Katie Eichorn EDUC 505

Assignments 5,6,7,10

2007-08-07T07:46:00.000-04:00

Hello again! Wow I have completed all requested assignments. I will have to say I found some of them challenging, but very usefull.

The Desktop Movie, was really scary at first, but after I started using the program I enjoyed it. windows Movie maker is a very user friendly program to use. I created a short movie on ecosystems. I hope to use this in my feature classroom. I think it will be very usefull in the science classroom. Although you probably can't have al lot of alive things in the classroom, the digital video allows you to show much more to the students.

The Wiki review was ok. Yes, it was useful because you do need to research different technologies, but it was time consuming. I did have to figure out what a Wiki was, so that was one of my topics I researched.

The WebQuest was very frustrating at first. I had to first get a website I could post the WebQuest on and desugning that was the most frustrating for me. I was kind of clueless and had to do a lot of extra exploring. I will say I use yahoo PageBuilder and it was very easy and friendly to use. I did like doing the WebQuest and learning about it, I think this can be a hands-on tool for students and allow them some independancy. Especially if there are gifted students who need to go above and beyond. A great way to give then extra lessons or more topics to explore.

Completeing the Electronic Portfolio was easy once I learned how to build a webpage. I would like to build on what I have started with lesson plans and other materials in order to showcase to future employers.

Overall, this course was challenging, but probably one of the most useful courses I have taken so far. I did find it fustrating not being able to be face to face with the instructor everyday. But, I did learn a great deal and hope to expand on it.

Good Day!

Assignments 4 & 8

2007-08-03T07:32:00.000-04:00

Hello, here I am expressing my thoughts on the internet again. I have completed 2 more assignments and have all the rest started, just having a little trouble completing them. The ones that do not require much work on the internet for me are easier to complete. My internet is very slow, and causes things to go array. I am waiting to complete these assignments , so I can go and borrow a computer that is just a little faster.

The PowerPoint presentation was fun to do. I have used the program numerous times for numerous things. I actually began using PowerPoint in highschool for presentations. And that was 8 years ago. Although, I have used the program before, I have never used it as an interactive tool. It was a great learning experience, because it is another useful tool for the classroom. With the technology of a Smartbord, this will be great for doing review for classes. Also, teaching students to use the program and different ways for them to present projects.

The spreadsheet/database assignment was probally the easiest to complete so fer. The directions were easy to folllow and stay with. It did take a little time to complete. I do know how to do every task that I completed. I use excell quite frequently to do books and sort and store data. I know I will use this program to keep track of items in the classroom.

Well, as you can see my assignments are going so far. I will stress again I need a new computer and better internet and things would probably be done. Untill next time, Good Day!

Blog 1

2007-07-25T20:59:00.000-04:00

This is my first blogging experience. I guess I have never felt the need to express my thoughts and opinions on the internet before. Now I am forced too, in order to complete requirements for a technology course.

At the first day of class, I was asked to rate me technology use and knowledge. I gave myself a 5 or 6. I have to admit I lied. I thought I was that good, but after starting the assignments and doing the exploring, I have lived a sheltered technology life. Previous to this class, I thought I was proficient with technology. There is a lot I need to learn. Yes, I will say I get around quite well on the computer, but there is a lot I need to learn yet.

Completeing the newsletter article was a simple task. Although, it has been a long time since I did one, so I did stumble a little bit. I was able to complete it. In searching for examples and help, I found I like the idea if giving students and parents a newsletter. It will aid is getting the outside support a teacher needs.

The Inspiration program is awesome! I new something existed like this, but not really. I only played with it a little bit in order to complete the assignment, due to time restrictions. But I would use the program in a heartbeat. I think it will work really well in the science calssroom and is a great tool. It was easy and fun to use. I would even think about letting students use the program to create their own diagrams and maps. What a great visual aid. I think the more tools in learning the more learners you can reach.

Although I am getting a slow start to assignments, I am actually finding them very helpful. I do have to blame my slowness on my computer. I live in the boonies and have slow internet. Plus, my computer is old and decrepid. I am not ready to buy a new one yet, because they are old the day you take it out of the box.

Untill next time, good day!