Post #5

     I believe Web 2.0 can be very important and useful for the future of technology.  Almost everyone nowadays is on social media, ranging from all ages.  The fact that Web 2.0 offers the ability to allow sharing, remixing and re-purposing information on the Web among others.  Web 2.0 requires an updated computer with all of the new sources provided.  Instead of the Britannica Online, it displays Wikipedia.  Everything is updated and more high-tech, involving more blogs, search engines, and email websites.
     One interesting tool used in Web 2.0 that might be useful for a classroom is Edmodo.  All throughout high school, my teachers used Edmodo to display information and homework for the class. It was an easy way to communicate with my teachers.  The teachers could post surveys online for us to take which was also a convenient tool.
     Edmodo is very useful as well when students did not write down the assignment.  Teachers would post the homework after school just in case a student forgot to write it down.  Edmodo also has an option that can send a student text or email notifications so a student does not always have to check the site.  The link to the website is here: https://www.edmodo.com/
     The concept mapping activity can be very useful when trying to make them in the future.  It was easy to use once I got the hang of it, and was even easier to read and understand.  There was not really anything that I disliked about the activity.  If I do decide to stick to the education and teaching field/career, then this concept mapping activity can be useful to my students, and will be easy for them to understand.

Post #4

     The standard I have chosen to discuss is the standard that falls under Social Studies.  The name of the standard is SS.912.A and it falls under the American History topic, specifically talking about causes and effects of the Civil War.  I found a website of a teacher that illustrates these causes and effects: http://mrnussbaum.com/civil-war/causes/.  Students can use both this standard and the website to learn just exactly how the Civil War started, and what the outcome of the war was.
     For as long as I've been using the computer, I've always found resources to be very useful, and have found almost exactly what I've been looking for.  Sometimes it takes a whole lot of digging for me to find the answer online.  Compared to the methods in the podcast, I usually just take the time to dig through Google pages until I find the answer.
     I never really used Google scholar to find informational articles until the Webhunt.  This is definitely a new skill I will use from now on.  There weren't really any surprises that I found going into and coming out of the Webhunt!  It was just a little time consuming.  Webhunt challenges I have created:
1.  You are teaching your students how to compare and contrast information.  Find a website that allows you to create Venn Diagrams.
2.  You are teaching your students on the history of the Civil War.  Find a website that shows a timeline of events of the Civil War.

Post #3

    After reading through the ELA Standards, I have a couple of points to make.  Because I would like to be a teacher for elementary school, I focused more on the standards that involve the lower grade levels.  Looking at the L.5 Section, "Vocabulary: Use Context Clues",  I've heard this so many times throughout grade school.  For the grade levels 2-3, the standards tell you to sound out the words, and define them using a glossary, which is something that we still use all the time today! For the standard titled "Use Technology", when I became a teacher one day, I will need to prepare to learn how to use then newest technologies used in the school systems at the time.
     When I read chapter 9, I came across a few types of technology that I would consider using with my students such as wikis, blogs, and videos to describe my lesson plans.  As for the digital citizenship concepts, I will use the guidelines that discuss copyright laws (to make sure my students do not get in any trouble), and that when using media to always protect their own personal information.  For the age group that will be using these guidelines, I hope to aim for students that are in elementary school, as I said previously!

     After doing the newsletter design, I learned how to use new skills such as making paragraphs into different columns and inserting clip art.  I liked how we could write the newsletter on anything, and really get creative with the project.  I can improve it next time by writing longer articles, maybe for an older grade level.  This newsletter project can be used in the future by people who want to be teachers like myself, to send home to parents or the students!

Post #2

     As a student, I've used MS Word for almost all of my projects and papers.  It is extremely convenient and easy to use and maneuver once you've learned how to use it.  My teachers have also used it in almost everything, but instead they've transferred it to things such as a PDF so we can't edit what their documents say.  My teachers throughout grade school also have used Word to show us how to write in APA or MLA format, which is often used in college, and has better prepared me.
     In my life, I've always had to deal with copyright and fair use materials.  Throughout high school, plagiarism and copyrighting is a big deal, and becomes an even bigger deal when entering college.  These materials can become very important in an educational environment when it comes to turning in assignments.  One has to make sure sources are properly cited.  As a teacher, I would constantly stress that is important to never steal anyone else's work, and if you do decide to take from someone else, make sure all credit is given to them.
     Because I had a Twitter before this class, there weren't really any new skills for me to learn.  However, I think Twitter is a great way to see what's going on in the world and to get in touch with your students.  I've had plenty of teachers in high school who used Twitter to talk to students and answer any questions that they might have had.  It is a lot quicker and more sufficient than e-mail!

Post #1

     Computers are a very important part of the educational experience today.  Basically everything we do today is all on the computer.  It is very easy for a teacher to give a lesson or show a video via the computer, and is also easy to see and learn for visual learners.  One of the examples from the chapter states that a concern with using technology in schools is that technology may not be emphasized as much in schools.  This could be because some schools simply cannot afford certain types of technology, which is not only a concern, but also a challenge.
     The ISTE's standards main goal is to define what someone needs to know specifically about technology.  The NETS are also standards for the ISTE that evaluates the teachers knowledge and skills within the technology field.  I believe the standard about facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity is very important as a teacher, to get all of the creative juices flowing within a student.  However, promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility seems a little out of my reach, considering I don't believe I am qualified to do that yet.
     I can very much agree with the podcast's definition of being a digital native.  A digital native is someone who grew up using technology, and now knows how to use it because of the environment they grew up in.  I believe that my generation and the ones a little younger and older than mine have an easier time using technology than many older teachers do today.  For example, kids my age know how to use certain things on a smartphone like a game or even on a gaming console a lot better than a senior citizen (in my opinion).  Between me and my future students, I see them being more technologically advanced because they will be younger and more up to date with the current technology than I will be.

Twitter

Here's the name of my new Twitter account! :

@eme2040hallie

Blog #0

   
     My prior experiences to using technology before taking this course are not extremely crazy.  I learned how to play on the computer and use different programs on the computer when I was very young.  I have never really taken any computer courses until this one.  However, if I ever have a problem with my computer or phone, I can do enough research to usually figure out the solution to that problem!
     I hope to learn in this class more about the programs we are going to be using such as Word, Powerpoint and Excel.  These are going to be used very often in my college experience.  Even though I've used them many times, it is still important to learn more things about them that I did not know prior to this class.
     After taking the learning styles quiz, I have come to the conclusion that I have a moderate to difficult time learning if my preference isn't done right.  Therefore, I hope the learning environment that I continue to learn in is more suitable for me.  If not, I will do my best to accustom myself to a new and different learning environment!  Also, when studying on my own, it can be easier to studying in my own, comfortable learning environment.