~Course Reflection~

At the beginning of the semester, I thought that I was coming into another computer class that was going to introduce a computer to us and show us how to use it. However, I was wrong and am very glad that this class was much more than that. During this semester, I learned about several new features and free software that I was unaware of before. I had never visited a blog before, so this was a very new experience for me. Blogging can have many benefits for a teacher. During this process, I actually found a blog that a kindergarten teacher had posted. In her blog she shares all her lesson plan and craft ideas. I really enjoyed reviewing that and time permitting, I would like to start something similar to hers when I become an experienced teacher. I also learned how to create a website. I definitely want to maintain a website when I have a classroom. Most people have access and prefer to communicate using computers, so I think this is a great way to reach out to several people and save time. I am also very glad that I learned about the free web tools. Creating rubrics, quizzes and worksheets on those websites was very easy and seems like it would also save a lot of time in the classroom. I wouldn’t really say that I really discovered any weaknesses when completing these assignments other than becoming frustrated with the computer at times.  Sometimes I tend to get in a little rush when using computers and I end up pressing the wrong button, clicking the wrong thing, or saving in the wrong folder. I think the only way to correct this would be to slow down a little and have more patience. I surely can’t be getting aggravated with my technology in front of my students. I plan on incorporating technology into my classroom. I want to teach kindergarten, and even though they may be little, they have a huge interest in computers. I am glad that I was introduced to the assistive technology that is available on the computer. I do need a little more practice changing the features because sooner or later, I will encounter a student that I need to make those adjustments for.  I also plan to use technology to communicate back and forth with parents. This class introduced me to a lot of other great resources that I will be able to use in my future classroom.

Assistive/Adaptive Technology

This seemed to be the most complicated assignment for the semester, but it was very fun. Before completing this assignment I had absolutely no idea that all of the features were available on computers. I am very glad that I was exposed to them because I will be able to help make adjustments on classroom computers to suit each student’s needs. The magnifier enlarged the print on the screen and made the print even larger when rolling across it with the mouse. I was also able to change the settings for the mouse. Putting the keyboard on the screen was very neat. There were also several options to change the contrast on the screen. I enjoyed making the pages with a letter. I used the letter T and C. For each of these, I put pictures of items that began with that letter. Beside each pictures, I inserted a sound clip for the image.

This activity falls under the NETS-T standard:

2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital

culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

Assistive technology gives teachers the ability to modify curriculum and other material to meet the needs of each individual student.

Ethical Uses of Technology

First Attempt

 
I was not thrilled about having to write a report, but overall this assignment was interesting. This assignment had us focus on the social, ethical, legal, and human Issues that using the internet can cause. Plagiarism, whether intentional or not, is a big deal and can cause a lot of problems. This feature scans work that is submitted and detects any plagiarism. On our first attempt of this assignment, we were asked to use six different websites and copy and paste the information exactly how it was found upon access. Once I submitted that, TurnItIn detected that my report was 97% similar to other documents. I then redid my report in my own words and resubmitted it. The feedback on my second attempt came back with 2& similarity of other documents. Using TurnItIn in the classroom would be an excellent way to make sure that students are being fair and honest in work that is turned in. It is also a great way to find out if students need additional help citing sources for information that they borrowed.

This assignment falls under the NETS-T standard:

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital

culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources

c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

This assignment requires that teachers promote legal and ethical use of digital information and technology. It also requires that sources be documented appropriately. Teachers should exhibit this when showing students information by crediting the source. Teachers should also instruct students on how to properly give credit to the original owner of any type of document, movie, song, etc.