student at USM.