Monday, March 16, 2015

This semester has already taught me so much about technology and teaching because of the vast amount of websites and tools we have now been exposed to.

I have learned a lot about a number of tools including: Quizlet, Prezi, and more.

Quizlet is an awesome tool I have learned about that is very easy and helpful. I can see myself using it to assist my students in memorizing vocabulary or learning a new topic. It is also great because you can easily share it with other teachers. It can also be assessed anywhere which is so great. There is even a neat, simple app for Quizlet that has all the same features.

Prezi is a fantastic tool that I for sure will use in my classroom. It is an easy way to display information in a fun way. It is very appealing to the eye and looks more fun than a simple Power Point presentation. It is also very easy to use and can also be easily shared between teachers and students. I also might use it as an assignment for my kids to encourage some creativity for a project.
 
I have learned a lot about the art of teaching and that you truly must find what works for you. Teaching is made up of a lot more than just standing in front of a classroom talking.

I still have some questions about technology and teaching.
For example, what have others found works best for younger Elementary students? What about older Elementary students? I also would like to know what other tools teachers have found that help them in technology. All these questions also lead me to be very curious about what new technology will be emerging when I finally become a teacher.

All these things make me anxious, but very excited to begin my journey as a teacher. Everything I have learned so far has helped me feel more confident in my abilities and I know I will continue to learn more.

Monday, February 2, 2015

My Past Experiences with Technology & MORE.

In my previous years of learning, I experienced many different forms of technology.

Technology was not huge in my schools growing up, but I took a couple classes that enhanced my knowledge.

Two classes that helped me the most in knowing how to use technology were Yearbook class and Business Tech. They allowed me to learn and use different programs on the computer that I would not have normally been exposed to.

I learned a lot about InDesign and Photoshop which I hope will enhance my abilities as a teacher. They taught me a lot about creativity and I think they could be useful tools to have in my classroom.

I also am pretty knowledgeable about Word and other Microsoft programs. This I also think could come in handy as a teacher.

In my regular classes in school we had some exposure to overhead projectors, ceiling projectors, Elmo's, and some with Smart boards. These are awesome tools but I wish I had more interaction with other types of technology.

Mcapdevila, November 12, 2014; Multi-license CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL
 
In high school, we also used the computers a good bit for my English classes. We would go to computer labs and type our papers and use the internet to find sources for research, but that was about the extent of it.

The technology I see in college, and even in my old schools is rapidly progressing and I am excited to see what will come about when I have my own classroom. There are endless possibilities with all the technology that is out in the world these days.

I hope to learn more about technology in the future. For example, how to better use a Smart board, or how to create cool videos, or how to make my own website or app for my students. I think all of these things would not only be helpful for me but also for my students.

All these things will hopefully contribute tome being able to have a fun, interactive learning classroom one day.