DIGITAL STORY BOOK REFLECTION

I am excited to see how this is all going to turn out. I think the research process is going to be a little lengthy, but it is super nice to have a group of all of us working together. I am also excited to learn how to make a digital story book, and be able to use that knowledge in future classes. I am still a little nervous at this point because I don't know entirely what it is going to turn out like or how hard or easy it is going to be. But I am very excited to see the end result, and hopefully learn a lot!

ANIMOTO

I really liked this website, and video/slide show creator. I loved how simple it was to use! After watching the video that you showed, I was nervous because it looked very intricate, and like it would be complicated to make. I was happily surprised to see that you just choose a template to work with, and simply just need to add a photo or video. I think I would use this in my future classrooms, as well as have my students use it to make presentations. I just feel like the music and transitions make it a much more engaging, and visually pleasing presentation. I know that they would be 100% capable doing something like that. I am excited to add this tool to my technology toolbox.

PODCAST

This week it was fun to play with audacity and sound effects. I can see how this might be useful in a classroom. I think one way that might be fun is to do a read along for reading centers. Something else might be to have the kids record themselves reading or doing a fun project. It was pretty simple, and I think kids will eat the sound effects up! At first I was a little nervous, and overwhelmed, because I had never used audacity before. But it was pretty simple, and I think the kids could do it too (depending on the age group). I think it is going to be a great technology tool to add to my teaching belt!

WEBQUEST

I really liked learning how to do a webquest. They were super easy, and a great way to do a lesson using technology. It is super fun and interactive, and depending on how well the quest is, it is also very engaging. I think this week just solidified my website making skills with google docs. Which is good, because I haven't worked with google's platforms a lot prior to this class. It also got me thinking a lot about ways I could use webquests in my classroom. I think they are very beneficial, especially on crazier weeks when you just need to have something for your kids to do because you lost your voice, or something. I had fun working with a partner on this project as well. I learned that it helps to divide the work load when creating a site and I learned some good group skills. I am definitely going to use these. I think the class should all share their webquests on their blog or something so we can have access to them! I saw some really great ones in class.

GOOGLE SITES

This week was a good refresher! I took a few coding classes, and have enjoyed making websites/blogs in the past. Google sites are different for me, so I learned about the platform a little bit better, and how to navigate and insert certain things that I want. I like how easy it is, and I like embedding surveys and documents. I think the parent survey is a great idea for teachers to get information from parents. I also love the idea of a class website. I think I will definitely refine the site I made a little bit more before going live with it for a classroom of my own. I think google sites is a great resource though, and fairly safe for students. I am interested in looking at other sites that might have safe platforms as well for students and teachers. I feel like a class website is a great way to keep in touch with parents and students. It will be nice to blog reminders, and events that may be coming up. Also with parents consent, post pictures of things we are doing at school. I think that would be fun for the kids to be able to see, and the parents as well.

Overall, I am excited about having a class website!

PARENT SURVEY

I think this was an easy assignment. It is never too difficult, it is just remembering and refreshing my memory on how to do it all. Luckily there is a lot of tutorials out there, in case I forget! I think these surveys and forms are a huge advantage and I plan on using them when I am a teacher. I love how quickly they can gather information, and it makes my life a lot easier. Especially because you can edit the responses right after you receive them all. Also it would be nice to create quizzes to send the children as well. I love that you can add images and videos, I think it will help engage the students, and make the quiz or activities more exciting. I am really glad that I know how to do this!

HELLO

Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. I feel like I have always loved technology and had a passion for using it as a creative outlet. Previous to being in the Elementary Education program, I was going to major in computer science. I realized that coding all day probably wouldn't give me the satisfaction in life that I was looking for, but I would love to start an after school program at an elementary school teaching basic coding to kids. It is fun to create websites, and solve problems, and if a teacher can carry on that passion into the classroom, I think the kids will be less afraid of technology and more willing to try new things and be creative.

Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. In our computer technologies class we took before this, I learned many ways to adapt all kinds of lessons (math, reading, science) and incorporate digital tools. I think technology was made to make our lives easier and I believe that technology is a tool in and of itself to assist us and make teaching a better experience.

Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I think I have enough knowledge of a lot of systems, that it is generally not to hard for me to pick up on new ones. Some take more time than others, just depending on what it is.
Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation. I think it is very important to involve parents and community, and collaborate with them. Although the internet and new digital tools are great, they can also be dangerous. I think it would be an advantage, and big help to have community and parents helping enforce this, and assist in children's knowledge. That is just one way it would be an advantage. This is something that would take some preparation, and involvement to achieve though.

Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others. This is one that I would make sure to prepare for as well. I want my students to have a good experience with technology, so that it doesn't become something negative, or too frustrating that they fear.

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. This goes along with what I was mentioning before. This is very important, and it is something you want to get across and have it stick. It also helps to have parental support and involvement, because you can't manage them when they are at their house. And now almost every home has a computer or ipad or some sort of technology. So I think it is very important.

I want to learn the most effective way to teach and incorporate technology in the classroom.