Blogfolio

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.