Blogfolio

The first assignment in this course was to complete an introduction video and upload it to our blog.  The video was supposed to tell a little about myself and my hobbies. This assignment falls under NETS*T standard 2.a. to design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.  I could definitely use this in my future classrooms. I would use this on the first day of school as an icebreaker.  By allowing students the opportunity to video each other, they are allowed express themselves creatively.  I liked this assignment. It allowed me the opportunity to get to know a few of my fellow classmates with a creative use of technology.

Creating a concept map was the second assignment.  I created a concept map on Animal’s using Inspiration Software. Creating a concept map falls under NETS*T standard 1.a. to promote, support, and model creative innovative thinking and inventiveness.  I could use this in my future classrooms in many ways. I could use it a review tool, o ruse it as a thinking tool to engage students into class lessons. I could also give students a topic to research and allow them to create a concept map. I liked this assignment. I was able to display the five categories of animals in a fun creative way.  I like that I was able to add picture of the different animals and hyperlink websites with great information on animals.

The next assignment was to create a movie. I created a movie that told a little about my husband and me. The movie assignment falls under NETS*T standard 2.b. to develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.  I could use this in my future classrooms by allowing students to pick a topic and create a movie. This would allow the students to use technology while being creative. I really enjoyed making the movie. I was able to select my own pictures and create a movie to my liking. I also liked that we were able to put a song with the movie that related to the story that was being told with the pictures.

The fourth assignment was to create a speaking avatar using Voki.  This assignment falls under NETS*T standard 3.c. to communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Voki would be a great tool to use, because it is a great way to communicate to engage not only students but parents as well. I could use this on the first day of school to give a very short introduction of myself. It would have to be a short introduction, because Voki does have a limit on how much the avatar can talk. The limit on the amount the avatar can speak will definitely contribute to how much it is used in my future.  It was time consuming creating the avatar, and I cannot deliver hardly any information.  Therefore, I may not use it very often in my future classrooms. However, it was fun creating the avatar.

The fifth and final assignment was to create a teacher webpage.  The teacher webpage falls under NETS*T standard 4.b. to address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. I will use this assignment more in my future than the others. It was so easy to create and is easily assessable to parents and guardians.  It can be used for parents to see all course information, course materials, course rules, and frequent updates. I liked that we were able to create a resource page. Resources allow students to easily navigate to sites that can help them with the course lessons. I am glad we were required to create a teacher webpage. It is something I want to have for my future classes, and now I am fully capable of creating one. 

Prior to beginning this course, I was very unsure of what I was going to learn.  However, I have learned a great deal of useful knowledge. I plan to use this gained knowledge in my future classrooms and throughout my teaching career.  The assignments throughout this course have enlightened me to all of the technology resources that are available for education.  I believe that I have learned so much about technology. Everything I have learned has better prepared me for teaching technology in my future classrooms.