end of semester reflection

My perspective has become enlarged and more complex. Classrooms are based around technology and it is our job as teachers to use our resources and expand our areas of technology. I still agree with my thoughts that technology should not take over the classroom. I have however expanded my thinking. Technology cannot take over the classroom without someone controlling it. Technology is man-made and man-operated, it does not control things, we do. Not only does technology allow students to learn in different ways it also enhances a child’s education. It is proven that kids learn more information if it is given using technology. Through this semester I have been able to learn things that I have never known before. I learned about the Flip Video and will continue to use mine, I learned how to make a web page which was unthinkable when I first started this class. There are many other things that I have learned this semester and the I plan on taking with me into a classroom.
I enjoyed working on the trouble shooting NETS for teachers. It helped me to remain calm when dealing with problems. Unfortunately, none of my trouble shooting experiences actually solved any problems. I have learned that it is a good idea to always have a plan “b”. Technology is not always going to work, so if you want to keep your classroom running smoothly, then have a back upJ

Assignment #4

check out my website that I have been working on. I have also attached a Wiki which allows parents to sign up for "my parent teacher conferences coming up in January" -but not really:)
list of features on website:

• downloading pictures
• downloading files
• downloading audio (which I'm surprised I had the option to do)
• copy and paste from word
• downloading my google search engine
• adding hyper links
• using different font, color, and alignment
• adding youtube videos
• creating a blog

list of features on wiki:

• editing text
• inserting hyperlinks

I didn't really work too much on Wiki because I spent most of my time on the website. There are other things that I can do on wiki but for right now they don't apply to me.

What was it like creating this project?

• time consuming :)
• I had a blast being able to use my own hands to create something from nothing
• frustrating at times. It is a free website so things don't work perfectly
• Frustrating. I feel like a digital immigrant when it comes to such complex works of art and for me to have to read everything slowly to understand and then be stuck if it is not explained well it gets frustrating
• enjoyable. Weebly offers a very simple website with step by step instructions (which i needed).
• un-enjoyable. Weebly is too structured. I'm not allowed to place things exactly where i want them b/c the way weebly works is that everything is consecutive on the page and not centered or separated by a column. You can however copy whatever you want from word so that is easily solved except for the inconvenience
• the wiki was hard to use at first because i thought i offered more things (and maybe it does and i haven't found out every thing yet)

what does this project mean to you?

this project has been helpful to me b/c i plan on using a class website and i would like to you a wiki as well to set up times for conferences. it has been an accomplishment for me b/c i don't consider myself tech savvy.

Nets for teachers:

3. Model digital age work and learing

I am demonstrating fluency in technology systems by creating a class website where my students can go and interact with the technology for the class. Creating this website shows to my students that i am not afraid to try new things. Creating the wiki is a contemporary tool that will come in handy and will be time efficient on both the side of the parent and the teacher

Nets for students:

1. creativity and innovation

hopefully through this website students will be encouraged to think creatively when using technology. I will give the students the ability to use technology to educate themselves. My website will be used as an example of a creative way to educate your self and use technology.

reflection of inspiration sotfware and gradebook

unfortunetely i didn't get a chance to watch the inspiration video so i was not as sure what the inspriation software offered. i did work on the software for a little bit and it seems like it would be helpful to visual learners. i would be able to use it in my classroom to show the students for example how to create a paper. we would be able to create an outline of a paper in class and they would even be able to use the software to create a web of information. i also liked that you could use people or events to create a web of information. they offere a variety of pictures that i also think would be helpful especially to ELL students who might not know what words mean.
the other piece of software i used in class was the gradesource gradebook. i really liked this software (maybe that's becuase i don't know any other one) there were a few too many hoops to jump through to get the information you needed but if it's free how could i complain? gradesouce is for the secondary level and provides an aread to add students, tests, all class periods, and i'm even able to send emails. i really like the option to send emails because all of the email addresses are already in the program so if you wanted to send an email to a specific student you would just select their name and if you wanted to send an email to a whole class you just select what class. This would help with time management, instead of going in and typing every students address in, this saves time and allows you to click on the appropriate names or classes.

inspiration video

i was supposted to watch the inspiration video that everyone elso watched in class but thanks to my low wireless connection it is not possible for me to watch the video right now. i don't realize what it is with a slow internet connection until it happens to me:) and now i'm frustrated and impatient. do you think quick access makes us impatient when it comes to something not working correctly because we are so use to instant gratification? i think it does. anyways i wanted to post something so you guys don't think it get a way with more just becasue i'm not in class with you for the first 30 min. Professor gives me work to do...trust me:) until later my friends.