End of the Semester Reflection

I have learned so much about technology and how I can incorporate technology in a classroom. Before this class, I was practically clueless about any form of technology other than basic functions on the computer. I have used a smart board in high school, but not very much. I have learned so many techniques and programs that I could use in my future classroom. I think that learning about the web 2.0 tools was extremely educational for me. I will definitely be saving a list of web 2.0 tools for future reference. I learned how to use different features on the smart board. I can link pictures, websites, and videos on a smart board presentation.

Also, I know more about word and powerpoint, and how to utilize them in my classroom. I have learned how to use online bookmarking sites like delicious. This will help me to organize websites that I want to use in my classroom. I have learned how to link a presentation to a website using box.com. I have also learned how useful a blog or website could be in a classroom. I have never used a blog before in my life. However, now I know how to set up, use, and maintain a blog. I definitely feel more confident about using technology in the classroom. I feel like I now have a pretty firm foundation of knowledge of technology.

The NETS standard that I focused on this semester was: "Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership." I was able to obtain this standard by taking part in the Technology in Education class. I was able to interact with fellow classmates as I was learning more about technology. Fellow students helped me grow in my knowledge of technology and how to use it. Also, I learned about many different resources that could be used in the classroom. I learned how to use a flip camera, find gallery tools to use in smart board presentations, and learned about different web 2.0 tools. Finally, I have improved my growth in technology by implementing what I have learned. I have practiced using various types of videos, presentations, and tools. Overall, I think that I accomplished my NETS goal. I was able to grow in my knowledge and resourcefullness with technology.

Reflection #12

I learned a lot this semester about how blogs or websites can be helpful in a classroom. A class blog or website can help students and parents get aquainted with a teacher before school even starts. Now,teachers are able to present themselves to parents and students before the beginning of the school year. With blogs and websites, teachers have the power to control how they come across to others. They can set the tone for their classrooms through a website or blog. Teachers can also be a tool for teachers to use to post syllabi, classroom rules, assignments, photos, and goals for the year. Websites and blogs have become very useful tools in the classroom. I had only a few teachers who actually used a website when I was in school. However, it was very nice to have a place to go to find homework assignments and notes from the day. I think that teachers should think more seriously about utilizing either a blog or website in their classrooms. I think that I would use a website before using a blog because a website seems more organized. A blog is constantly changing, while a website has different pages that stay the same. Blogs and websites should be used by teachers because they help to keep students and parents informed.

Reflection #11

I read an article about powerpoint today. It was about how it is overused in military meetings. People are able to make presentations to make them seem like they are informed and in control. It is possible to give an entire presentation without actually knowing what you are talking about. It is easy to make a powerpoint with pictures, charts, and information without really understanding them. One general said that powerpoint "makes us stupid." Powerpoint makes it possible to present information without having to really polish your thoughts. I think that using powerpoints excessively in the classroom can be dangerous. Teachers need to make sure that they fully understand the content that they teach so that presentations can be interesting and informative. Also, teachers shouldn't rely on using powerpoint as their main teaching source. Teaching should use an array of presentation strategies and convey content in an effective way.

Blogs I have commented on

Bethany
Matt
Natalie
Melissa
Shayna

Reflection #10

I was in a grocery store a few days ago with my brother. While he was checking out, I was looking at a rack of different magazines. I noticed that there were 8 or 9 magazines that were devoted just to technology. There were magazines about computers and other forms of technology. It is interesting how technology has just continued to get more important over the years. People now can buy magazines that detail different forms of technology. There are so many ways now that people can learn about new forms of technology. Highlighting technology like these magazines do only helps technology to become more utilized in society. There are so many ways in which people can be exposed to technology. This is beneficial for teachers because it allows more people to learn about different types of technology that could be helpful in the classroom. Technology will just continue to get bigger and bigger because there is so much exposure to it.

Assignment #4

I created a smart board presentation that was about balanced and unbalanced forces. It also is about friction. I would use this presentation to teach physics principles to an 8th grade class.

I learned how to do the following:
-make a video using photo story
-make a video using a flip camera
-insert an attahment in a smart board presentation
-insert a web link in a smart board presentation
-insert interactive "pull tabs"
-insert interactive elements such as popping balloons
-insert a formal title page
-insert smart response questions

I encountered a few problems while creating my presentation. I did not know how to include interactive elements in order to make my presentation more professional looking. To solve this, I included a title page and used interactive games and pull tabs to make it seem "cool." I also had trouble loading my videos to the presentation. I was able to include them as attachments, but those will only work on my computer. Therefore, the videos will not work on any other computer. I had a ton of trouble uploading my presentation. It was too large to be uploaded to the free version of box.net. So, I tried emailing it, but my email wouldn't allow it to be sent either. I will need to bring it in to show it to Professor Sorenson.

This project was helpful to me because it helped me become more familiar with elements of the smart board. I figure that I will be spending a lot of time with either the smart board or activboard when I am a teacher. It is important to become very familiar with how to create a professional-looking presentation. I chose to do a smart board presentation for this project because I wanted to become more comfortable with it. I am not a very tech savvy person. So, I wanted to become more capable of using the smart board. As of right now, I do feel a lot more comfortable than I did before I created this presenation. I think that I could use my physics presentation and teach that lesson in a classroom. I will be able to use the skills I learned about attachments, links, and using the smart response system to create additional presentations. These skills will definitely be used when I am teaching lessons in a classroom. I now feel more comfortable and capable of using the smart board in a way that looks "cooler" and more professional. I had planned on only using one type of video. However, I did not feel like I knew much about using videos so I wanted to include two different types. I think that flip videos will become more and more common, so I wanted to become more familiar and comfortable with how they work. I also learned how to create my own photo story videos. I think that both types of videos could be used in my classroom in the future.

NETS for students: The students will use the NETS standards #2 and #6. For the 2nd standard, students will be able to "use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others." Students will come up to the smart board and identify different things that are either balanced or unbalanced forces. Students will also use elements of the smart board to reveal different definitions and videos. The 6th standard is that students will "demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations." Students will be able to know how different interactive elements of the smart board. They will understand how links and interactive elements work. They will participate in a smart response quiz.

NETS for teachers: The teacher will use the NETS standards #1 and #5. The first standard states: "Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments." I will use both videos and actual demonstrations to show students how friction and forces work. The two types of demonstrations will balance each other. There will be both a technological element and a human interaction element. The 5th standard states: "Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources." I have accomplished this by becoming more familiar with different types of videos and smart board presentation elements. I have learned so much about how to create smart board presentations and videos.

Reflection #9

In just a short year, I have been exposed to so many different ways to present information in a classroom. All throughout high school and my first two years of college, I have only used powerpoint to do presentations in class. However, this year, I have used the smartboard, document camera, and videos. I think that by using new sources of technoology, I have been able to make my presentations more engaging and interesting. Instead of just giving a "lecture" type of presentation, I can have classmates watch a video or get involved in a smartboard activity. These developments of technology will be very useful for teachers to use, as well. They will allow students to be more involved in the presentation instead of just listening to a presentation. They also provide a way for students to get out of their seats during a lesson. It is often hard to sit through an entire lesson and still pay attention. Different technologies provide opportunities for students to be actively involved in a lesson.