Post #5

The Internet is an almost priceless resource for the modern day student. In this generation, with all of the technology available, books and publications are now being subscribed to via the Internet. There are thousands of instant resources available for students to access at any moment. Although it takes away an element of cherished hard work when students no longer must go into the library and check out a publication to do their research, I think the Internet is a wonderful, if somewhat lazy resource that is invaluable.

Web-based learning is also important for teachers. They can use it to show different clips that apply to their lesson plans. They can use it to educate themselves and keep up to date with different improvements in their subjects or just in education as a whole. Teachers can also use web-based resources as a home page to post homework assignments and reminders about important test dates.

One thing that does concern me though, wanting to be a high school teacher, is the accessibility of the Internet. Students now can Facebook or Twitter from their phones. They can Google and look up or be surfing the web during class and that is a very difficult aspect of technology to monitor. I also know how easy it is to fool a teacher when in a computer lab to think that you are doing your work when you are truly not. It would be devastating to have some type of hate crime or a nasty website to be pulled up by one of my students under my supervision. Thank goodness schools have controls set on sites that can and cannot be accessed on school property.

Post #10

(1) 1 paragraph on topics you found most interesting from reviewing your classmates’ blogs.(2) 1 paragraph on what technology-related skill you would most like to learn next, and why.(3) 1 paragraph on ways in which you might achieve your future educational technology-related goals.

I always thought it was quite interesting to see how different people would use the same types of resources in different ways in their classrooms. I also really liked seeing people's different writing styles. It was always interesting to see how much they cared about getting the assignment done or doing the assignment to their best ability.

I would really be interested in learning how to use podcasts and in using new programs like Inspiration and Prezi. Students really seem to feel entitled to everything they are given, so new programs like these which allow for homeowkr to be finished in new and more fun ways, ways that they can put their own creative spin on and claim as their own. I love to see people figure things out. The lightbuilb momoent is a brilliant moment. So new programs like this give kids options on how they want their work to be presented as.

I really hope to keep up to date on new technology as it comes out. As newer generations get more technology savvy, it is important for teachers to keep up to date as well so that they are on the same level or at least know what is going on and what their students are capable of. it is also importnat for teachers to be knowledgeable so that they can earn more respect from the students.

Post #9

One good web-based tool that I think could be used really well is a podcast. It is a great way to combine information with technology. Kids these day really have short attention spans, so combining a lecture or great amounts of information with technology like podcasts would be a great way to capture studetns' attention ahilwe educating.

apple.com is a great source of information on how to create different podcasts, especially when using their products. Podcasts are also useful because they can be taken even further than outside of the classroom. The information would still be available to students for homework and other studying purposes. It would also be a unique opportunity for parents to be able to monitor what their kids are learning and see how the teacher is doing.

For programs like Excel and other programs like Microsoft Word or Powerpoint, I can use them in many different areas of my high school English classes. Excel can be used for grading and assessing student's growth and to keep an awards system if I wanted to create a little classroom rivalry as an incentive for doing well. Microsoft Word can be use for handouts and for homework projects. Powerpoint can be used during lectures or even for sending home lesson outlines or to be posted for instructions.

Post #8

In the PowerPoint 2 project, I decided to create a Jeopardy game about sports trivia. It was really fun to link all of the slides and navagate between the answers and the questions and the buttons. I really enjoyed doing this project.

I would really enjoy using Smartboards within the classroom. I think this tool is sufficient in keeping the students' attention as well as allowing them to interact and use the Smartboard under teacher supervision. Projects like PowerPoint Jeopardy would be a great asset to a tool like smartboard that is computer-based and non-computer-based working together.

Last week I learned about Excel and learned how to apply automatic average, mode, and median. This will be highly valuable if I should ever have to create my own gradebook. I also learned how to format cells and text, which really helps in many prjects that I have worked on.

Post #7

One of the greatest things about using presentations during class is that it is a new and possibly more interactive way to present information. The danger of using these programs comes from the teachers inability to use things like PowerPoint to its best capabilities. If the teacher just puts crazy amounts of information on the slides, it is just a colorful version of a boring lecture.

PowerPoint can be very useful in the classroom in two different ways. It is a great tool for the teacher to use to help foster creativity. It is also a great tool for teachers to allow the students to present group projects or information in a nice, neat presentation that is eye-catching and interesting at all levels. Something that should be remembered is that PowerPoints don't have to be long, tedious presentations. They can be used for short amounts of information that provide a different perspective and change of pace.

Something that really does interest me that has to do with technology is how well kids know how to use computers today. With the invention of smartphones, kids now have 24/7 access to the internet which can take away from the attention given to teachers.

Post #6

I believe Web 2.0 technologies would be very helpful as a teacher. It would allow me to share the information that I have learned with other colleagues or teachers outside of my local area and it would allow me to educate myself from what other teachers have learned. Networking within subject areas seems like a vital component to keep education fresh and alive and to help the student benefit to his/her utmost capability.

I think Wikipedia is a fun tool. I would never use it as a foundation source, but I do use it from time to time to compare other websites' information to see which seems more accurate. I also use it in passing to get a general idea of a subject or topic just for my own personal use. As an educational resource I am a bit more wary. I would rather have more accurate, solid information with which to share with my students to the point that there is no question of validity regarding my lessons.

I think learning how to do things like Wiki and the PowerPoint slide linking will really help in mixing things up in the classroom. Because school years are not equal to an actual calendar year, there is a lot of information to be presented in a short time. Learning new activities and presentations and how to share your resources and ideas will be vital information for me as a teacher.

That's all for now :)

Post #4

I believe that technology is completely essential within the classroom. Through podcasts, powerpoints, handouts, movies, clips, sound bites, and so much more, the classroom can actually be an inviting place for students to be. Especially in this day and age, kids communicate through technology so bringing it into the classroom can only help.

I would definitely encourage my students to use storyboard and/or outline ideas. It is a really great visual way to connect your ideas in your head and to visually see the path that your paper or project is meant to go in. It connects visual and manual learning together.

I have really enjoyed working with Inspiration. It is very easy to gather your thoughts and organize them in a very neat order in ways that will interest my students. It also is fun for me, which just makes creating lesson plans even better!

That's all for now!