Final Project- Blogfolio

ASSIGNMENT REFLECTIONS

Intro video

            The introduction video was the very first assignment completed in this class. I had a few issues figuring out how to post a video I took on a phone to the blog. I eventually figured out that I could e-mail it to myself and then upload it to my blog after downloading it from my e-mail. This assignment served as a way to get us used to the blogging site. I learned how to create and publish a post and how to upload media all from one post. I think that I can integrate this knowledge in my future teaching because I will be able to upload things that I have created to our class website, or make new posts about the created things. The NETS-T standard that this assignment met is standard 1d: model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments, because this assignment involved engaging in learning in a virtual environment. This assignment was the starting point of us being able to post things about ourselves and technology in classrooms to share with others both in our class and around the world.

TED Talks

            My favorite TED talk video was John Hunter and the World Peace Games. Through this video I was able to see an educator believing that children CAN solve complex world problems if given the materials and opportunities to do so. John Hunter inspired me to give students a chance to show their creativity and knowledge. I think that adults should listen to children more and take their suggestions to heart instead of just dismissing them and thinking that they are silly. I can use this knowledge in my future teaching to find out what students think about current events and allow them to write different proposals and ways they would solve problems. This assignment met the NETS-T standard 5a: participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning, because TED talks include educators from all over the world that get together and discuss their teaching strategies and creative ways to engage students in learning.

Concept Map

             In this assignment, we used the Inspiration 8 software to create a concept map of a lesson we might teach. I had quite a few issues with this one because it was new software to me, and I did not know too much about technology coming into this class. I was able to sort out all my issues eventually and create a concept map that looks pretty good in my opinion. This would be something that I could use in my future teaching if I had the software. If not, I would probably be able to find some kind of website that would help me make a concept map. This assignment met the NETS-T standard 1a: promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. It meets this standard because in creating this concept map and showing it to students, it would encourage them to be creative in their creations and designs, especially if having them make a concept map, too.  

Do Not Track

            In the Do Not Track Plus assignment, we downloaded the software Do Not Track Me and monitored the results after visiting a few sites. I learned that sites are tracking everything you do while on their site and everything you click on. I did not know this before. I did not have any problems installing this software. The only problem I had was after installing, I was not able to order pizza online. I have not yet figured out why so I do not really have a solution to this problem. I think that in the future, I could have my students install it on the school computers or on their personal ones so that they can be aware that everything they do on the Internet is being monitored. It is important to know that in the Terms and Conditions that every site has, yet no one tends to read, allowances are made for sites to track individuals that use their services. This is part of what makes them free. This assignment met standard 2a: design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. It met this standard because it provided a relevant learning experience using software that shows the tracking habits of different frequently visited websites.

Voki

            For the Voki assignment, we created our own personal avatars that we would use on our class websites. This was a good thing to learn how to do because when I have my own classroom, it would be nice to have a website and use one of these. The only issue I encountered is in the free version you can only have the avatar say a certain amount of characters and I had more I wanted to say. Also, some of the voices are quite creepy. I would definitely use this in my future classroom website. The standard that this assignment met is standard 3c: communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats. It met this standard because I was able to communicate ideas to parents and students on my website by using this avatar which is a digital age media.

Web 2.0 Sites

             In the Web 2.0 assignment, we were given a list of technologies that may or may not be helpful for educators. We were all given two websites to learn and teach the class what they are and how to use them. Some of the sites no longer exist and some were pretty bad or weird, but some looked like they would be pretty useful. I would use some of the sites (like the ones that have an * beside them) in my future classroom. I would also suggest some of them to my students and even to their parents. The standard this assignments is standard 4b: address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources, because it provided us with a variety of sites to use to facilitate learning.

Augmented Reality

                     For this assignment, we read and reacted to article about augmented reality and its applications in a classroom. Mostly, it was talking about using it in art classrooms to give students a view of things they may not have access to in the classroom. One teacher used it by having students holding their tablets up to an augmented reality trigger which led them to a site with more information on the certain work of art. This would be good to use when teaching my elementary students about certain works of art or certain parts of the world that they are unfamiliar with and will probably not get an opportunity to visit. The NETS-T standard this meets is standard 1b: engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. It meets this standard because it is encouraging students to use technology to find out more information about the world around them and giving them an opportunity to learn about the real-world on their own.

Website

        For this assignment we created our own website. My website was on online safety. It was geared towards children. This assignment taught me how to make and manage a website. I had a few issues when trying to post certain things but after playing with it for a little while I was able to figure it out. I would definitely use this knowledge to make a website for my future classroom so that I can keep parents and students up to date and let them post questions or comments that I can see and respond to. This assignment meets standard 3a: demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. It met this standard because creating a website requires fluency in technology systems. Also, it allowed me to transfer some of my knowledge of online safety to the site to share with others.

Movie

                     This assignment required uploading pictures that we downloaded onto the computer into Movie Maker and making a movie. I learned a lot with this assignment. I learned how to make a movie, how to download and upload pictures, and how to make mp3 files and import them into Movie Maker. I had a problem with some of the pictures being sideways, but I finally found the rotate option with the help of some of my peers. I would use this in my future teaching to make movies of projects and assignments (with permission, of course) for my students and their parents. It would be a great way to keep parents informed of what we are doing in class. This assignment meets standard 4c: promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information. It meets this standard because it promoted social interactions using technology. Movies help others discover something about us, and if they are going to be posted online, or even shown to others at all, digital etiquette should be followed. Anything posted online, or created digitally, is there forever.

OVERALL COURSE REFLECTION

I learned a lot of things about technology over this past semester. Coming into this class, I was a little nervous because I had not had much experience with technology, because I like to do things the old school way. I prefer to write using paper and pencils. I do not use calculators for math. I still like regular mail and letters. I even like paper books better than digital ones (and the thought of libraries turning into digital libraries pains me). Conformity to the digital world scares me. This course has taught me to not be so afraid of technology. I learned how to make a movie and a website and an avatar for a website. I learned about TED Talks and other resources that are useful to teachers. I also learned about some websites that aren’t too bad and help make a good technology learning experience.

I feel that my strong points are my creativity and ability to figure things out eventually. After I figure out how to do something or get somewhere once, I can do it from then on without having to think too hard. These things are strong points because they help make my technology experiences less painful. It is like riding a bike. Once you learn you don’t forget. My weaknesses are my fear and dislike of technologies, as well as my lack of experience with certain technologies. These weaknesses prevent me from fully utilizing technologies that could make my life easier. I plan to improve upon my weaknesses by giving technology a chance and not being so afraid that technology is going to take over everything we do. I plan to discover and explore new technologies. I can even get my dad to help (he is an IT Tech that disagrees with my views of technology).

I plan to integrate technology into my classroom in small ways because an elementary classroom should not be fully centered around technology. If my school allows tablets, I would allow the students to use certain apps that review the things learned in class. I would have them type some of their things on the computer and teach them how to use things like spell check, and the thesaurus that is on Word. I would also let them use educational websites to play games that review the material learned in class as well as to do research on order to present certain facts to the class.

I think that e-Portfolios or blogs would be useful in education in that they provide students with a way to have all of their thoughts and assignments in one place. Also, people from all over the world can see them and they could serve as a good collaboration tool. Other students can review someone’s blog and give them helpful comments or suggestions on how to make their assignment better, or share their own personal ideas on a topic.

 After taking this class, I have found that technology can be useful if I keep an open mind. I have decided that I will give new technologies a chance and learn how to do certain things that involve technology. I will also try to send more e-mails and type more.