Final Reflection

     I really enjoyed this class. I work in a technology field, Cyber Transport for the Air Force, and yet I learned some new tools in using technology that I was not aware. Concept mapping is a huge one.

     I have never heard about concept mapping before this class, but having a visual road map of lessons is a great way to keep on track. The ease of putting them together using the Inspiration software is invaluable! This can be used not only in the classrooms, but in everyday life to map out goals. I loved the ease of adding color and pictures to these as well.

     Another useful tool is the assistive technology used for special needs students. I have never really explored the different options that Windows has to offer, so I was amazed when I was shown these options. We have a secretary working with us that has trouble reading the computer screen, so I immediately went over to show her how to use these features. She now has it much easier now that she can see the screen better.

    I think the most valuable tool I learned in this class is the Turn It In web tool. I did not realize there was a place I can go and check out to make sure I am not plagiarizing. Although I cannot use this for the classes I am currently teaching, I can definitely use it as a student. I firmly believe that all students should be taught how to use this valuable tool starting in high school. 

    Believe it or not, the most helpful tool was the RubiStar for making rubrics. We learned this just in time, because I was able to use it for a homework assignment in another class. I was able to customize a template that was offered, so using RubiStar was a huge time saver for the project I created.

    My strong points in this class besides helping April and Rick through the different projects is a tie between building the student concept map and building the movie using the Movie Maker tool. I enjoyed mapping out the lesson and choosing the different pictures for the topic/subtopic nodes. I am confident that I can give that student map to any of my students learning fiber optics, and they would be more interested learning than from reading the textbooks we are currently handing out.

    Creating the movie for my painter friend, Erika was another strong point for me. I was just so motivated to create a strong, beautiful movie for her using the cool tools that the Movie Maker software provided. I loved getting to assemble the paintings, to choose the transitions and the page effects. Even searching and choosing the right music was fun. I will definitely be able to use this knowledge gained for many upcoming projects my son will undoubtedly have, as well as creating personal movies for my family who live all over the states.  

    My weak point was learning how to design the web page. I have never created one before, so diving in and trying all the different features were almost foreign in the set-up. Once I got used to where to find the different features, I was ok, but I was on shaky ground for awhile. I don’t like the limitations presented by the Google webpage, but it is free, so I can’t complain!

    Overall, this class was a high point of the semester. I looked forward to going to class, to challenge myself and to have fun. I learned new useful technology and even built myself a blog page that I hope to keep going.


:)

Google Group Reflection

   We learned how to use the Google Group class discussion boards. This is where a discussion board was created, and others in the class were invited to join. It is a great way to exchange information. With this tool, we can make a comment, ask each other questions, reply to the topic, or just take over the other person’s comments and change them. In fact, my comments were changed from “Let's sing and dance and sprinkle around pretty flowers!” to “Let's scream and cry and act like monkeys in a cage!” This was added as well, “Love the bananas!”

   This is way different from a web page or a blog since neither one can be changed by a member viewing the page. Also, with both a web page, comments are emailed through an email address listed on the web page. With a blog, comments can be entered, but in most cases, they will be monitored before they are posted to the site. This is a huge advantage of web pages and blogs over a groups session, although I do love bananas! :)

   In class, we started out with a story about Fido who was afraid to swim in the ocean. Each of us was to build upon this story which has us, the students using the Creativity and Innovation NETS-S standard. We all demonstrated creative thinking (since Fido turned out to be a beautiful parakeet), construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Unfortunately for Fido, he sang too much while he swam and lost his family to alligators.

   Read the short story developed by our class using Google Group class discussion at http://groups.google.com/group/it-365-discussion-group-/web/krj-page?version=27.

:)

Reflection on Web Pages

   
    Developing web pages for the classroom helps out not only teachers, but also the students. They help out teachers by giving them a virtual place to put information and programs or links that helps advance student learning. Web pages are fun to build and exciting for students to explore.

   On the web page I developed for a fictitious science class, I was able to find content to place on the web pages with no problem. I was able to find free pictures to decorate the pages, and found free science games my students can click on and learn more about science. The web page itself was free as well, so the only thing a teacher has to spend is time and effort.

   Using web pages in the classroom helps out students by supporting the NETS-S Creativity and Innovation standard where students use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues. The simulations would be the games placed on the web page, and the complex systems are the materials learned. They would also demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations under the Technology Operations and Concepts standard.

   Web pages are great for helping the teachers organize their work. This can be easily done when designing the web page. A hierarchy or level of importance can be established, putting the most important information at the top of the page so it can be easily found. Tables can be created to control the layout of the page and makes the page look more attractive. Another way web pages can help organize is to develop different pages that will break down the different areas. For example, on my web page, I have three different pages with related content on them. One page is for the parents, to outline the classroom rules and to show them some of the areas of science that can be looked at through games. I have another page that gives a little more information about me, and the last page outlines my lessons for the week. 

:)