Final Reflection

When I found out this class was about technology and we would be using computers constantly throughout the semester, I was nervous. I know everyone has probably said at some point that they are terrible with computers, but that phrase really did apply to me. The only time I used computers was for Facebook, e-mail, and school assignments. On the first day of class I quickly learned that maybe this class would not be so bad. We watched a video on how technology is not used enough in the classrooms; it was eye opening and interesting and it made me want to actually learn how to use the various resources we would be working with in order to make them available in my future classroom.

During this class, we worked on various projects and learned about several online resources that I plan on using in the classroom. For example, the most recent project that we created was the iMovie, or Digital Storyboard. I really enjoyed making this video for my future students and plan to create more videos in the future on topics that we will learn about in class. One of the resources that I enjoyed learning about most was Picnik; this was be helpful for me when creating pictures in the classroom.

Before starting this class I knew very little about computers, now I certainly feel more confident. I have certainly learned to discover answers on my own instead of constantly asking for help. This class has taught me that it is okay to make mistakes because we can always learn from them. The knowledge that I have gained through this course will help me tremendously in my future classroom and I will be able to be creative while teaching my students about various topics while using technology. 

The Life of Haley

Making a Digital Storyboard

I really enjoyed making this video. It was pretty easy to figure out how to work and offers many different features. The video that I made was good practice for how to make the digital storyboards. I think that this will be a tool that I can use in the classroom to show my future students a little bit about my life, like I did in this movie, or about various topics that we will be learning about.

Animoto

This was an interesting tool to learn about. It seems like a good resource for creating various slide shows. Even though I enjoyed playing around with it during class time I do think that I will use this as much now. However, I feel that it will be useful when working in my future classroom. This will be great when presenting presentations, doing introductions between students and teachers, etc.

Excel

Working with excel was frustrating at first, however I now see how useful it will be. The are many different elements that make excel confusing, but working with the practice sheet definitely helped. If we just had to jump into this project I would not have been able to complete it on time most likely. However, the step by step sheet that we were provided was extremely helpful. Not only did it give me a chance to practice and get used to working with excel, but it allowed me to use it as a reference when working on the final math spreadsheet that I created.

Working with Spreadsheets

I am glad that we had the extra practice with the spreadsheets before beginning the project. I liked the step by step directions because it really helped me, especially when it provided the visuals of what your screen should look like as you practiced. I still do not feel a 100% comfortable creating my own spreadsheet, but I think that if I use the one that we just created as well as the step by step sheet that it will be much easier.

Google Forms

I really enjoyed working with Google Forms tonight. It seems really helpful to use in the classroom, however since I plan on teaching first grade I am not sure how much I would be using it. This seems like a tool that would be more beneficial for older grades. I think it seems to be an extremely helpful way to learn more about your students. I would like to do some research on Google Forms to see if it has been used in elementary schools and how to determine if this is actually something that I would be able to use with the grades that I will be working with.

Inspiration

I really liked using inspiration once I started to figure it out. I feel this will be a useful tool to use in the classroom to show students visuals of different topics. It was interesting how you could use all of the different colors, images, etc.

Wordle and Tagxedo

I really enjoyed working with wordle and I feel that this will be a useful tool to use in a classroom setting. We used it once in my Information Sciences class as an activity for a book that we had read. It was an interesting activity for college students so I am sure elementary schools will find it interesting as well. I also think that Tagxedo is interesting because I like the shapes that it can create. I think that both of these are very similar, yet both will be very helpful.

Scavenger Hunt

Smilebox and Storybird

Tonight we learned about Smilebox and Storybird. I feel that both of these tools will be beneficial in the classroom with helping children to stay engaged with various activities. I really enjoyed working with the Smilebox; it was easy to use and this is something that I would really like to implement in my future classroom. Storybird will also be useful to possibly help children when working with creative writing skills for example.

Slideshow

Glogster and Picnik

Tonight we learned about Glogster and Picnik, I felt that they are both interesting but I think I will enjoy using the Picnik more. When we were playing with Glogster I thought it was more fun just to add the different images and change the backgrounds, but I do not know how often I would use it in the classroom. However, I do feel like Picnik will be very useful for a classroom setting; it is also fun to use now with current pictures that I have taken.

TWITTER!!!

For our project Jennifer and I got Twitter, I was a little disappointed because I did not want to be like everyone else and have a Twitter. After receiving our topic I signed up for a Twitter and my perspective was immediately changed. I have found that this is a great source for communication with friends. I also enjoy tweeting and after some research that Jennifer and I have done we have found that Twitter can be very useful for educational purposes as well.

What I currently think of wikis

I know it will change when we start working on them outside of class, but I don't like having to wait while someone else is editing the wiki; maybe I am just impatient. It also makes me nervous when it is finally my turn to edit because I feel like I have to hurry and rush with what I am posting so that the next person can get a chance to edit, write, etc. Hopefully I will find it easier to work on outside of class.

Reflection on Evaluating Websites

When I first came to the website I noticed all of the colors and the engaging animations and I thought that this would be an excellent site to use in an elementary school classroom, however after digging a little deeper my opinion was altered.  The site does not provide a clear author; the only information that is provided is that the information was gathered by a team of experts in a particular field.  In my opinion, anyone could be an ‘expert’ if they wanted to be.  It is beneficial that the website is free, however they have an advertising page located on the website that mentions that they do in fact do all of their own advertising in order to receive money. This has definitely showed me that not everything appears to be as good as it looks.  In the beginning I found this site to be educational, however after noticing some of the details I now feel differently. 

After reading the information on this site, I would recommend it with reservations. 


I have learned about various aspects to consider when reviewing a website such as, is the information complete, is there an author(s), is the information appropriate for the intended audience, etc. When first looking at the website I judged it based on its appearance and instantly thought this would be a wonderful site for elementary school students to use. However, after finding out more information I quickly learned not to judge the book by its cover. As an educator it is important to take the time to review a website that you potentially may have your students working with; just because you did not discover something that was not age appropriate, for example, does not mean that one of your students will not. I have learned how important it is to take the time and educate yourself before educating your class.

Website Evaluation Tool

This website provides clear instructions on how to find appropriate websites for the use of instruction; I feel that it is mainly directed towards teachers.  The website provides several different references that may also be useful and is part of ERIC digest.

Expectations for this Course

I find working with computers to be a challenge.  It often takes me quite a while to complete the simplest of tasks.  After reading Chapter 5, I discovered that I certainly know very little about computers and I am hoping to become more educated after completing TPTE 486.  I would also love to be able to take the knowledge that I gain through this course and apply it to my future classroom.  I already understand how important technology is, however it helps if you know how to use it.  Ultimately I would like to learn as much as possible in the time that we will spend in the classroom about technology and how to use it.

Introduction to Class

My name is Haley Bryan and I am from Cleveland, Tennessee.  I graduated from Cleveland High School in 2008 and have known that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in third grade.  I was blessed with an outstanding teacher, Mrs. Elkins, in third grade who went above and beyond to make sure that I succeeded.  She certainly changed my life and gave me a new outlook on the learning process.  I hope to one day change the life of a student or students the way she has done for me.  Even though I always thought that I wanted to be a third grade teacher, my mind changed when I entered the Child and Family Studies PreK-3 program.  I have become rather passionate about the process of teaching children to read and would love to become a first grade teacher.  This is the time when children are learning to read and I would love to be able to help them succeed in this sometime difficult process.  When I am not studying on how to become the best teacher that I can be I enjoy reading, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.