Final Course Reflection

     Over the semester I have learned many ways to integrate technology in my classroom and how to use many tools that are available.  The projects I completed are how to create my very own blog, concept mapping, using web tools (Storybird, Wordle, Rubric, and Trackstar), Google Groups and Google Drive, Movie Story, Web site, Turnitin, and Assistive Technology.  Each one of these projects are tools to help me as a future teacher to use with my students so that I can incorporate technology in my classroom. 

     My strong points include creating the concept map, Storybird, and the Movie Story.  I felt like these were my strong points because I was able to be creative and design things the way I wanted to.  The concept map assignment I thoroughly enjoyed because I was able to pick out a topic of choice which was dance.  The Storybird assignment was fun because I could create my own story with pictures that were provided.  It would be a great activity to do with students because they could be creative but it would not be time consuming since the pictures and templates are provided.  The Movie Story was by far my most favorite assignment the whole semester.  I worked very hard on that assignment and I felt like it turned out really great!  

     My weak points included Wordle and Assistive Technology.  Wordle was really confusing to me because I did not understand the setting up process.  I also had trouble navigating a few areas of the Assistive Technology assignment.  I plan to improve both of these weak areas by using both of them more and getting more comfortable with them.  I plan to use all the technology tools I have learned about in this class to use in my own classroom.  

     There are many ways to integrate technology into the classroom.  Some of the ways I plan to do this is by using the internet to go on a Scavenger Hunt, explore places you could never visit with streaming video, create a web quest, finding current events, and research information on certain topics.  I would also like to allow my students to use Word Processing to compose a story/ news article/ book review with clip art or graphics, expand vocabulary by using the thesaurus, comparing and contrasting things using a Venn diagram, using timelines for projects or to record historical events, and publishing a class newspaper or flyer.  There are so many more ways to incorporate technology into the classroom but those are a few ways I plan to do it.                                     

Assistive Technology

     The Assistive Technology assignment taught me how to use tools on the computer that are made for students that have disabilities.  I explored accessibility features in Windows that included tools to help people who are hard of hearing, visually impaired, or who have mobility impairments.  The problem I encountered was when I used the Magnifier I had trouble getting it back to the normal computer screen.  My friend that sat next to me taught me how to set the screen back to the correct setting.  Also I had trouble with the Print Screen button because I was clicking it but I did not know where to find the actual screen capture.  I eventually figured out that it automatically took the screen shot and placed it in my gallery. 

     As a teacher I will need to be aware of how to use the Windows functions to make modifications for my students with disabilities.  The tools I mentioned will be very helpful to these students when they use the computer.  The NETS-T standards that go with this assignment are facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity and promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility.  This assignment addresses the diverse needs of all learners by providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.  The Windows functions allow every student to receive an equal opportunity to participate in using computers.                               

To view my Assistive Technology power point click here

Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues (turnitin)

     The Turnitin system taught me how to detect plagiarism, prevent plagiarism, and how to bring the problem of plagiarism to attention.  There were two parts to this assignment that consisted of writing to separate reports.  The first report I had to write contained a set of questions I had to answer using the websites provided on the directions.  Using the provided websites, I simply copied and pasted answers straight from the website to my report.  After I completed the copied report I submitted it to Turnitin which informed me that around ninety percent of my paper had been plagiarized.  This was a great demonstration on how plagiarism can be detected by simply using a website.  The second part of this assignment was the revised draft, which was writing a report of the questions that needed to be answered, in my own words.  When I submitted this report, Turnitin detected less than fifteen percent plagiarism. 

     I did not encounter any problems with this assignment.  I will use the Turnitin program with my own class when I assign reports or papers.  This will help me detect if my students are trying to plagiarize.  The NETS-T standards associated with this assignment are modeling digital age work and learning and promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility.  The Turnitin website falls under these standards because it advocates, models, and teaches safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.                           

To view my turnitin report click here

Web site

     I learned how to create a web page for my future classroom by using Google sites.  Within my web page I created a home page, course information, a personal page, and web resources.  The homepage contains a welcome message to my class, a list of things someone can find on my site, an explanation on how to explore the web site, and the best way to contact me.  The course information page has the course materials that are required for my class, course rules, and a homework schedule.  The personal page just tells about my background like where I am from, where I graduated, etc.  I also designed a web resources page that is comprised of websites that the students will be completing throughout the school year.  

     I did not encounter any problems while I was completing my website.  Everything I had to do in this assignment was pretty self-explanatory as I followed the directions.  I will use this assignment for my future teaching so that my students as well as their parents can access my web site.  As a teacher, the web site will be a great tool to use to be able to keep the parents of the students I teach informed of everything that is going on in the classroom.  I hope to also be able to post grades within my website so that the parents can monitor their children.  

     The NETS-T standards that met this assignment are designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments, promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility, and engaging in professional growth and leadership.  By creating this web site, it is promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible interactions related to the use of technology.  The teacher can interact with the parents and students through this web site.  Also this website exhibits leadership by participating in shared decision making and community building, and also developing the leadership and technology skills of others.  The really neat aspect of having a teaching web page is that it really involves the community because they can see what is going on in the classroom.  Also as they get involved it is building their technology skills because they are navigating the website.

To view my web site click here