ILP "Participation"- Lynda.com Tutorial

Lynda.com Tutorial: Creating Multimedia Learning

This course, taught by Renaldo Lawrence, was about how to create multimedia projects based on regular curriculum or lesson plans. He discussed how transforming parts of lessons into multimedia content and interactive projects can positively impact students as it addresses the learning styles of auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. This course gave step by step instructions on how to convert a lesson into multimedia, first by deciding what you want to make multimedia, organizing everything, and then putting it together using multiple resources. Lawrence talks about tools needed such as microphones, and about programs, websites, and software available such as Adobe Presenter, YouTube, Audacity, Google Docs, and many more. This course was extremely informative because not only did it introduce me to multiple resources for incorporating technology into my lessons, but it also took me step by step on how to make it the most effective for my future students.

Here is the link to the notes I took while watching the Lynda.com course, beneficial if you would like to learn how to turn lessons into multimedia curriculum! Notes on "Creating Multimedia Learning"

Here are some screenshots from the course video. The first is of when Lawrence was teaching about what multimedia was, and the second and third photos are of two apps created to teach students interactively about geography and about the rain forest. These are examples that teachers watching this course could imitate in their own multimedia lessons.

Favorite Color Survey

Favorite Color Survey

Blog Post #10

            I think that when teaching, I will use data collection tools such as Excel to keep track of students’ grades and their overall progress in the class. For a specific middle school history class, I could use it to present data and statistics of certain things in history to my class, and I can use it to track the behavior of my students if I have a group that has behavior problems. I can use data collection tools such as Excel to turn in to my boss to show the different assignments and the grades my students received on them. I would also use survey programs such as Google Forms in class as a form for evaluation at the end of the semester, or for choosing a movie to watch or book to read so that my students have a say in the classroom. These tools put a lot of information into one document that is easy to read, and they are an easy way to gather information from students, which is why they are beneficial and will be used by me as a future teacher.

               Reviewing my classmates’ blogs throughout the semester, I found that I highly enjoyed topics where they posted new or interesting technologies that I had not heard of. It was interesting to learn about new things, hear how they would use it, and be able to follow a link to it and research the new technology, program, or tool myself. One of these was Diigo. These topics on the blogs were not only interesting because the technologies students talked about were just really amazing, but hearing how the other students would use those technologies gave me ideas of how I could use them so was beneficial.

                I would like to learn how to work better with computer software. I am not comfortable with installing and downloading computer software or working with it to create something that could be used in my classroom to teach. I think that becoming more comfortable with current computer programs, I will be better prepared to learn new computer software programs when they come out in the future so that my students can have access to the most recent technologies through my classroom.

               I think that in order to keep up with the newest technologies and educational technology changes, I will need to take part in workshops and lectures or conferences about new technology and how to use it in the classroom. I hope to stay up to date on new technology and ideas for using it in the classroom through social media like Twitter, and by reading teacher blogs and looking out for workshops in my area. I wish to use technology to the fullest in my classroom and I want to be comfortable with it so that it can have the greatest positive impact on my students.  

PowerPoint for Information Dissemination

PowerPoint Interaction

Blog Post #9

The flipped classroom is where activity that usually happens in the classroom happens at home, and where what usually happens at home, happens in the classroom. Teachers assign recorded educational videos to the students to watch for homework so that the students learn the material at home rather than having the teacher lecture to them during class time (Lever-Duffy 238). Then in class, the students work on assignments and activities that will engage them in the material and help them better understand it- something that is usually homework. This allows teachers to spend time guiding the students to make discoveries for themselves, gain hands-on experience, and go deeper in the content, rather than lecturing, which may not reach many students. Khan Academy is an outstanding source for educational videos that teach material effectively. Here is the link to their website:  https://www.khanacademy.org/

A great web-based resource teachers can use for professional development are blogs. Blogs allow teachers to get ideas from what other teachers have done in their classrooms, and to see how teachers handled classroom management, time management, and disruptions/problems with their students. Also, according to the podcast on Technology and Professional Development, new teachers can learn what to expect in the classroom before they are placed in one, and when teachers are assigned a grade level for the first time they can find out how to handle that age group by reading blogs by teachers who teach that grade level. A very interesting blog I came across is by a teacher who instructs 6 year olds. Here is the link if you would like to see some interesting and fun activities she has recently done with her students: /http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/

I enjoyed the PowerPoint Interaction assignment because it was fun to make a game for students to learn from in an engaging way. I learned how to make objects move on a single slide and how to time the length of their movement and at what action they move on. Although it was challenging at times to make the PowerPoint move on its own without multiple clicks, and to make my information flow with the template, it was something I know I will do in the future with my students. Next time to improve I would attempt to create the game by scratch instead of using a template. I would use a game like this for review for a quiz or test. I would also use it after reading a book or watching a movie in order to test the student’s retention. 

Blog Post #8

I think that the technology advancement that holds the most promise for future education is Gamification, such as the new technology, ATOMS. Gamification would be significant to future education because it immerses children in hands-on education, which I believe is much more beneficial than learning just from a textbook or lecture. Gamification makes learning interactive, fun, and eliminates the standard ways of testing (Lever-Duffy, 288-89). For example, ATOMS allows students to work with electronic blocks, letting them use their hands to learn about technology and to create things on their own, which challenges and strengthens the brain (288). This technology would be used to teach material, allow students to create projects, and test students on topics- just all through activities and games.

                The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not. I do have access to technology. I have my own laptop and cell phone, and access to internet access at my home, at school, as well as public places such as restaurants that provide free Wi-Fi. The digital divide will impact my classroom because I will have students in my class that do not have computers at home or that do not have access to the internet at home. This will make using technology for things such as homework assignments or take-home projects difficult for some students. Since technology is so important for education and especially future education, assistance will need to be given to those children that do not have access to technology and the internet. As a teacher I would have to ensure that the student would have time to access the internet at school in order to complete assignments. I will also have to teach the students technological skills so that they are not behind those who learn technology at home.  

                The PowerPoint for Information Dissemination assignment taught me how to record a PowerPoint Show. I have never had to voice over a PowerPoint before, so it was interesting to do so. I also learned how to create a master slide, and use SmartArt. I highly enjoyed doing this assignment and I liked finding pictures and videos to add to the lesson, as well as creating activities and questions to go with the lesson. However, the assignment was very time consuming. I can improve my PowerPoint by including more graphs, animations, or speaking less monotone in my PowerPoint show. I will be creating PowerPoints just like this one to teach lessons to my future students as a teacher, so it was very beneficial to get practice now. 

PowerPoint Assignment 9

Blog Post #7

PowerPoint can be used to help student learning at each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. For “remember”, having a few key terms on the PowerPoint will help those important words stick into student’s heads so they memorize them. For “understand”, you can have a picture on the PowerPoint that describes what you are talking about, further helping students understand the topic by mixing a visual with your description. For “apply”, you can pose a question on the PowerPoint, or link to a website that has practice problems or questions regarding the topic, to allow students to use what you’re teaching. For “analyze”, you can have a chart, graph, or concept web or map on your PowerPoint that makes the topic more clear for the students and connects the ideas simply. For “Evaluate”, you can compare and contract two views by splitting the slide in two showing the different sides, to allow students to decide which one they agree with after critiquing their ideas. For “create”, you can use your PowerPoint as an example of how your students should design their own PowerPoints, and give examples of good slides and bad slides through your PowerPoint.

                

Adaptive technologies are those things that support learners who may have some disability or exceptionality. Word prediction software is a program that predicts the next word the student wants to type and shows the choices. This helps students who have physical disabilities that make typing hard. There is also talking word processing programs that allow students with physical disabilities to complete assignments without having to do any physical writing or typing (Lever-Duffy 69). These programs are just two examples of adaptive technologies explained in “Teaching and Learning with Technology” that support learners with exceptionalities. According to the podcast, there are also adaptive technologies that help those students with learning disabilities, such as spell checking software. This greatly helps students who have Dyslexia and other problems with writing and grammar. I have used spell check software through Word when writing papers for class, and I have also used word prediction software when text messaging. They are a great benefit to make writing easier, faster, and to ensure that they are scholarly written with proper grammar and spelling throughout. I believe that there may be challenges when it comes to allowing some students to use adaptive technologies while others do not. Also, it may be difficult to have a student trying to speak into a program to type when students around him or her are speaking as well, or quietly trying to work on their own assignments.   

I learned a lot while working on the web page design assignment. This was my first time making a website, so it was interesting to learn how to design each page. The templates that Weebly provided were helpful, and after a while I got comfortable with changing text size, font, color, backgrounds, and organizing things on the page. I learned how to hyperlink a picture or a word, rather than just inserting a URL link, which I am glad that I now know how to do. I found it difficult to place pictures exactly where I wanted them, which gave me some frustration but after a while I was able to design the pages to my liking. Next time I can improve my website by being more creative in different design layouts for each page, and adding more interactive graphics or videos. I know that I will be using the skills I learned in this assignment as a teacher, because I will create and continually keep going a website for my classes that the students and parents will be able to access. The website will be beneficial because it will have important dates, links that will help with the curriculum, and information on how to contact me. 

Web Page Design Link

8th Grade American History Website

Web Page Design

ILP "Design"- Edmodo

I created an Edmodo group site for an 11th Grade American History Class. After personalizing my teacher profile, I created an assignment using Microsoft Word and then posted it to Edmodo, along with an online exhibit the students would use to complete the assignment. I also created a quiz on WWI through Edmodo, assigning a due date for both of these. There are links to audio recordings, a video, and an interactive game that the students can access. I also used Goggle Docs to post a spreadsheet in which the students will fill out their groups for projects in the class. This Edmodo site would be used by a teacher to post assignments, quizzes, interactive activities and links, and discussion questions for his or her students. The assignments and quiz is also linked to gradebook so parent's can see their student's academic progress. Click on the link below to access the Edmodo:

11th Grade American History Edmodo Page

group code: 7qbtaz 

15 Differences between Amateur Slides and Professional Slides Slideshare!

This slideshare shows the differences between a PowerPoint slide that is amateur, or not that good, to a professional one that is easy to read, most effective, and most creative. It discusses, font, size of text, color scheme, and many other things!

15 Differences Between Amateur & Pro Slides! from Sadman Sadik

Web Evaluation Form

Pictures of Class Websites

Blog Post #6

               I found a website for the Stevenson School in California that contained many class webpages from teachers in all grade levels and subjects. The grades 7-8 history pages contained information about upcoming homework assignments due, information about a class trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City, a tab containing the current topic that is being discussed in class, and information on a big History Day project coming up. The webpage for a 5^th grade STEM math class included upcoming homework assignments, as well as numerous links to over 30 online math games and practice programs. For the same school, Stevenson, the webpage for Art classes were outstanding. They had different sections for the various art projects they did throughout the year, and the pages displayed the student’s artwork in dozens of different pictures. They had projects for things such as the Japan Relief Project and Dia de los Muertos. 

                The Word Office suite is a good productivity tool, according to the Podcast. Word, a word processor, is a tool that I envision myself using to create engaging worksheets and assignments for my students, and as a productivity tool by using it to create webpages, calendars, newsletters and personal letters to my students’ parents (Lever-Duffy 150). The podcast also talks about how I can use a word processor to write down notes, add hyperlinks to remind myself of places I want to return to later, and so on. I will also use presentation software to be a more effective teacher. Presentation software such as PowerPoint and online programs like Prezi would allow me to immerse my students into the material through audio, video, graphics, and interactive activities. I can also hyperlink other websites or tools to further enhance their knowledge and keep them engaged in the material (Lever-Duffy 159). This would be much more effective than just lecturing for the entire class period. I think that a technology that will help me be more efficient is classroom management software. This includes programs that provide for taking attendance, making seating charts, and inputting assessment results (Lever-Duffy 162). Technology like this will help me save time in the classroom by taking attendance quickly, and I will also be able to easily display a seating chart for my students to see and adhere to. Also, I will be able to efficiently keep track of my student’s grades through spreadsheets, as the podcast discusses, throughout the semester which will be beneficial when it comes time for final grades.

                During the last assignment, I learned how to use PBworks to create a webpage. I found it difficult to create the Evaluation Form on the website and I feel that it would have been easier if created on word and then transferred over. Learning a new website and program was interesting but difficult, so I understand why some teachers who did not grow up with technology would not be keen to using it in the classroom. However, it was good to learn something new that I can use with my students. I liked finding a website to evaluate using the form and think that it would be useful for students to create their own projects. I think that next time I can improve how complex and organized the evaluation form is since I will be more comfortable using the website.

Unfinished Concept Map

Blog Post #5

I think that YouTube, blogs, and educational social media are useful in the classroom. Youtube can be used by teachers to find educational videos that will be beneficial to the audio/visual learners in their classroom. The podcast talks about how twitter can be used to learn from people who tweet about the topic that is discussed in class or about the subject of the class such as science or history. Blogs, similar to how we use them in this class, are a great way for students to write about what they’ve learned, share their ideas, and learn from their fellow students. Social media and blogs also allow teachers to communicate with students over the web, which communication and interaction is part of Web 2.0. These improve teacher professional development because they allow teachers to reach a wider type of learners and be more efficient teachers through varying their lessons. Web 2.0 contains a huge amount of knowledge that helps teachers and students.

No specific software is required to access blog sites, YouTube, or social media sites, however, access to the internet and a computer, smartphone, or tablet is necessary. No peripherals are absolutely needed unless the computer, tablet, or cell phone does not contain enough storage on their hard disk to save data from blogs or social media (Lever-Duffy 97-100). If they do not, then external hard drives or use of online or cloud storage may be necessary to use these web programs. Data projectors are required if teachers would like to show the entire classroom a particular blog or video from Youtube (Lever-Duffy 124).

 

Scribd is a Web 2.0 tool that is a digital library. In a classroom, it can be used by teachers to easily assign reading assignments to students, and for students to easily access the reading assignment rather than having to buy a copy of the book or look for it in the library. Scribd allows each person to create their own personal library that holds all of the books they are reading or would like to read. There is an app so my students and I can use it on tablets and cell phones easily. Scribd can be incorporated for use in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Teachers can have students use technology to do silent reading time on Scribd during class, and can assign reading homework for outside of school hours.

Scribd has audiobooks, which would allow those students who are more auditory learners to comprehend the reading material better. Besides using Scribd directly to assign specific readings to my students, Scribd will also become a tool that students can use to do research for various papers, assignments, or for personal enjoyment. Students can find profiles on Scribd that have books on specific subjects, periods of time, or even study guides for different subjects. Introducing students to Scribd would expand their accessibility to books as well as encourage them to read more often since the books would be accessible on their phones, tablets, and computers.

https://www.scribd.com/

 

While doing the concept mapping assignment, I learned how to use Webspiration. This was my first time using this program, and so it took a while to figure out how to create my concept map. I learned how to create new shapes, arrange the shapes, connect shapes based on what they contained, and how to change the color fill of the shapes. I found that it was somewhat difficult to move around and arrange the shapes to exactly where you wanted them to go and that creating the concept map took patience. However, Webspiration was a great tool to create a map that would help other students, and its collaboration and chat feature allowed me to complete a group project without having to meet up with my partner face to face. This was something that was very beneficial due to our busy schedules. Students will also be busy and so using Webspiration would make group projects easier for them and allow them to get practice using technology for assignments. Next time I can improve my concept map by making the map as a whole easier to read. Since my concept map was in the shape of a circle, it may not flow as easily to the reader, so that could be improved on my next assignment.  

Blog Post #4

SS.912.A.1.2 Utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources to identify author, historical significance, audience, and authenticity to understand a historical period.

In order to teach this standard, I will send my students to Nettrekker.com (http://www.nettrekker.com/us/ ), where they can search for information on a specific topic they chose in American History. This lesson will allow them to see a variety of sources on Nettrekker including audio, visual, graphics, and written sources, both primary and secondary in order to meet the standard. Then, students will write down the information they find on their search of Nettrekker, identifying the author and who the audience is, as well as the historical information that the source contains. Nettrekker.com is a reference software tool (Levver-Duffy 183) and a database that is safe for students and aligns with the Common Core Standards. This digital reference software tool allows students to search any appropriate topic and find information through multimedia sources rather than just print.

When I have searched for and evaluated internet sources to decide whether to use them for research or an assignment, I always looked to see who the author was, when it was published, and whether the source was reliable or not. Usually, the sources had to be scholarly, meaning they were reviewed for accuracy and reliability. The website or book, journal, or other source that I got it from also had to be reliable and usually unbiased. This varies from what was said in the podcast about evaluating internet resources, as it discussed the design of the website. I do not recall giving the design or accessibility of the website or internet source much thought. I also did not check for whether the websites were stable or not, as mentioned in the podcast. However, the podcast did discuss evaluating a source for its author, whether it held biases, and if the content was accurate, which I do when evaluating internet sources.

I think that working on this assignment better helped me evaluate a website before selecting it to get information from. If the website looked questionable, I looked for a new website. I learned how to evaluate what the thing was that I would be doing in my classroom, and decide which standard best fit it. This was sometimes hard because for some, multiple standards would have worked. I also realized that technology can be integrated into most lessons, as the tools available online are increasing to reach math, science, social studies, and language arts. Through this exercise I think that I also became more efficient at finding information online.

Web Hunt Challenges:

1.       You want to find a video that will teach your students about NASA. Find a website that has an informational video you could show your class.

2.       You want to send reminders home to your students through the internet (computer, cell phone, etc.). Find a program that you could use to do this.

3.       You want to design name plates for your students using an online program. Find one that you could use to do this.

Newsletter Design

Blog Post #3

The ELA technology standard that I am very comfortable with is W/WHST.8 “Use Multiple Sources”. This involves using print and digital sources such as audio and video to gather information (“Consuming” Tech Standards). I have a lot of practice using online database sources such as JSTOR for research papers, and watching documentaries and videos and taking notes from them. Therefore, I think that I would be comfortable teaching these things to my future students.  I think that the ELA technology standard that I need more preparation with is using digital media in presentations (SL.5 “Use Digital Media”). I have not had proper training or have taken a class on digital media and technology, and therefore my only experience with it is what I have figured out on my own. I think that further knowledge of digital media will help me better present material to my students, and better help me teach my students how to do this themselves. The varying materials such as audio and visual will help students with different learning styles to comprehend material and use it as well.

I would like to use social networking sites such as Edmodo with my students in order for them to be more connected to what is going on in the classroom. I wish to teach at the high school level, and the generation of digital natives are always on social networking sites and their cell phones. Web tools, like Edmodo, allow students to access them from their cell phones or computers at home. With notifications turned on, I as a teacher will be able to post assignments, post updates about assignments or quizzes, and post online reading material at any point out of school hours and students will be able to see it immediately. This will remind those students who tend to forget about homework or quiz dates, and the information will be right in their hand on their phone rather than on a piece of paper crumbled at the bottom of their backpack. Most parents allow their high school age students to use at least some type of social networking site, and with Edmodo, they can be connected too in order to see all that is going on. Therefore, all students should be able to use it and access any information I post on the class page. When it comes to digital citizenship, I will need to address how students interact on Edmodo with each other and with myself, monitor that there are no inappropriate posts or private personal information being posted, that students cite everything they post on it that was taken from another source, and that students participate in the discussions an acceptable amount. These will make them good digital citizens and make their experience with Edmodo most efficient. As the teacher and author of the class webpage, I will make sure to keep the site up to date, post regularly, and always ensure that it is enhancing the class’s knowledge and comprehension of what is going on in class.

 During the Newsletter Design assignment, I learned how to use the formatting tools such as “clear all formatting”. When using the word art, I had to figure out how to switch back to normal text which led me to figuring out how to clear the formatting in order to then change the font and text color. I also learned how to add graphics and move them easily around the document by putting it behind the text rather than in front of the text. I really enjoyed creating the newsletter because it was fun to make it colorful and add graphics to it. I also enjoyed pretending to be a teacher with my own students and make up things like a history fair, the names of the winners, and a field trip that we would go on in the future. I didn’t like having to use textboxes, columns, different types of print formatting, and other things that were difficult and sometimes took a long time to get just right on the page. I believe that I could improve my newsletter by making the articles more in-depth and interesting, as well as adding photos of actual students or projects that the class completed. I will use the Word formatting skills I learned in this assignment when creating letters to give to parents, when making colorful newsletters like this one, when creating lesson plans and handouts for students, and when creating graphics for presentations and projects.  

Blog Post #2

            As far back as I can remember I have used Microsoft Word, whether it be in class, for homework, or for personal things. As a student, I have used Word to take notes during lectures, to write papers, to do homework assignments, and to complete group projects. Almost all of the courses I have taken in college, and many if not most in high school required that I use a word processor, and I always used Microsoft Word. I have seen my teachers use word in class to teach. For example, my Spanish teacher would use word to type our answers to questions as we said them aloud, and would project them on the board so that we could get the spelling correct. Also, many of my teachers used word to create worksheets and handouts for us.

            As a student, I have never had severe restrictions regarding where I got information for research projects, papers, or assignments. It was only ingrained in my mind that “not citing your sources is plagiarism”. For any assignment, I had to cite where I got information because of copyright. However, I was allowed to use information that I learned from sources because of fair use. As the Code of Best Practices for Fair Use” stated, fair use allows for creative activity and an advancement of knowledge (Media Education Lab). My teachers would print off handouts from books, or upload PDF versions of a chapter of a book for us to read, and would cite where they got the information from. Other teachers would take graphs from a textbook in order to further explain it. These things are legal under fair use, because according to the podcast on Copyright and Fair Use, they are considered non-profit educational purposes for using material that is not yours. As a teacher, I would use materials in the same way that I have experienced my teachers use them under fair use, blending handouts and lessons I create myself with other materials that will supplement the lesson. I would ensure that my students understand copyright and fair use and I would teach them how to cite their sources when gathering their own information for assignments. I will stress the importance that they should only be using a little bit of information found in copyright sources and that most of their work should come from themselves, as a lesser amount of information taken from a source is more likely to be legal under fair use (Lever-Duffy 266).

            In class we discussed ways that Twitter can be used by teachers and as educational technology. I knew that Twitter was a great source of information outside of the classroom, but I have learned that teachers and students can use it to learn new techniques of teaching, new assignments or projects, or new technologies that they can use in their own classroom. I also learned that as a social networking tool, teachers can use Twitter to connect parents to their children while they are at school through tweeting about projects going on or tweeting pictures. Twitter can be a way to keep parents involved with their child’s progress in school, and using social networking sites in this way is a new skill I have learned through this class. I would probably use a social media site to keep parents aware of classroom happenings, as well as to keep the students up to date on assignments and test dates. I would like to use a program that allows the students to sign up for alerts via text message, because I found those very helpful in high school. I would post things like clarifications on assignments, reminders about due dates, and reminders about what to bring to class the next day.

Blog Post #1

          Computers are an important part of education because they enhance the learning experience by providing students with various ways of learning. This ensures that students with all different learning styles are accommodated. Computers allow teachers to create presentations through software like PowerPoint and Keynote that provide students with a visual representation of material through their multimedia capabilities of graphics, audio, and video (Lever-Duffy 13). This helps those who have trouble learning through verbal presentation alone. Also, access to the internet through computers in a classroom enhances the educational experience by allowing students to complete quizzes and activities that will help them further comprehend the material being taught (Lever-Duffy 12). Concerns regarding how teachers use computers in the classroom include the ability to pay for computers and allowing time to use computers. Many school districts in the U.S. cannot afford to provide computers for every classroom, which limits how and how much teachers use computers to enhance learning (Lever-Duffy 16). Also, making time to incorporate technology and computers into lesson plans is difficult for many teachers (Lever-Duffy 17). A main concern now is that teachers use technology to reinforce what they are teaching. As it is difficult to have personal time with each student to ensure they are understanding the material, computer programs provide that personal help each student needs. (Lever-Duffy 32). Therefore, teachers are being encouraged to incorporate computers into their lessons often. Numerous factors make students different from one another such as diverse backgrounds resulting in a lack of knowledge of English, various learning styles, different environmental factors, and different levels of thinking skills. All of these concerns can be addressed with one thing: more computer use in the classroom. I agree that computers provide programs to students that can increase their knowledge of English and topics taught in class. From what I have seen through my teachers, the computer has made creating lesson plans and keeping students engaged in the material much easier. There is a major problem of schools lacking technology due to funding, and I think that is something that needs to be addressed, as technology is playing a large role in increasing knowledge.  

          The ISTE Standard for teachers that especially gladdens my heart is to “facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity” through technology. As a teacher one of my main goals is to inspire all of my students and to make a positive impact on them. I want to share with them my love for the social sciences, which will be done by allowing them to use technology to dive deeper into history and make real-world connections to it. Through digital resources students can not only find out more information through digital archives, but also create projects and watch educational videos. In a subject that many deem boring due to how they were taught it, technology is necessary to engage students and facilitate creativity. One standard that I believe is outside of my skill set is part of the “design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments”. It requires that teachers “create learning environments that allow students to make their own educational goals and manage their own learning”. I am not sure what type of technology based lesson would foster this. However, I think that through developing my technology literacy I will learn how to give students an environment in which they will be able to do this.  

          I fully agree with the definitions of “digital natives” and “digital immigrants”. To be a digital native is to be someone who grew up being comfortable with technology and technology being a part of everyday life. Digital natives do not have to think twice about using technology to answer a question, communicate easier with others, and learn. I also agree that digital natives figure out how to use new technologies on their own, whereas many digital immigrants seek help in using new technologies. In school I had numerous teachers who needed help using technology. Whether it was figuring out how to turn the volume on while watching a video, or opening a new tab on the web browser, a student was always quick to jump up and help the teacher when they asked. This impacted my learning experience numerous times because it caused a disruption in the flow of class that led to talking and off-task behavior by fellow students. Also, I have always heard teachers talk about how “kids these days” are attached to their cell phone, often using words such as “addicted”. This shows how many teachers, “digital immigrants”, do not use technology such as cell phones as often as students, “digital natives” do. I had a few teachers who were older in age who did not use technology at all in the classroom. This hindered how much I learned in the class because I was not provided with visual graphics, videos, or other interactive programs to enhance my learning. I anticipate that my future students will be even more dependent on technology than I am, even though I am considered to be a digital native. As new technologies and programs continue to be developed, I will be learning them as an adult whereas my students will be growing up with them. Technology was not a significant part of my education in elementary school, however, it will be for my future students, which I believe will result in brighter students that are more comfortable with educational technology than I was at their age.    

I have never taken a class that was devoted to computer literacy or learning how to use various computer programs. However, in different classes throughout middle and high school I used Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Prezi to complete projects and presentations. I have had mostly successful experiences with using technology for education.

I hope to learn how to become more comfortable and efficient using the computer for my schoolwork. I also am looking forward to learning about the various ways technology can be used in the classroom to teach, as I want to be a teacher. I think that this class will help me in the rest of my student career and in my teaching career in the future.

I found that my learning style is extremely varied. My results for the questionnaire show that I am just as much an active learner as I am a reflective learner, and that I am only a slightly better visual learner than I am a verbal learner. I found that I am a sequential learner, which does not surprise me because I was aware that when solving difficult problems or critically thinking I must take slow steps to reach a full understanding or solution. I find it easier to learn facts rather than think about theories or concepts, which is a reason I love history, and this learning styles questionnaire showed that by telling me that I am more of a sensing learner than an intuitive learner.