Blog #11

I would definitely like to become more familiar with Microsoft Excel. The assignments we are completing for class are definitely helping, but I would really like to become more experienced with this.  I think Excel is very important for a future job as a teacher to help with organization and grading. To practice, I could find ways to incorporate Excel in various school projects in preparation for using this program in a future career.

Blogs I commented on:

• Katelyn
• Kathryn

Blog #10

Regarding technology professional development, as a teacher, I will utilize webinars in order to understand how to use software that could be effective in teaching my class. I think it’s important to incorporate technology into a classroom, and teachers should constantly be adapting to the ever-changing technological world around them to help their students. I would also take advantage of blogs in order to see what other teachers around the country are doing to help make their classroom successful.

From working on the past to PowerPoint assignment, I’ve become more experienced with hyperlinks and slide navigation. There was not much that I disliked about the assignment since I feel that all of the skills I acquired would be useful for a future career in the classroom. I really like to get opportunity to be creative and put my own spin on each of the assignments.

Blogs I commented on: 

• Kathryn 
• Bailey

Blog #9

In flipped classrooms, students are expected to learn the material at home through videos a teacher has uploaded, instructional videos, or online prep for class the following day. Students learn the material at home, then when they come to class, teachers are there to help them with any specific issues they may be having. My Spanish class was a flipped classroom, and it was extremely helpful since I was able to learn on my own, then learn more of the specific applications and more examples in class with a teacher there to help.

The impact of the digital divide does not just affect others’ access to technology, but it also affects skillsets and real-world applications. Students with access to technology at home are believed to have greater success and opportunities in their educational career. Students with limited or no access to technology enter college or the workforce with a disadvantage compared to students that do have access to technologies at home and at school. This can be geographically impacted as well. As a teacher, I would ask how much access students have to technology at home, and I would assign homework depending on how great or small that level of access is. I would also allow the students to become more familiar with technology at school and in the classroom so that they will be better prepared for college and the workforce later in life.

Prior to completing these PowerPoints, I wasn’t entirely sure how to hyperlink. However, after this assignment, I feel that I’m very familiar with it, and I would definitely be able to use this in a classroom in the future. I also became more familiar with effectively creating tables since I put together a Jeopardy game for one of the assignments. I really like that I was able to be creative, and that I was able to gain a new skillset that I will be able to apply to a classroom. Next time, I can improve my PowerPoints by including more graphics and transition animations.

Blogs I commented on:

• Katelyn
• Alexis

Blog #8

Assistive and adaptive Technologies are used for people with disabilities who require alternate means of gaining information and materials rather than the standard method of presentation. For example, if a student were dyslexic, spellcheck and other services would help them to write papers with less difficulty. Also, there are laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities in learning/work environments, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act.I have not used any of these technologies, nor have I known of anyone who has used them, but I think it’s extremely important for a learning environment to be accommodating to everyone regardless of disability or learning style. There could definitely be difficulties using adaptive technology in the classroom simply because I am not well acquainted with it. But, If a student were to require this method of presentation, I would definitely work to the best of my abilities to help make sure they are successful in the classroom. 

I think Technology would be very important in my future career, whether I decide to be a writer or if I decide to pursue teaching. Microsoft programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and excel would definitely help in any work environment, allowing my responsibilities to be completed more efficiently and effectively. I would also use technology to help students learn, since that seems to be a way that students are a lot more receptive to learning materials, as they are more familiar with it due to our society/culture’s emphasis on technology. 

Working with the WebQuest assignment, I learned more about how to set up a webpage, and how to effectively explain the process of an assignment for a class. I really liked the opportunity to be creative and make up my own assignment/presentation catered to a classroom that I would like to have one day. It was a bit difficult to navigate at times, but ultimately I felt that it was a really useful tool to use in future classrooms. For the future, I feel that I could include more outside resources, and make it more visually appealing. I think that this method of presentation would be really helpful for high school students, which I hope to teach one day. They are easily able to navigate websites and utilize outside resources, allowing them to get the full use and benefit out of the WebQuest.

https://knswebquest.weebly.com/task.html

Blogs I commented on:

• Gabi
• Kayla