Hello. My name is Katie Barnes and this is my Blogfolio. The
purpose of this final blog is to demonstrate my growth over the course. With
each assignment, I explain what I learned, what problems I encountered and how
I solved them, how I will integrate this knowledge in my future teaching, and
what NETS-T Standards I met. Over the course of this semester, this class has
taught me many aspects of technology I previously did not know about. Each of
the assignments given acted as a tool I can use as a future teacher. And each
of the assignments gave me an opportunity to grow in a new way.
#1 Intro Video
The Introductory Video was the first assignment we were
given in class. At first, I did not expect the task to be difficult. However,
when we had to upload the video to our computer, the challenging aspect of the
project was presented to me. I was unsure of exactly how to sync the video from
my phone to the school’s computer. Typically, I would have plugged in a USB
cord from my phone to my laptop, but I was unable to do this because the
project was to be done in class and the software is different than my own. To
solve the problem, we learned about Google Drive. Before this course, I had
never used any of Google’s applications. Saving the video from my phone to my
personal drive made it so easy to upload it to our online blog. This assignment
ultimately taught me to be familiar with all computer software, not just the
software given with Macs. Having this newfound knowledge of Google Drive will
serve as a very beneficial tool in my future teaching career. This will allow me to save all
classroom files in one central location so that there is a lessened chance of
the files being lost. I can also teach my students how to use this application
for particular work they may need or want to save themselves. This particular
assignment aligns with the NETS-T Standard 5: Engage in professional growth and
leadership. This project meets Standard 5 because it states that the teacher
will explore creative applications of technology and improve student learning.
The introductory video led me to understand Google Drive, which is a new,
creative way of technology that I can later use to benefit my students.
#2 Concept Map
The Concept Map was a fun assignment that differentiated the
way I have previously completed a similar task. In my former schooling, I have
made concepts maps, but always on paper. This gave me an opportunity to create
a concept map on the computer. The greatest challenge for this assignment was
keeping my unfinished work saved. I had to remake my concept map three times
because the document would never save on the computer until the next class
meeting. Other than that, this project was fairly simple. I solved this problem
by writing out what I wanted in each bubble so that I had a list to go by once
I got in class. This helped me to create the concept map quicker than before
allowing me to finish and save it in one class sitting. Because I had such
difficultly with saving this project, I am not sure it will be willingly
incorporated into my classroom. I prefer the written concept maps only because
I feel there are less limitations. However, if I were to use it, it is a great
tool for keeping students interested rather than showing a PowerPoint. The
concept map on the computer creates for a clearer picture and it has everything
laid out in a very straightforward manner. This taught me to work with
diligence, which is something I can definitely pass onto my future students. I
believe that this assignment meets Standard 3 of the NETS-T Standards. This standard talks about transferring
current knowledge to new technology. With the concept map, that is exactly what
I did. I took my previous knowledge of writing a concept map on paper, and
transferred that knowledge to making a concept map on the computer.
#3 Web Tools
The Web Tools assignment presented no challenges. The
websites we used to create our assignments were very clear to read
directionally. We created a rubric, a quiz, a survey, and a discussion. I
assumed the rubric would be difficult because I have never made one before, but
it turned out to be the simplest of them all. Being able to choose a topic you
want your project to be about and having the computer come up with the
specifics left no work for me to do, excluding some minor adjustments to the
content. The quiz was also very simple because of how clearly laid out the site
was. There were no challenges with entering questions and answers or even
saving my test file. The survey and discussion were, too, very simple because
of the website. Everything from the Web Tools assignment would be a great
incorporation in my future classroom. Using the Big Bus Testmaker will be an
easy alternative for making a multiple-choice quiz. Kahoot will also be a great
way to incorporate fun class participation opportunities for the students. This
assignment did a great job in teaching about useful teaching sites that we
previously did not know about. This assignment aligns with Standard 2 of the
NETS-T Standards. This standard discusses designing learning experiences that
incorporate digital tools, developing learning experiences that allow students
to become active participants, customizing activities for diverse learning styles,
and providing students with varied assessments. This one assignment hit all
four points under Standard 2. The online aspect of the project aligns with the
idea of incorporating digital tools. The Kahoot website surveys and discussions
aligns with student participation. To personalize learning activities, class
participation also helps with giving students the opportunity to speak aloud
instead of writing down their thoughts. And, creating a quiz or orally
discussing an activity presents different ways of assessing. This assignment,
for me, is the most beneficial for my future in teaching.
#4 Webpage
The Webpage was a great assignment for future teachers. I
have never created a website, so this project ultimately taught me how to make
one. The only challenge of this assignment was that it was time consuming. It
took much longer than the other assignments to complete. However, that did not
mean it was hard. I solved the problem simply by giving myself a timeline.
Having a personal deadline helped me to stay focused when completing my
website. This assignment will be great for my future classroom. I am not used
to teachers having personal websites, but after this activity I see how
beneficial it really is. It is a great way for the parents, guardians, and
students to know you as the teacher on a more personal level. It also helps
keep everyone on track with a digital calendar and to-do list. This creates
clearer communication because you no longer have to rely on slips of paper
making it home. I think this is a tool I will definitely incorporate in my future
classroom. I want to make things as easy as I can for everyone when it comes to
communication and knowing what is going on. This assignment aligns with
Standard 3 of the NETS-T Standards. This standard talks about demonstrating
fluency in technology systems and the collaboration between the students,
peers, and parents. To create a webpage, you should be fluent in understanding
that particular bit of technology. This will help with the overall clarity. Having
a website allows for that sense of collaboration because now everyone involved
can see and understand what is going on. This project definitely gave me a very
valuable source for my future classroom.
#5 Google Groups
For the Google Groups assignment, I learned how to use more
of Google’s features. I have only ever used Google for mail, therefore, I did
not know of the other applications that were offered from Google. This project
mainly helped for me to use Google Docs and the Google Presentation. Google
Docs worked well in that it was a very collaborative way of writing. The Google
Presentation was a bit more difficult in that the slides had to coincide with
one another but they were separate from each other. The main challenge of this
assignment was collaboration. Group projects are always difficult because
people have such different schedules. It also was a bit difficult to take
someone else’s topic and then add onto that. This problem was solved by
discussing how we wanted the project to be in class and then working on the
assignment from home. It was an easy solution. I am a bit more reluctant to use
the Google Apps only because I am partial to Microsoft Office. I also do not
like that you can overwrite someone else’s work on the Google Apps. But, I
could incorporate this into my classroom by having the students work
individually for a common goal. I could also share my knowledge about what
works best and what does not work as well with the applications. This
assignment aligns with Standard 1 of the NETS-T Standards. It talks about
promoting innovative thinking, solving problems, and using collaboration tools.
This project allowed for creativity in that we could come up with our own
topic. It also helps with learning to solve problems being that you are in a
group. Also, with being in a group, you are steadily working on being
collaborative. This assignment proved to be most beneficial in working towards
collaboration.
#6 Movie
I have made several movies in my previous schooling career,
however I have always used iMovie. This assignment, being that it was created
with different software, was different than what I was use to. I did, however,
learn to use this new software effectively. The main challenge for this
assignment was, like the concept map, saving my incomplete document. I had to
remake my movie three times because my progress would never save for the next
class meeting. This was very frustrating to me, but like before, I wrote down
what I wanted on each slide and the order I wanted my pictures to be in to
ensure I would complete the project in one sitting. This solved the problem
just as it did for the concept map. I think the knowledge I gained from this
assignment will be fun to incorporate in my future classroom. I think it is a
great way to get on a more personal level with me as the teacher as well as for
the students to learn more about each other. It also is a fun way to interact
because it is not typically used making it more exciting. This project aligns
with Standard 3 of the NETS-T Standards because it uses technology tools to support
innovation. Creating a movie is a great way for students to be collaborative
with one another as well as share personal creativity. This was the most fun
project in that we learned more than we previously knew about all of our
classmates.
Final Reflection:
This class has been very beneficial for my future career.
Our society is becoming so technologically based that learning things I did not
previously know will help me better adapt at a later date. It is important for me, as a future teacher,
to know and understand how to use technology so I can be most knowledgeable for
my students.
In this
class, I first learned how to use a Dell. I have always been around Macs, so
the change of technology was very challenging for me at first. It is important
that I am able to adapt to new ways of technology because everywhere I go,
things will not be the same. I also learned of online tools that will be very
beneficial for me in the future, such as Kahoot. This was my favorite source
because I found it very easy to navigate and use. I also think it was such a
fun way to encourage class participation. So often teachers lecture and bore
students with PowerPoint. This site allowed for an interaction between the
class as a whole. Another beneficiary outcome of this class was learning how to
create a webpage. I feel as though this will definitely be a tool I use in a
later date because I saw just how effective they could be.
I
definitely have both strong and weak points when it comes to technology. When
it comes to my strong points, I would say that I am fairly good as using
technology. When it comes to my weak points, I would say that I am not so
“gung-ho” about using it as often as we do. My family is very good with
technology because my dad is an Artistic Director, meaning he does his work on
computers all day, and my brother is very technologically advanced in that he
understands how to use it all and always is apt to get the latest and greatest
piece of technology. However, I am not so eager to use it because I see how
society has become so reliant on technology. I definitely use technology and
appreciate it, but I do hate how it has taken away from face-to-face and
hands-on interactions.
Because
technology is advancing and people’s skills are strengthening, it is important
for me to not have a bitter attitude about it. Since I am going to be a
teacher, I hope I learn how to better embrace the positive side of technology.
There is so much good that comes from it, so I hope I can display that to my
students. This will in turn strengthen my weakness of not being as enthusiastic
about incorporating technology into activities.
I plan on
incorporating technology into my classroom in a lot of different ways. I
currently have a teacher who plays videos from YouTube, which I find great because
it is a wonderful way of getting and maintaining attention. I also think I will
have a Smart Board because I enjoy the interaction it creates between the
students. I also will use technology as a fun way to learn. There are so many
learning games that stimulate a child’s mind differently than just learning
from a lecture. There are endless ways of using technology properly in the
classroom.
I have
never used an e-Portfolio or a Blog before this classroom. However, I thought
this was a great way to keep all of my work in one location. The Blog was easy
to upload assignments to and keep track of the work I have previously done. It
was also fun to turn in material in a different way rather than just using
Blackboard. It becomes another resourceful tool I can use for differentiating
my class from others.
