Class overall

Overall, I think this class was important and interesting. I am glad to have learned some of the options available on the web to share, use, and edit information. I think it will transfer to the classroom and be useful. I do not know how much I will actually use most of what we learned during this class in my own classroom, but it is good to have in my tool belt, so to speak. More than likely, I will use my new technology knowledge for personal use more than in the classroom. I wish we had learned more applicable technology that we would use more often in the classroom. I am not very familiar with Smartboards and other in-class technology, and I would have liked those types of things included in this course. For elementary teachers, those types of things would be more practical. I am glad to have experience with the different uses of technology, and have a better idea how to incorporate them into the classroom.

Website

Creating the website is a lot more involved than it is made out to be. Even thought I have already done most of the documents, it takes a lot of work to edit and upload them in the right format with the right content. I feel like this is overkill and unnecessary. Making the website is similar to other things we have done during this course, and if we have successfully completed the other tasks, like wikis and Google docs, we should be able to easily navigate setting up the website. I do not feel the need to redo everything on the website. I think the ability to be able to create a website is important, but should have been learned through the rest of the course for the most part. I also do not see the need to be so extensive with the content that needs to be on the website. If we can upload one document, we can upload anything. We are never going to actually use the website we create, and I feel like the requirements for the website are overkill and a waste of my time, to be honest. I am glad to learn how to create one, I just wish we could do one example of everything instead of the multiple ones required.

Digital Storytelling

Digital storytelling is a great resource for teachers. I think it is a great way to introduce or explain a lesson topic. Visual representations always aid in the learning process. I was glad to see the different options to use youtube today. I think that will be the best and most useful way to incorporate digital storytelling into the classroom. After practicing making my own movies in iMovie, I feel like it is way too complicated and time-consuming to use very often. I can see myself using it occasionally, but not very much. It is a long time to create something that just lasts a few minutes and is supplemental to a lesson. Also, iMovie was frustrating and not user-friendly. After devoting so much time and energy to creating a movie, having the process frustrating makes it even less likely for me to use it on my own. I am glad to have the experience and option, but do not think I will use it much. Incorporating already made digital stories into my classroom is a lot more likely and a great resource. I am really glad to have seen the youtube options and will definitely utilize that resource.

Wikis

I am so glad we shared some of our resources during class. I agree that this project was not very useful until we shared with each other. I had not even looked at my team's websites, to be honest. I will need to go to the other Wikis and make a list of all the annotated bibs. I think they will be very useful in the classroom, but most of us are not thinking about it as being that important now. I want to get the list of them now so, I will have it in the future when I am sure I will want it. As for Wikis in general, I do not know how much I would use them in the classroom. I am glad to have learned how to use them and add them to my "tool belt." I think the class activity with them was a good way to integrate them into evaluating websites.

Inspiration Concept Map

After creating my own diagram with Inspiration Software, I find it to be very useful for the classroom. It is time consuming, but worth the effort. I do not know how often I would use this software, especially for the price, but liked having the experience in case I decide to use it. I do not know that I would use if often enough to purchase it. I think it would be a good tool for teachers and students to use, though. I am glad I got to practice using it.

Class so Far

I think I have learned some useful tips on how to incorporate technology into the classroom. I like that most lessons show the most basic to intricate use of each skill. That is a good way to diversify the class. It allows most students to get something out of each lesson. I also appreciate the application aspect to the class. That is really important to show us when and how to actually use technology in the classroom. If I wasn't shown that, I might not actually use any of this. Now that I have seen examples of it used in a classroom, I have more ideas of relevant uses.

Scavenger Hunt

Since I was not able to actually participate in the scavenger hunt, it was maybe not as meaningful to me as it could have been. I already have made a presentation using Powerpoint and Google Docs so this was basically using the knowledge from that to do the scavenger hunt presentation. It is useful to know how to embed a slide show in a blog. I can see using that in the classroom with posting students' work or supplemental info about what you are studying. Overall, I think it was a good activity that gave us the basic skills to use it, but didn't waste our time either.

ABC Scavenger Hunt

Digital Image Collection

I think using digital images is very important to know how to do especially in the classroom. I had already been using these types of digital images, but see why it is included in the course. It is an almost necessary component to any classroom, and I am glad it is included in this course.

Lesson Plan

I think having to do a lesson plan that incorporates technology is the best way to sum up the course. Because it is the summation of what we are learning in this class, I wish it had been more towards the end of the course that we had to do them. I think I would have known more technology and ways to incorporate it at the end of the course. Plus, now that I have done a lesson plan, I feel like I have proved that I can use technology in the classroom, which is the purpose of the course, and I can honestly say I am not as motivated now that I have done it. I feel like I have successfully completed the summary project and should be done with the course now. It makes more sense to me to have the lesson plans due at the end of the course. I think overall, they will be better, keep the motivation high throughout the course, and act as a better assessment of the course entirety if they were due later in the course.

WebQuests

I think WebQuests are a great way to introduce students to using the web. It is a fun, but challenging project using the internet. It is necessary in today's society to be able to use technology, especially the internet, and teachers should promote learning the skills to use it effectively. Also, using the internet for research is more engaging and efficient for students. I think I will definitely incorporate WebQuests into my teaching, and I might even create some of my own. A lot of the WebQuests that I saw needed to be adjusted for age and learning styles. If I didn't make my own, I would definitely adapt them to fit my students. Overall, I think they are a great way to engage students, make them comfortable using technology, and incorporate group work into a classroom.

Reflecting on Website Evaluations

I felt like this activity was not particularly useful for me. I have done many activities like this and have discussed how to evaluate websites in most of my classes. I think this would be very useful for someone who has not thought about evaluating websites before. It is important to know where the information you are obtaining and using is coming from, especially when you are sharing it as academic material. This is extremely important as an educator, and everyone should be aware of it. I don't know that this activity was helpful for me since I have already done this, but I agree with the need to do it in this class in case someone hasn't.
It was interesting to see the different aspects of what makes a good page. It has become somewhat second nature to look for these, that I haven't thought about all of the components of a good website. This activity was good to refresh my memory.

Evaluating Websites

http://www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/evaluate/web/

Here is a checklist from UNC to help evaluate websites. It goes over different categories to assess. For example it has pages on credibility, bias, currency, and relevance. Each page has more details on how to check your websites. Finally, it has a page with a quick checklist to use to evaluate each category. I think keeping in mind these categories while looking at websites is important. You always need to be mindful of where you are getting information. I think the checklist and this website give you basics, but are not comprehensive. I think it is a good start and quick reference for evaluating websites, but to really test it, you would have to do more than this website addresses.

Portfolios

Portfolios are a great way to gather and share pieces of work. They are often used for job interviews and things of that nature, but I am excited to be learning how useful they can be in the classroom as well! I had not really considered this idea until class, but now love it! What a great way to motivate and assess students. Working on a portfolio sounds collaborative and a less daunting task to the students. It also is something they can be proud of and use. As a teacher, a portfolio can show progress and be used a tool for assessment. It is an opportunity to work with students to revise and reflect on their work. It is also an opportunity to revise and reflect on your teaching. Overall, I think it is a great tool to use in the classroom, and I plan on doing so!
As for an electronic portfolio, I think it is a little progressive still, and am not sure the extent of its use. I think it needs to be more widely used before we can be absolutely comfortable using it in the classroom. Some entities may not be able to use an online portfolio, while others may abuse an online portfolio. Safety is a huge concern when involving children, and I am leery of putting kids under such scrutiny. I know I would not want my earlier schoolwork out there posted for all to see. Overall, I like the idea of an electronic or online portfolio, I just think it should be more widely used and adjustments should be made before incorporating it in the classroom.

My goals for this course

I am excited to learn new ways to use technology in the classroom. I am somewhat familiar with techno stuff and web-based applications, but am excited to learn how to use it more efficiently and easily. The practice will help make me more comfortable and likely to use it in my own classroom. I also hope to learn how to integrate technology into lessons and activities for the students to do. There are so many websites and other things available for today's students, and I hope to be provided with many available options and start a repertoire to pull from when I have my own classroom. Using the internet, cameras, smart boards, and other technological instruments is so important for kids to become familiar with using, and I hope to do the same through this class so I am confident to use it in my classroom.

Me

My name is Laura and I just got back from vacation! I am sad to be leaving the beach, but excited to begin my summer schedule. I am from Nashville, but my husband and I have been here since we came to college. We have been married a little over two years and have a miniature dachshund. I have always enjoyed working with kids and found myself desiring to be a teacher after I graduated with a major in Psychology. I am now completing the elementary education program and hope to teach mid-elementary. I am set to intern in the fall in Roane County and cannot wait to begin my teaching career.