I feel that I know a great deal more about the use of technology on a personal level and on a professional level. I am more familiar with the hardware and software that I have used in the past. I have become aware of additional hardware, software, and Internet usage and issues. I believe that knowledge in these subjects and the ability to apply this knowledge will assist me in being a better teacher.
As a result of my participation in C and I 335, I have gained skills in the use of technology. I am fortunate to have access to a wide variety of software provided by my district. I have gained a broader awareness of all that is available for use. I have also had the opportunity to look at how I can best apply those pieces of software that are appropriate for my students. As an instructor of students, my increased knowledge of Fetch and Claris Home Page is beneficial to incorporating websites and general web usage by my students. I feel as if creating and revising a web page has become second-nature to me. My newly found awareness of Bobby has opened my eyes to the issues of accessibility of my published works and issues of accessibility of others' published works for viewing in my classroom. I look forward to becoming proficient in the use of various tools found in Claris Home Page. Much of the technology related skills and concepts that I need to learn centers around increasing my general awareness of what is out there for use and what I am currently using but can learn more about.
I use communication tools to access, manipulate, and generate information. My greatest area of growth in the use of communication tools is familiarity with the Internet. While I have been using email for quite some time now, I have become more familiar with many tools and options which make use of email more efficient and effective. I have learned how to utilize a Webboard and email lists which can help me and my students to access and share information. I feel that I still can learn a great deal more about what is out there on the Internet. I suspect that neither I nor anyone else will ever know all there is to know about the Internet and what is out there. That is what is so exciting yet frustrating at the same time. I look forward to at least feeling comfortable and familiar with a large set of web sites that are beneficial to me and/or to my students.
I wish to use multimedia tools throughout the subjects I teach. I have used HyperStudio in the past with limited success. I am more familiar with it now and would consider tacking it again with my students. I learned a little about using Power Point during the orientation weekend held in June. I really liked it. It is my opinion that it is much easier to use than HyperStudio. For my intentions, Power Point does all that HyperStudio does without the complications. I can see using it with culminating science activities and reading activities just to name a few. I wish to investigate and use Power Point with my students in the future. I feel that they will enjoy using it.
There are legal, special needs, and computer ethics issues surrounding computer use in my classroom. I see these as particular issues while using the Internet. As I mentioned in Activity 2D, this will be a new set of lessons and activities for my classroom. I will teach my students to think critically as they use Internet information. Being able to think critically about the information they read will help them in all the reading they do. I intend for my students to learn to use valid web-based information in appropriate ways being sure not to infringe on copyright laws/ethics.
It is important for me to validly assess my students. I need to address evaluating the student centered activities. I intend to decide how to assess students' progress in learning centers. I want to look at how I can effectively grade their small group activities. I want my assessment to include how each group completed activities, how each individual in the group completed his/her portion of the activities, and to what degree each activity was completed. I also want to incorporate as many subject areas as possible to make this a cross-curricular unit. I want my unit activities for assessment to reflect my expectations for learner outcomes.