Blog Journal #12 Posting

In this class I learned so many things about all the different technologies out there adn about how they can be sed in my classroom. One this about the voerall class that I liked a lot was that not only did we lear about completely new technologies but we also used some programs such as, PowerPoint, and learned many new ways to use it. The one topic that I found most interesting was when we got to learn about making a Wiki. I think that I found ot most interesting because it has so many different uses. I found this topic moI can use even in my st interesting because this is something that school career now that can carry on into my teaching career.

One program that I would really like to learn, even the basics with would me Photoshop. I think that this program holds a lot of different and useful tools. I used to know hoe to use some things with the program but havent used it in a while. I think that this would be a good topic to learn. This program hold a number of uses that benefit both your personal life and you teaching career.

The main way I plan on achieving my future technology goals is to stay on top of things. I want to stay informed about the latest technologies availible, more specifically to the ones that I can specifically use with my visually impaired students. I think that staying on top and informaed about the newest technologies is the best way for me to achineve my gials.

My Awesome Podcast (:

Twitter

Before beginning this class I already had my own twitter. I have had it for a while. I really dont use it all that often, but I go through these little phases where I am always on it. Usually if my Twitter is updated I'm not even on the website, it is probably coming from my cell phone. Honestly, I dont think that I can even remember the last time I was on the actual website. As for using Twitter in this classroom setting and context, it didnt really happen. I dont really see a use for it in the classroom because I can just use email.
In my personal opinioin I dont believe that Twitter is a very useful tool for educational purposes at all. If I were to have a problem or something I would be much more likely to email for a response rather that use Twitter. I think that because there are so many resources for students to recieve information and get answers to questions that Twitter usually is quickly forgotten.

Blog Journal #9 Posting

One website that I know is great for students and teachers both to use is http://www2.scholastic.com . I used this website when I was younger and so did my little sister. It is a great website because it gives plenty of resources for teachers and it also gives students things that they can do as well. I know it is a credible web source because it is made by Scholastic. This website is great because it gives students a chance to log in and play online games and activities that help improve what they learn in school.

I think that the best way I will use Excel is as a grade book. Having this program not only keep track of all the grades as they come but also calculate the students average is a big help. I think that as well as a grade book I will also use Excel to keep track of my students attendance daily. Exel is such a helpful program for teacher because it keeps everything, mainly important information, organized.

Blog Journal #7 Posting

I think that there are definite advantages and disadvantagegs with using a presentation software in the classroom. I think that any presentaition software will not only prove to help children learn but can hinder their learning.

Some advantages I see to using a presentation software, like PowerPoint:

• Making the information you are teaching easier to understand.
• This is a software that kids themselves understand and can use.
• Organized thoughts and ideas for the teacher as well as the students

Some disadvantages that I see:

• Some teachers can can overuse this software.
• People rely more on the technology rather than teaching the material.
• Students listen less and less to the actual lecture, since they are more focused on reading what is on the screen.

Since I have recently changed my major from elementary education to visual disabilities, I decided to develop my PowerPoint using elementary education. I used my Powerpoint to talk about the different seasons. I could use the technology presented in this program to make each slide different and original. This presentation program makes it easy to create things that are eye-catching and fun. I think using this software to teach small idea to younger students is a way to get an idea across and keep them interested to what you are saying.

Blog Journal #6 Posting

In many ways I think that it is an oxymoron to use 'wikipedia' and 'learning resource' in the same sentence. I am no saying that it isnt helpful all of the time but, a majority of the time it is unreliable. There is no real was to know that they information on the site is 10% accurate. On wikipedia anyone can log on and edit information. I believe that using wikipedia as a starting point to learning about things is okay, as long as you find other credible websites to support the information wikipedia is giving you.

I think that learning about wikispaces.com is extremly useful. There are so many different things that I can use a wiki for. I think that the most useful thing that I can use wiki's for would be to keep my students parents updated. I can use the wiki to upload pictures and and links to what the students are doing in the classroom. It is a great way to keep parents involved.