Blog Post 10

The most interesting thing about everyone's blogs is that they all were learning something new. I also liked the different perspectives everyone took about technology. In some things people felt very competent in what they were doing involving the technology but in other instances, people felt completely lost. Sometimes people did not know what they wanted to learn or what to say in their posts. I also found it interesting how everyone's writing style when talk about the topics in the chapter was very dry but when they came to the last paragraph, the writing style was very relaxed.

The next technology I would like to learn is movie editing. I have a few ideas that I would really like to make but I just don't know how. I know how to use Windows Movie Maker but I would really like to learn more advance programs that allow you to do a whole lot more with a movie.

I guess the best way to achieve my goals is to get out there and actually try. Unless I actually try, I'll never know if I like it or will find it easy to do or hard to do or as complex as it sounds. I might use a program that I thought I could never use and find that it actually is not as hard as it seems.

Post 9

I looked at the website www.historyteacher.net. On the front page it has a variety of links to history teaching resources such as powerpoints. It has links to history in the making such as the Iraq War. I particularly like the section about why study history. It has links to various atlases, encyclopedias, and dictionaries. There are also links for ideas about oral projects and old magazine articles. This site has a plethora of useful links, even one specific for AP History classes.

They layout of the webpage is pretty simple. Down the middle are various tributes to people and links to government websites. On each side are more links. When the webmaster adds more links, they put a flashing "new" arrow beside them. The only downside is that it might take a bit to read all of the link titles to find exactly what you are looking for.

What I want to learn about the most in regards to technology is how to use photoshop. Because I am an artist, knowing how to do digital art can add to what I already do by hand. I can also use skills in photoshop to make my classes a bit more lively. I suppose my students would be able to appreciate photo-manipulation to make gag pictures that would add some fun to the class.

I have a book on photoshop that is pretty good. I just need to sit down and practice with it. I could also probably find a class in it. There are also tutorials available online and I have a few friends that know how to work with it.

Blog Post 8

This chapter was about security issues and related things. The book talked about different types of viruses like malicious software viruses which include Trojan horses and worms. It also explained how each virus worked in infecting a computer as well as some signs of virus infections. I liked figure 8-3 because they used the figure of a little old lady with sunglasses as the "unscrupulous programmer." It made me laugh. The chapter went over other security issues such as hackers and hardware theft. Another type of theft discussed was, everybody's favorite, piracy. The chapter gives a plethora of tips on how to protect your computer from viruses, hardware theft, electrical damage, and identity theft. Ethics and health issues were included. Figure 8-37 gives very helpful and otherwise unknown tips on how to ease eyestrain while working at a computer.

I haven't learned too much since last class. I have a very good working knowledge of powerpoint in regards to making presentations. However, I can imagine that, like word, powerpoint has a good number of hidden techniques.

So, it is only Monday and it is already a stressful week. I lost my notebook-of-everything I needed en route from Bellamy to HCB. By the way, if any one has seen a purple 5 subject notebook with a bunch of Japanese in the first two sections, I would really like it back. Thanks.

Blog Post 7

This chapter was about the curriculum. Some parts of the curriculum included GLE which are things that students must master before being passed on to another grade. Related topics are curriculum goals and bench marks which are things students should know at certain stages. Technology integration covers many areas such as using DVDs to give a lesson to using computer labs. This chapter gave many helpful ideas on how to use technology in the classroom. The ASSURE model is a guide for lesson planing and stands for "analyze the learner, state objectives, select methods, media, and materials, utilize methods, media, and materials, require learner participation, evaluate and revise.
Since the last post, I learned about Wiki Spaces. I definitely did not know that even existed. I thought it was really cool because it can almost be like an educational version of myspace. It was a bit difficult to navigate.
Over the summer, I might be able to work at the my church's preschool. They are still in the process of opening it but one of the people in charge said that I will probably be able to get a job there. I'm really glad about that because I do love kids and it will also look very good on a resume. : )

Blog Post 6

Chapter 5 was about digital media. Digital media, as defined by the book, is technology that allows users to create new forms of interaction, expression, communication, and entertainment in a digital format. The chapter talks about programs that use interactive digital media with the use of pictures, animation, audio, and video. Ebooks are a form of digital media. They allow people to read a whole book on their computer instead of in the traditional format. Many how-to guides are also digitally done. Schools use digital media through websites and computer programs designed to teach students various subjects. Some of these programs include educational games, educational simulations, and tutorials.

I still have to say that I've learned more about MS word and actually had the chance to implement my new skills. I have a history paper to write in which the teacher requires footnotes instead of parenthetical documentation so I got to use the function of ms word for making foot notes.

I've noticed that the weekends in which I go back home have almost always been home game weekends. I'm going home next weekend which is when we play Miami here. Maybe I'll eventually go to one of the games.

Blog Post 5

Chapter 7 talks about how educators should evaluate technology for whether it would be useful in a class or not. It gives a some ideas on where to look for sources such as catalogs, published evaluations, and even the recommendation of a colleague. Things to look at when evaluating educational technology would be content, the availability for technical support, whether the techonology can be used on many different academic levels, and how easy the technology is to use. The chapter also gives a second rubric for evaluating web-pages based on who the author is, institutional affiliation, the purpose of the site, whether it is biased, the content, how challenging it is, whether it is appropriate for students, how current the information is, and also how the website is present either as easy to navigate or impossible to move around on. The chapter also talks about how to integrate technology into the classroom either by one on one student involvement with the computer or by having multiply computers in the classroom.

Since last class, I learn a lot more about Word. I'll honestly say that I'm not sure how well I will remember it all for the skill check let alone for while I am a teacher but I do hope to retain the information. I didn't know that one program could do so much.

In general, I've been very busy with school. I'm glad I've been able to keep up with my homework thus far and I hope to be able to continue doing so even as my courses intensify in work load. Oy, ten page papers are not fun.

Blog Post 4

So, chapter 2 was about the internet. Now, obviously I know how to use but I didn't know that there was a difference between the internet and the world wide web. That was really interesting. I had also heard that the internet was developed in the 1960's but it had not been confirmed for me until now. I do wonder what it must have been like back then though. Of course it was nothing like it is now. Users did not even have any GUI.
Since last time, I now know how to use inspiration. Before, I had never even heard of the program let alone use it but it really is a good teaching tool. It would be good to help a teacher organize their own notes or it could be used as a handout for students to help them learn how to organize main ideas and supporting details.
I am surprised at how much technology, especially the internet, is used here at FSU. Back in my high school and even in the community college at home, we never used technology to the extent FSU uses it. We never had school issued e-mails. Our instructors would have e-mails but they were often their personal e-mail. We had nothing even close to Blackboard. We still received announcements from the instructors verbally and handed in hard copies of our papers on the due date. It hasn't been hard to adjust to the stuff at FSU like Blackboard but I am impressed by it.