Post # 4

As a teacher, I would make use of some of the ideas presented in Chapter 7. Some of the ideas that I would use in my classroom would be to use outlines, storyboards, and flow charts. These things are useful for taking data and organizing them into ideas in a central location. The way that I would use them is if we were writing a research paper or if we were trying to find similarities between subjects. A type of technology that I could use to achieve these goals in a classroom is by using the Inspiration program. This program was really neat to use and I think that it would help students to see the bigger picture of what they are trying to study. It would also allow them to be creative and to find different ways to present their material. 

I would encourage my students to use outlines, idea maps, and storyboards. I would do this because I find it very useful when I am trying to learn about something or am trying to organize my information in a way that allows me to see my work more clearly. These skills are very useful to have in a classroom setting and help people to stay on task. If something didn't fit exactly into what they were trying to convey, then a storyboard may help them to realize this before they include useless information. Idea maps also help to keep information focused around a main topic and see how it relates to what they are doing. 

Some new skills that I have acquired in the last week that would be useful to me in my educational career are becoming acquainted with Inspiration. This program will help me when I am trying to teach my students to organize data. This also helps to let out their creative energy and allow them to become more connected with their projects. I think that this skill will be useful to me in the long run because I will be able to help explain subjects I am trying to teach in a more creative and organized manner. With Inspiration, I will be able to include pictures in concept maps that I create and it will allow me to present things in a unique and interesting manner. 

Post # 3

A lesson plan that I might create would use would be to use a power point to present the material to the class. I would use it by making the presentation innovative by incorporating sound effects, movie clips, and facts that are relevant to the class. The PowerPoint would be used to present information on United States history for juniors in high school. My lesson plan would be to have a funny clip to grasp their attention and then present the facts in an exciting way. I would integrate sound effects to make the point stand out in their minds, and to be sure that they remember what the slide just taught them.

The website that I am critiquing is www.fsu.edu . The website makes good use of Rule 2: Orient Users. It has screen headings, menus, and individual facts, such as pictures with details about the University. Everything is easy to access because of the side bar that allows you to quickly get to whatever it is you are looking for. The search bar allows you to get to something by specifically typing in what you are looking for. The homepage also has pictures that are linked to different stories about the university and offer the viewer a quick glimpse of University life. The homepage also follows Rule 4: Limit Style types and Rule 5: Limit Colors. The page carries the same font style throughout, with menus typed in bold to be found quickly and easily. It also limits colors because it uses the color scheme of black and red. By following these two rules, it makes the website easy to read and to navigate. The website also follows Rule 9: Use Upper and Lowercase, Rule 10: Keep text lines short, and Rule 12: Simplify the Structure. It follows Rule 9 by capitalizing where necessary, such as at the beginning of a sentence and using lower case with words that follow. The page follows rule 10 by making the links that go to news and events short and sweet with 10 words or less. It follows rule 12 by making the page very easy to navigate because of its buttons and presenting the information clearly.

My experience with copyright and fair use of materials in an education environment is mainly when I am writing an academic research paper. I always cite my sources in a works cited page and throughout the composition itself. It is very important not to plagiarize in any environment and it is crucial to make sure you give credit where credit is due.  I would deal with these concepts as a teacher by explaining to my students exactly what plagiarizing is and why it is important to cite your sources. I would teach them how to cite things properly and how to make sure that everything is used in its proper manner. In an academic environment, I would show my students how they should properly use copyrighted material and to incorporate it into their academic lives. I would develop my own instructional materials by making an assignment that makes them read a paragraph that a “student” has written based off of “research” they did. I would ask them whether they cited things properly or if it was plagiarized. I would have my students create their own works using sources by having them produce research papers based on something that they are truly interested in learning more about. 

Post # 2

As a student, I have used Microsoft Word to write formal papers, type up homework, and to make up tables and charts. It is one of the programs that I most frequently use when I am on a computer. Microsoft Word has made my academic career so much easier because it allows me to edit things much more quickly than with pen and paper. I have seen my teachers use Microsoft Word to present documents to the class. They also use it to give me written instructions on an assignment.

In chapter 9 of the text, it spoke about word processing. It had some useful ideas about it and reasons to incorporate it into a classroom setting. For example, studies have shown that using a word processor has made it easier for people with learning disabilities to be able to write. Typing can help their coordination that might not be there with the traditional pen and pencil. This fact would be very helpful when trying to teach someone with a learning disorder such as dyslexia.

Word processor also allows things to be edited faster than with regular paper and pencil by using the cut and paste method. You can also insert new lines with the click of a button while with handwritten works, you have to recopy everything onto a new sheet of paper if you make a mistake. Word processor allows for a margin of error and it is less stressful to have to go back and edit. This part of the chapter I felt applied to me in a lot of ways. When I am writing a draft, it very often changes from what I originally planned on writing on. I often think of something and write it, and then end up reordering my ideas. Using a word processor such as Microsoft Word has made my writing much easier because I can erase anything I mess up with a click of a button.

Another thing that the word processor helps to incorporate into papers and reports is the use of detailed graphics. You can insert graphs, clip art, and tables. All of these things look neat and presentable when they are computerized as opposed to the usual sloppy mess of their hand drawn counterparts.

The chapter also specifically mentioned that spell checker can be ineffective. I have learned this through my own experience because when I have gone back and proofread, the spell checker has changed some of the words that I intended to be there to something that I did not want. It can sometimes read a sentence wrong and then it's whole purpose of being a useful tool is defeated. If I was teaching and my students needed to use word processor for a report, I would probably have the spelling and grammar checking tool turned off.

In this class, I want to be able to learn to incorporate Microsoft Word as a teaching tool for my future students. I hope that I can find innovative ways to teach them how to first use Word and then how to complete assignments on there. What I have learned so far is how to make documents look aesthetically pleasing. I have also learned what powerpoint slides should and should not look like to make them easier for students' to learn from.

Post # 1

I think computers are a critical part of the educational experience. In chapter 1, the book talked about using the computed to "improve analytical thinking" among the students. This point really got me thinking of how I could use a computer to engage my students in the learning process and to open their eyes to what it is that is being taught. I think that it is important with the rise of technology for my students to be able to use the computer as a learning tool in the classroom. I think that if they use them, they will get more out of their learning experience and it will become more hands on. My hope is that the computer will help them to engage in what is happening inside the classroom and then be able to apply their experiences to outside life.

The chapter also said how it was important for the teacher to be just as computer literate as the students in the room. I think this statement is very true because if a teacher is not able to do something with the computer and a child much younger is, it is almost as if the child is becoming the teacher. It is important for children to offer some new information to a teacher, but it is even more important that a teacher always have control of a classroom, I believe.

I would use computers in the classroom by having my students use programs such as paint to express their creative sides, Microsoft Word to develop papers and reports, and to use the internet for research. In this class, I hope to learn how to take control if there was an issue with a computer and learn how to solve the problem by thinking through the different possibilities. I want to be able to use a computer to teach my students in new and innovative ways. I think I could accomplish this by using power point to show presentations, using Microsoft word, and by even using a photographs that would relate to the lesson. I am confident that this class will provide me with the skills that I need to become a great educator that can incorporate the use of technology.

Something that I would like to share with the class is that I am really looking forward to learn how to be a teacher and to help others learn new things. I am excited to take this class and to find out new things about technology that will help me later in life.

Post # 0

My prior experiences with technology have been primarily using the internet to connect with friends, check email, and to do research for school projects. Other than the internet, I have used the computer to play games. I have also used the computer to store and organize my photos and to create photo presentations. I have used powerpoint before and Microsoft Word. The other kinds of technology that I have used have been an iPod, a digital camera, and my cell phone. I also am familiar with Windows XP and am getting used to Windows Vista. I think I am pretty savvy when it comes to technology since I have grown up in a generation that is constantly using technology to their advantage.

What I hope to learn in this class is how to use technology to teach others something new. I also want to learn how to use Excel to make spread sheets and how they would be useful in a classroom setting. I also want to learn how to integrate technology as a learning tool for if I become a teacher. Another thing I hope to take away from this class is how to use a podcast and learn how to do more with blogs. I hope this class will also expand on my knowledge of technology and enable me to do more things with it.

What I have learned about my own learning style from the questionairre is that I am an active, sensor, verbal, and sequential learner. I was somewhat surprised at the results though because I never thought that I was a verbal learner. I always thought of myself as more visual because I tend to learn things better when I see them written down. However, the results were pretty much in the middle, so it made sense anyhow. I think these results will be useful to me as a student so I know what to focus on when trying to study and to learn in class.