Dianne Fulton
Final
Reflections for C&I 335
After the Orientation to CI335, I was very worried. It seemed to
me that everyone else was far more advanced than I in every aspect of this
course. I was even more frustrated when I could not get my picture
to transfer to the Webboard. It was then that I started receiving
invaluable help from my fellow classmates as well as the technical staff
(Jim Buell). I would also get answers to my questions from classmates
by using e-mail. Reading others solutions to problems helped.
SKILLS
Now, I can link and target my Website with ease. After the first
couple of weeks, I began to feel more comfortable using the Webboard, Cterbase,
and WS_FTP. I certainly learned that our class had certain rapport
although we were communicating on-line. I even learned more about
the chats and got Real Audio. Our research into new technologies
really opened my eyes! I researched Java Applets. I felt that
everyone had insights into the applets that I did not. I learned
about many valuable resources that I now use on a regular basis.
Actually, I have come far enough, now, to be real dangerous. I do
know that there is a helluva lot more out there. None-the-less, it
has been a hoot.
COMMUNICATIONS
The entire course was communication dependent. One was expected to
be able to reflect on issues that impact technology. Reading what
others had to say, and expressing my own ideas was the ultimate goal of
C&I 335. All of us certainly used the Webboard, e-mail, and chats.
I adamantly participated in all aspects of the communication efforts.
As others have mentioned, although we have met only two days, we shared
more things as a class than if we had met together each day. We know
how each other feels about a multitude of subjects.
MULTIMEDIA
Having just a limited amount of experience in multimedia, I have increased
my knowledge in this area a hundred-fold. Even my co-workers are
saying, “Go ask Dianne to find out about certain math games, holiday ideas,
and how to augment the student’s learning.” This makes me proud that
at least if I don’t know the answer, I can look for a solution. In
this class, I have had success with Real Audio, Power Point, Web Quests,
Java Applets, and much, much more. I need to specifically mention
my familiarity with Netscape Composer. I am now comparing the quality
of that to other Web composers.
LEGALITIES,
SPECIAL NEEDS, AND ISSUES
With this topic, I have learned the necessity to evaluate Internet sites
and found several good guides. I have begun to teach my students
how to think critically. There has been a lot of discussion on plagiarism
and using the web. This is a topic that will be around for quite
a while. Additionally, I learned there are many aspects of accessibility
on the web. This goes from physical limitations, to economic, age,
and location needs. This course has guided us through many issues
arising with the increase of technology. The “Cathedral and the Bazaar”
made me expand my thinking to computer history and what the future may
hold in computer usage. Computer literacy is another issue that I
have begun to consider and apply in my classroom and personal computer
use.
EVALUATION
There are many evaluation tools that are available for the web. But
we, as educators, must make sure that what we teach is valuable to the
student, no matter what media we use to present this material. I
will make sure that my use of multimedia will benefit my students, and
not be just another gimmick tool. I am aware that I will continue
to evaluate credentials, web sites, and myself on the use of technology
in the classroom.
There
is much that I still need to learn. I plan to use this break (ok,
some of this break) to explore specific topics more thoroughly to master
them better. There are several URL’s that I bookmarked to go back
and study.
Chip, as our mentor, has
directed our learning, not dictated it. This means of education is
one that leads to learning.
“From whence I came, I have
journeyed far, but I still have a long way to go.” “…and miles to
go before I sleep.”
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eportfolio